but we desire that every one of you may shew the same concern, continuing to discharge the condition upon which your hopes are founded: that ye be not unactive,

Let us stedfastly maintain the hope which we have avow'd, since he is faithful that has promised:

You know, that in a race, tho' all run, but one receives the prize: so run, that you may obtain.

wherefore let him that thinks he stands firm, take heed lest he fall.

Invested then with such a commission, I beseech you let not the offers of divine favour be made to you in vain.

Examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith; bring yourselves to the proof; are you so little acquainted with yourselves, as not to know whether Jesus Christ be in you? but if you are destitute of proofs,

Wherefore be the more diligent, my brethren, to secure your vocation and election by your virtuous actions, for by so doing, you will never relapse:

Since then this whole system is to be destroyed, how holy should your conduct be, and how ardent your piety?

be upon your guard, that we may not lose the fruit of our labours, but that we may receive our full reward.

but you, my brethren, improve yourselves in your most holy faith, present your addresses by the holy spirit,

Any man

but as for thee, I have pray'd that you faith may not fail. do you in return establish thy brethren.

Social affection will never fail: but as for prophecies, they shall be out of use; as for languages, they shall cease; as for knowledge, it shall vanish away.

Christ is of no use to you, whoever of you seek to be justified by the law; you have lost all interest in the gospel-dispensation.

Fail of

Christ is of no use to you, whoever of you seek to be justified by the law; you have lost all interest in the gospel-dispensation.

Any root

Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you such incredulity as to make you desert the living God.

you will know them by their fruits: do men gather grapes of thorns,

Trouble

But fornication, and all impurity, or inordinate desire, let it not be approved by you, as being unworthy of christians: neither ribaldry,

Mortify therefore your sensual appetites, fornication, impurity, irregular passions, wicked desires, and that licentiousness practised by idolaters.

And thereby

nay, among your own body some will start up to vent their intricate conceits, and draw a number of followers.

Your levity is very indecent: don't you know that a little leaven infects the whole mass?

be not deceived : "vicious conversation corrupts good morals."

and the rest of the Jews dissembled likewise with him, insomuch that Barnabas himself was carried away with their hypocrisy.

discountenance such as hold vain irreligious discourse; for they will grow bold in impiety,

As there were false prophets among the people of Israel, there will likewise be false doctors among you, who by introducing pernicious sects, and by renouncing the Lord, who bought them, will bring upon themselves swift destruction.

General references

be circumspect, be vigilant, and devout: because you are uncertain when that time will be.

which affected the whole assembly, and all that heard of it with great dread.