1 Corinthians Cross References - Mace

¹ Paul appointed by the divine will to be an apostle of Jesus Christ, and Sosthenes our brother, ² to the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who being sanctified by Christ Jesus, are saints by that vocation, to all that any where invoke the name of Jesus Christ, who is both their Lord and ours. ³ grace and peace be with you from God our father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. ⁴ I continually give thanks to God on your behalf, for the favour he has bestowed on you thro' Jesus Christ; ⁵ in your being enriched by him in every gift, with all that light and knowledge, ⁶ whereby the testimony we gave concerning Christ was confirmed among you. ⁷ so that you will be deficient in no gift; during your expectation of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: ⁸ and God will confirm you to the end, that ye may be unaccused in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ for he, who has called you to the communication of his son Jesus Christ our Lord, will make good his promise. ¹⁰ Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to maintain all the same doctrine, to suffer no divisions among you; but to be perfectly united in the same mind, and in the same judgment. ¹¹ for I have been inform'd, my brethren, by some of Chloe's family, that there are contentions among you. ¹² I mean that one or other of you cries out "I am of Paul, and I of Apollos, and I of Cephas, ¹³ and I of Christ." is the school of Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were you baptized into the name of Paul? ¹⁴ I thank God, I baptized none of you, except Crispus and Gaius: ¹⁵ lest any should say, I had baptized into mine own name. ¹⁶ true, I baptized the family of Stephanas: but I don't know that I baptized any other besides. ¹⁷ for Christ did not send me to baptize: but to preach the gospel: tho' not with the preaching of the wise, lest the cross of Christ should have been hinder'd in its efficacy. ¹⁸ For tho' the doctrine of the cross seems folly to those that perish: yet we that are to be saved, do feel its energy is divine. ¹⁹ for it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent." ²⁰ where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputant of this age? has not God prov'd the wisdom of this world to be downright folly. ²¹ for whereas the world, with all their learning, did not distinguish the characters of his divine wisdom, in his works, it pleased God to save those who believe, by preaching, which they counted folly. ²² while the Jews require signs, and the Greeks seek wisdom: ²³ we preach Christ crucified, an obstacle to the Jews indeed, and to the Gentiles foolishness: but to those who believe, ²⁴ both Jews and Gentiles, he is the Christ, the power of God, and the wisdom of God. ²⁵ for this divine doctrine, as foolish and weak as men may think it, far surpasses all their wisdom, and baffles all their power. ²⁶ for consider, brethren, that not many worldly wise, not many men of power, not many men of birth are among you that are called. ²⁷ but God hath chosen those who are foolish in the opinion of the world, to confound the wise; and the weak men of the world to confound the mighty: ²⁸ those who were looked upon by the world as vile, as despicable, as nothing, these has God chosen to reduce their sufficiency to nothing. ²⁹ that no man might glory before God; ³⁰ for from him it is that ye believe in Christ Jesus, whom God has made to us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, ³¹ according as it is written, "he that glorieth, should glory in the Lord."

¹³ when it was day, he called his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom he stiled missionarys: Simon,

¹⁶ it was not you that chose me, but I that chose you, and establish'd you, that your travels may be fruitful, and your fruit be lasting: so that whatever ye shall ask of the father for my sake, he will give it you.

²¹ then said Jesus to them again, "peace be with you: as my father hath sent me, even so send I you."

² after he had given the apostles he had chosen, the orders they were to execute by the holy spirit.

²⁵ that he may be admitted to this apostolick ministry which Judas abandoned, to go to his own place." ²⁶ and having drawn lots; the lot fell upon Matthias, who was added to the eleven apostles.

¹⁷ but the Greeks in a body fell upon Sosthenes the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the tribunal: whilst Gallio was unconcern'd about the matter.

²¹ but the Lord said to me, "be gone, for I will send you far hence, even to the Gentiles."

¹ Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, chosen to declare the gospel dispensation,

⁵ by whose favour I have received the office of an apostle to bring the Gentiles every where to the obedience of faith preached in his name:

⁹ For we are fellow labourers employed by God: you are his field, and his mansion.

¹⁶ it cannot be. why, don't you perceive, that where there is such an attachment, they are but as one person? for the scripture says, "they two shall be as one." ¹⁷ but he that is attach'd to the Lord, is united to him by one and the same spirit.

¹ Am I not free? am I not an apostle? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not you become christians by my labour? ² if I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you: for your being christians is the proof of my apostleship.

⁹ for I am the meanest of the apostles, not worthy the name of an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

¹ Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the divine appointment, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God, which is at Corinth, with all the christians throughout Achaia: favour,

⁵ for I think I am not at all inferior to the chiefest of the apostles.

¹² the marks indeed of an apostle I have shown among you by my extreme patience, by signs, and prodigies, and miracles.

¹ Paul an apostle (not from men, nor by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the father who raised him from the dead) and all the brethren,

¹⁵ but when it pleased God, who ordained me from my birth, and called me by his especial favour, to reveal his son to me, ¹⁶ that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not thereupon apply my self to any man;

⁷ on the contrary, when they perceived that I had the province of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, as Peter had that of preaching it to the Jews, ⁸ (for he that had wrought powerfully in Peter with respect to his apostleship among the Jews, had also wrought powerfully in me upon account of the Gentiles:) and when James,

¹ Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the divine appointment to the converts which are at Ephesus, who stand firm in the faith of Christ Jesus:

¹¹ It is he then that made some, apostles: some, prophets: some, evangelists: and others, pastors, and teachers:

¹ Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ by the divine appointment, and Timothy our brother,

¹ Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ by the appointment of God our saviour, and of Jesus Christ our hope,

⁷ for this I was establish'd a herald and an apostle, I speak the truth without disguise, a doctor to instruct the Gentiles in the true faith.

¹ Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ, appointed by God to declare the promise, which Jesus Christ has made of eternal life;

¹⁷ sanctify them by the truth: thy word is truth. ¹⁸ as thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. ¹⁹ and for their sakes I consecrate myself, that they also might be consecrated by the truth.

⁵⁹ Thus they stoned Stephen, while he was calling upon God, and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." ⁶⁰ and on his knees he cried with a loud voice, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." and having said this, he expired.

¹⁴ and is impower'd by the chief priests, to imprison all that make profession of thy name.

²¹ the audience were all amazed, and said, is not this he that persecuted the professors of this doctrine at Jerusalem, and came here on purpose to carry them prisoners to the chief priests?

³⁶ this was what he communicated to the children of Israel, proclaiming salvation by Jesus Christ, who is the Lord of all mankind.

⁹ making no difference between us and them, having purified their hearts by the faith.

¹ After this Paul left Athens and arriv'd at Corinth:

⁸ the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his family, as well as many of the Corinthians, who heard Paul, and were baptized. ⁹ then the Lord said to Paul in a vision by night, "be not afraid, but speak, and be not silenc'd: ¹⁰ (since I am with thee, and no man shall lift up his hand so as to hurt thee:) for my people in this city are numerous." ¹¹ so he continued there a year and a half preaching the word of God among them.

¹⁶ why should you now delay? arise, be baptized, and cleansed from your sins, by invoking the name of the Lord.

¹⁸ and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and partake of the inheritance of the saints, by believing on me."

⁷ to all the beloved of God, the saints by this vocation, who are in Rome, grace to you, and peace from God our father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

²² that divine justification, which by faith in Jesus Christ is extended to all, that believe; for there is no distinction:

¹² In reality there is no difference between the Jew and the Gentile: they have all the same Lord, who is bountiful to all that call upon him.

⁸ if we live, our life is appropriated to the Lord; and if we die, we die as his servants: whether we live therefore or die, we are the Lord's. ⁹ for to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

³⁰ for from him it is that ye believe in Christ Jesus, whom God has made to us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that,

⁹ Know you not that the unjust shall not inherit the kingdom of God? be not deceived: neither the licentious, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor the effeminate, nor the brutal, ¹⁰ nor thieves, nor misers, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor raparees, shall inherit the kingdom of God. ¹¹ and such were some of you: but you have been washed, you have been sanctified, you have been justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the spirit of our God.

⁶ yet to us there is but one God, the father, from whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

⁵ for we preach not our selves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, professing our selves your servants for his sake.

² who are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: grace be to you, and peace from God the father,

²⁶ to sanctify and purify her by the ablution of his word,

⁹ wherefore God has highly exalted and given him a name, which is above every name; ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus both angels and men, the living and the dead, should pay their adorations, ¹¹ and that every nation should confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord, to the glory of God the father.

¹ Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians, who believe in God the father, and in our Lord Jesus Christ. grace and peace be with you from God our father, and from Jesus Christ our Lord.

⁷ for God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness:

¹ Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians, that believe in God our father, and in the Lord Jesus Christ.

¹⁶ Now may our Lord Jesus Christ, and God our father, who has loved us, and by his favour given us the advantageous hopes of eternal joys, consolate your souls, ¹⁷ and establish you in all sound doctrine and virtue.

¹⁵ you may know how to conduct yourself in the house of God, that is, in the church of the true God.

⁹ who has saved us, and by the gospel hath called us to holiness, not in consideration of our works, but in pursuance of his own resolution, and the favour, which having been promised us by Jesus Christ several ages ago,

²² Avoid the passions of youth. pursue justice, fidelity, benevolence and concord with all sincere christians.

¹¹ for both he that sanctifieth, and they who are sanctified, are all deriv'd from one: for which cause he is not asham'd to call them brethren, saying,

¹⁰ in consequence of which WILL we are sanctified by the oblation which Jesus Christ has made once for all of his own body.

¹² for Jesus likewise suffered without the gate, to show he was the expiatory victim for the people.

¹⁵ but as he, who has called you, is holy: let your whole conduct be an imitation of his holiness. ¹⁶ for it is written, "be ye holy, because I am holy."

¹ Jude the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those that are sanctified by God the father, and by their vocation are reserved for Jesus Christ.

¹⁶ on the mantle about his thigh was this inscription, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

² and peace be to you from God our father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

² grace be to you, and peace from God our father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

² to sanctify them by his spirit, that by their obedience they might be sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ. may the divine savour make you continually prosper.

³⁰ I and my father are one.

¹⁴ when ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

¹⁶ and I will pray the father, and he shall give you another advocate, to abide with you for ever;

²⁶ but the advocate, the holy spirit, whom the father will send for my sake, he will explain every thing to you, and make you remember, all that I have told you.

²⁶ but when the advocate is come, whom I will send to you from the father, even the spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the father, he shall testify of me.

²³ who upon his arrival there, was glad to see such effects of the divine grace, and exhorted them all to remain firmly attach'd to the christian profession:

²⁰ upon hearing this, they gave glory to God: and thus address'd Paul, you see, brother, how many thousand believing Jews there are, all however zealous for the law.

⁸ First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is celebrated through the whole world.

¹⁷ but God be thanked, that you, who were the vassals of sin, have sincerely obeyed in the manner the gospel prescribed.

³ grace and peace be with you from God our father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

¹⁴ but the favour of our Lord display'd itself by that faith and charity, which was wrought in me by Jesus Christ.

⁴ and they were all filled with the holy ghost, and began to speak in different languages, as the spirit gave them utterance.

¹² now if their fall be to the advancement of the world, and the few converts among them bring in whole numbers of the Gentiles: how much more so will it be, when the Jewish body recover?

⁴ now whatever was heretofore writ, was writ for our instruction; that we through patience and the comfortable promises of the scriptures might have hope.

¹⁴ As to myself, I am persuaded, my brethren, that you abound in goodness, and in variety of knowledge, and are able to instruct one another.

⁷ for who has distinguish'd thee above another? or what have you, that you did not receive? now if you did receive it, why do you glory as if you had not received it? ⁸ You have already a sufficiency, you already abound, you live like princes in our absence: and would to God you did reign, that we too might have the advantage of your administration. ⁹ for it seems as if God had exposed us apostles the last upon the stage, as persons appointed to death. for we are made a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. ¹⁰ we are made fools for our attachment to Christ, while you, who are christians too, still pass for the wise: we are in poverty, but you are in power: you meet with esteem, but we find contempt.

¹¹ so that your notions may endanger the life of thy weak brother, for whom Christ died.

⁸ for to one the spirit gives the knowledge of the prophetical writings; to another the same spirit gives the knowledge of the doctrines of religion;

¹⁰ to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits; to another diversity of languages; to another the interpretation of languages.

² and tho' I should have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and tho' I had all the faith necessary to remove mountains, and had no benevolence, it would signify nothing.

⁸ Social affection will never fail: but as for prophecies, they shall be out of use; as for languages, they shall cease; as for knowledge, it shall vanish away.

⁵ I wish you all had the gift of languages, but rather that you expounded: for greater is he that expounds, than he that speaks unknown languages, except he interpret what he says, that the church may be edified by it. ⁶ for instance, brethren, if I deliver myself to you in an unknown tongue, what good shall I do you, except I deliver to you the meaning of what is said, whether it relate to revelation, to mystical knowledge, to prophecy, or to doctrine.

²⁶ what is then to be done, my brethren? when you come together, one of you with a psalm, another with a doctrine, another with a strange tongue, another with a revelation, another with an interpretation: let the whole be done to edification.

⁶ for God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to enlighten others in the knowledge of the glory of God, which shines in the person of Jesus Christ.

⁷ that as you excel in every thing, in faith, in language, mystical knowledge, in all virtue, and in your affection to us; I hope you will excel too in this charitable disposition.

¹¹ so that being enriched in every thing, you may be continually beneficent to the glory of God by our thanksgiving.

¹⁷ that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of glory, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, whereby ye may know him:

⁷ that in the ages to come, he might shew the immense riches of his gracious kindness towards us, through Christ Jesus.

⁸ upon me, who am the meanest of all christians, is this favour bestowed, that I should proclaim to the Gentiles the undiscoverable advantages by Christ;

¹⁹ in particular for me, that I may have leave to speak without any restraint, and make known the mystery of the gospel,

⁹ and the favour I ask of him is this, that your kindness to me may be crown'd with farther improvements in knowledge and all prudence;

⁹ For this cause, ever since we heard of it, we incessantly pray for you, requesting that you may be endued with respect to the knowledge of his will, with all wisdom and spiritual discernment: ¹⁰ that your conduct may be worthy of the Lord, in every respect agreeable to him, being friutful in every kind of virtue, and increasing in divine knowledge:

³ in whom are reserv'd all the treasures of wd om and knowledge.

¹⁰ improv'd by knowledge into a resemblance of him, who made this change:

³ put up your requests likewise for me, that God would give me an opportunity to declare the mystery of Christ (for which I am even in bonds:) ⁴ that I may publish it in the manner, it should necessarily be done.

¹³ Whoever is a skilful moralist, let him show by his virtuous conduct, that he practises the humble precepts of wisdom.

¹⁸ on the contrary, may you increase in the favour, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! to him be glory both now and for ever. AMEN.

²⁰ as for the disciples, they went and preached the gospel in all parts: the Lord co-operating with them, and confirming their doctrine by the miracles that accompany'd it.

¹⁷ if therefore God has bestow'd the same favour upon them, as on us, after we had believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, how could I make any opposition to the divine will?

²¹ and as the divine assistance accompany'd them, a great number of persons believed and became converts.

⁵ and when Silas and Timothy were arriv'd from Macedonia, Paul with great concern remonstrated to the Jews, that Jesus was the Messiah:

²¹ remonstrating both to Jews and Gentiles the advantages of a sincere repentance, and of believing

²⁴ things that little affect me, nor is life so much my concern, as to finish my course, and the charge I receiv'd from the Lord Jesus, to attest the declaration of the divine favour.

¹⁸ then I saw JESUS, who said to me, "make haste, and go out of Jerusalem immediately: for they will not receive the attestations you would give of me." Lord,

¹¹ The night following, the Lord appear'd to him, and said, Paul, take courage; for the same remonstrances that you have made concerning me at Jerusalem, you must likewise make at Rome.

²³ Having therefore set him a day, they came in great numbers to his lodgings; where he explain'd and confirm'd the reality of the gospel-dispensation, from morning to night, enforcing what the writings of Moses and the prophets had affirm'd concerning Jesus.

¹⁹ by virtue of the miracles and prodigies wrought by the power of the divine spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and the neighbouring country, quite to Illyricum,

¹ As for me, my brethren, when I appear'd among you, it was not to represent to you the divine mystery in sublime language, and with human literature. ² for I did not think I was to have any other knowledge among you, than that of Christ, a crucified saviour.

⁵ if it be in vain. he therefore that ministreth the spirit to you, and worketh miracles among you, doth he it by the works of the law, or by the preaching of faith?

¹⁰ and come to be glorified by his saints, and to be the object of admiration to all who believed, that the testimony we gave you, would be justified in that day.

⁶ who gave himself for the redemption of all mankind: this is what was to be promulg'd in due time:

⁸ be not therefore asham'd of the testimony of the Lord, nor of me who am a prisoner upon his account. but share with me in the afflictions, which attend the gospel, supported as you are by the power of God,

³ how shall we escape, if we neglect that salutary doctrine? which was first published by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those that heard him; ⁴ God also giving an additional testimony both by signs, by prodigies, by divers miracles, and gifts of the holy spirit, which he distributes as he pleases.

¹¹ Now what is testified, is this, that God has given to us eternal life: and this life is by his son. ¹² he that receives the son, is intitled to life; and he that does not receive the son of God, has no title to life. ¹³ these things have I written to you, that you may know that you have eternal life, by your believing on the name of the son of God.

² who publish'd the divine message, and gave his attestation to every thing that he saw concerning Jesus Christ.

⁹ I JOHN, who am your brother, and partake in the tribulation, in the reign, and in the patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony I gave of Jesus Christ.

⁹ When he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they maintain'd.

¹¹ they overcame him by the blood of the lamb, and by the word to which they gave testimony; for their lives they expos'd to the last.

¹⁷ which so enrag'd the dragon against the woman, that he went to make war with the rest of her race, who keep the commandments of God, and bear testimony to Jesus.

¹⁰ then I fell at his seet to worship him: but he said to me, "forbear: I am the servant of God, as you and your brethren are, that bear testimony to Jesus: worship God: for to give testimony to Jesus, is the very design of prophecy."

¹ The kingdom of the Messiah will then be such, as when ten virgins took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridegroom.

³⁶ imitate those servants who stand waiting for their master's return from the wedding, to let him in as soon as he comes to the door.

³⁰ even thus shall it be in the day when the son of man shall appear.

¹⁹ mankind impatiently desire that the divine being would display himself to his creatures,

⁵ therefore suspend your judgment till the Lord comes, who will bring to light the secrets of darkness, and expose the counsels of mens hearts: and then shall every man have his due reward from God.

¹³ for in what were ye inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? an injury I hope you will easily forgive.

²⁰ but we are the denisons of heaven, from whence we expect the saviour Jesus Christ our Lord.

⁴ Christ is your life, and when he shall appear, then shall you also appear with him in glory.

¹⁰ and to expect his son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, who delivers us from impending ruin.

⁷ and that you, who are distress'd, should obtain your repose, together with us, when the Lord Jesus, with his angels, the ministers of his power, shall descend from heaven,

¹⁴ to observe these precepts, to lead an unspotted life without reproof until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ whose advent HE will in his own time display, WHO is perfectly happy, who alone is omnipotent, the king of kings, and the lord of all that bear rule;

⁸ I have nothing more to do, but to receive the crown of virtue reserv'd for me, which the Lord, the just judge, will give me in that day: and not only to me, but to those also, who have long'd for his appearance.

¹³ in expectation of that desirable happiness, the glorious appearance of the supreme God, and of our saviour Jesus Christ,

²⁸ so Christ being once offered up to take away the sins of many; he shall appear the second time, without making any further expiation to save those who expect him.

³⁶ for it is necessary you should persevere, that after having perform'd what God has commanded, you may receive what he has promised. ³⁷ only wait but a little while, and he that is to come, will come without delay.

⁷ As for you, my brethren, bear your sufferings with constancy, till the advent of the Lord. the farmer, from the prospect of a golden crop, patiently expects the showers of the spring and the autumn. ⁸ be you equally patient, and exercise your fortitude, for the advent of the Lord is nigh.

¹³ Let your minds then be duely prepar'd, be vigilant, and constantly expect the favour you will meet with at the appearance of Jesus Christ.

¹³ on the contrary, rejoice at the share you have of sufferings, as well as Christ: that you may likewise triumph, when he shall appear in his glory.

⁴ that when the sovereign pastor shall appear, you may carry off a glorious crown, that will never fade.

¹² expecting, and vehemently desiring the day of the Lord would come, when the heavens all on fire shall be dissolv'd, and the elements shall melt with intense heat.

² beloved, we are now the sons of God, tho' it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know, that when this change shall be, his immediate presence will give us a divine resemblance.

²¹ and thereby cultivate the divine favour, in the expectation of eternal life by the mercy of Jesus Christ our Lord.

²⁴ for as the lightning flashes from one extremity of the sky to the other, so shall the appearance of the son of man be.

⁴ who art thou that judgest the domestick of another? his staying or removal depends solely upon his master: yea, he shall be fixed: for God is able to establish him.

²⁵ Now to him that is able to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, conformable to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret from antient times, but now is laid open,

⁵ to deliver him up to satan, to suffer corporal punishment, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus Christ.

¹⁴ as some of you have already own'd, that I am matter of joy to you, as you will be to me in the day of the Lord Jesus Christ:

²¹ now it is God who keeps you fix'd in the doctrine of Christ; who has appointed me,

²⁷ that he himself might make her appear illustrious to his own eye, a church without spot, or any thing like a defect; so as to be holy and irreprehensible.

⁶ he who has begun this good work in you will bring it to perfection against the appearance of Christ. it is but just

¹⁰ that being capable to distinguish what is best, you may remain stedfastly sincere until the day of Christ,

¹⁵ that you may be without reproach, the inoffensive spotless children of God in the midst of a depraved and perverse generation (among whom you should shine as stars in the world, ¹⁶ you, who display the doctrine of eternal life) that in the day of Christ I may have the satisfaction of not having pursued my laborious course in vain.

²² through his own death, to present you holy, and unblameable, and unreproveable in his own sight:

¹³ that by the sanctity of your affections, you may stand unreprov'd in the presence of God our father, when our Lord Jesus Christ shall come with all his holy angels.

²³ Now may the God of peace make you intirely holy: may every part of you, your spirit, soul, and body be preserved irreprovable at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ he that has called you, is faithful, and this he will effect.

³ but as for you, the Lord, who is faithful, will establish you, and protect you from the malicious one.

¹⁰ but may the all-gracious God, who has called us to eternal glory, perfect, confirm, fortify, and settle you, during the short interval of your sufferings.

¹⁰ As for that day of the Lord, it will advance like a thief: then the heavens will rush with violence, the boiling elements will be dissolved, and the earth with all its contents, shall be burnt away.

¹⁴ since then, my dear brethren, your expectations are such, take care to appear before him, without any defect or blemish, in order to be happy; and be persuaded,

²⁴ Now to him that is able to keep you from falling, and make you appear in his glorious presence, without defect, and full of joy: ²⁵ to God only wise, our saviour, be glory, magnificence, power, and empire, both now and for ever.

³⁵ heaven and earth may fail, but my words shall never fail.

⁴ be attach'd to me, and I shall be so to you. as the branch cannot bear fruit of it self, except it be attach'd to the vine: so neither can you, except you continue attach'd to me. ⁵ I am the vine, you are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for independent of me ye can do nothing.

²¹ that they all may be one, as thou, father, art in me, and I in thee; that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

²⁸ We know too, that all things co-operate for the good of those who love God, who, pursuant to his purpose, has now called them:

³⁰ but whom he predispos'd, he calls: and whom he has call'd, he justifies: and whom he has justified, he glorifies.

²⁴ to such as we, whom he has called, both from among the Jews, and from among the Gentiles.

¹⁷ if then, some of the branches are broken off, and thou like a wild olive, were grafted in their place to partake of the root and sap of the olivestock;

¹³ you have met with no trials yet, but such as are common to men: and God who is faithful, will not suffer you to be tempted above your strength; but will with the temptation make a way to escape, by enabling you to bear it.

¹⁶ the cup of benediction which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? the bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

¹⁸ God is my witness, I never prevaricated with you.

¹⁵ but when it pleased God, who ordained me from my birth, and called me by his especial favour, to reveal his son to me,

²⁰ I am crucified with Christ, it is not I that now live, but Christ that liveth in me; the life I have in this body I live by faith in the son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

²⁰ being built upon the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets, whereof Jesus Christ himself is the main stone of the angle: ²¹ on which the whole structure rises with symmetry into a temple, consecrated by the Lord: ²² who by his spirit has likewise made you a part of this divine mansion.

⁶ "that the Gentiles should be heirs as well as the Jews, make one body together, and partake of the divine promise in Christ by the gospel."

²⁴ Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and am filling up the measure of those remaining afflictions, which in my turn I am to suffer in this life, in the cause of Christ, for the sake of his body, which is the church:

¹² conjuring you to live suitably to the favour of God, who has called you to his kingdom and glory.

¹⁴ to this he has called you, to a life of glory with our Lord Jesus Christ.

² and gives the expectation of eternal life, which the God of veracity promised so many ages ago;

¹⁷ whence it was necessary he should be in all things like his brethren; that he might be a merciful high priest, and faithfully discharge the divine office of expiating the sins of the people.

¹ Wherefore, christian brethren, you who are called to an heavenly inheritance, consider the apostle and high priest of the faith we profess, even Christ Jesus;

¹⁴ for we were receiv'd into the communion of Christ, upon condition of inviolably maintaining the hope we had at the beginning even unto the end,

¹⁸ that by two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to deceive us, we, who have no other refuge to fly to, but to maintain our present hopes,

²³ Let us stedfastly maintain the hope which we have avow'd, since he is faithful that has promised:

¹¹ 'Twas likewise through faith that Sara, though barren, received the power of becoming pregnant, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

³ what we have seen and heard, we declare unto you, that ye also may be of the same society with us: and truly associated with the father, and with his son Jesus Christ.

⁷ but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have society one with another, and the blood of his son Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin.

¹³ Hereby we know that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his spirit.

¹¹ Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse appear'd; and he that sat upon him was called the faithful and the true: in righteousness he judges and makes war:

¹⁶ new cloth is never patch'd upon an old garment: for the patch will draw the garment, and rend it still worse.

²¹ indeed no man ever sews a piece of new cloth on an old garment: because the new piece that is patch'd on, draws the old, and rends it still worse.

⁴³ so that the people were divided in their opinions about him.

¹⁶ thereupon some of the Pharisees said, this man has no divine mission, because he does not observe the sabbath. but said others, if he be an impostor, how can he do such miracles? and there was a schism among them.

¹⁹ There was another schism therefore among the Jews, occasion'd by this discourse.

³⁴ a new commandment I give unto you, "that ye love one another; that you would have the same love for one another as I have had for you." ³⁵ by this mutual love shall all men know that you are my disciples.

²³ I in them, and thou in me, that they may have a perfect union, and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

³² Now the whole body of believers were but one heart, and one soul: no one look'd upon what he possessed, as his own, but every thing was held in common.

¹ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God to you, that you present your bodies a living victim, holy, acceptable unto God, as the service of a rational being.

¹⁶ have the same respect for one another. let not your behaviour be haughty, but soften'd to the condition of those below you. be not wise in your own conceits.

⁵ May the God of patience and consolation, make you equally concern'd for one another, according to the example of Christ Jesus, ⁶ that ye may unanimously with one voice glorify God, even the father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

³⁰ in the mean time, I conjure you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the spirit, that you join with me in earnest prayers to God for me;

¹⁷ Now I beseech you, brethren, mark those who cause divisions and revolts against the doctrine which you have learned; and avoid them.

¹⁶ and therefore I intreat you, to copy after me.

¹⁸ for first, I hear, that when you come together in the church, you fall into parties; and I believe it is true of some of you.

²⁵ that there might be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same mutual concern for one another.

²⁰ we then are ambassadors for Christ, and 'tis God who makes you the offers by us: we pray you in the name of Christ, to make your peace with God.

¹ Invested then with such a commission, I beseech you let not the offers of divine favour be made to you in vain.

¹ I who am a person of a mean presence, when among you, but exert myself upon your account, when absent; I Paul intreat you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, not to let me exert that authority,

¹¹ Finally, brethren, be cheerful: redress yourselves, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

¹² I beseech you, brethren, be as I am, for I was as you are.

¹ I therefore the prisoner for the Lord, beseech you to live suitably to the offers that have been made to you: ² with all humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another in love; ³ endeavouring to preserve the spiritual union by your affectionate attachment to one another. ⁴ Being one body, acted by one spirit, since you all have but one expectation in view; ⁵ there is but one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶ one God and father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in all. ⁷ but to every one of us a different charge is given, according to the distribution which Christ has made;

³¹ banish all resentment and indignation, anger, vehemence, detraction, and every thing like malice. ³² be mutually kind, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

²⁷ only conduct yourselves in a manner becoming the gospel of Christ, that whether I come to see you, or else am absent, I may have this account of you, that you are stedfastly of the same resolution, and unanimously contend for the faith of the gospel,

¹ If then there be any christian consolation, any charitable relief, any communion of the spirit, if any tenderness of compassion, ² compleat my joy, by pursuing the same view, living in mutual love, by being unanimous, and cultivating that harmony. ³ Do nothing out of a spirit of contention, or for vain-glory, but modestly look upon others as if they were better than yourselves. ⁴ let no man consult only his private interest, but let every man consult likewise the interest of others.

¹⁶ in the mean while, as we are already advanc'd so far, pursue your course, and keep it still in view:

¹ Finally, my brethren, we intreat and conjure you by the Lord Jesus Christ, to observe the instructions we gave you about your religious conduct, and to make continual progress therein. ² for you know the precepts we gave you in the name of the Lord Jesus.

¹³ maintain an intire affection for them, upon account of their office, and don't form any brigues against them.

¹ Now we conjure you, brethren, that with respect to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our being assembled with him,

²¹ I conjure you before God, before our Lord Jesus Christ, and his chosen angels, to observe these rules without prepossession and partiality.

¹ I conjure you in the name of God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is to judge the living and the dead, at his appearance in his kingdom,

⁹ I had rather apply to your benevolent temper, and desire you would regard the years of Paul, who am now also a prisoner for Jesus Christ, ¹⁰ and intercede with you for my son Onesimus, whom I made a convert whilst I was in chains.

¹³ Whoever is a skilful moralist, let him show by his virtuous conduct, that he practises the humble precepts of wisdom. ¹⁴ but if envy and contention imbitter your minds, don't think your false pretences can stand against the truth: ¹⁵ such wisdom is not derived from heaven; but is terrestrial, sensual, demoniacal. ¹⁶ where false zeal, and a spirit of contention reign, there confusion and every vice prevail. ¹⁷ but wisdom deriv'd from heaven is first dispassionate, then pacific, equitable, and obsequious: full of beneficence, and all social virtue, free from partiality, and hypocrisy. ¹⁸ they who cultivate peace, enjoy the reward of their virtue.

¹¹ but at present have obtain'd it. I exhort you, my dear brethren, as strangers and travellers to avoid all sensual passions, as destructive to your

⁸ In a word, live all of you in perfect agreement and sympathy, be full of fraternal love, compassion, and affability. ⁹ don't return evil for evil, nor calumny for calumny; on the contrary, bestow your benedictions, considering that your vocation obliges you thereto, as a means to obtain the divine blessing.

³ for you are still subject to your passions. since envy, and strife, and divisions are among you, are you not actuated by the vices of the animal part?

¹ When any controversy arises among you, will any one presume to appeal to the Gentiles, and not to Christians? ² don't you know that these are to judge the world? if the world is to be judg'd by you, are not you qualify'd to decide your petty causes? ³ don't you know that we shall be judges of angels? much more then of the affairs of life? ⁴ if then you have the cognizance of such matters, why do ye set those to judge who are despised by the church? I speak it to your shame. ⁵ what, is there not a man of experience amongst you, capable of being arbitrator between his brethren? ⁶ but when a contest arises, you must refer the decision to infidels? ⁷ beside, you are absolutely in the wrong in going to law with one another at all: why don't you rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer loss?

²⁰ yet I fear when I do come I shall not find you such as I would, and that you will find me such as you least desire: I am afraid there are among you debates, envyings, animosities, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, arrogance, tumults:

¹⁵ but if you bite and tear one another, take heed that you be not consumed by one another.

²⁰ brutality, idolatry, poisoning, enmities, quarrels, emulations, animosities, strife, seditions, factions, envyings,

²⁶ let us not be vain-glorious, provoking one another, envying one another.

¹⁴ do every thing without murmuring and disputes:

⁴ he is full of pride and ignorance, touch'd with a spirit of chicanery and wrangling, productive of envy, contention, calumny,

²³ decline all impertinent barren disputes, since they only serve for contention. ²⁴ a christian must not be litigious, but easy to all men, qualify'd to instruct, ²⁵ with great temper and meekness informing those, who differ in opinion; because he does not know, but God may change their minds, by convincing them of the truth.

¹ you breathe slaughter and revenge for what you cannot obtain. ² you quarrel and go to war, but without success, because you don't petition for it: and if you did,

⁹ don't stile any one among you, Father upon earth; for he alone is your father, who is in heaven. ¹⁰ neither take the title of masters, for you have but one master, who is the Messias.

⁴² and he brought him to Jesus. and when Jesus beheld him, he said, "thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas," which is by interpretation, a stone.

²⁴ In the mean time a Jew, nam'd Apollos, born at Alexandria, a man of letters, and vers'd in the scriptures, arriv'd at Ephesus.

⁴ while one cries I am Paul's disciple, and another, I am Apollo's, are ye not vicious? ⁵ who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye have received faith according to the divine gifts imparted to each of them? ⁶ I have planted, Apollos watered: but God gave the increase.

²¹ therefore, let no one glory in men: for all are yours: ²² whether Paul or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; ²³ all are yours; and you are Christ's; and Christ is God's.

⁶ These things, my brethren, I have represented to you in my own person, and that of Apollos, out of respect to you: to show you how to moderate your esteem by the rule prescrib'd, that you may not be transported in favour of one rather than another.

²⁹ This I say, brethren, because the time is coming, when they who have wives will be as those that have none;

⁵ have not we the liberty to take a christian woman with us in our travels, as well as the rest of the apostles, as the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas did?

⁵ that he was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve:

⁵⁰ this I say, my brethren, because the body, as it is at present, cannot possess the kingdom of God; and what is corruptible, can't enjoy incorruptibility.

¹² as to brother Apollos, I earnestly entreat him to make you a visit, with the brethren: but he has not the least mind to it at present; however, he will be with you when a fit occasion offers.

⁶ remember, " he who sows sparingly, shall reap also sparingly: and he who sows bountifully, shall reap also bountifully."

⁹ Peter, and John, who were esteemed to be pillars, perceived the favour that was bestowed on me, they admitted me and Barnabas into fellowship, and agreed, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews.

¹⁷ this therefore I say, that the law, which was not till four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul the promise, that was ratified before by God, so as to set the promise afoot.

¹⁹ go and instruct all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father, and of the son, and of the holy ghost:

³⁸ Peter replied, repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the holy spirit.

¹⁶ (for as yet he had not descended on any of them: they having only been baptized in the name of the Lord

⁴⁸ so he directed they should be baptized in the name of the Lord. after which they desired him to stay some time with them.

⁵ when they heard this, they were initiated by baptism into the christian profession.

⁹ for to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

¹⁵ lest any should say, I had baptized into mine own name.

¹⁹ what! know ye not that your bodies are the temple of the holy spirit, which is in you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? ²⁰ for you are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

² and were all baptized into the Mosaical institution by the cloud, and by the sea;

¹⁴ to this I am urg'd by the love I bear to Christ, persuaded as I am, that if one died for all, then were all in a dying state: and that he died for all, ¹⁵ that they who are in a state of life should not live at their own discretion, but to the service of him who died for them, and rose again.

⁴ if he that is come to you, preaches another Jesus whom I have not preached, or if ye receive other gifts of the spirit, than what ye have received from me, or another gospel, than what you have accepted, you might well bear with his pretensions:

⁷ owing to nothing but your being practised upon by some, who would overturn the gospel of Christ.

⁵ there is but one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

¹⁴ who gave himself for us, to redeem us from all iniquity, and qualify us to be his peculiar people, passionately affected to virtue.

⁸ the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his family, as well as many of the Corinthians, who heard Paul, and were baptized.

²³ Gaius, with whom I lodge, who purveys for the church in general, salutes you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city salutes you; and Quartus a brother.

⁴ I continually give thanks to God on your behalf, for the favour he has bestowed on you thro' Jesus Christ;

¹⁸ I thank God, I speak more languages than you all:

¹⁴ but thanks be to God, who maketh me triumph, thro' Christ, and spreads his healing doctrine by me, in eevery place:

²⁰ and this the burthen of the song, "thanks be to God, even the father, for his son Jesus Christ our Lord."

¹⁵ may the peace of Christ, to which you are called to be but one body, influence your hearts, to be benevolent.

¹⁷ let your discourse and your actions be all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the father by him.

¹⁸ be thankful to God for every thing, for so christians are oblig'd to be.

¹² I offer thanks to Jesus Christ our Lord, who qualified me for the ministry he has plac'd me in, for having appointed me to such a trust,

⁴ I mention you always in my prayers,

¹ The PRESBYTER to my dear Gaius, whom I truly love. ² I wish, my beloved, you may be as prosperous with regard to your health and other circumstances, as in what concerns your soul. ³ For I was greatly pleased when the brethren came and assured me of your fidelity and religious conduct. ⁴ greater joy I cannot have, than to hear that my children are attach'd to the truth.

²⁸ you yourselves can bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but was only sent before him: ²⁹ the bridegroom is he that hath a right to the bride: as for the friend of the bridegroom, who is nigh his person and heareth him, he greatly rejoyces at the voice of the bridegroom: upon this account my joy is compleat.

¹⁸ he that speaks from himself, has a view to his own glory: but he that has a view to his glory that sent him, deserves credit, and is a stranger to all imposture.

² for I am jealous over you with religious jealousy: since I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

¹⁵ so that having been baptized with her family, she made us this request, if you think me sincere in my profession, pray come and lodge at my house; and she prevail'd upon us.

³³ at the same time of night he washed their stripes, and immediately he was baptized, he, and all that belong'd to him.

¹⁵ You know brethren, that the family of Stephanas were the first converts of Achaia, and have made it their business to be serviceable to christian converts: to such,

¹⁷ I am glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus are come: for what was wanting on your side, they have supplied.

² (though Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples) he left Judea,

¹⁷ by delivering you from this people, and from the Gentiles to whom I now send thee, to open their eyes, ¹⁸ and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and partake of the inheritance of the saints, by believing on me."

¹ As for me, my brethren, when I appear'd among you, it was not to represent to you the divine mystery in sublime language, and with human literature.

⁴ my discourse, and my preaching did not consist in the persuasive reasonings of human wisdom, but in demonstrating the spiritual meaning of the scriptures: ⁵ that your faith might not be owing to human wisdom, but to the divine influence.

¹³ this is what we declare, not in the words which human wisdom, but which the holy spirit dictates; explaining spiritual things in a spiritual language.

² renouncing all secret dishonesty, and void of all artifice, I deliver the word of God unadulterated, and recommend my self by urging the truth home to every man's conscience, as in the presence of God.

³ for tho' I am involv'd with the world, I don't sustain the war with their poor arts: ⁴ our military arms are not so defective, but divinely effectual to demolish all their ramparts;

¹⁰ (for 'tis objected that my letters are weighty and powerful, but my bodily presence weak, and my preaching

⁶ if my language is inelegant, my knowledge is not contemptible; but has been fully display'd among you on all occasions.

¹⁶ for, the information we gave you of the powerful advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, did not proceed from any artfully contriv'd fables, we our selves having been spectators of his majesty.

⁴⁷ praising God, and showing benevolence to all the people. and the Lord encreased the church daily with new converts.

⁴¹ "consider you despisers, be surpriz'd and turn pale, for I shall perform a work in your days, which you will not believe, whoever shall declare it unto you."

¹⁸ there certain Epicurean and Stoick philosophers encountred him: "what does this mountebank mean?" said some: "he seems to proclaim some strange deitys," said others: because he talk'd to them of Jesus and the resurrection.

³² When they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some made it a matter of ridicule: others said, we will hear you again upon this subject;

¹⁶ for I am not ashamed of the gospel, since it is divinely effectual to salvation, to everyone that believes, to the Jew first, and then to the Gentile.

²¹ for whereas the world, with all their learning, did not distinguish the characters of his divine wisdom, in his works, it pleased God to save those who believe, by preaching, which they counted folly.

²³ we preach Christ crucified, an obstacle to the Jews indeed, and to the Gentiles foolishness: but to those who believe, ²⁴ both Jews and Gentiles, he is the Christ, the power of God, and the wisdom of God. ²⁵ for this divine doctrine, as foolish and weak as men may think it, far surpasses all their wisdom, and baffles all their power.

² for I did not think I was to have any other knowledge among you, than that of Christ, a crucified saviour.

¹⁴ but the animal man does not receive the effusions of the spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him; neither can he understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

¹⁹ for the wisdom of this world is folly, in the eye of God: as it is written, "he surprizes the wise in all their artifices."

² by which also you will be saved, if you so retain it as I preached it to you, unless you have believed without sufficient grounds.

¹⁵ for God is pleased to accept my christian labours, in favour both of those who are in a saving, and of those who are in a ruinous state: ¹⁶ by the one my preaching is taken as a deadly poison, to the other it is a reviving potion. and who is so sufficient for such a commission?

³ but if our gospel be obscure, it is so only to those who are lost:

⁴ our military arms are not so defective, but divinely effectual to demolish all their ramparts;

¹² they who desire to make a figure in the world, constrain you to be circumcised, only to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. ¹³ for even they who are circumcised, do not themselves observe the law in other respects; but they dedesire to have you circumcised, that they may have matter of glorying upon that account. ¹⁴ but far be it from me that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world is as contemptible to me, as I am to the world.

⁵ since the gospel we preach'd, did not consist only of words, but was fully confirm'd by miracles and gifts of the holy spirit, you yourselves being witnesses, what we did among you and for you.

¹⁰ and with all the vile methods of imposture, to the ruin of those, who are averse to the truth, by which they might be saved.

¹² for the word of God is active and efficacious, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even to the division of soul and spirit, to the smallest and most inward parts, distinguishing the thoughts, and intentions of the heart.

²² pretending to be wise, they became fools:

¹⁹ for it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent."

⁶ However, what we preach is wisdom, to those who are thoroughly instructed: yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who will soon come to nothing.

²⁵ At the same time Jesus, continuing his discourses, said, "I thank thee, O father, Lord of heaven and earth, for having revealed unto babes what thou hast hid from the wise and prudent.

²¹ At that very time Jesus fell into a divine transport, and said, "I magnify thee, O father, the Lord of heaven and earth, for having conceal'd these things from the artful and the crafty, whilst thou hast reveal'd them to the unskilful. justly, O father, hast thou thus dispens'd thy favour."

²⁰ for ever since the creation of the world, his eternal power and divinity, things in themselves invisible, are clearly seen, being perceived by the things that are made; so that they are without excuse: ²¹ because when they knew God, they did not with gratitude glorify him as God, but their reasoning became extravagance, and their minds, void of judgment, were involv'd in darkness. ²² pretending to be wise, they became fools:

²⁸ As they did not seek the favour of God, by worshipping him, God gave them over to a depraved sense, to act unworthy of human nature;

³³ O the depth of the divine goodness, wisdom, and contrivance! how impenetrable are his decrees, and his ways past finding out!

²⁴ both Jews and Gentiles, he is the Christ, the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

¹⁰ that the manifold wisdom of God, in ordering his heavenly kingdom, might by his church be now made known, to princes and magistrates,

³⁸ Then certain of the Scribes and of the Pharisees said, master, we should be glad you would shew us some miracle. ³⁹ but he answered them, this wicked degenerate race demand a miracle; but no other miracle shall they have, except that of the prophet Jonas.

¹ Then the Pharisees and the Sadducees came, with a captious design, and desired him to show them some miracle in the sky. ² but he answered them, in the evening you foretel fair weather: when the sky is of a bright red. ³ and in the morning, a foul day: when the sky is of a dusky red. hypocrites, can ye judge of the appearance of the sky, and yet not discern the signs of these times? ⁴ a wicked degenerate race demand a miracle; but no miracle shall they have beside that of the prophet Jonas. and so leaving them, he went away.

¹¹ there the Pharisees being come, they began to dispute with him, and to try him, desir'd he would work some miracle in the sky.

¹⁶ others, to try him, desir'd he would show some miraculous sign in the heaven.

²⁰ but if I cast out demons by the finger of God, it follows, that the reign of the Messiah is now begun among you.

¹⁸ whereupon the Jews said, what miracle can you show to justify your behaviour?

²⁸ the woman then left her water-pot, and went away into the city, and said to the people, come,

¹⁸ there certain Epicurean and Stoick philosophers encountred him: "what does this mountebank mean?" said some: "he seems to proclaim some strange deitys," said others: because he talk'd to them of Jesus and the resurrection. ¹⁹ One day they conducted him to the Areopagus, and said to him, may we know what this new doctrine is, which you publish? ²⁰ for what you say sounds so very strange, we should be glad to know what it means. ²¹ now the Athenians, and the foreigners residing at Athens generally amus'd themselves about nothing, but hearing and spreading of news.

⁶ and happy is he who does not stumble at my appearance.

⁵⁷ and they were scandaliz'd at him. but Jesus said to them, a prophet is not without honour, except in his own country and in his own family.

³⁴ then Simeon gave them his benediction, and said to Mary his mother, "the child you now see, shall occasion many in Israel to fall and rise again; he will be the Object of calumny,

⁴⁶ thus it is written, and thus it behov'd Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: ⁴⁷ and that repentance and remission of sins should be preach'd in his name, among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

⁵³ but Jesus answer'd, I assure you, except ye eat the flesh of the son of man, and drink his blood, ye will have no life in you. ⁵⁴ he that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. ⁵⁵ for my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. ⁵⁶ he that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. ⁵⁷ as the father who is the source of life hath sent me, and I live by the father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. ⁵⁸ this is that bread which came down from heaven: very different from that manna, which your fathers did eat but died nevertheless: he that eateth of this bread, shall live for ever. ⁵⁹ These things said Jesus in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. ⁶⁰ when many of his disciples, who heard him, said, this is strange doctrine, who can hear it? ⁶¹ Jesus perceiving in himself, that his disciples murmured at it, said to them, doth this offend you? ⁶² what if you should see the son of man ascend up where he was before? ⁶³ it is the action of the mind that vivifies, that of the body profits nothing: the words that I have delivered to you, spiritually understood, give life. ⁶⁴ but there are some of you who do not believe. (for Jesus knew from the beginning, who they were that did not believe, and who should betray him.) ⁶⁵ and he said, therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my father. ⁶⁶ From that time many of his disciples withdrew, and associated no longer with him.

³² "I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." and Moses trembled so, he durst not observe any longer. ³³ then said the Lord to him, "put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground. ³⁴ I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt; I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. come immediately, and I will send you into Egypt." ³⁵ this Moses whom they refused, saying, who made thee a ruler and a judge? the very same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hands of the angel that appeared to him in the bush.

³⁹ we are witnesses of all his transactions, both in Judea, and at Jerusalem. however, they put him to death, even that of the cross. ⁴⁰ but God raised him up the third day, and shewed him openly, ⁴¹ not to all the people, but to those witnesses, which God had before chosen: to us, I say, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. ⁴² and he commanded us to publish, and to testify to the people, that he was the person whom God had constituted to be the judge of the living, and of the dead. ⁴³ he is the person to whom all the prophets give this attestation, that all who believe in him, shall receive remission of sins, by his authority.

³² why? because they sought it not by faith, but indeed by the works of the law: for they stumbled at that stumbling-stone; ³³ as it is written, "behold, I lay in Sion a stumbling-stone, and a rock of offence: and whosoever believeth in him, shall not be ashamed."

¹⁸ For tho' the doctrine of the cross seems folly to those that perish: yet we that are to be saved, do feel its energy is divine.

²⁸ those who were looked upon by the world as vile, as despicable, as nothing, these has God chosen to reduce their sufficiency to nothing.

¹ O foolish Galatians, who hath deluded you, you that have had the crucifixion of Jesus Christ represented to your view?

¹¹ as for me, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why am I yet persecuted? for then there would not be so much objection to the doctrine of the cross.

¹⁴ but far be it from me that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world is as contemptible to me, as I am to the world.

⁸ and which the architects rejected, will be an occasion to the incredulous of their stumbling, and bruising themselves thereby:

³⁵ "but wisdom is justified by all her different followers."

⁴⁹ agreeably to this, in the Wisdom of God 'tis said, "I will send them prophets and apostles: some they will kill, and others they will persecute:

⁴ but as to his holy spirit miraculously declared to be the son of God, by his resurrection from the dead:

²⁸ We know too, that all things co-operate for the good of those who love God, who, pursuant to his purpose, has now called them: ²⁹ for whom he before approv'd, he predispos'd to follow the example of his son, who was to conduct them all as their elder brother; ³⁰ but whom he predispos'd, he calls: and whom he has call'd, he justifies: and whom he has justified, he glorifies.

² to the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who being sanctified by Christ Jesus, are saints by that vocation, to all that any where invoke the name of Jesus Christ, who is both their Lord and ours.

⁹ for he, who has called you to the communication of his son Jesus Christ our Lord, will make good his promise.

³³ O the depth of the divine goodness, wisdom, and contrivance! how impenetrable are his decrees, and his ways past finding out! ³⁴ for who hath known the mind of the Lord, or who hath been his counsellor? ³⁵ who hath given any thing to him, and he will repay it? ³⁶ for of him, and through him, and in him are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

²⁷ but God hath chosen those who are foolish in the opinion of the world, to confound the wise; and the weak men of the world to confound the mighty: ²⁸ those who were looked upon by the world as vile, as despicable, as nothing, these has God chosen to reduce their sufficiency to nothing. ²⁹ that no man might glory before God;

⁴ for tho' he was crucified with the appearance of weakness, yet he lives by the power of God; tho' we are afflicted upon his account, we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.

²⁵ At the same time Jesus, continuing his discourses, said, "I thank thee, O father, Lord of heaven and earth, for having revealed unto babes what thou hast hid from the wise and prudent. ²⁶ even so it is, father, for such has been thy will.

³ I have likewise thought proper; most excellent Theophilus, to write to you a particular account; having made a very diligent inquiry into the whole matter,

²⁴ Jesus perceiving him so very dejected, said, how difficult is it for those, who have riches, to enter into the kingdom of God! ²⁵ it is easier for a cable to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

⁴⁶ Jesus went therefore a second time to Cana in Galilee, where he had changed the water into wine. now a certain nobleman was there, whose son was sick at Capernaum. ⁴⁷ who having heard that Jesus was come out of Judea into Galilee, he went there to desire him to come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. ⁴⁸ but Jesus said to him, except you see signs and miracles, you will not believe. ⁴⁹ the nobleman said to him, sir, pray come down before my child be dead. ⁵⁰ go thy way, said Jesus: thy son is well. and the man believed what Jesus had said to him, and went his way. ⁵¹ as he was upon the road, his servants met him, and acquainted him, that his son was well. ⁵² then he enquired of them the hour when he began to mend: and they answered, yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. ⁵³ so the father knew that it was at the very same hour, at which Jesus said to him, thy son is well. and he himself believed, and all his family.

⁴⁷ upon which the Pharisees answered, are ye also seduced? ⁴⁸ have any of the rulers, or of the Pharisees believed on him? ⁴⁹ but the populace, who are ignorant of the law, are such wretches.

³⁸ after this, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but for fear of the Jews a conceal'd one, pray'd Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave: so he went and took the body of Jesus. ³⁹ Nicodemus, who formerly went to Jesus by night, came likewise and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.

⁷ he was with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, a man of prudence: who sent for Barnabas and Saul, desiring to hear the word of God.

¹² the proconsul seeing the fact, embraced the faith, being struck with admiration of the christian doctrine.

³⁴ however, there were some who adher'd to him, as Denis the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

²⁰ where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputant of this age? has not God prov'd the wisdom of this world to be downright folly.

³ I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in great agony: ⁴ my discourse, and my preaching did not consist in the persuasive reasonings of human wisdom, but in demonstrating the spiritual meaning of the scriptures: ⁵ that your faith might not be owing to human wisdom, but to the divine influence. ⁶ However, what we preach is wisdom, to those who are thoroughly instructed: yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who will soon come to nothing.

⁸ which none of the rulers of this age understood: for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

¹⁸ let no man deceive himself: if any among you pretends to worldly wisdom, let him commence fool, in order to be truly wise. ¹⁹ for the wisdom of this world is folly, in the eye of God: as it is written, "he surprizes the wise in all their artifices." ²⁰ and again, "the Lord knows, that the thoughts of the wise are vain."

²² all the converts here salute you, particularly those of Cesar's houshold.

⁹ Let him that is poor triumph in the advantages of being a christian. ¹⁰ let the rich be humbled by his instability: for he is as transitory as a flower in the field. ¹¹ the sun is up and darts its rays, the grass is wither'd, its flowers droop, and all their beautiful appearance vanishes away. just so the rich man fades with all his projects.

⁵ consider, my dear brethren, has not God chose the poor of this world to be rich by faith, and to inherit the kingdom he has promised to those who love him?

¹³ Whoever is a skilful moralist, let him show by his virtuous conduct, that he practises the humble precepts of wisdom. ¹⁴ but if envy and contention imbitter your minds, don't think your false pretences can stand against the truth: ¹⁵ such wisdom is not derived from heaven; but is terrestrial, sensual, demoniacal. ¹⁶ where false zeal, and a spirit of contention reign, there confusion and every vice prevail. ¹⁷ but wisdom deriv'd from heaven is first dispassionate, then pacific, equitable, and obsequious: full of beneficence, and all social virtue, free from partiality, and hypocrisy.

¹ The PRESBYTER to the lady ECLECTA and her children, whom I sincerely love, and not only I, but all true christians,

¹⁸ Now as Jesus was walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brethren, Simon, called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting their net into the sea: for they were fishermen. ¹⁹ and he said to them, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men: ²⁰ so they immediately left their nets, and followed him. ²¹ Going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were in a bark with Zebedee their father, mending their nets: and Jesus having called them, ²² they immediately left the bark with their father, and followed him.

⁹ As Jesus left that place, he saw one Matthew by name, sitting at the customhouse: and said to him, follow me. and he rose and followed him.

¹⁶ and said to him, do you hear what they say? yes, said Jesus; have ye never read, "out of the mouth of babes and sucklings I will make a consort of praise?"

³⁹ upon this some of the Pharisees, who were in the crowd, said to him, master, rebuke your disciples. ⁴⁰ but he answer'd them, if they should be silent, the stones would exclaim.

¹⁵ for I will make you speak with such strength of argument, as all your adversaries shall not be able to contradict or withstand.

¹¹ this is the stone which was rejected by you builders, but is become the chief of the angle. ¹² salvation is not to be had by any other: for there is no other name under heaven given to men whereby we can be saved. ¹³ Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were illiterate, and of the lower rank of men, they were surpriz'd; but tho' they knew that they had been Jesus's disciples, ¹⁴ yet seeing the man who was cured standing with them, they could not tell what to reply. ¹⁵ having therefore order'd them to withdraw from the council, they conferred among themselves, ¹⁶ saying, what shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all that dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. ¹⁷ but to prevent its spreading any further among the people, let us charge them with threats not to speak for the future to any man in that name. ¹⁸ so they called them in, and commanded them not to speak or teach upon any account, in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹ but Peter and John made answer, do you yourselves judge, whether it be right in the sight of God, to obey you rather than God. ²⁰ for we cannot avoid publishing what we have seen and heard. ²¹ so when they had further threatned them, they let them go, not finding it practicable to punish them, because of the people, who all glorified God for that which was done.

⁹ when some out of the several synagogues, belonging to the freed men, to the Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and to those of Cilicia, and of Asia, came to dispute with Stephen. ¹⁰ but as they were not able to withstand the force of that sublime knowledge which appeared in his discourse,

³⁵ this Moses whom they refused, saying, who made thee a ruler and a judge? the very same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hands of the angel that appeared to him in the bush.

⁵⁴ When they heard these things, they were transported with rage, and gnashed their teeth against him.

²⁴ some time after he came to Cesarea with his wife Drusilla, a Jewess, when sending for Paul, he heard him discourse about the Christian faith. ²⁵ but as he was treating of justice, temperance, and a future judgment, Felix greatly alarm'd, said, "withdraw for the present; and when I am at leisure, I will send for you."

⁷ but this treasure is lodg'd in such earthen vessels as we are, that the exceeding efficacy of it may appear to be from God, and not from us.

⁴ our military arms are not so defective, but divinely effectual to demolish all their ramparts; ⁵ to level all the barriers they contrive for obstructing the divine doctrine, and to make their pride captive to the authority of Christ.

¹⁷ " I have made thee a father of many nations," then existing in the sight of God, whom he believed, who gives life to the dead, and calls forth things that are not, as if they were:

¹¹ Am I become vain? 'tis you have forc'd me to it: for I ought to have been commended by you: since I am not inferior to the chiefest of the apostles, tho' in myself I am nothing.

¹⁷ her wealth is all sunk in a moment! the pilots and the passengers: the ships-crew, and the super-cargo's shall stand afar off,

¹⁹ Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law: that every one may be silenc'd, and all the world plead guilty before God.

²⁷ what reason then is there for boasting? it is excluded. what, by the ceremonial law? no: but by the law of faith.

² for if Abraham was justified by works, he had matter of pretension, whereas he had no such claim from God.

¹⁷ I have therefore matter of glorying thro' Jesus Christ, with respect to divine service.

³¹ according as it is written, "he that glorieth, should glory in the Lord."

⁷ for who has distinguish'd thee above another? or what have you, that you did not receive? now if you did receive it, why do you glory as if you had not received it?

⁶ Your levity is very indecent: don't you know that a little leaven infects the whole mass?

⁹ it is the gift of God) but not by works, so that no man can boast:

²¹ and she shall be deliver'd of a son, to whom you shall give the name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.

¹⁸ no man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten son, who is intimate with the father, hath made him known.

¹² Jesus then having reassumed his discourse, said to them, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me, shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

⁶ Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no man can come to the father, but by me.

¹ I am the genuine vine, and my father is the vintager. ² every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he takes away: as for the branch that bears fruit, he prunes it clean, to make it more fruitful. ³ you are already clean by the instructions I have given you. ⁴ be attach'd to me, and I shall be so to you. as the branch cannot bear fruit of it self, except it be attach'd to the vine: so neither can you, except you continue attach'd to me. ⁵ I am the vine, you are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for independent of me ye can do nothing. ⁶ if a man abide not in me, he is cast away as withered branches that are gather'd up to be thrown into the fire, where they are burned.

⁸ for I have given to them the instructions which you gave me; and they have received them; and have sincerely believ'd that I came from thee, and are persuaded that thou didst send me.

²¹ that they all may be one, as thou, father, art in me, and I in thee; that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. ²² and the glory which thou gavest me, I have given them: that they may be one, even as we are one. ²³ I in them, and thou in me, that they may have a perfect union, and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

²⁶ to them I have declared thy name, and will declare it: that thou mayst love them as thou hast loved me, and I have loved them."

¹⁷ There it is that divine justification is revealed to be wholly by faith: as it is written, " the just shall live by faith."

²¹ but the divine justification certified by the law and the prophets, is now clearly proposed independently of the law: ²² that divine justification, which by faith in Jesus Christ is extended to all, that believe; for there is no distinction: ²³ for all having sinned, all have forfeited eternal glory: ²⁴ being justified by his unmerited favour through the redemption that is by Jesus Christ:

⁶ even as David also speaks of the happiness of the man whom God accounted righteous independently of his works,

²⁵ who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

¹⁹ for as by one man's disobedience many receiv'd the punishment of sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many receive the reward of the righteous.

²¹ that as sin prevailed unto death, even so might the divine favour prevail by righteousness unto eternal life, thro' Jesus Christ our Lord.

¹ Sentence of death therefore shall not pass upon those christians who do not lead a vicious life.

⁹ you are not in such a state, but in a spiritual one, provided the divine spirit dwell in you. now if any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

²³ and not only they, but even those who have the first fruits of the spirit, even we our selves do inwardly groan for the fruit of our adoption, by the deliverance of our body from corruption.

³⁶ for of him, and through him, and in him are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

⁵ so we who are many, make all but one body in Christ, and every member subservient to one another.

⁷ salute Andronicus and Junias my relations, and fellow-prisoners, who are distinguish'd among the apostles,

¹¹ salute Herodion my kinsman. salute the family of Narcissus, who have embraced the gospel.

¹¹ and such were some of you: but you have been washed, you have been sanctified, you have been justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the spirit of our God.

¹⁸ now God disposed every one of the members in the body as he thought fit.

²⁷ Thus you are the body of Christ, being the particular members of it.

⁵⁴ but when this corruptible shall be invested with incorruptibility, and this mortal with immortality, then shall be fulfilled that passage of scripture, " death is swallowed up for ever." ⁵⁵ "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" ⁵⁶ the sting of death was sin; and the strength of sin was the law. ⁵⁷ but thanks be to God, who has given us the victory, thro' our Lord Jesus Christ.

¹⁷ therefore, if any man be a christian, he is in a new creation: the old state of things is chang'd to one entirely new. ¹⁸ Now this is all owing to God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath made us the ministers of this reconciliation; ¹⁹ for it is God that has reconciled the world to himself, by Jesus Christ, by not imputing their sins to them; and hath committed to us the gospel of reconciliation. ²⁰ we then are ambassadors for Christ, and 'tis God who makes you the offers by us: we pray you in the name of Christ, to make your peace with God. ²¹ for he hath made him who knew no sin to be a sin-offering for us, that we might be justified by God thro' him.

² I knew a christian who above fourteen years ago, was snatch'd up even to the third heaven, whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knows.

⁴ that he might deliver us from the vices of this present age, according to the will of God, even our father: to

¹³ Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us. (for it is written, " cursed is every one, that hangeth upon a tree.")

²² but the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, sweetness of disposition, beneficence, faithfulness, meekness, temperance: ²³ against such there is no law. ²⁴ now they who belong to Christ, have crucified the animal nature with the affections and passions thereof.

³ Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all the spiritual blessings in Christ's kingdom. ⁴ according as he had chosen us in himself before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy, free from vice, and devoted to virtue.

⁷ who has by his blood obtained for us the redemption, even the forgiveness of our sins, according to the riches of his grace,

¹⁰ when the full time of the dispensation was come, to reduce all things both in heaven and on earth, under one head in Christ.

¹⁴ and this is the pledge of our inheritance, being given for the deliverance of his peculiar people, to the display of his glory.

¹⁷ that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of glory, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, whereby ye may know him: ¹⁸ an enlightned understanding, that ye may see what great expectations he has called you to, and what abundant glory it is to the saints to be the lot of his inheritance.

¹⁰ for he hath made us a-new, and form'd us by Christ Jesus to do good works, for which God had before prepared us, that we might live in them.

⁹ and display to all the world that mysterious dispensation, which from all past ages has been conceal'd in the secret purpose of God, who created all things: ¹⁰ that the manifold wisdom of God, in ordering his heavenly kingdom, might by his church be now made known, to princes and magistrates,

³⁰ grieve not the holy spirit of God, by whom you are sealed against the day of deliverance:

⁹ and be his true disciple, not professing that justification, which is derived from the law, but that which is from the gospel,

¹⁴ It is by him, that we have obtain'd the redemption, even the remission of our sins:

² that their hearts might be comforted, and that being firmly united in love, they might possess the highest and fullest persuasion of the truth of this doctrine, by entring into this mystery, even of God the father, and of Christ, ³ in whom are reserv'd all the treasures of wd om and knowledge.

¹⁶ Let the christian doctrine be the familiar subject of your entertainment: in all wisdom instructing and exhorting one another, in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, melodiously tuning your grateful praises to God.

¹⁵ and that from your infancy you were acquainted with the sacred writings, which point you the way to salvation, by believing in Christ Jesus: ¹⁶ for all divinely inspired writings are conducive to instruction, to conviction, to reformation, and the practice of virtue; ¹⁷ that the minister of God may be perfectly accomplished for every office of religion.

¹² nor with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood he enter'd once for all into the holy of holys, after having obtained for us an eternal redemption.

⁵ If any of you is deficient in prudence, let him ask it of God, who liberally gives to all without upbraiding: and he will give it.

¹⁸ considering, that it was not by such perishable things as silver or gold, that you were releas'd from those vain rites and customs impos'd upon you by your fathers, ¹⁹ but by the precious blood of Christ, who is the lamb without spot, and without blemish:

¹ Simon Peter the servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who equally share with us in the advantages of faith, thro' the veracity of our God, and of Jesus Christ.

⁶ it appear'd by the water, and by the blood, who he was, even Jesus the Messiah; not by the water only, but by the water and by the blood: besides, the spirit is a witness too, now the spirit is truth itself.

⁹ and they sung a new song, saying, "thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every tribe, and language, and people, and nation;

⁴ these are they who were not defiled with women: for they are virgins: these are they who follow the lamb wherever he goes: these were ransom'd from among men, being the first fruits unto God, and to the lamb.

¹⁷ but he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

³ for we are the genuine sons of Abraham, who worship God in the spiritual manner, and value no other dependance than that on Jesus Christ, without confiding in any external advantages: