Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;
Ver. 1. No longer forbear] στεγοντες, or, stand under our burden of vehement desire after you. See a like expression,Isaiah 42:14. As a travailing woman bites in her pain as long as she is able, and at length cries aloud; so God is patient till he can hold no longer, &c.
We thought it good] Publica privatis anteferenda bonis, A public spirit is a precious spirit. And that is a golden saying of divine Plato, η δε δικαιοσυνη αλλοτριον μεν αγαθον, οικεια δε ζημια. (De Rep. lib. 3.) Goodness is all for the good of others, though to its own disadvantage; like as nature will venture its own particular good for the general. As heavy things will ascend to keep out vacuity, and to preserve the universe.