secret since the word began 26 But now is made manifest and by the scriptures of the prophets according to the commandment of the everlasting God made known to all nations for the obedience of faith 27 To God only wise be glory through Jesus Christ for ever Amen ¶ Written to the Romans from Corinthus and sent by Phebe servant of the church at Cenchrea ¶ The first epistle of PAUL the apostle to the CORINTHIANS CHAP. I. After his salutation and thanksgiving 10 he exhorteth them to unity 12 and reproveth their dissensions 18 God destroyeth the wisdom of the wise 21 by the foolishness of preaching and 26 calleth not the wise mighty and noble but 27 28 the foolish weak and men of no account PAul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God and Sosthenes our brother 2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth to them that * Acts 15.9 are sanctified in Christ Jesus * Rom. 1.7 called to be saints with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord both theirs and ours 3 Grace be unto you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ 4 I thank my God always on your behalf for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ 5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him in all utterance and in all knowledge 6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you 7 So that ye come behinde in no gift waiting for the †Gr. revelation coming of our Lord Jesus Christ 8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ 9 * 1 Thes 5.24 God is faithful by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 10 Now I beseech you brethren by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that ye all speak the same thing and that there be no †Gr. sâ—bisins divisions among you but that ye be perfectly joyned together in the same minde and in the same judgement 11 For it hath been declared unto me of you my brethren by them which are of the house of Chloe that there are contentions among you 12 Now this I say that every one of you saith I am of Paul and I of * Acts 18.24 Apollos and I of Cephas and I of Christ 13 Is Christ divided was Paul crucified for you or were ye baptized in the name of Paul 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you but * Acts 18.8 Crispus and Gaius 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name 16 And I baptized also the houshold of Stephanas besides I know not whether I baptized any other 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize but to preach the gospel * 2 Pet. 1.16 not with wisdom of ‖ Or speech words lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect 18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness but unto us which are saved it is the * Rom. 1.16 power of God 19 For it is written * Isa 29.14 I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent 20 * Isa 33.18 Where is the wise where is the scribe where is the disputer of this world hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world 21 * Rom. 1.20 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that beleeve 22 For the * Matth. 12.38 Jews require a signe and the Greeks seek after wisdom 23 But we preach Christ crucified unto the Jews a stumbling-block and unto the Greeks foolishness 24 But unto them which are called both Jews and Greeks Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser then men and the weakness of God is stronger then men 26 For ye see your calling brethren how that not many wise men after the flesh not many mighty not many noble are called 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty 28 And base things of the world and things which are despised hath God chosen yea and things which are not to bring to nought things that are 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption 31 That according as it is written * Jer. 9.23.24 2 Cor. 2.17 He that glorieth let him glory in the Lord. CHAP. II. He declareth that his preaching 1 though it bring not excellency of speech or of 4 humane wisdom yet consisteth in the 4 5 power of God and so far excelleth 6 the wisdom of this world and 9 humane sense as that 14 the natural man cannot understand it ANd I brethren when I came to you * Chap. 1.17 came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom declaring unto you the testimony of God 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you save Jesus Christ and him crucified 3 And I was with you in weakness in fear in much trembling 4 And my speech and my preaching * 2 Pet. 1.16 was not with ‖ Or perswasible enticing words of mans wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit of power 5 That your faith should not †Gr. be stand in the wisdom of men but in the power of God 6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect yet not the wisdom of this world nor of the princes of this world that come to nought 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery even the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world unto our glory 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew for had they known it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory 9 But as it is written * Isa 64.4 Eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither have entred into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit for the Spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man save the spirit of man which is in him even so the things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit of God 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world but the Spirit which is of God that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God 13 * 2 Pet. 1.16 Which things also we speak not in the words which mans wisdom teacheth but which the holy Ghost teacheth comparing
the glory of God 8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God to confirm the promises made unto the fathers 9 And that the Gentiles might glorifie God for his mercy as it is written * Psal 18.49 For this cause I will confess to thee among thee Gentiles and sing unto thy name 10 And again he saith * Deut. 32.43 Rejoyceye Gentiles with his people 11 And again * Psal 117.1 Praise the Lord all ye Gentiles and laud him all ye people 12 And again Esaias saith * Isa 11.10 There shall be a root of Jesse and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles in him shall the Gentiles trust 13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in beleeving that ye may abound in hope through the power of the holy Ghost 14 And I my self also am perswaded of you my brethren that ye also are full of goodness filled with all knowledge able also to admonish one another 15 Nevertheless brethren I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort as putting you in minde because of the grace that is given to me of God 16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles ministring the gospel of God that the ‖ Or sâ—â—rificing offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable being sanctified by the holy Ghost 17 I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God 18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me to make the Gentiles obedient by word and deed 19 Through mighty signs and wonders by the power of the Spirit of God so that from Jerusalem and round about unto Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ 20 Yea so have I strived to preach the gospel not where Christ was named left I should build upon another mans foundation 21 But as it is written * Isa 52.15 To whom he was not spoken of they shall see and they that have not heard shall understand 22 For which cause also I have been ‖ Or many ways or oftentimes much hindred from coming to you 23 But now having no more place in these parts and having a great desire these many years to come unto you 24 Whensoever I take my journey into Spain I will come to you for I trust to see you in my journey and to be brought on my way thitherward by you if first I be somewhat filled †Gr. with you vers 32. with your company 25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints 26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem 27 It hath pleased them verily and their debters they are For * 1 Cor. 9.11 if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things 28 When therefore I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit I will come by you into Spain 29 And I am sure that when I come unto you I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ 30 Now I beseech you brethren for the Lord Jesus Christ sake and for the love of the Spirit that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me 31 That I may be delivered from them that ‖ Or are disobedient do not beleeve in Judea and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints 32 That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God and may with you be refreshed 33 Now the God of peace be with you all Amen CHAP. XVI 3 Paul willeth the brethren to greet many 17 and adviseth them to take heed of those which cause dissension and offences 21 and after sundry salutations endeth with praise and thanks to God I Commend unto you Phebe our sister which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea 2 That ye receive her in the Lord as becometh saints and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you for she hath been a succourer of many and of my self also 3 Greet * Acts 18.2.26 Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus 4 Who have for my life said down their own necks unto whom not onely I give thanks but also all the churches of the Gentiles 5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house Salute my well-beloved Epenetus who is the first fruits of Achaia unto Christ 6 Greet Mary who bestowed much labour on us 7 Salute Andronicus and Junia my kinsmen and my fellow-prisoners who are of note among the apostles who also were in Christ before me 8 Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord. 9 Salute Urbane our helper in Christ and Stachys my beloved 10 Salute Apelles approved in Christ Salute them which are of Arâ—stobulus ‖ Or friends houshold 11 Salute Herodion my kinsman Greet them that be of the ‖ Or friends houshold of Narcissus which are in the Lord. 12 Salute Tryphena Tryphosa who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis which laboured much in the Lord. 13 Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord and his mother and mine 14 Salute Asyncritus Phlegon Hermas Patrobas Hermes and the brethren which are with them 15 Salute Phisologus and Julia Nereus and his sister and Olympas and all the saints which are with them 16 * 1 Cor. 16.20 2 Cor. 13.12 1 Pet. 5.14 Salute one another with an holy kiss The churches of Christ salute you 17 Now I beseech you brethren mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned and avoid them 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ but their own belly and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple 19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men I am glad therefore on your behalf but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good and ‖ Or harmless simple concerning evil 20 And the God of peace shall ‖ Or tread bruise Satan under your seet shortly The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you Amen 21 * Acts 16.1 Timotheus my work-fellow and Locius and Jason and Sofipater my kinsmen salute you 22 I Tertius who wrote this epistle salute you in the Lord. 23 Gaius mine hoste and of the whole church saluteth you Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you and Quartus a brother 24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all Amen 25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery * Eph. 3.9 Col. 1.26 which was kept
it be known what is spoken for ye shall speak into the air 10 There are it may be so many kinds of voices in the world and none of them is without signification 11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me 12 Even so ye forasmuch as ye are zealous †Gr. of spirits of spiritual gifts seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church 13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret 14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue my spirit prayeth but my understanding is unfruitful 15 What is it then I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the understanding also I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the understanding also 16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest 17 For thou verily givest thanks well but the other is not edified 18 I thank my God I speak with tongues more then you all 19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding that by my voice I might teach others also then ten thousand words in an unknown tongue 20 Brethren be not children in understanding howbeit in malice * Matth. 18.3 be ye children but in understanding be †Gr. perfect or of a ripe age men 21 In the law it is * Isa 28.11 written With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people and yet for all that will they not hear me saith the Lord. 22 Wherefore tongues are for a signe not to them that beleeve but to them that beleeve not but prophesying serveth not for them that beleeve not but for them which beleeve 23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place and all speak with tongues there come in those that are unlearned or unbeleevers will they not say that ye are mad 24 But if all prophesie and there come in one that beleeveth not or one unlearned he is convinced of all he is judged of all 25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest and so falling down on his face he will worship God and report that God is in you of a truth 26 How is it then brethren when ye come together every one of you hath a psalm hath a doctrine hath a tongue hath a revelation hath an interpretation Let all things be done to edifying 27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue let it be by two or at the most by three and that by course and let one interpret 28 But if there be no interpreter let him keep silence in the church and let him speak to himself and to God 29 Let the prophets speak two or three and let the other judge 30 If any thing be revealed to another that fitteth by let the first hold his peace 31 For ye may all prophesie one by one that all may learn and all may be comforted 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets 33 For God is not the authour of †Gr. tumult or unquietness confusion but of peace as in all churches of the saints 34 * 1 Tim. 2.12 Let your women keep silence in the churches for it is not permitted unto them to speak but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the * Gen. 3.16 law 35 And if they will learn any thing let them ask their husbands at home for it is a shame for women to speak in the church 36 What came the word of God out from you or came it unto you onely 37 If any man think himself to be a prophet or spiritual let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. 38 But if any man be ignorant let him be ignorant 39 Wherefore brethren covet to prophesie and forbid not to speak with tongues 40 Let all things be done decently and in order CHAP. XV. 3 By Christs resurrection 12 he proveth the necessity of our resurrection against all such as deny the resurrection of the body 21 The fruit 35 and manner thereof 51 and of the changing of them that shall be found alive at the last day MOreover brethren I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you which also you have received and wherein ye stand 2 By which also ye are saved if ye ‖ Or bold fast keep in memory †Gr. by what speech what I preached unto you unless ye have beleeved in vain 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received how that Christ died for our sins * Isa 53.5 6 c. according to the scriptures 4 And that he was buried and that he rose again the third day * Psal 16.10 according to the scriptures 5 * John 20.19 And that he was seen of Cephas then of the twelve 6 After that he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once of whom the greater part remain unto this present but some are faln asleep 7 After that he was seen of James then of all the apostles 8 * Acts 9.4 Chap. 9.1 And last of all he was seen of me also as of ‖ Or an â—â—ortive one born out of due time 9 For I am the least of the apostles that am not meet to be called an apostle because I persecuted the church of God 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain but I laboured more abundantly then they all yet not I but the grace of God which was with me 11 Therefore whether it were I or they so we preach and so ye beleeved 12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead 13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead then is Christ not risen 14 And if Christ be not risen then is our preaching vain and your faith is also vain 15 Yea and we are found false witnesses of God because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ whom he raised not up if so he that the dead rise not 16 For if the dead rise not then is not Christ raised 17 And if Christ be not raised your faith is vain ye are yet in your sins 18 Then they also which are faln asleep in Christ are perished 19 If in this life onely we have hope in Christ we are of all men most miserable 20 But now is Christ risen from the dead and become * Col. 1.28 Rev. 1.5 the first-fruits of them that slept 21 For since by man came death by man came also the
the rich and to despise the poor brethren 13 rather we are to be loving and merciful 14 and not to boast of faith where no deeds are 17 which is but a dead faith 19 the faith of devils 21 not of Abraham 25 and Rabab MY brethren have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of glory with * Lev. 19.15 Deut. 1.17 and 16.19 Prov. 24.23 respect of persons 2 For if there come unto your †Gr. synagogue assembly a man with a gold ring in goodly apparel and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment 3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing and say unto him Sit thou here ‖ Or well or seemly in a good place and say to the poor Stand thou there or sit here under my footstool 4 Are ye not then partial in your selves and are become judges of evil thoughts 5 Hearken my beloved brethren Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith and heirs of ‖ Or that the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him * Lev. 19.18 Rom 13.9 6 But ye have desâ—ised the poor Do not rich men oppress you and draw you before the judgment-seats 7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called 8 If ye fulfil the royal saw according to the scripture * Lev. 19.18 Rom 13.9 Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self ye do well 9 But if ye have respect to persons ye commit sin and are convinced of the law as transgressours 10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law and yet offend in one point he is guisty of all 11 For ‖ Or that law which said he that said Do not commit adultery said also Do not kill Now if thou commit no adultery yet if thou kill thou art become a transgressour of the law 12 So speak ye c so do as they the shall be judged by the law of liberty 13 For he shall have judgement without mercy that hath shewed no mercy and mercy ‖ Or glorieth rejoyceth against judgement 14 What doth it profit my brethren though a man say he hath faith and have not works can faith save him 15 If a brother or sister be naked and destitute of daily food 16 And one of you say unto them Depart in peace be you warmed and filled notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body what doth it profit 17 Even so faith if it hath not works is dead being †Gr by it self alone 18 Yea a man may say Thou hast faith and I have works shew me thy faith ‖ Some copies read by thy works without thy works I will shew thee my faith by my works 19 Thou beleevest that there is one God thou doest well the devils also beleeve and tremble 20 But wilt thou know O vain man that faith without works is dead 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar 22 ‖ Or thou seest Seest thou how faith wrought with his works and by works was faith made perfect 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith * Gen. 15.6 Rum 4.3 Gal. 3.6 Abraham beleeved God and it was imputed unto him for righteousness and he was called the friend of God 24 Ye see then how the by works a man is justified not by faith onely 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the Harlot justified by works when she had received the messengers and had sent them out another way 26 For as the body without the ‖ Or breath spirit is dead so faith without works is dead also CHAP. III. 1 We are not rashly or arrogantly to reprove others 5 but rather to bridle the tongue a little member but a powerful instrument of much good and great barm 13 They who be truly wise be midde and peaceable without envying and strife MY brethren be not many masters knowing that we shall receive the greater ‖ Or judgement condemnation 2 For in many things we offend all * Ecclus. 14.1 and 19.16 and 25.8 If any man offend not in word the same is a perfect man and able also to bridle the whole body 3 Behold we put bits in the horses mouths that they may obey us and we turn about their whole body 4 Behold also the ships which though they be so great and are driven of fierce winds yet are they turned about with a very small helm whithersoever the governour listeth 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasteth great things Behold how great ‖ Or. wood a matter a little fire kindlâ—th 6 And the tongue is a fire a world of iniquity so is the tongue amongst our members that it defileth the whole body and setteth on fire the course of nature and it is let on fire of hell 7 For every †Gr. nature kinde of beasts and of birds and of serpents and things in the sea is tamed and hath been tamed of †Gr. nature of man mankinde 8 But the tongue can no man tame it is an unruly evil full of deadly poyson 9 Therewith bless we God even the Father and therewith curse we men which are made after the similitude of God 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing My brethren these things ought not so to be 11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same ‖ Or bek place sweet water and bitter 12 Can the fig-tree my brethren bear olive-berries either a vine sigs so can no fountain both yeeld salt water and fresh 13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge amongst you let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts glory not and lie not against the truth 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above but is earthly ‖ Or natural sensual devilish 16 For where envying and strife is there is †Gr tumult or unquietness confusion and every evil work 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure then peaceable gentle and easte to be intreated full of mercy and good fruits ‖ Or without wrangling without partiality and without hypocrisie 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace CHAP. IV. 1 We are to strive against covetousness 4 intemperance 5 pride 11 detraction and rash judgement of others 13 and not to be confident in the good success of worldly business but mindful ever of the uncertainty of this life to commit our selves and all our affairs to Gods providence FRom whence come wars and ‖ Or brawlings fightings among you come they not hence even of your ‖ Or pleasures lusts that war in your members 2 Ye suit and have not ye kill and desire to have and cannot obtain ye sight
not seen ye love in whom though now ye see him not yet beleeving ye rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory 9 Receiving the end of your faith even the salvation of your souls 10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you 11 Searching what or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signifie when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow 12 Unto whom it was revealed that not unto themselves but unto us they did minister the things which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the holy Ghost sent down from heaven which things the angels desire to look into 13 Wherefore gird up the loyns of your minde be sober and hope †Gr. perfectly to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ 14 As obedient children not fashioning your selves according to the former lusts in your ignorance 15 But as he which hath called you is holy so be ye holy in all manner of conversation 16 Because it is written * Lev. 11.44 19.2 20.7 Be ye holy for I am holy 17 And if ye call on the Father * Deu. 10.17 Rom. 2.11 who without respect of persons judgeth according to every mans work pass the time of your sojourning here in fear 18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers 19 But with the precious bloud of Christ as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot 20 * Rom. 16.25 Col. 1.26 1 Tim. 1.10 Tit. 1.2 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world but was manifest in these last times for you 21 Who by him do beleeve in God that raised him up from the dead and gave him glory that your faith and hope might be in God 22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned * Rom. 12.10 Ch. 2.17 love of the brethren see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently 23 Being born again not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible by the word of God which liveth and abideth for ever 24 ‖ Or for that For * Isa 40.6 Jam. 2.10 all flesh is as grass and all the glory of man as the flower of grass The grass withereth and the flower thereof salleth away 25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you CHAP. II. He deborteth them from the breach of charity 4 shewing that Christ is the foundation whereupon they are built 11 He beseecheth them also to abstain from fleshly lusts 13 to be obedient to magistrates 18 and teacheth servants how to obey their masters 20 patiently suffering for well-doing after the example of Christ WHerefore laying aside all masice and all guile and hypocrifies and envies and all evil-speakings 2 As new born-babes desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby 3 It so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious 4 To whom coming as unto a living stone disallowed indeed of men but chosen of God and precious 5 Ye also as lively stones ‖ Or be ye built are built up a spiritual house an holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ 6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture * If. 28.16 Rom. 9 3â— Behold I lay in Sion a chief corner-stone elect precious and he that beleeveth on him shall not be confounded 7 Unto you therefore which beleeve he is ‖ Or an honour precious but unto them which be disobedient * Ps 118.22 Mat. 21.42 Act. 4 11. the stone which the builders disallowed the same is made the head of the corner 8 * If. 8.14 Rom. 9.33 And a stone of stumbling a rock of offence even to them which stumble at the word being disobedient whereunto also they were appointed 9 But ye are a chosen generation * Ex. 19.6 Rev. 1.6 c 5.10 a royal priesthood an holy nation ‖ Or a purchased people a peculiar people that ye should shew forth the ‖ Or vertues praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light 10 * Hos 2.23 Rom. 9.25 Which in time past were not a people but are now the people of God which had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy 11 Dearly beloved I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims * Rom. 13.14 Gal. 5. â—6 abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul 12 * On. 2.16 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles that ‖ Or wherein whereas they speak against you as evil-doers * Mat. 5.16 they may by your good works which they shall behold glorifie God in the day of vnitation 13 * Ro. 13.1 Submit your selves to every ordinance of man for the Lords sake whether it be to the king as supreme 14 Or unto governours as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers and for the praise of them that do well 15 For so is the will of God that with wel-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men 16 As free and not †Gr. having using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness but as the servants of God 17 ‖ Or esteem Honour all men Love the brother-hood Fear God Honour the king 18 * Eph. 6.5 Col. 3.22 Tit. 2.9 Servants be subject to your masters with all fear not onely to the good and gentle but also to the froward 19 For this is ‖ Or thank thank-worthy if a man for conscience toward God endure grief suffering wrongfully 20 For what glory is it if when ye be buffeted for your faults ye shall take it patiently but if when ye do well and suffer for it ye take it patiently this is ‖ Or think acceptable with God 21 For even hereunto were ye called because Christ also suffered ‖ Some read for you for us leaving us an example that ye should follow his steps 22 * Is 13.9 Who did no sin neither was guile found in his mouth 23 Who when he was reviled reviled not again when he suffered he threatned not but ‖ Or committed his cause committed himself to him that judgeth righteously 24 * Is 53.4 5 6. Mat. 8.17 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body ‖ Or to on the tree that we being dead to sin should live unto righteousness by whole stripes ye were healed 25 For ye were as sheep going astray but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls CHAP. III. 1
conversation of the wicked 8 For that righteous man dwelling among them in seeing and hearing vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds 9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgement to be punished 10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise ‖ Or â—ominion government * Jude 8. Presumptuous are they self-willed they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities 11 Whereas angels which are greater in power and might bring not railing accusation ‖ Some read against themselves against them before the Lord. 12 But these as natural bruit beasts made to be taken and destroyed speak evil of the things that they understand not and shall utterly perish in their own corruption 13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day-time spots they are and blemishes sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast ith you 14 Having eyes full of †Gr an adulterest adultery and that cannot cease from sin beguiling unstable souls an heart they have exercised with covetous practises cursed children 15 Which have forsaken the right way and are gone astray following the way of * Num. 22.23 Jude 11. Balaam the son of Bosor who loved the wages of unrighteousness 16 But was rebuked for his iniquity the dumb ass speaking with mans voice forbad the madness of the prophet 17 * Jude 12 13. These are wells without water clouds that are carried with a tempest to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever 18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity they allure through the lusts of the flesh through much wantonness those that were ‖ Or for a little or a while as some read clean escaped from them who live in errour 19 While they promise them liberty they themselves are * Joh. 8 34. Rom. 6.16 the servants of corruption for of whom a man is overcome of the same is he brought in bondage 20 For * Mat. 12.45 Heb. 6.4 if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ they are aggain intangled therein and overcome the latter end is worse with them then the beginning 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness then after they have known it to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them 22 But it is hapned unto them according to the true proverb * Pr. 26.11 The dog is turned to his own vomit again and The sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire CHAP. III. He assureth them of the certainty of Christs coming to judgement against those scorners who dispute against it 8 warning the godly for the long patience of God to hasten their repentance 10 He describeth also the manner how the world shall be destroyed 11 exhorting them from the expectation thereof to all holiness of life 15 and again to think the patience of God to tend to their salvation as Paul wrote to them in his epistles THis second epistle beloved I now write unto you in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance 2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour 3 * 1 Tim. 4. â— 2 Tim. 3.1 Jude 18. Knowing this first that there shall come in the last days scoffers walking after their own lusts 4 And saying Where is the promise of his coming For since the fathers fell asleep all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation 5 For this they willingly are ignorant of that by the word of God the heavens were of old and the earth †Gr consisting standing out of the water and in the water 6 Whereby the world that then was being overflowed with water perished 7. But the heavens and the earth which are now by the same word are kept in store reserved unto fire against the day of judgement and perdition of ungodly men 8 But beloved be not ignorant of this one thing that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years and * Ps 90.4 a thousand years as one day 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise as some men count slackness but is long-suffering to us-ward * Ezek. 18.32 33.17 not willing that any should perish but * 1 Tim. 2.4 that all should come to repentance 10 But * 1 Thes 5.2 the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise and the elements shall melt with fervent heat the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burnt up 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness 12 Looking for and ‖ Or hasting the coming hasting unto the coming of the day of God wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved and the elements shall melt with fervent heat 13 Nevertheless we according to his promise look for * Is 65.17 66.22 Rev. 21.1 new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness 14 Wherefore beloved seeing that ye look for such things be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace without spot and blameless 15 And account that * Rom. 2 6. the long-suffering of our Lord is salvation even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you 16 As also in all his epistles speaking in them of these things in which are some things hard to be understood which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest as they do also the other scriptures unto their own destruction 17 Ye therefore beloved seeing ye know these things before beware lest ye also being led away with the errour of the wicked fall from your own stedfastness 18 But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ To him be glory both now and for ever Amen ¶ The first epistle general of S. JOHN CHAP. I. 1 He describeth the person of Christ in whom we have eternal life by a communion with God 5 to which we must adjoyn holiness of life to testifie the truth of that our communion and profession of faith as also to assure us of the forgiveness of our sins by Christs death THat which was from the beginning which we have heard which we have seen with our eyes which we have looked upon and our hands have handled of the word of life 2 For the life was manifested and we have seen it and bear witness and shew unto you that eternal life which was with the Father