Sivut kuvina
PDF
ePub

all, that they who live, should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him who died for them, and rose again". And ye are not your own; for ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's*.

SECT. 9. In the example of our Lord Jesus, we have the most perfect pattern of purity and holiness. Wherefore let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us; and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God". For Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps; who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth; who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteouslyb. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. He that saith he abideth in him, ought himself also so to walk even as he walked; who was holy, harmless, undefiled, and separated from sinners.

SECT. 10. The necessity of zeal, diligence, progress, and perseverance in the ways of purity and holiness.

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended; but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus ininded". Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole

u 2 Cor. v. 14, 15.

§ 9. Heb. xii. 1, 2.
d 1 John, ii. 4.
§ 10. Philip. iii. 13-15.

* 1 Cor. vi. 19, 20.
b 1 Pet. ii. 21-23.
1 John, ii. 6.

* 1 John, i. 6.
Heb. vii. 26.

armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil: for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Abstain from all appearance of evil. Be perfect. Keep thyself pure. Follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith; lay hold on eternal life. Giving all diligence, add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity". Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things'. And let us not be weary in well-doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not*. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord; for as much as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord'.

Beloved, the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat; the earth also, and the works that are therein, shall be burnt up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness"? Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent, that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless". Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfast

Eph. vi. 10-12.
e 2 Cor. xiii. 11.
h 2 Pet. i. 5-7.
1 Cor. xv. 58.

c 1 Cor. xvi. 13.
f 1 Tim. v. 22.

m

Philip. iv. 8.

2 Pet. iii. 8, 10, 11.

41 Thess. v. 22.

1 Tim. vi. 11, 12.

* Gal. vi. 9.

2 Pet. iii. 14.

ness. For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome; the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them'. Wherefore, look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown'.

SECT. 11. The joy of the Apostles on account of those that had attained to purity of heart and life; and their prayers that they might attain to greater degrees of it.

I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ'; so that ye come behind in no gift, waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall also confirm you to the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere, and without offence till the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God. That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world. That ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might according to his glorious power; to the end he may stablish your hearts unblamable in holiness before God, even our Father, at

• 2 Pet. iii. 17.
Rev. iii. 11..

§11. 1 Cor. i. 4.
d Philip. ii. 15.

P 2 Pet. ii. 20, 21.

1 Cor. i. 7, 8.
Col. i. 9-11.

a 2 John, 8.

* Philip. i. 9—11.

the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints'. Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ and the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God, your whole spirit, and soul, and body, be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ". The God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you'. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and for ever*.

SECT. 12. Other prayers to the same purpose.

Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts; and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom". Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right. spirit within me. Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not. Show me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me; for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day". Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee. Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God. Thy Spirit is good, lead me unto the land of uprightness. Quicken me, O Lord, for thy name's sake.

Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O Lord; teach me thy statutes",

f 1 Thess. iii. 13.
i 1 Pet. v. 10.

§ 12. Psal. li. 6.

d Psal. xxv. 4, 5.
Psal. cxix. 9.

Heb. xiii. 20, 21. * Jude, 24, 25.

b Psal. li. 10.

e Psal. cxliii. 8.
Psal. cxix. 11, 12.

h 1 Thess. v. 23.

e Psal. xvii. 5.

Psal. cxliii. 10, 11.

I have chosen the way of truth; thy judgments have I laid before me. I have stuck unto thy testimonies. I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart'. Uphold me according to thy word, that I may live; and let me not be ashamed of my hope*. Order my steps in thy word; and let not any iniquity have dominion over me'. Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts".

Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one as we are. I pray not that thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that thou shouldst keep them from the evil. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth".

CHAP. IV.

OF SOBRIETY AND TEMPERANCE IN OPPOSITION TO GLUTTONY AND DRUNKENNESS.

SECT. 1. We are allowed to partake of the comforts of life with cheerfulness.-2. But excess in the use of these benefits is criminal and dangerous. For, 3.Various woes are denounced against intemperance. 4. Sobriety and watchfulness enjoined by our Lord. -5. Awful warnings against gluttony and drunkenness.-6. Earnest exhortations to sobriety, temperance, and moderation.-7. These virtues particularly required of different classes of persons. 8. The prayers of the servants of God relating to this subject. SECT. 1. We are allowed to partake of the comforts of life with cheerfulness.

EVERY creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. But this I

[blocks in formation]
« EdellinenJatka »