according as he had chosen us in himself before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy, free from vice, and devoted to virtue.

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.

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of glory, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, whereby ye may know him:

an enlightned understanding, that ye may see what great expectations he has called you to, and what abundant glory it is to the saints to be the lot of his inheritance.

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;

When you were in that destructive state of transgression and sin,

in which you formerly liv'd, influenc'd by the customs of this world, and by the prince of the aerial powers, the spirits that now actuate the incredulous:

then it was that God, who is rich in mercy, thro' his great love, wherewith he loved us,

did raise us all, who were in that deadly state of sin, to life by Christ, for by grace ye are saved:

that in the ages to come, he might shew the immense riches of his gracious kindness towards us, through Christ Jesus.

for by grace are ye saved, thro' faith (and that not from us:

it is the gift of God) but not by works, so that no man can boast:

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.

Wherefore remember that you were heretofore Gentiles, being denominated the uncircumcised, by those who are the circumcised by a manual operation;

that at that time ye were without all knowledge of the Messiah, being aliens from the common-wealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope, and living in the world without any true knowledge of God.

(which kept us at variance) by abolishing the dogmatical injunctions of the law, that having made the peace, he might incorporate the two into one new body under himself;

that he might reconcile both in one body unto God by the cross, wherefore he destroyed the enmity that was between them:

and being come, he preached the glad tidings of peace to YOU who were afar off, and to US that were nigh.

This it is that makes me Paul a prisoner for Jesus Christ upon your account, O Gentiles;

"that the Gentiles should be heirs as well as the Jews, make one body together, and partake of the divine promise in Christ by the gospel."

upon me, who am the meanest of all christians, is this favour bestowed, that I should proclaim to the Gentiles the undiscoverable advantages by Christ;

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:

that the manifold wisdom of God, in ordering his heavenly kingdom, might by his church be now made known, to princes and magistrates,

in pursuance of that dispensation which he made to former ages by Christ Jesus our Lord:

Wherefore I desire that you be not dejected at the tribulations I am under for your sake, which are matter of glory to you.

that by his immense power he would strengthen the faculties of your minds by his spirit:

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

Be ye rooted and grounded in social virtue, that you may be able to comprehend with all saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height of this mystery:

and be sensible of his exceeding love, in giving you the knowledge of Christ, that you may be filled with all the supplies of divine bounty.

Now unto him that is able to do infinitely above what we ask or comprehend, by his power operating in us,

I therefore the prisoner for the Lord, beseech you to live suitably to the offers that have been made to you:

now his having ascended, what does it mean, but that he had descended into the lower parts of the earth?

he that descended, is the same too that ascended far above all heavens, to perfect all things.

It is he then that made some, apostles: some, prophets: some, evangelists: and others, pastors, and teachers:

till being united in a perfect belief, and acknowledgment of the son of God, we grow up to that full state of maturity required by 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:

let him that stole, steal no more: but rather let him labour, to encrease his fortune with his own hands, that he may have wherewithal to relieve the needy:

let no obscene language defile your mouth, use only such as tends to edification, that it may be beneficial to the hearers.

for this you know, that no licentious or dissolute person, no lewd libertine, that is, an idolater, hath any part in the kingdom of Christ, and of God.

let no man mislead you by vain reasonings: for it is for these vices, that the wrath of God lights upon the incredulous.

but whatever is unjustifiable will be brought to light: and that will show them to be unjustifiable.

wherefore 'tis said, " awake thou that sleepest, arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light."

See then that you behave circumspectly, and not as fools, but as wise,

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

for the husband presides over his wife, as Christ presides over the church: and he it is that preserves the whole body.

that he himself might make her appear illustrious to his own eye, a church without spot, or any thing like a defect; so as to be holy and irreprehensible.

in like manner ought men to love their wives, as their own bodies: "he that loves his wife, loveth himself."

that it may be well with thee, and thou mayst be long-lived on the earth."

and not to men: considering that whatever good any man doth, he shall be rewarded for it by the Lord, whether he be a slave or free.

and you masters have a just regard to them, by softning your authority: knowing that both their and your master is in heaven, where there is no respect of persons with him.

put on the set of divine armour, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

wherefore invest yourselves with the set of divine armour, that ye may be able to withstand in the difficult day, and having overcome all to maintain your ground.

in particular for me, that I may have leave to speak without any restraint, and make known the mystery of the gospel,

for which I am an embassador, tho' in chains: that I may duely represent it to the full.

grace be with all those that have love uncorrupted for our Lord Jesus Christ. amen.