CHAP. XII.
1 For commending of his Apostleship, though he might glory of his wonderfull reuelations, 9 Yet hee rather chuseth to glory of his infirmities, 11 blaming them for forcing him to this vaine boasting. 14 Hee promiseth to come to them againe: but yet altogether in the affection of a father, 10 although hee feareth he shall to his griefe finde many offenders, and publike disorders there.
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1 It is not expedient for me, doubtlesse, to glory, I wil come to visions and reuelations of the Lord.
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2 I knewe a man in Christ aboue foureteene yeeres agoe, whether in the body, I cannot tell, or whether out of the body, I cannot tell, God knoweth: such a one, caught vp to the third heauen.
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3 And I knew such a man (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell, God knoweth.)
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4 How that he was caught vp into Paradise, and heard vnspeakeable wordes, which it is not || lawfull for a man to vtter. [ || Or, possible. ]
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5 Of such a one will I glory, yet of my selfe I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
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6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a foole: for I will say the trueth. But now I forbeare, lest any man should thinke of me aboue that which hee seeth me to bee, or that hee heareth of me:
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7 And least I should bee exalted aboue measure through the abundance of the reuelations, there was giuen to me a * thorne in the flesh, the messenger of Sathan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted aboue measure. [ *See Ezek. 18.24.]
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8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from mee.
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9 And he said vnto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weaknes. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest vpon me.
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10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christes sake: for when I am weake, then am I strong.
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11 I am become a foole in glorying, ye haue compelled me. For I ought to haue beene commended of you: for in nothing am I behinde the very chiefest Apostles, though I be nothing.
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12 Truely the signes of an Apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signes and wonders, and mightie deeds.
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13 For what is it wherein yee were inferior to other Churches, except it bee that I my selfe was not burthensome to you? forgiue me this wrong.
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14 Behold, the third time I am readie to come to you, and I will not bee burthensome to you; for I seeke not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay vp for the parents, but the parents for the children.
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15 And I wil very gladly spend and bee spent for +you, though the more abundantly I loue you, the lesse I bee loued. [ +Gr. your soules. ]
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16 But be it so: I did not burthen you: neuerthelesse beeing craftie, I caught you with guile.
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17 Did I make a gaine of you by any of them, whom I sent vnto you?
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18 I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother: did Titus make a gaine of you? Walked wee not in the same spirit? walked wee not in the same steps?
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19 Againe, thinke you that we excuse our selues vnto you? wee speake before God in Christ: but wee doe all things, dearely beloued, for your edifying.
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20 For I feare lest when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall bee found vnto you such as ye would not, lest there bee debates, enuyings, wraths, strifes, backebitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults,
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21 And least when I come againe, my God will humble mee among you, and that I shall bewaile many which haue sinned alreadie, and haue not repented of the vncleannesse, and fornication, and lasciuiousnesse which they haue committed.
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