CHAPTER XX.

He exerts them to peace from examples out of the Holy Scriptures, 20 particularly from St. Paul's exhortation to them.

YE are contentious, brethren, and zealous for things that pertain not unto salvation.

2 Look into the Holy Scriptures, which are the true words of the Holy Ghost. Ye know that there is nothing unjust or counterfeit written in them.

3 There you shall not find that righteous men were ever cast off by such as were good themselves.

4 They were persecuted, but it was by the wicked and unjust.

5 They were cast into prison, but they were cast in by those that were unholy.

6 They were stoned, but it was by transgressors.

7 They were killed, but by accursed men, and such as had taken up an unjust envy against them.

8 And all these things they underwent gloriously.

9 For what shall we say, brethren? Was Daniel cast into the den of lions, by men fearing G.o.d? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, were they cast into the fiery furnace by men, professing the excellent and glorious worship of the Most High? G.o.d forbid.

10 What kind of persons then were they that did these things?

They were men abominable, full of all wickedness; who were incensed; to so great a degree, as to bring those into sufferings, who with a holy and unblameable purpose of mind worshipped G.o.d: not knowing that the Most High is the protector and defender of all such as with a pure conscience serve his holy name: to whom be glory for ever and ever, Amen.

11 But they who with a full persuasion have endured these things, are made partakers of glory and honour: and are exalted and lifted up by G.o.d for a memorial throughout all ages, Amen.

12 Wherefore it will behove us also, brethren, to follow such examples as these; for it is written, Hold fast to such as are holy; for they that do so shall be sanctified.

13 And again in another place he saith, With the pure, thou shalt be pure (and with the elect thou shalt be elect,) but with, the perverse man thou shalt be perverse.

14 Let us therefore join ourselves to the innocent and righteous; for such are the elect of G.o.d.

15 Wherefore are there strifes, and anger, and divisions, and schisms, and wars, among us?

16 Have we not all one G.o.d, and one Christ? Is not one spirit of grace poured out upon us all?

Have we not one calling in Christ.

17 Why then do we rent and tear in pieces the members of Christ; and raise seditious against our own body? And are come to such a height of madness, as to forget that we were members one of another?

18 Remember the words of our Lord Jesus, (how he said, Woe to that man by whom offences come).

It, were better for him that he had never been born, than that he should have offended one of my elect. It were better for him, that a mill-stone should be tied about his neck, and he should be cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of my little ones.

19 Your schism has perverted many, has discouraged many: it has caused diffidence in many, and grief in us all. And yet your sedition continues still.

20 Take the Epistle of the blessed Paul the Apostle into your hands; What was It that he wrote to you at his first preaching the Gospel among you?

21 Verily he did by the spirit admonish you concerning himself, and Cephas, and Apollos, because that even then ye had begun to fall into parties and factions among yourselves.

22 Nevertheless your partiality then led you into a much less sin forasmuch as ye placed your affections upon Apostles, men of eminent reputation in the church; and upon another, who was greatly tried and approved of by them.

23 But consider, we pray you, who are they that have now led you astray; and lessened the reputation of that brotherly love that was so eminent among you;

24 It is a shame, my beloved, yea, a very great shame, and unworthy of your Christian profession, to hear that the most firm and ancient church of the Corinthians should, by one or two persons, be led into a sedition against its priests.

25 And this report is come not only to us, but to those also that differ from us.

26 Insomuch that the name of the Lord is blasphemed through your folly; and even ye yourselves are brought into danger by it.

27 Let us therefore with all haste put an end to this sedition; and let us fall down before the Lord, and beseech him with tears that he would be favourably reconciled to us, and restore us again to a seemly and holy course of brotherly love.

28 For this is the gate of righteousness, opening unto life: As it is written, I Open unto me the gates of righteousness; I will go into them and will praise the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord, the righteous shall enter into it.

29 Although therefore many gates are opened, yet this gate of righteousness is that gate in Christ at which blessed are they that enter in, and direct their way in holiness and righteousness; doing all things without disorder.

30 Let a man be faithful, let him be powerful in the utterance of knowledge; let him be wise in making an exact judgment of words; let him be pure in all his actions.

31 But still by how much the more he seems to be above others, by reason of these things, by so much the more will it behove him to be humble-minded; and to seek what is profitable to all men, and not his own advantage.

CHAPTER XXI.

1 The value which G.o.d, puts upon love and unity: the effects of a true charity, 8 which is the gift of G.o.d, and must be obtained by prayer.

HE that has the love that is in Christ, let him keep the commandments of Christ.

2 For who is able to express the obligation of the love of G.o.d?

What man is sufficient to declare, and is fitting, the excellency of its beauty?

3 The height to which charity leads, is inexpressible.

4 Charity unites us to G.o.d; charity covers the mult.i.tude of sins: charity endures all things; is long-suffering in all things.

5 There is nothing base and sordid in charity: charity lifts not itself up above others; admits of no divisions; is not seditious; but does all things in peace and concord.

6 By charity were all the elect of G.o.d made perfect: Without it nothing is pleasing and acceptable in the sight of G.o.d.

7 Through charity did the Lord join us into himself; whilst for the love that he bore towards us, our Lord Jesus Christ gave his own blood for us, by the will of G.o.d; his flesh for our flesh; his soul for our souls.

8 Ye see, beloved, how great and wonderful a thing charity is; and how that no expressions are sufficient to declare its perfection.

9 But who is fit to be found in it? Even such only as G.o.d shall vouchsafe to make so.

10 Let us therefore pray to him, and beseech him, that we may be worthy of it; that so we may live in charity; being unblameable, without human propensities, without respect of persons.

11 All the ages of the world, from Adam, even unto this day, are pa.s.sed away; but they who have been made perfect in love, have by the grace of G.o.d obtained a place among the righteous; and shall be made manifest in the judgment of the kingdom of Christ.

12 For it is written, Enter into thy chambers for a little s.p.a.ce, till my anger and indignation shall pa.s.s away: And I will remember the good day, and, will raise you up out of your graves.