L 11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother to A. D. 60. 13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Mark my son. 14 Greet ye one another with a kiss you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, Rom. 16.16. of charity. Peace be with you all that exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which ye stand. are in Christ Jesus. Amen. ¶ The Second Epistle general of PETER. CHAP. I. 1 Confirming them in hope of the increase of God's graces, 5 he exhorteth them by faith und good works, to make their calling sure: 12 of which he is careful to remind them, knowing that his death is at hand: 16 and warneth them to be constant in the faith of Christ, who is the true Son of God, by the eye-witness of the apostles beholding his majesty, and by the testimony of the Father and the prophets. IMON Peter, a servant and an apos obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 According as his divine power hath given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given to us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; A. D. 66. 1 or, by. to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and are established in the present truth. 13 Indeed, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; 14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as a our Lord Jesus Christ hath shown me. 15 Moreover, I will endeavor that ye may be able, after my decease, to have these things always in remembrance. 16 For we have not followed & cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye-witnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom am well pleased. C 18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him on the holy mount. 19 We have also a more sure word of John 21.18. Prophecy; to which ye do well that ye take heed, as to a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts: 61 Cor.1. 17. 6 And to knowledge temperance; and & 21. to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For a prophecy came not 2 in old 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; Matt. 17. 5. time by the will of man: but holy men and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. d 2 Tim.3.16. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath 2 or, at any forgotten that he was purified from his time. old sins. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 12 Wherefore I will not be negligent 1 or, lascivious ways, as some copies read. of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. CHAP. II. 4 For if God spared not a the angels & Gen. 7. 1. that sinned, but cast them down to 2 hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved to judgment; € Gen. 19. 24. ruption: for by whom a man is over come, by the same is he brought into be dage. 20 For if after they have escaped it pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesa Christ, they are again entangled in then and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, 5 And spared not the old world, but sor, wearied. than, after they have known it, to turn saved Noah the eighth person, a preach er of righteousness, bringing the flood upon the world of the ungodly; 6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned a Jude 8. them with an overthrow, making them an example to those that afterwards 5 Some read, should live ungodly lives. against themselves. 6 Gr. an 7 And delivered just Lot, 3 3 grieved with the habitual lewdness of the wicked: 8 (For that righteous man dwelling adulteress. among them, in seeing and hearing, grieved his righteous soul from day toe Num.22.23. day with their unlawful deeds ;) Jude 11. 9 The Lord knoweth how to delivers Jude 12,13. the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust to the day of judgment 7 or, for a to be punished: little, or, a while, as some read. 10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise 4 government. a Presumptuous are they, self-willed; they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. 11 Whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation 5 against them before the Lord. 8 John 8. 34. Matt. 12.45. 12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak Prov. 26.11. evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption: 1 Tim. 4. 1. 2 Tim. 3. 1. Jude 18. 13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day-time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while 1 Gr. consist they feast with you; ing. 14 Having eyes full of 6 adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: they have a heart exercised & Ps. 90. 4. with covetous practices; cursed children: 15 Who have forsaken the right way, and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice, forbad the madness of the prophet. Ezek. 18.32. & 33. 11. 17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; 1 Tim. 2. 4. to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that had 7 quite escaped from them who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of cor from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 But it hath happened to them according to the true proverb, i The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and, The Sow that was washed, to her wallowing in the mire. CHAP. III. 1 He assureth them of the certainty of Chrisft Twrite to you, in both which I str up your pure minds by way of remem- 2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Savior: 3 & Knowing this first, that there will come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 5 For this they, willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth i standing out of the water and in the water: 6 By which the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved to fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but a that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein will be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things 1 Thes. 5. 2. will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy deportment and godliness, the wisdom given to him, hath written to you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable Wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, to their own destruction. 17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. 18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. The First Epistle general of JOHN. CHAP. I. A. D. 90. 1 He describeth the person of Christ, in whom we have eternal life by a communion with God: 5 to which we must join holiness of life, to testify the truth of our communion and profession of faith, as also to assure us of a John 8. 12. the forgiveness of our sins by Christ's death. THAT, which was from the begin. Hebr.9.14. we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the word of life; 2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and testify, and show to you that eternal life which was with the Father, and was manifested to us ;) 3 That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things we write to you, that your joy may be full. Rev. 1. 5. 46. € 1 Kings 8. Prov. 20. 9. Eccles.7.20. 1 or, hath CHAP. II. 1 He comforteth them against the sins of infirmity. 3 Rightly to know God is to keep his commandments, 9 to love our brethren, 15 and not to love the world. 18 We must beware of seducers: 20 from whose deceits the godly are safely preserved by perseverance in faith, and holiness of life. Y little children, these things I if any man 1 sinneth, a we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 3 And by this we do know that we 2 know him, if we keep his command ments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keepeth his word, in 5 This then is the message which we sinned, or, him verily is the love of God perfected: have heard from him, and declare to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. shall sin. by this we know that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him, ought himself also so to walk, even as he 6 If we say that we have fellowship a Hebr. 9. 24. walked. with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning: The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. 8 Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. 9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. 11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because darkness hath blinded his eyes. 12 I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. 13 I write to you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, because ye have known the Father. 14 I have written to you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. A. D. 90. have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. 15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man 4 or, abide loveth the world, the love of the Father in him: imis not in him. perative. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust of it: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist cometh, even now are there many antichrists; by which we know that it is the last time. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued 5 or, know with us: but they went out, that they ye. might be made manifest that they were not all of us. 20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. 21 I have not written to you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. 29 If ye know that he is righteous 5 ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. CHAP. III. 1 He declareth the singular love of God to wards us, in making us his sons: 3 whe therefore ought obediently to keep his com mandments, 11 as also to love one another as brethren. EHOLD, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 4 Whoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law; for sin is the transgression of the law. 5 And ye know that he was manifested a to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whoever abideth in him sinneth not: whoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. 7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whoever is born of God doth not a Is.53.6, &c. commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 22 Who is a liar but he that denieth John 8. 44. that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. 23 Whoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: [but] he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. 1 or, com- John 13.34. 24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. & 15. 12. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. 26 These things have I written to you concerning them that seduce you. 27 But the anointing which ye have received from him abideth in you, and d Gen. 4. 8. ye need not that any man should teach Luke 3. 11. 28 And now, little children, abide in 10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. 11 For this is the 1 message that ye have heard from the beginning that we should love one another. 12 Not as a Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And why did he slay him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous. 13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother, abideth in death. 15 Whoever hateth his brother, is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. 16 By this we perceive the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But he who hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God | in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 19 And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall 2 assure our hearts before him." 20 For if our heart condemneth us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart doth not condemn us, then have we confidence towards God. 22 And whatever we ask, we receive from him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. 23 And this is his commandment; That we should believe on the name of A D. 90. 2 Gr. per suade. Matt.21.22. John 15. 7. & 16. 23. John 6. 29. & 17.3. time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and do testify, that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 Whoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. 16 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. 17 In this is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of John 15.10. judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but per his Son Jesus Christ, and love one an- John 8. 47. fect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth, is not made perfect in love. 19 We love him, because he first loved us. 20 If a man sayeth, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar. For he that loveth not his brother, whom he hath seen, how can he love God, whom he 1 He warneth them not to believe all teachers c 1 Tim.6.16. hath not seen? BEL ELOVED, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this ye know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ hath come in the flesh, is from God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is not from God. And this is that spirit of antichrist, of which ye have heard that it should come; and even now already it is in the world." 4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 5 They are of the world: therefore they speak from the world, and the world heareth them. a 6 We are of God. He that knoweth God, heareth us; he that is not of God, heareth not us. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. 7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is from God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love. 9 In this was manifested the love of God towards us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love another. 12 No man hath seen God at any 1 Gr. love John 13.34. & 15. 12. 21 And a this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God, love his brother also. CHAP. V. 1 He that loveth God, loveth his children, and keepeth his commandments; 3 which to the faithful are light, and not grievous. 9 Jesus is the Son of God, able to save us, 14 and to hear our prayers, which we make for ourselves, and for others. HOEVER believeth that Jesus is every one that loveth him that begat, loveth him also that is begotten by him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments; and his commandments are not grievous. 4 For whatever is born of God, overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth testimony, because the Spirit is truth. 7 For there are three that bear testimony in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit, and these three are |