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4.
1
BE not deceived, my brethren: those that [*170:12] corrupt families inherit adultery, shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
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4.
2
If therefore they who do this according to the flesh, [*170:13] have suffered death; how much more shall he die, who by his wicked doctrine corrupts the faith of God, for which Christ was crucified?
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3
[*170:14] He that is thus defiled, shall depart into unquenchable fire, and so also shall he that [*170:15] hearkens to him.
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4
For this cause did the Lord [*170:16] suffer the ointment to be poured on his head; that he might breathe the breath of immortality unto his church.
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4.
5
Be not ye therefore anointed with the evil savour of the doctrine of the prince of this world: let him not take you captive from the life that is set before you.
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4.
6
And why are we not all wise, seeing we have receive the knowledge of God, which is Jesus Christ? Why [*171:1] do we suffer ourselves foolishly to perish; [*171:2] not considering the gift which the Lord has truly sent to us?
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4.
7
[*171:3] Let my life be sacrificed for the doctrine of the cross; which is indeed a scandal to the unbelievers, but to us is salvation and life eternal.
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8
[*171:4] Where is the wise man? Where is the disputer? Where is the boasting of those who are called wise?
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4.
9
For our God Jesus Christ was according to the dispensation of God [*171:5] conceived in the womb of Mary, of the seed of David, [*171:6] by the Holy Ghost; [*171:7] he was born and baptized, that through his passion he might purify water, to the washing away of sin.
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4.
10
Now the Virginity of Mary, and he who was born of her, was kept in secret from the prince of this world; as was also the death of our Lord: three of the [*171:8] mysteries the most spoken of throughout the world, yet done in [*171:9] secret by God.
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4.
11
How then was our Saviour manifested to the world? A star shone in heaven beyond all the other stars, and its light was inexpressible, and its novelty struck terror into men's minds. All the rest of the stars, together with the sun and moon, were the chorus to this star; but that sent out its light exceedingly above them all.
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4.
12
And men [*171:10] began to be troubled to think whence this [*171:11] new star came so unlike to [*171:12] all the others.
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4.
13
Hence all the power of magic became dissolved; and every bond of wickedness was [*171:13] destroyed: men's ignorance was taken away; and the old kingdom abolished; God himself [*171:14] appearing in the form of a man, for the renewal of eternal life.
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4.
14
From thence began what God had prepared: from thenceforth things were disturbed; forasmuch as he designed to abolish death.
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4.
15
But if Jesus Christ shall give me grace through your prayers, and it be his will, I purpose in a second epistle which I will suddenly write unto you to manifest to you more fully the dispensation of which I have now begun to speak, unto the new man, which is Jesus Christ; both in his faith, and charity; in his suffering, and in his resurrection.
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4.
16
Especially if the Lord shall [*171:15] make known unto me, that ye all by name come together in common in one faith, and in one Jesus Christ; who was of the race of David according to the flesh; the Son of man, and Son of God; [*171:16] obeying your bishop and the presbytery with an entire [*171:17] affection; breaking one and the same bread, which is the medicine of immortality; our antidote that we should not die, but live forever in Christ Jesus.
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4.
17
My soul be for yours, and theirs whom ye have sent to the glory of God, even unto Smyrna; from whence also I write to you; giving thanks unto the Lord and loving Polycarp even as I do you. Remember me, as Jesus Christ does remember you.
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4.
18
Pray for the church which is in Syria, from whence I am carried bound to Rome; being the least of all the faithful which are there, as I have been thought worthy to be found to the glory of God.
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4.
19
Fare ye well in God the Father, and in Jesus Christ, our common Hope. Amen.
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4.
Footnotes ^170:12 The corrupters of houses. 1 Cor. vi. 9, 10.
^170:13 1 Cor. x. 8.
^170:14 Such a one being become defiled.
^170:15 Hears him.
^170:16 Receives ointment. Psalm xliv. 8, cxxxii. 2.
^171:1 Are we foolishly destroyed?
^171:2 Not knowing.
^171:3 See Dr. Smith's note in loc. 1 Cor. i. 18, 23, 24.
^171:4 1 Cor. i. 20.
^171:5 Carried.
^171:6 But by.
^171:7 Who was.
^171:8 Mysteries of noise.
^171:9 Silence or quietness. See Rom. xvi. 25.
^171:10 There was a disorder.
^171:11 Novelty.
^171:12 Them.
^171:13 Disappeared.
^171:14 Being made manifest.
^171:15 Reveal.
^171:16 That ye may obey.
^171:17 Mind.
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