Letters to the Churches

This is a true saying, and by all meanes worthie to be receiued.

For therefore we labour and are rebuked, because we trust in the liuing God, which is the Sauiour of all men, specially of those that beleeue.

These things warne and teache.

Let no man despise thy youth, but be vnto them that beleeue, an ensample, in worde, in conuersation, in loue, in spirit, in faith, and in purenesse.

Till I come, giue attendance to reading, to exhortation, and to doctrine.

Despise not the gift that is in thee, which was giuen thee by prophecie with the laying on of the hands of the companie of the Eldership.

These things exercise, and giue thy selfe vnto them, that it may be seene howe thou profitest among all men.

Take heede vnto thy selfe, and vnto learning: continue therein: for in doing this thou shalt both saue thy selfe, and them that heare thee.

Rebuke not an Elder, but exhort him as a father, and the yonger men as brethren,

The elder women as mothers, the yonger as sisters, with all purenesse.

Honour widowes, which are widowes in deede.

But if any widowe haue children or nephewes, let them learne first to shewe godlinesse towarde their owne house, and to recompense their kinred: for that is an honest thing and acceptable before God.

And shee that is a widowe in deede and left alone, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and praiers night and day.

But shee that liueth in pleasure, is dead, while shee liueth.

These things therefore warne them of, that they may be blamelesse.

If there bee any that prouideth not for his owne, and namely for them of his housholde, hee denieth the faith, and is worse then an infidell.

Let not a widow be taken into the number vnder three score yeere olde, that hath beene the wife of one husband,

And well reported of for good woorkes: if shee haue nourished her children, if shee haue lodged the strangers, if shee haue washed the Saintes feete, if shee haue ministred vnto them which were in aduersitie, if shee were continually giuen vnto euery good woorke.

But refuse the yonger widowes: for when they haue begun to waxe wanton against Christ, they will marrie,

Hauing damnation, because they haue broken the first faith.

And likewise also being idle they learne to goe about from house to house: yea, they are not onely ydle, but also pratlers and busibodies, speaking things which are not comely.

I will therefore that the yonger women marie, and beare children, and gouerne the house, and giue none occasion to the aduersary to speake euill.

For certaine are alreadie turned backe after Satan.

If any faithfull man, or faithfull woman haue widowes, let them minister vnto them, and let not the Church bee charged, that there may bee sufficient for them that are widowes in deede.

The Elders that rule well, let them be had in double honour, specially they which labour in the worde and doctrine,