guyte you like men and be stronge Let all your busines be done in loue In all thinges let vs behaue oure selues as the ministers of God In fastinges in watchings in purenes in knowledge in longe sufferinge in kindenes in the holy ghoste in loue vnfained in the wordes of truthe in the power of Godâ— by the armoure of righteousenes of the righte hand and on the lefte Fynallye brethren be of good comforte be perfecte be of one mynde lyue in peace and the God of peace and loue shall be with you I therfore which am in bondes for the Lordes sake exhorte you that ye walke worthy of the vocation wherwith ye are called in all humblenes of mynde and mekenes and longe sufferinge forbearing one an other throughe loue and that ye be dylygent to keepe the unitye of the spirite in the bonde of peace beinge one bodye and one spirite euen as ye are called in one hope of your callinge Doe all thinge withoute murmuringe and disputinge that ye may be fauteâ—sse and pure and the sonnes of God withoute rebuke in the myddes of a croked and peruâ—rse nation amonge the whiche seâ— that ye shyne as lighâ—es in the world holdynge fast the worde of life vnto my reioysinge in the daye of Christ that I haue not runne in vayne neither haue laboured in vayne Now therfore as elect of God holy beloued put on tender mercy kindnes humblenes of mindes mekenâ—s long sufferinge forbearing one an other forgeuing one an other if any man haue a quarell to an other euen as Christ forgaue you euen so do ye We beseche you brethren that ye encrease more and more and that ye studye to be quiet and to medie with youre owne busynes and to worke with your owne handes as we commaunded you that ye maye behaue your selues honesâ—lye towarde them that are withouteâ— and that nothinge be lackinge vnto you Reioyce euer praye continuallye quenche not the spirit Despyse not prophesyinge Examyn and proue al things and kepe that which is good Abstaine from all suspitious things Fayethfull is he whiche called you which wyll also do it Brethren pray for vs. Grete all the brethren with an holye kysse I charge you in the Lord that this Epistle be redde vnto all the holy brethren Lustes of youth auoyde and folow righteousnes fayth loue and peace with them that call on the Lord with pure hearte The seruaunte of the Lorde muste not striue but muste be peaceable vnto all men and apte to teache and one that can suffer the euyll in meeknes and canne informe them that resist truth Let oures also learne too excell in good workes as far foorth as neede requyreth that they be not vnfrutefull Folow righteousnes godlinâ—s loue pacience and mekenesse ¶ Of the sinagoge and of dyuers gifts of grace in time past geuen vnto it and of doble circumcâ—sion Capi. 37. CYrcumcision veâ—elye auaileth if thou keepe the lawe But if thou breake the lawe â—hy circumcision is made vncircumcision Therefore if the vncircumcised kepe right thinges contayned in the law shal not his vncircumcisâ—on be conâ—ted for circumcision And shal not vncircumcision which is by nature if it kepe the lawe iudge thee which beinge vnder the letter and circumcision doest transgresse the lawe For he is not a Iewe whiche is a Iewe outward Neither is that thinge circumcision which is outward in flesh But he is a Iewe which is hyd with in and the circumcision of the hart is the true circumcision which is in the spirit and not in the letter whose prayse is not of men but of God What prefermente then hath the Iewe other what auauntageth circumcision Surely very much First vnto them was committed the word of God what then thoughe some of them did not beleue Shall their vnbeleeue make the promesse of God withoute effecte God forbyd Whiche are the Israelits to whom pertayneth the adoption the glory and the couenauntes and the lawe that was geuen and the promises whose also are the fathers and they of whome as concerninge the fleshe Christ came whiche is God ouer all thinges blessed for euer Amen I saye then hath God caste awaye his people God forbyd for euen I verely am an Israelite of the sede of Abraham and of the tribe of Beniamin god hath not cast away his people whiche he knew before Eyther wote ye not what the scripture sayth by y e mouth of Helias how he maketh intercessioÌ„ to god against Israel saying Lord they haue kylled thy prophetes and dygged doune thine altares and I am left only and they seke my selfe But what sayeth the aunswere of god to him agan I haue reserued vnto me seuen thousand men which haue not bowed the knee to Baal eueÌ„ so at this time is ther a remenaunt lefte thorow the electioâ— of grace Yf it be of grace then is it not of woorkes For then were grace no more grace Brethren I wold not that ye shuld be ignoraunte of this how that our fathers were all vnder a cloude and al passed through the sea and wer all baptised vnder Moses in the cloude and in the sea and did all eate of one spirituall meate and did all drincke of one maner spirituall drincke And they drancke of that spirituall rockâ— that folowed them which rocke was Christe But in manye of them had God no delyte for they were ouerthrowen in the wildernes Theese are ensamples to vs. We are Iewes by nature and not sinners of the gentiles And I saye that Iesus Christe was a minister of the circumcision for the truthe of God to confirme the promises made vnto the fathers Beholde I shall whiche walketh carnallye For we are circumcision whyche worshippe God in the spirite and reioyce in Christe Iesu and haue no confidence in the fleshe thoughe I haue where of I might reioyce in the fleshe Yf anye other man thinketh that he hath whereof he mighte trust in the fleshe muche more I circumcised the eyghte daye of the kindred of Israell of the trybe of Beniamin an Hebrue borne of the Hebrues as concerninge the lawe a Pâ—arysey and as concernynge feruentnesse I persecuted the congregation and as touchinge the righteousenesse which is in the lawe I was vnrebukeable God in time past diuerslye and many wayes spake vnto the fathers by the prophets but in these last dayes he hath spoken vnto vs by his sonne The first tabernacle had ordinaunces and seruings of God and worldlye holynes For there was before a tabernacle made wherein was the candelsticke and the table and the shew bread which is called holy But within the second vayle was there a tabernacle which is called holyest of al. Which had the golden senser and the Arke of the Testament ouerlaid rounde aboute with golde wherein was the golden potte with Manna and Arons rod that spronge and the tablâ—s of the Testamente Ouer the Arke were the
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
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
the mynde and were naturallye the chyldren of wrathe euen as well as other This I saye therefore and testifye in the Lorde that ye hence foorthe walke not as other gentiles walke in vanitye of their mynde blinded in their vnderstanding being straungers from the life whiche is in God thorowe the ignorauncye that is in them because of the blindenesse of their heartes whiche beinge past repentaunce haue geuen them selues vnto wantannes to worke al maner of unclennes euen with gredines But ye haue not so learned Christe if so be ye haue heard of him and are â—â—ughte in him euen as the truthe is in Iesu to laye from you that olde man which is corrupte thorow the deceaueable lustes For many walke of whom I haue tolde you often and nowe tell you wepinge that they are the enemies of the crosse of Christe whose ende is dampnation whose God is their belye and whose glorye is their shame which are wordlye minded Mortifye therfore youre members which are on the earth fornication vnclennesse vnnaturall luste euyll concupiscence For whiche thinges â—ake the wrath of God commeth on the children of vnbeliefe in whyche thinges ye walked once when ye liued in them For this is the wyll of God euen that ye should be holye and that ye shoulde abstaine frome fornication that euerye one of you should knowe howe to kepe his vessell in holynesse and honoure and not in the luste of concupyscence as doe the heathen which knowe not God Therefore let vs not slepe as other do but let vs watche and be sober Keepe thy selfe pure and chaste drinck no longer water but vse a little wine for the stomacke sake and thine often diseases Be sober Let ther be no fornicator or vnclean personne as Esau whiche for one breakefast solde his byrth righte Ye knowe how that afterward when he woulde haue inherited the blessinge he was put by and he found no meanes to come therby again no though hâ— desired it with teares Therfore be not drâ—nke with wine wherin is â—xcâ—sse ¶ Agaynste the vyces of the fleshe Capitu 17. THey serued the creatures more then the makâ—r For this cause God gaue them vp vnto shamfull lustes for euen their women did chaunge their naturall vse vnto the vnnaturall And lyke wise also the men lefte the naturall vse of the woman and brente in their lustes one an other And manne with manne wroughte filthines and receaued in them selues the rewarde of their errour as it was accordinge Let not sin ragine therfore in your mortall bodies that ye shuld therunto obey in the lustes of it nether geue ye youre members as instrumentes of vnryghteousenesse vnto synne I speake grosselye because of the infyrmitye of youre fleshe As ye haue geuen your members seruaunts to vnclennes and to iniquitye frome iniquitye vnto iniquitye euen so nowe geue your members seruaunts vnto vnrighteousnes that ye may be sanctified what frute had ye then in those thnigs wherof ye are now ashamed For the end of those things is death For the reward of synne is death They that are geuen to the fleshe can not please God But ye are not geuen to the flesh but to the spirite if so be that the spirite of God dwell in you Therefore we are now dettours not to the fleshe to lyue after the fleshe for if ye lyue after the flesh ye muste dye but if ye mortifye the dedes of tâ—â— body by the helpe of the spiriâ—e ye shall lyue Not in eatinge and drinking neither in chamburinge and wantannesse but put ye on the Lorde Iessus There goeth a common â—ayinge that there is fornication among you and suche fornication as is not once named among the gentiles that one shoulde haue his fathers wife And ye swell and haue not rathâ—r sorowed that he which hathe done thys deede mighte be put frome amonge you For I verely as absente in bodye euen so presente in spirit haue determined alreadye as thoughe I were presente of him that hath done this dede in the name of oure Lord Iesus Christ youre reioysinge is not goodâ— know ye not that a little leuen sowreth the whole lompe of dowe I wrote vntoo you in a Epistle that ye shoulde not companye with fornitours Nor I mente not at all of the fornicatours of this worlde ether of the couetous or of extorsioners ether of the ydolaters For then muste ye nedes haue gone oute of the worlde But nowe I write vnâ—o you that ye company not to gether Meates are ordained for the bellye and the bellye for meates but God shall destroye bothe it and them Let not the bodye be applyed vnto fornication but vnto the Lorde and the Lorde vnto the body Ether remember ye not that your bodies are the members of Christe Shall I nowe take the members of Christe and make them the members of an harlote God for bydde Doe ye not vnderstand that he which coupleth him selfe with an harlot is become one bodye For two sayeth he shall be one flesh Fle fornication All sinnes that a man doth are wiâ—houte the bodye but he that is a fornicatour synneth against his own body The deedes of the flâ—she are manyfest which are these aduoutrye fornicaâ—ion vnclennesse wantannes ydolatrye witchcrafte hatered variaunce zâ—ale wrath strife sedition sectes enuyinge murther dronckennesse gluttonye and suche like of the whiche I tell you before as I haue tolde you in time past that they whiche commit suche thinges shall not inherit the kingdome of God Se that forniâ—ation and all unclennes or coueteousnes be not ones namâ—d amonge you as it becommeth saynctes neither filthynes neither foolishe talkinge neither gestinge whyche are not comelye but rather geuinge of thankes For thys ye knowe that no whoremonger ether vncleane personne or couetuous personne which is the worshipper of ydoles hath anye inheritaunce in the kyngedome of Christe and God God hathe not called vs vnto vnclennes but vnto holines God wyll iudge fornicators and aduouterers ¶ Of fortitude and stabilitye and of the constancy of the hearte Cap 18. THerefore my deare breethren be ye stedfast and vnmouable alwaies rich and abundant in the works of the Lord in as much as ye knowe how that youre laboure is not in vaine in the Lord. And therfore let vs not hence foorth be no more children waueringe and caried with euery wynde of doctrine by the wilines of men and craftines whereby they laye awayte for vs to deceaue vs. Fynally my brethren be strong in the Lorde and in the power of hys mighte put on the armoure of God that ye may stand stedfast against the crafty assaultes of the dâ—uyl For we wrastle not against flesh and bloude but against rule against power against worldly rulers of the darkennes of this worlde against spirituall wyckednesse for heauenlye thynges For this cause take vnto you the armoure of God that ye may â—e
able to resiste in the euill daye and stande perfecte in all thinges Stand therefore and youre loines girde aboute with veriâ—ye hauinge on the breast plate of ryghteousenesse and shood with showes prepared by the gospell of peace Aboue all thynges take to you the shelde of faith wherwith ye may quenche al the fire dartes of the wicked And take the helmet of saluation and the swearde of the spirite which is the word of God and praye alwayes with all manner prayer and supplication and that in the spirite Continue grounded and stablished in the fayeth and he not moued awaye frome the hope of the Gospell where of ye haue heard how that it is preached amonge all creatures which are vnder heauen As ye haue therfore receiued Christ Iesus oure Lord euen so walke roted and built in him and stedfast in the fayeth as ye haue learned and there in bee plentuouse in geuynge thankes Armed with the brest plate of fayth and loue and with hope of â—aluation as an helmet For God hath not appoynted vs vnto wrathe but to obtayne saluation by the meanes of ourâ— Lord Iesus Christe which dyed for vs that whether we make or slepe we shoulde lyue together with him We beseche you brethren by the comminge of our Lord Iesu Christ and in that we shall assemble vntoo him that ye be not sodenlye moued frome your minde and be not troubled neyther by the spirite neyher by wordes nor yet by letter whiche shoulde seeme to come to vs aâ—thoughe the daye of Christ were at hand The Lorde is faithfull which shall stablishe you and keepe you from euyll Brethren be not werye in well doynge Then therfore my sonne be strong in the grace that is in Christ Iesu. And let vs hold fast the confidence and the reioâ—singe of that hope vnto the ende Wherefore as the holyâ— ghost sayeth To day if ye shall hear his voyce harden not youre hartes after the rebellion in the day of temtation in the wildernes where your fathers tempted me proued me and sawe my workes fortye yeare longe We are parâ—akers of Christe if we kepe sure vnto the ende the fyrst substaunce so longe as it is sayed To daye if ye heare hys voice harden not your harts as when ye rebelled Be not caried aboute with dyuers and straunge learninge For it is a good thinge that the harte be stablyshed with grace and not with mâ—ats whiche haue not profyted them that haue had ther pastime in them Though we walked compassed with the fleshe yet we warre not fleshlye For the weapons of oure warre are not carnall thinges But thinges mighty in God to cast doune strong holdes wherewith we ouerthrowe imaginations and euerye hys thing that exaltethe it selfe agaynste â—he knowledge of God and bringe in to captiuitye all vnderstandynge to the obedyence of Christe and are readye to take vengeaunce on all disobedience when youre obedience is fulfylled ¶ Agaynst coueteousnesse and of liberality Capitu. 19. SE that couetuousnesse be not once named amonge you for the coueteous person which is the worshipper of ydolles hathe no inheritaunce in the kingedome of Christ and of God Ye I thinke all thinges but losse for the eâ—cellente knowledges of Christe Iesu and do iudge them but donge that I myghte wynne Christ. The destitute of the truthe thinke that lucre is Godlynesse Godlinesse is greate riches if a manne be contenâ—e wyth that he hathe For we broughte nothynge in to the worlde and it is a playne case that wee can carye nothinge oute When we haue fode and raymâ—nte let vs therwith be content For they that wil be rich fall in to temptation and snares and in to many foolishe and noysome lustes which droune men in perdition and destruction For couetuousnes is the rote of all euyll Whiche whyle some lusted after they erred from the fayeth and tangled them selues with many sorowes but thou whiche art the man of God flye such thinges Charge them whiche are riche in this world that they be not exceadinge wyse and that they trust not in the vncertayne riches but in the liuinge God which geueth vs aboundauntlye all thinges to enioye them and that they do good and be riche in good workes and readye to geue and distribute layinge vppe in store for them selues a good â—ondation against the time to come that they may obtain eternall life Let youre conuersasion be wythoute couetuousnesse and be câ—ntente with that ye haue alreadye For he verely sayd I wyll not fayle the neither forsake the that we maye boldlye saye The Lorde is my helper and I will not feare what man doth vnto me For all other seke their owne and not that which is Iesus Christes ¶ Of the obseruation of ensamples and auoydynge of offences Capitu 20. IF thou he called a Iewe and trustest in the lawe and reioysest in god and knowest his wil and hast experience of good and bad in that thou art informed by the law and beleuest that thou thy selfe art a guide vnto the blind a light to them which are in darkennesse an informer of them whiche lacke discresion a teacher of vnlearned whiche haste the ensample of that which ought to be knowen and of the truth in the lawe But thou whiche teacthest an other teachest not thy selfe Thou preachest a man shoulde nâ—t sâ—eale and yet thou stealest Thou sayest â— man shoulde not commit aduouteryâ— and thou breakest wedlocke Thou abhorreste ydolsâ— and robbest God of his hoâ—oure Thou reioyesest in the law and thorow breaking of the law dishonourest god for the name of god is euyll spoken of amonge the gentiles thorowe you Let no man put a stombling blocke or an occasion to fall in his brothers way For I know and am full certified in the lord Iesus that ther is nothinge common of it selfe but vnto him that iudgeth it to be common to him it is common Yf thy brother be greued with thy meate now walkest thou not charitablye Destroye not him w t thy meat for whom Christ died Cause not youre treasure to be â—uyll spoken of For the kingdome of God is not meate and drincke but righteoâ—senesse peace and ioye in the holye ghost For who so euer in these things serueth Christ pleaseth God wel and is commended of men Therfore let vs folowe those thinâ—es where with one maye edifye an other Destroy not the worke of God for a little meates sake All thinges are pure but it is euyll for that man whiche â—ateth with hurte of his conscyence It is good neyther to eatâ— fleshe neyther to dryncke wyne neither anye thynge whereby thy brother stombleth eyther falleth or is made weake Let euery manne please his neighbour vnto his wealth and edifyinge I besech you brethren marke them which cause diuision and geue occasions of euill contrarye to the doctrine which ye haue learned aâ—d auoid the for they that are such serue not
of them For if the castinge awaye of themâ— be the reconcilinge of the worlde what shal the receauinge of them be but life agayn from death For if one pece are holye the whole heape is holye And if the rote be holye the braunches be holye also Thoughe some of the braunches be broken of and thou beinge a wylde olyue tree arte grafte in amonge them and madâ— partaker of the rote and faâ—nes of the oliuâ— tre boast not thy â—â—lf agaynst the braunches For if thou boaste thy selfe remember that thou bearâ—st not the rote but the rote thee Thou wylâ—e saye then the braunches are broken of that I might be grafte in Thou sayest well because of vnbeleue they are broken of an thou standest stedfast in fayeth Be not â—ye mynded but feare seinge that God spared not the naturall braunches leaste haply â—e also spare not thee Beholde the kindenes and rigorousnes of God on them whiche fell rigorousenes but towards thee kyndnes if thou continue in his kyndnes Or els thou shalt be hewen of and they if they â—yde not styll in vnbeliefe shall be grafte in agayne For God is of power to graffe them in agayne For if thou wast cutte oute of a naturall wylde olyue tree and wast graffed contrarye to nature in a true olyue tree how muche more shall the naturall braunches be graffed in theyr owne olyue tree agayn I would not that this secrete should be hyd frome you my brethren lest ye shuld be wise in your owne consaytes that partly blindnes is happened in Israell vntyll the fulnesse of the gentyles bee come in and so all Israell shall be saued As it is wrytten There shall come out of Syon be y t doeth deliuer and shal turne away the vngodlines of Iacob And this is my couenaunt vnto them whan I shall take away theyr synnes As concerninge the gospell they are ennemies for youre sakes But as touchinge the election they are loued for the fathers sake For verelye the gyftes and callynge of God are suche that it canne not repente hym of them for looke as ye in tyme passed haue not beleeued God yet haue nowe obtayned mercyâ— thorowe theyr vnbelyefe euen so nowe haue they not beleeued the mercy which is happened vnto you that they also maye obtayne mercye God hathe wrapped all nations in vnbelyeâ—e that he myght haue mercye on all O the deepenesse of the aboundaunt wisdome and knowledge of God howe vnserchâ—able are hys iudgementes And I saye that the gentiles praise God for hys mercye as it is wrytten For this cause I wyll prayse the amonge the gentyles and synge in thy name And agayne he sayeth Reioyce ye gentiles with his people And againâ— Prayse the Lorde all ye gentiles and laude him all nations And agayne Esaias sayeth There shall be the rote of Iesse and he that shall ryse to raygne ouer the gentyles in him shal be the gentiles trust We do not as Moses which put a vaile ouer his face that the children of Israell shoulde not see for what purpose that serued whiche is put awaye But their mindes were blinded For vntyll this daye remayneth the same concernyng vntaken waye in the olde Testamente when they reade it which in Christ is put away But euen vnto this day when Moses is red the vayle hangeth before their harts Neuerthelesse when they turne to the Lord the vaile shall be taken awaye Remember that ye beinge in time passed gentiles in the flesh and were called vncyrcumcision to them which are called circumcision in the fleshe which circuÌ„cision is made by hands Remember I saye that ye were at that time withoute Christe and wer reputed aliâ—ntes frome the common wealth of Israell and were straungers from the Testament of promes and had no hope and were withouâ—e God in this woorlde But nowe in Christ Iesu ye which a whyle a goo were farre of are made nye by the bloudde of Christe and he came and preached peace to you which were a far of and to them that wer â—e For thorow him we bothe haue an open way in in one spirit vnto the father As it is now declared vnto hys holye Apostels and prophettes by the spirite that the gentiles should be inheritoures also and of the same bodye and partakers of his promes that is in Christe Iesu. c. vt supra eodem ti The Iewes as they kylled the lord Iesus and their owne prophettes euen so haue they persecuted vs and God they pleased not and are contrarye to all men And forbydde vs too preache vntoo the gentiles that they myghte bee saued too fulfyll their sinnes alway For the wrath of God is come on them to the vâ—most ¶ Of diuers gifts of grace geuen vnto the church in the time of grace vnder and in time of the Euangelycall lawe Capitu. 41. SEinge that we haue dyuers gyfâ—s accordinge to the grace that is geuen vnto vs. Yf any man haue the gyfte of prophesye let him haue it that it be agreinge vnto the faith Let him that hath an office waite on his office Let him that teacheth take heede to his doctrine Let him that exhorteth geue attendaunce to his exhortation if anye man geue let him doe it wyth synglenesse Let hym that ruleth doo it wyth dilygence Yf anye manne shewe mercy let him do it wyth chearefulnes Let loue be withoute dissimulation hatâ— that whiche is euyll and cleaue vnto that whiche is good Let not that busines which ye haue in hande be tedyous vnto you Dystribute vntoo the necessites of the saynctes and be readye to harboure be of lyke affecâ—ion one towardes an other yf it bâ— possible Howe be it of youre parte haue peace with all menne Dearelye beloued auenge not youre selues but geeue roume vnto the wrath of God I my selfe am full certifyed of you my brethren that ye youre selues are full of goodnes fylled wyth all knowledge and are able to exhorte one an other For in all thinges ye are made rich in God in all learninge and in all knowledge so that ye are behinde in no gifte c. vt sup And ye not ware that ye are the temple of God and how that the spirit of God dwelleth in you Yf anye man defyle the temple of God him shall God destroy For temple the of God is holyâ— which temple ye are And verely ye were wicked but ye are washed ye are sanctified ye are iustyfyed by the name of the Lorde Iesus and by the spâ—riâ—e of our god eyther remember ye not that youre bodyes are the temple of the holye ghoste whiche is in you Whome ye haue of God and how that ye are not your owne For ye are dearelye boughte Therefore glorifye ye God in youre bodies and in your spirits In spirituall thinges brethren I would not haue you ignoraunt For no manne can saye that Iesus is the Lorde but by the holye ghost There are dâ—uersities of
Christ is the Lorde vnto the prayse of God the father And wythoute naye greate is that misterye of Godlynesse God was shewed in the flesh was iustified in the spirite was seene of Aungels was preached vnto the gentiles was beleued on in the earth and receiued vp in glorye ¶ That Christ is the head not onely of the churche militant but also of the triumphante And of the mysticall vntitye of the churche And of the excellency and laâ—d of Christ. Capitu. 48. I Saye to euerye man amongâ— you that no man esteme of him selfe more then it becommeth hym to esteeme but accordynge as God hathe dealte â—o euerye man the measure of fayeth For as we haue many mâ—â—bâ—rs in one body and all members haue not one office so we beynge manye are one bodye in Christe and euâ—rye manne amonge oure selues one an others members For as the bodye is one and hathe manye members c. vt supra Capi. 41. Nowe is there no Iewe neyther gentyle there is neither bonde nor â—ree there is nâ—ither man nor woman But ye are all one thinge in Christe Whome God sette on hys ryghte hand in heauenly â—hinges aboue all rule power and myghte and domination and aboue all names that are named not in thys worlde onelye but also in the worlde to come and hathe put all thynges vnder hys â—eete and hath made hym aboue all thinges the headde of the congregation which is hiâ— bodye and the fulnesse of him that â—ylleth all in all thinges Whiche is the heade that is to say Christe in whome all â—he bodâ—e is coupled and knit together in euerye ioynte wherewith one miniâ—â—retâ—e to an other accordynge too the operation as euery parte hath his measure and increaseth the bodye vnto the edifyinge of it selfe in loue For Christ is the heade oâ— the congregation and the same is the sauioure of the bodye Which is the ymage oâ— the inuisyble God firste begotten of all creatures For by him were all thinges created thinges â—hat are in heauen and thynges that are in the earthe things visyble and thiâ—gs inuisible whether thei be maiesty or lordship either rule or power All thinges are created by him and in hym and he is before all thinges and in him all thinges haue their beginninge And he is the heade of the bodye that is to wytte of the congregation he is the beginninge and first begotten of the dead that in all things he might haue the preheminence For in him dwelleth all the fulnes of the Godheadde bodilye and ye are complete in him whiche is the heade of all rule and power He hath not vnto the Aungels put in â—ubiectyon the worlde too come wherof we speake But one in a certayn place wytnesseth sayinge what is man that thou art so myndefull of hâ—m and the sonne of manne that thou visitest hym After that thou haddest for a season made him lowâ—r then the Aungels thou crounest him with hoâ—oure and glorye and hastâ— set him aboue the workes of thy handes Thou hast put all thinge in subiection vnder his fete In that he put all thinges vnder him he lefte nothing that is not put vnder him Neuerthelesse we yet se not all thinges to be subdued vnâ—o him Whiche was faythfull to him that made him euen as was Moses in al his house And yet was this manne counted worthy of more glorye thâ—n Moses In as muche as he whiche hathe prepared â—he honse hath most honour in the house Euery house is prepared of some man But he â—hat ordayned at things is God And Moses berelye was â—aythfull in all hys house as a minyster to beare wytnesse of the thinges which shoulde be spoken afterwardes But Christe as a sonne hath rule ouer the house whose house are we so that we holde faste the confiâ—ence and the râ—ioysynge of that hope vnto the ende ¶ Of the dyuinitye and emynence of the onelye begotten sonne of God Capiâ—u 49. GOd hathe spoken vntoo vs by his sonne whome hee hathe made heiere of all thinges by whom also he made the world which â—onne beinge the brightenesse of his glorye and verye ymage of his substaunce bearinge vp all thinges with the worde of his power hath in his owne person pourged oure synnes and is sytten on the ryghte hande of his maiestye on â—ye and is more eâ—cellenâ—e then the Aungelles in as much as he hath by inheritaunce obtayned an eâ—ellenâ—er name then they haue For vnto which of the Aungels sayed he at anye tyme. Thou art my sonne this daye begat I thâ—e And and agayn I wyll be his father and he shall be my sonne And agayne when he bringeth in the first begotteÌ„ son in to the world he sayth And all the Aungels of God shall worshippe him And of the Aungels he saith He maketh his Aungels spiriâ—s and hys ministers â—lames of fyre But vntoo the son he saith God thy seate shalbe for euer and euer The cepter of thy kingdome is a righte cepter Thou hast loued righteousenesse and haâ—ed iniquity Wherfore god which is thy god hathe anointed the with the oyle of gladnesse aâ—ouâ—â—hy fâ—lowes And thou Lord in the beginnyng hast laid the foundation of the earth And the heauens are the wâ—rkâ—s Thâ—â— shall perishe but thou shalâ— endurâ— â—hâ—â— all shal ware old as doth a gaâ—ment and as a â—esturâ— shalâ—â— tâ—ou chaunge â—hem and they shalbe chaunged But thou art alwayes and â—hy yeaâ—s â—â—al not â—ayle Unto whâ—che of the Aungels sayde he at anye â—â—me Syâ—â—n my ryghte haâ—de tyll I make hâ—ne enemies thy foâ—â— sâ—â—lâ— â—râ— they not all ministringe spâ—â—â—â—s sente to â—inister for theyr sakes whicâ—â— sâ—â—ll be â—eâ—ers of saluaâ—ion For the word of god is quâ—cke and mâ—ghtye in operaâ—â—â—n and sâ—arpâ—r then anye 〈…〉 and enfreth through eueÌ„ vnto the diuâ—diâ—ge a sonder of the soule and the spirite and of the â—oyntes and the marâ—â— and iudgethe the thoughtes and â—he intentes of the heart neither is ther any creature inuisible in the sight of it For all thynges are naked and bare vnto the eyes of him of whom we speaek For Iesus Christe yesterdaye and to daye and the same continueth for euer Whiche is God ouer all thinges blessed for euer Whiche beinge in the shape of god thoughte it not robberye to be equall with God c. ¶ Of the nisufficiencye feblenesse of the law of Moses too saue manne withoute fayth and grace Capi. +tu 50. BY the deedes of the lawe shall no flesh be iustifyed in the sight of God For by the lawe commeth the knowledge of sinne Nowe verelye is the ryghteousenesse that commeth of God declared withoute the fulfyllinge of the lawe hauinge witnes yet of the law and of the prophetes The righteousnes no doubt which is good before God commeth by the fayth of Iesus Christ vnto all â—nd vppon all that beleeue There is no difference for all hâ—ue sinned and lacke
of the elders But when it pleased Godde whyche separated mâ—e frome my mothers wombe and called me by hys grace for to declare his sonne by me that I shuld preache him amonge the hâ—athen immâ—diatly I comened not of the matter wiâ—h fleshe and bloude neiâ—her returned to Ierusalem to them which were Apostles before me but went my waies in to Arabia and came again vnto Damasco Then after three yeare I returned to Ierusalem to see Peter and abode with him 15. dayes none other of the Apostles sawe I but Iames the Lordes brother The things whiche I wryte beholde God knoweth I lye not After that I wente in to the costes of Siria and Cilicia and was vnknowen as touchynge my person vnto the congregation of Iewrye whiche were in Christe But they hearde onely that he whiche persecuted vs in time past nowe preacheth the fayeth whyche before he destroyed And they glorified God on my behalfe Then .14 yeares after I went vp agayne to Ierusalem wyth Barnabas and â—ooke wyth me Titus also ¶ How humblye the Apostell desireth hym selfe and his disciples to be prayed for And of certayne other hys actes Capitu 71. I Beseche you brethren for oure Lodre Iesus Christes sake and for the loue of the spirite that ye helpe me in my busines with your prayers to God for me that I maye be deliuered frome them whiche beleue not in Iewrye and that this my seruice which I haue to Ierusalem maye be accepted of the saintes that I may come vnto you with ioye by the wyll of God and maye with you be refreshed Prayinge for mee that vtteraunce maye be geuen vnto me that I maye open my mouthe boldely to vtter the secretes of the gospel wher of I am a messenger in bondes that therein I maye speake frely as it becometh me to speake Praye ye for vs that God open vnto vs the dore of vtteraunce that we may speake the mistery of Christ. Wherfore I am also in bondes that I maye vtter it as it becommeth me to speake Furthermore breethren praye for vs that the worde of God may haue free passage and be glorified as it is with you and that we maye be deliuered from vnreasonable and euyll menne I desire you therefore somewhat the more abundauntely that ye so do that I may be restored to you quickelye Knowe the brother Timothe whome we haue sente from vs with whome if he come shortelye I wyll see you I wyll come vnto you after I haue gone ouer Macedonia For I wyll go throughe oute Macedonia Wyth you peâ—aduenture I wyll a byde a whyle or els wynter that ye maye bringe me on my waye whether so euer I goo I wyll not see you nowe in my passage but I truste to abyde a whyle wyth you if God shall suffer me I wyll tarye at Ephesus vntyll whytsontyde For a greate dore and a frutefull is opened vnto me and there are manye aduersaryes To speake of brother Apollo I certifye you that I greatelye desired him to come vnto you with the brethren but hys mynde was not at all to come at this tyme. How be it he wyll come when he shal haue conueniente time and leysure I call God for a recorde vnto my soule that for to fauoure you all I came not any more vnto Corinthum Not that we bee Lordes ouer youre faith but helpers of your ioye Make spede to come to me at once For Demas hath left me and loueth thys presente worlde and is departed vnto Thesselonica Cressensis gone too Galacia and Titus vnto Damatia Only Lucas is wyth me Take Marke bringe him with the. For he is necssary vnto me for to minister And Lithicus haue I setto Ephesus The cloke y â— I left at Troada w t Carpus when thou comest bringe with thee and the bokes but speciallye the partchement Erascus abode at Corinthum Trophimos I left at Myletum sicke Make spede to come before wynter When I shall sende Artemas vnto the or Tithicus be diligente to come to me vnto Nichopolis ¶ Of suche persons whiche in hys Epistles he saluted and were saluted Capitu 72. GReete Prisca and Aquila my helpers in Christ Iesu which haue for my lyfe layed downe theyr owne neckes Unto which not I onelye gaue thankes but also the congregation of the Gentiles Likewise greete the congregation that is in their house Salute my welbeloued Epenetesâ— whiche is the firste frute among them of Achaia Greete Marye which bestowed much labour on vs. Salute Andronicus Iunia my cosyns whiche were prysonners with me also whiche are well taken amonge the Apostelles and were in Christe before me Timotheus my woorke felowe and Lucius and Iason and Sopater my kinsmen salute you Caius myne hoste and the host of al the congregations saluteth youâ— Graseus saluteth you c. The congregations of Asia salute you Aquila and Priscilla salute you muche in the Lorde and so doeth all the congregatyon that is in theyr house with whom I am lodged All the brethren grete you The salutation of me Paule with myne owne hande c. All the saintes salute you Epapâ—raâ— saluteth you I beare him recorde that he hathe a feruente minde toward you and toward them of Laodicia and them of Ierapolis Deare Lucas the Phisition greeteth you and Demas Salute the â—reethren whiche are of Laodicia and salute Nimphas and the congregation which is in her house Epaphras my felowe presoner in Christe Iesus salutethe thee and Marcus Aristarcus Demas Lucas my helpers â—riâ—â—arcus my pryson felowe saluteth you and Marcus Barnabas sisters sonne touchinge whome yâ— receaued commaundementes Yf he come vnto you receaue him and Iesus whiche is called iustus which are of the circumcision These onely are my work felowes vnto the kingdome of God whiche were vnto my consolation Salute all the saintes The brethren whiche are in Italye salute you All the saintes salute you and moste of all they whiche are of the Emperoures housholde The salutation of me Paule with mine owne hande This is the token in al epistels So I write The grace of our Lorde Iesus Christe be wyth you all ¶ The prayse and glorification oâ— the omnipotent Lorâ— and god Capitu. 73. TO him that is of power to stablyshe you accordynge to my gospell and preachynge of Iesus Christe in vtteringe of the mysterye which was kepte secrete sense the worlde began but nowe is opened by the scriptures of prophesye at the commaundemente of the euerlastinge God to styrre vp obedience to the faith published among all nations To the same God which alone is wyse be prayse throughe Iesus Christ for euer Amen God is fayethfull By whome ye are called Blessed be God the father of oure Lord Iesus Christ the father of mercye and the God of all comforte the Lord no doubte is a spirit And wher the spirite of the Lorde is there is libertye