The Bible and Holy Scriptures conteyned in the Olde and Newe Testament. Translated according to the Ebrue and Greke, and conferred with the best translations in diuers languges. VVith moste profitable annotations vpon all the hard places, and other things of great importance as may appeare in the epistle to the reader

THE SECONDE EPISTLE general of Peter.

THE ARGVMENT.

THe effect of the Apostle here is to exhorte them which haue once 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the true faith of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, to stande to the same euen to the last breath: also that God by his effectual grace towardesmen moueth them to holines of life, in pu∣nishing the hypocrites which abuse his Name, and in increasing his gifts in the godlie: wherefore by godlie life he being now almost at deaths dore, exhorteth them to approue their vocation, not setting their affection on worldlie things [as he had oft writ vnto them] but lifting their eyes towarde heauen, as they be taught by the Gospel, whereof he is a cleare witnes chiefly in that he heard with his owne eares that Christ was proclaimed from heauen to be the Sonne of God, as likewise the Prophetes testified. And lest they shulde promise to them selues quietnes by professing the Gospel, he warneth them bothe of troubles which they shulde susteine by the false teachers, and also by the mockers and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of religion, whose maners and trade he liuely setteth forthe as in a table: aduertising the faithful not onely to waite diligently for Christ, but also to beholde presently the day of his comming, and to preserue them selues vnspotted against the same.

CHAP. I.

4 Forasmuche as the power of God hathe giuen them all things perteining vnto life, he exhorteth them to flee the corruption of worldlie lusts, 10 To make their calling sure with good, workes, and frutes of faith. 14 He ma∣keth mention of his owne death, 17 Declaring the Lord Iesus to be the true Sonne of God, as he him self had sene vpon the mounte.

1 SIMON Peter a ser∣uant and an Apostle of IESVSCRIST to you which haue obteined like pre∣cious faith with vs by thea 1.1 rightousnes of our God and Sa∣uiour Iesus Christ.

2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you, by the knowledge of God and of Iesus our Lord,

3 According as hisb 1.2 godlie power hathe gi∣uen vnto vs all things that (perteine) vntoc 1.3 life and godlines,d 1.4 through the knowledge of him that hathe called vs“ 1.5 vnto glorie and vertue.

4 Whereby most great, and precious promises are giuen vnto vs, that by them ye shulde be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of thee 1.6 godlie nature, in that ye flee the corruption, which is in the worlde through lust.

5 Therefore giue euen all diligence thereunto ioyne moreouerf 1.7 vertue with your faith: and with vertue, knowledge:

6 And with knowledge, temperāce: and with temperance, pacience: and with pacience, godlines:

7 And with godlines, brotherlie kindenes: and with brotherlie kindenes, loue.

8 For if these things be among you, and abun de, they wil make you that ye nether shalbe ydle, nor vnfruteful in the knowledge of our Lord Iesus Christ.

9 For he that hathe not these things, is blinde, andg 1.8 can not se farre of, and hathe forgotten that he was purged from his olde sinnes.

10 Wherefore, brethren, giue rather diligence to make your calling and electionh 1.9 sure: for if ye do these things, ye shal neueri 1.10 fall.

11 For by this meanes an entring shalbe mini∣stred vnto you abundātly into the euerlastiug kingdom of our Lord & Sauiour Iesus Christ.

12 Wherefore, I wil not be negligent to put you alwais in remembrance of these things, thogh that ye haue knowledge, and be sta∣blished in the present trueth.

13 For I thinke it mete as long as I am in thisk 1.11 tabernacle, to stirre you vp by putting you in remembrance.

14 Seing I knowe that the time is at hand that I must lay downe this my tabernacle, euen as* 1.12 our Lord Iesus Christ hathe * she wed me.

15 I wil endeuour therefore alwaise, that ye al∣so may be able to haue remembrāce of these* 1.13 things after my departing.

16 For we folowed not *“ 1.14 deceiueable fables when we opened vnto you the power, and comming of our Lord Iesus Christ, but with

our eyes we saw his maiestie:

17 For he receiued of God the Father honour* 1.15 and glorie, whē there came suche a voyce to him frō the excellent glorie, * This is my be∣loued Sonne, in whome I am well pleased.

18 And this voyce we heard whē it came from heauē, being with him in thel 1.16 holye mounte.

19 We haue also a moste surem 1.17 worde of the Prophetes; to the whiche ye do well that ye take hede, as vnto a light that shineth in a darke place, vntil then 1.18 day dawne, and theo 1.19 daye starre arise in your hearts.

20 * So that ye first know this, that no pro∣phecie* 1.20 in the Scripture is ofp 1.21 anie priuate“ 1.22 motion.

21 For the Prophecie came not in olde time by the wil of man: but holie men of God spake as they were moued by the holie Gost.

CHAP. II.

He prophecieth of false teaches, and sheweth their pu∣nishment.

1 BVt * there were false prophetes also a∣mong* 1.23 the people, euen, as there shalbe* 1.24 false teachers among you: whiche priuely* 1.25 shal bring in dānable heresies, euen denying the Iord, that hathe boght them, and bryng vpon them selues swift damnation.

2 And manie shall followe their“ 1.26 damnable wayes, by whome the way of trueth shalbe euil spoken of.

3 And through couetousnes shall they with fained wordes makea 1.27 marchandise of you, whose iudgement long agone is not farre of and their damnation slepeth not.

4 For if God spared not the * Angels, that had sinned, but caste them downe into hell and deliuered them into chaines of darkenes, to be kept vnto damnation.

5 Nether hathe spared the olde worlde, but sa∣ued * Noe the eight (persone) a preacher of* 1.28 righteousnes, and broght in the flood vpon* 1.29 the worlde of the vngodlie.* 1.30

6 And * turned the cities of Sodome and* 1.31 Gomorrhe into ashes, condemned them and ouerthrewe thē, ād made them an ensample vnto them that after shulde liue vngodlie.

7 * And deliuered iuste Loth vexed with the* 1.32 vnclenlie conuersation of the wicked.

8 [For he being righteous, & dwellyng among them, in seing and hearing, vexed his righ∣teous soule from day to day with their vn∣lawful dedes.]

9 The Lorde knoweth to deliuer the godlye out of tentation, and to reserue the vniust vnto the day of iudgement to be punished:

10 And chiefely thē that walke after the flesh,* 1.33 in the lust of vnclennes, and despise the go∣uernement,* 1.34 (whiche are) presumpteous, and stand in their owne conceite, and feare not to speake euill of thē that are in dignitie.

11 Where as the Angels which are greater both in power and might, * giue notb 1.35 railing iud∣gement against them before the Lord.

12 But these asc 1.36 brute beasts, led with sensuali∣tie and made to be taken, and destroyed speake euil of those things which they kno∣we not, and shal perish through their owne corruption.

13 And shal receiue the wages of vnrighteous∣nes, as they which counte it pleasure to liue deliciously for a season. Spottes (they are) ād blottes,d 1.37 deliting them selues in their decei∣uings, in feasting with you.

14 Hauing eyes ful of adulterie, and that can not cease to sinne, beguiling vnstable soules they haue hearts exercised with couetousnes cursed children,

15 Whiche forsakyng the right waye, haue gone astraye, following the way of * Balaam, (the sonne) of Bosor, which loued the wages of vnrighteousnes.

16 But he was rebuked for his iniquitie: (for) the domme asse speaking with mans voyce,* 1.38 forbade the foolishnes of the Prophet.* 1.39

17 * These are welles without water, (and)e 1.40 * 1.41 cloudes caryed about with atēpest, to whom the blacke darkenes is reserued for euer.

18 For in speaking swelling wordes of vanitie they beguile with wantonnes through the lustes of the flesh them that were cleane esca ped from thē which are wrapped in errour.

19 Promising vnto them libertie, and are them selues the * seruants of corruption: for of* 1.42 who me so euer a man is ouer come, euen vn∣to* 1.43 the same is he in bondage.

20 * For if they, after they haue escaped from* 1.44 the filthines of the worlde, through thef 1.45 * 1.46 knowledge of the Lord, and of the Sauiour Iesus Chaist, are yet tangled againe therein, and ouercome, the latter end is worse with them then the beginning.

21 For it had bene better for them, not to haue knowen the way of righteousnes, then after they haue knowen it, to turne from the holie“ 1.47 commandement giuen vnto them.

22 But it is come vnto them, according to the true prouerbe, * The dogge is returned to* 1.48 his owne vomit: &, The sowe that was washed to the wallowing in the myer.

CHAP. III.

3 He sheweth the impitie of them which mocke at Gode promises. 7 After what sorte the end of the worlde shalbe. 8 That they prepare them selues thereunto. 16 who they are which abuse the writings of S. Paul, and the rest of the Scriptures, 18 Concluding with cternal thankes to Christ Iesus.

1 THis seconde Epistle I now write vnto you, beloued, where witha 1.49 stirre vp, and warne your pure mindes,

2 To call to remembrance the wordes, which were tolde before of the holie Prophetes, & also the commandement of vs the Apostles* 1.50 of the Lord and Sauiour.* 1.51 * 1.52

3 * This first vnderstand, that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shal come in the last dayes, mockers, which wil walke after their lustes,

4 And say, Where is the promes of his cōming for since the fathers dyed, all things continue a like from the beginning of the creation.

5 For this theyb 1.53 willingly knowe not, that the

heauens were of olde, and the earth that was of the water and by the water, by the worde of God.

6 Wherefore thec 1.54 worlde that then was, pe∣rished, ouer flowed with the water.

7 But the heauens and earth, whiche are now, are kept by the same worde in store, and re∣serued vnto fyre against the day of iudge∣ment, and of the destruction of vngodlie men.

8 Derely beloued, be not ignorant of this one* 1.55 thyng, that one day is with the Lorde, * as a thousand yeres, and a thousand yere, as one day,

9 The Lorde is not slacke concernyng (hys) promes [assome men count slackenes] but is* 1.56 pacient towarde vs, and *d 1.57 wolde haue no* 1.58 man to perish, but wolde all men to come to repentance.

10 *But the day of the Lord wil come as a thief in the night, in the whiche the heauens shall passe away with a noyce, and the elements shal melt with heate, and the earth with the workes, that are therin, shalbe burnt vp.

11 Seing therefore that all these things must be dissolued, what maner persones ought ye to* 1.59 be in holie conuersation and godlines.* 1.60

12 Loking for, and hasting vnto the comming* 1.61 of the day of God, by the which the heauens being on fyre, shalbe dissolued, and the ele∣ments shalt melt with heat?

13 But we loke for * new heauens, and a new* 1.62 earth, according to his promes, wherein* 1.63 dwelleth righteousnes.

14 Wherefore, beloued, seing that ye loke for suche things, be diligent that ye may be founde of him ine 1.64 peace, without spotte & blameles.* 1.65

15 * And suppose that the long suffring of our Lord is saluation, euen as our beloued bro∣ther Paul according to the wisdome giuen vnto him wrote tof 1.66 you.

16 As one, that in all (his) Epistles speaketh of these things: among the which some things areg 1.67 hard to be vnderstand, which they that are vnlearned and vnstable, peruert, as they (do) also other Scriptures vnto their owne destruction.

17 Ye therefore beloued, seing ye know these things before, beware, lest ye be also pluc∣ked away with the errour of the wicked, & fall from your owne stedfastnes.

18 But growe in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ: to hym (be) glorie bothe now and for euer more. Amen.* 1.68

Notes

• a 1.1

  In that he de∣clared him self iuste and faithful in accomplishing his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by Christ.
• b 1.2

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Christ as he is God ād Sauiour.
• c 1.3

  That is, salua∣tion.
• d 1.4

  The summe of our saluation and religion is to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by Christ to the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Who calleth vs in the Sonne.
• “ 1.5

  Or, through his glorie.
• e 1.6

  We are made partakers of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 nature, in that We 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the corruption of the World: or as Paul 〈◊〉〈◊〉, are dead to sinne and are not in the flesh.
• f 1.7

  Godlie maners.
• g 1.8

  The Greeke Worde signifieth him, that natural ly can not se, ex∣cept he holdeth nere his eyes So Peter calleth su∣che as can not se heauenlie things Which are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of, pure blinde or sand blinde.
• h 1.9

  A 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it be sure in it self fo∣rasmuche as God can not change: yet We must con 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 selues, by the fru∣tes of the Spirit, knowing that the purpose of God electeth, cal∣leth, sanctifieth, and iustifieth vs.
• i 1.10

  For God Wil euer vp holde you.
• k 1.11

  In this bodie 2. Cor. 5. 3.
• * 1.12

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 21. 19.
• * 1.13

  1. Cor. 1. 17. & 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• “ 1.14

  Or, sophistical and 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.15

  Mat. 17, 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• l 1.16

  For by Christs presence it Was for the time holie
• m 1.17

  That is the do∣ctrine of the Pro 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• n 1.18

  A 〈◊〉〈◊〉 knowledge then vnder the Law.
• o 1.19

  Meaning Christ the sunne of iu∣stice by his Gos∣pel.
• * 1.20

  2. Tim. 3. 16.
• p 1.21

  Cometh not of men.
• “ 1.22

  Or, interpreta∣tion.
• * 1.23

  Act. 20. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.24

  1. Tim. 4. 2.
• * 1.25

  Iud. 11.
• “ 1.26

  Or, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉〈◊〉,
• a 1.27

  This is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sene in the Pope and his Priests, Whiche by lies & flatteries sel mēs soules, so that it iscerteine that he is not the succes∣sour of Simon Pe ter, but of Simon Magus.
• * 1.28

  Iob. 4. 18.
• * 1.29

  Iude. 6.
• * 1.30

  Gen. 7. 2.
• * 1.31

  Gen. 19. 24.
• * 1.32

  Gen. 19. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.33

  1. King. 22. 22.
• * 1.34

  Iob. 1. 12.
• b 1.35

  Albeit the An gels condemne the vice and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Wicked anagistrates, yet they blame not the autoritie and power Which is giuen thē of God
• c 1.36

  As beasts With∣out reasō or Wit followe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 nature leadeth them: so these Wicked mē desti 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Spirit of God, onely seke to fulfil 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sensualitie, and as they are vessels made to destru∣ctiō, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to this iudge∣ment, so thei 〈◊〉〈◊〉 into the snares of Satan to their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 struction.
• d 1.37

  For in your 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lie feasts they sit as members of the Church Where as in dede they be but spottes, & so deceiue you, read Iude 12.
• * 1.38

  Nomb. 22, 23.
• * 1.39

  Iude 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• e 1.40

  Thei haue some appearance out∣Warde, but With in they are drie and barren or at moste they cause but a tempest.
• * 1.41

  Iude 12.
• * 1.42

  Iohn. 8. 34.
• * 1.43

  Rom. 6. 20.
• * 1.44

  Mat. 12. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• f 1.45

  Which com∣meth by hearing the Gospel prea∣ched.
• * 1.46

  Ebr. 6. 4. & 10 16.
• “ 1.47

  Or, doctrine.
• * 1.48

  Proue 29. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• a 1.49

  For We fall quickely 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and forget that Which We 〈◊〉〈◊〉 taught.
• * 1.50

  1. Tim. 4. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.51

  2. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 3. 1.
• * 1.52

  Iude 18.
• b 1.53

  He 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them Which had once professed Christian religiō, but became after Warde 〈◊〉〈◊〉 & mockers, as Epicurians 〈◊〉〈◊〉 atheistes.
• c 1.54

  As touching the beautie ther∣of, & things whi∣che were therein except thē which were in the arke
• * 1.55

  Psal. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 4.
• * 1.56

  Eze. 33. 32.
• d 1.57

  He 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not here of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and eternal counsel of God, whereby he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it pleaseth him, but of the preaching of the Gospell whereby all are called and biddē to the banket.
• * 1.58

  1. Tim. 2. 4.
• * 1.59

  Mat. 24. 44.
• * 1.60

  1. Thes. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 2.
• * 1.61

  Reuel. 3. 3. & 16. 15.
• * 1.62

  Isa. 65. 17. & 66. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.63

  Reuel. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 1.
• e 1.64

  In quiet con∣science.
• * 1.65

  Rom. 2. 4.
• f 1.66

  Albeit his epi∣stles were writ to peculiar Chur∣ches, yet they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a generall doctrine apper∣teining to al 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• g 1.67

  As no man 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the bright nes of the sunne because his eye is not able to sust 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ne the clearnes thereof: so the hardenes whiche we cannot some time compas or perfectly 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Scri ptures ought not to take away from vs 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.68

  "Or, 〈◊〉〈◊〉.