¶ Thou therefore my son be strong in the grace that is in Christ Iesu. And what things thou hast heard of me, many bearing witness, the same deliver to faithful men, which are apt to teach other. Thou therefore suffer affliction as a good soldier of Iesu Christ. No man that warreth, entangleth himself with worldly business, and that because he would please him that hath chosen him to be a soldier. And though a man strive for a mastery, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. The husbandman that laboureth must first receive of the fruits. Consider what I say. The Lord give thee understanding in all things.
¶ Remember that Iesus Christ being of the seed of David, rose again from death according to my gospell, wherein I suffer trouble as an evil doer, even unto bonds. But the word of God was not bound. Herefore I suffer all things, for the elects' sakes, that they might also obtain that health which is in Christ Iesu, with eternal glory.
¶ It is a true saying, if we be dead with him, we also shall live with him. If we be patient, we shall also reign with him. If we deny him, he also shall deny us. If we believe not, yet abideth he faithful. He cannot deny himself. Of these things put them in remembrance, and testify before the Lord, that they strive not about words, which is to no profit, but to pervert the hearers.
¶ Study to shew thyself laudable unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, dividing the word of truth justly. Unghostly and vain voices pass over. For they shall increase unto greater ungodliness, and their words shall fret even as doth a cancre: of whose number is Hymeneos and Philetos, which as concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past all ready, and do destroy the faith of diverse persons.
¶ But the sure ground of God remaineth, and hath this seal: the Lord knoweth them that are his, and let every man that calleth on the name of Christ, depart from iniquity. Notwithstanding in a great house are not only vessels of gold and of silver: but also of wood and of earth: Some for honour, and some unto dishonour. If a man purge himself from such fellows, he shall be a vessel sanctified unto honour meet for the Lord, and prepared unto all good works.
¶ Lusts of youth avoid, and follow righteousness, faith, love, and peace, with them that call on the Lord with pure heart. Foolish and unlearned questions put from thee, remembering that they do but make strife. But the servant of the Lord must not strive: but must be peaceable unto all men, and ready to teach, and one that can suffer the evil in meekness, and can inform them that resist, if that God at any time will give them repentance for to know the truth: that they may wake out of sleep again, out of the snare of the devil, which are now taken of him at his will.
© Faith of God
William Tyndale 1526