An expositon of all St. Pauls epistles together with an explanation of those other epistles of the apostles St. James, Peter, John & Jude : wherein the sense of every chapter and verse is analytically unfolded and the text enlightened. / David Dickson ...

The first Part.

Vers. 3. Blessed bee God, even the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comforts,

In the first part of the Chapter the Apostle proves that the Corinthians ought not to despise him, by reason of the Cross or afflictions, and that by twelve Arguments.

Argum. 1. In the midst of afflictions I find God the Father most merciful, and abundant in all consolation, so that I have cause rather to bless God, than to com∣plain of my calamities, sent of God: Therefore ought you not to contemn mee, or to bee offended because of my afflictions.

Vers. 4. Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that wee may bee able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith wee our selves are comforted of God.

Argum. 2. By the experience which I have in affli∣ctions, I am made more fit to minister comfort 〈◊〉〈◊〉 o∣thers that are afflicted: Therefore ought you not to bee offended in mee, &c.

Vers. 5. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

Argum. 3. Afflictions are a part of Martyrdome, and for the Gospel, or for Christ, are inflicted upon mee with honour, that they may bee called the afflictions of Christ by way of participation; For what things are inflicted up∣on the Martyrs, Christ takes upon himself, as Act. 9. Saul, Saul, why dost thou persecute mee? Therefore, &c.

In us] Argum. 4. Christ gave testimony (from his su∣perabundant and seasonable consolations towards mee, in the midst of my afflictions) that the miseries which I suffer are inflicted upon mee for the defence of the Gos∣pel: Therefore, &c.

Vers. 6. And whether wee be afflicted, it is for your con∣solation and salvation, which is effectual in endu∣ring the same sufferings which wee also suffer: or

whether wee bee comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation:

Argum. 5. Those afflictions, as also these comforts, tended to the benefit of the Corinthians, who might bee strengthened in the Faith, and built up divers waies to salvation, and take comfort from the Apostles experi∣ence: Therefore ought they not to bee offended in the Apostles sufferings.

Which effectually produceth] Argum. 6. Because the salvation of the Corinthians was effectually to bee pro∣moted, by his suffering such kind of afflictions, by which (as by the way to salvation freely given) they were ear∣nestly to strive: Therefore, &c.

And the hope] Argum. 7. I have certain hope of you, that you will not despise us, nor take ill the afflictions which yee shall suffer: Therefore yee are bound not to frustrate our hope concerning you.

Vers. 7. And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so shall you bee also of the consolation.

Argum. 8. I know that you are made both partakers of our sufferings by your sympathy, and shall partake of our consolations: Therefore you are bound not to de∣spise us because of the afflictions which wee suffer.

Vers. 8. For wee would not, Brethren, have you igno∣rant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that wee were pressed out of measure, above strength, in∣somuch that wee despaired even of life.

9. But wee had the sentence of death in our selves, that wee should not trust in our selves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

10. Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver; in whom wee trust that hee will yet deliver us.

Argum. 9. From his special example, and late sufferings in Asia: So far am I from being ashamed of my afflicti∣ons, that I am desirous all should understand how great they are, and also my infirmity, that God may bee glo∣rified the more: Therefore ought you not to despise mee for my afflictions. Hee shews the greatness of his af∣flictions, and his own infirmities in this, that in the tu∣mult at Ephesus (whereof hee speaks, Act. 19.23.) or some such like danger, hee kn••w not which way to turn himself to escape the danger of his life, expecting in him∣self nothing but certain death.

That wee should not trust] Argum. 10. I have learned by this experience and the like, not to confide in my self, but in God alone, who can deliver from imminent death, those that are ready to dye, and raise up them which are dead, to which end God was pleased to bring mee into danger: Therefore yee ought not to despise my affli∣ction.

Wee hope] Argum. 11. By this late experience and such like, God hath stirred up in mee a firm hope, of my deliverance for the future, though I fall into new ca∣lamities: Therefore ought you not to despise my affli∣ction.

Vers. 11. You also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons, thanks may bee given by many on your behalf.

Argum. 12. Because the knowledge of his sufferings, and his deliverance should stir up the Corinthians, among others, to pray for him, and so to obtain his deliverance for the future, and by consequence also to thanksgiving by many unto God: which Argument being considered, the Corinthians could not despise Paul for the afflictions which hee suffered, at least they ought not to bee offen∣ded in him.