be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered Isaac, and he that had received the promises, of fered up his only begotten Son; 18 (To whom it was said: 9 In Isaac shall thy seed be called.) 19 Accounting that God is able to raise up even from the dead: whereupon also he received him for a parable. 20 By 10 faith also of things to come, Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau. 21 By 11 faith Jacob dying blessed each of the sons of Joseph: 12 and adored the top of his rod. 22 By faith 13 Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the going out of the children of Israel, and gave commandment concerning his bones. 23 By 14 faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw he was a comely babe, 15 and they feared not the king's edict, 24 By 16 faith Moses, when he was grown up, denied himself to be the son of Pharao's daughter, 25 Rather choosing to be afflicted with the people of God, than to have the pleasure of sin for a time, 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ, greater riches than the treas ure of the Egyptians: for he looked unto the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the fierceness of the king: for he endured as seeing him that is invisible. 28 By 17 faith he celebrated the Pasch, and the shedding of the blood that he, who destroyed the first-born, might not touch them. 29 By 18 faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians attempting were swallowed up. 30 By 19 faith the walls of Jericho fell down, by the going round them seven days. 31 By 20 faith Rahab the harlot perished not with the unbelievers, receiving the spies with peace. 32 And what shall I yet say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, Barac, Samson, Jephte, David, Samuel, and the Prophets: 33 Who by faith conquered king doms, 21 wrought justice, obtaince promises, 22 stopped the mouths of lions, 23 34 Quenched the violence of fire, 24 escaped the edge of the sword, recovered strength from weakness, became valiant in battle, put to flight the armies of foreigners: 35 Women received their dead raised to life again: 25 but others were racked, not accepting deliverance, that they might find a better resurrection. 26 36 And others had trial of mockeries and stripes, moreover also of bonds and prisons: 37 They were stoned, they were cut asunder, they were tempted, they were put to death by the sword, they wandered about in sheep-skins, in goat-skins, being in want, distressed, afflicted: 38 Of whom the world was not worthy: wandering in deserts, in mountains, and in dens, and in caves of the earth. 39 And all these being approved by the testimony of faith, received not the promise. 40 God providing some better thing for us, that they should not be perfected without us. CHAP. 11.-1. Gen. 1, 3-2. Gen. 4, 4.— 3. Matt. 23, 35-4. Gen. 5, 24; Eccli. 44, 16.-5. Gen. 6, 14; Eccli. 44, 17.-5. Gen. 12, 1.-7. Gen. 17, 19.-8. Gen. 22, 1; Ec cli. 44, 21.-9. Gen. 21, 12; Rom. 9, 7.-10. Gen. 47, 31.-13. Gen. 50, 23.-14. Exod. 2, 2.-15. Exod. 1, 17.-16. Exod. 2, 11.-17, Exod. 12, 21.-18. Exod. 14, 22.-19. Josue 6, 20.-20. Josue 2, 3; James 2, 25.-21. Num. 21 and 31; Jos. 6 and 12.-22. Josue 13.-23. Dan. 6, 22 and 14, 31.-24. Dan. 3, 91.-25. 3 Kings 17, 23; 4 Kings 4, 36.-26. 2 Mac. 7. Gen. 27, 27 and 39.-11. Gen. 48, 15.-12. CHAPTER XII. Exhortation to constancy under their crosses. The danger of abusing the grace of the New Testament. ND therefore we also having so great a cloud of witnesses over our head, laying aside every weight and sin which surrounds us, let us run by patience to the fight proposed to us: 2 Looking on JESUS the author and finisher of faith, who having Joy set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and now sitteth on the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For think diligently upon him that endured such opposition from sinners against himself: that you be not wearied, fainting in your minds. 4 For you have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin: 5 And you have forgotten the consolation, which speaketh to you, as unto children, saying: 2 My son, neglect not the discipline of the Lord: neither be thou wearied whilst thou art rebuked by him. 6 For whom the Lord loveth, he chastiseth: and he scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 Persevere under discipline. God dealeth with you as with his sons: for what son is there, whom the father doth not correct? 8 But if you be without chastisement, whereof all are made partak ers: then are you bastards, and not sons. 9 Moreover we have had fathers of our fiesh for instructors, and we reverenced them; shall we not much more obey the Father of spirits, and live? 10 And they indeed for a few days according to their own pleasure in. structed us: but he, for our profit, that we might receive his sanctifi cation. 11 Now all chastisement for the present indeed seemeth not to bring with it joy, but sorrow: but afterwards it will yield, to them that are exercised by it, the most peaceable fruit of justice. 12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, 13 Ánd make straight steps with your feet: that no one, halting, may go out of the way, but rather be healed. 14 Follow 3 peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see God: 15 Looking diligently lest any man be wanting to the grace of God: lest any root of bitterness CHAP. 12. ver. 17. He found, &c. That is, he found no way to bring his father to repent, or change his mind, springing up do hinder, and by it many be defiled. 16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person as Esau: who for one mess sold his first birthright: 17 For know ye that 5 afterwards when he desired to inherit the benediction, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, although with tears he had sought it. 18 For you are not come to a mountain that might be touched, and a burning fire, and a whirlwind, and darkness, and storm, 19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words, which they that heard excused themselves, that the word might not be spoken to them. 20 For they did not endure that which was said: 7And if so much as a beast shall touch the mount, it shall be stoned. 21 And so terrible was that which was seen. Moses said: I am frighted and tremble. 22 But you are come to mount Sion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to the company of many thousands of Angels, 23 And to the Church of the firstborn, who are written in the heavens, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the just madé perfect, 24 And to JESUS the mediator of the New Testament, and to the sprinkling of blood which speaketh better than that of Abel. 25 See that you refuse him not that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spoke upon earth: much more shall not we, that turn away from him that speaketh to us from heaven; 26 Whose voice then moved the earth: but now he promiseth, saying: 8 Yet once more: and I will move not only the earth, but heaven also. 27 And in that he saith: Yet once more, he signifieth the translation of the moveable things as made, with relation to his having given the benediction to his younger brother Jacob. that those things may remain which are immoveable. 28 Therefore receiving an immoveable kingdom, we have grace: whereby let us serve pleasing God, with fear and reverence. 29 For our God is a consuming fire. CHAP. 12.-1. Rom. 6, 5; Epues. 4, 22; Colos. 3, 8: 1 Pet. 2, 1 and 4, 2.-2. Prov. 3, 11; Apoc. 3, 19.-3. Rom. 12, 18.-4. Gen. 25, 33.-5. Gen. 27, 38.-6. Exod. 19, 12 and 20, 21.-7. Exod. 19, 13.-8. Agge. 2, 7.-9. Deut. 4, 24. CHAPTER XIII. Divers admonitions and exhortations. 12 Wherefore JESUS also, that he might sanctify the people by his own blood, suffered without the gate. 13 Let us go forth therefore to him without the camp, bearing his reproach. 14 For we have not here a lasting city, but we seek one that is to come. 15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise always to God, that is to say, the fruit of lips confessing to his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to impart: for by such sacritices God's favour is obtained. LET the charity of the brother- subject to them. hood abide in you. 2 And hospitality do not forget, for by this some, 2 being not aware of it, have entertained Angels. 3 Remember them that are in bonds, as if you were bound with them: and them that labour, as being yourselves also in the body. 4 Marriage honourable in all, and the bed undefiled. For, fornicators and adulterers God will judge. 5 Let your manners be without Covetousness, contented with such things as you have: for he hath said: I will not leave thee, neither will I forsake thee; 6 So that we may confidently say: 4 The Lord is my helper: I will not fear what man shall do to me. 7 Remember your prelates who have spoken the word of God to you: whose faith follow, consider. ing the end of their conversation. 8 JESUS CHRIST yesterday, and today and the same for ever. 9 Be not led away with various and strange doctrines. For it is best that the heart be established with grace, not with meats: which have not profited those that walk in them. 10 We have an altar, whereof they have no power to eat who serve the tabernacle. 11 For 5 the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the Holies by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. CHAP. 13, ver. 4. Or let marriage be honourable in all. It is a warning to married people, not to abuse the sanc 17 Obey your prelates, and be For they watch as being to render an account of your souls, that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for this is not expedient for you. 18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, being willing to behave ourselves well in all things. 19 And I beseech you the more to do this, that i may be restored to you the sooner. 20 And may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great pastor of the sheep, our Lord JESUS CHRIST, in the blood of the everlasting testament, 21 Fit you in all goodness, that you may do his will: doing in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through JESUS CHRIST: to whom is glory for ever and ever. Amen. 22 And I beseech you, brethren, that you suffer this word of consolation. For I have written to you in a few words. : 23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty with whom (if he come shortly) I will see you. 24 Salute all your prelates, and all the saints. The brethren from Italy salute you. 25 Grace be with you all. Amen. CHAP. 13.-1. Rom. 12, 13; 1 Pet. 4, 9. -2. Gen. 18, 3 and 19, 2.-3. Josue 1, 54. Psal. 117, 6.-5. Lev. 16, 27.-6. Mich. 2, 10. tity of their state, by any liberties, or irregularities contrary thereunto. Ver. 13. His reproach. His cross. THE CATHOLIC EPISTLE OF ST. JAMES THE APOSTLE. [THIS EPISTLE is called Catholic or Universal, as formerly were also the two Epistles of St. Peter, the first of St. John, and one of St. Jude, because they were not written to any peculiar people or particular person but to the faithful in general. It was written by the Aposue St. James, called the Less, who was also called the brother of our Lord, being his kinsman, (for cousin germans with the Hebrews were called brothers). He was the first bishop of Jerusalem. In this Epistle are set forth many precepts appertaining to faith and morals; and particularly, that faith without good works will not save a man, that true wisdom is giv en only from above. In the fifth chapter he publisheth the Sacrament of anointing the sick. It was written a short time before his martyrdom, about twenty-eight years after our Lord's Ascension.] CHAPTER I. 3 because as the flower of the grass shall he pass away: 11 For the sun rose with a burning heat, and parched the grass, and the flower thereof fell off, and the beauty of the shape thereof perished: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways. The benefit of tribulations. Prayer with faith. God is the author of all good, but not of evil. We must be slow to anger, and not hearers only, but doers of the word. Of bridling the tongue, and of pure religion. AMES the servant of God, and of our Lord JESUS CHRIST, to 12 Blessed 4 is the man that enthe twelve tribes which are scatter-dureth temptation: for when he ed abroad, greeting. J 2 My brethren, count it all joy, when you shall fall into divers temptations: 3 Knowing that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 And patience hath a perfect work: that you may be perfect and entire, failing in nothing. 5 But if any of you want wisdom, let him ask of God who giveth to all men abundantly, and ubraideth not: and it shall be given him. hath been proved, he shall receive the crown of life, which God hath promised to them that love him. 13 Let no man, when he is tempted, say that he is tempted by God: for God is not a tempter of evils: and he tempteth no man. 14 But every man is tempted by his own concupiscence, being drawn away and allured. 15 Then when concupiscence hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: but sin, when it is completed, be 16 Do not err therefore, my dearest brethren. 6 But let him ask in faith, noth-getteth death. ing wavering: for he that wavereth, is like a wave of the sea, which is moved and carried about by the wind; 7 Therefore let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is inconstant in all his ways. 9 But let the brother of low condition glory in his exaltation: 17 Every best gift, and every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no change, nor shadow of alteration. 18 For of his own will hath he begotten us by the word of truth, that CHAP. 1, ver. 18. Some beginning. That is, a kind of first fruits of his crea 10 And the rich, in his being low,tures. we might be some beginning of his creature. 19 You know, my dearest brethren. And let every man be swift to hear: but slow to speak, and slow to anger. 20 For the anger of man worketh not the justice of God. 21 Wherefore casting away all uncleanness, and abundance of naughtiness, with meekness receive the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only: deceiving your own selves. 23 But if a man be a hearer of the word and not a doer; he shall be compared to a man beholding his own countenance in a glass: 24 For he beheld himself, and went his way, and presently forgot what manner of man he was. 25 But he that hath looked into the perfect law of liberty, and hath continued therein, not becoming a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work: this man shall be blessed in his deed. 26 And if any man think himself to be religious, not bridling his tongue, bat deceiving his own heart, this man's religion is vain. 27 Religion clean and undefiled before God and the Father, is this: To visit the fatherless and widows in their tribulation: and to keep one's self unspotted from this world. CHAP. 1.-1. Rom. 5, 3.-2. Matt. 7, 7 and 21, 22; Mark 11, 24; Luke 11, 9; John 14, 13 and 16.-3. Eccli. 14. 18; Isai. 40, 6; 1 Pet. 1, 24.-4. Job. 5, 17.-5. Prov. 17, 27.-6. Matt. 7, 21 and 24; Rom. 2, 13. CHAPTER II. Against respect of persons. The dan ger of transgressing one point of the law. Faith is dead without works. M Y brethren, have not the faith of our Lord JESUS CHRIST of glory with respect of persons. CHAP. 2, ver. 1. With respect of persons. The meaning is, that in matters relating to faith, the administering of the sacraments, and other spiritual functions in God's Church, there should be no respect of persons: but that the souls of the poor should be as much regarded as those of the rich. 2 For if there shall come into your assembly a man having a golden ring, in fine apparel, and there shall come in also a poor man in mean attire, 3 And you have respect to him that is clothed with the fine apparel, and shall say to him; Sit thou here well: but say to the poor man: Stand thou there; or Sit under my foot-stool: 4 Do you not judge within yourselves, and are become judges of unjust thoughts? 5 Hearken, my dearest brethren: hath not God chosen the poor in this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which God hath promised to them that love him? 6 But you have dishonoured the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you by might, and do not they draw you before the judgment seals? 7 Do not they blaspheme the good name that is invoked upon you? S If then you fulfil the royal law, according to the Scriptures: 2 Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: you do well: 9 But if you have respect to persons, you commit sin, being reproved by the law as transgressors: 10 And whosoever shall keep the whole law, but offend in one point, is become guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Thou shalt not commit adultery, said also, Thou shalt not kill. Now if thou do not commit adultery, but shalt kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak ye, and so do, as being to be judged by the law of liber ty. 13 For judgment without mercy to him that hath not done mercy: and mercy exalteth itself above judgment. 14 What shall it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but hath not works? Shall faith be able to save him? Ver. 10. Guilty of all. That is, he becometh a transgressor of the law, in such a manner, that the observing of all other points will not avail him to salvation: for he despiseth the lawgiver and breaketh through the great and general commandment of charity, which is the fulfilling of the whole law. |