2:21. For unto this are you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example that you should follow his steps.

2:22. Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.

2:23. Who, when he was reviled, did not revile: when he suffered, he threatened not, but delivered himself to him that judged him unjustly.

2:24. Who his own self bore our sins in his body upon the tree: that we, being dead to sins, should live to justice: by whose stripes you were healed.

2:25. For you were as sheep going astray: but you are now converted to the shepherd and bishop of your souls.

1 Peter Chapter 3

How wives are to behave to their husbands. What ornaments they are to seek. Exhortations to divers Virtues.

3:1. In like manner also, let wives be subject to their husbands: that, if any believe not the word, they may be won without the word, by the conversation of the wives,

3:2. Considering your chaste conversation with fear.

3:3. Whose adorning, let it not be the outward plaiting of the hair, or the wearing of gold, or the putting on of apparel:

3:4. But the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptibility of a quiet and a meek spirit which is rich in the sight of G.o.d.

3:5. For after this manner heretofore, the holy women also who trusted in G.o.d adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands:

3:6. As Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters you are, doing well and not fearing any disturbance.

3:7. Ye husbands, likewise dwelling with them according to knowledge, giving honour to the female as to the weaker vessel and as to the co-heirs of the grace of life: that your prayers be not hindered.

3:8. And in fine, be ye all of one mind, having compa.s.sion one of another, being lovers of the brotherhood, merciful, modest, humble:

3:9. Not rendering evil for evil, nor railing for railing, but contrariwise, blessing: for unto this are you called, that you may inherit a blessing.

3:10. For he that will love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile.

3:11. Let him decline from evil and do good: Let him seek after peace and pursue it:

3:12. Because the eyes of the Lord are upon the just, and his ears unto their prayers but the countenance of the Lord upon them that do evil things.

3:13. And who is he that can hurt you, if you be zealous of good?

3:14. But if also you suffer any thing for justice' sake, blessed are ye. And be not afraid of their fear: and be not troubled.

3:15. But sanctify the Lord Christ in your hearts, being ready always to satisfy every one that asketh you a reason of that hope which is in you.

3:16. But with modesty and fear, having a good conscience: that whereas they speak evil of you, they may be ashamed who falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

3:17. For it is better doing well (if such be the will of G.o.d) to suffer than doing ill.

3:18. Because Christ also died once for our sins, the just for the unjust: that he might offer us to G.o.d, being put to death indeed in the flesh, but enlivened in the spirit,

3:19. In which also coming he preached to those spirits that were in prison:

Spirits that were in prison... See here a proof of a third place, or middle state of souls: for these spirits in prison, to whom Christ went to preach, after his death, were not in heaven; nor yet in the h.e.l.l of the d.a.m.ned: because heaven is no prison: and Christ did not go to preach to the d.a.m.ned.

3:20. Which had been some time incredulous, when they waited for the patience of G.o.d in the days of Noe, when the ark was a building: wherein a few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water.

3:21. Whereunto baptism, being of the like form, now saveth you also: not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but, the examination of a good conscience towards G.o.d by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Whereunto baptism, etc... Baptism is said to be of the like form with the water by which Noe was saved, because the one was a figure of the other. Not the putting away, etc... As much as to say, that baptism has not its efficacy, in order to salvation, from its washing away any bodily filth or dirt; but from its purging the conscience from sin, when accompanied with suitable dispositions in the party, to answer the interrogations made at that time, with relation to faith, the renouncing of Satan with all his works; and the obedience to G.o.d's commandments.

3:22. Who is on the right hand of G.o.d, swallowing down death that we might be made heirs of life everlasting: being gone into heaven, the angels and powers and virtues being made subject to him.

1 Peter Chapter 4

Exhortations to cease from sin, to mutual charity, to do all for the glory of G.o.d, to be willing to suffer for Christ.

4:1. Christ therefore having suffered in the flesh, be you also armed with the same thought: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sins:

4:2. That now he may live the rest of his time in the flesh, not after the desires of men but according to the will of G.o.d.

4:3. For the time past is sufficient to have fulfilled the will of the Gentiles, for them who have walked in riotousness, l.u.s.ts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings and unlawful worshipping of idols.

4:4. Wherein they think it strange that you run not with them into the same confusion of riotousness: speaking evil of you.

4:5. Who shall render account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

4:6. For, for this cause was the gospel preached also to the dead: That they might be judged indeed according to men, in the flesh: but may live according to G.o.d, in the Spirit.

4:7. But the end of all is at hand. Be prudent therefore and watch in prayers.

4:8. But before all things have a constant mutual charity among yourselves: for charity covereth a mult.i.tude of sins.

4:9. Using hospitality one towards another, without murmuring,

4:10. As every man hath received grace, ministering the same one to another: as good stewards of the manifold grace of G.o.d.

4:11. If any man speak, let him speak, as the words of G.o.d. If any minister, let him do it, as of the power which G.o.d administereth: that in all things G.o.d may be honoured through Jesus Christ: to whom is glory and empire for ever and ever. Amen.

4:12. Dearly beloved, think not strange the burning heat which is to try you: as if some new thing happened to you.

4:13. But if you partake of the sufferings of Christ, rejoice that, when his glory shall be revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

4:14. If you be reproached for the name of Christ, you shall be blessed: for that which is of the honour, glory and power of G.o.d, and that which is his Spirit resteth upon you.

4:15. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or a railer or coveter of other men's things.

4:16. But, if as a Christian, let him not be ashamed: but let him glorify G.o.d in that name.

4:17. For the time is, that judgment should begin at the house of G.o.d.

And if at first at us, what shall be the end of them that believe not the gospel of G.o.d?