loue toward an other Therfore we are bounde to geue thankes alwaye to God for you brethren beloued of the Lordeâ— For because that God hath from the beginninge chosen you too saluation thorowe sanctifyinge of the sprite and thorowe beleuynge the truth where vnto he called you by our gospell to obtayne the glory that cometh of our Lorde Iesu Christ. ¶ Of Pauls orations and praiers for his discyples Capitu. 3. GOd is my witnes whoÌ„ I serue wyth my spirite in the gospell of hys sonne that wythoute ceasinge I make mention of you alwayes in my prayers beseching that at one tyme or other a prosperous iourney by the wyll of God myght fortune me to come vnto you For I longe to see you that I myghte bestowe amongâ— you some spirytuall gyâ—te to strength you wyth all that is that I mighte haue consolation together wyth you throughe the coÌ„mon fayeth whiche bothe ye and I haue to haue some frute amonge you as I haue amonge other of the gentyles I desyre before God that ye dâ—o none euyll not that we should seme commendable but that ye shoulde do that whiche is honeste and let vs be counted as lewde personnes We wyshe also that ye were perfecte The grace of oure Lord Iesus Christ and the loue of God and the felowshippe of the holye ghost be with you all Amen The God of oure Lorde Iesus Christe and the father of glorye myghte geue vntoo you the spirite of wysedome and open to you the knowledge of hym selfe and lyghten the eyes of youre mindes that ye might knowe what that hope is wher vnto he hathe called you and what the riches of his glorious inheritaunce is vpon the saintes and what is the exâ—â—adinge greatenes of his power to vs warde which beleue according to the workinge of that his mightye power whiche he wrought in Christ when he raysed him from the dead For this cause I bowe my knees vnto the father of oure Lorde Iesus Christe whyche is father ouer all that is caled father in heauen and in earthe that he woulde graunte you acordinge to the riches of his glorye that ye maye be strengthened wyth mighte by hys spiryte in the inner manne that Christe maye dwell in youre heartes by fayeth that ye beinge rooted and grounded in loue mighte be able to comprehende with all sayntes what is that bredth and length depthâ— and heyth and too knowe what is the loue of Christe whiche loue passeth knowledge that ye might be fulfylled with all maner of fulnes of God In all my prayers for you I praye wyth gladnesse because of the feloweshyppe whyche ye haue in the Gospell frome the fyrste daye vntoo nowe And thys I praye that your loue maye encrease more and more in knoweledge and in all fealynge that ye mighte accepte thynges most excellente that ye mighte be pure and suche as shoulde hurte no mans conscience vntyll the daye of Christ fylled wyth the frutes of righteousenesse whiche frutes come by Iesus Christe vnto the glorye and laude of God Therefore we haue not ceassed prayinge for you and desiringe that ye might be fulfylled wyth the knowledge of hys wyll in all wysedome spiritual vnderstandynge that ye myghte walke worthye of the Lorde in all good workes and increasinge in the knowledge of God strengthed wyth all myghte wyth ioyfulnesse geuinge thankes vntoo God the father My God fulfyl al your desyres thoâ—rowe hys gloryous ryches in Iâ—su Christ. And the peace of God which passeth al vndersâ—andinge kepe your hartes and myndes in Christe Iesu. God hym selfe oure father and oure Lorde Iesus Christe guyde our iorney vnto you and the Lorde increase you and make you flowe ouer in loue one towarde an other and towarde all menne euen as we doe towarde you to make your heartes stable and vnblamâ—able in holines before God oure father at the comminge of oure Lorde Iesus Christe wyth all his sayntes The verye God of peace sanctifye you thorow oute that youre whole sprit soule and body be fautelesse vnto the comminge of our Lorde Iesus Christ. We praye alwayes for you that oure God make you worthye of the callynge and fulfyll the delectation of goodnesse and the worke of faith wyth power that the name of oure Lorde Iesus Christe maye be gloryfyed in you and ye in him thorowe the grace of oure God and of oure Lorde Iesus Christ. Our Lorde Iesu Christe him selfe and God our father which hath loued vs and hath geuen vs euerlastinge consolation and good hope thorow grace comforâ—e youre heartes and stablishe you in all doctrine and good doynge And gyde your hearts to the loue of God and pacience of Christ. The Lorde geue mercye vntoo the house of Onesiphoros for he ofte refreâ—hed me and was not ashamed of my chayne but when he was come to Rome he soughte me oute verye diligentelye and founde me And in how many thinges he ministred vnto me at Ephesus thou knowest very well The Lorde graunt him that he maye fynde mercye wyth the Lorde at that daye The God of peace y â— brought again from death our Lord Iesus the great shepeherde of the shepe through the bloud of the euerlastinge Testament make you perfecte in all good workes to do his wyll workinge in you that whyche is plesaunte in hys syghte throughe Iesus Christe too whome be prayse for euer whyle the worlde endureth Amen ¶ Of fayethe Capitu. 4. I Am not a shamed of the Gospell of Christe because it is the power of God to al that beleue namelye to the Iâ—we and also too the gentyle For by it the ryghteousenesse whyche commethe of God is opened from fayeth to fayâ—h As it is written The iuste shall lyue by fayeth As Abraham beleued God and it was coumpted â—nto hym for righteousenesse whyche Abraham contrarye to hope beleued in hope that he shoulde be the father of manye nations accordinge to that Whiche was spoken vnto him So shall thy â—eede be as the starres in heauen and the sande of the sea And he fainted not in the fayeth nor yet consydered hys owne bodye whyche was nowe deadde euen when he was almooste an hundred yeare olde neyther yet that Sara was past chyldeberynge He stackâ—red not at thâ— promesse of God thorowe vnbeliefe but was made stronge in the fayeth and gaue honoure to God full certifyed that what he hadde promysed he was able too make good And therefore was it reckened to him for righteousnesse It is not written for him onelye that it was reckened to him for righteousenesse but also for vs to whome it shall be coumpted for righteousnâ—sse so we beleue on him that raysed vp Iesus oure Lorde from death We therefore beynge iustified by fayth are at peace with God thorow our Lorde Iesus Christ by whomâ— we haue a waye in thorowe fayeth vnto the grace of God wherein we stande What shall we saye then we say that the gentiles which
faythfull menne whych are apte to teache otheâ— Consider what I saye The Lorde geue the vnderstandinge in all â—hinges But the euyll menne and disceauers shall waxe worsse and worsse whyle they deceaue and are deceaued them selues But continue thou iâ— the thinges whiche thou haste learned whiche also were commytted vntoâ— thee seynge thou knowest of whome thou hast learned them And for as muche as thou haste knowen holye scripture of a chylde whych is able to make the wise vnto saluation thorowe the faith which is in Christ Iesu. Wherefore holy brethren partakers of the celestiall callynge coâ—â—ider the embasidoure and the prieste of oure profession Christ Iesus whiche was faiethfull to him that made hym euen as was Mâ—ses in all by â— house Take heede brethren that there be in none of you an euyll hart in vnbeliefe that he shoulde departe frome the liuinge God but exhorte one an other dailye while it is called to daye least anye of you ware hard harted thorowe the deceytfulnesse of synne Let no man deceaue you with vain wordes Prouydinge afore hande thynges honest not onelye in the syghte of God but also in the syghte of all menne ¶ Of wisedome and of the fauâ—e of foolishenesse Capitu. 13. THe inuisyble thinges of God are vnderstande and seene by the workes frome the creation of the worlde So that when they coumpted them selues wyse they became fooles I woulde haue you wise vnto that which is good and to be innocent as concerninge euyll For Christe sente me not to baptise but to preache the gospell not with wisedome of wordes leaste the crosse of Christ shoulde haue be made of none effecte For the preachinge of the crosse is to them that peryshe foolishenes but vnto vs whiche are saued it is the power of God For it is written I wyll destroye the wisedome of the wyse and wil cast away the vnderstandinge of the prudente Where is the wyse Where is the Scribe Where is the searcher of the world Hath not God made the wisdome of this worlde foolishnes For when the worlde through wisedome knewe not God in the wisedome of God it pleased God through foolishâ—es of preachinge to saue them that beleeue For the Iewes require a signe and the Grekes seke after wisdome But we preache Christ crucified vnto the Iewes an occasion of fallinge and vnto the Grekes folishnesse but vnto them which are called bothe of the Iewes and Greekes we preach Christ the power of God and the wisedome of God For the fooliâ—hnes of God is wiser then men and the weakenes of God is stronger then men And vnto hym pertaine ye in Christ Iesu which of God is made vnto vs wisedome and also righteousenesse and sanctifyinge and redemption That accordinge as it is written he whiche reioyseth should reioyce in the Lorde That we speake of is wisedome amonge them that are perfecte not the wisedome of this worlde neither of the rulers of this worlde whiche go to nought but we speake the wisdome of God which is in secrete and lyeth hydde whiche God ordayned before the worlde vnto oure glory whiche wisedome none of the rulers of the worlde knowe For had they knowen it they would not haue crucified the Lorde of glorye But God hath opened it vnto vs by his spirite For the spirite searcheth all thinges yea the bottome of Gods secretes For what manne knoweth the thinges of a manne saue the spirit of a manne whiche is with in him Euen so the thinges of God knoweth no manne but the spirite of God Nor we haue not receaued the spirite of the worlde but the spirite whiche commeth of God for to knowe the things that are geueÌ„ vs of God whiche things also we speake not in the common woordes of mannes wysedome but with the common woordes of the holy ghost makinge spirituall compariâ—ons of spirituall thinges for who knoweth the mind of the Lord other who shall informe him But wee vnderstande the mynde of Christe If anye man seme wyse amonge you let him be a foole in this world that he maye be wyse For the wisedome of this worlde is foolâ—shenesse wiâ—h God For it is writâ—en he comâ—passeth the wise in their craftinesse And agayne Godde knowethe the thoughtes of the wyse that they bee vaynâ— Yf anye man be ignoraunte let him be ignoraunte But we all behold the glory of the Lorde with hys face open and are chaunged vnto the same symiliâ—ude from glory to glorye euen of the spirite of the Lord. For it is God that commaunded the lighte to shyne oute of darkennesse whiche hathe shyned in oure hartes for to geue the lighte of the knowledge of the glorye of God in the face of Iesus Christe We haue this treasure in earthen vesselles that the excellente power of it might appeare to be of God and not of vs. Wherefore we are not wearyed but thoughe oure outewarde manne peryshe yet the inwarde manne is renewed daye by daye whyle wee looke not on the thynges whyche are sene but on the things which are not sene For thinges whiche are seene are temporall but things which are not seene are eternall Wherfore hence foorth know we no man after the fleshe In so much thoughe we haue knowen Christ after the flesh now hence foorth know we him so no more For whye the grace of God is â—hed on vs abundantelye in all wisedome and perceueraunce And hath opened vnto vs the misterye of his wyll accordinge to his pleasure and purposed the same in him selfe to haue it declared when the time were full come that all thinges bothe the thinges which are in heauen and also the thinges whyche are in earthe shoulde be gathered together euen in Christ. For this cause I Paule am in the bonds of Iâ—sus Christ for your sakes which are heathen if ye haue hearde of y â— ministration of the grace of god which is geuen me to you ward For by reuelatiâ—n shewed â—e this mistery vnto me as ye readinge maye know myne vnderstanding in the misterye of Christe Which misterye to other generations was not opened as it is now declared vnto his holy Apostels and prophetes by the spirit that the gentyles should be inheritours also and of the same body and partakers of his promesse that is in Christe by the meanes of the gospell where of I am made a minister by the gyfte of the grace of God geuen vnto me through the working of his power Unto me the leasâ—e of all sayntes this grace is geuen that I shoulde preach amonge the gentiles the unsercheable ryches of Christ and to make all men see what the felowshippe of the mistery is whiche frome the beginninge of the worlde had bene hydde in God which made all thinges thorowe Iesus Christe to the intente that nowe vntoo the rulers and powers in heauen mighte be knowen by the congregation the manyfolde wisedome of God accordinge to the eternall purpose which he
lighte Wherefore he sayth awake thou that â—â—epest and stande vp from death and Christ shall geue the lighte We beseche you brethren warne and rebuke them that are vnrulye Yf anye man obey not our sayingâ— counte him not as an ennemye but warne him as a brother Rebuke not an elder bâ—t exhorte him as a father Them that synne rebuke openly that other may feare I testifye before God and Christe Iesu whiche shall iudge quycke and dead and by his comming and kingdome be it in season or oute of season improue rebuke preache the worde be â—eeuente exhort with all longe sufferinge and doctryne For the time wyll come when they wyl not suffer wholesome doctryne but after theyr owne lustes shall they whose eares itch get them an helpe of tâ—achers and shall tourne theyr eares frome the truthe and shall be geuen vnto fables All scripture is profitable to improue and rebuke These thinges speake exhort and rebuke with all commaundinge The seâ—uaunte of God with modestye muste reproue them that resyste the truthe if that God at anye time wyll geue them repentaunce for too know the truth and come agayne to them selues oute of the snare of the deuyll which are nowe taken of him at his wyll For when as concerninge the time ye oughte to be teachers yet haue ye neede agayne that we teache you the firste principles of the worde of God and are become suche as haue nede of mylke and not strong meate For â—uerye manne that is feadde wyth mylke is inexperte in the woorde of ryghteouseneâ—se For he is but a babe What sonne is that whome the father chasâ—eneth noâ— Al maner of chastning in the present tyme seemethe not too be ioyouse but greuouse Neuerthelesse afterwarde it bringeth the quyet frute of righteousnesse vnto them whyche are therin excercised ¶ Of temptation Capitu. 25. LEt vs not tempte Christe as some of them tempted and wer destroyed of serpentes None other temptation hathe taken you but suche as foloweth the nature of man But God is faythfull whiche shall not suffer you to be tempted aboue youre strengthe but shall in the myddes of the temptation make awaye to escape oute and sustayne it The God of peace shall treade Sathan vnder your feete shortely For these false Apostels are disceitful workers and fashion them selues like vnto the Apostelles of Christe And no maruayle for Sathan hym selfe is chaunged in to the fashion of an Aungell of lighte Therefore it is no greate thinge thoughe his ministers fashion theÌ„ selues as thoughe thei were the ministers of righteousnesse whose ende shall be according to their dedes And least I shoulde be exalted oute of measure thorow the aboundaunce of reuelations ther was geuen vnto me vnquietnes of y e flesh the mâ—ssenger of Sathan to buffet me For this thinge besoughte I the Lorde thryse that it mighte departe from me And he sayed vnto me my grace is suffyente for thee for my strength is made perfecte thorow weaknes The fleshe lâ—steth contrarye to the spirite and the spirite contrarye to the fleshe c. As aboue Ca. 16. Neither geue place vnto the deuyl For we wrastle not against flesh and bloude but againste power and worldly rulers c. as aboue Capi. 18. For as muche brethren as we are kepte frome you for a season as concerning the bodyly presence but not in the hearte we enforced the more toâ— see you personablye wyth great desyre And therfore we would haue come to you I Paule but Sathan withstode vs. For this cause when I coulde no longer forbeare I sent that I might haue knowledge of your fayeth least happelye the tempter had tempteâ— you and that our labour hadde bene bestowed in vayne In that Christe him selfe suffered and was tempted he is able to succoure them that are tempted Seinge then that we haue not an hye priest which can not haue compassion on our infirmites but in all poyntes tempted like as we are but yet withâ—ute synne That we be not circumuented of sathan For his thoughtes are not vnknowen vnto vs. No manne is crouned excepte he striâ—e laufullye ¶ Of prayer Capitu 26. LYkewise the spirit also helpeth our infyrmities For we know not what to praye for or to desire as we ought but the spirite makethe intercession mightelye for vs. And he that searcheth the heartes knowethe what is the meaninge of the spirit for he maketh intercession forthe saintes accordinge to the pleasure of God Christe maketh intercession for vs. Yf I praye with the tonge my spirit praieth but my minde is without frute What is it then I wyll pray with the spirit and wyll praye wiâ—h the mynde also I wyll synge wyth spirit and wyll syng with the minde also Continue in prayer Pray alwaies with al maner praier and supplication and that in the spirit and watch therunto with al instance and supplication for al saints In all thinges shewe your peticion vnto God in praier and supplication with geuinge of thanks Continue in prayer watch in the â—ame with thankes geuinge Praye continuallye I praye you therefore that aboue all thinges prayers supplications intercessions and geuinge of thanks bâ— had for all men for kinges and for all that are in autoritye that we maye lyue a quyet and a peaceable lyfe in all Godlynes and honestye and chastitye For that is good and accepted in the syghte of God our sauioure I wyll therfore that the men praye euery whereâ— liftinge vp their handes without wrath or doubting Likewise also the women that they araye them selues in comely apparel with shamefastnesse and discrete behauiour Christ in the dayes of his fleshe did offer vppe praiers and supplications with strong cryinge and teares vnto him that was able to saue him frome death And was also hearde because of his Godlye reuerâ—nce Therefore he is able also euer to saue them that come vnto God by him seinge he euer lyueth to make intercession for vs. Christe is entred in to very heauen for to appeare nowe in the sighte of God for vs. ¶ Of spirituall gloriation or ioye and inwarde consolation And against vayne glory Capitu. 27. TO euery man that doth good shall come prayse honour and peace to the Iewe firste and also to the gentyle We glorye and reioyce in the hope of the children of God neyther doe we so onelye but we reioyce in tribulations and we reioyce and ioye in God by the meanes of oure Lorde Iesus Christ by whom we haue receaued the attenmente The God of hope fyll you with all ioye and peace in beleuinge Therefore let no man glorye or reioyce in meÌ„ For all things are yours whether it be Paule eyther Apollo eyther Cephas whether it be the worlde eyther life eyther deathâ— whether they be presente thingâ—s or thinges to come all are youreâ— and ye are Christes
a man swell but loue edifieth Let no man sâ—ke his owne profit but let euerye manne seke an otherâ— wealthe And yet do I shewe you a more excellente waye Thoughe I speake wyth the tonges of menne and Aâ—ngelsâ— and â—et had no charitye I werâ— euen as â—oundynge brasse or as â— tinklinge cymball And thoughe I coulde prophesye and vnderstandâ— all secretes and all knowledge yea if I hadde all fayth so that I couldâ— moue mountaynes oute of theyr plaâ—ces and yet had no charitye I wenâ— nothinge And thoughe I bestoweâ— all my goodes to feede the poore anâ— thoughe I gaue my bodye euen thaâ— I burned and yet had no charitye iâ— profiteth me nothinge Charitye suâ—fereth longe and is courteous charitye enuyeth not charitye doeth noâ— frowardly swelleth not dealeth noâ— dishonestlye seketh not her owne iâ— not prouoked to anger thinketh noâ— euyll reioyseth not in iniquitye buâ— reioyseth in the truthe suffereth all thinge beleueth all thinges hopeth all thinges endureth in all thinges Thoughe the prophesyinge faâ—le other tonges shal cease or knowledge vanyshe awaye yet charitye falleth neuer awaye Nowe abideth fayth hope and charitye euen these three but the chefe of these is charitye Laboure for loue Let all youre businesse be done in loue Grete ye one an other with an holy kysse if anye man loue not our Lorde Iesus Christe the same be anathe mameranatha My loue be with all in Christe Iesu. Our mouth is open vnto you our heartes is made large ye are in no strayte in vs but are in a strayte in youre owne bowelles hauinge lyke rewarde wyth me I speake as to my children Set youre selues therefore at large Wherfore shew vnto theÌ„ in profe of your loue of the reioysinge that we haue of you that the congregations maye see it I am gelous ouer you with Godlyâ— gelousye In loue serue one an other For all the lawe is fulfylleâ— in oure worde Thou shalt loue thy neyghboure as thy selfe Be ye therefore â—olowers of God as deare chyldren and walke in louâ— euen aâ— Christe loued vs and gaâ—â— hym sâ—lfe for vs an offerynge and â— sacrifyce of a swete sauer to God Aboue all theese thinges put oâ— loue whiche is the â—onde of perfecâ—â—nesse But as touchinge brotherlye loâ—â— ye neede not that I wryte vnto you For ye are taughte of God to loâ—â— one an other ye and â—hat thynge vâ—relye ye do vnto all the brethren The ende of the commaundemeâ—â— is charitye that commeth of a puâ—â— hearte and of a good conscyence and of fayeth vnfayned frome tâ—â— whiche thinges some haue erred aâ—â— are tourned vnto vayne ianglingâ—â— because they woulde be doctoures 〈◊〉 the scripâ—ure and yet vnderstand 〈◊〉 what thâ—y speake neyther whereâ— they affyrme Therefore let vs consider one an other to prouoke vnto loue and too good workes and let vs not forsake the feloshippe that we haue amonge oure seluâ—s as the manâ—r of soâ—e is but let vâ— comforte one an otherâ— and that so muche the more because yâ— see that the daye draweth nye Let brotherli loue continue with you And let not euery man loke on his owne thynges but on the thinges of other men ¶ Of feare Capitu 8. BE not hye mynded but feare seinge thaâ— God spared not the naturall braunches least happelye he also spare not the. Rulers are not to be fearâ—d for good workes but for euyll Wylte thou be wythoute feare of the power Do well then and so shalt thou be praised of the same For he is the minystâ—r of Godde for thy wealthe but and if â—hou do euyll then feare for he beareth not the swerd for noughte but is the minyster of God to take vengeaunce on them that doo euyll But I feare least as the serpent beguiled Eue thorow his suttelty euen so youre wyttes shoulde be corrupte from the synglenes that is in Christ. I feare least when I shall come I shal not find you such as I wold aâ—d I shall be found vnto you such as I would not I feare leaste peraduenture there be founde amonge you debate â—nuâ—inge wrath sâ—ryfe bacbytinges whisperinges swellings and dyscorde I feare leaste when I come agayne God briâ—ge me lowe amonge you â—nd that I shal bewaile many of thâ—m which haue sinned alreadye and haue not repented of the vnclennâ—s fornication and waâ—â—annâ—s whych they haue committed I am in feare of you leaste I haue bestowed on you laboure in vayne Wherfore my dearly beloued work your owne saluation wyth feare and tremblynge For why I was amoÌ„g you in weaknes and in fear in much treÌ„bling Let vs feare â—herâ—fore least any of vs forsakynge the promâ—sse of entrâ—â—ge in to hys reâ—â— shoulde seeme to come behinde and be lacking â—or vnto you it was declarâ—d as wel as vnto them For if we sinne wyllingelye after that wee haue receaued the knowledge of the truthe there remayneth no more sacrifyce for synnes but a fearefull lookinge for iudgemente and violent fyre which shall deuour the aduâ—rsaryes He that despiseth Moses lawe dyeth wythoute mercy vnder two or thâ—ee wyâ—nesses Of howe muche sorer puniâ—hement suppose ye shall he be coumpted worthy whiâ—h treadâ—â—h vnder fote the sonne of Godâ— and â—oumpteth the bloude of the Testamente as an vnhoâ—ye thing wherwyth he was sanctified and doth dishonour to the spirit of grace It is a fearefull thinge to fall in â—eo â—he handes of the lâ—uinge God Therefore let vs serue God with feare and reuerence submittinge our selues one to an other in the feare â—f God ¶ Of humility and against pryde Cap. 9. FOr I saye thorow the grace that vnto me geuen is to euerye man amonge you that no man esteme of him selfe more then it becoÌ„meth hym to esteme but that he discretely iudge him self In gyuinge honoure go one before an other be not hye mynded but make youre selues equall to theÌ„ of the lower sort be not wyse in your owne opinions Auenge not youre selues but geue rowme â—o vnto wrathe Let vs not be vain glorious prouoking one an other and enuyinge onâ— an other Let nothinge be done thorow strife or vayne glorye but in mekenesse of mynde euerye man esteme other betâ—er then him self Let the same mynd be in you that was in Christe Iesu the which made him selfe of no reputation takinge vpon him the shape of a seruaunte Yf anye man seme to him selfe that he is somewhat when in dede he is nothinge He deceauâ—th him selfe Knowledge maketh a man swell Yf any man thinke that he knoweth anye thinge he knoweth nothinge as he ought to knowe Yf any man teache other wise and is not contente with the wholesome wordes of oure Lorde Iesus Christe and with the doctrine of Godlynesse he is pufte vp and knoweth nothing but wasteth his braynes aboute questions and strife of wordes whereoâ— springe enuy strife raylinges euyl
Thankes be to God whiche hathe geuen vs victorye through our Lord Iesus Christ. For it is God whiche sâ—ablished vs and you in Christe and hath anointed vs which hath also sealed vs and hath geuen the earnest of the spyrite in our harâ—es Yf ye be Chrstes then are ye Abraham sede and heyres by promes Because ye are the sonnes of God God sente the spirite of his sonne in to youre hartes whiche crieth Abba faâ—her Wherefore now thou art not a seruaunte but a sonne if thou be the sonne thou art also the heire of God through Christ. As manye are ledde by the spirite of God they are the sons of god For ye haue not receaued the spyrite of bondage to feare anye more but ye haue receiued the spirit of adoption where by we crye Abba father The same spirite cerâ—ifieth our spirit that we are the sons of god Yf we be the sonnes we are also heiâ—rs the â—eiers I meane of God and heiers annexed with Christe if so be that we suffer together that we maye be gloryfied together Therefore brethren we are after the nature of Isaac children of promes But as thou he that was borne carnallye persecuted hym that was borne spiritually Euen so it is now Neuerthelesse what sayeth the scripture put awaye the bonde woman and her sonne For the sonne of the bonde woman shal not be heier with the sonne of the free woman So then brethren we are not children of the bonde woman but of the free woman ¶ Of the exellencye of the supernall graces graunted vnto the faythfull of Christe newlye in the primytiue churche Capitu. 43. BLessed be God the father of our Lorde Iesus Christe whiche hath blessed vs with all maner of spirituall blessinges in heauenlye thinges by Chriâ—te to the prayse of the glory of his grace wherewith he hathe made vs accepted in the beloued by whome we haue redempcion throughe his bloudde euen the forgeuenesse of synnes accordinge toâ— the riches of his grace In whom alâ—o ye after that ye hearde the worde of truthe I meane the Gospell of youre saluation where in ye beleued were sealed with the holye spirite of promes whiche is the earnest of our inheritaunce to redeme the purchased possession and that to the laâ—d of his glorye But God whiche is riche in mercy thorowe his greate loue wherewith he loued vs euen when we wer dead by synne hath quickened vs together in Christ for by grace are ye saued and hathe raysed vppe together and made vs sytte together in heauenlye thynges thorowe Christe Iesus for to shewe in tyme too come the exceadinge riches of his grace in kindenes to vs wardâ— in Christe Iesu. Nowe therefore ye are no more straungers and â—oriners but citysins with saints and of the hosholde of God and are bâ—ilte vpon the foundation of the Apostles prophets Iesu Christ being the head corner stone in whom euery buildinge coupled together groweth vnto an holye temple in the Lorde in whome ye also are builte together and made an habitation for God in the spirit Uâ—to euery one of vs is geuen grace accordinge to the measure of the gift of Christe Wherfore he saieth He is gone vp an hye and hath ledde captiuitye captiue and hath geuen giftes vnto menne And the verye same made some Apostles some prophets some EuaÌ„gelistes some Shepeherds and some Teachers That the saints mighte haue all thinges necessary to worke and minister with all to the edifyinge of the bodye of Christe tyll we euerye one in the vnitye of faith and knowledge of the sonne of God growe vp vnto a perfecte man after the measure of age of the fulnesse of Christe Ye were an ensample to all that beleue For youre fayeth whiche ye haue to God sprede her selfe abroade in all quarters so greatelye that it nedeth not vs to speake anye thynge at all For they them selues shew of you what manner of entringe in we had vnto you and how ye turned to God frome ydols for to serue the liuinge and true God and for to looke for his sonne frome heauen whome he raysed frome death I meane Iesus which deliuereth vs from wrath to come For this cause thanks we God with oute ceasinge because that when ye receaued of vs the worde wherewith God was preached ye receiued it not as the worde of manne but euen as it was in deede the woorde of God which worketh in you that beleue The grace of oure Lord was more abundant with fayth and loue which is in Christ Iesu. God saued vs and called vs with an holy callynge not accordinge to oure deddes but accordinge too hys own purpose and grace which grace was geuen throughe Christ Iesu before the worlde was but is now declared openlye by the appearinge of oure sauioure Iesus Christe whiche hathe put awaye death and hath broughte life and immortalitye vnto light through the gospell wherunto I am appointed a preacher and Apostell and a teacher of the gentiles For the whyche cause I also suffer theese thinges Neuerthelesse I am not ashamed For Christ gaue him selfe for vs to redeme vs frome all vnrighteousnesse and to pourge vs a peculiar people vnto him selfe feruently geuen vnto good workes For we our selues also wer in times paste vnwise disobediente deceiued in daunger and geuen to lustes and diuers manners of voluptiousnes liuing in malitiousnes and enuy full of hate hatynge one an other But after that the kindenesse and loue of oure sauioure to man warde appeared not of the dedes of righteousnes which we wroughte but of his mercye he saued vs by the fountayne of the new byrth of the holy ghost whiche he shedde on vs aboundantly thorowe Iesus Christ our sauioure that we once iustifyed by his grace shulde be heyreâ— of eâ—â—râ—alâ— lyâ—e thorowe hope We haue an altare wherâ—of they maye not â—ate whiche serue in the tabernacle For the bodyes of thâ—se beasts whose bloud is broughâ— in to the holye place by the pryest to pourge sâ—nne are burnt wâ—â—hout the tenâ—â—s Therfore Iesus to sanctifye the people with his ownâ— bloud sufferâ—d wâ—â—hout the gaâ—e ¶ Of predestination and the â—oreknowledge of God Capitâ— 44. WE knowe that all thynges work for the best vnto them that loue God whiche are called of purposâ— For those which he knewe beâ—orâ— he also ordayned before that they shuld be like fashâ—oned vnto the shape of his sonne that â—e mighte be the firâ—t begotten sonne amonge manye brethren Moreouer whiche â—e predestinated and appoâ—nted before them also he called And whâ—â—he he called them also he â—ustâ—â—â—ed which â—e iustâ—fâ—ed them he also â—lorâ—â—â—ed What shall we then saye 〈◊〉 these thâ—nges Yf God be on oure â—â—de who can be againste vs which â—paâ—ed not hiâ— owne sonne but gaâ—â—â—im fâ—r vs all how shall he not with him geue vs al things also who shall lay any thinge to the charge of Gods chosen It is God that
though she were shauen Yf the woman be noâ— couered let her also be shorne If it be a shame for a woman to be shorne or shauen let her couer her heade A man ought not to couer his heade For as much as he is the image and glory of God The woman is the glory of the man For the man is not of the woman but the wâ—man of the man Neyther was the maÌ„ creatâ—d for the womans sake but the woman for the mannes sake For this cause ought the womaÌ„ to haue a vayle on her hâ—adde for the Aungels sakes Neuerthelesâ—e neyther is the man without the woman nether the woman without the man in the Lord. For as the woman is of the man euen so is the maÌ„ by the woman but al is of god Iudge in youre selues whether it be comely y â— a woman pray vnto god bare headed Oâ— tis doeth not naâ—ure teach you that it is â—â—hame for a man if he haue long heare and a praise to a woman if she haue a longe heare For her heare is geuâ—n her to couer her with all Let wemen kepe silence in the congregations For it is not permytted vnto them too speake but let them be vnder obedience as saith the law Yf they wyll learne anye thynge let them aske theyr husbandes at home For it is a shame for wemenne too speake in the congregation Sprong the worde of God frome you Ether came it vnto you onely Yf any man thinke him selfe a prophet either spâ—rituall let hym vnderstande what thynges I wryte vntoo you For they are commaundementes of the Lorde Lykewise that the wemen araye them selues in comely apparell with shamfastnes and discrete behauiour not with broided heare other gold or pearles or costly aray but with such as becommeth wemen that professe the woorshippinge of God thorowe good workes Let the woman learne in silence with al subiection I suffer not a woman to teache neyther toâ— haue autority ouer the man but for to be in silence For Adam was first formed then â—ue Also Adam was not deceaued but the woman waâ— deceaued and was in transgression Notwithstandingâ— thorowe bearing of children they shall be saued so thâ—y continue in fayth loue and holynes with discretion Honoure widowes which are true wydowes Yf any wydow haue childrâ—n or nephes let theÌ„ learne first to rule theyr owne houses Godlye and to recompence their elders For that is good exceptable before god She that is a very widowe and frendlesse putteth her trust in god and continueth in supplication and prayer night and day But she that liueth in pleasure is deadde euen yet alyue And theese thinges commaunde that they maye be withoute faute Let no widow be chosen â—nder three score year old and such a one as was the wife of one maÌ„ and wâ—ll reported of in good workes if â—he haue nourished chyldren yf she haue bene liberall too straungers if she haue washed the saynctes fete if she haue miniâ—stred vnto them which were in aduersity if she were continuallye geuen vnto all maner good workes The yonger widowes refuse For when thei haue begonne to weâ—e wanton to the dishonoure of Christe then wyll they marye hauinge damnation because they haue broken â—hâ—ir first faieth I wyll therefore that the yonger women marye and beare children and â—uâ—d their hoâ—ses aâ—d geue none occasion to the aduersarye to speake euyll For manye of them are already turned backâ— and are gone aâ—ter Sathan And if anye manne or woman that beleuethe haue wydowes let them minister vnto them and let not the congregation be charged that ye maye haue sâ—fficiâ—nte for them that are widowes in dede ¶ How parents oughte to vse them selues vntoo theyr children And masters to theyr seruaunts And contrarye wyse howe children and seruauntes must vse them selues to their parents and maysters Capit. 60. Children obey youre fathers and mothers in the Lord. For so it is right Honour thi father and mother that is the first commaundemente that hathe anye promes that thou maist be in good estate and liue longe on the earthe And ye fathers moue not your children to wrath but bring them vp with the nurture and information of the Lorde Children obey youre fathers and mothers in all thinges For that is well pleasinge vntoo the Lord. Fathers rate not youre children least they be of a desperate minde The children oughte not to laye vp for the fathers and mothers but the fathers and mothers for the chyldren Seruauntes be obedyente vntoo youre carnall maysters wyth feare and tremblynge in synglenesse of youre heartes as vnto Christe not wyth seruyce in the eye syghte as menne pleasers but as the seruauntes of Christe dooinge the wyll of God frome the hearte wyth good wyll seruynge the Lorde and not menne And remember that whatsoeuer good thynge any manne doth that shall bee receaue agayne of the Lorde whether he be bonde or free And ye masters doe euen the same thynges vnto them puttinge awaye threatenynges and remember that euen youre master also is in heauen neyther is there anye respecte of person with him Seruaunts be obedieÌ„t vnto your boddily masters in all thiÌ„gs in singlenes of heart fearinge God And what so euer ye do do it hartely for as much as ye know that of the Lorde ye shal receaue the rewarde of inheritaunce Ye masters do vnto your seruaunts that which is iust and equall seynge ye knowe that ye also haue a master in heauen Let as manye seruaâ—ntes as are vnder yâ—ke counte their maysters worthy of all honour that the name of God and his doctrine be not â—uyll spoken of See that they which haue beleuing masters despise them not because they are breethren but so muche the rather do seruice For as muche as they are beleueinge and beloued and partakers of the benefyte The seruauntes eâ—horte to be â—bâ—diente vnto theyr owne masters and to please in all thinges not aunsweringe agayne neyther be pyckers but that they shew all good â—aythâ—ulnes that they maye do worshyppe to the doctryne of our sauiour God in all things ¶ How superiours shoulde vse them selues to theyr subiectes and contrarye wyse And of certaine documentes partayninge vnto prelates And how they shuld diuersly instruct dyuers Capit 61. WE beseeche you breethren that ye knowe them which laboure amonge you and haue the ouer sight of you in the lord and geeue you exhortacyon that ye haue them the more in loue for their woorkes sake and be at peace wyth them He therfore that despiseth this despiseth nat man but God The priestes and elders that rule well are worthy of double honour most specially they which labour in the word and in teaching Remember them which haue the ouersight of you which haue declared vnto you the word of God the ende of whose conuersation se that ye loke vpon and folow theyr fayeth Obey them that haue the ouersight of you and submit your selues