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
A FRVTEfull booke of the comon places of all S. Pauls Epistles right necessarye for all sortes of people but especially for those of the ministerye dyligentelye sette foorthe by Thomas Paniell Anno. 1562. ¶ To the right worshipfull master Thomas Argall Thomas Paynel wisheth all prosperitye and health YOure gentlenesse ryghte worshipfull master Argall to me at all times and in al places most gently manifested and declared And your sincere and vnfayned loue to the word of God most holy and to those that trulye professe the same wyth youre lyberall and dailye helpinge hande to the maintetenaunce and encrease of the vnfained professoures and studiantes there of hathe prouoked and inforced mee to wryte thys boke of Sayncte Paules Epiâ—tles thus in common places digested vnto you a louer a diligente reader and a continuall ensuer and folower of the same For in what other thing should a purely mynded Christiane solace him selfe or delyte in than in the precious worde of God and in the cleare doctryne of hys moste noble and moste excellente Apostle Paul Whose doctryne is frome heauen heauenly replenished with all spyrytuall wysedome and ghostlye consolation the whiche thinges to you most gentle master Argall and to all other of lyke conuersation and pure mynâ—e is no doubte most precious mooste beautyfull and mosâ—e amyable Let this doctrine then bee grauen in youre harte moste stedfastlye Take sure holde vppon thys Godlye learninge that is vppon Iesus Christ. Let thys doctrine bee wrytten wych spirituall yncke throughe your Godlye admoâ—iâ—ions in the hearte as I doubte not but it is of youre most chaste and vertâ—ous wife well nurtured and obedyenâ—e chyldren and famelye mooste tractable and Godlye For thâ—â— is the lâ—arninge that shall conducte and bringe them too the kingedome of God and hys eternall fruytioâ— Thys is it that shall learne them to feare and to loue God and to folow the fotesteppes of hys Godlye conuersation aboue all things Thys is it that shall instructe them to contempâ—e the worldâ— wyth the caduke and frayle pleasures honoures rychesâ— pompe and pryde therof This is it that shall inflame them too be the true followeres of Christes gospell and the faithful champyons and protectors of the same This is it that shal instructe them too put theyr whole and onely trust and affiaunce in the merytes of Christ oure Sauyoure and not in theyr onelye deedes withoute fayeth and merytes Thys is it that shall exalte and eleuate theyr earthly myndes and desyres to be wyth Christe Iesu oure sauioure Drawing their affections and gredye myndes frome this worldlye trumpery and slydynge bagage Nowe then if thys be so as in verye bede it is receaue this my gift as a thinge moste precious and pleasaunte And laye it vppe in the treasurye and store house of your hart as a thing in time of nede mooste excellente and coumfortable For as vntoo a fayethfull and a true Christian there â—houlde be nothinge delitius and more acceptable then the delicate and swete word of God so there is nothinge to a Chrysten reader more sweete and sauerye than the Episâ—les of Goddes electe vessell and dearelye beloued Apostle saint Paule Reade them therefore wyth all deuotion and syncere iudgement and if ye intend as I doubte not but that ye do intende to be blessed folowe the doctryneâ— and precepts of them most carefully and as a precâ—us margarite and pearle Whan ye haue perused and rede them moste tenderlye and dearly obserue and kepe them For it is not the onely heâ—rer or â—eader of Pauls Epistles and of scripture that shall be iustified but the reuerent and feruent practiâ—er of the same Thus oure Lorde to whom be all honour and glorye for euer kepe you and your deuout and faithfull yoke felow and most chaste wyfe nowe and euer ¶ The common places of all Saynt Paules Epistles The forme of saluation Ca. 1. PAule the seruaunt of Iesus Chrisâ—e called to be an Apostle not of men nether by maÌ„ but by Iesus Christ by God the father By the commaundâ—ment of god our saâ—iour and Lord Iesus Christe by the wyll of God after the promes of life which is in Christ Iesu. And after the fayth of Gods electe and the knowledge of the truthâ— whiche is after godlines vpon the hope of eternall life whiche life god that can not lye hath pâ—omised before the worlde beganne but hath openned his word at the time appoynted through preachinge which preachinge is committed vnto me by the commaundement of God oure sauioure put a parte tâ— preache the gospell of God whiche he promised afore by his prophetes in the holye scryptures that make mension of his sonne the which was begotten of the sâ—de of Dauid as pertayninge to the fleshe and predestynate to be the sonne of god with power of the holy ghost that sanctifieth sence the time that Iesus Christe our Lorde rose agayne frâ—me deathe by whome we haue receaued grace and Apoâ—â—leshippeâ— to bringe all manner â—eathen people vâ—too the obedyence of the â—ayeth that is in his name To them that are sanctifyed in Christe Iesu called Saynctes wyth all that call on the name of oure Lorde Iesus Christe in euery place bothe of theirs and of oures And too all them whiche beleeue Grace be with you and peace frome oure father and frome our Lord Iesus Christ ¶ The thanks geuing of Paul the Aposâ—ell For the gyftes of grace geuen of God to the fayâ—thfull Capitu. 2. FYrst verely I thanke my God thorowe Iesus Christe for you all because your fayeth is published throughout all the worlde I thanke my God alwaies in your behalfe for the grace of God which is geuen you by Iesus Christe that in all thinges ye are made riche by hym in all learnynge and in all knowledge euen as the testimonye of Iesus Christe was confyrmed in you so that ye are behinde in no gift and wayte for the appearinge of our Lorde Iesus Christe whiche shall strengthe you vntoo the ende that ye maye be blamelesse in the daye of of our Lord Iesus Christ Thankes be vnto God for his vnspeakeable gyfte Wherefore euen I after that I hearde of the fayeth ye haue in the Lord Iesu and loue vnto his saintes ceasse not too geue thankes â—or you makinge mention of you in my praiers We geue thankes to God the father of oure Lorde Iesus Christe alwayes prayinge for you sence wee hearde of your fayeth which ye haue in Christe Iesu and of the loue whiche ye beare to all Saynâ—tes for the hopes sake which is layed vp in sâ—ore for you in heauen Callinge to remembraunce your woorcke in the â—ayeth and laboure in loue and perseueraunce in the hope of our Lord Iesus Christ in the sighte of God our father We are bounde too thanke God alwaye for you breethren as it is meete because that yâ—â—re â—ayeth groweth exceadingelye and euerye one of you swimmeth in
Isaac when he was tempted and he offerd him beynge his only begotten sonne whiche had receaued the promyses of whom it was sayed In Isaac shal thy seede be called For he considered that God was able to rayse vp again from death Wherefore he receaued him for an ensample In fayth Isaac blessed Iacob and Esau concerninge thinges to come By fayeth Iacob when he was a dyinge blessed bothe the sonnes of Ioseph and bowed him selfe toward the toppe of his cepter By fayth Ioseph when he dyed remembred the departinge of the chyldren of Israell and gaue commaundemente of his bones By fayeth Moses when he was borne was hydde three monethes of his father and mother Because they sawe he was a proper chylde neyther feared they the kinges coÌ„maundemente By fayeth Moses when he was great refused to be called the son of Pharaos doughter and chose rather â—o suffer aduersitye wyth the people of God then to enioye the pleasures of synne for a ceason and estemed the rebuke of Christe greater riches then the treasure of Egipte for he had respecte vnto the rewarde By fayeth he forsoke Egipte and feared not the fearcenes of the king for he endured euen as he hadde sene him which is inuisible Throughe fayeth he ordayned the ester lambe and the effusion of bloud least he that destroyed the first borne shoulde touche them By fayth they passed through the redde sea as by drye lande whiche when the Egiptians had assayed to do they were drouned By fayth the walles of Iâ—rico fell downe after they were compased aboute seuen â—ayes By fayth the harlot Raab perished not wyth the vnbeleuers when she had recâ—aued the spyers to lodgiâ—ge peaseablye And what shal I more say the time woulde be to shorte for me to tell of Gedeon of Baruch and of Sampson and of Iephthae also of Dauid and Samuell and of the prophetes which throughe â—ayth subdued kingdomes wroughte righâ—eousnesse obtayned the promâ—sses sâ—oppâ—d the mouthes of Lyons quenched the violence of fyâ—r â—scaped the edge of the swearde of weake were made stronge waâ—ed valâ—ente in fyghte turned to â—lighâ—e the armyes of the alyentes and the woman-receaued theyr deade raysed to lyfe agayne And thâ—se all throughe fayth obtayned good reporte and receaued not the â—romes God prouidinge a betâ—er thing for vs that they withoute vs shoulde not be made perfecte ¶ Of hope Cap. 6. HOope maketh not ashamed For we are saued by hope But hope that is seene is no hope For howe canne a manne hope for that whiâ—he he seeth But and if wee hope for that we see not then doâ— we with pacyence abyde for it Reioycinge in hope What soeuer thynges are wrâ—tten afore tyme are wrytten â—or oure learnyng that we thorow pacience and comforte of â—he scriptures might haue hope The God of hope fyll you wyth all ioye and peace in beleuinge that yâ— maye be ryche in hope thorowe the power of the holye ghoste Let vs not put oure truste in oure selues but in God which rayseth the dead to life agayne Such trust we haue through Christ to god ward not that we are sufficyent of our selues to thinke any thing as it were of our selues but our ablenes commeth of God Seinge then that we haue such trust we vse great boldnes For in Christ we haue trust accesse through confydence by faith on him And therefore wyth all confidenâ—â— Christ shall be magnifyed in my bodye whether it be throughe lyfe or elles death For Christe is to me life and death is to me a vauntage For the hopes sake which is laâ—â— vp in store for you in heauen of whiche hope ye haue heard before by thâ— true worde of the gospell From whence we loke for a sauiour euen the Lorde Iesus Christe whiche shal chaunge our vile bodies that they maye be faâ—honed like vnto hiâ— glorious body according to the workinge wherby he is able to subdue al thinges to him selfe For he which eareth shuld eare in hope and that he whiche thresheth in hope shoulde be partaker of hyâ— hope This is a sure sayinge and of all parties worthye to be receaued For therefore we laboure and suffer rebuke because we beleue and hope in the lyuinge God which is the sauyour of all men but spâ—cially of thosâ— that beleue Which hope we haue as an ancre of the soule bothe sure and stedfaste and entringe in to the thinges which are within the vayle Seing brethren that by the meanes of the bloud of Iesu we may be bold to enter in to that holye place by the newe and lyuinge waye whiche he hathe prepared for vs throughe the vayle that is to saye by hys fleshe and that we haue also an high priest which is ruler ouer the house of God let vs drawe nere with a true hart in a full fayth sprinkeled in our hartes frome an euyll conscience and washed in oure bodyes with pure water let vs kepe the profession of our hope withoute waueringe for he is faithfull that promised We haue confydence because we haue a good conscience in all thyngs and a desire to him honestlye Caste not awaye therefore youre confidence which hath a greate reward to recompence Let vs therfore go boldely vnto the seate of grace that we maye receiue mercye and fynde grace to helpe in the tyme of neede ¶ Of charitye Cap. 7. THe charitye and loue of God is shed abroad in our harts by thâ— holy ghost which is geuen vnto vs. For we know that all things work for the best vnto them that loue God which al are called of purpose Then who shall separate vs from the loue of God shal tribulation or anguish or persecution eyther hunger eyther nakednesse eyther parell either swearde as it is written For thy sake are we killed all daye longe and are coumpted as shepe appointed too be slayne Neuerthelesse in all these thynges we ouercome strongely thorowe hys healpe that loued vs yea and I am sure that neyther death neyther life neyther Aungels nor rule neyther powâ—r neither thinges presente neither thinges to come neyther strength neither heigh neyther loweth neither any other creature shall be able to departe vs from the loue of God shewed in Christâ— Iesu our Lorde Owe nothinge to any man but to loue one an other For he that loueth an other fulfyllethe the lawe For thou shalt not commytte adâ—â—â—tery Thou shalâ—e not steale Thou shaltâ— not beare false witnes Thou shaltâ— not desyre and so foorth if there be any other commaundement they arâ— all comprehended in thys sayinge Loue thy neyghboure as thy selfe Loue hurteth not hys neyghboure Therefore is loue the fulfyllinge of the lawe Let loue be withoute dissimulation And be kynde one to an other wyth brotherly loue Beynge seruente in sprite He that is ioyned vnto the Lorde is one sprite who so loueth God the same is knowen of hym Knowledge maketh
a man swell but loue edifieth Let no man sâ—ke his owne profit but let euerye manne seke an otherâ— wealthe And yet do I shewe you a more excellente waye Thoughe I speake wyth the tonges of menne and Aâ—ngelsâ— and â—et had no charitye I werâ— euen as â—oundynge brasse or as â— tinklinge cymball And thoughe I coulde prophesye and vnderstandâ— all secretes and all knowledge yea if I hadde all fayth so that I couldâ— moue mountaynes oute of theyr plaâ—ces and yet had no charitye I wenâ— nothinge And thoughe I bestoweâ— all my goodes to feede the poore anâ— thoughe I gaue my bodye euen thaâ— I burned and yet had no charitye iâ— profiteth me nothinge Charitye suâ—fereth longe and is courteous charitye enuyeth not charitye doeth noâ— frowardly swelleth not dealeth noâ— dishonestlye seketh not her owne iâ— not prouoked to anger thinketh noâ— euyll reioyseth not in iniquitye buâ— reioyseth in the truthe suffereth all thinge beleueth all thinges hopeth all thinges endureth in all thinges Thoughe the prophesyinge faâ—le other tonges shal cease or knowledge vanyshe awaye yet charitye falleth neuer awaye Nowe abideth fayth hope and charitye euen these three but the chefe of these is charitye Laboure for loue Let all youre businesse be done in loue Grete ye one an other with an holy kysse if anye man loue not our Lorde Iesus Christe the same be anathe mameranatha My loue be with all in Christe Iesu. Our mouth is open vnto you our heartes is made large ye are in no strayte in vs but are in a strayte in youre owne bowelles hauinge lyke rewarde wyth me I speake as to my children Set youre selues therefore at large Wherfore shew vnto theÌ„ in profe of your loue of the reioysinge that we haue of you that the congregations maye see it I am gelous ouer you with Godlyâ— gelousye In loue serue one an other For all the lawe is fulfylleâ— in oure worde Thou shalt loue thy neyghboure as thy selfe Be ye therefore â—olowers of God as deare chyldren and walke in louâ— euen aâ— Christe loued vs and gaâ—â— hym sâ—lfe for vs an offerynge and â— sacrifyce of a swete sauer to God Aboue all theese thinges put oâ— loue whiche is the â—onde of perfecâ—â—nesse But as touchinge brotherlye loâ—â— ye neede not that I wryte vnto you For ye are taughte of God to loâ—â— one an other ye and â—hat thynge vâ—relye ye do vnto all the brethren The ende of the commaundemeâ—â— is charitye that commeth of a puâ—â— hearte and of a good conscyence and of fayeth vnfayned frome tâ—â— whiche thinges some haue erred aâ—â— are tourned vnto vayne ianglingâ—â— because they woulde be doctoures 〈◊〉 the scripâ—ure and yet vnderstand 〈◊〉 what thâ—y speake neyther whereâ— they affyrme Therefore let vs consider one an other to prouoke vnto loue and too good workes and let vs not forsake the feloshippe that we haue amonge oure seluâ—s as the manâ—r of soâ—e is but let vâ— comforte one an otherâ— and that so muche the more because yâ— see that the daye draweth nye Let brotherli loue continue with you And let not euery man loke on his owne thynges but on the thinges of other men ¶ Of feare Capitu 8. BE not hye mynded but feare seinge thaâ— God spared not the naturall braunches least happelye he also spare not the. Rulers are not to be fearâ—d for good workes but for euyll Wylte thou be wythoute feare of the power Do well then and so shalt thou be praised of the same For he is the minystâ—r of Godde for thy wealthe but and if â—hou do euyll then feare for he beareth not the swerd for noughte but is the minyster of God to take vengeaunce on them that doo euyll But I feare least as the serpent beguiled Eue thorow his suttelty euen so youre wyttes shoulde be corrupte from the synglenes that is in Christ. I feare least when I shall come I shal not find you such as I wold aâ—d I shall be found vnto you such as I would not I feare leaste peraduenture there be founde amonge you debate â—nuâ—inge wrath sâ—ryfe bacbytinges whisperinges swellings and dyscorde I feare leaste when I come agayne God briâ—ge me lowe amonge you â—nd that I shal bewaile many of thâ—m which haue sinned alreadye and haue not repented of the vnclennâ—s fornication and waâ—â—annâ—s whych they haue committed I am in feare of you leaste I haue bestowed on you laboure in vayne Wherfore my dearly beloued work your owne saluation wyth feare and tremblynge For why I was amoÌ„g you in weaknes and in fear in much treÌ„bling Let vs feare â—herâ—fore least any of vs forsakynge the promâ—sse of entrâ—â—ge in to hys reâ—â— shoulde seeme to come behinde and be lacking â—or vnto you it was declarâ—d as wel as vnto them For if we sinne wyllingelye after that wee haue receaued the knowledge of the truthe there remayneth no more sacrifyce for synnes but a fearefull lookinge for iudgemente and violent fyre which shall deuour the aduâ—rsaryes He that despiseth Moses lawe dyeth wythoute mercy vnder two or thâ—ee wyâ—nesses Of howe muche sorer puniâ—hement suppose ye shall he be coumpted worthy whiâ—h treadâ—â—h vnder fote the sonne of Godâ— and â—oumpteth the bloude of the Testamente as an vnhoâ—ye thing wherwyth he was sanctified and doth dishonour to the spirit of grace It is a fearefull thinge to fall in â—eo â—he handes of the lâ—uinge God Therefore let vs serue God with feare and reuerence submittinge our selues one to an other in the feare â—f God ¶ Of humility and against pryde Cap. 9. FOr I saye thorow the grace that vnto me geuen is to euerye man amonge you that no man esteme of him selfe more then it becoÌ„meth hym to esteme but that he discretely iudge him self In gyuinge honoure go one before an other be not hye mynded but make youre selues equall to theÌ„ of the lower sort be not wyse in your owne opinions Auenge not youre selues but geue rowme â—o vnto wrathe Let vs not be vain glorious prouoking one an other and enuyinge onâ— an other Let nothinge be done thorow strife or vayne glorye but in mekenesse of mynde euerye man esteme other betâ—er then him self Let the same mynd be in you that was in Christe Iesu the which made him selfe of no reputation takinge vpon him the shape of a seruaunte Yf anye man seme to him selfe that he is somewhat when in dede he is nothinge He deceauâ—th him selfe Knowledge maketh a man swell Yf any man thinke that he knoweth anye thinge he knoweth nothinge as he ought to knowe Yf any man teache other wise and is not contente with the wholesome wordes of oure Lorde Iesus Christe and with the doctrine of Godlynesse he is pufte vp and knoweth nothing but wasteth his braynes aboute questions and strife of wordes whereoâ— springe enuy strife raylinges euyl
hath caused me â—his to do partlye for Titus sake whiche is my felowe and healper as concerninge you partely because of other whiche are our brethrâ—n and the messengers of the congrâ—gations and the glorye of Christe Wherefore shewe vntoo them proofe of youre loue and of â—he reioysynge that we haue of you that the congregatâ—ons may se it Of the ministringe to the saynctes â—t is but superfluus for me to write vnto you for I knowe youre readynes of minde whereof I boast my self vnto them of Macedonia For Achaia was prepared a yeare ago and your feruentnâ—s hathe prouoked manye Neuerthelesse yet haue I sent theese brethren least oure reioysinge ouer you shuld be in vaine in this behalfe and that ye as I haue sayed prepare youre selues lâ—aste paraduenâ—ure if they of Macedonia come wyth me and fynde you vnprepared the boast that I made in â—hys matter shoulde be a shame to vs I saye not to you Wherefore I thoughte it necessarye to exhorte the bretheren to come before hande vnto you For to prepare youre good blessinge promysed afore that it myghte be readye so that it be a blessinge and not a defraudinge For the office of this ministration not onely supplieth the neade of the sainctes but also is abundaunt therein that for this laudable ministringe thankes might be geuen to God of manye Whiche prayse God for the obedience of your professinge the gospell of Christ and for youre singlenes in disstributinge to them and to all men and in their prayers to God for you longe after you for the abundaunt grace of God geuen vnto you Would to God ye could suffer mâ— a little in my foolishnes yea and I pray you forbeare meâ— Bear ye one an others burthen and so fulfyll the law of Christ. Let him that is taughte in the word minister vnto him y t teacheth him in all good thinges Brethren if any man be falen bi chaunce in to any faut ye whiche are spiritual helpe to amend him in the spirit of mekenes considering thy selfe lâ—ast thou also be tempted Let him that stole steale no more but let him rather laboure with his hands some good thing that he may haue to geue to him that nedeth Bâ— ye courteous one too an other and mercyfull forgeuinge one an other euen as God for Christes sake forgaue you I supposed it necessaye to sende brother Epaphroditus vnto you my companion in laboure and felowe souldiour youre Apostell and my minister at my nedes For he longed after you and was full of heauines because ye hadde hearde saye that he shoulde be sycke And no doubte he was sicke and that nye vnto death but god had merci on him not on him only but on me also lest I shuld haue sorowe vpon sorow I sent him therfore the diligent liar that when ye shoulde se him ye mighte reioyce agayne and I mighte be the lesse sorowefull Receaue him therefore in the Lord with all gladnes and make muche of suche because that for thâ— worke of Christe he wente so farre that he was nye vnto deathe and regarded not his lyfe to fulfyll that seruice which was lackinge of yourâ— parte towarde me Ye I besech the Germane my yoke felowe helpe those which laboured wyth me in the Gospell and wyth Clâ—ment also and with other my labour felowes whose names are written in the booke of lyfe I reioyce in the Lorde greatelye that now at thâ— laste ye are reuiued agayne too care for me in that wherein ye were also carefull but ye lacked oportunity I spâ—ake not because of necessitye For I haue learned in what so euer estate I am there with to be content notwithstanding ye haue well done that ye bare part with me in my tribulation Ye of Philippos knowe that in the beginning of the gospell when I departed frome Macedonia no congregation bare parte with me as concerninge geuinge and receauinge but ye only For when I was in Thessalonica ye sente once and afterwarde agayne vnto my nedes not that I desire gyftes but I desire aboundante frute on youre parte I receaued all and haue plenty I was euen fylled after that I had receaued of Epaphroditus that came frome you an odour that smelleth sweete a saâ—rifice accepted and pleasaunte to God We praye you brethren comforte the feble minded receaue the weake For God is not vnrighâ—eous that he shoulde forget youre worke and labour that proceadeth of loue whiche loue ye shew in his name which haue ministred vnto the sayntes and yet minister Yea and we desyre that euerye one of you shewe the same diligence to the stablishing of hope euen vnto the ende For ye had pitty on them that were in â—andes Be not forgetfull to kepe hospitalitye and lodge straungers for therby haue diuers receaued Aungels into theyr houses vnwares Remember them that â—â—e in bondes euen as though ye were in bonde with them Be mindefull of them which are in aduersiti as ye which are yet in your bodies To do good and to distribute forget not for with suche sacrifices God is pleased I besech you brethreÌ„ suffer the wordes of exhortation Excercise thy selfe vntâ—o Godlynesse For bodilye excercise profiteth little but Godlinesse is good vnto al thinges as a thinge which hath promises of the life that is nowe and of the life to come ¶ Of temperaunce and sobrietye and of bodily castigation Capitu. 16. BRethren we are now debtters not too the fleshe to liue after the fleshe For if ye lyue after the fleshe ye must dye But if ye mortifye the dedes of the bodye by the helpe of the spirit ye shall liue I beseche you therfore brethren by the mercyfulnesse of God that ye make youre bodyes a quicke sacrifice holy and accptable vnto God And make not prouision for the flesh to fulfyll the lustes of it He which is weake eateth earbes It is good neither to eate flesh neyther to drincke wyne I therefore tame and chast my bodye and bringe it in to subiection lest after I haue preached to other I my self should be a castaway Therfore let vs behaue our selues as the ministers of God in fastinges in chastitye in watchinge And let vs clense oure selues from al filthines of the flesh and sprite I say walke in the spiriteâ— and fulfyll not the lustes of the fleshe for the fleshe lusâ—eth contrarye to the spirite and the sprite contrarye to the fleshe Theese are contrarye one to the other so that ye canne not doe that whiche ye woulde They that are Christs haue crucified the flesh with the appeâ—ies and lustes In the which in time passed ye walked accordinge too the course of this worlde and after the gouernours that ruleth the ayre the spirite that nowe worketh in the children of vnbeliefe amonge whiche we also had our conuersation in time past in the lustes of oure fleshe and fulfylled the wyll of the fleshe and of
brâ—adde whiche we breake part takynge of the bodye of Christe because that we thoughe we bee manye yet are one breade and one bodye in as much as wee all are partakers of one breade and of one cuppe That whiche I deliuered vnto you I receaued of the Lorde For the Lorde Iesus the same nighte in whiche he was betrayed toke bread and thanked and brake and said Take ye â— eate ye this is my body which shal be betrayed for you This doe ye in remembraunce of me After the same manner he toke the cuppe when supper was done sayinge This cuppe is the newe Testament in my bloud This do as ofte as ye drincke it in the remembraunce of me For as often as ye shall eate this breade and drincke of this cup ye shall shew the Lordes deathe tyll he come Thereforeâ— who so euer shall eate of thyâ— breade or dryncke of the cuppe vnworthely shall be gilâ—y of the body bloud of the lord Let a man therfore eâ—amin him selfe aâ—â— so let hym eate of the breade and 〈…〉 the cupe For he that eateth or drincketh vnworthelye eateth and drinketh hys owne damnation because he maketh no diâ—ference of the Lords body For this cause many are wâ—ake and sycke among you and many slepe Wherfore my breethren when ye come to gether to eate tarye one for an other Yf anye man honger let him eate at home that ye come not to gether vnto condempnation Other thinges shall I set in order when I come ¶ How that they which be maryed ought to behaue them selues And of the contynence of vyrgynes and wydowes Capitu. 58. AS concerning the things wherof ye wrote vnto me it is good for a man not to touche a woman Neuerthelesse to auoâ—d fornication let euerye man haue hys wyfe and let euery wyfâ— haue her husbaÌ„d Let the man geâ—â— vnto the wyfe due â—enâ—uolence Likewise also the wife â—nto the man The wife hath no power ouer her owne bodye but the husband And likewise the man hath no power ouer his owne bodye but the wife Withdraw not your selues one from an other excepte it be witâ— consente for a time for to geue youre selues too fastinge and prayer And afterwarde come againe to the same thinge leaste Sathan tempte you for youre incontinencye This I saye of fauoure for I woulde that all men wer as I am my selfe but euery man hath his proper gifte of God one after this manner an other after that I saye vnto the vnmaryed men and wydowes it is good for them that they abyde euen as I doe But and if they can not abstaine let them mary For it is better too marye then to burne Unto the maried commaund not I but the Lorde that the wife seperate not her selfe from the man If she separate her selfe let her remain vnmaried or be reconciled vnto her husbande agayne And let not the husbande put awaye his wife frome him To the remnaunte saye I and not the Lorde If anye brother haue a wyfe that beleueth not Yf she be contente to dwell with him let him not put her away And the woman whiche hath to her husbande an infidell if he consente to dwell with her let her not put him awaye For the vnbeleuinge husbande is sanctifyed by the wife and the vnbeleuing wife is sanctified by the husbande Or els wer your children vncleane but now are they pure But and if the vnbeleuinge departe let him departe A brother or a sister is not in subiection to such God hath called vs in peace For howe knowest thou o woman whether thou shalt saue that man or no Other how knowest thou o man whether thou shalt saue that woman or no But euen as God hath distrybuted to euerye man As concerning virgynes I haue no commaundemente of the Lorde yet geue I counsell as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lorde to be fayethfull I suppose that it is good for the presente necessity For it is good for a man so to be Art thou bounde vnto a wyfe seeke not too be lowsed Arte thou lowsed from a wife seke not a wife But and if thou takest a wife thou synnest not Lykewise if a virgyne marye she sinneth not Neuerthelesse suche shal haue truble in their flesh but I fauoure you The single manne careth for the thinges of the Lorde how he maye please the Lord. But he that hath maried careth for the thinges of the worlde howe he maye please hys wife and is deuided The syngle woman carethe for the thinges of the Lorde that she maye be pure both in body and also in spirit but she that is maryed careth for the things of the world how she may please her husband Thys speake I for your profytte not to tangle you in a snare but for that whiche is honest and comely vnto you and that ye maye quietly cleaue vnto the Lord without separation If any maÌ„ think that it is vncomelye for his virgyne Yf she passe the tyme of maryage and so if neede require let hym doe what he lusteth he sinneth not if she be maried Neuerthelesse he that purposeth surelye in his harte hauinge no neede but hathe power ouer hys owne wyll and hath so decreed in his harte that â—e wyll kepe his virgyâ—e doth wel So then â—e that â—oyneth his virgine in mariage doth wel But he that ioyneth not his virgine in mariage doth better The wife is bound to the law as long as her husband liueth If her husbande sâ—epe she is at libertye to marye with whome shee wyll onelye in the Lorde But she is happiar if she do abide in my iudgemente And I thinke verelye that I haue the spirit of God Women submytte your selues vnto your owne husbandes as vnto the Lord. For the husbande is the wiues heade euen as Christ is the heade of the congregation Therefore as the congregation is in subiection vntoo Christ likewise let the wiues be in subiection to theyr husbandes in all thinges Husbands loue your wiues â—â—en as Christ loued the congregaâ—â—â—n and gaue him self for it So ought menâ—e to loâ—e their wiues as their owne bodyes He that louethe hys wyfe loueth him selfe Neuerthelesse 〈◊〉 yâ— so that euerye one of you loue his wife â—ruly euen as him selfe And let the wyfe sâ—e that she feare her â—usbande Wyues submitte your selues vnto your owne husbanâ—es as it is comelye in the Lorde Husbandes loue youre wyues and be not bytter vnto them Let wedlocke be had in price in all pointes and let â—he chamber be vndefyâ—ed ¶ Of Certain documentes generally partayning to men women and widowes Capitu 59. I Woulde ye knewe that Chrâ—st is the head of euerye man and that the manne is the womans heade And God is Christes headde Euerye man prayinge or prophesyinge hauing any thinge on his head shameth his hâ—adde Euery woman that praieth or prophesieth bare headed dishonesteth her headde For it is euen all one and the very same thinge euen as
belies This witnesse is true wherfore rebuke them sharpelye that they maye be sounde in the fayeth and not takinge heede too Iewes fables and commaundementes of men that tourne from the truthe These thinges speake and exhortâ— and rebuke with al commaundinge Se that no man despise the. Warne them that they maye submitte them selues to princes and power to obey the officers that they be readye vnto all good workes that they speake euyll of no manne that they be no syghters but softe shewynge all meakenes vnto all men Thoughe I be bolde in Christe to enioyne the that whiche becommeth thee yet for loues sake I rather besech the trusting in thine obedience I wrote vnto thee knowinge that thou wilte do more then I saye for Therefore we oughte to geue the more heede to the thynges we haue hearde lâ—aste we perishe For if the wordes whiche was spoken by Aungels was stedfast so that â—uâ—ry transgression and disobedience receaued a iusâ—e recompence too rewarde howe shall we escape if we despise so great saluation Although Christ were Gods sonne yet learned he obedience by the thinges whyche he suffered and was made perfecte and the cause of eternall saluation vnto all them that obey hym Moreouer seinge we haddâ— fathers of oure owne fleshe which corrected vs and we gaue them reuerence shoulde not we muche rather be in subiection vnto the father of spirituall gyftes that we myght lyue And they verelye for a feawe dayes nurtered vs after their owne pleasure but he learneth vs vnto that whiche is profytable that we might receiue of his holinesse Se that ye despyse not him that speaketh For if they escaped not whiche refused him that spake on earth much more shall we not escape if we turne awaye from him that speaketh froÌ„ heauen whose voice then shâ—uke the earth now declareth sayinge yet once agayne wil I â—â—ke not the earth onelye but also heauen And that hee sayethe yet once more signyfyeth the remouynge away of those thynges which are shaken as of thynges whyche haue ended theyr course that the thinges whiche are not shaken maye remany I coÌ„mende you brethren that ye kepe precepts and ordinaunces euen as I deliuered them to you ¶ Of pittye and mercy Capitu. 15. BE merye wyth them that are merye weepe with them that wepe Yf thyne ennemye honger feede him Yf he thurste geue him drincke for in so doynge thou shalt heape coles of fyre on hys head Him that is weake in the fayeth receaue vnto you not in disputinge and troubling his conscience We which are stronge oughte to beare the fraylnes of them which are weake and not to stand in oure own consaytes For Christe pleased not him selfe but as it is written The rebukes of them which rebuke thee fell on me Wherfore receaue ye one an other as Christe receaued vs too the prayse of God It hathe pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia â—oo make a certayne destribution vppon the poore sayncâ—es which are at Ierusalem I commende vnto you Phebe our syster which is a minister of the congregation of Cenchrea that ye receaue her in the Lorde as it becommeth sayncts and that ye assiste her in what soeuer businesse she neadeth of your ayde For she hath succoured many and mine owne selfe Of the gatheringe for the sainctes as I haue ordayned in the congregation of Galacia euen so do ye vpon some sonday let euery one of you put asyde at home and laye vp what so euer â—e thinketh mete that there be no gatherings when I come When I am come who so euer ye shall alowe by youre letters them wyll I sende to bringe youre liberalitye vnto Ierusalem And if it be mete that I go they shall go with me Yf Timotheus come se that he be without feare wyth you for he worketh the worke of the Lorde as I do Let no man despise him but conuaye him thence in peace that hee maye come vnâ—o me I am glad of the comming of Stephana forâ—unatus and Achaicus For that whiche was lackinge on your part they haue supplied They haue comforted my spirite and youres Yf anye man hath caused sorowe the same hath â—ot made me soryâ— but partlye leaste I shoulde greue you all It was sufficiente vnto thâ— same man that he was rebuked of manye So that now contrarye wyse ye oughte to forgeue him and coumforte him least that same personne should be â—walowed vppe with ouer muchâ— heauynes Wherfore I â—xhort you that loue maye haue strengthe ouer hym For â—his cause verelye dyd I wryte that I myghte knowe the proofe of you wheâ—her ye shoulde be obediâ—nte in all â—hinges To whom ye forgeue anye thynge I forgeue also And verelye if I forgeue anye thinge to whome I forgaue it for your sakes I forgaue it in the roume of Christ lâ—ast Sathan shuld preuent vs. For his thoughts are not vnknowen vnto vs. And I after the truthe â—eare râ—cord vnto the congregation of Macedonia that beyonde their power they were wyllinge of their own accorde and prayed vs with greate instaunce that wee woulde receaue theyr benefyte and suffer them too be partakers wyth other in mynysâ—ryngâ— too the saynctes And thys they dyd not as we looked for but gaue theyr owne selues firste to the Lorde and after vnto vs by the wyll of God so that wee coulde not but desyre Titus â—o accomplish thâ— same beneuolence amonge you also euen as he had begonne Nowe therfore as ye are ryche in all partyes in â—ayeth in worde in knowledge in all feruentnes and in loue which ye haue too vs euen so see that ye be plenteouse in thys bâ—neuolence This saye I not as commaundynge but because othâ—r are so feruente therefore proue I youre loue whether it be perfecte or no. And I geue counsayl hereto For this is expediente for you which beganne not to do onelye but also to wyll a yeare ago Nowe therâ—fore performe thâ— the dede that as there was in you a readynes to wyll euen so ye maye performe the deede of that whiche ye haue Thankes be to God whiche put in the hearte of Titus the same good mynde towarde you for he of hys owne accorde came vntoo you We haue sente with hym that brother whose laâ—de is in the gospell thorowe oute all the congregations and not so onelye but is also chosen of the congregations â—o be as felowâ— with vs in oure iourney concerningâ— this beneuolence that is mynistered by vs vntoo the prayse of the Lorde and after oure destinate and prompt minde eschuinge this thaâ— any man shoulde rebuke vs in this plentuous destribution that is ministred by vs and therefore make prouision for honest thinges not in the sight of God onely but also in the sighte of men We haue â—ent with him a brother of ours whom we haue oft tymes proued diligentlye in many thinges but nowe muche more dilâ—gente The greate confidence whyche I haue in you
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
Let no manne therfore iudge you about meat or drinke or for a pece of an holye daye as of the newe mone or of the saboath dayes whiche are nothinge but shadowes of thinges to come but the body is in Christ. ¶ Of spirituall furtheraunce and perfâ—â—tion Capitu 23. PErceaue ye not how that they whiche runne in a course run all yet but one receaueâ—h the reward So runne that ye maye obtainâ—â—uery man that proueth masteries abstaineth frome all thinges and they do it to obtayne a corruptible crowne but we to obtaine an vncorruptible crowne I therefore so runne not as at an vncertayn thing So fighte I not as one that beateth the ayer Câ—uet after the best gifes When I was a chylde I spake aâ— a chylde I vnderstode as a childe I ymagened as a chylde but as soone as I was a man I put awaye chylâ—yshnesse Euen so ye for as muche as ye couet â—pirituall gyfts seke that ye may haue plenty vnto the edifyinge of the congregation We as helpers therefore erhorte you that ye receaue not the grace of God in vayne For he sayeth I haue hearde thâ— in a tyme accepted and in the daye of saluation haue I hearde thee Beholde nowe is that well accepted tyme beholde now is that daye of saluaion God is able to make you riche in al grace that ye in all thinges hauing sufficient vnto the vttermost may be riche vnto al maner good workes aâ— it is written He hath sparsed abroad and hathe geuen too the poore hys righteousenesse remayneth for euer He that findeth the sower seâ—de shal minister breade for foode and shall multiplye youre seede and enâ—rease the frutes of youre righteouâ—enesse that on all parties ye maye be made â—iche in all singlenesse whiche causethe throughe vs thankes geuynge vnto God Be feruent alwaies in a good thing and not onelye when I am presente with you Let vs folowe the truthe in loue and in all thynges growe in hym whiche is the headde that is to saye Christ. Ye were once darkennes but are nowe lighte in the Lorde walke as the children of lighte For the frute of the spirite is in all goodnes righteousnesse and truthe acceptinge that which is pleasyng to the Lord. The frute of the spirit is loue ioye peace longe sufferinge gentlenes goodnes faithfulnes mekenes temperaunce continenâ—e chastitye Against such there is no lawe Furthermore we beseche you brethren and exhorte you in the Lorde Iesus that ye encrease more and more euen as ye haue receaued of vs how ye ought to walke and to please God Wherefore let vs loue the doctrine pertayninge to the begynninge of a Christian man and let vs goo vnto perfection and nowe laye no more the foundation of repentaunce frome dead workes and of â—ayeth towarde God of Baptisme of docâ—rine and of layinge on of handes and of resurretion from deathe and of eternall iudgemente And so wyll we doe â—f God permitte Neuerthelesse deare frendes we truste to see better of you and thinges whiche accompanye saluation though we thus speake Yea and we desyre that euerye one of you shewe the same diligence to the stablishinge of hope euen vnto the end that ye faynte not but folowe them which thorowe fayeth and paciencâ— inherit the promises Not as thoughe I had alreadye attayned ether were already perfecâ—e but I folowe if â—hat I may comprehende that wherein I am comprehended of Christe Iesu. Brethren I counte not my selfe that I haue gotten it but one thinge I say I forget that whiche is behynde and stretched my selfe vnto that whiche is before and prayse vnto that marke appointed to optayne the rewarde of the highe calling of God in Christ Iesu. Let vs therefore as many as be perfecte be thus wise minded and if ye be other wyse minded I praye God open euen this vnto you But stronge meate belongeth to them that are perfecte whyche thorowe custome haue theyr wyttes excercysed to iudge bothe good and euill also Growinge vppe to full holynes in the feare of God Brethren be not children in wytie Howe be it as concerninge maliciousnes be children but in wytte be perfecte Nowe therefore ye are deliuered from synne and made the seruaunts of God And haue youre frute that ye shoulde be sanctified and the end euerlastinge life But eternall lyfe is the grace and gift of God through Iesus Christ oure Lorde Eyther knowe ye not how that youre bodyes are the temple of the holye ghost whych is in you whom ye haue of God and that ye are not youre owne For ye are dearelye boughte Therefore glorify ye God in your bodyes and in your sprites for they are Gods The firste manne is of the earth earthlye the seconde man from heauen heauenlye As is the earthlye suche are they that are earthlye And as is the heauenly such are they that are heauenly Therefore as we haue borne the ymage of the earthlye so shall we beare the ymage of the heauenlye Thys saye I brethern that fleshe and bloude can not inherit the kingedome of God Neither shal corruption inherit incorruption I am crucifyed with Christ. I liue verelye yet now not I. But Christ lyueth in me Which loued me and gaue hym selfe for me I despise not the grace of God From hence foorth let no manne put me to busines For I beare in my bodye the markes of the Lorde Iesu. Epaphras the seruaunt of Christ whiche is one of you saluteth you and alwayes laboureth seruently for you in prayers that ye maye stande perfect and full in all that is the will of God Oure conuersation is in heauen Therefore my brethren deare lye beloued and longed for my ioye and croune so continue in the Lord. Ye are wytneâ—ses and so is God how holyly and iustely and vnblameablye we behaued oure selues amonge you that beleue as ye knowe howe that we exhorted and comforted and besought euerye one of you aâ— a father his children that ye wold walke worthye of God which hathe called you vntoo his kingedome and glorye Ye are all the the children of lightâ— and the children of the daye Wherefore I warne the that thou styrre vppe the gifte of God which is in the by the puttinge on of my handes For God hathe not geuen vnto vs the spirite of feare but of power and of loue and of sobernes of mind Therefore be not ashamed to testifye our Lord neyther be ashamed of me whiche am bounde for his sake but suffer thou aduersitye also with the Gospell through the power of God ¶ Of iuste and charitable correption Capâ— 24. HAue no felowshippe with the vnfrutefâ—ll workes of darcknessâ— but rather rebuke them For it is shame euen too name those thinges which are done of them in secrete but all thinges when they are rebuked of the light are manifeâ—â— for what so euer is manyfeste that same is
and Christe iâ— Goddes Your reioysinge is not goodâ— know ye not that a lyttle leuen soureth the whole lompe of dowe God which comforteth vs in all oure tribulation in so muche that we are able to comforte them which are troubled in what so euer tribulation it be Wyth the same exhortion and comforte wherewith we oure selues are comforted of God For as the afflictions of Christe are plentuous in vs euen so is our consolation plentuous by Christe Whether we be troubled for youre consolation and saluation whiche saluation sheweth her power in that ye suffer the same afflictions whych we also sufferior whether we be coÌ„forted for your consolation and saluation yet our hope is stedfast for you in as much as we knowe howe that as we haue yourâ— part in â—fflictions so shall ye be parâ—â—kers of consolation For oure glorye and reioysinge is this the testymonye of oure conscyence that in singlenesse and Godly purenes and not in the fleshly wisdome but by the grace of God we haue had oure conuersation in the worlde and moste of all to you wardes We write no other thynges too you then that ye reade and also knowe Yea and I truste ye shall fynde vs vnto the end euen as ye haue foâ—â—de vs partelye for we are youre reioysinge euen as ye are oures in the daye of our Lorde Iesus Christ. Therfore I am glad of you Seinge then that we knowe howe the lord is to be feared we perswade and fare fayre with you For we are knowen well ynoughe vnto God I trust also that we are knoweÌ„ in your consciences we praise not our selues again vnto you vut we geue you an occasion to glorye and reioyce of vs that ye may haue some what against them which reioyce in the face and not in the heart We haue shewed you before that ye are in oure hartes to dye and lyue with you I am very bolde ouer you and reioyce greatelye in you I am fylled with comforte and am exceadinge ioyous in all our tribulations For God that comforteth the abiect comforted vs at the comminge of Titus And not with his comminge onlye but also wyth the consolation wherwith he was comforted of you For he tolde vs youre desire youre mourninge your â—eruente minde to me ward so that I nowe reioyce the more Therefore we are comforted exceadingly the more ioyed we for y e ioy that Titus had because that his spirit was refreshed of you all I am therefore not nowe ashamed though I bosted my selfe to him of you for as all thinges which I speake vnto you are true euen so is oure bostynge that I bosted my selfe to Titus wyth all â—ounde true I reioyce that I may be bolde ouer you in all thinges I do you to wytte brethren of the grace of God whiche is geuen in theÌ„ congregations of Macedonia howe that the abundance of their reioysing is that they are tried with much tribulation And thereto thoughe they were exceadinge poore yet haue they geuen exceadinge richlye and that in singlenes We wyll not glory aboue mesure but accordynge too the measure and quantity which God hath distributed vnto vs a measure that reacheth euen to you For we streâ—che not ouâ—e our selues beyond measure although we hadde not reached vnto you For euen vnto you haue we come wyth the gospell of Christ nor we boaste not oure selues oute of measure in other mennes laboures Ye and we hope when your fayeth is encreased amonge you to be magnifyed accordinge to our measure more largelye and to preache the gospel in those regions which are beyonde you and not to reioyce of that which is by an other mans measure prepared alreadye Let him that reioyseth reioycâ— in the Lord for he that prayseth him selfe is not alowed but he whome the Lorde praiseth I say agayne least any man thinke that I am foolishe or els euen nowe take me as a foole that I maye glorify and boast my selfe a lyttle That I speake I speake iâ— not after the wâ—â—es of the Lorde bâ—t as it were foolishely whyle we are come to bostinge Seinge that manye reioyce after the fleshe I wyll reioyce also Wâ—ere in so euer anye man dare be bolde I speake folishelye I dare be bolde also They are Hebreues so am I. They are Israâ—litâ—s euen so am I. They are the seede of Abraham euen so am I. They are the ministers of of Christe I speake as a foole I am more Yf I mussâ— nedes reioyce I wyll reioyce and glorye of mine infirmities Uerye gladly therefore wyll I reioyce of my weknes that the strengthe of Chriâ—t may dwell in me God forbid y t I shuld reioyce but in y â— crosse of our lord Iesu Christ wher by the world is crucified as touching me and I as concerning the worlde What then So that Christ be preached all maner wayes whether it be by occasion or of true meaninge I therin ioy ye wyl ioy For I know that this shal chaunce to mâ— saluatioÌ„ through your prayer ministring of y â— spirit of Iesu Christ as I loke for hope y â— in nothing I shal be ashamed Yea and though I be offered vppe vppon the offeringe and sacrifice of your faieth I reioyce and reioâ—ce with you all For the same cause also reioyce ye and reioyce ye with me Moreouer my brethren reioyce in the Lorde Reioyce in the lord alway again I say reioyce The Lorde is euen at hand Be not careful I reioyâ—e in the lorde greately that nowe at the laste ye are reuiued againe to care for me in that ye were also carefull c. What thanks can we recompence to God agayne for you ouer all the ioye that we ioye for youre sakes before oure God whyle we nyght and day pray exceadingly that we myght see you presentlye and myghte fulfyll that whiche is lackinge in your fayeth Comforte youre selues together comforte the feble minded What is our hope or ioy or croune of reioysinge are not ye it in the presence of oure Lorde Iesus Christe at hys comminge Yes ye are our glorye and ioye We haue greate ioye and consolation ouer thy loue for by the brother the Saynctes are coumforted Euen so brother let me enioye the in the Lorde comforte my bowels in the Lorde ¶ Agaynste loquacitye and ydlenes Capitu. 28. THe kingdome of God is not in wordes but in power Euyll and malicious wordes corrupte good maners Dyd I vse lightenes Or thinke I carnally those things which I think that with me shuld be yea yea nay naye God is faithfull for our preachinge vnto you is not ye and naye but in him it was yea Wherefore put awaye lyinge and speake euerye manne truth vnto hys neighboure for as muche as we are members one of an other But he ye fulfylled with the spirit speakinge vnto youre selues in psalmes and hymnes and spirytuall songes
I besought the to abyde styll in Ephesus when I departed in to Macedonia euen so doe that thou commaunde some that they teache no other wise neither geue hede to fables and genealogies whych are endlesse and brede doubtes more then godly edifyinge whiche is by fayth Frome the whiche thinges some haue erred and haue tourned vnto vayne iangelinge because they woulde be doctoures in the scripture and yet vnderstande not what they speake neither whereof they affirme And also they learne to goo frome house to house ydle ye not ydle only but also triâ—inge and busye bodyes speakinge thynges whyche are not comelye For when we were with you this we warned you of that if there were any whiche would not worke that the same shoulde not eate We haue hearde saye no doubte that there are some which walke among you inordinatelye and worke not at allâ— but are curius and busibodies TheÌ„ that are such we commaunde and exhort by the Lorde Iesu Christe that they worke with quieâ—nes and eate theyr owne breade Caste awaye vnghostlye and oldâ— wyues fables With an whole some worde which can not be rebuked y â— he which withstandeth may be ashamed hauing no thing in you that â—e may disprayse ¶ Of internall reformation thanks geuing and of certain spirituall exercises and of the ordinaunce of al things to the last ende Capiâ—u 29. FAshion not youre selues lyke vntoo this worlde Buâ—â—e ye chaunged iâ— your shape by the renuynge of yoâ—re wyttes that ye may felâ— what thinge that good that accepâ—able and perfect wil of god is Pourge therefore the olde leuâ—n that ye maye be new dowe as ye are sâ—eatâ— breade For Christ our Estâ—r lambe 〈◊〉 offered vâ—â—or vâ— Therfore let vs kâ—pe holye day not with olde leaâ—â—â— neither with the leuen of maliciousnes and wiâ—kednesseâ— but with the swete brâ—nde of purenes truth Therfore whether ye eate or drinâ— or what so euer ye doo do all to the praise of God For if we be â—o seruent to God we are to seruent Yâ— we kepe mâ—asure for youre cause kepe we measure for the loue of Christ coâ—strayneth vs. Be ye renued in the spirit of youre mindes and put on that newe man which aftâ—r the image of God is shapen of righteousnes true holines Singinge and making melodye to the lord in your harts geuing thanks alwayes for all things vnto God the father in the name of our Lorde Iesus Christ. Furthermore brethren what so euer thinges are true what so euer thinges are honesse what so euer thingeâ— are iust what so euer things are pure what so euer thinges pertayne to loue what so euer thyngs are of honest reporte if there be any vertuous thinge if there be any laudable thinge those haue ye in youre mynde which ye haue both learned and receaued bearde and also sene in me those thinges do and the God of peace shall be with you Let the olde man with his workes be put of and the newe be put on which is renued in knowledge after the ymage of hym that made hym where is nother gentyle nor Iewe circumcision nor vncirâ—uÌ„â—â—sion barbarous or Sithian bound or fre but Christ is in all thinges and see that ye â—e thankefull â—eache and exhorte youre owne seluesâ— in psalmes and hymnes and spirituall songes which haue fauoure with them singynge in youre heartes to oure Lorde And all thynges what so euer ye doo in worde or deede doe it in the name of the Lorde Iesu geuinge thankes to God the father by him In all thinges geue thankes for this is the wyll of God in Christ Iesu towarde you For by him offer we the sacrifice of laud alwayes to God that is to say the frute of oure lyppes which confesse his name Which deliuered vs from so great perilles in whome we truste that yet here after he wyll delyuer by the helpe of youre prayer for vs that by the meanes of many occasions thankes maye be geuen of manye on oure behalfe for the grace geuen vnto vs. For I doo all thinges for youre sakes that the plentuous grace by thankes geuing of manye maye resounde to the prayse of God ¶ Of originall synne and the traÌ„sfusion therof And of the compariâ—on of Christes grace to Adams faule Capi. 30. WE haue now by Iesu Chrisâ— receiued y e attonment wherforâ— as by one mans sinne entred in to the worlde and death by the meanes of sinâ—e so death wente ouer all men in so much that all men sinned For death raigned from AdaÌ„ to Moses euen ouer theÌ„ also that sinned not with like traÌ„sgression as dyd Adam which is the similitude of him that is to come But the gifte is not like as the sinneâ— For if thorowe the sinne of one manye be deadde muche more plentuous vppon manye was the grace of God and gifte of grace which grace was geuen by one man Iesus Christe And the gifte is not ouer one synne as death came thorowe one synne of one that synned For dampnation came of one sin vnto condempnation but the gift came to iustify from manye sins For if by the sinne of one death raigneâ— by the meanes of one much morâ— shall they which receaue abundaunce of grace and of the gifâ— of righteousnes raign in liâ—e by the means of one that is to say Iesus Christ. Whâ—rfore then as by the sinne of one condâ—mpnation came on all men euen so by the iustifying of â—ne cometh the righteousnes y e bringeth life vpon all men For as by one mans disobedience manye became sinners so by the obedience of oneâ— shal manye be made righteous And wher abuÌ„dance of sin was ther was more plentuousenesse of grace That as sin had raigned vnto death euen â—o might grace raigne thorowe righteousnesse vnto eternall life by the helpe of Iesus Christ our Lord. We know that the law is spirituall but I am carnall solde vnder sin because I wote not what I doâ— for what I would that do I not but y t I hate that do I. Yf I now do that which I would not I graunt to the law that it is good So then nowe it is not I that do it but sinne that dwelleth in me For I know y t in me that is to saye in my fleshe dwelleth no good thing To wyll is present with me but I fynde no meanes to performe that which is good For I do not that good thing which I would but that euyl do I which I wouldâ— not finallye if I do that I woulde not then is it not I that doo it but synne that dwelleth in mâ— doeth it I finde then by the lawe that when I woulde do good euyll is presente wyth me I delyte in the law of God concerning the inner manne But I see another lawe in my members rebellinge againste the lawe of my minde and subduinge me vnto the lawe of sinne which is in my
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
though she were shauen Yf the woman be noâ— couered let her also be shorne If it be a shame for a woman to be shorne or shauen let her couer her heade A man ought not to couer his heade For as much as he is the image and glory of God The woman is the glory of the man For the man is not of the woman but the wâ—man of the man Neyther was the maÌ„ creatâ—d for the womans sake but the woman for the mannes sake For this cause ought the womaÌ„ to haue a vayle on her hâ—adde for the Aungels sakes Neuerthelesâ—e neyther is the man without the woman nether the woman without the man in the Lord. For as the woman is of the man euen so is the maÌ„ by the woman but al is of god Iudge in youre selues whether it be comely y â— a woman pray vnto god bare headed Oâ— tis doeth not naâ—ure teach you that it is â—â—hame for a man if he haue long heare and a praise to a woman if she haue a longe heare For her heare is geuâ—n her to couer her with all Let wemen kepe silence in the congregations For it is not permytted vnto them too speake but let them be vnder obedience as saith the law Yf they wyll learne anye thynge let them aske theyr husbandes at home For it is a shame for wemenne too speake in the congregation Sprong the worde of God frome you Ether came it vnto you onely Yf any man thinke him selfe a prophet either spâ—rituall let hym vnderstande what thynges I wryte vntoo you For they are commaundementes of the Lorde Lykewise that the wemen araye them selues in comely apparell with shamfastnes and discrete behauiour not with broided heare other gold or pearles or costly aray but with such as becommeth wemen that professe the woorshippinge of God thorowe good workes Let the woman learne in silence with al subiection I suffer not a woman to teache neyther toâ— haue autority ouer the man but for to be in silence For Adam was first formed then â—ue Also Adam was not deceaued but the woman waâ— deceaued and was in transgression Notwithstandingâ— thorowe bearing of children they shall be saued so thâ—y continue in fayth loue and holynes with discretion Honoure widowes which are true wydowes Yf any wydow haue childrâ—n or nephes let theÌ„ learne first to rule theyr owne houses Godlye and to recompence their elders For that is good exceptable before god She that is a very widowe and frendlesse putteth her trust in god and continueth in supplication and prayer night and day But she that liueth in pleasure is deadde euen yet alyue And theese thinges commaunde that they maye be withoute faute Let no widow be chosen â—nder three score year old and such a one as was the wife of one maÌ„ and wâ—ll reported of in good workes if â—he haue nourished chyldren yf she haue bene liberall too straungers if she haue washed the saynctes fete if she haue miniâ—stred vnto them which were in aduersity if she were continuallye geuen vnto all maner good workes The yonger widowes refuse For when thei haue begonne to weâ—e wanton to the dishonoure of Christe then wyll they marye hauinge damnation because they haue broken â—hâ—ir first faieth I wyll therefore that the yonger women marye and beare children and â—uâ—d their hoâ—ses aâ—d geue none occasion to the aduersarye to speake euyll For manye of them are already turned backâ— and are gone aâ—ter Sathan And if anye manne or woman that beleuethe haue wydowes let them minister vnto them and let not the congregation be charged that ye maye haue sâ—fficiâ—nte for them that are widowes in dede ¶ How parents oughte to vse them selues vntoo theyr children And masters to theyr seruaunts And contrarye wyse howe children and seruauntes must vse them selues to their parents and maysters Capit. 60. Children obey youre fathers and mothers in the Lord. For so it is right Honour thi father and mother that is the first commaundemente that hathe anye promes that thou maist be in good estate and liue longe on the earthe And ye fathers moue not your children to wrath but bring them vp with the nurture and information of the Lorde Children obey youre fathers and mothers in all thinges For that is well pleasinge vntoo the Lord. Fathers rate not youre children least they be of a desperate minde The children oughte not to laye vp for the fathers and mothers but the fathers and mothers for the chyldren Seruauntes be obedyente vntoo youre carnall maysters wyth feare and tremblynge in synglenesse of youre heartes as vnto Christe not wyth seruyce in the eye syghte as menne pleasers but as the seruauntes of Christe dooinge the wyll of God frome the hearte wyth good wyll seruynge the Lorde and not menne And remember that whatsoeuer good thynge any manne doth that shall bee receaue agayne of the Lorde whether he be bonde or free And ye masters doe euen the same thynges vnto them puttinge awaye threatenynges and remember that euen youre master also is in heauen neyther is there anye respecte of person with him Seruaunts be obedieÌ„t vnto your boddily masters in all thiÌ„gs in singlenes of heart fearinge God And what so euer ye do do it hartely for as much as ye know that of the Lorde ye shal receaue the rewarde of inheritaunce Ye masters do vnto your seruaunts that which is iust and equall seynge ye knowe that ye also haue a master in heauen Let as manye seruaâ—ntes as are vnder yâ—ke counte their maysters worthy of all honour that the name of God and his doctrine be not â—uyll spoken of See that they which haue beleuing masters despise them not because they are breethren but so muche the rather do seruice For as muche as they are beleueinge and beloued and partakers of the benefyte The seruauntes eâ—horte to be â—bâ—diente vnto theyr owne masters and to please in all thinges not aunsweringe agayne neyther be pyckers but that they shew all good â—aythâ—ulnes that they maye do worshyppe to the doctryne of our sauiour God in all things ¶ How superiours shoulde vse them selues to theyr subiectes and contrarye wyse And of certaine documentes partayninge vnto prelates And how they shuld diuersly instruct dyuers Capit 61. WE beseeche you breethren that ye knowe them which laboure amonge you and haue the ouer sight of you in the lord and geeue you exhortacyon that ye haue them the more in loue for their woorkes sake and be at peace wyth them He therfore that despiseth this despiseth nat man but God The priestes and elders that rule well are worthy of double honour most specially they which labour in the word and in teaching Remember them which haue the ouersight of you which haue declared vnto you the word of God the ende of whose conuersation se that ye loke vpon and folow theyr fayeth Obey them that haue the ouersight of you and submit your selues
to them For they watch for your soules euen as they that muste geue accomptes for youre soules that they maye doo it with ioye and not wyth grefe for that is a profytable thing for you And receaue suche a one with honour and all gladnesse Tyll I come geue attendaunce to readinge to exhortation too doctryne Despise not that gifte that is in thee whiche was geuen the thorowe prophesye and with the layinge on of handes of an elder Take hede vnto thy self and vnto learning and contynue â—herein For if thou shalt so do thou shalt saue thy selfe and them that hear the. Laye handes sodenlye on no man Nether be partaker of other mennes synnes Watch thou in all things and suffer aduersitye and do the woorke of an euangelist fulfyll thyne office vnto the vttermost Be sober Of theese thinges put them in remembraunce and testifye before the Lorde For thou haste sene the experience of my doctrince fashion of liuinge purpose faythâ— longe sufferinge loue paciene persecutions afflictions which happened vntoo me at Antyoche at Iconium and at Lystra Whyche persecutions I suffered pacientlye And from them al the lord deliuered me Preache the worde be feruent be it in season or out of season improue rebuke exhorte Be vnto them that beleue an ensample in worde in conuersation in loue in spirit in charity An elder exhort as a father yong meÌ„ as brethren the elder women as mothers y â— yoÌ„ger as sisters in al chastity But speake thou that which becoÌ„meth wholsome learning y â— the elder men be sober honest discrete sound in the fayeth in loâ—e and in pacyence And the elder women likewyse that they be in suche raiment as becommeth holynes not false accusers not geuen to much drynckinge but teachers of honest thinges to make the yonge wemenne sober mynded to loue theyr husbands to loue theyr chyldren to be discrete chast huswyâ—â—ye good and obedient vntoo theyr own husbands that the word of God be not euill spoken of Yf thou shalt put the breethren in remembraunce of these things thou shalte be a good minyster of Iesus Christ which hast bene nourished vp in the wordes of fayth and good doctrine which doctrine thou hast continually folowed ¶ Of the spirituall generation of baptime And why that from hence foorth we ought to depart from sinne Capâ—u 62. WHere abundaunce of synâ—e was there was more plentuousenesse of grace c. vt â—uprâ— What shall we say then Shal we continue in sin that ther may abundaunce of grace God forbydde How shall we that are deade as touchynge synne lyue any longer therein Remember ye not that al we which are baptised in the name of Iesus Christ are baptysed to dye wyth him We are buryed with hym by baptysme for too dye that likewyse as Christ was raysed vppe from death by the glorye of the faâ—her euen so we also should walke in a newe lyfe For iâ— we graffe in death like vnto him eueÌ„ so muste we be in the resurrection This we must remember that our olde man is crucifyed with him also that the bodye of sinne might vtterly be destroyed that hence foorthe we should not be seruaunts of sinne For he that is dead is â—ustified from sin Wherfore if we be dead with Christ we beleue that we shall lyue wyth him remembringe that Christ once rayseh from death dyeth no more Death hath no more power ouer him for as touching that he dyed he dyed concerning synne once And as touchinge that he liueth he liueth vnto God Likewise imagine ye alsoâ— that ye are dead concerninge synne but are aliâ—e vnto God thorowe Iesus Christ our Lorde For al ye that are baptised in Christ Iesu haue put on Christ. In whom ye are circumcised with circumcision made withoute handes by puttinge of the sinfull body of the fleshe throughe the circumcision that is in Christe in that ye are buryed with him through baptime in whom ye are also rysen agayne throughe faith y â— is wroughte by the operation of God which raised him from death ¶ Of the comming of the most wicked and most falsest Antichrist and of the day of iudgement Capitu. 6â— BE not sodeÌ„ly moued aâ—though the day of Christ were at hand Let no man deceiue you by any mâ—anes For the Lorde commeth not excepte there come a departinge first and that the sinfull man â—e opened the sonne of perdition whiche is an aduersarye and is exalted aboue all that is called God or that is woorshipped so that he shall sytte as God in the temple of God and shewe him selfe as God Remember ye not that whan I was yet with you I toldâ— you theese thynges And nowe ye knowe what wythholdethe euen that â—e mighte â—ee vttered at hyâ— tyme. For the mysterye of the iniquytye doeth alreadye woorke tyll he whiche nowe onely letteth be taâ—en oute of the waye And then shall that wicked be vttered whoÌ„ the lorde shall consume with the spirite of hys mouth and shall destroye it with appearaunce of his cominge euen him whose cominge is by the working of Satan with al lying power signes wonders and in al dâ—ceiueablenes of vnrightuousenes amonge them that perish because they receaued not the loue of y e truth that they might haue bene saued And therefore God shall â—end them strong delusion that they shuld beleue lyâ—s that all they might be dampned whyth beleued not the truth but had pleasure in vnrighteâ—usnes Of the times and ceasons brethren ye haue no nede that I write vntoo you for ye your selues knowe parfectly that the daye of the Lord shall coâ—e â—uen as a theeâ—e in the nighte When they shall saye peace and no dâ—unger then commeth on theÌ„ soden destruction as the trauaylinge of a woman with chylde and they shall not scape But ye brethern are not in darkenes that that daye should come on you as it were a theâ—e ¶ Of the generall resurrection that is too come Capitu. 64 YF so be that any man haue not the spirit of Christ the same is none of his But if the spirit of him that raysed vp Iesus from â—â—athe dwell in you euen he that â—aysed vp Christe from deathe shall â—uycken youre mortall bodyes because that his spirit dwelleth in you God hath raysed vp the Lorde and shall rayse vs vp by his pwer For we knowe that he which raysed vp the Lorde Iesus shall rayse vp vâ— also by the meanes of Iesus and shall set vs with you Christe amonge you is not weake but is mightye in you For thoughe it came of weakenes that he was crucified yet liueth he thorow the power of God And we no doubte are weake in him but we shall lyue with him by the might of God amonge you If we beleue that Iesus dyed and and rose agayne euen so them also which slepe by Iesus wyl God bring agayne with him And this saye we vnto you
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