since the gospel we preach'd, did not consist only of words, but was fully confirm'd by miracles and gifts of the holy spirit, you yourselves being witnesses, what we did among you and for you.

for the gospel has made so favourable a progress not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every other place, where the reputation of your divine faith has spread, that 'tis needless to mention any thing of it; since they all relate of us,

And you are satisfied, my brethren, that our address to you was not fallacious:

we preach the gospel just as God thought fit to intrust it with us, not being studious to please men, but God, who approves our sincerity.

for you remember, my brethren, our labour and toil: how we worked day and night, that in preaching the gospel of God, we might not be chargeable to any of you.

nor do we fail of giving thanks to God continually, that, when you received the word of God, which we preach, you did not receive it as the doctrine of men, but as a doctrine that appears to be truly divine, by the influences it displays in you, who believe.

As for me, my brethren, having been so abruptly separated from you, in person, tho' not in affection, I have the more ardently endeavour'd to see you again.

not being able therefore to wait any longer, I sent Timothy to know the state of your faith, for fear the tempter should have seduc'd you, and all our labour have prov'd abortive.

whilst night and day we make our ardent requests to him, that we may once more be present with you, that nothing may be wanting to the perfection of your faith?

person unsullied by the vices of the Gentiles, who know not God:

for God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness:

he therefore that violates these precepts, does not despise man, but God, who has endued me with his holy spirit.

Now I would not have you, my brethren, be mistaken about the state of the dead, lest you should be as greatly afflicted as those, who have no hope.

for one thing I have in charge to tell you from the Lord, that we, who shall be found still alive at the coming of the Lord, shall not get the advance of those that are dead:

It is not necessary, my brethren, to specify the exact time:

for you very well know, that the day of the Lord steals on like a thief in the night.

whilst they flatter themselves with peace and safety, destruction shall fall upon them, like the pangs of a woman in travail, and they shall not escape.

you inherit the advantages of meridian light: we are not involv'd in the obscurity of night.

therefore let us not sleep away our time like others, but be vigilant and temperate.

they that are sober take their rest in the night, whilst they that are sots, are drunk in the night:

for God did not design to make us the objects of his displeasure, but to effect our felicity by the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us,