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 THE EPISTLE OF S. PAUL

TO PHILEMON

THE ARGUMENT

Hearing of Philemons virtue, Who Was a Colossian, he writeth a familiar letter from Rome (being prisoner there) about his fugitive servant Onesimus: not doubting but that he might command him, yet rather requesting that he wil forgive him, yea and receive him as he Would Paul himself, Who also hopeth to come unto him.

AUL the prisoner of Christ JESUS, and brother Timothee: to Philemon the beloved, and our Coadjutour. And to Appia our dearest sister, and to Archippus our fellow-souldiar, and to the Church which is in thy house. Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and our Lord JESUS Christ.

I give thanks to my God, alwaies, making a memorie of thee in my praiers. hearing thy charitie and faith which thou hast in our Lord JESUS, and toward al the Saints; that the communication of thy faith may be made evident in the agnition of al good that is in you in Christ JESUS. For I have had great joy and consolation in thy charitie, because the bowels of the Saints have rested by thee brother.

For the which thing having great confidence in Christ JESUS to command thee that which pertained to the purpose:  for charitie rather I beseech, whereas thou art such an one, as Paul being old and now prisoner also of JESUS Christ. I beseech thee for my sonne whom I have begotten in bands, Onesimus, Who hath been sometime unprofitable to thee, but now profitable both to me and thee,  whom I have sent backe to thee. And doe thou receive him as mine owne bowels. Whom I would have retained with me, that for thee he might minister to me in the bands of the Ghospel: but without thy counsel I would doe nothing: that thy good might be not as it were of necessitie, but voluntarie. For perhaps therfore he departed for a season from thee, that thou mightest take him again for ever. Now not as a servant, but for a servant, a most deare brother, especially to me, but how much more to thee both in the flesh, and in our Lord? If therefore thou take me for thy fellow, receive him as myself. And if he hath hurt thee any thing, or is in thy debt, that impute to me. I Paul have written with mine own hand: I will repay it: not to say to thee that thou owest me thine owne self also. Yea brother. God grant I may enjoy thee in our Lord. Refresh my bowels in our Lord. Trusting in thy obedience I have written to thee, knowing that thou wilt doe above that also which I doe say. And withal provide me also a lodging. For I hope by your prayers that I shall be give to you. Therefore salute thee Epaphras my fellow-prisoner in Christ JESUS, Marke, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke my coadjutours. The grace of our Lord JESUS Christ be with your spirit. Amen.