2 Corinthians 7

The leper under the law, if he had touched the altar, the altar had not cleansed him, but he had defiled the altar. The Apostle calls sin [in non-Latin alphabet], filthiness of flesh and spirit (2 Corinthians 7:1). Sin stamps the Devil's image on a man.

The dove is the emblem of purity; it loves the purest air; it feeds on pure grain: the raven fed on the carcass, but the dove feeds pure. Thus let us be as doves for sanctity, cleansing ourselves from all pollution both of flesh and spirit (2 Corinthians 7:1). Christ's dove is p…

He has a perfect idea of wisdom in himself: He knows the fittest means to bring about his own designs; the angels light at his lamp. In particular, this is one branch of his wisdom, that he knows what is best for us: An earthly parent knows not in some intricate cases how to adv…

First the blade springs up, then the ear, then the ripe corn in the ear. Such as are already sanctified may be more sanctified (2 Corinthians 7:1). Justification does not admit of degrees; a believer cannot be more elected or justified than he is, but he may be more sanctified t…

If he had not used the lump of figs, he had been the cause of his own death. Thirdly, by immoderate grief (2 Corinthians 7:10), the sorrow of the world works death. When God takes away a dear relation, and one is swallowed up with sorrow.

3. It would make us strive after holiness, because none but such are admitted into this Kingdom, only the pure in heart shall see God (Matthew 5). Holiness is the language of Heaven, it is the only coin will pass current in Heaven; this considered would make us cleanse ourselves…

4. Sin is a polluting thing. Sin is not only a defection, but a pollution, 'tis as rust to gold, as a stain to beauty, 'tis called filthiness of flesh and spirit (2 Corinthians 7:1). It makes the soul red with guilt, and black with filth, quanta saeditas vitiosae mentis! Cicero.

And in this respect that name 'the accuser' is given this evil spirit in a direct and full opposition to that special name and office of the Holy Ghost, 'the Comforter' or pleader for us. Because as the Holy Ghost makes intercession in our own hearts to God for us, and upon true…

Lastly, if we confess and believe God to be the father of Christ, and in him our father also; then in regard of our conduct, we must not frame ourselves like the world: but the course of our lives must be in righteousness and true holiness. Paul exhorts the Corinthians to separa…

2 Corinthians 7. Chapter part of the 1. verse. Having therefore these promises, dearly Beloved, let us cleanse ourselves.

Objection 7. 2 Corinthians 7:10: Paul sets down sundry fruits of repentance, whereof the last is revenge, whereby repentant persons punish themselves, thereby to satisfy God's justice for the temporal punishment of their sins. Answer: A repentant sinner must take revenge of hims…

When there are ominous signs in the heavens, on earth distress of nations with perplexity, the sea and waves roaring — then the hearts of men fail for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming upon the earth (Luke 21:25-26). Even Paul himself may sometimes compla…

Fourthly, Then you may also conclude your sorrows to be excessive and sinful, when they so overload and oppress your bodies, as to endanger your lives, or render them useless and unfit for service. Worldly sorrow works death (2 Corinthians 7:10), that is, sorrow after the manner…

Or thirdly, it's some common work of the Spirit, such as was in Simon Magus, of whom it is said, he believed, and who could say, pray for me; for folks to conclude on this ground, that they are brought out of nature into a state of grace, is to build upon a sandy foundation. The…

And though the godly do steadfastly believe their salvation is in a castle, above losing; yet in reason, sin bringing broken bones, (Psalm 51:10), a sad cloud, the damming up of a spring of Christ's love spread abroad in the heart, a temporary hell in the soul, it must be sorrow…

Now we are not justified by repentance and mortification; we neither receive Christ, nor embrace the promises by repentance. The Apostle requires in repentance, sorrow, carefulness to eschew sin, clearing, indignation, fear, zeal, desire, revenge (2 Corinthians 7:10-11), but now…

2. Some fear they have nothing but an empty profession. Ans. Then the Scripture holds forth the promises to visible saints (2 Corinthians 7:1). Can you come in among the crowd of visible saints?

3 And in verse 13. there is a third benefit of them, To stir them up to do such things, which though they well knew should be done, yet they were dull, and slow of heart, and stood in need to be stirred up to them. 4 Another end of their writings was this, That sometimes they mi…

Perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). Faith strives against fear, and love strives against malice, and patience strives against frowardness, modesty against pride, and so [reconstructed: every grace] of God; wonder to see how it will by degrees either sweat them out, or els…

Do not spare the body to do God service (Acts 26:7). To which promise our twelve tribes instantly serving God day and night hope to come, for which hope's sake, King Agrippa I am accused of the Jews (2 Corinthians 7:1). Having therefore these promises (dearly beloved) let us cle…

For the Galatians and others which were conversant with Paul, had seen him often in great anguish, terror and heaviness of spirit. Therefore the Apostles had not only bodily, but also spiritual temptations, which also he confesses in (2 Corinthians 7) with these words: Fightings…

And Cornelius (Acts 10:33). And Paul (2 Corinthians 7:17). The second: we must take knowledge of the will of God in all things, whether it be revealed in the word, or by any event.

Sometimes to faith, as (Galatians 5:6): Neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith which works by love. Sometimes to the new creature or sanctification, as in this place, and (2 Corinthians 7:29): Circumcision is nothing, etc. but the keeping of the comm…

The Prophet condemns not joy simply: for we see that Saint Paul himself exhorts the faithful to rejoice with a true joy; to wit, in the Lord (Philippians 4:4). But he here reproves that joy which is contrary to that sorrow which proceeds of repentance; whereof also the same Apos…

For the Lord would not be acknowledged faithful from a bare and naked imagination, but from experience itself; to wit, in the preservation and protection of his people, whom he has adopted. Hence therefore let us learn not to judge of God's promises by our present estate, but by…

For the Prophet not only requires this purity of the Jews when they shall be set free, but also during the time of their slavery and bondage, yes, though it were with the loss of their lives in the very place. Doubtless these advertisements also belong to us, who by Saint Paul a…

And yet I deny not but we may extend these things to the last day, because we cannot expect the perfect restoration of all things, until Christ, who is the life of the world, shall appear. But we must begin higher, namely, at this deliverance, by which Christ regenerates his, th…

So then, Judas conceived disgust and horror, not so as to turn to God, but rather that, being overwhelmed with despair, he might serve as an example of a man entirely shut out from the grace of God. Justly, indeed, does Paul say, that the sorrow which leads to repentance is salu…

The same Apostle is very often, in his Epistles, expressing the Affection of Joy, 2 Corinthians 1. 12. and Chapter 7. 7. and verse 9. and 16. Philippians 1. 4. and Chapter 2. 1. 2. and Chapter 3. 3. Colossians 1. 24. 1 Thessalonians 3. 9. He speaks of his rejoicing with great Jo…

O Jerusalem wash your Heart from wickedness that you mayest be saved, Jer. 4. 14. Having therefore these promises let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the flesh and the spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God, 2 Cor. 7. 1. Every man that has this hope in him p…

O happy Providences, how smart soever, that make the soul for ever araid of sin! surely such rods are well bestow'd. This gives God his end: and if ever we sorrowed after a godly sort, in the day of our troubles it will work this carefulness. 2 Corinthians 7:11 Behold this self…

The soul is now wholly displeased with it self, and reflects upon it self with all affections of regret and trouble. So the apostle declares it to have been with the Corinthians when their godly sorrow was working in them, 2 Corinthians 7:11. among other things, it wrought in th…

It will give you freedom, liberty, delight, and chearfulness in all duties of gospel obedience. You will finde a constraining power in the love of Christ therein; a freedom from bondage, when the Son truely has made you free. faith and love will work genuinely and naturally in y…

The plow kills those rank weeds that grow in the field, turns them up by the roots, buries and rots them. So does saving conviction kill sin at the root, makes the soul sick of it, begets indignation in the heart against it (2 Corinthians 7:11). The word there signifies the risi…

But do you know that all this will at last rebound in your own faces, and return into your own bosoms? Either here or in a worse place, you must repent of all this, that is, you must turn all these passions upon yourselves, you must be angry at yourselves, and reproach yourselve…

Oh it breeds an indignation in him against himself. That word [[〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]] 2 Corinthians 7:11. signifies the rising of the stomach with very rage, and being sick with anger. Religious wrath is the fiercest wrath.

We put not off the Humane, when we put on the Divine Nature; nor are we then freed from the sense, though we be delivered from the sting and curse of them. Grace does not presently pluck out all those Arrows that sin has shot into the sides of Nature, 2 Corinthians 7:5. When we…

2. That we ask for them for the end of the promise: not to spend on our lust, when we ask pardon for sin, with secret reserves in our hearts to continue in sin, we ask the choicest mercy of the covenant, to spend it on our lusts. The end of the promise the apostle tells us (2 Co…

Is it not necessary that they should be holy who are admitted into his presence, walk in his sight, and lay in his bosom? Should they not with all diligence cleanse themselves from all pollution of flesh and spirit, and perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord, 2 Corinthians 7:1…

The cleansing virtue of the blood of Christ lies in the promises, as the blood of sacrifices in the hyssop, ready to pass out to those who draw near to them. Therefore the apostle argues from receiving of the promises to universal holiness and purity: having therefore these prom…

Longing, breathing and panting after deliverance, is a grace in itself, that has a mighty power to conform the soul into the likeness of the thing longed after. Hence the Apostle describing the repentance and godly sorrow of the Corinthians, reckons this as one eminent grace tha…

When God comes home to speak peace in a sure covenant of it, it fills the soul with shame for all the ways whereby it has been alienated from him. And one of the things that the Apostle mentions as attending that godly sorrow which is accompanied with repentance unto salvation n…

Now it being our duty to mortify, to be killing of sin; while it is in us, we must be at work. He that is appointed to kill an enemy, if he leaves striking, before the other ceases living, does but half his work (Galatians 6:9; Hebrews 12:1; 2 Corinthians 7:1). 2. Sin does not o…

As when one that has drawn near to an army in the night, and has killed a principal person; instantly the guards awake, men are roused up, and strict inquiry is made after the enemy; who in the mean time, until the noise and tumult be over, hides himself, or lies like one that i…

God's work consists in universal obedience; to be freed of the present perplexity is their own only. Hence is that of the Apostle (2 Corinthians 7:1): Cleanse yourselves from all pollution of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord. If we will do any thing,…

And Paul: The love of Christ constrains us (2 Corinthians 5:14). And: Having received these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from all pollutions of flesh and spirit (2 Corinthians 7:1). But now if a man be so under the power of his lust, that he has nothing but law to oppose i…

Seeing you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit] Here is: 1. The chief seat, or subject of the work of sanctification, the soul. 2. The subordinate means, truth. 3. The nature of it, obeying of truth. 4. The chief worker of it, the Holy Spirit. For th…

The way then to assuage all these wicked heats, is for every man to think with himself, that he shall surely have enough for which to be grieved with himself, and to be angry with himself, and to be revenged of himself. According to which, Saint Paul in 2 Corinthians 7:10-11, de…

Many have gone to heaven that were never learned, but never any without holiness. (3) The word of promise encourages it (2 Corinthians 7:1). Having therefore these promises, (dearly beloved) let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holines…

How soon the fire may be kindled, we cannot tell; times tend to Popery; though there be few left to stick by us, the favor of the times run another way; we ought to resolve for God, whatever it cost us. 5. It reproves those that think to reserve their hearts, notwithstanding out…