Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Corinthians 1:4

4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation , that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we our selves are comforted of God f.

Vs, who are the Ministers of the Gospel, (as it may appear by what followeth) for the Apostle saith, That God doth it, that Ministers might, from the comforts wherewith God had comforted them, be able to comfort his people when they are under any trouble, either of body or mind, by the same Methods and Arguments, which the holy Spirit had used and brought to their minds under trouble to relieve any of them. Two things are observable from this verse: 1. That the Apostle attributeth all the support, relief, and comfort, which he had under any tribulation, to God, as the Fountain and Author of all Mercy; for though possibly our comforts may be caused from the application of some promises in holy Writ, either called to our minds by the act of our own minds, or brought to our remembrance by some others, yet it is God who must make those Plaisters to stick, and to become healing and sanative to our Souls: So that he is the principal efficient Cause, though the Scriptures, or men, may be instrumental Causes. 2. That the Gifts, Graces, and Mercies that God bestoweth upon his Ministers, are bestowed upon them, not meerly for their own use, but for the use and good of others; to inable them to be serviceable in doing good to others Souls.