Chapter 68

I marvel that ye are so soon turned from him that called you in the grace of Christ, unto another gospell, which is nothing else, but that there be some which trouble you, and intend to pervert the gospell of Christ. Nevertheless though we ourselves, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospell unto you than that which we have preached unto you, hold him as accursed. As I said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other thing unto you, than that ye have received, hold him accursed. Seek I now the faveour {or doctrine} of men, or of God? Other go I about to please men? If I studied to please men, I were not the servant of Christ.

I certify you brethren, that the gospell which was preached of me, was not after the manner of men, neither received I it of man, neither was I taught it: but received it by the revelation of Iesus Christ. Ye have heard of my conversation in times past in the Iewes' ways, how that beyond measure I persecuted the congregation of God, and spoiled it: and prevailed in the jewes' law, above many of my companions, which were of mine own nation, and was a much more fervently maintained the traditions of the elders.

But when it pleased God, which separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, for to declare his son by me, that I should preach him among the heathen: Immediately I commended not of the matter with flesh and blood, neither returned to Ierusalem to them which were Apostles before me: but went my ways into Arabia, and came again unto Damascus. Then after three years, I returned to Ierusalem unto Peter and abode with him xv days, no other of the Apostles saw I, save Iames the lord's brother. The things which I write, behold, God knoweth I lie not.

After that I went into the coasts of Siria and Cicill: and was unknown as touching my person unto the congregations of Iewry, which were in Christ. But they heard only, that he which persecuted us in time past, now preacheth the faith, which before he destroyed. And they glorified God in me.

The second Chapter.

Then xiiij. years there after, I went up again to Ierusalem with Barnabas, and took with me Titus also. Yee, and I went up by revelation, and commended with them of the gospell, which I preach among the gentiles: but apart with them that are counted chief, lest it should have been thought that I should run, or had run in vain. Also Titus which was with me, though he were a greek, yet was not compelled to be circumcised, and that because of incomers being false brethren, which came in among others to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Iesus, that they might bring us into bondage. To whom we gave no room, no not for the space of an hour, as concerning to be brought into subjection: and that because that the truth of the gospell might continue with you.

Of them which seemed to be great (what they were in time passed it maketh no matter to me: God looketh on no man's person) nevertheless they which seem great, added nothing to me: But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospell over the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospell over circumcision was unto Peter (For he that was mighty in Peter in the Apostleship over the circumcision, the same was mighty in me among the gentiles:) and as soon as Iames, Cephas, and Ihon, which seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas their hands, and agreed with us that we should preach among the heathen, and they among the Iewes: warning only that we should remember the poor, which thing also I was diligent to do.

When Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him in the face, for he was worthy to be blamed. For yer that certain came from Iames, he ate with the gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision, and the other Iewes dissembled likewise, In so much that Barnabas was brought into their simulation also. But when I saw that they went not the right way after the truth of the gospell, I said unto Peter, before all men, if thou being a Iewe, livest after the manner of the gentiles, and not as do the Iewes: why causest thou the gentiles to follow the Iewes? we which are Iewes by nature and not sinners of the gentiles, know that a man is not justified by the deeds of the law: but by the faith of Iesus Christ: and we have believed on Iesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ and not by the deeds of the law: because that no flesh shall be justified by the deeds of the law: If then while we seek to be made righteous by Christ, we ourselves are found sinners, is not then Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. For if I build again that which I destroyed, then make I my self a trespasser. But I thorow the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ. I live verily, yet now not I, but Christ liveth in me. The life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the son of God, which loved me, and gave himself for me. I despise not the grace of God: For if righteousness come of the law, then is Christ dead in vain.

The .iij. Chapter.

O foolish Galatians: who hath bewitched you, that ye should not believe the truth? to whom Iesus Christ was described before the eyes, and among you crucified? This only would I learn of you, received ye the spirit by the deeds of the law? or else by preaching of the faith? Are ye so unwise, that after ye have begun in the spirit, ye would now end in the flesh? So many things ye have suffered in vain. If it be so that ye have suffered in vain. Which ministered to you the spirit, and worketh miracles among you doth he it thorow the deeds of the law? or by preaching of the faith? Even as Abraham believed God, and it was ascribed to him for righteousness. Understand therefore, that they which are of faith, are the children of Abraham.

The scripture saw aforehand, that God would justify the heathen thorow faith, and shewed beforehand glad tidings unto Abraham: In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith, are blessed with faithful Abraham. For as many as are under the deeds of the law, are under malediction. For it is written: cursed is every man that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to fulfil them. That no man is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident. For the just shall live by faith. The law is not of faith: but the man that fulfilleth the things contained in the law, shall live in them. Christ hath delivered us from the curse of the law, and was made a cursed for us (for it is written: Cursed is everyone that hangeth on tree) that the blessing of Abraham might come on the gentiles thorow Iesus Christ, that we might receive the promise of the spirit thorow faith.

Brethren I will speak after the manner of men. Though it be but a man's testament, yet no man despiseth it, or addeth any thing thereto when it is once allowed. To Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, in thy seeds as in many: But in thy seed, as in one, which is Christ. This I say that the law which began afterward, beyond iiij. C. and xxx. years, doth not disannul the testament, that was confirmed of God unto Christward, to make the promise of none effect. For if the inheritance come of the law, it cometh not of promise: but God gave it unto Abraham by promise.

Wherefore then serveth the law? The law was added because of transgression (till the seed came to which the promise was made) and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. A mediator is not a mediator of one. But God is one. Is the law then against the promise of God? God forbid. If there had been a law given which could have given life: then no doubt righteousness should have come by the law: but the scripture concluded all things under sin, that the promise by the faith of Iesus Christ, should be given unto them that believe. Before that faith came, we were kept and shut up under the law, unto the faith which should afterward be declared.

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster unto the time of Christ, that we might be made righteous by faith. But after that faith is come, now are we no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the sons of God, by the faith which is in Christ Iesus. For all ye that are baptised, have put Christ on you. Now is there no Iewe, neither greek: there is neither bond, neither free: there is neither man, neither woman: for all are one thing in Christ Iesu. If ye be Christe's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs by promise.

The .iiij. Chapter.

And I say that the heir as long as he is a child differeth not from a servant, though he be lord of all, but is under tutors and governors, until the time appointed of the father. Even so we, as long as we were children, were in bondage under the ordinances of the world: But when the time was full come, God sent his son born of a woman, and made bond unto the law, to redeem them which were under the law: that we thorow election should receive the inheritance that belongeth unto the natural sons. Because ye are sons, God hath sent the spirit of his son into our hearts, which crieth Abba father. Wherefore now art thou not a servant, but a son. If thou be the son, thou art also the heir of God thorow Christ.

Notwithstanding, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them, which by nature were no goddes: But now seeing ye know God (yee rather are known of God) how is it that ye turn again unto the weak and beggarly ceremonies, whereunto again ye desire afresh to be in bondage? Ye observe the days, and months, and times, and years. I fear of you, lest I have bestowed on you labour in vain.

Brethren I beseech you, be ye as I am: for I am as ye are. Ye have not hurt me. Ye know well how that thorow infirmity of the flesh, I preached the gospell unto you at the first: and my temptation which I suffered by reason of my flesh, ye despised not, neither abhorred: but received me as an Angel of God: yee as Christ Iesus. How happy were ye then? for I bear you record that if it had been possible, ye would have digged out your own eyes, and have given them to me. Am I so greatly become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

They are jealous over you amiss. Yee they intend to exclude you that ye should be fervent to themward. It is good always to be fervent, so it be in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.

My little children (of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be fashioned in you) I would I were with you now, and could change my voice, for I stand in a doubt of you. Tell me ye that desire to be under the law: have ye not heard of the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a free woman. Yee and he which was of the bondwoman, was born after the flesh: but he which was of the freewoman, was born by promise. Which things betoken mystery. For these women are two testaments, the one from the mount Sina, which gendreth unto bondage, which is Agar. (For mount Sinai is called Agar in Arabia, and bordereth upon the city which is now Ierusalem) and is in bondage with her children.

But Ierusalem, which is above, is free: which is the mother of us all. For it is written: rejoice thou barren, that bearest no children: break forth and cry, thou that travailest not. For the desolate hath many more children, than she which hath an husband. Brethren we are after the manner of Isaac children of promise: But as then he that was born carnally, persecuted him that was born spiritually, Even so is it now. Nevertheless what saith the scripture: Cast a way the bondwoman and her son. For the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the free woman. So then brethren we are not children of the bondwoman: but of the freewoman.

The .v. Chapter.

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and wrap not yourselves again in the yoke of bondage. Be hold I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing at all. I testify again to every man which is circumcised that he is bound to keep the whole law. Ye are gone quite from Christ as many as are justified by the law, and are fallen from grace. We look for and hope to be justified by the spirit which commeth of faith. For in Iesu Christ, neither is circumcision anything worth, neither yet uncircumcision, but faith which by love is mighty in operation. Ye did run well. Who was a lett unto you, that ye should not obey the truth? Even that counsel that is not of him that called you. A little leaven doth leaven the whole lump of dough.

I have trust toward you in God, that ye will be none otherwise minded. He that troubleth you shall bear his judgement, whatsoever he be. Brethren if I yet preach circumcision: why do I then yet suffer persecution? For then had the offense which the cross giveth ceased. I would to God they were sundered from you which trouble you. Brethren ye were called into liberty, only let not your liberty be an occasion unto the flesh but in love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, which is this: Thou shalt love thine neighbour as thyself. If ye bite and devour one another: take heed lest ye be consumed one of another.

I say walk in the spirit, and fulfil not the lusts of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth contrary to the spirit, and the spirit contrary to the flesh. These are contrary one to the other, so that ye cannot do that which ye would. But and if ye be led of the spirit, then are ye not under the law. The deeds of the flesh are manifest, which are these, advoutry, fornication, uncleanness, wantonness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, lawyinge, zeal, wrath, strife, sedition, parte takings, envying, murder, drunkenness, gluttony, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have told you in time past, that they which commit such things shall not be inheritors the kingdom of God: but the fruit of [the] spirit is, love, joy, peace, longsuffering gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, temperancy: Against such there is no law. They that are Christi's, have crucified the flesh with the appetites and lusts. If we live in the spirit let us walk in the spirit. Let us not be vain glorious, provoking one another, and envying one another.

The .vj. Chapter.

Brethren, if any man be fallen by chance into any fault: ye which are spiritual, help to amend him, in the spirit of meekness: considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burden: and so fulfil the law of Christ. If a man seem to himself that he is somewhat when indeed he is nothing, the same deceiveth himself in his imagination. Let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in his own self, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden.

Let him that is taught in the word, minister unto him that teacheth him in all good things. Be not deceived, God is not mocked. For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he reap. He that soweth in his flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption: but he that soweth in the spirit shall, of the spirit reap life everlasting. Let us do good, and let us not faint. For when the time is come we shall reap without weariness. While we have therefore time let us do good unto all men, and specially, unto them which are of the household of faith.

Behold how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand. As many as desire with utward appearance to please carnally, they constrain you to be circumcised, only because they would not suffer persecution with the cross of Christ. For they them selves which are circumcised keep not the law: but desire to have you circumcised that they might rejoice in your flesh. God forbid that I should rejoice but in the cross of our lord Iesu Christ, whereby the world is crucified as touching me, and I as concerning the world. For in Christ Iesu nether circumcision availeth any thing at all nor uncircumcision: but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon Israhel that pertaineth to God. From hence forth, let no man put me to business. For I bear in my body the marks of the lord Iesu. Brethren the grace of our lord Iesu Christe be with your spirit, Amen.

Unto the Galathyans written from Rome.

The pistel of S. Paul to the Ephesians.

The first Chapter.

Paul an apostle of Iesu Christ, by the will of God.

To the saints at Ephesus, and to them which believe on Iesus Christ.

Grace be with you and peace from God our father, and from the lord Iesus Christ.

Blessed be God the father of our lord Iesus Christ, which hath blessed us with all manner of spiritual blessings in heavenly things by Christ, according as he had chosen us in him thorow love, before the foundation of the world was laid, that we should be saints, and without blame in his sight. And ordained us before unto him self that we should be chosen to heirs thorow Iesus Christ, according to the pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, where with he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

By whom we have redemption thorow his blood, that is to say the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace, which grace he shed on us abundantly in all wisdom, and prudency. And hath opened unto us the mystery of his will according to his pleasure, and purposed the same in himself to have it declared when the time were full come, that all things, both the things which are in heaven, and also the things which are in earth, should be gathered together, even in Christ: that is to say in him in whom we are made heirs, and were thereto predestinate according to the purpose of him which worketh all things after the purpose of his own will: that we should be unto the praise of his glory, which before hoped in Christ.

In whom also ye (after that ye heard the word of truth, I mean the gospell of your health, wherein ye believed) were sealed with the holy spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance, to redeem the possession purchased unto the laud of his glory.

Wherefore even I (after that I heard of the faith which ye have in the lord Iesu, and love unto all the saints) cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers, that the God of our lord Iesus Christ, and the father of glory, might give unto you the spirit of wisdom, and open to you the knowledge of himself, and lighten the eyes of your minds, that ye might know what thing that hope is, whereunto he hath called you, and how glorious the riches of his inheritance is upon the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward, which believe according to the working of that his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from death, and set him on his right hand in heavenly things, above all rule, power, and might, and domination, and above all names that are named, not in this world only, but also in the world to come. And hath put all things under his feet, and hath made him above all things, the head of the congregation, which is his body, and fullness of him, that filleth all in all things.

The .ij. Chapter.

And hath quickened you also that were dead in trespass and sin, in the which in time passed ye walked, according to the course of this world, and after the governor, that ruleth in the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of unbelief, among which we also had our conversation in time past, in the lusts of our flesh, and fulfilled the will of the flesh, and of the mind: and were naturally the children of wrath, even as well as other.

But God which is rich in mercy thorow his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead by sin, hath quickened us with Christ (For by grace are ye saved) and with him hath raised us up, and with him hath made us sit in heavenly things, thorow Iesus Christ, For to shew in times to come the exceeding riches of his grace, in kindness to usward, thorow Christ Iesus. For by grace are ye made safe thorow faith, and that not of your selves: For it is the gift of God, and cometh not of works, lest any man should boast himself. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Iesu unto good works, unto the which God ordained us before, that we should walk in them.

Wherefore remember that ye being in time past gentiles in the flesh, and were called uncircumcision of them which are called circumcision in the flesh, which circumcision is made by hands: Remember I say, that ye were at that time without Christ, and were reputed aliens from the common wealth of Israhel, and were fremed from the testaments of promise, and had no hope, and were without God in this world. But now in Christ Iesu, ye which a while ago were far off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

For he is our peace, which hath made of both one, and hath broken down the wall in the midst, that was a stop between us, and hath also put away thorow his flesh, the cause of hatred (that is to say, the law of commandments contained in the law written,) for to make of twain one new man in himself, so making peace: and to reconcile both unto God in one body thorow his cross, and slew hatred thereby: and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For thorow him we both have an open way in, in one spirit unto the father.

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners: but citizens with the saints, and of the household of God: and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Iesus Christ being the head cornerstone, in whom every building coupled together, groweth unto an holy temple in the lord, in whom ye also are built together, and made an habitation for God in the spirit.

The .iij. Chapter.

For this cause I Paul the servant of Iesus am in bonds, For your sakes which are gentiles. If ye have heard of the ministration of the grace of God which is given me to youward: For by revelation shewed he this mystery unto me, as I wrote above in few words, whereby, when ye read ye may know mine understanding in the ministry of Christ, which mystery in times passed was not opened unto the sons of men as it is now declared unto his holy apostles and prophets by the spirit: that the gentiles should be inheritors also, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise that is in Christ, by the means of the gospell, whereof I am made a minister, by the gift of the grace of God given unto me, after the working of his power.

Unto me the least of all saints is this grace given, that I should preach among the gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to give light to all men, that they might know what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God which made all things thorow Iesus Christ, to the intent, that now unto the rulers and powers in heaven might be known by the congregation the manyfold wisdom of God, according to that eternal purpose, which he purposed in Christ Iesu our lord, by whom we are bold to draw nigh in that trust, which we have by faith on him. Wherefore I desire, that ye faint not because of mine tribulations which I suffer for you: which is your praise.

For this cause I bow my knees unto the father of our lord Iesus Christ, which is father over all that is called father In heaven and in earth, that he would grant you according to the riches of his glory, that ye may be strengthened with might by his spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, that ye being rooted and grounded in love, might be able to comprehend with all saints, what is that breadth and length, depth and height: and to know what is the love of Christ, which love passeth knowledge: that ye might be fulfilled with all manner of fullness which cometh of God.