whom though you have not seen, you love: and though he is not now the object of your view, yet you believe in him, and triumph with such a laudable transport, as cannot be express'd:

and were answer'd, that it was not they, but we, who were concern'd in the events which they predicted, events which have been now represented to you by those, whom the holy spirit from heaven inspired to preach the gospel to you: a secret which the angels desire to penetrate into.

considering, that it was not by such perishable things as silver or gold, that you were releas'd from those vain rites and customs impos'd upon you by your fathers,

since your regeneration is not owing to any corruptible principles, but to the unchangeable word of the immortal God.

trusts thereon shall not be confounded. it will prove an honour to you, who believe; but to the incredulous, the same stone, which is the chief of the angle,

of darkness into his marvellous light: you, who formerly were not a people, but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy,

You that are servants, be subject to your masters with all reverence: not only to such as are kind and gentle,

who, when he was reviled, did not revile again: when he was in his sufferings, he did not threat, but referr'd his cause to the righteous judge.

let their ornament consist, not in what is external, in curling the hair, in appendages of gold, or finery of dress;

such was Sarah, who show'd her obeysance to Abraham, by stiling him her Lord: and you will be stiled her children, if you imitate her conduct, and are not to be terrified out of your virtue.

You husbands, do you on your part behave with prudence towards your wives: who being of a more delicate make, ought to be treated with the greater tenderness: and consider they are equally intitled to the evangelical gifts, that your prayers may not be frustrated.

thus baptism, which corresponds to the deluge, does now save us, not as it is a cleansing from external filth, but as it is an engagement to lead a divine life, from the belief of the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

so that for the future he does not pass the rest of this life in gratifying his sensual passions, but in conformity to the divine precepts.

take care therefore not to suffer upon the account of homicide, or thievery, or for any criminal, or pragmatical practices.

but whoever suffers as a christian, let him not be asham'd, but rather give thanks to God upon that account.

for now is the time when God will begin his judgments with his own church. now if he begins with us, what will the conclusion be to those who do not obey the divine gospel?

to exhort you to feed the flock of God, which is among you: to take care of it, voluntarily, without reluctance, not from any view to sordid gain, but out of real affection;

not to domineer over the laity, but to be examples for their imitation;