in the enjoyment of a state, that can never change or decay, a state reserv'd in heaven for us,

whom the divine power preserves through faith for that salvation, which is going to be made manifest in the latter time.

since the salvation of your souls is the reward you receive for your faith.

for it is written, "be ye holy, because I am holy."

for human nature is like grass, and all their glory like the flower of the herb, the herb withers, the flower droops,

but the word of the Lord remains for ever: and that is the gospel, which has been preached to you.

and glorify God in the times of distress. be subject therefore, for the Lord's sake to every human establishment: whether it be to the king,

and to encourage those who do well. for such is the divine pleasure, that by your good conduct you obviate the cavils of inconsiderate

men. You are free, don't let your liberty serve as a pretext for vice: but act as the servants

of God. Be respectful to all, love your brethren, fear God, and honour the king.

but even to the morose. for it is a recommendation to the divine favour, to suffer unjust persecution

from a principle of conscience. what glory is there in suffering corporal punishment for real offences? but if you meet with ill usage for doing your duty, and bear it with constancy,

this will conciliate the divine favour. and this is the condition of your vocation, since Christ himself has suffer'd for us,

leaving an example for your exact imitation, he who never offended, and from whose lips no fallacy was ever utter'd,

he himself cancel'd our sins by the crucifixion of his body, that we being set free from sin, might live in the service of virtue. it is by his bruises that you were healed:

for you were as sheep going astray, but now you are brought back to the pastor and overseer of your souls.

don't return evil for evil, nor calumny for calumny; on the contrary, bestow your benedictions, considering that your vocation obliges you thereto, as a means to obtain the divine blessing.

for the eyes of the Lord are upon the virtuous, and his ears attend to their prayers, but the wicked he discountenances."

for who can hurt you, if you strive to excel in virtue.

adore the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready to show with modesty and respect to every one that asks it, what ground there is for the expectations you have:

for since it is the will of heaven you should suffer, it is better you should suffer for your virtue, than for any crimes.

for Jesus Christ himself has already suffer'd for our sins, the innocent for the guilty, to bring us to God: who, tho' he died with respect to his body, was rais'd to life by that spirit,

Since then Christ has with respect to his mortal nature died for us, arm yourselves with this reflection, that he, who is dead with respect to sensuality, has renounced sin;

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.

for the time past of your lives may suffice, to have liv'd in conformity to the Gentile customs, in impurity, licentiousness, sottishness, in dissolute festivals, and the criminal rites of idolaters.

for to this end was the gospel preach'd to those, who are now dead, that after having suffer'd the loss of this frail life from men, they might enjoy an immortal life with God.

but above all, let your mutual benevolence be intense, for benevolence cancels a multitude of offences.

My dear brethren, don't be surpriz'd at your being brought as it were to the test of fire; as if some strange thing had happen'd to you.

if you suffer indignities in the cause of Christ, you are happy: for the glorious spirit of God rests upon you.

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

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?

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

As for you that are young, be you submissive to those of a more advanc'd age: and do you all of you pay a becoming deference to one another: be cloak'd with humility, for " God opposes the proud, and shows favour to the humble."

refer all your disquietudes to him, for you are the objects of his care.

Be temperate, be vigilant: for your adversary the Devil goes about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.