The Proem
The scope and design of the following chapters, being the spiritual improvement of husbandry, it will be necessary by way of proem, to acquaint the reader with the foundation and general rules of this art in the Scriptures, thereby to procure greater respect to, and prevent prejudice against composures of this kind.
To this end I shall entertain the reader a little while upon what this Scripture affords us, which will give a fair introduction to the following discourse.
The apostle's scope in the context being to check and repress the vain glory and emulation of the Corinthians, who instead of thankfulness for, and a humble and diligent improvement of the excellent blessings of the ministry; turned all into vain ostentation and emulation, one preferring Paul, and another Apollos, in the [reconstructed: meantime] depriving themselves of the choice blessings they might have received from them both.
To cure this growing mischief in the churches, he checks their vanity, and discovers the evil of such practices; by several arguments, among which this is one.
