end the promise might be sure to all the seed not to that onely which is of the law but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham who is the father of us all 17 As it is written * Gen. 27.5 I have made thee a father of many nations ‖ Or like unto him before him whom he beleeved even God who quickneth the dead and calleth those things which be not as though they were 18 Who against hope beleeved in hope that he might become the father of many nations according to that which was spoken * Gen. 15.5 So shall thy seed be 19 And being not weak in faith he considered not his own body now dead when he was about an hundred year old neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief but was strong in faith giving glory to God 21 And being fully perswaded that what he had promised he was able also to perform 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him 24 But for us also to whom it shall be imputed it we beleeve on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead 25 Who was delivered for our offences and was raised again for our justification CHAP. V. 1 Being justified by faith we have peace with God 2 and joy in our hope 8 that sith we were reconciled by his bloud when we were enemies 10 we shall much more be saved being reconciled 12 As sin and death came by Adam 17 so much more righteousness and life by Jesus Christ 20 Where sin abounded grace did superabound THerefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ 2 * Eph. 2.18 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand and rejoyce in hope of the glory of God 3 And not onely so but we glory in tribulations also * James 1.3 knowing that tribulation worketh patience 4 And patience experience and experience hope 5 And hope maketh not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the holy Ghost which is given unto us 6 For when we were yet without strength ‖ Or according to the time in due time Christ died for the ungodly 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die 8 But God commendeth his love towards us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us 9 Muâ—h more then being now justified by his bloud we shall be saved from wrath through him 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son much more being reconciled we shall be saved by his life 11 And not onely so but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ by whom we have now received the atonement 12 Wherefore as by one man sin entred into the world and death by sin and so death passed upon all men ‖ Or in whom for that all have sinned 13 For until the saw sin was in the world but sin is not imputed when there is no law 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adams transgression who is the figure of him that was to come 15 But not as the offence so also is the free gift For if through the offence of one many be dead much more the grace of God and the gift by grace which is by one man Jesus Christ hath abounded unto many 16 And not as it was by one that sinned so is the gift for the judgement was by one to condemnation but the free gift is of many offences unto justification 17 For if ‖ Or by one offence by one mans offence death reigned by one much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one Jesus Christ 18 Therefore as ‖ Or by one offence by the offence of one judgement came upon all men to condemnation even so ‖ Or by one righteousness by the rigiteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life 19 For as by one mans disobedience many were made sinners so by the obedience of one shall many he made righteous 20 Moreover the law entred that the offence might abound But where sin abounded grace did much more abound 21 That as sin hath reigned unto death even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. CHAP. VI. 1 We may not live in sin 2 for we are dead unto it 3 as appeareth by our baptism 12 Let not sin reign any more 18 because we have yeelded our selves to the service of righteousness 23 and for that death is the wages of sin WHat shall we say then Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound 2 God forbid how shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein 3 Know ye not that * Gal. 3.27 so many of us as ‖ Or art were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death 4 Therefore we are * Col. 2.12 buried with him by baptism into death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father even so we also should walk in newness of life 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection 6 Knowing this that our old man is crucified with him that the body of sin might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve sin 7 For he that is dead is †Gr. justified freed from sin 8 Now if we be dead with Christ we beleeve that we shall also live with him 9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more death hath no more dominion over him 10 For in that he died he died unto sin once but in that he liveth he liveth unto God 11 Likewise reckon ye also your selves to be dead indeed unto sin but a live unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof 13 Neither yeeld ye your members as †Gr. arms or weapons instruments of unrighteousness unto sin but yeeld your selves unto God as those that are a live from the dead and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you for ye are not under the law but under grace 15 What then shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace God forbid 16 Know ye not that * Joh. 8.34 2 Pet. 2.19 to whom ye yeeld your selves servants to obey his servants ye are to whom ye obey whether of sin
unto death or of obedience unto righteousness 17 But God be thanked that ye were the servants of sin but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine †Gr. whereto ye were delivered which was delivered you 18 Being then made free from sin ye became the servants of righteousness 19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh for as ye have yeelded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity even so now yeeld your members servants to righteousness unto holiness 20 For when ye were the servants of sin ye were free †Gr. to righteousness from righteousness 21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed for the end of those things is death 22 But now being made free from sin and become servants to God ye have your fruit unto holiness and the end everlasting life 23 For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. CHAP. VII 1 No law hath power over a man longer then he liveth 4 But we are dead to the law 7 Yet is not the law sin 12 but holy just good 16 as I acknowledge who am grieved because I cannot keep it KNow ye not brethren for I speak to them that know the law how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth 2 For * 1 Cor. 7.39 the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth but if the husband be dead she is loosed from the law of her husband 3 So then if while her husband liveth she be married to another man she shall be called an adulteress but if her husband be dead she is free from that law so that she is no adulteress though she be married to another man 4 Wherefore my brethren ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ that ye should be married to another even to him who is raised from the dead that we should bring forth fruit unto God 5 For when we were in the flesh the †Gr. passions motions of sins which were by the law did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death 6 But now we are delivered from the law ‖ Or being dead to that that being dead wherein we were held that we should serve in newness of spirit and not in the oldness of the letter 7 What shall we say then Is the law sin God forbid Nay I had not known sin but by the law for I had not known ‖ Or concupiscence lust except the law had said * Ex. 20.17 Deut. 5.21 Thou shalt not cover 8 But sin taking occasion by the commandment wrought in me all manner of concupiscence For without the law sin was dead 9 For I was alive without the law once but when the commandment came sin revived and I died 10 And the commandment which was ordained to life I found to be unto death 11 For sin taking occasion by the commandment deceived me and by it slew me 12 Wherefore the law is holy and the commandment holy and just and good 13 Was then that which is good made death unto me God forbid But sin that it might appear sin working death in me by that which is good that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful 14 For we know that the law is spiritual but I am carnal sold under sin 15 For that which I do I †Gr. know allow not for what I would that do I not but what I hate that do I. 16 If then I do that which I would not I consent unto the law that it is good 17 Now then it is no more I that do it but sin that dwelleth in me 18 For I know that in me that is in my flesh dwelleth no good thing for to will is present with me but how to perform that which is good I finde not 19 For the good that I would I do not but the evil which I would not that I do 20 Now if I do that I would not it is no more I that do it but sin that dwelleth in me 21 I finde then a law that when I would do good evil is present with me 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man 23 But I see another law in my members warring against the law of my minde and bringing me into â—aptivity to the law of sin which is in my members 24 O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from ‖ Or this body of death the body of this death 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the minde I my self serve the law of God but with the flesh the law of sin CHAP. VIII 1 They that are in Christ and live according to the Spirit are free from condemnation 5 13 What harm cometh of the flesh 6 14 and what good of the Spirit 17 and what of being Gods children 19 whose glorious deliverance all things long for 29 It was beforehand dâ—creed from God 38 What can sever us from his love THere is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and ‖ Or by a sacrifice for sin for sin condemned sin in the flesh 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit 5 For they that are after the flesh do minde the things of the flesh but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit 6 For †Gr. the minding of the flesh to be carnally minded is death but †Gr. the minding of the Spirit to be spiritually minded is life and peace 7 Because †Gr. the minding of the flesh the carnal minde is enmity against God for it is not subject to the law of God neither indeed can be 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God 9 But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his 10 And if Christ be in you the body is dead because of sin but the Spirit is life because of righteousness 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies ‖ Or because of his Spirit by his Spirit that dwelleth in you 12 Therefore brethren we are debters not to
are two and two one against another 16 I awaked up last of all as one that ‖ Or gleaneth gathereth after the grape-gatherers by the blessing of the Lord I profited and filled my wine-press like a gatherer of grapes 17 * Chap. 24.34 Consider that I laboured not for my self onely but for all them that seek learning 18 Hear me O ye great men of â—â—e people and hearken with your ears ye rulers of the congregation 19 Give not thy son and wife thy brother and friend power over thee while thou livest and give not thy goods to another lest it repent thee and thou intreat for the same again 20 As long as thou livest and hast breath in thee ‖ Or sell not give not thy self over to any 21 For better it is that thy children should seek to thee then that thou shouldest ‖ Or look to their hands stand to their courtesy 22 In all thy works keep to thy self the preeminence leave not a stain in thine honour 23 At the time when thou shalt end thy days and finish thy life distribute thine inheritance 24 Fodder a wand and burdens are for the ass and bread Of servants correction and work for a servant 25 If thou set thy servant to labour thou shalt finde rest but if thou let him go idle he shall seek liberty 26 A yoke and a collar do bow the neck so are tortures and torments for an evil servant 27 Send him to labour that he be not idle for idleness teacheth much evil 28 Set him to work as is fit for him if he be not obedient put on more heavy fetters 29 But be not excessive toward any and without discretion do nothing 30 * Ch. â— 2â— If thou have a servant let him be unto thee as thy self because thou hast bought him †Gr. in bloud with a price 31 If thou have a servant intreat him as a brother for thou hast need of him as of thine own soul if thou intreat him evil and he run from thee which way wilt thou go to seek him CHAP. XXXIV 1 Of dreams 13 the praise and blessing of them that fear the Lord 18 The offâ—ring of the ancient and prayer of the poor innocent Of dreams THe hopes of a man void of understanding are vain and false and dreams lift up fools 2 Whoso ‖ Or hath his minde upon regardeth dreams is like him that catcheth at a shadow and followeth after the wind 3 The vision of dreams is the resemblance of one thing to another even as the * Prov. 2â— 19 likeness of a face to a face 4 * Job 14.4 Of an unclean thing what can be cleansed and from that thing which is false what truth can come 5 Divinations and soothsayings and dreams are vain and the heart fancieth as a womans heart in travail 6 If they be not sent from the most High in thy visitation ‖ Or â—â—â—d them not set not thy heart upon them 7 For dreams have deceived many and they have failed that put their trust in them 8 The law shall he found perfect without lies and wisdom is perfection to a faithful mouth 9 A man that hath travelled knoweth many things and he that hath much experience will declare wisdom 10 He that hath no experience knoweth little but he that hath travelled is full of prudence 11 When I travelled I saw many things and I understand more then I can express 12 I was oft-times in danger of death yet I was delivered because of these things 13 The spirit of those that fear the Lord shall live for their hope is in him that saveth them 14 Whoso feareth the Lord shall not fear nor be afraid for he is his hope 15 Blessed is the soul of him that feareth the Lord to whom doth he look and who is his strength 16 For * Ps 33.18 the eyes of the Lord are upon them that love him * Ps 61.2 3 4. 91.1 2. he is their mighty protection and strong stay a defence from heat and a cover from the sun at noon a preservation from stumbling and an help from falling 17 He raiseth up the soul and lightneth the eyes he giveth health life and blessing 18 * Prov. â—â— 17 He that sacrificeth of a thing wrongfully gotten his offering is ridiculous and ‖ Or the â—â—â—keries the gifts of unjust men are not accepted 19 * Prov. 15.8 The most High is not pleased with the offerings of the wicked neither is he pacified for sin by the multitude of sacrifices 20 Whoso bringeth an offering of the goods of the poor doeth as one that killeth the son before his fathers eyes 21 The bread of the needy is their life he that defraudeth him thereof is a man of bloud 22 He that taketh away his neighbours living slayeth him and he that * Deut. 24.14 13. Chap. 7.20 defraudeth the labourer of his hire is a bloudshedder 23 When one buildeth and another pulleth down what profit have they then but labour 24 When one prayeth and another curseth whose voice will the Lord hear 25 * Num. 19.11 12. He that washeth himself after the touching of a dead body if he touch it again what availeth his washing 26 So is it with a man that fasteth for his sins and goeth again and doeth the same who will hear his prayer or what doth his humbling profit him CHAP. XXXV 1 Sacrifices pleasing God 14 The prayer of the fatherless of the widow and of the humble in spirit 20 Acceptable mercy HE * 1 Sam. 15.22 Jer. 7.3 5 6 7. that keepeth the law bringeth offerings enow he that taketh heed to the commandment offereth a peace-offering 2 He that requiteth a good turn offereth fine flour and he that giveth alms sacrificeth praise 3 To depart from wickedness is a thing pleasing to the Lord and to forsake unrighteousness is a propitiation 4 * Ex. 23.15 Deu. 16 16. Thou shalt not appear empty before the Lord. 5 For all these things are to be done because of the commandment 6 The offering of the righteous maketh the altar fat and the sweet savour thereof is before the most High 7 The sacrifice of a just man is acceptable and the memorial thereof shall never be forgotten 8 Give the Lord his honour with a good eye and diminish not the first-fruits of thine hands 9 * 1 Cor. 9.7 In all thy gifts shew a cheerful countenance and ‖ Or sit apart dedicate thy tithes with gladness 10 * Tub. 4.8 Give unto the most High according as he hath enriched thee and as thou hast gotten give with a cheerful eye 11 For the Lord recompenseth and will give thee seven times as much 12 ‖ Or Diminish nothing of tâ—â— offerings Do not think to corrupt with gifts * Lev. 22.21 22. Deut. 15.21 for such he will not receive and trust not to unrighteous sacrifices for
Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein and they to whom ‖ Or the gospel was first preached it was first preached entred not in because of unbelief 7 Again he limiteth a certain day saying in David To day after so long a time as it is said To day if ye will hear his voice harden not your hearts 8 For if ‖ That is Joshua Jesus had given them rest then would he not afterward have spoken of another day 9 There remaineth therefore a ‖ Or keeping of a sabbath rest to the people of God 10 For he that is entred into his rest he also hath ceased from his own works as God did from his 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest lest any man fall after the same example of ‖ Or disobedience unbelief 12 For the word of God is quick and powerful and sharper then any two-edged sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and of the joynts and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart 13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight but all things are naked opened unto the eys of him with whom we have to do 14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest that is passed into the heavens Jesus the Son of God let us hold fast our profession 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities but was in all Points tempted like as we are yet without sin 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and finde grace to help in time of need CHAP. V. 1 The authority and honour of our Saviours priesthood 11 Negligence in the knowledge thereof is reproved FOr every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins 2 Who ‖ Or can reasonably bear with can have compassion on the ignorant and on them that are out of the way for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity 3 And by reason hereof he ought as for the people so also for himself to offer for sins 4 * 2 Chr. 26.18 And no man taketh this honour unto himself but he that is called of God as was Aaron 5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest but he that said unto him * Psal 2.7 Chap. 1.5 Thou art my Son to day have I begotten thee 6 As he saith also in another place * Psal 110.4 Chap. 7.17 Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec 7 Who in the days of his flesh when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death and was heard ‖ Or for his piety in that he feared 8 Though he were a Son yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered 9 And being made perfect he became the authour of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him 10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec 11 Of whom we have many things to say and hard to be uttered seeing ye are dull of hearing 12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God and are become such as have need of * 1 Cor. 3.2 milk and not of strong meat 13 For every one that useth milk †Gr. hath no experience is unskilful in the word of righteousness for he is a babe 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are ‖ Or perfect of full age even those who by reason ‖ Or of an habit or perfection of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil CHAP. VI. 1 He exhorteth not to fall back from the faith 11 but to be stedfast 12 diligent and patient to wait upon God 13 because God is most sure in his promise THerefore leaving ‖ Or the word of the beginning of Christ. the principles of the doctrine of Christ let us go on unto perfection not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith towards God 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms and of laying on of hands and of resurrection of the dead and of eternal judgment 3 And this will we do if God permit 4 For * Chap. 10.26 it is impossible for those who were once enlightned have tasted of the heavenly gift and were made partakers of the holy Ghost 5 And have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the world to come 6 If they shall fall away to renew them again unto repentance seeing they crucifie to themselves the Son of God afresh and put him to an open shame 7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it and bringeth forth herbs meet for them ‖ Or for by whom it is dressed receiveth blessing from God 8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected and is nigh unto cursing whose end is to be burned 9 But beloved we are perswaded better things of you and things that accompany salvation though we thus speak 10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love which ye have shewed toward his name in that ye have ministred to the saints and do minister 11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end 12 That ye be not slothful but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises 13 For when God made promise to Abraham because he could sware by no greater * Gâ—n 22.16 17. he swear by himself 14 Saying Surely blessing I will bless thee and multiplying I will multiply thee 15 And so after he had patiently endured he obtained the promise 16 For men verily swear by the greater and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife 17 Wherein God willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel †Gr. interposed himself by an oath confirmed it by an oath 18 That by two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lie we might have a strong consolation who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us 19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul both sure and stedfast and which entreth into that within the vail 20 Whither the forerunner is for us entred even Jesus made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec CHAP. VII 1 Christ Jesus is a priest after the order of Melchisedec 11 and so far more excellent then the priests of Aarons order FOr this * Gen. 1â— 18 c. Melchisedec king of
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