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, my brethren, you have followed the example of the christian churches in Judea; by having suffer'd the same persecutions from your own nation, as the churches have suffer'd from the Jews,

none of you might be stagger'd by these persecutions: for you know that we are destin'd to suffer.

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.

but you, my brethren, are too well inform'd to be surpriz'd by that day, as by a thief.

and you imitated us, and were imitators of the Lord, having receiv'd the word, notwithstanding all your afflictions, with that alacrity, which the holy spirit inspires.

how successful our arrival was among you, and how you renounc'd your idols to serve the living and true God,

on the contrary, notwithstanding the outrages, you know we suffer'd at Philippi, we had still the resolution, by the divine assistance, to preach the gospel of God to you without reserve against all opposition.

we behav'd to you with a tender regard, even as a mother, who nurses her own children.

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.

Being therefore impatient to hear of you, we judg'd it proper to stay at Athens alone, and send you our brother Timothy,

and even when we were with you, we foretold you, that we should be persecuted, as you know it happen'd.

for now I am reviv'd, since you continue stedfast in the christian profession.

that by the sanctity of your affections, you may stand unreprov'd in the presence of God our father, when our Lord Jesus Christ shall come with all his holy angels.

then we, who shall be still alive, shall be convey'd together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall ever be with the Lord.

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

but let us, who enjoy the light, be temperate; let us be arm'd with the breast-plate of faith and charity, and for an helmet, with the hope of salvation.

be thankful to God for every thing, for so christians are oblig'd to be.