which we have towards him: That, generation of God preserveth him, whatsoever we shall ask according and the wicked one toucheth him to his will, he heareth us. not. 15 And we know that he heareth us whatsoever we ask: we know that we have the petitions which we request of him. 16 He that knoweth his brother to sin a sin which is not to death, let him ask, and life shall be given to him, who sinneth not to death. There is a sin unto death: for that I say not that any man ask. 17 All iniquity is sin: and there is a sin unto death. 18 We know that whosoever is born of God, sinneth not: but the Ver. 16. A sin unto death. Some understand this of final impenitence, or of dying in mortal sin: which is the only sin that never can be remitted. But probably he may also comprise under this name the sin of apostacy from the faith, and some other such 19 We know that we are of God: and the whole world is seated in wickedness. 20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and he hath given us understanding, that we may know the true God, and may be in his true Son. This is the true God, and life eternal. 21 Little children, keep your selves from idols. Amen. CHAP. 5.-1. 1 Cor. 15, 57.-2. John 3, 36.-3. Luke 21, 45. heinous sins as are seldom and hardly remitted: and therefore he giveth little encouragement, to such as pray for these sinners, to expect to obtain what they ask. Ver. 18. Sinneth not. See the annotation on chap. 3, 6, &c. THE SECOND EPISTLE OF ST. JOHN THE APOSTLE. THE APOSTLE commendeth Electa and her family for their steadfastness in the true faith, and exhorteth them to persevere, lest they lose the reward of their labours. He exhorteth them to love one another, but with heretics to have no society, even not to salute them. Although this Epistle is written to a particular person, yet its instructions may serve as a lesson to others, especially to those who, from their connexions, situation, or condition in life, are in danger of perversion.] CHAPTER I. Ie recommendeth walking in truth, loving one another, and to beware of false teachers. T HE ancient to the lady Elect and her children, whom I love in the truth, and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth, 2 For the sake of the truth, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever. 3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace from God the Father, and from Christ JESUS the Son of the Father, in truth, and charity. 4 I was exceeding glad, that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father. 5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as writing a new commandment to thee, but that which we have had from the beginning,1 that we love one another. 6 And this is charity, that we walk according to his commandments. For this is the commandment, that, as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in the same: 7 For many seducers are gone out into the world, who confess not that JESUS CHRIST IS come in the flesh: this is a seducer and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that you lose not the things which you have wrought: but that you may receive a full reward. 9 Whosoever revolteth, and continueth not in the doctrine of Christ. hath not God: he that continueth in the doctrine, the same hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If any man come to you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into the house, nor say to him; God speed you. 11 For he that saith unto him: God speed you, communicateth with his wicked works. 12 Having more things to write unto you, I would not by paper and ink: for I hope that I shall be with you, and speak face to face: that your joy may be full. 13 The children of thy sister Elect salute thee. CHAP. 1.-1. John 13, 34 and 15, 12. THE THIRD EPISTLE OF ST. JOHN THE APOSTLE. [ST. JOHN praiseth Gaius for his walking in truth, and for his charity: complaineth of the conduct of Diotrephes, and giveth a good testimony to Demetrius.] THE CHAPTER I. HE ancient to the dearly beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. 2 Dearly beloved, concerning all things I make it my prayer that thou mayst proceed prosperously, and fare well, as thy soul doth prosperously. 3 I was exceeding glad when the brethren came, and gave testimony to the truth in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. 4 I have no greater grace than this, to hear that my children walk in truth. 5 Dearly beloved, thou dost faithfully whatever thou dost for the brethren, and that for strangers, 6 Who have given testimony to thy charity in the sight of the Church: whom, thou shalt do well, to bring forward on their way in a manner worthy of God. 7 Because, for his name they went out, taking nothing of the gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow-helpers of the truth. CHAP. 1, ver. 4. Nogreater grace. That is, nothing that giveth me greater joy and satisfaction. 1 9 I had written perhaps to the Church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the pre-eminence among them, doth not receive us; 10 For this cause, if I come, I will advertise his works which he doth: with malicious words prating against us: and as if these things were not enough for him, neither doth he himself receive the brethren: and them that do receive them he forbiddeth, and casteth out of the Church. 11 Dearly beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doth good, is of God: he that doth evil, hath not God. seen 12 To Demetrius testimony is giv en by all, and by the truth itself, yea and we also give testimony: and thou knowest that onr testimony is true. 13 I had many things to write unto thee: but I would not by ink and pen write to thee. 14 But I hope speedily to see thee, and we will speak mouth to mouth. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Salute the friends by name. THE CATHOLIC EPISTLE OF ST. JUDE THE APOSTLE. [ST. JUDE, who wrote this Epistle, was one of the twelve Apostles, and brother to St. James the Less. The time it was written is uncertain, only it may be inferred from ver. 17, that few or none of the Apostles were then living, except St. John. He inveigheth against the heresies and wicked practices of the Simonians, Nicolaites, and Gnostics, &c., describing them and their leaders by strong epithets and similes. He exhorteth the faithful to contend earnestly for the faith first delivered to them, and to beware of heretics.] CHAPTER I. He exhorteth them to stand to the faith first delivered to them and to beware of heretics. J UDE the servant of JESUS CHRIST, and brother of James, to them that are beloved in God the Father, and preserved in JESUS CHRIST, and called. 2 Mercy unto you, and peace and charity be fulfilled. 3 Dearly beloved, taking all care to write unto you concerning your common salvation, I was under a necessity to write unto you: to be seech you to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. 4 For certain men are secretly en tered in (who were written of long ago unto this judgment) ungodly men, turning the grace of our Lord God into riotousness, and denying the only sovereign Ruler, and our Lord JESUS CHRIST. 5 I will therefore admonish you, though ye once knew all things, that JESUS, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt,1 did afterwards destroy them, that believed not: 6 And the angels, who kept not their principality, but forsook their own habitation,2 he had reserved under darkness in everlasting chains, unto the judgment of the great day. 7 As Sodom and Gomorra, and the neighbouring cities, in like manner, having given themselves to fornication, and going after other flesh, were made an example, suffering the punishment of eternal fire. 8 In like manner these men also defile the flesh, and despise dominion, and blaspheme majesty. 9 When 3 Michael the Archangel, disputing with the devil, contended about the body of Moses, he durst not bring against him the judgment of raining speech: but said: The Lord command thee. 10 But these men blaspheme whatever things they know not: and what things soever they naturally know, like dumb beasts, in these they are corrupted. 11 Wo unto them, for they have gone in the way of 4 Cain, and after the 5 error of Balaam, they have for reward poured out themselves, and have perished in the contradiction of Core. 12 These are spots in their ban quets, feasting together without fear, feeding themselves, clouds without water which are carried about by winds, trees of the autumn, unfruitful, twice dead, plucked up by the roots, 13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own confusion, wandering stars: to whom the storm of darkness is reserved for ever. 14 Now of these Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying: 8 Behold, the Lord cometh with thousands of his saints 15 To execute judgment upon all, and to reprove all the ungodly for all the works of their ungodliness, whereby they have done ungodly, and of all the hard things, which ungodly sinners have spoken against God. 16 These are murmurers, full of complaints, walking according to their own desires, and their mouth speaketh proud things, admiring persons for gain's sake. 17 But you, my dearly beloved, be mindful of the words 10 which have been spoken before by the Apostles of our Lord JESUS CHRIST, 18 Who told you, that in the last time there should come mockers, walking according to their own desires in ungodlinesses. 19 These are they, who separate themselves, sensual men, having not the Spirit. 20 But you, my beloved, building yourselves upon your most holy faith. praying in the Holy Ghost, 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord JESUS CHRIST unto life everlasting. 22 And some indeed reprove being judged: 23 But others save, pulling them out of the fire. And on others have mercy in fear: hating also the spotted garment which is carnal. 24 Now to him, who is able to preserve you without sin, and to present you spotless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy in the coming of our Lord JESUS CHRIST. 25 fo the only God our Saviour through JESUS CHRIST our Lord be glory and magnificence, empire and power before all ages, and now, and for all ages of ages. Amen. CHAP. 1.-1. Num. 14, 37.-2. 2 Pet. 2, 4; Gen. 19, 24.-3. Zach, 3, 2.-4. Gen. 4, 8.-5. Num. 22, 23.-6. Num. 16, 32.-7. 2 Pet. 2, 17.-8. Apoc. 1, 7.-9. Psal. 16, 10. -10. 1 Tim. 4, 1; 2 Tim. 3, 1; 2 Pet. 3, 3. THE APOCALYPSE OF ST. JOHN THE APOSTLE. [IN the first, second, and third chapters of this Book are contained instructions and admonitions which St. John was commanded to write to the seven bishops of the churches in Asia. And in the following chapters, to the end, are contained prophesies of things that are to come to pass in the Church of Christ, particularly towards the end of the world, in the time of Antichrist. It was written in Greek, in the island of Patmos, where St. John was in banishment by order of the cruel emperor Domitian, about sixty-four years after our Lord's Ascension.] CHAPTER I. HE Revelation of JESUS CHRIST, which God gave unto him, to make known to his servants the things which must shortly come to pass: and signified, sending by his Angel to his servant John, T 2 Who hath given testimony to the word of God, and the testimony of JESUS CHRIST, what thing soever he hath seen. 3 Blessed is he, that readeth and heareth the words of this prophecy: and keepeth those things which are written in it: for the time is at hand. 4 John to the seven Churches which are in Asia. Grace 'be unto you and peace from him, that is, and that was, and that is to come: and from the seven spirits, which are before his throne: 5 And from JESUS CHRIST, who is the faithful witness,2 the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth, who hath loved us, and washed us from our sins 3 in his own blood, 6 And hath made us a kingdom and priests to God and his Father: to him be glory and empire for ever and ever: Amen. 7 Behold. he cometh with the clouds, and every eye shall see him, and they also that pierced him. And all the tribes of the earth shall bewail themselves because of him: Even so: Amen. 815 am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, saith the Lord God: who is, and who was, and who is to conie, the Almigh ty. 9 I John your brother and your partner in tribulation, and in the kingdom, and patience in Christ JESUS: was in the island, which is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of JESUS: 10 I was in the spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 11 Saying: What thou seest, write in a book; and send to the seven Churches which are in Asia, to Ephesus, and to Smyrna, and to Pergamus, and to Thyatira, and to Sardis, and to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea: 16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and from his mouth came out a sharp two-edged sword; and his face was as the sun shineth in his power. 17 And when I had seen him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying: Fear not: 6 I am the first and the last, 18 And alive, and was dead, and behold I am living for ever and ever, and have the keys of death, and of hell. 19 Write therefore the things which thou hast seen, and which are, and which must be done hereafter. 20 The mystery of the seven stars, which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks: the seven stars, are the Angels of the seven Churches: and the seven candlesticks are the seven Churches. 20; Colos. 1. 18.-3. Heb. 9, 14; 1 Pet. 1, CHAP. 1.-1. Exod. 3, 14.-2. 1 Cor. 15, 19; 1 John 1, 7.-4. Isai. 3, 13; Matt. 24, 30 Jude 1, 14.-5. Isai. 41, 4 and 44, 6 and 48, 12; Apoc. 21, 6 and 22, 13.-6. Isai. 41, 4 and 44, 6 and 48, 12; Apoc. 21, 6 and 22, 13. CHAPTER II. Directions what to write to the angels or bishops of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamus, and Thyatira. U of Ephesus write: These things NTO the Angel of the Church saith he, who holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks: 12 And I turned to see the voice that spoke with me: And being 2 I know thy works and thy laturned, I saw seven golden candle-bour, and thy patience, and how sticks: thou canst not bear them that are evil: and thou hast tried them, who say they are Apostles, and are not: and hast found them liars: 3 And thou hast patience, and hast endured for my name, and hast not fainted. 4 But I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first charity. 5 Be mindful therefore from whence thou art fallen: and do penance, and do the first works; or else I come to thee, and will move |