11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ; to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

14 If ye be reproached for the name Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evil-doer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.

16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

dead. Ver. 17. This is a consideration which may at all times be profitably kept in mind. The holiest have had to endure much, and strive much, in order to work out their salvation; and how can they expect to be saved, who, living as the world, sacrifice not the smallest of their pleasures or their interests to the calls of the gospel ?

18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

19 Wherefore, let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well-doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

CHAPTER V.

THE elders which are among you

I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock:

4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder: yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility; for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Ver. 1. Luke, xxiv. 48; Rom. viii. 17, 18.-Ver. 8. The solemn earnestness of this exhortation shews how deeply impressed the apostle was with the approaching

9 Whom resist stedfast in faith, knowing that the same flictions are accomplished in brethren that are in the world.

10 But the God of all grace, hath called us unto his eternal gi by Christ Jesus, after .. ye ar suffered a while, make you per stablish, strengthen, settle you 11 To him be glory and domin for ever and ever. Amen.

12 By Silvanus, a faithful brothe unto you, (as I suppose.) I ha written briefly, exhorting and t tifying that this is the true grace God wherein ye stand.

13 The church that is at Baby elected together with you, salutes you; and so doth Marcus my son

14 Greet ye one another with kiss of charity. Peace be with all that are in Christ Jesus. Am

calamities of the Jewish nation, i those terrible trials of their faith t which the Christians were so so to be put by heathen persecuten Satan beheld with terror the speedy establishment of Christ's kingdum, and now began to tir up his emissaries in every corner of the vast Roman empire. To resist him, the Spirit of God was prepared to descend into the souls of all true believers in the gospel, to aid their vigilance by his strength, and confirm their sobriety and steadfastness by assurances of an eternal reward. Ver. 13. At Babylon: some commentators have supposed that Babylon in Assyria was really meant in this passage, others that the apostle spoke of Babylon in Egypt: but the established opinion is, that Rome, figuratively called Babylon, was intended.

CHAPTER I.

SIMON PETER, a servant and

an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us, through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue;

4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

5 And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge;

Ver. 1. There is a grandeur in this opening address which cannot fail to move the heart of the Chris. tian with a deep sense of the dignity he enjoys through his calling in Jesus Christ. Ver. 5. We may observe in every part of Scripture a correspondence between the gran

612

6 And to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness;

7 And to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity.

8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

deur of its doctrines, and the excellency of its precepts: the same may also be observed respecting whatever it says concerning the dignity and advantages conferred by faith, and the duties which it calls upon the Christian to perform: thus, no sooner has St Peter said that the Lord hath given his people "all things pertaining unto life and godliness," and exceeding great and precious promises," than he adds this noble exhortation to the pursuit of the most perfect virtue in all its degrees and ramifications. -Ver. 9. Where holiness is wanted there is a want of all the feelings requisite to urge us forward in the

10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.

18 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up, by putting you in remembrance;

14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.

acquisition of truth; the eye of the understanding is dimmed with every species of doubt, and preju dice deprives reason of its power of judging. Ver. 10. Philip. i. 12; John, iii. 19.- Ver. 14. Our Lord indicated the mode in which Peter would be put to death in his last discourse with the apostles, as recorded in John, xxi. 18, 19. He was crucified with his head down

15 Moreover, I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.

16 For we have not followed eunmingly-devised fables, when we madesiwn unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye-witnesses of his majesty.

17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him. from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts:

20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

21 Fr the prophecy came not in old tie by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

CHAPTER 11

UT there were false prophets

BU

also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destructio..

2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not,

4 For if God spared not the angels that sinued, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains. of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

wards at his own request, and from the humble feeling that he ought not to die in the same manner as his master. Ver. 17. Matth. xvii. 5.

Ver. 20. Of any private interpretation: that is, prophecy cannot be interpreted by the mere consideration of the words in which it is conveyed, but must be explained by a careful comparison of one part of Scripture with another, and of the general proceedings of Divine Providence in the establishment of true religion. The phrase translated private interpretation might have been rendered self-interpretation, by which would have been more clearly signified the most obvious. meaning of the expression. Prophecy is not, like doctrine, clear and independent truth, and its intention, therefore, can only be shewn by the assistance of light brought in from the whole body of connected revelation, and from the pages of history in which it is found fulfilled.

Ver. 1. 1 Kings, xxiii. 6; Jerem. xxviii; Ezek. xiii. and xxii. There are frequent prophecies of the corruption of the gospel by false tenchers; and the history of Christianity, even to the present day, shews how truly they have been

5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noe, the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodl

6 Annurning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes, condemned them with an overthrow, making them an eusample unto those that after should live ungodly;

7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:

8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds :)

9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished;

10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government: presumptuous are they, self-willed; they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities:

11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.

12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not, and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;

13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day-time: spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you:

14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children;

15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass, speaking with man's voice, forbade the madness of the prophet.

17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest, to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.

18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they alJure through the lusts of the flesh through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

20 For it after they have escaped the pollution of the world, through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome,

completed.-Ver. 10. Sensuality of disposition and conduct is generally accompanied with a licentious contempt of authority, both civil and religious. Of dignities: that is, of rulers and magistrates; but some commentators suppose that allusion is here made, as by St Jude, to Satan and the evil angels, whose power is to be resisted by the grace of God, not to be spoken of with rude levity and ribaldry.-Ver. 15.

the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

21 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.

22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

CHAPTER III.

THIS second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance;

2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

7 But the heavens and the earth which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

10 But 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.

11 Seeing then that all those things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be

Numbers, xxii. 5; xxiii. 28.--Ver. 22. Prov. xxvi. 11.

Ver. 1. By this it is seen that the same persons were addressed in the present epistle as in the first. Ver. 4. This is the mode of reasoning followed in all ages by the weak and blinded votaries of the world. Incapable of comprehending the plan of Divine Providence, and unwilling to consider aright the warnings conveyed in its particular acts, they suppose, because they are not roused to observation by signs and wonders, that the course of things will for ever continue the same The day of judgment will prove their error, when it will be too late for them to avoid its consequences. Ver. 9. God is not slow to execute his judg ments from any want of power, or from any uncertainty in his decrees, but from mercy to the imperfections of his creatures, and from a willingness to give all sufficient time to repent.

CHAPTER I.

THAT which was from the begin

ning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us ;)

3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

4 And these things write we unto you, that our joy may be full.

5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin, ve deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

CHAPTER II.

MY little children, these things

write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

Ver. 1. The reader will find the best commentary that can be given on this chapter in the beginning of St John's own gospel.-Ver. 6. No sublimer principle of morality can possibly be suggested than this. Human nature receives honour and dignity from being regarded as capable of walking in the light, as the great Father himself exists in light. Ver. 8. The glory to which the regenerated soul aspires springs originally from repentance for sin.

Ver. 1. By this affectionate title, the apostle signifies his earnest love

2 And he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his command

ments.

4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected hereby know we that we are in him.

6 He that saith he abideth in him, ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning: the old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.

8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you; because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.

9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.

10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him:

11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.

13 I write, unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write, unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.

14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men,

and anxiety for those who had embraced the faith of Christ, but were still deficient in strength and knowledge. Ver. 2. Of the whole world. How fitly does this declaration proceed from the mouth of one inspired by the spirit of love and mercy!Ver. 8. Saint Johr. means, that he wrote no new commandment, inasmuch as the law of righteousness is eternally the same; but that he wrote a new commandment in re

because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but of the world.

17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for

ever.

18 Little children, it is the last time and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of

us.

20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things:

21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

22 Who is a liar, but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? he is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

23 Whosoever denleth the Son, the same hath not the Father: [bul he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.]

24 Let that therefore abide in you which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.

spect to its manifestation in evangelical precepts of love. Ver. 15. Matth. vi. 24; James, iv. 4. This direct assertion of the Holy Spirit ought surely to awaken many reflections in the minds of those professing Christians who have hitherto devoted all their time and thoughts to worldly pursuits and interests.-Ver. 18. The destruction of Jerusalem was now probably just at hand; and previous to that event, fanatics and impostors of every kind filled Judea with terror and confusion. Matth. xxiv. 5-24; 1 Tim.. iv. 1; 2 Tim. i. 1.

25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.

27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you; and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide

in him.

28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. CHAPTER III

BEHOLD what manner of love

the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God! therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God; and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

4 Whosoever committeth sin, transgresseth also the law for sin is the transgression of the law.

5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins, and in him is no sin.

6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. 7 Little children, let no deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

man

8 He that committeth sin is of the devil, for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.

13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

Ver. 1. John, i. 12; xv. 18; xvi. 3; xvii. 25.-Ver. 8. Isa. Ivi. 5; Rom. viii. 15-18; 2 Cor. iv. 17; Gal. iii. 26. The perfection of our being, through the great change that will be wrought upon it at the resurrection, is a mystery which the human mind can only comprehend in its general and rela tive bearings; but though we cannot comprehend how we shall be rendered immortal, or what new channels of delight and glory will be opened in our frames, of this we may be satisfied, that our perfection

14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren: he that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed, and in truth.

19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him and hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

5 They are of the world; therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

7 Beloved, let us love one another for love is of God; and every

will be of the highest kind, and that our means of happiness will be incomprehensibly numerous and various, because, in that new state of being, we shall be like the eter ual, unchangeable, and ail-glorious source of life and happiness itself. - Ver. 14. How deeply ought we to regret, if, on reading this passage, we find that there is any lurking enmities, dislikes, or envyings, in our breasts!-Ver. 24. The truest of all tests is here pointed out by which to try the sincerity of our professions, and the safety of our souls.

Ver. 7. The whole system of the

one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

8 He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love.

9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

11 Beloved, if God so loved us we ought also to love one another.

12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

13 Hereby know we that we dwel. in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

14 And we have seen, and do testify, that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him.

17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 19 We love him, because he first loved us.

20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

CHAPTER V.

Wus is the Christ is born of THOSOEVER believeth that

God and every one that loveth him that begat, loveth him also that is begotten of him.

2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

gospel is founded in love. Creation itself had its origin in this divine attribute; and redemption, which is to restore the design of the original plan, springs from the same source, and the same operation of the Almighty's will. But evident it is, that, if such be the nature of the evangelical dispensation, those who are saved by it, and acknowledge subjection to it, must be obedient to the ruling spirit of heavenly love. and that, if they contradict its laws, or fulfil not its suggestions, they are essentially enemies to the kingdom of grace, and can have no part in its glory.-Ver. 21. Matt. xxii. 37-39; John, xiii. 34; xv. 12.

Ver. 1. Whosoever believeth: a firm and lively faith in Jesus as the anointed Saviour of the world is the

3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein for the time is at hand.

4 JOHN to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful Witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

7 Behold, he cometh with clouds ; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him; and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

Sam Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

91 John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

11 Saying. I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamo, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and anto Laodicea.

12 And I turned to see the voice.

that spake with me. And, being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;

13 And in the midst of the seven eandlesticks one like unto the Son

The first chapter shews the att thority on which the Revelation rests; the next two are occupied with epistles to the seven churches: it is not till the fourth chapter, therefore, that the prophetic portion of the book begins. Of the churches which were thus celebrated in the early days of the gospel, noue remain to evidence their primitive

of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

14 His head, and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;

15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

16 And he had in his right hand seven stars; and out of his mouth. went a sharp two-edged sword; and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last :

18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches; and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

CHAPTER II.

UNTO the angel of the church of

Ephesus write; These things saith he that hoideth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil and thou hast tried them. which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.

state of grace and knowledge: corruption crept in among their members-heresy obtained a hearingthen came sloth and indifference; and the Lord Gnally removed the living light of pure, uncorrupted truth from their altars.

Ver. 1. This address answers, in the main, to the words of St Paul, in his Epistle to the Ephesians. The angel of the church means the bishop, or president of it.-Ver. 6. Nicolaitanes: these were a sect of

7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;

9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich,) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things. saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;

18 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there thei that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling-block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed untoidols, and to commit fornication.

15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.

16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;

19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.

20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which

heretics who had lately sprung up: and were chiefly distinguished by their defence of licentious habits of living. - Ver. 20. Jezebel: a