Sketches from the Life of Paul (1883) — PDF Scan 191

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184 LIFE OF PAUL . enshrouded the mountains and cast a shadow upon the citybeneath,seemed a fittingemblem oftheerrorand immoralitywhichthreatenedthe prosperityof the Christianchurchinthatplace. The mind of Paul was agitatedby conflicting thoughts. He was to meet his childrenin the faithof the gospel. Some of them had been guiltyof grievoussins. Some of his former friendshad forgottenhis loveand the sweet friendshipand confidenceof earlierdays. They had become hisenemies,and questionedand disputedwhetherhe was a true apostleof Christ, intrustedwiththegospel. Though themajority of the church had turned from their sins and submittedto the commands of Paul,yet itcould not be with them entirelyas itwas beforetheir immorality. There couldnot existthat union, love,and confidencebetweenteacherand people, asupon the occasionof hisformer visit. There were stillsome in the church,who ,when reprovedby the apostle, had persistedin their sinfulcourse,despisinghiswarningsand defying hisauthority. The time had come when he must takedecisivemeasuresto put down thisopposition. He had warned the Corinthians of his purpose to come and dealin personwith the obstinate offenders: " I write to them which heretoforehave sinned, and to all other, that if I come again, I willnot spare;sinceye seek a proofofChristspeakinginme . He had delayed hiscoming ,to give them time for reflectionandrepentance. But now all who continued in theircourseof errorand sin,must be separated from the church of Christ. They had charged Paul with timidityand weakness because of his long forbearancethrough lovefor theirsouls. ود