1 Peter 2 Cross References - Mace

¹ Renouncing therefore every kind of malice, and knavery, hypocrisy, envy, and detraction, as new-born infants desire that mystical milk, ² which is without any mixture, and will make you thrive. Since you have tasted how good the Lord is, ³ adhere to him as to a living stone, ⁴ which however rejected it is by men, is the precious stone, which God has chosen: and ⁵ you your selves are as so many living stones, you are the edifice, the spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, agreeable to God by Jesus Christ. ⁶ wherefore it is said in the scripture, I lay in Sion the principal stone of the angle, a choice one of great value: he that ⁷ trusts thereon shall not be confounded. it will prove an honour to you, who believe; but to the incredulous, the same stone, which is the chief of the angle, ⁸ and which the architects rejected, will be an occasion to the incredulous of their stumbling, and bruising themselves thereby: ⁹ and this they were destin'd to. but you are the chosen race, you are kings and priests, the holy nation, the peculiar people, that you might display his glory, who called you out ¹⁰ of darkness into his marvellous light: you, who formerly were not a people, but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy, 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 ¹² souls. Let your behaviour among the Gentiles be virtuous, that instead of inveighing against you as vicious, they may observe your honest behaviour, ¹³ and glorify God in the times of distress. be subject therefore, for the Lord's sake to every human establishment: whether it be to the king, ¹⁴ as supreme; or to governors, as being deputed by him to punish those who do ill, ¹⁵ and to encourage those who do well. for such is the divine pleasure, that by your good conduct you obviate the cavils of inconsiderate ¹⁶ men. You are free, don't let your liberty serve as a pretext for vice: but act as the servants ¹⁷ of God. Be respectful to all, love your brethren, fear God, and honour the king. ¹⁸ You that are servants, be subject to your masters with all reverence: not only to such as are kind and gentle, ¹⁹ but even to the morose. for it is a recommendation to the divine favour, to suffer unjust persecution ²⁰ from a principle of conscience. what glory is there in suffering corporal punishment for real offences? but if you meet with ill usage for doing your duty, and bear it with constancy, ²¹ this will conciliate the divine favour. and this is the condition of your vocation, since Christ himself has suffer'd for us, ²² leaving an example for your exact imitation, he who never offended, and from whose lips no fallacy was ever utter'd, ²³ who, when he was reviled, did not revile again: when he was in his sufferings, he did not threat, but referr'd his cause to the righteous judge. ²⁴ he himself cancel'd our sins by the crucifixion of his body, that we being set free from sin, might live in the service of virtue. it is by his bruises that you were healed: ²⁵ for you were as sheep going astray, but now you are brought back to the pastor and overseer of your souls.

⁵ thou hypocrite, first get rid of the beam in your own eye; and then see how to remove the mote out of thy brother's eye.

⁷ the prophecy of Esaias exactly suits such hypocrites as you;

²⁸ just so ye put on an air of probity in the sight of men, but within are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

⁵¹ and shall turn him out of the family, and give him the reward due to such behaviour: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

¹⁵ but he, perceiving their hypocrisy, said to them, why do you lay snares for me?

⁴² or how can you say to your brother, brother, let me take out the mote, that is in your eye, when you your self don't discern the beam that is in your own eye? hypocrite, first remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the mote out of your brother's eye.

⁴⁴ wo unto you: for you resemble subterraneous monuments, which men walk over, without perceiving them.

¹ In the mean time thousands of people being gather'd about him, so as to trample upon one another, he first address'd himself thus to his disciples, beware of the corrupt doctrine of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

⁴⁷ Jesus seeing Nathanael coming, said of him, there's a true Israelite, in whom is no guile. how do you know me?

²⁹ they were full of all injustice, fornication, mischief, covetousness, malice; full of envy, murder, contention, fraud, malignity;

¹² the night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore throw off the habits of darkness, and be invested with the ornaments of light. ¹³ let us behave with decency as in open view; not with rioting and drunkenness, not with lewdness and brutality, not with strife and envy.

² I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, nor have you yet sufficient strength. 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?

⁸ therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with unaffected sincerity and truth.

²⁰ Brethren, be not childish in understanding: be as innocent as babes, but use your understanding like men.

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:

²¹ drunkenness, revellings, and such like, concerning which I forewarn you now, as heretofore I have done, that they who practise such vices, shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 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. ²⁵ if we live by the spirit, let us regulate our actions by the spirit: ²⁶ let us not be vain-glorious, provoking one another, envying one another.

²² to quit the vicious habits of your former conversation, corrupted by deceitful passions: ²³ and to be renewed in your mind, by living like men formed anew, ²⁴ after the image of God, in justice, sanctity, and truth. ²⁵ Wherefore leave off the practice of lying, and let every man speak truth to his neighbour: for we are all members of one society.

³¹ banish all resentment and indignation, anger, vehemence, detraction, and every thing like malice.

⁵ Mortify therefore your sensual appetites, fornication, impurity, irregular passions, wicked desires, and that licentiousness practised by idolaters. ⁶ these are vices which draw down the divine vengeance upon unbelieving nations; ⁷ among whom you had your conversation, when you followed their practices. ⁸ but now renounce them all, as well as anger, animosity, malice: let calumny and obscene discourse be banish'd from your lips.

³ for our doctrine was free from all imposture, avarice, and fraud.

¹¹ their wives must be likewise grave, free from scandal, sober, and always faithful.

³ in charity, in patience: the aged women likewise, to behave with sanctity of manners, not false accusers, not given to tipling,

³ for even we ourselves were once inconsiderate, disobedient, deluded, addicted to variety of passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, the deserving objects of mutual hatred. ⁴ but when the kindness and love of God our saviour display'd itself to mankind, ⁵ he saved us not in consideration of any virtuous actions which we had done, but out of his meer mercy, by the baptism of regeneration, he form'd us anew, by the plentiful effusion of the holy spirit,

¹ Wherefore, since we are surrounded with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every incumbrance, and the sin which does so easily embarrass us, and let us pursue with constancy the course that is proposed to us:

²¹ throw off then your vices as dregs and scum: and receive with docility that genuine doctrine, which is effectual to your salvation.

¹⁴ but if envy and contention imbitter your minds, don't think your false pretences can stand against the truth:

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.

⁵ or do you imagine that passage of scripture to be insignificant, "does the spirit that dwells in you, incite you to vice?"

¹¹ Don't, my brethren, treat one another with detraction. he that reflects upon his brother, and censures his brother, reflects upon the law, and censures the law: if you censure the law, instead of obeying it, you set up for a judge.

⁹ don't repine, my brethren, against one another, for fear you should be condemn'd. behold, the judge is at the gate.

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: ²⁰ who was destin'd before the creation of the world, tho' 'tis of late only that he has appear'd, upon your account: ²¹ it is by him that you believe in God, who has raised him from the dead, and invested him with glory, that your faith and your hope might be in God. ²² You that have purified your souls by the holy spirit, in obeying the gospel, which obliges you to an undisguised benevolence, let your hearts be mutually affected with the most disinterested ardour; ²³ since your regeneration is not owing to any corruptible principles, but to the unchangeable word of the immortal God. ²⁴ for human nature is like grass, and all their glory like the flower of the herb, the herb withers, the flower droops, ²⁵ but the word of the Lord remains for ever: and that is the gospel, which has been preached to you.

¹⁶ men. You are free, don't let your liberty serve as a pretext for vice: but act as the servants

²² leaving an example for your exact imitation, he who never offended, and from whose lips no fallacy was ever utter'd,

¹⁰ " He that desires to live in prosperity, must restrain his tongue from detraction, and his lips from uttering falsehood:

² so that for the future he does not pass the rest of this life in gratifying his sensual passions, but in conformity to the divine precepts.

⁴ As they think it strange, that you don't concur in the same profusion of luxury, they traduce you.

⁵ in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without defect.

³ and said, I declare to you, except ye lay aside your ambition, and become as children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of the Messias.

¹⁵ I declare unto you, he that shall pretend to be admitted into the kingdom of God, and has not the temper of a little child, shall not enter therein.

⁴ therefore we are buried with him by being plunged into a sort of death: that as Christ was raised up from the dead into a state of glory with the father, even so we also should proceed to a new state of life.

¹ However, I could not speak to you, my brethren, as to the spiritual, or as to the dispassionate, but as to novices in christianity. ² I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, nor have you yet sufficient strength.

²¹ on which the whole structure rises with symmetry into a temple, consecrated by the Lord:

¹⁵ but being sincere in mutual love, may be entirely united to Christ, who is the head:

³ We are oblig'd, my brethren, to render thanks to God continually upon your account, as it is but just; since your faith still improves, and your mutual love is always increasing.

¹² for though by this time you ought to be capable of teaching others, you want to be instructed anew in the first principles of the divine oracles; and are in such a state as to stand in need of milk, rather than of solid nourishment. ¹³ now he that is disciplined like a child, is not prepared for the doctrine of justification:

²³ since your regeneration is not owing to any corruptible principles, but to the unchangeable word of the immortal God.

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.

⁵ and have known by experience the truth of the divine promises, and the miracles of the age that was to come; it is impossible, ⁶ if they shall fall away, to re-instate themselves by repentance: seeing, as far in them lies, they crucify the son of God afresh, and expose him to open shame.

²⁸ Believe in me, all ye that labour under oppression, and I will give you relief.

¹⁸ "behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew justice to the nations.

⁴² Jesus reply'd, did ye never read in the scriptures, " that very stone which the builders rejected, is become the principal stone of the angle, this the Lord effected, and it is marvellous in our eyes."

¹⁰ have you not read, said he, this passage of scripture, "the stone which the builders rejected, is become the principal stone of the angle. ¹¹ it is the Lord, that has done this, and it is marvellous in our eyes."

¹⁷ then Jesus looking upon them, said, what is the meaning then of that expression, "the stone, which the builders rejected, is become the chief stone of the angle." ¹⁸ whoever falls upon that stone shall be bruised, but on whom it falls, it will crush him to pieces.

²⁶ for as the father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the son, to have life in himself;

⁴⁰ yet you will not come to me, that ye may have life.

³⁷ all those whom my father gives me, shall come to me; and I will not reject any that come to me.

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.

²⁵ Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me shall live even though he were dead: ²⁶ and no man living that believeth in me, shall ever die.

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.

¹⁹ yet a little while, and the world shall see me no more: but ye shall see me: because I shall live again, and ye shall live also.

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.

¹⁰ for if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his son: much more being reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

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

⁷ that your faith being put to a more advantageous proof, than that of gold, which loses by the essay, may redound to your praise and highest honour at the appearance of Jesus Christ:

¹⁹ but by the precious blood of Christ, who is the lamb without spot, and without blemish:

⁷ trusts thereon shall not be confounded. it will prove an honour to you, who believe; but to the incredulous, the same stone, which is the chief of the angle,

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.

⁴ by which we have receiv'd the most inestimable promises, that thereby you might become partakers of the divine perfections, after having escap'd from the corruption of a sensual world.

²² ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is from the Jews. ²³ but the time is coming, nay, is very nigh, when the true worshippers shall worship the father in spirit and in truth: for they are the worshippers which he requires. ²⁴ God is a spirit, and they that worship him, must worship him in spirit and in truth.

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 to be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, officiating the gospel of God, that the Gentiles might be made an acceptable offering, being sanctified by the holy spirit.

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

¹⁶ Don't you know, that you are the temple of God, and that the spirit of God dwells in you?

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?

¹⁶ and what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God has said, "I will dwell with, and walk among them; I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

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.

¹¹ abounding in good works by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

¹⁷ and if my blood should serve as a libation to ratify your faith, I should rejoice and congratulate with you all thereupon;

¹⁸ I have now receiv'd the whole, and have more than sufficient: I am loaded with the presents you sent by Epaphroditus, which I have receiv'd as grateful incense, as a sacrifice which God accepts and approves.

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

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

⁶ but Christ govern'd his own house in quality of son and heir, and 'tis we that are his house, provided we stedfastly persevere unto the end in the publick profession of that hope, in virtue of which we glory.

¹⁵ Let our sacrifice then, which we are to offer to God by Jesus Christ, be that of incessant praises, the offering of our lips, which celebrate his name: ¹⁶ but don't forget to be beneficent to the community; for such sacrifice is acceptable to God.

⁹ and this they were destin'd to. but you are the chosen race, you are kings and priests, the holy nation, the peculiar people, that you might display his glory, who called you out

¹¹ let a speaker deliver nothing but what is agreeable to the divine oracles: and let him that attends the poor, be active in proportion to the strength God has given him. amen.

⁶ who hath made us kings and priests to his God and father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

¹² him that overcomes, will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out no more: I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which descends from heaven from my God: even my new name will I write.

¹⁰ and hast made us kings and priests unto our God: and we shall reign on the earth."

⁶ happy and holy are they that have part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God, and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

¹⁰ have you not read, said he, this passage of scripture, "the stone which the builders rejected, is become the principal stone of the angle.

³⁵ while the people who stood looking on, and the senators themselves contemptuously said, he sav'd others; if he be Christ, the elect of God, let him save himself.

³⁸ he that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.

¹⁶ and said, men and brethren, the prediction which the holy ghost made, by the mouth of David, concerning Judas, who was guide to those that seiz'd Jesus, must have been accomplished.

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."

¹¹ for the scripture saith, "whosoever believeth on him, shall not be ashamed."

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.

²⁰ being built upon the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets, whereof Jesus Christ himself is the main stone of the angle:

¹⁶ for all divinely inspired writings are conducive to instruction, to conviction, to reformation, and the practice of virtue;

⁴ which however rejected it is by men, is the precious stone, which God has chosen: and

²⁰ But you must above all consider, that no prophecy of the scripture did proceed

¹⁶ as it were in all his epistles, where he takes notice of these things: in which there are some passages that are difficult to understand, which the illiterate, and unstable wrest, as they do the rest of the scriptures, to their own ruin.

⁴⁴ Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hid in a field: a man finds this treasure and buries it again, then goes in great joy, sells all that he hath, and purchases that field. ⁴⁵ Again, the heavenly kingdom is like a merchant-man, who is in quest of curious pearls: ⁴⁶ and meeting with one of great value, presently sells all that he has to make the purchase.

³² and the glory of thy people Israel."

¹⁷ then Jesus looking upon them, said, what is the meaning then of that expression, "the stone, which the builders rejected, is become the chief stone of the angle."

⁴² now it is not for what you have said, that we believe: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the saviour of the world, the Christ.

⁶⁸ but Simon Peter answered, Lord, to whom shall we go? you have the words of eternal life. ⁶⁹ and we have believed and we have acknowledged that you are the Christ, the son of God.

¹⁹ this heavenly vision, king Agrippa, I presently obey'd:

²¹ and to Israel he says, "all day long I have stretched forth my hands to an incredulous and rebellious people."

³¹ that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea; and that the charitable service which I am employed about, for the converts at Jerusalem, may be acceptable to them:

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?

⁷ these advantages I renounce for Christ, ⁸ nay I think them disadvantages when put in competition with the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ my Lord: for whose sake I abandon all these things, and count them as straw, that I may gain Christ, ⁹ and be his true disciple, not professing that justification, which is derived from the law, but that which is from the gospel, ¹⁰ the justification which God grants to those who acknowledge Christ and the power of his resurrection, who suffer after his example, and die to sin, as he died to the world,

¹⁰ and ye are filled by him, who is the chief of all principality and power:

³ for even we ourselves were once inconsiderate, disobedient, deluded, addicted to variety of passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, the deserving objects of mutual hatred.

¹¹ Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any of us by imitating their incredulity, should fall short thereof like them.

³¹ by faith Rahab having given the spies a safe reception, escap'd being destroyed with unbelievers, tho' she had led a dissolute life.

⁸ whom though you have not seen, you love: and though he is not now the object of your view, yet you believe in him, and triumph with such a laudable transport, as cannot be express'd:

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

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,

²² if the divine Being has patiently bore with those objects of his displeasure, that had been working out their own destruction, why may he not reveal himself to make them feel his vindictive power,

²³ we preach Christ crucified, an obstacle to the Jews indeed, and to the Gentiles foolishness: but to those who believe,

⁹ for God did not design to make us the objects of his displeasure, but to effect our felicity by the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us,

³ By their artful discourses they will make you the tools of their avarice; but their condemnation has been a long time advancing, and their ruin is far from lingring.

⁴ For certain men have insinuated themselves among you, who were formerly proscrib'd to be punish'd; impious men, who pervert the divine favour to licentiousness, and renounce their only master, and Jesus Christ our Lord.

¹⁶ the people which sat in darkness, saw a great light: and to those who sat in the region and shadow of death, light is sprung up."

¹⁶ even so let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father who is in heaven.

⁷⁹ to enlighten those, who are in darkness, and in the shadow of death, and to direct our steps into the ways of peace."

¹⁹ and for their sakes I consecrate myself, that they also might be consecrated by the truth.

²⁸ be therefore upon your guard to secure your selves, and the whole flock over which the holy spirit has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood.

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."

²⁸ but Agrippa reply'd to Paul, you almost persuade me I shall be a christian!

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

¹⁷ if any man divide the temple of God, him shall God destroy: for you, who are the temple of God, are consecrated to him.

⁶ to display the glory of his grace, which has render'd us acceptable by his beloved son:

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

²¹ unto him be glory in the church, even by Christ Jesus, thro' all the successions of future ages. amen.

⁸ you were heretofore altogether in the dark, but now being enlightned by the Lord, behave as children of light: ⁹ for the natural effect of light, is universal benevolence, justice, and truth: ¹⁰ consider what is acceptable to the Lord; ¹¹ and be not accomplices in the fruitless practices of vice; on the contrary, condemn them.

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.

¹⁴ I press towards the mark for the prize to which God has called me from above by Jesus Christ.

¹³ who has deliver'd you from the state of darkness, and has translated you into the kingdom of his beloved son.

⁴ but you, my brethren, are too well inform'd to be surpriz'd by that day, as by a thief. ⁵ you inherit the advantages of meridian light: we are not involv'd in the obscurity of night. ⁶ therefore let us not sleep away our time like others, but be vigilant and temperate. ⁷ they that are sober take their rest in the night, whilst they that are sots, are drunk in the night: ⁸ but let us, who enjoy the light, be temperate; let us be arm'd with the breast-plate of faith and charity, and for an helmet, with the hope of salvation.

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,

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

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.

⁵ you your selves are as so many living stones, you are the edifice, the spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, agreeable to God by Jesus Christ.

²⁵ as he saith himself in Osee, "I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her, beloved, which was not beloved. ²⁶ and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, ye are not my people; there shall they be called, the children of the living God."

¹⁹ but still I ask, did not Israel know this? first, Moses saith, "I will provoke you to jealousy, by those that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you."

⁶ and if it be by favour, it is not upon the account of merit. for then mercy would not be mercy. ⁷ "What then, hath not Israel obtained what he sought for?" no, but the chosen remnant have obtained it, and the rest are obdurate to this day,

³⁰ as you in times past did not obey God, yet have now obtained mercy upon the occasion of their disobedience:

²⁵ As to the case of celibacy, I have no positive instructions: yet my advice deserves to be regarded, as coming from one the divine favour has distinguished.

¹³ who was before a blasphemer, and a violent persecutor; but I obtained mercy, because I acted thro' ignorance in incrudelity.

¹⁶ us therefore approach with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may obtain the seasonable assistance of divine mercy and favour.

³⁴ set a guard upon yourselves, that ye be not stupified by surfeiting and drunkenness, or by the disquietudes of this life, and so that day come upon you with a surprize.

²⁰ that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, from fornication, from animals that are strangled, and from their blood.

²⁹ that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the flesh of strangled animals, and from fornication: you will do well to preserve your selves from these practices. farewel.

²³ but I perceive in the animal part of me another law warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin, which is in my animal part.

¹³ for if you lead a sensual life, you will be miserable: but if through the spirit you mortify the affections of corrupted nature, you will be happy.

¹³ let us behave with decency as in open view; not with rioting and drunkenness, not with lewdness and brutality, not with strife and envy. ¹⁴ but imitate the Lord Jesus Christ, and by no means indulge any sensual desires.

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 since then, we have these promises, my dear brethren, let us cleanse our selves from all impurity, whether of body or mind, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

¹⁶ I say then, conduct yourselves by the spirit, and you will not then gratify the animal passions. ¹⁷ for the vicious desires are contrary to those of the spirit, and the inclinations of the spirit are contrary to those of the animal part; these are opposite to each other, so that you do not the things that you would. ¹⁸ but if you are governed by the spirit, you are not subject to the law. ¹⁹ now the effects of vicious passions are manifestly these, fornication, uncleanness, ²⁰ brutality, idolatry, poisoning, enmities, quarrels, emulations, animosities, strife, seditions, factions, envyings, ²¹ drunkenness, revellings, and such like, concerning which I forewarn you now, as heretofore I have done, that they who practise such vices, shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

²⁴ now they who belong to Christ, have crucified the animal nature with the affections and passions thereof.

¹ I therefore the prisoner for the Lord, beseech you to live suitably to the offers that have been made to you:

⁹ themselves to temptations and snares, and to many foolish noxious passions, which plunge men into ruin and perdition. for the love of money is the root of all evil: ¹⁰ which some having obtain'd, have revolted from the faith, and brought upon themselves variety of piercing pains.

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

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 These all died in faith, without receiving what was promised, having only a distant view of what they eagerly expected, professing to live as strangers and pilgrims in the land.

¹ you breathe slaughter and revenge for what you cannot obtain.

¹ PETER an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the foreigners dispers'd thro' Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, whom God the father has chosen in pursuance of his decree,

¹⁷ and since you invoke him as your father, who without respect of persons judges every one according to his actions; while you are passing thro' this world, be fearful of offending him:

¹⁵ Love not the world, nor let worldly things engage your affections. he that is worldly affected is a stranger to divine love. ¹⁶ for what the world is so full of, sensuality, avarice, and pride, is not deriv'd from the creator, but is the offspring of a vicious world. ¹⁷ and the world is passing away, with all its vices: but he that obeys the divine will, shall enjoy a life of immortality.

¹¹ Blessed shall you be when men shall revile and persecute you, and falsely charge you with all manner of evil for your attachment to me.

⁸ at this the multitude were amazed, and glorified God, for having communicated such power to men.

²⁵ if the disciple fare as well as his master, and the servant as his lord, is not that sufficient? if they style the master of the house Beelzebub, much more will they call his domestics so.

⁶⁸ "blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he hath regarded and wrought a deliverance for his people:

²² blessed are you, when men shall hate you, discard you, reproach you, and treat you as infamous, for your attachment to the son of man.

⁴⁴ they will level you to the ground, extirpate your inhabitants, and bury your buildings in ruins: because you have not consider'd the overtures I made you.

¹⁴ Simon has related how God began to visit the Gentiles, to chuse from among them a people consecrated to his name.

⁵ this man is known to be a pernicious fellow that goes about the world to raise seditions among the Jews: he is the ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, ⁶ and has attempted to prophane the temple: we secur'd him, and would have try'd him by our law:

¹³ so far are they from proving what they lay to my charge.

⁷ when he appear'd, the Jews, who were come from Jerusalem presented themselves before Festus, and loaded Paul with abundance of accusations, which they were not able to prove.

¹⁷ Render no man evil for evil. mind such things as are approved not only by God, but by men.

¹³ let us behave with decency as in open view; not with rioting and drunkenness, not with lewdness and brutality, not with strife and envy.

⁹ and you Gentiles ought to glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, "for this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name ."

²⁵ the secrets of his heart become manifest; and so falling down on his face, he will worship God, and declare that God is certainly amongst you.

¹² for this is to me matter of glorying, the testimony of my conscience, that without artifice, and with religious sincerity, not by worldly wisdom, but by God's favourable assistance I have behaved my self towards all men, but more particularly to you.

²¹ always considering what is virtuous, with respect to God, and with respect to men.

⁷ now I pray God that I may not punish you; not that I may show you my proofs to your cost, but that by your acting honestly, I may be as if I had no proofs:

³ of which number we all have formerly been, leading our dissolute lives in gratifying the desires of our sensual imaginations: and were indeed obnoxious to the divine displeasure, as other. Gentiles were:

²² to quit the vicious habits of your former conversation, corrupted by deceitful passions:

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,

⁸ Finally, my brethren, whatever has the character of truth, of dignity, of justice, of chastity, whatever can procure you esteem and reputation, in a word, if there be any thing virtuous or praise-worthy, let that be the object of your enquiry.

¹² so that your way of life may stand fair to the world, and prevent your being dependent upon any man.

² for kings, and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in the practice of all piety and virtue;

¹² don't give occasion to any to despise your youth: but be a pattern to believers in your discourse, in your behaviour, by your charity, faith and chastity.

⁷ In all things show yourself a pattern of virtue: in teaching shewing uncorruptness, ⁸ gravity; let your doctrine be sound and inoffensive, that your opponents may be ashamed, and have nothing that is ill to say of us.

⁵ let your morals be free from avarice, being contented with what you have: for he hath said, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."

¹⁸ Pray for us, for we trust we have a clear conscience, and desire our virtuous conduct may appear to all the world.

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

¹ Let the married women be subservient to their husbands, that if they happen to disbelieve the gospel, they may be gain'd by the instructive conduct of their wives, ² by observing the religious chastity of their manners.

¹⁶ always maintaining a good conscience, that instead of inveighing against you as evildoers, they may be cover'd with confusion, who traduce your virtuous behaviour as Christians.

¹⁴ if you suffer indignities in the cause of Christ, you are happy: for the glorious spirit of God rests upon you. ¹⁵ take care therefore not to suffer upon the account of homicide, or thievery, or for any criminal, or pragmatical practices. ¹⁶ but whoever suffers as a christian, let him not be asham'd, but rather give thanks to God upon that account.

¹¹ Since then this whole system is to be destroyed, how holy should your conduct be, and how ardent your piety?

²¹ they answer'd, Cesar's. then said he to them, render therefore unto Cesar, the things which are Cesar's: and unto God, the things that are God's.

¹⁷ to which Jesus reply'd, render to Cesar what belongs to Cesar, and to God what belongs to God. and they were surprized at the answer.

²⁵ render then, said he, to Cesar, what belongs to Cesar, and to God, what belongs to God.

¹ Be every one of you subject to the ruling powers. for every ruler holds of God: the rulers in being are constituted by God. ² so that he who opposes the ruler, disobeys the orders of God: and will be punished too for resisting, by those very powers. ³ rulers are not a terror to virtue, but to vice. would you then live without any dread of the civil power? do what is right, and you shall have his commendation. ⁴ for his administration is appointed by God for your good. but if you do wrong, you have reason to be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain: he being the minister of God, to execute punishment upon malefactors. ⁵ wherefore you ought to submit not only from an apprehension of punishment, but ⁶ from a principle of conscience. for this is the reason why you also pay tribute, because under God, they are continually ⁷ attending upon the publick administration. render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom, reverence to whom reverence, honour to whom honour.

²¹ Be mutually obsequious with christian respect.

¹ I exhort you therefore, above all things, to present supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving for all men: ² for kings, and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in the practice of all piety and virtue;

¹ Admonish them to be subject to princes and to magistrates, to obey their orders, and to exert their virtue and loyalty upon all occasions.

¹⁰ especially those, who prostitute themselves to sensual infamous passions: who despise magistrates, who being audacious, and insolent, intrepidly calumniate the higher powers;

⁸ yet these visionary debauchees despise princes, and traduce dignitys. ⁹ whereas Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil, he disputed about the body of Moses, did not take the liberty to inveigh against him, but said, "the Lord rebuke thee." ¹⁰ As for these, they inveigh against what they do not understand: and abuse those natural instincts which regulate brute animals.

³ rulers are not a terror to virtue, but to vice. would you then live without any dread of the civil power? do what is right, and you shall have his commendation. ⁴ for his administration is appointed by God for your good. but if you do wrong, you have reason to be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain: he being the minister of God, to execute punishment upon malefactors.

²⁶ but every one that heareth these instructions of mine, and practiseth them not, shall be compared to a fool who built his house upon the sand:

² five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

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.

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

⁶ not doing your work meerly out of regard to their presence or their pleasure, but as the servants of Christ, in hearty obedience to the will of God: ⁷ serve them with affection, as if it was to the Lord,

³ and such is the will of God, that you should be holy, and avoid licentiousness;

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

⁸ gravity; let your doctrine be sound and inoffensive, that your opponents may be ashamed, and have nothing that is ill to say of us.

¹² souls. Let your behaviour among the Gentiles be virtuous, that instead of inveighing against you as vicious, they may observe your honest behaviour,

¹⁷ for since it is the will of heaven you should suffer, it is better you should suffer for your virtue, than for any crimes.

¹² But as for these, they have no more reason than brute beasts that are naturally made for hunting, and slaughter: so these who calumniate what they do not understand, shall receive the reward of their iniquity by perishing in their own corruption.

¹⁰ As for these, they inveigh against what they do not understand: and abuse those natural instincts which regulate brute animals.

¹³ Wo unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, who prey upon the estates of widows, under the pretext of making long prayers; therefore ye shall be punish'd with the greater severity.

³² and the truth shall make you free. ³³ they answered him, we are Abraham's offspring, and were never slaves to any man: why then do you say, "ye shall be made free?" ³⁴ Jesus answered them, I declare unto you, whosoever committeth sin, is a slave to sin. ³⁵ a slave has no right to be in the house for life: but the son is settled there. ³⁶ if the son therefore shall make you free, you will be free indeed.

²² if I had not appear'd, and inform'd them, they would have been innocent: but now they have no excuse for their sin.

¹⁸ being then set free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

²² but now being set free from sin, and actually in the service of God, the present advantage you reap is holiness, and the future everlasting life.

²² for the slave that turns christian, is the Lord's freedman: likewise, the freeman that becomes a convert is Christ's servant.

¹ Stand fast therefore, and be not hampered again with the yoke of bondage.

¹³ for, brethren, you have been called to liberty. only abuse not this freedom as a pretext to vice, but in offices of love be as servants one to another.

⁶ not doing your work meerly out of regard to their presence or their pleasure, but as the servants of Christ, in hearty obedience to the will of God:

²⁴ knowing that as you are the servants of Christ our Lord, you shall receive from him the inheritance for your reward.

⁵ our address to you was without any flattery, as you yourselves can witness, and God is witness that we had no avarice to disguise.

²⁵ whereas, he that attentively considers the perfect law of liberty, and is attach'd thereto, he is not a forgetful hearer, but reduces it to practice, and his conduct is crown'd with hapiness.

¹² speak and act as those, who are to be judged by the law of liberty.

¹⁹ whilst they promise others liberty, they themselves are slaves to their corrupt passions. for he that is vanquished, is a slave to the conqueror.

³⁵ by this mutual love shall all men know that you are my disciples.

¹⁰ in brotherly kindness be passionately affected to one another; in honour prefer one another:

⁷ attending upon the publick administration. render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom, reverence to whom reverence, honour to whom honour.

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.

¹ Let those who are in a state of servitude, consider the entire respect due to their masters, that the name of God, and the doctrine of the gospel may not be blasphemed.

¹ Let brotherly love still reign.

²² You that have purified your souls by the holy spirit, in obeying the gospel, which obliges you to an undisguised benevolence, let your hearts be mutually affected with the most disinterested ardour;

⁵ As for you that are young, be you submissive to those of a more advanc'd age: and do you all of you pay a becoming deference to one another: be cloak'd with humility, for " God opposes the proud, and shows favour to the humble."

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,

²² but the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, sweetness of disposition, beneficence, faithfulness, meekness, temperance:

⁵ Servants, be obedient to your legal masters, with awful reverence and sincerity of heart, as unto Christ:

²² servants, be entirely obedient to those, whom the laws have made your masters, and not meerly out of regard to their observation, as designing only to please men, but from a principle of integrity, as fearing God: ²³ and whatever you do, do it heartily, as serving the Lord, and not men: ²⁴ knowing that as you are the servants of Christ our Lord, you shall receive from him the inheritance for your reward. ²⁵ but he that does wrong shall be punish'd for his injustice: for no regard will be shown to the external characters of men.

¹ Let those who are in a state of servitude, consider the entire respect due to their masters, that the name of God, and the doctrine of the gospel may not be blasphemed. ² let them not treat their christian masters, on pretence of being their brethren, with less respect: but be the more obsequious, because they are believers, and deserve to be belov'd, for the kind provision they make for them. let this be the subject of your instructions, and exhortation. ³ If any one deviate from this doctrine, not adhering to the wholesome instructions of our Lord Jesus Christ, the true doctrine of piety,

⁹ Exhort servants to be obedient to their masters, to be ¹⁰ entirely obsequious without grumbling. not to pilfer, but to show the strictest fidelity; that they may do honour to the doctrine of God our saviour in all things.

² to speak evil of no man. to avoid contention, to be moderate and entirely inoffensive to all men.

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.

¹⁰ Blessed are they who are persecuted upon the account of righteousness: for their's is the kingdom of heaven. ¹¹ Blessed shall you be when men shall revile and persecute you, and falsely charge you with all manner of evil for your attachment to me. ¹² Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great will be your reward in heaven: for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

³² for if you only love those, who love you, where's the obligation? the very heathen return love for love.

²¹ but all these things will they do unto you, out of hatred to my name, because they know not him that sent 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:

⁵ wherefore you ought to submit not only from an apprehension of punishment, but

¹⁰ it is by the divine favour that I am what I am: and his favour to me was not in vain; no, I laboured more than they all: yet it was not I, it was the divine favour which assisted me.

¹ I must acquaint you, brethren, with the contribution which the churches of Macedonia have religiously made,

¹² yet I am not ashamed, for I know in whom I have confided, and I am persuaded he is able to keep what I have committed to him against that day.

²⁰ from a principle of conscience. what glory is there in suffering corporal punishment for real offences? but if you meet with ill usage for doing your duty, and bear it with constancy,

¹⁴ However, if you suffer in the cause of virtue, it is your happiness: and instead of being over-awed by their threats, and struck with concern, ¹⁵ adore the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready to show with modesty and respect to every one that asks it, what ground there is for the expectations you have: ¹⁶ always maintaining a good conscience, that instead of inveighing against you as evildoers, they may be cover'd with confusion, who traduce your virtuous behaviour as Christians. ¹⁷ for since it is the will of heaven you should suffer, it is better you should suffer for your virtue, than for any crimes.

⁴⁷ and if ye salute your brethren only, what mighty matter is that? do not even the heathens do the same?

⁶⁷ then they spit in his face, some beat him on the head, others slapt him on the cheeks,

⁶⁵ then some began to spit on him, others cover'd his face and struck him on the head, crying out, divine, who it is. and the domestics slapt him on the cheeks.

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. ² and be not conformed to the present age: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may perceive what God requires of you is good, and acceptable, and perfect.

¹¹ to this very day we suffer both hunger, thirst, and penury: we are buffeted from place to place, as vagabonds:

¹⁰ consider what is acceptable to the Lord;

¹⁹ but even to the morose. for it is a recommendation to the divine favour, to suffer unjust persecution

¹⁴ However, if you suffer in the cause of virtue, it is your happiness: and instead of being over-awed by their threats, and struck with concern,

³⁸ and he that does not take his cross, and so follow after me, is unworthy of me.

²⁹ take my yoke upon you, and learn to be meek like me, and of an humble temper: and ye shall enjoy tranquillity of mind.

²⁴ Then addressing himself to his disciples, if any man, said he, would follow me, let him renounce himself, take up his cross, and so follow me.

³⁴ Then addressing himself to the people, and his disciples, he said, he that desires to be under my conduct, let him renounce himself, and follow me. ³⁵ for he that would save his life, shall lose it; and he that would lose his life out of love to me and the gospel, he shall save it.

²³ Then he said to the whole company, if any one will be my follower, let him renounce himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. ²⁴ for whoever would save his life, shall lose it: and he that would lose his life, out of love to me, shall save it. ²⁵ what advantage is it for a man to have gain'd the whole world, if he himself runs into utter loss and ruin?

²⁶ and said, he that can't abandon his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, nay, even his own life, cannot be my disciple. ²⁷ and he that does not bear his cross, and tread in my steps, cannot be my disciple.

²⁶ was not the Messiah to have suffer'd thus, and after that enter into his glory?

¹⁵ for I have given you example, that you might behave to one another, as I have to you.

³³ these things I have appriz'd you of, that ye might repose your confidence in me. the world shall give you trouble: but take courage, I have overcome the world.

¹⁶ for I will make him see how much he must suffer for my name.

²² encouraging the disciples, exhorting them to persevere in the faith, representing that it is thro' much tribulation that we must enter into the kingdom of God.

³ explaining them, and setting it to view, that the Messiah was to suffer and rise again from the dead: and that Jesus, whom he denounc'd to them, was that very Messiah.

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;

¹ Imitate herein my example as I do that of Christ.

² for Christ loved us, and for us gave himself an offering and a sacrifice acceptable to God.

⁵ for the same temper of mind ought to be in you as was in Christ Jesus:

³ none of you might be stagger'd by these persecutions: for you know that we are destin'd to suffer.

² for you know the precepts we gave you in the name of the Lord Jesus.

¹² and those who will live like Christians, shall generally suffer persecution.

¹⁰ For it was agreeable to his wisdom, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to consecrate the author of their salvation by his sufferings.

²⁰ who was destin'd before the creation of the world, tho' 'tis of late only that he has appear'd, upon your account:

²⁴ he himself cancel'd our sins by the crucifixion of his body, that we being set free from sin, might live in the service of virtue. it is by his bruises that you were healed:

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.

¹⁸ for Jesus Christ himself has already suffer'd for our sins, the innocent for the guilty, to bring us to God: who, tho' he died with respect to his body, was rais'd to life by that spirit,

¹ Since then Christ has with respect to his mortal nature died for us, arm yourselves with this reflection, that he, who is dead with respect to sensuality, has renounced sin;

⁶ he that says he is attach'd to Christ, ought to regulate his conduct by his example.

¹⁶ this is the proof of the divine love, Christ expos'd his life for us: and we ought to expose our lives for the brethren.

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.

⁴ I have sinned in betraying the blood of the innocent: and they said, what is it to us? you must look to that.

¹⁹ Whilst he was sitting on the tribunal, his wife sent this message to him, pray, have nothing to do with that just man: for to-day I have suffered very much on his account in a dream.

²³ the governor said, why, what mischief has he done? but they cried out the more, let him be crucified. ²⁴ Pilate perceiving he was so far from prevailing, that they were more tumultuous, he took water, and washed his hands before all the people, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: you are answerable for it.

⁴¹ as for us, it is with justice, that we suffer the penalty due to our crimes: but as for him, what misdemeanour has he been guilty of?

⁴⁷ The centurion upon seeing what had happen'd, gave glory to God, and said, certainly this was a righteous man.

⁴⁶ which of you can convict me of sin? if then I say the truth, why don't you believe me?

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.

¹⁵ not an high priest who is incapable of compassionating our miseries; since he was exposed to the same trials as we are, sin only excepted. let

²⁶ and indeed we wanted an high priest of such a character, one that is holy, innocent, undefiled, one that is separated from sinful men, and exalted above the heavens; one who was under no necessity, ²⁷ as those high priests of the law were, to offer up daily sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people: having done this once for all, by offering up himself.

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.

¹ My dear children, these things I write unto you, that ye may avoid sin. but if any man has failed, we have an advocate with the father, Jesus Christ the just.

⁵ and you know that he appear'd to abolish our sins; and that he was himself without sin.

³⁹ the passengers all the while reviling him, shook their heads at him, ⁴⁰ and cry'd, you that could destroy the temple, and rebuild it in three days, now save thy self: if thou art the son of God, come down from the cross. ⁴¹ the chief priests, with the scribes and senators, derided him in like manner. ⁴² he saved others, said they, but cannot save himself: if he be the king of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. ⁴³ he relied upon God; if he be such a favourite, let God then deliver him: for he us'd to say he was the son of God. ⁴⁴ one of the robbers too, who were crucified with him, treated him with the same reproach.

⁶⁰ then the high priest rising up in the midst of the assembly, ask'd Jesus, saying, have you nothing to plead for your self? what say you to the evidence they give against you? ⁶¹ but Jesus remain'd silent, and gave no answer. then the high priest asked him again, and said to him, art thou the Christ, the son of the most High?

²⁹ besides the people that pass'd by, shook their heads, and impiously said: ah, you that can destroy the temple, and rebuild it in three days, ³⁰ save your self, and come down from the cross. ³¹ in like manner the chief priests and the Scribes in derision said to one another: he pretended to save others, himself he cannot save. ³² let the Messiah, the king of Israel, descend now from the cross: let us see that, and we will believe on him. and they that were crucified with him, threw their reproaches at him.

⁶⁴ they made him blind-fold, they slapt him on the face, and cry'd out, divine who it was that smote thee. ⁶⁵ and besides all this, they loaded him with the most impious invectives.

⁹ he plyed him therefore with many interrogatories,

³⁴ and Jesus said, "father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." then they divided his raiment among them by throwing lots, ³⁵ while the people who stood looking on, and the senators themselves contemptuously said, he sav'd others; if he be Christ, the elect of God, let him save himself. ³⁶ the soldiers too, who came to bring him vinegar, insulted him, ³⁷ saying, if thou art the king of the Jews, save thy self. ³⁸ they likewise put the following inscription over his head, in Greek, in Latin, and in Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. ³⁹ Now one of the malefactors, that was crucified with him, impiously said, if thou art the Christ, save thy self, and us.

⁴⁶ and Jesus cryed with a loud voice, saying, father, into thy hands I commend my spirit; and in pronouncing these words, he expired.

⁴⁸ The Jews answered, and said to him, are we not in the right to say, that you are a Samaritan, and are really mad? ⁴⁹ Jesus answered, I am not mad; but I honour my father, and you dishonour me.

⁹ and went again into the Pretorium, and said to Jesus, who was your father? but Jesus gave him no answer. ¹⁰ then said Pilate to him, won't you give me an answer? don't you know that it is in my power to crucify you, or to release you? ¹¹ Jesus answered, you could not have any power over me, except you deriv'd it from above: therefore they who delivered me into your hands are the most culpable.

²⁹ and now, Lord, behold their threatnings: and enable thy servants to deliver thy word with freedom,

⁵⁹ Thus they stoned Stephen, while he was calling upon God, and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."

³² the passage of the scripture which he read, was this, "he was led as a sheep to the slaughter, and like a lamb before his shearer, was dumb, so opened he not his mouth: ³³ in his humiliation he was judged, he was taken off: and who shall describe the men of his time? for the land has taken away his life." ³⁴ and the eunuch answered Philip, and said, pray, of whom does the prophet say this? of himself, or of some other? ³⁵ then Philip enter'd upon the subject, and show'd how the whole passage was applicable to Jesus.

¹ Saul still breathing out nothing but threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord,

³¹ because he has fix'd the day, when he will judge in equity, by that man, whom he has appointed thereto: of which he has given full proof to all the world, by having raised him from the dead."

⁵ however by your impenitence, and the insensibility of your heart, you treasure up for yourself wrath against the day of wrath, and of the revelation of the righteous judgment of God,

⁹ and you masters have a just regard to them, by softning your authority: knowing that both their and your master is in heaven, where there is no respect of persons with him.

⁵ by which you may be assur'd, that they will be punish'd by the divine justice, and that you shall be rewarded with the kingdom of God, for which you suffer;

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.

³ for you should consider how he endured such opposition from sinners against himself, lest ye be tired out, and quite despond.

¹⁹ let those then, whom God calls to sufferings, by virtue recommend their souls to him, as to a creator, who will make good his promise.

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:

²⁰ for I declare to you, that except your righteousness shall exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye shall not enter into the heavenly kingdom.

¹⁷ whereby was fulfilled what Esaias the prophet said, "Himself took our infirmities, and bare, our diseases."

²⁶ Then he released to them Barabbas: but he order'd Jesus to be scourged, and delivered up to be crucified.

¹⁵ Pilate therefore willing to humour the people, released to them Barabbas, and having caused Jesus to be scourg'd, he deliver'd him to be crucified.

⁷⁴ that we should be delivered from the power of our enemies, and serve him with security, ⁷⁵ in the sincere practice of holiness and justice, all our days.

¹⁸ "the spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, he hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

²⁹ The next day John saw Jesus coming to him, and said, "behold the lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world."

¹ Then Pilate order'd Jesus to be scourged.

³⁰ the God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew, and hanged on a tree.

³⁵ but in every nation, he that feareth him, and acts justly, is acceptable to him.

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.

²⁹ after they had accomplished all that was written concerning him, he was taken down from the cross, and laid in a sepulchre:

² God forbid, that we who have died to sin should live any longer therein.

⁷ for by its being dead, we are set free from sin.

¹¹ in like manner consider your selves as dead to sin; but alive to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

¹³ neither yield your members as instruments to iniquity: but yield yourselves unto God, as being alive after having been dead; and your members as instruments of righteousness.

¹⁶ by no means. know ye not, that to whom ye subject your selves vassals at command, his vassals you are whom you thus obey; the vassals either of sin to destruction, or of obedience to justification?

⁶ but now we are delivered by the death of the law, which held us in bondage: that we might serve according to the living spirit, and not in the dead letter of the law.

¹⁷ wherefore come out from among them, be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

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.")

⁹ for the natural effect of light, is universal benevolence, justice, and truth:

²⁰ If then you are dead with Christ, in respect of those shadows of the Jewish state; why do ye, as if you were still in that state, submit to those ordinances?

³ for you are dead to them, and Christ has secured your life with God.

²⁶ and indeed we wanted an high priest of such a character, one that is holy, innocent, undefiled, one that is separated from sinful men, and exalted above the heavens; one who was under no necessity,

¹³ clear the way for your feet, lest that which is lame should be quite out of joint, instead of being redress'd."

¹⁶ confess then to one another the offences you have committed, and pray for one another, that you may be healed; the fervent prayer of a virtuous man has great influence.

¹ Since then Christ has with respect to his mortal nature died for us, arm yourselves with this reflection, that he, who is dead with respect to sensuality, has renounced sin; ² so that for the future he does not pass the rest of this life in gratifying his sensual passions, but in conformity to the divine precepts.

²⁹ since you know that God is the source of virtue, you know that every one who has virtue, derives it from him.

⁷ dear children, let no man deceive you: only he that acts justly is just, as he is just.

² in the midst of the area, surrounded by the river, was the tree of life, which had twelve fruit-seasons, yielding its fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

³⁶ but when he saw how the multitude were fatigued and dispers'd like so many sheep without their Pastors, he was moved with compassion, and said to his disciples,

¹² If a man has an hundred sheep, and one of them should go astray, do you think he would not leave the ninety and nine in the mountains, and go in search for that which was gone astray?

⁴ who of you that has an hundred sheep, will not, upon losing one, leave the ninety nine in the desart, to go after that which is lost, till he finds it? ⁵ and when he hath found it, joyfully lay it upon his shoulders? ⁶ and when he comes home, call his friends and neighbours together, and say to them, rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep, that was lost?

¹¹ I am the true pastor: the true pastor exposes his life for the sheep. ¹² but the hireling, who is not the pastor, nor has the property of the sheep, seeing the wolf come, leaves the sheep, and flies away: so the wolf seizes some, and disperses the flock. ¹³ the hireling flies, because he is an hireling, and is under no concern for the sheep. ¹⁴ I am the true pastor, I know my sheep, and my sheep know me, ¹⁵ (as the father and I are known to one another:) and I lay down my life for them. ¹⁶ other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring; they will hear my voice; and so there shall be but one fold, and one pastor.

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;

²⁰ May the God of peace, who has raised from the dead our Lord Jesus (who by the blood of the eternal covenant is become the grand pastor of

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