Sketches from the Life of Paul (1883) — PDF Scan 186

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SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS . 179 theyhad made falsechargesagainsthim todestroyhisinfluenceamong thechurcheswhich he had raisedup. But, amid allhispersecutions and discouragements,he couldrejoiceintheconsolationwhich he found in Christ. His consciencedidnotaccusehim ofdishonesty or unfaithfulness to his trust. It was a cause of joy tohim thathe had beenenabled,throughthe graceof God ,tolaborintheministry,notusing his naturaleloquence, to receivethe praiseof men,but withsimplicityand pureness, in the Spiritof God,hisonlyaim beingthegoodof souls. The fearofGod had been everbeforehim ; the love of Christ had ever sustained him . He had not dissembled,he had not laboredto obtain honor,or a reputationfor wisdom . The wisdom given him of God he had exercisedto rescuesouls fromthedarknessof errorand superstition,and vostrengthenand buildup the churchesin the most holy faith. He had been watchful for souls as one who must give account to God . He had not been turned from hispurposeby opposition,falsehoods, theprejudiceof his brethren,or the persecution of hisenemies. He had given his disinterested loveand labors alike to allparts of the world thathe had visited. He had preachedChrist with sincerityand simplicity,and the church at Corinth couldsustainno charges againsthim . He refersto the promisewhich he made them, to the effectthat he would visitthem beforegoing to Macedonia . He tellsthem that God had not permittedhim tovisitthem accordingtohisintention; for hispresenceat that time would have precipitateda crisiswhich might have endangered souls. Had he visitedthem immediately