.Chap. i 2. Expofition upon the Book, of J G B. Wer¡; 3. 7t glory : Thus among Apoflles force one might be chief; Thus `Paul was not behinde (which I take for a modeft expreflion that he was even with , yea that he in force things ; went before or outwent ) the chiefeft of the Apoftles. He indeed confeffeth at the t zth chapter of the fame Epiftle, verf. i 1)1z. I am become .a fool inglorying ; as ifhe had Paid , it is the guile and charmer of a fool, afe&edly to commend iiimfelf,but (I have not alleEled it) ye have compelled me to it , forIought to have been commended by you (that is, ye ought to have given teflimony to my integrity, and to have maintained the honour ofmy Minifiery) for in no- thing amI behinde the very chiefefi 4lpofiles , though I be nothing ; though you through envy account me nothing and though l in humility would account my Pelf nothing, yet (being now put to it) I muff fpeak it out , I am not behind the very chiefefi Apafles, or as force render from the letter of the Greek ; I want nothing ( not a heirs breadth) of their meafure , who are Apoftles above eneafare , I am as much anApoî leas they who are more thenmuch , ;Ty .xiar Apollles. All this while 'Paul was no Rraggadochio no vain a 4s,as. Thrafo. He Both not contend perfonally with the Apoftles for ¡ir jut funs fu- preheminence or primacy but he checks thofewho hoped tobe prß modem excufed in undervaluing him , becaufe they valued other Apoftles pofE®lt. above him, or pretended to have received _G. ofpel myfteries from forceother of the Apoftles (whole great confidents andfa. miliars they would be efteemed) beyond all that 'Paul had ever yet taught. Paul (I fay) never wrangled with any of the Apoftles for the upperhand, henever faid to Matthew, Thomas or Andrew; &c. I am not behindyou , or , dam abetter man then thou: But becaufe they made ufe of the parts and gifts of force of the Apoftles to flight hit , he who Tome sere faith Iam not worthy to be called an Apoftle, faith here, d am not behind the greateft, the chiefef of the Apoftles. Thus we may,fland upon terms of credit with any who layour perfons low, that they may difparage our work and lay that fervicelow towhichGod hath called us. Solomon gives us an excellent obfervation (Pray. 25. 26. ) A righteous nianfalling down before the wicked, is asa troubled fountain and a corrupt &ring. Some enterpret it thus , A righte- ous man falling into fin , before, that is, in the company orpre= fence ofthe wicked isas a corruptfiring many begin to fufpet that his waters are not wholefohie when they fee fuch corrup- Z á 4i®n
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