Letters to the Churches

And washed in our bodies with pure water, let vs keepe the profession of our hope, without wauering, (for he is faithfull that promised)

And let vs consider one another, to prouoke vnto loue, and to good workes,

Not forsaking the fellowship that we haue among our selues, as the maner of some is: but let vs exhort one another, and that so much the more, because ye see that the day draweth neere.

For if we sinne willingly after that we haue receiued and acknowledged that trueth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sinnes,

But a fearefull looking for of iudgement, and violent fire, which shall deuoure the aduersaries.

He that despiseth Moses Law, dieth without mercy vnder two, or three witnesses:

Of howe much sorer punishment suppose ye shall hee be worthy, which treadeth vnder foote the Sonne of God, and counteth the blood of the Testament as an vnholy thing, wherewith he was sanctified, and doeth despite the Spirit of grace?

For we know him that hath sayd, Vengeance belongeth vnto mee: I will recompense, saith the Lord. And againe, The Lord shall iudge his people.

It is a fearefull thing to fall into the hands of the liuing God.

Nowe call to remembrance the dayes that are passed, in the which, after ye had receiued light, ye endured a great fight in afflictions,

Partly while yee were made a gazing stocke both by reproches and afflictions, and partly while ye became companions of them which were so tossed to and from.

For both ye sorowed with mee for my bonds, and suffered with ioy the spoyling of your goods, knowing in your selues howe that ye haue in heauen a better, and an enduring substance.

Cast not away therefore your confidence which hath great recompense of reward.

For ye haue neede of patience, that after ye haue done the will of God, ye might receiue the promise.

For yet a very litle while, and hee that shall come, will come, and will not tary.

Nowe the iust shall liue by faith: but if any withdrawe himselfe, my soule shall haue no pleasure in him.

But we are not they which withdrawe our selues vnto perdition, but follow faith vnto the conseruation of the soule.

Now faith is the grounds of things, which are hoped for, and the euidence of things which are not seene.

For by it our elders were well reported of.

Through faith we vnderstand that the world was ordeined by the worde of God, so that the things which we see, are not made of things which did appeare.

By faith Abel offered vnto God a greater sacrifice then Cain, by the which he obtained witnes that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: by the which faith also he being dead, yet speaketh.

By faith was Enoch translated, that he should not see death: neither was he found: for God had translated him: for before he was translated, he was reported of, that he had pleased God.

But without faith it is vnpossible to please him: for he that commeth to God, must beleeue that God is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seeke him.

By faith Noe being warned of God of the things which were as yet not seene, mooued with reuerence, prepared the Arke to the sauing of his housholde, through the which Arke hee condemned the world, and was made heire of the righteousnes, which is by faith.

By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed God, to goe out into a place, which hee should afterward receiue for inheritance, and he went out, not knowing whither he went.