Letters to the Churches

For there shalbe condemnation merciles to him that sheweth not mercie, and mercie reioyceth against condemnation.

What auaileth it, my brethren, though a man saith he hath faith, when he hath no workes? can that faith saue him?

For if a brother or a sister bee naked and destitute of daily foode,

And one of you say vnto them, Depart in peace: warme your selues, and fil your bellies, notwithstading ye giue them not those things which are needefull to the body, what helpeth it?

Euen so the faith, if it haue no woorkes, is dead in it selfe.

But some man might say, Thou hast the faith, and I haue woorkes: shewe me thy faith out of thy woorkes, and I will shewe thee my faith by my woorkes.

Thou beleeuest that there is one God: thou doest well: the deuils also beleeue it, and tremble.

But wilt thou vnderstand, O thou vaine man, that the faith which is without workes, is dead?

Was not Abraham our father iustified through workes, when he offred Isaac his sonne vpon the altar?

Seest thou not that the faith wrought with his workes? and through the workes was the faith made perfect.

And the Scripture was fulfilled which sayeth, Abraham beleeued God, and it was imputed vnto him for righteousnesse: and hee was called the friende of God.

Ye see then howe that of workes a man is iustified, and not of faith onely.

Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot iustified through workes, when she had receiued ye messengers, and sent them out another way?

For as the body without ye spirit is dead, euen so the faith without workes is dead.

My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receiue the greater condemnation.

For in many things we sinne all. If any man sinne not in word, he is a perfect man, and able to bridle all the body.

Beholde, we put bittes into the horses mouthes, that they should obey vs, and we turne about all their bodie.

Behold also the shippes, which though they be so great, and are driuen of fierce windes, yet are they turned about with a very small rudder, whither soeuer the gouernour listeth.

Euen so the tongue is a litle member, and boasteth of great things: beholde, howe great a thing a litle fire kindleth.

And the tongue is fire, yea, a worlde of wickednesse: so is the tongue set among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature, and it is set on fire of hell.

For the whole nature of beasts, and of birds, and of creeping things, and things of the sea is tamed, and hath bene tamed of the nature of man.

But the tongue can no man tame. It is an vnruly euill, full of deadly poyson.

Therewith blesse we God euen the Father, and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

Out of one mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing: my brethren, these things ought not so to be.

Doeth a fountaine send forth at one place sweete water and bitter?