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spirit of error. Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their conscience seared with a hot iron. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts, shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables; desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor whereof they affirm. They profess that they know God, but in works they deny him; being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. An heretic, after the first and second adinonition, reject; knowing that he that is such, is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome; the latter end is worse with them than the beginning; 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*. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come; if they fall away, to renew them again unto repentance'. For if we sin wilfully, after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins; but a certain fearful looking for of judgment, and fiery indignation which shall devour the adversaries". Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye, know these things before, beware lest ye also being led away by the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness". Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines; for it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace.

• 1 Tim. iv. 1, 2.
h Tit. i. 16.

Heb. vi. 4, 5, 6.
Heb. xiii. 9.

f 2 Tim. iv. 3, 4.
Tit. iii. 10, 11.
Hcb. x. 26, 27.

5 1 Tim. i. 7.

* 2 Pet. ii. 20, 21. " 2 Pet. iii. 17.

Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he who converteth the sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins".

SECT. 18. The prayers of the Apostles in behalf of those that had attained to saving knowledge, and their joyful hope concerning them.

Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same spirit". For to one is given, by the Spirit, the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit". And I also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. Grace and peace be multiplied unto you, through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue'. And this I And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; that ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom, and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches' of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believes; that ye may be able to comprehend with all saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, and to know the love of Christ, which

▸ James, v. 19, 20.

a

§18. 1 Cor. xii. 4.

2 Pet. i. 2, 3.
Eph. i. 17, 18, 19.

b 1 Cor. xii. 8.
Phil. i. 9, 10.

e Rom. xv. 14.
1 Col. i. 9, 10.

passeth knowledge; that ye may be filled with all the fulness of God".

Thanks be unto God, who always causeth us to triumph in Christ; and maketh manifest the favour of his knowledge, by us, in every place'. I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; that in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance and in all knowledge**; giving thanks unto the Father, who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son'. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ; having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure"; even the mystery which hath been hid from ages, and from generations; but now is made manifest to his saints ".

Charity never faileth; but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; but when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. For now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face; now I know in part; but then shall I know, even as also I am known P.

I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven". And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it; for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it'. And they shall see his face and there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light'.

h Eph. iii. 18, 19.
1 Col. i. 12, 13.
• 1 Cor. xiii. 8, 9, 10.
'Rev. xxi. 23, 24.

1 2 Cor. ii. 14.
Eph. i. 3, 9.
P 1 Cor. xiii. 12.
• Rev. xxii. 4, 5.
See 2 Cor. viii. 7.

* 1 Cor. i. 4, 5.
n Col. i. 26.
9 Rev. xxi. 2.

SECT. 19. The declarations, prayers, and praises of the Saints, relating to this subject.

O Lord, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep. A brutish man knoweth not, neither doth a fool understand this ". The foolish shall not stand in thy sight; thou hatest all workers of iniquity. Let favour be showed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness; in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the Lord. Lord, when thy hand is lifted up, they will not see: but they shall see and be ashamed". Have respect unto the covenant; for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty. The Lord's voice crieth unto the city, and the man of wisdom shall see thy name. Because they regard not the works of the Lord, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them and not build them up.

We are but of yesterday, and know nothing; because our days upon earth are a shadow". Lord make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am". So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom'. That which I see not, teach thou me*. Let my cry come near before thee, O Lord; give me understanding according to thy word'. Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee". Teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God; thy Spirit is good, lead me into the land of uprightness". Teach me thy way, O Lord, I will walk in thy truth. Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word". The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The judgments of the Lord are

§19. Psal. xcii. 5, 6.

d Psal. Ixxiv. 20.
* Job, viii. 9.

* Job, xxxiv. 32.
a Psal. cxliii. 10.

b Psal. v. 5.

h

• Mic. vi. 9.

Psal. xxxix. 4.

1 Psal. cxix. 169.
Psal. lxxxvi. 11.

• Isa. xxvi. 10, 11.
Psal. xxviii. 5.
i Psal. xc. 12.
Psal. cxliii. 8.
P Psal. cxix. 9.

true and righteous altogether. Make me to understand the way of thy precepts'. Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law'. Teach me good judgment and knowledge; give me understanding that I may learn thy commandments. The entrance of thy word giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple". Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts; and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom'; then will I teach transgressors thy way, and sinners shall be converted unto thee". Give me now wisdom and knowledge: I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. Ŏ when wilt thou come unto meb!

Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies; I understand more than the ancients; because I keep thy precepts". O God, thou hast taught me from my youth; and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also when I am old and grey-headed, O God, forsake me not; until I have showed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come. I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel; my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. Thou wilt show me the path of life': Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterwards receive me to glory.

I will hear what God the Lord will speak; for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints; but let them not turn again to folly". Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound; they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance. O continue thy loving kindness to them that know thee; they that know thy name will put their trust in thee'.

9 Psal. xix. 7, 8, 9.
Psal. cxix. 66, 73.

y Psal. li. 6.

b Psal. ci. 2.
• Psal. lxxi. 17, 18.

h Psal. lxxxv. 8.

1 Psal. ix. 10.

r Psal. cxix. 27.
u Psal. cxix. 130.
* Psal. li. 1S.
c Psal. cxix. 98.
Psal. xvi. 7, 11.
Psal. lxxxix. 15.

Psal. cxix. 33, 34. * Psal. cxix. 18. a 2 Chron. i. 10. d Psal. cxix. 100. Psal. lxxiii. 24. * Psal. xxxvi. 10.

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