Chapter 69

Unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly, above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, be praise in the congregation by Iesus Christ, thorow out all generations from time to time. Amen.

The .iiij. Chapter.

I therefore which am in bonds for the lord's sake exhort you, that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, in all humbleness of mind, and meekness, and long suffering, forbearing one another thorow love, and that ye be diligent to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace, being one body, and one spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling. Let there be but one lord, one faith, one baptism: one God and father of all, which is above all, thorow all, and in us all.

Unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith: He is gone up on high, and hath led captivity captive, and hath given gifts unto men. That he ascended: what meaneth it, but that he also descended first into the lowest parts of the earth? He that descended, is even the same also that ascended up, even above all heavens, to fulfil all things.

And the very same, made some Apostles, some prophets, some Evangelists, some Shepherds, some Teachers: that the saints might have all things necessary to work and minister withall, to the edifying of the body of Christ, till we everyeachone (in the unity of faith, and knowledge of the son of God) grow up unto a perfect man, after the measure of age which is in the fullness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children wavering and carried with every wind of doctrine, by the wiliness of men and craftiness, whereby they lay a wait for us to deceive us.

But let us follow the truth in love, and in all things grow in him which is the head, that is to say Christ, in whom all the body is coupled and knit together, in every joint, wherewith one ministereth to another (according to the operation as every part hath his measure) and increaseth the body, unto the edifying of itself in love.

This I say herefore, and testify in the lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other gentiles walk, in vanities of their mind, blinded in their understanding, being strangers from the life which is in God, thorow the ignorancy that is in them, because of the blindness of their hearts: which being past repentance have given themselves unto wantonness, to work all manner of uncleanness even with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ, If so be ye have heard of him, and are taught in him, even as the truth is in Iesu: so then as concerning the conversation in time past, lay from you that old man, which is corrupt thorow the deceivable lusts, and be ye renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on that new man, which after a godly wise, is shapen in righteousness, and true holiness. Wherefore put away lying, and speak every man truth unto his neighbor, for as much as we are members one of another. Be angry, but sin not: let not the son go down upon your wrath, give no place unto the backbiter, let him that stole steal no more, but let him rather labour with his hands some good thing, that he may have to give unto him that needeth.

Let no filthy communication proceed out of your mouths: but that which is good to edify withall, when need is: that it may have favour with the hearers. And grieve not the holy spirit of God, by whom ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, fierceness and wrath, roaring and cursed speaking, be put away from you, with all maliciousness. Be ye courteous one to another, be merciful forgiving one another, even as God for Christe's sake forgave you.

The .v. Chapter.

Be ye followers of God as dear children, and walk in love even as Christ loved us, and gave himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice of a sweet savour to God. So that fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, be not once, named among you, as it becometh saints: neither filthiness, neither foolish talking, neither jestings, which are not comely: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, either unclean person, or covetous person (which is the worshipper of images) hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ, and of God.

Let no man deceive you with vain words. For thorow such things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of unbelief. Be not therefore companions with them. Ye were once darkness, but are now light in the lord.

Walk as children of light. For the fruit of the spirit is, in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. Accept that which is pleasing to the lord: and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness: but rather rebuke them. For it is shame even to name those things which are done of them in secret: but all things, when they are rebuked of the light, are manifest. For whatsoever is manifest, that same is light. Wherefore he saith: awake thou that sleepest, and stand up from death, and Christ shall give thee light.

Take heed therefore that ye walk circumspectly: not as fools: but as wise, redeeming the time: for the days are evil: wherefore, be ye not unwise, but understand what the will of the lord is, and be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess: but be fulfilled with the spirit, speaking unto yourselves in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and playing to the lord in your hearts, giving thanks allways for all things in the name of our lord Iesu Christ to God the father: submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Women submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the lord. For the husband is the wife's head, even as Christ is the head of the congregation, and the same is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the congregation is in subjection to Christ, likewise let the wives be in subjection to their husbands in all things. Husbands love your wives, even as Christ loved the congregation, and gave himself for it, to sanctify it, and cleansed it in the fountain of water thorow the word, to make it unto himself, a glorious congregation without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing: but that it should be holy and without blame.

So ought men to love their wives, as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife, loveth himself. For no man ever yet, hated his own flesh: But nourisheth, and cherisheth it: even as the lord doth the congregation: for we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall continue with his wife, and two shall be made one flesh. This is a great secret, but I speak between Christ and the congregation. Nevertheless do ye so that every one of you love his wife truly even as himself: And let the wife see that she fear her husband.

The .vj. Chapter.

Children obey your fathers and mothers in the lord: for so is it right. Honour father and mother, that is the first commandment that hath any promise, that thou mayst be in good estate, and live long on the earth. Fathers, move not your children to wrath: but bring them up with the nurture and information of the lord. Servants be obedient unto your carnal masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your hearts, as unto Christ: not with service in the eye sight, as men pleasers: but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart with good will, even as though ye served the lord, and not men. And remember that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, that shall he receive again of the lord, whether he be bond or free. And ye masters, do even the same things unto them, putting away threatenings: and remember that even your master also is in heaven, neither is there any respect of person with him.

Finally, my brethren be strong in the lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the armour of God, that ye may stand steadfast against the crafty assaults of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood: but against rule, against power, and against worldly rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in heavenly things.

For this cause take unto you the armour of God, that ye may be able to resist in the evil day, and to stand perfect in all things.

Stand therefore and your loins gird about with verity, having on the breastplate of righteousness, and shod with shoes prepared by the gospell of peace. Above all take to you the shield of faith, wherewith ye may quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of health, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God, and pray always with all manner prayer and supplication: and that in the spirit: and watch thereunto with all instance and supplication for all saints, and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mought boldly, to utter the secrets of the gospell, whereof I am a messenger in bonds, that therein I may speak freely, as it becometh me to speak.

But that ye may also know that condition I am in, and what I do, Tichicus my dear brother and faithful minister in the lord, shall shew you of all things, whom I sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know what case I stand in, and that he might comfort your hearts.

Peace be with the brethren, and love with faith from God the father, and from the lord Iesu Christ. Grace be with all them which love our lord Iesus Christ in pureness, Amen.

Sent from Rome unto the Ephesyans by Tichicus.

The pistel of S. Paul to the Philippians

The first Chapter.

Paul and Timotheus the servants of Iesu Christ. To all the saints in Christ Iesu which are at Philippos, with the bishops and deacons.

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

I thank my God with all remembrance of you, always in all my prayers for you all, and pray with gladness, because of the fellowship which ye have in the gospell from the first day unto now, and am surely certified of this, that he which began a good work in you shall perform it until the day of Iesus Christ, as it becometh me so to judge of you all, because I have you in my heart, and have you also every one companions of grace with me, even in my bonds as I defend, and stablish the gospell.

God beareth me record how greatly I long after you all from the very heart root in Iesus Christ. And this I pray, that your love may increase more and more in knowledge, and in all fealing, that ye might accept things most excellent, that ye might be pure and such as should hurt no man's conscience, until the day of Christ, filled with the fruits of righteousness, which fruits come by Iesus Christ unto the glory and laud of God.

I would ye understood brethren that my business is happened unto the greater furthering of the gospell. So that my bonds in Christ are manifest thorow out all the judgement hall: and in all other places, In so much that many of the brethren in the lord are boldened thorow my bonds, and dare more largely speak the word without fear. Some there are which preach Christ of envy and strife, and some of goodwill. The one part preacheth Christ of strife, and not purely, supposing to add more adversity to my bonds. The other part of love, because they see that I am set to defend to Gospell.

What thing is this? Notwithstanding by all manner ways, whether it be by occasion or of truth, yet Christ is preached: and therefore I joy. Yee and will joy. For I know that this shall be for my health, thorow your prayer, and ministering of the spirit of Iesu Christ, as I heartily look for and hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed: but that with all confidence, as always in times past, even so now Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be thorow life, or else death. For Christ is to me life, and death is to me advantage.

If it chance me to live in the flesh, that is to me fruitful for to work, and what to choose I wot not. I am constrained of two things: I desire to be lowsed, and to be with Christ, which thing is best of all: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And this am I sure of, that I shall abide, and with you all continue, for the furtherance and joy of your faith, that ye may more abundantly rejoice in Iesus Christ thorow me, by my coming to you again.

Only let your conversation be, as it becometh the gospell of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may yet hear of you, that ye continue in one spirit, and in one soul laboring as we do to maintain the faith of the gospell, and in nothing fearing your adversaries: which is to them a token of perdition, and to you a sign of health, and that of God. For unto you it is given, that not only ye should believe on Christ: but also suffer for his sake, and have even the same fight which ye saw me have and now hear of me.

The .ij. Chapter.

If there be among you any consolation in Christ, if there be any comfortable love, if there be any fellowship of the spirit, if there be any compassion of mercy: fulfil my joy, that ye draw one way, having one love, being of one accord, and of one mind, that nothing be done thorow strife or vain glory, but in meekness of mind. Let every person think every other man better than himself, so that ye consider every man, not what is in himself: But what is in other men.

Let the same mind be in you the which was in Christ Iesu: Which being in the shape of God, and thought it not robbery to be equal with God. Nevertheless he made himself of no reputation, and took on him the shape of a servant, and became like unto men, and was found in his apparel as a man. He humbled himself and became obedient unto the death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God hath exalted him, and given him a name above all names: that in the name of Iesus should every knee bow, both of things in heaven, and things in earth and things under earth, and that all tongues should confess that Iesus Christ is the lord unto the praise of God the father.

Wherefore my dearly beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not when I was present only, but now much more in mine absence, even so perform your own health with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you, both the will and also the deed, even of good will.

Do all thinge without murmuring and disputing, that ye may be faultless, and pure, and the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked, and a perverse nation, among which see that ye shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, unto my rejoicing in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither have laboured in vain. Yee and though I be offered up on your sacrifice and of your serving of God in the faith: I rejoice and rejoice with you all. For the same cause also, rejoice ye, and rejoice ye with me.

I trust in the lord Iesus for to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know what case ye stand in. For I have no man that is so like minded to me, which with so pure affection careth for your matters. For all others seek their own, and not that which is Iesus Christe's. Ye know the proof of him, how that as a son with the father, so with me bestowed he his labour upon the gospell. Him I hope to send as soon as I know how it will go with me. I trust in the lord that I also myself shall come shortly.

I supposed it necessary to send brother Epaphreditus unto you, my companion in labour and fellowsoldier, your Apostle, and my minister at my needs. For he longed after you, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard say that he should be sick, and no doubt he was sick, and that nigh unto death, but God had mercy on him: not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have had sorrow upon sorrow.

I sent him therefore the diligentlier, that when ye should see him, ye might rejoice again, and I might be the less sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the lord with all gladness, and make much of such: because that for the work of Christ he went so far, that he was nigh unto death, and regarded not his life, to fulfil that service which was lacking on your part toward me.

The .iij. Chapter.

Moreover brethren mine, rejoice in the lord. It grieveth me not to write the very same things unto you. For to you it is a sure thing. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers. Beware of dissension: For we are circumcision which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Iesu, and have no confidence in the flesh: though I have whereof I might rejoice in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh: much more I: circumcised the eighth day, of the kindred of Israhell, of the tribe of Benjamin an Hebrew born of the Hebrews: as concerning the law, a Pharisee, and as concerning ferventness I persecuted the congregation, and as touching the righteousness which is in the law I was such a one as no man could complain on.

But the things that were winning unto me I counted loss for Christe's sake. Yee I think all things but loss for that excellent knowledge's sake of Christ Iesu my lord. For whom I have counted all thing loss, and do judge them but dung, that I might win Christ, and might be found in him, not having mine own righteousness which is of the law: But that which springeth of the faith which is in Christ. I mean the righteousness which cometh of God thorow faith in knowing him, and the virtue of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his passions, that I might be conformable unto his death, if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection from death.

Not as though I had all ready received it, either were all ready perfect: but I follow, if that I may comprehend that, wherein I am comprehended of Christ Iesu. Brethren I count not myself that I have gotten it: but one thing I say: I forget that which is behind me, and stretch myself unto that which is before me and press unto that mark appointed, to obtain the reward of the high calling of God in Christ Iesu. Let us therefore as many as be perfect be thus wise minded: and if ye be other wise minded, I pray God open even this unto you. Nevertheless in that whereunto we are come, let us proceed by one rule, that we may be of one accord.

Brethren be followers of me, and look on them which walk even so, as ye have us for an ensample. For many walk (of whom I have told you often, and now tell you weeping) that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is damnation, whose God is their belly and glory to their shame, which are worldly minded. But our conversation is in heaven, from whence we look for the saviour Iesus Christ, which shall change into another fashion our vile bodies, that they may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself.

The .iiij. Chapter.

Herefore brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so continue beloved in the lord. I pray Euodias, and beseech Sintiches that they be of one accord in the lord. Yee and I beseech thee faithful yokefellow, help the women which laboured with me in the gospell, and with Clement also, and with other my labourfellows, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the lord alway, and again I say rejoice. Let your softness be known unto all men. The lord is even at hand. Be not carefull: but in all things shew your petition unto God in prayer and supplication with giving of thanks. And the peace of God which passeth all understanding keep your hearts, and minds in Christ Iesu.

Furthermore brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things pertain to love, whatsoever things are of honest report, if there be any virtuous thing, if there be any laudable thing, those same have ye in your mind, which ye have both learned and received, heard and also seen in me: those things do, and the God of peace shall be with you. I rejoice in the lord greatly, that now at the last ye are revived, and are waxed mindfull of me again in that wherein ye were also mindfull, but ye lacked opportunity. I speak not because of necessity. For I have learned in whatsoever estate I am, therewith to be content. I can both cast down myself, I can also exceed. Everywhere, and in all things I am instructed, both to be full, and to be hungry: to have plenty, and to suffer need. I can do all things thorow the help of Christ, which strengtheneth me. Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye bare part with me in my tribulation.

Ye of Philippos know that in the beginning of the gospell, when I departed from Macedonia, no congregation bare part with me as concerning giving and receiving but ye only. For when I was in Thessalonica, ye sent once, and afterward again, unto my needs: not that I desire gifts: but I desire abundant fruit on your part. I received all, and have plenty. I was even filled after that I had received of Epaphroditus, that which came from you, an odor that smelleth sweet, a sacrifice accepted and pleasant to God. My God fulfil all your needs thorow his glorious riches in Iesu Christ.

Unto God and our father be praise for ever more Amen. Salute all the saints in Christ Iesu. The brethren which are with me greet you. All the saints salute you: and most of all they which are of the emperors household. The grace of our lord Iesu Christ be with you all Amen.

Sent from Rome by Epaphroditus.

The pistel of S. Paul to the Collossians

The first Chapter.

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

To the saints which are at Colossa, and brethren that believe in Christ.

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

We give thanks to God the father of our lord Iesus Christ alway praying for you in our prayers, since we heard of your faith which ye have in Christ Iesu: and of the love which ye bear to all saints for the hope's sake which is laid up in store for you in heaven, of which hope ye have heard by the true word of the gospell, which is come unto you, even as it is into all the world, and is fruitful as it is among you, from the first day in the which ye heard of it, and had experience in the grace of God in the truth, as ye learned of Epaphra our dear fellow servant, which is for you a faithful minister in Christ, which also declared unto us your love, which ye have in the spirit.

For this cause we also, since the day we heard of it have not ceased praying for you, and desiring that ye might be fulfilled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, that ye might walk worthy of the lord in all things that please, being fruitful in all good works and increasing in the knowledge of God strengthed with all might, thorow his glorious power, unto all patience, and long suffering, with joyfulness, giving thanks into the father which hath made us meet to be part takers of the inheritance of saints in light.

Which hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear son, in whom we have redemption thorow his blood, that is to say, forgiveness of sins, which is the image of the invisible God, first begotten before all creatures: for by him were all things created, things that are in heaven, and things that are in earth: things visible, and things invisible: whether they be majesty or lordship, either rule or power. All things are created by him, and in him, and he is before all things, and in him all things have their being.

And he is the head of the body, that is to wit of the congregation, he is the beginning and first begotten of the dead, that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the father that in him should all fullness dwell, and by him to reconcile all thinge unto himself, and to set at peace by him thorow the blood of his cross both things in heaven and things in earth.