1818 Feb

Not Paul

I Argument

Ch. Motives to Conversion

Ch. III

§ 9 Threats

When by this one rhetorician an intimation to any effect has been conveyed that sooner or later commonly enough immediately that it should be followed if not accompanied by an intimation to the opposite effect, is with our rhetorician /orator/ a matter /matter[?]/ almost of course: in the production of these phænomena his passion and reflective natural cast of mind /nature/ /nature/ and policy concur will be shewn in another place. a

a Ch. Paul’s Style

The threats employed have just been seen. But by these threats if taken too absolutely surmizes to the prejudice of the holy person’s disinterestedness might be formed /apt to make their appearance/. To obviate this inconvenience after the threats which occupy the first verse, come in the same ninth Chapter four verses, the object of which is to cause it to be understood that notwithstanding the plenitude of the right he has to desert[?] this particular service, yet in particular such is the sort of service that (at any rate unless some opposite necessity should supervene to do away the existing necessity, neither his mere turn of mind so devoted is his zeal nor indeed the will of God so irresistibly has the decree of God fastened upon him, will permitt to him the exercise of that right.

I. Cor. ix. 16. 17. 18 19

I. Cor. ix. 15. 16. 17. 18. 15. But I have used none of these things: {viz. of ‘carnal things’ i.e. money &c and the power of ‘reaping’ them.} Neither have I written these things that it should be so done to me’ (for that which they see him doing he insists upon it that they shall believe him when he protests he is not doing it): for it better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void’: my /his/ glorying i.e. the boasts of his contempt /disinterestedness/ of money - those boasts which he is making at the very time he is thus clamouring for it.

16. For though I preach the Gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me: yea woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

17. For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the Gospel is committ d unto me.

18. What is my reward then? verily that, when I preach the Gospel, I may make y e gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the Gospel.