A60194:658
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 7
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.
This is the method in nature, the ground must be ploughed and prepared, and then comes the harvest: let us be content with this method, and rejoice in any suffering, knowing it will have a blessed issue: and not to think much at suffering any thing for a good cause in our selves, or by way of sympathy, or support with others, because this is the high way to a better estate,: if we suffer with the Church, or for the Church any kind of way, we shall be comforted with the Church. It is that which sweetens the cross, that we are under hope of better still. Who would not endure a little grievance in the way to have honour in the end? to have ill usage in an Inn, and to go to a Kingdom? All our discomforts and afflictions are but by the way here, and crosses are necessary for Travellers, and here we are but in a travelling estate. It should I say encourage us not to take offence at any thing, that God exerciseth us with in this world, nor to take scandal at the afflictions of the Church.
This is the method in nature, the ground muft be plowed and prepared, and then comes the harvest: let us be content with this method, and rejoyce in any suffering, knowing it will have a blessed issue: and not to think much at suffering any thing for a good cause in our selves, or by way of sympathy, or support with others, because this is the high way to a better estate,: if we suffer with the Church, or for the Church any kinde of way, we shall be comforted with the Church. It is that which sweetens the cross, that we are under hope of better still. Who would not indure a little grievance in the way to have honour in the end? to have ill usage in an Inne, and to go to a Kingdom? All our discomforts and afflictions are but by the way here, and crosses are necessary for Travellers, and here we are but in a travelling estate. It should I say incourage us not to take offence at any thing, that God exerciseth us with in this world, nor to take scandal at the afflictions of the Church.
And then it should strike terror to those that will not endure so much as a scratch, a scoff, a word, a chip of the cross, that will endure nothing: 1do they know that this is Gods order? do they avoid crosses in any degree, and do they think to have comfort? No, God will not change his order for them; he hath established this order, and heaven and earth shall fail, rather then Gods order shall not be sure. If we will have comfort, we must suffer; if we will avoid suffering, and think to go to heaven another way then God hath ordained, we may take our own way, but we must give him leave to take his way in comforting & advancing whom he will, and that will not be us, because we will not frame our selves to his order, we must not look for his dignity, if we will not suffer with him, we shall not reign with him.