Epistle General, 1st chapter, and the eight concluding verses. Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. (See the prophecy, 21st St. John, 15th and 19th verses.) (Observe this solemn declaration in the full and certain expectation of martyrdom!) Moreover, I will endeavour that ye may be able, after my decease, to have these things always in remembrance. For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye witnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father, honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from

the excellent glory, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." And this voice which came from heaven, we heard when we were with him in the holy mount. We have, also, a more sure word of prophecy;

THE MESSIAH.

(What transcendant humility is manifest in this admission!)

Whereunto ye do well that ye take heed

as unto a light, that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts, knowing this, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation; for the prophecy came not in old time, by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost!

By St. Paul-Rom. xv. 6.-That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ibid. viii. 3.—God sending His own Son, in the likeness of sinful flesh.

2 Cor. v. 19.-To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, &c.

Phil. ii.-Let this mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God!

Col i. 12-17, 19, 20.-Giving thanks unto the Father, who hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son, in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins; who is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of every creature: For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible; whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers. All things were created by Him and for Him, (see the 1st chapter of St. John,) and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist-For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell; and having made peace through the blood of his cross, by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth or things in heaven!

2 Tim. iv. 1, 6-8, 18.-I charge thee, therefore, before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing, and His kingdom; preach, &c. &c.-For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand! I have fought a good fight, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them, also, that love his appearing! And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto His heavenly kingdomTo whom be glory for ever and ever— Amen. (Last verse.)-The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy Spirit-Amen!*

Again, by St. John-1st John iv. 14, 15. —And we have seen, and do testify, that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world! Whosoever shall confess

*. See Note A at the end.

that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in Him, and He in God!

The Divinity of Jesus Christ asserted by
Himself.

St. Matt. xx. 28.-Even as the * Son of
Man came not to be ministered unto,
but to minister, and to give His life a
ransom for many!

All things are delivered unto me of my Father; and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and He to whomsoever the Son shall reveal Him!

The same assertion recorded by St. Luke, 10th chapter, 22nd verse.

St. Matt. xxii. 41-46.-While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, saying, "What think ye of Christ ?-whose Son is He?"—They say unto Him, "The Son of David."

* See the Book of the prophet Daniel, 13th and 14th verses -11th chapter of St. Matthew, 27th verse.