Chapter 75

Seeing brethren that by the means of the blood of Iesu, we may be bold to enter into that holy place, by the new and living way, which he hath prepared for us, through the veil, that is to say by his flesh. And seeing also that we have an high priest which is ruler over the house of God, let us draw nigh with a true heart in a full faith sprinkled in our hearts, from an evil conscience, and washed in our bodies with pure water, and let us keep the profession of our hope, without wavering (for he is faithful that promised) and let us consider one another to provoke unto love, and to good works: and let us not forsake the fellowship that we have among ourselves, as the manner of some is: but let us exhort one another, and that so much the more, because ye see that the day draweth nigh.

For if we sin willingly after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins: but a fearful looking for judgment, and violent fire, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despiseth Moses' law, dieth without mercy under two or three witnesses. Of how much sorer punishment suppose ye shall he be counted worthy, which treadeth under foot the son of God: and counteth the blood of the testament as an unholy thing, wherewith he was sanctified, and doth dishonour to the spirit of grace. For we know him that hath said, vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense saith the lord. And again: the lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Call to remembrance the days that are passed in the which, after ye had received light, ye abode a great fight in adversities, partly while all men wondered and gazed at you for the shame and tribulation that was done unto you, and partly while ye became companions of them which so passed their time. For ye suffered also with my bonds, and took a worth the spoiling of your goods, and that with gladness, remembering in yourselves how that ye had in heaven a better, and an enduring substance. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great reward to recompense. For ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a very little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry: But the just shall live by faith. And if he withdraw himself, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. We are not which withdraw ourselves unto damnation, but pertain to faith, for to the win our souls.

The .xj. Chapter.

Faith is a sure confidence of things which are hoped for, and a certainty of things which are not seen. By it the elders were well reported of. Thorow faith we understand that the world was ordained, by the word of God: That by the means of things which appear, things which are invisible might be known. By faith Abel offered unto God a more plenteous sacrifice than Cain: by which, he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: by which also he being dead, yet speaketh.

By faith was Enoch translated that he should not see death: neither was he found: for God had taken him away. Before he was taken away, he obtained record, that he had pleased God: but without faith it is unpossible to please him. For he that cometh to God, must believe that God is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek him.

By faith Noah honoured God, after that he was warned of things which were not seen, and prepared the ark to the saving of his household, thorow the which ark he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which cometh by faith.

By faith Abraham, when he was called obeyed to go out into a place, which he should afterward receive to inheritance, and he went out, not knowing whither he should go.

By faith he removed into the land that was promised him, as into a strange country, and dwelt in tabernacles: and so did Isaac, and Iacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked for a city having a foundation, whose builder and maker is God.

Thorow faith Sara also received strength to be with child, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful which had promised.

And therefore sprang there of one (and of one which was as good as dead) so many in multitude, as the stars of the sky, and as the sand of the sea shore which is innumerable.

And they all died in faith, and received not the promises: but saw them afar off, and believed them, and saluted them: and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. They that say such things, declare that they seek a country. Also if they had been mindful of that country, from whence they came, they had leisure to have returned again. But now they desire a better, that is to say a celestial. Wherefore God is not ashamed of them, even to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

In faith Abraham offered up Isaac, when he was tempted, and he offered him being his only son, in whom he had received the promises: Of whom it was said, in Isaac shall thy seed be called: for he considered, that God was able to raise up again from death. Wherefore received he him, as an ensample of the resurrection. In faith Isaac blessed Iacob and Esau, as concerning things to come.

By faith Iacob when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Ioseph, and worshipped on the top of his sceptre.

By faith Ioseph when he died, remembered the departing of the children of Israhel, and gave commandment of his bones.

By faith Moses when he was born, was hid three months of his father and mother, because they saw he was a proper child: neither feared they the king's commandment.

By faith Moses when he was of a great age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, and chose rather to suffer adversity with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, and esteemed the rebuke of Christ greater riches, than the treasure of Egypt. For he had a respect unto the reward.

By faith he forsook Egypt, and feared not the fierceness of the king. For he endured, even as he had seen him which is invisible. Thorow faith he ordained the ester lamb, and the effusion of blood, lest he that destroyed the first born should touch them.

By faith they passed thorow the reed sea as by dry land, which when the egyptians had assayed to do, they were drowned.

By faith the walls of Iericho fell down after they were compassed about, seven days.

By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, after she had received the spies to lodging peaceably.

And what shall I more say, the time would be too short for me to tell of Gideon, of Barach, and of Samson, and of Iephthae. Also of David and Samuel, and of the prophets, which thorow faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained the promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, of weak were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. The women received their dead raised to life again.

Other were racked, and would not be delivered, that they might receive a better resurrection. Other tasted of mockings, and scourgings, moreover of bonds and prisonment: were stoned, were hewn asunder, were tempted, were slain with swords, walked up and down in sheep skins, in goat skins, in need, tribulation, and vexation, which the world was not worthy of: They wandered in wilderness, in mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.

And these all thorow faith obtained good report, and received not the promise, God providing a better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

The .xij. Chapter.

Wherefore let us also (seeing that we are compassed with so great a multitude of witnesses) lay away all that presseth down, and the sin that hangeth on us, and let us run with patience, unto the battle that is set before us, looking unto Iesus, the author and finisher of our faith, which for the joy that was set before him, abode the cross, and despised the shame, and is set down on the right hand of the throne of God. Consider therefore how that he endured such speaking against him of sinners, lest ye should be wearied and faint in your minds. For ye have not yet resisted unto bloodshedding, striving against sin. And ye have forgotten the consolation which speaketh unto you, as unto children: My son despise not the chastening of the lord, neither faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the lord loveth, him he chasteneth: yee, and he scourgeth every son that he receiveth.

If ye shall endure chastening, God offereth himself unto you, as unto sons. What son is that whom the father chasteneth not? If ye be not under correction (where of all are part takers) then are ye bastards and not sons. Moreover seeing we had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall not we much rather be in subjection unto the father of spiritual gifts that we might live? And they verily for a few days, nurtured us after their own pleasure: but he learneth us unto that which is profitable, that we might receive of his holiness. No manner learning for the present time seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it bringeth the quiet fruit of righteousness unto them which are therein exercised.

Stretch forth therefore again the hands which were let down, and the weak knees, and see that ye have straight steps unto your feet, lest any halting turn out of the way: yee, let it rather be healed. Embrace peace with all men, and wholiness: without the which, no man shall see the lord. And see that no man be destitute of the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness spring up and trouble: and thereby many be defiled. That there be no fornicator, or unclean person, as Esau, which for one breakfast sold his right that belonged unto him, in that he was the eldest brother. Ye know how that afterward when that he would have inherited the blessing, he was put by. His repentance found no grace, no though he desired that blessing with tears.

For ye are not come unto the mount that is touched, and unto burning fire, nor yet to mist and darkness and tempest of weather, neither unto the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words: which voice they that heard it, wished away, that the communication should not be spoken to them. For they were not able to abide that which was spoken. If a beast had touched the mountain, it must have been stoned, or thrust thorow with a dart: even so terrible was the sight which appeared. Moses said I fear and quake. But ye are come unto the mount Sion, and to the city of the living God, the celestial Ierusalem: and to an innumerable sight of angels, and unto the congregation of the first born sons, which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of Just and perfect men, and to Iesus the mediator of the new testament, and to the sprinkling of blood that speaketh better than the blood of Abel.

See that ye despise not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not which refused him that spake on earth: Much more shall we not escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: whose voice then shook the earth, and now declareth saying: yet once more will I shake, not the earth only, but also heaven. No doubt the same that he sayeth, yet once more, signifieth the removing a way of those things which are shaken, as of things which have ended their course: that the things which are not shaken may remain. Wherefore if we receive a kingdom which is not moved, we have grace, whereby we may serve God and please him with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.

The .xiij. Chapter.

Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to be kind to strangers. For thereby have divers received angels into their houses unawares. Remember them that are in bonds, even as though ye were bound with them. Be mindful of them which are in adversity, as ye which are yet in your bodies. Let wedlock be had in price in all points, and let the chamber be undefiled: for whore keepers and advoutrers God will judge. Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with that ye have already. For he verily said: I will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: that we may boldly say: The lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man doeth unto me. Remember them which have the oversight of you, which have declared unto you the word of God: consider the conversation of their living, and counterfeit their faith.

Iesus Christ yesterday and today, and the same continueth for ever. Be not carried thither with divers and strange learning. For it is a good thing that the heart be stablished with grace, and not with meats, which have not profited them that have had their pastime in them. We have an altar whereof they may not eat which serve in the tabernacle. For the bodies of those beasts (whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest to purge sin) are burnt without the tents. Therefore Iesus, to sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered with out the gate. Let us go forth therefore out of the tents, and suffer rebuke with him. For here have we no continuing city: but we seek a city to come.

For by him offer we the sacrifice of laud always to God: that is to say the fruit of those lips, which confess his name. To do good, and to distribute forget not, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Obey them that have the oversight of you, and submit yourselves to them, for they watch for your souls, even as they should give accounts for them: that they may do it with joy, and not with grief. For that is an unprofitable thing for you. Pray for us. We have confidence because we have a good conscience in all things, and desire to live honestly. I desire you therefore somewhat the more abundantly, that ye so do, that I may be restored to you quickly.

The God of peace that brought again from death our lord Iesus Christ, the great shepherd of the sheep, thorow the blood of the everlasting testament, make you perfect in all works, to do his will, and bring to pass, that whatsoever ye do, may be accepted in his sight, by the means of Iesus Christ. To whom be praise for ever while the world endureth Amen.

I beseech you brethren, suffer the words of exhortation: For we have written unto you in few words. Know the brother Timothy, whom we have sent from us, with whom (if he come shortly) I will see you. Salute them that have the oversight of you, and all the saints. They of Italy, salute you. Grace be with you all Amen.

Sent from Italy by Timotheous.

The pistel of S. Iames

The first Chapter.

Iames the servant of God, and of the lord Iesus Christ, sendeth greeting to the xij. tribes which are scattered here and there. My brethren, count it exceeding joy when ye fall into diverse temptations, remembering how that the trying of your faith bringeth patience: and let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and sound, that nothing be lacking unto you.

If any that is among you lack wisdom, let him ask of God (which giveth to all men without doubleness, and casteth no man in the teeth:) and it shall be given him: but let him ask in faith, and waver not. For he that doubteth is like the waves of the sea, tossed of the wind, and carried with violence. Neither let that man think that he shall receive any thing of God. A wavering minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted, and the rich in that he is made low. For even as the flower of the grass shall he vanish away. The son riseth with heat, and the grass is withered, and his flower fallen away, and the beauty of the fashion of it is perished: even so shall the rich man perish in his abundance.

Happy is the man that endureth in temptation, for when he is tried he shall receive the crown of life, which the lord hath promised to them that love him.

Let no man say when he is tempted that he is tempted of God: for God tempteth not unto evil: he tempteth no man: But every man is tempted drawn away, and enticed of his own concupiscence. Then when lust hath conceived, she bringeth forth sin, and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death.

Erre not my dear brethren. Every good gift, and every perfect gift, is from above and cometh down from the father of light, with whom is no variableness, neither is he changed unto darkness.

Of his own will begat he us with the word of life, that we should be the first [fruits] of his creatures.

Wherefore dear brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath. For the wrath of man worketh not that which is righteous before God.

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness, all superfluity of maliciousness, and receive with meekness the word that is grafted in you, which is able to save your souls: And see that ye be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves [with sophistry]. For if any hear the word, and do it not, he is like unto a man that beholdeth his bodily face in a glass. For as soon as he hath looked on himself, he goeth his way, and hath immediately forgotten what his fashion was: but whosoever looketh in the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein (if he be not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work) he shall be happy in his deed.

If any man among you seem devout, and refrain not his tongue: but deceive his own heart, this man's devotion is in vain. Pure devotion and undefiled before God the father, is this: To visit the friendless, {fatherless} and widows in their adversity, and to keep himself unspotted from {of} the world.

The .ij. Chapter.

Brethren have not the faith of our lord Iesus Christ the lord of glory in respect of persons. If there come into your company a man with a golden ring, and in goodly apparel and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment, and ye have a respect to him that weareth the gay clothing and say unto him: Sit thou here in a good place: and say unto the poor, stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: are ye not even partial in yourselves, and have judged after evil thoughts?

Hearken my dear beloved brethren, hath not God chosen the poor of this world, which are rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom, which he promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Are not the rich they which oppress you: and they which draw you before judges? Do not they speak evil of that good name that is called on over you?

If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture which saith: Thou shalt love thine neighbour as thyself, ye do well: but if ye regard one person more than another, ye commit sin, and are rebuked of the law as transgressors. Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet fail in one point, he is guilty in all. For he that said: Thou shalt not commit fornication, said also: thou shalt not kill. Though thou shalt do no fornication, yet if thou kill, thou art a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For there shall be judgement merciless to him that sheweth no mercy, and mercy rejoiceth against judgement: What availeth it my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, when he hath no deeds? Can faith save him? If a brother or a sister be naked or destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them: Depart in peace, God send you warmness and food: notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body: what helpeth it them? Even so faith, if it have no deeds is dead in itself.

But one shall say: Thou hast faith, and I have deeds: Shew me thy faith by thy deeds: and I will shew thee my faith by my deeds. Believest thou that there is one God? Thou doest well. The devils also believe and tremble.

Wilt thou understand o thou vain man, that faith without deeds is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified of his deeds when he offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Thou seest how that faith wrought with in his deeds, and through the deeds was the faith made perfect. And the scripture was fulfilled which saith: Abraham believed God, and it was reputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the friend of God. Ye see then how that of deeds a man is justified, and not of faith only. Likewise also was not Raab the harlot justified when she received the messengers, and sent them out another way? For as the body, without the spirit is dead, even so faith without deeds is dead.

The .iij. Chapter.

My brethren, be not every man a master, Remembering how that we shall receive the more damnation. For in many things we sin all. If a man sin not in word, he is a perfect man and able to tame all the body. Behold we put bits into the horses' mouths that they should obey us, and we turn about all the body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the violence of the governor will: even so the tongue is little member and boasteth great things.

Behold how great a thing a little fire kindleth, and the tongue is fire, and a world of wickedness. So is the tongue set among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth a fire all that we have of nature, and is itself set afire, even of hell.

All the natures of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and things of the sea, are meeked and tamed of the nature of man. But the tongue can no man tame. It is an unruly evil full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God the father, and therewith curse we men which are made after the similitude of God. Out of one mought proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at one place sweet water, and bitter also? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries: other a vine bear figs? So can no fountain give both salt water and fresh also. Who is wise and endued with learning among you? Let him shew the works of his good conversation in meekness that is coupled with wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, rejoice not: neither be liars against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above: but is earthy, and natural, and devilish: For where envying and strife is, there is unstableness, and all manner of evil works: but the wisdom that is from above, is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without judging, and without simulation: yee, and the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace, of them that keep peace.

The .iiij. Chapter.

From whence cometh war, and fighting among you? come they not here hence? even of your voluptuousness that raineth in your members. Ye lust, and have not. Ye envy and have indignation, and cannot come by it. Ye fight and war, and have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask and have not, because ye ask amiss, for to consume it upon your voluptuousness. Ye advoutrers, and women that break matrimony: know ye not how that the friendship of the world is enmity to godward? Whosoever will be friend of the world, is made the enemy of God. Do ye suppose that the scripture saith in vain: The spirit that dwelleth in you, lusteth even contrary to envy: but giveth more grace.