John Trapp on 2 Corinthians 8:2

Verſe 2. In a great triall of affliction] For affliction tries what [illegible: 1 letter]ettle we are made of. Alchymy gold will not endure the ſeventh [illegible: 1 letter]re, as true gold will. Affliction (the triall of our faith) is more precious then gold, 1 Pet. 1.7. What then is faith it ſelf ſo tried? Revel. 3.18.

The abundance of their joy] Whileſt the ſpirit of glory, and of God reſted upon them, 1 Pet. 4.14. Well my grace be called the divine nature: for, as God brings light cut of darkneſſe, riches out of poverty, &c. ſo doth grace: it turns dirt into gold, &c. The world wonders (ſaid that Martyr) how we can be ſo merry, in ſuch extreme miſery.Act. and Mon. fol. 1[illegible: 1 letter]88. But our God is omnipotent, which turneth miſery into felicity, &c. See the Note on 2 Cor. 7.4.

Their deep poverty] Gr. [non-Latin text not transcribed] Their poverty being now at the very bottome, and having little left beſide hope: they were even exhauſted, and yet gave liberally. Giles of Bruſſels, Martyr, gave to the poor whatſoever he had, that neceſſity could ſpare, and only lived by his ſcience, which was of a Cutler. Some he refreſht with his meat,Act. and Mon. fol. 811. ſome with his clothes, ſome with his houſhold-ſtuff. One poor woman there was brought to bed, and had no bed to lie in; to whom he brought his own bed, himſelf content to lie in the ſtraw.

Ʋnto the riches of their liberality] Gr. [non-Latin text not transcribed]. Of their ſimplicity: in oppoſition to that crafty and witty wilineſſe of the covetous to defend themſelves from the danger of liberality. Wherein alſo they are utterly miſtaken; for not getting, but giving is the way to thrive. See the Note on Mat. 6.4.