Letters to the Churches

For in deede we that are in this tabernacle, sigh and are burdened, because we would not be vnclothed, but would be clothed vpon, that mortalitie might be swalowed vp of life.

And he that hath created vs for this thing, is God, who also hath giuen vnto vs the earnest of the Spirit.

Therefore we are alway bolde, though we knowe that whiles we are at home in the bodie, we are absent from the Lord.

(For we walke by faith, and not by sight.)

Neuerthelesse, we are bolde, and loue rather to remoue out of the body, and to dwell with the Lord.

Wherefore also we couet, that both dwelling at home, and remouing from home, we may be acceptable to him.

For we must all appeare before the iudgement seate of Christ, that euery man may receiue the things which are done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or euill.

Knowing therefore that terrour of the Lord, we persuade men, and we are made manifest vnto God, and I trust also that we are made manifest in your consciences.

For we prayse not our selues againe vnto you, but giue you an occasion to reioyce of vs, that ye may haue to answere against them, which reioyce in the face, and not in the heart.

For whether we be out of our wit, we are it to God: or whether we be in our right minde, we are it vnto you.

For that loue of Christ constraineth vs,

Because we thus iudge, that if one be dead for all, then were all dead, and he died for all, that they which liue, shoulde not henceforth liue vnto themselues, but vnto him which died for them, and rose againe.

Wherefore, henceforth know we no man after the flesh, yea though wee had knowen Christ after the flesh, yet nowe henceforth know we him no more.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, let him be a newe creature. Olde things are passed away: beholde, all things are become newe.

And all things are of God, which hath reconciled vs vnto himselfe by Iesus Christ, and hath giuen vnto vs the ministerie of reconciliation.

For God was in Christ, and reconciled the world to himselfe, not imputing their sinnes vnto them, and hath committed to vs the word of reconciliation.

Now then are we ambassadours for Christ: as though God did beseeche you through vs, we pray you in Christes steade, that ye be reconciled to God.

For he hath made him to be sinne for vs, which knewe no sinne, that we should be made the righteousnesse of God in him.

So we therefore as workers together beseech you, that ye receiue not the grace of God in vaine.

For he sayth, I haue heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of saluation haue I succoured thee: beholde nowe the accepted time, beholde nowe the day of saluation.

We giue no occasion of offence in any thing, that our ministerie shoulde not be reprehended.

But in all things we approue our selues as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

In stripes, in prisons, in tumults, in labours,

By watchings, by fastings, by puritie, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindnesse, by the holy Ghost, by loue vnfained,

By the worde of trueth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousnesse on the right hand, and on the left,