A60194:668
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.
St. Paul, you see, hath a good conceit of them, that he might encourage 1them to sympathize and take to heart his crosses, and to take good by them. A good hope of others hath a double efficacy. It hath one efficacy in the 2party that hath the good hope of another. It stirs him up to be diligent to take all courses that may be for the good of another. As the speech is, Hope stirs up to work, it stirs up endeavour: so it doth in the husband-man, and in every kind of trade: hope quickens endeavour. A man will never sow upon the sands, he loseth his cost: a man will never bestow his pains upon those that he thinks are desperate. And what is it that dulls and deeds endeavour? I despair of ever doing such a man good: when those despairing thoughts enter into the soul, there is a stop of all endeavour. And surely, Christians are much to blame that way: when they might have ground, (if charity were in them) at least of hope of others: upon some hard, despairing conceits they cast off hope, and so neglect all endeavour of doing good to others. The Spirit of God is witty in the hearts of his Children to observe all advantages of doing good: therefore it is willing to entertain all offers of good in others: if they be but willing to hear reproof, if they be willing to hear comfort, and to hear good discourse, it will make a good construction of their errors (if it may be) except it be those that are maliciously obstinate, it will impute it to passion, or to ill company, to one thing or other; as far as possible it will admit of a good construction: love in Gods Children will admit of it, and love stirs up to hope, and hope stirs up to deal with them for their good.
St. Paul, you see, hath a good conceit of them, that he might incourage 1them to sympathize and take to heart his crosses, and to take good by them. A good hope of others hath a double efficacy. It hath one efficacy in the 2partie that hath the good hope of another. It stirs him up to be diligent to take all courses that may be for the good of another. As the speech is, Hope stirs up to work, it stirs up endeavour: so it doth in the husband-man, and in every kind of trade: hope quickens endeavour. A man will never sowe upon the sands, he loseth his cost: a man will never bestow his pains upon those that he thinks are desperate. And what is it that dulls and deads endeavour? I despair of ever doing such a man good: when those despairing thoughts enter into the soul, there is a stop of all endeavour. And surely, Christians are much to blame that way: when they might have ground, (if charity were in them) at least of hope of others: upon some hard, despairing conceits they cast off hope, and so neglect all endeavour of doing good to others. The Spirit of God is wittie in the hearts of his Children to observe all advantages of doing good: therefore it is willing to entertain all offers of good in others: if they be but willing to hear reproof, if they be willing to hear comfort, and to hear good discourse, it will make a good construction of their errours (if it may be) except it be those that are maliciously obstinate, it will impute it to passion, or to ill company, to one thing or other; as far as possible it will admit of a good construction: love in Gods Children will admit of it, and love stirs up to hope, and hope stirs up to deal with them for their good.