2 Corinthians 12

2 Corinthians 12:11-21

thing from you. Therefore I would wish, that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we, and as free from every mercenary view: for in truth such are false apatites, assuming a character to which they have not the least title: deceitful workers, corrupting the word of God; transforming themselves into the apatites of Christ, appearing under the most specious professions. And so mourn’d; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light, as he appeared when he came to seduce: Eve from her integrity: therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the members of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works, and the issue be their everlasting destruction.

1. I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, it is not to vitions and revelations years ago, (whether in the body I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, whether in his spirit only, or in his whole man, I cannot tell: God knoweth) such an one caught up to the third heaven, where angels dwell, and the most illustrious display of the divine glory is made. And I know such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth) how that he was caught up into paradise, the region of the blessed, and heard unprobable words, which contained such sublimity of ideas, and were delivered in such language, as it is not lawful, or possible, for a man to utter, in his preten mortal time of weakness. Of such an end will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities, and in such things as carry evident marks of my own weakness.

2. As to external Jewish privileges of descent, Are they Hebrews? So am I, by both my parents, (Phil. iii. 5.) are they Siravites? the sons of extraordinary manifications, I will come to whom and revolutions of the Lord; one remarkable instance of which I will only mention.

I knew, or I know, a man in Christ, a faithful soul, above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, whether in his spirit only, or in his whole man, I cannot tell: God knoweth) such an one caught up to the third heaven, where angels dwell, and the most illustrious display of the divine glory is made. And I know such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth) how that he was caught up into paradise, the region of the blessed, and heard unprobable words, which contained such sublimity of ideas, and were delivered in such language, as it is not lawful, or possible, for a man to utter, in his preten mortal time of weakness. Of such an end will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities, and in such things as carry evident marks of my own weakness.

F For though I would defer to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will lay the truth, and appeal to the heart-searching God for what I lay: but now I forbear, left any man should think of me above that which he forth me to be, or that he beareth of me, supposing me to be more than human, who am a mere worm. And left I should be realized above measure through the abundance of the revolutions, there

was given to me a thorn in the fight, the messenger of Satan, to buffet

me, and I should be reached above measure: what this was, whether some bodily affliction, or outward reproach, or more probably the wreckings of old corruptions; whatever it was, it was very grievous, yet sent for the most blefied purpose, and served to keep him humble. For this thing I brought the Lord their importunity, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, by an audible voice, or some divine impression on my spirit, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness, and shall carry thee victorious through all opposing foes without, and corruptions within. Most gladly therefore will I rather give to my impression, that the power of Christ may rest upon me, and he the more transcendently exalted in rescuing me out of all my trust, and carrying me into through every temptation.

Therefore I take pleasure in informities, in reproaches, in necessities,

in preparation, in obfecities for Christ’s fate; not only religious, but