The suppressed Gospels and Epistles of the original New Testament of Jesus the Christ, Volume 6, Clement. William Wake
of the camp, from the rest of the congregation seven days.
8 Emulation's sent Dathan and Abiram quick into the grave because they raised up a sedition against Moses the servant of God.
9 For this, David was not only hated of strangers, but was persecuted even by Saul the king of Israel.
10 But not to insist upon ancient examples, let us come to those worthies that have been nearest to us; and take the brave examples of our own age.
11 Through zeal and envy, the most faithful and righteous pillars of the church have been persecuted even to the most grevious deaths.
12 Let us set before our eyes, the holy Apostles; Peter by unjust envy underwent not one or two, but many sufferings; till at last being martyred, he went to the place of glory that was due unto him.
13 For the same cause did Paul in like manner receive the reward of his patience. Seven times he was in bonds; he was whipped, was stoned; he preached both in the East and in the West; leaving behind him the glorious report of his faith:
14 And so having taught the whole world righteousness, and for that end travelled even to the utmost bounds of the West; he at last suffered martyrdom by the command of the governors,
15 And departed out of the world, and went unto his holy place; having become a most eminent pattern of patience unto all ages.
16 To these Holy Apostles were joined a very great number of others, who having through envy undergone in like manner many pains and torments, have left a glorious example to us.
17 For this, not only men but women have been persecuted; and having suffered very grievous and cruel punishments, have finished the course of their faith with firmness; and though weak in body, yet received a glorious reward.
18 This has alienated the minds even of women from their husbands; and changed what was once said by our father Adam; This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh.
19 In a word, envy and strife, have overturned whole cities, and rooted out great nations from off the earth.
CHAPTER IV
4 He exhorts them to live by holy rules, and repent of their divisions, and they shall be forgiven.
THESE things, beloved, we write unto you, not only for your instruction, but also for our own remembrance.
2 For we are all in the same lists, and the same combat is prepared for us all.
3 Wherefore let us lay aside all vain and empty cares; and let us come up to the glorious and venerable rule of our holy calling.
4 Let us consider what is good, and acceptable and well-pleasing in the sight of him that made us.
5 Let us look steadfastly to the blood of Christ, and see how precious his blood is in the sight of God: which being shed for our salvation, has obtained the grace of repentance for all the world.
6 Let us search into all the ages that have gone before us; and learn that our Lord has in every one of them still given place for repentance to all such as would turn to him.
7 Noah preached repentance; and as many as hearkened to him were saved. Jonah denounced destruction against the Ninevites.
8 Howbeit they repenting of their sins, appeased God by their prayers: and were saved, though they were strangers to the covenant of God.
9 Hence we find how all the ministers of the grace of God have spoken by the Holy Spirit of repentance. And even the Lord of all, has himself declared with an oath concerning it;
10 As I live, saith the Lord, I desire not the death of a sinner, but that he should repent. Adding farther this good sentence, saying Turn from your iniquity, O house of Israel.
11 Say unto the children of my people, though your sins should reach from earth to heaven; and though they shall be redder than scarlet, and blacker than sackcloth yet if ye shall turn to me with all your heart, and shall call me father, I will hearken to you, as to a holy people.
12 And in another place he saith on this wise: wash ye, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
13 Come now and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be as red as crimson, they shall be as wool.
14 If ye be willing and obedient ye shall eat the good of the land but, if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
15 These things has God established by his Almighty will, desiring that all his beloved should come to repentance.
CHAPTER V
1 He sets before them the examples of holy men, whose piety is recorded in the Scripture.
WHEREFORE let us obey his excellent and glorious will; and imploring his mercy and goodness, let us fall down upon our faces before him, and cast ourselves upon his mercy; laying aside all vanity, and contention, and envy which leads unto death.
2 Let us look up to those who have the most perfectly ministered to his excellent glory. Let us take Enoch for our example; who being found righteous in obedience, was translated, and his death was not known.
3 Noah being proved to be faithful, did by his ministry, preach regeneration to the world; and the Lord saved by him all the living creatures, that went with one accord into the ark.
4 Abraham, who was called God's friend, was in like manner found faithful; inasmuch as he obeyed the commands of God.
5 By obedience he went out of his own country, and from his own kindred, and from his father's house; that so forsaking a small country, and a weak affinity, and a little house, he might inherit the promises of God.
6 For thus God said unto him; "get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee."
7 "And, I will make thee a great nation, and will bless thee, and make thy name great, and thou shalt be blessed. And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee; and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed,"
8 And again when he separated himself from Lot, God said unto him; I Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward, for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.
9 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth, so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.
10 And again he saith: and God brought forth Abraham, and said unto him; look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: so shall thy seed be.
11 And Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.
12 Through faith and hospitality he had a son given him in his old age; and through obedience he offered him up in sacrifice to God, upon one of the mountains which God showed into him.
CHAPTER VI
1 Redemption for such as have been eminent for their faith, kindness, and charity to their neighbours.
BY hospitality and goodliness was Lot saved out of Sodom, when all the country round about was destroyed by fire and brimstone.
2 The Lord thereby making it manifest, that he will not forsake those that trust in him; but will bring the disobedient to punishment and correction.
3 For his wife who went out with him, being of a different mind, and not continuing in the same obedience, was for that reason set forth for an example, being turned into a pillar of salt unto this day.
4 That so all men may know, that those who are double minded, and distrustful of the power of God, are prepared for condemnation, and to be a sign to all succeeding ages.
5 By faith and hospitality was Rahab the harlot saved. For when the spies were sent by Joshua the son of Nun to search out Jericho, and the