Study Desk

I am doubly press'd between my desire to depart, in order to be with Christ, which is by far the best for ME;

and my inclination to abide in this life, as being more advantageous for YOU:

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,

for it is a favour bestowed upon you, that you not only believe on Christ, but suffer also for his sake,

Do nothing out of a spirit of contention, or for vain-glory, but modestly look upon others as if they were better than yourselves.

for the same temper of mind ought to be in you as was in Christ Jesus:

for it is God that influences your desires and endeavours, out of his benevolence to you.

for there is no one that is so dear to me as he, and no one will more sincerely interest himself in your concerns.

for he long'd to see you all, and was greatly concern'd, that you should hear he was sick. and indeed he was sick almost unto death:

for he was upon the brink of death for the service of Christ, having expos'd his life to the greatest dangers, to perform those kind offices, which you could not do yourselves.

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:

these advantages I renounce for Christ,

nay I think them disadvantages when put in competition with the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ my Lord: for whose sake I abandon all these things, and count them as straw, that I may gain Christ,

for I am not yet secure of the prize, I have not yet finish'd my course: but I press to obtain the reward, which Jesus Christ invited me to.

I press towards the mark for the prize to which God has called me from above by Jesus Christ.

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:

yea, I intreat thee too, my faithful collegue, to assist them both, for they assisted me in the gospel, as well as Clement, and my other collegues, whose names are in the book of life.

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.

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,

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