Which, as it hath commonly fallen out, so especially in the works of this reverend author, all which (some few only excepted f ) saw the light after the author's death, which also hath been the lot of this useful comment ; only it hath this advantage above the rest, that it was perused by the author during life, and corrected by his own hand, and hath the plain signature and marks of his own spirit, which will easily appear to those that have been any way conversant with his former works. This being signified (for further commendation it needeth none), I ' commend thee to God, and to the word of his grace,' which is able to build thee up, and to give thee an inheritance among the sanctified, remaining
Thy servant in the Lord's work,
Thomas Manton.J
* That is, ' posthumous.' — G.
t ' Some few only excepted,' viz., those which form vol. I. of this collective edition of his works. — G.
X It were supererogatory to annotate a name so illustrious in the roll of Puritans as is that of Thomas Manton. His memoir will appear as an introduction to his works in the present series, by one admirably qualified for doing it justice. But it may be here noticed that he was born at Lawrence-Lydiard fnow Lydeard, St Law- rencej, Somersetshire, in 1620, and died on October 18. 1677. Consult 'Life,' by Harris, prefixed to Sermons on 119th Psalm, and 'Nonconformists' Memorial,' L, pp. 176-179, 426-431. He was one of the ' ejected' of 1662.— G.
A COMMENTARY
THE FIEST CHAPTEE OF THE SECOND EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE COEINTHIANS.
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God ivhich is at Corinth, ivith all the saints which are in allAcliaia: Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. — 2 Cob. I. 1,2.
The preface to this epistle is the same with other prefaces. Our blessed apostle had written a sharp epistle to the Corinthians, especially reproving their tolerating of the incestuous person.* That, his first epistle, took effect, though not so much as he desired, yet it prevailed so far with them, that they excommunicated the incestuous person, and likewise reformed divers abuses. Yet notwithstanding, it being a proud, factious, rich city, where there was confluence of many nations, being an excellent port, and mart-town,! there were many proud, insolent teachers, which thought basely of St Paul ; and thereupon he writes this second epistle : the scope whereof is partly apologetical, partly exhortatory.
(1.) Apologetical — to defend himself. Exhortatory — ^to instruct them in several duties, as we shall see in the passages of it.
The general scope of it is this, to shew that the ministerial labour is ' not in vain in the Lord,' 1 Cor. xv. 58. The fruit of the first Epistle to the Corinthians is seen in this second ; the first Epistle took effect. Therefore we should not be discouraged, neither we that are ministers of the church, or those that are ministers in their own families, as every man should be. Be not discouraged at unhkelihood. There is alway some success to encourage us, though not so much as we look for in this world, because there is a reprobate generation that are alway set upon cavilling, and oppos- ing ; yet some success there will be, as there was here.
A second thing in general out of the whole scope is this, to teach us to vindicate our credit, when the truth may be wounded through us, as the apostle stands here upon his reputation, and labours to free, and to clear himself fi-om all imputations. But especially he doth this by his hfe, for that is the best apology. But because that would not serve, it would not speak loud enough, therefore he makes an excellent apology in this epistle. But to come to the particulars.
» Cf. 1 Cor. v. 1, seq.—Q. f That is, ' market-town' =commercial city.— G.
8 COMMENTARY ON
* Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the vill nf God, and Timothy our brother.' This chapter is apohujeticnl, especially after the preface. He Btands in defence of himself against the imputations : first, that he uaa a man ner/Jccted of God — he was so persecuted, and oppressed with so many aftlictions. And the second is the imputation of inconstancy — that he came not to them when he had made a promise to come. This chapter is espe- cially in defence of these two.
In an excellent heavenly wisdom, he turns off the imputation of afflic- tions, and inverts the imputation the clean contrary wa}'. And he begins with thanksgiving, ' Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, the God of all comfort, who hath comforted us in all our tribulations : ' as if God had done him a great favour in them, as we shall see when we come to those words.
For the prefiice, it is common with all his epistles, therefore we make it not a principal part of the chapter. Yet because these prefaces have the seeds of the gospel in them, the seeds of heavenly comfort and doctrine, I will speak something of it. Here is an inscription, and a salutation.