ven. above fourteen years before caught up into the third heaven. 471 for a man to utter. 2 Cor. such an one caught an one, I say, I did most intimately know, who sect. up to the third heawas snatched up even into the third heaven, the xix. seat of the Divine glory, and the place where Christ dwelleth at the Father's right hand, hav-ii. 2 ing all the celestial principalities and powers 3 And I knew such in humble subjection to him. Yea, I say, I 3 a man, (whether in even knew such a man, whether in the body, or the body, or out of the body, I cannot out of the body, I now say not, because I know tell: God knoweth,) not: God knoweth; and let him have the glory of supporting his life in so extraordinary a cir4 How that he was cumstance, which ever might be the case. And 4 caught up into par- I know, that having been thus entertained with adise, and heard these visions of the third heavens, on which unspeakable words, which it is not lawful good men are to enter after the resurrection, lest he should be impatient under the delay of his part of the glory there, he was also caught up into paradise,d that garden of God which is the seat of happy spirits in the intermediate state, and during their separation from the body where he had the pleasure of an interview with many of the pious dead, and heard among them unutterable words, expressive of their sublime ideas, which he was there taught to understand. But the language was such as it is not lawful or possible for man to utter; we have no terms of speech fit to express such conceptions, nor would it be consistent with the schemes of Providence, which require that we should be conducted by faith, rather than by sight, to suffer such circumstances as these to be revealed to the inhabitants of mortal flesh. 5 of such an one In such an one, therefore, whoever he be, Iwill 5 will I glory: yet of venture to boast, so far as to say, that he remyself I will not ceived a peculiar honour from our great Lord, glory, but in mine infirmities. and for the time, was made, as it were, another man by it. But in myself, I will not boast, Also caught up into paradise] I have followed Bishop Bull's interpretation of these words, in the distinction he makes between the third heaven and paradise. See his Works, Vol. I Serm. 3, p. 89. To which Dr. Whitby agrees, who also supposes this not merely a vision, as I think it was, but a reality; which if St. Paul had thought it, he must surely have concluded that he was not then in the body. • Lawful or possible.] I think, with Witsius, that or may comprehend both. e Different divines have conjectured very differently concerning these things; of which I suppose they know nothing. But Mr. Fleming's conjecture, that he was instructed in the doctrine of the first resurrection; and Mr. Whiston's, that he was instructed in the grand secrets contained in the apostolical constitutions revealed to the eleven in the chamber on Sion, and not to be publiely disclosed till many ages after; may serve as specimens of the rest. Whist. Prim. Christianity, Vol. III. p. 32. 472 But lest he should be exalted above measure, SECT. unless it be in my infirmities, in those things 2 Cor. xii. 6 xix. which 6 For though I carry the marks of weakness, which yet would desire to gloin a certain connection will appear honourable I shall not be a too. For if I should resolve to boast a little on the truth: but now I fool; for I will say the occasion I have mentioned, I shall not upon forbear, lest any man the whole be foolish; though it be generally so, above that which he considering the particular circumstances in seeth me to be, or which I am : for I speak nothing but the strict that he heareth of est truth, how strange soever it may seem. me. But I forbear to insist largely upon it, lest any 7 one should esteem me above what he sees to be in to me. should think of me there I have indeed had my peculiar privileges: 7 And lest I should but alas, I have my infirmities, and my temp- be exalted above tations too. And lest I should be too much ele- measure through the vated with the abundance of those extraordinary revelations, abundance of the revelations of which I have been speaking, there was given to me s was given me, that is, it pleased God to appoint thorn in the flesh, to me an affliction, which was so painful, that the messenger of Sait was like a pointed thorn in the flesh,f contin- I should be exalted tan to buffet me, lest ually piercing and wounding me; and this in above measure. such circumstances, that one would think it had been intended on purpose, that the messenger and apostle of Satan, the false teachers whom I have been describing (chap. xi. 13— 15) under that character, might from thence take occasion to buffet and upbraid me: that I, being subject to such disorders, though naturally resulting from the manner in which my nerves were impressed by this ecstacy, might A thorn in the flesh.] How much this glories, affected the system of his nervei thorn in St. Paul's flesh has perplexed and in such a manner, as to occasion some disquieted commentators, they who have paralytic symptoms, and particularly a conversed much with them, know but too stammering in his speech, and perhaps well. Many have understood it of bodily some ridiculous distortion in his countepains; and Mr. Baxter, being himself sub- nance, referred to elsewhere in the phrase ject to a nephritic disorder, supposes it of the infirmity in his flesh. See Gal. iv. 13, might be the stone, or gravel. The con- 14. jectures of some of the ancients are much grosser. I rather acquiesce in that interpretation of Dr. Whitby, (which the author of Miscel. Sacra. has adopted, and taken pains to illustrate, Essay iii. p. 2224,) That the view he had of celestial As this might threaten both his acceptance 1 Cor. ii. 3. Compare Dan. viii. 27. and usefulness, it is no wonder he was so importunate for its being removed; yet being the attendant and effect of so great a favour, he might with peculiar propriety speak of glorying in it. there was given to him a thorn in the flesh. sufficient for thee: 473 not be excessively exalted; but might bear away, sECT. 2 Cor. 8 For this thing I This was indeed at first so very grievous and 8 besought the Lord mortifying to me, and seemed to have so unthrice, that it might depart from me. happy an aspect upon my acceptance and usefulness, as a preacher of the gospel, that I was very importunate in my petitions that it might be removed, and besought the Lord Jesus Christ thrice on the occasion, entreating him that, if it were his blessed will, it might totally depart from me, or at least be moderated in some con9 And he said unto siderable degree. And my prayer was not in 9 me, My grace is vain; for, though he did not entirely and fully for my strength is indulge my request, he said to me, in great made perfect in condescension, My grace is sufficient for thee, weakness. Most to support thee under these trials, though I gladly therefore will permit them to continue, which I now choose; I rather glory in my infirmities, that the for my strength is made perfect, and illustrated power of Christ may so much the more, in the weakness of the instrurest upon me. ment by which I work; and this general maxim will take place with respect to thee. With the greatest pleasure therefore will I boast in my weaknesses, various as they are, that the strength of Christ may, as it were, pitch its tent upon me, 10 Therefore I and surround me on every side. And there- 10 take pleasure in infir-fore I feel a secret complacency, rather than anxmities, in reproach-iety es, in necessities, in iety and terror, in these infirmities, in all the persecutions, in dis- injuries I sustain, in all the necessities I endure, tresses for hrist's in all the persecutions with which I am assaulted, sake: for when I am and in all the straits which for Christ's sake press me on every part; for when I am weak, then am Istrong: never do I feel larger inward communications of strength from him, than when I am most conscious of my own weakness. Nor do I esteem any thing a greater honour to me, than that Christ should take occasion to glorify himself by those things whereby I am humbled and abased. weak, then am I strong. • Pitch its tent, &c.] That seems the strong emphasis of the original word ewisenværn. VOL. 4. 61 474 Reflections on the revelations, &c. given to St. Paul. SECT. xix. verse IMPROVEMENT. WELL might the apostle say, that when he was weak, then was he strong; for it is difficult to tell, when he expresses a greater strength of genius, or of grace, than while thus discours10 ing of his own infirmities. How glorious were those scars in his body which were the marks of his sufferings for Christ; and those tremblings and distortions of his nerves which were the 1 results of those bright visions of the Lord which brought down heaven to earth, and had for the time equalled a mortal man with 7 the spirits of just men made perfect; yea, almost with the angels of God! 3 Transported with the sacred impulse, he could scarcely tell whether he were in the body or out of it; but he testified, that 4 the things which he saw and heard were unutterable. Let us not repine, that he recollected and recorded nothing more particular concerning what passed before the eye of his mind, when that of the body was closed. These celestial raptures were intended to confirm his faith, and consequently likewise to confirm ours; but not to amuse our curiosity. If the earth be full of the 2 goodness of the Lord, how much more the third heaven, where he holds his highest court! Nor shall the intermediate state of souls want its proper enjoyments and blessings. Assuredly therefore believing these things, let us wait God's time for a more particu lar knowledge of them; and when called of him to go forth and receive this inheritance, like genuine children of Abraham, obey, though we know not particularly whither we go. (Heb. xi. 8.) 7 We see the danger of spiritual pride, from which even St. Paul himself was not secure. One would have imagined, that such a view of the celestial world should in itself have been sufficient to have humbled him, during all the remainder of the longest life: and yet it is evident, that God saw there was some danger, lest pride should be cherished by that which seemed so proper to destroy it therefore was there given him a thorn in the flesh. And by how many thorns are the most distinguished Christians often pierced? Let them bless God, if thereby they are humbled too, even though the messengers and instruments of Satan should from thence take occasion to buffet them. In all our exigencies, extremities, and complaints, let us apply 8 to the throne of grace, and that blessed Redeemer, who intercedes before it, for proper assistance and relief. Nor let us be discour aged, though the first or second address should seem to be disregarded the third or fourth may be successful. And what, if we do not succeed to our wish in the immediate answer? Let it content us, that we may be assured by Christ of the sufficiency of 9 his grace. In our weakness he can illustrate his strength. And He was not behind the chief of the apostles. 475 verse in that view too may we glory in our infirmities. For surely sECT. the honour of our Divine Master, in our deepest humiliation, xix. ought to give us much more jov, than to see ourselves ever so much admired and extolled. But, O blessed Jesus, how much of thy strength must be manifested in us, to teach our vain and selfish hearts a lesson, which at the very first proposal appears so reasonable, if considered in speculation alone? Lord increase our faith! Increase our humility! So shalt thou have the glory in all thou givest, and in all thou deniest us, and in all the struggles and trials to which thou mayest appoint us; and in which, for thy sake, we will take pleasure." SECT. XX. The apostle vindicates the frankness, sincerity, and tenderness of his conduct, and his visible superiority to all secular considerations, in all his dealings with the church at Corinth. 2 Cor. XII. 11, to the end. 2 COR. XII. 11. Τ 2 CORINTHIANS XII. 11. 10 2 Cor. I AM become a fool IT may be indeed, my brethren, that I am SECT. not puffed up, but which were wrought in all |