for this is to me matter of glorying, the testimony of my conscience, that without artifice, and with religious sincerity, not by worldly wisdom, but by God's favourable assistance I have behaved my self towards all men, but more particularly to you.

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

was this design therefore the effect of levity? or do I design first one thing, and then another, as it best suits my worldly interest?

the punishment, which was inflicted by the community, is sufficient on this occasion.

for this was one view I had in writing, to have this trial of you, whether you are intirely obedient.

It is by Christ that I have this confidence in God.

nevertheless, when Moses is read, the veil upon their mind continues unto this day:

to those unbelievers, whose minds the God of this world has so blinded, that the glorious lustre of the gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, does not enlighten them.

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.

tho' should I be divested of this body, I shall not even then be destitute of one.

we that are in this tabernacle do groan under the burden of it: not that we desire to be divested of it, but we desire to have our celestial body, that this mortal state may vanish into immortality.

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

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

) in this assurance, I say, I think it best to be quit of this body, and be present with the Lord.

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.

and this I say, not to commend myself again unto you, but to give you an occasion of glorying on my account, that you may confront those who make a false show of glorying.

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,

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 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.

I speak not this to your reproach: for I have already assured you, that I am so heartily well affected to you, I could live and die with you.

'tis observable, even this religious sorrow which you had, what solicitude has it not wrought in you, what apologies, what indignation, what fear, what desire, what zeal, yea, what revenge! so that by your whole conduct, ye have shown your selves to be clear from guilt in this matter.

and in this they out-did my expectation; such was the divine pleasure, they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then made me an offer to go themselves to Corinth.

I therefore desired Titus, as he had begun, to finish this contribution among you.

that as you excel in every thing, in faith, in language, mystical knowledge, in all virtue, and in your affection to us; I hope you will excel too in this charitable disposition.

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.

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

but was chosen by the churches to accompany me with this collection; which service I undertook for the sake of Christ, and to encourage your generous design.

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

I thought it therefore necessary to counsel the brethren to go before, and settle the management of the contribution by this previous notice, that it might have such dispatch, as shows a bountiful, and not a niggardly temper.

for the execution of this charitable office, does not only supply the necessities of the converts, but by the thanksgivings of many redounds also to the glory of God.

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;

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

but this I do, and shall do, to make them drop their hire, who are so bent upon hire: and then indeed they will be as they pretend to be, like me.

what I say, I say it not as an apostle, but as it were to indulge my vanity in this matter of boasting.

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.

This is the third time I purposed to come to you; but I will not be burdensome to you; for I seek not yours, but you: since it is not expected children should lay up for their parents, but parents for their children: on the contrary,

This is the third time I am coming to you: "in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established."

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.