Chapter 73

Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you allways in remembrance of such things, though that ye know them yourselves and be also stablished in the present truth. Notwithstanding I think it mete (as long as I am in this tabernacle) to stir you up by putting you in remembrance, for as much as I am sure how that the time is at hand that I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our lord Iesus Christ hath shewed me. I will enforce therefore, that on every side ye might have wherewith to stir up the remembrance of these things after my departing.

For we followed not deceivable fables when we opened unto you the power, and coming of our lord Iesus Christ: but with our eyes we saw his majesty. Even then verily when he received of God the father honour and glory, and when there came such a voice to him from that excellent glory. This is my dear beloved son, in whom I have delight, this voice we heard when it came from heaven, being with him in the holy mount.

We have also a more sure word of prophecy, whereunto if ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, ye do well, until the day dawn and the day star arise in your hearts. So that ye first know this, that no prophecy in the scripture hath any private interpretation. For the scripture came never by the will of man: but wholy men of God spake as they were moved by the wholy ghost.

The .ij. Chapter.

There were false prophets among the people even as there shall be false teachers among you: which privily shall bring in damnable sects, even denying the lord that hath bought them, and bring on their own heads swift damnation, and many shall follow their damnable ways, by which the way of truth shall be evil spoken of, and thorow covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you, whose judgment is not far off, and their damnation sleepeth not.

For if God spared not the angels that sinned but cast them down into hell, and put them in chains of darkness, there to be kept unto judgement: neither spared the old world: but saved Noah the eighte preacher of righteousness, and brought in the flood into the world of the ungodly, and turned the cities of Zodom and Gomor into ashes: overthrew them, damned them, and made of them an ensample unto all that after should live ungodly. And just Lot vexed with the uncleanly conversation of the wicked, delivered he. For he being righteous and dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unrighteous deeds. The lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and how to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment for to be punished: namely them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise the rulers. Presumptuous are they, and stubborn and fear not to speak evil of them that are in authority. When the angels which are greater both in power and might, receive not of the lord railing judgement against them. But these as brute beasts, naturally made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of that they know not, and shall perish through their own destruction, and receive the reward of unrighteousness.

They count it pleasure to live deliciously for a season. Spots they are and filthiness: and of you they make a mockingstock feasting together in their deceivable ways: having eyes full of advoutry, and that cannot cease to sin, beguiling unstable souls. Hearts they have exercised with covetousness. They are cursed children, and have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, which loved the reward of unrighteousness: but was rebuked of his iniquity. The tame and dumb beast, speaking with man's voice forbade the foolishness of the prophet.

These are wells without water, and clouds carried about of a tempest, to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. For when they have spoken the swelling words of vanity, they beguile with wantonness thorow the lusts of the flesh them that were clean escaped: but now are wrapped in errors. They promise them liberty, and are them selves the bondservants of corruption. For of whomsoever a man is overcome, unto the same is he in bondage. For if they, after they have escaped from the filthiness of the world thorow the knowledge of the lord, and of the saviour Iesus Christ, they are yet tangled again therein and overcome: then is the latter end worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them, not to have known the way of righteousness, than after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment given unto them. It is happened unto them according to the true proverb: The dog is turned to his vomit again, and the sow after she is washed, is returned to her wallowing in the mire.

The .iij. Chapter.

This is the second pistel that I now write unto you, my derly beloved, wherewith I stir up and warn your pure minds, to call to remembrance the words which were told before of the holy prophets, and also the commandment of us the apostles of the lord and saviour.

This first understand, that there shall come in the last days mockers, which will walk after their own lusts and say: Where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers died all things continue in the same estate wherein they were at the beginning. This they know not (and that willingly) how that the heavens a great while ago were, and the earth that was in the water, appeared up out of the water by the word of God: by the which things the world that then was perished overflowen with the flood. But the heavens verily and earth which are now, are kept by the same word in store, and reserved unto fire, against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

Derely beloved be not ignorant of this one thing, how that one day is with the lord, as a thousand year, and a thousand year as one day. The lord is not slack to fulfil his promise as some men count slackness: but is patient to us ward and would have no man lost, but would receive all men to repentance. Nevertheless the day of the lord will come as a thief in the night, in the which day, the heavens shall perish with terrible noise, and the elements shall melt with heat, and the earth with the works that are therein shall burn.

If all these things shall perish, what manner persons ought ye to be in holy conversation, and godliness: looking for, and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, in which the heavens shall perish with fire, and the elements shall be consumed with heat. Nevertheless we look for a new heaven, and a new earth, according to his promise, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Wherefore derly beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot and undefiled: And suppose that the long suffering of the lord is health, even as our derely beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given unto him, wrote to you, yee, almost in every pistel speaking of such things: among which are many things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned, and unstable pervert, as they do other scriptures unto their own destruction. Ye therefore beloved seeing ye are warned, Beware lest ye be also plucked away with the error of the wicked, and [fall from your] own steadfastness: but grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our lord, and saviour Iesus Christ. To whom be glory both now and for ever, Amen.

The first pistel of S. Ihon

The first Chapter.

That which was from the beginning declare we unto you, 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. For the life appeared, and we have seen, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the father, and appeared unto us. That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you that ye may have fellowship with us, and that our fellowship may be with the father, and his son Iesus Christ. And this write we unto you, that our joy may be full.

And this is the tidings which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and yet walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but and if we walk in light even as he is in light, then have we fellowship with him, and the blood of Christ his son cleanseth us from all sin.

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and truth is not in us. If we knowledge our sins, he is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

The second Chapter.

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye should not sin: and if any man sin, yet we have an advocate with the father, Iesus Christ, which is righteous: and he it is that obtaineth grace for our sins: not for our sins only: but also for the sins of all the world. And hereby we know that we have known him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith I know him, and keepeth not his commandments is a liar, and the verity is not in him. Whosoever keepeth his word, in him is the love of God perfect in deed. And thereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he bideth in him, ought to walk even as he walked.

Brethren I write no new commandment unto you: but that old commandment which ye heard from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye heard from the beginning. Again a new commandment I write unto you, a thing that is true in him, and also in you: for the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. He that saith how that he is in the light, and yet hateth his brother, is in darkness even until this time. He that loveth his brother, abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of evil in him. He that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness: and cannot tell whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

Babes I write unto you how that your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. I write unto you fathers, how that ye have known him that was from the beginning. I write unto you young men, how that ye have overcome the wicked. I write unto you little children, how that ye have known the father. I write unto you fathers, how that ye have known him that was from the beginning. I write unto you young men, how that ye are strong: and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome that wicked.

See that ye love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the father is not in him. For all that is in the world (as the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of goods) is not of the father: but of the world. And the world vanisheth away, and the lust thereof: but he that fulfilleth the will of God, abideth ever.

Little children it is the last time, and as ye have heard how the antichrist shall come: even now are there many antichrists come already whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us but they were not of us. For if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us. But that fortuned that it might appear, that they were not of us.

And ye have an ointment of the wholy ghost, and ye know all things. I wrote not unto you, as though ye knew not the truth: but as though ye knew it, and know also that no lie cometh of truth. Who is a liar: but he that denieth that Iesus is Christ? he is the antichrist that denieth the father and the son. Whosoever denieth the son, the same hath not the father. Let therefore abide in you that same which ye heard from the beginning. If that which ye heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the son, and in the father. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

This have I written unto you, as concerning them that deceive you. And the anointing which ye have received of him dwelleth in you. And ye need not that any man teach you: but as that annointing teacheth you all things, and is true, and is no lie: and as it taught you, even so bide therein. And now babes abide in him, that when he shall appear, we may be bold, and not be made ashamed of him at his coming. If ye know that he is righteous, know also that he which followeth righteousness, is born of him.

The .iij. Chapter.

Behold what love the father hath shewed on us, that we should be called the sons of God. For this cause the world knoweth you not because it knoweth not him. Derely beloved, now are we the sons of God, and yet it hath not appear what we shall be. But we know that when it shall appear, we shall be like him. For we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him, purgeth himself, even as he is pure. Whosoever committeth sin, committeth unrighteousness also, for sin is unrighteousness. And ye know that he appeared to take away our sins, and in him is no sin. As many as bide in him, sin not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither hath known him.

Babes let no man deceive you, He that doth righteousness, is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil: for the devil sinneth since the beginning. For this purpose appeared the son of God, to loose the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God, sinneth not: for his seed remaineth in him, and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this are the children of God known, and the children of the devil. Whosoever doth not righteousness, is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

For this is the tidings, that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another: not as Cain which was of the wicked and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? because his own works were evil, and his brother's good. Marvel not my brethren if the world hate you. We know that we are translated from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother, abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother, is a man slayer. And ye know that no man slayer hath eternal life abiding in him.

Hereby perceive we love: that he gave his life for us: And we ought also to give our lives for the brethren. Whosoever hath this world's goods and seeth his brother in necessity, and shutteth up his compassion from him: how dwelleth the love of God in him? My babes, let us not love in word, neither in tongue: but with deed, and in verity: And thereby we know that we are of the verity, and will before him put our hearts out of doubt: For (if our hearts condemn us) God is greater than our hearts, and knoweth all things. Tenderly beloved, if our hearts condemn us not, then have we trust to God ward: and whatsoever we ask, we shall receive of him: because we keep his commandments, and do those things which are pleasing in his sight.

And this is his commandment, that we believe on the name of his son Iesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that there abideth in us of the spirit which he gave us.

The .iiij. Chapter.

Derely beloved believe not every spirit: but prove the spirits whether they are of God, or no: for many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby shall ye know the spirit of God. Every spirit that confesseth that Iesus Christ is come in the flesh, is of God. And every spirit which confesseth not that Iesus Christ is come in the flesh, is not of God. And this is that spirit of antichrist, of whom ye have heard, how that he should come: and even now already is he in the world.

Little children, ye are of God, and have overcome them: for greater is he that is in you, then he that is in the world. They are of the world, therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God. He that knoweth God heareth us: He that is not of God, heareth us not. Hereby know we the spirit of verity, and the spirit of error.

Derely beloved, let us love one another: for love cometh of God. And every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not, hath not known God: for God is love. In this appeared the love of God to us ward, because that God sent his only begotten son into the world, that we might live thorow him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his son to make agreement for our sins.

Derely beloved if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfect in us. Hereby know we, that we dwell in him, and he in us: because he hath given us of his spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the father sent the son, which is the saviour of the world. Whosoever confesseth that Iesus is the son of God, in him dwelleth God, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us.

God is love, and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is the love perfect in us, that we should have trust in the day of judgment, that as he is, even so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out all fear, for fear hath painfulness. He that feareth is not perfect in love.

We love him, for he loved us first. If a man say, I love God, and yet hate his brother, he is a liar. How can he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we of him: that he which loveth God, should love his brother also.

The .v. Chapter.

Whosoever believeth that Iesus is Christ, is born of God. And every one that loveth him which begat, loveth him also which was begotten of him. In this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments, and his commandments are not grievous. For all that is born of God, overcometh the world. And this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcometh the world: but he which believeth that Iesus is the son of God?

This Iesus Christ is he that came by water and blood, not by water only: but by water and blood. And it is the spirit that beareth witness, because the spirit is truth. For there are three which bear record in heaven, the father, the word, and the holy ghost. And these three are one. And there are three which bear record in earth: the spirit, and water, and blood: and these three are one. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater. For this is the witness of God, which he testified of his son. He that believeth on the son of God hath the witness in himself. He that believeth not God, hath made him a liar, because he believed not the record that God gave of his son. And this is that record, how that God hath given unto us eternal life, and this life is in his son. He that hath the son, hath life: and he that hath not the son of God, hath not life.

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the son of God, that ye may know how that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the son of God. And this is the trust that we have in him: that if we ask any thing according to his will he heareth us. And if we know that he hear us whatsoever we ask, we know that we shall have the petitions that we desire of him.

If any man see his brother sin a sin that is not unto death, let him ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death, for which say I not that a man should pray. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not unto death.

We know that whosoever is born of God, sinneth not: but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked twicheth him not. We know that we are of God, and that the world is altogether set on wickedness. We know that the son of God is come, and hath given us a mind to know him which is true: and we are in him that is true, through his son Iesu Christ. This same is very God, and eternal life. Babes keep yourselves from images. Amen.

The second pistel of S. Ihon

The first Chapter.

The senior to the elect lady and her children which I love in the truth: And not I only, but also all that have known the truth, for the truth's sake, which remaineth in us, and shall be in us for ever.

With you be grace, mercy, and peace from God the father, and from the lord Iesus Christ the son of the father, in truth and love.

I rejoiced greatly, that I found of thy children walking in trough, as we have received a commandment of the father. And now beseech I thee lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that same, which we had from the beginning, that we should love one another. And this is the love, that we should walk after his commandments.

This commandment is (that as ye have heard from the beginning) ye should walk in it. For many deceivers are entered into the world, which confess not that Iesus Christ is como in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look on yourselves, that we loose not that we have wrought: but that we may have a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth and bideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that endureth in the doctrine of Christ, hath both the father, and the son.

If there come any unto you and bring not this learning, him receive not to house: neither bid him God speed. For he that biddeth him God speed, is part taker of his evil deeds. I had many things to write unto you, nevertheless I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak with you mought to mouth, that our joy may be full. The sons of thy elect sister greet thee Amen.

The third pistel of S. Ihon

The first Chapter.

The senior unto the beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. Wellbeloved I wish in all things that thou prosperedest and faredest well, even as thy soul prospereth. I rejoiced greatly when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, how thou in troth walkest. I have no greater joy than for to hear how that my sons walk in verity.

Derely beloved thou dost faithfully what soever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers, which bare witness of thy love before all the congregation. Which brethren when thou bringest forwards on their journey (as it beseemeth God) thou shalt do well: because that for his name's sake they went forth, and took nothing of the gentiles. We therefore ought to receive such, that we also might be helpers to the truth.

I wrote unto the congregation: but Diotrephes which loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not, wherefore if I come I will declare his deeds which he doeth jesting on us with malicious words, neither is therewith content. Not only he himself receiveth not the brethren: but also he forbiddeth them that would, and thrusteth them out of the congregation.

Derely beloved counterfeit not that which is evil, but that which is good: He that doeth well is of God: but he that doeth evil seeth not God. Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth. Yee and we ourselves also bear record, and ye know that our record is true. I have many things to write: But I will not with pen and ink write unto thee. For I trust I shall speak mouth to mouth. Peace be with thee. The lovers salute thee. Greet the lovers by name.

The pistel unto the Ebrues

The first Chapter.

God in time past diversely and many ways, spake unto the fathers by prophets: but in these last days he hath spoken unto us by his son, whom he hath made heir of all things: by whom also he made the world. Which son being the brightness of his glory, and very image of his substance, bearing up all things with the word of his power, hath in his own person purged our sins, and is sitten on the right hand of the majesty on high, and is more excellent then the angels, in as much as he hath by inheritance obtained an excellenter name than have they.