[104]. See Quest. [lxvii]: Pag. [15] ante.
[105]. See page [54], [55], ante.
[107]. The word αδοκιμοι, though it be sometimes used to signify such as are rejected as objects of God’s hatred, as in Heb. vi. 8. and consequently is inconsistent with the character of believers; yet, in other places it may be taken according to the grammatical construction thereof, as opposed to δοκιμοι; which signifies persons approved, 2 Tim. ii. 15. and so it signifies a person whose conduct is blame-worthy, or whose actions are not to be approved of; and this may be applied to some who are not altogether destitute of faith, though they are not able to vindicate themselves in all respects as blameless. That the apostle uses the word in this sense here, seems probable from the application he makes of it to himself; it is said, ver. 3. Ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, δοκιμην ζητειτε; and verse 6. he says, I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates; so we render the words ελπιζω δε οτι γνωσεθε oτι hμεις ουκ εσμεν αδοκιμοι; but it would be more agreeable to what is said in verse 4. if we should render them, I trust that ye shall know that we are not disapproved, or that ye shall find a proof of Christ speaking in us: and in verse 7. he farther says, I pray to God, not that we should appear approved. ουχ iνα hμεις δοκιμοι φανωμεν, that is, I am not so much concerned about your finding a proof of Christ speaking in us; but that ye should do that which is honest, q. d. I am more concerned for you than myself, though we be as reprobates, hμεις δε wς αδοκιμοι ωμεν that is, whether you think we have a proof of Christ’s speaking in us or no, or his approving us in the course of our ministry, my great concern is, that you may be approved; so that it is plain the apostle uses the word αδοκιμοι, as signifying disapproved; and therefore as it is applied to those he speaks of in verse 5. the meaning is this; you seek to know whether we are approved of God as ministers; therefore I would advise you to examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith, and to prove your ownselves: and if you know not yourselves, you are in this respect blame-worthy, or to be disapproved; especially because you seem to have been negligent as to the duty of self-examination. Whether he who is diligent in the exercise of this duty, and yet cannot apprehend that he is in a state of grace, be, in this respect to be disapproved or no, it is certain, that he who is a stranger to himself, because of the neglect hereof, is disapproved.
[108]. Vide Bellamy’s Works, 3 Vol. p. 81-83.
[109]. See Quest. [lxxxvi]. [xc].
[110]. Reflecting as mirrors, or beholding as by mirrors.
[111]. Vid. Dauberi orat. Funeb. ad front. & Hor. Noviss. ad calc. Tom. 3. Riveti operum: in which he is represented as saying, Nolite mei causa dolere, ultima hæc momenta nihil habent funesti; corpus languet quidem, at anima robore & consolatione plena est, nec impedit paries iste intergerinus, nebula ista exigua, quo minus lucem Dei videam. Atq; exinde magis magisque optavit dissolvi & cum Christo esse. Sufficit mi Deus exclamabat subinde, sufficit, suscipe animam meam: Non tamen moram impatienter fero. Expecto, credo, persevero, dimoveri nequeo, Dei Spiritus meo spiritui testatur, me ex filiis suis esse. O amorem ineffabilem! id quod sentio, omnem expressionem alte transcendit. Veni Domine Jesu, veni, etenim deficio, nan quidem impatiens Domine, sed anima mea respicit te ut terra sicca. Preces & votum, ut Deus Paradisum aperiret, & huic fideli servo suo faciem suam ostenderet; his verbis supplevit; cum animabus justorem sanctificatis; Amen, Amen. Exinde lingua præpedita verbo affirmare; mox ad vocem adstantium, ipsum jam visione Dei frui, annuere; paulo post sub mediam decimam matutinam placide in Domino obdormiit.
[112]. See Fleming’s Fulfilling of the Scripture, in fol. Part 1. page 287.
[113]. See Dr. Goodwin’s Works, Vol. 5. in his life, page 19.