The Rheims New Testament (1582) — Ephesians

Saint Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians, as printed in the Rheims New Testament of 1582, the English Catholic translation made from the Latin Vulgate at the English College, then in exile at Rheims, chiefly by Gregory Martin. The page gives the edition's argument of the book, all 6 chapters, each with its printed summary, every verse in the original spelling, and the marginal notes (cross-references, the days on which passages are read, and other readings); the edition's annotations follow 4 of the 6 chapters, as printed.

The Argument

❧ THE ARGVMENT OF THE EPISTLE OF S. PAVL TO THE EPHESIANS.

OF S. Paules firſt comming to Epheſus, and ſhort abode there, vve reade Act. 18. And immediatly Act. 19. of his returning thither according to his promiſe. vvhat time he abode there three moneths, ſpeaking to the Ievves in the Synagogue. Act. 19. v. 8. and aftervvard apart from them (becauſe they vvere obſtinate) tvvo yeres in a certaine ſchoole, ſo that al that dvvelt in Aſia, heard the vvord of our Lord, Ievves and Gentiles. Act. 19. v. 10. The vvhole time himſelf calleth three yeres, in his exhortation at Milétum to the Cleargie of Epheſus. Act. 20. v. 31.

After all this he vvriteth this Epiſtle vnto them from Rome (as it is ſaid) being then priſoner and in chaines. and that as it ſeemeth, not the firſt time of his being in bonds there, vvhereof vve reade Act. 28: but the ſecond time, vvhereof vve reade in the Eccleſiaſticall Stories aftervvard: becauſe he ſaith in this Epiſtle c. 6. v. 21. Tychicus vvil certifie you of al things, vvhom I haue ſent to you. Of vvhom againe in the 2. to Tim. c. 4. v. 12. he ſaith: Tychicus I haue ſent to Epheſus, And the ſaid, 2. Epiſtle to Timothee (no doubt) vvas vvritten very litle before his death: for in it thus he ſaith: I am euen novv to be ſacrificed, & the time of my reſolution is at hand. 2. Tim. 4, 6. [Margin: Eph. 3. v. 1. & 4. v. 1. Eph. 6. v. 20.]

In the three firſt chapters, he commendeth vnto them the grace of God, in caling of the Gentiles no leſſe then the Ievves, and making one bleſſed Church of both. Vvherein his intention is to moue them to perſeuêre (for othervviſe they ſhould be paſsing vngratefull) and ſpecially not to be moued vvith his trouble, vvho vvas their Apoſtle: knovving (belike) that it vvould be a great tentation vnto them, if they ſhould heare ſoone after, that he vvere executed: therfore alſo arming them in the end of the Epiſtle, as it vvere in complete harneſſe. [Margin: * See Act. 20. v. 25. 32.]

In the other three chapters he exhorteth them to good life, in all pointes, and all ſtates, as it becommeth Chriſtians: and afore all other things, that they be moſt ſtudious to continue in the vnitie of the Church, and obedience of the paſtors thereof, vvhom Chriſt hath giuen to continue and to be our ſtay againſt all Heretikes, from his Aſcenſion, euen to the full building vp of his Church in the end of the vvorld.

Chapter 1

He magnifieth the grace of Gods eternal predeſtination and temporal vecation, 11 both of the Ievves, 13 and alſo of the Epheſians being Gentils, 13 for vvhoſe excellent faith and charitie he reioyceth, and continually praieth for their increaſe, that they may ſee more cleerly the greatnes both of the inheritance in heauen, and alſo of Gods might vvhich helpeth them therevnto: 20 an example of vvhich might they may behold in the ſupereminent exalting of Chriſt.

1 PAVL an Apoſtle of IESVS Chriſt by the vvil of God: to al the ſaincts that are at Epheſus: and to the faithful in Chriſt IESVS.

2 Grace to you and peace from God our father, and our Lord IESVS Chriſt.

3 Bleſſed be God and the Father of our Lord IESVS Chriſt, vvhich hath bleſſed vs in al ſpiritual bleſſing, in coeleſtials, in Chriſt:

4 as he choſe vs in him before the conſtitution of the vvorld, that vve ſhould be holy and immaculate in his ſight in charitie.

5 Vvho hath predeſtinated vs vnto the adoption of ſonnes, by IESVS Chriſt, vnto him ſelf: according to the purpoſe of his vvil:

6 vnto the praiſe of the glorie of his grace, vvherein he hath gratified vs in his beloued ſonne.

7 In vvhom vve haue redemption by his bloud (the remiſſion of ſinnes) according to the riches of his grace.

8 Vvhich hath ſuperabounded in vs in al vviſedō and prudence,

9 that he might make knovven vnto vs the ſacrament of his vvil, according to his good pleaſure, vvhich he purpoſed in him ſelf,

10 in the diſpenſation of the fulnes of times, to perfit al things in Chriſt, that are in heauen and in earth, in him.

11 In vvhom vve alſo are called by lot: predeſtinate according to the purpoſe of him that vvorketh al things, according to the counſel of his vvil:

12 that vve may be vnto the praiſe of his glorie, vvhich before haue hoped in Chriſt:

13 in vvhom you alſo, vvhen you had heard the vvord of truth (the Goſpel of your ſaluation:) in vvhich alſo beleeuing you vvere ſigned vvith the holy Spirit of promis,

14 vvhich is the pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of acquiſition, vnto the praiſe of his glorie.

15 Therfore I alſo hearing your faith that is in our Lord IESVS, and loue tovvard al the ſainctes:

16 ceaſe not to giue thankes for your, making a memorie of you in my praiers,

17 that God of our Lord IESVS Chriſt, the father of glorie, giue you the ſpirit of vviſedom and of reuelation, in the knovvledge of him,

18 the eies of your hart illuminated, that you may knovv vvhat the hope is of his vocation, and vvhat are the riches of the glorie of his inheritance in the ſainctes,

19 and vvhat is the paſſing greatnes of his povver tovvard vs that beleeue: according to the operation of the might of his povver,

20 vvhich he vvrought in Chriſt, raiſing him vp from the dead, and ſetting him on his right hand in celeſtials,

21 aboue ″ al Principalitie & Poteſtate & Power, and Domination, and euery name that is named not only in this vvorld, but alſo in that to come.

22 And he hath * ſubdued al things vnder his feete: and hath made him ″ head ouer al the CHVRCH,

23 vvhich is his body, the fulnes of him vvhich is filled al in al.

Marginal notes to Chapter 1

• v. 4 ⸬ Vve learne here that by Gods grace men be holy and immaculate, not onely in the ſight of men, nor by imputation, but truely and before God: contrarie to the Doctrine of the Caluiniſtes.
• v. 6 ᶜ ⟨non-Latin script⟩
• v. 10 ᶜ ⟨non-Latin script⟩
• v. 13 ⸬ Some referre this to the grace of Baptiſme: but to many learned it ſeemeth that the Apoſtle alludeth to the giuing of the Holy Ghoſt in the Sacrament of Confirmation, by ſigning the baptized with the ſigne of the Croſſe & holy Chriſme. For that vvas the vſe in the Apoſtles time, as els where we haue prooued. Annot. Act. 8.
• v. 21 Pſ. 8, 8.
• v. 23 ⸬ Chriſt is not ful, vvhole, and perfect without the church no more then the head without the body,

Annotations to Chapter 1

ANNOTATIONS CHAP. I.

21. Al Principalitie.] The Fathers vpon this, and other places of the old and new Teſtament, vvhere they finde the orders of holy Angels or ſpirites named, agree that there be nine orders of them. Of vvhich ſome be here counted and called, as vve ſee: in the Epiſtle to the Coloſsians, the order of Thrones is ſpecified, vvhich maketh fiue: to vvhich if vve adde theſe foure, Cherubim, Seraphim, Angels, and Archangels, vvhich are commonly named in holy vvrite, in al there be nine. S. Denys coel. Hier. c. 7. 8. 9. & Ec. Hier. c. 1. S. Athanaſ. li de Communi eſſent. in fine. Gregor, Moral. li. 32. c. 18. Therfore, good Reader, make no accoumpt of * Caluins and others infidelitie, vvhich blaſphemouſly blame and condemne the holy doctors diligence in this point of curiouſitie and impietie. The vvhole endeuour of theſe heretikes is, to bring al into doubt, and to corrupt euery Article of our Religion. [Margin: Nine orders of Angels. · Cal. vpon this place.]

22. Head.] It maketh a high proofe among the Proteſtants, that no man can be head of the Church, becauſe it is a calling and dignitie proper to Chriſt. But in truth by as good reaſon there ſhould be no king nor lord, becauſe, He is king and lord. neither ſhould there be Biſhop or Paſtor, becauſe he is the Biſhop and Paſtor of our ſoules: nor Pontifex nor Apoſtle, for by thoſe titles S. Paul termeth him Hebr. 3: none ſhould be piller, foundation, rocke, light, or maiſter of the Church or truth, becauſe Chriſt is properly al theſe. And yet our nevv doctors (though they be exceding ſeditious and vvould for the aduantage of their ſect be gladly ridde of kings and al other Superiors temporal, if they feared not the ſword more then God, and vvould finde as good Scriptures to be deliuered of them, as they now finde to diſcharge them ſelues of obedience to Popes:) yet (I ſay) they vvil not deny, al the former titles and dignities (notvvithſtanding Chriſtes ſoueraine right in the ſame) to be giuen and communicated to the Princes and Magiſtrates of the earth both ſpiritual and temporal, though Chriſt in a more diuine, ample, abſolute, excellent, and tranſcendent ſort, haue al theſe things attributed or appropriated to him ſelf. So then, though he be the head of the Church, and the onely head in ſuch ſoueraine and principal maner, as no earthly man or mere creature euer is or can be, and it ioyned to the Church in a more excellent ſort of coniunction, then any king is to his ſubiects or Countrie, or any Pope or Prelate to the Church vvhereof he is gouernour, euen ſo, farre that it is called his body Myſtical: life, motion, ſpirit, grace iſſuing dovvne from him to it and the members of the ſame, as from the head of the natural body▪ though in this ſort (we ſay) no man can be head but Chriſt, nor the Church be body to any but to Chriſt: yet the Pope may be the miniſterial head, that is to ſay, the cheefe Gouernour, Paſtor, and Prelate of the ſame, and may be his Vicar or Vicegerent in the regiment of that part vvhich is in earth▪ as S. Hierom calleth Damaſus the Pope, Summum Sacerdotem, the cheefe and higheſt Prieſt: and the Apoſtle ſaith of this miniſterial head, The head can not ſay to the feete, you are not neceſſarie for me. For therein alſo is a great difference betvvene Chriſt and euery mortal I relate, that (as the Apoſtle here ſaith) he is head of the vvhole Church, meaning of the triumphāt (& of al Angels alſo though in an other ſort) no leſſe thē of the Church militāt. So Peter vvas not, nor any Pope, nor any man can be. Where you muſt obſerue, that for this ſoueraine preeminence of Chriſt in this caſe, the Church is not called the body myſtical of any Gouernour, Peter, Paul, or vvhat Prelate or Pope ſo euer. [Margin: As Chriſt is king, and yet men are kings alſo: ſo Chriſt is head of the Church, and yet man may be head thereof alſo. · Apoc. 19. · 1 Pet. 2, 25. · Chriſt is head of his Church in a far more excellent ſort, then any man can be. · Hiero. ep. 123. · 1. Cor. 12, 21.]

Chapter 2

He putteth them in minde of their vnvvorthines before they vvere Chriſtians: that al the praiſe may be giuen to the grace of God: 11 and of the enmitie that vvas th⟨illegible⟩ betvvene the Ievv and the Gentil: ⟨illegible⟩ vntil nevv that Chriſt by his Croſſe hath made both one, taking avvay the cerem⟨illegible⟩nies of the Lavv, and making one body, and building one holy Temple, of al, in his Catholike Church.

1 AND you vvhen you vvere dead by your offenſes & ſinnes,

2 vvherein ſometime you vvalked according to the courſe of this vvorld, according to the * prince of the povver of this aire, of the ſpirit that novv vvorketh on the childrē of diffidence,

3 in vvhom alſo vve al conuerſed ſometime in the deſires of our fleſh, doing the vvil of the fleſh and of thoughtes, and vvere by nature the children of vvrath as alſo the reſt:

4 but God (vvhich is riche in mercie) for his exceding charitie vvhervvith he loued vs,

5 euen vvhen vve vvere dead by ſinnes, quickened vs together in Chriſt, (by vvhoſe grace you are ſaued,)

6 and raiſed vs vp vvith him, and hath made vs ſit vvith him in the celeſtials in Chriſt IESVS,

7 that he might ſhevv in the vvorldes ſucceding, the aboundant riches of his grace, in bountie vpon vs in Chriſt IESVS.

8 For by ″ grace you are ſaued through faith (and that not of your ſelues, for it is the gift of God)

9 not of vvorkes, that no man glorie

10 For vve are his vvorke, created in Chriſt IESVS in good vvorkes, vvhich God hath prepared that vve ſhould vvalke in them.

11 For the vvhich cauſe be mindeful that ſometime you vvere Gentils in the fleſh, vvho vvere * called prepuce, of that vvhich is called circumciſion in the fleſh, made vvith hand:

12 vvho vvere at that time vvithout Chriſt, alienated from the conuerſation of Iſraël, and * ſtrangers of the teſtaments, hauing no hope of the promis, and vvithout God in this vvorld.

13 But novv in Chriſt IESVS, you that ſometime vvere farre of, are made nigh in the bloud of Chriſt.

14 For he is our peace, vvho hath made both one, and diſſoluing the middle vvall of the partition, the enmities in his fleſh:

15 euacuating the lavv of cōmaundements in decrees: that he may create the tvvo in him ſelf into one new man, making peace,

16 and may reconcile both in one body to God by the croſſe, killing the enmities in him ſelf.

17 And comming he euangelized peace to you that vvere farre of, and peace to them that vvere nigh.

18 For * by him vve haue acceſſe both in one Spirit to the Father.

19 Novv then you are not ſtrangers and forreiners: but you are citizens of the ſainctes, and the domeſticals of God,

20 ″ built vpon the foundation of the Apoſtles and Prophets, IESVS Chriſt him ſelf being the higheſt corner ſtone:

21 in vvhom al building framed together, grovveth into an holy temple in our Lord,

22 in vvhom you alſo are built together into an habitation of God in the holy Ghoſt. ⊢

Marginal notes to Chapter 2

• v. 2 Eph. 6, 12.
• v. 9 ⸬ It is ſaid, not of workes as thine, of thy ſelf being vnto thee, but as thoſe in which God hath made, formed, and created thee. Aug. de gr. & lib. arbit. c. 8. & ſeq.
• v. 11 1. reg. 17, 26. Ezec 44, 7.
• v. 11 Ro. 9, 4.
• v. 15 ᶜ ⟨non-Latin script⟩.
• v. 17 Ro. 5, 2.
• v. 17 The Epiſtle for S. Thomas the Apoſtle. Decemb. 21.
• v. 19 ᶜ ⟨non-Latin script⟩

Annotations to Chapter 2

ANNOTATIONS CHAP. II.

⟨illegible⟩. By grace you are ſaued through faith.] Our firſt iuſtification is of Gods grace, and not of our deſeruings: becauſe none of al our actions that vvere before our iuſtification, could merite or iuſtly procure the grace of iuſtification. Againe, he ſaith, through faith: for that faith is the beginning, foundation, and roote of al iuſtification, and the firſt of al other vertues, vvithout which it is impoſsible to pleaſe God. [Margin: Our firſt iuſtificatiō of mere grace, & faith the foundatiō therof.]

20. Built vpon the foundation.] Note againſt the Heretikes that thinke it diſhonorable to Chriſt, to attribute his titles or callings to mortal men, that the faithful (though builded firſt, principally, and properly vpon Chriſt) yet are ſaid here to be built alſo vpon the Apoſtles and Prophets. Vvhy may not the Church then be builded vpon Peter? [Margin: The Church builded vpon Chriſt, and yet vpon the Apoſtles alſo.]

Chapter 3

For vvitneſsing the vocation of the Gentils, as being the Apoſtle of the Gentils, he is ⟨illegible⟩ priſon: 1⟨illegible⟩, Wherein the Gentils therfore haue cauſe to reioyce, rather then to ſhrinke. So he ſaith, 14 and alſo praieth to God (vvho is almightie) to confirmed their invvard man though the outvvard be infirmed by perſecutions.

1 FOR this cauſe, I Paul the priſoner of IESVS Chriſt, for you Gentiles:

2 if yet you haue heard the diſpenſation of the grace of God, vvhich is giuen me tovvard you,

3 becauſe according to reuelation the ſacrament vvas made knovven to me, as I haue vvrittē before in breife:

4 according as you reading may vnderſtand my vviſedom in the myſterie of Chriſt,

5 vvhich vnto other generations vvas not knovven to the ſonnes of men, as novv it is reuealed to his holy Apoſtles & Prophets in the Spirit.

6 The Gentils to be coheires & concorporat and comparticipant of his promis in Chriſt IESVS by the Goſpel:

7 vvhereof I am made a miniſter according to the gift of the grace of God, which is giuen me according to the operation of his povver.

8 To me * the leaſt of al the ſainctes is giuen this grace, among the Gentils to euangelize the vnſearcheable riches of Chriſt,

9 and to illuminate al men vvhat is the diſpenſatiō of the ſacrament hidden from vvorldes in God, vvho created al things:

10 that the manifold vviſedom of God, may be notified to the Princes and Poteſtats in the celeſtials by the Church,

11 according to the prefinitiō of worldes, vvhich he made in Chriſt IESVS our Lord.

12 In vvhom vve haue affiance and acceſſe in confidence, by the faith of him.

13 For the vvhich cauſe I deſire that you faint not in my tribulations for you, vvhich is your glorie.

14 For this cauſe I bovve my knees to the Father of our Lord IESVS Chriſt,

15 of vvhom al paternitie in the heauens and in earth is named,

16 that he giue you according to the riches of his glorie, povver to be fortified by his Spirit in the inner man.

17 Chriſt to dvvel by faith in your hartes, rooted and founded in charitie,

18 that you may be able to comprehend vvith al the ſainctes, vvhat is the bredth, and length, and height, and depth,

19 to knovv alſo the charitie of Chriſt, ſurpaſſing knovvledge, that you may be filled vnto al the fulnes of God.

20 And * to him that is able to doe al things more aboundantly then vve deſire or vnderſtand, according to the povver that vvorketh in vs:

21 to him be glorie in the CHVRCH, and in Chriſt IESVS, vnto al generations vvorld vvithout end. Amen.

Marginal notes to Chapter 3

• v. 7 1. Cor. 15, 9.
• v. 8 ⟨non-Latin script⟩
• v. 9 ᶜ That is, for euer before.
• v. 11 ᶜ that is, the eternal prafinitiō
• v. 13 ᵇ The Epiſtle vpon the 16 Sunday after Pentecoſt.
• v. 17 ⸬ Chriſt dwelleth in vs by his giftes, and vve be iuſt by thoſe his giftes remaining and reſident in vs, & not by Chriſtes proper inſtice onely, as the Heretikes affirme.
• v. 17 ᶜ Not faith only muſt be in vs, but charitie vvhich accōpliſheth al vertues.
• v. 19 Ro. 16, 2⟨illegible⟩.

Chapter 4

He exhorteth them to keepe the vnitie of the Church moſt ⟨illegible⟩ vvith al humilities bringing them many motiues therevnto: 7 and ⟨illegible⟩ that ⟨illegible⟩ the diuerſitie it ſelf of offices is not for diuiſion, as being the gift of Chriſt him ſelf, ⟨illegible⟩ to build vp the Church, and to held al in the vnitie therof againſt the ⟨illegible⟩ of Heretikes: that vnder Chriſt the head, in the Church being the body, euery member may proſper. 17 Neither (as touching life) moſt vve ⟨illegible⟩ like the Heathen, but as it becommeth Chriſtians, laying of al our old corrupt maners, and increaſing daily in al goodnes.

1 I Therfore priſoner in our Lord, beſeeche you, that you vvalke vvorthy of the vocation in vvhich you are called,

2 vvith al humilitie & mildenes, vvith patience, ſupporting one an other in charitie,

3 careful to keepe the vnitie of the ſpirit in the bond of peace.

4 One body and one ſpirit: as you are called in one hope of your vocation.

5 One Lord, ″ one faith, one baptiſme.

6 * One God and Father of al, vvhich is euer al, and by al, and in al vs. ⊢

7 But * to euery one of vs is giuen grace according to the meaſure of the donation of Chriſt.

8 For the vvhich he ſaith, Aſcēding on high, he ledde captiuitie captiue: he gaue giftes to men. (

9 And that he aſcended, vvhat is it, but becauſe he deſcended alſo firſt into the inferiour partes of the earth?

10 He that deſcended, the ſame is alſo he that is aſcended aboue al the heauens, that he might fill al things.)

11 And * he gaue, * ſome Apoſtles, and ſome Prophets, and otherſome Euangeliſts, and otherſome paſtors and doctors,

12 to the conſummation of the ſainctes, vnto the vvorke of the miniſterie, vnto the edifying of the body of Chriſt:

13 ″ vntil we meete al into the vnitie of faith and knovvledge of the ſonne of God, into a perfect man, into the meaſure of the age of the fulnes of Chriſt: ⊢

14 that novv vve be not children vvauering, and caried about ″ vvith euery vvinde of doctrine in the vvickednes of men, in craftines to the circumuention of errour.

15 But doing the truth in charitie, let vs in al things grow in him, vvhich is the head, Chriſt:

16 of vvhom the vvhole body being compacte and knit together by al iuncture of ſubminiſtration, according to the operation in the meaſure of euery member, maketh the increaſe of the body vnto the edifying of it ſelf in charitie.

17 This therfore I ſay and teſtifie in our Lord: that novv you vvalke not as alſo the * Gentiles vvalke in the vanitie of their ſenſe,

18 hauing their vnderſtanding obſcured vvith darkenes, alienated from the life of God by the ignorance that is in them, becauſe of the blindenes of their hart,

19 vvho deſpairing, * haue giuen vp them ſelues to impudicitie, vnto the operation of al vncleannes, vnto auarice.

20 But you haue not ſo learned Chriſt:

21 if yet you haue heard him, and haue been taught in him, (as the truth is in IESVS.) ⊢

22 * Lay you avvay, according to the old conuerſation the old man, vvhich is corrupted according to the deſires of errour.

23 And be renevved in the ſpirit of your minde:

24 and put on the nevv man vvhich according to God is created in iuſtice, and holineſſe of the truth.

25 For the vvhich cauſe laying avvay lying, * ſpeake ye truth euery one vvith his neighbour, becauſe vve are members one of an other.

26 * Be angrie and ſinne not. let not the ſonne goe dovvne vpon your anger.

27 Giue not place to the Deuil.

28 He that ſtole, let him novv not ſteale: but rather let him labour in vvorking vvith his handes that vvhich is good, that he may haue vvhence to giue vnto him that ſuffereth neceſſitie.

29 Al naughtie ſpeache let it not proceede out of your mouth: but if there be any good to the edifying of the faith, that it may giue grace to the hearers.

30 And contriſtate not the holy Spirit of God: in vvhich you are ſigned vnto the day of redemption.

31 Let al bitternes, and anger, and indignation, and clamour, and blaſphemie be taken avvay from you vvith al malice.

32 And be gentle one to an other, merciful, pardoning one an other, as alſo God in Chriſt hath pardoned you.

Marginal notes to Chapter 4

• v. 1 The Epiſtle vpon the 17 Sunday after Pentecoſt. And in a Votiue Maſſe againſt Schiſme.
• v. 5 Malat. 2, 10.
• v. 6 The Epiſtle vpō Aſcenſion eue. And vpon SS. Simon and Iudes day.
• v. 6 Ro. 12, 4 1. Cor. 12, 4.
• v. 8 Pſ. 67, 19.
• v. 9 ᶜ He m⟨illegible⟩aneth ſpecially of his deſcending to Hel.
• v. 11 1. Cor. 12, 28.
• v. 17 1 Pet. 4, 3. Ro. 1, 21.
• v. 19 Ro. 1, 24.
• v. 21 Coloſ. 3, 8
• v. 22 Heb. 12, 1.
• v. 23 ⸬ The Apoſtle teacheth vs not to apprehēd Chriſts iuſtice by faith only, but to be renevved in our ſelues truly, & to put on vs the nevv mā formed & created in iuſtice and holines of truth. By the which, free vvil alſo is proued to be in vs, to worke with God, or to conſent vnto him in our ſanctification.
• v. 25 Zach. 8, 16.
• v. 26 Pſ. 4, 5.

Annotations to Chapter 4

ANNOTATIONS CHAP. IIII.

5. One faith.] As rebellion is the bane of ciuil Commonvvealths and kingdoms, and peace and concord, the preſeruation of the ſame: ſo is Schiſme, diuiſion, and diuerſitie of faiths or felovvſhips in the ſeruice of God, the calamitie of the Church: and peace, vnitie, vniformitie, the ſpecial bleſſing of God therein, and in the Church aboue al Commonvvealths, becauſe it is in al pointes a Monarchie tending euery vvay to vnitie. but one God, but one Chriſt, but one Church, but one hope, one faith, one baptiſme, one head, one body. Vvhereof S. Cyprian li. de vnit. E⟨illegible⟩nu. 3. ſaith thus▪ One Church the Holy Ghoſt in the perſon of our Lord deſigneth & faith. One is my do⟨illegible⟩e. This vnitie of the Church he that holdith not, doth he thinke he holdeth the faith? He that vvithſtandeth and reſiſteth the Church, he that forſaketh Peters chaire vpon vvhich the Church vvas built, doth he truſt that he is in the Church? When the bleſſed Apoſtle S. Paul alſo ſhevveth this Sacrament of vnitie, ſaying, One body and one ſpirit &c. Which vnitie vve Biſhops ſpecially that rule in the Church, ought to hold faſt and maintaine, that vve may proue the Biſhoply function alſo it ſelf to be one and vndiuided, &c. And againe, There is one God, and one Chriſt, and one Church, and one Chaire, by our Lordes voice founded vpon Peter. An other altar to be ſette vp, or a novv Prieſthod to be made, beſides one altar, & one Prieſthod, is impoſsible. Whoſoeuer gathereth els vvhere, ſcattereth, it is adulterous, it is impious, it is ſacriligious, vvhatſoeuer is inſtituted by mans furie to the breach of Gods diuine diſpoſition. Get ye far from the contagion of ſuch men, & fle⟨illegible⟩ from their ſpeaches at a canker and peſtilen⟨illegible⟩, our Lord hauing praemoniſhed and vvarned before hand, They are blind, leaders of the blind, &c. Vvhereby vve learne that this vnitie of the Church commended ſo much vnto vs, conſiſteth in the mutual fellovvſhip of al Biſhops vvith the See of the Peter. S. Hilarie alſo (li. ad Conſtantium Auguſtum) thus applieth this ſame place of the Apoſtle againſt the Arians, as vve may do againſt the Caluiniſts. Perilous and miſerable it is, ſaith he, that there are novv ſo many faithes as vvilles, and ſo many doctrines as ⟨illegible⟩, vvhiles either faithes are ſo vvritten ad vve vvill, or as vve vvil, ſo are vnderſtood: and vvhereas according to one God, and one Lord, and one Baptiſme, there is alſo one faith, vve fall avvay from that vvhich is the only faith, and vvhiles mee faithes be made, they beginne to come to that, that there is none at al. [Margin: Vnitie of the Cath. Church. · Ep. 40. · Schiſme deteſtable. · Among heretikes as many faithes as willes.]

11. Some Apoſtles.] Many functions that vvere euen in the Apoſtles time, are not here named: vvhich muſt be noted againſt the Aduerſaries that call here for Popes, as though the names of Biſhops, Prieſts, or Deacons vvere not as vvel leaft out as Popes: vvhom yet they can not deny to haue been in vſe in S. Paules daies. And therfore they haue no more reaſon, out of this place to diſpute againſt the Pope, then againſt the reſt of the Eccleſiaſtical functions. Neither is it neceſſarie to reduce ſuch as be no: ſpecified here, to theſe here named: though in deede both other Biſhops and Prelates and ſpecially Popes may be conteined vnder the names of Apoſtles, Doctors, and Paſtors. Certes the roome and dignitie of the Pope is a very continual Apoſtleſhip, and S. Bernard calleth it Apoſtolatum. Bernard. ad Eugen. li. 14. c. 4 &c. 6 in fine. [Margin: The heretikes foliſh negatiue argument againſt the Pope, anſvvered. · The Popes office is called an Apoſtleſhip.]

13. Vntil vve meete.] The Church of God ſhal neuer lacke theſe ſpiritual functions, or ſuch as be anſvverable to them, according to the time and ſtate of the Church, til the vvorldes end. Vvhereby you may proue, the Catholike Church, that is to ſay, that viſible companie of Chriſtians vvhich hath euer had, and by good records can proue they haue had, a continual ordinarie ſucceſſion of Biſhops, Paſtors, and Doctors, to be the onely true Church: and theſe other good fellovves that for many vvorldes or ages together can not ſhevv that they had any one Biſhop, or ordinarie yea or extraordina⟨illegible⟩e officer for them and their ſect, to be an adulterous Heretical generation. And this place of the Apoſtle aſſuring to the true Church a perpetual viſible continuance of Paſtors and Apoſtles or their ſucceſſors, vvarranted the holy fathers to trie al Heretikes by the moſt famous ſucceſſion of the Popes of Rome. So did S. Irenaeus, li. 3. c. 3. Tertullian, in praſcript. Optatus, li. 2 cont. Parm. S. Auguſtine, in pſ. cont. part. Donat. et cont. ep. Manich. c. 4. et ep. 165. Epiph. har. 27. and others. [Margin: Continual ſucceſsion of Biſhops, an euident argument of the true viſible Church. · The father's refuted heretikes by the ſucceſsion of the Biſhops of Rome.]

14. With euery vvinde.] The ſpecial vſe of the ſpiritual Gouernours is, to keepe vs in vnitie and conſtancie of the Catholike faith, that vve be not carried avvay vvith the blaſt or vvind of euery hereſie. Vvhich is a very proper note of ſectes and nevv doctrines that trouble the infirme vveaklings of the Church, by certaine ſeaſons of diuerſe ages: as ſometime the Arians, then the Manichees, an other time the Neſtorians, then the Lutherans, Caluiniſts, and ſuch like: vvho at diuers times in diuers places, haue blovven diuers blaſtes of flaſe doctrine. [Margin: Heretical blaſtes carie away the inconſtant only.]

Chapter 5

He continueth his exhortation to good life, 5 aſſuring them againſt al deceiuers, that no committer of mortal ſinne ſhal be ſaued: conſidering that for ſuch ſinnes it is that the Heathen ſhal be damned: ⟨illegible⟩ & that Chriſtians muſt rather be the light of al others. 22 Them he commeth in particular and exhorteth huſbands and vviues to do their duety one tovvardes the other, by the example of Chriſt and his obedient and beloued ſpouſe the Church.

1 BE ye therfore folovvers of God, as moſt deere children:

2 and * walke in loue, as Chriſt alſo loued vs, and deliuered him ſelf for vs an oblation and hoſt to God in an odour of ſvvetenes.

3 But * fornication and al vncleannes, or auarice, let it not ſo much as be named among you, as it becommeth ſainctes:

4 or filthines, or fooliſh talke, or ſcurrilitie, being to no purpoſe: but rather giuing of thankes.

5 For vnderſtanding knovv you this, that no fornicatour, or vncleane, or couetous perſon (vvhich is the ſeruice of Idols) hath inheritance in the kingdom of Chriſt and of God.

6 Let no man ſeduce you vvith vaine vvordes. For, for theſe things commeth the anger of God vpō the children of diffidence.

7 Become not therfore partakers vvith them.

8 For you vvere ſometime darkenes, but novv light in our Lord. Vvalke as children of the light, (

9 for the fruite of the light is in al goodnes, and iuſtice, and veritie) ⊢

10 prouing vvhat is vvel pleaſing to God:

11 and communicate not vvith the vnfruitful vvorkes of darkenes, but rather reproue them.

12 For the things that are done of them in ſecrete, it is ſhame euen to ſpeake.

13 But al things that are reproued; are manifeſted by the light. for al that is manifeſted, is light.

14 for the vvhich cauſe he ſaith: Riſe thou that ſleepeſt, and ariſe from the dead: and Chriſt vvil illuminate thee.

15 See therfore, brethren, how you vvalke vvarily. not as vnvviſe, but * as vviſe:

16 redeeming the time, becauſe the daies are euil.

17 Therfore become not vnvviſe, but * vnderſtanding vvhat is the vvil of God.

18 And be not drunke vvith vvine vvherein is rioteouſnes, but be filled vvith the Spirit,

19 ſpeaking to your ſelues in pſalmes & hymnes, and ſpiritual canticles, chaūting and ſinging in your hartes to our Lord:

20 giuing thankes alvvaies for al things, in the name of our Lord IESVS Chriſt to God & the Father.

21 Subiect one to an other in the feare of Chriſt.

22 Let * vvomen be ſubiect to their huſbandes, as to our Lord:

23 becauſe * the man is the head of the woman: as Chriſt is the head of the CHVRCH. Him ſelf, ″ the ſauiour of his body.

24 But as the CHVRCH is ſubiect to Chriſt, ſo alſo the vvomen to their huſbands in al things.

25 Huſbands, loue your vviues, as Chriſt alſo ″ loued the CHVRCH, and deliuered him ſelf for it:

26 that he might ſanctifie it, cleanſing it by the lauer of vvater in the vvord,

27 that he might preſent to him ſelf a glorious CHVRCH, not hauing ſpot, or wrinkle, or any ſuch thing, but that it may be holy and vnſpotted.

28 So alſo men ought to loue their vviues as their ovvne bodies. He that loueth his vvife, loueth him ſelf.

29 For no man euer hated his ovvne fleſh: but he nouriſheth & cheriſheth it, ″ as alſo Chriſt the CHVRCH:

30 becauſe vve be the members of his body, of his fleſh & of his bones.

31 For this cauſe ſhal mā leaue his father & mother: and ſhal cleane to his vvife, and they ſhal be tvvo in one fleſh.

32 ″ This is a great ſacramēt. but I ſpeake in Chriſt and in the CHVRCH

33 Neuertheles you alſo euery one, let eche loue his vvife as him ſelf: and let the vvife feare her huſband. ⊢

Marginal notes to Chapter 5

• v. 1 The epiſtle vpon the 3 Sūday in Lent.
• v. 1 Io. 13, 34
• v. 3 Col. 3, 5.
• v. 5 ⸬ See the heretical corruption of this place in the Annotation Col. 3. v. 5.
• v. 14 Eſ. 9, 60
• v. 14 The Epiſtle vpon the 20 Sunday after Pentecoſt.
• v. 15 Col. 4, 5.
• v. 17 Ro. 12, 2.
• v. 21 Col. 3, 18.
• v. 22 The Epiſtle in a votiue maſſe for mariage.
• v. 22 Tit. 2, 5.
• v. 23 1 Pe⟨illegible⟩. 3, 1.
• v. 23 ⸬ It is much to be noted, that in the firſt Engliſh Bibles, there is not once the name of CHVRCH in al the Bible, but in ſteede thereof, Congregatiō. vvhich is ſo notorious a corruption that thē ſelues in the later bibles correct it for ſhame, but yet ſuffer the other to be read and vſed ſtill. See the Bible printed in the yere 1562.
• v. 23 Ge. 3, 16.
• v. 23 1 Cor. 11, 3.
• v. 30 Gen. 2, 24.
• v. 31 Mat. 19, 5.

Annotations to Chapter 5

ANNOTATIONS CHAP. V.

21. Sauiour of his body.] None hath ſaluation or benefite by Chriſt, that is not of his body the Church. And vvhat Church that is, S. Auguſtine expreſſeth in theſe vvordes. The Catholike Church onely is the body of Chriſt, vvhereto ſhe is ⟨illegible⟩ead. out of this body the Holy Ghoſt quickeneth no man. And a litle after, He that vvil haue the Spirit, let him bevvare he remains not out of the CHVRCH, let him bevvare he enter not into it f⟨illegible⟩inedly. Auguſt. ep. 50 ad Bonifacium comitem in fine. [Margin: No ⟨illegible⟩aluation out of the oath CHVRCH.]

24. Subiect to Chriſt.) The CHVRCH is alvvaies ſubiect to Chriſt, that is, not onely vnder him, but euer obedient to his vvordes and commaundement. Vvhich an euident and inuincible demonſtration that ſhe neuer rebelleth againſt Chriſt, neuer falleth from him by error, Idolatrie, or falſe vvorſhip, as the Heretikes novv, and the Donatiſtes of old did teach. [Margin: The CHVRCH neuer erreth.]

25. Loued the Church.] Loe Chriſtes ſingular loue of the CHVRCH, for vvhich onely & the members thereof he effectually ſuffered his Paſſion, and for vvhoſe continual cleanſing and purifying in this life, he inſtituted holy Baptiſme and other Sacraments: that at length in the next life it may become vvithout al ſpot, vvrinkle, or blemiſh. for, in this vvorld by reaſon of the manifold infirmities of diuers her members, ſhe can not be vvholy vvithout ſinne, but muſt ſay alvvaies, Dimitte no⟨illegible⟩is debita noſtra, Forgiue vs our detes. Auguſt. li. 2. Retract. c. 18. [Margin: Chriſts loue tovvard his Church. · The Church triumphant vvithout ſpot and vvrinkle.]

29. At Chriſt the Church.] It is an vnſpeakable dignitie of the CHVRCH, vvhich the Apoſtle expreſſeth often els vvhere, but ſpecially in this vvhole paſſage, to be that creature onely for vvhich Chriſt effectually ſuffered, to be vvaſhed and embrued vvith vvater and bloud iſſuing out of his holy ſide, to be nouriſhed vvith his ovvne body (for ſo doth S. Irenaeus expound li, 5. in principio) to be his members, to be ſo ioyned vnto him as the body and members of the ſame fleſh, bone, and ſubſtance to the head, to be loued and cheriſhed of him as vvife of huſband, yea to be his vvife and moſt deere ſpouſe, taken and formed (as S. Auguſtine often ſaith) out of his ovvne ſide vpon the Croſſe, as Eue our firſt father Adams ſpouſe vvas made of his tibbe. In Pſal. 126. & in Pſal. 127. & tract. 9 in Ioan. & tract. 120. In reſpect of vvhich great dignitie and excellencie, the ſame holy father affirmeth the CHVRCH to be the principal creature, and therfore named in the Creede next after the Holy Ghoſt, and he proueth againſt the Macedonians, the Holy Ghoſt to be God, becauſe he is named before the Church in the confeſſion of our faith. Of vvhich Incomparable excellencie of the Church, ſo beloued of Chriſt and ſo inſeparatly ioyned in mariage vvith him, if the Heretikes of our time had any ſenſe or conſideration, they vvould neither thinke their cōtemptible companie or cōgregation to be the glorious ſpouſe of our Lord, nor teach that the Church may erre, that is to ſay, may be diuorced from her ſpouſe for Idolatrie, ſuperſtition, Hereſie, or other abominations: Vvherevpon one of theſe abſurdities vvould enſue, that either Chriſt may ſometimes be vvithout a Church & ſpouſe in earth (as he vvas al the vvhile there vvere no Caluiniſts, if their Church be the ſpouſe of Chriſt) or els if the Catholike Church onely is and hath been his vvife, and the ſame haue ſuch errors as the Heretikes falſely pretend, that his vvife ſo deere and ſo praiſed here, is notvvithſtanding a very vvhoore. Vvhich horrible abſurdities proue and conuince to any man of common ſenſe, both that the Catholike Church alvvaies is, and that it teacheth truth alvvaies, and to honour God truely and ſincerely alvvaies: vvhatſoeuer the adulterous generation of Heretikes thinke or blaſpheme. [Margin: The manifold dignitie of the Church · * Aug. li. 8 de Symb. ad Catech. c. 9. · The Church is the principal creature. · The Church can not erre. · Abſurdities that folow, if the Church may erre.]

⟨illegible⟩. This is a great Sacrament.] Mariage a great Sacramēt of Chriſt and his Church prefigured in the firſt parēts. Adam (ſaith S. Auguſtine tract. 15 in Io.) vvho vvas a forme or figure of him that vvas to come, yea rather God in him gaue vs a great token of a Sacrament. For both he deſerued ſleeping to take a vviſe, and of his ribbs his vvife vvas made vnto him: becauſe of Chriſt ſleeping on the Croſſe the Church vvas to be made out of his ſide. In an other place he maketh Matrimonie a Sacramēt of Chriſt and his Church: in that, that as the maried mā muſt forſake father & mother and cleaue vnto his vvife, ſo Chriſt as it vvere left his father, exi⟨illegible⟩an⟨illegible⟩ing him ſelf by his incarnatiō, & left the Synagogue his mother, & ioyned him ſelf to the Church. Li. 12 c. 8. cont. Fauſtum. In diuers other places he maketh it alſo a Sacrament, ſpecially in that it is an inſeparable bond betvvixt tvvo, and that can neuer be diſſolued but by death: ſignifying Chriſts perpetual and indiſſoluble coniunction vvith the Church his one onely ſpouſe. de Gen. ad lit. li. 9 c. 7. Cont Pelag. de pec. orig. li. 2. c. 34. De fid. et ep. c. 7. De bono coniug. c. 7. & 18. And in an other place. The good of Mariage (ſaith he) among the people of God is in the holines of a Sacrament. De bono cōiugali c. 24. [Margin: MATRIMONIA a Sacrament.]

Vvho vvould haue thought ſuch myſteries and Sacramēts to be in Mariage that the ioyning of man & vvife together ſhould repreſent ſo great a myſerie, if the Apoſtle him ſelf & after him this holy father and others, had not noted it? or vvho can maruel that the holy Church taketh this to be a Sacrament, and to giue grace of ſanctification to the parties maried, that they may liue together in mutual fidelitie, bring vp their children in faith aud feare of God, and poſſeſſe their veſſel (as the Apoſtle ſpeaketh) in ſanctification and honour, and not in paſſion of luſt and ignominie, as the Heathen do vvhich knovv not God, and as our brutiſh nevv Maiſters ſeeme to do that commend mariage aboue al things ſo farre as it feedeth their concupiſcences, but for grace, Sacrament, myſterie, or ſanctification thereby, they care no more then the Heathen or brute beaſtes do? And thus vve gather that matrimonie is a Sacrament, and not of the Greeke vvord Myſterie onely, as Caluin falſely ſaith, not of the Latin vvord Sacrament, both vvhich vve knovv haue of their nature a more general ſignification, and that in the Scriptures alſo: but vvhereas theſe names are here giuen to Matrimonie by the Apoſtle, & are not giuen in the Scriptures to Baptiſme and the Euchariſt, let them tel vs vvhy they alſo apply theſe vvordes from their general ſignification to ſignifie ſpecially and peculiarly thoſe tvvo Sacramēts neuer ſo named expreſly in Scripture. and do not likevviſe folovv the Catholike Church in calling matrimonie by the ſame name, vvhich is here ſo called of the Apoſtle, ſpecially vvhereas the ſignification in it, is as great as in any other of the Sacraments, and rather greater. [Margin: The grace giuen by this Sacrament. · 1 Theſ. 4. · The proteſtāts fleſhly eſtimation of mariage. · ⟨non-Latin script⟩ Sacramentum.]

Chapter 6

Likevviſe children and parents he exhorteth. ⟨illegible⟩ item ſeruants and maiſters. ⟨illegible⟩ Then, that al take courage in the might of God, but ſo, that vvithal they arm⟨illegible⟩ them ſelue (conſidering vvhat mightie enemies they haue) vvith al peeces of ſpiritual armour⟨illegible⟩ ⟨illegible⟩ praying alvvaies feruently, and for him alſo.

1 CHILDREN, obey your parents in our Lord. for this is iuſt.

2 Honour thy father and thy mother (vvhich is the firſt commaundement in the promis,)

3 that it may be vvel vvith thee, and thou maieſt be long-liued vpon the earth.

4 And you fathers, prouoke not your children to anger: but bring them vp in the diſcipline and correption of our Lord.

5 * Seruants, be obedient to your lordes according to the fleſh, with feare and trembling, in the ſimplicitie of your hart, as to Chriſt:

6 not ſeruing to the eie, as it vvere pleaſing men, but as the ſeruants of Chriſt, doing the vvil of God frō the hart,

7 vvith a good vvil ſeruing, as to our Lord and not to men.

8 Knovving that euery one vvhat good ſoeuer he ſhal doe, that ſhal he receiue of our Lord, vvhether he be bond, or free.

9 And you maiſters, doe the ſame things to them, remitting threatenings: knovving that both their Lord and yours, is in heauen: and * acception of perſons is not vvith him.

10 Hence forth brethren, be ſtrengthened in our Lord, & in the might of his povver.

11 Put you on the armour of God, that you may ſtand againſt the deceites of the Deuil.

12 For our vvreſtling is not againſt fleſh and bloud: but againſt Princes and Poreſtats, againſt the * rectors of the vvorld of this darkenes, againſt the ſpirituals of vvickednes in the celeſtials.

13 Therfore take the armour of God, that you may reſiſt in the euil day, and ſtand in al things perfect.

14 Stand therfore hauing your loines girded in truth, and clothed with the breaſt-plate of iuſtice,

15 & hauing your feete ſhod to the preparation of the Goſpel of peace:

16 in al things taking the ſhield of faith, vvherevvith you may extinguiſh al the firie dartes of the moſt vvicked one.

17 and take vnto you the * helmet of ſaluation: and the ſvvord of the ſpirit (vvhich is the vvord of God) ⊢

18 in al praier and ſupplication praying at al time in ſpirit: and in the ſame vvatching in al inſtance and ſupplication for al the ſaincts:

19 and for me, that ſpeache may be giuen me in the opening of my mouth vvith cōfidence, to make knowen the myſterie of the Goſpel,

20 for the vvhich I am a legate in this chaine, ſo that in it I may be bold according as I ought, to ſpeake.

21 And that you alſo may knovv the things about me, vvhat I doe: Tychicus my deereſt brother and faithful miniſter in our Lord, vvil make you vnderſtād al things:

22 vvhom I haue ſent to you for this ſame purpoſe, that you may know the things about vs, and he may comfort your hartes.

23 Peace to the brethren and charitie vvith faith from God the Father, and our Lord IESVS Chriſt.

24 Grace with al that loue our Lord IESVS Chriſt in incorruption. Amen.

Marginal notes to Chapter 6

• v. 1 Col. 3, 20
• v. 1 Exo. 20, 12, Deu. 5, 16.
• v. 4 Col. 3, 22 Tit. 2, 9.
• v. 5 1 Pet. 2, 8.
• v. 8 ᶜ God leaueth no good worke vnrewarded.
• v. 9 ᵇ ⟨non-Latin script⟩
• v. 9 Deu. 10, 17.
• v. 10 The Epiſtle vpon the 21 Sunday after Pentecoſt.
• v. 11 ᶜ ⟨non-Latin script⟩
• v. 12 Eph. 2, 2
• v. 14 ⸬ If mā could not be truely iuſt or haue iuſtice in him ſelf, hovv could he be clothed vvith iuſtice?
• v. 17 Eſ. 59, 17. 1.
• v. 18 Theſ. 5, 8
• v. 23 ⸬ S. Auguſtine noteth in ſundrie places vpō this ſame text, that faith without charitie ſerueth not to ſaluation. li. 50. ho. 7.

Colophon

Printed edition: The Nevv Testament of Iesus Christ, translated faithfully into English, out of the authentical Latin … in the English College of Rhemes (Rhemes: Iohn Fogny, 1582; STC 2884, ESTC S102491), the Catholic New Testament translated from the Latin Vulgate chiefly by Gregory Martin. Copy transcribed: the Eton College Library copy, as filmed for Early English Books Online (image set 2646).

Transcription: Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership (EEBO-TCP), Phase I text A16049 (keyed 2005–06, proofread and released 2006), placed in the public domain under Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal. Converted for the Good Works Library in October 2026.

What was done: the spelling, punctuation and capitals of the transcription are kept exactly, including u/v, i/j, "vv" for w, long s (ſ), the abbreviation stroke (as in "vpō") and the edition's own marks (″ for an annotated word, ⸬ and * for marginal references, ⊢ for the end of a liturgical Gospel or Epistle; ▪ is the transcribers' sign for a punctuation mark they could not identify). Removed as apparatus: the TEI markup, page breaks, line-end hyphenation, and the small cross ✝ that the edition sets at the beginning of each verse beside the verse number in the margin; the number is given here instead. Marginal notes are gathered after each chapter, keyed to their verse; the annotations follow as the edition prints them. Words the transcribers could not read are shown as ⟨illegible⟩; words printed in Greek or other non-Latin letters, which the transcription did not key, are shown as ⟨non-Latin script⟩. No gap has been filled or guessed.

The book's heading in the edition reads: "THE EPISTLE OF PAVL TO THE EPHESIANS." The page title gives it in ordinary capitals and lower case, without other change.

On this page 34 places are marked ⟨illegible⟩ and 8 words or phrases in Greek or other non-Latin letters are marked ⟨non-Latin script⟩.

This is an archival transcription of a historic English Bible. It is not a Good Works Translation.

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