Paraphrase of the Hard Texts of Scripture, Scripture 43

Paraphrase of the Hard Texts of Scripture · Scripture 43

p. 236THE SECOND EPISTLE OF S. PAVL TO THE CORINTHIANS.

CAP. I.

5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.FOr, as in these troubles, and persecutions, which we indure for the Gospell; it is not so much wee that suffer, as it is Christ that suffers in us; and in these wee abound: so the consolations which we have also, are in, and by Christ; and these comforts abound according to the proportion of our sufferings.

6 And whether wee be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectuall in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether wee be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.And both our sufferings, and consolations are for your good, and not onelyonly for our owne; for whiles we suffer patiently, and constantly, wee do herein give you an example of couragious suffering for Christ; whereby you may receive not onelyonly present consolation, but also eternall salvation, which is effectually wrought through the mercy of Christ, in the enduring of those your sufferings; & whiles we are comforted, we give you a cheerfull example of the joyfull issue of those sufferings, and thereby helpe forward also your consolation, and salvation.

8 That we were pressed out of measure, above strength, in so much that we despaired even of life.Wee were pressed exceedingly with those troubles and persecutions, even above the power of our naturall strength, to undergoe them, insomuch as wee made no account that we could escape them with life.

9 But wee had the sentence of death in our selves, that wee should not trust in our selves, but in God which raiseth the dead.But wee made full reckoning of our present death, as utterly inevitable; giving our selves for dead men, that wee should not trust in our selves for any possibility of life, but in God, who raiseth the very dead.

10 Who delivered us from so great a death.Who delivered us from so instant and so cruell a death, &c.

p. 237That for the gift bestowed upon us, for the benefit,11 That for the gift bestowed upon us by the meanes of many persons, thankes may be given by many on our behalfe. and behoofe of many, and upon the earnest prayers of many, thanks may be also given to God by many, on our behalfe.

Our demeanour in the world was not guided by a worldly wisedome, and policie,12 For our rejoycing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity, and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisedome, but by the grace of God, wee have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you wards. as if wee sought our selves, by the disadvantage of others; neither was our preaching taken up in the ostentation of secular philosophy, and humane eloquence, but set forth with the efficacie of Gods grace, and simplicitie of truth, and holy zeale, as to all Gods people, so to you especially, more abundantly.

That as yee received one maine benefit by my first comming, which was your conversion;15 That you might have a second benefit. so ye might receive a second benefit by my comming to you againe, even your confirmation in the Gospell.

When I thefore was thus minded,17 When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightnesse? or the things that I purpose, doe I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea, yea, and nay, nay? and yet did not accordingly performe it, was it out of any levity, or inconstancie, and unsteddinesse to my owne resolutions? or do I contrive my purposes, and determinations out of carnall respects, that according to the occasion of more profit, or more ease, I should alter them? and that I should say, and unsay at pleasure; promising and retracting as advantage served?

But I call the onelyonly true God to witnesse,18 But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay. that neither this purpose and ingagement of mine, nor any word of my preaching amongst you hath beene false, double, variable, deceitfull.

For the Sonne of God, Jesus Christ,19 For the Sonne of God, Iesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea, and nay, but in him was yea. &c. was so preached to you by us, as with one ever firme and constant asseveration of the truth by us delivered concerning him, wee did not vary our note; one while affirming that of him, which another while we denyed; but wee ever continued unmoveable, and unchangeable in the same doctrines.

Otherwise wee should not have faithfully delivered this holy errand that is committed to us;20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. for certainly all the promises of God in the Gospell, (which are the matter of our message) are in him fully, and immutably performed; and so are proclaimed, and justified to the world by us, unto the praise and glory of God.

Now hee that doth confirme,21 Now hee which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath annointed us, is God. and establish both you and us in the faith and profession of his undoubted truth of Christ our Lord, and in an unchangeable, and unremoveable adherence to him; and who hath anointed us with the precious oyle of his spirituall grace, is God onelyonly.

p. 23822 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.Who hath also sealed us up for his; and as it is wont to be done in bargaines, that the earnest given in hand bindes the contract; so hath he made our salvation sure, by giving to us before-hand the earnest of his Spirit, in our hearts.

23 Moreover, I call God for a record upon my soule, that to spare you, I came not as yet unto Corinth.Moreover I call God to beare witnesse with my soule, of the truth which I affirme, and to take punishment upon my soule, if I affirme ought but the truth; that onelyonly out of respects to you, I forbore to come, as yet, to Corinth; lest finding matters amisse, and yet unreformed, I should have beene forced to use my Apostolicall authority amongst you, in such severity as would have seemed very harsh unto you.

24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.But when I speake of sparing you, let no man thinke that we meant ever so to take upon us, as if wee would be imperious, and over-rule you in matter of faith and religion, at our pleasure; but onelyonly that we would indeavour your reformation; and therein be helpers forward of your joy: As for your faith, it is not either in our will, or in our power to shake, or stirre it; for that is it, whereby ye do, and must stand; so as it neither is, nor can be subject to the command, or alteration of men.

CAP. II.

5 But if any have caused griefe, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.BUt if any man have caused griefe (as indeed that incestuous man hath done) he hath not grieved mee alone, but many of you also, with mee; that I may not have reason to charge you all, with the blame, or suspition of bearing with that foule crime.

6 Sufficient to such a man is this punishment which was justified of many.Since he hath beene censured, according to my order, and hath professed his serious repentance, let this punishment, or censure be sufficient, which was inflicted upon him publiquely in the congregation.

10 To whom yee forgive any thing I forgive also: For if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ.And as I before wrote to you, that my spirit consented together with you, in the excommunicating of this offender, so now, I do professe my concurrence with you, in his absolution, and remission; as ye do therefore forgive him, so do I also; and in this forgivenesse of mine, I have respect to you, and do it for your sakes, sincerely, as in the presence of Christ, so in the name, and person of Christ, who hath committed this authority unto me.

11 Lest satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.Both you and I must thus release him lest satan should get an advantage of us, by overwhelming the sinner with despaire; and by prevailing against us in our too much austerity and uncharitablenesse; for we are well acquainted p. 239with the subtle devices of that great, and cunning adversary.

An oportunity was offered to mee, by the Lord,12 And a doore was opened unto mee of the Lord. in the great readinesse and forward desires of the hearers.

I was much grieved, and troubled in my soule,13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother. for that I met not with Titus, my brother, by whom I made account to heare of your estate, &c.

And casteth abroad the sweet perfume or savour of the knowledge of God, by our preaching in every place,14 And maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. so as the world is, as it were, filled therewith.

For we by our preaching are as a sweet and acceptable perfume in the nostrils of God, casting abroad,15 For wee are unto God a sweet savour of Christ in them that are saved, and in them that perish. and spreading the fragrant savour of Christ, all the world over: graciously accepted of God, howsoever wee speed with men; since hee doth not judge of us, by the event, but regards, and crownes our conscionable labours, whether they light upon them that are saved, or on them that perish.

To the one, we are as a deadly savour,16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death and to the other the savour of life unto life: and who is sufficient for these things? by reason that their corruption turnes this wholsome, and saving Gospell into poyson, and thereby makes our preaching an occasion of their destruction; to the other, wee are a sweet and comfortable savour, giving both the life of grace here, to those that receive our Gospell; and of eternall glory, hereafter: so as this imployment is noble, and great, and of exceeding importance, and how few are there, that are fit and able to discharge it?

As for us, blessed be God, he hath fitted us for it;17 For wee are not as many which corrupt the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speake wee in Christ. for we are not as many, who do corrupt, and adulterate the word of God, mixing it with their owne fancies, and preaching it plausibly, and covetously, so as they may humor others, and advantage themselves; but wee have preached the pure and sincere word of God unto you, and that with truth and uprightnesse of heart; as in the sight of God, by the direction and authority of Christ.

CAP. III.

YE, O yee converted Corinthians,2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, knowne and read of all men. and your whole Church, are as a large epistle of commendations (written in the testimony of our conscience, which knowes all our effectuall labours among you) sent forth to all the world, in our behalfe, well knowne and read of all men.

For as much as yee are manifestly declared to be3 For as much as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministred by us, &c. written not with inke, but with the Spirit of the living God, &c. p. 240Christs epistle, written by our ministery in that both Christ is written in you, by us, and that also Christ by our preaching, hath written the blessed characters of his grace in you; not with inke, but with, &c.

5 Not that we are sufficient of our selves to thinke any thing as of our selves, but our sufficiencie is of God:And such trust and confidence have wee, through Christ, in our God, that wee are bold thus to boast of this worke of God in you, and the efficacie of our ministery amongst you.

6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new Testament; not of the letter, but of the Spirit: for the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life.Who hath made us able ministers of the new Testament: but, not of the outward and bare sound thereof, or of that dead letter, wherein it is expressed, and written, but of that inward vertue of the Spirit of God, which (through the blessing of God) worketh with the vocall sound of the Gospell; for the outward expression, being separated from the inward power of the Gospell, occasions the death of the soule; it is the inward grace of the Spirit, working with the letter, and sound of the Gospell, that gives a true spirituall life unto the soule.

7 But if the ministration of death written, and ingraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance, which glory was to be done away:But if the old law which threatneth, and bringeth death with it, which was written and ingraven in tables of stone, were delivered with such glory, as that the children of Israel could not looke stedfastly upon the face of Moses, for the shining glory of his countenance, which glory was but temporary, and vanished away with the face it selfe.

8 How shall not the ministration of the Spirit be rather glorious?How shall not the ministration of the Gospell, which is accompanied by the Spirit of God, and gives life to the receivers, be much more glorious?

So also verse 9.

10 For even that which was made glorious, had no glory in this respect by reason of the glory that excelleth.For even that glorious delivery of the Law, and that shining face of Moses, had no glory at all in it, if it be compared with that excellent glory of the Gospell, and of the Apostolicall function.

11 For if that which is done away, was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.For if that Law and that shining brightnesse which was transitory, and is done away, were glorious, how much more glorious must that needs be, which is to remaine for ever, viz. the Gospell, & the ministery thereof.

12 Seeing then that we have such hope, wee use great plainnesse of speech.Seeing then that we have this confident assurance of the dignity of our function, and the soveraigne power of the Gospell, wee do with much freedome and resolution preach this Gospell to you.

p. 241And we do not make our selves like Moses,13 And not as Moses, which put a vaile over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly looke to the end of that which is abolished. who put a vaile over his face, that the eyes of the Israelites could not have their full scope, to looke at that bright lustre of his face, which is (and was soone after to be) abolished.

But this was done in a figure; for as their eyes were thus hindred from seeing the glory of Moses face,14 But their mindes were blinded: for untill this day remaineth the same vaile untaken away, in the reading of the old Testament; which vaile is done away in Christ. so the eyes of their mindes were dimme, yea blinded, that they could not see the end of the Law; and still, untill this day, the same vaile of ignorance continues unremoved; for in reading of the old Testament, they have not the power of seeing him, who was prefigured, and shadowed out thereby; which vaile is onelyonly done away by Christ; as in whom all things were fulfilled, and by whom the cleare light of knowledge is given unto the soule.

But even to this day, when Moses is read,15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read the vaile is upon their heart. this vaile of ignorance, and unbeleefe is betwixt their hearts, and his face.

Neverthelesse,16 Neverthelesse, when it shal turne unto the Lord the vaile shall be taken away. when that heart of theirs shall be turned to the Lord, then shall the vaile be taken away by the gracious illumination of Gods Spirit; and they shall then see Christ clearely laid forth in Moses.

Yee heard of a Spirit, as ye heard of a letter;17 Now the Lord is that Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. now the Lord is that Spirit, which gives life unto the letter of the Gospell; and where this Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty and freedome from the bondage of sinne, and satan; and a bold and confident accesse to the throne of grace.

But wee all, as being in a better case then Moses,18 But we all with open face, beholding as in a glasse the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. do with an open face behold the glory of the Lord; and as a glasse which is set against the Sunne, receives the beames thereof; so do we take in glory from God, in one degree after another, till wee be fully changed into his glorious image, and made like unto him, which is wrought in, and upon us, by the Spirit of the Lord.

CAP. IV.

THerefore,1 Therefore, seeing we have this ministery, as we have received merciemercy, we faint not. seeing wee have so excellent and noble a ministery, or function; as God hath highly honoured us, and shewed mercy to us in vouchsafing to call us thereunto, so wee go courageously forward in the carefull discharge thereof, and faint not.

But have renounced all the slye,2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftinesse, nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth, commending our selves to every mans conscience, in the sight of God. and secret dishonesties of hypocrisie, not craftily seeking our owne advantages, by indirect meanes, in our preaching the p. 242word of God, but in plaine and open truth, and sincerity, labouring to be approved of every mans conscience, in the presence of God.

3 But if our Gospell be hid, it is hid to them that are lost.And so clearly and faithfully have we laid Christ open before you, in our preaching, that if there bee any man, to whom our Gospell is yet hid, it is a fearefull signe of that mans reprobation, and perdition.

4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the mindes of them which beleeve not, lest the light of the glorious Gospell of Christ, who is the image of God should shine unto them.And that he is one of those unbeleevers, whose mindes Satan, who is the god of this world, hath blinded; so as that, through their owne obstinacy, and his suggestion, the light of the glorious Gospell of Christ, who is the perfect and living image of God the Father, appeares not unto them, but by the just judgement of God, is kept from their eyes.

That God which in the first creation brought the light out of darknesse, now, that the world was all covered with darknesse of ignorance, brought the light of his Gospell into it, and hath shined in our hearts, to give us thereby a true and cleare knowledge of the glory of God, in, and by the meanes of Jesus Christ.6 For God who commanded the light to shine out of darknesse, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Iesus Christ.

But this goodly and rich treasure of the Gospell is by him put into us, that are but base, brittle, earthen vessels; that there may no part of the praise of the excellent power, and vertue thereof be cast upon us,7 But wee have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellencie of the power may be of God, and not of us. but all may be (as it is due) ascribed to God alone.

8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed: we are perplexed, but not in despaire.We are afflicted on every side, yet not over-pressed, and distracted therewith.

Alwaies imitating, in our very bodies, the example of the sufferings, and dying of our Lord Jesus, that once our now mortall bodies may be conformable to his,10 Alwaies bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Iesus, that the life also of Iesus might be made manifest in our body. in everlasting glory, and the life of blessednesse, and immortality.

So also verse 11:

12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.So then, we are continually exposed to death, whiles ye live quietly, out of the danger thereof, and provide for your life and safety.

13 Wee having the same Spirit of faith according as it is written, I beleeved, and therefore have I spoken; we also beleeved and therefore speake.We, having the same faith, that David had, wrought in us by the Spirit of God, can say, as he did, I beleeved, p. 243and therefore have I spoken; upon the same grounds then that he had, we also beleeve the performance of all Gods promises to us, and therefore we doe boldly professe, and preach the truth of the Gospell.

For all, both our sufferings and deliverances are for your sakes,15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace, might, through the thanksgiving of many, redound to the glory of God. that the abundant grace of God which shews it selfe in both these, might win so much more glory to God; for that so many are interessed therein, and shall returne their praises and thanksgivings to him for his mercy to us.

Upon which assurances, we goe on cheerfully in our ministery, and faint not; for, though our body decay,16 For which cause wee faint not, but, though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed, day by day. and languish by reason of our many pressures, and afflictions, yet our spirit gathers strength, and resolution every day, more then other.

Forasmuch as we know, that this light affliction which we suffer here, for the short moment of this present life,17 For our light affliction which is but for a moment, worketh for us a farre more exceeding and eternall waight of glory. shall be recompenced (through Gods mercy) with an incomparably, and inconceivably more excellent, and eternall measure of glory; and helpes us forward towards the attainment thereof.

Whiles we cast, not our bodily eyes, upon these outward things, that are seene, but the eyes of our soules, upon those spirituall, and invisible excellencies; for all these things which our bodily eyes can see, are temporall and transitory; but those invisible things, which our soules see, are eternall.18 While we look not at the things which are seene, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seene, are temporall, but the things which are not seene are eternall.

CAP. V.

FOr we know, that if this earthly body of ours, wherein the soule sojournes, some while, as in a Tabernacle of clay, be once dissolved; we have a glorious mansion, prepared for us, and built by God; even an house made only by the infinite power and goodnesse of our creator, which is eternall in the heavens.1 For we know, that if our earthly house of this Tabernacle were dissolved we have a building of God an house not made with hand, eternall in the heavens.

For in this fraile tabernacle of our body,2 For in this we groan earnestly, desiring to bee clothed upon with our house. wee live in continuall sighing, and groaning; earnestly desiring, if it might be, that in this state of our bodies, we might, without the paine of a dissolution, be clothed upon with the life of glory, and immortality.

If, at least,3 If so bee that being clothed we shall not bee found naked. we be found (at the comming of Christ) clothed with these bodies of ours, and not despoiled of them before by death.

p. 244For we, that are in this tabernacle of our bodies, doe sigh and groane, being burdned with this lumpish, and earthen load of our flesh; not for that we would be unclothed, and stripped of them; but in a desire, that being clothed with them, we might have glory put also upon us; that, as we are clothed with them, so they may bee clothed with glory; that so mortality might (without any sensible paine) be swallowed up of life.4 For we that are in this Tabernacle, doe groan, being burdened, not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

Now, he that ordained and wrought us to this blessed condition, is only God; who hath also given us, before hand, the earnest of his Spirit,5 Now hee that hath wrought us for the selfesame thing, is God; who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. to assure us of the full accomplishment of his good promises to us.

Therefore, howsoever nature is ready to shrinke at the thought of dissolution, yet we are confident alwaies to undergoe it, cheerfully, and resolutely: Knowing that our life is, in this case, a true pilgrimage; in that, whiles we are present in this body of ours, wee are absent from the Lord;6 Therefore we are alwaies confident, knowing that whilest wee are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord. We doe, indeed, account our body to be our home; but it is a short, uncertaine, imperfect, and miserable home; it is heaven that is our true countrey, and home, as being our Fathers house; whiles then we are in this home of our bodies, wee are away from our glorious home, and from the Lord, who is the owner, and maker of it.

7 For wee walke by faith, not by sight.(For we doe only now, by our faith, injoy God, but are as strangers, yet, in regard of our present sight, and fruition of him.)

We are, I say, confident to undergoe our dissolution, and willing rather to be freed and delivered from our body, and to be present with the Lord,8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. then to be still in the body, and absent from God.

Wherefore we labour that, whether wee live, or die, whether our soules be present in our bodies, or separated from them, by death, we may be graciously accepted of him.9 Wherefore wee labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

Knowing therefore the terrour of this dreadfull judgement, and the awfulnesse of that Lord, who shall appeare in it, we perswade men to a conscionable feare, and obedience; and for us, we are carefull to bee approved of God in our sincerity, and faithfulnesse to him, in our ministery; and I trust also, ye your selves, in your owne consciences,11 Knowing therefore the terrour of the Lord, we perswade men, but we are made manifest unto God, and I trust also are made manifest unto your consciences. can not but allow, and give testimony thereof.

12 For wee commend not our selves againe unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalfe, that you may have somewhat to answere them, &c.But we speake this, to give you occasion, rather to rejoyce, and boast, on our behalfe; that you may have somewhat to answere those false Apostles, which make a p. 245shew of joy and confidence, but indeed have no truth thereof in their hearts.

Neither let any man censure us for this our gloriation, as if we were over-carried beyond the bounds of discretion; or as if this zeale and boasting savoured of some kinde of madnesse; for, if we be thought to bee besides our selves, it is for our fervent love to God, and his Gospell, that we are so reproached; and if we be sober, it is for your cause,13 For whether we be besides our selves, it is to God; or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. that we might give an example of meeknesse unto you.

For the wonderfull and infinite love of Christ wherewith he imbraced mankinde, offers an holy force, and violence unto us; because we doe thus rightly, and justly judge; that we were all dead, and lost by reason of our sinne; otherwise that only and deare Saviour of ours would not have died for all.14 For the love of Christ constraineth us, because we thus judge: that if one died for all, then were all dead.

And withall, that his purpose of dying for all was this, that they which live by the power and efficacy of his death, should not live unto themselves, any more, but unto him, and for his glory and advantage, who dyed for them, and rose againe.15 And that he died for all, that they which live, should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him which died for them, and rose againe.

Wherefore, henceforth,16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh; yea, though we have knowne Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. wee doe not respect and esteeme any man for these outward, and fleshly regards of honor, or wealth, or parentage, or the like; yea, if heretofore we have boasted of Christ for any fleshly respects, or interest; as that he was of the same city, country, kindred with us; yet henceforth we stand no more upon these points, but rather boast our selves of him in spirituall regards, as our redeemer, as our gracious and al-sufficient mediator, interceding for us in heaven.

Therefore if any man doe challenge to have any right in Christ, or any station in his spirituall kingdome,17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, hee is a new creature; old things are past away, behold, all things are become new. let him be a new creature renewed by the grace of his spirit. All the old, out-worne conditions of our sinfull nature, and the appendances thereof, are now gone and past; all things that are in us, are now become new by the power of regeneration.

And all things are thus renued by the power, and grace of God; who hath reconciled,18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himselfe. &c.

God was in Christ, as the Father in the Sonne, reconciling the world to himselfe,19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himselfe, not imputing their trespasses unto them. by Christ the Sonne; by his full satisfaction so doing away their sinnes, as that hee imputes them not to the penitent, to the beleever, &c.

p. 24621 For he hath made him to be sinne for us, who knew no sinne, that wee might be made the righteousnesse of God in him.For he hath made him, who knew no sinne, to undergoe and satisfie, in our steed, that wrath which was due to our sinne; that we might bee made partakers of his righteousnesse, before God, by the mercifull imputation thereof unto us.

CAP. VI.

2 I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation, &c.See Isay 49.8.

6 By the holy Ghost, by love unfained.IN the good improvement of all those spirituall graces which ye have received.

Let us beare our selves as the ministers of God, in rightly delivering to his people the word of truth,7 By the word of truth by the power of God, by the armour of righteousnesse, on the right hand, and on the left. without mixtures of our owne fancies, in the zealous maintenance of that truth by our utmost indevours, and by that power of working miracles, which God hath given to us, in all righteousnesse; which, like a compleat armour may compasse us about, and defend us both from the dangers of the temptations of prosperity on the right hand, and of adversitie, on the left.

11 O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you; our heart is enlarged.O ye Corinthians, we doe by all meanes desire to expresse the good affections that wee beare towards you; our hearts are inlarged towards you in all affectionate love, and holy desires of your good.

12 Ye are not straitned in us, but yee are straitned in your owne bowels.It is no strait, or narrow roome that ye take up in our hearts; ye have full scope there; and if yee thinke otherwise, surely the straitnesse is in your owne breasts, that ye will not conceive sufficiently of our kinde, and hearty disposition towards you.

13 Now for a recompence in the same, I speake as unto my children, be ye also inlarged.In requitall of this Christian, and fatherly affection of ours to you, be ye also as spirituall children, alike lovingly affected towards us.

14 Be ye not unequally yoaked together with unbeleevers.Out of this tender love, and care of mine, I doe advise and charge you, that ye doe not make so unequall matches for your selves, as to joyne your selves in marriage with infidels, &c.

p. 247CAP. VII.

HAving therefore received such gracious promises of Gods presence, and fatherly respect to us,1 Having therefore these promises (dearly beloved) let us cleanse our selves from all filthinesse of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holinesse in the feare of God. upon our separating from infidels, and refraining from all communion with them, let us accordingly cleanse our selves from all filthinesse, both of soule and body; not onelyonly keeping our consciences free from those heathenish pollutions, but our bodies also from consorting with them, making up our perfect holinesse every way, in the feare and obedience of God.

Let not your hearts be any way estranged from us;2 Receive us, we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man. we have done no wrong to any man; if we have beene sharpe, and severe in taxing that crime which was tolerated amongst you, it was but just that we said, and did in it, &c.

I doe not say this,3 I speake not this to condemne you, for I have said before, that you are in our hearts to die and live with you. as if I meant to lay any accusation upon you, that you have conceived such an injurious suspition of me; for I have before professed how sincerely I love you, and how fervently, and constantly; even so as I could be content not only to live with you, but to die for you also.

We were extreamly pressed, both with inward,5 Our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side, without were fightings, within were feares. and with outward afflictions; without, we had bickerings with the enemies of the Church, Jewes, Gentiles, false teachers; within, we were disquieted with feares of the mis-carriages of our weake brethren, and the danger of the successe of our adversaries.

And not by his comming only,7 And not by his comming only, but by the consolation wherewith hee was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning your fervent minde towards me. but by the report and sight of those many, and great consolations, which hee received, in and from you; when he informed us of your earnest desire to be approved of us, your mourning for this just cause of scandall, your fervent affection towards mee, &c.

For, though I did grieve you,8 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I doe not repent though I did repent. with that sharpe letter that I wrote unto you; yet now, I am not sorry for it; although I was sorry to thinke how much you would be troubled therewith, &c.

Now I rejoyce, not for your sorrow,9 Now I rejoyce, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance; for ye were made sorry after a godly manner. but for the good issue and successe of that sorrow of yours; that it was the occasion of the reforming of that fault, whereof I complained, &c.

For godly sorrow worketh a repentance,10 For godly sorrow worketh repētance to salvation, not to be repented of, but the sorrow of the world worketh death. never to be repented of, yea to be joyed in; such a repentance as p. 248leads to eternall salvation; but worldly sorrow doth but dry the bones, to no purpose; and if it be suffered to prevaile over the heart, ends in despaire and death.

11 For behold, this self same thing, that yee sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefullnesse it wrought in you, yea what clearing of your selves, yea what indignation.For, behold, this godly sorrow, that my letter occasioned in you, what good effects it hath wrought in you, what carefulnesse to redresse this crime, what apologies for your selves, of your hearty detestation of the fact, yea what indignation at so soule an abuse, &c.

12 I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the fight of God might appeare unto you.I did it not so much for any particular mans cause, either the offenders, or any other party wronged; but that I might hereby give a proofe to you of that exceeding great care, that I have of your good in the sight of God; and that you might be sufficiently by this meanes assured of it.

14 But as wee spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting which I made before Titus is found a truth.For, as all that wee spake to you concerning Titus, is well approved by you, to be true; even so all those holy boasts that I made of you to Titus, are by him found to be truth.

15 How with feare, and trembling you received him.With what reverence, and awe of his ministery ye received him.

16 I rejoyce therefore, that I have confidence in you in all things.I rejoyce, therefore, that I finde so good reason to be confident of your well-doing, in all things.

CAP. VIII.

2 How that in a great triall of affliction, the abundance of their joy, and their deep povertie abounded unto the riches of their liberality.HOw God hath blessed, and honoured the Churches of Macedonia, with a double grace; both with much chearfulnesse and joy in their great tryals of afflictions; and with a rich liberality, and contribution to the necessity of other saints,5 And this they did not as wee hoped, but first gave their owne selves to the Lord, and unto us, by the will of God. notwithstanding their owne deepe poverty.

And this they did farre beyond our hope; first giving themselves over to the Lord; and then yeelding themselves to be swayed,6 Insomuch that we desired Titus that as hee had begun, so hee would also finish in you the same grace also. and disposed of by our ministery, according to the will of God.

Insomuch as wee desired Titus, that as he had begun to move you for your liberall contribution to the same purpose, so that he would follow it home, and finish so good a worke amongst you.7 Therefore (as ye abound in every thing in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us) see that yee abound in this grace also.

Therefore as yee abound in every other grace, and vertue, in faith, and a zealous expression of it, &c. So also that yee abound in this liberall almes for the reliefe of other Churches, that are now pinched with want.

p. 249I do not lay any imperious command upon you,8 I speake not by commandement, but by occasion of the forwardnesse of others, to do thus; but I move, and solicit you to it, upon occasion of others forwardnesse, &c.

Who have begun a yeare agoe, not onelyonly to do something, but to professe your forwardnesse to do more,10 Who have begun before; not onelyonly to do, but also to be forward a yeare agoe. and to undertake a large collection for this use.

For God measures our almes, according to the minde of the giuer; if there be first a willing minde,12 For if there be first a willing minde, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath no… is is accepted of him, though it be never so small a gift; for hee requires us not to give that, which wee have not, but what wee have, and in that proportion that we have; and accordingly accepts of what we thus give.

That their abundance,14 That their abundance also may be a supply for your want that there may be equality. when occasion shall be hereafter given, may (in way of requitall) supply your wants; that so there may be a just equality of the gift, and the retribution.

According to equality of proportion,15 As it is written, He that had gathered much, had nothing over; and hee that had gathered little, had no lack. which was in the gathering of the Manna in the Law; hee that had gathered much, had nothing more then his fellowes, in the sharing of it, and he that gathered little, had no lesse then they.

And we have sent with him that brother of ours,18 And wee have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the Gospell, throughout all the Churches. even Barnabas, which hath taken much paines for the planting, and promoting of the Gospell, and hath justly won great estimation amongst all the Churches.

To travell with us,19 To travell with us with this grace which is administred by us to the glory, &c. and to carry this contribution which is raised by us to the glory, &c.

I have sent Titus and Barnabas, for this purpose,20 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administred by us. that I might hereby take away all suspition of retaining to my selfe ought of that abundance of mony which wee have procured for this needfull releefe.

Wherein we were carefull to take that course which might cleare our reputation both before God and men.21 Providing for honest things, not onelyonly in the sight of the Lord.

And wee have sent with them Titus our brother,22 And wee have sent with them our brother, whom wee have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent upon the great confidence which I have in you. whom wee have oftentimes, &c. but now much more officious in this service, upon that confidence which hee sees I have in you; as knowing that you will not frustrate my hope and assurance.

They are the messengers sent for this purpose by the Churches,23 They are the messengers of the Churches, and the glory of Christ. and such as by whom Christ hath beene much glorified.

p. 250CAP. IX.

4 Lest happily if they of Macedonia come with me, and finde you unprepared, we (that we say not you) should be ashamed.I Have often boasted of your liberality, in my speech with them of Macedonia; be ready therefore with your contribution, lest haply, if they of Macedonia should come with mee, to you, and finde you unprepared, both we that have boasted, and yee of whom we have boasted, should be ashamed, &c.

8 And God is able to …ke all grace abound to…rds you, that ye alwaies …aving all sufficiencie in all things, may abound to every good worke.Neither do ye in this your liberall contribution make doubt of your owne want, which may follow hereafter; for be ye assured that God, for whose sake yee give it, is able to furnish you with abundance of these, and all other blessings; that ye alwayes being all-sufficiently supplyed by him, may upon every occasion give liberally to every good worke.

9 As it is written: Hee hath dispersed abroad: he hath given to the poore, &c.See Psal. 112.9.

10 Now hee that ministreth seed to the sower, both minister bread for your food: and multiply your seed sowne, and increase the fruits of your righteousnesse.Now, I beseech that God (who is wont to requite abundantly all the good workes of our beneficence, and to furnish the sower, both with seed and increase) that he will provide liberally for you; and give you a plentifull harvest of the seed, which is thus sowne by you; and multiply to you the fruits of this your just liberality.

15 Thankes be unto God for his unspeakable gift.Thankes be to God for that grace of Christian bountie towards others, which hee hath bestowed upon you, which is a gift of unspeakable value; and worthy of all thankfull acknowledgment.

CAP. X.

1 Now I Paul, my selfe beseech you, by the meeknesse, and gentlenesse of Christ, who in presence am base among you; but being absent, am bold towards you.I Have spoken to you for the poore; and now I solicit you for my selfe; I beseech you therefore (who might seeme to have power to command) not by ought in mee, but by the meeknesse and gentlenesse of Christ our Saviour; even I Paul beseech you; whose presence, as my adversaries say, is meane, and contemptible amongst you; howsoever in my absence I take upon me to deale roundly with you.

2 But I beseech you that I may not be bold, when I am present, with that confidence wherewith I think to be bold against some, which thinke of us, as if wee walked according to the flesh.But I beseech you, that yee will so order the matter, that I may not have cause, when I am present, to make use of that bold and free severity against you, which I purpose to use against some envious detractors, which thinke and speake of us, as if there were nothing in us, p. 251but what they see; as if we used worldly craft, and policy to get an hand over you.

For though wee do indeed live in the flesh,3 For though we walke in the flesh, wee do not warre after the flesh. and are cloathed about with this earthly body, yet wee do not live carnally, nor make use of carnall, and indirect meanes to advantage our selves.

We have indeed a warfare in hand,4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnall, but mighty through God, to the pulling downe of strong holds. and we have weapons, which wee do and must imploy in it; but as the warfare, so also the weapons which wee use, are spirituall, not carnall; wee do not thinke to prevaile by secular power, and dignity, but by the mighty power of the Gospell, which is able (through the cooperation of God) to pull downe the strongest holds of flesh and blood.

Casting downe all the vaine and wicked imaginations of the heart,5 Casting downe imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth it selfe against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. and that proud ostentation of secular wisedome, and knowledge, that exalts it selfe against the true and saving knowledge of God; and bringing every thought of mans heart into an holy captivity, to be submissely obedient, and conformable to the will of Christ.

And having in a readines to take just revenge upon the disobedience of those persons,6 And having in a readinesse to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. who after their submission to the Gospell, have runne out into outrageous offences; whom we shall accordingly censure after that yee have so fulfilled your obedience to our admonitions, that there may no exception be taken at our forbearance of you.

Do yee judge of things according to their outward appearance?7 Do yee looke on the things after the outward appearance? if any man trust to himselfe that he is Christs, let him of himself thinke this againe, that as he is Christs, even so are we Christs. The false teachers make a faire flourish; I go simply to worke; do ye judge of them and mee, as we seeme? your false apostles brag of their interest in Christ; that they have seene him, and pertaine to him; but if any man make these boasts of himselfe, let him learne to know, that he hath not, neither can have more right in Christ, nor more relation to him, then we have.

But I will not speake much of this our authority, lest I should seeme (as they accuse mee) to speake bigge in letters,9 That I may not seeme, as if I would terrifie you by letters. and to terrifie you with the threatnings of my power.

For his letters (say they) are full of great authority, and imperiousnesse; but his person is weake and meane, neither promising, nor performing ought; and his speech is plaine, homely, contemptible.10 For his letters (say they) are weighty, and powerfull, but his bodily presence is weake, and his speech contemptible.

But let such a one know,11 Let such a one think this, that such as wee are in word by letters, when wee are absent, such will wee be also in deed, when we are present. that hee shall finde he hath mistaken us; for hee shall well understand, and feele, that such as wee are in the expression of our selves by letters, in our absence; such wee will be found in our deeds, and carriage, when we are present.

p. 25212 For wee dare not make our selves of the number, or compare our selves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, &c.As for us, we content our selves with our owne mediocrity; wee dare not enter into comparison with these your glorious masters, that commend themselves, and bragge of their owne abilities: but l…t mee tell you, they onelyonly looking upon, and admiring their own good parts, and not comparing their small gifts with the greater, and more excellent indowments of others, bewray themselves to be unwise.

13 But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule, which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.But, however they exeeed, wee will not boast of our selves immoderately, and go beyond those bounds of just gloriation which God hath set us; but will keepe our selves within those limits of our abilities, and deserts, which God hath distributed unto us; in which compasse, our just boastings shall extend themselves unto you, of whom wee know wee have well merited, even above others; and will confine our vaunts of successe within the line of those regions, to which we have preached, wherein yours of Corinth is plainly comprehended.

14 For wee stretch not our selves beyond our measure, as though wee reached not unto you, for we are come as farre as to you also in preaching the Gospell of Christ.For wee stretch not our selves, and the praise of our labours, and preachings beyond our due bounds, in saying that wee reached so farre as Corinth, in these our Apostolicke paines, and teachings: for ye well know that wee are comne as farre at least, as to you, in this holy errand of preaching the Gospell of Christ.

15 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other mens labours, but having hope, when your faith is increased, that wee shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly.Not boasting our selves of things done beyond our line, and measure; and arrogating to our selves the praise of other mens labours; but well hoping, then when your faith is increased, the notice and propagation thereof will be a meanes to enlarge our happy successe abundantly, to others of the Gentiles, whom the rule and charge of God hath limitted us unto.

So verse 16.

CAP. XI.

1 Would to God you could beare with mee a little in my folly, and indeed beare with mee.I Do well know that the successe of the doctrine depends much upon the authority and good reputation of the teacher; give me leave therefore, since the false apostles are so apt to set forth themselves, and to disparage mee, to boast a little of my selfe; and indeed yee do give me leave.

2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousie: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.I must crave pardon to do thus; for I am jealous over you with godly jealousie; for I by my ministery, have espoused you unto one husband, even to Christ; and I p. 253would be loath yee should be carried away with any strange love; but would faine present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

For if these emulous preachers,4 For if hee that commeth preacheth another Iesus, whom we have not preached; or if yee receive another Spirit, which yee have not received, or another Gospell which yee have not accepted, yee might well beare with him. whom ye so much magnifie, did preach to you a truer Messias, then we do; or if by them ye did receive a better, & more powerfull spirit then ye have received by us, &c. ye might well applaud them, and stand out for them; but now, seeing they preach the same Christ with us, and pretend to give the same spirit, and deliver the same Gospell, what reason can there be, that wee who first brought you to this Christ, by this Gospell, and by whom the miraculous gifts of the Spirit were first dealt amongst you, should be neglected in comparison of them?

For if I be not so eloquent in my speech as some of them, yet my knowledge is not short of theirs;6 But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge, but we have beene throughly made manifest among you in all things. but what need I say thus to you, who upon good experience know well and throughly what we are?

Is this a reason of my contempt amongst you,7 Have I committed an offence in abasing my selfe, that you might be exalted, because I have preached to you the Gospell of God freely? that I lived in an homely fashion with you, and abased my selfe for your spirituall advantage, so to preach the Gospell freely amongst you, that in the meane while, I earned my owne living?

I made my selfe beholden, for maintenance,8 I robbed other Churches, taking wages of them to do you service. to other Churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.

And lest ye should thinke I aime at some further provision from you hereafter,10 As the truth of Christ is in mee, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia. I do solemnely sweare, as the truth of Christ is in mee, and preached by mee; I will not take maintenance from any of you, nor be bereft of this ground of my boasting, whiles I shall be in any part of the regions of Achaia.

But as I do preach freely amongst you, so I will do;12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasiō, that wherein they glory, they may be found even as wee. that I may cut off all occasion of advantage, and exception from those false Apostles, that seeke occasion; for they boast of this, as a meritorious act of theirs, that they take nothing of you for their preaching; I will not therefore herein give them cause to say they go beyond me; but will be equall unto them, in this, wherein they so much glory.

For even satan himselfe,14 And no marvell; for Sathan himselfe is transformed into an Angel of light. though hee be indeed an uncleane spirit of darknesse; yet to deceive men the better, doth oft times put himselfe into the forme of a glorious, heavenly, lightsome Angell.

I know it is an argument of weaknesse, and folly,16 I say againe, Let no man thinke me a foole: if otherwise, yet as a foole receive mee, that I may boast my selfe a little. for a man to boast of himselfe, and to set forth his owne praises; yet, now yee force me to it, let no man impute p. 254this to mee, as folly: or if ye will needs take it so, let mee for the time take the priviledge, and liberty of folly, to bragge of my selfe a while.

17 That which I speake, I speake it not after the Lord, but, as it were, foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.That which I shall now speake, I am content that it appeare as spoken in a certaine humane, and (as ye may construe it) a vaine and fond manner, and not as from the Lord; I meane, that I do thus confidently glory of my selfe unto you; but if the occasion (which is my owne defence, and the vindication of my Apostleship from contempt) be well considered, it will be found that this boasting is both necessary, and holy.

18 Seing that many glory after the flesh, I will gory also.Seing your false Apostles do vaunt, and bragge of their priviledges, in these outward, and worldly matters, why may I not be allowed to do so also?

If yee construe this as foolish, yet yee may very well beare with it; for ye suffer fooles gladly, because ye your selves are wise.19 For yee suffer fooles gladly, seeing yee your selves are wise.

20 For yee suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himselfe, if a man smite you on the face.I well see that your wisdome (such as it is) hath made you very patient, in other occasions; my emulous adversaries have wrought strangely upon you, and have sped well; you can be content that they should make slaves of you, and pillage you, and prey upon you at pleasure; that they should bragge of themselves causelesly, and unjustly; that they should smite and censure you as they list.

I meane, that they should smite you in your reputation, by reproches, and contumelies; as they do us much more; taxing us, as if wee were weake and worthlesse men; wherein yet they are mistaken, and have foully wronged us; for wherein soever any of them thinkes that he hath cause to be bold, and confident, let mee speake (as they may take it) foolishly, I am bold also,21 I speake as concerning reproach, as though wee had beene weake: howbeit soever any is bold, I speake foolishly, I am bold also. and dare enter into comparison with him.

Do they boast to be the ministers of Christ? I speake (you may thinke) foolishly,23 Are they ministers of Christ? I speake as a foole, I am more. but truly; I am more then they boast to be, an Apostle, &c.

Five severall times was I scourged by the Jewes, according to the utmost rigour of their punishment in this kinde; receiving each time fortie lashes, save one.24 Of the Iewes five times received I forty stripes save one.

25 A night and a day I have beene in the deepe.I have beene a night and a day, after my shipwrack, in the sea, beaten with the waves.

Besides these outward miseries and dangers, I have beene dayly macerated inwardly, and deeply afflicted with the common cares,28 Besides these things that are without, that which commeth upon me daily, the care of all the Churches. and feares of all the Churches of Christ.

29 Who is offended and I burne not?Who is offended, and I am not tormented with sorrow, and consumed with zeale of the redresse?

p. 255If I must needs glory,30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concerne mine infirmities. I will glory of those things which are accounted my miseries, and disgraces, as of my scourgings, hunger, nakednesse, persecutions. Yea, I will glory of my very flight.

I was hard driven for my life,33 And through a window in a basket was I let downe, by the wall, and escaped his hands. and out of a desire to reserve my selfe for the further use, and benefit of the Church, and service of my God, I was content to be let downe out of a window in a basket, and escaped.

CAP. XII.

BUt I restraine my selfe; it is not expedient,1 It is not expedient for me, doubtlesse, to glory, I will come to visions, & revelations of the Lord. doubtlesse for mee to glory of those things, which I have done, and suffered for Christ, and his Church; I will onelyonly glance a little at those visions, and revelations, wherein they thinke to over-top me.

I know, and was acquainted with a man,2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteene yeares agoe, whether in the body, I cannot tell, or whether out of the body, I cannot tell, God knoweth: such a one caught up to the third heaven. not in the flesh, so much, as in Christ; (which I speake not out of any vaine ostentation, but in a sincere respect to the glory of Christ) who above fourteene yeares agoe (so long have I smothered this revelation of mine) was caught up (whether in body, or in an extasie of soule, I know not, God knoweth) into the highest, (which is the empyreall) heaven, the blessed seat of God and his Saints.

I knew, I say,3 And I knew such a man (whether in the body or out of the body, I cannot tell, &c. such a man (whether in body or in extasie of spirit, I cannot tell, God knoweth;)

That he was taken up into that heavenly paradise of God, and there heard, and saw unspeakable things; such as he neither may, nor can utter.4 How that hee was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawfull for any man to utter.

I will not, out of my modesty,5 Of such a one will I glory, yet of my selfe I wil not glory, but in mine infirmities. tell you that I was the man; but of such a man you will give me leave to glory; as for my selfe, when my name comes into mention, yee shall not heare me to glory in any thing, but in mine infirmities.

Neither had I this one vision only, but very many revelations from God; with the number whereof, lest I should be too much puffed up, (as our fraile nature is easily transported) there was, through the holy permission and wise ordination of God, way given to a strong tentation of concupiscence, cast into me by Satan, to humble and afflict me, lest I should be exalted above measure.7 And lest I should bee exalted above measure, through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to mee a thorne in the flesh, the messenger of Sathan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

p. 2568 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.Whereupon, I oft, and earnestly besought God, that he would be pleased to take off the tempter; and to rid mee from that impetuous, and troublesome suggestion.

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weaknes. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon mee.And he said unto me; content thy selfe to struggle a while with this temptation; and know that it is sufficient, that I doe by my grace uphold, and defend thee from the prevailing thereof; well maist thou endure to be exercised with it, whiles I shall savegard thee by my grace from the dāger of it; for were there not such weaknesses as these, to which fraile humane flesh is subject, there should not be occasion for mee to magnifie my power, and mercy to men, in giving them strength to overcome, and, in the end, victory; Since therefore it is thus, good cause have I, to resolve to glory in mine infirmities; by which the power, and goodnes of Christ are so much more advanced, and glorified.

10 For when I am weake, then am I strong.For, when I am weakest in my selfe, then is God most strong in mee, and makes me most strong in him, by that power of faith & patience, and holy courage, which he puts into me.

11 For in nothing am I behinde the very chiefest Apostles, though I bee nothing.For, though I be nothing as of my selfe, yet, through the grace of God inabling me, I am not inferiour to the very chiefest Apostles, either in my abilities, or labours.

12 Truly, the signes of an Apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signes and wonders, and mighty deeds.Truly, there was good proofe of my Apostleship amongst you; God gave great, and undoubted testimony therunto, in that marvellous patience which he wrought in me, and in those admirable signes, and wonders, and miraculous deeds which he wrought by me.

13 For what is it wherein ye were inferiour to other Churches, except it be that I my selfe was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.What one point, then, is there, wherein ye Corinthians are inferiour to other Churches; seeing your Apostle that converted you is not below theirs: except perhaps this be the matter; that I your Apostle was not chargeable to you, as theirs have beene; this is a wrong that ye may well forgive.

14 For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.For, though it be the difference betwixt spirituall, and carnall parents; that the spirituall are provided for, by their children, whereas the carnall parents provide for their children; yet I will herein affect to that which your bodily parents are wont to doe, rather to lay up for you, my spirituall children, then to receive any maintenance from you.

15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you, though the more abundantly I love you, &c.And I will very galdly, not only lay out my substance, but lay downe my life for you; although, I am not requited accordingly; for the more abundantly I love you, the lesse am I loved againe.

16, 17 But be it so: I did not burden you: neverthelesse being crafty, I caught you with guile: did I make a gaine of you by any of them, whom I sent unto you?But, though I did not charge you my selfe; yet my emulous detractors are ready to say, that I dealt craftily p. 257with you, for though I did not burden you in person, yet that I made a prey of you, and raised booties from you by those which I sent unto you.

Againe,19 Againe, thinke you that we excuse our selves unto you? we speak before God in Christ, but we doe all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying. doe ye thinke that we stand so much upon our excuses, for our owne sakes, that we may come cleare off from you? no, we speak before God, in Christ, as calling him to witnesse our sincerity; wee doe, and speake all this for your good, and edification.

For, I feare, lest when I come,20 For I feare lest when I come, I shall not finde you such as I would; and that I shall be found unto you, such as ye would not, &c. I shall not finde you so free, and innocent from these offences, wherewith I have charged you, as I would; and that you shall finde me so sharpe, and severe towards you, as will not be pleasing to you, &c.

And lest, when I come againe to you,21 And lest when I come againe, my God wil humble me, among you, and that I shall bewaile many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleannesse and fornication. my God give me cause of sorrow and humiliation for your unproficiency, and manifold disorders; and that I shall be occasioned to grieve, and mourne for many enormious sinners which have given publique offence, and have not professed their repentance for their uncleannesses, and fornications, &c.

CAP. XIII.

TWise have I beene with you already;1 This is the third time I am comming to you: in the mouth of two, &c. and now I am this third time comming to you; every one of my commings to you are as so many severall witnesses against you; now you know it is the word of the Law, that in the mouth of two, &c.

I told you before in my other epistle,2 I told you before, and foretell you as if I were present the second time, and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that if I come againe I will not spare. and now I foretell you againe, in this second letter, as if I were present in person with you; (my epistle supplying my bodily presence) that I would have it notified to them, which heretofore have scandalously sinned; and to all other guilty persons, that, if I come againe, they must expect all due severity from me.

Since ye are ready to contemne my meeknesse,3 Since ye seek a proof of Christ, speaking in me, which to you wards is not weake, but is mighty in you. and patience, and hereupon make question of the power of Christ, speaking in mee; which of all others ye have least cause to doe, having felt in your selves the happy efficacy of the Spirit of Christ, which hath shewed it selfe mighty in operation, within you.

For that Saviour of ours,4 For though he was crucified through weaknesse, yet he liveth by the power of God; for we also are weake in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you. though he was by his owne voluntary dispensation, in the weaknesse of our humane flesh, crucified; yet, in and on the power of his Godhead, p. 258he liveth for ever; even so also we, that are his members, and even we his Apostles, are by unbeleeving worldlings judged weake in and with him; but, we shall live with him gloriously, by that mighty power of God, which he doth, and shall make good unto us; the proofe whereof, he hath effectually shewed in, and to you.

5 Examine your selves whether ye be in the faith, prove your owne selves; know ye not your owne selves, how that Iesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?Ye need not, O Corinthians, goe further then to your owne hearts, for a proofe of our Apostleship, and power; Examine ye your selves only, whether ye have faith in Christ; prove your owne hearts; can ye be such strangers in your owne breasts, as not to know that Christ Jesus is in you? certainly ye cannot but know that he is in you, except ye be reprobates.

6 But I trust that yee shall know that wee are not reprobates.So as ye must needs either acknowledge and reverence our Apostleship, or yeeld your selves to be reprobates: But I trust ye shall know, and be more and more convinced, that we are the chosen ministers of Christ, & not reprobates.

7 Now I pray to God that ye doe no evill, not that wee should appeare approved, but that yee should doe that which is honest, though wee be as reprobates.Now I pray God so to keep you upright in his feare, that ye may doe no evill; which I doe not wish for our owne sakes, that we might be hereby approved and graced in the successe of our ministerie, but chiefely, if not only, for yours; that ye may be preserved in a course of well doing, whatsoever become of us in the opinion of men.

8 For we can doe nothing against the truth, but for the truth.For we cannot exercise the power of our Apostleship in punishing, or censuring those that live justly, truly, conscionably; but in the countenancing, and incouraging of them rather, and opposing the contrary.

9 For we are glad whē we are weake, and ye are strong: and this also wee wish, even your perfection.Let my detractors cast upon me the imputation of weaknesse, because I am not too stirring amongst you; I am glad to be held thus weake, when as my quietnesse is rather caused through your innocence, then my defect: That which we wish, and are ambitious of, is your perfection, though it be with our owne disgrace.

11 Be perfect, bee of good comfort, be of one minde, live in peace.Labour towards perfection of holinesse and obedience, &c.