Page images
PDF
EPUB

There are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

Christ is all, and in all.

All these worketh that one and the self-same Spirit.

These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you according to the riches of his glory, to 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, may be able to comprehend with all saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father: to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Blessed be God, even the God of all comfort.

CHAP. XVII.

DUTIES OF CHRISTIAN BRETHREN.

LOVE as brethren.

Be kindly affectioned one

to another with brotherly love. Ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. A new commandment I give unto you, love one another.

that ye

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Let your conversation be as becometh the gospel of Christ. If any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of his. They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh, with the affections and lusts.

Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

I beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.

Be at peace among yourselves. Let the peace of God rule in your hearts.

I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment.

Put on as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and

evil-speaking, be put away from you with all malice and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Peter came to him, and said, Lord, How oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times; but, Until seventy times seven.

Why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? Who art thou that judgest another man's servant ? to his own master he standeth or falleth, Let us not therefore judge one another any more but judge this rather; that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

If thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Take heed to yourselves: if thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day tuen gain to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

ידי.

It by brother shall trespass against thee, go and teli tum his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take

with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him ; let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

A man that is an heretick, after the first and second admonition, reject: knowing that he that is such, is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.

We exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feeble-minded, support the weak, be patient towards all men.

See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

Walk in wisdom toward them that are without. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Let not your good be evil spoken of.

Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

Abhor that which is evil; cicave to that which is good.

Speak not evil one of another, brethren. Be perfect; be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all thein which are sanctified.

Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

CHAP XVIII.

DUTIES TO ENEMIES.

LOVE your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth his rain on the just and on the unjust

Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth. He that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished. Be pitiful: not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing.

« PreviousContinue »