A. D. 52. CHA P. V. The CONTENTS. The Apofle makes it needles for Chriftians to know the fix'd Time of Chrift's Judgment. Only obferves to them the Suddennefs, and Terror of it to wicked Men. Exhorts them to fuch Care, and Purity of Converfation, as will prepare them for it, and render it joyful to them. Admonisheth them to pay due Value and Respect to their Spiritual Governors. To the Exercife of Unity, Charity, Patience and Forgiveness; to Prayer and Thanksgiving: To a juft Regard to prophetick and spiritual Endowments; to Difcretion in entertaining, and Conftancy in upholding the Truth. His Prayers, Salutations and Conclufion. RUT of the times and the feafons : brethren, you have no need that I write un I. B UT as to the particular Time, either of God's Judgin particular, or of Chrift's Ap-, ment upon the Jewish Nation pearance to the great and general World, there is no Occafion for you Matth. to know, nor for me, if I could, to acquaint you xxiv, 26. to you. Judgment of the with it.. 2 For your felves know perfectly, that the day of the Lord fo cometh as a thief in the night. 2. What you know of it already, is fufficient for the State you are in at prefent; to excite and engage you to prepare for it, viz. That (come when it will) it will be very Sudden and Terrible. 3. It * Xpovar naspor, the Times and the Seafons, in the Plural Number ; refpecting both the Judgments mention'd in the Paraphrafe. The one was plainly hinted at Cap. ii. and the other in the latter Part of the foregoing Chapter. See the Pref. 4. 3 For when they fhall fay, peace and fafety; then fudden deftruction cometh upon them, as travel upon a woman with child and they fhall not escape. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day fhould overtake you as a 3. It will be exceeding dreadful, A. D. 52, and furprizing to all wicked and irreclaimable Men; who, at a time when they are going on thoughtless, and fecure in their unrepented Impieties, fhall find themselves unexpectedly feized upon by the most difmal, and inevitable Deftruction. 4. But you, dear Brethren, being reclaimed from your former State of Sin, and Ignorance; unlefs by your own wilful Neglect, thief. are in no Danger of being terrified at, and unprepared for, that great Day. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day; we are not of the night, nor of darknefs. 6. Therefore let us not fleep as do others: but let us watch and be fober. 5. For by your Admiffion into the Christian Covenant, you have all the Means of Happiness, and Salvation, which neither the obftinate Jew, nor infidel Heathen can enjoy. 6. You must remember, therefore, how highly it concerns you to live a Life quite different from either of thofe ftupid People; to be Active, Temperate, Sober, and Vigilant in all Inftances of Chriftian Duty; fo as to be prepared for that Appearance of our great Judge. 7 For they that fleep, fleep in the night, and they that be drunken, are drunken in the night. 7. For as Night is the Seafon wherein Drunkards ufually exercise their Debaucheries, and Sleep and Inactivity poffeffeth us all; fo a loose and unthoughtful Life is the beft that can be expected in a State of Ignorance, Blindnefs and Prejudice; but in a better and more enlighten'd Condition, we are obliged to better and wifer Courses. 8 But let us who 8. Which is your Cafe now, afare of the day, be fo- ter your Converfion to the Gospelber, putting on the Religion. You must therefore now breaft-plate of faith, be watchful and induftrious in and all A. D. 52. and love, and for an helmet, the hope of falvation. Matth. xxiv. 42. Luke xii. all holy Living. Your Faith in God, and his Promifes, your Love to him, and to all Mankind, muft guard you, as the Breast-plate does the Soldier; and your ardent and firm Hopes of eternal Happiness muft, as the Helmet is to his Head, be a Security against the violent Affaults of the Devil and wicked Men. 12 And we beseech 14 Now we exhort 9. Thus attending therefore to the Duties required of you, you may be fecure: This Day of Judgment will be no Day of Terror, but of Salvation, to you, by Jefus Chrift. 10. By Virtue of whofe Death and Sufferings, all faithful and fincere Chriftians are certain to live eternally with Him; let him come at what time foever he will *. 11. Go on therefore in confirming your felves, and supporting one another, in your Chriftian Profeffion, by this comfortable Af furance. 12 & 13. And let me particularly exhort you to pay all juft Refpect to the Admonitions and Inftructions of your fpiritual Governors Esteem them in Proportion to the Dignity of their Office, and the Exemplarinefs of their Lives; and live in Unity and Charity with one another. 14. In order to which, be fure to warn and advise all fuch as are refractory to theirs and my Orders. Relieve and comfort fuch as are hard preffed with Afflictions and Perfecutions; confirm and reftore fuch as labour under any Doubts and Prejudices against our holy Religion; and bear the A.D. sz. Infirmities of all forts of Men with an even and patient Carriage. 15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among your felves, and to all men. 16 Rejoice ever more, 15. Seek no Revenge against fuch as have injured you; but be kind and forgiving to your fellow Chriftians, and even to your very Perfecutors. 16. In all Conditions and Circumstances, let the Hopes you have in Chrift, and the Bleffings of his Religion, be your inward Joy and Satisfaction. 17 Pray without ceafing. : 18 In every thing give thanks for this is the will of God in Chrift Jefus concerning you. 17. Be diligent and conftant in obferving all proper Seafons of Devotion and Prayer. 18. For whatever Mercies you receive, or whatever Afflictions befal you, look up with a thankful Heart to God, by whofe good Providence every thing will be turned to your Bleffing and Advantage. 19 Quench not the 19. Have a juft Regard to all Spirit. fpiritual Gifts and Endowments, improve them in your felves with Diligence, Modesty and Prudence; and duly refpect others that are qualified with them *. 20 Despise not prophefyings. 21 Prove all things: hold faft that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. # 1 Cor. iii. 1,3. 1 Tim. iv. 14. 20, 21 & 22. Though there are Cor. xiv. too many that vent their false Doctrines, under Pretence of Prophetical Infpiration, yet remember, that God has furnished his Church with Perfons truly infpired. Do not therefore neglect the one for the fake of the other; but examine and try them all, by the Rule and Standard of the Chriftian + Doctrine; keeping close to what you find, by that Rule, to be found and good; and renouncing every thing that upon due Examination appears to be falfe and ill-defigned. 23. And + 1 John iv. 1. 4.D.52. : 23 And the very God of peace fanctifie you wholly And I pray God your whole fpirit and foul and body be preferved blameless, unto the coming of our Lord Jefus Chrift. 24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. 23. And may the God of Peace and Comfort fo profper your Endeavours, as to render you true and perfect Chriftians, in the Exercife of all the Faculties and Powers both of Mind and Body; that fo you may be accepted of him as his true and faithful Servants, at the great Day of Chrift's Appearance. 24. Be fully affured that God, who has been fo gracious as to call you into the Privileges of the Go spel Religion, will never fail to do his Part, for your at→ taining the final and eternal Bleffings of it. 26 Greet all the brethren with an holy kifs. 27 I charge you by the Lord, that this Epiftle be read unto all the holy brethren. 28 The grace of our 27. I charge you by the Autherity of Chrift, to communicate this Epiftle to your whole Church. 28. The Love and Favour of Lord Jefus Chrift be our Lord Jefus Chrift be with you with you. Amen. all. Amen. A PARA |