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
coumpte of him self beyonde that whiche is aboue wrytten that one swell not against an other for anye mans cause For who preferreth the Now ye are ful now ye are made ryche Ye raygne aâ— kynges wythoute vs and I woulde to God ye did raigne that we myghte raigne with you God hath called vs in peace If there be anye manne amonge you that lustethe to stryue let hym knowe that wee haue no suche custome neither the congregation of God This I warne ye of and commend not that ye come together not after a better manner but after a worsse Fyrst of all when ye come to gether in the congregation I heare that there is dissention amonge you and I partly beleue it For ther must be heresyes and sectes amonge you that they whiche are perfecte among you mighte be knowen When yâ— come together a man canâ—e not â—aâ—â— the Lordes supper For euery maâ— beginneth afore to eate his own supper And one is hungrye and an other is dronâ—ken Haue ye not houseâ— to eaâ—e and to dryncke in Or elles despise ye the congregation of God and shame them that haue not what shall I saye vnto you shall I praysâ— you In this prayse I you not For God is not causer of styâ—fe but of peace as I teache in all congregations of saincts And as many as walke accordinge to this rule peace be on them and mercye and vpon Israell that partaineth to God Onelye let youre conuersation be as it becommeth the gospel of Christ that whether I come and see you or elles be absente I maye yet heare of you that ye contynue in one spirit and in one soule labouringe as we doe to mayntayne the â—ayeth of the gospell Therfore if there be amonge you aâ—â—e consolation in Christe if there be anye coumfortable loue if there be anye feloship of the spirite if there be anye compassion or mercye fulfyl my ioye that ye drawe one way hauinge one loue beingâ— at one accord and of one minde Neuerthelesse in that wherunto we are come let vs proceade by one rule that we maye be of one accorde I praye Enodias and besech Sintyches that they be of one accorde in the Lorde And the peace of God rule in your hartes to the which peace ye are called in one bodye Striue not aboute wordes which is to no profyte but to peruerte the hearers Folish vnlearned questions put from the remembringe that they do but gender strife but the seruaunte of God muste not striue but must be peaceable vnto all men Folishe questions and genealogies and braulinge and strife aboute the law auoyd for they are vnprofitable and superfluous◠¶ Agaynste temerarius and inordinate iâ—dgementes Capi. 22. THerfore art thou inexcusable o manne who so euer thou be that iudgest For in that same wherein thou iâ—dgest an other thou condempnest thy self For thou that iudgest doest euen the same self thinges But we are sure that the iudgemente of God is accordinge to truth againste them which commytte such thingâ—s Thinkest thou this O thou manne that iudgest them whiche do such things and yet dost euen the verye same that thou shalte escape the iudgemente of God Ether â—espisesâ— thou the riches of his goodnes pacience long sufferaunce and remembrest not thou how that y â— kindneâ— of God leadeth the to repentaunce but thou after thine harde hart y â— can not repent heapest together y â— trâ—asure of wrath against the day of vengeaunce wheÌ„ shal be opened the righteoâ—snes of God whiche wyll rewarde euerye man accordinge to his dedes One beleueth that he maye eate all thinge Let not him that eateth despyse hym that eateth not And let not him which eateth not iudge him that eateth For God hath receaued him What art thou that iudgest an other mannâ—s seruaunte Whether he stande or fall that pertaineth vnto his master Ye he shall stand For God is able to make him stand This man putteth difference betwene day and day an other man counteth all dayes a like Se that no man wauer in his owne meaning He that obserueth one daye more then the other dothe it for the Lordes pleasure And he that obserueth not one daye more then an other doeth it to please the lorde also And he that eateth doth it to please the Lorde and geueth God thankes But whye doest thou then iudge thy brother Other why dost y â— despyse thy brother we shall all be brought before the iudgment seat of Christ for it is writteÌ„ As truly as I liue saith y â— lord al knees shal bow to meâ— al tongâ— shal geue aknowledge to God So shal euery one of vs geue accomptes of him sele to God Let â—s not therefore iudge one an other any more But iudge this rather that no manne put a stombling blocke or an occasion to faule in his brothers waye Happye and blessed is â—e that condempneth not hym selfe in that thinge which he aloweth With me it is a very small thing that I should be iudged of you ether of mans daye No I iudge not myne owne selfe I knowe nought by my selfe yet am I not thereby iustifyed It is the Lorde that iudgeth me Therefore iudge nothinge before the tyme vntyll the Lorde come whyche wyll lighten thinges that are hidden in darkennesse and open the counsayles of the heartes And then shall euery man haue praise of God What haue I to doe to iudge them which are without Do ye not iudge them that are with in Them that are without God shal iudge How dare one of you hauinge busines with an other go to lawe vnder the wicked and not rather vnder the sayntes Doe ye not knowe that the sainctes shall iudge the worlde if the worlde shall be iudged by yâ—u are ye not good ynoughe to iudge small trifles knowe ye not how that we shal iudgâ— the Aungels How much more maye we iudge thinges that pertayn to the lyfe If ye haue iudgementâ—â— of worldlye matters take them whiche are despised in the congregation and make them iudges This I saye to youre shameâ— Is there vtterlye no wyse manne amonge you what not one at all that canne iudge betwene brother and brother but one brother goeth to law with an other anâ—â—hat vnder the vnbeleuersâ— Nowe therefore there is vtterlye a faute amonge you because ye go to lawe one with an other Whyâ— rather suffer ye not wroâ—ge Why rather suffer ye not youre selues to be robbed Naye ye youre selues do wronge and robbe and that the breethren â—oo ye not knowe aâ—d remember howe that the vnrighteouse shall not inâ—eryte the kingdome of Godâ— Yf we would iudge oure selues we should not be iudged But when we are iudged of the Lorde we are chastened because we shuld not be damned with the world Of them whiche seme to be greâ—te what they were in â—ime passed it maketh no matter to me God â—oketh on no mans person
lighte Wherefore he sayth awake thou that â—â—epest and stande vp from death and Christ shall geue the lighte We beseche you brethren warne and rebuke them that are vnrulye Yf anye man obey not our sayingâ— counte him not as an ennemye but warne him as a brother Rebuke not an elder bâ—t exhorte him as a father Them that synne rebuke openly that other may feare I testifye before God and Christe Iesu whiche shall iudge quycke and dead and by his comming and kingdome be it in season or oute of season improue rebuke preache the worde be â—eeuente exhort with all longe sufferinge and doctryne For the time wyll come when they wyl not suffer wholesome doctryne but after theyr owne lustes shall they whose eares itch get them an helpe of tâ—achers and shall tourne theyr eares frome the truthe and shall be geuen vnto fables All scripture is profitable to improue and rebuke These thinges speake exhort and rebuke with all commaundinge The seâ—uaunte of God with modestye muste reproue them that resyste the truthe if that God at anye time wyll geue them repentaunce for too know the truth and come agayne to them selues oute of the snare of the deuyll which are nowe taken of him at his wyll For when as concerninge the time ye oughte to be teachers yet haue ye neede agayne that we teache you the firste principles of the worde of God and are become suche as haue nede of mylke and not strong meate For â—uerye manne that is feadde wyth mylke is inexperte in the woorde of ryghteouseneâ—se For he is but a babe What sonne is that whome the father chasâ—eneth noâ— Al maner of chastning in the present tyme seemethe not too be ioyouse but greuouse Neuerthelesse afterwarde it bringeth the quyet frute of righteousnesse vnto them whyche are therin excercised ¶ Of temptation Capitu. 25. LEt vs not tempte Christe as some of them tempted and wer destroyed of serpentes None other temptation hathe taken you but suche as foloweth the nature of man But God is faythfull whiche shall not suffer you to be tempted aboue youre strengthe but shall in the myddes of the temptation make awaye to escape oute and sustayne it The God of peace shall treade Sathan vnder your feete shortely For these false Apostels are disceitful workers and fashion them selues like vnto the Apostelles of Christe And no maruayle for Sathan hym selfe is chaunged in to the fashion of an Aungell of lighte Therefore it is no greate thinge thoughe his ministers fashion theÌ„ selues as thoughe thei were the ministers of righteousnesse whose ende shall be according to their dedes And least I shoulde be exalted oute of measure thorow the aboundaunce of reuelations ther was geuen vnto me vnquietnes of y e flesh the mâ—ssenger of Sathan to buffet me For this thinge besoughte I the Lorde thryse that it mighte departe from me And he sayed vnto me my grace is suffyente for thee for my strength is made perfecte thorow weaknes The fleshe lâ—steth contrarye to the spirite and the spirite contrarye to the fleshe c. As aboue Ca. 16. Neither geue place vnto the deuyl For we wrastle not against flesh and bloude but againste power and worldly rulers c. as aboue Capi. 18. For as muche brethren as we are kepte frome you for a season as concerning the bodyly presence but not in the hearte we enforced the more toâ— see you personablye wyth great desyre And therfore we would haue come to you I Paule but Sathan withstode vs. For this cause when I coulde no longer forbeare I sent that I might haue knowledge of your fayeth least happelye the tempter had tempteâ— you and that our labour hadde bene bestowed in vayne In that Christe him selfe suffered and was tempted he is able to succoure them that are tempted Seinge then that we haue not an hye priest which can not haue compassion on our infirmites but in all poyntes tempted like as we are but yet withâ—ute synne That we be not circumuented of sathan For his thoughtes are not vnknowen vnto vs. No manne is crouned excepte he striâ—e laufullye ¶ Of prayer Capitu 26. LYkewise the spirit also helpeth our infyrmities For we know not what to praye for or to desire as we ought but the spirite makethe intercession mightelye for vs. And he that searcheth the heartes knowethe what is the meaninge of the spirit for he maketh intercession forthe saintes accordinge to the pleasure of God Christe maketh intercession for vs. Yf I praye with the tonge my spirit praieth but my minde is without frute What is it then I wyll pray with the spirit and wyll praye wiâ—h the mynde also I wyll synge wyth spirit and wyll syng with the minde also Continue in prayer Pray alwaies with al maner praier and supplication and that in the spirit and watch therunto with al instance and supplication for al saints In all thinges shewe your peticion vnto God in praier and supplication with geuinge of thanks Continue in prayer watch in the â—ame with thankes geuinge Praye continuallye I praye you therefore that aboue all thinges prayers supplications intercessions and geuinge of thanks bâ— had for all men for kinges and for all that are in autoritye that we maye lyue a quyet and a peaceable lyfe in all Godlynes and honestye and chastitye For that is good and accepted in the syghte of God our sauioure I wyll therfore that the men praye euery whereâ— liftinge vp their handes without wrath or doubting Likewise also the women that they araye them selues in comely apparel with shamefastnesse and discrete behauiour Christ in the dayes of his fleshe did offer vppe praiers and supplications with strong cryinge and teares vnto him that was able to saue him frome death And was also hearde because of his Godlye reuerâ—nce Therefore he is able also euer to saue them that come vnto God by him seinge he euer lyueth to make intercession for vs. Christe is entred in to very heauen for to appeare nowe in the sighte of God for vs. ¶ Of spirituall gloriation or ioye and inwarde consolation And against vayne glory Capitu. 27. TO euery man that doth good shall come prayse honour and peace to the Iewe firste and also to the gentyle We glorye and reioyce in the hope of the children of God neyther doe we so onelye but we reioyce in tribulations and we reioyce and ioye in God by the meanes of oure Lorde Iesus Christ by whom we haue receaued the attenmente The God of hope fyll you with all ioye and peace in beleuinge Therefore let no man glorye or reioyce in meÌ„ For all things are yours whether it be Paule eyther Apollo eyther Cephas whether it be the worlde eyther life eyther deathâ— whether they be presente thingâ—s or thinges to come all are youreâ— and ye are Christes
members So then I my selfe in my mynde serue the lawe of God and in my fleshe the lawe of synne We were naturallye the children of wrath euen as well as other For by manne came deathe and by a manne came the resurrection of the deadde For as by Adam all dye euen so by Christe shall all be made a lyue For that the lawe coulde not doo in asmuche as it was weake because of the flesh that performed God and sente his sonne in the similytude of synfull fleshe and by synne damned synne in the fleshe that the righteousnes required of the lawe might be fulfylled in vs whiche walke not after the flesh but after the spirite ¶ Of threfolde heauinesse laudable vituperable and indifferente Capitu 31. I Saye the truthe in Christ and lye not in that my conscyence beareth me witnes in the holye ghoâ—t that I haue greate heauinesse and continuall sorow in my hart for my brethren which are Israelites But I determined this with my selfe that I would not come againe to you in heauinesse For if I make you sorye who is it that shuld make me glad but the same which is made sory by me And I wrote this same to you least if I came I should take heuynes of thâ—m of whome I oughte to reioyce Certainly this confidence haue I in you all that my ioy is the ioye of you all For in great affliction and anguyshe of hearte I wrote vnto you with manye teares not to make you sorye but that ye mighte perceaue the loue which I haue most specially vnto you Yf anye manne hathe caused sorowe the same hathe not made me sory but partely least I should greue you all Wherfore thoughe I made you sory with a letter I repent not though I did repente For I perceaue that the same pistle made you sory thoughe ye wer buâ— a season But now I reioyce not that ye were sorye but that ye so sorowed that ye repented For ye sorowed Godly so that in nothinge ye were hurt by vs. For godlye sorowe causeth râ—pentaunce vnto saluation not to be repenâ—ed of when worldly sorowe causeth death Beholde what dilygence this Godly sorowe that ye toke hathe wroughte in you it caused indignation it caused â—â—are it caused desire it caused a feruente mynde it caused punyshement For in all thingâ— ye haue shewed youre selues that ye wâ—re cleare in that matter Epaphroditus was sicke and that euen to death But God had mercye on him not on him onelye but on me also least I shoulde haue sorowe vpon sorow I would not brethren haue you ignoraunt concerning them which are fallâ—n a slepe that ye sorowe not as oâ—her do which haue no hope ¶ An exhortation to labour for felicity and beatitude it selfe Capitu. 32. I suppose that the afflictions of this life are not worthye of the glorye whiche shall be â—hewed vpon vs. For the feruente desyre of the creatures abydeth lokynge when the sonnes of God shall appeare because the creaâ—ures are subdued to vanity against their wyll but for hys wyll whyche subdueth them in hope For the verye creature shall be delyuered frome the bondage of corruption in to the glorious liberty of the sonnes of God This also I knowe I meane the season howe that it is the time that we shoulde now awake out of slepe For nowe is oure saluation nearer then when we â—eleue The night is passed and the daye is come nye Let vs therefore cast awaye the deedes of darâ—kenesse And let vs put on the armoure of lighte Let vs walke honestlye as it were in the daye lighte and put ye on the Lord Iesus Christ. For it is written The eye hathe not seene and the eare hath not hard neyther haue entred in the hearte of man the thinges which God hathe prepared for them that loue him but God â—athe opened them vnto vs by his spiriâ—e Now we se in a glasse euen in a dark speaking but then shall we se face to face now I know vnperfectlye but then shall I knowe euen as I am knowen Wherfore we are not weried For oure exceadinge tribulation which is momentanye and lighte prepareth an exceading and an â—ternall weight of glorye vnto vs. We knowe surelye of oure earthy mancion wherin we now dwel were destroyed that we haue a buildinge ordayned of God an habitation not made wyth handes but eternall in heauen Let vs not be weary of wel doinge For when the time is come we shall reape withoute wearynes Whyle we haue therefore time let vs doo good to all menne and speciallye vnto them whiche are of the housholde of faieth For the things that were vantage vnto me I counted losse for Christes sake For whome I haue counted all thinge losse and doe iudge them but donge that I mighte wynne Christ and mighte be founde in himâ— not hauing mine own righteousnes which is of the lawe but that which springeth of the fayth which is in Christ. I meane the righteousnesse whiche commeth of God thorowe fayeth in knowinge him and the vertue of resurrection and the feloshippe of his passion that I mighte be conformable vnto his death if by anye meanes I might attayne vnto the resurrection oâ— the dead For why God the father hath made vs meete to be partakâ—rs of the inheritaunce of saynctes in lighte which hath deliuered vs from the power of darckenes and hath translated vs in to the kingedome of his deare son in whom we haue redemption through â—is bloude and forgeuenesse of oure sinnes Therefore if ye be rysen agayne with Christ seke those things which are aboue where Christe sitteth on the right hande of God Set your affections on thinges that are aboue and not on thynges whiche are on the earth For ye are dead and your life iâ— hid with Christ in God When Christ which is your life shall â—hewe him selfe then shall ye also appeare with him in glorye Fighte the good fyghte of fayeth Lay hand on eternall life wherunto thou art called hast professed a good profession before many witnesses I knowe whome I haue beleued and am sure that he is able to keepe that whiche I haue committed to his kepinge against that daye Suffer affliction as a good souldier of Iesu Christ. For the husbandeman that laboureth must first receiue of the frutes I am nowe ready to be offered and the time of my departing is at hand I haue fought a good fight and haue fulfylled my course and haue kepte y â— fayth From hence foorth is laid vp for me a croune of righteousnes whiche the lord that is a righteous iudge shall geue me at that daye not to me onelye but vnto all them that loue his comminge For the grace of God that bringeth saluation vnto all men hath appeared and teacheth vs that we shoulde denye vngodlynesse and worldelye lustes and that we shoulde lyue sober minded righteouselye and godlye
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
wrot vnto you with manye teares not to make you sorye but that ye mighte perceaue the loue which I haue most speciallye vnto you Ye are oure Epistle written in oure hartes whiche is vnderstande and reede of all men in that ye are knowen how that ye are the Epistle of Christâ— ministred by vs and writâ—en not with yncke but with the spirit of the liuing God not in tables of stone but in fleshely tables of the heart For the loue and charitye of Christ constrayned vs. vt su Behold now I am ready to come the thirde tyme vnto you and yet I wyll not be greuous vnto you For I seeke not youres but you I wyll verye gladly bestow and wyll be bestowed for your soules thoughe the more I loue you the lesse I am loued againe I am surelye certyfied of this that be whiche beganne a good worke in you shall goo foorth with it vntyll the day of Iesus Christ as it becommeth me so too iudge of you all because I haue you in my hart and in my bondes and in the defence and stablishmente of the gospel For god beareth me witnesse how greately I long after you all from the very hart rote in Iesus Christ. I truste in the Lorde Iesus for too sende Timothe shortelye vntoo you that I also maye be of good comfort when I know what case ye stand in For I haue no man that is so liuelye mynded to me whiche with so pure affection careth for youre matters for all other seeke their owne and not that whyche is Iesus Christes Ye knowe the prose of him how that as a sonne wyth the father so wyth me he bestowed his laboure vpon the gospell Him I hope to send as soont as I knowe how it wyl go with me I truste in the Lorde that I also my selfe shall come shortly It greueth me not to wryte all one thinge vnto you For vnto you it is necessarye I woulde ye knew what solicitude and care I haue for youre sakes and for them of Laodicia and for as manye as haue not sâ—ene my personne in the fleshe that they might be comforted Although I wrote vnto you I did iâ— nâ—t for his causâ— that did hurte nether for hys cause that was hurt but that our good mynde which we haue towarde you in the sighte of God mighte appeare vnto you Euen as a nourse cherysheth her children so was oure affection towarde you oure good wyll was to haue dealte vnto you not the Gospell of God onelye but also oure owne soules because ye were deare vntoo vs. I thanke God whome I serue from myne elders wyth pure conscience that withoute ceasinge I make mention of the in my prayers nighte and daye desiringe to see the myndefull of thy teares so that I am filled with ioye when I call too remembraunce the vnfained faith that is in the whiche dwelte first in thy grandmother Lois and in thy mother Animica and I am sure that it dwelleth in the also Brynge Zenas the lawear and Apollos on their iourney dilygentelye that noâ—hinge be lackinge vnto them I for charities sake beseche the seinge thou arte as I am euen Paule aged and nowe in bondes for Iesus Christe sake I beseeche the for my sonne Onesymus whome I begatte in my bondes whiche in tyme passed was to the vnprofitable but nowe profitable both to the and also to me whome I haue sente â—ome agayne Thou therefore receaue him that is to saye mine owne bowels whome I would fayne haue retained with me that in thy steade he might haue ministred vnto me in the bonds of the Gospell Neuerthelesse without thy mynde I would do nothing that the good which springeth of the shoulde not be as it were of necessity but wyllingely Happely he therefore departed for a season that thou shouldest receaue hym for euer not nowe as a seruaunte but aboue a seruaunte I meane a brother beloued speciallye to me but how much more vnto the both in the fleshe and also in the Lorde Yf thou count me â— felowe receaue hym as my selfe Yf hee haue hurte thee or owethe thee ought that lay to my charge I Paule haue wrytten it wyth myne â—ande I wyll recompence it So that I do not say to thee howe that thou â—west vnto me euen thine owne self Euen so brother let me enioye thee in the Lorde Comforte my bowels in Christe Moreouer prepare mee lodgynge for I truste throughe the helpe of your prayers I shall be geuen vnto you ¶ Of the humilitye pacience and persecutions of blessed Paul the Apostell Capitu 67. ANd last of all Christ was sene of me as of one that was borne oute of due tyme. For I am the least of all the Apostles whiche am not worthye to be called an Apostle because I persecutee the congregation of God But by the grace of God I am that I am and his grace which is in me was not in vaine but I labourâ—d more abundantlye then they all yet not I but the grace of God which is with me Whether it were I or they so we preache and so haue ye beleued I Paule my selfe besech you by the mekenes and soâ—tenâ—s of Christ whiche when I am prâ—sente amonge you am of no reputaâ—ion but am bolde towarde you beinge absente I beseche you that I nâ—de not to be bolde when I am presente with the same confidence wherwith I am supposed to be bold against som which repute vs as thoâ—gh we walkâ—d carnallye For we dare not make our selues of y â— number of them or compare our selues too them whiche laâ—de thâ—m selues Neuerthelâ—sse whyle they measure them selues with them sâ—lues and compare them selues wyth them selues they vnderstand nought Other goo I aboutâ— to please men Yf I studyed to please men I were not the seruaunte of Christe Nor we were not as thoughe we entended to please men c. vt supra Capitu. 39. This is a true sayinge that Christ Iesus came in to this worlde to saue synners of whome I am cheefe c. For this cause haue I delectation in infirmities in rebukes in nede in persecutions in anguyshe for Christs sake For when I am weake â—hen am I stronge They are the ministers of Christe I speake lyke a foole I am more In laboures more abundaunte In strypes aboue measure In prysonne plentuouslye In deathe oâ—â—e Of the Iewes fyue tymes receaued I euerye tyme fourtye strypes saue one Thryse was I beaten wyth roddes I was once stoned I suâ—fered thryse shipwrake Nâ—ghte and daye haue I bene in the depe of the sea In â—orneing often In parele of waters In parelles of robbers In ieoperdyes of mine owne nation In ieoperdyes amonge the heathen I haue bene in parels in cityes in parels in wildernesse in parels in the sea in parels amonge false breethren in laboure and trauaile in watchinge often in hunger and thirst in fastinges often in