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taking the oversight [thereof,] not by constraint, but willingly. 1 Peter v. 2.

12 w For the perfect-"I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Luke xxii. 32. ing of the saints, They sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. Who when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. Acts. xi. 22, 28. And when they had preached the Gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and [to] Iconium, and Antioch, Confirming the souls of the disciples, [and] exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. Acts xiv. 21, 22. And after he had spent some time [there,] he departed, and went over [all] the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples. Acts xviii. 23. For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established. Rom. i. 11. For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong and this also we wish, [even] your perfection. 2 Cor. xiii. 9. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all, for your furtherance and joy of faith. Phil. i. 25. Warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. Coloss. i. 28. Epaphras, who is [one] of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Coloss. iv. 12. Wherefore, when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellow-labourer in the Gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith. Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith? 1 Thess. iii. 1, 2, 10. Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God. And this will we do, if God permit. Heb. vi. 1——3.

ministry,

for the work of the But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of the grace of God. Acts xx. 24. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us. Or ministry, [let us wait] on [our] ministering. Rom. xii. 6, 7. Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 1 Cor. iv. 1. Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we

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have received mercy, we faint not. 2 Cor. iv. 1. And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation. 2 Cor. v. 18. Say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it. Coloss. iv. 17. Take Mark, and bring him with thee; for he is profitable to me for the ministry. 2 Tim. iv. 11.

He that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth, edifieth the church. I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater [is] he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual [gifts] see that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. 1 Cor. xiv. 4, 5, 12. For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed. 2 Cor. x. 8. Think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but [we do] all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying. 2 Cor. xii. 19. Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction. 2 Cor. xiii. 10.

They shall be my people, and I will be their God: And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them. Jer. xxxii. 38, 39. Then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent. Zeph. iii. 9. And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one. Zech. xiv. 9. That they all

may be one; as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us. John xvii. 21. That whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the Gospel. Phil. i. 27. See on verse 5, (i) page 46.

By his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Isai liii. 11. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. John xvii. 3. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Cor. iv. 6. That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understand

b unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.

14. That we [henceforth] be no more children,

d tossed to and fro, and carried about by every wind of doctrine,

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ing, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of Christ. In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Coloss. ii. 2, 3. Yea, doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death. Phil. iii. 8, 10. Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that [pertain] unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue. 2 Peter i. 2, 3. But grow in grace, and [in] the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 2 Pet. iii. 18. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, [even] in his Son Jesus Christ. 1 John v. 20.

b And hath put all [things] under his feet, and gave him [to be] the head over all [things] to the church. Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. Ephes. i. 22, 23. And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Eph.iii. 19. Husbands love your wives, as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy, and without blemish. Ephes. v. 25, 27. Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. Coloss. i. 28. Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? [them that are] weaned from the milk, [and] drawn from the breasts. Isai. xxviii. 9. And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, [even] as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able [to bear it,] neither yet now are ye able. 1 Cor. iii. 1, 2. Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children; but in understanding be men. 1 Cor. xiv. 20. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which [be] the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk [is] unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. Hebrews v. 12, 13.

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord you into the grace of Christ unto another Gospel. Galat. i. 6. Jesus Christ, and [by] our gathering together unto him,

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That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means. 2 Thess. ii. 1-3. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines: Heb. xiii. 9.

For I know this, that after my departing, shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Acts xx. 29, 30. Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. Rom. xvi. 17, 18. For there shall arise false christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Matt. xxiv. 24. For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God. 2 Cor. ii. 17. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or [if] ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have accepted, ye might well bear with [him.] For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 2 Cor. xi. 3, 4, 13. Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. Galat. i. 7. O foolish Galatians who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth crucified among you? Galat. iii. 1. And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Coloss. ii. 4, 8. Whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 2 Thess. ii. 9, 10. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 2 Tim. iii. 6, 13. But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift

in love,

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destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways, by reason of whom the way of truth shall evil spoken. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you. 2 Pet. ii. 1-3. These [things] have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. 1 John ii. 26. Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 1 John iv. 1. For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 2 John i. 7.

f but speaking the truth Being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ. Coloss. ii. 2. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, [see that ye] love one another with a pure heart fervently. 1 Peter i. 22.

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may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, [even] Christ:

16. h From whom the whole body fitly joined and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, making increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

17 This I say therefore, and testify in the

But grow

In whom all the building fitly framed together_groweth
unto an holy temple in the Lord. Ephes. ii. 21.
in grace, and [in] the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ. 2 Peter iii. 18. See on chap. I. verse 22,
(V) page 14.

h For as we have many members in one body, and all mem-
bers have not the same office: So we, [being] many, are one
body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
Rom. xii. 4, 5. For as the body is one, and hath many
members, and all the members of that one body, being
many, are one body: so also [is] Christ. 1 Cor. xii. 12.
And not holding the Head, from which all the body by
joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit
together, increaseth with the increase of God. Coloss. ii. 19.
The Lord make you to increase and abound in love one
toward another, and toward all [men,] even as we [do]
toward you. 1 Thess. iii. 12. But as touching brotherly
love, ye need not that I write unto you; for ye yourselves
are taught of God to love one another. And indeed ye do
it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but
we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more.
1 Thess. iv. 9, 10. We are bound to thank God always for
you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith grow-
eth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all
toward each other aboundeth. 2 Thess. i. 3. Charity
edifieth. 1 Cor. viii. 1.

For the time past of [our] life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wines, revellings, banquet

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