A60194:751
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 8, 9
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.
Indeed it is a sign of a wise man to value life, it is the opportunity and advantage to honour God. After death we are receivers and not doers, then we receive our wages: but while we are here, we should desire even for the glory that is reserved for us, to do all the good we can, because the time of life is that blessed advantage of doing good and of taking good. It is to be in heaven before our time, to do others good, and to get evidence of heaven for our selves. This is the second thing, that as Gods children are suffered to fall into extreme dangers; so they are very sensible of them, especially in matter of death which is the last enemy, there the Devil sets upon them indeed: he knows that that is the last enemy, and that there he must get all, or lose all: and he labours to make death more terrible then it is or should be. The way not to fear death, and not to let nature have over-much scope, is to disarm death before hand, to pluck out the sting of it by repentance; weaken it before hand, that it may not get the better. Even as we do with our 1enemies, the way to overcome them is to weaken them, to weaken their Forces, to starve them if we can, to intercept all their provision. What makes death terrible and strong? we put stings into it our sins, our sins against conscience, the time will come when conscience will awaken, and it will be then, if ever to our comfort, and then our former sins will stare in our faces, the sins of our youth, the sins that we have before neglected soundly to repent for, therefore let us labour this way to make death less terrible.
Indeed it is a signe of a wise man to value life, it is the opportunitie and advantage to honour God. After death we are receivers and not doers, then we receive our wages: but while we are here, we should desire even for the glory that is reserved for us, to do all the good we can, because the time of life is that blessed advantage of doing good and of taking good. It is to be in heaven before our time, to do others good, and to get evidence of heaven for our selves. This is the second thing, that as Gods children are suffered to fall into extream dangers; so they are very sensible of them, especially in matter of death which is the last enemie, there the Devil sets upon them indeed: he knows that that is the last enemy, and that there he must get all, or lose all: and he labours to make death more terrible then it is or should be. The way not to fear death, and not to let nature have over-much scope, is to disarm death before hand, to pluck out the sting of it by repentance; weaken it before hand, that it may not get the better. Even as we doe with our