stantly upon his lips; and it was attended always, in a greater or less degree, by " the power of God" to the souls of men: whilst, in consequence of being clad with " the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left," he was enabled to defy all the assaults, whether of men or devils.
At the same time, he manifested his superiority to all his difficulties, in a way of patient submission. Passing through " honour and dishonour," he shewed that he was neither elated with the one, nor depressed with the other. With some he was an object of " evil report," and with others of " good report ;" some calumniating him in every possible way ; and others exalting his character in terms of the highest appro- bation: but he was alike unmoved both by the one and the other. What if he was accounted a " deceiver," who took advantage of the weakness or wickedness of others, to impose upon them, and thereby to advance his own interests ? This did not move him, whilst he knew himself to be " true," and a faithful minister of the truths which he had been commis- sioned to declare. The proud looked down upon him with contempt, as one altogether " unknown," and unworthy of regard; whilst, in fact, he was "well known" by the many blessings which he imparted wheresoever he went. It was supposed, inasmuch as he was " dying" daily, that his course would soon be finished : but yet, contrary to all human expectation, though sometimes left for dead, he was " yet alive." He was "chastened" with all imaginable severity by magistrates, on different occasions ; yet was he " not killed." Viewed according to his outward appearance, he was in a most " sorrowful " condition ; yet was he, in reality, " always rejoicing" in the testimony of a good conscience, and in the favour of his God. He was " poor," no doubt, and bereft at times even of the most common necessaries of life ; but yet, in the whole course of his ministiy, he was " making many rich," yea, richer far than all the monarchs upon earth could ever make them. Finally, he was as one " having nothing;" and yet, both as to his present enjoyments and future prospects, he was as one " possessing all things;" so that, if the whole world could be given him, it would not add one atom to his wealth.
What a surprising description is this ! How remote from all the conceptions of the natural man ! yet how exactly suited to the experience of every faithful minister on earth !]
Leaving now these views of the Apostle's ministry to the contemplation of those who are called to minister in holy things, I will proceed to speak of it,
II. As appointed for us —