well-pleasing unto God: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him.

By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out unto a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he became a sojourner in the land of promise, as in a land not his own, dwelling in tents, with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: for he looked for the city which hath the foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having confessed that on the earth they were strangers and pilgrims. For they that say such things make it manifest that they are seeking after a country of their own. And if indeed they had been mindful of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw he was a goodly child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to be evil entreated with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; ac

counting the reproach of the Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he looked unto the recompense of reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

And what shall I more say? for the time will fail me if I tell of all those who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong. Others had trial of mocking and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tempted, they were slain with the sword: they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves, and the holes of the earth. And these all, having had witness borne to them through their faith, received not the promise, God having provided some better thing concerning us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with stedfastness the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

HEBREWS XII, XIII

Follow after peace with all men, and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord: looking carefully lest there be any man that falleth short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby the many be defiled; lest there be any among you like Esau, who for one mess of pottage sold his birthright.

Let love of the brethren continue. Yea, unto strangers forget not to shew love: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; them that are ill-treated, as being yourselves in the body.

Let your turn of mind be free from the love of money; content with such things as ye have: for himself hath said:

I will in no wise fail thee,

Neither will I in any wise forsake thee.

Remember them that spake unto you the word of God; and considering the issue of their life, imitate their faith. Be not carried away by divers and strange teachings: for it is good that the heart be established by grace; not by meats, wherein they that occupied themselves were not profited. But to do good and to communicate forget not; for with such things God is well pleased.

Now the God of peace make you perfect in every good thing to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight.

THE EPISTLE

OF JAMES

JAMES I, V

I Corinthians x. Jude

Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing that the proving of your faith worketh patience. And let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it, until it receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient, and establish your hearts.

Take, brethren, for an example of suffering and of patience, the prophets who spake in the name of the Lord. Behold, we count them happy which endured. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord, how that the Lord is full of pity, and merciful. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he hath been approved, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to them that love him.

But let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he himself any man: but each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. Howbeit. there hath no temptation taken

you but such as man can bear: for God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able

to endure it.

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to set you before the presence of his glory without blemish in exceeding joy, to the only God our Saviour, be glory, majesty, dominion and power, before all time, and now, and for evermore.

JAMES I

If any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing doubting: for he that doubteth is like the surge of the sea driven by the wind and tossed. Let not that man think that he shall receive anything from the Lord; a doubleminded man, unstable in all his ways!

Be not deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect boon is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast by turning. Of his own will brought he us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Ye know this, my beloved brethren. But let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow

to wrath: for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Wherefore putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness,