The seconde tome or volume of the Paraphrase of Erasmus vpon the Newe Testament conteynyng the epistles of S. Paul, and other the Apostles : wherunto is added a paraphrase vpon the reuelacion of S. John.

The texte.

Furthermore brethren praye ye for vs, that the worde of God maye haue passage, and be gloryfyed, as it is also with you: and that we maye be delyuered from vnreasonable and fro∣ward men. For al men haue not fayth: but the Lord is faythfull, which shall stablyshe you, and preserue you from cuyll. We haue confydence thorowe the Lorde to you warde, that ye bothe do, and wyl do the thynges which we commaunde you. And the Lorde gyde your hertes to the loue of God and pacience of Chryste.

FVrthermore brethren, like as we in oure supplicaci∣ons to god helpe foreward the busynesse of your sal∣uacion, euen so it is reasō, that you in semblable case set forward the thinges that I goe about with your prayers to him also: that like as the doctrine of the gospel had spedy & prosperous encrease among you, so it may runne abrode and be published among all menne. For the more spedynesse whereof, praye you, that we maye through his helpe be delyuered from suche men as be peruerse and frowarde, whiche hyndre withall theyr

possible meanes, that the doctrine of Christe be not sowen without lette or hinderaunce. For all they beleue not the Gospell that heare the Gos∣pell: and yet there is no cause why you should not beleue, for all theyr wicked endeuours. They spurne against the Gospell, but they shall not spurne it away, for it hath a sure protectour euen the Lord Iesus, which shall make you stedfaste against their vnruly wickednesse, and kepe you from euill, and finishe that he hath begunne in you, because he is true in his promisses. He will not fayle to succoure you, so that you fayle not to fo∣lowe his goodnesse: he will helpe, but whom▪ those that are diligent ende∣uourers. Thus we speake, not that we doubt of your constant stedfast∣nes, but we haue rather a firme trust of you, that lyke as by the helpe of the Lord Iesu you doe as we gaue you in commaundemēt, so ye wil doe stil hereafter. To conclude, the Lord Iesus with his grace gouerne your hartes, that they may goe on in the right course, and grow forward in the charitie of God, and in the loking for Iesu Christ. Charitie wil cause you, to study continually to deserue well of all men, like as God is bounteons∣ly good to all men: and the lokyng for Christes commyng, shall make you to abyde manfully all maner of affliccions.