so then, my brethren, we are not children of the bond-woman, but of the free-woman, by virtue of that freedom which Christ has procur'd for us.

having predetermin'd to adopt us by Jesus Christ to be his children, according to the good pleasure of his own will,

to display the glory of his grace, which has render'd us acceptable by his beloved son:

for he has discover'd to us the secret of his will, that out of his meer good pleasure, he had purposed in himself,

It is by him, that we have a share in the inheritance, which was before allotted to us, in consequence of his design, who executes the whole plan, as he himself had contriv'd it:

that we should celebrate his glory, who were the first that plac'd our hopes in Christ.

by whom you also have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: and having believed in him, ye were mark'd with the seal of the holy spirit, which was promised:

and how exceedingly great that power is, which he has employ'd upon us who believe, a power corresponding to that energy of his mighty strength;

for he hath made us a-new, and form'd us by Christ Jesus to do good works, for which God had before prepared us, that we might live in them.

but Joseph her husband, being a good-natur'd man, and unwilling to expose her to publick shame, he designed to put her away privately.

and she shall be deliver'd of a son, to whom you shall give the name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Then Joseph being awak'd out of sleep, did as the angel of the Lord directed, and took his wife home,

when king Herod heard these things, he was alarm'd, and all Jerusalem with him.

but being divinely warn'd in a dream, not to go back to Herod, they returned into their own country another way.

When they were gone, an angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, take the infant and his mother, flee into Egypt, and don't stir thence till I order you, for Herod will endeavour to have the child destroy'd. Joseph therefore arose,

and went to dwell in a town called Nazareth, so that those words of one of the prophets were fulfill'd, "He shall be called a Nazarene."

and having confess'd their sins, they were baptized by him in Jordan.

and Jesus answer'd, Let it be so for the present, for it becometh us to do whatever is right. then John consented.

and when Jesus was baptized, he came out of the water: and immediately the heavens seem'd to be parted asunder before him, and he saw the Spirit

if so be you have heard of the charge, which God has graciously dispens'd to me for you Gentiles;

having revealed to me the secret, I now mention'd in short,

which preceeding was not discover'd to men, as now it is to his holy apostles and prophets by the spirit; to wit,

and display to all the world that mysterious dispensation, which from all past ages has been conceal'd in the secret purpose of God, who created all things:

so that your souls may be possess'd with faith in Christ.

that we should be no longer children, fluctuating, and carried about with every empty doctrine, by men vers'd in sleight and the crafty arts of deceit:

who without remorse, have abandon'd themselves to brutality, in gratifying every lewd unnatural passion.

if you have heard of him, and have been taught the truth as he preach'd it:

don't you therefore be concern'd with them.

do not drink to excess, for that tends to dissoluteness, but be regal'd with spiritual entertainments:

and the favour I ask of him is this, that your kindness to me may be crown'd with farther improvements in knowledge and all prudence;

so that the whole court and publick are well appriz'd that I am a prisoner upon the account of Jesus Christ.

even many of our brethren, encourag'd by my bonds, preach the word with greater freedom and intrepidity.

is it not however some advantage? since in either way, whether it be occasionally, or professedly, Christ is preach'd; which is now, and always will be matter of joy to me.

I am doubly press'd between my desire to depart, in order to be with Christ, which is by far the best for ME;

Wherefore, my beloved, as you have always obey'd the gospel, not only when I was with you, but much more now while I am absent, continue the work of your own salvation, whatever persecutions you apprehend:

you know he has stood the test, and has serv'd with me in the gospel, as a son serves with his father.

for he was upon the brink of death for the service of Christ, having expos'd his life to the greatest dangers, to perform those kind offices, which you could not do yourselves.

if zeal is to be regarded, I persecuted the church; if the integrity prescrib'd by the law, I am without reproach;

for I am not yet secure of the prize, I have not yet finish'd my course: but I press to obtain the reward, which Jesus Christ invited me to.

in the mean while, as we are already advanc'd so far, pursue your course, and keep it still in view:

who in the. end will be ruin'd, who place their religion in sensuality, their glory in that which is their shame, and fix their thoughts upon this earth.

the Lord is coming: be not in any manner of sollicitude, but in all your occasions lay your requests before God by prayer and supplication accompany'd by thanksgiving.

and the favour of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall keep your hearts and mind attach'd to Jesus Christ.

Now I joyfully thank the Lord, that your concern for me has at length reviv'd. not that you wanted the disposition, but only the opportunity.

it is not my indigence that makes me say this: for I have learn'd, in whatevever state I am, therewith to be content: I know how to be in want,

I know how to abound: every where, and in every circumstance, I have been prepar'd for fulness or famine, for plenty or penury:

which is not only come to you, but to all the world; where it produces its effects, and increases, as it does also among you, ever since you sincerely embrac'd the divine favour,

which you heard was offer'd to you, by the instructions of Epaphras, our dear fellow-servant, who is to you a faithful minister of Christ:

who has deliver'd you from the state of darkness, and has translated you into the kingdom of his beloved son.

It is by him, that we have obtain'd the redemption, even the remission of our sins:

in whom are reserv'd all the treasures of wd om and knowledge.

continue therefore to follow the doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ, as you have receiv'd it:

being firmly attach'd to, and founded upon him: establishing yourselves in the faith you have been taught, and being thankful for the improvement you make therein.

by whom also ye have obtain'd the true spiritual circumcision, not effected by men, when you were by a christian circumcision divested of all your carnal affections,

and cancell'd the obligation of the ceremonial law, which was disadvantageous to us, removing that which divided us, and nailing it to the cross.

and having divested principalitys and powers, he made them an example of obedience, and caus'd them to triumph in Christ.

but now renounce them all, as well as anger, animosity, malice: let calumny and obscene discourse be banish'd from your lips.

improv'd by knowledge into a resemblance of him, who made this change:

be you therefore adorn'd with a compassionate temper, with benevolence, humility, meekness, patience as becometh saints and chosen favourites of God:

fathers, don't treat your children with severity, lest they be discourag'd.

but he that does wrong shall be punish'd for his injustice: for no regard will be shown to the external characters of men.

let an air of modesty appear in all your discourse; and let it be seasoned with discretion, in making a proper reply, when you are call'd into question.

As to what relates to me, you will be inform'd of it by Tychicus my dear brother, who is a faithful minister of the Lord, and serves him with me.

Aristarchus my companion in bonds salutes you. and so does Mark, nephew to Barnabas, for whom you have receiv'd recommendations. if he come to you, give him a kind reception.

have cordially reliev'd me. Epaphras a servant of Christ, and your countryman, salutes you, who is always very earnest in his prayers, that you may be perfectly acquainted with, and constantly observe,

the whole will of God. for I can witness for him, that he is ardently concern'd for you, and the christians of Laodicea,

and you imitated us, and were imitators of the Lord, having receiv'd the word, notwithstanding all your afflictions, with that alacrity, which the holy spirit inspires.

how successful our arrival was among you, and how you renounc'd your idols to serve the living and true God,

on the contrary, notwithstanding the outrages, you know we suffer'd at Philippi, we had still the resolution, by the divine assistance, to preach the gospel of God to you without reserve against all opposition.

we behav'd to you with a tender regard, even as a mother, who nurses her own children.

As for me, my brethren, having been so abruptly separated from you, in person, tho' not in affection, I have the more ardently endeavour'd to see you again.

Being therefore impatient to hear of you, we judg'd it proper to stay at Athens alone, and send you our brother Timothy,

and even when we were with you, we foretold you, that we should be persecuted, as you know it happen'd.

for now I am reviv'd, since you continue stedfast in the christian profession.

that by the sanctity of your affections, you may stand unreprov'd in the presence of God our father, when our Lord Jesus Christ shall come with all his holy angels.

then we, who shall be still alive, shall be convey'd together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall ever be with the Lord.

you inherit the advantages of meridian light: we are not involv'd in the obscurity of night.

but let us, who enjoy the light, be temperate; let us be arm'd with the breast-plate of faith and charity, and for an helmet, with the hope of salvation.

be thankful to God for every thing, for so christians are oblig'd to be.

Ye have heard that it has been said to the antients, "Thou shalt not kill: and whosoever shall kill, shall be punish'd by the tribunal."

When therefore you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has reason to be displeas'd with you:

And when you pray, be not as the hypocrites are: for they chuse to stand praying in publick places, and at the corners of the streets, to be observ'd by men. I assure you, they have their reward.

no man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or he will be attach'd to the one, and neglectful of the other. ye cannot serve God and Mamon.

is there any of you that would offer his son a stone when he ask'd for bread?

At length Jesus finished his discourse, and the people were fill'd with astonishment at his doctrine.

the centurion answered, Lord, I am not worthy the honour of such a visit: do but give the word, and my servant is sav'd.

when Jesus heard it, he was surpriz'd, and said to his followers, I profess I have not met with such an instance of faith, no not in Israel.

and he answer'd, why are you afraid, o incredulous people? then he arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.

but the crew were all amaz'd; what is this man, said they, that even the winds and the sea obey him?

and they roar'd out, Jesus, thou son of God, what injury have we done you? are you come here to torment us before the time?

and Jesus bad them go, accordingly they came out, and went into the herd of swine: and immediately the herd of swine ran furiously down a precipice into the sea, where they were all drown'd.

and they that kept them fled away into the town, and told the whole story of what had happen'd to the devils and their demoniacs.

whereupon the city went in a body to meet Jesus, and when they saw him they desir'd him to withdraw out of their country.

and while Jesus was at table in Matthew's house, several publicans and loose people happen'd to come in, who sat down with him and his disciples.

Jesus answer'd them, can the bride-men mourn, while the bridegroom is with them? the day indeed will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then will be the time to fast.

new cloth is never patch'd upon an old garment: for the patch will draw the garment, and rend it still worse.

neither do men put new wine into old skins: if they should, the bottles will burst, so that the wine will be lost and the skins be spoil'd: but they put new wine into new skins, whereby both are preserved.

Whilst he thus entertain'd them, the ruler of the synagogue came and made his address to him, saying, my daughter is upon the point of death: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.

so Jesus arose, together with his disciples, and follow'd him.

When a woman, who had been troubled with an hemorrhage twelve years, came behind him, and touch'd the hem of his garment.