A NEW EPISTLE, By the Apostle Paul. CHAPTER I. 1. Paul, the Apostle of the Gentiles, to his holy successors, scattered throughout the regions of England and Ireland: Beloved Brethren, 2. As it is meet that I should have upon me the care of all the churches, not only of those already planted, but also of those that shall be formed, I think it fit, while I am in this tabernacle, to write unto you also ; 3. That when the times and seasons shall be changed, ye may know how ye ought to behave yourselves as the successors of us the Apostles of the Lord. 4. And first I say I joy and rejoice with you all, beholding as in a glass before-hand your stedfastness, and that above all things ye hold fast the one thing needful as ye have been taught: 5. Wherefore persevere even unto the end. 6. And for rejoicing once again is there occasion, seeing that ye are delivered from those toils, and sufferings, and persecutions which befel me in every place, as also the other Apostles as ye know. 7. Furthermore, this forewarneth me that as there will be a change of times and seasons, so reason is that there be also a change of those precepts delivered of old to holy men in sundry places and in divers manners. 8. Be it therefore known unto you, men and brethren, that certain commandments, contained in the writings of the Evangelists and the Apostles, were not intended for all ages but only for a season to be regarded. 9. For ye know how that in the days of old we were commanded not to receive honour one of another; nor to strive who should be the greatest; nor yet to receive titles from men, as Rabbi, as it is written, Be not ye called Rabbi, and again, Call no man Father upon earth, for one is your Father and Master: 10. And moreover it was enjoined not to be high minded, but to be clothed with humility, and to condescend to men of low estate: 11. Also ye have heard that it was said, Love not the world, and If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 12. Furthermore it was said to them of old time who did desire the office of a bishop, that a bishop must be blameless,-apt to teach,-not greedy of filthy lucre, not covetous,-having a good report of them that are without. 13. And besides all this, they were to feed the flock of Christ with knowledge and with understanding, not for filthy lucre's sake, neither as lords over God's heritage, but as ensamples to the flock not self-willed, not soon angry, sober, just, holy, temperate. 14. But now brethren, beloved for your work sake, I have it in charge to communicate sundry things even unto you descended in a long line from us: 15. And first know ye that although the Apostles were to be men who had seen Christ Jesus in the flesh, and though of necessity our office did cease for ever when we were taken up into glory, yet is there no reason why ye should not be styled, as ye are wont, The Successors of the Apostles. 16. Yet some will say, They were twelve in number, ordained to one particular work, which being ended there is of necessity an end of the office. 17. Such are unruly and vain talkers whose mouths must be stopped. But let no reasonings of carnal men prevent ye from taking to yourselves this title, as in claiming authority in matters of doctrine and of tithe, ye will find it a thing not to be despised. 18. Moreover this will clothe ye with importance of the undiscerning; and all men have in the eyes not wisdom. 19. Furthermore, to make ye greater in the sight of men, (a thing for the teachers of Christian humility to seek after,) it is needful that ye do not renounce titles which Christ indeed did once forbid. 20. Be ye now therefore called Right Reverend, and Most Reverend Fathers in God, and let men style you, Your Grace. 21. ¶And notwithstanding Christ did once say that his kingdom was not of this world, yet now is there an annulling of this which went before, 22. And ye may therefore knit together in bonds not to be severed, his church and the world whensoever opportunity serveth. Suffer therefore kings, and all that are in authority, to lord it over God's heritage, even as indeed ye also do. 23. Let kings henceforth be styled The Head of the Church, albeit it is said of Christ, He is head over all things to the church: call ye them also, whatsoever they believe or do, Defenders of the Faith. 24. And whereas I did once write to the saints which were at Corinth, that I would not suffer a woman to usurp authority in the church over the men, yet is there now a new commandment; 25. And this is the new commandment, that ye allow women also to have even the chief authority in the church for the days will come, when a virgin shall sit upon the throne. 26. Therefore let her be your chief; and albeit she is of tender years, yet must she appoint the bishops, when, by reason of death, their habitation is desolate, and their bishoprick another has to take. 27. But, and if wicked men do gainsay this, saying, that, if a woman may fill the highest station in the church, being the head thereof and appointing to office therein; other women may occupy the lower stations thereof, and sit on benches in the Lords' house, and in stalls, and in pulpits of wood, take no heed of the word that is spoken. 28. And without respect to truth, for the fashion of the church passeth away, let all princes, even though they do evil in the sight of the Lord, be solemnly pronounced Most religious and gracious persons. 29. ¶ I will also that ye never speak of us as Labourers in God's vineyard, nor yet as Fishermen of Galilee, but that such things straightway be forgotten, and that we be denominated The College of the Apostles; 30. And that no man among you do think himself bound to walk even as we walked, seeing that former things have passed away and all things are become new : nor yet would it be seemly for Bishops to labour as did we and the other Apostles : neither yet is it fitting that they should teach the |