2 PETER i.

8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But

he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

greater than all; and no man is able to
pluck them out of my Father's hand.
COL. i.

18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 and, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himin earth, or things in heaven. 21 self; by him, I say, whether they be things that were sometime alienated and enemies And you, in your mind by wicked works, yet now

Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: "For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (-) The attributes prove it to be the true hath he reconciled 22 in the body of his spiritual people of God:

EPH. V.

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23 if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven;

whereof I Paul am made a minister;

ings for you, and fill up that which 24 Who now rejoice in my sufferis behind of the afflictions of Christ

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 with-in my flesh for his body's sake,

out blemish.

which is the church:

ing to the dispensation of God which is 25 Whereof I am made a minister, accordgiven to me for you, to fulfil the word of hid from ages and from generations, but God; even the mystery which hath been now is made manifest to his saints: 27 to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 29 whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

(d) The Epistles are addressed to the Church, and in their salutations explain that term as equivalent to the “called," the "saints," and all true worshippers: I COR. xvi.

21 The salutation of me Paul with mine

of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved ;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Not of works, lest any man should

beast.

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 20 and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

I THESS. V.

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

(e) There is no evidence in the New Testament that the Apostles ever had any successors, whilst there is evidence that the offices of presbyter and deacon were

4 But ye, brethren, are not in dark-perpetuated : ness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

Therefore let us not sleep, as do others;

but let us watch and be sober.

I TIM. iii.

This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

but

one that ruleth well his own house, hav

ing his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (for if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take

care of the church of God?) not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into

12 Truly the signs of an apostle 39 Search the scriptures; for in were wrought among you in all them ye think ye have eternal life : patience, in signs, and wonders, and they are they which testify of and mighty deeds.

As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. fo For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. 2 COR. iv.

1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

With: LUKE xxiv.

31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 and said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day :

47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things. 49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusa"Prove all things; hold fast that lem, until ye be endued with power which is good. from on high.

I THESS. V.

I JOHN iv.

1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

(4) The promise of the Holy Spirit, the Author and Interpreter of Scripture, is promised to all Christians:

20 But

1 JOHN ii. ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. 21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.