Chapter 1

1Preface to the Epistle . ALL happiness to you my sons and daughters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who loved us, in peace.
2Having perceived abundance of knowledge of the great and excellent laws of God to be in you, I exceedingly rejoice in your blessed and admirable souls, because ye have so worthily received the grace which was grafted in you.
3For which cause I am full of joy, hoping the rather to he saved; inasmuch as I truly see a spirit infused into you, from the pure fountain of God:
4Having this persuasion, and being fully convinced thereof, because that since I have begun to speak unto you, I have had a more than ordinary good success in the way of the law of the Lord which is in Christ.
5For which cause brethren, I also think verily that I love you above my own soul: because that therein dwelleth the greatness of faith and charity, as also the hope of that life which is to come.
6Wherefore considering this, that if I shall take care to communicate to you a part of what I have received, it shall turn to my reward, that I have served such good souls; I gave diligence to write in a few words unto you; that together with your faith, knowledge also may be perfect.
7There are therefore three things ordained by the Lord; the hope of life; the beginning and the completion of it.
8For the Lord hath both declared unto us, by the prophets those things that are past; and opened to us the beginnings of those that are to come.
9Wherefore, it will behoove us, as he has spoken, to come more holily, and nearer to his altar.
10I therefore, not as a teacher, but as one of you, will endeavour to lay before you a few things by which you may, on many accounts, become the more joyful.