Page 256
* 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