F From the First Epistle of PAUL to the THESSALONIANS. CHAP. II. OR yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: 2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God, with much contention. 3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile : 4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. 5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: 6 Nor of men fought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Chrift. 7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: 8 So being affectionately defirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own fouls, because ye were dear unto us. 9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail. For labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. 10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe : Ir As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, 12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. 13 For this cause also thank we God without ceafing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but (as it is in truth) the word of God, which effectually worketh alfo in you that believe. 14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God, God, which in Judea are in Chrift Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews : 15 Who both killed the Lord Jefus, and their own prophets, and have perfecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: 16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be faved, to fill up their fins alway. For the wrath is come upon them to the uttermoft. 17 But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to fee your face with great defire. 18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us. 19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Chrift at his coming? 20 For ye are our glory and joy. 2 For yourselves know perfectly, that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not fleep as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that fleep, fleep in the night; and they that be drunken, are drunken in the night. 8 But let us, who are of the day, be fober; putting on the breast-plate of faith and love; and, for an helmet, the hope of falvation. 9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Chrift, TO Who died for us; that whether we wake or fleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and e : dify one another, even as also ye do. 12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their works' fake. And be at peace among yourselves. 14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feeble minded, fupport the weak, be patient toward all men. 15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. 19 Quench not the Spirit. 20 Despise not prophecyings. 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. 23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and foul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Chrift. 24. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. 25 Brethren, pray for us. 26 Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss. 27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 16 Rejoice evermore. P From the First Epistle of PAUL to CHAP. I. AUL, an apostle of Je fus Chrift by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Chrift, which is our hope; mercy, and peace from God our Father, and Jesus Chrift our Lord. 3 As I befought thee to abide still at Ephefus when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some 2 Unto Timothy my own that they teach no other fon in the faith; grace, doctrine, 4 Neither 4 Neither give heed to 12 And I thank Chrift fables and endless genealo- Jesus our Lord, who hath gies, which minister questi- enabled me, for that he ons rather than godly edify- counted me faithful, putting ing, which is in faith; so do. me into the ministry; 5 Now the end of the 13 Who was before a commandment is charity out blafphemer, and a perfecuof a pure heart, and of a tor, and injurious. But I good confcience, and of faith obtained mercy, because I unfeigned: did it ignorantly in unbelief. 6 From which some having swerved have turned afide unto vain jangling; 7 Defiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. 8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant, with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Chrift Jesus came into the world to fave sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 Howbeit for this cause Chrif I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all long-fuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him, to life everlasting... 9 Knowing this that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for finners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers, and mur17 Now unto the King derers of mothers, for man-eternal, immortal, invisible, flayers, 10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for men-stealers, for liars, for perjured perfons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to found doctrine; II According to the glorious gospel of the bleffed God, which was committed to my truft. the only wife God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 18 This charge I commit unto thee, fon Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; 19 Holding faith and a good confcience; which some having put away, concerning faith H2 faith have made shipwreck: 20 Of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blafpheme. L CHAP. VI. ET as many fervants as are under the yoke, count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blafphemed. 2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren: but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. 3 If any man teach otherwife, and consent not to wholfome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, ftrife, railings, evil surmifings, 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and deftitute of the truth, suppofing that gain is godliness: from fuch withdraw thyself. 6 But godliness with con 1tentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment, let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich, fall into temptation, and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which, while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many forrows. II But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and haft professed a good profession before many witnesses. 13 I give thee charge in the fight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Chrift Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confeffion; 14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing |