The Second Part.
Hee so handles this argument, that in the mean while hee solves two objections, that hee might take away the scandal of the Cross.
Earthen] Object. 1. In the mean while, thy condition of life is miserable and contemptible, as a certain earthen vessel. Hee answers four manner of wayes.
1. That it is true, that hee is an earthen vessel, frail and contemptible, but not withstanding hee contains the Treasure of Grace, and the knowledge of the Go∣spel.
May bee of God] Furthermore hee answers, that that happened by the Wisdome of God, lest the glory of the Conversion and Salvation of so many men should bee a∣scribed to the virtue of the Apostle, that it should bee wholly ascribed unto God, for by so much the more the Power of God is conspicuous in great works, by how much the weakness of the Instrument more evidently ap∣peareth.
Vers. 8. Wee are troubled ••n every side, yet not di∣stressed: wee are perplexed, but not in dispair:
9. Persecuted, but not forsaken: cast down, but not destroyed.
Hee answers: 3. That all his afflictions are modera∣ted, and hee himself is upheld by God in all things, that hee is not destitute of the help of God, doth not sink under his burthen, that hee doth not forsake God, nor dispair, is not forsaken of God, not left, or lost: Therefore it matters nothing how weak he is in himself. Wee are afflicted (hee saith) yet not distressed; i. e. on every side wee are troubled with adversity, but wee are not brought into such streights, as to bee over-whelmed, but wee are preserved by the help of God in the midst of afflictions. Wee are perplexed, but not in despair; i. e. wee doubt sometimes what may bee done in the dangers of this life, but wee are not so destitute, that wee are void of all counsel. Wee are persecuted, but not forsa∣ken; i. e. God permits us to bee vexed and evil intreated by the enemies of the Gospel, but hee neither permits us to bee slain, before the time by him determined, nei∣ther doth hee withdraw his consolations from us. Wee are cast down, but not destroyed; that is, wee sometimes seem presently ready to perish, but God helping us, wee are kept from perishing.
Vers. 10. Alwayes bearing about in the body the dy∣ing of the Lord Iesus, that the life also of Iesus might bee made manifest in our body.
Hee answers: 4. That his afflictions make for the glo∣ry of Christ, because the Image of Christ suffering and dying may bee seen in them, and that the virtue and strength of Christ living, may appear in supporting him under so many afflictions: Therefore it matters not how weak hee may bee in himself.
Vers. 11. For wee which live are alway delivered unto death for Iesus sake, that the Life also of Iesus might bee manifest in our mortal flesh.
Hee confirms this from hence, that the Apostles who lived in the midst of troubles by the strength of Christs Spirit, for the cause of Christ, daily undergo danger, that the quickning Virtue of Christ may more and more appear in sustaining their fleshly infirmities, obnoxious to that miserable condition.
Vers. 12. So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
Object. 2. But not necessarily, because thou art the Servant of Christ, therefore thou shouldest bee also miserable and contemned: For wee Corinthians are Chri∣stians, and yet wee live more prosperously. Hee answers four manner of wayes.
1. By granting it to bee so; yet by the Wisdome of God it comes to pass, that in some stronger Christians, as the Apostles, the Image of Christ dying, might rather appear at least to the world. But in others, as the weak∣er Corinthians, the efficacy of Christs Life supporting them under extreme afflictions, might bee more appa∣rent to the world.
Vers. 13. Wee having the same spirit of Faith, ac∣cording as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken: wee also believe, and therefore speak.
14. Knowing that hee which raised up the Lord Iesus, shall raise up us also by Iesus, and present us with you.
Hee answers 2. Although the Apostles may bee af∣flicted more than the Corinthians, yet there is the same Spirit of Faith both in them and in the Corinthians, by which Faith, believing with David, Psalm. 116. ver. 10. The Apostle dare promise to himself, together with the Corinthians, a glorious Resurrection, although now hee is more pressed under the Cross than they.
Vers. 15. For all things are for your sake, that the a∣bundant grace might, through the thanksgiving of many, redound to the glory of God.
Hee answers 3. That hee was afflicted for their con∣solation and confirmation, as also that from his afflicti∣ons and deliverances; occasion of praying and suffering