He exhorteth them to keep the unity of the Church most carefully with all humility, bringing them many motives thereunto: 7 and assuring that even the diversity it self of offices is not for division, as being the gift of Christ him self, but to build up the Church, and to hold all in the unity thereof against the subtile circumventions of Heretics: that under Christ the head, in the Church being the body, every member may prosper. 17 Neither (as touching life) must we live like the Heathen, but as it becometh Christians, laying of all our old corrupt manners, and increasing daily in all goodness.He exhorteth them to keepe the vnitie of the Church most carefully vvith al humilitie, bringing them many motiues thereunto: 7 and assuring that euen the diuersitie it self of offices is not for diuision, as being the gift of Christ him self, but to build vp the Church, and to hold al in the vnitie thereof against the subtile circumuentions of Heretikes: that vnder Christ the head, in the Church being the body, euery member may prosper. 17 Neither (as touching life) must vve liue like the Heathen, but as it becommeth Christians, laying of al our old corrupt maners, and increasing daily in al goodnes.✦
Therefore prisoner in our Lord, beseech you, that you walk worthy of the vocatione: a calling, a summons, not a job or career in which you are called,THerfore prisoner in our Lord, beseeche you, that you vvalke vvorthy of the vocation in vvhich you are called,✦Obsecro itaque vos ego vinctus in Domino, ut digne ambuletis vocatione, qua vocati estis,
2with all humility and mildness, with patience, supporting one another in charity,vvith al humilitie & mildenes, vvith patience, supporting one an other in charitie,✦cum omni humilitate, et mansuetudine, cum patientia, supportantes invicem in caritate,
3careful to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.careful to keepe the vnitie of the spirit in the bond of peace.✦solliciti servare unitatem Spiritus in vinculo pacis.
4One body and one spirit: as you are called in one hope of your vocation.One body and one spirit: as you are called in one hope of your vocation.✦Unum corpus, et unus Spiritus, sicut vocati estis in una spe vocationis vestræ.
5One Lord, one faith, one baptism.One Lord, one faith, one baptisme.¶✦Unus Dominus, una fides, unum baptisma.
6One God and Father of all, which is over all, and by all, and in all us.* One God and Father of al, vvhich is ouer al, and by al, and in al vs.✦Unus Deus et Pater omnium, qui est super omnes, et per omnia, et in omnibus nobis.
7But to every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the donationis: a free gift, a bestowal, not a charitable gift of money of Christ.But * to euery one of vs is giuen grace according to the measure of the donation of Christ.✦Unicuique autem nostrum data est gratia secundum mensuram donationis Christi.
8For the which he saith, Ascending on high, he led captivity captive: he gave gifts to men.For the vvhich he saith, *Ascending on high, he ledde captiuitie captiue: he gaue giftes to men.✦Propter quod dicit : Ascendens in altum, captivam duxit captivitatem : dedit dona hominibus.
9(And that he ascended, what is it, but because he descended also first into the inferior parts of the earth?(And that he ascended, vvhat is it, but because he descended also first into the c inferiour partes of the earth?✦Quod autem ascendit, quid est, nisi quia et descendit primum in inferiores partes terræ ?
10He that descended, the same is also he that is ascended above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)He that descended, the same is also he that is ascended aboue al the heauens, that he might fill al things.)✦Qui descendit, ipse est et qui ascendit super omnes cælos, ut impleret omnia.
11And he gave, some Apostles, and some Prophets, and othersome Evangelists, and othersome pastors and doctors,And * he gaue, some Apostles, and some Prophets, and othersome Euangelists, and othersome pastors and doctors,¶✦Et ipse dedit quosdam quidem apostolos, quosdam autem prophetas, alios vero evangelistas, alios autem pastores et doctores,
12to the consummationem: the perfecting, the bringing to completion, not destruction or a mere finish of the saints, unto the work of the ministry, unto the edifying of the body of Christ:to the consummation of the sainctes, vnto the vvorke of the ministerie, vnto the edifying of the body of Christ:✦ad consummationem sanctorum in opus ministerii, in ædificationem corporis Christi :
13until we meet all into the unity of faith, and knowledge of the Son of God, into a perfect man, into the measure of the age of the fullness of Christ:vntil vve 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:¶✦donec occurramus omnes in unitatem fidei, et agnitionis Filii Dei, in virum perfectum, in mensuram ætatis plenitudinis Christi :
14that now we be not children wavering, and carried about with every wind of doctrine in the wickedness of men, in craftiness to the circumventionem: a deceiving, an ensnaring, not a going-around or bypassing of error.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.✦ut jam non simus parvuli fluctuantes, et circumferamur omni vento doctrinæ in nequitia hominum, in astutia ad circumventionem erroris.
15But doing the truth in charity, let us in all things grow in him, which is the head, Christ:But doing the truth in charitie, let vs in al things grovv in him, vvhich is the head, Christ:✦Veritatem autem facientes in caritate, crescamus in illo per omnia, qui est caput Christus :
16of whom the whole body being compact and knit together by all juncturam: a joining, a juncture of subministrationis: the furnishing of supply, support, according to the operation in the measure of every member, maketh the increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in charity.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.✦ex quo totum corpus compactum et connexum per omnem juncturam subministrationis, secundum operationem in mensuram uniuscujusque membri, augmentum corporis facit in ædificationem sui in caritate.
17This therefore I say and testify in our Lord: that now you walk not as also the Gentiles walk in the vanity of their sensus: the mind, the understanding, not a faculty of perception or good judgement,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,✦Hoc igitur dico, et testificor in Domino, ut jam non ambuletis, sicut et gentes ambulant in vanitate sensus sui,
18having their understanding obscured with darkness, alienated from the life of God by the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart,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,✦tenebris obscuratum habentes intellectum, alienati a vita Dei per ignorantiam, quæ est in illis, propter cæcitatem cordis ipsorum,
19who despairing, have given up themselves to impudicitiæ: lewdness, unchastity, unto the operation of all uncleanness, unto avaritiam: covetousness, greed of gain.vvho despairing, *haue giuen vp them selues to impudicitie, vnto the operation of al vncleannes, vnto auarice.✦qui desperantes, semetipsos tradiderunt impudicitiæ, in operationem immunditiæ omnis in avaritiam.
20But you have not so learned Christ,But you haue not so learned Christ,✦Vos autem non ita didicistis Christum,
21if yet you have heard him, and have been taught in him, (as the truth is in Jesus.)if yet you haue heard him, and haue been taught in him, (as the truth is in IESVS.)✦si tamen illum audistis, et in ipso edocti estis, sicut est veritas in Jesu,
22Lay you away according to the old conversationem: manner of life, conduct, not talk or discourse the old man, which is corrupted according to the desires of error.*Lay you avvay according to the old conuersation the old man, vvhich is corrupted according to the desires of errour.✦deponere vos secundum pristinam conversationem veterem hominem, qui corrumpitur secundum desideria erroris.
23And be renewed in the spirit of your mind:And be renevved in the spirit of your minde:✦Renovamini autem spiritu mentis vestræ,
24and put on the new man which according to God is created in justice, and holiness of the truth.and put on the nevv man vvhich according to God is created in iustice, and holinesse of the truth.✦et induite novum hominem, qui secundum Deum creatus est in justitia, et sanctitate veritatis.
25For the which cause laying away lying, speak ye truth every one with his neighbour, because we are members one of another.For the vvhich cause laying avvay lying, *speake ye truth euery one vvith his neighbour, because vve are members one of an other.✦Propter quod deponentes mendacium, loquimini veritatem unusquisque cum proximo suo : quoniam sumus invicem membra.
26Be angry and sin not. let not the sun go down upon your anger.*Be angrie and sinne not. let not the sonne goe dovvne vpon your anger.✦Irascimini, et nolite peccare : sol non occidat super iracundiam vestram.
27Give not place to the Devil.Giue not place to the Diuel.✦Nolite locum dare diabolo :
28He that stole, let him now not steal: but rather let him labour in working with his hands that which is good, that he may have whence to give unto him that suffereth necessity.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.✦qui furabatur, jam non furetur : magis autem laboret, operando manibus suis, quod bonum est, ut habeat unde tribuat necessitatem patienti.
29All malus: wicked, worthless, evil, not mildly disobedient speech let it not proceed out of your mouth: but if there be any good to the edifying of the faith, that it may give grace to the hearers.Al naughtie speache let it not procede out of your mouth: but if there be any good to the edifying of the faith, that it may giue grace to the hearers.✦Omnis sermo malus ex ore vestro non procedat : sed si quis bonus ad ædificationem fidei ut det gratiam audientibus.
30And contristare: to grieve, to make sorrowful not the holy Spirit of God: in which you are signati: sealed, marked with a sign, not given a signature unto the day of redemption.And contristate not the holy Spirit of God: in vvhich you are signed vnto the day of redemption.✦Et nolite contristare Spiritum Sanctum Dei : in quo signati estis in diem redemptionis.
31Let all bitterness, and anger, and indignation, and clamour, and blasphemy be taken away from you with all malice.Let al bitternes, and anger, and indignation, and clamour, and blasphemie be taken avvay from you vvith al malice.✦Omnis amaritudo, et ira, et indignatio, et clamor, et blasphemia tollatur a vobis cum omni malitia.
32And be gentle one to another, merciful, pardoning one another, as also God in Christ hath pardoned you.And be gentle one to an other, merciful, pardoning one an other, as also God in Christ hath pardoned you.✦Estote autem invicem benigni, misericordes, donantes invicem sicut et Deus in Christo donavit vobis.
Annotationsfrom the original 1582 Rheims New Testament
5One faith. As rebellion is the bane of civil Commonwealths and kingdoms, and peace and concord, the preservation of the same: so is Schism, division, and diversity of faiths or fellowships in the service of God, the calamity of the Church: and peace, unity, uniformity, the special blessing of God therein. and in the Church above all Commonwealths, because it is in all points a Monarchy tending every way to unity. but one God, but one Christ, but one Church, but one hope, one faith, one baptism, one head, one body. Whereof S. Cyprian li. de unit. Eccl. writeth thus: One Church the Holy Ghost in the person of our Lord designeth and saith, One is my dove. This unity of the Church he that holdeth not, doth he think he holdeth the faith? He that withstandeth and resisteth the Church, he that forsaketh Peter's chair upon which the Church was built, doth he trust that he is in the Church? When the blessed Apostle S. Paul also sheweth this Sacrament of unity, saying, one body, one spirit, &c. Which unity we Bishops specially that rule in the Church, ought to hold fast and maintain, that we may prove the Bishoply function also itself to be one and undivided, &c. And again, one God, and one Christ, and one Church, and one Chair by our Lord's voice founded upon Peter. Whosoever setteth up another altar, or a new Priesthood to be made, besides one altar, and one Priesthood, is impossible: whosoever gathereth elsewhere, scattereth. It is adulterous, it is impious, it is sacrilegious, whatsoever is instituted by man's fury to the breach of God's divine disposition. Get ye far from the contagion of such men, and flee their speeches as a canker and pestilence, our Lord having premonished and warned beforehand, They be blind leaders of the blind, &c. Whereby we learn that this unity of the Church commended unto us, consisteth in the mutual fellowship of all Bishops with the See of Peter. S. Hilary (li. ad Constantium Augustum) thus applieth this same place of the Apostle against the Arians: as we may do against the Calvinists. Perilous and miserable it is, saith he, that there are now as many faiths as wills, and so many doctrines as manners: whiles either faiths are so written as we will, or will, so are understood: and whereas according to one God, and one Lord, and one Baptism, also one faith, we fall away from that which is the only faith, and whiles more faiths begin to come to that, that there is none at all. Side-notes: Unity of the Cath. Church. — Schism detestable. — Among the heretics as many faiths as wills.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. Eccl. vvriteth thus: One Church the Holy Ghost in the person of our Lord designeth & saith, One is my doue. This vnitie of the Church he that holdeth 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 sheweth this Sacrament of vnitie, saying, one body, 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 again, one God, and one Christ, and one Church, and one Chaire by our Lordes voice founded vpon Peter. Whosoeuer setteth vp another altar, or a nevv Priesthood to be made, besides one altar, & one Priesthood, is impossible: vvhosoeuer gathereth els vvhere, scattereth. It is adulterous, it is impious, it is sacrilegious, vvhatsoeuer is instituted by mans furie to the breach of Gods diuine disposition. Get ye far from the contagion of such men, & flee their speaches as a canker and pestilence, our Lord hauing premonished and vvarned before hand, They be blind leaders of the blind, &c. Vvhereby vve learne that this vnitie of the Church commended vnto vs, consisteth in the mutual fellovvship of al Bishops vvith the See of Peter. S. Hilarie (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 now as many faithes as vvilles, and so many doctrines as maners: vvhiles either faithes are so vvritten as vve vvil, or vvil, so are vnderstood: and vvhereas according to one God, and one Lord, and one Baptisme, also one faith, vve fall avvay from that vvhich is the only faith, and vvhiles moe faithes beginne to come to that, that there is none at al. Vnitie of the Cath. Church. Schisme detestable. Among the heretikes as many faithes as vvilles.
11Some Apostles. Many functions that were even in the Apostles' time, are not here which must be noted against the Adversaries that call here for Popes: as though Bishops, Priests, or Deacons were not as well left out as Popes: whom yet they cannot deny to have been in use in S. Paul's days. And therefore they have no more reason, out of this place to dispute against the Pope, than against the rest of the Ecclesiastical functions. Neither is it good to reduce such as be not specified here, to these here named: though in deed both Popes and Prelates and specially Popes may be contained under the names of Apostles, Doctors, and the rest. Certes the room and dignity of the Pope is a very continual Apostleship, and calleth it Apostolatum. Bernard. ad Eugen. li. 1. c. 4. & 6. in fine. Side-notes: The heretics' foolish negative argument against the Popes, refelled. — An office in the Church, not an Apostleship.Some Apostles. Many functions that vvere euen in the Apostles time, are not here vvhich must be noted against the Aduersaries that call here for Popes: as though Bishops, Priests, or Deacons vvere not as vvel left 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 good to reduce such as be not specified here, to these here named: though in deede both Popes and Prelates and specially Popes may be contained vnder the names of Apostles, Doctors, and the rest. Certes the roome and dignitie of the Pope is a very continual Apostleship, and calleth it Apostolatum. Bernard. ad Eugen. li. 1. c. 4. & 6. in fine. The heretikes folish negatiue argument against the Popes, refelled. An office in the Church, not an Apostleship.
13Until we meet all into the unity of faith. The Church of God that never lacks these spiritual functions and offices, Whereby you may prove, the Catholic Church, that is to say, that visible company of Christians which hath ever had, and by good records can prove they have had a continual and ordinary succession of Bishops, Pastors, and Doctors, to be the only true Church: these other good fellows that for many worlds or ages together cannot shew thee any one Bishop, or ordinary yea or extraordinary officer for them and their sect, to be no true Church but rather Apostates from all order and authority, must needs be a false Church and an Heretical generation. And this place of the Apostle assuring us the true Church to have always a visible continuance of Pastors and Apostles or their successors, was (as the holy fathers note) of old well urged against all Heretics by the most famous succession of the Popes of Rome. So did S. Irenæus li. 3. c. 3. and of Tertullian in praescript. Optatus li. 2. cont. Parm. S. Augustine in ps. cont. part. Donat. et cont. epist. fundamenti c. 4. et ep. 165. Epiph. haer. 27. and others. Side-note: Continual succession of Bishops, an evident argument of the true visible Church.Vntil vve meete al into the vnitie of faith. The Church of God that neuer lacks these spiritual functions and offices, 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 and ordinarie succession of Bishops, Pastors, and Doctors, to be the only true Church: these other good fellovves that for many vvorldes or ages together can not shevv thee any one Bishop, or ordinarie yea or extraordinarie officer for them and their sect, to be no true Church but rather Apostataes from al order and authoritie, must needes be a false Church and an Heretical generation. And this place of the Apostle assuring vs the true Church to haue alvvaies a visible continuance of Pastors and Apostles or their successors, vvas (as the holy fathers note) of old vvel vrged against al Heretikes by the most famous succession of the Popes of Rome. So did S. Irenæus li. 3. c. 3. and of Tertullian in praescript. Optatus li. 2. cont. Parm. S. Augustine in ps. cont. part. Donat. et cont. epist. fundamenti c. 4. et ep. 165. Epiph. haer. 27. and others. Continual succession of Bishops, an euident argument of the true visible Church.
The reading text follows the 1582 first edition. Facsimile available in two scans.