of pretension and corruption; and it would appear, from the twelfth verse of the eleventh chapter, that he thought his example in this matter necessary to shame and restrain the charge of an inordinate thirst of gain, from those whom he calls the false Apostles: "What I have done, that I will continue to do, that I may cut off occasion from those who seek occasion, -that in that wherein they boast, they may be found even as we."

Against such opposition, amidst such low contention, had St. Paul to maintain his way; and it belongs to the inherent greatness of his character, that though we read these things, no association with them attaches to his image in our thoughts. The circumstances, however mean and limiting, which magnanimity conquers, fall away from around the noble spirit, and show it only in the meekness and loftiness of its Power. No life can be low where great ends are followed; and the spirit that will not work its Mission within the trammel of Circumstance will never be a true servant of that Master who came to found a Kingdom of Heaven upon Earth, and who had to associate with him in the work men of another spirit than his own, and even the traitor who sold away his life.

It is evident that the self-commendations of these men must have had their effect, else would St. Paul never have exposed the counterfeit by bringing his own merits into contrast; but as there might be a time when a patriot would have to speak of what he had done without reward, in order to shame some official plunderer on pretence of service, so if the

Corinthians, as is stated in the twentieth verse, "bore it patiently when such men brought them into bondage, made a prey of them, took their goods, lorded it over them," it was full time to hear the boasting of one who had truly served them, and sought nothing in return. Such boasting, indeed, Paul repeatedly says, is in itself utterly foolish; but it might do good, if it exposed those who boasted without a cause. How tender is the reproach addressed to the Church whom St. Paul won to the Truth, and whom such men for a moment could deceive! "I am jealous over you, with a zeal for God, for I have espoused you to one husband, and thought to present you as a chaste Virgin to Christ. But I fear lest as the serpent beguiled Eve, that your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. If, indeed, they that intruded themselves among you preached another Jesus whom I had not preached, or enriched you with a spirit and a Gospel which you had not received from us, then might you have reason to have given them the hearts that were ours,

but we are in no respect inferior to the chief of the Apostles, and this has been made thoroughly manifest among you all."

And then, he recounts his sufferings, indignities, and humiliations as the world and his enemies would think, but the true honors of him who gloried in some share of his Master's Cross, and thanked God that he was found worthy to suffer shame for his name. We know nothing finer in sentiment, or eloquence, than that passage," If I must boast, I "If will boast of my infirmities." To boast of degrad

ing sufferings, of stonings, stripes, and bonds, of fastings, cold, and nakedness, this was a glory in which his traducers would not seek to rival him. To suffer, that others may rejoice, to be poor, that others may be truly rich, to watch and guard, and open our own bosoms to the world, that others may have peace and blessing and the life of Life,

this

is the captivity which Christ leads captive, the servitude which God exalts into that Greatness which belongs to those whom He has anointed with His own Spirit.

SECTION II.

ST. PAUL'S QUALIFICATIONS NOT FROM HIMSELF, BUT OF GOD'S GRACE. - HIS VISIONS AND REVELATIONS. - THE AC

COMPANIMENT OF THE CHASTENING THORN IN THE FLESH.

HIS CLAIMS UPON THE LOVE AND OBEDIENCE OF THE CORINTHIAN CHURCH. HIS PRAYER THAT THEIR RESTORATION TO A CHRISTIAN MIND MAY REDUCE THEIR APOSTLE TO THE LEVEL OF THEIR BROTHER. AND BENEDICTION.

EXHORTATION

CHAPS. XII., XIII.

XII. 1. BOASTING, indeed, is not expedient for me: I will 2 come then to visions and revelations of the Lord. I knew a man in Christ, fourteen years ago, - whether in the body, I know not; or out of the body, I know not; God knows, who was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I knew such a man, whether in the body, or out 4 of the body, I know not; God knows, how that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words 5 which it is not permitted to any man to utter. For such an one will I glory: but for myself I will not glory, un6 less of mine infirmities. For though I should desire to glory, I shall not be a fool, for I will speak the truth; but I forbear, lest any one should account me above that which he sees me, or what he heareth of me.

7 And that I should not be too much exalted through the

abundance of these revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, an angel of Satan to buffet me, that I 8 should not be too much exalted. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, will I rather boast in my infirmities, 10 that the power of Christ may tabernacle with me. Wherefore I am well pleased in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in straits for Christ's sake; 11 for when I am weak, then am I strong. I have become a fool: ye have forced me to it; for I ought to have been commended by you, for I am nothing behind the chief of 12 the Apostles, though I am nothing. Verily the signs of an Apostle have been wrought among you in all persever13 ance, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. For

what is there wherein ye were inferior to the other Churches, unless it be that I myself was not burdensome 14 to you? Forgive me this wrong. And now I hold my

self in readiness for this third time to come unto you, and I will not be burdensome to you; for I seek not yours, but you; for the children ought not to lay up for the pa15 rents, but the parents for the children. But I will very

gladly spend, and be spent, for your souls, even though 16 the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. But

be it so, I did not burden you; nevertheless, being crafty, 17 I caught you with guile? Did I make a gain of you, by 18 any of those whom I sent unto you? I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? Walked we not in the same spirit? Walked we 19 not in the same steps? Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? Before the face of God, in Christ we speak all these things, beloved, for your edification. 20 For I fear lest when I come I may not find you such as I