Of S. Paules first comming to Ephesus, and short abode there, vve reade Act. 18. And immediatly Act. 19. of his returning thither according to his promise. vvhat time he abode there three moneths, speaking to the Ievves in the Synagogue. Act. 19. v. 8. and aftervvard apart from them (because they vvere obstinate) tvvo yeres in a certaine schoole, so that al that dvvelt in Asia, heard the vvord of our Lord, Ievves and Gentiles. Act. 19. v. 10. The vvhole time himself calleth three yeres, in his exhortation at Milétum to the Cleargie of Ephesus. Act. 20. v. 31.

After all this he vvriteth this Epistle vnto them from Rome (as it is said) being then prisoner and in chaines. and that as it seemeth, not the first time of his being in bonds there, vvhereof vve reade. Act. 28: but the second time, vvhereof vve reade in the Ecclesiasticall Stories aftervvard: because he saith in this Epistle c. 6. v. 21. Tychicus vvil certifie you of al things, vvhom I haue sent to you. ^note Of vvhom againe in the 2. to Tim. c. 4. v. 12. he saith: Tychicus I haue sent to Ephesus, And the said 2. Epistle to Timothee (no doubt) vvas vvritten very litle before his death: for in it thus he saith: I am euen novv to be sacrificed, & the time of my resolution is at hand. 2. Tim. 4, 6.

In the three first chapters, he commendeth vnto them the grace of God, in calling of the Gentiles no lesse then the Ievves, and making one blessed Church of both. Vvherein his intention is to moue them to perseuêre (for othervvise they should be pa&esset;ing vngratefull) and specially not to be moued vvith his trouble, vvho vvas their Apostle: knovving (belike) that ^note it vvould be a great tentation vnto them, if they should be are soone after, that he vvere executed: therfore also arming them in the end of the Epistle, as it vvere in complete harnesse.

In the other three chapters be exhorteth them to good life, in all pointes, and all states, as it becommeth Christians: and afore all other things, that they be most studious to continue in the vnitie of the Church, and obedience of the pastors thereof, vvhom Christ hath giuen to continue and to be our stay against all Heretikes, from his Ascension, euen to the full building vp of his Church in the end of the vvorld.

THE EPISTLE OF PAVL TO THE EPHESIANS. Chap. I. He magnifieth the grace of Gods eternal predestination and temporal vocation, 11 both of the Ievves, 13 and also of the Ephesians being Gentils. 13 for vvhose excellent faith and charitie be reioyceth, and continually praieth for their increase, that they may see more clearely the greatnes both of the inheritance in heauen, and also of Gods might vvhich helpeth them therevnto: 20 an example of vvhich might they may behold in the supereminent exalting of Christ.

1   Pavl an Apostle of Iesvs Christ by the vvil of God: to al the saincts that are at Ephesus: and to the faithful in Christ Iesvs.

2   Grace to you and peace from God our father, and our Lord Iesvs Christ.

3   Blessed be God and the Father of our Lord Iesvs Christ, vvhich hath blessed vs in al spiritual blessing, in cœlestials, in Christ:

4   as he chose vs in him before the constitution of the vvorld, that vve should be holy and immaculate ^note in his sight in charitie.

5   Vvho hath predestinated vs vnto the adoption of sonnes, by Iesvs Christ, vnto him self: according to the purpose of his vvil:

6   vnto the praise of the glorie of his grace, vvherein he hath ^note gratified vs in his beloued sonne.

7   In vvhom vve haue redemption by his bloud (the remission of sinnes) according to the riches of his grace.

8   Vvhich hath superabounded in vs in al vvised&obar; and prudence,

9   that he might make knovven vnto vs the sacrament of his vvil, according to his good pleasure, vvhich he purposed in him self,

10   in the dispensation of the fulnes of times, to ^note perfit al things in Christ, that are in heauen and in earth, in him.

11   In vvhom vve also are called by lot: predestinate

according to the purpose of him that vvorketh al things, according to the counsel of his vvil:

12   that vve may be vnto the praise of his glorie, vvhich before haue hoped in Christ:

13   in vvhom you also, vvhen you had heard the vvord of truth (the Gospel of your saluation:) in vvhich also beleeuing you vvere ^note signed vvith the holy Spirit of promis,

14   vvhich is the pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of acquisition, vnto the praise of his glorie.

15   Therfore I also hearing your faith that is in our Lord Iesvs, and loue tovvard al the sainctes:

16   cease not to giue thankes for you, making a memorie of you in my praiers,

17   that God of our Lord Iesvs Christ, the father of glorie, giue you the spirit of vvisedom and of reuelation, in the knovvledge of him,

18   the eies of your hart illuminated, that you may knovv vvhat the hope is of his vocation, and vvhat are the riches of the glorie of his inheritance in the sainctes,

19   and vvhat is the passing greatnes of his povver tovvard vs that beleeue: according to the operation of the might of his povver,

20   vvhich he vvrought in Christ, raising him vp from the dead, and setting him on his right hand in celestials,

21   aboue09Q1219 al Principalitie & Potestate & Power, and Domination, and euery name that is named not only in this vvorld, but also in that to come.

22   And he hath ^note subdued al things vnder his feete: and hath made him09Q1220 head ouer al the Chvrch,

23   vvhich is his body, the ^note fulnes of him vvhich is filled al in al. ^{note note}

Chap. II. He putteth them in minde of their vnvvorthines before they vvere Christians: that al the praise may be giuen to the grace of God: 11 and of the enmitie that vvas then betvven the Ievv and the Gentil: 13 vntil novv that Christ by his Crosse hath made both one, taking avvay the ceremonies of the Lavv, and making one body, and building one holy Temple of al, in his Catholike Church.

1   And you vvhen you vvere dead by your offenses & sinnes,

2   vvherein sometime you vvalked according to the course of this vvorld, according to the ^note prince of the povver of this aire, of the spirit that novv vvorketh on the childr&ebar; of diffidence,

3   in vvhom also vve al conuersed sometime in the desires of our flesh, doing the vvil of the flesh and of thoughtes, and vvere by nature the children of vvrath as also the rest:

4   but God (vvhich is riche in mercie) for his exceding charitie vvhervvith he loued vs,

5   euen vvhen vve vvere dead by sinnes, quickened vs together in Christ, (by vvhose grace you are saued,)

6   and raised vs vp vvith him, and hath made vs sit vvith him in the celestials in Christ Iesvs,

7   that he might shevv in the vvorldes succeding, the aboundant riches of his grace, in bountie vpon vs in Christ Iesvs.

8   For by09Q1221 grace you are saued through faith (and that not of yourselues,

for it is the gift of God)

9    ^notenot of vvorkes, that no man glorie

10   For vve are his vvorke, created in Christ Iesvs in good vvorkes, vvhich God hath prepared that vve should vvalke in them.

11   For the vvhich cause be mindeful that sometime you vvere Gentils in the flesh, vvho vvere ^note called prepuce, of that vvhich is called circumcision in the flesh, made vvith hand:

12   vvho vvere at that time vvithout Christ, alienated from the conuersation of Israël, and ^note strangers of the testaments, hauing no hope of the promis, and vvithout God in this vvorld.

13   But novv in Christ Iesvs, you that sometime vvere farre of, are made nigh in the bloud of Christ.

14   For he is our peace, vvho hath made both one, and dissoluing the middle vvall of the partition, the enmities in his flesh:

15   euacuating the lavv of c&obar;maundements ^note in decrees: that he may create the tvvo in him self into one new man, making peace,

16   and may reconcile both in one body to God by the crosse, killing the enmities in him self.

17    ^noteAnd comming he euangelized peace to you that vvere farre of, and peace to them that vvere nigh.

18   For ^note by him vve haue accesse both in one Spirit to the Father.

19   Novv then you are not strangers and forreiners: but you are ^note citizens of the sainctes, and the domesticals of God,

20   09Q1222built vpon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Iesvs Christ him self being the highest corner stone:

21   in vvhom al building framed together, grovveth into an holy temple in our Lord,

22   in vvhom you also are built together into an habitation of God in the holy Ghost. &cross4; ^{note note}

Chap. III. For vvitne&esset;ing the vocation of the Gentils, as being the Apostle of the Gentils, he is imprison: 13, Wherein the Gentils therfore haue cause to reioyce, rather then to shrinke. So he saith, 14 and also praieth to God (vvho is almightie) to confirme their invvard man, though the outvvard be infirmed by persecutions.

1   For this cause, I Paul the prisoner of Iesvs Christ, for you Gentiles:

2   if yet you haue heard the dispensation of the grace of God, vvhich is giuen me tovvard you,

3   because according to reuelation the sacrament vvas made knovven to me, as I haue vvritt&ebar; before in breife:

4   according as you reading may vnderstand my vvisedom in the mysterie of Christ,

5   vvhich vnto other generations vvas not knovven to the sonnes of men, as novv it is reuealed to his holy Apostles & Prophets in the Spirit.

6   The Gentils to be coheires & concorporat and comparticipant of his promis in Christ Iesvs by the Gospel:

7   vvhereof I am made a minister according to the gift of the grace of God, which is giuen me according to the operation of his povver.

8   To me ^note the least of al the sainctes is giuen this grace, among the Gentils to euangelize the vnsearcheable riches of Christ,

9   and to illuminate al men vvhat is the dispensati&obar; of the sacrament hidden ^{note note} from vvorldes in God, vvho created al things:

10   that the manifold vvisedom of God, may be notified to the Princes and Potestats in the celestials by the Church,

11   according to the ^note prefiniti&obar; of worldes, vvhich he made in Christ Iesvs our Lord.

12   In vvhom vve haue affiance and accesse in confidence, by the faith of him.

13    ^noteFor the vvhich cause I desire that you faint not in my tribulations for you, vvhich is your glorie.

14   For this cause I bovve my knees to the Father of our Lord Iesvs Christ,

15   of vvhom al paternitie in the heauens and in earth is named,

16   that he giue you according to the riches of his glorie, povver to be fortified by his Spirit in the inner man.

17   Christ ^note to dvvel by faith in your hartes, rooted and founded ^note in charitie,

18   that you may be able to comprehend vvith al the sainctes, vvhat is the bredth, and length, and height, and depth,

19   to knovv also the charitie of

Christ, surpassing knovvledge, that you may be filled vnto al the fulnes of God.

20   And ^note to him that is able to doe al things more aboundantly then vve desire or vnderstand, according to the povver that vvorketh in vs:

21   to him be glorie in the Chvrch, and in Christ Iesvs, vnto al generations vvorld vvithout end. Amen. Chap. IIII. He exhorteth them to keepe the vnitie of the Church most carefully vvith al humilitie, bringing them many motiues therevnto: 7 and ansvvering that euen the diuersitie it self of offices is not for diuision, as being the gift of Christ him self, but to build vp the Church, and to hold al in the vnitie thereof against the suttle circumuentions of Heretikes: that vnder Christ the head, in the Church being the body, euery member may prosper. 17 Neither (at touching life) must vve liue like the Heathen, but as it becommeth Christians, laying of al our old corrupt maners, and increasing daily in al goodnes.

1    ^noteI Therfore prisoner in our Lord, beseeche you, that you vvalke vvorthy of the vocation in vvhich you are called,

2   vvith al humilitie & mildenes, vvith patience, supporting one an other in charitie,

3   careful to keepe the vnitie of the spirit in the bond of peace.

4   One body and one spirit: as you are called in one hope of your vocation.

5   One Lord,09Q1223 one faith, one baptisme.

6    ^noteOne God and Father of al, vvhich is ouer al, and by al, and in al vs. &cross4; ^note

7   But ^note to euery one of vs is giuen grace according to the measure of the donation of Christ.

8   For the vvhich he saith, Asc&ebar;ding on high, he ledde captiuitie captiue: be gaue giftes to men. ^note

9   (And that he ascended, vvhat is it, but because he descended also first into the ^note inferiour partes of the earth?

10   He that descended, the same is also he that is ascended aboue al the heauens, that he might fill al things.)

11   And ^note he gaue,09Q1224 some Apostles, and some Prophets, and othersome Euangelists, and othersome pastors and doctors,

12   to the consummation of the sainctes, vnto the vvorke of the ministerie, vnto the edifying of the body of Christ:

13   09Q1225vntil we meete al into the vnitie of faith and knovvledge of the sonne of God, into a perfect man, into the measure of the age of the fulnes of Christ: &cross4;

14   that novv vve be not children vvauering, and caried about09Q1226 vvith euery vvinde of doctrine in the vvickednes of men, in crastines to the circumuention of errour.

15   But doing the truth in charitie, let vs in al things grow in him, vvhich is the head,

Christ:

16   of vvhom the vvhole body being compacte and knit together by al iuncture of subministration, according to the operation in the measure of euery member, maketh the increase of the body vnto the edifying of it self in charitie.

17   This therfore I say and testifie in our Lord: that novv you vvalke not as also the ^note Gentiles vvalke in the vanitie of their sense,

18   hauing their vnderstanding obscured vvith darkenes, alienated from the life of God by the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindenes of their hart,

19   vvho despairing, ^note haue giuen vp them selues to impudicitie, vnto the operation of al vncleannes, vnto auarice.

20   But you haue not so learned Christ:

21   if yet you haue heard him, and haue been taught in him, (as the truth is in Iesvs.) &cross4;

22    ^noteLay you avvay, according to the old conuersation the old man, vvhich is corrupted according to the desires of errour.

23   And ^note be renevved in the spirit of your minde:

24   and put on the nevv man vvhich according to God is created in iustice, and holinesse of the truth.

25   For the vvhich cause laying avvay lying, ^note speake ye truth euery one vvith his neighbour, because vve are members one of an other.

26    ^noteBe angrie and sinne not. let not the sonne goe dovvne vpon your anger.

27   Giue not place to the Deuil.

28   He that stole, let him novv not steale: but rather let him labour in vvorking vvith his handes that vvhich is good, that he may haue vvhence to giue vnto him that suffereth necessitie.

29   Al naughtie speache let it not proceede out of your mouth: but if there be any good to the edifying of the faith, that it may giue grace to the hearers.

30   And contristate not the holy Spirit of God: in vvhich you are signed vnto the day of redemption.

31   Let al bitternes, and anger, and indignation, and clamour, and blasphemie be taken avvay from you vvith al malice.

32   And be gentle one to an other, merciful, pardoning one an other, as also God in Christ hath pardoned you. ^note

^{note note note} Chap. V. He continueth his exhortation to good life, 5 assuring them against al deceiuers, that no committer of mortal sinne shal be saued: considering that for such sinnes it is that the Heæthen shal be damned: 8 & that Christians must rather be the light of al others. 22 Then he commeth in particular and exhorteth husbands and vviues to do their duety one tovvardes the other, by the example of Christ and his obedient and beloued spouse the Church.

1    ^noteBe ye therfore folovvers of God, as most deere children:

2   and ^note walke in loue, as Christ also loued vs, and deliuered him self for vs an oblation and host to God in an odour of svvetenes.

3   But ^note fornication and al vncleannes, or auarice, let it not so much as be named among you, as it becommeth sainctes:

4   or filthines, or foolish talke, or scurrilitie, being to no purpose: but rather giuing of thankes.

5   For vnderstanding knovv you this, that no fornicatour, or vncleane, or couetous person (vvhich is ^note the seruice of Idols) hath inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

6   Let no man seduce you vvith vaine vvordes. For, for these things commeth the anger of God vp&obar; the children of diffidence.

7   Become not therfore partakers vvith them.

8   For you vvere sometime darkenes, but novv light in our Lord. Vvalke as children of the light,

9   (for the fruite of the light is in al goodnes, and iustice, and veritie) &cross4;

10   prouing vvhat is vvel pleasing to God:

11   and communicate not vvith the vnfruitful vvorkes of darkenes, but rather reproue them.

12   For the things that are done of them in secrete, it is shame euen to speake.

13   But al things that are reproued, are manifested by the light. for al that is manifested, is light.

14   for the vvhich cause he saith: Rise thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead: and Christ vvil illuminate thee. ^note

15   See therfore, brethren, how you vvalke vvarily. not as vnvvise, but ^note as vvise: ^note

16   redeeming the time, because the daies are euil.

17   Therfore become not vnvvise, but ^note vnderstanding vvhat is the vvil of God.

18   And be not drunke vvith vvine vvherein is rioteousnes, but be filled vvith the Spirit,

19   speaking to your selues in psalmes & hymnes, and spiritual canticles, cha&ubar;ting and singing in your hartes to our Lord:

20   giuing thankes alvvaies for al things, in the name of our Lord Iesvs Christ to God & the Father.

21   Subiect one to an other in the feare of Christ.

22    ^noteLet ^note vvomen be subiect to their husbandes, as to our Lord:

23   because ^note the man is the head of the woman: as Christ is the head of the ^note Chvrch. Him self,09Q1227 the sauiour of his body.

24   But as the Chvrch is09Q1228 subiect to

Christ, so also the vvomen to their husbands in al things.

25   Husbands, loue your vviues, as Christ also09Q1229 loued the Chvrch, and deliuered him self for it:

26   that he might sanctifie it, cleansing it by the lauer of vvater in the vvord,

27   that he might present to him self a glorious Chvrch, not hauing spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it may be holy and vnspotted.

28   So also men ought to loue their vviues as their ovvne bodies. He that loueth his vvife, loueth him self.

29   For no man euer hated his ovvne flesh: but he nourisheth & cherisheth it,09Q1230 as also Christ the Chvrch:

30   because vve be the members of his body, of his flesh & of his bones.

31   For this cause shal m&abar; leaue his father & mother: and shal cleaue to his vvife, and they shal be tvvo in one flesh. ^note

32   09Q1231This is a great sacram&ebar;t. but I speake in Christ and in the Chvrch

33   Neuertheles you also euery one, let eche loue his vvife as him self: and let the vvife feare her husband. &cross4; ^{note note note note}

^note Chap. VI. Likevvise children and parents he exhorteth, 3 item seruants and maisters. 10 Then, thas al take courage in the might of God, but so, that vvithal they arme them selue (considering vvhat mightie enemies they haue) vvith al peeces of spiritual armour, 18 praying alvvaies feruently, and for him also.

1    ^noteChildren, obey your parents in our Lord. for this is iust.

2   Honour thy father and thy mother (vvhich is the first commaundement in the promis,)

3   that it may be vvel vvith thee, and thou maiest be long-liued vpon the earth.

4   And you fathers, prouoke not your children to anger: but bring them vp in the discipline and correption of our Lord.

5    ^noteSeruants, be obedient to your lordes according to

the flesh, with feare and trembling, in the simplicitie of your hart, as to Christ:

6   not seruing to the eie, as it vvere pleasing men, but as the seruants of Christ, doing the vvil of God fr&obar; the hart,

7   vvith a good vvil seruing, as to our Lord and not to men.

8   Knovving that euery one vvhat good soeuer he shal doe, that shal he ^note receiue of our Lord, vvhether he be bond, or free.

9   And you maisters, doe the same things to them, ^note remitting threatenings: knovving that both their Lord and yours, is in heauen: and ^note acception of persons is not vvith him.

10    ^noteHence forth brethren, be strengthened in our Lord, & in the might of his povver.

11   Put you on the ^note armour of God, that you may stand against the deceites of the Deuil.

12   For our vvrestling is not against flesh and bloud: but against Princes and Potestats, against the ^note rectors of the vvorld of this darkenes, against the spirituals of vvickednes in the celestials.

13   Therfore take the armour of God, that you may resist in the euil day, and stand in al things perfect.

14   Stand therfore hauing your loines girded in truth, and ^note clothed with the breast-plate of iustice,

15   & hauing your feete shod to the preparation of the Gospel of peace:

16   in al things taking the shield of faith, vvherevvith you may extinguish al the firie dartes of the most vvicked one.

17   and take vnto you the ^note helmet of saluation: and the svvord of the spirit (vvhich is the vvord of God) &cross4;

18   in al praier and supplication praying at al time in spirit: and in the same vvatching in al instance and supplication for al the saincts:

19   and for me, that speache may be giuen me in the opening of my mouth vvith c&obar;fidence, to make knowen the mysterie of the Gospel,

20   for the vvhich I am a legate in this chaine, so that in it I may be bold according as I ought, to speake.

21   And that you also may knovv the things about me, vvhat I doe: Tychicus my deerest brother and faithful minister in our Lord, vvil make you vnderst&abar;d al things:

22   vvhom I haue sent to you for this same purpose, that you may know the things about vs, and he may comfort your hartes.

23   Peace to the brethren and ^note charitie vvith faith from God the Father, and our Lord Iesvs Christ.

24   Grace with al that loue our Lord Iesvs Christ in incorruption. Amen.

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