The Early Church

Saue that ye holy Ghost witnesseth in euery citie, saying, that bondes and afflictions abide me.

But I passe not at all, neither is my life deare vnto my selfe, so that I may fulfill my course with ioye, and the ministration which I haue receiued of the Lord Iesus, to testifie the Gospell of the grace of God.

And now behold, I know that henceforth ye all, through whome I haue gone preaching the kingdome of God, shall see my face no more.

Wherefore I take you to recorde this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.

For I haue kept nothing backe, but haue shewed you all the counsell of God.

Take heede therefore vnto your selues, and to all the flocke, whereof the holy Ghost hath made you Ouerseers, to feede the Church of God, which hee hath purchased with that his owne blood.

For I knowe this, that after my departing shall grieuous wolues enter in among you, not sparing the flocke.

Moreouer of your owne selues shall men arise speaking peruerse thinges, to drawe disciples after them.

Therefore watche, and remember, that by the space of three yeres I ceased not to warne euery one, both night and day with teares.

And nowe brethren, I commend you to God, and to the worde of his grace, which is able to build further, and to giue you an inheritance, among all them, which are sanctified.

I haue coueted no mans siluer, nor gold, nor apparell.

Yea, ye knowe, that these handes haue ministred vnto my necessities, and to them that were with me.

I haue shewed you all things, howe that so labouring, ye ought to support the weake, and to remember the wordes of the Lord Iesus, howe that hee saide, It is a blessed thing to giue, rather then to receiue.

And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled downe, and prayed with them all.

Then they wept all abundantly, and fell on Pauls necke, and kissed him,

Being chiefly sorie for the words which he spake, That they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him vnto the shippe.

And as we launched forth, and were departed from them, we came with a straight course vnto Coos, and the day following vnto the Rhodes, and from thence vnto Patara.

And we found a ship that went ouer vnto Phenice, and went aboard, and set forth.

And whe we had discouered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed toward Syria, and arriued at Tyrus: for there the ship vnladed ye burden.

And when we had found disciples, we taried there seuen dayes. And they told Paul through the Spirit, that he should not goe vp to Hierusalem.

But when the dayes were ended, we departed and went our way, and they all accompanied vs with their wiues and children, euen out of the citie: and we kneeling downe on the shore, prayed.

Then when we had embraced one another, we tooke ship, and they returned home.

And when we had ended the course from Tyrus, we arriued at Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.

And the next day, Paul and we that were with him, departed, and came vnto Cesarea: and we entred into the house of Philippe the Euangelist, which was one of the seuen Deacons, and abode with him.

Now he had foure daughters virgins, which did prophecie.