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.

For ye haue heard of my conuersacion in tyme paste, in the Iewes waye, how that beyond measure, I persecuted the congregacion of god, and spoyled it, and preuayled in the Iewes waye, aboute many of my companions in myne owne nacion, beyng a very seruent mainteiner of the tradicions of the elders.

Of this my tale I thynke you not ignoraunt, who of lykelyhod by re∣port knowe, after what sorte I vsed my selfe vnder the Iewes lawe, for loue borne therto so greatly abhorryng the gospell of Christ, whose secret knowledge I had not yet receyued, that by all the meanes I could. I per∣secuted the new congregacion, which at that tyme by the spirite of god be∣gan to be gathered to the doctrine of the gospell, and with the moste tyrā∣nie I could, destroyed them, thinking in the meane season, that I dyd a noble acte & suche an acte as hyghlye pleased god, whyles in dede lyke a foole ignorauntly I fought agaynst god.

And surely the matier went well forwarde: for in my Iewyshe profession, whome onely at that tyme I thought good and godly, among my com∣panions I got the prayse, that I passed well nyghe all that werre of my companions, for that rekened more holy and religiouse, because I more styfly cleaued vnto my forefathers lawes: in so doyng being deceaued for lacke of ryght iudgemēt and knowledge, and not for lacke of a good intēt & purpose, & for a zeale borne to the law resisting the maker therof. Which blyndnes it pleased god by his secrete counsel to suffer for a tyme, to then∣tent that I beyng sodenly chaunged from so great a bolsterer of the lawe into a preacher of the gospel, myght by myne example drawe and prouoke many to Christe.