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
of them For if the castinge awaye of themâ— be the reconcilinge of the worlde what shal the receauinge of them be but life agayn from death For if one pece are holye the whole heape is holye And if the rote be holye the braunches be holye also Thoughe some of the braunches be broken of and thou beinge a wylde olyue tree arte grafte in amonge them and madâ— partaker of the rote and faâ—nes of the oliuâ— tre boast not thy â—â—lf agaynst the braunches For if thou boaste thy selfe remember that thou bearâ—st not the rote but the rote thee Thou wylâ—e saye then the braunches are broken of that I might be grafte in Thou sayest well because of vnbeleue they are broken of an thou standest stedfast in fayeth Be not â—ye mynded but feare seinge that God spared not the naturall braunches leaste haply â—e also spare not thee Beholde the kindenes and rigorousnes of God on them whiche fell rigorousenes but towards thee kyndnes if thou continue in his kyndnes Or els thou shalt be hewen of and they if they â—yde not styll in vnbeliefe shall be grafte in agayne For God is of power to graffe them in agayne For if thou wast cutte oute of a naturall wylde olyue tree and wast graffed contrarye to nature in a true olyue tree how muche more shall the naturall braunches be graffed in theyr owne olyue tree agayn I would not that this secrete should be hyd frome you my brethren lest ye shuld be wise in your owne consaytes that partly blindnes is happened in Israell vntyll the fulnesse of the gentyles bee come in and so all Israell shall be saued As it is wrytten There shall come out of Syon be y t doeth deliuer and shal turne away the vngodlines of Iacob And this is my couenaunt vnto them whan I shall take away theyr synnes As concerninge the gospell they are ennemies for youre sakes But as touchinge the election they are loued for the fathers sake For verelye the gyftes and callynge of God are suche that it canne not repente hym of them for looke as ye in tyme passed haue not beleeued God yet haue nowe obtayned mercyâ— thorowe theyr vnbelyefe euen so nowe haue they not beleeued the mercy which is happened vnto you that they also maye obtayne mercye God hathe wrapped all nations in vnbelyeâ—e that he myght haue mercye on all O the deepenesse of the aboundaunt wisdome and knowledge of God howe vnserchâ—able are hys iudgementes And I saye that the gentiles praise God for hys mercye as it is wrytten For this cause I wyll prayse the amonge the gentyles and synge in thy name And agayne he sayeth Reioyce ye gentiles with his people And againâ— Prayse the Lorde all ye gentiles and laude him all nations And agayne Esaias sayeth There shall be the rote of Iesse and he that shall ryse to raygne ouer the gentyles in him shal be the gentiles trust We do not as Moses which put a vaile ouer his face that the children of Israell shoulde not see for what purpose that serued whiche is put awaye But their mindes were blinded For vntyll this daye remayneth the same concernyng vntaken waye in the olde Testamente when they reade it which in Christ is put away But euen vnto this day when Moses is red the vayle hangeth before their harts Neuerthelesse when they turne to the Lord the vaile shall be taken awaye Remember that ye beinge in time passed gentiles in the flesh and were called vncyrcumcision to them which are called circumcision in the fleshe which circuÌ„cision is made by hands Remember I saye that ye were at that time withoute Christe and wer reputed aliâ—ntes frome the common wealth of Israell and were straungers from the Testament of promes and had no hope and were withouâ—e God in this woorlde But nowe in Christ Iesu ye which a whyle a goo were farre of are made nye by the bloudde of Christe and he came and preached peace to you which were a far of and to them that wer â—e For thorow him we bothe haue an open way in in one spirit vnto the father As it is now declared vnto hys holye Apostels and prophettes by the spirite that the gentiles should be inheritoures also and of the same bodye and partakers of his promes that is in Christe Iesu. c. vt supra eodem ti The Iewes as they kylled the lord Iesus and their owne prophettes euen so haue they persecuted vs and God they pleased not and are contrarye to all men And forbydde vs too preache vntoo the gentiles that they myghte bee saued too fulfyll their sinnes alway For the wrath of God is come on them to the vâ—most ¶ Of diuers gifts of grace geuen vnto the church in the time of grace vnder and in time of the Euangelycall lawe Capitu. 41. SEinge that we haue dyuers gyfâ—s accordinge to the grace that is geuen vnto vs. Yf any man haue the gyfte of prophesye let him haue it that it be agreinge vnto the faith Let him that hath an office waite on his office Let him that teacheth take heede to his doctrine Let him that exhorteth geue attendaunce to his exhortation if anye man geue let him doe it wyth synglenesse Let hym that ruleth doo it wyth dilygence Yf anye manne shewe mercy let him do it wyth chearefulnes Let loue be withoute dissimulation hatâ— that whiche is euyll and cleaue vnto that whiche is good Let not that busines which ye haue in hande be tedyous vnto you Dystribute vntoo the necessites of the saynctes and be readye to harboure be of lyke affecâ—ion one towardes an other yf it bâ— possible Howe be it of youre parte haue peace with all menne Dearelye beloued auenge not youre selues but geeue roume vnto the wrath of God I my selfe am full certifyed of you my brethren that ye youre selues are full of goodnes fylled wyth all knowledge and are able to exhorte one an other For in all thinges ye are made rich in God in all learninge and in all knowledge so that ye are behinde in no gifte c. vt sup And ye not ware that ye are the temple of God and how that the spirit of God dwelleth in you Yf anye man defyle the temple of God him shall God destroy For temple the of God is holyâ— which temple ye are And verely ye were wicked but ye are washed ye are sanctified ye are iustyfyed by the name of the Lorde Iesus and by the spâ—riâ—e of our god eyther remember ye not that youre bodyes are the temple of the holye ghoste whiche is in you Whome ye haue of God and how that ye are not your owne For ye are dearelye boughte Therefore glorifye ye God in youre bodies and in your spirits In spirituall thinges brethren I would not haue you ignoraunt For no manne can saye that Iesus is the Lorde but by the holye ghost There are dâ—uersities of
iustiâ—yeâ—he who then shal condemne It is Chrâ—â—t whâ—â—h is dead ye rather which is riâ—en again which is also on the right hand of God and maketh intercession for vs. I â—peake not these things asthough the woorde of God hadde take nonâ— effecte For they are not all Israelites whiche came of Israell â—either are they all children because they arâ— the seede of Abraham But in â—saac shall thy sede be called that is to say they whiche are the children of the fleshe are not the chyldren of God But the children of promes are couÌ„ted the seede For thys is a woorde of promesse aboute thys time wyll I come and Sara shall haue a childe Neither was it so with her only but also when Rebecca was with câ—ylde by one I meane by oure father Isaac yet the children wer borne when they had neither done good neyther badde that the purpose of God whiche is by election migâ—te stande it was sayde vntoo her not by the reason of woorkes but by grace of the caller tâ—e elder shall serue the yonger As it is written Iacob â—e loued but Esau be hated What shall we saye then Is there anye vnrighteousenesse with God God forbydde For â—e sayeth to Moses I wyll shew mercy to whom I shewe mercye and wyll haue compassion on whome I haue compassion So lyeth it not theÌ„ in a mans wyll or conninge but in the mercye of God For the scripture sayeth vnto Pharao Euen for thys same purpose haue I styrred the vp to shewe my power on the and that my name myght be declared thorow out all the worlde So hath he mercye on whome he wyll and whome â—e wyll he maketh hearde harted Thou wylte say then vnto me Why then blamethe he vs yet For who can resist his wyll But o man what art thou which disputeth with God Shall the work say to the workman why hast y u made me on this fashion Hath not the potter power ouer the claye euen of the same lompe too make one vessell vnto honoure and an other vnto dishonoure Euen so god wylling to shew his wrath and to make his power knowen suffered with longe pacience the vesselles of wrath ordayned to damnation that he mighte declare the riches of hys glory on the vessels of mercy which he had prepared vnto gorye O the depenes of the aboundante wisedome and knowledge of God how vnsercheable are his iudgementes and his wayes past finding out for who hath knoweÌ„ the minde of the lord Or who was his counseller Ether who hath geuen vnto him first that he might be recompensed again For of him and thorowe him and for him arâ— all thâ—â—gâ—s To him be honoure and glorye for euer Amen Breâ—hren looke on your callinge howe that not manye wise men aftâ—r the flesh not many mighti not many of hye degrâ—e are called but god hath chosen the folish things of the world to conâ—ounde the wise And God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound things which are mightye And vile thinges of the worlde and thinges which are despisedâ— hath God chosen ye and thingâ—s of no reputation for to bringe to noughâ—e thinges of reputation that no fleshe shoulde reioyce in his presente For God is fayethfull by whome ye are called vntoo the fâ—lowshippe of hys sonne Iesus Chriâ—t God hathe chosen vs in Châ—iste before the foundation of the worlde was layâ—d that we should be saynts and wythoute blame before him thorowe loue And ordaynâ—d vs before through Iesus Christe to be heires vntoo hym selfe accordinge to the pleasure of his wyll too the praise of the glorye of hys grace wherewith he hathe mâ—de vs accepted In whome we are called and pâ—edestynate according to the purpose of him which worketh all thinges after the purpose of his owne wyll that wee whyche beleeued before in Christe shoulde be vntoo the prayse of hys glorye For we are his workemanshippe created in Christe Iâ—su vntoo good workes vnto the which god ordained vs before that we shoulde walke in them For it is God whiche worketh in you both the wyl and also the dede of good wyll Notwithstanding in a great house are not onelye vessels of golde and of syluer but also oâ— wood and earthe sâ—me for honour and some vnto dyshonoure But if a man pourge him selfe from suche felowes he shall be a vessâ—l sanctified vnto honour mete for the Lorde and prepared vnto all good workes ¶ Of the iustice of God and of the rigoure of the diuine iustice agaynst synners Capitu 45. THe wrathe of God appeareth frome heauen againste all vngodlâ—nesse and vnrighteousnes of mâ—n whiche with holde the truth of god in vâ—righteousnes seing what maye be knowen of God that same is manifâ—st amonge them For God did shewe it vnto them For God wyll rewarde euery man accordinge to his deedes that is to saye prayse honoure and immortality to them which continue in good doinge and seeke eternall lyfe But vnto them that are rbellious and disobey the truth and folowe iniquity shall come indignation and wrathe tribulation and anguishe vpon the soule of euery man that doth euyll of the Iewe first and also of the gentile For there is no parcialitye with God But who soeuer hathe synned without the lawe shall perish without lawe And as many as haue sinnes vnder the lawe shall be iudged by the law For before God they are not righteous which heare thâ— lawe but the doers of the lawe shall be iustifyed For if the gentiles whiche haue no law do of nature the things contayned in the lawe then they hauinge no lawe are lawe vnto them selues whiche shewe the dede of the lawe written in their hartes whyle their consciâ—nce beareth witnes vnto them and also their thoughtes accusinge one on other or excusinge at the day when God shall iudge the secretes of men by Iesus Christ accordinge to my gospâ—ll God is true and all men lyars as it is written That thou mightest be iustified in thy sayinge and shouldest â—uercome when thou art iudged Yf our vnrighteousenes make the righteousenesse of God more excellente what shal we saye is God vnrighteouse whiche take the vengeaunce I speake after the maner of men God forbydde For howe then shall God iudge the worlde Yf the veritye of God appeare more â—xcellent thorow my lyfe vnto his prayse whye am I hence foorth iudged a siâ—ner And say not rather as men speake euyl of vs let vs do euyll that good maye come thereof Whose dampnation is iust What saye we then Are we better then they No in no wise For we haue alreadye proued c. Euery manne shall receaue his rewarde accordinge to his laboure â—s a wyse builder haue I layd the foundation let euerye manne take hâ—de howe hee buyldethe vppon For other â—oundation canne no man laye then that which is laid which is Iesus Christ. Yf any manne builde on this foundation golde syluer
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
colde and in nakednesse And besides the thinges which outwardelye happen vnto me I am combred dailye and doo care for all congregations Who is sick and I am not sicke Who is hurte in the fayeth and my hart burneth not The God father of oure Lorde Iesus Christe whyche is blessed for euer knowethe that I lye not The gouerner of the people of Damasco vnder king Aretas laied watch in the city of Damasco wold haue caughte me and at the window was I let downe in a basket thorowe the wall and so scaped his hands Now ioye I in my sufferings whiche I suffer for you and fulfyll that whiche is behynde of the passions of Christ in my flesh for his bodies sake which is the church Herefore I suffer all thinges for the electes sakes that they mighte also obtaine that saluation which is in Christe Iesu wyth eternall glorys Therefore let no man be moued in theese afflictions for ye your selues knowe that we are euen appoynted therunto This thou knowest howe that all they whiche are in Asia be tourned from me of whiche sorte are Philetus and Hermogenes Alexander the copper smith did me muche euyll the Lorde rewarde him accordinge to his dedees of whome be thou ware also for he withstode our preachinge sore At my first answeringe and defence no man assisted me but all forsoke me I praye God that it maye not be layed too theyr charges Notwithstanding the Lord assisted me and strengthed me that by me the preachinge shoulde be fulfylled to the vttermoste and that all the gentiles shoulde heare And I was deliuerede out of the mouthe of the Lyon And the Lorde hathe delyuered me frome all euyll doinge and shal kepe me vnto his heauenly kingdome to whome be prayse for euer and euer Amen ¶ Of the excellencye of Paule the Apostels rectitude and sinceritye Capit. 68. What wyll ye Shall I come vnto you with a rod or els in loue and in the spirite of mekenesse Out of sincerity and purenes and by the power of god and in the sight of God so speake we in Christ. Begynne we to prayse oure selues again Nede we as some other of Epistels of recomendation vnto you or letters of recomendation frome you Yf any man trust in him â—elfe that he is Christes let the same also consider of him selfe that as he is Christes euen so are we Christes And thoughe I shoulde boast my self somwhat more of our autority which the lord hath gâ—neâ— vs to edifye and not tâ— destroye you if shulde not be to my â—â—ame This saye I leaste I shoulde seme as thoughe I wente aboute to make you afrayed wyth letters For the Epistles sayeth he are sore and stronge But his bodilye presence is weake and his speache is rude Let him that is suche thinke on this wise that as we are in wordes by letters when wee are absente suche are we in dâ—des when we are presente Did I there in sinne because I submitted my selfe that ye mighte be exalted and because I preached to you the Gospell of God free I robbed other congregations and toke wages of them to doo you seruice with all And when I was present with you and had nede I was greuous to no man For that which was lackinge vnto me the breethren whych came frome Macedonia supplyed and in all thynges I kepte my selfe that I shoulde not be greauous to you and so wyll I kepe my selfe Yf the truth of Christe bee in mee thys reioysinge shall not be taken frome me in the regions of Achaia Wherefore Because I loue you not God knoweth Neuerthelesse what I doo that wyll I do to cut awaye occasion frome them whiche desire occasion that they may be founde like vnto vs in that wherein they reioyce For what is it wherin ye were inferiours to other congregations except it â—e therin that I was not grâ—uous vntâ—o you forgeue mee thys wrong done vnto you But be it that I greaued you not Neuerthelesse I was crafty and toke you with guâ—le Did I pyl you by any of them which I sente vnto you I desired Titus and with him I sente a brother Did Titus defraude you of anye thinge Walked we not in one spirite Walked we not in like steppes Agayne thinke ye that we â—xcuse our selues We speake in Christe in the sight of God Beholde now come I the third tyme vnto you In the mouth of â—wo or three witnesses shall euery thinge stande Our exhortation was not to bringe you too erroure neyther was it in guile not as thoughe we entended â—o please menne c. vt supra Capitu 39. ¶ Of the takinge vp and visions of the blessed Apostell saincte Paule and of his perfection in all vertue Capitu 69. I Wyll come to the visions and reuelations of the lord I know a man in Christe aboue 14. yeares agone Whether he were in the bodye I can not tell or whether he were out of the bodye I canne not tell God knoweth whiche was taken vp in to the thyrde heauen And I knowe the same man whether in the bodye or oute of the bodye I can not tell God knoweth howe that he was taken vppe in to paradise and hearde wordes not to be spoken whiche no man can vtter Of this manne wyll I reioyce of my self wyll I not reioyce excepte it be of myne infirâ—yties And yet thoughe I woulde reioyce I shuld not be a fole for I wold say the truth Neuerthelesse I spare lest any man shuld think of me abouâ— that he seeth me to be or heareth of me I am made a foole in boastingâ— my selfe ye haue compelled me I oughte too haue bene commendâ—d of you I haue learned in what so euer estate I am therewith to be contente I can bothe humble and caste downe my selfe I can also exceade Euery where and in all thynges I am instructed bothe to be full and to be hungrye to haue plentye and to suffer nede I can do all thinges through the helpe of Christe whiche strengtheneth me ¶ Of the multitude of goddes mercies vnto the Apostle And of the actes of the begynninge of his conuersion Capitu. 70. I Thanke Christ Iesus our lord whiche haâ—h made me stronge for he counted me true and put me in offyce when before I was a â—lasphemer and a persecuter and contumelius But I obtayned mercye because I dyd it ignorauntlye throughe vnbeleefe Notwythstanâ—inge for thys cause was mercye geuen vntoo me that Iesus Christe shoulde firste shewe on me all longe pacience vnto the ensample of them which shal in time to come beleue on him vnto eternall lyfe For why ye hard of my conuersation in time past in the Iewes waies how that beyond measure I persecuted the church congregation of god and spoyled it and preuayled in the Iewes law aboâ—e many of my companyons which were of myne own nations and was a muche more feruente mayntayner of the traditions
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