Annotations upon all the New Testament philologicall and theologicall wherein the emphasis and elegancie of the Greeke is observed, some imperfections in our translation are discovered, divers Jewish rites and customes tending to illustrate the text are mentioned, many antilogies and seeming contradictions reconciled, severall darke and obscure places opened, sundry passages vindicated from the false glosses of papists and hereticks / by Edward Leigh ...

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Annotations upon all the New Testament philologicall and theologicall wherein the emphasis and elegancie of the Greeke is observed, some imperfections in our translation are discovered, divers Jewish rites and customes tending to illustrate the text are mentioned, many antilogies and seeming contradictions reconciled, severall darke and obscure places opened, sundry passages vindicated from the false glosses of papists and hereticks / by Edward Leigh ...
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Leigh, Edward, 1602-1671.
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London :: Printed by W.W. and E. G. for William Lee, and are to be sold at his shop ...,
1650.
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"Annotations upon all the New Testament philologicall and theologicall wherein the emphasis and elegancie of the Greeke is observed, some imperfections in our translation are discovered, divers Jewish rites and customes tending to illustrate the text are mentioned, many antilogies and seeming contradictions reconciled, severall darke and obscure places opened, sundry passages vindicated from the false glosses of papists and hereticks / by Edward Leigh ..." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A50050.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed April 30, 2025.

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* 1.1ANNOTATIONS UPON THE Second Epistle of PAUL the Apostle, to the CORINTHIANS. (Book 2 Corinthians)

VERS. III. CHAP. I.

THe God of all comfort * 1.2] Of all sorts and degrees of comfort, who hath all comfort at his dispose. It intimates. 1. That no com∣fort can be found any where else; he hath the sole gift of it. 2. Not onely some, but all comfort; no imaginable comfort is wanting in him, nor to be found out of him. 3. All degrees of comfort are to be found in him. See 4. vers.

Vers. 4. Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them, &c.] Plainely noting that he is not fit to comfort others, who hath not experience of the comforts of God himselfe.

Vers. 12. For our rejoycing, or a 1.3 boasting is this, the testimony of our conscience] Here we may see the quiet and tranquillity of a good conscience, See 1 Tim. 1.5. The mea∣ning is, that of which I boast, and in which I trust before God, is the testimony of my conscience.

* 1.4Vers. 13. For we write none other things unto you, then what you read, or acknowledge] That which you read written, is indeed written as well in our hearts as in this paper.

Vers. 14. We are your rejoycing] Or rather boasting 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is the matter and object of your boasting,* 1.5 as you are of ours; or if we follow our translation, the Co∣rinthians shall rejoyce at the last day, that ever they saw Paul, and Paul in them.

* 1.6Vers. 20. All the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen.)

Yea] True in the event, and reall performance.

Amen] That is, Stable and firme as the Hebrew word signifieth, that is, they are both made and performed in and for him.

Vers. 22. Given us the earnest of the Spirit] But if God having once given this earnest, should not also give the rest of the inheritance, he should undergoe the losse of his earnest, as Chrysostome most elegantly, and soundly argueth. See Ephes. 1 13.14.

Vers. 23. I call God for a record upon my soule] Or against my soule, it is all one. The Apostle the better to perswade men,* 1.7 to beleeve what he was about to speake, useth an oath, and that not a simple one, but with an execration added. As if he should say (saith Estius) Perdat me Deus, nisi vera dixero, Let God destroy me, if I speake not

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truth. Onely God in Scripture is said to sweare by his soule, as 51. Ier. and 6. Amos, since he onely sweares by himselfe, because he hath not a greater to swear by.

CHAPT. II.

Vers. 15. A Sweet savour] It is one word in the Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 beneolentia. The A∣postle so calls himselfe and his fellow workmen causaliter,* 1.8 as those which send out a sweet savour from themselves.

To them that are saved] Indeed in them chiefely; yet not onely in them, but in them also that perish.

Vers. 16. Savour of death unto death] viz. To seale up their condemnation while we preach Christ a Judge, 2 Thess. 2.8.

The savour of life unto life] To assure their soules of eternall life, whiles we preach Christ a most mercifull Saviour to all that shall beleeve, 2 Thess. 1.10.

And who is sufficient for these things] That is, what Minister of the Gospell is fit to performe these things which we speake of? viz. to be the sweet odour of Christ every where.

Vers. 7. Corrupt the word of God] That is, such as by fraud and base arts play the hucksters to inhance the price, and amplifie our own gaine. See à Lapide, and Vorstius.

CHAP. III.

Vers. 2. YEe are our Epistle written in our hearts] That is, wherein we doe inward∣ly and heartily rejoyce.* 1.9

Vers. 3. To be the Epistle of Christ] Here is an Epanorthosis,* 1.10 or correction of him∣selfe, as 1 Cor. 15.10. For when he had said before, that the Corinthians was his E∣pistle that he might mitigate the envy of the speech, he saith that they are the Epistle of Christ, because their faith was his worke but written with his Ministery.

Not in tables of Stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart] He alludes either to Ier. 31.31. Or to the law written in Tables of Stone; b 1.11 which Tables shadowed out the great hardnesse of mans heart; to which the fleshly Tables of the heart are opposed, which by the force of the Spirit are made more tender, that the grace of the Gospell may easily be ingraven in them.

Vers. 5. Are not sufficient] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Have no aptnesse to a good thought, the least part of a good work.

But our sufficiency] Our fitnesse.

Vers. 6. Able Ministers of the New Testament, not of the Letter, but of the Spirit] That is,* 1.12 He hath made us Ministers rather of the Spirit then of the Letter; or more of the Spirit then of the Letter, because of the promise of the plentifull effusion of the Spi∣rit, after the ascension of Christ; so J will have mercy, and not sacrifice. That is, rather

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mercy then sacrifice and Ioel 2.13. that is, rather rent your hearts then your gar∣ments.

Vers. 17. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty] Liberty is opposed to three things.* 1.13 1. Necessity; where the Spirit of God dwells in a man, he frees him from all necessity of sinning. 2. Coaction and constraint, such a one doth nothing by force, and from a principle without, but from an inward instinct and impulse; my soule fol∣loweth hard after thee; life is a selfe-moving power. 3. To restraint, when Gods sets a man at liberty, he in largeth his heart, Psal. 119.32.

* 1.14Vers. 18. But we all with open face, beholding as in a glasse the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same Image, from glory to glory] That is, seeing by the appearing of grace, the vaile is removed, that we may see the face of God clearely; now must we by meanes of this knowledge be transformed into his Image; that Image in which wee were created, must be daily renewed, and by degrees further restored in us; that is the Apostles meaning from glory to glory. As Adam was created in the Image of God, so must every beleever be renewed unto that blessed condition.

* 1.15By the Spirit of the Lord] These words may also be rendred, by the Lord of the Spirit, or by the Lord the Spirit; but our version is most plaine.

CHAP. IV.

Vers. 2. COmmending our selves to every mans conscience in the fight of God] That is, he did so preach and live, that every mans conscience could not choose but say,* 1.16 certainly Paul preacheth the truth and liveth right; and we must live as he speak∣eth and doth.

Vers. 3. Hid to them that perish] That is said to be hid, which although it be con∣spicuous of it selfe; yet is not seene as the Sun, by those that are blind, See Luke 19.42.

The God of this world a 1.17] Not in spect of dominion over things created; but 1. In respect of corruption, for he is the God of the evill in the world. 2. In respect of se∣duction. 3. In respect of opinion, or estimation, because the people of the world make the Devill their God.

The Marcionites, and Manichees in times past abused this place, to prove that there were two principles or Gods; one which they called good, the other evill.

* 1.18Vers. 8. We are perplexed but not in despaire] Staggering but not wholly sticking. In the Greeke there is a sweet allusion of the simple and compound verbes. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

Vers. 13. Having the same spirit of faith] That is, he and the rest of Gods Church and children,* 1.19 had the same faith proceeding from the same spirit.

Vers. 16. Day by day] Non est hoc loco dissimulandus insignis lapsus Cajetani, viri alioquin egregiè docti, qui ex anno∣tationibus Erasmi male intellectis, pro illa parte de die in diem credit Apostolū scripsisse adverbiū novè 〈◊〉〈◊〉; em exponit, ac subtiliter in ea philosophatur: quum Erasmus non aliud dicat, quam novè scriptum à Paulo 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 die & die, pro 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in dies. Quam facilè aberrat in Scripturis interpretandis qui linguae originalis ignarus tantum ex a••••js authoribus venatur, quid Graeca, quid Hebraea habeant? Estius in loc.

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Vers. 17. For our light affliction, which lasteth but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternall weight of glory] All that can be by man inflicted on man,* 1.20 is but 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, compressio, a pressure, and that of the body onely; for which by way of re∣compence shall be conferred glory, which here compriseth under it whatsoever may make to the happinesse of man, and that both in body and soule. 2. The kind of affliction is but some light thing, easie to be born by him which is endued by a Divine Spirit; but the recompence is a weight (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, alludit ad Hebraeum & Chaldaeum nomen gloriae Chabod & Jakar; Cameron) such a weight as infinitely over-poyseth all afflictions. 3. The continuance of afflictions is but for a while, even for a moment, but the weight of glory is eternall; to shew that in this comparison all degrees of comparison are exceeded; he addeth hyperbole upon hyperbole 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which emphaticall Graecisme, because other Tongues can∣not word by word expresse to the full, they are forced to use words and phrases which exceed all comparison, as Mirè supra modum Erasmus, supra modum in subli∣mitate vulg. Lat. Excellenter excellens, Beza. Exceedingly exceeding, or as our last Tran∣slation turnes it, a far more exceeding.

CHAP. V.

Vers. 1. WE know] 1. By the revelation of the Word, Iohn 14.2. 2 By the per∣swasion of faith.* 1.21

That if] The Apostle speaks not this doubtingly, as if it were uncertain whether our bodies were to be dissolved or not; but by way of concession, having in it a strong affirmation, as if he did say, albeit it be so that the earthly house of our Tabernacle must be dissolved, yet are we sure of a better.

Our body is called a house, 1. in respect of the comely and orderly workman∣ship thereof; 2. in respect of the soule which dwels in it.

Earthly] 1. in regard of the matter it was made of earth; 2. means by which our bodies are continued and upholden.

A Tabernacle] to shew its mortality; that was made for transporting, so this, to which building (which is firm and stable) is opposed.

Vers. 2. Desiring to be cloathed upon with our house which is from Heaven] The Apo∣stle desired that glory should come upon him without a dissolution,* 1.22 as it doth on the elect that are alive when Christ commeth to judgement.

Earnestly desiring, if it might be, that in this state of our bodies we might, with∣out the pain of dissolution be clothed upon with the life of glory and immortality. Dr Halls Paraphrase.

Vers. 10. Appeare] Though some Interpreters render it apparere & astare, and make it all one with Rom 14.10. yet the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifies so to appeare as to be made manifest in that day; and so in the next verse the same word is twice rendered by our Translators.

Vers. 11. Knowing therefore the terrour of the Lord, we perswade men] as if he had said,* 1.23 I know in the last day I must come to the barre of Gods judgement, and there be tried of all things I doe, and therefore do I endeavour to keep a good conscience in all the works of my calling. Perkins.

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Vers. 13. For whether we be besides our selves it is to God] That is, when I commend my selfe,* 1.24 and boast of mine own ministery against others, and in so doing seem mad to you; yet then I respect not my selfe in so doing, but onely God and his glory: or whether we be sober it is for your cause] That is, use such courses as to you seem wiser, we doe it faithfully for your good. Dike.

Vers. 14. Constraineth us] Either an expression from those who had a spirituall prophesie upon them,* 1.25 which was very powerfull, whereby they could not but speak; or from women in Travell, Heb. 12.15. which through pain cannot but cry out. The word signifies in a Pound or Pinfold, so that it cannot get out by any evasion; in doth faith controll the heart that it cannot winde out. Signifying thereby, that whereas Christ had so loved him as to shed his blood for him, that very love did con∣strain him to refer all he could do to the honour and praise of Christ. Perkins.

Vers. 16. Henceforth knoww no man after the flesh] That is, do not regard carnall priviledges as before, not Christ himselfe in such a way, but looke on him as in Hea∣ven.* 1.26 See V. 17.

Though we have known Christ after the flesh] Despising him for want of outward glory.

Vers 17. In Christ] One may be so two waies: 1. Externally, Sacramentally, and in regard of profession onely, as Iohn 15. 2. Or really, we are in him as our head, re∣ceiving influence, direction and power from him. Si quis in regno Christi vel in Ecclesia locum aliquem obtinere cupit. Calvin.

* 1.27He is a now creature] Some read it imperatively, let him be a new creature; but our interpretation is more probable. This new creation * 1.28 (for so it may be rendered) is not by the bodily presence of Christ, but by the apprehension of faith.

Vers. 19. Reconciling the world unto himselfe]

Object. Therefore he called all men effectually.

Ans. Rom. 11.15. the Apostle expounds himselfe.

Not imputing] It is a metaphor drawn from the custome of Merchants, which keep in a book all that is owing to them, and it is therefore translated number, reckon, and Rom. 5. five times imputed.

Trespasses] The Greek word comes from a word that signifies to fall besides; it is translated fall, Rom. 5.12. offences, Rom. 4. foure times.

* 1.29Vers. 20. Be ye reconciled to God] They were reconciled to God before, See Ch. 6.16. but he intends thereby to provoke them to get a more full assurance of their reconci∣liation by the daily renewing of their repentance.

* 1.30Vers. 21. Sinne for us] as he was made a Sacrifice for sinne; for the sin offerings in the Old Testament were called sinne. Again, he was made sinne for us by impu∣tation, because our sinnes were charged upon him, but he had not sinne in his nature. 1 Pet. 3.21. See vers. 24. Bifield. See Grotius.

Who knew no sinne] That is, experimentally, he felt no sinne in his own heart; he acted no sinne in his life.* 1.31 But otherwise he knew fully what sinne was; he knew what the nature and effects of it were.

The righteousnesse of God] 1. Righteous by such a righteousnesse as God requireth. 2. He saith in the abstract we are righteousnesse it selfe,* 1.32 that is, perfectly and fully

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righteous. 3. We are made so in him, not in our selves inherently. Not the essentiall righteousnesse of Christ, that is infinite: that were to make a creature a God; but the righteousnesse according to the law, to which the God-head of Christ (though it was wrought in the humane nature) gave an efficacy or excellency.

CHAP. VI.

Vers. 1. REceive not the grace of God in vain] Not that the saving graces of faith and love, and the like, may be received and lost again,* 1.33 which is the Popish collection from this place; but the doctrine of grace and faith is here meant. Grace is taken, for the free favour and good will of God. 2 For the grace of the Spi∣rit, faith, love. 3 For the manifestation of Gods grace; so the Gospell is called the grace of God, the grace of God which brings salvation. Titus. both because it comes from Gods meere good will, and because in that doctrine there is a manifestation of the grace of God; so the grace of God is often received in vain. This Word of the Gospell is received, 1. By hearing. 2 By understanding. 3. By faith. 4. By affe∣cting. There may be a receiving it in vain in all these respects; we may heare in vain, understand in vaine believe in vain, shew some affection in vain. A thing is re∣ceived in vain three waies: 1. When it is so done that no effect at all follows. 2. When the effect chiefly intended and designed follows not, or not proportionably to the means and opportunities we have enjoyed. The Word of God cannot be received in vain in the first sense, so as that no effect shall follow, Esay 55.11. for it either softens or hardens, saves or destroyes, 2 Cor. 2.13. The Word is by most received in vain, in respect of the proper and intended effect; many come not up neither in pro∣portion to what they have received.

Vers. 10. As sorrowfull] As notes not a counterfeiting of sorrow, but the over∣comming of sorrow.* 1.34

As having nothing, and yet possessing all things] In Greek there is a pleasant Parano∣masia in the words having and possessing, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which the Latines cannot expresse.

Vers. 24. Be ye not unequally yoaked with unbelievers] This Verse condemnes un∣equall yoaking of believers with Infidels, whether in familiar society, as Calvin,* 1.35 Estius. Or rather in marriage, as others take it: 1. For the inequality of such yoa∣king. 2. For the unavoydable perill of contagion.

Vers. 15. What concord hath Christ with Belial] Not Beliar,* 1.36 As the Grecians cor∣ruptly read it. That is, with the Devill, so the Syriack, cum Satana, one that is pro∣fitable to none, or without yoake, as the etymology of the word signifies.

Vers. 16. I will dwell in them] The words are very significant in the originall: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, I will indwell in them, so the words are.* 1.37 The are two ins in the ori∣ginall, as if God could never have enough communion with them.

And touch not the unclean thing] This exhortation is taken out of Esay 52.12. To touch an unclean thing is no more in figurative speech, but that which in plainer terms the Apostle delivers thus, Have no fellowship with the unfruitfull works of dark∣nesse; that is, joyn with no man in a bad action. The unclean thing not to be touched is not the man with whom we joyn in any action, but the action it selfe in which we joyn with them.

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CHAP. VII.

Vers. 1. HAving therefore these promises] Mentioned in the former Chapter, v. 16, 18.* 1.38 Not onely having them made, but entertaining them.

Dearly beloved] So Phil. 4.1. we have this epithite twice. He doth not say of whom, of God, Christ, the Angels and Saints.

* 1.39Vers. 4. I am exceeding joyfull] Over-abound exceedingly with joy.

Vers. 6. Comforteth those that be cast down] made low, and be so in their own eyes.

Vers. 7. Your fervent mind] it is in the originall your zeale.

Vers. 11. For behold, this selfe same thing that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what care∣fulnesse it wrought in you, yea what clearing of your selves, yea what indignation, yea what feare, yea what vebement desire, yea what zeale, yea what revenge] The Holy Ghost hath set down seven fruits or signes of godly sorrow.* 1.40 1. Care to leave all our sinnes. 2. Apologie, whereby a man is moved to accuse and condemn himselfe for his sinnes past, both before God and man. 3. Indignation, whereby a man is exceedingly angry with himself for his offences. 4. Feare, least he should fall into his former sinnes a∣gain. 5. Desire, whereby he craveth strength and assistance against sinne. 6. Zeale in the performance of all good duties, contrary to his speciall sinnes. 7 Revenge, whereby he subdues his body, that it may not be an instrument of sinne.

CHAP. VIII.

Vers. 9. MIght be rich] That is, that we might have the pardon of sinne, and be received into Gods favour.* 1.41

Vers. 18. The brother] Silas, saith Estius; Luke the Evangelist say * 1.42 some. Others a 1.43 say it was Barnabas, because he was by the Churches suffrage made Pauls compa∣nion.

In the Gospell] Not the book which was not then as yet published, but the very Office which Luke had faithfully performed in many places in Pauls turn; or the very preaching of the Gospell, as Ch. 10.14.

CHAP. IX.

Vers. 5. BOunty] Beracah or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Blessing in Scripture signifies a gift or present bounty,* 1.44 or beneficence; the present which Iacob provided for his bro∣ther Esau when he went to meet him, is in all the story through called his blessing. So 1 Sam. 30.26. & 5.27. and here the collection at Corinth for the poor Saints at Ierusalem is twice called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, their blessing, which we translate bounty * 1.45Increasing and multiplying is so naturall unto blessing, that in the originall Tongues of the old and new Testament plenty is put for blessing. M. Bridge on Heb. 2.17.

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Vers. 6. He which soweth bountifully] with blessing as it is in the originall, shall reap bountifully] with blessing.

Vers. 7. According as he purposeth in his heart] That is freely, and of his own accord determineth with himselfe. Downame.* 1.46

Not grudgingly] When we performe good duties heavily, and with grudging.

Or of necessity] When we doe them indeed, but against our will, onely because we must do so to save our credit, 1 Pet. 5.2.

Vers. 8. God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that ye alwayes having all sufficiency in all things, may abound in every good worke] He prevents a secret objection of such as might fear poverty to themselves, if they should give abundantly; and shewes that whatsoever they shall give, shall returne to them with usury. The Apo∣stle in the originall is emphaticall, he triplicates the word. First 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 not in one but in every necessity. Secondly, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, not sometimes, but at every time. Thirdly, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 not some sufficiency, but a sufficiency of every grace.

Vers. 10. Your seed sowne] Almesdeeds are called seed here; and 6. v. we shall gather the crop in heaven. These words and the following, are taken out of the 55. Esay. 10.

CHAP. X.

Vers. 3. THough wee walke in the flesh] That is, though we be weake; so some; though we doe indeed live in the flesh. Doctor Halls Paraphrase.* 1.47

Vers. 4. Warfare] First, Ministry, as 1 Tim. 1.18. That is, discharge the duty of the Ministery as thou oughtst; The Hebrew Saba is sometimes rendred, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; warfare; sometimes Ministery 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. not carnall] See 3. v. and followes. But mighty through God] Or to God, a 1.48 by an Hebraisme exceeding mighty; mighty through God, by divine power not humane strength. So Estius.

Vers. 18. Approved] That is fit for life eternall.* 1.49

CHAP. XI.

Vers. 5. FOr J suppose, J was not a whit behind the very chiefest Apostles] A modest ex∣pression, that is, he was even with the chiefest Apostles.* 1.50 Apostleship as an Office, was of equall honour in all the Apostles; but even amongst them, some had more excellent gifts and greater enlargements.

Vers. 6. But though I be rude in speech] This is spoken not simply, but partly by way of supposition, as if he had said, many may and doe take me to be rude in speech;* 1.51 yet none can imagine that I am so in knowledge, and partly by way of comparison; in regard of the vaine rhetoricall flourish and shew of eloquence, which other false teachers, and many heathen oratours made, 1 Cor. 2.1.4.

Verse 9. I was chargeable to no man] That is, received nothing from any, which carnall men count a burden. The learned observe the word hath his weight from Torpedo, which signifies a cramp-fish; a fish (they say) that hath such a benum∣ming,

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quality, that the cold of it will strike from the hook to the line, from the line to the goad,* 1.52 from the goad to the arme, from the arme to the body of the fisher; and so benum him, and take away all use, and feeling of his limbs. His meaning is, that he was none of those idle drones; which by their lazinesse doe even chill and benum and dead the charity of well disposed people. See Beza and Grotius.

* 1.53Vers. 24. Of the Jewes five times received J forty stripes save one] Forty save one, so the Greeke, stripes being understood; that word is put in our translation in another Character, as Beza likewise hath Plagas. 25. Deut. 3. The Lord commanded, that the number of strokes should not exceed forty; the Jewes, that they might not transgresse, gave one lesse.

Vers. 25. Thrice was I beaten with r••••s] By the Gentiles: for it was a custome with the Romanes, to beat the guilty with Rods; therefore Cajetane collects hence, that the Jewes were not wont to whip with Rods but with some other Instrument, because the Apostle saith, he was onely thrice beaten with Rods.

* 1.54Once was I stoned] By the Jewes at Lystra in Lycaonia, and that so grievously, that he was thought to be dead.

Vers. 27. In hunger and thirst, in fastings often] Could not get bread sometimes when he would have eaten; and sometimes could eat and would not.

* 1.55Vers. 30. I will glory of the things, which concerne mine infirmities] Our afflictions are called our infirmities; the best are apt to bewray weakenesse in them.

CHAP. XII.

Vers. 1. IT is not expedient for me doubtlesse to glory] That is, although for you it be∣hoves me to glory,* 1.56 that I may defend the dignity of my Ministery against detracters; yet it is not expedient for me, viz. Simply, and unlesse in the present or like case, because it hath a shew of boasting.

I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord] viz. To relate them. Revelation includes or supposeth vision,* 1.57 but not contrarily.

Vers. 2. I knew a man] That is himselfe, his modesty. Job. 42.5. In Christ] ha∣ving union, communion with Christ. 14. yeares ago] so long since Paul was conver∣ted, and after had this Revelation.

Whether in the bdy I cannot tell; or whether out of the body I cannot tell* 1.58] By this hee expresseth the more the greatnesse of the revelation. For he meanes that God dealt so with him, that he himselfe did not conceive the manner. He saith therefore, that he knowes not whether in his body and soule he was caught up into heaven, on in his soule onely.

Caught up to the third heaven] He calleth it the third heaven, in respect of the heavens under it: for the place wherein we breath is the first heaven; the starry fir∣mament is the second heaven; and the Paradise of God the third. See 4. vers.

* 1.59Vers. 4. Which it is not lawfull for a man to utter] Not lawfull for a man to think he can utter, which he had no Commission to utter. It fell not within the lawes of preaching to publish them.

Vers. 7. A Thorne in the flesh, the Messenger of Satan to buffet me] It may be rendred the Angell a 1.60 Satan. Some inward corruption which Paul felt in his own heart; which Satan stirred up in him. Mr. Hildersam.

Some would have it originall corruption set on by the Devill; others interpret it

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to be a wound in the Spirit, the sting of conscience pressing him down to the nether∣most hell in his sense, that was taken up afore to the highest heavens. Others say he was unapt to any good, praying, or preaching: for so God cured and prevented pride by eclipsing gifts and spirit; he repeateth it twice in this verse, as a thing worthy to be observed, least he should be exalted above measure. Some interpret this prick in the flesh, a bodily disease, the head-ache, the Iliacke passion; others blasphemous thoughts darted in with violence. Some say he was much reproached by the false Apostles, as a man of mean presence; and perhaps had some imperfection in his speech; they might charge him, that he had lived on the peoples bounty, or misled them. It is certaine it was some constant impetuous torment what ever it was.

Vers. 8. Thrice] That is often, à Lapide. So Beza and Estius, oft and earnestly. Doctor Hall.

Vers. 9. My grace is sufficient a 1.61 for thee] That is, thine infirmity shall not be removed; content thy selfe, that thou art in my favour, and hast received my grace; by which thou dost withstand this temptation.

My strength is made perfect in weaknesse] He meaneth that the lower men be brought,* 1.62 and the more weake and unable to be established they may seeme to be, the more di∣vine is that power manifested to be, whereby they are established.

Vers. 10. When I am weake, then am I strong] Strongest through hope in Christ, when I am weakest through sense in my selfe.* 1.63 Not onely by an intrinsecall disposi∣tion, that we are more inclined to seek strength; but indeed by a Spirituall capacity, Jesus Christ is more prepared to bestow strength, when we are sensible of our own weaknesse.

Vers. 11. I am become a foole b 1.64 in glorying] As if he had said, it is the guise and character of a foole, affectedly to commend himselfe; but I have not affected it, yee have compelled me.] You have forced me to this folly as it were, who so much esteeme false Apostles my contemners.

I ought to have been commended of you] That is, ye ought to have given testimony to my integrity, and to have maintained the honour of my Ministery.

For in nothing was J behind the chiefest Apostles] Therefore Peter was not the grea∣test of all. He speaketh it not of gifts alone, but of power and authority, as the Text shewes. See Beza on 11. Chap. v. 8.

I am as much an Apostle as they, who are more then much Apostles,* 1.65 As the Greek will beare it.

Though J be nothing] Though you through envy account me nothing; and though I in humility would account my selfe nothing.

Vers. 14. For I seeke not yours but you] That is in my Ministery with you, I doe not looke after my own temporall profit, but your salvation. Yet Ministers should find both us and ours us in our obedience, ours in our recompence.

Vers. 15. Spend and be spent] Not onely lay out my substance, but lay downe my life for you. Doctor Halls Paraph. The former 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 notes to be at cost with them,

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to take some paines; but the other word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, notes the spending of all Super impendor.

* 1.66Vers. 20. Swelling] That is, taking things unkindly, sitting and musing that one should so wrong me; and even having the heart rise against him for it.

Tumults] That is, making a great stirre of the wrong received, telling this body, running to that, filling the Town with it.

Vers. 21. Bewaile] In Pauls Language (as a learned man observeth) to bewaile, and correct, seemeth to have been all one.

Vncleanesse] All impure words, and behaviours, fornication, and wantonesse, things of the same kinde.

CHAP. XIII.

Vers. 1. IN the mouth of two or three witnesses] Himselfe and Timothy.

* 1.67Vers. 5. Examine your selves, prove your selves] Doubling his phrase, as it were his files; thereby shewing that it is not a superficiall, but a substantiall examina∣tion that is required in these weighty matters; some say the first word signifies a curi∣ous search, the other an approbation on triall.

Whether ye be in the faith] That is whether the faith be in yee, so Iohn saith, he was in the Spirit, 1 Rev. so one is said, to be in the flesh, Rom. 8.8.

Except ye be reprobates] In the state of reprobates, unapproved, counterfeit; hee meanes not such as are opposed to the Elect, as the word reprobates is usually taken by us in English; therefore the translation is not so proper.

Notes

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