A60194:461
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 2
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.
There is a desire of happiness in nature, that comforts not a man, it is no sign of grace, to desire to be free from hell, and to be in heaven, it is a natural desire every creature wishes well to heaven: but if there be a desire of the means that tend to heaven, a desire of Grace: these are evidences of grace, these are the pulses that we may find grace by, when they see their infirmities and groan under them and would be better, and complain that they are not better, and are out of love with their own hearts, there is a combat in their hearts, they are not friends with themselves. When we see this inward conflict, and a desire to better, and to get victories against their corruptions, (though there be many corruptions, and weaknesses) a man may safely say, they are in the state of Grace, they are on the mending hand. For Christ will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax. And where he hath begun a good work he will perfect it to the day of the Lord. He will cherish these weak beginnings therefore we may comfort them on good ground.
There is a desire of happinesse in nature, that comforts not a man, it is no sign of grace, to desire to be free from hell, and to be in heaven, it is a naturall desire every creature wishes well to heaven: but if there be a desire of the meanes that tend to heaven, a desire of Grace: these are evidences of grace, these are the pulses that we may find grace by, when they see their infirmities and groane under them and would be better, and complain that they are not better, and are out of love with their own hearts, there is a combat in their hearts, they are not friends with themselves. When we see this inward conflict, and a desire to better, and to get victories against their corruptions, (though there be many corruptions, and weaknesses) a man may safely say, they are in the state of Grace, they are on the mending hand. For Christ will not break the brused reed, nor quench the smoaking flax. And where he hath begun a good work he will perfect it to the day of the Lord. He will cherish these weak beginnings therefore we may comfort them on good ground.
Then, besides that, in our dealing with them, when we have discovered, by 1