A60194:841
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.
His proper work is not to drive us out of our selves, that is a work subordinate 1to a higher; but the furthest and last work is, that we should trust in him, as the Prophet saith, God doeth a strange work, he doth a work strange to himself, that he may do his own work: he doth a work that doth not concern him so properly, that he may do his own work, as he is God, that is, to confirm and settle us upon himself. But that he may do this, he must set us out of our selves by crosses and afflictions; that is not his own proper work, to afflict us, and to bring us low: for he is the Father of mercies; but that he may do his own work, to bring us to him, and then do good to us, he must take this in his way, and do this first. To make it clear. A Carpenter, 2he pulls down a house; he takes it in pieces, his Art is not to pull down houses, but to build them up: but he doth that which doth not belong to him properly, that he may do that which doth belong to him: for he will not build upon a rotten foundation. So neither will God build upon a rotten foundation, he will not build upon carnal confidence, upon carnal trust, upon pride, and covetousness, but he will demolish that rotten foundation with afflictions and crosses; he will use such means that we shall have small joy to trust in sin, he will by crosses and afflictions force us to go from our sins, he will demolish that rotten foundation, that he may raise up an excellent edifice, and frame of the new creature, that shall endure to everlasting; the work of a Physician is to cure nature, and not to weaken it, it is not his work to make people sick, but to make them sound, if the body be distempered, it must be weakened, he must carry the burden of ill, and noisome humours, before it be strengthened; to make people sound, he must ⟨p. 149⟩give them strong purgations, that shall afflict them, and affect them, as much as the disease for a while, but all is to make them lighter and stronger after, when they are eased of the burden of noisome humours: and so it is in every other trade. So God shows his skill in this great matter in bringing us to Heaven this way; he doth that work which doth not properly concern him, to work at last his own blessed good work: he afflicts us to drive us out of our selves, that we may come at last to trust in him, in whom is all our happiness and good.