to sanctify them by his spirit, that by their obedience they might be sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ. may the divine savour make you continually prosper.

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.

This it is that fills you with joy, notwithstanding the various tryals, which still necessarily afflict you,

that your faith being put to a more advantageous proof, than that of gold, which loses by the essay, may redound to your praise and highest honour at the appearance of Jesus Christ:

'Twas this salvation, that employ'd the most profound enquiries of those, who predicted the dispensation that was to be in your behalf:

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,

who was destin'd before the creation of the world, tho' 'tis of late only that he has appear'd, upon your account:

it is by him that you believe in God, who has raised him from the dead, and invested him with glory, that your faith and your hope might be in God.

You that have purified your souls by the holy spirit, in obeying the gospel, which obliges you to an undisguised benevolence, let your hearts be mutually affected with the most disinterested ardour;

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

Renouncing therefore every kind of malice, and knavery, hypocrisy, envy, and detraction, as new-born infants desire that mystical milk,

wherefore it is said in the scripture, I lay in Sion the principal stone of the angle, a choice one of great value: he that

and this they were destin'd to. but you are the chosen race, you are kings and priests, the holy nation, the peculiar people, that you might display his glory, who called you out

souls. Let your behaviour among the Gentiles be virtuous, that instead of inveighing against you as vicious, they may observe your honest behaviour,

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

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

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:

Let the married women be subservient to their husbands, that if they happen to disbelieve the gospel, they may be gain'd by the instructive conduct of their wives,

but in the internal qualities of the mind, in that purity, in that mild and dispassionate temper, which is so acceptable to the divine being.

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.

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.

" He that desires to live in prosperity, must restrain his tongue from detraction, and his lips from uttering falsehood:

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:

always maintaining a good conscience, that instead of inveighing against you as evildoers, they may be cover'd with confusion, who traduce your virtuous behaviour as Christians.

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.

As they think it strange, that you don't concur in the same profusion of luxury, they traduce you.

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.

let a speaker deliver nothing but what is agreeable to the divine oracles: and let him that attends the poor, be active in proportion to the strength God has given him. amen.

on the contrary, rejoice at the share you have of sufferings, as well as Christ: that you may likewise triumph, when he shall appear in his glory.

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

I address myself to you pastors, as being a pastor myself, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and as one who is to partake of the glory, that shall hereafter be made manifest;

that when the sovereign pastor shall appear, you may carry off a glorious crown, that will never fade.

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."

submit yourselves therefore to the divine jurisdiction, that he may exalt you in due time.

resist him by the steadiness of your faith, considering that your brethren among the Gentiles, suffer the same persecutions as you do.

I formerly writ to you a short epistle, by Silvanus, I think, a faithful brother, to declare and testify to you, that the true dispensation of God is that to which you are attach'd.