I am press'd on every side, yet not crush'd; perplexed, but not in despair;

while I am thus incas'd, I groan with desire to have that celestial vehicle superinduc'd:

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.

and I am prepar'd, when you have discharg'd your duty, to make examples of the rest for their disobedience.

thrice was I whip'd with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I was shipwreck'd; a night and a day I was floating on the deep:

For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant of that insupportable weight of affliction that over-whelm'd me so in Asia that I despaired even of life:

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.

being assisted by your prayers for me, so that thanks may be returned by many, for the gracious deliverance procur'd me by their prayers.

as some of you have already own'd, that I am matter of joy to you, as you will be to me in the day of the Lord Jesus Christ:

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

and mark'd me with his seal, and given me the earnest of the spirit in my heart.

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

for we are not like others, who adulterate the word of God; but we preach the pure gospel of Christ, as I receiv'd it from God, and as in the presence of God.

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

but this treasure is lodg'd in such earthen vessels as we are, that the exceeding efficacy of it may appear to be from God, and not from us.

always bearing about in my body the marks of sufferings like those of Jesus, so that Jesus might be plainly prov'd to be alive by the sufferings of my body.

for all things are for your sakes, that the grace which was conferr'd upon many, might by the gratitude of so many, redound to the glory of God.

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.

therefore being always certainly assur'd that whilst I sojourn in this body, I am absent from the Lord,

to this I am urg'd by the love I bear to Christ, persuaded as I am, that if one died for all, then were all in a dying state: and that he died for all,

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.

in honour and disgrace, under infamy, and in repute: look'd upon as an impostor, while I say what is true;

but by the consolation I received from you by him, when he acquainted me with your earnest desire to see me, with your concern, and your zeal for me; which greatly increas'd my joy.

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.

in this I only advise you: it being for your credit, since you have not only begun to execute it, but you were the first that form'd the design a year ago.

my meaning is not, that you should be distress'd to relieve others, I only recommend an equality;

for he not only complyed with my exhortation, but being more than ordinarily concern'd, he voluntarily went to you;

with whom I have sent one of the brethren, who is not only distinguish'd among all the churches, by his preaching the gospel,

this I did, to prevent any suspicion that might be rais'd from my having the management of so great a sum:

I have sent likewise another of our brethren, whose diligence I have experienc'd in several affairs.

and God is able to make every charitable gift redound to your advantage; that being always sufficiently supply'd in every thing, you may excel in every good work:

having this proof of you by such a supply, they will glorify God for your profess'd subjection to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution to them as well as others;

for tho' I am involv'd with the world, I don't sustain the war with their poor arts:

contemptible) let such a one depend upon this, that the same authority which appear'd in my letters, when I was absent, will appear in fact, when I am present.

I will not boast of any thing done without my province, but confine myself within that line by which God has mark'd out my bounds, and in which you are included.

if my language is inelegant, my knowledge is not contemptible; but has been fully display'd among you on all occasions.

expos'd to toil, to fatigue, to frequent watchings, to hunger and thirst, to frequent fastings, to cold and penury.

who is afflicted, and I not suffer? who is offended, and I not inflam'd?

If I must be compell'd to glory, I will glory on the account of my sufferings.

but thro' a window I was let down in a basket by the wall, and so escap'd.

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.

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.

Am I become vain? 'tis you have forc'd me to it: for I ought to have been commended by you: since I am not inferior to the chiefest of the apostles, tho' in myself I am nothing.

'tis own'd I did not put you to any charges myself: but was so crafty, as to over-reach you, by others.

I am therefore glad when I am disarm'd by the strength of your integrity: and this is what I pray for, even your perfection.