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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Second Corinthians IV].</TITLE>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>S E C O N D &nbsp; C O R I N T H I A N S.</B></FONT>
<BR>
<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. IV.</FONT>
<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
In this chapter we have an account,
I. Of the constancy of the apostle and his fellow-labourers in their
work. Their constancy in declared
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+4:1">ver. 1</A>),
their sincerity is vouched
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+4:2">ver. 2</A>),
an objection is obviated
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+4:3,4">ver. 3, 4</A>),
and their integrity proved,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+4:5-7">ver. 5-7</A>.
II. Of their courage and patience under their sufferings. Where see
what their sufferings were, together with their allays
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+4:8-12">ver. 8-12</A>),
and what it was that kept them from sinking and fainting under them,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+4:13-18">ver. 13, to the end</A>.</P>
</FONT>
<A NAME="2Co4_1"> </A>
<A NAME="2Co4_2"> </A>
<A NAME="2Co4_3"> </A>
<A NAME="2Co4_4"> </A>
<A NAME="2Co4_5"> </A>
<A NAME="2Co4_6"> </A>
<A NAME="2Co4_7"> </A>
<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Constancy and Sincerity of the Apostles; The Apostle's Integrity.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A.&nbsp;D.</FONT>&nbsp;57.</TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received
mercy, we faint not;
&nbsp; 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not
walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully;
but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every
man's conscience in the sight of God.
&nbsp; 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
&nbsp; 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them
which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of
Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
&nbsp; 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and
ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
&nbsp; 6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness,
hath shined in our hearts, to <I>give</I> the light of the knowledge
of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
&nbsp; 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the
excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
The apostle had, in the foregoing chapter, been <I>magnifying his
office,</I> upon the consideration of the excellency or glory of that
gospel about which he did officiate; and now in this chapter his design
is to vindicate their ministry from the accusation of false teachers,
who charged them as deceitful workers, or endeavoured to prejudice the
minds of the people against them on account of their sufferings. He
tells them, therefore, how they believed, and how they showed their
value for their office as ministers of the gospel. They were not puffed
up with pride, but spurred on to great diligence: "<I>Seeing we have
this ministry,</I> are so much distinguished and dignified, we do not
take state upon ourselves, nor indulge in idleness, but are excited to
the better performance of our duty."</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. Two things in general we have an account of:--Their constancy and
sincerity in their work and labour, concerning which observe,
1. Their constancy and perseverance in their work are declared: "<I>We
faint not</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+4:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>)
under the difficulty of our work, nor do we desist from our labour."
And this their stedfastness was owing to the <I>mercy of God.</I> From
the same mercy and grace from which they received the apostleship
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+1:5">Rom. i. 5</A>),
they received strength to persevere in the work of that office. Note,
As it is great mercy and grace to be called to be saints, and
especially to be <I>counted faithful, and be put into the ministry</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+1:12">1 Tim. i. 12</A>),
so it is owing to the mercy and grace of God if we continue faithful
and persevere in our work with diligence. The best men in the world
would faint in their work, and under their burdens, if they did not
receive mercy from God. <I>By the grace of God I am what I am,</I> said
this great apostle in his former epistle to these Corinthians,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+15:10"><I>ch.</I> xv. 10</A>.
And that mercy which has helped us out, and helped us on, hitherto, we
may rely upon to help us even to the end.
2. Their sincerity in their work is avouched
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+4:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>)
in several expressions: <I>We have renounced the hidden things of
dishonesty.</I> The things of dishonesty are hidden things, that will
not bear the light; and those who practise them are, or should be,
ashamed of them, especially when they are known. Such things the
apostle did not allow of, but did renounce and avoid with indignation:
<I>Not walking in craftiness,</I> or in disguise, acting with art and
cunning, but in great simplicity, and with open freedom. They had no
base and wicked designs covered with fair and specious pretences of
something that was good. Nor did they in their preaching <I>handle the
word of God deceitfully;</I> but, as he said before, they used <I>great
plainness of speech,</I> and did not make their ministry serve a turn,
or truckle to base designs. They had not cheated the people with
falsehood instead of truth. Some think the apostle alludes to the
deceit which treacherous gamesters use, or that of hucksters in the
market, who mix bad wares with good. The apostles acted not like such
persons, but they <I>manifested the truth to every man's
conscience,</I> declaring nothing but what in their own conscience they
believed to be true, and what might serve for the conviction of their
consciences who heard them, who were to judge for themselves, and to
give an account for themselves. And all this they did <I>as in the
sight of God,</I> desirous thus to commend themselves to God, and to
the consciences of men, by their undisguised sincerity. Note, A
stedfast adherence to the truths of the gospel will commend ministers
and people; and sincerity or uprightness will preserve a man's
reputation, and the good opinion of wise and good men concerning
him.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. An objection is obviated, which might be thus formed: "If it be
thus, how then does it come to pass, that the gospel is hid, and proves
ineffectual, as to some who hear it?" To which the apostle answers, by
showing that this was not the fault of the gospel, nor of the preachers
thereof. But the true reasons of this are,
1. <I>Those are lost souls</I> to whom the gospel is hid, or is
ineffectual,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+4:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
Christ came to <I>save that which was lost</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+17:11">Matt. xvii. 11</A>),
and the gospel of Christ is sent to save such; and, if this do not find
and save them, they are lost for ever; they must never expect any thing
else to save them, for there is no other method or means of salvation.
The hiding of the gospel therefore from souls is both an evidence and
cause of their ruin.
2. <I>The god of this world hath blinded their minds,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+4:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
They are under the influence and power of the devil, who is here called
<I>the god of this world,</I> and elsewhere <I>the prince of this
world,</I> because of the great interest he has in this world, the
homage that is paid to him by multitudes in this world, and the great
sway that, by divine permission, he bears in the world, and in the
hearts of his subjects, or rather slaves. And as he is the prince of
darkness, and ruler of the darkness of this world, so he darkens the
understandings of men, and increases their prejudices, and supports his
interest by keeping them in the dark, blinding their minds with
ignorance, and error, and prejudices, that they should not <I>behold
the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of
God.</I> Observe,
(1.) Christ's design by his gospel is to make a glorious discovery of
God to the minds of men. Thus, as the image of God, he demonstrates the
power and wisdom of God, and the grace and mercy of God for their
salvation. But,
(2.) The design of the devil is to keep men in ignorance; and, when he
cannot keep the light of the gospel out of the world, he makes it his
great business to keep it out of the hearts of men.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
III. A proof of their integrity is given,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+4:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
They made it their business to preach Christ, and not themselves: <I>We
preach not ourselves.</I> Self was not the matter nor the end of the
apostles' preaching: they did not give their own notions and private
opinions, nor their passions and prejudices, for the word and will of
God; nor did they seek themselves, to advance their own secular
interest or glory. But they <I>preached Christ Jesus the Lord;</I> and
thus it did become them and behove them to do, as being Christ's
servants. Their business was to make their Master known to the world as
the Messiah, or the Christ of God, and as Jesus, the only Saviour of
men, and as the rightful Lord, and to advance his honour and glory.
Note, All the lines of Christian doctrine centre in Christ; and in
preaching Christ we preach all we should preach. "As to
<I>ourselves,</I>" says the apostle, "<I>we preach,</I> or declare,
that <I>we are your servants for Jesus' sake.</I>" This was no
compliment, but a real profession of a readiness to do good to their
souls, and to promote their spiritual and eternal interest, and that
for <I>Jesus' sake;</I> not for their own sake or their own advantage,
but for Christ's sake, that they might imitate his great example, and
advance his glory. Note, Ministers should not be of proud spirits,
<I>lording it over God's heritage,</I> who are servants to the souls of
men: yet, at the same time, they must avoid the meanness of spirit
implied in becoming the servants of the humours or the lusts of men; if
they should thus <I>seek to please men, they would not be the servants
of Christ,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+1:10">Gal. i. 10</A>.
And there was good reason,
1. Why they should preach Christ. For by gospel light we have the
<I>knowledge of the glory of God,</I> which shines in the <I>face of
Jesus Christ,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+4:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
And the light of this <I>Sun of righteousness</I> is more glorious than
that light which God commanded to shine out of darkness. It is a
pleasant thing for the eye to behold the sun in the firmament; but it
is more pleasant and profitable when the gospel shines in the heart.
Note, As light was the first-born of the first creation, so it is in
the new creation: the illumination of the Spirit is his first work upon
the soul. The grace of God created such a light in the soul that those
who <I>were sometimes darkness are made light in the Lord,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+5:8">Eph. v. 8</A>.
2. Why they should not preach themselves: because they were but earthen
vessels, things of little or no worth or value. Here seems to be an
allusion to the lamps which Gideon's soldiers carried in earthen
pitchers,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:16">Jud. vii. 16</A>.
The treasure of gospel light and grace is put into earthen vessels. The
ministers of the gospel are weak and frail creatures, and <I>subject to
like passions</I> and infirmities as other men; they are mortal, and
soon broken in pieces. And God has so ordered it that the weaker the
vessels are the stronger his power may appear to be, that the treasure
itself should be valued the more. Note, There is an excellency of power
in the gospel of Christ, to enlighten the mind, to convince the
conscience, to convert the soul, and to rejoice the heart; but all this
power is from God the author, and not from men, who are but
instruments, so that God in all things must be glorified.</P>
<A NAME="2Co4_8"> </A>
<A NAME="2Co4_9"> </A>
<A NAME="2Co4_10"> </A>
<A NAME="2Co4_11"> </A>
<A NAME="2Co4_12"> </A>
<A NAME="2Co4_13"> </A>
<A NAME="2Co4_14"> </A>
<A NAME="2Co4_15"> </A>
<A NAME="2Co4_16"> </A>
<A NAME="2Co4_17"> </A>
<A NAME="2Co4_18"> </A>
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Apostles' Sufferings and Supports.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A.&nbsp;D.</FONT>&nbsp;57.</TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>8 <I>We are</I> troubled on every side, yet not distressed; <I>we are</I>
perplexed, but not in despair;
&nbsp; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
&nbsp; 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.
&nbsp; 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus'
sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our
mortal flesh.
&nbsp; 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
&nbsp; 13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is
written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also
believe, and therefore speak;
&nbsp; 14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise
up us also by Jesus, and shall present <I>us</I> with you.
&nbsp; 15 For all things <I>are</I> for your sakes, that the abundant grace
might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of
God.
&nbsp; 16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man
perish, yet the inward <I>man</I> is renewed day by day.
&nbsp; 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh
for us a far more exceeding <I>and</I> eternal weight of glory;
&nbsp; 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 <I>are</I>
temporal; but the things which are not seen <I>are</I> eternal.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
In these verses the apostle gives an account of their courage and
patience under all their sufferings, where observe,</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. How their sufferings, and patience under them, are declared,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+4:8-12"><I>v.</I> 8-12</A>.
The apostles were great sufferers; therein they followed their Master:
Christ had told them <I>that in the world they should have
tribulation,</I> and so they had; yet they met with wonderful support,
great relief, and many allays of their sorrows. "<I>We are,</I>" says
the apostle, "<I>troubled on every side,</I> afflicted many ways, and
we meet with almost all sorts of troubles; <I>yet not distressed,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+4:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
We are not hedged in nor cooped up, because we can see help in God, and
help from God, and have liberty of access to God." Again, "We are
<I>perplexed,</I> often uncertain, and in doubt what will become of us,
and not always without anxiety in our minds on this account; <I>yet not
in despair</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+4:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>),
even in our greatest perplexities, knowing that God is able to support
us, and to deliver us, and in him we always place our trust and hope."
Again, "We are <I>persecuted</I> by men, pursued with hatred and
violence from place to place, as men not worthy to live; yet <I>not
forsaken</I> of God,"
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+4:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
Good men may be sometimes forsaken of their friends, as well as
persecuted by their enemies; but God will never leave them nor forsake
them. Again, "We are sometimes dejected, or <I>cast down;</I> the enemy
may in a great measure prevail, and our spirits begin to fail us; there
may be fears within, as well as fightings without; yet we are <I>not
destroyed,</I>"
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+4:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
Still they were preserved, and kept their heads above water. Note,
Whatever condition the children of God may be in, in this world, they
have a "<I>but not</I>" to comfort themselves with; their case
sometimes is bad, yea very bad, but not so bad as it might be. The
apostle speaks of their sufferings as constant, and as a counterpart of
the sufferings of Christ,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+4:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
The sufferings of Christ were, after a sort, re-acted in the sufferings
of Christians; thus did they <I>bear about the dying of the Lord
Jesus</I> in their body, setting before the world the great example of
a suffering Christ, <I>that the life of Jesus might also be made
manifest,</I> that is, that people might see the power of Christ's
resurrection, and the efficacy of grace in and from the living Jesus,
manifested in and towards them, who did yet live, though they were
always <I>delivered to death</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+4:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>),
and though <I>death worked in them</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+4:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>),
they being exposed to death, and ready to be swallowed up by death
continually. So great were the sufferings of the apostles that, in
comparison with them, other Christians were, even at this time, in
prosperous circumstances: <I>Death worketh in us; but life in you,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+4:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. What it was that kept them from sinking and fainting under their
sufferings,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+4:13-18"><I>v.</I> 13-18</A>.
Whatever the burdens and troubles of good men may be, they have cause
enough not to faint.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
1. Faith kept them from fainting: <I>We have the same spirit of
faith</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+4:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>),
that faith which is of the operation of the Spirit; the same faith by
which the saints of old did and suffered such great things. Note, The
grace of faith is a sovereign cordial, and an effectual antidote
against fainting-fits in troublous times. The spirit of faith will go
far to bear up the spirit of a man under his infirmities; and as the
apostle had David's example to imitate, who said
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+116:10">Ps. cxvi. 10</A>),
<I>I have believed, and therefore have I spoken,</I> so he leaves us
his example to imitate: <I>We also believe,</I> says he, <I>and
therefore speak.</I> Note, As we receive help and encouragement from
the good words and examples of others, so we should be careful to give
a good example to others.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
2. Hope of the resurrection kept them from sinking,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+4:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
They knew that Christ was raised, and that his resurrection was an
earnest and assurance of theirs. This he had treated of largely in his
former epistle to these Corinthians,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+15:1-58"><I>ch.</I> xv</A>.
And therefore their hope was firm, being well grounded, that he who
raised up Christ the head will also raise up all his members. Note, The
hope of the resurrection will encourage us in a suffering day, and set
us above the fear of death; for what reason has a good Christian to
fear death, that dies in hope of a joyful resurrection?</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
3. The consideration of the glory of God and the benefit of the church,
by means of their sufferings, kept them from fainting,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+4:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.
Their sufferings were for the church's advantage
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:6"><I>ch.</I> i. 6</A>),
and thus did redound to God's glory. For, when the church is edified,
then God is glorified; and we may well afford to bear sufferings
patiently and cheerfully when we see others are the better for them--if
they are instructed and edified, if they are confirmed and comforted.
Note, The sufferings of Christ's ministers, as well as their preaching
and conversation, are intended for the good of the church and the glory
of God.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
4. The thoughts of the advantage their souls would reap by the
sufferings of their bodies kept them from fainting: <I>Though our
outward man perish, our inward man is renewed day by day,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+4:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>.
Here note,
(1.) We have every one of us an outward and an inward man, a body and a
soul.
(2.) If the outward man perish, there is no remedy, it must and will be
so, it was made to perish.
(3.) It is our happiness if the decays of the outward man do contribute
to the renewing of the inward man, if afflictions outwardly are gain to
us inwardly, if when the body is sick, and weak, and perishing, the
soul is vigorous and prosperous. The best of men have need of further
renewing of the inward man, even day by day. Where the good work is
begun there is more work to be done, for carrying it forward. And as in
wicked men things grow every day worse and worse, so in godly men they
grow better and better.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
5. The prospect of eternal life and happiness kept them from fainting,
and was a mighty support and comfort. As to this observe,
(1.) The apostle and his fellow-sufferers saw their afflictions working
towards heaven, and that they would end at last
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+4:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>),
whereupon they weighed things aright in the balance of the sanctuary;
they did as it were put the heavenly glory in one scale and their
earthly sufferings in the other; and, pondering things in their
thoughts, they found afflictions to be light, and the glory of heaven
to be <I>a far more exceeding weight.</I> That which sense was ready to
pronounce heavy and long, grievous and tedious, faith perceived to be
light and short, and but for a moment. On the other hand, the worth and
weight of the crown of glory, as they are exceedingly great in
themselves, so they are esteemed to be by the believing soul--far
exceeding all his expressions and thoughts; and it will be a special
support in our sufferings when we can perceive them appointed as the
way and preparing us for the enjoyment of the future glory.
(2.) Their faith enabled them to make this right judgment of things:
<I>We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which
are not seen,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+4:18 "><I>v.</I> 18</A>.
It is by faith that we see God, who is invisible
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+11:27">Heb. xi. 27</A>),
and by this we look to an unseen heaven and hell, and faith is the
<I>evidence of things not seen.</I> Note,
[1.] There are unseen things, as well as things that are seen.
[2.] There is this vast difference between them: unseen things are
eternal, seen things but temporal, or temporary only.
[3.] By faith we not only discern these things, and the great
difference between them, but by this also we take our aim at unseen
things, and chiefly regard them, and make it our end and scope, not to
escape present evils, and obtain present good, both of which are
temporal and transitory, but to escape future evil and obtain future
good things, which though unseen, are real, and certain, and eternal;
and faith is <I>the substance of things hoped for,</I> as well as the
evidence of things not seen,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+11:1">Heb. xi. 1</A>.</P>
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