The Holy Bible

Part 14 out of 16



not, saith the Lord.

8:10. For this is the testament which I will make to the house of
Israel after those days, saith the Lord: I will give my laws into their
mind: and in their heart will I write them. And I will be their God:
and they shall be my people.

8:11. And they shall not teach every man his neighbour and every man
his brother, saying: Know the Lord. For all shall know me, from the
least to the greatest of them.

They shall not teach, etc. . .So great shall be light and grace of the
new testament, that it shall not be necessary to inculcate to the
faithful the belief and knowledge of the true God, for they shall all
know him.

8:12. Because I will be merciful to their iniquities: and their sins I
will remember no more.

8:13. Now in saying a new, he hath made the former old. And that which
decayeth and groweth old is near its end.

A new. . .Supply 'covenant'.



Hebrews Chapter 9


The sacrifices of the law were far inferior to that of Christ.

9:1. The former indeed had also justifications of divine service and a
sanctuary.

9:2. For there was a tabernacle made the first, wherein were the
candlesticks and the table and the setting forth of loaves, which is
called the Holy.

9:3. And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holy
of Holies:

9:4. Having a golden censer and the ark of the testament covered about
on every part with gold, in which was a golden pot that had manna and
the rod of Aaron that had blossomed and the tables of the testament.

9:5. And over it were the cherubims of glory overshadowing the
propitiatory: of which it is not needful to speak now particularly.

9:6. Now these things being thus ordered, into the first tabernacle,
the priests indeed always entered, accomplishing the offices of
sacrifices.

9:7. But into the second, the high priest alone, once a year: not
without blood, which he offereth for his own and the people's
ignorance:

9:8. The Holy Ghost signifying this: That the way into the Holies was
not yet made manifest, whilst the former tabernacle was yet standing.

9:9. Which is a parable of the time present: according to which gifts
and sacrifices are offered, which cannot, as to the conscience, make
him perfect that serveth, only in meats and in drinks,

9:10. And divers washings and justices of the flesh laid on them until
the time of correction.

Of correction. . .Viz., when Christ should correct and settle all
things.

9:11. But Christ, being come an high Priest of the good things to come,
by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hand, that is,
not of this creation:

9:12. Neither by the blood of goats or of calves, but by his own blood,
entered once into the Holies, having obtained eternal redemption.

Eternal redemption. . .By that one sacrifice of his blood, once offered
on the cross, Christ our Lord paid and exhibited, once for all, the
general price and ransom of all mankind: which no other priest could
do.

9:13. For if the blood of goats and of oxen, and the ashes of an
heifer, being sprinkled, sanctify such as are defiled, to the cleansing
of the flesh:

9:14. How much more shall the blood of Christ, who by the Holy Ghost
offered himself unspotted unto God, cleanse our conscience from dead
works, to serve the living God?

9:15. And therefore he is the mediator of the new testament: that by
means of his death for the redemption of those transgressions which
were under the former testament, they that are called may receive the
promise of eternal inheritance.

9:16. For where there is a testament the death of the testator must of
necessity come in.

9:17. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is
as yet of no strength, whilst the testator liveth.

9:18. Whereupon neither was the first indeed dedicated without blood.

9:19. For when every commandment of the law had been read by Moses to
all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, and
scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the
people.

9:20. Saying: This is the blood of the testament which God hath
enjoined unto you.

9:21. The tabernacle also and all the vessels of the ministry, in like
manner, he sprinkled with blood.

9:22. And almost all things, according to the law, are cleansed with
blood: and without shedding of blood there is no remission.

9:23. It is necessary therefore that the patterns of heavenly things
should be cleansed with these: but the heavenly things themselves with
better sacrifices than these.

9:24. For Jesus is not entered into the Holies made with hands, the
patterns of the true: but into Heaven itself, that he may appear now in
the presence of God for us.

9:25. Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest
entereth into the Holies every year with the blood of others:

Offer himself often. . .Christ shall never more offer himself in
sacrifice, in that violent, painful, and bloody manner, nor can there
be any occasion for it: since by that one sacrifice upon the cross, he
has furnished the full ransom, redemption, and remedy for all the sins
of the world. But this hinders not that he may offer himself daily in
the sacred mysteries in an unbloody manner, for the daily application
of that one sacrifice of redemption to our souls.

9:26. For then he ought to have suffered often from the beginning of
the world. But now once, at the end of ages, he hath appeared for the
destruction of sin by the sacrifice of himself.

9:27. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this the
judgment:

9:28. So also Christ was offered once to exhaust the sins of many. The
second time he shall appear without sin to them that expect him unto
salvation.

To exhaust. . .That is, to empty, or draw out to the very bottom, by a
plentiful and perfect redemption.



Hebrews Chapter 10


Because of the insufficiency of the sacrifices of the law, Christ our
high priest shed his own blood for us, offering up once for all the
sacrifice of our redemption. He exhorts them to perseverance.

10:1. For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, not the
very image of the things, by the selfsame sacrifices which they offer
continually every year, can never make the comers thereunto perfect.

10:2. For then they would have ceased to be offered: because the
worshippers once cleansed should have no conscience of sin any longer.

They would have ceased. . .If they had been of themselves perfect to all
the intents of redemption and remission, as Christ's death is there
would have been no occasion of so often repeating them: as there is no
occasion for Christ's dying any more for our sins.

10:3. But in them there is made a commemoration of sins every year:

10:4. For it is impossible that with the blood of oxen and goats sin
should be taken away.

10:5. Wherefore, when he cometh into the world he saith: Sacrifice and
oblation thou wouldest not: but a body thou hast fitted to me.

10:6. Holocausts for sin did not please thee.

10:7. Then said I: Behold I come: in the head of the book it is written
of me: that I should do thy will, O God.

10:8. In saying before, Sacrifices, and oblations, and holocausts for
sin thou wouldest not, neither are they pleasing to thee, which are
offered according to the law.

10:9. Then said I: Behold, I come to do thy will, O God: He taketh away
the first, that he may establish that which followeth.

10:10. In the which will, we are sanctified by the oblation of the body
of Jesus Christ once.

10:11. And every priest indeed standeth daily ministering and often
offering the same sacrifices which can never take away sins.

10:12. But this man, offering one sacrifice for sins, for ever sitteth
on the right hand of God,

10:13. From henceforth expecting until his enemies be made his
footstool.

10:14. For by one oblation he hath perfected for ever them that are
sanctified.

10:15. And the Holy Ghost also doth testify this to us. For after that
he said:

10:16. And this is the testament which I will make unto them after
those days, saith the Lord. I will give my laws in their hearts and on
their minds will I write them:

10:17. And their sins and iniquities I will remember no more.

10:18. Now, where there is a remission of these, there is no more an
oblation for sin.

There is no more an oblation for sin. . .Where there is a full remission
of sins, as in baptism, there is no more occasion for a sin offering to
be made for such sins already remitted; and as for sins committed
afterwards, they can only be remitted in virtue of the one oblation of
Christ's death.

10:19. Having therefore, brethren, a confidence in the entering into
the holies by the blood of Christ:

10:20. A new and living way which he hath dedicated for us through the
veil, that is to say, his flesh:

10:21. And a high priest over the house of God:

10:22. Let us draw near with a true heart, in fulness of faith, having
our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with
clean water.

10:23. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering
(for he is faithful that hath promised):

10:24. And let us consider one another, to provoke unto charity and to
good works:

10:25. Not forsaking our assembly, as some are accustomed: but
comforting one anther, and so much the more as you see the day
approaching.

10:26. For if we sin wilfully after having the knowledge of the truth,
there is now left no sacrifice for sins:

If we sin wilfully. . .He speaks of the sin of wilful apostasy from the
known truth; after which, as we can not be baptized again, we can not
expect to have that abundant remission of sins, which Christ purchased
by his death, applied to our souls in that ample manner as it is in
baptism: but we have rather all manner of reason to look for a dreadful
judgment; the more because apostates from the known truth, seldom or
never have the grace to return to it.

10:27. But a certain dreadful expectation of judgment, and the rage of
a fire which shall consume the adversaries.

10:28. A man making void the law of Moses dieth without any mercy under
two or three witnesses:

10:29. How much more, do you think he deserveth worse punishments, who
hath trodden under foot the Son of God and hath esteemed the blood of
the testament unclean, by which he was sanctified, and hath offered an
affront to the Spirit of grace?

10:30. For we know him that hath said: Vengeance belongeth to me, and I
will repay. And again: The Lord shall judge his people.

10:31. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

10:32. But call to mind the former days, wherein, being illuminated,
you endured a great fight of afflictions.

10:33. And on the one hand indeed, by reproaches and tribulations, were
made a gazingstock; and on the other, became companions of them that
were used in such sort.

10:34. For you both had compassion on them that were in bands and took
with joy the being stripped of your own goods, knowing that you have a
better and a lasting substance.

10:35. Do not therefore lose your confidence which hath a great reward.

10:36. For patience is necessary for you: that, doing the will of God,
you may receive the promise.

10:37. For yet a little and a very little while, and he that is to come
will come and will not delay.

10:38. But my just man liveth by faith: but if he withdraw himself, he
shall not please my soul.

10:39. But we are not the children of withdrawing unto perdition, but
of faith to the saving of the soul.



Hebrews Chapter 11


What faith is. Its wonderful fruits and efficacy demonstrated in the
fathers.

11:1. Now, faith is the substance of things to be hoped for, the
evidence of things that appear not.

11:2. For by this the ancients obtained a testimony.

11:3. By faith we understand that the world was framed by the word of
God: that from invisible things visible things might be made.

11:4. By faith Abel offered to God a sacrifice exceeding that of Cain,
by which he obtained a testimony that he was just, God giving testimony
to his gifts. And by it he being dead yet speaketh.

11:5. By faith Henoch was translated that he should not see death: and
he was not found because God had translated him. For before his
translation he had testimony that he pleased God.

11:6. But without faith it is impossible to please God. For he that
cometh to God must believe that he is: and is a rewarder to them that
seek him.

11:7. By faith Noe, having received an answer concerning those things
which as yet were not seen, moved with fear, framed the ark for the
saving of his house: by the which he condemned the world and was
instituted heir of the justice which is by faith.

11:8. By faith he that is called Abraham obeyed to go out into a place
which he was to receive for an inheritance. And he went out, not
knowing whither he went.

He that is called Abraham. . .or, Abraham being called.

11:9. By faith he abode in the land of promise, as in a strange
country, dwelling in cottages, with Isaac and Jacob, the co-heirs of
the same promise.

11:10. For he looked for a city that hath foundations: whose builder
and maker is God.

11:11. By faith also Sara herself, being barren, received strength to
conceive seed, even past the time of age: because she believed that he
was faithful who had promised,

11:12. For which cause there sprung even from one (and him as good as
dead) as the stars of heaven in multitude and as the sand which is by
the sea shore innumerable.

11:13. All these died according to faith, not having received the
promises but beholding them afar off and saluting them and confessing
that they are pilgrims and strangers on the earth.

11:14. For they that say these things do signify that they seek a
country.

11:15. And truly, if they had been mindful of that from whence they
came out, they had doubtless, time to return.

11:16. But now they desire a better, that is to say, a heavenly
country. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he
hath prepared for them a city.

11:17. By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered Isaac: and he that
had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

11:18. (To whom it was said: In Isaac shalt thy seed be called:)

11:19. Accounting that God is able to raise up even from the dead.
Whereupon also he received him for a parable.

For a parable. . .That is, as a figure of Christ, slain and coming to
life again.

11:20. By faith also of things to come Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau.

11:21. By faith Jacob, dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph and
adored the top of his rod.

Adored the top of his rod. . .The apostle here follows the ancient Greek
Bible of the seventy interpreters, (which translates in this manner,
Gen. 47. 31.,) and alleges this fact of Jacob, in paying a relative
honour and veneration to the top of the rod or sceptre of Joseph, as to
a figure of Christ's sceptre and kingdom, as an instance and argument
of his faith. But some translators, who are no friends to this relative
honour, have corrupted the text, by translating it, he worshipped,
leaning upon the top of his staff; as if this circumstance of leaning
upon his staff were any argument of Jacob's faith, or worthy the being
thus particularly taken notice of by the Holy Ghost.

11:22. By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the going
out of the children of Israel and gave commandment concerning his
bones.

11:23. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his
parents: because they saw he was a comely babe, and they feared not the
king's edict.

11:24. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, denied himself to be the
son of Pharao's daughter:

11:25. Rather choosing to be afflicted with the people of God than to
have the pleasure of sin for a time:

11:26. Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the
treasure of the Egyptians. For he looked unto the reward.

11:27. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the fierceness of the king:
for he endured, as seeing him that is invisible.

11:28. By faith he celebrated the pasch and the shedding of the blood:
that he who destroyed the firstborn might not touch them.

11:29. By faith they passed through the Red Sea, as by dry land: which
the Egyptians attempting, were swallowed up.

11:30. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, by the going round them
seven days.

11:31. By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with the unbelievers,
receiving the spies with peace.

11:32. And what shall I yet say? For the time would fail me to tell of
Gedeon, Barac, Samson, Jephthe, David, Samuel, and the prophets:

11:33. Who by faith conquered kingdoms, wrought justice, obtained
promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

11:34. Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword,
recovered strength from weakness, became valiant in battle, put to
flight the armies of foreigners.

11:35. Women received their dead raised to life again. But others were
racked, not accepting deliverance, that they might find a better
resurrection.

11:36. And others had trial of mockeries and stripes: moreover also of
bands and prisons.

11:37. They were stoned, they were cut asunder, they were tempted, they
were put to death by the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in
goatskins, being in want, distressed, afflicted:

11:38. Of whom the world was not worthy: wandering in deserts, in
mountains and in dens and in caves of the earth.

11:39. And all these, being approved by the testimony of faith,
received not the promise:

11:40. God providing some better thing for us, that they should not be
perfected without us.



Hebrews Chapter 12


Exhortation to constancy under their crosses. The danger of abusing the
graces of the New Testament.

12:1. And therefore we also having so great a cloud of witnesses over
our head, laying aside every weight and sin which surrounds us, let us
run by patience to the fight proposed to us:

12:2. Looking on Jesus, the author and finisher of faith, who, having
joy set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and now
sitteth on the right hand of the throne of God.

12:3. For think diligently upon him that endured such opposition from
sinners against himself that you be not wearied, fainting in your
minds.

12:4. For you have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

12:5. And you have forgotten the consolation which speaketh to you, as
unto children, saying: My son, neglect not the discipline of the Lord:
neither be thou wearied whilst thou art rebuked by him.

12:6. For whom the Lord loveth he chastiseth: and he scourgeth every
son whom he receiveth.

12:7. Persevere under discipline. God dealeth with you as with his
sons. For what son is there whom the father doth not correct?

12:8. But if you be without chastisement, whereof all are made
partakers, then are you bastards and not sons.

12:9. Moreover, we have had fathers of our flesh for instructors, and
we reverenced them. Shall we not much more obey the Father of spirits
and live?

12:10. And they indeed for a few days, according to their own pleasure,
instructed us: but he, for our profit, that we might receive his
sanctification.

12:11. Now all chastisement for the present indeed seemeth not to bring
with it joy, but sorrow: but afterwards it will yield to them that are
exercised by it the most peaceable fruit of justice.

12:12. Wherefore, lift up the hands which hang down and the feeble
knees:

12:13. And make straight steps with your feet: that no one, halting,
may go out of the way; but rather be healed.

12:14. Follow peace with all men and holiness: without which no man
shall see God.

12:15. Looking diligently, lest any man be wanting to the grace of God:
lest any root of bitterness springing up do hinder and by it many be
defiled:

12:16. Lest there be any fornicator or profane person, as Esau who for
one mess sold his first birthright.

12:17. For know ye that afterwards, when he desired to inherit the
benediction, he was rejected. For he found no place of repentance,
although with tears he had sought it.

He found, etc. . .That is, he found no way to bring his father to
repent, or change his mind, with relation to his having given the
blessing to his younger brother Jacob.

12:18. For you are not come to a mountain that might be touched and a
burning fire and a whirlwind and darkness and storm,

12:19. And the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, which they
that had excused themselves, that the word might not be spoken to them.

12:20. For they did not endure that which was said: and if so much as a
beast shall touch the mount, it shall be stoned.

12:21. And so terrible was that which was seen, Moses said: I am
frighted, and tremble.

12:22. But you are come to mount Sion and to the city of the living
God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to the company of many thousands of
angels,

12:23. And to the church of the firstborn who are written in the
heavens, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the just
made perfect,

12:24. And to Jesus the mediator of the new testament, and to the
sprinkling of blood which speaketh better than that of Abel.

12:25. See that you refuse him not that speaketh. For if they escaped
not who refused him that spoke upon earth, much more shall not we that
turn away from him that speaketh to us from heaven.

12:26. Whose voice then moved the earth; but now he promiseth, saying:
Yet once more: and I will move, not only the earth, but heaven also.

12:27. And in that he saith: Yet once more, he signifieth the
translation of the moveable things as made, that those things may
remain which are immoveable.

12:28. Therefore, receiving an immoveable kingdom, we have grace:
whereby let us serve, pleasing God, with fear and reverence.

12:29. For our God is a consuming fire.



Hebrews Chapter 13


Divers admonitions and exhortations.

13:1. Let the charity of the brotherhood abide in you.

13:2. And hospitality do not forget: for by this some, being not aware
of it, have entertained angels.

13:3. Remember them that are in bands, as if you were bound with them:
and them that labour, as being yourselves also in the body.

13:4. Marriage honourable in all, and the bed undefiled. For
fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

Or, Let marriage be honourable in all. . .That is, in all things
belonging to the marriage state. This is a warning to married people,
not to abuse the sanctity of their state, by any liberties or
irregularities contrary thereunto. Now it does not follow from this
text that all persons are obliged to marry, even if the word omnibus
were rendered, in all persons, instead of in all things: for if it was
a precept, St. Paul himself would have transgressed it, as he never
married. Moreover, those who have already made a vow to God to lead a
single life, should they attempt to marry, they would incur their own
damnation. 1 Tim. 5. 12.

13:5. Let your manners be without covetousness, contented with such
things as you have. For he hath said: I will not leave thee: neither
will I forsake thee.

13:6. So that we may confidently say: The Lord is my helper: I will not
fear what man shall do to me.

13:7. Remember your prelates who have spoken the word of God to you:
whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation,

13:8. Jesus Christ, yesterday, and today: and the same for ever.

13:9. Be not led away with various and strange doctrines. For it is
best that the heart be established with grace, not with meats: which
have not profited those that walk in them.

13:10. We have an altar whereof they have no power to eat who serve the
tabernacle.

13:11. For the bodies of those beasts whose blood is brought into the
holies by the high priest for sin are burned without the camp.

13:12. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people by his
own blood, suffered without the gate.

13:13. Let us go forth therefore to him without the camp, bearing his
reproach.

Let us go forth therefore to him without the camp, bearing his
reproach. . .That is, bearing his cross. It is an exhortation to them to
be willing to suffer with Christ, reproaches, persecutions, and even
death, if they desire to partake of the benefit of his suffering for
man's redemption.

13:14. For, we have not here a lasting city: but we seek one that is to
come.

13:15. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise always to
God, that is to say, the fruit of lips confessing to his name.

13:16. And do not forget to do good and to impart: for by such
sacrifices God's favour is obtained.

13:17. Obey your prelates and be subject to them. For they watch as
being to render an account of your souls: that they may do this with
joy and not with grief. For this is not expedient for you.

13:18. Pray for us. For we trust we have a good conscience, being
willing to behave ourselves well in all things.

13:19. And I beseech you the more to do this, that I may be restored to
you the sooner.

13:20. And may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the
great pastor of the sheep, our Lord Jesus Christ, in the blood of the
everlasting testament,

13:21. Fit you in all goodness, that you may do his will; doing in you
that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom
is glory for ever and ever. Amen.

13:22. And I beseech you, brethren, that you suffer this word of
consolation. For I have written to you in a few words.

13:23. Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty: with whom
(if he come shortly) I will see you.

13:24. Salute all your prelates and all the saints. The brethren from
Italy salute you.

13:25. Grace be with you all. Amen.




THE CATHOLIC EPISTLE OF ST. JAMES THE APOSTLE



This Epistle is called Catholic or Universal, as formerly were also the
two Epistles of St. Peter, the first of St. John and that of St. Jude,
because they were not written to any peculiar people or particular
person, but to the faithful in general. It was written by the apostle
St. James, called the Less, who was also called the brother of our
Lord, being his kinsman (for cousins german with the Hebrews were
called brothers). He was the first Bishop of Jerusalem. In this Epistle
are set forth many precepts appertaining to faith and morals;
particularly, that faith without good works will not save a man and
that true wisdom is given only from above. In the fifth chapter he
publishes the sacrament of anointing the sick. It was written a short
time before his martyrdom, about twenty-eight years after our Lord's
Ascension.



James Chapter 1


The benefit of tribulations. Prayer with faith. God is the author of
all good, but not of evil. We must be slow to anger and not hearers
only, but doers of the word. Of bridling the tongue and of pure
religion.

1:1. James, the servant of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ, to the
twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

1:2. My brethren, count it all joy, when you shall fall into divers
temptations:

Into divers temptations. . .The word temptation, in this epistle, is
sometimes taken for trials by afflictions or persecutions, as in this
place: at other times, it is to be understood, tempting, enticing, or
drawing others into sin.

1:3. Knowing that the trying of your faith worketh patience

1:4. And patience hath a perfect work: that you may be perfect and
entire, failing in nothing.

1:5. But if any of you want wisdom, let him ask of God who giveth to
all men abundantly and upbraideth not. And it shall be given him.

1:6. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth
is like a wave of the sea, which is moved and carried about by the
wind.

1:7. Therefore let not that man think that he shall receive any thing
of the Lord.

1:8. A double minded man is inconstant in all his ways.

1:9. But let the brother of low condition glory in his exaltation:

1:10. And the rich, in his being low: because as the flower of the
grass shall he pass away.

1:11. For the sun rose with a burning heat and parched the grass: and
the flower thereof fell off, and the beauty of the shape thereof
perished. So also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

1:12. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for, when he hath
been proved, he shall receive the crown of life which God hath promised
to them that love him.

1:13. Let no man, when he is tempted, say that he is tempted by God.
For God is not a tempter of evils: and he tempteth no man.

1:14. But every man is tempted by his own concupiscence, being drawn
away and allured.

1:15. Then, when concupiscence hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin.
But sin, when it is completed, begetteth death.

1:16. Do not err, therefore, my dearest brethren.

1:17. Every best gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down
from the Father of lights, with whom there is no change nor shadow of
alteration.

1:18. For of his own will hath he begotten us by the word of truth,
that we might be some beginning of his creature.

Some beginning. . .That is, a kind of first fruits of his creatures.

1:19. You know, my dearest brethren. And let every man be swift to
hear, but slow to speak and slow to anger.

1:20. For the anger of man worketh not the justice of God.

1:21. Wherefore, casting away all uncleanness and abundance of
naughtiness, with meekness receive the ingrafted word, which is able to
save your souls.

1:22. But be ye doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving your
own selves.

1:23. For if a man be a hearer of the word and not a doer, he shall be
compared to a man beholding his own countenance in a glass.

1:24. For he beheld himself and went his way and presently forgot what
manner of man he was.

1:25. But he that hath looked into the perfect law of liberty and hath
continued therein, not becoming a forgetful hearer but a doer of the
work: this man shall be blessed in his deed.

1:26. And if any man think himself to be religious, not bridling his
tongue but deceiving his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

1:27. Religion clean and undefiled before God and the Father is this:
to visit the fatherless and widows in their tribulation and to keep
one's self unspotted from this world.



James Chapter 2


Against respect of persons. The danger of transgressing one point of
the law. Faith is dead without works.

2:1. My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ of glory,
with respect of persons.

With respect of persons. . .The meaning is, that in matters relating to
faith, the administering of the sacraments, and other spiritual
functions in God's church, there should be no respect of persons; but
that the souls of the poor should be as much regarded as those of the
rich. See Deut. 1.17.

2:2. For if there shall come into your assembly a man having a golden
ring, in fine apparel; and there shall come in also a poor man in mean
attire:

2:3. And you have respect to him that is clothed with the fine apparel
and shall say to him: Sit thou here well: but say to the poor man:
Stand thou there, or: Sit under my footstool:

2:4. Do you not judge within yourselves, and are become judges of
unjust thoughts?

2:5. Hearken, my dearest brethren: Hath not God chosen the poor in this
world, rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which God hath promised
to them that love him?

2:6. But you have dishonoured the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you
by might? And do not they draw you before the judgment seats?

2:7. Do not they blaspheme the good name that is invoked upon you?

2:8. If then you fulfil the royal law, according to the scriptures:
Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself; you do well.

2:9. But if you have respect to persons, you commit sin, being reproved
by the law as transgressors.

2:10. And whosoever shall keep the whole law, but offend in one point,
is become guilty of all.

Guilty of all;. . .That is, he becomes a transgressor of the law in such
a manner, that the observing of all other points will not avail him to
salvation; for he despises the lawgiver, and breaks through the great
and general commandment of charity, even by one mortal sin. For all the
precepts of the law are to be considered as one total and entire law,
and as it were a chain of precepts, where, by breaking one link of this
chain, the whole chain is broken, or the integrity of the law
consisting of a collection of precepts. A sinner, therefore, by a
grievous offence against any one precept, incurs eternal punishment;
yet the punishment in hell shall be greater for those who have been
greater sinners, as a greater reward shall be for those in heaven who
have lived with greater sanctity and perfection.

2:11. For he that said: Thou shalt not commit adultery, said also: Thou
shalt not kill. Now if thou do not commit adultery, but shalt kill,
thou art become a transgressor of the law.

2:12. So speak ye and so do, as being to be judged by the law of
liberty.

2:13. For judgment without mercy to him that hath not done mercy. And
mercy exalteth itself above judgment.

2:14. What shall it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith,
but hath not works? Shall faith be able to save him?

2:15. And if a brother or sister be naked and want daily food:

2:16. And one of you say to them: Go in peace, be ye warmed and filled;
yet give them not those things that are necessary for the body, what
shall it profit?

2:17. So faith also, if it have not works, is dead in itself.

2:18. But some man will say: Thou hast faith, and I have works. Shew me
thy faith without works; and I will shew thee, by works, my faith.

2:19. Thou believest that there is one God. Thou dost well: the devils
also believe and tremble.

2:20. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

2:21. Was not Abraham our father justified by works, offering up Isaac
his son upon the altar?

2:22. Seest thou that faith did cooperate with his works and by works
faith was made perfect?

2:23. And the scripture was fulfilled, saying: Abraham believed God,
and it was reputed to him to justice, and he was called the friend of
God.

2:24. Do you see that by works a man is justified, and not by faith
only?

2:25. And in like manner also Rahab the harlot, was not she justified
by works, receiving the messengers and sending them out another way?

2:26. For even as the body without the spirit is dead: so also faith
without works is dead.



James Chapter 3


Of the evils of the tongue. Of the difference between the earthly and
heavenly wisdom.

3:1. Be ye not many masters, my brethren, knowing that you receive the
greater judgment.

3:2. For in many things we all offend. If any man offend not in word,
the same is a perfect man. He is able also with a bridle to lead about
the whole body.

3:3. For if we put bits into the mouths of horses, that they may obey
us: and we turn about their whole body.

3:4. Behold also ships, whereas they are great and are driven by strong
winds, yet are they turned about with a small helm, whithersoever the
force of the governor willeth.

3:5. Even so the tongue is indeed a little member and boasteth great
things. Behold how small a fire kindleth a great wood.

3:6. And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is
placed among our members, which defileth the whole body and inflameth
the wheel of our nativity, being set on fire by hell.

3:7. For every nature of beasts and of birds and of serpents and of the
rest is tamed and hath been tamed, by the nature of man.

3:8. But the tongue no man can tame, an unquiet evil, full of deadly
poison.

3:9. By it we bless God and the Father: and by it we curse men who are
made after the likeness of God.

3:10. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My
brethren, these things ought not so to be.

3:11. Doth a fountain send forth, out of the same hole, sweet and
bitter water?

3:12. Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear grapes? Or the vine, figs? So
neither can the salt water yield sweet.

3:13. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge, among you? Let him
shew, by a good contestation, his work in the meekness of wisdom.

3:14. But if you have bitter zeal, and there be contention in your
hearts: glory not and be not liars against the truth.

3:15. For this is not wisdom, descending from above: but earthly,
sensual, devilish.

3:16. For where envying and contention is: there is inconstancy and
every evil work.

3:17. But the wisdom that is from above, first indeed is chaste, then
peaceable, modest, easy to be persuaded, consenting to the good, full
of mercy and good fruits, without judging, without dissimulation.

3:18. And the fruit of justice is sown in peace, to them that make
peace.



James Chapter 4


The evils that flow from yielding to concupiscence and being friends to
this world. Admonitions against pride, detraction and the like.

4:1. From whence are wars and contentions among you? Are they not
hence, from your concupiscences, which war in your members?

4:2. You covet, and have not: you kill and envy and cannot obtain. You
contend and war, and you have not: because you ask not.

4:3. You ask and receive not: because you ask amiss, that you may
consume it on your concupiscences.

4:4. Adulterers, know you not that the friendship of this world is the
enemy of God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of this world
becometh an enemy of God.

4:5. Or do you think that the scripture saith in vain: To envy doth the
spirit covet which dwelleth in you?

4:6. But he giveth greater grace. Wherefore he saith: God resisteth the
proud and giveth grace to the humble.

4:7. Be subject therefore to God. But resist the devil: and he will fly
from you.

4:8. Draw nigh to God: and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your
hands, ye sinners, and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

4:9. Be afflicted and mourn and weep: let your laughter be turned into
mourning and your joy into sorrow.

4:10. Be humbled in the sight of the Lord: and he will exalt you.

4:11. Detract not one another, my brethren. He that detracteth his
brother, or he that judgeth his brother, detracteth the law and judgeth
the law. But if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but
a judge.

4:12. There is one lawgiver and judge, that is able to destroy and to
deliver.

4:13. But who art thou that judgest thy neighbour? Behold, now you that
say: To-day or to-morrow we will go into such a city, and there we will
spend a year and will traffic and make our gain.

4:14. Whereas you know not what shall be on the morrow.

4:15. For what is your life? It is a vapour which appeareth for a
little while and afterwards shall vanish away. For that you should say:
If the Lord will, and, If we shall live, we will do this or that.

4:16. But now you rejoice in your arrogancies. All such rejoicing is
wicked.

4:17. To him therefore who knoweth to do good and doth it not, to him
it is sin.



James Chapter 5


A woe to the rich that oppress the poor. Exhortations to patience and
to avoid swearing. Of the anointing the sick, confession of sins and
fervour in prayer.

5:1. Go to now, ye rich men: weep and howl in your miseries, which
shall come upon you.

5:2. Your riches are corrupted: and your garments are motheaten.

5:3. Your gold and silver is cankered: and the rust of them shall be
for a testimony against you and shall eat your flesh like fire. You
have stored up to yourselves wrath against the last days.

5:4. Behold the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields,
which by fraud has been kept back by you, crieth: and the cry of them
hath entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.

5:5. You have feasted upon earth: and in riotousness you have nourished
your hearts, in the day of slaughter.

5:6. You have condemned and put to death the Just One: and he resisted
you not.

5:7. Be patient therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord.
Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth:
patiently bearing till he receive the early and latter rain.

5:8. Be you therefore also patient and strengthen your hearts: for the
coming of the Lord is at hand.

5:9. Grudge not, brethren, one against another, that you may not be
judged. Behold the judge standeth before the door.

5:10. Take, my brethren, for example of suffering evil, of labour and
patience, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

5:11. Behold, we account them blessed who have endured. You have heard
of the patience of Job and you have seen the end of the Lord, that the
Lord is merciful and compassionate.

5:12. But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven,
nor by the earth, nor by any other oath. But let your speech be: Yea,
Yea: No, No: that you fall not under judgment.

5:13. Is any of you sad? Let him pray: Is he cheerful in mind? Let him
sing.

5:14. Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the priests of the
church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name
of the Lord.

Let him bring in, etc. . .See here a plain warrant of scripture for the
sacrament of extreme unction, that any controversy against its
institution would be against the express words of the sacred text in
the plainest terms.

5:15. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick man. And the Lord
shall raise him up: and if he be in sins, they shall be forgiven him.

5:16. Confess therefore your sins one to another: and pray one for
another, that you may be saved. For the continual prayer of a just man
availeth much.

Confess your sins one to another. . .That is, to the priests of the
church, whom (ver.14) he had ordered to be called for, and brought in
to the sick; moreover, to confess to persons who had no power to
forgive sins, would be useless. Hence the precept here means, that we
must confess to men whom God hath appointed, and who, by their
ordination and jurisdiction, have received the power of remitting sins
in his name.

5:17. Elias was a man passible like unto us: and with prayer he prayed
that it might not rain upon the earth. And it rained not for three
years and six months.

5:18. And he prayed again. And the heaven gave rain: and the earth
brought forth her fruit.

5:19. My brethren, if any of you err from the truth and one convert
him:

5:20. He must know that he who causeth a sinner to be converted from
the error of his way shall save his soul from death and shall cover a
multitude of sins.




THE FIRST EPISTLE OF ST. PETER THE APOSTLE



The first Epistle of St. Peter, though brief, contains much doctrine
concerning Faith, Hope, and Charity, with divers instructions to all
persons of what state or condition soever. The Apostle commands
submission to rulers and superiors and exhorts all to the practice of a
virtuous life in imitation, of Christ. This Epistle is written with
such apostolical dignity as to manifest the supreme authority with
which its writer, the Prince of the Apostles, had been vested by his
Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. He wrote it at Rome, which figuratively
he calls Babylon, about fifteen years after our Lord's Ascension.



1 Peter Chapter 1


He gives thanks to God for the benefit of our being called to the true
faith and to eternal life, into which we are to enter by many
tribulations. He exhorts to holiness of life, considering the holiness
of God and our redemption by the blood of Christ.

1:1. Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers dispersed
through Pontus, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, elect,

1:2. According to the foreknowledge of God the Father, unto the
sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the
blood of Jesus Christ. Grace unto you and peace be multiplied.

1:3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who
according to his great mercy hath regenerated us unto a lively hope, by
the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead:

1:4. Unto an inheritance, incorruptible, and undefiled and that cannot
fade, reserved in heaven for you,

1:5. Who, by the power of God, are kept by faith unto salvation, ready
to be revealed in the last time.

1:6. Wherein you shalt greatly rejoice, if now you must be for a little
time made sorrowful in divers temptations:

1:7. That the trial of your faith (much more precious than gold which
is tried by the fire) may be found unto praise and glory and honour at
the appearing of Jesus Christ.

1:8. Whom having not seen, you love: in whom also now though you see
him not, you believe and, believing, shall rejoice with joy unspeakable
and glorified;

1:9. Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

1:10. Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and diligently
searched, who prophesied of the grace to come in you.

1:11. Searching what or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ in
them did signify, when it foretold those sufferings that are in Christ
and the glories that should follow.

1:12. To whom it was revealed that, not to themselves but to you, they
ministered those things which are now declared to you by them that have
preached the gospel to you: the Holy Ghost being sent down from heaven,
on whom the angels desire to look.

1:13. Wherefore, having the loins of your mind girt up, being sober,
trust perfectly in the grace which is offered you in the revelation of
Jesus Christ.

1:14. As children of obedience, not fashioned according to the former
desires of your ignorance,

1:15. But according to him that hath called you, who is holy, be you
also in all manner of conversation holy:

1:16. Because it is written: You shall be holy, for I am holy.

1:17. And if you invoke as Father him who, without respect of persons,
judgeth according to every one's work: converse in fear during the time
of your sojourning here.

1:18. Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as
gold or silver, from your vain conversation of the tradition of your
fathers:

1:19. But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb unspotted and
undefiled

1:20. Foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but
manifested in the last times for you:

1:21. Who through him are faithful in God who raised him up from the
dead and hath given him glory, that your faith and hope might be in
God.

1:22. Purifying your souls in the obedience of charity, with a
brotherly love, from a sincere heart love one another earnestly:

1:23. Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but incorruptible, by
the word of God who liveth and remaineth for ever.

1:24. For all flesh is as grass and all the glory thereof as the flower
of grass. The grass is withered and the flower thereof is fallen away.

1:25. But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word
which by the gospel hath been preached unto you.



1 Peter Chapter 2


We are to lay aside all guile and go to Christ the living stone, and,
as being now his people, walk worthily of him, with submission to
superiors and patience under sufferings.

2:1. Wherefore laying away all malice and all guile and dissimulations
and envies and all detractions,

2:2. As newborn babes, desire the rational milk without guile, that
thereby you may grow unto salvation:

2:3. If so be you have tasted that the Lord is sweet.

2:4. Unto whom coming, as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men but
chosen and made honourable by God:

2:5. Be you also as living stones built up, a spiritual house, a holy
priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by
Jesus Christ.

2:6. Wherefore it is said in the scripture: Behold, I lay in Sion a
chief corner stone, elect, precious. And he that shall believe in him
shall not be confounded.

2:7. To you therefore that believe, he is honour: but to them that
believe not, the stone which the builders rejected, the same is made
the head of the corner:

2:8. And a stone of stumbling and a rock of scandal, to them who
stumble at the word, neither do believe, whereunto also they are set.

2:9. But you are a chosen generation, a kingly priesthood, a holy
nation, a purchased people: that you may declare his virtues, who hath
called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:

2:10. Who in times past were not a people: but are now the people of
God. Who had not obtained mercy: but now have obtained mercy.

2:11. Dearly beloved, I beseech you, as strangers and pilgrims, to
refrain yourselves from carnal desires which war against the soul,

2:12. Having your conversation good among the Gentiles: that whereas
they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by the good works which
they shall behold in you, glorify God in the day of visitation.

2:13. Be ye subject therefore to every human creature for God's sake:
whether it be to the king as excelling,

2:14. Or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers
and for the praise of the good.

2:15. For so is the will of God, that by doing well you may put to
silence the ignorance of foolish men:

2:16. As free and not as making liberty a cloak for malice, but as the
servants of God.

2:17. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

2:18. Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear, not only to
the good and gentle but also to the froward.

2:19. For this is thankworthy: if, for conscience towards God, a man
endure sorrows, suffering wrongfully.

2:20. For what glory is it, if, committing sin and being buffeted for
it, you endure? But if doing well you suffer patiently: this is
thankworthy before God.

2:21. For unto this are you called: because Christ also suffered for
us, leaving you an example that you should follow his steps.

2:22. Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.

2:23. Who, when he was reviled, did not revile: when he suffered, he
threatened not, but delivered himself to him that judged him unjustly.

2:24. Who his own self bore our sins in his body upon the tree: that
we, being dead to sins, should live to justice: by whose stripes you
were healed.

2:25. For you were as sheep going astray: but you are now converted to
the shepherd and bishop of your souls.



1 Peter Chapter 3


How wives are to behave to their husbands. What ornaments they are to
seek. Exhortations to divers Virtues.

3:1. In like manner also, let wives be subject to their husbands: that,
if any believe not the word, they may be won without the word, by the
conversation of the wives,

3:2. Considering your chaste conversation with fear.

3:3. Whose adorning, let it not be the outward plaiting of the hair, or
the wearing of gold, or the putting on of apparel:

3:4. But the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptibility of a
quiet and a meek spirit which is rich in the sight of God.

3:5. For after this manner heretofore, the holy women also who trusted
in God adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands:

3:6. As Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters you are,
doing well and not fearing any disturbance.

3:7. Ye husbands, likewise dwelling with them according to knowledge,
giving honour to the female as to the weaker vessel and as to the
co-heirs of the grace of life: that your prayers be not hindered.

3:8. And in fine, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of
another, being lovers of the brotherhood, merciful, modest, humble:

3:9. Not rendering evil for evil, nor railing for railing, but
contrariwise, blessing: for unto this are you called, that you may
inherit a blessing.

3:10. For he that will love life and see good days, let him refrain his
tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile.

3:11. Let him decline from evil and do good: Let him seek after peace
and pursue it:

3:12. Because the eyes of the Lord are upon the just, and his ears unto
their prayers but the countenance of the Lord upon them that do evil
things.

3:13. And who is he that can hurt you, if you be zealous of good?

3:14. But if also you suffer any thing for justice' sake, blessed are
ye. And be not afraid of their fear: and be not troubled.

3:15. But sanctify the Lord Christ in your hearts, being ready always
to satisfy every one that asketh you a reason of that hope which is in
you.

3:16. But with modesty and fear, having a good conscience: that whereas
they speak evil of you, they may be ashamed who falsely accuse your
good conversation in Christ.

3:17. For it is better doing well (if such be the will of God) to
suffer than doing ill.

3:18. Because Christ also died once for our sins, the just for the
unjust: that he might offer us to God, being put to death indeed in the
flesh, but enlivened in the spirit,

3:19. In which also coming he preached to those spirits that were in
prison:

Spirits that were in prison. . .See here a proof of a third place, or
middle state of souls: for these spirits in prison, to whom Christ went
to preach, after his death, were not in heaven; nor yet in the hell of
the damned: because heaven is no prison: and Christ did not go to
preach to the damned.

3:20. Which had been some time incredulous, when they waited for the
patience of God in the days of Noe, when the ark was a building:
wherein a few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water.

3:21. Whereunto baptism, being of the like form, now saveth you also:
not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but, the examination of
a good conscience towards God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Whereunto baptism, etc. . .Baptism is said to be of the like form with
the water by which Noe was saved, because the one was a figure of the
other. Not the putting away, etc. . .As much as to say, that baptism
has not its efficacy, in order to salvation, from its washing away any
bodily filth or dirt; but from its purging the conscience from sin,
when accompanied with suitable dispositions in the party, to answer the
interrogations made at that time, with relation to faith, the
renouncing of Satan with all his works; and the obedience to God's
commandments.

3:22. Who is on the right hand of God, swallowing down death that we
might be made heirs of life everlasting: being gone into heaven, the
angels and powers and virtues being made subject to him.



1 Peter Chapter 4


Exhortations to cease from sin, to mutual charity, to do all for the
glory of God, to be willing to suffer for Christ.

4:1. Christ therefore having suffered in the flesh, be you also armed
with the same thought: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath
ceased from sins:

4:2. That now he may live the rest of his time in the flesh, not after
the desires of men but according to the will of God.

4:3. For the time past is sufficient to have fulfilled the will of the
Gentiles, for them who have walked in riotousness, lusts, excess of
wine, revellings, banquetings and unlawful worshipping of idols.

4:4. Wherein they think it strange that you run not with them into the
same confusion of riotousness: speaking evil of you.

4:5. Who shall render account to him who is ready to judge the living
and the dead.

4:6. For, for this cause was the gospel preached also to the dead: That
they might be judged indeed according to men, in the flesh: but may
live according to God, in the Spirit.

4:7. But the end of all is at hand. Be prudent therefore and watch in
prayers.

4:8. But before all things have a constant mutual charity among
yourselves: for charity covereth a multitude of sins.

4:9. Using hospitality one towards another, without murmuring,

4:10. As every man hath received grace, ministering the same one to
another: as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

4:11. If any man speak, let him speak, as the words of God. If any
minister, let him do it, as of the power which God administereth: that
in all things God may be honoured through Jesus Christ: to whom is
glory and empire for ever and ever. Amen.

4:12. Dearly beloved, think not strange the burning heat which is to
try you: as if some new thing happened to you.

4:13. But if you partake of the sufferings of Christ, rejoice that,
when his glory shall be revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding
joy.

4:14. If you be reproached for the name of Christ, you shall be
blessed: for that which is of the honour, glory and power of God, and
that which is his Spirit resteth upon you.

4:15. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or a railer
or coveter of other men's things.

4:16. But, if as a Christian, let him not be ashamed: but let him
glorify God in that name.

4:17. For the time is, that judgment should begin at the house of God.
And if at first at us, what shall be the end of them that believe not
the gospel of God?

4:18. And if the just man shall scarcely be saved, where shall the
ungodly and the sinner appear?

Scarcely. . .That is, not without much labour and difficulty; and
because of the dangers which constantly surround, the temptations of
the world, of the devil, and of our own corrupt nature.

4:19. Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God
commend their souls in good deeds to the faithful Creator.



1 Peter Chapter 5


He exhorts both priests and laity to their respective duties and
recommends to all humility and watchfulness.

5:1. The ancients therefore that are among you, I beseech who am myself
also an ancient and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as also a
partaker of that glory which is to be revealed in time to come:

5:2. Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking care of it, not
by constraint but willingly, according to God: not for filthy lucre's
sake but voluntarily:

5:3. Neither as lording it over the clergy but being made a pattern of
the flock from the heart.

5:4. And when the prince of pastors shall appear, you shall receive a
never fading crown of glory.

5:5. In like manner, ye young men, be subject to the ancients. And do
you all insinuate humility one to another: for God resisteth the proud,
but to the humble he giveth grace.

5:6. Be you humbled therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may
exalt you in the time of visitation:

5:7. Casting all your care upon him, for he hath care of you.

5:8. Be sober and watch: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring
lion, goeth about seeking whom he may devour.

5:9. Whom resist ye, strong in faith: knowing that the same affliction
befalls, your brethren who are in the world.

5:10. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal
glory in Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little, will himself
perfect you and confirm you and establish you.

5:11. To him be glory and empire, for ever and ever. Amen.

5:12. By Sylvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I think, I have
written briefly: beseeching and testifying that this is the true grace
of God, wherein you stand.

5:13. The church that is in Babylon, elected together with you,
saluteth you. And so doth my son, Mark.

5:14. Salute one another with a holy kiss. Grace be to all you who are
in Christ Jesus. Amen.




THE SECOND EPISTLE OF ST. PETER THE APOSTLE



In this Epistle St. Peter says (chap. 3.), Behold this second Epistle I
write to you: and before (chap. 1. 14,) Being assured that the laying
away of this my tabernacle is at hand. This shews, that it was written a
very short time before his martyrdom, which was about thirty-five years
after our Lord's Ascension. In this Epistle he admonishes the faithful
to be mindful of the great gifts they received from God and to join all
other virtues with their faith. He warns them against false teachers,
by describing their practices and foretelling their punishments. He
describes the dissolution of this world by fire and the day of
judgment.



2 Peter Chapter 1


He exhorts them to join all other virtues with their faith, in order to
secure their salvation.

1:1. Simon Peter, servant and apostle of Jesus Christ: to them that
have obtained equal faith with us in the justice of our God and Saviour
Jesus Christ.

1:2. Grace to you and peace be accomplished in the knowledge of God and
of Christ Jesus our Lord.

1:3. As all things of his divine power which appertain to life and
godliness are given us through the knowledge of him who hath called us
by his own proper glory and virtue.

1:4. By whom he hath given us most great and precious promises: that by
these you may be made partakers of the divine nature: flying the
corruption of that concupiscence which is in the world.

1:5. And you, employing all care, minister in your faith, virtue: And
in virtue, knowledge:

1:6. And in knowledge, abstinence: and in abstinence, patience: and in
patience, godliness:

1:7. And in godliness, love of brotherhood: and in love of brotherhood,
charity.

1:8. For if these things be with you and abound, they will make you to
be neither empty nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus
Christ.

1:9. For he that hath not these things with him is blind and groping,
having forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

1:10. Wherefore, brethren, labour the more, that by good works you may
make sure your calling and election. For doing these things, you shall
not sin at any time.

1:11. For so an entrance shall be ministered to you abundantly into the
ever-lasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

1:12. For which cause, I will begin to put you always in remembrance of
these things: though indeed you know them and are confirmed in the
present truth.

1:13. But I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir
you up by putting you in remembrance.

1:14. Being assured that the laying away of this my tabernacle is at
hand, according as our Lord Jesus Christ also hath signified to me.

1:15. And I will endeavour that you frequently have after my decease
whereby you may keep a memory of these things.

1:16. For we have not by following artificial fables made known to you
the power and presence of our Lord Jesus Christ: but we were
eyewitnesses of his greatness.

1:17. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, this voice
coming down to him from the excellent glory: This is my beloved Son, in
whom I am well pleased. Hear ye him.

1:18. And this voice, we heard brought from heaven, when we were with
him in the holy mount.

1:19. And we have the more firm prophetical word: whereunto you do well
to attend, as to a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day
dawn and the day star arise in your hearts.

1:20. Understanding this first: That no prophecy of scripture is made
by private interpretation.

No prophecy of scripture is made by private interpretation. . .This
shows plainly that the scriptures are not to be expounded by any one's
private judgment or private spirit, because every part of the holy
scriptures were written by men inspired by the Holy Ghost, and declared
as such by the Church; therefore they are not to be interpreted but by
the Spirit of God, which he hath left, and promised to remain with his
Church to guide her in all truth to the end of the world. Some may tell
us, that many of our divines interpret the scriptures: they may do so,
but they do it always with a submission to the judgment of the Church,
and not otherwise.

1:21. For prophecy came not by the will of man at any time: but the
holy men of God spoke, inspired by the Holy Ghost.



2 Peter Chapter 2


He warns them against false teachers and foretells their punishment.

2:1. But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there
shall be among you lying teachers who shall bring in sects of perdition
and deny the Lord who bought them: bringing upon themselves swift
destruction.

Seeds of perdition. . .That is, heresies destructive of salvation.

2:2. And many shall follow their riotousness, through whom the way of
truth shall be evil spoken of.

2:3. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make
merchandise of you. Whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not:
and their perdition slumbereth not.

2:4. For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but delivered them,
drawn down by infernal ropes to the lower hell, unto torments, to be
reserved unto judgment:

2:5. And spared not the original world, but preserved Noe, the eighth
person, the preacher of justice, bringing in the flood upon the world
of the ungodly.

2:6. And reducing the cities of the Sodomites and of the Gomorrhites
into ashes, condemned them to be overthrown, making them an example to
those that should after act wickedly,

2:7. And delivered just Lot, oppressed by the injustice and lewd
conversation of the wicked:

2:8. For in sight and hearing he was just, dwelling among them who from
day to day vexed the just soul with unjust works.

2:9. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly from temptation, but to
reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be tormented:

2:10. And especially them who walk after the flesh in the lust of
uncleanness and despise government: audacious, self willed, they fear
not to bring in sects, blaspheming.

2:11. Whereas angels, who are greater in strength and power, bring not
against themselves a railing judgment.

Bring not a railing judgment, etc. . .That is, they use no railing, nor
cursing sentence; not even in their conflicts with the evil angels. See
St. Jude, ver. 9.

2:12. But these men, as irrational beasts, naturally tending to the
snare and to destruction, blaspheming those things which they know not,
shall perish in their corruption:

2:13. Receiving the reward of their injustice, counting for a pleasure
the delights of a day: stains and spots, sporting themselves to excess,
rioting in their feasts with you:

The delights of a day: that is, the short delights of this world, in
which they place all their happiness.

2:14. Having eyes full of adultery and of sin that ceaseth not:
alluring unstable souls: having their heart exercised with
covetousness: children of malediction.

2:15. Leaving the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the
way of Balaam of Bosor who loved the wages of iniquity,

2:16. But had a check of his madness, the dumb beast used to the yoke,
which, speaking with man's voice, forbade the folly of the prophet.

2:17. These are fountains without water and clouds tossed with
whirlwinds, to whom the mist of darkness is reserved.

2:18. For, speaking proud words of vanity, they allure by the desires
of fleshly riotousness those who for a little while escape, such as
converse in error:

2:19. Promising them liberty, whereas they themselves are the slaves of
corruption. For by whom a man is overcome, of the same also he is the
slave.

2:20. For if, flying from the pollutions of the world, through the
knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they be again entangled
in them and overcome: their latter state is become unto them worse than
the former.

2:21. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of
justice than, after they have known it, to turn back from that holy
commandment which was delivered to them.

2:22. For, that of the true proverb has happened to them: The dog is
returned to his vomit; and: The sow that was washed to her wallowing in
the mire.



2 Peter Chapter 3


Against scoffers denying the second coming of Christ. He declares the
sudden dissolution of this world and exhorts to holiness of life.

3:1. Behold this second epistle I write to you, my dearly beloved, in
which, I stir up by way of admonition your sincere mind:

3:2. That you may be mindful of those words which I told you before
from the holy prophet and of your apostles, of the precepts of the Lord
and Saviour.

3:3. Knowing this first: That in the last days there shall come
deceitful scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

3:4. Saying: Where is his promise or his coming? For since the time
that the fathers slept, all things continue as they were from the
beginning of the creation.

3:5. For this they are wilfully ignorant of: That the heavens were
before, and the earth out of water and through water, consisting by the
word of God:

3:6. Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water,
perished.

3:7. But the heavens and the earth which are now, by the same word are
kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and
perdition of the ungodly men.

3:8. But of this one thing be not ignorant, my beloved, that one day
with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

3:9. The Lord delayeth not his promise, as some imagine, but dealeth
patiently for your sake, not willing that any should perish, but that
all should return to penance,

3:10. But the day of the Lord shall come as a thief, in which the
heavens shall pass away with great violence and the elements shall be
melted with heat and the earth and the works which are in it shall be
burnt up.

3:11. Seeing then that all these things are to be dissolved, what
manner of people ought you to be in holy conversation and godliness?

3:12. Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of the Lord,
by which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements
shall melt with the burning heat?

3:13. But we look for new heavens and a new earth according to his
promises, in which justice dwelleth.

3:14. Wherefore, dearly beloved, waiting for these things, be diligent
that you may be found before him unspotted and blameless in peace.

3:15. And account the longsuffering of our Lord, salvation: as also our
most dear brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, hath written
to you:

3:16. As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in
which are certain things hard to be understood, which the unlearned and
unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, to their own
destruction.

3:17. You therefore, brethren, knowing these things before, take heed,
lest being led aside by the error of the unwise, you fall from your own
steadfastness.

3:18. But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and unto the day of eternity,
Amen.




THE FIRST EPISTLE OF ST. JOHN THE APOSTLE



The same vein of divine love and charity towards our neighbour, which
runs throughout the Gospel written by the beloved disciple and
Evangelist, St. John, is found also in his Epistles. He confirms the
two principal mysteries of faith: The mystery of the Trinity and the
mystery of the incarnation of Jesus Christ the Son of God. The
sublimity and excellence of the evangelical doctrine he declares: And
this commandment we have from God, that he, who loveth God, love also
his brother (chap. 4,21). And again: For this is the charity of God,
that we keep his commandments, and: His commandments are not heavy
(chap. 5,3). He shews how to distinguish the children of God from those
of the devil: marks out those who should be called Antichrists:
describes the turpitude and gravity of sin. Finally, he shews how the
sinner may hope for pardon. It was written, according to Baronius'
account, sixty-six years after our Lord's Ascension.



1 John Chapter 1


He declares what he has seen and heard of Christ who is the life
eternal, to the end that we may have fellowship with God and all good
through him. Yet so if we confess our sins.

1:1. That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we
have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and our hands have
handled, of the word of life.

1:2. For the life was manifested: and we have seen and do bear witness
and declare unto you the life eternal, which was with the Father and
hath appeared to us.

1:3. That which we have seen and have heard, we declare unto you: that
you also may have fellowship with us and our fellowship may be with the
Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

1:4. And these things we write to you, that you may rejoice and your
joy may be full.

1:5. And this is the declaration which we have heard from him and
declare unto you: That God is light and in him there is no darkness.

1:6. If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in darkness,
we lie and do not the truth.

1:7. But if we walk in the light, as he also is in the light, we have
fellowship one with another: And the blood of Jesus Christ his Son
cleanseth us from all sin.

1:8. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth
is not in us.

1:9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, to forgive us our
sins and to cleanse us from all iniquity.

1:10. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar: and his
word is not in us.



1 John Chapter 2


Christ is our advocate. We must keep his commandments and love one
another. We must not love the world nor give ear to new teachers, but
abide by the spirit of God in the church.

2:1. My little children, these things I write to you, that you may not
sin. But if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus
Christ the just.

2:2. And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only,
but also for those of the whole world.

2:3. And by this we know that we have known him, if we keep his
commandments.

We have known him, if we keep his commandments. . .He speaks of that
practical knowledge by love and affection, which can only be proved by
our keeping his commandments; and without which we can not be said to
know God as we should do.

2:4. He who saith that he knoweth him and keepeth not his commandments
is a liar: and the truth is not in him.

2:5. But he that keepeth his word, in him in very deed the charity of
God is perfected. And by this we know that we are in him.

2:6. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as
he walked.

2:7. Dearly beloved, I write not a new commandment to you, but an old
commandment which you had from the beginning. The old commandment is
the word which you have heard.

2:8. Again a new commandment I write unto you: which thing is true both
in him and in you, because the darkness is passed and the true light
now shineth.

A new commandment. . .Viz., the commandment of love, which was first
given in the old law; but was renewed and extended by Christ. See John
13.34.

2:9. He that saith he is in the light and hateth his brother is in
darkness even until now.

2:10. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light: and there is no
scandal in him.

2:11. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness and walketh in
darkness and knoweth not whither he goeth: because the darkness hath
blinded his eyes.

2:12. I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven
you for his name's sake.

2:13. I write unto you, fathers, because you have known him who is from
the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because you have overcome
the wicked one.

2:14. I write unto you, babes, because you have known the Father. I
write unto you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God
abideth in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.

2:15. Love not the world, nor the things which are in the world. If any
man love the world, the charity of the Father is not in him.

2:16. For all that is in the world is the concupiscence of the flesh
and the concupiscence of the eyes and the pride of life, which is not
of the Father but is of the world.

2:17. And the world passeth away and the concupiscence thereof: but he
that doth the will of God abideth for ever.

2:18. Little children, it is the last hour: and as you have heard that
Antichrist cometh, even now there are become many Antichrists: whereby
we know that it is the last hour.

It is the last hour. . .That is, it is the last age of the world. Many
Antichrists;. . .that is, many heretics, enemies of Christ and his
church, and forerunners of the great Antichrist.

2:19. They went out from us but they were not of us. For if they had
been of us, they would no doubt have remained with us: but that they
may be manifest, that they are not all of us.

They were not of us. . .That is, they were not solid, steadfast, genuine
Christians: otherwise they would have remained in the church.

2:20. But you have the unction from the Holy One and know all things.

The unction from the Holy One. . .That is, grace and wisdom from the
Holy Ghost. Know all things. . .The true children of God's church,
remaining in unity, under the guidance of their lawful pastors, partake
of the grace of the Holy Ghost, promised to the church and her pastors;
and have in the church all necessary knowledge and instruction; so as
to have no need to seek it elsewhere, since it can be only found in
that society of which they are members.

2:21. I have not written to you as to them that know not the truth, but
as to them that know it: and that no lie is of the truth.

2:22. Who is a liar, but he who denieth that Jesus is the Christ? This
is Antichrist, who denieth the Father and the Son.

2:23. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father. He that
confesseth the Son hath the Father also.

2:24. As for you, let that which you have heard from the beginning
abide in you. If that abide in you, which you have heard from the
beginning, you also shall abide in the Son and in the Father.

2:25. And this is the promise which he hath promised us, life
everlasting.


 


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