Study Desk

for now is the time when God will begin his judgments with his own church. now if he begins with us, what will the conclusion be to those who do not obey the divine gospel?

let those then, whom God calls to sufferings, by virtue recommend their souls to him, as to a creator, who will make good his promise.

to exhort you to feed the flock of God, which is among you: to take care of it, voluntarily, without reluctance, not from any view to sordid gain, but out of real affection;

As for you that are young, be you submissive to those of a more advanc'd age: and do you all of you pay a becoming deference to one another: be cloak'd with humility, for " God opposes the proud, and shows favour to the humble."

but may the all-gracious God, who has called us to eternal glory, perfect, confirm, fortify, and settle you, during the short interval of your sufferings.

I formerly writ to you a short epistle, by Silvanus, I think, a faithful brother, to declare and testify to you, that the true dispensation of God is that to which you are attach'd.

Simon Peter the servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who equally share with us in the advantages of faith, thro' the veracity of our God, and of Jesus Christ.

may the divine favour and felicity be poured upon you, by the knowledge of God, and of our Lord Jesus Christ.

from the prophet's OWN MOTION; but the holy men of God spoke by the IMPULSE of the holy spirit.

for since God did not spare the angels, who had sinned, but having precipitated them to hell, confin'd them to chains of darkness, where they are reserv'd for judgment:

This then is the commission we have from him, to declare unto you, that God is light, and in him there is no darkness.

but he that observes his precepts, loves God with a true and perfect love: 'tis by this we know that we are truly christians.

I write to you, fathers, because you have known him that is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked spirit.

since you know that God is the source of virtue, you know that every one who has virtue, derives it from him.

Consider what proof the father has given us of his love, in allowing us to be called the sons of God: therefore the world does not know us, because it knew him not.

beloved, we are now the sons of God, tho' it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know, that when this change shall be, his immediate presence will give us a divine resemblance.

he that lives in sin, imitates the devil; for the devil was a sinner from the beginning. for this purpose the son of God appeared, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

whosoever is born of God, does not commit sin; for the divine principle remaineth in him: he will not sin, because he is born of God.

In this the children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil: he that does not practise virtue, and fraternal benevolence, is not of God.

for if our conscience condemn us, God knows us better than we do our selves, he knoweth all things.