and this they were destin'd to. but you are the chosen race, you are kings and priests, the holy nation, the peculiar people, that you might display his glory, who called you out

but may the all-gracious God, who has called us to eternal glory, perfect, confirm, fortify, and settle you, during the short interval of your sufferings.

We know too, that all things co-operate for the good of those who love God, who, pursuant to his purpose, has now called them:

to such as we, whom he has called, both from among the Jews, and from among the Gentiles.

I press towards the mark for the prize to which God has called me from above by Jesus Christ.

conjuring you to live suitably to the favour of God, who has called you to his kingdom and glory.

for God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness:

who has saved us, and by the gospel hath called us to holiness, not in consideration of our works, but in pursuance of his own resolution, and the favour, which having been promised us by Jesus Christ several ages ago,

It is thus his divine power has given us every thing conducive to life and piety, by making us acquainted with him, who has called us by his illustrious power;

Is

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia, write, "THESE things saith He that is holy, He that is true, He that hath the key of David, He that openeth what no man can shut; and shutteth what no man can open:

the four animals had each of them six wings about him, and they were full of eyes within; and they never ceas'd day and night, crying, HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, Lord God ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS, WHO IS, AND WHO WILL BE. and when those animals gave glory,

and they cried with a loud voice, saying, "how long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou defer doing justice, and avenging our blood on those that dwell on the earth?"

So

be ye therefore perfect, even as your father who is in heaven is perfect.

that we should be delivered from the power of our enemies, and serve him with security,

since then, we have these promises, my dear brethren, let us cleanse our selves from all impurity, whether of body or mind, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Be ye therefore imitators of God, as his dear children; live together in love,

only conduct yourselves in a manner becoming the gospel of Christ, that whether I come to see you, or else am absent, I may have this account of you, that you are stedfastly of the same resolution, and unanimously contend for the faith of the gospel,

that you may be without reproach, the inoffensive spotless children of God in the midst of a depraved and perverse generation (among whom you should shine as stars in the world,

and such is the will of God, that you should be holy, and avoid licentiousness;

For the divine savour has display'd its salutary effects to all mankind:

This is a secure rule, and what I would have you constantly maintain, that they who have believed in God, should take care to be examples of virtue, for that is commendable and useful to mankind.

seek peace with all men, and sanctity of life, without which no man shall see the Lord:

by which we have receiv'd the most inestimable promises, that thereby you might become partakers of the divine perfections, after having escap'd from the corruption of a sensual world.

In

souls. Let your behaviour among the Gentiles be virtuous, that instead of inveighing against you as vicious, they may observe your honest behaviour,

always maintaining a good conscience, that instead of inveighing against you as evildoers, they may be cover'd with confusion, who traduce your virtuous behaviour as Christians.

but we are the denisons of heaven, from whence we expect the saviour Jesus Christ our Lord.

don't give occasion to any to despise your youth: but be a pattern to believers in your discourse, in your behaviour, by your charity, faith and chastity.

let your morals be free from avarice, being contented with what you have: for he hath said, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."

Whoever is a skilful moralist, let him show by his virtuous conduct, that he practises the humble precepts of wisdom.

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

General references

in the sincere practice of holiness and justice, all our days.

be ye therefore merciful, as your father is merciful.