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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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

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

I am therefore glad when I am disarm'd by the strength of your integrity: and this is what I pray for, even your perfection.

for by one law, I am dead to the other law, that I might live unto God:

I am crucified with Christ, it is not I that now live, but Christ that liveth in me; the life I have in this body I live by faith in the son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

I beseech you, brethren, be as I am, for I was as you are.

am I now become your enemy in continuing to tell you the truth?

but it is just you should cultivate my affection for you upon all proper occasions, and not only when I am present with you.

my dear children, how am I in pain, till Christ be formed in you?

as for me, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why am I yet persecuted? for then there would not be so much objection to the doctrine of the cross.

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.

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

upon me, who am the meanest of all christians, is this favour bestowed, that I should proclaim to the Gentiles the undiscoverable advantages by Christ;

Wherefore I desire that you be not dejected at the tribulations I am under for your sake, which are matter of glory to you.

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