Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Corinthians 10:8

8 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority (which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction ) I should not be ashamed .

Here is a remarkable Maxime, a Rule from which all Ecclesiastical Superiours ought to measure their actions. God hath given to no Superiours a power for destruction of the Flock, but only for Edification; so as that no such can pretend to a power received from God, to do, or exact any thing which may any wayes hinder the Salvation of the Souls put under their trust; they ought to command or exact nothing, nor to do any thing, but what may probably tend to the promoting of peoples Faith, and Holiness, and Eternal Salvation. This Maxime the Apostle puts in in a parenthesis in this Verse, to sweeten what he had before spoken, concerning his readiness to revenge the disobedience of such who should appear to be stubborn and contumacious.

But he tells them, he should not be ashamed if he did boast something more of a just and due authority than the false Apostles and Teachers had, who vi[illegible: 1 letter]ified him; for he was an Apostle, and had a more immediate authority than they who were ordinary Teachers.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] 13.10.; [illegible: 1 word] 12.6.