THE FIRST EPISTLE OF ST. PETER THE APOSTLE

         The first Epistle of St. Peter, though brief, contains much
         doctrine concerning Faith, Hope, and Charity, with divers
         instructions to all persons of what state or condition
         soever.  The Apostle commands submission to rulers and
         superiors and exhorts all to the practice of a virtuous
         life in imitation, of Christ. This Epistle is written with
         such apostolical dignity as to manifest the supreme
         authority with which its writer, the Prince of the
         Apostles, had been vested by his Lord and Master, Jesus
         Christ. He wrote it at Rome, which figuratively he calls
         Babylon, about fifteen years after our Lord's Ascension.

         1 Peter Chapter 1

         He gives thanks to God for the benefit of our being called
         to the true faith and to eternal life, into which we are to
         enter by many tribulations. He exhorts to holiness of life,
         considering the holiness of God and our redemption by the
         blood of Christ.

         1:1. Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers
         dispersed through Pontus, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,
         elect,

         1:2. According to the foreknowledge of God the Father, unto
         the sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and
         sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. Grace unto you and
         peace be multiplied.

         1:3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
         Christ, who according to his great mercy hath regenerated
         us unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ
         from the dead:

         1:4. Unto an inheritance, incorruptible, and undefiled and
         that cannot fade, reserved in heaven for you,

         1:5. Who, by the power of God, are kept by faith unto
         salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time.

         1:6. Wherein you shalt greatly rejoice, if now you must be
         for a little time made sorrowful in divers temptations:

         1:7. That the trial of your faith (much more precious than
         gold which is tried by the fire) may be found unto praise
         and glory and honour at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

         1:8. Whom having not seen, you love: in whom also now
         though you see him not, you believe and, believing, shall
         rejoice with joy unspeakable and glorified;

         1:9. Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of
         your souls.

         1:10. Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and
         diligently searched, who prophesied of the grace to come in
         you.

         1:11. Searching what or what manner of time the Spirit of
         Christ in them did signify, when it foretold those
         sufferings that are in Christ and the glories that should
         follow.

         1:12. To whom it was revealed that, not to themselves but
         to you, they ministered those things which are now declared
         to you by them that have preached the gospel to you: the
         Holy Ghost being sent down from heaven, on whom the angels
         desire to look.

         1:13. Wherefore, having the loins of your mind girt up,
         being sober, trust perfectly in the grace which is offered
         you in the revelation of Jesus Christ.

         1:14. As children of obedience, not fashioned according to
         the former desires of your ignorance,

         1:15. But according to him that hath called you, who is
         holy, be you also in all manner of conversation holy:

         1:16. Because it is written: You shall be holy, for I am
         holy.

         1:17. And if you invoke as Father him who, without respect
         of persons, judgeth according to every one's work: converse
         in fear during the time of your sojourning here.

         1:18. Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible
         things, as gold or silver, from your vain conversation of
         the tradition of your fathers:

         1:19. But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb
         unspotted and undefiled

         1:20. Foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world,
         but manifested in the last times for you:

         1:21. Who through him are faithful in God who raised him up
         from the dead and hath given him glory, that your faith and
         hope might be in God.

         1:22. Purifying your souls in the obedience of charity,
         with a brotherly love, from a sincere heart love one
         another earnestly:

         1:23. Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but
         incorruptible, by the word of God who liveth and remaineth
         for ever.

         1:24. For all flesh is as grass and all the glory thereof
         as the flower of grass. The grass is withered and the
         flower thereof is fallen away.

         1:25. But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this
         is the word which by the gospel hath been preached unto
         you.

         1 Peter Chapter 2

         We are to lay aside all guile and go to Christ the living
         stone, and, as being now his people, walk worthily of him,
         with submission to superiors and patience under sufferings.

         2:1. Wherefore laying away all malice and all guile and
         dissimulations and envies and all detractions,

         2:2. As newborn babes, desire the rational milk without
         guile, that thereby you may grow unto salvation:

         2:3. If so be you have tasted that the Lord is sweet.

         2:4. Unto whom coming, as to a living stone, rejected
         indeed by men but chosen and made honourable by God:

         2:5. Be you also as living stones built up, a spiritual
         house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices,
         acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

         2:6. Wherefore it is said in the scripture: Behold, I lay
         in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious. And he that
         shall believe in him shall not be confounded.

         2:7. To you therefore that believe, he is honour: but to
         them that believe not, the stone which the builders
         rejected, the same is made the head of the corner:

         2:8. And a stone of stumbling and a rock of scandal, to
         them who stumble at the word, neither do believe, whereunto
         also they are set.

         2:9. But you are a chosen generation, a kingly priesthood,
         a holy nation, a purchased people: that you may declare his
         virtues, who hath called you out of darkness into his
         marvelous light:

         2:10. Who in times past were not a people: but are now the
         people of God. Who had not obtained mercy: but now have
         obtained mercy.

         2:11. Dearly beloved, I beseech you, as strangers and
         pilgrims, to refrain yourselves from carnal desires which
         war against the soul,

         2:12. Having your conversation good among the Gentiles:
         that whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may,
         by the good works which they shall behold in you, glorify
         God in the day of visitation.

         2:13. Be ye subject therefore to every human creature for
         God's sake: whether it be to the king as excelling,

         2:14. Or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of
         evildoers and for the praise of the good.

         2:15. For so is the will of God, that by doing well you may
         put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

         2:16. As free and not as making liberty a cloak for malice,
         but as the servants of God.

         2:17. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God.
         Honour the king.

         2:18. Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear,
         not only to the good and gentle but also to the froward.

         2:19. For this is thankworthy: if, for conscience towards
         God, a man endure sorrows, suffering wrongfully.

         2:20. For what glory is it, if, committing sin and being
         buffeted for it, you endure? But if doing well you suffer
         patiently: this is thankworthy before God.

         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 God.

         3:5. For after this manner heretofore, the holy women also
         who trusted in God 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 compassion
         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
         God) 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 God, 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 ot preach, after his death,
         were not in heaven; nor yet in the hell of the damned:
         because heaven is no prison: and Christ did not go to
         preach to the damned.

         3:20. Which had been some time incredulous, when they
         waited for the patience of God 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 God 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 God's commandments.

         3:22. Who is on the right hand of God, 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 God, 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 God.

         4:3. For the time past is sufficient to have fulfilled the
         will of the Gentiles, for them who have walked in
         riotousness, lusts, 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 God, 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 multitude 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 God.

         4:11. If any man speak, let him speak, as the words of God.
         If any minister, let him do it, as of the power which God
         administereth: that in all things God 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 God, 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 God in that name.

         4:17. For the time is, that judgment should begin at the
         house of God. And if at first at us, what shall be the end
         of them that believe not the gospel of God?

         4:18. And if the just man shall scarcely be saved, where
         shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

         Scarcely... That is, not without much labour and
         difficulty; and because of the dangers which constantly
         surround, the temptations of the world, of the devil, and
         of our own corrupt nature.

         4:19. Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the
         will of God commend their souls in good deeds to the
         faithful Creator.

         1 Peter Chapter 5

         He exhorts both priests and laity to their respective
         duties and recommends to all humility and watchfulness.

         5:1. The ancients therefore that are among you, I beseech
         who am myself also an ancient and a witness of the
         sufferings of Christ, as also a partaker of that glory
         which is to be revealed in time to come:

         5:2. Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking care
         of it, not by constraint but willingly, according to God:
         not for filthy lucre's sake but voluntarily:

         5:3. Neither as lording it over the clergy but being made a
         pattern of the flock from the heart.

         5:4. And when the prince of pastors shall appear, you shall
         receive a never fading crown of glory.

         5:5. In like manner, ye young men, be subject to the
         ancients. And do you all insinuate humility one to another:
         for God resisteth the proud, but to the humble he giveth
         grace.

         5:6. Be you humbled therefore under the mighty hand of God,
         that he may exalt you in the time of visitation:

         5:7. Casting all your care upon him, for he hath care of
         you.

         5:8. Be sober and watch: because your adversary the devil,
         as a roaring lion, goeth about seeking whom he may devour.

         5:9. Whom resist ye, strong in faith: knowing that the same
         affliction befalls, your brethren who are in the world.

         5:10. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his
         eternal glory in Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a
         little, will himself perfect you and confirm you and
         establish you.

         5:11. To him be glory and empire, for ever and ever. Amen.

         5:12. By Sylvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I think,
         I have written briefly: beseeching and testifying that this
         is the true grace of God, wherein you stand.

         5:13. The church that is in Babylon, elected together with
         you, saluteth you. And so doth my son, Mark.

         5:14. Salute one another with a holy kiss. Grace be to all
         you who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

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