He exhorteth Priests to feed their flockes, only for Gods sake and reward of heauen.
without al lordlines. 5. the laie to obey: al to be humble one towards another. 8. to be
constant in the Catho. faith, considering it is not man, but that lion the Diuel that
persecuteth them, 9. as he doth the whole Church also, & that God wil after a while make them
secure in heauen.
1. THE Seniours therfore that are among you. I beseech, myself a fellow-Senior with
them & a witnesse of the Passions of Christ, who am also partaker of that glorie which is to
be reuealed in time to come:
2. feed the flock of God which is among you prouiding not by constraint, but willingly
according to God: neither for filthie lucre sake, but voluntarily:
3. neither as ouer-ruling the Clergie, but made examples of the flocke from the hart.
4. And when the Prince of pastours shal appeare, you shal receiue the incorruptible
crowne of glorie.
5. In like manner ye yong men be subiect to the Seniours. And doe ye al insinuate
humilitie one to another, because God resisteth the proud, and to the humble he giueth grace.
6. Be ye humbled thefore vnder the mightie hand of God, that he may exalt you in the
time of visitation:
7. casting al your carefulnes vpon him, because he hath care of you.
8. Be sober and watch: because your aduersarie the Diuel as a roaring lion goeth about,
seeking whom he may deuoure.
9. Whom resist ye, strong in faith: knowing that the self-same affliction is made to
that your Fraternitie which is in the world.
10. But the God of al grace, which hath called vs vnto his eternal glorie in Christ
Iesvs, he wil perfit you hauing suffered a litle, and confirme, and stablish you.
11. To him be glorie and empire for euer and euer. Amen.
12. By Syluanus, a faithful Brother to you, as I thinke, I haue briefely written:
beseeching & testifying that this is the true grace of God, wherein you stand.
13. The Church saluteth you, that is in Babylon, coelect: and Marke my sonne.
14. Salute one another in a holy kisse. Grace be to al you which are in Christ
Iesvs. Amen.