another CHAP. displayed in the ' last time. Where- your Father, who without respect CHAP. in ye greatly rejoice, though now of persons, will judge every man for a short time, (if need be) ye be according to his work, pass the 17 7 grieved by various trials; that this time of your sojourning in this proof of your faith, which is much world with reverence; knowing 18 more precious than of gold that that ye were not bought off from perisheth, though proved by fire, your unprofitable course of life, demay be found praiseworthy, and livered down from your fathers, by honourable, and glorious at the ma perishable things, such as silver and though ye knew him not, ye love; Christ, as of a lamb without ble- now, ye believe, with transports of mined indeed of old before the foun- ing to receive the end of your faith, himself in these latter times, for the even the salvation of your souls. sake of you who, through him, rely 21 10 Concerning which salvation, the on God that raised him from the -hich prophets who foretold this kind-dead, and gave him glory; so that ere fore the ness, which has been shown to us, your trust and hope are upon 'God.' cient searched with diligent enquiry; ex-I Having therefore purified your 22 cophets. amining what time, or what kind souls, by obeying the truth unto an to love one 11 of time the spirit of Christ which unfeigned brotherly kindness, see sincere was in them signified, when it de- that ye love one another with a Christ, and the glories which were born again, not by a perishable 12 to follow. To whom it was re- birth, but by an unperishable, through vealed, that not for themselves, a divine doctrine that liveth and the gospel, which has been preach13 Wherefore, gird up the loins of|ed to you. exhorts your mind, be sober, and hope en-). Laying aside, 'therefore, all ma- CHAP. m to cele iirely in that kindness which is lice, and all guile, and hypocrisy, oner coming to you at the manifesta- and envy, and slander, desire, like and to aina thy of tion of Jesus Christ. Like obedi-new-born babes, the pure milk of highest hill of at the we ent children, conform not to the reason, that ye may thrive thereby Christian former lusts of your ignorance; but to salvation, since ye have tasted excel15 as he who has called yon is holy, the kindness of the Lord. Come once be ye also holy in the whole con- unto him as to a living stone, re- 4 16 duct of your lives; because it is liected indeed by men, but elect written, “ Be ye holy, for I am and honourable with God; and 5 II. in a * Prepared for the righteous at the great 4 This is a strong and beautiful way of ex- pressing the high value and importance of 3 That prophetic spirit which pre-signified of all the blessings of the gospel. II. Or CCA CHAP. into a spiritual house, for a holy I love the brethren, fear God, honour CHAP priesthood, to offer up spiritual the king. through Jesus Christ, according to all reverence to your masters; not Duty of Jsaiah, this portion of scripture, “Behold only to the kind and gentle, but al- Seika xxvii. 16. 9. I place in Sion a chief-corner stone, so to the froward and peevish. For 19 place in sinna trusteth on it will not be disap-one under a consciousness of what God is, endure grief, suffering 7 To you, therefore, who trust wrongfully. For what credit is 20 as becomes thereon, this stone is honourable ; | there in bearing chastisement for the per PC but to those who are not persuad-faults ? but, if ye endure it, when of God. ed to do so, it is a stone to strike ye suffer whilst ye do your duty, 8 upon and stumble against ; at this will be rewarded by God. which they stumble, who believe For unto this ye were called ; in-21 not the word, even the gospel to asmuch as Christ even suffered for Christ was which they were appointed to be us, leaving you an example, that suffering 9 called. But ye are a chosen race ye should follow his steps ; who wrong with of kings and 'priests, a holy na-did no sin, neither was guile found the greate tion, à people gained from the in his mouth : when he was reviled, siences world, that ye may show forth the he reviled not again ; when he sufvirtues of him who hath called you fered, he did not threaten, but re- 23 out of darkness into his marvel- signed himself to the righteous people, but are now a people of our sins in his own body on the but have now obtained mercy and live to righteousness; by whose 11 Beloved ! I beseech you as stran- bruise ye have been healed. For 25 Purity and gers on earth, and sojourners, to ab ye were as sheep going astray, but submis. Scivil stain from fleshly lusts, which war have now turned back to the shepmagistrates against the soul; having your herd and guardian of your souls. enforced. course of life blameless amongst the Likewise ye wives, submit your- CHAP. 12 Gentiles ; that in whatsoever they selyes to your own husbands ; for speak against you as evil-doers, even some, who are not persuaded Duty of they may glorify God for the good by our doctrine, may be won over was works which they have seen in without believing that doctrine, by 13 the day of 'enquiry. Submit your- the behaviour of their wives, whilst 2 selves, therefore, to every appoint they consider the chastity and re inent of man, for the Lord's sake ; spectfulness of your behaviour. 14 to the king, as supreme ; to gover- Nor let your ornament be that out- 3 nors, as commissioned by him for | ward ornament of plaited hair with the praise of them that do well. but let it be the hidden person of 4 15 For so is the will of God, that by the heart, with the unperishable or well doing, ye put to silence the nument of a meek and gentle mind, 16 ignorance of foolish men ; as free, which is in the sight of God of but not using your freedom for a great price. For so indeed the ho- 5 17 cloak of mischief ; but as servants ly women in former times, who of God be respectful unto all men: trusted in God, used to adorn them sion III. * When you are brought before a civil dience to the ruling powers. magistrate to answer to the charge of disobe bands. directions CHAP: selves ; submitting to their own leth you a reason of the hope that is CHAP. husbands (as Sarah, whose children in you : having a good conscience, him master), living virtuously, and against you as evil-doers, your slan- good behaviour in Christ. For it 17 the woman's being the more weak for doing ill: because Christ once 18 death in the flesh, but restored to ** each other, with brotherly love, preached to the minds of men in with compassionate affections, with prison : who were also hard to be 20 blessing implied in these good water. The likeness of which, 21 10 words: “ Whosó wisheth life, even baptism, now saveth us (not a Psalm and desireth to see good days, let cleansing of the pollution of the V.12. him refrain his tongue from mis- body, but the answer of a good chief, and his lips from speaking conscience unto God), through 11 guile; let him turn away from evil the 4 resurrection of jesus Christ; and do good, let him seek peace who is at the right hand of God, 22 12 and follow after it; for the eyes having gone into heaven, angels, of the Lord are upon the righteous, o authorities, and powers, being but the face of the Lord is against Since therefore Christ hath suf- CHAP. 13 them that do evil.” And who is fered for us in the flesh, arm your he that will hurt you, if ye be zea- selves also with the same mind, A total relous of that which is good ? that ye will die to sin, (for he that of all sins * nunciation 14 But if ye even suffer for the sake suffered in the flesh, being spiritu- required Roles of righteousness, happy are yc, and ally crucified in imitation of from all ime be not afraid of the terrors of your Christ's death, hath ceased from histas. persecu- ' enemies, nor be troubled; but sin); that ye may not live the rest 3 jon, 3 sanctify the Lord God in your of your time in the flesh, after the 15 hearts. 'And be always ready to lusts of men, but may livé agree make a defence with gentleness, ably to the will of God: since the 3 IV. i By discord and hatred. baptized followers, • The same moral mind, maintaining mu nd, maintaining mu- i Several instances are mentioned in the | Acts of the Apostles, of angels being employ- I made subservient to the interests of the CHAP. have performed the will of the but glorify God on this account ; CHAP rities, in lusts, in drunkenness, in nishment to begin with the family of 17 strange that ye run not with them not convinced by the gospel of the same dissolule course of un-God? And if the righteous man 18 6 ruliness, and speak evil of you ; will scarcely be safe, where will the but they will give an account to ungodly and the sinner appear ? So 19, him who is prepared to judge the then let all sufferers according to 6 living and the dead; for the gospel the will of God commit their lives hath been therefore preached to unto him in well-doing, as unto a those also that were dead in sins, faithful Creator. that though they should be judged To the elders who are among you, CHÁP. by carnal men, they might live ac- I who am also an elder, and a wit cording to God in the spirit. ness of the sufferings of Christ, and Duty of mong Now the end of all earthly an heir of that glory which will be pastors to their peo How each things (death) is near : be sober, manifested, give this charge: Tend, ple, should.em therefore, and watchful in prayer. | as shepherds, the flock of God 2 talent. But above all things, have an earn- which is among you, not by con- covereth a multitude of sins, dis honourable gains, but with a ready hospitality among yourselves, with those allotted to you, but as pat- the gift which he hath received for chief shepherd shall appear, ye will ards of the manifold kindnesses of fadeth not away. hiin instruct as if speaking the mit yourselves to the elders : and and of the your anxiety upon him, inasmuch · 12 Beloved ! be not surprized that as he caret! for you. Be sober, be 3 . He warns a fiery persecution among you com- watchful: for your slanderous adproaching anneth to pass for your trial, as though versary, like a roaring lion, goeth severe per. some strange thing befel you, but about, seeking whom he inay desecution. rejoice, inasmuch as ye share the vour : him resist by standing firm 9 13 sufferings of Christ, that ye may in the faith, knowing that the same rejoice also at the manifestation of sufferings are undergone by your 14 his glory with exceeding joy. If brethren in the world. ve suffer reproach for the name of Now the God of all favour, who 10 Christ, happy are ye, for the glori- hath called us through these short Benedīc ous and powerful spirit of God sufferings to his everlasting glory. Om 15 resteth on you. But let none of in Christ Jesus, make you perfect, you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, establish, strengthen, settle you. or an evil-doer, or 'a designer upon To him be the glory and the pow- 11 16 others. But if any man suffer as a er for ever and ever. Peace be with 14 Christian, let him not be ashamed, you all that are in Christ Jesus. them 249 SECOND EPISTLE OF ST. PETER. 1. Gentile hristians often a glorious kind in bath caledice though you alway CHAP. SIMON Peter, a servant and an Wherefore, brethren, use the CHAP: apostle of Jesus Christ, unto greater earnestness to make your Address to them who share with us the same call and election sure unto you, by 10 na precious reliance on a pardon from good works : for by doing them ye Good our God, and Jesus Christ our will never fail; inasmuch as hereby alone ia2 saviour: Favour and peace be mul- ye will be furnished abundantly sure the tiplied unto you, through the know-with an entrance into the everlast- salvation of er hath kindly given us all things Wherefore I will not neglect to 12 * want rement of him who hath called us blished in the present truth. For minding: 4 by a glorious kindness : by which I think it right, as long as I am in 13 very great and precious promises this tabernacle of the body, to stir will earnestly endeavour that ye be to titude; and to fortitude knowledge; after my departure. cultivate and to knowledge temperance; and For we did not follow cunningly 16 every viro to temperance patience ; and to devised fables, when we made The divine mission of patience piety; and to piety bro- known to you the powerful appear7 therly kindness; and to brotherly ance of our Lord Jesus Christ, but attested on 8 kindness universal love. For if had been eye-witnesses of his ma- mount these things be in you and abound, jesty. For he received honour and Tabor. they will make you thrive and glory from God the Father, when 17 bear fruit unto the acknowledge this voice came to him from that ment of our Lord Jesus Christ. magnificent brightness which we 9 But he who is without these things, saw, “ This is my beloved son, Matt. is become blind, by closing his in whom I am well pleased ; " xvij.s. eyes, and forgetting his former and we heard this very voice utter- ix. 35. purification from his sins. cd from heaven, when we were 18 was 1 The apostle is thought to have written vention, but proceeding from God; and to |