2 Corinthians 11 Cross References - Mace

¹ Would you could bear with me a little in my vanity, but indeed you do bear with me. ² for I am jealous over you with religious jealousy: since I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. ³ but I fear lest by some means or other, as Eve was beguiled by the subtilly of the serpent, your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is due to Christ. ⁴ 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: ⁵ for I think I am not at all inferior to the chiefest of the apostles. ⁶ if my language is inelegant, my knowledge is not contemptible; but has been fully display'd among you on all occasions. ⁷ If I have degraded myself for your advantage by preaching the holy gospel to you gratis, is that such a trespass? ⁸ by taking wages of other churches, I may have injured them, to do you service. ⁹ when I was present among you, and in want, I was chargeable to no man: for the brethren which came from Macedonia, supplied my necessities: and as I have, so I always shall keep myself from being burdensome to you. ¹⁰ I solemnly protest, no man shall hinder me of this applause, in the regions of Achaia. ¹¹ why so? is it because I love you not? far otherwise, God knows. ¹² 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. ¹³ for these are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguised so as to pass for true apostles. ¹⁴ and no wonder; for satan himself may put on the appearance of an angel of light. ¹⁵ therefore it is not strange if his agents are so disguised as to appear like ministers of the gospel; but their end shall be answerable to their actions. ¹⁶ 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. ¹⁷ what I say, I say it not as an apostle, but as it were to indulge my vanity in this matter of boasting. ¹⁸ since many glory in outward advantages, I will glory too. ¹⁹ for as wise as you are your selves, you easily bear with the folly of others. ²⁰ if a man impose upon you, if he preys upon you, if he makes a gain of you, if a man insults you, if he disgracefully assaults you, I mean it as to their reproaches, you take it all; ²¹ as if I was inferior to them. but whatever they pretend to, (I must be so vain) I pretend to the like. ²² Are they Hebrews? so am I: are they Israelites? so am I: are they of the race of Abraham? ²³ so am I: are they ministers of Christ? is it my vanity? I am more so: in toilsome labours I surpass them, in stripes I am exceedingly beyond them, in prisons I have been oftner, and frequently in the very jaws of death. ²⁴ from the Jews I have five times received forty stripes save one. ²⁵ thrice was I whip'd with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I was shipwreck'd; a night and a day I was floating on the deep: ²⁶ in my voyages I have been frequently in perils from rivers, in perils from robbers, in perils from my own countrymen, in perils from the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the country, in perils at sea, in perils among false brethren; ²⁷ expos'd to toil, to fatigue, to frequent watchings, to hunger and thirst, to frequent fastings, to cold and penury. ²⁸ besides these troubles from without, that which crouds upon me daily, the care of all the churches. ²⁹ who is afflicted, and I not suffer? who is offended, and I not inflam'd? ³⁰ If I must be compell'd to glory, I will glory on the account of my sufferings. ³¹ the ever-blessed God, and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, knows that I speak truth. ³² in Damascus the governor for king Aretas, posted guards at the city-gates, with a design to apprehend me: ³³ but thro' a window I was let down in a basket by the wall, and so escap'd.

¹⁷ upon which Jesus answered, incredulous and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you?

¹⁴ and when Paul was going to speak, Gallio said to the Jews, "if it were a matter of some injustice or something immoral, O Jews, it would be reasonable to hear you out.

²⁹ I pray God, said Paul, that not only you, but all that now hear me, were both almost and altogether such as I am, the circumstance of my bonds excepted.

²¹ for whereas the world, with all their learning, did not distinguish the characters of his divine wisdom, in his works, it pleased God to save those who believe, by preaching, which they counted folly.

¹⁸ let no man deceive himself: if any among you pretends to worldly wisdom, let him commence fool, in order to be truly wise.

⁸ You have already a sufficiency, you already abound, you live like princes in our absence: and would to God you did reign, that we too might have the advantage of your administration.

¹⁰ we are made fools for our attachment to Christ, while you, who are christians too, still pass for the wise: we are in poverty, but you are in power: you meet with esteem, but we find contempt.

¹³ for if I glory even to transport, my glorying is in God: if I am moderate, my glorying is for your service.

⁴ 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:

¹⁶ 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. ¹⁷ what I say, I say it not as an apostle, but as it were to indulge my vanity in this matter of boasting.

¹⁹ for as wise as you are your selves, you easily bear with the folly of others.

²¹ as if I was inferior to them. but whatever they pretend to, (I must be so vain) I pretend to the like.

¹¹ Am I become vain? 'tis you have forc'd me to it: for I ought to have been commended by you: since I am not inferior to the chiefest of the apostles, tho' in myself I am nothing.

² he might have the greater compassion for those who sin through ignorance or mistake. and for the same reason

²⁹ the bridegroom is he that hath a right to the bride: as for the friend of the bridegroom, who is nigh his person and heareth him, he greatly rejoyces at the voice of the bridegroom: upon this account my joy is compleat.

⁴ thus, my brethren, the law is become dead with respect to you by the body of Christ; that you might be subject to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

¹⁵ for though you may have ten thousand christian preceptors, you cannot have many fathers; since it was I that first instructed you in the gospel of Christ Jesus:

¹⁴ knowing that he who raised up the Lord Jesus, shall raise up me also by Jesus, and shall present me with you:

¹¹ you make me apprehensive, that the labour I have bestowed upon you will be all in vain.

¹⁷ they court your affection, but not in a fair way; for they design to exclude me, that you might have the greater esteem for them. ¹⁸ but it is just you should cultivate my affection for you upon all proper occasions, and not only when I am present with you. ¹⁹ my dear children, how am I in pain, till Christ be formed in you?

²⁶ to sanctify and purify her by the ablution of his word, ²⁷ that he himself might make her appear illustrious to his own eye, a church without spot, or any thing like a defect; so as to be holy and irreprehensible.

⁸ for God is my witness, that I love you with a christian tenderness.

²⁸ he it is that we preach, exhorting, and instructing men in every part of divine knowledge, that they may all be perfectly acquainted with the doctrine of Christ Jesus.

¹¹ you likewise know, that we exhorted and encouraged every one of you, as a father doth his children,

²⁴ for there shall arise false Messiahs, and false prophets, and shall shew such astonishing miracles and prodigies, as to deceive, if that can do it, the very converts themselves.

⁴⁴ you, who have the devil for your father, will execute the designs of your father: he was a murderer from the beginning, and deserted the truth, since he has no love for the truth: when he lyes, he speaks like himself: for he is a lyar, and the father of a lyar.

³⁰ nay, among your own body some will start up to vent their intricate conceits, and draw a number of followers. ³¹ be then upon the watch, and remember, that for three years I have not ceased by night, or by day to warn every soul of you, even with tears.

⁸ on exhortation: he that giveth, let him be disinterested; he that presideth, let him be diligent; he that sheweth mercy, let him do it with cheerfulness.

¹⁸ for such as these serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own selfishness; and by flourish and flattery, deceive the open-hearted simple. ¹⁹ your christianity is very well known in the world. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you as expert in that which is good, as unpractis'd in what is evil.

¹² 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.

¹⁷ 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.

² renouncing all secret dishonesty, and void of all artifice, I deliver the word of God unadulterated, and recommend my self by urging the truth home to every man's conscience, as in the presence of God.

¹³ for these are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguised so as to pass for true apostles. ¹⁴ and no wonder; for satan himself may put on the appearance of an angel of light. ¹⁵ therefore it is not strange if his agents are so disguised as to appear like ministers of the gospel; but their end shall be answerable to their actions.

²⁹ who is afflicted, and I not suffer? who is offended, and I not inflam'd?

²⁰ yet I fear when I do come I shall not find you such as I would, and that you will find me such as you least desire: I am afraid there are among you debates, envyings, animosities, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, arrogance, tumults: ²¹ and I am afraid, God will humble me when I come again among you, and I shall bewail many who have formerly sinned, and have not yet repented of their impurity, their fornication, and dissoluteness.

⁶ from me, who called you by the grace of Christ; this can be

⁴ and as to the false brethren, who insidiously crept in to spy out our liberty which we have by Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into servitude;

¹ O foolish Galatians, who hath deluded you, you that have had the crucifixion of Jesus Christ represented to your view?

¹⁴ that we should be no longer children, fluctuating, and carried about with every empty doctrine, by men vers'd in sleight and the crafty arts of deceit:

²⁴ grace be with all those that have love uncorrupted for our Lord Jesus Christ. amen.

¹⁸ for there are many that wander about, of whom I have frequently told you, and now repeat it with tears, that they are enemies to the cross of Christ: ¹⁹ who in the. end will be ruin'd, who place their religion in sensuality, their glory in that which is their shame, and fix their thoughts upon this earth.

⁴ I mention this, lest any one should deceive you by specious pretences.

⁸ beware lest any one seduce you by the vain illusions of philosophy, founded upon human traditions, and meer shadows, and not upon Christ:

¹⁸ Let no man condemn you, from an affectation of humility, in worshipping of Angels, boldly prying into matters which he knows nothing of, being vainly puft up with his Jewish conceits:

⁵ 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.

³ don't be led into any mistake, because the previous rebellion does not yet appear, nor the man of sin throw off the disguise, that offspring of perdition: ⁴ that adversary that exalts it self above the divine authority of majesty: that is seated in the temple of God, pretending to be it self divine. ⁵ don't you remember, I told you this, when I was with you? ⁶ and you know what hinders his throwing off the disguise at a time which he enjoys for the present. ⁷ for the secret spirit of misrule is ready to break out as soon as the obstacle is taken away: ⁸ and then the lawless will be discover'd, whom the Lord will extirpate by the spirit of his mouth, and at his glorious advent, will intirely abolish him, ⁹ who by the instigation of satan will make his parade with various arts, with fallacious signs and prodigies, ¹⁰ and with all the vile methods of imposture, to the ruin of those, who are averse to the truth, by which they might be saved. ¹¹ wherefore God will suffer a spirit of delusion to work them into the belief of a lye:

³ At my departure from Macedonia, I advised you to stay at Ephesus in order to charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine,

¹⁴ Adam was not seduc'd, but the woman, who was the cause of his transgression.

¹ Now the spirit says expresly, that in the latter times some shall abandon the faith, by giving credit to seducing spirits, and the doctrine concerning demons; ² broach'd by hypocrititical impostors, whose consciences are cauteriz'd, ³ interdicting marriage; and the use of animal food; which God created for the repast of the faithful, who embrace the truth with thankfulness. ⁴ for all that God has created is good, and nothing is to be rejected, provided it be receiv'd with thanksgiving:

¹ Take notice that in the latter days difficult incidents will arise; ² for men will be selfish, avaricious, vain, proud, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, ³ villainous, unnatural, perfidious, defamers, debauchees, ⁴ cruel, enemies to virtue, traitors, insolent, conceited, and more devoted to pleasure than to piety: ⁵ of which they wear the appearance, but disclaim its influence. have no intercourse with such. ⁶ Of this number are they, who insinuate themselves into families, to make a prey of the weaker sex, who are inveigled by their vitious suggestions, abetted by their own subtle passions, ⁷ and by lending an assiduous ear to such lessons, render it impossible they should ever be acquainted with the truth. ⁸ Moses did not meet with greater opposition from Jannes and Jambres, than truth does from men so corrupted in their mind, and so adulterated in their faith. ⁹ but they will be stop'd in their career; for they shall be expos'd to the world for impostors, as those magicians were.

¹³ as for these impious impostors, they will go on from bad to worse, seducing others, and deluding themselves.

³ for the time will come, when they will not endure sound doctrine, but get teachers of their own corrupt taste, to sooth their ears that itch for flattery: ⁴ which, while they are deaf to the truth, attentively listen to fables.

¹⁰ For there are many, especially among the Jews, who are obstinate, vain talkers and deceivers;

⁹ for the mind is better improv'd by the gospel-dispensation, than by the distinctions about meats, in which some have been so uselesly vers'd.

¹ As there were false prophets among the people of Israel, there will likewise be false doctors among you, who by introducing pernicious sects, and by renouncing the Lord, who bought them, will bring upon themselves swift destruction. ² many will follow their destructive maxims, and by their means christianity will be traduc'd. ³ By their artful discourses they will make you the tools of their avarice; but their condemnation has been a long time advancing, and their ruin is far from lingring. ⁴ for since God did not spare the angels, who had sinned, but having precipitated them to hell, confin'd them to chains of darkness, where they are reserv'd for judgment: ⁵ since he did not spare the old world, having preserved only eight persons, including Noah, that preacher of virtue, when he brought the deluge upon the impious world: ⁶ since he condemn'd the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha to an entire subversion, and reduc'd them to ashes, to make them serve for examples to future impiety: ⁷ since he deliver'd that just man Lot, who was grieved at the enormous practices of the licentious; ⁸ for whilst this good man was among them, it daily pierc'd his virtuous soul, to see and hear of their detestable behaviour: this consider'd, ⁹ I say, the Lord will deliver those, who fear him, from their affliction, and reserve the wicked to be punish'd at the day of judgment. ¹⁰ especially those, who prostitute themselves to sensual infamous passions: who despise magistrates, who being audacious, and insolent, intrepidly calumniate the higher powers; ¹¹ whereas the angels, who are of superiour power and dignity, don't inveigh against one another. ¹² But as for these, they have no more reason than brute beasts that are naturally made for hunting, and slaughter: so these who calumniate what they do not understand, shall receive the reward of their iniquity by perishing in their own corruption. ¹³ they place their felicity in daily pleasure: they are a vile scandal to religion: when they are present at your love-feasts they indulge their luxury: ¹⁴ their eyes are inflam'd with adultery, and unextinguishable vice: they insnare the souls of the inconstant. their minds are practis'd in the arts of avarice: an execrable race, who have deserted the right way,

³ Above all things you are to know, that in these last times, impostors will appear, who will abandon themselves to their own sensual passions, whose cry will be,

¹⁷ Do you then, my dear brethren, being thus forewarn'd, take care not to be seduc'd by those prophane impostors, and so lose the reward of your constancy.

¹⁸ Dear children, the last time is come: as ye have heard that antichrist was to come, accordingly many antichrists have already appeared; whereby we know that we are now in the last times.

¹ Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

⁴ For certain men have insinuated themselves among you, who were formerly proscrib'd to be punish'd; impious men, who pervert the divine favour to licentiousness, and renounce their only master, and Jesus Christ our Lord.

⁹ the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, call'd the devil or satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were precipitated with him.

² and he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil and satan, and bound him for a thousand years,

¹² salvation is not to be had by any other: for there is no other name under heaven given to men whereby we can be saved.

¹⁵ for the spirit you have received is not servile to keep you still in fear; but it is the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba, that is, father.

¹¹ for no one can lay any other foundation, than what is laid, which is, that Jesus is the Messias.

⁴ Now there are different gifts, but the same spirit. ⁵ and there are different offices, but the same Lord. ⁶ and there are different operations, but it is the same God who performs them all in every one. ⁷ now to particular men the spirit gives particular gifts, that they may be displayed to greater advantage. ⁸ for to one the spirit gives the knowledge of the prophetical writings; to another the same spirit gives the knowledge of the doctrines of religion; ⁹ to another faith; to another the gifts of healing; ¹⁰ to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits; to another diversity of languages; to another the interpretation of languages. ¹¹ but all are wrought by one and the same spirit, distributing to every one in particular, as he thinks fit.

⁶ from me, who called you by the grace of Christ; this can be ⁷ owing to nothing but your being practised upon by some, who would overturn the gospel of Christ. ⁸ but tho' I, or an angel from heaven should preach any thing to you for gospel, different from the gospel I have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

² this one thing I desire to know of you, did you receive the spirit by the works of the law, or by the gospel preach'd to you?

⁴ Being one body, acted by one spirit, since you all have but one expectation in view; ⁵ there is but one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

⁵ for there is but one God, and but one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

¹⁰ it is by the divine favour that I am what I am: and his favour to me was not in vain; no, I laboured more than they all: yet it was not I, it was the divine favour which assisted me.

¹¹ Am I become vain? 'tis you have forc'd me to it: for I ought to have been commended by you: since I am not inferior to the chiefest of the apostles, tho' in myself I am nothing. ¹² the marks indeed of an apostle I have shown among you by my extreme patience, by signs, and prodigies, and miracles.

⁶ But as for those who were men of real eminency, how considerable soever they were heretofore, it does not any ways affect me; God accepts not the person of any man: for they who were of note, in conference with me, had nothing new to add. ⁷ on the contrary, when they perceived that I had the province of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, as Peter had that of preaching it to the Jews, ⁸ (for he that had wrought powerfully in Peter with respect to his apostleship among the Jews, had also wrought powerfully in me upon account of the Gentiles:) and when James, ⁹ Peter, and John, who were esteemed to be pillars, perceived the favour that was bestowed on me, they admitted me and Barnabas into fellowship, and agreed, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews.

¹⁷ for Christ did not send me to baptize: but to preach the gospel: tho' not with the preaching of the wise, lest the cross of Christ should have been hinder'd in its efficacy.

¹ As for me, my brethren, when I appear'd among you, it was not to represent to you the divine mystery in sublime language, and with human literature. ² for I did not think I was to have any other knowledge among you, than that of Christ, a crucified saviour. ³ I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in great agony:

¹³ this is what we declare, not in the words which human wisdom, but which the holy spirit dictates; explaining spiritual things in a spiritual language.

¹¹ 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.

² Receive me as one who has wronged no man, who has corrupted no man, who has defrauded no man.

¹⁰ (for 'tis objected that my letters are weighty and powerful, but my bodily presence weak, and my preaching

¹² the marks indeed of an apostle I have shown among you by my extreme patience, by signs, and prodigies, and miracles.

⁴ by the reading whereof you may perceive how far I am let into the secret of Christ.

¹⁵ that the patience of our Lord is for your advantage: as our dear brother Paul, according to the information he receiv'd, has writ to you, ¹⁶ as it were in all his epistles, where he takes notice of these things: in which there are some passages that are difficult to understand, which the illiterate, and unstable wrest, as they do the rest of the scriptures, to their own ruin.

¹ After this Paul left Athens and arriv'd at Corinth: ² where having found a Jew nam'd Aquila, a native of Pontus, who lately came from Italy, with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had order'd all the Jews to quit Rome; he went to them: ³ and being of the same trade, he liv'd with them, and follow'd the business of tent-making. every sabbath he disputed in the synagogue,

³⁴ you yourselves can witness, that what was necessary for myself and those who were with me, these very hands have supply'd.

¹⁰ we are made fools for our attachment to Christ, while you, who are christians too, still pass for the wise: we are in poverty, but you are in power: you meet with esteem, but we find contempt. ¹¹ to this very day we suffer both hunger, thirst, and penury: we are buffeted from place to place, as vagabonds: ¹² we are fatigu'd by our manual toil: when reviled, we pray: when persecuted, we don't repine:

⁶ or I and Barnabas, are we only excluded the privilege of not working?

¹² if others partake of your substance, have not I a better title? nevertheless, I have not made use of this privilege; but bear with any thing rather than obstruct the gospel of Christ.

¹⁴ even so has the Lord ordained, that they who preach the gospel, should live by the gospel. ¹⁵ but I have not made use of these advantages. neither have I writ this to obtain such maintenance: for I had rather die for want, than be deprived of such matter of glorying. ¹⁶ for in barely preaching the gospel, I have nothing to glory in: because I am under an obligation to do it; yea, wo is unto me if I preach not the gospel. ¹⁷ now if I do this willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, it is a dispensation of trust which must be discharged. ¹⁸ whence then is my reward? why, from my preaching the gospel of Christ gratis, without making use of the privilege which the gospel gives me.

¹ I who am a person of a mean presence, when among you, but exert myself upon your account, when absent; I Paul intreat you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, not to let me exert that authority,

¹³ for in what were ye inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? an injury I hope you will easily forgive.

⁹ 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.

⁸ that we did not eat any man's bread for nothing: but with toil and fatigue work'd night and day to avoid being chargeable to any of you:

⁹ when I was present among you, and in want, I was chargeable to no man: for the brethren which came from Macedonia, supplied my necessities: and as I have, so I always shall keep myself from being burdensome to you.

¹⁴ however, you acted generously in assisting me in my necessity: ¹⁵ and you yourselves know, O Philippians, that when I first preach'd the gospel, at my departure from Macedonia, I receiv'd no manner of assistance from any other church but yours; ¹⁶ for you sent more than once to Thessalonica to supply my occasions.

¹⁸ I have now receiv'd the whole, and have more than sufficient: I am loaded with the presents you sent by Epaphroditus, which I have receiv'd as grateful incense, as a sacrifice which God accepts and approves.

³ and being of the same trade, he liv'd with them, and follow'd the business of tent-making. every sabbath he disputed in the synagogue,

³³ I have not desir'd to get from any one either silver, or gold, or apparel.

⁴ but in all things I approve myself as the minister of God, by great constancy in afflictions, in torments, in distresses, from stripes,

¹ I must acquaint you, brethren, with the contribution which the churches of Macedonia have religiously made, ² 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,

¹² 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.

¹³ for in what were ye inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? an injury I hope you will easily forgive. ¹⁴ 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, ¹⁵ I shall be glad to sacrifice myself and all I have for your service, even tho' it should happen that the more I love you, the less I should be beloved. ¹⁶ 'tis own'd I did not put you to any charges myself: but was so crafty, as to over-reach you, by others.

²⁵ however I thought it necessary to send you Epaphroditus my brother, my collegue in the ministry, and my fellow-soldier, whom you had sent to supply my wants:

¹⁰ Now I joyfully thank the Lord, that your concern for me has at length reviv'd. not that you wanted the disposition, but only the opportunity. ¹¹ it is not my indigence that makes me say this: for I have learn'd, in whatevever state I am, therewith to be content: I know how to be in want, ¹² I know how to abound: every where, and in every circumstance, I have been prepar'd for fulness or famine, for plenty or penury: ¹³ to these things I am equal, thro' Christ who strengthens me.

⁶ we never courted you nor any others, from an affectation of human applause. instead of making our apostolical character any ways expensive to you, as we might;

⁸ that we did not eat any man's bread for nothing: but with toil and fatigue work'd night and day to avoid being chargeable to any of you: ⁹ not, that we had no just claim, but to present ourselves as a pattern, which you should imitate,

³⁷ they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandred about in sheepskins, and goat-skins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented:

¹² When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a general insurrection against Paul, and carry'd him to his tribunal.

²⁷ and being determin'd to pass into Achaia, the brethren who advis'd him to it, writ to the disciples to receive him. when he was arrived, he was, by the divine favour, very useful to those, who had receiv'd the faith.

⁹ for God is my witness, to whom I am entirely devoted, in preaching the gospel of his son, that I constantly make mention of you, in my prayers, requesting,

¹ I call Christ, and the holy spirit to witness with my conscience, that I speak the truth without guile, when I say,

⁵ salute the church that is in their house. salute my dear Epenetus, who is the first christian convert of Asia.

¹⁵ You know brethren, that the family of Stephanas were the first converts of Achaia, and have made it their business to be serviceable to christian converts: to such,

¹ Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the divine appointment, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God, which is at Corinth, with all the christians throughout Achaia: favour,

²³ I call God to witness, and may I die if it is not true, that the reason of my not coming yet to Corinth, was to avoid using any severity towards you.

² for I know your generous propensity, and I mention'd it with applause to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago; so that your zeal has influenc'd many others.

¹⁵ I don't assume to myself the credit of other men's labours in another province, but hope, that when your faith is increased, the bounds now prescribed will be enlarged by you yet farther;

¹² 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.

³¹ the ever-blessed God, and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, knows that I speak truth.

¹⁹ do you think I have been making excuses for not coming? as I am a christian, in the presence of God, I have, my beloved, in every thing consulted your advantage.

²⁰ what I write to you, I call God to witness is all true:

⁷ so that you became examples to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. ⁸ 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,

⁵ our address to you was without any flattery, as you yourselves can witness, and God is witness that we had no avarice to disguise.

¹⁰ you are witnesses, and God is so too, how holy, how just and irreproachable our behaviour was to you, who believe.

⁷ for this I was establish'd a herald and an apostle, I speak the truth without disguise, a doctor to instruct the Gentiles in the true faith.

²⁴ but Jesus did not trust his person with them, because he knew them all. ²⁵ and he did not want any information concerning man: for he knew of himself the secret of their hearts.

¹⁷ Jesus said to him the third time, Simon son of Jonas, do you love me? Peter was grieved at his asking him the third time, "do you love me?" and he said to him, Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you. Jesus said to him, feed my sheep.

⁸ God who knows their hearts has granted them a testimonial, by giving them the holy spirit, even as he did to us:

¹¹ O Corinthians, my heart is so full, my tongue cannot be silent: ¹² our affections are as enlarged towards you, as yours are contracted towards us.

³ 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.

¹⁰ I solemnly protest, no man shall hinder me of this applause, in the regions of Achaia.

² I knew a christian who above fourteen years ago, was snatch'd up even to the third heaven, whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knows. ³ but tho' I don't know whether it was in the body, or out of the body, which God only knows,

¹⁵ I shall be glad to sacrifice myself and all I have for your service, even tho' it should happen that the more I love you, the less I should be beloved.

¹³ so that there is not a creature that is concealed from his view: but all is naked and open to the eyes of him of whom we speak. Having then so great a high priest,

²³ I will strike her children dead; and all the churches shall know that I am he who searcheth the reins and the heart: and I will give to every one of you according to your works.

⁶ Your levity is very indecent: don't you know that a little leaven infects the whole mass?

¹⁷ 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?

¹² 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.

¹⁷ but he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

¹⁸ since many glory in outward advantages, I will glory too.

⁷ owing to nothing but your being practised upon by some, who would overturn the gospel of Christ.

¹³ for even they who are circumcised, do not themselves observe the law in other respects; but they dedesire to have you circumcised, that they may have matter of glorying upon that account. ¹⁴ but far be it from me that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world is as contemptible to me, as I am to the world.

¹⁵ it is true, there are some who preach Christ out of a spirit of envy and contention; but others do it out of pure affection. ¹⁶ those preach the gospel of Christ, not in sincerity, but from a principle of contention, with a view to inflame the persecution against me: ¹⁷ the others act from affection, as knowing that I suffer for having defended the gospel. ¹⁸ is it not however some advantage? since in either way, whether it be occasionally, or professedly, Christ is preach'd; which is now, and always will be matter of joy to me. ¹⁹ for I know that this shall turn to my deliverance, thro' your prayers, by the spirit, which Jesus Christ will supply me with, ²⁰ agreeably to that expectation and persuasion I have, that I shall not labour in vain; but as I always have, so I shall still glorify Christ in my body, whether it be by life or by death: for if I live, I live to Christ; ²¹ and if I die, I gain. ²² whether it be an advantage to me or not still to lead this mortal life, what to chuse I cannot tell. ²³ I am doubly press'd between my desire to depart, in order to be with Christ, which is by far the best for ME; ²⁴ and my inclination to abide in this life, as being more advantageous for YOU: ²⁵ which consideration persuades me that I shall abide, and even continue some time with you all, to improve your advancement in the faith, and to promote your joy: ²⁶ that by my being present with you again, I may be the occasion of heightning your christian joy. ²⁷ only conduct yourselves in a manner becoming the gospel of Christ, that whether I come to see you, or else am absent, I may have this account of you, that you are stedfastly of the same resolution, and unanimously contend for the faith of the gospel, ²⁸ without being under any the least apprehension from your adversaries: this will be to them a sign of their ruin, and to you of salvation, by the divine appointment. ²⁹ for it is a favour bestowed upon you, that you not only believe on Christ, but suffer also for his sake, ³⁰ being engag'd in the same conflict, in which you saw I was formerly, and hear that I am at present engag'd.

¹⁴ I enjoin therefore the young women to marry, to detest abortion, to govern their families, and give our enemies no handle for reproach.

²⁴ then came he who had received the one talent, and said, Lord, I knew that you were a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered:

¹ However some that arrived from Judea, told the Gentile converts, unless you are circumcised agreeably to the law of Moses, you cannot be saved.

²⁴ Whereas we have been appriz'd, that some who went from us, have embarass'd you with their discourse, and unsettled your minds, maintaining, that you ought to be circumcised, and to observe the law, though we gave them no such injunction: after having been assembled,

³⁰ nay, among your own body some will start up to vent their intricate conceits, and draw a number of followers.

¹⁸ for such as these serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own selfishness; and by flourish and flattery, deceive the open-hearted simple.

¹⁵ therefore it is not strange if his agents are so disguised as to appear like ministers of the gospel; but their end shall be answerable to their actions.

¹⁷ they court your affection, but not in a fair way; for they design to exclude me, that you might have the greater esteem for them.

¹² they who desire to make a figure in the world, constrain you to be circumcised, only to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.

¹⁵ it is true, there are some who preach Christ out of a spirit of envy and contention; but others do it out of pure affection. ¹⁶ those preach the gospel of Christ, not in sincerity, but from a principle of contention, with a view to inflame the persecution against me:

² be upon your guard against snarlers, against the contrivances of the crafty, against the spurious breed;

⁴ or trouble their heads with fables and endless genealogies, which rather promote disputes than the gospel-dispensation: ⁵ such a charge will produce that charity, which arises from purity, from a good conscience, and a sincere belief: ⁶ for want of which, some have lost themselves in frivolous disputes, ⁷ pretending to be doctors of the law, tho' they neither understand what they advance, nor upon what it is founded.

¹ Now the spirit says expresly, that in the latter times some shall abandon the faith, by giving credit to seducing spirits, and the doctrine concerning demons; ² broach'd by hypocrititical impostors, whose consciences are cauteriz'd, ³ interdicting marriage; and the use of animal food; which God created for the repast of the faithful, who embrace the truth with thankfulness.

³ If any one deviate from this doctrine, not adhering to the wholesome instructions of our Lord Jesus Christ, the true doctrine of piety, ⁴ he is full of pride and ignorance, touch'd with a spirit of chicanery and wrangling, productive of envy, contention, calumny, ⁵ mischievous opinions, and a familiarity with pernicious ignorant impostors, who consider religion only as it makes for their gain.

¹⁷ and their doctrine will spread like the gangrene. Hymeneus and Philetus are such: ¹⁸ they have deserted the faith themselves, and debauch'd the faith of others, by maintaining, "the resurrection is already past." ¹⁹ however, the foundation of the divine architect is still immoveable, having this inscription, " the Lord discerns who are his." and, " let every one that invokes the name of the Lord, depart from iniquity."

¹⁰ For there are many, especially among the Jews, who are obstinate, vain talkers and deceivers; ¹¹ who ought to be curb'd, who pervert whole families, teaching things which they ought not, for sordid lucre.

¹ As there were false prophets among the people of Israel, there will likewise be false doctors among you, who by introducing pernicious sects, and by renouncing the Lord, who bought them, will bring upon themselves swift destruction. ² many will follow their destructive maxims, and by their means christianity will be traduc'd. ³ By their artful discourses they will make you the tools of their avarice; but their condemnation has been a long time advancing, and their ruin is far from lingring.

⁷ For there are many impostors started up in the world, who will not own that Jesus Christ was incarnate. such a one is an impostor and an anti-christ. ⁸ be upon your guard, that we may not lose the fruit of our labours, but that we may receive our full reward. ⁹ no renegado that deserts the doctrine of Christ, has any interest in the deity: he that adheres to the doctrine of Christ, has an interest both in the father, and in the son. ¹⁰ whoever comes to you unaccompanied with this doctrine, don't admit him to your house, nor treat him with the common term of civility. ¹¹ for he who shows that respect to such a man, is accessary to his wicked actions.

² I know thy works, thy labour, and thy patience, and that thou canst not bear those who are evil: thou hast tried those who say they are apostles, but are not; and hast found them lyars:

⁹ "I know thy works, thy tribulation and poverty (tho' thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of satan.

²⁰ notwithstanding, I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezabel, who stiles herself a prophetess, and teaches and seduces my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.

²⁰ and the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles in his favour, by which he seduc'd those that had received the mark of the beast, and those that worshipped his image. these were both cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

¹ Then was Jesus led up by the Spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted by the devil: ² there having fasted forty days and forty nights, he at length grew hungry. ³ whereupon the tempter came to him, and said, "If thou be the Son of God, command these stones to become bread." ⁴ but Jesus answered him, It is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every thing that God shall prescribe." ⁵ then the devil took Jesus with him to Jerusalem, and having set him on the wing of the temple, he said to him, ⁶ if you are the Son of God, throw your self down: for it is written, "he will charge his angels to take care of you, and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest you bruise your foot against a stone." ⁷ Jesus replied, it is likewise written, "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." ⁸ Again, the devil accompanyed him up a very high mountain, and representing to him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them: all these things, ⁹ said he, will I give you, if you will prostrate your self and worship me. ¹⁰ Then said Jesus to him, get thee hence Satan: for it it written, "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve ."

¹¹ witness) lest satan should have got some advantage of us: for we are apprized of his artifices.

³ but I fear lest by some means or other, as Eve was beguiled by the subtilly of the serpent, your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is due to Christ.

⁸ but tho' I, or an angel from heaven should preach any thing to you for gospel, different from the gospel I have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

¹⁵ Beware of false prophets, who to outward appearance are sheep, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. ¹⁶ you will know them by their fruits: do men gather grapes of thorns,

¹⁰ and said, "thou heap of imposture and mischief, offspring of the devil, and enemy to all justice, wilt thou not cease to pervers men from the right ways of the Lord?

¹¹ if for your benefit we have sown spirituals, is it so extraordinary if we should reap some benefit from your temporals?

⁹ for if the ministration of condemnation was illustrious, the ministration of righteousness will be much more glorious.

¹³ for these are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguised so as to pass for true apostles.

²³ so am I: are they ministers of Christ? is it my vanity? I am more so: in toilsome labours I surpass them, in stripes I am exceedingly beyond them, in prisons I have been oftner, and frequently in the very jaws of death.

⁸ but tho' I, or an angel from heaven should preach any thing to you for gospel, different from the gospel I have preached unto you, let him be accursed. ⁹ as I said before, so say I now again, if any one preach any other thing to you for gospel, than what you have received, let him be accursed.

¹² for our conflict is not barely with men, but with principalities, with potentates, with the princes of darkness, with wicked aereal spirits.

¹⁹ who in the. end will be ruin'd, who place their religion in sensuality, their glory in that which is their shame, and fix their thoughts upon this earth.

⁸ and then the lawless will be discover'd, whom the Lord will extirpate by the spirit of his mouth, and at his glorious advent, will intirely abolish him, ⁹ who by the instigation of satan will make his parade with various arts, with fallacious signs and prodigies, ¹⁰ and with all the vile methods of imposture, to the ruin of those, who are averse to the truth, by which they might be saved. ¹¹ wherefore God will suffer a spirit of delusion to work them into the belief of a lye: ¹² to the condemnation of all those, who instead of embracing the gospel, had pleasure in iniquity.

³ By their artful discourses they will make you the tools of their avarice; but their condemnation has been a long time advancing, and their ruin is far from lingring.

¹³ they place their felicity in daily pleasure: they are a vile scandal to religion: when they are present at your love-feasts they indulge their luxury: ¹⁴ their eyes are inflam'd with adultery, and unextinguishable vice: they insnare the souls of the inconstant. their minds are practis'd in the arts of avarice: an execrable race, who have deserted the right way, ¹⁵ and are gone astray to follow the practices of Balaam of Bosor, who loved the wages of iniquity; ¹⁶ but he was rebuked for his transgression: for an ass, as dumb as it was, spoke with an articulate voice, and reprimanded the extravagance of the prophet. ¹⁷ These are wells without water; clouds agitated with a tempest, who are consigned to the obscurity of eternal darkness. ¹⁸ when their language swells with vanity, by applying to the sensual passions of the licentious, they allure those who were escap'd for a while, from such deceivers: ¹⁹ whilst they promise others liberty, they themselves are slaves to their corrupt passions. for he that is vanquished, is a slave to the conqueror. ²⁰ As for those who have renounc'd the pollutions of the world, by their owning Jesus Christ for their Lord and saviour, if they are prevail'd upon to be entangled therein again, their last state is worse than the first. ²¹ for it had been better for them, not to have made any profession of the gospel, than after they have embraced it, to abandon the holy injunction, that was delivered to them. ²² but the proverb is exactly verified in them, "the dog is return'd to his own vomit: the sow that was wash'd, is wallowing in the mire."

¹⁰ As for these, they inveigh against what they do not understand: and abuse those natural instincts which regulate brute animals. ¹¹ unhappy creatures! they have followed the practices of Cain, they have addicted themselves to the mercenary illusions of Balaam, and perish in their rebellion like Core. ¹² they are a disgrace to your love-feasts, they indulge themselves at your festivals without reserve: clouds without water, transported with every wind: trees whose fruit soon withers and is useless, twice dead and rooted up: ¹³ raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame: wandering lights, to whom is reserv'd the thickest darkness for ever.

¹¹ they had for their king the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek his name is Apollyon.

² and the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his throne, and great authority.

¹⁴ and he deceived the inhabitants of the earth, by the prodigys which he had power to effect by the influence of the beast, by telling the inhabitants of the earth, that he had made an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, but yet did revive.

¹⁹ Then I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, with their armies assembled, to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. ²⁰ and the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles in his favour, by which he seduc'd those that had received the mark of the beast, and those that worshipped his image. these were both cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. ²¹ all the rest were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were satiated with their flesh.

² and he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil and satan, and bound him for a thousand years, ³ then cast him into the bottomless pit, there shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should seduce the nations no more, till the thousand years should he fulfilled: and after that, he was to be loosed for a short time.

⁷ When the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, ⁸ and shall go out to seduce the nations, which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to assemble them to battle: they will be as numerous as the sand of the sea. ⁹ they will spread on the surface of the earth, and encompass the camp of the saints, and the beloved city: and fire shall descend from God out of heaven, and devour them. ¹⁰ the devil that seduced them, shall be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

¹ Would you could bear with me a little in my vanity, but indeed you do bear with me.

²¹ as if I was inferior to them. but whatever they pretend to, (I must be so vain) I pretend to the like. ²² Are they Hebrews? so am I: are they Israelites? so am I: are they of the race of Abraham? ²³ so am I: are they ministers of Christ? is it my vanity? I am more so: in toilsome labours I surpass them, in stripes I am exceedingly beyond them, in prisons I have been oftner, and frequently in the very jaws of death.

⁶ tho' if I had a mind to glory, I might do it without vanity, for I should say nothing but what is true: but now I forbear, lest any man should ascribe more to me than my actions, or my preaching can justify.

⁶ but as for the rest, I speak it by way of counsel, and not of command.

¹² But as to the other cases, which were not decided by the Lord; I say, if any brother has a pagan wife, who likes to live with him, let him not put her away.

²⁵ As to the case of celibacy, I have no positive instructions: yet my advice deserves to be regarded, as coming from one the divine favour has distinguished.

⁴ for if the Macedonians should come with me, and find you unprepared, how shall I, not to say you, be ashamed for having had so little ground to boast of you?

¹⁸ since many glory in outward advantages, I will glory too. ¹⁹ for as wise as you are your selves, you easily bear with the folly of others. ²⁰ if a man impose upon you, if he preys upon you, if he makes a gain of you, if a man insults you, if he disgracefully assaults you, I mean it as to their reproaches, you take it all; ²¹ as if I was inferior to them. but whatever they pretend to, (I must be so vain) I pretend to the like. ²² Are they Hebrews? so am I: are they Israelites? so am I: are they of the race of Abraham? ²³ so am I: are they ministers of Christ? is it my vanity? I am more so: in toilsome labours I surpass them, in stripes I am exceedingly beyond them, in prisons I have been oftner, and frequently in the very jaws of death. ²⁴ from the Jews I have five times received forty stripes save one. ²⁵ thrice was I whip'd with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I was shipwreck'd; a night and a day I was floating on the deep: ²⁶ in my voyages I have been frequently in perils from rivers, in perils from robbers, in perils from my own countrymen, in perils from the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the country, in perils at sea, in perils among false brethren; ²⁷ expos'd to toil, to fatigue, to frequent watchings, to hunger and thirst, to frequent fastings, to cold and penury.

³ for we are the genuine sons of Abraham, who worship God in the spiritual manner, and value no other dependance than that on Jesus Christ, without confiding in any external advantages: ⁴ which I might do more justly than any other man can pretend to: ⁵ being circumcised the eighth day, of the family of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew by descent, by sect a Pharisee. ⁶ if zeal is to be regarded, I persecuted the church; if the integrity prescrib'd by the law, I am without reproach;

¹² for I dare not rank or compare my self with some who vaunt themselves: but they making their self-conceit the only standard whereby to judge of themselves, show their want of judgment. ¹³ I will not boast of any thing done without my province, but confine myself within that line by which God has mark'd out my bounds, and in which you are included. ¹⁴ for I do not stretch beyond my limits to take you in; since in preaching the gospel of Christ, we are advanced even to you. ¹⁵ I don't assume to myself the credit of other men's labours in another province, but hope, that when your faith is increased, the bounds now prescribed will be enlarged by you yet farther; ¹⁶ so that I may preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not assume the credit of things ready prepared to my hand, in another man's province. ¹⁷ but he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. ¹⁸ for not he that commendeth himself, but he whom the Lord commendeth, is the approved.

⁵ I might glory in being the man; but I will not glory in any thing relating to myself, unless it be my sufferings. ⁶ tho' if I had a mind to glory, I might do it without vanity, for I should say nothing but what is true: but now I forbear, lest any man should ascribe more to me than my actions, or my preaching can justify.

⁹ 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.

³ for we are the genuine sons of Abraham, who worship God in the spiritual manner, and value no other dependance than that on Jesus Christ, without confiding in any external advantages: ⁴ which I might do more justly than any other man can pretend to:

²⁴ for human nature is like grass, and all their glory like the flower of the herb, the herb withers, the flower droops,

¹ Now as to things offered to idols, 'tis certain that the knowledge you all pretend to have, swells you with pride, but 'tis charity that edifieth.

¹⁵ I speak as to knowing men: be you your selves the judges of what I say.

¹⁷ you say you are rich, and have increased your gain, and have need of nothing; but you do not consider that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.

²⁹ if any one strike you on one cheek, present to him the other likewise: or if any one seize your cloak, surrender your coat also.

¹⁷ Now I beseech you, brethren, mark those who cause divisions and revolts against the doctrine which you have learned; and avoid them. ¹⁸ for such as these serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own selfishness; and by flourish and flattery, deceive the open-hearted simple.

¹¹ to this very day we suffer both hunger, thirst, and penury: we are buffeted from place to place, as vagabonds:

²⁴ not that I would arbitrarily prescribe what you should believe, but rather encourage you to go on: for 'tis by faith you have stood.

³ even so we, whilst we were children, were in a state of servitude to the elements of the world. but when the time appointed was accomplished,

⁹ or rather that you are favoured by him, how can ye turn again to the weak and beggarly elements of the law, to which you desire again to be in bondage?

²⁵ this Agar answers to the Jerusalem now in being, for she is in servitude with her children:

¹ Stand fast therefore, and be not hampered again with the yoke of bondage.

¹⁰ I have confidence in you, that, through the Lord, you will be of the same mind with me, so that he who troubles you shall fall under the censure he deserves, whoever he be.

¹ I who am a person of a mean presence, when among you, but exert myself upon your account, when absent; I Paul intreat you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, not to let me exert that authority, ² when I am present, which I think to exercise against some, who censure me, as if I was actuated by worldly views.

¹⁷ what I say, I say it not as an apostle, but as it were to indulge my vanity in this matter of boasting.

¹⁰ 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.

⁹ and don't pretend to say within your selves, We have Abraham for our father: for I tell you, that God is able out of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham:

³³ they answered him, we are Abraham's offspring, and were never slaves to any man: why then do you say, "ye shall be made free?" ³⁴ Jesus answered them, I declare unto you, whosoever committeth sin, is a slave to sin. ³⁵ a slave has no right to be in the house for life: but the son is settled there. ³⁶ if the son therefore shall make you free, you will be free indeed. ³⁷ I know you are Abraham's offspring; but ye seek to kill me, because my doctrine doth not penetrate into you. ³⁸ what I have learnt from my father, that I tell: and what you have learnt from your father, that you do. ³⁹ they answered him, Abraham is our father. if you were Abraham's children, said Jesus, you would act like Abraham.

³ then he said, I am a Jew, a native of Tarsus in Cilicia, but had my education in this city: at the feet of Gamaliel I was instructed in the law, and in the exact decisions of our fathers, and was as religiously zealous as you are at this time.

¹³ Besides, the promise that he should possess the world, was not made to Abraham, or to his posterity in consideration of the law, but with regard to the righteousness by faith. ¹⁴ for if they only who are of the law have right of possession, faith is made useless, and the promise becomes of no effect. ¹⁵ because the effect of the law is punishment: for if there had been no law, there could have been no transgression. ¹⁶ therefore the inheritance is of faith, that it might be meerly of favour, to the end the promise might be assured to all his posterity, not to that part only who have the law, but to that also who have the faith of Abraham, the father of us all, as it is written, ¹⁷ " I have made thee a father of many nations," then existing in the sight of God, whom he believed, who gives life to the dead, and calls forth things that are not, as if they were: ¹⁸ he it was who against hope believed in hope, that he should become the father of many nations, according to what was told him, "so shall thy posterity be:"

⁴ who are Israelites; who had the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the law, the form of divine worship, and the promises;

¹ You will say then, hath God discarded his people? by no means. for I my self am an Israelite, of the posterity of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

⁵ being circumcised the eighth day, of the family of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew by descent, by sect a Pharisee.

¹⁶ for I will make him see how much he must suffer for my name.

¹⁹ Now some Jews being arriv'd from Antioch and Iconium, work'd so upon the people, that they stoned Paul, and dragg'd him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.

²³ after they had been severely lash'd, they were thrown into prison, the jayler being charg'd to keep them safe. ²⁴ in consequence of this order he thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

²³ save what the holy spirit in every city declares, "that bonds and afflictions wait for me."

¹¹ when taking Paul's girdle, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, "thus saith the holy spirit, so shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man, that owns this girdle, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles."

²⁶ this he frequently did, and convers'd with him upon the presumption that Paul would have ²⁷ offer'd him mony in order to obtain his discharge. but two years after he was succeeded by Porcius Festus, who to oblige the Jews left Paul under confinement.

¹⁴ as they continued there for some time, Festus represented Paul's case to the king: Felix, said he, had left here a certain prisoner:

¹ When it was resolv'd, that we should sail for Italy, Paul and other prisoners were delivered to the custody of one Julius, a centurion of

¹⁶ Upon our arrival at Rome, the centurion deliver'd the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was allow'd to be at private lodgings, under the custody of a soldier.

³⁰ After this, Paul staid two whole years in a house he had hired, and gave access to all that visited him,

³⁶ for as it is written, "for thy sake we are sacrificed every day; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter:"

⁵ who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye have received faith according to the divine gifts imparted to each of them?

¹ Let men consider us, as the ministers of Christ, who dispense the divine mysteries.

³⁰ and why do we continually expose our lives to danger? ³¹ I am daily receiving new mortifications, witness your cruel boastings against me, which I bear for the sake of Christ Jesus our Lord; ³² besides, my engaging with those monsters, as I may say, at Ephesus, what advantage was it to me? if the dead don't rise, "let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die."

⁹ nay, I abandon'd my self to death, that I might not rely upon my self for deliverance, but on God who raiseth the dead. ¹⁰ and he did deliver me from so terrible a death, and on him I have relied for further deliverance: especially,

⁶ who also hath enabled me to be a minister of the new covenant, not of the literal sense, but of the spiritual meaning: it is the letter that denounces death, but the spirit gives life.

¹¹ for as long as I live I shall be exposed to death for the sake of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest by the preservation of our mortal life.

⁴ but in all things I approve myself as the minister of God, by great constancy in afflictions, in torments, in distresses, from stripes, ⁵ from imprisonments, from tumults, from labours, from watchings, from penury.

⁹ as unknown, and yet celebrated; as dying, and yet I am alive; as chastised, but not slain;

⁷ Do ye judge of things by the outward appearance? if any man is confident in himself, that he is Christ's, let him from himself conclude too, that as he is Christ's, even so are we.

⁵ for I think I am not at all inferior to the chiefest of the apostles.

²⁴ from the Jews I have five times received forty stripes save one. ²⁵ thrice was I whip'd with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I was shipwreck'd; a night and a day I was floating on the deep:

¹ This it is that makes me Paul a prisoner for Jesus Christ upon your account, O Gentiles;

¹ I therefore the prisoner for the Lord, beseech you to live suitably to the offers that have been made to you:

²⁰ for which I am an embassador, tho' in chains: that I may duely represent it to the full.

¹³ so that the whole court and publick are well appriz'd that I am a prisoner upon the account of Jesus Christ.

¹⁷ and if my blood should serve as a libation to ratify your faith, I should rejoice and congratulate with you all thereupon;

²⁴ Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and am filling up the measure of those remaining afflictions, which in my turn I am to suffer in this life, in the cause of Christ, for the sake of his body, which is the church:

²⁹ this is what I earnestly strive to effect, by virtue of that power, which effectually operates in me.

² a minister of God, and our collegue in preaching the gospel of Christ, that by establishing you in the faith, and by his exhortations,

⁶ If you represent these things to the brethren, you will appear to be a true minister of Jesus Christ, brought up in the institutions of faith, and the true doctrine to which you were attach'd.

⁸ be not therefore asham'd of the testimony of the Lord, nor of me who am a prisoner upon his account. but share with me in the afflictions, which attend the gospel, supported as you are by the power of God,

¹⁶ the Lord be favourable to the family of Onesiphorus; for he often reliev'd me, and was not asham'd of my chains:

⁹ for which I suffer even the chains of a malefactor: but the word of God is not so confin'd.

⁹ I had rather apply to your benevolent temper, and desire you would regard the years of Paul, who am now also a prisoner for Jesus Christ,

³⁴ for you were passionately affected for those who were in bonds, and were pleas'd at the seizing of your goods, knowing that you have what is more excellent and lasting.

¹⁷ be upon your guard with such men, for they will deliver you up to their tribunals, and scourge you in their synagogues.

⁹ these are the beginning of sorrows. then look to your selves: for they will deliver you up to the tribunals, and scourge you in the synagogues: you will be brought before governours, and princes upon my account, to be my witnesses against them.

³⁵ but they seiz'd his servants, beat some, killed one, and stoned another.

⁵⁸ then they dragg'd him out of the city, and stoned him: the false witnesses having laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. ⁵⁹ Thus they stoned Stephen, while he was calling upon God, and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."

⁵ upon this the Gentiles and the Jews, supported by their magistrates, made an insurrection in order to use violence against them, and even to stone them:

²² upon this the populace rose upon them, and the Officers order'd them to be stript and scourg'd. ²³ after they had been severely lash'd, they were thrown into prison, the jayler being charg'd to keep them safe.

³³ at the same time of night he washed their stripes, and immediately he was baptized, he, and all that belong'd to him.

³⁷ but Paul replied, they have publickly scourg'd us, who are Romans, without any trial, they have thrown us into jayl, and now do they give us a private discharge? no, let them come themselves and release us.

²⁴ when the commanding officer order'd him to be brought into the castle, and put to the question by the lash, in order to find out the reason of their exclamations against him.

¹ When it was resolv'd, that we should sail for Italy, Paul and other prisoners were delivered to the custody of one Julius, a centurion of ² a cohort in Augustus's legion. we embark'd in a vessel of Adramyttium, designing to coast it along Asia, and set sail with Aristarchus a Macedonian of Thessalonica. ³ the next day we touch'd at Sidon, where the centurion, who was very civil to Paul, gave him leave to go, and refresh himself at his friends. ⁴ from thence we put off, and made our coast north of Cyprus, the wind being contrary. ⁵ after having travers'd the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we arriv'd at Myra, a city of Lycia. ⁶ there the centurion met with a ship of Alexandria, bound for Italy, and put us on board. ⁷ For several days we made very little sail, and having scarce got sight of Cnidus, the wind being against us, we bore away between Salmone and Crete: ⁸ with much ado we weathered the cape and got to Belhaven near Lasea. ⁹ having lost a good deal of time, and sailing being now dangerous, for the fast was now over, Paul gave them this warning, ¹⁰ "my friends, said he, I foresee our voyage will be attended with great difficulties, and no small risk of losing not only the ship and cargo, but our lives too." ¹¹ however, the centurion minded the pilot and the ship's owner more than he did Paul's prediction. ¹² for as that haven could not cover us from the storm, most were of opinion to bear away, and try to put in at Phenice, where we could ride safe, the port lying by south-west, and north-west. ¹³ a gentle breeze at south, secure of gaining their point, they weigh'd anchor, and coasted close under Crete: ¹⁴ but soon after it blew a storm from north-east, which bore so upon the ship, ¹⁵ we could not go upon the wind, but were forc'd to let her drive. ¹⁶ when we were nigh the isle Clauda, we had much ado to hoist in the skiff. ¹⁷ this done, all hands aloft they frapp'd the ship tought with her cables, and for fear of striking upon the sands, they struck the main sail, and so drove. ¹⁸ the next day the storm work'd the ship with great fury; they threw some of her lading over board: ¹⁹ and the third day we lent our hands to send the tackling after. ²⁰ For several days, we had not seen either sun or stars: the tempest still bore hard: all our hopes of escape quite sunk, ²¹ and our spirits droop with fasting: when Paul presented himself, and said, "well, my friends, it had been, if I could have prevail'd upon you, to have sav'd your selves all this perplexity and loss by staying at Crete. ²² yet now I advise you to discard your fears: your lives are all safe, though the vessel will be lost. ²³ for an angel of that God, whose minister I am, and whom I serve, this night appear'd to me, and said, Paul, be not afraid: ²⁴ you must be brought before Cesar: and upon your account, the whole company now with you, will God preserve. ²⁵ take courage then, my friends, for I have this confidence in God, that what has been told me, shall be effected, ²⁶ notwithstanding we must be shipwrack'd upon some island." ²⁷ It was the fourteenth night that we had been driving up and down in the Adriatick sea, when the ship's crew about midnight suspected they were making to land: ²⁸ they threw the line and sounded twenty fathom water: a little further they sounded again, and came to fifteen fathom: ²⁹ then for fear of striking upon the rocks, they dropt four anchors astern, and lay impatient for the day. ³⁰ but the crew under pretext of dropping their anchors to moor, had hoisted out the boat; designing to make off: ³¹ upon this Paul said to the centurion and his men, "except the crew stay aboard, you can't be safe:" ³² and immediately the soldiers chopt the cable, and set the boat adrift. ³³ while they were waiting for day, Paul advis'd the whole company to take some refreshment: "these fourteen days, said he, you have been very abstemious, and not made a meal: ³⁴ therefore, pray, take something to recruit your strength: and be assur'd every one of you shall be preserv'd." ³⁵ having said this, he took bread, and gave thanks to God, the whole company present: then he broke it and began to eat, ³⁶ at which they all took heart and fell a eating likewise, ³⁷ the whole number then on board being two hundred and seventy six. ³⁸ when they had eat enough, they threw the wheat over board to ease the ship: ³⁹ at day-break they made an unknown land, with a creek, where they resolv'd, if it were possible, to run the ship ashore. ⁴⁰ accordingly, having heaved in their anchors, they drove with the sea, then loos'd the helm, bois'd the mizen-sail to wind, and made to shore: ⁴¹ when falling into the confluence of two currents, they ran the ship a-ground: where the fore-castle stuck fast and would not give, but her stern was shatter'd by the violence of the waves. ⁴² the soldiers propos'd to dispatch the prisoners, for fear any of them should swim for their lives; but the centurion, ⁴³ who had a mind to save Paul, prevented their design: and order'd all that could swim immediately to get off to shore, ⁴⁴ and the rest to get upon the planks, or other pieces of the wreck: and by this means it happen'd that they all came safe to land.

²³ A good while after, the Jews conspir'd to kill him: ²⁴ but Saul was appriz'd of their plot. and as they were night and day upon the watch at the gates, in order to kill him, ²⁵ the disciples took him by night, and let him down the wall in a basket. ²⁶ when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he try'd to associate himself with the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and could not be persuaded that he was a disciple. ²⁷ thereupon Barnabas took him with him to the apostles, and related to them how the Lord had appear'd to him on his journey, and had spoken to him, and how publickly Saul had preach'd at Damascus in the name of Jesus. ²⁸ then he convers'd freely with the apostles at Jerusalem: ²⁹ and he openly preach'd in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Hellenists, who therefore plotted against his life: ³⁰ which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Cesarea, and sent him away to Tarsus.

²⁵ at length Barnabas departed to Tarsus in quest of Saul, and having found him, he conducted him to Antioch: ²⁶ where they resided a whole year with that church, and instructed abundance of disciples, and these disciples were the first that were denominated Christians.

¹ Now there were several prophets and teachers in the church of Antioch, as Barnabas, Simeon surnam'd Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. ² as they were ministring to the Lord, and fasting, the holy spirit said to them, separate me Barnabas and Saul, for the work to which I have destin'd them. ³ accordingly, after having fasted and prayed they gave them imposition of hands, and dismiss'd them. ⁴ being thus appointed missionarys by the holy spirit, they went to Seleucia, where they embark'd for Cyprus. ⁵ when they were arrived at Salamis, they preach'd the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews, and had John for their assistant. ⁶ Having travers'd the isle as far as to Paphos, they found a Jew there nam'd Barjesus, who was a false prophet and magician: ⁷ he was with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, a man of prudence: who sent for Barnabas and Saul, desiring to hear the word of God. ⁸ but Elymas (a name which signifies Magus) opposed them, endeavouring to seduce the proconsul from the faith. ⁹ then Saul, who was nam'd likewise Paul, full of the holy spirit, look'd fixedly upon him, ¹⁰ and said, "thou heap of imposture and mischief, offspring of the devil, and enemy to all justice, wilt thou not cease to pervers men from the right ways of the Lord? ¹¹ his hand is falling upon thee, thou shalt be blind, and not see the sun for some time." immediately his eyes were covered with obscurity and darkness; so that he grop'd about for somebody to lead him by the hand. ¹² the proconsul seeing the fact, embraced the faith, being struck with admiration of the christian doctrine. ¹³ after which Paul and his company set out from Paphos to Perga in Pamphilia, where John quitted them in order to return to Jerusalem. ¹⁴ From Perga they went to Antioch in Pisidia, and going to the synagogue on the sabbath-day, they took their places,

⁵⁰ but the Jews having animated the women of quality of their religion, and the leading men of the city, raised a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and banish'd them from their territorys.

² upon which Paul and Barnabas having warmly contested the point with them, it was resolved, that Paul and Barnabas and some others should go to Jerusalem to consult the apostles upon this question. ³ so they set out, accompanied part of the way by the church, and pass'd thro' Phenicia and Samaria, relating the conversion of the Gentiles, which gave great joy to all the brethren. ⁴ and being arrived at Jerusalem, they were receiv'd by the church, by the apostles, and presbyters, to whom they related all that God had done by them.

⁴⁰ but Paul chose Silas, and having been recommended by the brethren to the favour of God,

⁵ but the unbelieving Jews thro' envy, by the assistance of some loose strolers, rais'd a mob, set the whole city in an uproar, and attack'd Jason's house, thinking to find them there, and deliver them up to the populace.

¹⁸ Paul still continued a considerable time at Corinth, and then taking his leave of the brethren, he set sail for Syria, with Priscilla and Aquila, who had his head shav'd in Cenchrea upon account of a vow. ¹⁹ being arriv'd at Ephesus, he left them there, and went himself to the synagogue, where he disputed with the Jews, ²⁰ who desired him to stay longer with them, but he would not consent to it: for, ²¹ said he, in taking his leave, I must necessarily keep the approaching feast at Jerusalem: after which I will return to you if God permit. ²² having sail'd from Ephesus, he went ashore at Cesarea, where he saluted the church, and then proceeded to Antioch. ²³ after he had stay'd there some time, he departed and pass'd through all Galatia and Phrygia, where he encourag'd the disciples.

¹ Whilst Apollos was at Corinth, Paul, having pass'd through the upper provinces of Asia, arrived at Ephesus, where finding some disciples, he said to them,

²³ It was then a tumult happen'd at Ephesus upon account of the christian sect.

¹⁹ how I have serv'd the Lord with all resignation, with tears, and trials occasion'd by the insidious practices of the Jews:

²⁷ The seven days being almost expir'd, the Asiatic Jews seeing him in the temple, rais'd a tumult, and fell upon him, ²⁸ bawling out, "men of Israel, help: this is the man that every where inveighs upon all occasions against the people, against the law, and against this place, where they have brought Greeks too to profane this holy place." ²⁹ (for having seen Trophimus an Ephesian with him in the city, they imagin'd Paul had conducted him into the temple.) ³⁰ the whole city was in an uproar, the people crouded together: they seized Paul, dragg'd him out of the temple, and then shut the gates. ³¹ as they were busy upon his execution, news came to the commander of the cohort, that the whole city was in an uproar.

¹⁰ but the tumult growing worse, the tribune apprehensive that Paul might be torn to pieces among them, order'd detachment to secure him by force of arms, and bring him to the castle.

¹² when it was day, some Jews, that had form'd a conspiracy, engag'd themselves by an oath, not to eat, or drink, till they had kill'd Paul. ¹³ the conspirators, who were above forty in number, ¹⁴ went to the chief priests and senators, and said, "we have bound our selves by oath not to eat till we have slain Paul. ¹⁵ if you will move it then to the tribune in the name of the Sanhedrim, to send him here to-morrow, under colour of examining his affair with more solemnity, we shall take care to dispatch him, and make a short end of his journey." ¹⁶ Paul's sister's son hearing of the ambuscade, went to the castle, and being admitted, told Paul; ¹⁷ who having sent for one of the centurions, said, introduce this young man to the tribune, for he has something to communicate to him. ¹⁸ accordingly he went along with him, and having introduc'd him to the tribune, he said, Paul, who is in custody sent for me, and desired me to introduce this young man, who has something to tell you. ¹⁹ then the tribune taking him by the hand, retir'd with him in private, and ask'd, what he had to say. ²⁰ the Jews, said he, have agreed to desire you would send Paul down to-morrow to the council, under the pretext of examining him more strictly. ²¹ but don't believe them: for above forty of them lie in ambush, having bound themselves by oath not to eat or drink till they have kill'd him: they are already prepar'd, and only wait your answer. ²² then the tribune dismiss'd the youth with this charge, don't tell any one, that you have given me this information.

³ "desiring the favour he might be sent for to Jerusalem." they having prepar'd measures to assassinate him upon the road.

¹⁰ showing their respect by many presents, and furnishing us with provisions upon our departure. ¹¹ After having been there three months, we embark'd on board the Castor and Pollux from Alexandria, that had put in there by hard weather:

¹⁹ by virtue of the miracles and prodigies wrought by the power of the divine spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and the neighbouring country, quite to Illyricum,

²⁴ when I take my journey into Spain, I hope to see you in my way, and be forwarded by you to that place, after having for some time enjoy'd the pleasure of your company. ²⁵ but now I am going to Jerusalem, to distribute charity to the converts. ²⁶ for those of Macedonia and Achaia, have thought fit to make a contribution for the poor converts at Jerusalem. ²⁷ they have thought fit, I say, and they owed them as much. for if the Gentiles have participated of their spirituals, they are bound on their side to minister to them in their temporals. ²⁸ when I have dispatch'd this affair, and have secur'd to them this collection, I will come to you in my way to Spain.

³² besides, my engaging with those monsters, as I may say, at Ephesus, what advantage was it to me? if the dead don't rise, "let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die."

⁸ For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant of that insupportable weight of affliction that over-whelm'd me so in Asia that I despaired even of life:

³² in Damascus the governor for king Aretas, posted guards at the city-gates, with a design to apprehend me:

¹⁷ neither went I up to Jerusalem, to those who were apostles before me: but I went immediately to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. ¹⁸ After three years, I went up to Jerusalem, to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days: ¹⁹ but other of the apostles saw I none, except James the Lord's brother. ²⁰ what I write to you, I call God to witness is all true: ²¹ afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;

¹⁵ the very men who have persecuted the Lord Jesus, and the prophets even to death; who have persecuted us; they who are regardless of pleasing the deity, and are enemies to all mankind; ¹⁶ who by obstructing our endeavours to save the Gentiles, continue to fill up the measure of their enormities; for which consummate vengeance is falling upon them.

² as they were ministring to the Lord, and fasting, the holy spirit said to them, separate me Barnabas and Saul, for the work to which I have destin'd them. ³ accordingly, after having fasted and prayed they gave them imposition of hands, and dismiss'd them.

²³ and after they had by prayers and fastings establish'd Pastors for them in every church, they recommended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

⁵ and then advanc'd before and waited for us at Troas. ⁶ after the feast of unleaven'd bread we sail'd from Philippi, and in five days we join'd them at Troas, where we stay'd seven. ⁷ on the first day of the week we assembled to break bread, when Paul, who was to depart on the morrow, gave them a sermon, which lasted till midnight. ⁸ in the upper chamber where we were assembled, several lamps were burning: ⁹ and as Paul continued his discourse a great while, a young man, named Eutychus, who was sitting in the window, was seiz'd with a deep sleep, which quite o'er-came him; so that he fell down from the third story, and was taken up dead. ¹⁰ so Paul went down, and stooping over him, he embraced him, and said, don't trouble your selves; for his life is in him. ¹¹ then Paul went up again, and having broken bread and eaten, he reassumed his discourse till break of day, and then departed.

³¹ be then upon the watch, and remember, that for three years I have not ceased by night, or by day to warn every soul of you, even with tears.

³⁴ you yourselves can witness, that what was necessary for myself and those who were with me, these very hands have supply'd. ³⁵ my constant example has shown you that the disabled should be assisted by your labours, remembring the words of the Lord Jesus, who said, "it is a greater happiness to give than to receive."

³⁵ what shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or penury, or peril, or sword? ³⁶ for as it is written, "for thy sake we are sacrificed every day; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter:"

⁵ don't desert one another, unless you mutually consent to retire for a time, to the solemnity of prayer; and then come together again, lest satan make an attempt upon your continency.

⁵ from imprisonments, from tumults, from labours, from watchings, from penury.

¹² I know how to abound: every where, and in every circumstance, I have been prepar'd for fulness or famine, for plenty or penury:

¹⁵ suppose one of your brethren should be destitute of cloths, and of his daily nourishment, ¹⁶ and one of you should thus address him; "go and prosper, I wish you a warm fire, and a full meal:" without relieving his wants, would he be the better for your wish?

³⁶ Some time after, Paul said to Barnabas, let us return to visit all those cities, where we have preach'd the word of the Lord, to see what condition the brethren are in.

⁴⁰ but Paul chose Silas, and having been recommended by the brethren to the favour of God, ⁴¹ he departed, and passing through Syria and Cilicia, he settled the churches there.

²³ after he had stay'd there some time, he departed and pass'd through all Galatia and Phrygia, where he encourag'd the disciples.

² after having visited the faithful in those parts, and given them many exhortations, he went to Greece.

¹⁸ and when they were arriv'd he told them, you know how I have always behav'd towards you from the first day of my arrival in Asia: ¹⁹ how I have serv'd the Lord with all resignation, with tears, and trials occasion'd by the insidious practices of the Jews: ²⁰ that I have conceal'd nothing that might be useful to you, but have inform'd you of it, and instructed you therein, both in publick and in private: ²¹ remonstrating both to Jews and Gentiles the advantages of a sincere repentance, and of believing ²² in our Lord Jesus Christ. but now I am fix'd in my resolution to go to Jerusalem, without any apprehension of what may befal me there: ²³ save what the holy spirit in every city declares, "that bonds and afflictions wait for me." ²⁴ things that little affect me, nor is life so much my concern, as to finish my course, and the charge I receiv'd from the Lord Jesus, to attest the declaration of the divine favour. ²⁵ and now I am persuaded you will none of you see my face any more: whilst I have been among you, I have proclaim'd the kingdom of the Messias: ²⁶ I therefore declare to you at this present time, that I am not responsible for the ruin of any: ²⁷ for I have acquainted you with the whole dispensation of God without reserve. ²⁸ be therefore upon your guard to secure your selves, and the whole flock over which the holy spirit has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood. ²⁹ for I know when I am gone, you will be oppress'd by wolves, that will not spare the flock. ³⁰ nay, among your own body some will start up to vent their intricate conceits, and draw a number of followers. ³¹ be then upon the watch, and remember, that for three years I have not ceased by night, or by day to warn every soul of you, even with tears. ³² and now, my brethren, I recommend you to God, and to his gracious dispensation, which is able to improve you, and secure to you the inheritance with those who are sanctify'd. ³³ I have not desir'd to get from any one either silver, or gold, or apparel.

¹⁴ I owe what service I can do to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians, to the learned, and to the illiterate.

¹³ this concerns you Gentiles. for as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I should do honour to my character,

¹⁶ to be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, officiating the gospel of God, that the Gentiles might be made an acceptable offering, being sanctified by the holy spirit.

⁴ who have for my life readily exposed their own: to whom not only I, but all the churches of the Gentiles too give thanks.

¹⁷ Whatever condition God has allotted to any man, let him go on in the same state he was in when he became a christian: this I give as a standing rule to all churches.

¹ For I wish you knew how great my concern is for you, and for those of Laodicea, and for such as have never seen me in person:

¹⁷ which put his disciples in mind of that passage, "my zeal for thine house does prey upon me."

¹⁵ bless them, but curse not. rejoice with those that do rejoice, and weep with those that weep.

¹ I add, we that are better inform'd ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not study our own pleasure.

¹ we have it from all quarters, that incest is practis'd among you, and such as is not among the Gentiles, that of a man's having his father's wife. ² this you have made a matter of levity, instead of being concern'd in discarding him that has done such an action. ³ as for me, though I am absent in person, yet being present by my authority, with regard to him that has committed this fact, I am come to the same resolution, as if I was present, ⁴ that is, when you are assembled, and I virtually there, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ⁵ to deliver him up to satan, to suffer corporal punishment, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus Christ.

⁵ what, is there not a man of experience amongst you, capable of being arbitrator between his brethren? ⁶ but when a contest arises, you must refer the decision to infidels? ⁷ beside, you are absolutely in the wrong in going to law with one another at all: why don't you rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer loss?

¹⁵ Don't you know, that your bodies are parts of Christ's mystical body? now, how can that which is Christ's, be made the property of a very creature? ¹⁶ it cannot be. why, don't you perceive, that where there is such an attachment, they are but as one person? for the scripture says, "they two shall be as one." ¹⁷ but he that is attach'd to the Lord, is united to him by one and the same spirit. ¹⁸ flee licentiousness. no other sin that a man commits does affect the church as a body: but the licentious commits a fraud against the whole body to which he belongs.

¹³ wherefore if my eating makes my brother offend, I will never eat flesh rather than make my brother offend.

²² to the weak I became as weak, that I might gain the weak: I became all things to all men, that I might save all sorts of men.

²² what, have you no houses to eat and drink in? or have ye a contempt for the church of God, or is it to insult those who are in want? what shall I say to you? shall I commend such behaviour? I do not approve of it.

²⁶ so that if one member suffer, they all suffer with it: or if one be honoured, they partake of it.

¹² Now if it has been declared, that Christ rose from the dead, how comes it, that some among you assert, "there is no resurrection of the dead?" ¹³ for if there be no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. ¹⁴ and if Christ be not risen, then our preaching is empty talk, and your faith even meer amusement. ¹⁵ yea, and we are no better than enthusiastic impostors by affirming that God raised up Christ, when he never did raise him up. ¹⁶ for if the dead are not raised, then was not Christ raised: ¹⁷ and if Christ was not raised, your faith is meer illusion, your sins are not yet forgiven. ¹⁸ then they too who died christians, are entirely lost. ¹⁹ if our expectations as christians all terminate in this life, we of all men are most to be pitied. ²⁰ But Christ is actually risen, as previous to those who were dead. ²¹ for since by man came death, by man the resurrection of the dead will likewise come. ²² for as by Adam all die, even so by Christ shall all be restored to life. ²³ but every one in proper order: Christ has the precedence, next they who were Christians shall rise at his advent. ²⁴ and then will be the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God even the father; after having abolished all rule, and all authority, and power. ²⁵ for he must reign, "till God has cast all his enemies under his feet." ²⁶ the last enemy that shall be destroyed, is death. ²⁷ for he hath subjected all things to him. but when it is said all things are subjected, it is plain that he is to be excepted, who did subject all things to him. ²⁸ and when all things shall be reduced under subjection to him, then shall the son also himself be subject to him that put all things under his subjection, that God may be all in all. ²⁹ If it be not so, what can they effect who are baptized for the dead? if the dead rise not at all, why are they then baptized for the dead? ³⁰ and why do we continually expose our lives to danger? ³¹ I am daily receiving new mortifications, witness your cruel boastings against me, which I bear for the sake of Christ Jesus our Lord; ³² besides, my engaging with those monsters, as I may say, at Ephesus, what advantage was it to me? if the dead don't rise, "let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die." ³³ be not deceived : "vicious conversation corrupts good morals." ³⁴ rouze from your sins, as is but just; for some of you have not the knowledge of God: I speak it to your shame.

³⁶ foolish as you are, the grain you sow, is not revived except it die.

⁴ for out of much affliction and anguish of heart, I wrote to you with many tears; not to make you uneasy, but to make you sensible of the overflowing tenderness which I have for you. ⁵ The affliction I have had, comes only from a particular quarter, so that my resentment does not affect the whole church.

⁵ for when I came to Macedonia, I had no respit from the trouble that beset me on every side: oppositions from without, and apprehensions within. ⁶ nevertheless, God who comforteth those that are cast down, gave me comfort by the arrival of Titus: not barely by his presence,

⁹ 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.

⁷ owing to nothing but your being practised upon by some, who would overturn the gospel of Christ. ⁸ but tho' I, or an angel from heaven should preach any thing to you for gospel, different from the gospel I have preached unto you, let him be accursed. ⁹ as I said before, so say I now again, if any one preach any other thing to you for gospel, than what you have received, let him be accursed. ¹⁰ for do I now act in obedience to men, or to God? or do I seek to please men? if I had hitherto pleased men, I should not have been the servant of Christ.

⁴ and as to the false brethren, who insidiously crept in to spy out our liberty which we have by Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into servitude; ⁵ I did not show them the lest compliance by way of submission, that the doctrine of the gospel might remain among you. ⁶ But as for those who were men of real eminency, how considerable soever they were heretofore, it does not any ways affect me; God accepts not the person of any man: for they who were of note, in conference with me, had nothing new to add.

¹⁴ but when I saw, they conformed not their conduct to the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all: if you being a Jew, live after the manner of the Gentiles, and not according to that of the Jews, why do you constrain the Gentiles to judaize?

¹ O foolish Galatians, who hath deluded you, you that have had the crucifixion of Jesus Christ represented to your view? ² this one thing I desire to know of you, did you receive the spirit by the works of the law, or by the gospel preach'd to you? ³ have you so little understanding, as having begun in the spiritual doctrine of the gospel, to turn again to the law?

⁸ When you did not know God, you did service to those, who in reality are no Gods; but now that you know God, ⁹ or rather that you are favoured by him, how can ye turn again to the weak and beggarly elements of the law, to which you desire again to be in bondage? ¹⁰ observing as you do, the days, the moons, the feasts and years. ¹¹ you make me apprehensive, that the labour I have bestowed upon you will be all in vain. ¹² I beseech you, brethren, be as I am, for I was as you are. ¹³ It is not you that have done me any injury: tho' you knew through what infirmity of the flesh I heretofore preached the gospel to you, ¹⁴ yet you did not despise me for the trial which attended my person, nor treated me with scorn; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ what benedictions did you then pour out upon me! for I bear you witness, that, had it been practicable, you would have pulled out your very eyes, and given them to me. ¹⁶ am I now become your enemy in continuing to tell you the truth? ¹⁷ they court your affection, but not in a fair way; for they design to exclude me, that you might have the greater esteem for them. ¹⁸ but it is just you should cultivate my affection for you upon all proper occasions, and not only when I am present with you. ¹⁹ my dear children, how am I in pain, till Christ be formed in you? ²⁰ I wish I could be present this very moment with you, and suit my discourse accordingly, for I stand in doubt what to think of you.

² take notice, 'tis I Paul declare it to you, that if you are circumcised, Christ shall be of no advantage to you. ³ for I testify to every man that is circumcised, that he is under an obligation to perform the whole law. ⁴ Christ is of no use to you, whoever of you seek to be justified by the law; you have lost all interest in the gospel-dispensation.

² bear with one another's infirmities, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

⁵ 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. ⁶ but Timothy, upon his arrival here from you, brings us the agreeable news of the perseverance of your faith and charity, that you always make honourable mention of us, and that you desire to see us as ardently as we do to see you. ⁷ Thus, my brethren, your conduct has given us great consolation, under all our persecutions and distress. ⁸ for now I am reviv'd, since you continue stedfast in the christian profession.

³ My beloved, as I was strongly bent upon writing to you of our common salvation, I thought it necessary to write to you at present, and exhort you to contend earnestly for the faith, which was once delivered to the saints. ⁴ For certain men have insinuated themselves among you, who were formerly proscrib'd to be punish'd; impious men, who pervert the divine favour to licentiousness, and renounce their only master, and Jesus Christ our Lord.

¹⁵ I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. ¹⁶ but since thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. ¹⁷ you say you are rich, and have increased your gain, and have need of nothing; but you do not consider that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. ¹⁸ I counsel thee to purchase of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayst be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayst be cloathed, and that the shame of thy nakedness may not appear; and an ointment for thine eyes to make you see clear.

³ I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in great agony:

¹⁶ 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. ¹⁷ what I say, I say it not as an apostle, but as it were to indulge my vanity in this matter of boasting. ¹⁸ since many glory in outward advantages, I will glory too.

¹ Have not I reason to glory? for now I shall mention my visions and revelations from the Lord.

⁵ I might glory in being the man; but I will not glory in any thing relating to myself, unless it be my sufferings. ⁶ tho' if I had a mind to glory, I might do it without vanity, for I should say nothing but what is true: but now I forbear, lest any man should ascribe more to me than my actions, or my preaching can justify. ⁷ and lest I should be exalted above measure by the extraordinary revelations I have had, I was afflicted in my person, so that the messenger of satan insulted me; concerning which, ⁸ I besought the Lord thrice, to make him leave me. ⁹ 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. ¹⁰ I take pleasure then in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am afflicted, then it is I have fortitude. ¹¹ Am I become vain? 'tis you have forc'd me to it: for I ought to have been commended by you: since I am not inferior to the chiefest of the apostles, tho' in myself I am nothing.

³⁰ I and my father are one.

¹⁷ that is to say, master! Jesus said to her, touch me not: for I am not yet ascended to my father: but go to my brethren, and say to them, "I ascend unto my father and your father, even my God and your God."

²⁵ they changed the true God for an idol, and adored and served the creature more than the creator, who is blessed for ever.

⁵ who are the offspring of the patriarchs, and of whom as to the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

⁶ that ye may unanimously with one voice glorify God, even the father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

³ Blessed be the God, and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of mercies, and the God of all consolation:

¹¹ why so? is it because I love you not? far otherwise, God knows.

² who are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: grace be to you, and peace from God the father, ³ and from our Lord Jesus Christ: who gave himself for our sins,

³ Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all the spiritual blessings in Christ's kingdom.

¹⁴ for this cause I bow my knees unto the father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

³ In our prayers we continually give thanks to the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ upon your account,

¹¹ with the salutary doctrine of the gospel of immortality, which the blessed God committed to my trust.

¹⁷ to the king of the world, the immortal, invisible, and the only God be honour and glory to endless ages. amen.

¹⁶ who alone is essentially immortal, dwelling in that inaccessible light, which no mortal ever saw, or can see: to whom belongs everlasting honour and empire. amen.

³ Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy has regenerated us, and given us by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the expectation of immortal life,

²⁴ but Saul was appriz'd of their plot. and as they were night and day upon the watch at the gates, in order to kill him, ²⁵ the disciples took him by night, and let him down the wall in a basket.

²⁶ in my voyages I have been frequently in perils from rivers, in perils from robbers, in perils from my own countrymen, in perils from the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the country, in perils at sea, in perils among false brethren;

²⁵ the disciples took him by night, and let him down the wall in a basket.