be not therefore asham'd of the testimony of the Lord, nor of me who am a prisoner upon his account. but share with me in the afflictions, which attend the gospel, supported as you are by the power of God,

and what you heard me deliver in the presence of many, intrust to such persons of integrity as are qualified to instruct others

he will renounce us likewise: tho' we are diffident, he is still faithful, and will not retract his word.

and their doctrine will spread like the gangrene. Hymeneus and Philetus are such:

however, the foundation of the divine architect is still immoveable, having this inscription, " the Lord discerns who are his." and, " let every one that invokes the name of the Lord, depart from iniquity."

in a palace there are vessels not only of gold, and of silver, but of wood and of earth likewise: some are for honourable uses, and others for meaner purposes.

Of this number are they, who insinuate themselves into families, to make a prey of the weaker sex, who are inveigled by their vitious suggestions, abetted by their own subtle passions,

As for me, you are perfectly acquainted with my doctrine, my conduct, my designs, my temper, my benevolence, my constancy,

But be you attach'd to the doctrine you have learnt, with which you are intrusted, considering by whom you have been instructed:

for all divinely inspired writings are conducive to instruction, to conviction, to reformation, and the practice of virtue;

which, while they are deaf to the truth, attentively listen to fables.