2 Cor. i. 12. Our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our con- science, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, 7iot withjleshly wisdom, hut by the grace of God, we have had our conversa- tion in the world.
GREATLY as the Apostle merited the admiration of all, there was not any thing which he did that was not made an occasion of complaint against liim. His enemies at Corinth were numerous and power- ful : and so grievous had been their influence in pro- ducing divisions and contentions amongst his converts, that he was constrained to menace them with a speedy visit, in case his remonstrances with them should not be duly regarded ^ Had he proceeded
a 1 Cor. iv. 18—21.
thither immediately, they would have represented him as a man, who could not endure the least con- tradiction, but tyrannized over his followers in a most despotic manner: but when a few months elapsed without their seeing him, they spoke of him as a weak man, who did not know his own mind, or dared not to execute his own purpose. But against these accusations he answered, that the delay of his journey had been not at all owing to any versatility of mind in him, but partly to outward impediments which he could not easily have removed, and partly to the unwillingness he had felt to exercise the severity which their misconduct called for^. Under all their misrepresentations, however, he had felt much peace of mind : because he had the testimony of his own conscience, that, in his ministrations in general, and in his whole conduct towards them in particular, he had acted to God, without any corrupt bias whatso- ever. This he asserts in our text ; from whence we shall take occasion to shew,
I. Of what kind our conversation in the world should be- That our actions should be consonant with all the strictest rules of morality, is a truth so obvious, that we need not at present insist upon it. It is not so much of actions, as of principles, that we are now called to speak. The Christian should have respect to God in all that he does, and should approve him- self to God,
1. In his ends and designs — [There should be no leaning to self in any thing that we do; no view to the advancement of our own interest, or repu- tation, or influence, but a single desire to do only what we verily believe to be the will of God, and what shall most con- duce to his glory. This principle is to be carried into every thing, the most minute, as well as the most important : ** Whether we eat, or drink, or whatever we do, we should do all to the glory of God*'." By this the Apostle had regulated his conduct towards the Corinthian Church. Whether he had exercised authority or forbearance, he had had this only in view;
" ver. 8, 23. <= 1 Cor. x. 31.