he word of the Lord, that we who | ing of salvation by our Lord JESUS wre alive, who remain unto the CHRIST, coming of the Lord, shall not prevent them, who have slept, 15 For the Lord himself shall come down from heaven with commandment, and with the voice of an Archangel, and with the trumpet of God: and the dead who are in Christ, shall rise first. 16 Then we who are alive, who are left, shall be taken up together with them in the clouds to meet Christ, into the air, and so shall we be always with the Lord. 17 Wherefore comfort ye one another with these words. CHAP. 4.-1. Rom. 12, 2: Ephes. 5, 17.2. John 13, 34 and 15, 12 and 17; 1 John 2, 10 and 4, 12.-3. 1 Cor. 15, 23. CHAPTER V. The day of the Lord shall come when least expected. Exhortation to several duties. B UT of the times and moments, brethren, you need not that we should write to you 2 For 1 yourselves know perfectly, that the day of the Lord shall so come, as a thief in the night; 3 For when they shall say, peace and security: then shall sudden destruction come upon them, as the pains upon her that is with child, and they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief: 5 For all you are the children of light, and children of the day: we are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep, sleep in the night: and they that are drunk, are drunk in the night. 8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, 2 having on the breastplate of faith and charity, and for a helmet, the hope of salvation: 10 Who died for us: that, wheth er we watch or sleep, we may live together with him. 11 For which cause comfort one another: and edify one another, as you also do. 12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them, who labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you, 13 That you esteem them more abundantly in charity for their work's sake: have peace with them. 14 And we beseech you, brethren, rebuke the unquiet, comfort the feeble-minded, support the weak, be patient towards all men. 15 See that none render evil for evil to any man: but ever follow that which is good towards each other, and towards all men. 16 Always rejoice. 17 Pray 4 without ceasing. 18 In all things give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ JEsus concerning you all. 19 Extinguish not the spirit. 20 Despise not prophecies. 21 But prove all things: hold fast that which is good. 22 From all appearance of evil refrain yourselves: 23 And may the God of peace himself sanctify you in all things: that your whole spirit, and soul, and body may be preserved blame. less in the coming of our Lord JESUS CHRIST. 24 He is faithful, who hath called you: who also will do it. 25 Brethren, pray for us. 26 Salute all the brethren in a holy kiss. 27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren. 28 The grace of our Lord JESUS CHRIST be with you. Amen. CHAP. 5.-1. 2 Peter 3, 10: Apoc. 3, 3 and 16, 15.-2. Isai. 59, 17: Ephes. 6, 14 and 17.-3. Prov. 17, 13 and 20, 22; Rom. 9 For God hath not appointed us 12, 17; 1 Pet. 3, 9.-4. Eccli. 18, 22; Luke unto wrath, but unto the purchas- 18, 1; Colos. 4, 2.-5. 1 Cor. 1, 9. THE SECOND EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO THE THESSALONIANS. [IN THIS EPISTLE St. Paul admonishes the Thessalonians to be constant in the faith of Christ, and not to be terrified by the insinuations of false teachers telling them that the day of judgment was near at hand, as there must come many signs and wonders before it. He biddeth them to hold firm the traditions received from him, whether by word, or by epistle; and sheweth them how they may be certain of his letters by the manner in which he writes.} CHAPTER I. He giveth thanks to God for their faith and constancy; and prayeth for their advancement in all good. and who obey not the gospel of our Lord JESUS CHRIST; 9 Who shall suffer eternal punishment in destruction, from the face PAUL and Sylvanus and Time of the Lord and from the glory of thy, to the Church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord JESUS CHRIST. 2 Grace unto you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord JESUS CHRIST. his power: 10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be made wonderful in all them who have believed, because our testimony was believed upon you in that day. 3 We are bound to give thanks 11 Wherefore also we pray always always to God for you, brethren, as for you: that our God would make it is fitting, because your faith grow you worthy of his vocation, and fuleth exceedingly, and the charity of fil all the good pleasure of his goodevery one of you towards each otherness, and the work of faith in power, aboundeth: 4 So that we ourselves also glory in you in the churches of God, for your patience, and faith, and in all your persecutions, and tribulations, which you endure 5 For an example of the just judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which also you suffer; 6 Seeing it is a just thing with God, to repay tribulation to them that trouble you: 7 And to you, who are troubled, rest with us when the Lord JESUS shall be revealed from heaven with the angels of his power. 8 In a flame of fire yielding vengeance to them who know not God, CHAP. 2, ver. 2. A recolt. This revoit or falling off, is generally understood, by the ancient fathers, of a revolt from the Roman empire, which was first to be destroyed before the coming of Antichrist. It may perhaps be understood 12 That the name of our Lord JESUS CHRIST may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God, and of the Lord JESUS CHRIST. CHAPTER II. The day of the Lord is not to come, till the man of sin be revealed. The Apos tles' traditions are to be observed. ND we beseech you brethren, by the coming of our Lord JESUS CHRIST, and of our gathering together unto him: 2 That you be not easily moved from your mind, nor be frighted, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by epistle as sent from us, as if the day of the Lord were at hand. also of a revolt of many nations from the Catholic church; which hath in part happened already by the means of Mahomet, Luther, &c. and, as it may be supposed, will be more general in the days of Antichrist: though ever 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for unless there come a revolt first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition, 4 Who opposeth, and is lifted up above all that is called God, or that is worshipped, so that he sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself as if he were God. 5 Remember you not, that when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6 And now you know what withholdeth, that he may be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of iniquity already worketh; only that he who now holdeth, do hold, until he be taken out of the way, 8 And then that wicked one shall be revealed, whom the Lord JESUS shall kill with the spirit of his mouth; and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: him, 9 Whose coming is according to the working of satan, in all power, and signs and lying wonders, 10 And in all seduction of iniquity to them that perish: because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved. Therefore God shall send them the operation of error, to believe lying, 11 That all may be judged who have not believed the truth, but have consented to iniquity. 12 But we ought to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved of God, for that God hath chosen you first-fruits unto salvation, in sanctification of the Spirit, and in the faith of the truth: 13 Whereunto also he hath called you by our gospel, unto the purchasing of the glory of our Lord JESUS CHRIST. then the Catholic church herself, if we believe the Scriptures and the creed, never can fall off from Christ.-The man of sin. Here must be meant some particular man, as is evident from the frequent repetition of the Greek article 6, the man of sin, the son of perdition, the adversary or opposer ὁ ἀντικείμενος, It agreeth to the great Antichrist, who will come before the end of the world; but by no means to any Christian bishop: much less to a succession of Christian bishops. Some interpret it of Mahomet. 14 Therefore brethren, stand fast: and hold the traditions which you have learned, whether by word, or by our epistle. 15 Now our Lord JESUS CHRIST himself, and God and our Father who hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation, and good hope in grace, 16 Exhort your hearts and confirm you in every good work and word. CHAP. 2.-1. Ephes. 5, 6.-2. Isai. 11, 4. CHAPTER III. He beggeth their prayers, and warneth them against idleness. Fo MOR the rest, brethren, pray for us, that the word of God may run and may be glorified, even as among you: 2 And that we may be delivered from importunate and evil men: for all men have not faith. 3 But God is faithful, who will strengthen and keep you from evil. 4 And we have confidence concerning you in the Lord, that the things which we command, you both do, and will do.. 5 And the Lord direct your hearts in the charity of God, and the patience of Christ. 6 And we charge you, brethren,' in the name of our. Lord JESUS CHRIST, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother walking disorderly, and not according to the tradition, which they liave received of us. 7 For yourselves know how you ought to imitate us: for we were not disorderly among you: 8 Neither 2 did we eat any man's bread for nothing, but in labour Ver. 4. In the temple. Either that of Jerusalem, which some think he will rebuild, or in the Christian churches, which he will pervert to his own worship as Mahomet hath done by the churches of the East. Ver. 10. God shall send; that is, God shall suffer them to be deceived by lying wonders, and false miracles, in punishment of their not entertaining the love of truth. Ver. 14. Traditions. See here that the unwritten traditions of the apostles are no less to be received thar, their epistles. and in toil we worked night and day, lest we should be chargeable to any of you. 9 Not as if we had not power, but that we might give ourselves a pattern unto you, to imitate us. 10 For also when we were with you, this we declared to you: that, if any man will not work, neither let him eat. 11 For we have heard there are some among you who walk disor derly, working not at all, but curiously meddling. 12 Now we charge them that are such, and beseech them by the Lord JESUS CHRIST, that, working with silence, they would eat their own bread 13 But you, brethren, be not weary in well-doing. 14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that mau, and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed: 15 Yet do not esteem him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. 16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you everlasting peace in every place. The Lord be with you all. 17 The salutation of Paul with my own hand: which is the sign in every epistle; so I write. 18 The grace of our Lord JESUS CHRIST be with you all. Amen. CHAP. 3.-1. Ephes. 6, 19; Colos. 4, 3. 2. Acts 20, 34; 1 Cor. 4, 12; 1 Thess. 2, 9.-3. Gal, 6, 9. THE FIRST EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO TIMOTHY. [ST. PAUL writeth this Epistle to his beloved Timothy, being then bishop of Ephesus, to instruct him in the duties of a bishop, both in respect to himself and to his charge; and that he ought to be well informed of the good morals of those on whom he was to impose hands: Impose not hands lightly upon any man. He telleth him also how he should behave towards his clergy. This Epistle was written about thirty-three years after our Lord's Ascension; but where it was written is uncertain; the more general opinion is, that it was in Macedonia.] CHAPTER I. He putteth Timothy in mind of his charge and blesseth God for the mercy he himself hud received. PA AUL an apostle of JESUS CHRIST according to the commandment of God our Saviour, and of Christ JESUS Our hope: 2 To Timothy 1 his beloved son in faith. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father, and from Christ JESUS our Lord. 3 As I desired thee to remain at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightst charge some not to teach otherwise, 4 Nor 2 to give heed to fables and genealogies without end which minister questions rather than the edification of God which is in faith. 5 Now the end of the commandment is charity from a pure heart, and a good conscience, and an unfeigned faith. 6 From which things some going astray, are turned aside unto vain babbling, 7 Desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither the things they say, nor whereof they affirm. 8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully: 9 Knowing this that the law is not made for the just man, but for the unjust and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the wicked and defiled, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for man-slayers, 10 For fornicators, for them who defile themselves with mankind, for men-stealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and whatever other thing is contrary to sound doctrine, 11 Which is according to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God, which hath been committed to my trust. 12 I give him thanks, who hath strengthened me, even to Christ JEour Lord, for that he hath counted me faithful, putting me in the ministry: SUS 13 Who before was a blasphemer and a persecutor and contumelious: but I obtained the mercy of God, because I did it ignorantly in un belief. 14 Now the grace of our Lord hath abounded exceedingly with faith and love, which is in Christ JESUS. 15 A faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation: that Christ JESUS came into this world to save sinners, of whom I am the chief: 16 But for this cause have I ob tained mercy: that in me first Christ JESUS might shew forth all patience, for the information of them that shall believe in him until life everlasting. 17 Now to the king of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 18 This precept I commend to thee, O son Timothy, according to CHAP. 1, ver. 9. The law is not, &c. He meaneth that the just man doth good, and avoideth evil, not as compelled by the law; and merely for fear of the punishment appointed for transgressors: but voluntarily and out of the love of God and virtue; and would do so, though there were no law. CHAP. 2, ver. 5. One mediator, Christ is the one, and only mediator of redemption; who gave himself as the apostle writeth in the following verse, a the prophecies going b that thou war in them fare, 19 Having faith and a science, which some reject inade shipwreck concerni faith: 198 20 Of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander: whom I have delivered up to satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. CHAP. 1.-1. Acts 16, 1.-2. 1 Tim. 4, 7; 2 Tim. 2, 16; Titus 3, 9.-3. Rom. 7, 12.4. Matt. 9, 13; Mark 2, 17. CHAPTER II. Prayers are to be said for all men: because God willeth the salvation of all. Women are not to teach. that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for all men': DESIRE therefore first of all 2 For kings and for all that are in high station, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all piety and chastity; 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator of God and men, the man Christ JESUS: 6 Who gave himself a redemption for all, a testimony in due times: 7 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher and an Apostle (I say the truth, I lie not) a doctor of the gen tiles in faith and truth. 8 I will therefore that men pray in every place, lifting up pure hands without anger and contention. 9 In like manner women also in decent apparel, adorning them redemption for all. He is also the only mediator, who standeth in need of no other to recommend his petitions to the Father. But this hindereth not but that we may seek the prayers and intercession, as well of the faithful upon earth, as of the saints and angels in heaven, for obtaining mercy, grace and salvation through Jesus Christ: As St. Paul himself often desired the help of the prayers of the faithful, without any injury to the mediatorship of Jesus Christ. |