CHAP. VIII.

1 He stirreth them vp to a liberall contribution for the poore Saints at Ierusalem, by the example of the Macedonians, 7 by commendation of their former forwardnesse, 9 by the example of Christ, 14 and by the spirituall profit that shall redound to themselues thereby: 16 Commending to them the integritie and willingnesse of Titus, and those other brethren, who vpon his request, exhortation and commendation, were purposely come to them for this businesse.

¹ Moreouer, brethren, wee do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the Churches of Macedonia,

² How that in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their ioy, and their deepe pouertie, abounded vnto the riches of their liberalitie.

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³ For to their power (I beare record) yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselues:

⁴ Praying vs with much entreatie, that we would receiue the gift, and take vpon vs the fellowship of the ministring to the Saints.

⁵ And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gaue their owne selues to the Lord, and vnto vs, by the will of God.

⁶ In so much that wee desired Titus, that as he had begun, so hee would also finish in you, the same grace also.

⁷ Therefore (as ye abound in euery thing, in faith, and vtterance, & knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your loue to vs) see that yee abound in this grace also.

⁸ I speake not by commandement, but by occasion of the forwardnesse of others, and to prooue the sinceritie of your loue.

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⁹ For yee know the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poore, that yee through his pouertie might be rich.

¹⁰ And herein I giue my aduice, for this is expedient for you, who haue begun before, not onely to doe, but also to be forward a yeere agoe.¹⁰

¹¹ Now therefore performe the doing of it, that as there was a readinesse to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which you haue.

¹² For if there bee first a willing minde, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.

¹³ For I meane not that other men bee eased, and you burthened:

¹⁴ But by an equalitie: that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want, that there may be equalitie,

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¹⁵ As it is written, Hee that had gathered much, had nothing ouer, and hee that had gathered little, had no lacke.¹⁵

¹⁶ But thankes bee to God which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.

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¹⁷ For indeed he accepted the exhortation, but being more forward, of his owne accord he went vnto you.

¹⁸ And wee haue sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the Gospel, throughout all the Churches.

¹⁹ And not that onely, but who was also chosen of the Churches to trauaile with vs with this grace which is administred by vs to the glorie of the same Lord, and declaration of your readie minde.¹⁹

²⁰ Auoyding this, that no man should blame vs in this aboundance which is administred by vs.

²¹ Prouiding for honest things, not onely in the sight of the Lord, but in the sight of men.

²² And we haue sent with them our brother, whom wee haue often times proued diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, vpon the great confidence which I haue in you.²²

²³ Whether any doe enquire of Titus; he is my partner and fellow helper concerning you: or our brethren bee enquired of, they are the messengers of the Churches, and the glorie of Christ.

²⁴ Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the Churches, the proofe of your loue, & of our boasting on your behalfe.