nay, I abandon'd my self to death, that I might not rely upon my self for deliverance, but on God who raiseth the dead.

in this confidence I purposed to visit you before now, (that you might have again the like satisfaction)

now it is God who keeps you fix'd in the doctrine of Christ; who has appointed me,

so that now you ought rather to forgive, and comfort him, for fear he should be overwhelm'd by an excess of sorrow.

who also hath enabled me to be a minister of the new covenant, not of the literal sense, but of the spiritual meaning: it is the letter that denounces death, but the spirit gives life.

now if the law engraven on stone, the letter of whose sanction is death, was delivered with such glory, that the children of Israel could not steadily behold the face of Moses, for the glory of his countenance, tho' it was transient;

since that which distinguished the first had no glory, when compared to that of the other, which far excell'd it.

for I have no regard to the things which are visible, but to such as are invisible: since visible things are temporary, but the invisible are eternal.

For I know, that if my body, which is but a tent for my sojourning upon earth, were dissolved, I have what is not fram'd by human art, but by the divine architect, a mansion eternal in the heavens.

now he that hath prepared us for this very state, is God, who hath given us the spirit as a pledge of it.

Shall I then, who know this terrible judgment of the Lord, endeavour to appease men? as for God, I am approved by him, and I trust also you are convinced of my being so approved.

Wherefore, henceforth I have no regard to any man for his external appearance: for tho' I formerly look'd for worldly grandeur in the Messiah, yet now I see things in another light.

therefore, if any man be a christian, he is in a new creation: the old state of things is chang'd to one entirely new.

Now this is all owing to God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath made us the ministers of this reconciliation;

for he hath made him who knew no sin to be a sin-offering for us, that we might be justified by God thro' him.

for he saith, " I have heard thee in a favourable time, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee." now this is the favourable time; this is that day of salvation.

as for us, we give no occasion of offence, that our ministry may not be blamed:

Receive me as one who has wronged no man, who has corrupted no man, who has defrauded no man.

for when I came to Macedonia, I had no respit from the trouble that beset me on every side: oppositions from without, and apprehensions within.

now I rejoice, not at your uneasiness, but at your repentance which succeeded: for your sorrow was a religious sorrow, such as convinc'd you I had done you no wrong.

so that your comfort was no small satisfaction to me: yea, and I was the more exceedingly pleased for that cheerful tranquillity of mind which Titus received from the behaviour of you all.

as it is written, " he that had much, had nothing over, and he that had little, had no lack."

now as to Titus, he is my collegue, and assists me in your affairs: as to our brethren, they are the deputies of the churches, and the glory of the christian profession.

for I know your generous propensity, and I mention'd it with applause to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago; so that your zeal has influenc'd many others.

now he that furnishes seed to the sower, and bread for food, shall furnish and multiply what you sow, and increase the fruits of your liberality.

for though I should more than ever magnify my authority, which the Lord hath given us for your improvement, and not for your ruin, I should have no reason to be ashamed;

I don't assume to myself the credit of other men's labours in another province, but hope, that when your faith is increased, the bounds now prescribed will be enlarged by you yet farther;

when I was present among you, and in want, I was chargeable to no man: for the brethren which came from Macedonia, supplied my necessities: and as I have, so I always shall keep myself from being burdensome to you.

I solemnly protest, no man shall hinder me of this applause, in the regions of Achaia.

and no wonder; for satan himself may put on the appearance of an angel of light.

I say it again, let no man think me vain; but if they do, yet as such, bear with me, that I too may applaud my self a little.

Have not I reason to glory? for now I shall mention my visions and revelations from the Lord.

I knew a christian who above fourteen years ago, was snatch'd up even to the third heaven, whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knows.

but tho' I don't know whether it was in the body, or out of the body, which God only knows,

this I know, that he was snatch'd up into paradise, and heard such secrets as it is not lawful for a man to reveal.

tho' if I had a mind to glory, I might do it without vanity, for I should say nothing but what is true: but now I forbear, lest any man should ascribe more to me than my actions, or my preaching can justify.

I told you once before, and now being absent I write to forewarn you and all that have sinned, that when I shall arrive, I will not spare them;

since you demand a proof of my mission from Christ, who with regard to you has shown no want of power among you.

Examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith; bring yourselves to the proof; are you so little acquainted with yourselves, as not to know whether Jesus Christ be in you? but if you are destitute of proofs,

I trust you shall know that we are not so destitute,

now I pray God that I may not punish you; not that I may show you my proofs to your cost, but that by your acting honestly, I may be as if I had no proofs:

for I can employ no power against the truth, but for the truth.