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¹ But I purposed in my self, I would not be the occasion of any uneasiness to you when I come again. ² why should I make you uneasy, for who then could give me comfort, but those to whom I give uneasiness? ³ and I wrote to you upon that disagreeable subject, that when I came, I might not receive uneasiness from those from whom I ought to receive comfort, being persuaded that you will all think yourselves interested to promote my satisfaction. 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. ⁶ the punishment, which was inflicted by the community, is sufficient on this occasion. ⁷ so that now you ought rather to forgive, and comfort him, for fear he should be overwhelm'd by an excess of sorrow. ⁸ wherefore, pray, convince him of your affection to him: ⁹ for this was one view I had in writing, to have this trial of you, whether you are intirely obedient. ¹⁰ to whom you forgive any thing, I also forgive: for if I have forgiven any thing, I forgave it, for your sakes (as Christ is ¹¹ witness) lest satan should have got some advantage of us: for we are apprized of his artifices.

¹² When an opportunity was given me by the Lord to preach the gospel of Christ, upon my arrival at Troas, ¹³ I was so uneasy in my mind for not finding Titus my brother, that taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia. ¹⁴ but thanks be to God, who maketh me triumph, thro' Christ, and spreads his healing doctrine by me, in eevery place: ¹⁵ for God is pleased to accept my christian labours, in favour both of those who are in a saving, and of those who are in a ruinous state: ¹⁶ by the one my preaching is taken as a deadly poison, to the other it is a reviving potion. and who is so sufficient for such a commission? 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.