1 Corinthians 2

1 Corinthians 2:1

THe testimony,] namely the Gospell, in which God declares, and testifies unto men his councell and will concerning their salvation, 1 Corinthians 1:6.

1 Corinthians 2:2

Determined not,] I did not judge it fitting for me to know, that is to say, to make profession of any other knowledge or doctrine, or to teach it.

1 Corinthians 2:3

In weaknesse,] namely in misery, and in an abject condition, befitting the preaching of Christs Crosse In feare,] namely of persecution, Acts 18:12. and so the sence would be, that he had preached the Crosse bearing it himselfe. Now that is the tryall of Gods faithfull servants, which also disspates all worldly vanities, and ostentations which ordinarily grow from too much ease & rest. Others take these words for the vertues of the reverence of God, humblenesse, and modestie. As 2 Corinthians 7:15 Ephes. 6. 5. Philippians 2:12.

1 Corinthians 2:4

Demonstration,] that is to say in the divine efficacie of the Holy Ghost, with which God doccompany his word rightly preached, to enlighte the mindes, and perswade the hearts, or at least redargue and convince them. See 2 Corinthians 6:6-7.

1 Corinthians 2:5

In the power,] namely grounded upon, and subsisting in that powerfull, and invinsible internall perswasion of Gods Spirit, opposite to all fraile reasons of humane art.

1 Corinthians 2:6

How be it we speake,] the doctrine which I speake is nothing but a true wisdome, and a wisdome altogether divine and spirituall Perfect,] namely true beleevers, who only are capable of thee myste¦ries. A terme taken from the Pagans superstitio, who admitted none to their most secret ceremonies, but only persons well prepared and purified 〈◊〉 many yeares. Or it is meant for men of full and 〈◊〉 age. See 1 Corinthians 14:20. Philippians 3:15. Hebrews 5:14 〈◊〉 if the Princes,] namely of that false reason of state, or politicke wisdom of the great ones of the world, which more directly fighteth against Christs kingdome then any else: See Matth. 1. 25 That come,] whose persons God sendeth into perdition, and subeeth their councells, so that they are not with all their wisdoms able to maintaine themselves. Which is a certaine proofe that it is vaine, and weake in respect of the Churches, which brings forth everlasting life, and glory.

1 Corinthians 2:7

In a mystery,] after a divine manner, incomprehensible to the fleshes understanding Before 〈◊〉,] which hée from everlasting had ordained to reveale and communicate unto us, to direct us thereby to eternall happinesse.

1 Corinthians 2:8

Of the Princes,] namely mecre worldly oes, not enlightned nor regenerated by Gods Spirit They would not,] he sets forth the chiefe of the Iews, and the other great oes who joyned with them in condemning of Christ, Acts 4:27. under the example and name of all worldly Princes, who by their obdurate ignorance, doe make themselves their successors, and imitators, in persecuting the Gospell and the Church The Lord,] namely Christ Iesus, true 〈◊〉, and likewise true everlasting God, and glorious King of the Church, Acts 3:15.

1 Corinthians 2:9

As it is,] this passage is alledged more by llusion, then according to the Prophets exprosse mening.

1 Corinthians 2:10

For the spirit,] Namely the Holy Ghost is being true God, with the Father, and the Sonne 〈…〉veth Gods most inward secrets: and revealeth is much thereof to beleevers, as is needfull for their salvation.

1 Corinthians 2:11

For what,] namely none but the spirit can doe it, for as mans soule and understanding only can know mans secret thoughts; so none can know Gods secret thoughts, but onely his owne spirit, who also reveales it and perswades it to whom he pleaseth. See Ioh. 1. 18. and 3. 11, 32.

1 Corinthians 2:12

Not the spirit,] namely the carnall understanding and Judgement, whereof worldly men only 〈◊〉 capable, and which they doe so much esteeme of and raigneth so amongst them. And hath no proportion but onely with worldly things, and cannot teach to divine and heavenly ones.

1 Corinthians 2:13

Spirituall things,] termes and wayes of propounding and teaching, divine and spirituall employed both in a spirituall matter and subject.

1 Corinthians 2:14

Naturall man,] who hath no other light, but the naturall light of his soule, wanting the gift of the Holy Ghost. See Romans 8:5-6. Jude 1:19 Spiritually,] by a divine light and judgement, according to the principles, and rules of Gods Spirit.

1 Corinthians 2:15

He that is spirituall,] namely the man that is enlightned and regenerated by Gods spirit Iudgeth,] hee understands and discernes Gods truth, so much as concernes his salvation, his fith grounded upon Gods word, sealed and rooted in his heart by the Holy Ghost, no way depending upon humane judgement.

1 Corinthians 2:16

For who,] seeing that carnall men have no light nor knowledge of Gods secrets, how can they judge of, or confute that which his spirit oth dictare to beleevers, to correct it, or rectifie it? But wee,] namely all true Christians, by meanes of the Holy Ghost, have a certaine and undoubted knowledge, of what Christ did intend to say, and signifie by his word.