to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

6. Who hath made us able ministers of the new testament: not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

Is not the Gospel a much more glorious dispensation than the Law?

7. If the ministration of death, written and engraven on stone, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses, for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away;

S. How shall not the ministration of the Spirit be rather glorious?

9. For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

CHAPTER IV.

THE APOSTLES' CONDUCT IN REGARD TO THEIR MINISTRY.

How did the apostles conduct themselves in the exercise of their ministry?

1. Therefore, seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

2. But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty; not walking in craftiness, nor han

dling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

5. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

Were not their minds divinely illuminated, to enable them to comprehend the things of God?

6. God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ.

7. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels; that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Were they not subjected to trials, that they might exemplify the life of Christ?

8. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9. Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.

10. Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus; that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

Did they not advance in spiritual improvement, and receive strength to look forward to eternal things, through these means?

16. But though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

17. For onr light affliction which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

18. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

CHAPTER V.

ETERNAL LIFE. SANCTIFICATION.

What is the Christian's hope of immortality? 1. For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

But must we not keep in view the day of judg

ment ?

9. Wherefore we labour, that whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him.

10. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Was it not to the end that we might be made koly, that Christ died for us?

15. He died for all; that they which live

should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again.

17. Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature; old, things are passed away; behold, all things are become new :

18. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.

CHAPTER VI.

THE APOSTLES' FAITHFULNESS IN THE MINISTRY.-ADMONITION AGAINST CONNEXION WITH UNBELIEVERS.

Does not Paul's account of himself and his fellow labourers, evince that they demeaned themselves with great circumspection, whilst they sought the good of others ?—Read his remarks.

1. We then, as workers together with Him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain,

3. Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed.

4. But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflic ́tions, in necessities, in distresses,

5. In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

6. By pureness, by knowledge, by long suf

fering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

7. By the word of Truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left.

10. As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

Is it not the duty of Christians to avoid eonnecting themselves, cither by marriage or otherwise, with unholy persons?

14. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? or what communion hath light with darkness?

15. And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

16. And what agreement bath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said: I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

17. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord; and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

18. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.