Let us consider his own words literally translated. There was given to me, a thorn, to the flesh, an angel, or messenger of Satan, to buffet me. Touching this I besought the Lord thrice, that it or he might depart from me. And he said unto me, my grace is sufficient for thee. For my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in these my weaknesses, that the strength of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses,—for when I am weak, then am I strong.
16. As this scripture is one of the strong-holds of the patrons of sin, it may be proper to weigh it throughly. Let it be observed then, first, It does by no means appear, that this thorn, whatsoever it was, occasioned St. Paul to commit sin: much less laid him under any necessity of doing so. Therefore, from hence it can never be proved that any Christian must commit sin. Secondly, The antient fathers inform us, it was bodily pain: a violent head-ach, saith Tertullian (de Pudic.) to which both Chrysostom and St. Jerom agree. St. Cyprian[A] expresses it a little more generally in those terms, Many and grievous torments of the flesh and of the body.[B] Thirdly, To this exactly agree the apostle's own words, A thorn to the flesh, to smite, beat, or buffet me. My strength is made perfect in weakness. Which same words occur no less than four times in
[Footnote A: De mortalitate.]
[Footnote B: Carnis & corporis multa ac: gravia tormenta.]
