wherefore, pray, convince him of your affection to him:

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.

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,

we then are ambassadors for Christ, and 'tis God who makes you the offers by us: we pray you in the name of Christ, to make your peace with God.

by the preaching of truth, by the power of God, by the arms of justice, both offensive and defensive.

as sorrowful, though always cheerful; as poor, tho' inriching many; as having nothing, though contented with every thing.

who tho' labouring under great trial of affliction, and extreme poverty, have notwithstanding with exceeding cheerfulness contributed very liberally: being forward of themselves to the utmost of their power,

(I bear them witness) yea, and beyond their power:

for you are sensible of the beneficence of our Lord Jesus Christ; powerful as he was, for your sake he became poor, that you through his poverty might be made rich.

Pray then, dispatch this affair; as you readily undertook it, as readily perform it, to the best of your abilities.

as it is written, " he hath distributed, he hath given to the poor: his liberality remaineth for ever."

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

Would you could bear with me a little in my vanity, but indeed you do bear with me.

if he that is come to you, preaches another Jesus whom I have not preached, or if ye receive other gifts of the spirit, than what ye have received from me, or another gospel, than what you have accepted, you might well bear with his pretensions:

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.

for as wise as you are your selves, you easily bear with the folly of others.

but he said to me, "my favour is sufficient for thee: for my strength is shown to be perfect by thy weakness." with pleasure therefore will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may be seen to dwell in me.

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

for tho' he was crucified with the appearance of weakness, yet he lives by the power of God; tho' we are afflicted upon his account, we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.

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.

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.

these things therefore I write to you being absent, that when I come I may not use severity, according to the power which the Lord hath given me for edification, and not for destruction.