CLEMENT OF ROME, First Epistle

THE FIRST EPISTLE OF CLEMENT TO THE CORINTHIANS Translated by J.B. Light !!t. "Cle# $r!l!g%e&" The Ch%r'h ! (!d )hi'h s!*!%rneth in R!#e t! the Ch%r'h ! (!d )hi'h s!*!%rneth in C!rinth+ t! the# )hi'h are 'alled and san'ti ied by the )ill ! (!d thr!%gh !%r L!rd Jes%s Christ. (ra'e t! y!% and $ea'e r!# Al#ighty (!d thr!%gh Jes%s Christ be #%lti$lied. "Cle# "&" By reas!n ! the s%dden and re$eated 'ala#ities and re,erses )hi'h are be alling %s+ brethren+ )e '!nsider that )e ha,e been s!#e)hat tardy in gi,ing heed t! the #atters ! dis$%te that ha,e arisen a#!ng y!%+ dearly bel!,ed+ and t! the detestable and %nh!ly sediti!n+ s! alien and strange t! the ele't ! (!d+ )hi'h a e) headstr!ng and sel -)illed $ers!ns ha,e .indled t! s%'h a $it'h ! #adness that y!%r na#e+ !n'e re,ered and ren!)ned and l!,ely in the sight ! all #en+ hath been greatly re,iled. "Cle# "&/ F!r )h! that had s!*!%rned a#!ng y!% did n!t a$$r!,e y!%r #!st ,irt%!%s and stead ast aith0 1h! did n!t ad#ire y!%r s!ber and !rbearing $iety in Christ0 1h! did n!t $%blish abr!ad y!%r #agni i'ent dis$!siti!n ! h!s$itality0 1h! did n!t '!ngrat%late y!% !n y!%r $er e't and s!%nd .n!)ledge0 "Cle# "&2 F!r ye did all things )ith!%t res$e't ! $ers!ns+ and ye )al.ed a ter the !rdinan'es ! (!d+ s%b#itting y!%rsel,es t! y!%r r%lers and rendering t! the !lder #en a#!ng y!% the h!n!r )hi'h is their d%e. On the y!%ng t!! ye en*!ined #!dest and see#ly th!%ghts& and the )!#en ye 'harged t! $er !r# all their d%ties in a bla#eless and see#ly and $%re '!ns'ien'e+ 'herishing their !)n h%sbands+ as is #eet3 and ye ta%ght the# t! .ee$ in the r%le ! !bedien'e+ and t! #anage the a airs ! their h!%seh!ld in see#liness+ )ith all dis'reti!n. "Cle# /&" And ye )ere all l!)ly in #ind and ree r!# arr!gan'e+ yielding rather than 'lai#ing s%b#issi!n+ more glad to give than to receive+ and '!ntent )ith the $r!,isi!ns )hi'h (!d s%$$lieth. And gi,ing heed %nt! His )!rds+ ye laid the# %$ diligently in y!%r hearts+ and His s% erings )ere be !re y!%r eyes. "Cle# /&/ Th%s a $r! !%nd and ri'h $ea'e )as gi,en t! all+ and an insatiable desire ! d!ing g!!d. An ab%ndant !%t$!%ring als! ! the H!ly S$irit ell %$!n all3 "Cle# /&2 and+ being %ll ! h!ly '!%nsel+ in e4'ellent 5eal and )ith a $i!%s '!n iden'e ye stret'hed !%t y!%r hands t! Al#ighty (!d+ s%$$li'ating

Hi# t! be $r!$iti!%s+ i

%n)illingly ye had '!##itted any sin.

"Cle# /&6 7e had '!n li't day and night !r all the br!therh!!d+ that the n%#ber ! His ele't #ight be sa,ed )ith ear %lness and intentness ! #ind. "Cle# /&8 7e )ere sin'ere and si#$le and ree r!# #ali'e !ne t!)ards an!ther.

"Cle# /&9 E,ery sediti!n and e,ery s'his# )as ab!#inable t! y!%. 7e #!%rned !,er the transgressi!ns ! y!%r neighb!rs& ye *%dged their sh!rt'!#ings t! be y!%r !)n. "Cle# /&: 7e re$ented n!t ! work. any )ell-d!ing+ b%t )ere ready unto every good

"Cle# /&; Being ad!rned )ith a #!st ,irt%!%s and h!n!rable li e+ ye $er !r#ed all y!%r d%ties in the ear ! Hi#. The '!##and#ents and the !rdinan'es ! the L!rd )ere written on the tablets of your hearts. "Cle# 2&" All gl!ry and enlarge#ent )as gi,en %nt! y!%+ and that )as %l illed )hi'h is )ritten My beloved ate and drank and was enlarged and waxed fat and kicked. "Cle# 2&/ Hen'e '!#e *eal!%sy and en,y+ stri e and sediti!n+ $erse'%ti!n and t%#%lt+ )ar and 'a$ti,ity. "Cle# 2&2 S! #en )ere stirred %$+ the mean against the honorable+ the ill re$%ted against the highly re$%ted+ the !!lish against the )ise+ the young against the elder. "Cle# 2&6 F!r this 'a%se righteousness and $ea'e stand aloof+ )hile ea'h #an hath !rsa.en the ear ! the L!rd and be'!#e $%rblind in the aith ! Hi#+ neither )al.eth in the !rdinan'es ! His '!##and#ents n!r li,eth a''!rding t! that )hi'h be'!#eth Christ+ b%t ea'h g!eth a ter the l%sts ! his e,il heart+ seeing that they ha,e '!n'ei,ed an %nrighte!%s and %ng!dly *eal!%sy+ thr!%gh )hi'h als! death entered into the world. "Cle# 6&" F!r s! it is )ritten+ And it came to pass after certain days that Cain brought of the fruits of the earth a sacrifice unto God, and Abel he also brought of the firstlings of the sheep and of their atness. "Cle# 6&/ And God looked upon Abel and upon his gifts, but unto Cain and unto his sacrifices He gave no heed.

"Cle# 6&2 And Cain sorrowed exceedingly, and his countenance fell. "Cle# 6&6 And God said unto Cain, herefore art thou very sorrowful and wherefore did thy countenance fall! "f thou hast offered aright and hast not divided aright, didst thou not sin! Hold thy peace. "Cle# 6&8 #nto thee shall he turn, and thou shalt rule over him. <This last $hrase has als! been translated& $e at peace% thine offering returns to thyself, and thou shalt again possess it.= "Cle# 6&9 And Cain said unto Abel his brother, &et us go over unto the plain. And it came to pass, while they ere in the plain, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and slew him. "Cle# 6&: 7e see+ brethren+ *eal!%sy and en,y )r!%ght a br!ther>s #%rder. "Cle# 6&; By reas!n ! *eal!%sy !%r his br!ther. ather Ja'!b ran a)ay r!# the a'e ! Esa%

"Cle# 6&? Jeal!%sy 'a%sed J!se$h t! be $erse'%ted e,en %nt! death+ and t! '!#e e,en %nt! b!ndage. "Cle# 6&"@ Jeal!%sy '!#$elled M!ses t! lee r!# the a'e ! Phara!h .ing ! Egy$t )hile it )as said t! hi# by his !)n '!%ntry#an+ ho made thee a 'udge or a decider over us, ouldest thou slay me, even as yesterday thou slewest the (gyptian! "Cle# 6&"" By reas!n ! *eal!%sy Aar!n and Miria# )ere l!dged !%tside the 'a#$.

"Cle# 6&"/ Jeal!%sy br!%ght Aathan and Abira# d!)n ali,e t! hades+ be'a%se they #ade sediti!n against M!ses the ser,ant ! (!d. "Cle# 6&"2 By reas!n ! *eal!%sy Aa,id )as en,ied n!t !nly by the Philistines+ b%t )as $erse'%ted als! by Sa%l B.ing ! IsraelC. "Cle# 8&" B%t+ t! $ass r!# the e4a#$les ! an'ient days+ let %s '!#e t! th!se 'ha#$i!ns )h! li,ed nearest t! !%r ti#e. Let %s set be !re %s the n!ble e4a#$les )hi'h bel!ng t! !%r generati!n. "Cle# 8&/ By reas!n ! *eal!%sy and en,y the greatest and #!st righte!%s $illars ! the Ch%r'h )ere $erse'%ted+ and '!ntended e,en %nt! death. "Cle# 8&2 Let %s set be !re !%r eyes the g!!d A$!stles.

"Cle# 8&6 There )as Peter )h! by reas!n ! %nrighte!%s *eal!%sy end%red n!t !ne n!t !ne b%t #any lab!rs+ and th%s ha,ing b!rne his testi#!ny )ent t! his a$$!inted $la'e ! gl!ry. "Cle# 8&8 By reas!n ! *eal!%sy and stri e Pa%l by his e4a#$le $!inted !%t the $ri5e ! $atient end%ran'e. A ter that he had been se,en ti#es in b!nds+ had been dri,en int! e4ile+ had been st!ned+ had $rea'hed in the East and in the 1est+ he )!n the n!ble ren!)n )hi'h )as the re)ard ! his aith+ "Cle# 8&9 ha,ing ta%ght righte!%sness %nt! the )h!le )!rld and ha,ing rea'hed the arthest b!%nds ! the 1est3 and )hen he had b!rne his testi#!ny be !re the r%lers+ s! he de$arted r!# the )!rld and )ent %nt! the h!ly $la'e+ ha,ing been !%nd a n!table $attern ! $atient end%ran'e. "Cle# 9&" Dnt! these #en ! h!ly li,es )as gathered a ,ast #%ltit%de ! the ele't+ )h! thr!%gh #any indignities and t!rt%res+ being the ,i'ti#s ! *eal!%sy+ set a bra,e e4a#$le a#!ng !%rsel,es. "Cle# 9&/ By reas!n ! *eal!%sy )!#en being $erse'%ted+ a ter that they had s% ered 'r%el and %nh!ly ins%lts as Aanaids and Air'ae+ sa ely rea'hed the g!al in the ra'e ! aith+ and re'ei,ed a n!ble re)ard+ eeble th!%gh they )ere in b!dy. "Cle# 9&2 Jeal!%sy hath estranged )i,es r!# their h%sbands and 'hanged the saying ! !%r ather Ada#+ )his now is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh. "Cle# 9&6 Jeal!%sy and stri e ha,e !,erthr!)n great 'ities and %$r!!ted great nati!ns. "Cle# :&" These things+ dearly bel!,ed+ )e )rite+ n!t !nly as ad#!nishing y!%+ b%t als! as $%tting !%rsel,es in re#e#bran'e. F!r )e are in the sa#e lists+ and the sa#e '!ntest a)aiteth %s. "Cle# :&/ 1here !re let %s !rsa.e idle and ,ain th!%ghts3 and let %s '!n !r# t! the gl!ri!%s and ,enerable r%le )hi'h hath been handed d!)n t! %s3 "Cle# :&2 and let %s see )hat is g!!d and )hat is $leasant and )hat is a''e$table in the sight ! Hi# that #ade %s. "Cle# :&6 Let %s i4 !%r eyes !n the bl!!d ! Christ and %nderstand h!) $re'i!%s it is %nt! His Father+ be'a%se being shed !r !%r sal,ati!n it )!n !r the )h!le )!rld the gra'e ! re$entan'e.

"Cle# :&8 Let %s re,ie) all the generati!ns in t%rn+ and learn h!) r!# generati!n t! generati!n the Master hath gi,en a $la'e !r re$entan'e %nt! the# that desire t! t%rn t! Hi#. "Cle# :&9 N!ah $rea'hed re$entan'e+ and they that !beyed )ere sa,ed. "Cle# :&: J!nah $rea'hed destr%'ti!n %nt! the #en ! Nine,eh3 b%t they+ re$enting ! their sins+ !btained $ard!n ! (!d by their s%$$li'ati!ns and re'ei,ed sal,ati!n+ albeit they )ere aliens (!d. "Cle# ;&" The #inisters ! the gra'e ! '!n'erning re$entan'e.

r!#

(!d thr!%gh the H!ly S$irit s$a.e

"Cle# ;&/ 7ea and the Master ! the %ni,erse Hi#sel re$entan'e )ith an !ath&

s$a.e '!n'erning

"Cle# ;&2 for, as " live saith the &ord, " desire not the death of the sinner, so much as his repentance, "Cle# ;&6 and He added als! a #er'i %l *%dg#ent& *epent ye, + house of "srael, of your ini,uity- say unto the sons of My people, )hough your sins reach from the earth even unto the heaven, and though they be redder than scarlet and blacker than sackcloth, and ye turn unto Me with your whole heart and say .ather, " will give ear unto you as unto a holy people. "Cle# ;&8 And in an!ther $la'e He saith !n this )ise+ ash, be ye clean. /ut away your ini,uities from your souls out of My sight. Cease from your ini,uities- learn to do good- seek out 'udgment- defend him that is wronged% give 'udgment for the orphan, and execute righteousness for the widow- and come and let us reason together, saith He- and though your sins be as crimson, " will make them white as snow- and though they be as scarlet, " will make them white as wool. And if ye be willing and will hearken unto Me, ye shall eat the good things of the earth- but if ye be not willing, neither hearken unto Me, a sword shall devour you- for the mouth of the &ord hath spoken these things. "Cle# ;&9 Seeing then that He desireth all His bel!,ed t! be $arta.ers ! re$entan'e+ He '!n ir#ed it by an a't ! His al#ighty )ill. "Cle# ?&" 1here !re let %s be !bedient %nt! His e4'ellent and gl!ri!%s )ill3 and $resenting !%rsel,es as s%$$liants ! His #er'y and g!!dness+ let %s all d!)n be !re Hi# and beta.e !%rsel,es %nt! His '!#$assi!ns+ !rsa.ing the ,ain t!il and the stri e and the *eal!%sy )hi'h leadeth %nt! death.

"Cle# ?&/ Let %s i4 !%r eyes !n the# that #inistered $er e'tly %nt! His e4'ellent gl!ry. "Cle# ?&2 Let %s set be !re %s En!'h+ )h! being )as translated+ and his death )as n!t !%nd righte!%s in !bedien'e !%nd.

"Cle# ?&6 N!ah+ being !%nd aith %l+ by his #inistrati!n $rea'hed regenerati!n %nt! the )!rld+ and thr!%gh hi# the Master sa,ed the li,ing 'reat%res that entered int! the ar. in '!n'!rd. "Cle# "@&" Abraha#+ )h! )as 'alled the > riend+> )as rendered !bedien'e %nt! the )!rds ! (!d. !%nd aith %l in that he

"Cle# "@&/ He thr!%gh !bedien'e )ent !rth r!# his land and r!# his .indred and r!# his ather>s h!%se+ that lea,ing a s'anty land and a eeble .indred and a #ean h!%se he #ight inherit the $r!#ises ! (!d. "Cle# "@&2 F!r He saith %nt! hi# Go forth from thy land and from thy kindred and from thy father0s house unto the land which " shall show thee, and " will make thee into a great nation, and " will bless thee and will magnify thy name, and thou shalt be blessed. And " will bless them that bless thee, and " will curse them that curse thee- and in thee shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed. "Cle# "@&6 And again+ )hen he )as $arted r!# L!t+ (!d said %nt! hi# &ook up with thine eyes, and behold from the place where thou now art, unto the north and the south and the sunrise and the sea- for all the land which thou seest, " will give it unto thee and to thy seed for ever"Cle# "@&8 and " will make thy seed as the dust of the earth. "f any man can count the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be counted. "Cle# "@&9 And again He saith3 God led Abraham forth and said unto him, &ook up unto the heaven and count the stars, and see whether thou canst number them. 1o shall thy seed be. And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness. "Cle# "@&: F!r his aith and h!s$itality a s!n )as gi,en %nt! hi# in !ld age+ and by !bedien'e he ! ered hi# a sa'ri i'e %nt! (!d !n !ne ! the #!%ntains )hi'h He sh!)ed hi#. "Cle# ""&" F!r his h!s$itality and g!dliness L!t )as sa,ed r!# S!d!#+ )hen all the '!%ntry r!%nd ab!%t )as *%dged by ire and bri#st!ne3 the Master ha,ing th%s !re sh!)n that He !rsa.eth n!t the# )hi'h set their

h!$e !n Hi#+ b%t a$$!inteth %nt! $%nish#ent and t!r#ent the# )hi'h s)er,e aside. "Cle# ""&/ F!r )hen his )i e had g!ne !rth )ith hi#+ being !ther)ise #inded and n!t in a''!rd+ she )as a$$!inted !r a sign here%nt!+ s! that she be'a#e a $illar ! salt %nt! this day+ that it #ight be .n!)n %nt! all #en that they )hi'h are d!%ble-#inded and they )hi'h d!%bt '!n'erning the $!)er ! (!d are set !r a *%dg#ent and !r a t!.en %nt! all the generati!ns. "Cle# "/&" F!r her aith and h!s$itality Rahab the harl!t )as sa,ed.

"Cle# "/&/ F!r )hen the s$ies )ere sent !rth %nt! Jeri'h! by J!sh%a the s!n ! N%n+ the .ing ! the land $er'ei,ed that they )ere '!#e t! s$y !%t his '!%ntry+ and sent !rth #en t! sei5e the#+ that being sei5ed they #ight be $%t t! death. "Cle# "/&2 S! the h!s$itable Rahab re'ei,ed the# and hid the# in the %$$er 'ha#ber %nder the la4 stal.s. "Cle# "/&6 And )hen the #essengers ! the .ing 'a#e near and said+ )he spies of our land entered in unto thee% bring them forth, for the king so ordereth% then she ans)ered+ )he men truly, whom ye seek, entered in unto me, but they departed forthwith and are so'ourning on the way- and she $!inted !%t t! the# the !$$!site r!ad. "Cle# "/&8 And she said %nt! the #en+ +f a surety " perceive that the &ord your God delivereth this city unto you- for the fear and the dread of you is fallen upon the inhabitants thereof. hen therefore it shall come to pass that ye take it, save me and the house of my father. "Cle# "/&9 And they said %nt! her+ "t shall be even so as thou hast spoken unto us. hensoever therefore thou perceivest that we are coming, thou shalt gather all thy folk beneath thy roof and they shall be saved- for as many as shall be found without the house shall perish. "Cle# "/&: And #!re!,er they ga,e her a sign+ that she sh!%ld hang !%t r!# her h!%se a s'arlet thread+ thereby sh!)ing be !rehand that thr!%gh the bl!!d ! the L!rd there shall be rede#$ti!n %nt! all the# that belie,e and h!$e !n (!d. "Cle# "/&; 7e see+ dearly bel!,ed+ n!t !nly )!#an. aith+ b%t $r!$he'y+ is !%nd in the

"Cle# "2&" Let %s there !re be l!)ly #inded+ brethren+ laying aside all

arr!gan'e and '!n'eit and !lly and anger+ and let %s d! that )hi'h is )ritten. F!r the H!ly (h!st saith+ &et not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong in his strength, neither the rich in his riches- but he that boasteth let him boast in the &ord, that he may seek Him out, and do 'udgment and righteousness #!st ! all re#e#bering the )!rds ! the L!rd Jes%s )hi'h He s$a.e+ tea'hing !rbearan'e and l!ng-s% ering& "Cle# "2&/ !r th%s He s$a.e Have mercy, that ye may receive mercy% forgive, that it may be forgiven to you. As ye do, so shall it be done to you. As ye give, so shall it be given unto you. As ye 'udge, so shall ye be 'udged. As ye show kindness, so shall kindness be showed unto you. ith what measure ye mete, it shall be measured withal to you. "Cle# "2&2 1ith this '!##and#ent and these $re'e$ts let %s '!n ir# !%rsel,es+ that )e #ay )al. in !bedien'e t! His hall!)ed )!rds+ )ith l!)liness ! #ind. "Cle# "2&6 F!r the h!ly )!rd saith+ #pon whom shall " look, save upon him that is gentle and ,uiet and feareth Mine oracles! "Cle# "6&" There !re it is right and $r!$er+ brethren+ that )e sh!%ld be !bedient %nt! (!d+ rather than !ll!) th!se )h! in arr!gan'e and %nr%liness ha,e set the#sel,es %$ as leaders in ab!#inable *eal!%sy. "Cle# "6&/ F!r )e shall bring %$!n %s n! '!##!n har#+ b%t rather great $eril+ i )e s%rrender !%rsel,es re'.lessly t! the $%r$!ses ! #en )h! la%n'h !%t int! stri e and sediti!ns+ s! as t! estrange %s r!# that )hi'h is right. "Cle# "6&2 Let %s be g!!d !ne t!)ards an!ther a''!rding t! the '!#$assi!n and s)eetness ! Hi# that #ade %s. F!r it is )ritten& "Cle# "6&6 )he good shall be dwellers in the land, and the innocent shall be left on it but they that transgress shall be destroyed utterly from it. "Cle# "6&8 And again He saith " saw the ungodly lifted up on high and exalted as the cedars of &ebanon. And " passed by, and behold he was notand sought out his place, and " found it not. 2eep innocence and behold uprightness- for there is a remnant for the peaceful man. "Cle# "8&" There !re let %s 'lea,e %nt! the# that $ra'ti'e $ea'e )ith g!dliness+ and n!t %nt! the# that desire $ea'e )ith dissi#%lati!n. "Cle# "8&/ F!r He saith in a 'ertain $la'e )his people honoreth Me with their

lips, but their heart is far from Me, "Cle# "8&2 and again+ they blessed with their mouth, but they cursed with their heart. "Cle# "8&6 And again He saith+ )hey loved Him with their mouth, and with their tongue they lied unto Him- and their heart was not upright with Him, neither were they steadfast in His covenant. "Cle# "8&8 .or this cause let the deceitful lips be made dumb which speak ini,uity against the righteous. And again May the &ord utterly destroy all the deceitful lips, the tongue that speaketh proud things, even them that say, &et us magnify our tongue- our lips are our own- who is lord over us! "Cle# "8&9 .or the misery of the needy and for the groaning of the poor " will now arise, saith the &ord. " will set him in safety- " will deal boldly by him. "Cle# "9&" F!r Christ is )ith the# that are l!)ly ! e4alt the#sel,es !,er the l!'.. #ind+ n!t )ith the# that

"Cle# "9&/ The s'e$ter ! the #a*esty ! (!d+ e,en !%r L!rd Jes%s Christ+ 'a#e n!t in the $!#$ ! arr!gan'e !r ! $ride+ th!%gh He #ight ha,e d!ne s!+ b%t in l!)liness ! #ind+ a''!rding as the H!ly S$irit s$a.e '!n'erning Hi#. "Cle# "9&2 F!r He saith &ord, who believed our report! and to whom was the arm of the &ord revealed! e announced Him in His presence. As a child was He, as a root in a thirsty ground. )here is no form in Him, neither glory. And we beheld Him, and He had no form nor comeliness, but His form was mean, lacking more than the form of men. He was a man of stripes and of toil, and knowing how to bear infirmity% for His face is turned away. He was dishonored and held of no account. "Cle# "9&6 He beareth our sins and suffereth pain for our sakes% and we accounted Him to be in toil and in stripes and in affliction. "Cle# "9&8 And He was wounded for our sins and hath been afflicted for our ini,uities. )he chastisement of our peace is upon Him. ith His bruises we were healed. "Cle# "9&9 e all went astray like sheep, each man went astray in his own path% "Cle# "9&:

and the &ord delivered Him over for our sins. And He openeth not His mouth, because He is afflicted. As a sheep He was led to slaughter- and as a lamb before his shearer is dumb, so openeth He not His mouth. "n His humiliation His 'udgment was taken away. "Cle# "9&; His generation who shall declare! .or His life is taken away from the earth. "Cle# "9&? .or the ini,uities of my people He is come to death. "Cle# "9&"@ And " will give the wicked for His burial, and the rich for His death- for He wrought no ini,uity, neither was guile found in His mouth. And the &ord desireth to cleanse Him from His stripes. "Cle# "9&"" "f ye offer for sin, your soul shall see along lived seed. "Cle# "9&"/ And the &ord desireth to take away from the toil of His soul, to show Him light and to mould Him with understanding, to 'ustify a 3ust +ne that is a good servant unto many. And He shall bear their sins. "Cle# "9&"2 )herefore He shall inherit many, and shall divide the spoils of the strong- because His soul was delivered unto death, and He was reckoned unto the transgressors"Cle# "9&"6 and He bare the sins of many, and for their sins was He delivered up. "Cle# "9&"8 And again He Hi#sel saith3 $ut " am a worm and no man, a reproach of men and an outcast of the people. "Cle# "9&"9 All they that beheld me mocked at me- they spake with their lipsthey wagged their heads, saying, He hoped on the &ord- let Him deliver him, or let Him save him, for He desireth him. "Cle# "9&": 7e see+ dearly bel!,ed+ )hat is the $attern that hath been gi,en %nt! %s3 !r+ i the L!rd )as th%s l!)ly ! #ind+ )hat sh!%ld )e d!+ )h! thr!%gh Hi# ha,e been br!%ght %nder the y!.e ! His gra'e0 "Cle# ":&" Let %s be i#itat!rs als! ! the# )hi'h )ent ab!%t in g!ats.ins and shee$s.ins+ $rea'hing the '!#ing ! Christ. 1e #ean Eli*ah and Elisha and li.e)ise E5e.iel+ the $r!$hets+ and besides the# th!se #en als! that !btained a g!!d re$!rt. "Cle# ":&/ Abraha# !btained an e4'eeding g!!d re$!rt and )as 'alled the riend

10

! (!d3 and l!!.ing stead astly !n the gl!ry ! l!)liness ! #ind+ $ut " am dust and ashes.

(!d+ he saith in

"Cle# ":&2 M!re!,er '!n'erning J!b als! it is th%s )ritten3 And 3ob was righteous and unblamable, one that was true and honored God and abstained from all evil. "Cle# ":&6 7et he hi#sel a''%seth hi#sel saying+ 4o man from filth- no, not though his life be but for a day. "Cle# ":&8 M!ses )as 'alled faithful in all His house+ and thr!%gh his #inistrati!n (!d *%dged Egy$t )ith the $lag%es and the t!r#ents )hi'h be ell the#. H!)beit he als!+ th!%gh greatly gl!ri ied+ yet s$a.e n! $r!%d )!rds+ b%t said+ )hen an !ra'le )as gi,en t! hi# at the b%sh+ ho am ", that )hou sendest me! "Cle# ":&9 4ay, " am feeble of speech and slow of tongue. And again he saith+ $ut " am smoke from the pot. "Cle# ";&" B%t )hat #%st )e say ! Aa,id that !btained a g!!d re$!rt0 ! (!d said+ " have found a man after My heart, 5avid the son of 3esse% with eternal mercy have " anointed him. )h!#

"Cle# ";&/ 7et he t!! saith %nt! (!d Have mercy upon me, + God, according to )hy great mercy- and according to the multitude of )hy compassions, blot out mine ini,uity. "Cle# ";&2 ash me yet more from mine ini,uity, and cleanse me from my sin. .or " acknowledge mine ini,uity, and my sin is ever before me. Against )hee only did " sin, and " wrought evil in )hy sight- that )hou mayest be 'ustified in )hy words, and mayest con,uer in )hy pleading. "Cle# ";&6 .or behold, in ini,uities was " conceived, and in sins did my mother bear me. .or behold )hou hast loved truth% the dark and hidden things of )hy wisdom hast )hou showed unto me. "Cle# ";&8 )hou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and " shall be made clean. )hou shalt wash me, and " shall become whiter than snow. "Cle# ";&9 )hou shalt make me to hear of 'oy and gladness. )he bones which have been humbled shall re'oice. "Cle# ";&: )urn away )hy face from my sins, and blot out all mine ini,uities. "Cle# ";&;

11

Make a clean heart within me, + God, and renew a right spirit in mine inmost parts. Cast me not away from )hy presence, and take not )hy Holy 1pirit from me. "Cle# ";&? *estore unto me the 'oy of )hy salvation, and strengthen me with a princely spirit. "Cle# ";&"@ " will teach sinners )hy ways, and godless men shall be converted unto )hee. "Cle# ";&"" 5eliver me from blood guiltiness, + God, the God of my salvation. My tongue shall re'oice in )hy righteousness. "Cle# ";&"/ &ord, )hou shalt open my mouth, and my lips shall declare )hy praise. "Cle# ";&"2 .or, if )hou hadst desired sacrifice, " would have given it% in whole burnt offerings )hou wilt have no pleasure. "Cle# ";&"6 A sacrifice unto God is a contrite spirit- a contrite and humbled heart God will not despise. "Cle# "?&" The h%#ility there !re and the s%b#issi,eness ! s! #any and s! great #en+ )h! ha,e th%s !btained a g!!d re$!rt+ hath thr!%gh !bedien'e #ade better n!t !nly %s b%t als! the generati!ns )hi'h )ere be !re %s+ e,en the# that re'ei,ed His !ra'les in ear and tr%th. "Cle# "?&/ Seeing then that )e ha,e been $arta.ers ! #any great and gl!ri!%s d!ings+ let %s hasten t! ret%rn %nt! the g!al ! $ea'e )hi'h hath been handed d!)n t! %s r!# the beginning+ and let %s l!!. stead astly %nt! the Father and Ma.er ! the )h!le )!rld+ and 'lea,e %nt! His s$lendid and e4'ellent gi ts ! $ea'e and bene its. "Cle# "?&2 Let %s beh!ld Hi# in !%r #ind+ and let %s l!!. )ith the eyes ! !%r s!%l %nt! His l!ng-s% ering )ill. Let %s n!te h!) ree r!# anger He is t!)ards all His 'reat%res. "Cle# /@&" The hea,ens are #!,ed by His dire'ti!n and !bey Hi# in $ea'e. "Cle# /@&/ Aay and night a''!#$lish the '!%rse assigned t! the# by Hi#+ )ith!%t hindran'e !ne t! an!ther. "Cle# /@&2 The s%n and the #!!n and the dan'ing stars a''!rding t! His a$$!int#ent 'ir'le in har#!ny )ithin the b!%nds assigned t! the#+ )ith!%t any s)er,ing aside.

12

"Cle# /@&6 The earth+ bearing r%it in %l ill#ent ! His )ill at her $r!$er seas!ns+ $%tteth !rth the !!d that s%$$lieth ab%ndantly b!th #en and beasts and all li,ing things )hi'h are there%$!n+ #a.ing n! dissensi!n+ neither altering anything )hi'h He hath de'reed. "Cle# /@&8 M!re!,er+ the ins'r%table de$ths ! the abysses and the %n%tterable stat%tes ! the nether regi!ns are '!nstrained by the sa#e !rdinan'es. "Cle# /@&9 The basin ! the b!%ndless sea+ gathered t!gether by His )!r.#anshi$ into it0s reservoirs+ $asseth n!t the barriers )here)ith it is s%rr!%nded3 b%t e,en as He !rdered it+ s! it d!eth. "Cle# /@&: F!r He said+ 1o far shalt thou come, and thy waves shall be broken within thee. "Cle# /@&; The !'ean )hi'h is i#$assable !r #en+ and the )!rlds bey!nd it+ are dire'ted by the sa#e !rdinan'es ! the Master. "Cle# /@&? The seas!ns ! s$ring and s%##er and a%t%#n and )inter gi,e )ay in s%''essi!n !ne t! an!ther in $ea'e. "Cle# /@&"@ The )inds in their se,eral E%arters at their $r!$er seas!n %l ill their #inistry )ith!%t dist%rban'e3 and the e,er l!)ing !%ntains+ 'reated !r en*!y#ent and health+ )ith!%t ail gi,e their breasts )hi'h s%stain the li e !r #en. 7ea+ the s#allest ! li,ing things '!#e t!gether in '!n'!rd and $ea'e. "Cle# /@&"" All these things the great Creat!r and Master ! the %ni,erse !rdered t! be in $ea'e and '!n'!rd+ d!ing g!!d %nt! all things+ b%t ar bey!nd the rest %nt! %s )h! ha,e ta.en re %ge in His '!#$assi!nate #er'ies thr!%gh !%r L!rd Jes%s Christ+ "Cle# /@&"/ t! )h!# be the gl!ry and the #a*esty !r e,er and e,er. A#en.

"Cle# /"&" L!!. ye+ brethren+ lest His bene its+ )hi'h are #any+ t%rn %nt! *%dg#ent t! all ! %s+ i )e )al. n!t )!rthily ! Hi#+ and d! th!se things )hi'h are g!!d and )ell $leasing in His sight )ith '!n'!rd. "Cle# /"&/ F!r He saith in a 'ertain $la'e+ )he 1pirit of the &ord is a lamp searching the closets of the belly. "Cle# /"&2 Let %s see h!) near He is+ and h!) that n!thing es'a$eth Hi# ! th!%ghts !r !%r de,i'es )hi'h )e #a.e. !%r

13

"Cle# /"&6 It is right there !re that )e sh!%ld n!t be deserters

r!# His )ill.

"Cle# /"&8 Let %s rather gi,e ! ense t! !!lish and senseless #en )h! e4alt the#sel,es and b!ast in the arr!gan'e ! their )!rds+ than t! (!d. "Cle# /"&9 Let %s ear the L!rd Jes%s BChristC+ )h!se bl!!d )as gi,en !r %s. Let %s re,eren'e !%r r%lers3 let %s h!n!r !%r elders3 let %s instr%'t !%r y!%ng #en in the less!n ! the ear ! (!d. Let %s g%ide !%r )!#en t!)ard that )hi'h is g!!d& "Cle# /"&: let the# sh!) !rth their l!,ely dis$!siti!n ! $%rity3 let the# $r!,e their sin'ere a e'ti!n ! gentleness3 let the# #a.e #ani est the #!derati!n ! their t!ng%e thr!%gh their silen'e3 let the# sh!) their l!,e+ n!t in a'ti!%s $re eren'es b%t )ith!%t $artiality t!)ards all the# that ear (!d+ in h!liness. Let !%r 'hildren be $arta.ers ! the instr%'ti!n )hi'h is in Christ& "Cle# /"&; let the# learn h!) l!)liness ! #ind $re,aileth )ith (!d+ )hat $!)er 'haste l!,e hath )ith (!d+ h!) the ear ! Hi# is g!!d and great and sa,eth all the# that )al. therein in a $%re #ind )ith h!liness. "Cle# /"&? F!r He is the sear'her !%t ! the intents and desires3 )h!se breath is in %s+ and )hen He listeth+ He shall ta.e it a)ay. "Cle# //&" N!) all these things the aith )hi'h is in Christ '!n ir#eth& !r He Hi#sel thr!%gh the H!ly S$irit th%s in,ite th%s& Come, my children, hearken unto Me, " will teach you the fear of the &ord. "Cle# //&/ hat man is he that desireth life and loveth to see good days! "Cle# //&2 Make thy tongue to cease from evil, and thy lips that they speak no guile. "Cle# //&6 )urn aside from evil and do good. "Cle# //&8 1eek peace and ensue it. "Cle# //&9 )he eyes of the &ord are over the righteous, and His ears are turned to their prayers. $ut the face of the &ord is upon them that do evil, to destroy their memorial from the earth. "Cle# //&: )he righteous cried out, and the &ord heard him, and delivered him from all his troubles. Many are the troubles of the righteous, and

14

the &ord shall deliver him from them all. "Cle# //&; And again Many are the stripes of the sinner, but them that set their hope on the &ord mercy shall compass about. "Cle# /2&" The Father+ )h! is $iti %l in all things+ and ready t! d! g!!d+ hath '!#$assi!n !n the# that ear Hi#+ and .indly and l!,ingly best!)eth His a,!rs !n the# that dra) nigh %nt! Hi# )ith a single #ind. "Cle# /2&/ There !re let %s n!t be d!%ble-#inded+ neither let !%r s!%l ind%lge in idle h%#!rs res$e'ting His e4'eeding and gl!ri!%s gi ts. "Cle# /2&2 Let this s'ri$t%re be ar r!# %s )here He saith retched are the double6minded, hich doubt in their soul and say, )hese things we did hear in the days of our fathers also, and behold we have grown old, and none of these things hath befallen us. "Cle# /2&6 7e fools, compare yourselves unto a tree- take a vine. .irst it sheddeth its leaves, then a shoot cometh, then a leaf, then a flower, and after these a sour berry, then a full ripe grape. 7e see that in a little ti#e the r%it ! the tree attaineth %nt! #ell!)ness. "Cle# /2&8 O a tr%th E%i'.ly and s%ddenly shall His )ill be a''!#$lished+ the s'ri$t%re als! bearing )itness t! it+ saying He shall come ,uickly and shall not tarry- and the &ord shall come suddenly into His temple, even the Holy +ne, whom ye expect. "Cle# /6&" Let %s %nderstand+ dearly bel!,ed+ h!) the Master '!ntin%ally sh!)eth %nt! %s the res%rre'ti!n that shall be herea ter3 )here! He #ade the L!rd Jes%s Christ the irst r%it+ )hen He raised Hi# r!# the dead. "Cle# /6&/ Let %s beh!ld+ dearly bel!,ed+ the res%rre'ti!n )hi'h ha$$eneth at its $r!$er seas!n. "Cle# /6&2 Aay and night sh!) %nt! %s the res%rre'ti!n. The night alleth aslee$+ and day ariseth3 the day de$arteth+ and night '!#eth !n. "Cle# /6&6 Let %s #ar. the $la'e. r%its+ h!) and in )hat #anner the s!)ing ta.eth

"Cle# /6&8 )he sower goeth forth and 'asteth int! the earth ea'h ! the seeds3 and these alling int! the earth dry and bare de'ay& then !%t ! their de'ay the #ightiness ! the Master>s $r!,iden'e raiseth the# %$+ and r!# being !ne they in'rease #ani !ld and bear r%it.

15

"Cle# /8&" Let %s '!nsider the #ar,el!%s sign )hi'h is seen in the regi!ns ! the east+ that is+ in the $arts ab!%t Arabia. "Cle# /8&/ There is a bird+ )hi'h is na#ed the $h!eni4. This+ being the !nly !ne ! its .ind+ li,eth !r i,e h%ndred years3 and )hen it hath n!) rea'hed the ti#e ! its diss!l%ti!n that it sh!%ld die+ it #a.eth !r itsel a '! in ! ran.in'ense and #yrrh and the !ther s$i'es+ int! the )hi'h in the %llness ! ti#e it entereth+ and s! it dieth. "Cle# /8&2 B%t+ as the lesh r!tteth+ a 'ertain )!r# is engendered+ )hi'h is n%rt%red r!# the #!ist%re ! the dead 'reat%re and $%tteth !rth )ings. Then+ )hen it is gr!)n l%sty+ it ta.eth %$ that '! in )here are the b!nes ! its $arent+ and 'arrying the# *!%rneyeth r!# the '!%ntry ! Arabia e,en %nt! Egy$t+ t! the $la'e 'alled the City ! the S%n3 "Cle# /8&6 and in the dayti#e in the sight ! all+ lying t! the altar ! the S%n+ it layeth the# there%$!n3 and this d!ne+ it setteth !rth t! ret%rn. "Cle# /8&8 S! the $riests e4a#ine the registers ! the ti#es+ and they it hath '!#e )hen the i,e h%ndredth year is '!#$leted. ind that

"Cle# /9&" A! )e then thin. it t! be a great and #ar,el!%s thing+ i the Creat!r ! the %ni,erse shall bring ab!%t the res%rre'ti!n ! the# that ha,e ser,ed Hi# )ith h!liness in the ass%ran'e ! a g!!d aith+ seeing that He sh!)eth t! %s e,en by a bird the #agni i'en'e ! His $r!#ise0 "Cle# /9&/ F!r He saith in a 'ertain $la'e And )hou shalt raise me up, and " will praise )hee- and3 " went to rest and slept, " was awaked, for )hou art with me. "Cle# /9&2 And again J!b saith And )hou shall raise this my flesh which hath endured all these things. "Cle# /:&" 1ith this h!$e there !re let !%r s!%ls be b!%nd %nt! Hi# that is aith %l in His $r!#ises and that is righte!%s in His *%dg#ents. "Cle# /:&/ He that '!##anded n!t t! lie+ #%'h #!re shall He Hi#sel !r n!thing is i#$!ssible )ith (!d sa,e t! lie. n!t lie&

"Cle# /:&2 There !re let !%r aith in Hi# be .indled )ithin %s+ and let %s %nderstand that all things are nigh %nt! Hi#.

16

"Cle# /:&6 By a )!rd ! His #a*esty He '!#$a'ted the %ni,erse3 and by a )!rd He 'an destr!y it. "Cle# /:&8 ho shall say unto Him, hat hast thou done! or who shall resist the might of His strength! 1hen He listeth+ and as He listeth+ He )ill d! all things3 and n!thing shall $ass a)ay ! th!se things that He hath de'reed. "Cle# /:&9 All things are in His sight+ and n!thing es'a$eth His '!%nsel+ "Cle# /:&: seeing that )he heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaimeth His handiwork. 5ay uttereth word unto day, and night proclaimeth knowledge unto night- and there are neither words nor speeches, whose voices are not heard. "Cle# /;&" Sin'e there !re all things are seen and heard+ let %s ear Hi# and !rsa.e the ab!#inable l%sts ! e,il )!r.s+ that )e #aybe shielded by His #er'y r!# the '!#ing *%dg#ents. "Cle# /;&/ F!r )here 'an any ! %s es'a$e r!# His str!ng hand0 And )hat )!rld )ill re'ei,e any ! the# that desert r!# His ser,i'e0 "Cle# /;&2 F!r the h!ly )riting saith in a 'ertain $la'e here shall " go, and where shall " be hidden from )hy face! "f " ascend into the heaven, )hou art there- if " depart into the farthest parts of the earth, there is )hy right hand- if " make my bed in the depths, there is )hy 1pirit. "Cle# /;&6 1hither then shall !ne de$art+ !r )here shall !ne e#bra'eth the %ni,erse0 lee+ r!# Hi# that

"Cle# /?&" Let %s there !re a$$r!a'h Hi# in h!liness ! s!%l+ li ting %$ $%re and %nde iled hands %nt! Hi#+ )ith l!,e t!)ards !%r gentle and '!#$assi!nate Father )h! #ade %s an ele't $!rti!n %nt! Hi#sel . "Cle# /?&/ F!r th%s it is )ritten& hen the Most High divided the nations, when He dispersed the sons of Adam, He fixed the boundaries of the nations according to the number of the angels of God. His people 3acob became the portion of the &ord, and "srael the measurement of His inheritance. "Cle# /?&2 And in an!ther $la'e He saith+ $ehold, the &ord taketh for Himself a nation out of the midst of the nations, as a man taketh the first fruits of his threshing floor- and the holy of holies shall come forth from that nation.

17

"Cle# 2@&" Seeing then that )e are the s$e'ial $!rti!n ! a H!ly (!d+ let %s d! all things that $ertain %nt! h!liness+ !rsa.ing e,il s$ea.ings+ ab!#inable and i#$%re e#bra'es+ dr%n.ennesses and t%#%lts and hate %l l%sts+ ab!#inable ad%ltery+ hate %l $ride. "Cle# 2@&/ .or God+ He saith+ resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the lowly. "Cle# 2@&2 Let %s there !re 'lea,e %nt! th!se t! )h!# gra'e is gi,en r!# (!d. Let %s 'l!the !%rsel,es in '!n'!rd+ being l!)ly#inded and te#$erate+ h!lding !%rsel,es al!! r!# all ba'. biting and e,il s$ea.ing+ being *%sti ied by )!r.s and n!t by )!rds. "Cle# 2@&6 F!r He saith+ He that saith much shall hear also again. 5oth the ready talker think to be righteous! "Cle# 2@&8 $lessed is the offspring of a woman that liveth but a short time. $e not thou abundant in words. "Cle# 2@&9 Let !%r $raise be )ith (!d+ and n!t ! the# that $raise the#sel,es. !%rsel,es& !r (!d hateth

"Cle# 2@&: Let the testi#!ny t! !%r )ell d!ing be gi,en by !thers+ as it )as gi,en %nt! !%r athers )h! )ere righte!%s. "Cle# 2@&; B!ldness and arr!gan'e and daring are !r the# that are a''%rsed ! (!d3 b%t !rbearan'e and h%#ility and gentleness are )ith the# that are blessed ! (!d. "Cle# 2"&" Let %s there !re 'lea,e %nt! His blessing+ and let %s see )hat are the )ays ! blessing. Let %s st%dy the re'!rds ! the things that ha,e ha$$ened r!# the beginning. "Cle# 2"&/ 1here !re )as !%r ather Abraha# blessed0 1as it n!t be'a%se he )r!%ght righte!%sness and tr%th thr!%gh aith0 "Cle# 2"&2 Isaa' )ith '!n iden'e+ as .n!)ing the sa'ri i'e. %t%re+ )as led a )illing

"Cle# 2"&6 Ja'!b )ith h%#ility de$arted r!# his land be'a%se ! his br!ther+ and )ent %nt! Laban and ser,ed3 and the t)el,e tribes ! Israel )ere gi,en %nt! hi#. "Cle# 2/&"

18

I any #an )ill '!nsider the# !ne by !ne in sin'erity+ he shall %nderstand the #agni i'en'e ! the gi ts that are gi,en by Hi#. "Cle# 2/&/ F!r ! Ja'!b are all the $riests and le,ites )h! #inister %nt! the altar ! (!d3 ! hi# is the L!rd Jes%s as '!n'erning the lesh3 ! hi# are .ings and r%lers and g!,ern!rs in the line ! J%dah3 yea and the rest ! his tribes are held in n! s#all h!n!r+ seeing that (!d $r!#ised saying+ )hy seed shall be as the stars of heaven. "Cle# 2/&2 They all there !re )ere gl!ri ied and #agni ied+ n!t thr!%gh the#sel,es !r their !)n )!r.s !r the righte!%s d!ing )hi'h they )r!%ght+ b%t thr!%gh His )ill. "Cle# 2/&6 And s! )e+ ha,ing been 'alled thr!%gh His )ill in Christ Jes%s+ are n!t *%sti ied thr!%gh !%rsel,es !r thr!%gh !%r !)n )isd!# !r %nderstanding !r $iety !r )!r.s )hi'h )e )r!%ght in h!liness ! heart+ b%t thr!%gh aith+ )hereby the Al#ighty (!d *%sti ied all #en that ha,e been r!# the beginning3 t! )h!# be the gl!ry !r e,er and e,er. A#en. "Cle# 22&" 1hat then #%st )e d!+ brethren0 M%st )e idly abstain r!# d!ing g!!d+ and !rsa.e l!,e0 May the Master ne,er all!) this t! be all %s at least3 b%t let %s hasten )ith instan'y and 5eal t! a''!#$lish e,ery g!!d )!r.. "Cle# 22&/ F!r the Creat!r and Master ! )!r.s. the %ni,erse Hi#sel re*!i'eth in His

"Cle# 22&2 F!r by His e4'eeding great #ight He established the hea,ens+ and in His in'!#$rehensible )isd!# He set the# in !rder. And the earth He se$arated r!# the )ater that s%rr!%ndeth it+ and He set it ir# !n the s%re !%ndati!n ! His !)n )ill3 and the li,ing 'reat%res )hi'h )al. %$!n it He '!##anded t! e4ist by His !rdinan'e. Ha,ing be !re 'reated the sea and the li,ing 'reat%res therein+ He en'l!sed it by His !)n $!)er. "Cle# 22&6 Ab!,e all+ as the #!st e4'ellent and e4'eeding great )!r. ! His intelligen'e+ )ith His sa'red and a%ltless hands He !r#ed #an in the i#$ress ! His !)n i#age. "Cle# 22&8 F!r th%s saith (!d &et us make man after our image and after our likeness. And God made man- male and female made He them. "Cle# 22&9 S! ha,ing inished all these things+ He $raised the# and blessed the# and said+ "ncrease and multiply. "Cle# 22&: 1e ha,e seen that all the righte!%s )ere ad!rned in g!!d )!r.s. 7ea+

19

and the L!rd Hi#sel

ha,ing ad!rned Hi#sel

)ith )!rlds re*!i'ed.

"Cle# 22&; Seeing then that )e ha,e this $attern+ let %s '!n !r# !%rsel,es )ith all diligen'e t! His )ill3 let %s )ith all !%r strength )!r. the )!r. ! righte!%sness. "Cle# 26&" The g!!d )!r.#an re'ei,eth the bread ! his )!r. )ith b!ldness+ b%t the sl!th %l and 'areless dareth n!t l!!. his e#$l!yer in the a'e. "Cle# 26&/ It is there !re need %l that )e sh!%ld be 5eal!%s %nt! )ell d!ing+ !r ! Hi# are all things& "Cle# 26&2 sin'e He !re)arneth %s saying+ $ehold, the &ord, and His reward is before His face, to recompense each man according to his work. "Cle# 26&6 He e4h!rteth %s there !re t! belie,e !n Hi# )ith !%r )h!le heart+ and t! be n!t idle n!r 'areless %nt! e,ery g!!d )!r.. "Cle# 26&8 Let !%r b!ast and !%r '!n iden'e be in Hi#& let %s s%b#it !%rsel,es t! His )ill3 let %s #ar. the )h!le h!st ! His angels+ h!) they stand by and #inister %nt! His )ill. "Cle# 26&9 F!r the s'ri$t%re saith+ )en thousands of ten thousands stood by Him, and thousands of thousands ministered unto Him% and they cried aloud, Holy, holy, holy is the &ord of 1abaoth- all creation is full of His glory. "Cle# 26&: 7ea+ and let %s !%rsel,es then+ being gathered t!gether in '!n'!rd )ith intentness ! heart+ 'ry %nt! Hi# as r!# !ne #!%th earnestly that )e #ay be #ade $arta.ers ! His great and gl!ri!%s $r!#ises. "Cle# 26&; F!r He saith+ (ye hath not seen and ear hath not heard, and it hath not entered into the heart of man what great things He hath prepared for them that patiently await Him. "Cle# 28&" H!) blessed and #ar,el!%s are the gi ts ! (!d+ dearly bel!,edFF

"Cle# 28&/ Li e in i##!rtality+ s$lend!r in righte!%sness+ tr%th in b!ldness+ aith in '!n iden'e+ te#$eran'e in san'ti i'ati!nF And all these things all %nder !%r a$$rehensi!n. "Cle# 28&2 1hat then+ thin. ye+ are the things $re$aring !r the# that $atiently a)ait Hi#0 The Creat!r and Father ! the ages+ the All h!ly One Hi#sel .n!)eth their n%#ber and their bea%ty.

20

"Cle# 28&6 Let %s there !re '!ntend+ that )e #ay be !%nd in the n%#ber ! th!se that $atiently a)ait Hi#+ t! the end that )e #ay be $arta.ers ! His $r!#ised gi ts. "Cle# 28&8 B%t h!) shall this be+ dearly bel!,ed0 I !%r #ind be i4ed thr!%gh aith t!)ards (!d3 i )e see. !%t th!se things )hi'h are )ell $leasing and a''e$table %nt! Hi#3 i )e a''!#$lish s%'h things as besee# His a%ltless )ill+ and !ll!) the )ay ! tr%th+ 'asting ! r!# !%rsel,es all %nrighte!%sness and iniE%ity+ '!,et!%sness+ stri es+ #alignities and de'eits+ )his$erings and ba'.bitings+ hatred ! (!d+ $ride and arr!gan'e+ ,aingl!ry and inh!s$itality. "Cle# 28&9 F!r they that d! these things are hate %l t! (!d3 and n!t !nly they that d! the#+ b%t they als! that '!nsent %nt! the#. "Cle# 28&: F!r the s'ri$t%re saith+ $ut unto the sinner said God, herefore dost thou declare Mine ordinances, and takest My covenant upon thy lips! "Cle# 28&; 7et )hou didst hate instruction and didst cast away My words behind thee. "f thou sawest a thief thou didst keep company with him, and with the adulterers thou didst set thy portion. )hy mouth multiplied wickedness and thy tongue wove deceit. )hou sattest and spakest against thy brother, and against the son of thy mother thou didst lay a stumbling block. "Cle# 28&? )hese things )hou hast done, and " kept silence. )hou thoughtest, unrighteous man, that " should be like unto thee. "Cle# 28&"@ " will convict thee and will set thee face to face with thyself. "Cle# 28&"" 4ow understand ye these things, ye that forget God, lest at any time He sei8e you as a lion, and there be none to deliver. "Cle# 28&"/ )he sacrifice of praise shall glorify Me, and there is the way wherein " will show him the salvation of God. "Cle# 29&" This is the )ay+ dearly bel!,ed+ )herein )e !%nd !%r sal,ati!n+ e,en Jes%s Christ the High $riest ! !%r ! erings+ the (%ardian and Hel$er ! !%r )ea.ness. "Cle# 29&/ Thr!%gh Hi# let %s l!!. stead astly %nt! the heights ! the hea,ens3 thr!%gh Hi# )e beh!ld as in a #irr!r His a%ltless and #!st e4'ellent ,isage3 thr!%gh Hi# the eyes ! !%r hearts )ere !$ened3 thr!%gh Hi# !%r !!lish and dar.ened #ind s$ringeth %$ %nt! the light3 thr!%gh Hi# the Master )illed that )e sh!%ld taste ! the i##!rtal .n!)ledge

21

ho being the brightness of His ma'esty is so much greater than angels, as He hath inherited a more excellent name. "Cle# 29&2 F!r s! it is )ritten ho maketh His angels spirits and His ministers aflame of fire "Cle# 29&6 b%t ! His S!n the Master said th%s+ )hou art My 1on, " this day have begotten thee. Ask of Me, and " will give )hee the Gentiles for )hine inheritance, and the ends of the earth for )hy possession. "Cle# 29&8 And again He saith %nt! Hi# 1it )hou on My right hand, until " make )hine enemies a footstool for )hy feet. "Cle# 29&9 1h! then are these ene#ies0 They that are )i'.ed and resist His )ill. "Cle# 2:&" Let %s there !re enlist !%rsel,es+ brethren+ )ith all earnestness in His a%ltless !rdinan'es. "Cle# 2:&/ Let %s #ar. the s!ldiers that are enlisted %nder !%r r%lers+ h!) e4a'tly+ h!) readily+ h!) s%b#issi,ely+ they e4e'%te the !rders gi,en the#. "Cle# 2:&2 All are n!t $re e'ts+ n!r r%lers ! th!%sands+ n!r r%lers ! h%ndreds+ n!r r%lers ! i ties+ and s! !rth3 b%t ea'h #an in his !)n ran. e4e'%teth the !rders gi,en by the .ing and the g!,ern!rs. "Cle# 2:&6 The great )ith!%t the s#all 'ann!t e4ist+ neither the s#all )ith!%t the great. There is a 'ertain #i4t%re in all things+ and therein is %tility. "Cle# 2:&8 Let %s ta.e !%r b!dy as an e4a#$le. The head )ith!%t the eet is n!thing3 s! li.e)ise the eet )ith!%t the head are n!thing& e,en the s#allest li#bs ! !%r b!dy are ne'essary and %se %l !r the )h!le b!dy& b%t all the #e#bers '!ns$ire and %nite in s%b*e'ti!n+ that the )h!le b!dy #aybe sa,ed. "Cle# 2;&" S! in !%r 'ase let the )h!le b!dy be sa,ed in Christ Jes%s+ and let ea'h #an be s%b*e't %nt! his neighb!r+ a''!rding as als! he )as a$$!inted )ith his s$e'ial gra'e. "Cle# 2;&/ Let n!t the str!ng negle't the )ea.3 and let the )ea. res$e't the str!ng. Let the ri'h #inister aid t! the $!!r3 and let the $!!r gi,e than.s t! (!d+ be'a%se He hath gi,en hi# !ne thr!%gh )h!# his )ants #ay be s%$$lied. Let the )ise dis$lay his )isd!#+ n!t in )!rds+ b%t

22

in g!!d )!r.s. He that is l!)ly in #ind+ let hi# n!t bear testi#!ny t! hi#sel + b%t lea,e testi#!ny t! be b!rne t! hi# by his neighb!r. He that is $%re in the lesh+ let hi# be s!+ and n!t b!ast+ .n!)ing that it is An!ther )h! best!)eth his '!ntinen'e %$!n hi#. "Cle# 2;&2 Let %s '!nsider+ brethren+ ! )hat #atter )e )ere #ade3 )h! and )hat #anner ! beings )e )ere+ )hen )e 'a#e int! the )!rld3 r!# )hat a se$%l'hre and )hat dar.ness He that #!lded and 'reated %s br!%ght %s int! His )!rld+ ha,ing $re$ared His bene its a !rehand ere e,er )e )ere b!rn. "Cle# 2;&6 Seeing there !re that )e ha,e all these things r!# Hi#+ )e !%ght in all things t! gi,e than.s t! Hi#+ t! )h!# be the gl!ry !r e,er and e,er. A#en. "Cle# 2?&" Senseless and st%$id and !!lish and ign!rant #en *eer and #!'. at %s+ desiring that they the#sel,es sh!%ld be e4alted in their i#aginati!ns. "Cle# 2?&/ F!r )hat $!)er hath a #!rtal0 !r )hat strength hath a 'hild ! earth0

"Cle# 2?&2 F!r it is )ritten3 )here was no form before mine eyes- only " heard a breath and a voice. "Cle# 2?&6 hat then! 1hall a mortal be clean in the sight of the &ord- or shall a man be unblamable for his works! seeing that He is distrustful against His servants and noteth some perversity against His angels. "Cle# 2?&8 4ay, the heaven is not clean in His sight. Away then, ye that dwell in houses of clay, whereof, even of the same clay, we ourselves are made. He smote them like a moth, and from morn to even they are no more. $ecause they could not succor themselves, they perished. "Cle# 2?&9 He breathed on them and they died, because they had no wisdom. "Cle# 2?&: $ut call thou, if perchance one shall obey thee, or if thou shalt see one of the holy angels. .or wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth him that has gone astray. "Cle# 2?&; And " have seen fools throwing out roots, but forthwith their habitation was eaten up. "Cle# 2?&? .ar be their sons from safety. May they be mocked at the gates of inferiors, and there shall be none to deliver them. .or the things which are prepared for them, the righteous shall eat- but they

23

themselves shall not be delivered from evils. "Cle# 6@&" F!ras#%'h then as these things are #ani est be !rehand+ and )e ha,e sear'hed int! the de$ths ! the Ai,ine .n!)ledge+ )e !%ght t! d! all things in !rder+ as #any as the Master hath '!##anded %s t! $er !r# at their a$$!inted seas!ns. "Cle# 6@&/ N!) the ! erings and #inistrati!ns He '!##anded t! be $er !r#ed )ith 'are+ and n!t t! be d!ne rashly !r in dis!rder+ b%t at i4ed ti#es and seas!ns. "Cle# 6@&2 And )here and by )h!# He )!%ld ha,e the# $er !r#ed+ He Hi#sel i4ed by His s%$re#e )ill& that all things being d!ne )ith $iety a''!rding t! His g!!d $leas%re #ight be a''e$table t! His )ill. "Cle# 6@&6 They there !re that #a.e their ! erings at the a$$!inted seas!ns are a''e$table and blessed& !r )hile they !ll!) the instit%ti!ns ! the Master they 'ann!t g! )r!ng. "Cle# 6@&8 F!r %nt! the high $riest his $r!$er ser,i'es ha,e been assigned+ and t! the $riests their $r!$er ! i'e is a$$!inted+ and %$!n the le,ites their $r!$er #inistrati!ns are laid. The lay#an is b!%nd by the lay#an>s !rdinan'es. "Cle# 6"&" Let ea'h ! y!%+ brethren+ in his !)n !rder gi,e than.s %nt! (!d+ #aintaining a g!!d '!ns'ien'e and n!t transgressing the a$$!inted r%le ! his ser,i'e+ b%t a'ting )ith all see#liness. "Cle# 6"&/ N!t in e,ery $la'e+ brethren+ are the '!ntin%al daily sa'ri i'es ! ered+ !r the ree)ill ! erings+ !r the sin ! erings and the tres$ass ! erings+ b%t in Jer%sale# al!ne. And e,en there the ! ering is n!t #ade in e,ery $la'e+ b%t be !re the san't%ary in the '!%rt ! the altar3 and this t!! thr!%gh the high $riest and the a !re said #inisters+ a ter that the ,i'ti# t! be ! ered hath been ins$e'ted !r ble#ishes. "Cle# 6"&2 They there !re )h! d! any thing '!ntrary t! the see#ly !rdinan'e ! His )ill re'ei,e death as the $enalty. "Cle# 6"&6 7e see+ brethren+ in $r!$!rti!n as greater .n!)ledge hath been ,!%'hsa ed %nt! %s+ s! #%'h the #!re are )e e4$!sed t! danger. "Cle# 6/&" The A$!stles re'ei,ed the (!s$el Christ3 Jes%s Christ )as sent !rth "Cle# 6/&/ S! then Christ is !r %s r!# the L!rd Jes%s r!# (!d. r!# Christ. B!th

r!# (!d+ and the A$!stles are

24

there !re 'a#e !

the )ill !

(!d in the a$$!inted !rder.

"Cle# 6/&2 Ha,ing there !re re'ei,ed a 'harge+ and ha,ing been %lly ass%red thr!%gh the res%rre'ti!n ! !%r L!rd Jes%s Christ and '!n ir#ed in the )!rd ! (!d )ith %ll ass%ran'e ! the H!ly (h!st+ they )ent !rth )ith the glad tidings that the .ingd!# ! (!d sh!%ld '!#e. "Cle# 6/&6 S! $rea'hing e,ery)here in '!%ntry and t!)n+ they a$$!inted their irst r%its+ )hen they had $r!,ed the# by the S$irit+ t! be bish!$s and dea'!ns %nt! the# that sh!%ld belie,e. "Cle# 6/&8 And this they did in n! ne) ashi!n3 !r indeed it had been )ritten '!n'erning bish!$s and dea'!ns r!# ,ery an'ient ti#es3 !r th%s saith the s'ri$t%re in a 'ertain $la'e+ " will appoint their bishops in righteousness and their deacons in faith. "Cle# 62&" And )hat #ar,el+ i they )hi'h )ere entr%sted in Christ )ith s%'h a )!r. by (!d a$$!inted the a !resaid $ers!ns0 seeing that e,en the blessed M!ses )h! )as a faithful servant in all His house re'!rded !r a sign in the sa'red b!!.s all things that )ere en*!ined %$!n hi#. And hi# als! the rest ! the $r!$hets !ll!)ed+ bearing )itness )ith hi# %nt! the la)s that )ere !rdained by hi#. "Cle# 62&/ F!r he+ )hen *eal!%sy ar!se '!n'erning the $riesth!!d+ and there )as dissensi!n a#!ng the tribes )hi'h ! the# )as ad!rned )ith the gl!ri!%s na#e+ '!##anded the t)el,e 'hie s ! the tribes t! bring t! hi# r!ds ins'ribed )ith the na#e ! ea'h tribe. And he t!!. the# and tied the# and sealed the# )ith the signet rings ! the 'hie s ! the tribes+ and $%t the# a)ay in the taberna'le ! the testi#!ny !n the table ! (!d. "Cle# 62&2 And ha,ing sh%t the taberna'le he sealed the .eys and li.e)ise als! the d!!rs. "Cle# 62&6 And he said %nt! the#+ Brethren+ the tribe )h!se r!d shall b%d+ this hath (!d 'h!sen t! be $riests and #inisters %nt! Hi#. "Cle# 62&8 N!) )hen #!rning 'a#e+ he 'alled t!gether all Israel+ e,en the si4 h%ndred th!%sand #en+ and sh!)ed the seals t! the 'hie s ! the tribes and !$ened the taberna'le ! the testi#!ny and dre) !rth the r!ds. And the r!d ! Aar!n )as !%nd n!t !nly )ith b%ds+ b%t als! bearing r%it. "Cle# 62&9 1hat thin. ye+ dearly bel!,ed0 Aid n!t M!ses .n!) be !rehand that this )!%ld '!#e t! $ass0 Ass%redly he .ne) it. B%t that dis!rder #ight n!t arise in Israel+ he did th%s+ t! the end that the Na#e ! the tr%e and !nly (!d #ight be gl!ri ied& t! )h!# he the gl!ry !r e,er and e,er. A#en...

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"Cle# 66&" And !%r A$!stles .ne) thr!%gh !%r L!rd Jes%s Christ that there )!%ld be stri e !,er the na#e ! the bish!$>s ! i'e. "Cle# 66&/ F!r this 'a%se there !re+ ha,ing re'ei,ed '!#$lete !re.n!)ledge+ they a$$!inted the a !resaid $ers!ns+ and a ter)ards they $r!,ided a '!ntin%an'e+ that i these sh!%ld all aslee$+ !ther a$$r!,ed #en sh!%ld s%''eed t! their #inistrati!n. Th!se there !re )h! )ere a$$!inted by the#+ !r a ter)ard by !ther #en ! re$%te )ith the '!nsent ! the )h!le Ch%r'h+ and ha,e #inistered %nbla#ably t! the l!'. ! Christ in l!)liness ! #ind+ $ea'e %lly and )ith all #!desty+ and !r l!ng ti#e ha,e b!rne a g!!d re$!rt )ith all these #en )e '!nsider t! be %n*%stly thr%st !%t r!# their #inistrati!n. "Cle# 66&2 F!r it )ill be n! light sin !r %s+ i )e thr%st !%t th!se )h! ha,e ! ered the gi ts ! the bish!$>s ! i'e %nbla#ably and h!lily. "Cle# 66&6 Blessed are th!se $resbyters )h! ha,e g!ne be !re+ seeing that their de$art%re )as r%it %l and ri$e& !r they ha,e n! ear lest any !ne sh!%ld re#!,e the# r!# their a$$!inted $la'e. "Cle# 66&8 F!r )e see that ye ha,e dis$la'ed 'ertain $ers!ns+ th!%gh they )ere li,ing h!n!rably+ r!# the #inistrati!n )hi'h had been res$e'ted by the# bla#elessly. "Cle# 68&" Be ye '!ntenti!%s+ brethren+ and *eal!%s ab!%t the things that $ertain %nt! sal,ati!n. "Cle# 68&/ 7e ha,e sear'hed the s'ri$t%res+ )hi'h are tr%e+ )hi'h )ere gi,en thr!%gh the H!ly (h!st3 "Cle# 68&2 and ye .n!) that n!thing %nrighte!%s !r '!%nter eit is )ritten in the#. 7e )ill n!t ind that righte!%s $ers!ns ha,e been thr%st !%t by h!ly #en. "Cle# 68&6 Righte!%s #en )ere $erse'%ted+ b%t it )as by the la)less3 they )ere i#$ris!ned+ b%t it )as by the %nh!ly. They )ere st!ned by transgress!rs& they )ere slain by th!se )h! had '!n'ei,ed a detestable and %nrighte!%s *eal!%sy. "Cle# 68&8 S% ering these things+ they end%red n!bly. "Cle# 68&9 F!r )hat #%st )e say+ brethren0 1as Aaniel 'ast int! the li!ns> den by the# that eared (!d0 "Cle# 68&:

26

Or )ere Ananias and A5arias and Misael sh%t %$ in the %rna'e ! ire by the# that $r! essed the e4'ellent and gl!ri!%s )!rshi$ ! the M!st High0 Far be this r!# !%r th!%ghts. 1h! then )ere they that did these things0 Ab!#inable #en and %ll ! all )i'.edness )ere stirred %$ t! s%'h a $it'h ! )rath+ as t! bring 'r%el s% ering %$!n the# that ser,ed (!d in a h!ly and bla#eless $%r$!se+ n!t .n!)ing that the M!st High is the 'ha#$i!n and $r!te't!r ! the# that in a $%re '!ns'ien'e ser,e His e4'ellent Na#e& %nt! )h!# be the gl!ry !r e,er and e,er. A#en. "Cle# 68&; B%t they that end%red $atiently in '!n iden'e inherited gl!ry and h!n!r3 they )ere e4alted+ and had their na#es re'!rded by (!d in their #e#!rial !r e,er and e,er. A#en. "Cle# 69&" T! s%'h e4a#$les as these there !re+ brethren+ )e als! !%ght t! 'lea,e. "Cle# 69&/ F!r it is )ritten3 Cleave unto the saints, for they that cleave unto them shall be sanctified. "Cle# 69&2 And again He saith in an!ther $la'e3 ith the guiltless man thou shalt be guiltless, and with the elect thou shalt be elect, and with the crooked thou shalt deal crookedly. "Cle# 69&6 Let %s there !re 'lea,e t! the g%iltless and righte!%s& and these are the ele't ! (!d. "Cle# 69&8 1here !re are there stri es and )raths and )ar a#!ng y!%0 a'ti!ns and di,isi!ns and

"Cle# 69&9 Ha,e )e n!t !ne (!d and !ne Christ and !ne S$irit ! gra'e that )as shed %$!n %s0 And is there n!t !ne 'alling in Christ0 "Cle# 69&: 1here !re d! )e tear and rend as%nder the #e#bers ! Christ+ and stir %$ a'ti!ns against !%r !)n b!dy+ and rea'h s%'h a $it'h ! !lly+ as t! !rget that )e are #e#bers !ne ! an!ther0 "Cle# 69&; Re#e#ber the )!rds ! Jes%s !%r L!rd& !r He said+ oe unto that man- it were good for him if he had not been born, rather than that at he should offend one of Mine elect. "t were better for him that a millstone were hanged about him, and be cast into the sea, than that he should pervert one of Mine elect. "Cle# 69&? 7!%r di,isi!n hath $er,erted #any3 it hath br!%ght #any t! des$air+ #any t! d!%bting+ and all ! %s t! s!rr!). And y!%r sediti!n still '!ntin%eth.

27

"Cle# 6:&" Ta.e %$ the e$istle ! "Cle# 6:&/ 1hat )r!te he

the blessed Pa%l the A$!stle. the (!s$el0 and Ce$has

irst %nt! y!% in the beginning !

"Cle# 6:&2 O a tr%th he 'harged y!% in the S$irit '!n'erning hi#sel and A$!ll!s+ be'a%se that e,en then ye had #ade $arties. "Cle# 6:&6 7et that #a.ing ! $arties br!%ght less sin %$!n y!%3 $artisans ! A$!stles that )ere highly re$%ted+ and ! in their sight.

!r ye )ere a #an a$$r!,ed

"Cle# 6:&8 B%t n!) #ar. ye+ )h! they are that ha,e $er,erted y!% and di#inished the gl!ry ! y!%r ren!)ned l!,e !r the br!therh!!d. "Cle# 6:&9 It is sha#e %l+ dearly bel!,ed+ y!%r '!nd%'t in Christ+ that it stead ast and an'ient Ch%r'h ! !r t)! $ers!ns+ #a.eth sediti!n yes+ %tterly sha#e %l and %n)!rthy ! sh!%ld be re$!rted that the ,ery the C!rinthians+ !r the sa.e ! !ne against its $resbyters.

"Cle# 6:&: And this re$!rt hath rea'hed n!t !nly %s+ b%t the# als! )hi'h di er r!# %s+ s! that ye e,en hea$ blas$he#ies !n the Na#e ! the L!rd by reas!n ! y!%r !lly+ and #!re!,er 'reate $eril !r y!%rsel,es. "Cle# 6;&" Let %s there !re r!!t this !%t E%i'.ly+ and let %s all d!)n be !re the Master and entreat Hi# )ith tears+ that He #ay sh!) Hi#sel $r!$iti!%s and be re'!n'iled %nt! %s+ and #ay rest!re %s t! the see#ly and $%re '!nd%'t )hi'h bel!ngeth t! !%r l!,e ! the brethren. "Cle# 6;&/ F!r this is a gate ! righte!%sness !$ened %nt! li e+ as it is )ritten3 +pen me the gates of righteousness, that " may enter in thereby and preach the &ord. "Cle# 6;&2 )his is the gate of the &ord- the righteous shall enter in thereby. "Cle# 6;&6 Seeing then that #any gates are !$ened+ this is that gate )hi'h is in righte!%sness+ e,en that )hi'h is in Christ+ )hereby all are blessed that ha,e entered in and dire't their $ath in h!liness and righte!%sness+ $er !r#ing all things )ith!%t '!n %si!n. "Cle# 6;&8 Let a #an be aith %l+ let hi# be able t! e4$!%nd a dee$ saying+ let hi# be )ise in the dis'ern#ent ! )!rds+ let hi# be stren%!%s in deeds+ let hi# be $%re3 "Cle# 6;&9

28

!r s! #%'h the #!re !%ght he t! be l!)ly in #ind+ in $r!$!rti!n as he see#eth t! be the greater3 and he !%ght t! see. the '!##!n ad,antage ! all+ and n!t his !)n. "Cle# 6?&" Let hi# that hath l!,e in Christ "Cle# 6?&/ 1h! 'an de'lare the b!nd ! %l ill the '!##and#ents ! (!d0 its bea%ty0 Christ.

the l!,e !

"Cle# 6?&2 1h! is s% i'ient t! tell the #a*esty !

"Cle# 6?&6 The height+ )here %nt! l!,e e4alteth+ is %ns$ea.able. "Cle# 6?&8 L!,e *!ineth %s %nt! (!d3 love covereth a multitude of sins- l!,e end%reth all things+ is l!ng-s% ering in all things. There is n!thing '!arse+ n!thing arr!gant in l!,e. L!,e hath n! di,isi!ns+ l!,e #a.eth n! sediti!ns+ l!,e d!eth all things in '!n'!rd. In l!,e )ere all the ele't ! (!d #ade $er e't3 )ith!%t l!,e n!thing is )ell $leasing t! (!d& "Cle# 6?&9 in l!,e the Master t!!. %s %nt! Hi#sel 3 !r the l!,e )hi'h He had t!)ard %s+ Jes%s Christ !%r L!rd hath gi,en His bl!!d !r %s by the )ill ! (!d+ and His lesh !r !%r lesh and His li e !r !%r li,es. "Cle# 8@&" 7e see+ dearly bel!,ed+ h!) great and #ar,el!%s a thing is l!,e+ and there is n! de'laring its $er e'ti!n. "Cle# 8@&/ 1h! is s% i'ient t! be !%nd therein+ sa,e th!se t! )h!# (!d shall ,!%'hsa e it0 Let %s there !re entreat and as. ! His #er'y+ that )e #ay be !%nd bla#eless in l!,e+ standing a$art r!# the a'ti!%sness ! #en. All the generati!ns r!# Ada# %nt! this day ha,e $assed a)ay& b%t they that by (!d>s gra'e )ere $er e'ted in l!,e d)ell in the ab!de ! the $i!%s3 and they shall be #ade #ani est in the ,isitati!n ! the Gingd!# ! (!d. "Cle# 8@&2 F!r it is )ritten3 (nter into the closet for a very little while until Mine anger and Mine wrath shall pass away, and " will remember a good day and will raise you from your tombs. "Cle# 8@&6 Blessed )ere )e+ dearly bel!,ed+ i )e sh!%ld be d!ing the '!##and#ents ! (!d in '!n'!rd ! l!,e+ t! the end that !%r sins #ay thr!%gh l!,e be !rgi,en %s. "Cle# 8@&8 F!r it is )ritten3 $lessed are they whose ini,uities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. $lessed is the man to whom the &ord shall impute no sin, neither is guile in his mouth.

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"Cle# 8@&9 This de'larati!n ! blessedness )as $r!n!%n'ed %$!n the# that ha,e been ele'ted by (!d thr!%gh Jes%s Christ !%r L!rd+ t! )h!# be the gl!ry !r e,er and e,er. A#en. "Cle# 8"&" F!r all !%r transgressi!ns )hi'h )e ha,e '!##itted thr!%gh any ! the )iles ! the ad,ersary+ let %s entreat that )e #ay !btain !rgi,eness. 7ea and they als!+ )h! set the#sel,es %$ as leaders ! a'ti!n and di,isi!n+ !%ght t! l!!. t! the '!##!n gr!%nd ! h!$e. "Cle# 8"&/ F!r s%'h as )al. in ear and l!,e desire that they the#sel,es sh!%ld all int! s% ering rather than their neighb!rs3 and they $r!n!%n'e '!nde#nati!n against the#sel,es rather than against the har#!ny )hi'h hath been handed d!)n t! %s n!bly and righte!%sly. "Cle# 8"&2 F!r it is g!!d !r a #an t! #a.e '!n essi!n ! his tres$asses rather than t! harden his heart+ as the heart ! th!se )as hardened )h! #ade sediti!n against M!ses the ser,ant ! (!d3 )h!se '!nde#nati!n )as 'learly #ani est+ "Cle# 8"&6 !r they )ent d!)n t! hades ali,e+ and 5eath shall be their shepherd. "Cle# 8"&8 Phara!h and his h!st and all the r%lers ! Egy$t+ their chariots and their horsemen, )ere !,er)hel#ed in the de$ths ! the Red Sea+ and $erished !r n!ne !ther reas!n b%t be'a%se their !!lish hearts )ere hardened a ter that the signs and the )!nders had been )r!%ght in the land ! Egy$t by the hand ! M!ses the ser,ant ! (!d. "Cle# 8/&" The Master+ brethren+ hath need ! n!thing at all. He desireth n!t anything ! any #an+ sa,e t! '!n ess %nt! Hi#. "Cle# 8/&/ F!r the ele't Aa,id saith3 " will confess unto the &ord, and it shall please Him more than a young calf that groweth horns and hoofs. &et the poor see it, and re'oice. "Cle# 8/&2 And again He saith3 1acrifice to God a sacrifice of praise, and pay thy vows to the Most High% and call upon Me in the day of thine affliction, and " will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me. "Cle# 8/&6 .or a sacrifice unto God is a broken spirit. "Cle# 82&" F!r ye .n!)+ and .n!) )ell+ the sa'red s'ri$t%res+ dearly bel!,ed+ and ye ha,e sear'hed int! the !ra'les ! (!d. 1e )rite these things there !re t! $%t y!% in re#e#bran'e.

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"Cle# 82&/ 1hen M!ses )ent %$ int! the #!%ntain and had s$ent !rty days and !rty nights in asting and h%#iliati!n+ (!d said %nt! hi#3 Moses, Moses, come down , ,uickly hence, for My people whom thou leadest forth from the land of (gypt have wrought ini,uity% they have transgressed ,uickly out of the way which thou didst command unto them% they have made for themselves molten images. "Cle# 82&2 And the &ord said unto him- " have spoken unto thee once and twice, saying, " have seen this people, and behold it is stiff6necked. &et Me destroy them utterly, and " will blot out their name from under heaven, and " will make of thee a nation great and wonderful and numerous more than this. "Cle# 82&6 And M!ses said3 4ay, not so, &ord .orgive this people their sin, or blot me also out of the book of the living. "Cle# 82&8 O #ighty l!,eF O %ns%r$assable $er e'ti!nF The ser,ant is b!ld )ith his Master3 he as.eth !rgi,eness !r the #%ltit%de+ !r he de#andeth that hi#sel als! be bl!tted !%t )ith the#. "Cle# 86&" 1h! there !re is n!ble a#!ng y!%0 1h! is '!#$assi!nate0 1h! is %l illed )ith l!,e0 "Cle# 86&/ Let hi# say3 I by reas!n ! #e there be a'ti!n and stri e and di,isi!ns+ I retire+ I de$art+ )hither ye )ill+ and I d! that )hi'h is !rdered by the $e!$le& !nly let the l!'. ! Christ be at $ea'e )ith its d%ly a$$!inted $resbyters. "Cle# 86&2 He that shall ha,e d!ne this+ shall )in !r hi#sel great ren!)n in Christ+ and e,ery $la'e )ill re'ei,e hi#& !r the earth is the &ord0s and the fullness thereof. "Cle# 86&6 Th%s ha,e they d!ne and )ill d!+ that li,e as 'iti5ens ! .ingd!# ! (!d )hi'h bringeth n! regrets. that

"Cle# 88&" B%t+ t! bring !r)ard e4a#$les ! (entiles als!3 #any .ings and r%lers+ )hen s!#e seas!n ! $estilen'e $ressed %$!n the#+ being ta%ght by !ra'les ha,e deli,ered the#sel,es !,er t! death+ that they #ight res'%e their ell!) 'iti5ens thr!%gh their !)n bl!!d. Many ha,e retired r!# their !)n 'ities+ that they #ight ha,e n! #!re sediti!ns. "Cle# 88&/ 1e .n!) that #any a#!ng !%rsel,es ha,e deli,ered the#sel,es t! b!ndage+ that they #ight rans!# !thers. Many ha,e s!ld the#sel,es t! sla,ery+ and re'ei,ing the $ri'e $aid !r the#sel,es ha,e ed !thers. "Cle# 88&2

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Many )!#en being strengthened thr!%gh the gra'e ! $er !r#ed #any #anly deeds.

(!d ha,e

"Cle# 88&6 The blessed J%dith+ )hen the 'ity )as beleag%ered+ as.ed ! the elders that she #ight be s% ered t! g! !rth int! the 'a#$ ! the aliens. "Cle# 88&8 S! she e4$!sed hersel t! $eril and )ent !rth !r l!,e ! her '!%ntry and ! her $e!$le )hi'h )ere beleag%ered3 and the L!rd deli,ered H!l!$hernes int! the hand ! a )!#an. "Cle# 88&9 T! n! less $eril did Esther als!+ )h! )as $er e't in aith+ e4$!se hersel + that she #ight deli,er the t)el,e tribes ! Israel+ )hen they )ere !n the $!int t! $erish. F!r thr!%gh her asting and her h%#iliati!n she entreated the all seeing Master+ the (!d ! the ages3 and He+ seeing the h%#ility ! her s!%l+ deli,ered the $e!$le !r )h!se sa.e she en'!%ntered the $eril. "Cle# 89&" There !re let %s als! #a.e inter'essi!n !r the# that are in any transgressi!n+ that !rbearan'e and h%#ility #ay be gi,en the#+ t! the end that they #ay yield n!t %nt! %s+ b%t %nt! the )ill ! (!d. F!r s! shall the '!#$assi!nate re#e#bran'e ! the# )ith (!d and the saints be r%it %l %nt! the#+ and $er e't. "Cle# 89&/ Let %s a''e$t 'hastise#ent+ )hereat n! #an !%ght t! be ,e4ed+ dearly bel!,ed. The ad#!niti!n )hi'h )e gi,e !ne t! an!ther is g!!d and e4'eeding %se %l3 !r it *!ineth %s %nt! the )ill ! (!d. "Cle# 89&2 F!r th%s saith the h!ly )!rd3 )he &ord hath indeed chastened me, and hath not delivered me over unto death. "Cle# 89&6 .or whom the &ord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth. "Cle# 89&8 .or the righteous, it is said+ shall chasten me in mercy and shall reprove me, but let not the mercy of sinners anoint my head. "Cle# 89&9 And again He saith3 $lessed is the man whom the &ord hath reproved, and refuse not thou the admonition of the Almighty. .or He causeth pain, and he restoreth again% "Cle# 89&: He hath smitten, and His hands have healed. "Cle# 89&; 1ix times shall He rescue thee from afflictions and at the seventh no evil shall touch thee.

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"Cle# 89&? "n famine he shall deliver thee from death, and in war He shall release thee from the arm of the sword. "Cle# 89&"@ And from the scourge of the tongue He shall hide thee and thou shalt not be afraid when evils approach. "Cle# 89&"" )hou shalt laugh at the unrighteous and wicked, and of the wild beasts thou shalt not be afraid. "Cle# 89&"/ .or wild beasts shall be at peace with thee. "Cle# 89&"2 )hen shalt thou know that thy house shall be at peace% and the abode of thy tabernacle shall not go wrong, "Cle# 89&"6 and thou shalt know that thy seed is many, and thy children as the plenteous herbage of the field. "Cle# 89&"8 And thou shalt come to the grave as ripe corn reaped in due season, or as the heap of the threshing floor gathered together at the right time. "Cle# 89&"9 7e see+ dearly bel!,ed+ h!) great $r!te'ti!n there is !r the# that are 'hastened by the Master& !r being a .ind ather He 'hasteneth %s t! the end that )e #ay !btain #er'y thr!%gh His h!ly 'hastise#ent. "Cle# 8:&" 7e there !re that laid the !%ndati!n ! the sediti!n+ s%b#it y!%rsel,es %nt! the $resbyters and re'ei,e 'hastise#ent %nt! re$entan'e+ bending the .nees ! y!%r heart. "Cle# 8:&/ Learn t! s%b#it y!%rsel,es+ laying aside the arr!gant and $r!%d st%bb!rnness ! y!%r t!ng%e. F!r it is better !r y!% t! be !%nd little in the l!'. ! Christ and t! ha,e y!%r na#e !n (!d>s r!ll+ than t! be had in e4'eeding h!n!r and yet be 'ast !%t r!# the h!$e ! Hi#. "Cle# 8:&2 F!r th%s saith the All ,irt%!%s 1isd!#3 $ehold " will pour out for you a saying of My breath, and " will teach you My word. "Cle# 8:&6 $ecause " called and ye obeyed not, and " held out words and ye heeded not, but made My councils of none effect, and were disobedient unto My reproofs- therefore " also will laugh at your destruction, and will re'oice over you when ruin cometh upon you, and when confusion overtaketh you suddenly, and your overthrow is at hand like a whirlwind,

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"Cle# 8:&8 or when ye call upon Me, yet will " not here you. (vil men shall seek me and not find me% for they hated wisdom, and chose not the fear of the &ord, neither would they give head unto My councils, but mocked at My reproofs. "Cle# 8:&9 )herefore they shall eat the fruits of their own way, and shall be filled with their own ungodliness. "Cle# 8:&: .or because they wronged babes, they shall be slain, and in,uisition shall destroy the ungodly. $ut he that heareth Me shall dwell safely trusting in hope, and shall be ,uiet from all fear of all evil. "Cle# 8;&" Let %s there !re be !bedient %nt! His #!st h!ly and gl!ri!%s Na#e+ thereby es'a$ing the threatenings )hi'h )ere s$!.en ! !ld by the #!%th ! 1isd!# against the# )hi'h dis!bey+ that )e #ay d)ell sa ely+ tr%sting in the #!st h!ly Na#e ! His #a*esty. "Cle# 8;&/ Re'ei,e !%r '!%nsel+ and ye shall ha,e n! !''asi!n ! regret. F!r as (!d li,eth+ and the L!rd Jes%s Christ li,eth+ and the H!ly S$irit+ )h! are the aith and the h!$e ! the ele't+ s! s%rely shall he+ )h! )ith l!)liness ! #ind and instant in gentleness hath )ith!%t regret %lness $er !r#ed the !rdinan'es and '!##and#ents that are gi,en by (!d+ be enr!lled and ha,e a na#e a#!ng the n%#ber ! the# that are sa,ed thr!%gh Jes%s Christ+ thr!%gh )h!# is the gl!ry %nt! Hi# !r e,er and e,er. A#en. "Cle# 8?&" B%t i 'ertain $ers!ns sh!%ld be dis!bedient %nt! the )!rds s$!.en by Hi# thr!%gh %s+ let the# %nderstand that they )ill entangle the#sel,es in n! slight transgressi!n and danger3 "Cle# 8?&/ b%t )e shall be g%iltless ! this sin. And )e )ill as.+ )ith instan'y ! $rayer and s%$$li'ati!n+ that the Creat!r ! the %ni,erse #ay g%ard inta't %nt! the end the n%#ber that hath been n%#bered ! His ele't thr!%gh!%t the )h!le )!rld+ thr!%gh His bel!,ed S!n Jes%s Christ+ thr!%gh )h!# He 'alled %s r!# dar.ness t! light+ r!# ign!ran'e t! the %ll .n!)ledge ! the gl!ry ! His Na#e. "Cle# 8?&2 B(rant %nt! %s+ L!rd+C that )e #ay set !%r h!$e !n Thy Na#e )hi'h is the $ri#al s!%r'e ! all 'reati!n+ and !$en the eyes ! !%r hearts+ that )e #ay .n!) Thee+ )h! al!ne abidest Highest in the lofty, Holy in the holy- )h! layest low in the insolence of the proud, )h! settest the lowly on high+ and bringest the lofty low- )h! makest rich and makest poor- )h! killest and makest alive- )h! al!ne art the Bene a't!r ! s$irits and the (!d ! all lesh3 )h! lookest into the abysses+ )h! s'anest the )!r.s ! #an3 the S%''!r ! the# that are in $eril+ the 1avior of them that are in despair3 The Creat!r and O,erseer ! e,ery s$irit3 )h! #%lti$liest the nati!ns %$!n earth+ and hast 'h!sen !%t r!# all #en th!se that

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l!,e Thee thr!%gh Jes%s Christ+ Thy bel!,ed S!n+ thr!%gh )h!# Th!% didst instr%'t %s+ didst san'ti y %s+ didst h!n!r %s. "Cle# 8?&6 1e besee'h Thee+ L!rd and Master+ t! be our help and succor. Sa,e th!se a#!ng %s )h! are in trib%lati!n3 ha,e #er'y !n the l!)ly3 li t %$ the allen3 sh!) Thysel %nt! the needy3 heal the %ng!dly3 '!n,ert the )anderers ! Thy $e!$le3 eed the h%ngry3 release !%r $ris!ners3 raise %$ the )ea.3 '!# !rt the ainthearted. &et all the Gentiles know that )hou art the God alone+ and Jes%s Christ is Thy S!n+ and we are )hy people and the sheep of )hy pasture. "Cle# 9@&" Th!% thr!%gh Thine !$erati!ns didst #a.e #ani est the e,erlasting abri' ! the )!rld. Th!%+ L!rd+ didst 'reate the earth. Th!% that art aith %l thr!%gh!%t all generati!ns+ righte!%s in Thy *%dg#ents+ #ar,el!%s in strength and e4'ellen'e+ Th!% that art )ise in 'reating and $r%dent in establishing that )hi'h Th!% hast #ade+ that art g!!d in the things )hi'h are seen and aith %l )ith the# that tr%st !n Thee+ pitiful and compassionate+ !rgi,e %s !%r iniE%ities and !%r %nrighte!%snesses and !%r transgressi!ns and sh!rt'!#ings. "Cle# 9@&/ Lay n!t t! !%r a''!%nt e,ery sin ! Thy ser,ants and Thine hand#aids+ b%t 'leanse %s )ith the 'leansing ! Thy tr%th+ and guide our steps to walk in holiness and righte!%sness and singleness of heart and to do such things as are good and well pleasing in )hy sight and in the sight ! !%r r%lers. "Cle# 9@&2 7ea+ L!rd+ make )hy face to shine upon us in $ea'e !r !%r g!!d+ that )e #ay be sheltered by )hy mighty hand and deli,ered r!# e,ery sin by )hine uplifted arm. And deli,er %s r!# the# that hate %s )r!ng %lly. "Cle# 9@&6 (i,e '!n'!rd and $ea'e t! %s and t! all that d)ell !n the earth+ as Th!% ga,est t! !%r athers+ when they called on Thee in faith and truth )ith h!liness+ Bthat )e #ay be sa,ed+C )hile )e render !bedien'e t! Thine al#ighty and #!st e4'ellent Na#e+ and t! !%r r%lers and g!,ern!rs %$!n the earth. "Cle# 9"&" Th!%+ L!rd and Master+ hast gi,en the# the $!)er ! s!,ereignty thr!%gh Thine e4'ellent and %ns$ea.able #ight+ that )e .n!)ing the gl!ry and h!n!r )hi'h Th!% hast gi,en the# #ay s%b#it !%rsel,es %nt! the#+ in n!thing resisting Thy )ill. (rant %nt! the# there !re+ O L!rd+ health $ea'e+ '!n'!rd+ stability+ that they #ay ad#inister the g!,ern#ent )hi'h Th!% hast gi,en the# )ith!%t ail%re. "Cle# 9"&/ F!r Th!%+ O hea,enly Master+ Ging ! the ages+ gi,est t! the s!ns ! #en gl!ry and h!n!r and $!)er !,er all things that are %$!n the earth. A! Th!%+ L!rd+ dire't their '!%nsel a''!rding t! that )hi'h is g!!d and )ell $leasing in Thy sight+ that+ ad#inistering in $ea'e and gentleness )ith (!dliness the $!)er )hi'h Th!% hast gi,en the#+ they #ay !btain Thy a,!r.

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"Cle# 9"&2 O Th!%+ )h! al!ne art able e4'eeding g!!d than these $riest and (%ardian ! !%r gl!ry and the #a*esty %nt! !r e,er and e,er. A#en.

t! d! these things and things ar #!re !r %s+ )e $raise Thee thr!%gh the High s!%ls+ Jes%s Christ+ thr!%gh )h!# be the Thee b!th n!) and !r all generati!ns and

"Cle# 9/&" As t!%'hing th!se things )hi'h be it !%r religi!n and are #!st %se %l !r a ,irt%!%s li e t! s%'h as )!%ld g%ide Btheir ste$sC in h!liness and righte!%sness+ )e ha,e )ritten %lly %nt! y!%+ brethren. "Cle# 9/&/ F!r '!n'erning aith and re$entan'e and gen%ine l!,e and te#$eran'e and s!briety and $atien'e )e ha,e handled e,ery arg%#ent+ $%tting y!% in re#e#bran'e+ that ye !%ght t! $lease Al#ighty (!d in righte!%sness and tr%th and l!ng s% ering )ith h!liness+ laying aside #ali'e and $%rs%ing '!n'!rd in l!,e and $ea'e+ being instant in gentleness3 e,en as !%r athers+ ! )h!# )e s$a.e be !re+ $leased Hi#+ being l!)ly #inded t!)ard their Father and (!d and Creat!r and t!)ards all #en. "Cle# 9/&2 And )e ha,e $%t y!% in #ind ! these things the #!re gladly+ sin'e )e .ne) )ell that )e )ere )riting t! #en )h! are aith %l and highly a''!%nted and ha,e diligently sear'hed int! the !ra'les ! the tea'hing ! (!d. "Cle# 92&" There !re it is right !r %s t! gi,e heed t! s! great and s! #any e4a#$les and t! s%b#it the ne'. and !''%$ying the $la'e ! !bedien'e t! ta.e !%r side )ith the# that are the leaders ! !%r s!%ls+ that 'easing r!# this !!lish dissensi!n )e #ay attain %nt! the g!al )hi'h lieth be !re %s in tr%th %lness+ .ee$ing al!! r!# e,ery a%lt. "Cle# 92&/ F!r ye )ill gi,e %s great *!y and gladness+ i ye render !bedien'e %nt! the things )ritten by %s thr!%gh the H!ly S$irit+ and r!!t !%t the %nrighte!%s anger ! y!%r *eal!%sy+ a''!rding t! the entreaty )hi'h )e ha,e #ade !r $ea'e and '!n'!rd in this letter. "Cle# 92&2 And )e ha,e als! sent aith %l and $r%dent #en that ha,e )al.ed a#!ng %s r!# y!%th %nt! !ld age %nbla#ably+ )h! shall als! be )itnesses bet)een y!% and %s. "Cle# 92&6 And this )e ha,e d!ne that ye #ight .n!) that )e ha,e had+ and still ha,e+ e,ery s!li'it%de that ye sh!%ld be s$eedily at $ea'e. "Cle# 96&" Finally #ay the All seeing (!d and Master ! s$irits and L!rd ! all lesh+ )h! 'h!se the L!rd Jes%s Christ+ and %s thr!%gh Hi# !r a $e'%liar $e!$le+ grant %nt! e,ery s!%l that is 'alled a ter His e4'ellent and h!ly Na#e aith+ ear+ $ea'e+ $atien'e+ l!ng-s% ering+ te#$eran'e+ 'hastity and s!berness+ that they #ay be )ell $leasing

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%nt! His Na#e thr!%gh !%r High $riest and (%ardian Jes%s Christ+ thr!%gh )h!# %nt! Hi# be gl!ry and #a*esty+ #ight and h!n!r+ b!th n!) and !r e,er and e,er. A#en. "Cle# 98&" N!) send ye ba'. s$eedily %nt! %s !%r #essengers Cla%di%s E$heb%s and Haleri%s Bit!+ t!gether )ith F!rt%nat%s als!+ in $ea'e and )ith *!y+ t! the end that they #ay the #!re E%i'.ly re$!rt the $ea'e and '!n'!rd )hi'h is $rayed !r and earnestly desired by %s+ that )e als! #ay the #!re s$eedily re*!i'e !,er y!%r g!!d !rder. "Cle# 98&/ The gra'e ! !%r L!rd Jes%s Christ be )ith y!% and )ith all #en in all $la'es )h! ha,e been 'alled by (!d and thr!%gh Hi#+ thr!%gh )h!# be gl!ry and h!n!r+ $!)er and greatness and eternal d!#ini!n+ %nt! Hi#+ r!# the ages $ast and !re,er and e,er. A#en.

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