A60194:3213
A learned commentary or exposition
A learned commentary or exposition: upon the first chapter of the second Epistle of S. Paul to the Corinthians Being the substance of many sermons formerly preached at Gray's-Inn, London, by that reverend and judicious divine, Richard Sibbs, D.D. Sometimes Master of Catherine-Hall in Cambridge, and preacher to that honourable society. Published for the public good and benefit of the Church of Christ. By Tho. Manton, B.D. and preacher of the Gospel at Stoke-Newington, near London.A learned commentary or exposition: upon the first chapter of the second Epistle of S. Paul to the Corinthians Being the substance of many sermons formerly preached at Grayes-Inne, London, by that reverend and judicious divine, Richard Sibbs, D.D. Sometimes Master of Catherine-Hall in Cambridge, and preacher to that honourable society. Published for the publick good and benefit of the Church of Christ. By Tho. Manton, B.D. and preacher of the Gospel at Stoake-Newington, near London.
London: printed by J.L. for N.B., 1655
A COMMENTARY upon the first CHAPTER of the second Epistle of S. PAU… › Commentary on verse 23
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
You have some kind of people, that if a man be not alway in matters of damnation, his Sermon is nothing. So you have some that in their courses are so violent, that they know nothing that is moderate, (and yet perhaps they are good too, but) they cherish too much a violent disposition. Now St. Paul, though he were a very zealous, holy man, yet notwithstanding he would not put himself upon violent courses, but when there was great necessity. He is rather a Butcher then a Physician that loves to torment his Patient. You see what course is first to be taken. I need not be long in so clear a Point; therefore I will spend no more time in it: but come to the second, that is more generally useful, because indeed men are so, that gentle means will hardly prevail with them: what must be done then? not spare them. When gentle means will not serve the turn, then we must not spare.
You have some kind of people, that if a man be not alway in matters of damnation, his Sermon is nothing. So you have some that in their courses are so violent, that they know nothing that is moderate, (and yet perhaps they are good too, but) they cherish too much a violent disposition. Now St. Paul, though he were a very zealous, holy man, yet notwithstanding he would not put himsef upon violent courses, but when there was great necessity. He is rather a Butcher then a Physician that loves to torment his Patient. You see what course is first to be taken. I need not be long in so clear a Point; therefore I will spend no more time in it: but come to the second, that is more generally usefull, because indeed men are so, that gentle means will hardly prevail with them: what must be done then? not spare them. When gentle means will not serve the turn, then we must not spare.
S. Paul came not, that he might spare them. Now if they had not amended, 1what would S. Paul have done, think you? would he have suffered them to have cherished the incestuous person among them? that wicked person that had committed that which was intolerable amongst the Heathen? would he have cherished proud factious men among them? that would disgrace S. Pauls Doctrine, to win authority to them selves? would not he have told them to their face the danger of their sin, and have made them ashamed? undoubtedly he wood: he would have spared. So I say, if gentle means will not prevail, men must not be spared; meither Minister nor Magistrate must spare; especially in dangerous courses that are prejudicial to the souls of others.