Then Iesus answered and said. I praise thee o father Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast opened them unto babes,
to fulfil that which was spoken by the prophet saying: I will open my mouth in similitudes, and will speak forth things which have been kept secret from the beginning of the world.
¶ I would not that this secret should be hid from you my brethren (lest ye should be wise in your own conceits) that partly blindness is happened in Israhell, until the fullness of the gentiles be come in.
For those which he knew before, he also ordained before, that they should be like fashioned unto the shape of his son, that he might be the first begotten son among many brethren.
according as he had chosen us in him throwe love, before the foundation of the world was laid, that we should be saints, and without blame in his sight.
which saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not after our deeds, but for his purpose and grace, which grace was given us thorow Christ Iesu before the world was,
Thorow faith we understand that the world was ordained, by the word of God: That by the means of things which appear, things which are invisible might be known.
searching when, or at what time the spirit of Christ which was in them should signify, which spirit testified before, the passions that should come unto Christ, and the glory that should follow after:
¶ The seniors which are among you I exhort, which am also an senior, and a witness of the afflictions of Christ, and also a part taker of the glory that shall be opened:
The God of all grace, which called you unto his eternal glory by Christ Iesus, shall his own self after a little affliction make you perfect: shall settle, strengthe, and establishe you.
According as his godly power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and to serve God withall, thorow the knowledge of him that hath called us by virtue and glory,
and all that dwell upon the earth worshipped him: whose names are not written in the book of life of the lamb, which was killed from the beginning of the world.