I give 'Asfe iBe'aAi THE APOCRYPHAL NEW TESTAMENT, BEING ALL AND OTHER PIECES NOW EXTANT, ATTRIBUTED IN THE FIRST FOUR CENTURIES TO JESUS CHRIST, HIS APOSTLES, AND THEIR COMPANIONS, AND NOT INCLUDED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, BY ITS COMPILERS. TRANSLATED, AND NOW FIRST COLLECTED INTO ONE VOLUME, WITH PREFACES AND TABLES, AND VARIOUS NOTES AND REFERENCES. jfourtf) Ctittton. LONDON: PRINTED FOR WILLIAM HONE, 45, LUDGATE HIIX. 1821. PREFACE THE FIRST EDITION. AFTER the writings contained in the New Testa ment were selected from the numerous Gospels and Epistles then in existence, what became of the Books that were rejected by the compilers ? This question naturally occurs on every investiga tion as to the period when, and the persons by whom, the NEW TESTAMENT was formed. It has been supposed by many that the volume was compiled by the first Council of Nice, which was held early in the fourth century, according to Jortin,* origi nated thus : — Alexander, Bishop of Alexandria, and Arius, who was a Presbyter in his diocese, disputed together about the nature of Christ; and the Bishop being displeased at the notions of Arius, and finding that they were adopted by other persons, * was very angry.' He commanded Arius to come over to his sentiments, and to quit his own : as if a man could change his opinions as easily as he can change his coat! He theft called a council of war, consisting of near a hundred Bishops, and deposed, excommunicated, ana anathematized Arius, and * Rem. on F-pcl. Hist, vol.ii, p. 177. IV with him several ecclesiastics, two of whom were Bishops. Alexander then wrote a circular letter to all Bishops, in which he represents Arius and his par tisans as Heretics, Apostates, Blasphemous enemies of God, full of impudence and impiety, Forerunners of Antichrist, Imitators of Judas, and men whom it was not lawful to salute, or to bid God speed. There is no reason to doubt of the probity and sincerity of those who opposed Alexander and the Nicene Fa thers ; for what did they get by it besides obloquy and banfshment ? Many good men were engaged on both sides of the controversy. So it was iri the fourth century, and so it hath been ever since. Eusebius of Nicomedia, and Eusebius the historian, endeavoured to pacify Alexander, and to persuade him to make up the quarrel; and Constantine sent a letter by the illustrious Hosius of Corduba to Alexander and Arius, in which he reprimanded them both for disturbing the Church with their insignificant disputes. But the affair was gone too far to be thus composed, and Socrates represents both sides as equally contentious and refractory. To settle this and other points, the Nicene Council was summoned, consisting of about three hundred and eighteen Bishops, — a mystical number on which many profound remarks have been , made.* The first thing that they did was to quarrel, * " For the Scripture says, that Abraham circumcised three hun dred and eighteen men of his house. But what, therefore, was the mystery that was made known unto him ?— Mark first the eighteen, and next the three hundred. For the numeral letters of ten and and to express tbeir resentments, and to present arcci> sations to the Emperor against one another. So say Socrates, Sozomen, and Jtufinus. Theodoret favours his brethren in this affair, and seems to throw the fault upon the laity. But the whole story as it is re lated by them all, ajnd even by Theodoret, shows that the Bishops accused one another. The Emperor burnt all their libels, and exhorted them to peace and unity i so that if they had not been restrained by his authority, and by fear and respect, tbey would pro bably have spent their time in altercations. This Council of Nice is one of the most famous .eight are IH; and these denote Jesus. — And because the Cross was that by which we were to find grace ; therefore he adds three hundred; the note of which is T (the figure of his, cross). Where fore by two letters, he signified Jesus, and by "the third his cross." — Barnabas, viii. 11, 12, 13. The Jews had a piece of cabalism, or allegory, upon the number of Abraham's servants, (Genesis, xiv. 14.) vi?. three hundred and eighteen ; not much unlike that of Barnabas. The name of Eliezer, Abraham's steward, according to the value of the Hebrew letters •which compose it, makes three hundred and eighteen, thus : !** 1 h 30 1J»)b» . io Eliezer. » 70 t 7 i 200 318 Now, say the Jews, the numeral letters of >.wbt., Eliezer, making just 318, the number of servants which Abraham armed, we learn hence, that Abraham did the business, and got the victory with Eliezer alone, who was equal to all of them, and that he left the rest at home, because either their sins or fears made them unfit to go. — Rivet, on Clem. Alex. Exercit. lxxv., in Gen. xiy, VI and interesting events presented tous in Ecclesiastical history; and yet, what is most surprising, scarcely any part of the History of the Church has been un folded with such negligence, or rather passed over with such rapidity. The ancient writers are neither agreed with respect to the time or place in which it was assembled, the number of those Who sat in coun cil, nor the Bishop who presided in it. No authentic acts of its famous sentence have been committed to writing ; or at least none have been transmitted to our time.* Although it is uncertain whether the books of the New Testament were declared canonical by the Nicene Council, or by some other, or when or by whom they were collected into a volume, it is cerr tainf that they were considered genuine and authen tic, with a few variations of opinion as to some of them, by the most early Christian writers ; and that they were selected from various other Gos pels and Epistles, the titles of which are men tioned in the works of the Fathers and the early his torians of the Church. J The books that exist, of those not included in the Canon, are carefully brought together into the present volume. They naturally assume the title ofthe Apocryphal New Testament j and he who possesses this and the New Testament, has, in the two volumes, a collection of all the histo- * Mosheim, Eccl. Hist, c. v. § 12. t See Table II. at the end of this work. X See Table I. at end. vn rical records relative to Christ and his Apostles, now in existence, and considered sacred by Christians* during the first four centuries after his birth. In a Complete^ Collection of the Apocryphal writings, the Apostles' Creed is necessarily included ; and as necessarily given, as it stood in the fourth and until after the sixth century, (from Mr. Justice Bailey's edition of the Common Prayer Book,) without the article of Christ's Descent into Helli — an interpolation concerning which the author of the Preface to the Catalogue of the MSS. of the King's Library thus expresses himself: " I wish that the insertion of the article of Christ's Descent into HeU, into the Apostles' Creed could be as well accounted for as the insertion of the said verse (1 John, V. 7J). * Of course the Ebionites, and various other Sects, denominated heretics bythe fathers and Councils, are included in the denomi nation of Christians. f As the title expresses, every Apocryphal Writing, attributed during the first four centuries to Jesus Christ and his Apostles, and their Companions, is given in this volume. There were many Gos pels and Epistles fabricated in the latter ages ; the notoriety of the forgery has of course excluded them. _ \ Catalogue of MSS. of the king's library, by David Casley, 4to. in Pref. p. xxiv. For large particulars of Christ's Descent into Hell, see the Gospel of Nicodemus, chap. xiii. to xx. The verse above aUuded to by Mr. Casley is 1 John, V. 7. This spurious passage, in the authorised version of the New Testament, printed by the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge and the King's printers, and appointed l0 he read in churches, stands thus: " For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one" This verse, Mr. Casley says, is now generally given up ; being in no Greek MS., save one at Berlin, which is discovered to have been transcribed from the printed B.blia Complutensia; and another modern one at Dublin probably translated or corrected from the Latin Vulgate. It is conjectured that it may VH1 The best that can be said for it is, that it might pos- have been inserted by the mistake of a Latin copyist : for the owners of MSS. often wrote glosses or paraphrases of particular passages between the lines, and ignorant transcribers sometimes mistook these notes for interlined omissions by the original scribes, arid accordingly in re-copying the MSS. incorporated these glosses or paraphrases into the body of the text. For instance, Jerome, in one of his letters, says that an explanatory note which he himself had made in the margin of his Psalter had been incorporated by some transcriber into the text ; and Dr. Bentley, in the 96th page of his Epistle, an nexed toMalala's Chronicle, has proved Ei»» ?po« itrrit it t\\ A(*pia, in Galatians, IV. 25. to be of the same stamp.* It is scarcely necessary to tell the reader, that in 1516 and 151?, Erasmus published his first and second editions of the Greek Testa ment, both which omitted the three heavenly witnesses. That having promised to insert them in his text, if they were found in a single Greek MS. ; he was soon informed of the existence of such a MS. in England, and consequently inserted 1 John, V. 7, in his third edi tion, 1522. That this MS., after a profound sleep of two centuries, has at last been found in the library of Trinity College, Dublin. That the Complutensian edition, which was not published till 1522, though it professes to be printed in 1514, has the seventh and eighth verses patched up from the modern Latin MS., and the final clause of the eighth verse, which is omitted in its proper place, transferred to the end of the seventh. That Colin_eus, in 1534, omitted the verse on the faith of MSS, That R. Stephens, in his famous edi tion pf 1550, inserted the verse, and marked the words h rat ougawi as wanting in seven MSS, That Beza, suspecting no misr take, concluded that these seyen MSS. contained the rest of the seventh yerse, and the eighth with the words I. t?i yv'-f Sir Isaac Newton wrote a Dissertation upon this passage, where in he gave a plear, exact, and comprehensive view of the whole question, and wherein hp says, that when the adversaries of Eras mus had got the Trinity into his edition, they threw by their MS. as an almanack out of date.J j The text is not contained ir» any Greek manuscript which was * Cat. King's Libr. Pref. p. xxi. f Porson's Letters to Travis.— Pref. X Sir I. Newtoni Opera a Horsley, 4to. 1785, vol. v. p. 549. — Bishop Horsley, in his edition of Sir Isaac Newton's works, has not included several MSS. on theological subjects, for the reasons which perhaps induce the Nobleman in whose possession they remain, to withhold them still from publication. His Lord. IX sibly have come in, in like manner, not long before, written earlier than the fifteenth century. 2. Nor in any Latin ma nuscript earlier than the ninth century. 3. It is not found in any of the ancient versions. 4. It is not cited by any of the Greek ecclesiastical writers, though, to prove the doctrine of the Trinity, they have cited the words both before and after this. 5. It is not cited by any ofthe early Latin Fathers, even when the subjects upon which they treat would naturally have led them to appeal to its au thority. 6. It is first cited by Vigilius Tapsensis, a Latin writer of no credit, in the latter end of the fifth century, and by him it is suspected to have been forged. 7. It has been omitted as spurious in many editions of the New Testament since the reformation I — in the two first of Erasmus, in those of Aldus, Colinaeus, Zwinglius, and lately of Griesbach. 8. It was omitted by Luther in his German Version. In the old English Bibles of Henry VIII., Edward VI., and Elizabeth, it was printed in small types, or included in brackets: but between the years 1566 and 1580, it began to be printed as it now stands ; by whose authority is not known -See Travis's Let ters to Gibbon, and Porson's to Travis. Also Griesbach's excellent Dissertation on the Text at the end of his second volume. Arch bishop Newcome omits the text, and the Bishop of Lincoln expresses his conviction that it is spurious. (Elem. of Theol. vol. ii. p. 90, note.)* In a sumptuous Latin MS. of the Bible, written so late as in the thirteenth century, formerly belonging to the Capuchin Convent at Montpelier, afterwards in the possession of Harley, Earl of Oxford, and now deposited in the British Museum, the verse of the three heavenly witnesses is wanting, as appears by the following literal ex tract from it. _ %it tilt qui uentt per aquam $ ganfluinem. ip jcpi. Bon in aq j-rOUtm. $ti> in aqua (j ganguinem <$ gpu. -spe t$t qui tc-stiff* ratuTTquoniam v$etgt beritag. -©uoniam treg -Suriti qui tegti* monium bant in txa, &y7. aqua. $ ganguig . €t t«g unum iSunt.f The ship's judgment io this respect is said to be influenced by a prelate whose no tions do not accord either with the philosopher's opinions or criticisnu. They are fairly transcribed, in Sir Isaac's own hand-writing, ready for the press, It is to be regretted that the production of his luminous mind should be sup pressed by a censorship, however respectable. * Improved version of the New Testament, 1808. t Harl. Coll. MSS. Cod. 4773. from a gloss or paraphrase, that was at first put in the margin or between the lines." The following Greek and Latin authors have not quoted the text * Greek authors: — Irenajus — Clemens Alexandrinus — Dionysius Alexandri nus, (or the writer against Paul of Samosata under his name) — Athanasius — The Synopsis of Scripture — The Synod of Sardica — Epiphanius — Basil — Alexander of Alexandria — Gregory Nyssen — Gregory Nazianzen, with his two commentators, Elias Cretensis and Nicetas — Didymus de Spiritu Sancto — Chrysostome — An author under^ his name de sancta et consubstantiali Trinitatg — C_esarius— Proclus-^The Council of Nice, as it is represented by Gelasius Cyzicenus — Hyppolytus — Andrias — Six catenae quoted by Simon — The marginal scholia of three MSS. — Hesychius — John Damascenus — Oecumenius — Euthymius Zigabenus. Latin authors: — The author de Baptismo Haereticorum, among Cy prian's works — Novatian — Hilary — Lucifer Calazitanus — Jerome — Augustine — Ambrose — Faustinus — Leo Magnus — The author de Promissis — Eucherius — Facundus — Cerealis — Rusticus — Bede — Gregory — Philastrius — Paschasius — Arnobius, jun. — Pope Eusebius. It is evident that if the text of the heavenly witnesses had been known from the beginning of Christianity, the ancients would have eagerly seized it, inserted it in their creeds, quoted it repeatedly against the heretics, and selected it for the brightest ornament of every book that they wrote upon the subject of the Trinity. In short, if this verse be really genuine, notwithstanding its absence from all the visible Greek MSS. except two ; one of which aukwardly translates the verse from the Latin, and the other transcribes it from a printed book ; notwithstanding its absence from all the versions except the vulgate ; and even from many of the best and oldest MSS. of the vulgate; notwithstanding the deep and dead silenee of all the Greek writers down to the thirteenth, and most of the Latins down to the middle of the eighth century ; if, in spite of all these objections it be still genuine, no part of Scripture whatsoever can be proved either spurious or genuine ; and Satan, has been permitted for many centuries, miraculously to banish the finest passage in the N. T. from the eyes and memories of almost all the Christian authors, .translators, and transcribers.f Sir Isaac Newton observes, that " what t,he Latins have done to * Porson's Letters to Travis, p. 363. t Ibid. p. 402. XI By the publication of the APOCRYPHA to the New Testament, the Editor conceives he has rendered an acceptable service to the Theological Student, and the Ecclesiastical Antiquary :— he has endeavoured this text, (1 John, V. 7.) the Greeks have done to that of St. Paul, (Timothy, III. 16.) For by changing 5 into 0, the abbreviation of ©ios, they now read. Great is the mystery of godliness : God mani fested in the jlesh : whereas all the churches for the first four or five hundred years, and the authors of all the ancient versions, Jerome, as well as the rest, read, Great is the mystery of godliness, which was manifested in the Jlesh." Sir Isaac gives a list of authors, who, he says, " wrote, all of them,4n the fourth and fifth centuries for the Deity of the Son, and incarnation of God ; and some of them largely, and in several tracts ; and yet," he says, " I cannot find that they ever allege this text to prove it, excepting that Gregory Nyssen* once urges it, (if the passage crept not iuto him out of some marginal annotation). In all the limes of the hot and lasting Arian controversy, it never came into play; though now those dis putes are over, they that read God made manifest in the Jlesh, think it," Sir Isaac says, " one of the most obvious and pertinent texts for the business." Sir Isaac Newton wrote the ' Dissertation ' wherein these remarks occur between the years 1690 and 1700, in the form of a letter to a friend. It was imperfectly published in 1754 ; but Bishop Horsley printed the whole from an original MS. and in the Bishop's edition Sir Isaac says, " If the Ancient Churches, in debating and deciding the greatest mysteries of religion knew nothing of these two texts, I understand not why we should be so fond of them now the debates are over. And while it is the character of an honest man to be pleased, and of a man of interest to be troubled at the detection of frauds, and of both to run most into those passions when the detec tion is made plainest; I hope," continues Sir Isaac, "this letter will, to one of your integrity, prove so, much the more acceptable, as it makes a further discovery than you have hitherto met with in com mentators." 'There are other interpolations and corruptions of passages in the New Testament, but the Editor perceives that the few observations he has hastily collected and thrown together in this note, have already extended it to undue length, and it must here close. * Orat. xi. contra Ennom. to render it more gratifying to the reader, and more convenient for reference, by arranging the books into chapters, and dividing the chapters into verses, after the manner of the APOCRYPHA to the Old Testa ment. He has only to add, that the lover of Old Literature will here find the obscure but unquestion able origin of several remarkable relations in the Golden Legend, the Lives of the Saints, and similar productions, concerning the Birth of the Virgin, her marriage with Joseph on the budding of his rod, the nativity of Jesus, the miracles of his Infancy, his labouring with Joseph at the carpentry trade, the actions of his followers, and his Descent into Hell. Se veral of the Papal Pageants for the populace, and the Monkish Mysteries performed as' Dramas at Chester, Coventry, Newcastle, and in other parts of England, are almost verbatim representations of the stories. These stories were also, introduced into the Grand Mystery of the gcteg HeS gpOSfreg, which, by order of Francis I. in 1,54.1, was represented at Paris, and occupied, with a Dramatis Personas of 485 Charac ters, several days in the performance, Many valuable Pictures by the best masters — Prints by the early engravers, particularly of the Italian and German schools-r-Wood~-cuts in early blHCtt Itftfct, and Block books-r--and Illuminations of missals and mo nastic MSS.-*-receive immediate elucidation on refer ring to the APOCRYPHAL NEW TESTAMENT, find are without explanation from any other source, J st August, 1830. PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.* Although the Apocryphal New Testament was put forth without pretension, or ostentatious an nouncement, or even ordinary solicitude for its fate, yet a large Edition has been sold in a few months. The Public demanding another, to this second Edition a small fragment of the second. Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians, accidentally omitted, has been added : it forms the fifth Chapter of that Epistle. There is, likewise annexed, a Table f of the years wherein all the Books of the New Testament are stated to have been written j to the ' Order of the Books of the Apocryphal New Testament,' the authorities from whence they have been taken are affixed j and, fi nally, many errors in the numerous scriptural refer ences subjoined as notes to the Epistles, have been corrected. These are the only material variations from the first Edition. It escaped the Editor to notice that the legends of the Koran and the Hindoo Mythology are considera bly connected with this volume. Many of the acts and miracles ascribed to the Indian God, Creeshna, during his Incarnation, are precisely the same with those attributed to Christ in his Infancy, by the Apocryphal Gospels, and are largely particularized by the Rev. Thomas Maurice in his learned History of Hindostan.J — , * This Preface and the other additions in the present edition are printed separately for the use of purchasers of the first edition. f Table III. $ B. iv. c. 3. and 4. XVI But the Editor has been charged with expressing too little veneration for the Councils ofthe Church. He feels none. It is true that respecting the three hundred Bishops assembled at the Council of Nice, the Emperor Constantine* says, that what was approved by these Bishops could be nothing less than the determination of God himself; since the Holy Spirit residing in such great and worthy souls, unfolded to them the divine will.f Yet Sabinus the Bishop of Heraclea, affirms, that " excepting Constantine himself, and Eusebius Pamphilus, they were a set of illiterate simple crea tures that understood nothing ;" and Pappus seems to have estimated them very low, for in his Synodicon tQ that Council, he tells us, that having "promiscuously put all the books that were referred to the Council for determination, under the communion table in a church, they besought the; Lord that the inspired writings might get upon the table, while the spurious ones remained underneath, and that it happened ac cordingly." A commentator J on this legend sug gests that nothing less than such a sight could sanctify that fiery zeal which breathes throughout an edict published by Constantine, in which he de crees that all the writings of Arius should be burn ed, and that any person concealing any writing com posed by him, and not immediately producing it, and committing it to the flames, should be punished * Socrates SchoL Eccl. Hist. b. i. c. 8. f Ibid. c. 9. + Mace's N. Test. p. 875. xvn with death.* Let us, with the illustrious Jortin, j* consider a -council called and presided over by this Barbarian Founder of the church militant : — by what various motives the various Bishops may have been influenced ; as by reverence to the Emperor, or to his counsellors and favorites, his slaves and eunuchs ; by the fear of offending some great prelate, as a Bishop of -Rome or of Alexandria, who had it in his power to insult, vex, and plague all the Bishops within and without his jurisdiction; by the dread of passing for Heretics, and of being calumniated, reviled, hated, . anathematized, excommunicated, imprisoned, ba nished, fined, beggared, starved, if they refused to sub mit; by compliance with some active, leading, and imperious spirits; by a deference to the majority; by a love of dictating and domineering, of applause and respect ; by vanity and ambition ; by a total ignorance of the question in debate, or a total indif ference about it; by private friendships; by enmity and resentmept ; by old prejudices ; by hopes of gain ; by an indolent disposition ; by good nature ; by the fatigue of attending, and a desire to be at home ; by the love of peace and quiet * and a hatred of contention, &c._j. Whosoever takes these things into due consideration will not be disposed to pay a * Socrates, Schol. Eccl. Hist. b. i. c. 9. f Rem. on Eccl. Hist. vol. ii. p. 177. % These considerations are more or less natural o'n becoming ac quainted with the proceedings of every Council, from that of Nice to that of Trent in the year 1545, which, Father Paul says, was for di vers ends and by divers means, procured and hastened, hindered and deferred, for two and twenty years ; and, for eighteen yenrs more, b XVlll . 1 I blind deference to the authority of General Councils, but will rather be inclined to judge that " the Coun cil held by the Apostles at Jerusalem was the first and the last in which the Holy Spirit may be affirmed to have presided."* In accommodation to this opinion, the Church of England compels her Clergy to subscribe to the fol lowing among the thirty-nine 'Articles of Religion :'f " When General Councils be gathered together (foras much as they be an assembly of men, whereof all be not governed with the Spirit and Will of God) they may err, and sometimes have erred, even in things per taining unto God: wherefore things ordained by them as necessary to salvation have neither strength nor authority, unless it may be declared that they be taken out of Holy Scripture." After eighteen centuries of bloodsjied and cruelties was sometimes assembled and sometimes dissolved. Brent, a Trans lator of Paul's History of that council, says, " it would be infinite to relate the stratagems the Bishops of Rome used to divert the council before it began, their postings to and fro, to hinder the proposing of those things which they thought would diminish their profit or pull down their pride ; and their policies to enthral the prelates, and to procure a majority of voices." It is stated by Guicciardini, that "as the priests were laised step by step to earthly power, they cared less and less for relig'ous pre cepts. Using their spiritual only as an instrument of their tem poral authority, their business was no more sanctity of life, increase of religion, and love and charity towards their neighbours ; but fo menting. wars among Christians, and employing all arts and snares to scrape money together; and making new laws against the people. Hence they were no longer respected, although by the powerful ' name of religion they maintained their authority, being helped therein," says Guicciardini, " by the /acuity which they have of grati fying princes." — Guicciardini's Hist. b. iv. * Jortin's Rem. on Eccl. Hist. vol. ii. p. 177. + Art. xxi. XIX perpetrated in the name of Christianity, it is gradually emerging from the mystifying subtleties of Fathers, Councils, and Hierarchies, and the incumbering edicts of Soldier-kings and Papal decretals. Charmed by the, loveliness of its primitive simplicity, every sincere human heart will become a temple for its habitation, and every man become a priest unto himself. Thus and thus only, will be established the Religion of Him, who, having the same interest with ourselves tn the welfare of mankind, left us, for the Rule ofour Happiness, the sum and substance of His Code of peace and goodwill: — Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do you even so to them. By some persons of the multitude, coramonly cnown by the name of Christians, and who profess to suppose they do God service by calling themselves so, ;he Editor has been attacked with a malignity and 'ury, that would have graced the age of Mary and Elizabeth, when Catholics put to death Protestants, ind Protestants put to death Catholics, for the sake >f Him who commanded mankind to love one ano ther. To these assailants, he owes no explanation ; ;o the craft of disingenuous criticism, he offers no re aly; to the bolt of the Bigot, and the shaft of the >hrine-maker, he scarcely condescends the opposition jf a smile. 13th February, 1821. tHE ORDER OF ALL THE BOOKS APOCRYPHAL NEW TESTAMENT. Note.— Column 1 , contains the proper Names of the Books.— Col. 2, tite Number of Chapters in each. — Col: 3, the page whereon each Book commences. — Co!. 4, the Authorities for each briefly stated. Names. Mary hatli .... Protevangelion . . I. Infancy .... II Infancy .... Clirist and Abgarus . Nicodemus . . . . Apostles' Creed in its ancient state . , . Apostles' Creed in its present state . . . Laodiceans . _ . . Paul and Seneca Paul and Thecla r Corinthians ' 11 Corinthians Barnabas Ephesians . Magnesians . Trallians . . Romans . . Philadelphians Smyrri-eans . Polycarp . . Philippians . I Hermas — V; II Hermas mauds . HI Herin a. r^S 8 16 lsions Com tudes as — Simili 22 14 11 41 43 4472 ,72 73 71 78 90 118 122 14.5 149 152 155 159 162 166 169 174 189 205 Authorities. — See also the Authorities more at large in the Notices before each Book. In the works of St. Jerome, a Father of the Chinch, who died A. D. 420. Postellus brought the MS. from the Le vant, translated it into Latin,, and cansed it to be piinted at Zurich in 1552. Received by the Gnostics, a sect of Chris1- tians in the second Century, and trans lated into English by Mr. Henry Sike, Ori enta! Professor at Cambridge in 1697. Piinted by Professor Cotelerius in a note to his works of the Apostolic Fathers, from a MS. in the King of France's Library, No, 2279, and Bishop of Csesarea A. D. 315. Preserved by Eusebius, one of the Coijn- cil of Nice, in his Ecclesiastical History. Book I. chap. 13. Published by Professor Grynxus in the Orthodojcographia, 1555, tom. ii. p. ^43. > Without the articles of Christ's Descent into Hell and the Communion of Saints. See it thus handed down in Mr. Justice Bailey's Edition of the Book of Common Prayer, 8vo. 1813, p. 3. note: Also in Bingham's Antiquities of thfe Christian • Church, folio, 1726. B.10. c. 4. s. 18." , In the Book of Commou Prayer of the Church of Eugland. From ancient MSS. in the Sorbonne and the Library of loannes a Viridario at Padua See also Poole's Annotations on Col. iv. 16. and Harl. MSS. Cod. 1212. Jerome ranks Seneca on account of these Epistles amongst the holy writers of the Church. They are preserved by Sixtus Senensis in his Bibliotheque, p. 89, 90. From the Greek MS. in Ihe Bodleian Library, copied by Dr. Mills, and trans mitted to Dr. Grabe, who edited and printed it in bis Spicilegium. These are " The Genuine Epistles of tlie Apostolical Fathers : being, together with the Holy Scriptures ofthe New Testament a complete collection of the most primitive Antiquity foK about a hundred and fifty years after Christ. Translated and published with a large preliminary discourse relating to the several Treatises by the most Reverend Father in God, William,, (Wake) Lord Bishop of Lincoln," afterwards Lord Archbishop ot Canterbury. The authorities and proofs adduced by this erudite and honest pre late will be found in great number ,in the Introduction and Discourses to the Edition of the Archbishop's Translation of these Epistles published in 1817, by Mr.BAGSTER THE &pocr$p!ml Jleto Ceatament The GOSPEL of the BIRTH of MARY. [In tbe primitive ages there was a Gospel extanfriffearing tbis name, attributed to St. Matthew, and received as genuine and authentic by several ofthe an cient Christian sects. It ts to be found in the works of Jerome, a Father of the Church, who flourished in the fourth century, from whence the present translation is made. His contemporaries, Epiphanius, Bishop of Salamis, and Austin, also mention a Gospel under this title. Tbe ancient copies differed from Jerome's, for from one of them the learned Fanstus, a native of Britain, who became Bishop of Riez, in Provence, endeavoured to prove that Christ was not the Son of God till after his baptism ; and that he was not of the house of David and tribe of Judah, because, according to the Gospel be cited, the Virgin herself was not ofthis tribe, but of the tribe of Levi ; her father being a priest of the name of Joachim. It wa9 likewise from this Gospel that the sect of the Collyridians established the worship and offering of manchet bread and cracknels, or fine wafers, as sacrifices to Mary, whom they imagined to have been born of a Virgin, as Christ is re lated in the Canonical Gospels to have been born of her. Epiphanius like wise cites a passage concerning tbe death of Zacharias, which is not in Jerome's copy, viz. " That it was tbe occasion of the death of Zacharias in the temple, that when he had seen a vision, he, through surprise, was willing to disclose it, and his month was stopped. That which he saw was at the time of his offering incense, and it was a man standing in the form of an ass. When he was gone out, and had a mind to speak thus to the people,. Woe unto you, whom do ye worship? he who had appeared to him iu the temple took awiy the use of his speech. Afterwards when he recovered it, and was able to speak, he declared this to the Jews, and they slew him. They add (viz. the Gnostics in this book), that on this very account the high-priest was appointed by their lawgiver (by God to Moses) to carry little belli, that whensoever he went into the temple to sacrifice, he, whom they worshipped, hearing the noise of the bells, might have time enough to bide himself, and not be caught in that ugly shape and figure." — The principal part of this Gospel is contained in the Protevangelion of James, which fol lows next in order.] CHAP. I. I The family of her father was of 1 uZ?1*! / MiP' I JoacMm Galilee and the city of Nazareth. her father, and Anna her mother, »(«,,,, , -, , , * ., » Jerusalem lo the feast of the dedication. The famlly of her mother was of Bethlehem. 3 Their lives were plain and 7 Issachar the high-priest reproaches Joachim for being childless. THE blessed and ever glorious Virgin Mary, sprung frpm the royal race and family of David, was born in the city of Nazareth, and educated at Jerusalem, in the temple of the Lord. 2 Her father's name was Joa chim, and her mother's Anna. 1 right in the sight of the Lord, pious and faultless before men. For they divided all their sub stance into three parts : 4 One of which they devoted to the temple and officers of the temple ; another they distributed among strangers, and persons in B Marys parents barren. MARY. poor circumstances; andthe-third they reserved for themselves and the uses of their own family. 5 In this manner they lived for about twenty years chastely, in the favour of God, and the esteem of men, without any children. 6 But they vowed, if God should favour them with any issue, they would devote it to the service of the Lord;- on which account they went at every feast in the year to the temple ofthe Lord.1 7' % And it came to pass, that when the feast of the dedication drew near, Joachim, with some others of his tribe, went up lo Jerusalem, and, at that time, Issa- char was high-priest; ¦>. 8 Who, when he saw Joachim along with the rest of his neigh bours, bringing his offerings, des pised both him and his offerings, and asked him, 9 Why he, who had no chil dren, would presume to appear among those who had ? Adding, that his offerings could never be acceptable to God, who was judg ed by him unworthy to have chil dren ; the Scripture having said, ' Cursed is every one who shall not beget a male in Israel* 10 He further said^ that he ought first to be free from that curse by begetting some issue, and then come with his offerings into the presence of God. 11 But Joachim being much confounded with the shame of such reproach, retired to the shep herds who were with the cattle in their pastures ; 12. For he was not inclined to return home, lest his neighbours, who were present and heard all. this from the high-priest, should publicly reproach hinj in the same manner. An angel appears, and II. " 1 Sam. i. 6,7, &e -2 CHAP. 1 An angel appears to Joachim, 9 and informs him that Anna shall conceive and bring forth a daughter, who shall be culled Mary, 11 be brought up in ihe temple, Vi and while yet a virgin, in a way unparaHeled, bring forth the Son of God: 13 gives him a sign, 14 and departs. BUT when he had been there for some time, on a certain day when he was alone, the angel of the Lord stood by him with a' prodigious light, 2 To whom, being troubled at the appearance, the angel who had appeared to him, endeavour ing to compose him, said ; 3 Be not afraid, Joachim, nor troubled at the sight of me, for I am an angel of the Lord sent by him to you, that! might inform you, that your prayers are heard, and your alms ascended in the sight of God.8 4 For he hath surely seen your . shame, and' heard you unjustly reproached for not having chil dren ; for God is the avenger of sin, and not of nature ; 5 And so when he shuts the womb of any person, he does it for this reason, that he may in a more wonderful manner again open it, and that which is born appear to be not the product of lust, but the gift of God. 6 For the first mother of your nation Sarah, was she not barren even till her eightieth year : And yet even in the end of her old age brought forth Isaac, in whom the promise was made of a hjessing to all nations.3 7 Rachel also, so much ir\'fa- vour with God, and beloved so much by holy Jacob, continued barren for a long time, yet after wards was the mother of Joseph, who was not only governor of ** Acts, x. 4. ¦> Gen. xvi. 2, &c. and xviii. 10, &c. promises (hem a child. MARY. Anna conceives. Egypt, but delivered many na tions from perishing with hun ger.1 8 Who, afnong the judges, was more valiant than Sampson, or more holy than Samuel? And yet both their mothers were bar ren.2 9 But if reason will not con vince you of the truth of my words, that there are frequent conceptions in advanced years, an/I that those who were barren have brought forth to their great surprise ; therefore Anna your wife shall bring you a daughter, and you shall call her name Mary ; lf> She shall, according to your vow, be devoted to tbe Lord from her infancy, and be filled with the Holy Ghost from her mother's womb ; 3 11 She shall neither eat nor drink any thing which is unclean, | nor shall her conversation be with out among the common people, but in the temple of the Lord ; that so she may not fall under any slander or suspicion of what is bad. 12 So in the process of her years, as she shall be in a mira culous manner born of one that was barren, so she shall, while yet a virgin, in a way unparalleled, bring forth the Son of the most High God, who shall be called Jesus, and, according to the sig nification of his name, be the Sa viour of all nations.* 13 And this shall be a sign to ' you of the things which I declare, namely, when you come to the golden gate of Jerusalem, you shall there meet your wife Anna, who being very much troubled that you returned no sooner, shall then rejoice to see you*: 14 When the angel had said this, he departed from him. CHAP. III. 1 The angel appears to Anna; 2 tells her a daughter shall be born unto her 3 devoted to the service of the Lord in the temple, 5 who, being a virgin, and not knowing- man, shall bring forth the Lord, 6 and gives her a sign thereof, 8 Joachim and Anna meet, and rejoice, 10 and praise the Lord. 11 Anna conceives, and brings forth a daughter called Mary. AFTERWARDS the angel ap peared to Anna his- wife, saying; Fear not, neither -think that which you see is a spirit ;5 2 For I am that angel who hath offered up your prayers and alms before God, and am now sent to you, that I may inform you, that a daughter will be born unto you, who shall be called Mary, and shall be blessed above all women.6 3 She shall be, immediately up on her birth, full of the grace of the Lord, and shall continue dur ing the three years of her wean ing in her father's house, and after wards, being devoted to the service ofthe Lord, shall not depart from the temple, till she arrives to years of discretion. 4 In a word, she shall there serve the Lord night and day in fasting and prayer,7 shall abstain from every unclean thing, and never know any man ; 5 But, being an unparalleled in stance, without any pollution or defilement, and a virgin not know ing any man, shall bring forth a son, and a maid shall bring forth the Lord, who both by his grace and name and works, shall be the Saviour of the world. 6 Arise therefore, and go tip to Jerusalem, and 4when you shall come to that which is called the 1 Gen. xxx. 1—29. and xii. 1, &c. * Judg. xiii. 2. and 1 Sam. i. 6, &c. 3 Luke, i. 15. 4 Matth. i. Si'. ' s Miktth, xiv. 26. ' 6 Luke, i. 28. ** Luke, ii. 37. . 3 B 2 Mary born. MARY. Ministered unto by angels. golden gate (because it is gilt with gold), as a sign of what I have told,you, you shall meet your hus band, for whose safety you hj_ve been so much concerned. 7 When therefore you find these things thus accomplished, believe that all the rest which I have told you, shall also undoubt edly be accomplished. 8 %. According therefore to the command of the angel, both of them left the places where they were, and when they came to the place specified in the angel's pre diction, they met each other. 9 Then, rejoicing at each other's vision, and being fully satisfied in the promise of a child, they gave due thanks to the Lord, who exalts the humble. 10 After having praised the Lord, they returned home, 'and lived in a cheerful and assured ex pectation of the promise of God. 11 f virginity. MARY. The high-priest in difficulty. conversation of angels, and every day received visions from God, which preserved her from all sorts of evil, and caused her to abound with all good things ; 3 So that when at length she arrived to her fourteenth year, as tbe wicked could not lay any thing to her charge worthy of reproof, so all good persons, who were ac quainted with her, admired her life and conversation. 4 At that lime the high-priest made a public order, That all the virgins who had public settlements in the temple, and were come to this age, should return home, and, as 'they were now of a proper maturity, should, according to the custom of their country, endea vour to be married. 5 To which command, though all the other virgins readily yielded obedience, Mary the Virgin of the Lord alone answered, that she could not comply with it, 6 Assigning these reasons, that both she • and her parents had devoted her to the service of the Lord ; and besides, that she had vowed virginity to the Lord, which vow she was resolved never to break through by lying with a man. 7 The high-priest being hereby brought into a difficulty, 8 Seeing he durst neither on the one hand dissolve the vow, and disobey the Scripture, which says, Vow" and pay,1 9 Nor on the other hand intro duce a custom, to which the peo ple were strangers, commanded 10 That at the approaching feast all the principal persons both of Jerusalem and the neighbour ing places should meet together, that he might have their advice, how he had best proceed in so difficult a case. 1 1 When they were accordingly met, they unanimously agreed to seek the Lord, and ask counsel from him on this matter.9 12 And when they were all en gaged in prayer, the high-priest, according to the usual way, went to consult God, 13 And immediately there waa a voice from the ark, and the mercy-seat, which all present heard, that it must be inquired or sought outby'4 prophecy of Isaiah, to whom the Virgin- should be given and be betrothed ; 14 For Isaiah saith, there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a flower shall spring out of its root, 15 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and Might, the Spirit of Knowledge and Piety, and the Spirit of the fear of the Lord shall fill him. 16 Then, according to this pro phecy, he appointed, that all the men of the house and family of' David, who were marriageable, and not married, should bring tbeir several rods to the altar, 17 And out of whatsoever per son's rod after it was brought, a flower should bud forth, and on the top of it the Spirit of the Lord should sit in the appearance of a dove, he should be the , man to whom the Virgin should be given and be betrothed. CHAP. VI. 1 Joseph draws back his rod. 5 Tht dove pitches on it. 6 He betroths Mary and returns to Bethlehem. 7 Mary re turns to her parents' house at Galilee. 1 Eccies. v. 4; 5, 6. and Psalm Ixxvi. 11. 1 Num. xxvii. 21. compared with Exod. xxviii. 30. Lev. viii, 8. Deut. xxxiii. 8. Ezra, ii. 63. N eliem. vii, 05. 5 The Virgin betrothed. ' MARY. Angel Gabriel salutes Mary, AMONG the rest there was a man named Joseph, of the house and family of David, and a* person very far advanced in years, who drew back his rod, when every one besides presented his.; 2 So that when . nothing ap peared agreeable to the heavenly voice, the high-priest judged it proper to>consult God. again, S Who answered, that he to whom the Virgin was to be be trothed was the only* person of those who were brought together, who had not brought his rod. 4 Joseph therefore was be trayed. 5 For, when he did bring his rod, and a dove coming from Heaven pitched upon the top of it, everyone plainly saw, that the Virgin was to be betrothed to him.: , 6 Accordingly, the usual cere monies of betrothing being over, he returned to his own city of Bethlehem, to set his house in order,, and make the needful pro visions for the marriage. 7 But the Virgin. of the Lord, Mary, with seven other virgins of the same age, who had been wean ed at the same time, and who had been appointed to attend her bythe priest, returned to her pa rents' house in Galilee. CHAP. VII.' 1 The salutation ofthe Virgin ly. Gabriel, who explains to her ihat she shall con ceive, without lying uiith a man, while a Virgin 19 by the Holy Ghost coming upon her without the heats of lust. 21 She submits. NOW at this time of her first coming into Galilee, the angel Gabriel was sent to her from God, to declare to her the conception of our Saviour, and the manner and way of her con ceiving him. 1 Luke, i. 28. 2 Accordingly going in to her he filled the chamber where she was with a prodigious light, and in a most courteous manner salut ing her, he said, 3 Hail, Mary ! Virgin of the Lord most acceptable ! Oh Virgin full of grace ! The Lord is with you, you are blessed above all wo men, you, are blessed above, all men, that have been hitherto born.1 4 But the Virgin, who had be fore been well acquainted with the countenances of angels, and to whom such light from heaven was no uncommon thing, 5 Was neither terrified with the vision ofthe angel, nor astonished at the greatness of the light, but only troubled about the angel's words ; , 6 And began to consider what so extraordinary a salutation should mean,, what it did portend, or what sort of end it would have.2 / 7 To this thought the angel, divinely inspired, replies; 8 Fear not, Mary, as though I intended any thing inconsistent with your chastity in this saluta tion : ¦9 For you have found favour with the Lord, because you made virginity your choice'. 10 Therefore while you are a Virgin, you shall conceive without sin, and bring forth a son. 1 1 He shall be great, because he shall reign from sea to sea, and from the rivers even to the ends of the earth,3 12 And he shall be called the Son of the Highest ; for he who is born in a mean state on earth, reigns in an exalted one in heaven. 13 And the Lord shall give him the throne of his father David, and 4 Luke, i. 29. *¦ Luke, i. 31,' &c. und tells her she shall- conceive. MARY. : She is married to Joseph. he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his king dom there shall be no end. 14 For he is the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, and his throne is for ever and ever. 15 To this discourse of the angel the Virgin replied, not, as though she were unbelieving", but willing to know the manner of it : 16 She said, How can that be? .For seeing, according to my vow, 1 never have known any man, how can I bear a child-without the ad dition of a mail's seed ? 17 To this the angel replied and said, Think not, Mary, that you shall conceive in the ordinary way. 18 For, without lying with a man, while a Virgin, you shall conceive ; while a Virgin, you shall bring1 forth ; and while a Virgin, shall give suck : 19 For the Holy Ghost shall come upon you, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow you, without any of the heats of lust. 20 So that which shall be born of you shall be only holy, because it only is conceived without sin, and being born, shall be called the Son of God. 21 Then Mary stretching forth her hands, and lifting her eyes to heaven, said, Behold the hand maid ofthe Lord ! Let it be unto me according to thy word.1 CHAP. VIII. 1 Joseph returns lo Galilee to marruthe Virgin he had betrothed, 4 perceives she is with child, ii is uneasy] 7 pur poses to put her away privily, 8 is told ' by the angel of the Lord it is not. the work of mun but the^Hoty Ghost. 12 Marries her, but keeps chaste, 13 removes with her to Bethlehem, 15- where she brings forth Christ. JOSEPH therefore went from Judaea to Galilee, with inten tion .to marry the Virgin who was betrothed to him ; 2 For it was now near three months since she was betrothed to him. 3 At length it plainly appeared she was with child, and it could not be hid from Joseph : 4 For going to the Virgin in a free manner, as one espoused, and talking familiarly with her, he perceived her to be with child, 5 And thereupon began to be uneasy and doubtful, not knowing what course it would be best to take ; 6 For being a just man, he was not willing to expose ber, nor de fame her by the suspicion of be ing a whore, since he was a pious man. 7 He purposed therefore pri-. vately to put an end to their agreement, and as privately to send her away. 8 But while he was meditating these things,2 behold the angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, and said, Joseph, son of David, fear not ; 9 Be not willing to entertain any suspicion of the Virgin's be ing guilty of fornication, or to think any thing amiss of her, neither be afraid to take ber to wife ; 10 For that which is'begotten in her, and now distresses your mind, is not the work of man, but the Holy Ghost. 1 1 For she of all women is that only Virgin who shall bring forth the Son of God, and you shall call his name Jesus, that is, Saviour ; for he will save his people from their sins. 12 Joseph thereupon, accord ing to the command of the angel, married the Virgin, and did not -» Luke. i. 38. » Matt. i. 20. Joachim's offering THE PROTEVANGELION. in tfte temple they were there, the days -were fulfilled for her bringing forth, 15 And she brought forth her first-born son, as the holy Evan gelists have taught, even our Lord Jesus Christ, who with the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, lives and reigns to everlasting ages. know her, but kept her in chas tity. 13 And now the ninth month from her conception drew near, when Joseph took his wife and what other things were necessary to Bethlehem, the city from whence he came. 14 And it came to pass, while The PROTEVANGELION; or, An Historical Account ofthe BIRTH OF CHRIST, and the perpetual VIRGIN MARY his Mother, by JAMES the Lesser, Cousin and Brother of the Lord Jesus, chief Apostle and first Bishop of the Christians in Jerusalem. [This Gospel is ascribed to James. The allusions to it in the ancient Fathers are frequent, and their expressions indicate that it had obtained a very general credit in the Christian world. The controversies founded upon it chiefly relate to the age of Joseph at the Birth of Christ, and to his being a widower, with children, before bis marriage with the Virgin. It seems material to remark, that the legends of the latter ages affirm the virginity of Joseph, notwithstanding Epiphaoins, Hilary, Chrysostom, Cyril, Euthymius, Theo phylact, Oecnmenius, and indeed all the Latin Fathers till Ambrose, and the Greek Fathers afterwards, maintain the opinions of Joseph's age and family, founded upon their belief in the authenticity of this book. It is supposed to have been originally composed in Hebrew. Postellus brought the MS. of this Gospel from the Levant, translated it into Latin, and sent it to Oporinus, a printer at Basil, where Bibliander, a Protestant divine, and tbe Professor of Divinity at Zurich, caused it to be printed in 1552. Pos tellus asserts, that it was publicly read as Canonical in the Eastern Churches, they making no doubt that James was the author of it. It is, nevertheless, considered apocryphal by some ofthe most learned divines in the Protestant and Catholic churches.] CHAP. I. Israel offered their gifts, and Jo- 1 Joachim, a rich man, 2 offers to the Lord, 3 is opposed by Reuben the high- priest, because he has not begotten issue in Israel, 6 retires into the wilderness andfastsforty days and forty nights. IN the history of the twelve tribes of Israel we read there was a certain person called Joa chim, who being very rich, made double ' offerings to the Lord God, having ' made this resolu tion ; my substance shall be for the benefit of the whole people, and that 1 may find mercy from the Lord God for the forgiveness of my sins. 2 But al a certain great feast of the Lord, when the children of achim also offered his, Reuben the high-priest opposed him, say ing, It is not lawful for thee to offer thy gifts, seeing thou hast not begot any issue in Israel. 3 At this Joachim being con cerned very much, went away to consult the registries of the twelve tribes, to see whether he was the only person who had begot no issue. 4 But upon inquiry he found, that all the righteous had raised up seed in Israel : 5 Then he called to mind the patriarch Abraham, how that God in the end of his life had given 8 1 That is, gave as much more as he was obliged to give. rejected for his THE PROTEVANGELION. him his son Isaac ; upon which he was exceedingly distressed, and would not be seen by his wife ; 6 But retired into the wilder ness, and fixed his tent there, and fasted forty days and forty nights, saying to himself, 7 I will not go down either to eat or drink, till the Lord my God shall look down upon me, but prayer shall be my meat and drink.1 CHAP. II. 1 Anna, the wife of Joachim, mourns her barrenness, 6 is reproached with it by Judith her maid, 9 sits under a laurel tree, and prays to the Lord. IN the mean time his wife- Anna was distressed and perplexed on a double account, and said, I will mourn both for my widow hood and my barrenness. 2 Then drew near a great feast of the Lord, and Judith her maid said, How long will you thus af flict your soul ? The feast of the Lord is now come, when it is un lawful for any one to mourn. 3 Take therefore this hood which was given me by one who makes such things, for it is not fit that I, who am a servant, should wear it, but it well suits a person of your greater character. 4 But Anna replied, Depart from me, I am not used to such things ; besides, the Lord hath greatly humbled me. ' 5 I fear some ill-designing per son hath given thee this, and thou art come to pollute me with thy sin. 6 Then Judith her maid an swered, What evil shall I wish you, since you will not hearken to me? 7 I cannot wish you a greater curse than you are under, in that barrenness. God hath shut up your womb, that you should not be a mother in Israel. 8 At this Anna was exceedingly troubled, and having on her wed ding garment, went about three o'clock in the afternoon to walk in her garden. 9 And she saw a laurel-tree, and sat under it, and prayed unto the Lord, saying, 10 O God of my fathers, bless me and regard my prayer, as thou didst bless the womb of Sarah, and gavest her a son Isaac.9 CHAP. III. 1 Anna, perceiving a sparrow's nest in the laurel, bemoans her barrenness. AND as she was looking to wards heaven, she perceived a sparrow's nest in the laurel, 2 And mourning within her self, she said, Wo is me, who begat me ? and what womb did bare me, that I should be (hus accursed before the children of Israel, and that they should re proach and deride me in the tem ple of my God : Wo is me, t» what can I be compared ? 3 I am not comparable to the very beasts of the earth, for even the beasts of the earth are fruitful before thee, O Lord ! Wo is me, to what can I be compared ? 4 I am not comparable to the brute animals, for even the brute animals are fruitful before thee, O Lord ! Wo is me, to what am I comparable ? 5 I cannot be compared to these waters, for even the waters are fruitful before thee, O Lord ! Wo is me, to what can I be com pared ? 6 I am not comparable to the waves of the sea ; for these, whe ther they are calm, or in motion, 1 In imitation of the forty days' and nights' fast of Moses, recorded Exod. xxiv. 18. xxxiv. 28. Deut. ix. 9 ; of Elijah, 1 Kings , xix. 8 ; and Christ's, Matt. iv. 2. e Gen. xxi. 2. 9 -Angels fbrctel with the fishes which are in them, praise thee, O Lord ! Wo is me, to what can I be compared? ,7 I am not comparable to the -very earth, for the earth produces its fiuits, and praises thee, O Lord! CHAP. IV. 1 An angel appears to Anna, and tells her she shall conceive ; 3 two angels appear to hir un the same errand. 5 Joachim sacrifices. 8 Anna goes to meU him, 9 rejoicing that she shall conceive. THEN an angel of the Lord stood by her, and said, Anna, Anna, the Lord hath heard thy prayer; thou shalt conceive and bring forth, and thy progeny shall be spoken of in all the world. 2 And Anna answered, As the LokI my God liveth, whatever I brin'g forth, whether it be male or •female, I will devote it to the Lord my God, and it shall minister to him in holy things, during its whole life. 3 And behold there appeared two angels, saying unto her, Be hold Joachim thy husband is com ing with his shepherds, 4 For an angel of the Lord hath also come down to him, and said, The Lord God hath heard thy prayer, make haste and go hence, for behold Anna thy wife shall conceive. 5 And Joachim went down, and called his shepherds, saying, Bring me hither ten she-lambs without spot or blemish, and they shall be for the Lord my God, 6 And bring me twelve calves without blemish, and the twelve calves shall be for the priests and the elders. 7 Bring me also a hundred goats, and the hundred goats shall be for the whole people. 8 And Joachim went down with THE PROTEVANGELION. Mary's birth. the shepherds, and Anna stood by the gate, and saw Joachim com ing with the shepherds, 9 And she ran, and hanging about his neck, said, Now I know that the Lord hath greatly blessed me; 10 For behold, I who was a wi dow am no longer a widow, and I who was barren shall conceive. CHAPr-V. 1 Joachim abides the first day in his house, but sacrifices on the morrow, 2 con sults the plate un the priest's forehead, 3 and is wiihout sin. . 6 Anna brings forlh a daughter, 9 whom she calls Mary. AND Joachim abode the first day in his house, but on the morrow he brought his offerings, . and said, 2 If the Lord be propitious to me, let the plate which is on the priest's forehead1 make it mani fest. 3. And he consulted the plate which the priest wore, and saw it, and behold sin was not found in him. 4 And Joachim said, Now I know that the Lord is propitious to me, and hath taken away all my sins. 5 And he went down from the temple of the Lord justified, and he'went to his own house.; 6 And when nine months were fulfilled to Anna, she brought forth, and said to the midwife, What bave I brought forth ? 7 And she told her, A girl., 8 Then Anna said, The1 Lord hath this day magnified, my soul ; and she laid her in bed. 9 And when the days of her purification were accomplished, she gave suck to the child, and called her name Mary. 1 Such an instrument God had appointed the high-priest to wear for such discoveries. See Exod. xxviii. 36, &c, and Spencer de Urini et Tluiuunim. Her dedication THE PROTEVANGELION. in the temple. CHAP. VI. 1 Mary at. nine months old, walks nine steps, 3 Anna keeps her holy, 4 when she is a year old, Joachim makes a great feast, 7 Anna gives Iter the breast, and sings a song to the Lord. . AND^ tbe child increased in strength every day, so that when she was nine months old, her mother put her upon the ground to try if she could stand; and when she had walked nine steps, she came again to her mo ther's lap. 2 Then her mother caught her up, and said, As the Lord my God liveth, thou shalt not walk again on this earth, till I bring 1 thee into the temple of the Lord. 3 Accordingly she made h'er chamber a holy place, and suffered nothing common or unclean to- come near ber, but invited certain undefiled daughters of Israel, and they drfew her aside. 4 But when the child was a year old, Joachim made a great feast, and invited the priests, scribes, elders, and all the people of Israel ; 5 And Joachim then made an offering of the girl _to the chief- priests, and they blessed her, say ing, The God of our fathers bless this girl, and give her a name fa mous and lasting through all ge nerations. And all the people re plied, So be it, Amen : 6 Then Joachim a second time offered her to the priests, and they blessed her, saying, O most high God, rCgard this girl, and bless her with an everlasting blessing. 7 Upon this her mother took her up, and gave her the breast, and sung the following song to the Lord:1 8 I will sing a song unto the Lord my God, for he, hath visited me, and taken away from me the reproach of mine enemies, and hath given me the fruit of his righteousness, that it may now be told to the sons of Reuben, that Anna gives suck. 9 Then she put the child to rest in the room which she had conse crated, and she went out and mi nistered unto them. 10 And when the feast was ended, they went away rejoicing, and praising the God of Israel. CHAP. VII. 3 Mary being three years old, Joachim causes certain virgins, to light each a lamp, and goes with her to the temple. 5 The high-priest places her on the third step of the altar, and she dunces with her feet. BUT the girl grew, and when she was two years old, Joa chim said to Anna, Let us lead her to the temple of the Xord, that we may perform our vow, which we have vowed unto the Lord God, lest he should be angry with us, and our offering be un acceptable. 2 But Anna said, Let us wait the third year, jest she should be at a loss to know her father. And Joachim said Let us then wait. 3 And when the child was three years old, Joachim, said, Let us invite the daughters of the He brews, who are undefiled, and let them take each a lamp, and let them be lighted, that the child may not turn back again, and her mind be set against the temple of the Lord. 4 And they did thus till they ascended into the temple, of the Lord. And the bigh-prjiest re ceived her, and blessed h,er, and said, Mary, the Lojd^God hath magnified thy naineio all genera tions, and to the veiry^ end oftime by thee will the Lord shew his re- 11 1 Compare 1 Sam. ii. 1. &c. with Luke, i. 46. Mary married THE PROTEVANGELION. to Joseph. demption to the children of Is rael. 5 And he placed her upon the third step of the altar, and the Lord gave unto her grace, and she danced with her feet, and all the house of Israel loved her. CHAP. VIII. 2 Mary fed in the temple by angels, 3 when twelve years old, the priests con sult what io do with her. 6 The angel | of the Lord warns Zacharias to call to gether all the widowers, each bringing a rod. 7 The people meet by sound of trumpet. 6 Joseph throws away his hatchet, and goes to the meeting, 11 a dove comes forth from his rod, and j alights on his head. IS He is chosen to betroth the Virgin, 13 refuses, be cause he is an old man, IS is com pelled, 16 takes her home, and goes to mind his trade of building. AND her parents went away, filled With wonder.and prais ing God, because the girl did not return back to them. 2 But Mary continued in the temple, as a dove educated there, and received her food from the hand of an angel. S And when she was twelve years of age, the priests met in a council, and said, Behold, Mary is twelve years of age ; what shall we do with her, for fear lest the holy place of the Lord our God should be defiled ? 4 Then replied the priests to Zacharias the high-priest, Do you stand at the altar of the Lord, and enter into the holy place, and make petitions concerning her, and whatsoever the Lord shall manifest unto you, that do. 5 Then the high-priest entered into the Holy of Holies, and tak ing away with him the breast plate of judgment,1 made prayers concerning*' hei;;'; 6 And behold the angel of the Lord came to him, and said, Za charias, Zacharias, Go forth and call together all the widowers among the people, and let every one of them bring his rod, and he by whom the Lord shall shew a sign, shall be the husband of Mary. 7 And the criers went out through all Judaea, and the trum pet of the Lord sounded, and all the people ran and met together. 8 If Joseph also throwing away his hatchet, went out to- meet tbem ; and wlun they were met, they went to the high-priest, tak ing every man his rod. 9 After the high-priest had re ceived their rods, he went into the temple to pray ; 10 And when he had finished his prayer, he took the rods, and went forth and distributed them, and there was no miracle attended them. 11 The last rod was taken by Joseph, and behold, a dove pro ceeded out of the rod, and flew upon the head of Joseph. 12 And the high-priest said, Joseph, Thou art the person chosen to take the Virgin of the Lord, to keep her for him ; 13 But Joseph refused, saying, I am an old man, and have chil dren, but she is young, and I fear lest I should appear ridiculous in Israel. 14 Then the high-priest re plied, Joseph, Fear the Lord thy God, and remember how God dealt with Dathah, Kbrah, and Abiram, how the earth opened and swallowed them up, because of their contradiction. 15 Now therefore, Joseph, fear God, lest the like things should happen in your family. 16 Joseph then being afraid, took her unto his house, and Jo- 12 '¦ See Exod. xxviii. 22, &c. Mary conceives THE PROTEVANGELION- by the Holy Ghost. seph said unto Mary, Behold, I have taken thee from the Temple of tbe Lord, and now I will leave thee in my House 5 I must go to mind my triade of building. The Lord be.withitHee. ¦;¦¦¦ cha^: IX. 1 The priests desire a new i>eil for the Tem ple, S seven virgins cast lots for mak ing different parts of it, 4 the ilot to spfyi the true purple falls to Mary. ,5 Zacharias, the high-priest, becomes dumb. 7 Mary takes a pot to draw water, and hears a voice, 8 trembles, and begins Ja , work, 9 an angel ajr- pears, and salutes her, and tells her she shall conceive by the Holy Ghost, 17 she submits, 19 visits her cousin Eli zabeth, 21 whose child in her womb AND it came to pass, in a council of the priests, it was said, Let us make a new veil for the Temple of tbe Lord-. 2 And the bigh-priest said, Call together to me seven unde filed virgins of the trihe of Da vid. 3 And the servants went and brought them into the Temple of the Lord, and the high-priest said unto them, Cast lots before me now, who of you shall spin the golden thread, who the blue, who the scarlet, who the fine linen, and who the true purple. 4 Then the high-priest knew Mary, that she was of the tribe of David; and he called her, and the true purple fell to her lot to spin, and she went away to her own house. 5 But from that time Zacharias the high-priest became dumh, and Samuel was placed in his room till Zacharias spoke again. 6 But Mary took the true pur ple, and did spin it. 7 *[f And she took a pot, and went out to draw water, and heard a yoice saying unto her, Hail thou 1 Lake, 13 who art full of grace,1 the Lord is with thee ; thou' art blessed among women. 8 And she looked round to the right and to the left (to see), whence that voice came, and then trem bling went into, her house,, and laying down the water-pot, she took the purple, and sat down in her seat to work it.; 9 And behold the angel of the Lord stood by hen, and said, Fear not, Mary, for thou ha'st found favour in the sight of God; 10 Which when she heard, she reasoned with herself what that so^-t of salutation meant. 1 1 And the angel said unto her, The Lord is with thee, and thou shalt conceive : 12 To which she replied, What ! shall I conceive by the living God, and bring forth . as all other wo men do? ' 13 But the angel returned an swer, Not so, O Mary, but the Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power, of the Most High shall overshadow thee ; 14 Wherefore that which shall be born of thee shall be holy, and shall be called the Son of the Liv ing God, and thou shalt call his name Jesus ; for he shall save his people from their sins. 15 And behold thy cousin Eli zabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age." 16 And this now is the sixth month with her, who was called barren ; for nothing is impossible with God. 17 And Mary said,. Behold the handmaid ofthe Lord!; let- it be unto me according to thy word. 18 f And when she had wrought her purple, she carried it to the high-priest, and the high-priest blessed her, saying, Mary,^ the i. 28, &c. Joseph's jeaiditsj/. Lord God hath magnified thy name, and thou shalt be blessed in all the ages of the world. 19 Then Mary, filled with joy, went away to her cousin. Eliza beth, and knocked at the door. 20 Which when Elizabeth heard, she ran and opened to her, and blessed her, and said, Whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come unto me ? 21 For Io ! .as soon as the voice of thy salutation reached my ears, that which is in me leaped and blessed thee. 22 But Mary,- being ignorant of all those mysterious things which the archangel Gabriel had spoken to her, lifted up her eyes to heaven, and said, Lord ! What am I, that all the generations of the earth should call me blessed .-" 23 But perceiving herself daily to grow big, and being afraid, she went home, and hid herself from the children of Israel; and was fourteen years old when all these things happened. CHAP. X. 1 Joseph returns from building houses, finds the Virgin grown big, being, six months gone with child, 2 is jealous and troubled, 8 reproaches her, 10 she affirms her innocence, 13 Ae leaves her, 16 determines to dismiss her privily, 17 is warned in a dream that Mary is with child by tlie Holy Ghost, 20 and glorifies God who Jiad shewn him such favour. AND when her sixth month was come, Joseph returned from his building houses abroad, which was his trade, and entering into the house, found the Virgin grown big: 2 Then smiting upon his face, he said. With what face can I look up to the Lord my God ? or, what shall I say Concerning this young woman ? 3 For I received her a Virgin THE PROTEVANGELION. He is warned. out of the temple ofthe Lord my God, and have not preserved her such ! 4 Who has thus deceived me ? Who has committed this evil in my house, and seducing the Vir gin from me, hath defiled her? 5 Is not the history of Adam exactly accomplished in me ? 6 For in }he very instant of his glory, the serpent came and fouiid Eve alone, and seduced her. 7 Just after the same manner it has happened to me. 8 Then Joseph, arising from the ground, called her, and said, O thou who hast been so much favoured by God, why hast thou done this ? 9 Why hast thou thus debased thy soul, who wast educated in the Holy of Holies, and received thy food from the hand of angels? 10 But she, with a flood of tears, replied, I am innocent, and have known no man. 11 Then said Joseph, How comes it to pass you are with child ? 12 Mary answered, As the Lord my God liveth, I know not by what means. 13 If Then Joseph was exceed ingly afraid, and went away from- her, considering what he should do with her; and he thus reasoned with himself:2 14 If 1 conceal her crime, I shall be found guilty by the law of the Lord ; 15 And if I discover her to the children of Israel, I fear, lest she being with child by an angel, I shall be found to betray the life of an innocent person : 16 What therefore shall Ido ? I will privily cjismiss her. 17 Then the night was come upon him, when behold an angel 14 1 Luke, i. 48. See Matt. i. 18. Joseph and Mary's THE PROTEVANGELION. chastity proved. ofthe Lord appeared to him in a dream, and said, 18 Be not afraid to take that young woman, for that which is within her is ofthe Holy Ghost,' 19 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins. 20 Then Joseph arose from his sleep, and glorified the God of Is rael, who had shewn him such fa vour, and preserved the Virgin. CHAP. XI. 1 Annas visits Joseph, 3 perceives the Virgin big with child, 4 informs the high-priest that Joseph had privately married her. 8 Joseph and Mary brought to trial on the charge. 17 Jo seph drinks the water ofthe Lord as an ordeal, and receiving no harm, returns home. THEN came Annas the scribe, and said to Joseph,^ Where fore have we not seen you since your return ? 2 And Joseph replied, Because I was weary after my journey, and rested the first day. 3 But Annas turning about per ceived the Virgin big with child, 4 And went away to the priest, and told him, Joseph, in whom you placed so much confidence, is guilty of a notorious crime, in that he hath defiled the Virgin, whom he received out of the temple of the Lord, and hath privately mar ried her, riot discovering it to the children of Israel. 5 Then said the priest, Hath Joseph done this ? 6 Annas replied, If you send any of your servants, you will find that she is with child. 7 And the servants went, and found it as he said. 8 Upon this both she and Jo seph were brought to their trial ; and the priest said unto her, Mary, what hast thou done ? 9 Why hast thou debased thy soul, and forgot thy God, seeing thou wast brought up in the Holy of Holies, and didst receive thy food from the hands of angels, and heardest their songs? 10 Why hast thou done this? II To which with a flood of tears she answered, As the Lord my God liveth, I am irinocent in his sight, seeing I know no man. 12 Then the priest said to Jo seph, Why hast thou done this ? 13 And Joseph answered, As the Lord my God liveth, I have not been concerned with her. • 14 But the priest said, Lie not, but declare the truth ; thou h'ast privately married her, and not dis covered it to the children of Is rael, and humbled thyself under the mighty hand (of God), that thy seed mrght be blessed : • 15 And Joseph was silent. 16 Then said the priest (to Joseph), You must restore to the temple of the Lord the Virgin which you took thence. 17 But he wept bitterly, and the priest added, I will cause you both to drink the water of the Lord,1 wliich is for trial, and so your iniquity shall be laid open before you. 18 Then the priest took the water, and made Joseph drink, and sent him to a mountainous place, 19 And he returned perfectly well, and all the people wondered that his guilt was not disco vered. 20 So the priest said, Since the Lord has not made your sins evi dent, neither do I condemn you. 21 So he sent them away. 22 Then Joseph took Mary, and went to his house, rejoicing and praising the God of Israel. " Num. v. 18. 15 Miracles at THE PROTEVANGELION. Mary's labour. for that which is in me presses to come forth. 11 But Joseph replied, Whi ther shall I take thee? for the place is desert. 12 Then said Mary again to Joseph, Take me down, for that which is within me mightily presses me. 13 And Joseph took her down. 14 And he found there a cave, aud let her into it. CHAP. XIII. 1 Joseph seeks a Hebrew midwife, 2 per ceives the fowls stopping in their flight, 3 the working people at their food not moving, 8 the sheep standing still, 9 the shepherd fixed and immovable, 10 and kids with their mouths touching the water, but not drinking. AND leaving her and his sons in the cave, Joseph went forth to seek a Hebrew midwife in the village of Bethlehem. 2 But as I was going (said Jo seph) I looked up into the air, and I saw the clouds astonished, and the fowls of the air stopping in the midst of their flight. 3 And I looked down towards the earth, and saw a table spread, and working people sitting around it, but their hands were upon the table, and they did not move to eat. 4 They who had meat in their mouths did not eat. 5 They who lifted their hands up to their heads did not draw them back : 6 And they who lifted them up to their mouths did not put any thing in ; 7 But all their faces were fixed upwards. 8 And I beheld the sheep dis persed, and yet the sheep stood still ; 9 And the shepherd lifted up his hand to smite them, and his hand continued up. CHAP. XII. 1 A decree from Augustus for taxing tht Jews, S Joseph puts Mary on an ass, to return to Bethlehem, 6 she looks sorrowful, 7 she laughs, 8 Joseph in quires the cause of each, 9 she tells him she sees two persons, one mourning and the other rejoicing. 10 The delivery being near, he takes her from the ass, und places her in a cave. AND it came to pass, that there went forth a decree * from the Emperor Augustus, that all the Jews should be taxed, who were of Bethlehem in Judaea : 2 And Joseph said, I will take care that my children be taxed : but what shall I do with tbis young woman ? 3 To have her taxed as my wife, I am ashamed ; and if I tax her as my daughter, all Israel knows she is not my daughter. 4 When the time of the Lord's appointment shall come, let him do as seems good to him. 5 And he saddled the ass, and put her upon it, and Joseph and Simon followed after her, and ar rived at Bethlehem within three miles. 6 Then Joseph turning about saw Mary sorrowful, and said within himself, Perhaps she is in pain through that which is within her. 7 But when he turned about again, he saw her laughing, and said to her, $ Mary, how happens it, that I sometimes see sorrow, and some times laughter and joy in thy countenance ? 9 And Mary replied to him, I see two people with mine eyes, the one weeping and mourning, the other laughing and rejoicing. 10 And he went again across the way, and Mary said to Jo seph, Take me down from the ass, 16 Luke, ii. 1 Christ born. THE PROTEVANGELION. Salome's unbelief. 10 And I looked unto a river, and saw the kids with their mouths close to the water, and touching it, but they did not drink. , CHAP. XIV. 1 Joseph finds a midwife. 10 A bright cloud overshadows the cave. 11 A great light in Ihe cave, gradually increases until the infant is born. 13 The mid wife goes out, and tells Salome that she had seen a Virgin bring forth. 17 Sa lome doubts it. 20 Ha hand witliers, 22 she supplicates the Lord, 28 is cured, 30 but warned- not to declare what she had seen. THEN I beheld a woman com ing down from the moun tains, and she said to me, Where art-thou going, O man ? 2 And I said to her, I go to in quire for a Hebrew midwife. 3 She replied to me, Where is the woman that is to be delivered ? 4 And I answered, In the cave, and she is betrothed to me. 5 Then said the midwife, Is she not thy wife ? 6 Joseph answered, It is Mary, who was educated in the Holy of Holies, in the house of the Lord, and she fell to me by lot, and is not my wife, but has conceived by the Holy Ghost. 7 The midwife said, Is this true ? 8 He answered, Come and see. 9 And the midwife went along with him, and stood in the cave. 10 Then a bright cloud over shadowed the cave, and the mid wife said, This day my soul is magnified, for mine eyes have seen surprising things, and salvation is brought forth to Israel. 1 1 But on a sudden the cloud became a great light in the cave, so that their eyes could not bear jt. 12 But the light gradually de creased, until the infant appeared, and sucked the breast of bis mo ther Mary. 17 13 Then the midwife cried out, and' said, How glorious a day is this, wherein mine eyes have seen this extraordinary sight ! 14 And the midwife went out from the cave, and Salome met her. 15 And the midwife said to her, ¦ Salome, Salome^ I will tell you a most surprising thing whicli I saw. 16 A virgin hath brought forth, which is a thing contrary to na ture. 17 To which Salome replied, As the Lord my God liveth, un less I receive particular proof of this matter, I will not believe that a virgin hath brought forth. 18 ^f Then Salome went in, and the midwife said, Mary, shew thy-' self,, for a great controversy is risen concerning thee. 19 And Salome received satis faction. 20 But her hand was withered, and she groaned bitterly. 21 And said, Wo to me, be cause of* mine iniquity ; for I have tempted the living God, and my hand is ready to drop off. 22 Then Salome made her sup plication to the Lord, and said, O God of my fathers, remember me, for I am of the seed of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob. 23 Make me not a reproach among the children of Israel, but restore me sound to my parents. 34 For thou well knowest, O Lord, that I have performed many offices of charity in thy name, and have received my reward from thee. 25 Upon this an angel of the Lord stood by Salome, and said, The Lord God hath heard thy prayer, rearch forth thy hand to the child, and carry him, and by that means thou shaft be re stored. 26 Salome, filled with exceeding c The Wise Men. THE PROTEVANGELION. The Star in tice East. joy, went to the child, and said, 1 will touch him ; _Yi And she purposed to wor ship him, for she said, This is a great king, which is born in Israel. 28 And straightway Salome Was cured. 29 Then the midwife went out of the cave, being approved by God. 30 And lo ! a voice came to Salome, Declare not the strange things which thou hast seen, till the child shall come to Jerusalem. 31 So Salome also departed, approved by God. CHAP. XV. 4 Wise men come from the east. 3 IHe- rod alarmed: 8 desires them, if they find the child, to bring him word. 10 They visit the cave, and offer the child their treasure, 11 and being warned in a dream, do not return to Herod, but go home another way. THEN Joseph was preparing to go away, because there arose a great disorder in Bethle hem by the coming ©f a some wise men from the east, 2 Who said, Where is the king of the Jews born ? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3 When Herod heard this, he was exceedingly troubled, and sent messengers to the wise men, ancj to the priests, and inquired of them in the town-hall, 4 And said unto them, Where have you it written concerning Christ the king, or where should he be born ? 5 Then they say unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea ; for thus it is written : And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not the least among the princes of Judah, for out of thee shall come a ruler, who shall rule my people Israel. 6 And having sent away the 18 1 Matt. ii. l, &c chief priests, he inquired of the wise men in the town-hall, and said unto them, What sign was it ye saw concerning the king that is born ? 7 They answered him, We saw an extraordinary large star shin ing among the stars of heaven, and so out-shined all the other stars, as that they became not vi sible, and we knew thereby that a great king was born in Israel, and therefore we are come to worship him. 8 Then said Herod to then*), Go and make diligent inquiry.; and if ye find the child, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. 9 So the wise men went forth, and behold, the star which they saw in the east went before them, till it came and stood over the cave where tbe young child was with Mary his mother. 10 Then they brought forth out of their treasures, and offered unto him gold and frankincense, and myrrh. 11 And being warned in a dream by an angel, that they should not return to Herod through Judaea, they departed into their own country by another way. CHAP. XVI. 4 Herod enraged, orders tlie infants H Bethlehem to be slain. 2 Mary puts her infant in an ox-manger. 3 Eliza beth flees with her son John to the mountains. 6 A mountain miracu lously divides and receives them. 9 Herod incensed at the escape of John, causes Zacharias to be murdered at the altar, 23 the roofs of the temple rent, the body miraculously conveyed, and the blood petrified. 25 Israel mourns for him. 27 Simeon chosen his successor by lot. THEN Herod2 perceiving that he was mocked by the wise men, and being very angry, com- *> Matt. ii. Iii. Herod's cruelty. THE PROTEVANGELION. Zacharias murdered,. manded certain men to go and to kill all the children that were in Bethlehem, from two years old and under. • 2 But Mary hearing that the, children were to be killed, being tinder much fear, took the child, and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes, and laid him in an ox- manger,1 because there was no room for them in the inn. 3 Elizabeth also, heating that her son John was about to be searched for, took him and went up unto the mountains, and look ed around for a place to hide him ; 4 And there was no secret place to be found. 5 Then she groaned within her self, and said, O. mountain of the Lord, receive the mother with the child. 6 For Elizabeth could not climb up. 7 And instantly the mountain was divided and received them, 8 And there appeared to them an angel of the Lord to preserve them. 9 "fl ^Sut Herod made search after John, and sent servants to Zacharias, when he was (minister ing) at the altar, aud said unto him, Where hast thou hid thy son ? 10 He replied to them, I am a minister of God, and a servant at the altar: how should. I know where my son is ? 1 1 So the servants went back, and told Herod the whole ; at which he was incensed, and said, Is not this son of his like to be king in Israel? 12 He sent therefore again his servants to Zacharias, saying, Tell ns the truth, where is thy son, for you know that your life is in my hand. 13 So the servants went and told him all this ; 14 But Zacharias replied to them, I am a martyr for God, and if ye shed my blood, the Lord will receive my soul. 15 Besides know that ye shed innocent blood. 1 6 However Zacharias was mur dered in the entrance ofthe temple and altar, and about the partition ; 17 But the children of Israel knew not when he was killed. 18 THE PROTEVANGELION. Zadhari&ti ed for him, and lamented three days.1 26 Then the priests took couin- sel together concerning a person to succeed him. 27 And Simeon and the other priests cast lots, and the lot fell upon Simeon. 28 For he had been assured by the Holy Spirit, that he should not die, till he had seen Christ come in the flesh,2 •fl I James wrote this History in Je' rusalem ; and when the disturbance was, I retired into a desert place, until the death of Herod. And tlie disturbance ceased at Jerusa lem. That which remains is, ihat I glorify God that he hath given me such wisdom to write unto you who are spiritual, and who love God; to whom (be ascribed) glo ry and dominion for ever and ever, Amen. 1 There is a story both in the Jerusalem and Babylonish Talmud very similar to this. It is cited by Dr. Lightfoot, Talmud. Hierosol. in Taanith, fol. 69 ; and, Talmud. Babyl. in Sanhedr., fol. 96. " Rabbi Jochanan said, Eighty thousand priests were slain for the blood of Zacharias. Rabbi Judas asked Rabbi Achan, > Where did they kill Zacharias? Was it in the women's court, or in the court of Israel? He answered, Neither in the court of Israel, nor in the court of women, but in the court ofthe priests; and they did not treat his blood in the same man ner as they were wont to -treat the blood of a ram or young goat. For of these it is written, He shall pour out his blood, and cover it with dust. But it is writ-, ten here, The blood is in the midst of her ; she set it upon the top ofa rock ; she poured it not upon the ground. (Ezek. xxiv. 7.) But Why was this ? That it might cause fury to come up to take vengeance : I have set his blood upon the top of a rock, that it should not be coveted. They committed seven evils that day : they murdered a priest, a prophet, and a king: they shed tbe blood of the innocent: they polluted the court : that day was the Sabbath, and the day of expiation. When therefore Nebuzaradan came there, (vix. to Jerusalem,) he saw his blood bubbling, and said to them, What meaneth this i They answered, It is the blood' of calves, lambs, and rams, which we have offered upon the altar. He com manded then, that they should bring calves, and lambs, and rams,, and said, I will try whether this be their blood : accordingly they brought and slew them, but the blood (of Zacharias) still bubbled, but the blood of these did not bubble. Then he said, Declare to me the truth of this matter, or else I will comb your flesh with iron combs. Then said they to him, He was a priest, prophet, and judge, who prophesied to Israel all these calamities which we have suffered from you ; but we arose against him, and slew him. Then said he, I will appease him: then he took the rabbins, and slew them upon his (viz. Zachariah Y) blood, and he was not yet appeased. Next he took the young boys from the schools, and slew them upon his blood, and yet it bubbled. Then he brought the young priests, and slew them in the same-place, and yet it still bubbled. So he slew at length ninety-four thousand persons upon his blood, and it did not as yet cease bubbling. Then he drew near to it, and said, O Zacharias, Zacharias, thou hast occasioned the death ofthe chief of thy countrymen, shall I slay them all? Then the blood ceased, and did bubble uo more." ** Luke, ii. 26. 20 / The First Gospel of the INFANCY of JESUS CHRIST. [Mr. Henry Sike, Professor of Oriental Languages at Cambridge, first translated and published this Gospel in 1697. It was received by the Gnostics, a sect of Christians in tlie second century; and several of its relations were credit ed in the following ages by other Christians, viz. Eusebius, Athanasius, Epiphanius, Chrysostom, &c. Sozomen says, he was told by many, and he Credits the relations, of the idols in Egypt falling down on Joseph and Mary's flight thither with Christ; and of Christ making a well to wash bis clothes in a sycamore tree, from whence balsam afterwards proceeded. These stories are from this Gospel. Chemnitius, out of SUpulensis, who had it from Peter MartyV, Bishop of Alexandria, in the third century, says, that the place in Egypt where Christ was banished is now railed Matarea, about ten miles beyond Cairo ; that the inhabitants constantly burn a lamp in remembrance of it; and that there is a garden of trees yielding a balsam, which were planted by Christ when a boy. M. La Crose cites a synod at Angamala, in the mountains of Malabar, A. D. 1599, which condemns this Gospel as commonly read by the Nestoriapsjn tliat country. Ahmed Ibn Idris, a Mahometan divine, says, it was iised by some Christians in common with the other four Gospels; and Ocobius de Castro mentions a Gospel of Thomas, which he says, he saw and had translated to him by an Armenian Archbishop at Amsterdam, that was read in very many churches of Asia and Africa as the only rule of their faith. Fabricius takes it to be this Gospel. It has been supposed, that Mahomet and his coadjutors used it ih compiling the Koran. " There are several slories believed of Christ, proceeding from this Gospel : as that whicli Mr. Sike relates out of La Brosse's Persic Lexicon, that Christ practised the trade ofa dyer, and his working a miracle with the colours ; from whence the Persian dyers honor him as their patron, and call a dye-bouse the shop of Christ. Sir John Chardin mentions Persian legends concerning Christ's dispute with his schoolmaster about his ABC; and his/ lengthening the cedar-board which Joseph sawed too short.] CHAP. I. 1 Caipltas relates, that Jesus when in his cradle, informed his mother, that he was the Sim of God, 5 Joseph' and Mary going to Bethlehem to be taxed, Mary's time of bringing forth arrives, and she goes into a cave. & Joseph fetches in a Hebrew woman. 10 The cave filled with great lights, 11 the infant born, 17 cures the woman, 19 arrival, of the shepherds. THE following accounts we - found in the book of Joseph the high-priest, called by some Caiphas. 2 He relates, that Jesus spake even when he was in his cradle, and said to his mother : 3 Mary, I am Jesus the Son of God, that word, which thou didst bring forth according to the de claration of the angel Gabriel to thee, and my Father hath sent me for the salvation of the world. 31 4 "fl In the three hundred and ninth year of the sera of Alexan der, Augustus published a decree, that all persons should go to be taxed in their own country. 5 Joseph therefore arose, and with Mary his spouse he went to Jerusalem, and then came to Beth lehem, thathe and his family might be taxed in the city of his fathers. 6 And when they came by the cave, Mary confessed to Joseph, that her time of bringing forth was come, and she could not go on to the city, and said, Let us go into this cave. 7 At that time the sun was very near going down. 8 But Joseph hastened away, that he might fetch her a mid wife; and when he saw an old Hebrew woman, who was of Jeru- Christ born and I. INFANCY. circumcised in the cave. salem, he said to her, Pray come hither, good woman, and go into that cave, and you will there see a woman just ready to bring forth. 9 It was after sunset, when the old woman and Joseph with her reached the cave, and they both went into it. 10 And behold, it was all filled with lights, greater than the light of lamps and candles, and greater than the light of the sun itself. 11 The infant was then wrap ped up in swaddling clothes, and sucking the breasts of his mother St. Mary. 12 When they both saw this light> they were surprised ; the old woman asked St. Mary, Art thou the mother of this child ? 13 St. Mary replied, she was. 14 On which the old woman said, Thou art very different from all other women. 15 St. Mary answered, As there is not any child like to my son, so neither is there any woman like to his mother. 16 The old woman answered, and said, O my Lady, I am come hither, that I may obtain an ever lasting reward. 17 Then our Lady St. Mary said to her, Lay thine hands upon the' infant; which, when she had done, she became whole. 18 And as she was going forth, she said, From henceforth all the days of my life, I will attend upon and be a servant ofthis infant. -19 After this, when the shep herds came, and had made a fire, and they were exceedingly rejoic ing, the heavenly host appeared to them, praising and adoring the supreme God. 20 And as the shepherds were engaged in the same employment, the cave at that time seemed like a glorious temple, because both the tpngues of angels and men united to adore and magnify God, on ac count of the birth of the Lord Christ. 21 But when the old Hebrew woman saw all these evident mira cles, she gave praises to God, and said, I thank thee, O God, thou God of Israel, for that mine eyes have seen the birth of the Saviour ofthe world. CHAP. II. 1 The child circumcised in the cave, Zand the old woman preserving his foreskin or navel-string in a box qf spikenard, Mary afterwards anoints Christ with it. 5 Christ brought to tlie temple; 6 shines, 7 angels stand around him adoring. 8 Simeon praises Christ. AND when the time of his cir cumcision was come: name ly, the eighth day, on which the law commanded the child to be circumcised ; they circumcised him in the cave. 2 And the old Hebrew woman took the foreskin (others say she took the navel-string), and pre served it in an alabaster-box of old oil of spikenard. 3 And she had a son who was a druggist, to whom she said, Take heed thou sell not this alabaster- box of spikenard ointment, al though thou shouldest be offered three hundred pence for it. 4 Now this is that alabaster- box which Mary the sinner pro cured, and poured forth the oint ment out of it upon the head and the feet of our Lord Jesus Christ, and wiped them off with the hairs of her head, 5 Then after ten days they brought him to Jerusalem, and on the fortieth day from his birth they presented him in the temple before the Lord, making the pro per offerings for him, according to the requirement of the law of Moses : namely, that every male which opens the womb shall be called holy unto God. The wise men worship I. INFANCY. Christ's swaddling cloth. 6 At that time old Simeon saw him shining as a pillar of light, when St. Mary the virgin, his mother, carried him in her arms, and was filled with the greatest pleasure at the sight. 7 And the angels stood around him, adoring him, as a king's guards stand around him. 8 Then Simeon going near to St. Mary, and stretching forth his hands towards her, said to the Lord Christ, Now, O my Lord, thy servant shall depart in peace, according to thy word ; 9 For mine eyes have seen thy mercy, which thou hast prepared for the salvation of all nations ; a light to all people, and the glory of thy people Israel. 10 Hannah the Prophetess was also present^ and drawing near, she gave praises to God, and cele brated the happiness of Mary. CHAP. III. 1 The wise men visit Christ. Mary gives them one of his swaddling clothes. 3 An angel appears to them in the form of a stat. 4 They return and make afire, and worship the swaddling cloth, and put it in the fire where it remains un- consumed. AND it came to pass, when tbe Lord Jesus was born at Beth lehem, a city of Judaea, in the time of Herod the King; the wise men came from the East to Jeru salem, according to the prophecy of Zoradascht,1 and brought with them offerings : namely, gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and wor shipped him, and offered to him their gifts. 2 Then the Lady Mary took one of his swaddling clothes in* which the infant was wrapped, and gave it to them instead of a blessing, which thfey received from her as a most noble present. 3 And at the same time there appeared to them an angel in the form of that star, which had be fore been their guide in their jour ney ; the light of which they fol lowed till they returned into their own country. 4 20 Here they staid, and when the girl went one day to the prince's wife, and found her in a sorrowful and mournful condition, she asked her the reason of her tears. 21 She replied, Wonder not at my groans, for I am under a great misfortune, of which I dare not tell any one. 22 But, says the girl, if you will entrust me with your private ^ two leprous persons, and it I. INFANCY. newly married man. grievance, perhaps I may find you a remedy for it. 23 Thou therefore, says the prince's wife, shalt keep the se cret, and not discover it to any one alive ! 24 I have been married to this prince, who rules as king over large dominions, and lived long with him, before he had any child by me. 25 At length I conceived by him, but alas ! I brought forth a leprous son ; which, when he saw, he would not own to be his, but said to me, 26 Either do thou kill him, or send him to some nurse in such a place, that he may be never heard of; and now take care of your self; I will never see you more. 27 So here I pine, lamenting my wretched and miserable cir cumstances. Alas, my son ! alas, my husband ! Have I disclosed it to you ? : '¦ > ¦ 28 The girl replied, I have found a remedy for your disease, which I promise you, for I also was leprous, but God hath cleansed me, even he who is called Jesus, the son of the Lady Mary. 29 The woman inquiring, where that God was, whom she spake of; the girl answered, He lodges with you here in the same house. 30 But how can this be ? says she : where is he ? Behold, replied the girl, Joseph and Mary ; and the infant who is with them is called Jesus; and it is he who de livered me from my disease and ^torment. 31 But by what means, says she, were you cleansed from your leprosy ? Will not you tell me that ? 32 Why not ? says the girl: I took the water with which his body had been washed, and poured 27 it upon me, and my leprosy va nished., 33 The prince's wife then arose, and entertained them, providing a' great feast for Joseph among a large company of men ; 34 And the next day took per fumed water to wash the Lord Jesus, and afterwards poured the same water upon her, son, whom she had brought with her, and her son was instantly cleansed from his leprosy. 35 Then she sang thanks and praises unto God, and said, Bles sed is the mother that bare thee, O Jesus ! 36 Dost thou thus cure men of the same nature with thyself, with the water with which thy body is washed ? 37 She then offered very large gifts to tbe Lady Mary, and sent her away with all imaginable re spect. CHAP. VII. 1 A man who could not enjoy his wife, freed from his disorder. 5 A young man who had been bewitched, and turned into a mule, miraculously cured by Christ being put on his back, 28 und w mar ried to the girl who had been cured qf THEY came afterwards to ano ther city, and had a mind to lodge there. 2 Accordingly they went to a man's house, who was newly mar ried, but by the influence of sor cerers could not enjoy his wife : 3 But they lodging at his house that night, the man was freed of his disorder ; 4 And when they were prepar ing early in the morning to go forward on their journey, the new- married person hindered them, and provided a noble entertain ment for them. 5 But going forward on the morrow, they came to another city, and saw three women going mer shape by the help of tbe Lord Jesus Christ, and the kind ness of that girl, who told us of Mary and her son. 29 And inasmuch as our bro ther is unmarried, it is fit that we marry him to this girl their servant. 30 When they had consulted St. Mary in tbis matter, and she had given her consent, they made a splendid wedding for this girl, 31 And so their sorrow being turned into gladness, and their mourning into mirth, they began to rejoice, and make merry, and sing, being dressed in their richest attire, with bracelets, 32 Afterwards they glorified and praised God, saying, O Jesus son of David, who changest sor- 29 row into gladness, and mourning' into mirth. 33 After this Joseph and Mary tarried there ten days, then went away, having received great re spect from those people ; 34 Who, when they took their leave of them, and returned home, cried, 35 But especially the girl. CHAP. VIII. 1 Joseph and Mary pass through a country infested by robbers. 3 Titus, a humane thief, offers Dumachus, his comrade, forty groats, to let Joseph and Mary past unmolested. 6. Jesus prophecies that the thieves Dumachus and Titus shall be crucified with him, and that Tiius shall go befote him into Paradise. 10 Christ causes a well to spring from a sycamore tree, and Mary washes hit coat in it. 11 A balsam grows there from his sweat. They go to Memphis, whete Christ works more miracles. 14 Return to Judaa. 15 Being warned, depart for Nazareth. IN their journey from hence they came into a desert coun try, and were told it was infested with robbers ; so Joseph and St. Mary prepared to pass through it in the night : 2 And as they were going along, behold they saw two rob bers asleep in the road, and with them a great number of robbers* who were their confederates, also asleep: 3 The names of those two were Titus and Dumachus ; and Titus' said to Dumachus, I beseech thee let those persons go along quietly, that our company may not per ceive any thing of them ; 4 But Dumachus refusing, Ti tus again said, 1 will give thee forty groats, and as, a pledge take my girdle, which he gave him be fore he had done speaking, that he might not open his mouth, or make a noise. 5 When the Lady St. Mary Mary washes Christ's coat. 1. INFANCY. The sich healed by his water. saw the kindness which this rob ber did shew them, she said to him, The Lord God will receive thee to his right hand, and grant thee the pardon of thy sins. 6 Then the Lord Jesus an swered, and said to his mother, When thirty years are expired, O mother, the Jews will crucify me at Jerusalem ; 7 'And these two thieves shall be with me at the same time upon the cross, Titus on my right hand, and Dumachus on my left, and from that time Titus shall go be fore me into Paradise ; 8 And when she had said, God forbid this should be thy lot, O my son, they went on to a city, in which were several idols ; which, as soon as they came near to it, was turned into hills of sand. 9 *{[ Hence they went to that sycamore-tree, which is now cal led Matarea ; 10 And in Matarea the .Lord Jesus caused a -well to spring forth, in which St. Mary washed his coat ; 1 1 And a balsam is produced, or grows, in that country, from the sweat which ran down there from the Lord Jesus. 12 Thence they proceeded to Memphis*1, and saw Pharaoh, and abode three years in Egypt, 13 And the Lord Jesus did very many miracles in Egypt, which are neither to be found in the Gospel of the Infancy, nor in the Gospel of Perfection. 14 "fl* At the end of three years he returned out of Egypt, and when he came near to Judaea, Jo seph was afraid to enter ; 15 For hearing that Herod was dead, and that Archelaus his son reigned in his stead, he was afraid ; 16 And when he went to Ju daea, an angel of God appeared to him, and said, O Joseph, go into 30 the city Nazareth, and abide there. 17 It is strange indeed, that he, who is the Lord of all countries, should be thus carried backward and forward through so many countries. CHAP. IX. 2 Two siek children cured by water where in Christ teas washed. WHEN they came afterwards into the city Bethlehem, they found there several very desperate distempers, which be came so troublesome to children by seeing them, that most of them died. 2 There was there a woman who had a sick son, whom she brought, when he was at the point of death to the Lady St. Mary, who saw her when she was wash ing Jesus Christ. 3 Then said the woman, O my Lady Mary, look down upon this my son, who is afflicted with most dreadful pains. 4 St. Mary hearing her, said, Take a little of that water with which I have washed my son, and sprinkle it upon him. 5 Then she took a little of that water, as St. Mary had com manded, and sprinkled it upon her son, who being wearied with his violent pains, was fallen asleep ; and after he had slept a little, awaked perfectly well and reco vered. 6 The mother being abundantly glad of this success, went again to St. Mary, and St. Mary said to her, Give the praise to God, who hath cured this thy son. 7 There was in the same place another woman, a neighbour of her, whose son was now cured. 8 This woman's son was af flicted with the same disease, and his eyes were now almost' quite Caleb cured, thrown into an I. INFANCY, oven, and down a weU: •hut, and she was lamenting for him day and night. 9 The mother of the child which was cured said to her, Why do you not bring your son to St. Mary, as I brought my son to her, when he was in the very agonies of death ; and he was cured by that water, with which the body of her son Jesus was washed ? 10 Whenthe woman heard her say this, she also went, and having procured the same water, washed her son with it, whereupon his body and his eyes were instantly restored to their former state. 1 1 And when she brought her son to St. Mary, and opened his case to. her, she commanded her to. give thanks to God for the re covery of her son's health, and to tell no one what had happened- CHAP. X. 1 Two wives of one man, each have a son sick. 2 One of them, named Mary, and whose son's name was Caleb, pre sents the Virgin with a handsome car pet, and Caleb is cured; but the son of the other wife dies, 4 which occasions a difference between the women. 5 The other wife puts Caleb into a hot oven, and he is miraculously preserved, 9 she afterwards throws him into a well, and he is again preserved; 11 his mother appeals to the Virgin against the other wnfe, 12 whose downfall the Virgin prophecies, 13 and who accordingly falls into /the well, 14 therein fulfil ling a saying of old. THERE were in the same city two wives of one man, who had each a son sick. One of them was called Mary, and her son's name was Caleb. 2 She arose, and taking her son, went to the Lady St; Mary, the mother of Jesus, and offered her a very handsome carpet, saying, O my Lady Mary, accept this carpet of me, and instead of it give me a small swaddling cloth. 3 To this Mary agreed ; and when the mother of Caleb was gone, she made a coat for her son ' 31 of the swaddling cloth, put it on him, and his disease was cured; but the son of the other wife died. 4 Jesus conti nued behind in the temple among the doctors and elders, and learned men of Israel; to whom he pro posed several questions of learn ing, and also gave'tliein answers : 3 For he said to them. Whose son is the Messiah ? They answer ed, The son of David : 4 Why then, said he, does he , in the spirit call him Lord ? when he saith, The Lord said to my Lord, sit thou at my right hand, - 40 I. INFANCY. Disputes with the doctors, till I have made thine enemies thy footstool. 5 Then a certain principal Rabbi asked bim, Hast thou read books ? x 6 Jesus answered, he had read both books, and the things which were contained in books. » 7 And he explained to them the books of the law, and pre cepts, and statutes, and the mys teries which are contained in the books of the prophets; things which the mind of no creature could reach. . S Then said that Rabbi, I never yet have seen or heard of such knowledge ! what do you think that boy will be ? 9 *] When a certain astrono mer, who was present, asked the Lord Jesus, Whether he had studied astronomy ? 10 The Lord Jesus replied, and told him the number ofthe spheres and heavenly bodies, as also their triangular, square, and sextile aspect ; their progressive and re trograde mo'tion ; their size and several prognostications; and other things, which the reason of man had never discovered. 11 **f There was also among them a philosopher well skilled in physic and natural philosophy, who asked the Lord Jesus, Whe ther he had studied physic ? 12 He replied, and explained to him' physics and metaphy sics, 13 Also those things which were above and below the power of nature ; ' 14 The powers also ofthe body, its humours and their effects; 15 Also the number of its mem bers, and bones, veins, arteries, and nerves ; 16 The several constitutions of body, hot and dry, cold and moist, and the tendencies of them ; md confounds them. II. INFANCY. . Is baptized. 17 How the sOul operated upon the body ; IS What its various sensations and faculties were ^ 19 The faculty of speaking, anger, desire ; 20 And lastly, the manner of its composition and dissolution ; and other things, which the under standing of no creature had ever reached. 21 Then that philosopher arose, and worshipped the Lord Jesus, and said, O Lord Jesus, from henceforth I will be thy disciple and servant. 22 fhad accused him, became blind, "17 And all they who saw it were exceedingly afraid and con founded, and said concerning him* Whatsoever he saith, whether good or bad, immediately cometh to pass : and they were amazed. 18 And when they saw this action of Christ, Joseph arose, and plucked him by the ear, at which the boy was angry, and said to him, 'Be easy ; 19 For if .they seek for us, they shall not find us : thou hast done very imprudently. 20 Dost thou not know that I am thine ? Trouble me no more. Sent to school. CHAP. III. Astonishes his schoolmaster by his learn. ing. A CERTAIN schoolmaster, named Zaccheus, standing in a certain place, heard Jesus speaking these things to his father; 2V And he was much surprised, that being a child he should speak such things; and after a few days he came to Joseph, and said, 3 Thou hast a wise and sensible child, send him to me, that he may learn to read. 4 When he sat down to teach the letters to Jesus, he began with the first letter, Aleph ; 5 But Jesus pronounced the second letter Mpeth (Beth), Cghi- mel (Gimel), and said over all the letters to him to the end. & Then opening a book, he taught bis master the prophets : but he was ashamed, and was at a loss to conceive how he came to know the letters. 7 And he arose and went home,, wonderfully surprised at so strange a thing. CHAP. IV. Fragment of an adventure at a duet's. AS Jesus was passing by a cer tain shop, he saw a young man dipping (or dyeing) some cloths and stockings ih a furnace, of a sad colour, doing them ac cording to every person's particu lar order ; 2 The boy Jesus going to the young man who was doing this, took also some of the cloths**** f Here endeth the Fragment of Thomas's Gospel of the Infancy of Jesus Christ. The EPISTLES of JESUS CHRIST and ABGARUS KING of EDESSA. [The first writer who makes any mention of the Epistles that passed between Je sus Christ and Abgarus, is Eusebius, Bishop of C&sarea, io Palestine, who flourished iu the early part of the fourth century. For their genuineness, he 43 CHRIST AND ABGARU-S. "appeals to the public registries and records of the City of Edessa, in Meso potamia, where Abgarus-reigned, and where he affirms that he found them written in the Syriac language'. He published a Greek translation of them, in his Ecclesiastical History.1 Tht- learned world has been much divided on this subject: but, notwithstanding the erudite Grabe, with Archbishop Cave, Dr. Parker, and other divines, have strenuously contended for their ad mission into the canon of Scripture, they are deemed apocryphal. The Rev. Jeremiah Jones observes, that tlie common people in England have this "Epistle in their houses, in many places, fixed in a frame, with the picture of Christ before it; and that they generally, with much honesty and devotion, regard it as the Word of God, and the genuine Epistle of Christ.] CHAP. I. A copy of a letter written by King Abga rus to Jesus, and sent to him by Ana nias, his footman, to Jerusalem, 5 in viting him to Edessa. ABGARUS, Kingof Edessa, to Jesus the good Saviour, who appears at Jerusalem, greeting. 2 I have been informed con cerning you and your cures, which are performed without the use of medicines and herbs. 3 For it is reported, that you cause the blind to see, the lame to walk, do hoth cleanse lepers, and cast out unclean spirits and devils, and restore them to health who have been long diseased, and rais- est up the dead : 4 All which when I heard, I was persuaded of one of these two, viz. either that you are God him self descended from heaven, who do these things, or the Son of God. 5 On this account therefore 1 have wrote to you, earnestly to desire you would take the trouble of a journey hither, and cure a disease which I am under. 6 For I hear the Jews ridicule you, and intend you mischief. 7 My city is indeed small, but neat, and large enough for us both. CHAP. II. The answer of Jesus by Ananias the foot man to Abgarus the king, 3 declining to visit Edessa. ABGARUS, you are happy, forasmuch as you have be lieved on me, whom you have not seen. 2 For it is written concerning me, that those who have seen me should not believe on me, that they who have not seen might be lieve and live. 3 As to that part of your let ter, which relates to my giving you a visit. I must inform you, that I must fulfil all the ends of my mission in this country, and after "that be received up again to him who sent me. 4 But after my ascension I will send one of my disciples, who will cure your disease, and give life to you, and all that are with you. The GOSPEL of NICODEMUS, formerly called tKe ACTS of PONTIUS PILATE. [Although this Gospel is, by some among the learned, supposed to have been really written hy Nicodemus, who became a disciple of Jesus Christ, and conversed with him; others conjecture that it was a forgery towards tlie close of the third century by some zealous believer, who observing that there bad been appeals made by the Christians of the former age, to the Acts of Pilate, but that such Acts could not be produced, imagined it would be of service to Christianity to fabricate and publish this Gospel j as it would both confirm the Christians under persecution, and convince the Heathens of the truth of the Christian religion. The Rev. Jeremiah Jones says, that such pious frauds were very common among Christians even in the first three centuries; 44 , c. lit. Christ accused by the Jews NlCOf)EMU& before Pilate. and that a forgery of this nature, with the view above mentioned, seems natural and probable. The same author, in Wiring that Eusebius, in his . Ecclesiastical History, charges the Pagans with having forged and published a book, called " Tlie Acts af Pilate," takes occasion to observe, that the internal evidence of this Gospel shows it was not the work of any Heatlien; but that if in the hitter end of the third century we (ind it in use among Christians (and it was certainly then read in some churches), aind about the same time find a forgery of tbe Heathens under the same title, it seems ex ceeding probable, that some Christians, at that time, should publish snch a piece as this, in order partly to confront the spurious one of the Pagans, and partly to support those appeals which had been made by former Chris tians to the Acts of Pilate; and Mr. Jones says he thinks so the more, particularly as we have innumerable instances of forgeries by the faithful in tlie primitive ages, grounded on less plausible reasons. Whether it be cano nical or not, it is of very great antiquity, and is appealed to by several of the ancient Christians.' The present translation is made from tlie Gospel, published by Grynaeus in the Orthodoxographa, voi. i torn. ii. p. 643.] Tlie Gospel of Nicodemus the Dis ciple, concerning the sufferings and Resurrection of our Master und Saviour, Jesus Christ. CHAP. I. 1 Christ accused to Pilate by the Jews of healing on the ' sabbath, 9 summoned before Pilate by a messenger who does him honor, SO worshipped by the stand ards bowing down to him. ANNAS and Caiphas, and Summas, and Datam, Gama liel, Judas, Levi, Nepthalim, Alex ander, Cyrus, and other Jews, went to Pilate about Jesus, accusing him with many bad crimes. 2 And said, We are assured that Jesus is the son of Joseph the carpenter,1 and born of Mary, and that he declares himself the Son of God, and a king;3 and not only so, but attempts the dissolution of the sabbath/ and the laws of our fathers. 3 Pilate replied ; What is -it which he declares ? and what is it ¦ which he attempts dissolving? 4 The Jews told him, We have a law which forbids, doing cures on the sabbath day;4 but he cures both the lame and the deaf, those afflicted with the palsy, the blind, and lepers, and demoniacs, on that day by wicked methods.5 1 Matt. xiii. 55. and John, vi. 42. ** Matt, xii. 2, &C Luke, xiii, 14. * Matt. iv. 34. and xi. 5. 45 5 Pilate replied, How can he.do this by wickep. methods ? They answered, He is a conjuror, and casts out devils by the prince of the devils ;• and so all things be come subject to him. 6 Then safd Pilate, Casting out devils seems not to be the work of an unclean spirit, but to proceed from the power of God. 7 The Jews replied to Pilate, We entreat )'our highness to sum mon him to appear before your tribunal, and hear him yourself. 8 Then Pilate called a messen ger, and said to him, By what means will Christ be brought hither ? 9 Then went the messenger forth, and knowing Christ, wor shipped him ; and having spread the cloak which he had in his hand upon the ground, he said, Lord, walk upon this, and go in, for the governor calls thee. 10 When the Jews perceived what the messenger had done, they exclaimed (against him) to Pilate, and said, Why did not you give him his summons by a beadle, and not by a messenger? — For the messenger, when.hesaw him, wor shipped him, and spread the cloak * John, v. 17, 18. 'Mart, xv. 2. John, v. 18. 4 Exod. xx. 8, ke. 8 Matt. ix. 34. and xii. 34, &c. Chvistworah^pedby NICODEMUS. the standards. which he had in his hand upon the ground before him, and said \a him, Lord, the governor calls thee, II Then Pilate called the mes senger, and said, Why hast thou done thus ? 12 The messenger replied, When thou sentest me from Jeru salem to Alexander, I saw Jesus sitting in a mean figure upon a she-ass, and the children of the Hebrews cried out, Hosannah, holding boughs of trees in their hands. 13 Others spread their garments in the way, and said, Save us, thou who art in heaven; blessed is he who cometh in the name of the Lord.1 14 Then the Jews cried out against the messenger, and said, The children of the Hebrews made their acclamations in the Hebrew language ; and how couldest thou who art a Greek, understand the Hebrew ? 15 The messenger answered them and said, I asked one of the Jews, and said, What is this which the children do cry out in the Hebrew language ? 16 And he explained it to me, saying, They cry out Hosannah, which being interpreted, is, O Lord, save me; or, O Lord, save. 17 Pilate then said to them, Why do you yourselves testify to the words spoken by the children, namely, by your silence ? In what has the messenger done amiss? And they were silent.' IS Then the governor said unto the messenger, Go forth, and en deavour, by any means to bring him in. 19 But the messenger went forth, and did as before ; and said, Lprd, come in, for the governor calleth thee. . 20 And as Jesus was going in hy the ensigns, who carried the standards, the tops of them bowed down, and worshipped"3esus. 21 Whereupon the Jews ex claimed more vehemently against the ensigns. 22 But Pilate said to the Jews, I know it is not pleasing to you that the tops of the standards did of themselves bow, and worship Jesus ; but why do ye exclaim against the ensigns, as if they had bowed and worshipped ? 23 They replied to Pilate, We saw the ensigns themselves bowing and worshipping Jesus. 24 Then the governor called the ensigns, and said unto them, Why did you do thus ? 25 The ensigns said to Pilate, We are all Pagans, and worship the gods in temples ; and how should we think any thing about worshipping him ? We only held the standards in our hands, and they bowed themselves and wor shipped him. 26 Then said Pilate to the ru lers of the synagogue, Do ye your selves choose some strong men, and let them hold the standards, and we' shall see whether they will 1 then bend of themselves. [ 27 So the elders of the Jews sought ought twelve of the most strong and able old men, and made them hold the standards; and they stood in the presence of the governors. 28 Then Pilate said to the mes senger, Take Jesus out, and by some means bring him in again. And Jesus and .the messenger went out of the hall. 29 And Pilate called the ensigns who before had borne the stan- 46 1 Matt. xxi. 8, 9, £_c. Ckai'ged with, being NICODEMUS. born in fornicatioiti dards, and swore to them, that if they had not home the standards in that manner when Jesus before entered in, he would cut off their heads. 30 Then the governor com manded Jesus to come in again. 31 And the messenger did as he had done ' before, and very much entreated Jesus that he , would go upon his cloak, and walk on it ; and he did walk upon it, and went in. 32 And when Jesus went in, the standards bowed themselves as before, and worshipped him. CHAP. II. £ Is compassionated by Pilate's wife, 7 charged with bemg born in fornication, 12 Testimony to the betrothing qf his parents. 15 Hatred ofthe Jews to him, NOW when Pilate saw this, he was afraid, and was about to rise from his seat. 2 But while he thought to r^e, his own wife, who stood at a dis tance, sent to him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man; for I have suffered much concerning him in a vision this night.1 3 When the Jews heard this, they said to Pilate, Did we not say unto thee, He is a conjuror ? Behold, he hath caused thy wife to dream. 4 Pilate then calling Jesus, said, Hast thou beard what they testify against thee, and makest no an swer ? 5 Jesus replied, If they had not a power of speaking, they could not have spoke ; but because every one has the command of his own tongue, to speak both good and bad, let them look to it. ¦ 6 But the elders of the Jews answered, and said to Jesus, What shall we look to? 7 In the first place, we know this concerning thee_ thijt thou wast born through fornication; secondly, that upon the account of thy birth, the infants were slain in Bethlehem ; thirdly, that thy father and mother Mary fled into Egypt, because they could not trust their own people. 8 Some of the Jews who stood by, spake more favourably; We cannot say that he was born through fornication ; but we know that his mother Mary was be trothed to Joseph, and so he was not born through fornication. 9 Then said Pilate to the Jews who affirmed him to he born through fornication, This your ac count is not true, seeing there was a betrothment, as they testify who are of your own nation. 10 Annas and Caiphas spake to Pilate, All this multitude of peo ple is to be regarded, who cry out, that he was born through fornica tion, and is a conjuror ; but they who deny him to be born through fornication, are his proselytes and disciples. 11 Pilate replied to Annas and Caiphas, Who are the proselytes ? They answered> They are those who are the children of Pagans, and are not become Jews, but fol lowers of him. 12 Then replied Eleazar and Asterius, and Antonius, and James, Caras and Samuel, Isaac and Phinees, Crispus and Agrippa, Annas and Judas, we are not pro selytes, but children of Jews, and speak the truth, and were present when Mary was betrothed. 13 Then Pilate addressing him self to the twelve men who spake this, said to them, I conjure you by the life of Caesar, that ye faith fully declare whether be was born Matt, xxvii. .19. 47 Christ disputes NICODEMUS. with Pilate. through . fornication, and those things be true which ye have re lated. 14 They answered Pilate, We have a law, whereby we are forbid to swear, it being a sin : let them swear by the life of Csesar that it is not as we have said, and we will be contented to be put to death. 15 Then said Annas and Cai phas to Pilate, Those twelve men will not believe that we know him to be basely born, and to be a conjurer, although he pretends that he is the Son 'of God, and a king ; 1 which we are so far from believing, that we tremble to hear. 16 Then Pilate commanded every one to go out except .. the twelve men who said he was not born through fornication, and Jesus to withdraw to a distance, and said to them, Why have the Jews a mind to kill Jesus ? 17 They answered him, They are angry because he wrought cures on the sabbath day. Pilate said, Will they kill him for a good work ? 2 They say unto him, Yes, Sir. CHAP. III. 1 7s exonerated by Pilate. 11 Disputes with Pilate concerning truth. THEN Pilate, filled with anger, went out of the hall, and said to the Jews, I call the whole world to witness that I find no fault in that man.' 2 The Jews replied to Pilate, If he had not been a wicked person, we had not brought him before thee. 3 Pilate said to them, Do ye take him, and try him by your law. 4 Then the Jews said, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death. 5 Pilate said to the Jews, The command therefore, Thou shalt not kill,* belongs to you, but not to me. 6 And he went again into the hall, and called Jesus by himself, and said to him, Art thou the king of the Jews ? 7 And Jesus answering, said to Pilate, Dost thou speak this of thyself, or did the Jews tell it thee concerning me ? 8 Pilate answering, said to Jesus, Am I a Jew? The whole nation and rulers of the Jews have delivered thee up to me. What hast thou done ? 9 Jesus answering, -said, My kingdom is not of this world : if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, apd, I should not have been delivered to the Jews ; but now my kingdom is not from hence. 10 Pilate said, Art thou a king then ? Jesus answered, Thou say est that I am a king : to this end was I born, and for this end came I into the world; and for this purpose I came, that I should bear witness to the truth ; and every one who is of the truth, heareth my voice. 11 Pilate saith to him, What is truth? 12 Jesus said, Truth is from heaven. 13 Pilate said, Therefore truth is not on earth. 14 Jesus saith to Pilate, Believe that truth is on earth among those, who when they have the power of judgment, are governed by truth, and form right judgment. CHAP. IV. 1 Pilate finds ne fault in Jesus. 16 The Jews demand liis crucifixion. 4$ 1 John, v. 17, 18. Mark, xv. S. » John, xviii. 31, &c. « John, x. 32. * Exod. xx. 13. Pilate inclines to Christ. NICODEMUS. The Jews demand his dealh. THEN Pilate left Jesus in the hall, acid went out to the Jews, and said, I find not any one fault in Jesus. 2 The Jews say unto him, But he said, I can destroy the temple of God, and in three days build it up again. 3 -Pilate saith unto them, What sort of temple is that of which he speaketh? 4 The Jews say unto him, that which Solomon was forty-six years in building,1 he said he would de stroy, and in. three days build up. 5 Pilate said to them again, I am innocent from the blood of that man ; do ye look to it.2 6 The Jews say to him, His blood be upon us and- our chil dren. Then Pilate calling toge ther the elders and scribes, priests arid Levites, saith to them, pri vately, Do not act thus; I have found nothing in your charge (against him) concerning his cur ing sick persons, and breaking the sabbath, worthy of death. 7 The priests and Levites re plied to Pilate, By the life of Cae sar, if any one be a blasphemer, he is worthy of death;3 but this man hath blasphemed against the Lord. 8 Then the governor again com manded the Jews to depart out of the hall ; and calling Jesus, said to him, What shall I do with thee? 9 Jesus answered him, Do ac cording as it is written. • 10 Pilate said to him, How is it written ? ( 11 Jesus saith to him, Moses and the prophets have prophesied concerning my suffering and re surrection. 12 The Jews hearing this, were provoked, and said to Pilate, Why wilt thou any longer hear the blasphemy of that man ? 13 Pilate saith to them, If these words seem to you blasphemy, do ye take him, bring him to your court, and try him according to your law. 14 The Jews reply to Pilate, Our laty saith, that if one man in jure another, he shall be obliged to receive nine and thirty stripes; but if after this manner he shall blaspheme ag-ainst the Lord, he shall be stoned. 15 Pilate saith unto them, If that speech of his was blasphemy, do ye try him according to your law. 16 The Jews say to Pilate, Our law commands us not to put any one to death ;* we desire that he may be crucified, because he de serves the death of the cross. 17 Pilate saith to them, It is not fit he should be crucified ; let him be only whipped and sent away.5 18 But when the governor look ed upon the people that were 'pre sent and the Jews, he saw many of the Jews in tears, and said to the chief priests of the Jews, All the people do not desire his death. 19 The elders of the Jews an swered to' Pilate, We and all the people came hither for this very purpose, that he should die. 20 Pilate saith to them, Why should be die ? 21 They said to him, Because he declares himself to be the Son of God, and a King. CHAP. V. 1 Nicodemus speaks" in defence of Christ, and relates his miracles, Vz Another Jew, "26 with Veronica, 34 Centurki. and others, testify of other miracles. John, ii. 20. 2 Matt, xxvii. Hi. s Lev. xxiv. li. * Exod. xx. IS. b Luke, xxiii. 16. 49 Nicodemus and BUT Nicodemus, a certain Jew, stood before the gover nor, and said, I entreat thee, O righteous judge, that thou wouldest favour me with tbe liberty of speaking a few words. 2 Pilate said to him, Speak on. 3 Nicodemus said, I spake to the elders of the Jews," and the scribes, and priests, and Levites, and all the multitude of the Jews, in their assembly ; What is it ye Wotild do' with this man ? • 4 He is a man who hath wrought many useful and glorious miracles, such as no man on earth ever wrought before, nor will ever work.1 Let him go, and do him no harm : if he cometh from God, bis miracles (his miraculous cures) will continue ; but if from men, they will come to nought.2 5 Thus Moses, when he was sent by God into Egypt, wrought the miracles which God com manded him, before Pharaoh king of Egypt ; and though the magi cians of that country, Jannes and Jambres,3 wrought by their magic the same miracles which Moses did, yet they could not work all which he did :* 6 And the miracles, which the magicians wrought, were not of God, as ye know, O Scribes and Pharisees; but they who wrought them perished, and all who be lieved them.5 7 And now let this man go ; • because the very miracles for which ye accuse him, are from God ; and he is not worthy of death. 8 The Jews then said to Nico- demus^Art thou become his dis ciple, and making speeches >in his favour ? NICODEMUS. a Jew cured by Christ, 9 Nicodemus said to thenar, Is the governor become his disciple also, and does he make speeches for him ? Did not Caesar place him in that high post ? 10 When the Jews heard this, they trembled, and gnashed their teeth at Nicodemus, and said to him, Mayest thou receive his doc trine for truth, arid have thy lot with Christ ! 11 Nicodemus replied, Amen; I will receive his doctrine, and my lot with him, as- ye have said. 12 4 And now hear me, O sons of Israel, and let us send men into the mountains of Israel, lest per haps the spirit hath carried away Jesus, and there perhaps we shall find him, and be satisfied. 5 A«d the counsel of Nicode mus pleased all the' people ; and they sent forth men who sought for Jesus, but could not find him; and they returning, said, We went all about, but could not find Jesus, but we have found Joseph in his city of Arimathaea. 6 The rulers hearing this, and all the people, were glad, and praised the God of Israel, because Joseph was found whom they had shut up in a chamber, and could not find. 7 And when they- had formed a large assembly, the chief priests said, By what means shall we' bring Joseph to us to speak with him ? 8 And taking a piece of paper, they wrote to him, and said, Peace be with thee, and all thy family. We know that we have offended against God and thee. Be pleased to give a visit to us your fathers, for -we were per fectly surprised at your escape from prison. 9 We know that it was malici ous counsel which we took against thee, and that the Lord took care of thee, and the Lord himself de livered thee from our designs. Peace be unto thee, Joseph, who art honourable among all the people. 10 And they chose seven of Joseph's friends, and said to them, When ye come to Joseph, salute him in peace, and give him this letter. 1 1 Accordingly, when the men came to Joseph, they did salute 58 Heathens. lb relate the NICODEMUS, manner of his escape. him in peace, and gave him the j letter. 12 And when Joseph had read it, he said, Blessed be the Lord God, who didst deliver me from the Israelites, that they could not shed my blood. Blessed be God, who hast protected me under thy wings. 13 And Joseph kissed them, and took them into his house. And ori tbe morrow, Joseph mounted his ass, and went along with them to Jerusalem. 14 And when all the Jews heard these thjngs, they went out to meet him, and cried out, say ing, Peace attend thy coming hi ther, father Joseph. 15 To which he answered, Prosperity from the Lord attend all the people. 16 And they all kissed him ; and Nicodemus took him to his house, having provided a large entertainment. 17 But on the morrow, being a preparation-day, Annas and Cai aphas, and Nicodemus, said to Jo seph, Make confession to the God of Israel, and answer to us all those questions which we shall ask thee ; 18 For we have been verymuch troubled, that thou didst bury the body of Jesus ; and that when we had locked thee in a chamber, we could not find thee ; and we have been afraid ever since, till this time of thy appearing among us. Tell us therefore befoue God, all that came to pass. 19 'Then Joseph answering, said, Ye did indeed put me under confinement on the day of pre paration, till the morning. 20 But while I was standing a"t prayer in the middle of the night, the house was surrounded with four angels; and I saw Jesus as the brightness of the sun, and fell down upon the earth for fear. 59 21 But Jesus laying hold on my hand, lifted me from the ground, and the dew was then sprinkled upon me ; but he, wip ing my face, kissed me, and said unto me, Fear not, Joseph ; look upon me, for it is I. 22 Then I looked upon him, and said, Rabboni Elias! He ans wered me, I am not Ellas, but Jesus of Nazareth, whose body thou didst bury. 23 I said to him, Shew me the tomb in which 1 laid thee. 24 Then Jesus, taking me by the hand, led me unto the place where I laid him, and shewed me the linen clothes and napkin which I put round his head. Theh I knew that it was Jesus, and wor shipped him, and said, Blessed be he who cometh in the" name ofthe Lord. 25 Jesus again taking me by the hand, led me to Arimathaea, to.my own house, and said to me, Peace be to thee ; but go not out of thy house till the fortieth day ; but I , must go to my disciples. CHAP. XII. 1 The Jews astonished and confounded. 14 Simeon's two sons, Charinus and Lenthius, risefrom tlie dead at Christ's crucifixion. 19 Joseph proposes to get them to relate the mysteries qf their re surrection. 21 They are sought and found, 22 brought , to the synagogue, S3 privately sworn to secrecy, 25 and undertake to write what they had seen. WHEN the chief priests and Levites heard all these things, they were astonished,' and fell down with their faces on the ground as dead men, and crying out to one another, said, What is this extraordinary sign which is come to pass in Jerusalem ? We know the father and mother of Jesus. 2 And a certain Levite said,' I know many of his relatipns, reli gious persons, who are wont to The Jews dismayed. NICODEMUS. Charinus and Lenthius, offer sacrifices and burnt offerings to the God of Israel, in the temT pie with prayers. 3 And when the high-priest Simeon took him up in his arms, he said to him, 'Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to tby word ; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people: a light to enlighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. 4 Simeon in like manner bless ed Mary the mother of Jesus, and 'said to her, I declare to thee con cerning that child ; He is appoint ed for the fall and rising again of many, and for a sign which shall he spoken against. 5 Yea, a sword shall pierce through, thine own soul also, and the thoughts of many hearts shall be revealed. 6 Tbe/i said all the Jews, Let us send to those three men, who said they saw him talking with his disciples in mount Olivet. 7 After this, they asked them what they had seen; who an swered with one accord, In the presence of the God of Israel we affirm, that we plainly saw Jesus talking with his disciples in mount Olivet, and ascending up to hea ven. 8 Then Annas and Caiaphas took them into separate places, and examined them separately; who unanimously confessed the truth, and said, they had seen Jesus. 9 Then Annas and Caiaphas said, Our law saith, By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.2 10 But what have we said ? The blessed Enoch pleased^od, and was translated by. the word of God; and the burying-place of, the blessed Moses is not known. 11 But Jesus was delivered to Pilate, whipped, crowned with thorns, spit upon, pierced with a spear, crucified, died upon the cross, and was buried, and his body the honourable Joseph bu ried in a new sepulchre, and he testifies that he saw him alive;, 12 And besides, these men have declared, that they saw him talking with his disciples in mount Olivet, and ascending up to hea ven. 13 ¦**]* Then Joseph rising up, said to Annas and Caiaphas, Ye may be justly under a great sur prize, that you have been told, that Jesus is alive, and gone up to heaven. 14 It is indeed a thing really surprizing, that he should not only himself arise from the dead, but also raise others from their graves, who have been seen hy many in Jerusalem.3 15 And now bear me a little: We all knew the blessed Simeon the high-priest, who took Jesus when an infant into his' arms in the temple. 16 This same Simeon had two sons of his own, and we were all present at their death and fu neral. 17 Go therefore and see their tombs, for these are open, and they are risen ; and behold, they are in the city of Arimathaea, spending their time together in offices of devotion. 18 Some, indeed have heard the sound of their voices in prayer, but they will not discourse with any one, but they continue ai mute as dead men. 19 But come, let us go to them, and behave ourselves towards 60 1 Luke, ii. 20. 1 Deut., xvii. 6. ' Matt, xxvii. 53. in>ho rose with Christ, NICODEMUS. relate his descent to keil. them with all due respect and caution. And if we can bring them to swear, perhaps they will tell us some of the mysteries of their resurrection. 20 When the Jews heard this, they were exceedingly rejoiced. 21 Then Annas and Caiaphas, Nicodemus, Joseph, and Gamaliel, went to Arimathaea, but did not find them in their graves ; but walking about the city, they found them on their bended knees at their devotions ; 22 Then saluting them with all respect and deference to God, they brought them to the syna gogue at Jerusalem ; and having shut the gates, they took the book •f the Law of the Lord. 23 And putting it in their hands, swore them by God Ado- nai, and the God of Israel, who spake to our fathers by the law and the prophets, saying, If ye believe him who raised you from the dead, to be Jesus, tell us what ye have seen, and how ye were raised from the dead. 24 Charinus and Lenthius, the two sons of Simeon, trembled when they heard these things, and were disturbed, -and groaned ; and at the same time looking up to heaven, they made the sign of the cross with their fingers on their tongues, 25 And immediately they spake, and said, Give each of us some paper, and we will write down for you all those things which we have seen. And they each sat down and wrote, saying, CHAP. XIII. 1 The narrative of Charinus and Lenthius • commences. 3 A great light in hell. 7 Simeon arrives, and announces the coming qf Christ. OLORD Jesus and Father, who art God, also the resur- 61 1 Isai. ix. 1. Matt. iv. 16. rection and life of the dead, give us leave to declare thy mysteries, which we saw after death belong ing to thy cross ; for we areisworn by thy name. 2 For thou hast forbid thy ser vants to declare the secret things, which were wrought by thy divine power in hell. 3 for the Lord hath enlightened us. This is our God for ever and ever; he shall reign over us to everlasting ages. Amen. 18 In like manner all the pro phets spake the sacred things of his praise, and followed the Lord. CHAP. XX. 1 Christ delivers Adam to Michael the archangel. 3 They meet Enoch and Elijah in heaven, 5 and also the bie. serf xcviii. 1, &c. *¦ Psalm cxlix. 2. *• Matt, xxiii. 29. T 2 Adam converses with Enoch, &>c. N ICODEMUS. • Blessed thief's story. thief, who relates how he came lo Para dise. 4 THEN the Lord holding Adam 4>y the hand, delivered him to Michael the archangel ; and he led them into Paradise, filled with mercy and glory; 2 And two very antient men met them, and were asked by the saints, Who are ye, who have not yet, been with us in hell, and have had your bodies placed in Para dise ? 3 One of them answering, said, I am Enoch, who was translated by the word of God ;J and this man who is with me, is Elijah the Tishbite, who was translated in a fiery chariot.2 4 Here we have hitherto been, and have not tasted death, but are now about to return at the coming of Antichrist', being armed with divine signs and miracles, to engage with him in "battle, and to be slain by him in Jerusalem, and to be taken up alive again into the clouds, after three days and a half.3 5 % And while the holy Enoch and Elias were relating this, be hold there came another man in a miserable figure, carrying the sign of the cross upon his shoul ders. 6 And when all the saints saw him, they said to him, Who art thou ? For thy countenance is like a thief's ; and why dost thou carry a cross upon thy shoulders ? 7 To which he answering, said, Ye say right, for I was a thief, who committed all sorts of wick edness upon earth. 8 And the Jews crucified me with Jesus ; and I observed the surprizing things which happened in the creation at the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus. 9 And I believed him to be the Creator of all things, and the Al mighty King; and I prayed to him, saying, Lord, remember me, when thou comest into thy king dom. , 10 He presently regarded my supplication, and said to me, Verily I say unto thee, this day thou shalt be with me in Para dise ?4 11 And he gave me tbis sign of the cross, saying, Carry this, and go to Paradise ; and if the angel who is the guard of Para dise will not admit thee, shew him the sign of the cross, and say unto him : Jesus Christ, who is now crucified, hath sent hie hi ther to thee. 12 When I did this, and told the angel who is the guard of Pa radise all these things, and he heard them, he presently opened the gates, introduced me, and placed me on the right-hand in Paradise. 13 Saying, Stay here a little time, till Adam,' the father of all mankind, shall enter in, with all his sons, who are the holy and righteous servants of Jesus Christ, who is crucified. 14 When they heard all this account from the thief, all the patriarchs said with one voice, Blessed be thou, O Almighty God, the Father of everlasting good ness, and tbe Father of mercies, who hast shewn such favour to those who were sinners against him, and hast brought them to the mercy of Paradise, and hast placed them amidst thy large and spiritual provisions, in a spiritual and holy life. Amen. • CHAP. XXI. 1 Charinus and Lenthius being only al lowed three days to remain on earth, , Gen, v. 24. 68 2 2 Kings, ii. H. 3 ,Rev. xi. 11. 4 Luke, xxiii. Charinus and Lenthius. NICODEMUS. conclude and vanish.' 7 deliver in their narratives, which mi raculously correspond ; they vanish, 13 and Pilate records these transactions. THESE are' the divine and sa cred mysteries which we saw and heard. I Charinus and Lenthius are not allowed to declare the other mysteries of God, asthe archangel Michael ordered us. 2 Saying, Ye shall go with my brethren to Jerusalem, and shall continue in prayers, declaring and glorifying the resurrection of Jesus Christ, seeing he hath raised you from the dead at the same time with himself. • 3 And ye shall not talk with any man, but sit as dumb persons till the time corne when the Lord will allow you to relate the myste ries of his divinity. 4 The archangel Michael far ther commanded us to go beyond Jordan, to an excellent and fat country, where there are many who rose from the dead along with us for the proof of the resur rection of Christ. 5 For we have only three days allowed us from the dead, who arose to celebrate the passover of our Lord with our parents, and to bear our testimony for Christ the Lordi and we have been baptized in tbe holy river of Jordan. And now they are not seen by any one. 6 This is as much as God al lowed us to relate to you ; give ye therefore praise and honour to him, and repent, and he will have mercy upon you. Peace be to you from the Lord God Jesus Christ, and the Saviour of* us all. Amen,- Amen, Amen. 7 And after they had made an end of writing, and had wrote in two distinct pieces of paper, Cha rinus gave what he wrote into the hands of Annas, and Caiaphas, arid Gamaliel. 8 Lenthius likewise gave what 69 he wrote into the hands of Nicode mus and Joseph ; and immediately they were changed into exceed ing white forms, and were seen no more. 9 But what they had wrote was found perfectly to agree, the one not containing one letter more or less than the other. 10 When all the assembly of the Jews heard all these surpriz ing relations of Charinus and Len thius, they said to each other, Truly all these things were wrought by God, and blessed be the Lord Jesus for ever and ever, Amen. 11 And they went all out with great concern, and fear, and trem bling, and smote upon their breasts, and went away every one to his home. 12 But immediately all these things which were related by the Jews in their synagogue concern ing Jesus, were presently told by Joseph and Nicodemus to the go vernor, 13 And Pilate wrote down all these transactions, and placed all these accounts in the public re cords of his hall. CHAP. XXII. 1 Pilate goes to the temple ; calls together the rulers, and scribes, and doctors. 2 Commands the gates to be shut ; orders the.book of the Scripture ; and causes the Jews to relate what they really knew concerning Christ, 14 They • declare that they crucified Christ in ignorance, and that they now know him to be'the Son of God, according to the testimony of the Scriptures ; which, after they put him lo death, they examined. AFTER these things Pilate went to the temple of the Jews, and called together all the rulers and scribes, and doctors of the law, and went with them into a chapel of the temple, 2 Arid commanding that all the gates should be shut, said to them, I have heard that ye have a certain large book in this tem- The Jews repent and NICODEMUS. acknowledge Christ, pie ; 1 desire you, therefore, that it may be brought before me. 3 And when the great book, carried by four ministers of the temple, and adorned with gold and precious stones, was brought, Pilate said to them all, I adjure you by the God of your fathers, who made and commanded this temple to be built, that ye con ceal not the truth from hie. 4 Yeknow all the things which are written in that book ; tell me therefore now, if ye in the Scrip tures have found any thing of that Jesus whoni ye crucified, and at what time of the world he ought to have come : shew it me. 5 Then having sworn Annas and Caiaphas, they commanded all the rest who were with them to go out of the chapel. . 6 And they shut the gates of the temple and ofthe chapel, and said to Pilate, Thou hast made us io swear, O judge, by the building of this temple, to declare to thee that which is true and right. 7 After we had crucified Jesus, not knowing that he was the Son of God, but supposing he wrought his miracles by some magical arts, We summoned a large assembly in this tetriple. 8 And when we were delibe rating among one another about the miracles which Jesus had wrought, we found many wit nesses of our own country, who declared that they had seen him alive after his death, and that tbey heard him discoursing with his disciples, and saw him ascending unto the height of the heavens, and entering into them ; . 9 And we s^w two witnesses, whose bodies Jesus raised from the dead, who told us of many strange things which Jesus did among the dead, of which we have a written account in our hands. 10 And it is our custom annu ally to open this holy book before an assembly, and to search there for the Counsel of God ; 11 And we found in the first of the seventy books, where Michael the archangel is speaking to the third son of Adam the first man, an account that after five thou sand five hundred years, Christ the most beloved Son of God was to come on earth, \% And we farther considered, that perhaps he was the very God of Israel who spake to Moses, Thou shalt make the ark of the testimony ; two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth there of, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.1 13 By these five cubits and a half for the building of the ark of the Old Testament, we perceived and knew that in five thousand years and half (one thousand) years, Jesus Christ was to come in the ark or tabernacle of a body ; 14 And so our Scriptures testi fy that he is the Son of God, and the Lord and King of Israel. 15 And because after his suf fering, our chief priests were sur» prized at the signs which were wrought by his means, we opened that book to search all the gene rations down to the generation of Joseph and Mary the mother of Jesus, supposing him to be ofthe seed of David ; 16 And we found the account of the creation, and at what time he made the heaven and the earth, and the first man Adam, and that from thence to^the flood, were two thousand, two hundred, and twelve years. 17 And from the flood to Abra ham, nine hundred and twelve, 70 1 Exod. xxv. 10. THE APOSTLES' CREED. Atid from Abraham to Moses, f6ui* hundred arid thirty. And from Moses to J}_w\t\ the king, five hundred and ten. 18 And from David to the Ba bylonish captivity, five hundred years. And from the Babylonish captivity to the incarnation of Christ, four hundred years. 19 The surii of all which a- fhourits to five thousand and half (a thousand). 20 And so it appears, that Jesus, whom we cruciffed, is Jesus Christ the Son of God, and true arid Almighty God. Amen. ff In the name of the Holy Trinity, thus end the Acts of our Saviour Jesus Clirist, tbhich tlie Emperor TlteddOsiits the Great founct at Jerusalem, ih the hall of Pdntius Pilate among the public records ; the things were acted ih the nine teenth ycAr of Tiberius Clesar, Empiror of Ihe Romans, and in the seventeenth year q/" the govern ment qf Herod the son of Herod king of Galilee, on the eighth of the calends Of April, which is the twenty-third day of the month of March, in the ccnd Olympiad, when Joseph and Caiaphas were rulers of the- Jews; being a His tory writteh in Hebrew by Nico demus, af phat happened after our Saviour s crucifixion. The APOSTLES' CREED. [It is affirmed by Ambrose, " that the twelve Apbstles, as skilful artificers, assem bled together, and made a key by their common advice, that is, the Creed ; by which the darkness of the devil is disclosed, that tbe light of Christ may appear."1 Others fable that every Apostle inserted an article, by which the Creed is divided into twelve articles ; and a sermon, fathered npon St. Austin, and quoted by the Lord Chancellor King, fabricates that each particular ar ticle Was thus inserted by each particular Apostle: — " Peter. — 1. I believe in God the Father Almighty; " John.*— 2. Maker of heAven and earth ; " James. — 3. And in Jesus Christ his only Son, onr Lord ; - " Andrew. — 4. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, boru of the Virgin Mary ; " Philip. — 5. Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead and buried ; " Thomas.— 6. He descended into hell, the third day Ke rose again from the dead; " Bartholomew. — 7. He ascended into heaven, sitteth at the right hand of God tbe Father Almighty ; " Matthew. — 8. From thence shall he Come to judge the quick and the dead ; " Jaihe_*,ihe son of Alpheus.— 9. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy Ca tholic Church ; " Simon Zeloles. — 19. The communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins; " Jude, the brother of James — 11. The resurrection ofthe body ; " Matthias. — 1-2. Life everlasting. Amen."^ Archbishop Wake says, "With respect to the Apostles being the authors of this Creed, it is not my intention to enter on any particular examination of this matter, which has been so fully handled, not only by tbe late critics of the Church of Kome, Natalis Alexander,3 Du Pin,4 &c. but yet more espe- > Ambr. Opera, tom. iii. Serm. 38, p. 265. a King's Hist. Apost. Creed, Svo. p. 26. ' 3 Nat. Alex. $1. vol. i. p. 490, &c. 4 Do Pin, Biblioth. Eccies. vol. i. p. 25, &c. 71 . THE .APOSTLES' CREED: dally by Archbishop Usher,1 Gerard Vossius,® Suicer,3 Spanhemius,* Tentzelius,6 and Sam. Basnage,*> among the Protestants. It shall suffice to say, that as it is not likely, that had any such thing as this been done by the 1 Apostles, St. Luke would have passed- it by, without taking the least notice of it:. So the diversity of Creeds in the ancient Church ; and that not only in expression, but in some whole articles too, sufficiently shews, that the Creed wliich we call by that, name, was not composed by the twelve Apostles, much less in the same form in which it now is."7 Mr. Justice Bailey says, " It is not to be understood that this Creed was framed by the Apostles, or indeed that it existed as a Creed in their time ;"8 and after giving the Creed as it existed in the year 600, and which is here copied from his Common Prayer Book, he says, " how long this form had ex isted before tlie year £00 is not exactly known. The additions were pro bably made in opposition to particular heresies and errors." The most important " addition," since the year of Christ 600, is that which affirm.., that Christ descended into hell. This has heen proved not only to have heen an invention after the Apostles' time, but even after the time of Eusehius. Bishop Pearson says,*1 that the descent iuto hell was not in the ancient creeds or rules of faith. " It is not to he found in tlie rules of faith delivered by Irenaeus,10 by Origen,11 or by Tertullian.12 It is pot expressed in those creeds which were made hy the councils as larger explications of the Apostles' Creed ; not ih the Nicene, or Constantinopolitan ; not in those of Ephesus, or Chalcedon; not in those confessions made at Sardica, An tioch, Seleucia, Sirmium, &c. It is not mentioned in several confessions of faith delivered by particular persons ; n.Q.t.in that of Eusebius Caesariensis, presented to the council of Nice ;13 not in that of Marcellus, bishop of Aneyra, delivered to Pope Julius ;'* not in that of Arius and Euzoius, pre sented to Constantine ;15 nut in that of Acacius, bishop of Csesarea, delivered into the synod of Seleucia;16 not in that of Eostathius, Theophilus, and Syl- vanus,sent to Liberins:1** there is no mention of it in the creed of St. Basil;18 in the creed of Epiplmnius,19 Gelasius, Damalsus, Macarius, &c. It is not in the creed expounded by St. Cyril, though some have produced that creed to prove it. It is, not in the creed expounded by St. Augustine;20 not in that other,21 attributed to St. Augustine in another place ; not in that ex pounded by Maximus Taurinensis ; nor in that so often interpreted by Pe trus .Cbrysologns ; nor in that ofthe church of Antioch, delivered by Cassia- nus ;22 neither is it to be seen in the MS. creeds set forth by the learned Archbishop of Armagh. It is affirmed by Rufinus, that in his time it was neither in the Roman nor the Oriental Creeds."23] 1 Diatrib. deSymb. 2 Voss. Dissert, de tribus Symbolis. 3 Suicer. The- saur. Eccies. tom. ii. Voce _-ii,ctSoXov, p. 1086, ,&c. 4 Spanhem. Introd. ad Hist. Eccies. §ii. _-. 3. 6 Ernest. Tentzel. Exercit. select. Exercit. I. 6 Sam. Basnage, Exercit, Hist. Crit, ad Ann. XLIV. num. 17, 18. .. ' Wake's Apost. Fathers, 8vo. p. 103. s Mr. Justice Bailey's Com mon Prayer, 1813, p. 9. 9 Pearson on ihe Creed, fol. 1676, p. 225. *° Lib. 1., c. 2. • 1] Lib. de Prineip. in Prooem. ls_ Advers. Praxeam. c. ii. Virgin. Veland. c. l, — De Prescript, advers. Haeres. c. 13. 13 Theodoret, 1. 1. c. 2. 14 Epiphan. Ha-.res. 72. 15 Socrat. 1. 1. c. 19. "6 Ibid. 1. 2. o. 40. "7 Ibid. 1.4. c. 12. 18 Tract, de Fide in Ascet. ™ In Anchorat. c. 1 20. 20, De Fide et Symbolo. S1 De Symbolo ad Catechumenos. 22 De Inrarnat. lib. 6. M Exposit. in Symbol. Apost. J 20. 72 THE APOSTLES' CREED, As it stood An. Dom. 600. Copied from Mr. Justice Bailey's Edition . of , the book qf Cqmmon Prayer. " -Before the year tfOO, it was no more than this." — Mh. Justice Bailey, p. 9, n. 1 I believe in God the Father Almighty : 2 And in Jesus Christ his only bfegotten Son, our Lord ; 3 Who was born of the Holy Ghost and Virgin Mary, 4 And was crucified under Pon tius Pilate, and was buried ; 5 And the third day rose again from the dead, 6 Ascended into heaven, sitteth on the right hand of the Father ; 7 Whence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead ; <8 And in the Holy Ghost ; 9 The Holy Church ; 10 The remission of sins ; 11, And the resurrection ofthe flesh, Amen. As it now stands in the book qf Cum. mon Prayer qf the United Church qf England and Ireland as by law esta blished. 1 iBELiEVEinGodtheFather Al mighty, maker of heaven and earth: 2 And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord ; 3 Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, 4 Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried ; 5 He descended into hell ; 6 The third day he rose again from the dead : "J He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right- hand of God the Father Almighty ; 8 From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. 9 <**[ I believe in the Holy Ghost ; 10 The Holy Catholic Church ; the communion of saints ; 1 1, The forgiveness of sins ; . ' 12 The resurrection ofthe body; and tbe life evfertasting, Amen. The EPISTLE of PAUL the APOSTLE to the LAO DICEANS.,. IThis Epistle has been highly esteemed by several learned men of' the church of Rome, and others. The Quakers have printed a translation, and plead for it, as. the reader may see, by consulting Poole's Annotations an Col. iv. 16. Sixtus Senensis mentions two MSS., the one 'in the Sorbonne Library at Paris, which is a very ancient copy, and the other in the Library of Joannes £ Viridarfo, at Padua, which he transcribed and published;: and wliieh i?the authority for the following translation. There is a very old translation of this Epistle in the British Museum, among the Harleian MSS. Cod. 1212.] 1 He salutes ihe brethren; 3 exhorts them to persevere in good works, 4 and not be moved by vain speaking. 6 Rejoices , in his bonds, 10 and desires them to live in the fear. qf the Lord.. PAUL, anApostle, not.of'men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, to the brethren which are at Laodicea. 2 Grace be to yo,u, and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ. , 3 I thank Christ in every prayer af mine, ,that ye continue and persevere, in good works, looking for that which is, promised in. the day of judgment. 4 , Let not the vain speeches of any trouble you, who pervert the truth, that they may draw you aside from the truth ofthe Gospel which I have preached. 5 And now , may God , grant, that my converts may attain to a perfect knowledge of the truth of PAUL AND SENECA. the Gospel, be beneficent, and doing goad woife which accom pany sali/ation. 6 And now my bonds, which I suffer in Christ, are manifest, in which I rejoice and am glad. 7 For Iknow thit this shall turn to my salvati'oh for ever, which shall be through your pray er, and the supply of the Holy . Spirit. 8 Whether I live or die *. (fdf) to me to live shall be a life to Christ, to die --VIII he joy. 9 Atad our Lord Wilt grant us his mercy, that ye may have the same love, and be like-minded. 10 Wherefore, my beloved, ais ye have heard of the coming of the Lord, so think and act ih fear, and it shall be to you life eternal ; 11 For it is God, who worketh in you. 12 And dd Sil CtflHg* withditt sifr. 13 Aiid what is best, my be loved, rejoice in the Lord Jesus Christ, and avoid all filthy lucre. 14 Let all your requests be made known to God, "and be steady in the doctrine of Christ. " 15 And Whatsoever things are sound, arid trite, and of good re port, and chaste, and just, and lovely, these things do. 16 Those things which ye have h<_ar*d, and received, think on these thing's, and peace shall be With you. 17 AH the saints salute you. 18 The grace of our Lord Je sus Christ be with your spirits Amin. 19 Cause this Epistle to be read to the Colossians, and the Epistle ofthe Colossians to bie read among ' you. The EPISTLES of PAUL the APOSTLE to SENECA* with SENECA's to PAUL. [Several very learned writers have entertained a favonrable opinion of these Epistles. They are undoubtedly Sf high antiquity. Salmeron cites them to prove that Seneca was One of Caesar's household, referred to by Pa&l, Ph\lip. iv. 22. as saluting the brethren at Philippi, In Jerome's enumeration of il lustrious men, he places Seneca, on account of these Epistles, amongst the ecclesiastical and holy writers of the Christian church. Sixtus Senensis has published them in bis Bibliotheque, p. 89, 90 ; and it is from thenee that the present translation is made. Baronius, Bellarmine, Dr. Cave, Spanbeim, and others, contend that they are net genuine.] GHAP. L AtrttftteS S-fetnEfcA to pAtit Unfeeling: IgtJPftfcE, Paul, that you have been informed of that con versation, which passed yesterday between me and my Lucilius, concerning hypocrisy atid Other subjects ; for thef* were some of your disciples in company with UB; 2 For When we were retired into the Sallustian gardens, through which they were als& passing) and Would hive gone another Way, by 74 OUr persUasiofl they jbirted com pany With us. 3 1 desire you to believe, that We much Wish for your conversa tion: 4 We wfer6 much delighted with your book of many Epistles, which you have wrote to sofiae cities and chief toWns of pro vinces, and contain Wonderful in structions for moral conduct : 5 Such sentiments, as I suppose you were UOt the author of, but only the instrument bf conveying, PAUL AND SENECA. """hough Sometimes both the au thor and the instrument. 6 For such is the sublimity of those doctrines, and their gran deur, that I Suppose the age of a man is scarce sufficient to be in structed and perfected in the knowledge of them. I wish your welfare, my brother. Farewell. CHAP. II. Paul to Seneca Greeting. 1 RECEIVED your letter yes terday with pleasure ; to which I could immediately have wrote an answer, had the young man been at home, whom I intended to have sent to you : 2 For you know when, and by whom, at what seasons, and to whom, I must deliver every thing which I send. 3 I desire therefore you would not charge me with negligence, if I wait for a proper pet-son. 4 I reckon myself very happy in having the judgment of so va luable a person, that you are de lighted with my Epistles : 5 For you would not be esteem ed a censor, a philosopher, or be the tutor of so great a pritice, and a master of every thing, if you were not sincere. I wish you a lasting prosperity, CHAP. III. Ann_eus Seneca te Paul Greeting. 1HAVE completed some vo lumes, and divided them into their proper parts. at 2:' I am determined to read them C Caesar, and if any favour able opportunity happens, you also shall be present, when they are read; 3 But if that cannot be. 1 will appoint and give you notice of a day,' when we< will together read over the performance, 4 I had determined, if I could with safety, first to have your opi nion of it, before I published it to 75 Caesar, that you might be con vinced of my affection to you. Farewell, dearest Paul. CHAP. IV. Paul to Seneca Greeting. AS often as I read your letters, I imagine yoU present with me ; nor indeed do I think any other, than that you are always with us. 2 As soon therefore as you be gin to come, we shall presently see each other. I wish you all prosperity. CHAP. V. Annkus Seneca to Paul Greeting. WE are very much concerned at your too long absence from us. 2 What is it, or what affairs are they, which obstruct your coming ? 3 If you fear the anger of Caesar, because you have aban doned your former religioiv, and made proselytes also of others, you have this to plead, that your acting thus proceeded not from inconstancy, but judgment. Fare well. CHAP. VI. Paul to Seneca and Lucilius Greeting. CONCERNING those things, about which ye wrote to me> it is not proper for me to mention any thing in writing with pen and ink: the one of which leaves marks, and the other evidently de clares things. 2 Especially since I know that there-are near you, as well as me, those who will understand my meaning. 3 Deference is to be paid to all men, and so much the more, as they are more likely to take ©c* casions of quarrelling. 4 And if we shew a submissive temper; we shall overcome effec tually in all points, if so be they PAUL AND SENECA. are, who are capable of seeing and acknowledging themselves to have been in the wrong. Fare well. CHAP. VII. Annjeus Seneca to Paul Greeting. 1 PROFESS myself extremely pleased with the reading your letters to the Galatians, Corin thians, and people of Achaia. 2 For the Holy Ghost has in them by you delivered those senti ments which are very lofty, sub lime, deserving of all respect, andi beyond your own invention. 3 I could wish, therefore, that when you are writing things so extraordinary, there might not be wanting an elegancy of speech agreeable to their majesty. 4 And I must own, my bro ther, that I may not at once dis honestly conceal any thing from you, and be unfaithful to my own conscience, that the emperor is extremely pleased with the senti ments of your Epistles ; 5 For when he heard the be ginning of them read, he declared, That he was surprised to find such notions i'n a person, who had not had a regular education. 6 To which I replied, That the Gods sometimes made use of mean (innocent) persons to speak by, and gave him an instance of this in a mean countryman, named Vatienus, ,who, when he was in the country of Reate, had two men appeared to him, called Cas tor and Pollux,, and received a re velation from the gods. Fare well. CHAP. VIII. Paul to Seneca Greeting. ALTHOUGH I know the em peror is both an admirer and favourer of our (religion,), yet give me leave to advise you against your . suffering any injury (by shewing favour to us). 76 2 I think iodeed you ventured upon a very dangerous attempt, when you would declare (to the emperor) that which is so very contrary to his religion, and way, of worship ; seeing he is a wor shipper of the heathen gods. 3 I know not what you parti cularly had in view, when you told him of this ; but I suppose you did it out of a too great re spect for me. 4 But I desire that for the fu ture you would not do so ; for you had need be careful, lest by shew ing your affection to me, you should offend your master : 5 His anger indeed will do us no harm, if he continue a hea then ; nor will his not being angry be of any service to us : 6 And if the empress act wor thy of her character; she will not be angry ; but if she act as a wo man, she will be affronted.. Fare well. CHAP. IX. Ann_eus Seneca to Paul Greeting.. 1KNOW that my letter, where in I acquainted you, that I had read to the emperor your, Epistles, does not so much affect you as the nature of the things (contained in them), 2 Which do so powerfully di vert men's minds from their for mer manners and practices, that I have always been surprised, and have been fully convinced of it by many arguments heretofore. , 3 Let us therefore begin afresh ; and if 'any thing heretofore has been imprudently acted, do you forgive. 4 I have sent . you a book de copia verborum.. Farewell, dearest Paul. CHAP. X. Paul to Seneca Greeting. AS often as, I write to you, and place, my name before. PAUL AND SENECA. yours, I do a thing both disagree able to myself, and contrary to our religion : 2 For I ought, as I have often declared, to become all things to all men, and to have that regard to your quality, which the Ro man law has honoured all senators with ; namely, to put my name last in the (inscription of the) Epistle, that I may not at length with uneasiness and shame be ob liged to do thai which it was al ways my inclination to do. Fare well, most respected master. Dated the fifth of the calends of July, in the fourth Consulship of Nero arid Messala. CHAP. XI. Ann_eus Seneca to Paul Greeting. ALL happiness to you, my dearest Paul. 2 If a person so great, and every way agreeable as you are, become not only a common, but most in timate- friend to me, how happy will be the case Of Seneca ! 3 You therefore, who are so eminent, and so far exaly*^1 — **e all, even the greatest, do not think yourself unfit to be first named in the inscription of an Epistle ; 4 Lest I should suspect you in tend not so much to try me, as to banter me ; for you know your self to be a Roman citizen. 5 And I could wish to be in that circumstance or station which you are, arid that you were in the same that I am. Farewell, dear est . Paul. Dated the - xUl of the calends of April, in the Consul ship of Aprianus and Capito. CHAP. XII. Ann_eus Seneca to Paul Greeting. ALL happiness to you, my dearest Paul. Do you not suppose I am extremely concerned and grieved, that your innocence should bring you into sufferings? 77 2 And that all the people should suppose you (Christians) so cri minal, and imagine all the mis fortunes that happen to tbe city, to be caused by you ? 3 But let us bear the charge, with a patient temper,- appealing (for our innocence) to the court (above), which is the only one our hard fortune will allow us to ad dress to, till at length our misfor tunes shall end in unalterable hap piness. 4 Former ages have produced (tyrants) Alexander the son of Philip, and Dionysius; ours also has produced Caius Caesar; whose inclinations' were their only laws. 5 As to the frequent burnings of the city of Rome, the cause is manifest ; and if a person in my mean circumstances might be al lowed to speak, and one might declare these dark things without danger, every one should see the whole of the matter. 6 The Christians and Jews are indeed commonly punished for the crime of burning the city ; but that impious miscreant, who delights in murders and butche ries, and disguises his villainies with lies, is appointed to, or re served till, his proper time ; 7 And as the life of every ex cellent person is now sacrificed instead of that one person (who is the author of the mischief), so this one shall be sacrificed for many, and he shall be devoted to be burnt with fire instead of all. 8 One hundred arid thirty-two houses, and four whole squares (or islands) were burnt down in six days : the seventh put an end to the burning. I wish you all happiness. 9 Dated the fifth ofthe calends of April, in the. consulship of Fri- gius and Bassus. PAUL AND THECLA. CHAP. XIII. AsNiEtis Seneca to Pau-l Greeting. ALL happiness to you, my dearest Paul. 2 You have wrote many vo lumes in an allegorical and mys tical style, and therefore such mighty matters and business be ing committed to you, require not to be set off with any rhetorical flourishes of speech, but only with some proper elegance. 3 I remember you often, say, that many by affecting such a style do injury to their subjects, and lose the force of the matters they treat of. 4 But in this I desire you to regard me, namely, to have re spect to true Latin, and to choose just words, that so you may the better manage the noble trust, which is reposed in you. ¦5 Farewell, .Dated v* of the nones of July, Leo and Savinus consuls. CHAP. XIV. Paul to Senega Greeting. YOUR serious consideration is requited with those disco veries, which the Divine Being has granted but to few. 2 I am thereby assured that t sow the most strong seed in a fer tile soil, not any thing material, which is subject to corruption, but the durable word of God, which shall increase and bring forth fruit to eterijity. 3 That which by your wisdom you have attained to, shall abide without decay for ever. 4 Believe that you ought to avoid the superstitions of Jews and Gentiles. 5 The things which yon have in some measure arrived to, pru dently make known to the em peror, his family, and to faithful friends ; 6 And though your sentiments: will seem disagreeable, and not be comprehended by them, seeing most of them will not regard your discourses, yet the W°rd of God- once infused into them, will at length make them become new men, aspiring towards God. 7 Farewell, Seneca, who art most dear to us. Dated on the calends of August, in the consul ship of Leo and Savinus. The ACTS of PAUL and THECLA. [Tertullian says that this piece was forged by a Presbyter of Asia, who being convicted, " confessed that he did it out of respect to Paul,"' and Pope Gelasius, in his Decree against Apocryphal books, inserted it among them. Notwithstanding this, a large part of the History was credited and looked upon as genuine among the primitive Christians. Cyprian, Eusebius, Epi. phanius, Austin, Gregory Nazianzen, Chrysostom, and Severus Sulpitius, who all lived within tbe fourth century, mention Thecla, or refer to her history. Basil of Seleucia wrote her acts, sufferings, and victories, in verse ; and Eir- agrius Scholasticos, an ecclesiastical historian, about 590, relates that " after the Emperor Zeno had abdicated his empire, and Basilik had taken posses sion of it, be had a visipn of the holy and excellent martyr Thecla, who pro mised him tbe restoration of his empire ; fer which, when it was brought about, he erected and dedicated a mpst noble and sumptuous temple to this famous martyr Thecla, at Seleucia, a city of Isauria, and bestowed upon it very noble endowments, which (says the author) are preserved even till this day." Hist. Eccl. lib. 3. cap. 8.— Cardinal Baronius, Locrinns, Archbishop Wake, and others j and a"..o the learned Grabe, who edited the Septuagint, 78 Paul's companions PAUL AND THECLA. and preaching. and revived the Acts of Paul and Thecla; consider ftem as having beeo written in the Apostolic age ; as containing nothing superstitious, or dis agreeing from the opinions and belief of those times ; and, in short, as a ge nuine and authentic History. Again it is said, that this is not the original book of the early Christians ; but however that may be, it is published from the Greek MS. in the Bodleian Library at Oxford, which Dr. Mills copied and transmitted to Dr. Grabe.] Tlie Martyrdom ofthe holy and glo rious first Martyr and Apostle Thecla. CHAP. I. 1 Demas and Hermogenes become Paul's companions. 4 Paul visits Onesipho rus. 8 Invited by Demas and Hermo genes. 11 Preaches to the household tf Onesiphorus. 12 His sermon. WHEN Paul went up to Ico nium, after his flight from Antioch, Demas and Hermogenes became his companions, who were then full of hypocrisy. 2 But Paul looking only at the goodness of God, did them no harm, but loved them greatly. 3 Accordingly he endeavoured to make agreeable to them, all the oracles and doctrines of Christ, and the design of the Gospel of God's well-ibeloved Spn, instruct ing them in the knowledge of Christ, as it was revealed to him. 4 is at Rome, to the Church of God which l is at Corinth, 2 elect, sanctified, ' by the will of God, through Jesus Christ bur Lord : grace and peace from the Al mighty God, by Jesus Christ, be multiplied unto you.* 2 "fl Brethren, the 5 sudden and unexpected dangers and calami ties that have fallen upon us, have, we fear, made us the more slow in our consideration of those things which you inquired of Us : 3 6As also of that wicked and detestable sedition, so ''unbecom ing the elect of God, which a fe* heady and selfi- willed men have fomented to such a degree of mad ness, that your venerable and re nowned name, so worthy of all men to be beloved, is greatly blas phemed therehy. 4 For, who that has " ever been among you has not experimented the firmness of your faith, 9 and its fruitfulness ih all good works ; and admired the temper and mo deration of your religion in Christ; and published abroad the magni ficence of your hospitality ; and thought you happy in your per fect and certain knowledge of the Gospel ? 5 For ye did all things without respect of persons, and walked w according to the laws of God ; being subject to those who had the rule over you, and giving the ho nour that was fitting to such as were the "aged among you. 6 Ye commanded tbe young men to think those things that were modest and grave. 7 The women ye exhorted to do all things with an unblamable, and seemly, and pure conscience ; loving their own husbands, as was fitting: and that keeping themselves within the w bounds of a due obedience, they should " order their bouses gravely with all "dis cretion. 8 '5 Ye were all 'of you humble minded, not I6 boasting of any thing: desiring rather to be sub ject than to govern ; to V.give than 1 SojtfUHieth. * Called. See Mr. Hammond on Matt. xx. c. » Gr. in. 4 See Bishop Pearson's Note on this place. Ed. Colomesii, p. 2. 6 Ibid. 6 And. 1 Gr. Sfrange to, 8 Gr. Lodged as a stranger. 9 Adorned with aH 'fiiinnerbfvirt_.es. '° In. ''Presbyters. '** Cation, rule. 1S Them selves do their own business. *V"id. Not. Junii in loc. ' l* -Temperance, sobriety. 15 1 Pet. v. 5. - 16 Proud. '*¦ Acts, xx. 35. 91 How the divisions I. CORINTHIANS. in the Church began. to receive ; being ' content with the portion God had dispensed to you: 9 And hearkening diligently to his word, ye 2 were enk ged in your bowels, having his 5 suffer ings always before your eyes. 10 Thus a firm, and 4blessed and profitable peace was given unto you ; and an unsatiable de sire of doing good ; and a plenti ful effusion of the Holy Ghost was upon all of you. 1 1 And being full of 5 good de signs, ye did with "great readi ness of mincf, and "with a religious confidence, stretch forth your hands to God Almighty ; beseech ing him to be merciful unto you, if in any thing ye had unwillingly sinned against him. IS Ye contended day and night for the whole- brotherhood ; that 7 with compassion, and a -good conscience, the number of his elect might be, saved. :. 13 Ye were sincere, and with out offence towards each other; not mindful of injuries: all sedi tion and schism was an abomina tion unto you. 14 Ye bewailed every one his neighbour's sins, esteeming their defects- your own. 15 Ye 8 were kind one to ano ther without grudging ;- being ready to every good work. ¦ And being adorned with a conversation altogether virtuous and religious, ye did all things in the fear of God; whose 9 commandments were written upon the tables of your heart. CHAP. II. How their divisions began. * 1 Tim. vi. 8. *> Embraced it in your very bowels. *> ___t6.u.nra. See Dr. Grabe s Addit. to Bishop Bull's Def, Fid. Nic. p. 60, 61. * Gr. xwui. Holy counsel, or purpose, or will. 6 Gr. good. i With mercy and con science. Ye were without repentance in all well-doing. Titus, iii. 1. 9 Prov. !.'•,?" . ° D„eut- «Mi. 15. . " Confusion, tumults, &c. i* Walketh after. » Gen. iv. 3, «c. 92 ¦ " ALL honour and enlargement was given unto you ; and so was fulfilled that which is writ ten, l0 My beloved did eflt and drink, he was enlarged and waxed fat, and he kicked. ' 2 From hence came emulation, and envy, and strife, and Sedi tion ; persecution and n disorder, war and captivity. 3 So they who were of no re nown, lifted up themselves against the honourable: those of no re putation, against those that were in respect ; the foolish against the wise ; the young men against the aged. . 4. Therefore righteousness and peace are departed from you, -be cause every one hath forsaken the fear of God ; and is grown blind in his faith ; nor walketh by the ri^le of God's commandments, nor liveth. as is fitting in Christ : 5 But every one "follows his own wicked lusts; having taken up an unjust and wicked envy, by which death first entered into the world. CHAP. HI. Envy and emulation the original of all strife and disorder. Examples of the mischiefs they have occasioned. FOR thus it is written, "And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. And Abel, he also brought ofthe firstlings of his flock, and of the fat thereof : 2 And the Lord had respect unto Abel, and to his offering. But unto Cain and unto his ofler- ing be had not respect. And They were caused by I. CORINTHIANS. envy and emulation. Cain was very sorrowful, and his countenance fell. 3 And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art ' thou sorrowful ? And why is thy countenance fallen ? ' If thou shalt offer aright, but not divide aright, hast thou not sin ned ? Hold thy peace : unto thee shalj be his 2 desire, and thou shalt rule over him. 4 And Cain said unto Abel his brother, let us go down into the field. And it came to pass as they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. ' 5 Ye see, brethren, how envy and emulation wrought 3 the death of a brother. For * this our fa ther 5 Jacob fled from the face of his brother Esau. 6 It was this that caused 6 Jo seph to be persecuted even unto death, and to come into bondage. Envy forced ' Moses to flee from the face of Pharaoh king of Egypt, when he beard his own country man ask him, * Who made thee a Judged and a ruler over us ? Wilt thou kill me as thou didst the "Egyptian yesterday ? 7 Through envy Aaron and Mi riam were 9 shut out of the camp, from the rest of the congregation seven days. 8 Emulation 10 sent Dathan and Abiram quick into n the grave, because they raised up a sedition against Moses, the servant of God. 9 For this David ls was not only hated of strangers, but was per secuted even by Saul the king of Israel. , I 10 But "hot to insist upon anti ent examples, let us come to those 14 worthies that have been nearest to us; and take the brave ex amples of our own age. 1 1 Through zeal and envy, "the most faithful and righteous pillars of the church have been perse cuted even to the most grievous deaths. 12 Let us set before our eyes the 16 Holy Apostles : Peter by un just envy underwent not one or two, but many "sufferings; "till at last being martyred, he went to the place of glory that was due unto him. 13 19 For the same cause, did Paul in like manner receive the reward of bis patience. Seven times 20 he was in bonds; he was whipped, was stoned ; he preach ed both in the East and in the West; 21 leaving behind him the glorious report of his faith : 14 And so having taught the whole world righteousness, and for that end travelled even to the utmost bounds of the West ; he at last suffered martyrdom 22 by the command of the governors, 15 And departed out of the world, and went unto his holy place ; being become a most emi nent pattern of patience unto all ages. 16 To these 23 Holy Apostles were joined a very great number of others, who having through envy undergone in like manner many pains and torments, have 24 left a glorious example to us.- 17 For 25 this not only men, but 1 This is according to the txx. 2 'Ama-i^., conversion. 3 Fratricide. 4 Envy. ^ Gen. xxviii. « Gen. xxxvii. 1 Exod. ii. 15. 8 Exod. li. 14. » Made to lodge out. Num. xii. 14, 15. 10 Brought. ¦' Hades. ¦* Had, or underwent the hatred, not only, &c. '3 To cease from. "Combatants, wrestlers. ,5 The faithful and most righteous. 16 Good. " Labours. 18 And so. I9 By envy. so Having borne seven times bonds, &c. '*" He received the, &c. 2a Vide Pearson de Success, c. viii. §. 9. 23 Men who have lived godly, is gathered together. *4 Become an excellent example among us, 3D Envy. 93 / Exhorts thrn to live I. CORINTHIANS. orderly and repent, women, have been persecuted : 1 and having suffered very grievous and J cruel punishment, have finished the course of their faith with firmness; and though weak' in body, yet received a glorious reward. 18 3 Thishas alienated the minds even of women from their hus bands ; and changed what was once said- by our father Adam ; 4 tbis is uow bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh. 19 In a word, envy and strife, have overturned 5 whole cities, and rooted out great nations from off the earth. CHAP. IV. He exhorts them to live by the rules, and repent of their divisions, and they shall be forgiven. THESE things, beloved, we 6 write unto you, not only 7 for your instruction, but also for our own remembrance. 2 For we are all in the same 'lists, and the same combat is 9 prepared for us all. 3 Wherefore let us lay aside all vain and empty cares ; and let us come up to the glorious and ve nerable rule of our h.oly calling. 4 10Let us consider what isgood, nnd acceptable, and wel^pleasing in the sight of him that made us. 5 Let us look stedfastly to the blood of Christ, and see how. pre cious his blood is in the sight of God: which being shed for our! salvation, " has obtained the grace of repentance for all the world. 6) Let us 12 search into all the ages that have gone before us; and let us learn that our Lord has 13 in every one of them still given place for repentance to all such as would 14 turn to him. 7 15 Noah preached repentance • and as many as hearkened to him were saved. 16 Jonah denounced destruction against the Ninevites: 8 Howbeit they repenting of their sins, appeased God by their prayers; and "were saved, though they were strangers to the cove* nant of God. 9 "Jf Hence we find how all the ministers ofthe grace of God have spoken by the Holy Spirit of re pentance. And e*eP the Lbrd of all, has himself 18 declared with an oath concerning it ; 10 19 As 1 live, -saith the Lord, I desire not the death of a sinner, 20 but that he should repent. Add- - ing farther this good sentence, saying : 21 Twn from your ini quity, 0 bouse of Israel. 11 32 Say unto the children o/ my people, though your sins should reach fronji earth to heaven ; and though they should be redder than scarlet, and blacker ^than sack cloth : yet if ye shall turn to me with all your heart, and shall call me Father, I will hearken to you, as to a holy people. 12 And in another placehe saith on this wise : 23 wash ye, make you clean ; put away 24the evil of your doings from before mine eyes ; cease to do evil, learn to do well ; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. 1 The names of Danae and Dirce I omit. — See Junius Annot. in Joe. 2 Cursed afflictions or torments. 3 Envy or emulation. 4 Gen. ii. SS. 5 Great. 8 Send. 7 Instructing yon, but also remembering, &c. 8 Place of encounter. 9 Imposed upon ns all. 10 1 Tim. y., 4. u Afforded or given to. "*" Look diligently, to. ls From age to age. u Be turned. V5 2. Peter, ii. 5. Gen. vii, I6Jqn.iii. 17 Received salvation. 18 Spoken. !9 ,Ezek. xxxiii. %i. 20 So much as his repentance. 21 Repent from. Ezek, xviii. 30, .3®. sa Isauih, i, Jer. iii. .4, 19. *"*" Issual?, i. 16. «* Eyil from your souls. . 94 and sets before them I. CORINTHIANS. examples of holy men. 13 Come now and let us reason together, saith the Lord : though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as, white as snow ; though they be red as crimson, * they shall be as wool. 14 If ye be willing tyid obedi ent ye shall eat the good of the laud : but, if ye refuse and rebel ye shall be devoured with the sword; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. 15 These things has God esta blished by bis Almighty will, de siring that all his beloved should come-to repentance. CHAP. V. He sets before them the examples qf holy men, whose piety is recorded in the Scrip- W'HEREFORE let us obey his excellent and glorious will ; and 2 imploring his mercy and goodness, let us fall down upon our faces before him, and 3 cast ourselves upon his mercy ; laying aside all " vanity, and con tention, and envy which leads unto death. 2 Let us look up to those who have the most perfectly ministered to his excellent glory. Let us take Enoch for our example ; who being found righteous in obedience, was 5 translated, and his death was not 6 known. 3 Noah 'being proved to be faithful, did by his ministry preach * regeneration to the world ; and the Lord saved by him all the liv ing creatures, that went 9 with one accord together into the ark. 4 io Abraham, whb was called God's friend, was in like manner found faithful ; in as much as he obeyed the u commands of God. 5 By obedience 12 he went out of his own country, and from his own kindred, and from his father's house; that so forsaking a small country, and a weak affinity, and a little house, he might inherit the promises of God. 6 For thus God said unto him : 13 get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee. 7 And I will make thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great, and thou shalt be blessed. 'And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee ; and in thee shall all families of tbe earth be blessed. 8 And again when he separated himself from Lot, God said unto him : 14 Lift up nov/ thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art, northward and southward, and eastward and 15 westward : for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. 9 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth, so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. 10 And again he saith: and 16 God brought forth Abraham, and said unto him ; look now to wards heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them : so shall thy seed be. 1 1 And Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness. 12 Through faith and hospita lity, " he had a son given him in i I will make them white as wool. - Becoming suppliants of, kr. 'Turn ourselves to his mercy. 4 Vain labour. 6 Gen. v. ,24. B Fouud. 7 Being found. 8 Gen. vi. vii. viii. 9 In unity. "> James, ii. 23. Isaiah, xii. 8. u Words. J2 This man. « Gen. xii. 1. "* Gen. xiii. 14. u Towards the sea. 16 -Gen. xv. 5. "A son was given unto him. 95 Examples eminent I. CORINTHIANS, for kindness and charity. his old age; and through obedi ence he offered him up in sacri fice to God, upon one ofthe moun tains which God shewed unto him. CHAP. VI. And particularly such as have been emi nent for their kindness and charity to their neighbours. BY ' hospitality and godliness was Lot saved out of Sodom, when all the country round about was 2 destroyed by fire and brim stone : 2 The Lord thereby making it manifest, that he will not forsake those that trust in him ; but 'will bring the disobedient to punish ment and correction. 3 For his wife who went out with him, being of a different mind, 4 and not continuing in the same obedience, was for that rea son sset forth for an example, being turned into a pillar of salt unto this .day, . 4 That so all men may know, that those who are double minded, and distrustful of the power of God, are 6 prepared for condem nation, and to be a sign to all suc ceeding ages. 5 7 By faith and hospitality was Rahab the harlot saved. For when the spies were sent by Joshua the son of Nun, to search out Jericho, and the king of Jericho knew that they were come to spy out his country,; he 8 sent men to take them, that so they might be put to death. 6 9 Rahab therefore, being hos pitable, received them, and hid them under the stalks of flax, on the top of her house, 1 Gen. xix. 2 Peter, ii. 6. Jude, 7. with. 3 But those that turn another way, he puts, &c. * Not in concord. 5 Put for a sign. s Become. ' Jos. ii. 1, &c. s He sent men that should take them, that being taken, &C 9 Therefore hospitable Rahab. io Men being sent by the king, and saying. ' l Jos. ii. 3. _. ls Ibid. 4, 5. ¦3 Vid. Conjectur. Coteler. in loc. 14 Men. i5 Jos. ii. 9., ¦« Given you this city. '7 Jos. ii. 13. *« Ibid. 18, 19. 19 Ibid. 18. **" Many of the Fathers have applied this to the same purpose.— .See not. Coteler. in loc. 96 7 And when the J0 messengers that were sent by the king came unto "her, and asked her, saying, 11 There came men unto tbeeto spy out the land, bring them forth, for so hath the king commanded : She answered, 12 The two men whom ye seek came unto me, but presently they departed, and are gone : l3 Not discovering them unto them. 8 Then she said to the u spies, 15 I know that the Lord your God 16 has given this city into your hands ; for the fear of you is fallefi upon all that dwell therein. When, therefore, ye shall have taken it, 17 ye shall save me and my father's house. 9 And they answered her, say ing, It-shall be as thou hast spoken unto us. 18 Therefore, when thou shalt know that we are near, thou shalt gather all thy family toge ther upon the house-top, and they shall be saved : But all that shall be found without thy house, shall be destroyed. 10 w And they gave her more over a sign ; that she should hang out of her house a scarlet rope : 20 shewing thereby,- that by the blood of our Lord, there should be redemption to all that believe and hope in God. . Ye see, be loved, how there was not only faith, but prophesy too in tbis woman. CHAP. VII. What rules are given for this purpose. LET us, therefore, humble our selves, brethren, laying aside all pride, and boasting, and fool- 2 See Not. Junii in loc, or punished Exhorts to kindness I. qORINTHIANS. and charity. And let us ishness, and anger do as it is written. 2 For thus saith the Holy Spirit; 1 Lpt not the wise man glory in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the rich man in his riches ; but let him that glorieth, glory in the Lord, to seek him, and-to do judgment and justice. 3 Above all, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, which he spake 3 concerning equity and long-suffering, 3 saying, 4 4 Be ye merciful, and ye shall obtain mercy ; forgive, and ye shall be forgiven ; as ye do, so shall it be done unto you ; as ye give, so shall it be given unto you ; as ye judge, so shall ye be judged ; as ye are kind to others, so shall God be kind to you ; with what measure ye mete, with the same shall it be measured to you again. 5 By this command, and by these rules, let us establish our selves, that so we may always walk obediently to his holy words ; being humble minded : 6' For so says 5 the Holy Scrip ture ; 6 upon whom shall I look, even upon him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and that trembles at my word. 7 "fl* It is, therefore, just and 'righteous, men and brethren, that we should become obedient unto God, rather than follow such as • through pride and sedition, have made themselves the ring-leaders ef a detestable emulation. 8 For it is not an ordinary harm that we shall do ourselves, but rather a very great danger that we shall run, if we shall rash ly give up ourselves to the wills of 1 Jer. ix. 23. Comp. 2 Cor. xi. 3a. 2 Teaching us. 4 Luke, vi. 36. 5 Holy Word. 6 Isaiah, Ixvi. 2. * Prick on to.— See Junius Ann. 10 Psalm xxxvii. 9. 12 Psalm xxxvii. 36. 13 With religion or godliness. men, who 9 promote strife and se ditions, to turn us aside from that which is fitting. 9 But let us be kind to one another, according to the compas sion and sweetness of him that made us. 10 For it is written, 10 The* mer ciful shall inherit tbe earth; and they that are without evil shall be left upon it: ubut the transgressors shall perish from off the face of it. 11 And again he saith, 12I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like the cedars of Libanus. I passed by, and lo he was not ; I sought his place, but il could not be found. 12 Keep innocency, and do the thing that is right, for there shall be a remnant to the peaceable man. 13 Let us, therefore, hold fast to those who 13 religiously follow peace ; and not to such as 14 only pretend to desire it. 14 For he saith in a certain place, lsThis people honoreth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 15 And again, They w bless with their mouth, 17 but curse in their heart.: 16 And again he saith, 18They loved him with tbeir mouth, and with their tongue they lied to him. For their heart was not right with him, neither were they faithful -in his covenant.- 17 19 Let all deceitful lips become dumb, and the tongue that speak eth proud things. Who have said, 20 with our tongue will we prevail ; our lips are our own, who is Lord over us ? will it. is Isaiah, xxix. *8 Psalm Ixxviii. 36, 37. tongue. 97 13. Psalm lxii. 4. •*> Psalm xii; 3. 5 For thus he saith. 7 Holy. 8 In. ¦'• Prov. ii. 22. 14 With hypocrisy 10 Blessed. 17 Cursed. 20 We will magnify our Advises t» I. CORINTHIANS. be humble, 18 For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise saith the Lord ; I will set him in safety, I will deal confidently with him. CHAP. VII. He advises them to be humble ; and that from the examples of Jesus and of holy men in all ages. FOR Christ is theirs who are humble, and not who exalt themselves over his flock. The sceptre of the majesty of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, came not in the l shew of pride and arrogance, 2 though he could have done so ; but with humility as the Holy Ghost had before spoken con cerning him. 2 For thus he saith, Lord, 3 who hath believed our report, and to whom is the arm of the Lord re vealed ? For he shall grow up be fore him as a tender plant, and as - a root out of a dry ground. 3 He hath no form nor come liness, and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 4 He is despised and rejected of men ; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. 5 And we hid, as it were, our faces from him ; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 6 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows ; yet we did esteem him stricken,' smitten of God, and afflicted. 7 But he was wounded for our transgressions ; he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him ; and with his stripes we are healed. 8 All we like sheep have gone astray ; we have turned every one to his own way, and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 9 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth : he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter; and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. 10 He was taken from prison, and from judgment ; and who shall declare- his generation ? -«For he was cut off out of the land of the living; for the transgression of my people was he stricken. 11 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death ; because he had done no violence, neither was any de ceit in his mouth. 12 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him, he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days ; and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. 1 3 He shall see of the travail of his soul and shall be satisfied ; by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many : for he shall bear their iniquities. 14 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong ; because he hath poured out bis soul unto death : and he was numbered with the trans gressors, and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. 15 And again he himself saith, 4 1 am a worm and no man, a re proach of men, and despised of the people. All they that see me laugh me to scorn ; they shoot out their lips, they shake their head, saying ; He trusted in the Lord that he would deliver him, let him deliver him seeing he de lighted in him. 16 Ye see, beloved, what the 3 Isaiah, liii. i Boasting. 2 Katesf tuiipe*®,, though he were powerful- according to the Hebrew. * Psalm xxii. 6. 98 from pious I. CORINTHIANS. examples of holy men. pattern is that has been given to us. For if the Lord thus humbled himself, what should we do who are brought 'by him under the yoke of his grace ? 17 Let us be followers of those who went about in goat-skins and sheep -skins ; preaching the com ing of Christ. 18 ' Such were Elias, and Eli- sa.us, and Ezekiel, the prophets. 3 And let us add to these such others as ' have received the like testimony. 19 Abraham has been greatly witnessed of; having been called the friend of God. And yet he stedfastly beholding the glory of God, says with all humility, 4 1 am dust and ashes. 20 Again, of Job it is thus written, 5 That he was just and without blame, true ; one that served God, and abstained from all evil. Yet he accusing him self, says, 6 No man is free from pollution, no not though he should live but one day. 21 Moses was called faithful in all God's House ; and by his con duct ' the Lord punished Israel by stripes and plagues. 22 And even this man, though thus greatly honoured, spake not greatly of himself ; but when the oracle of God was delivered to him out of the bush, he said, 8 Who am I, that thou dost send me ? I am of a slender voice, and a slow tongue. 23 And again he saith, I am as the smoke of the pot. 24 And what shall we say of David, so highly testified of in the Holy Scriptures ? To whom God said, 9I have found a man after my own heart, David the son of Jesse, with my holy oil have I anointed him. 25 But yet he himself saith unto God, "Have mercy upon ine, O God, according to thy loving kindness; according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 26 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 27 Against Thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight, that thou mightest be jus tified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. 28 Behold I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceivejine. 29 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts ; and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. 30 Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean, wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. 31 Make me to hear joy and gladness, that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 32 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 33 Create in me a clean heart, O God ; and renew a right spirit within me. 34 Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy holy spirit from me. 35 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with thy free spirit. 36 Then will I teach trans gressors thy ways, and sinners shall be converted unto thee. 37 Deliver me from blood- guiltiness, O God, thou God of 1 MS. iC aira. - 2 We say. 8 To these, those also that have been wit nessed of. ¦» Gen. xviii. 27. s Job, i. 1. 6 Job, xiv. 4, 7 MS. Upm. i @__f to. io-gaJTi Sta. w [AMc-lyw. 8 Exod. iii. 11. Exod. iv. 10.- jxxxix. 20, l" Psalm li. to v. 17, according to the Hebrew. 99 h 2 » Psalin persuades to I. CORINTHIANS.' healing of differences. my salvation, and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteous ness. 38 O Lord open thou my lips, and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. 39 For thou desirest not sacri fice, else would I give it ; thou delightest not in burnt offerings. 40 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and aeon- trite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. CHAP. VIII. He again persuades them to compose their divisions. THUS has the humility and 1 godly fear of these 2 great and excellent men, 3 recorded in the Scriptures, through obedience, made not only us, but also the generations before us better ; even as many as have received his holy oracles 4 with fear and truth. 2 Having therefore so many, and such great and glorious 5 ex amples, 6let us return to that peace, which was the mark that from the beginning was set before us : 3 Let us look up to the Father and Creator of the whole world ; and let us hold fast to his glorious and exceeding gifts and benefits of peace. 4 Let us 7 consider and behold with the eyes of our 8 understand ing, his long-suffering will ; and think how gentle and patient he is towards .his whole creation. 5 The heavens moving by his appointment, are subject to him in peace. 6 Day and night accomplish the courses that he has allotted unto them, not disturbing one another. 7 The sun and moon, and all the several 'companies and con stellations of the stars, run the 10 courses that he has appointed to them in concord, without depart ing in the least from them. 8 The fruitful earth yields its food plentifully in due season both to man and beast, and to all animals that are upon it, accord ing, to his will ; not " disputing, nor altering any thing of what was ordered by him. 9 So also the unfathomable and unsearchable floods of the deep, are kept in by his command : 10 12And the 13 conflux of the vast sea, being brought together by his order into its several col lections, passes not the bounds that he has. set to it ; 1 1 But as he 14 appointed it, so it remains. For he said, 15 Hitherto shalt thou come, and thy floods shall be broken within thee. 12 The ocean, unpassable to mankind, and the worlds that are beyond it, are governed by' the same commands of their great master, 13 Spring and summer, au tumn and winter, give place peaceably to each other. 14 The several 16 quarters of the winds,- fulfil their " work in their seasons, without offending one another. 15 The ever-flowing fountains, made both for pleasure and health, never fail to .reach out their breasts, to support the life of men. 16 Even the smallest creatures 1 Fearfulness. 2 So great and such kind of men. *> Witnessed of, or cele brated. * In. 5 Deeds or works. a Let us return to the mark of peace given to us from the beginning. 7 See him with our understanding. 8 Soul. » Choruses. io Bounds. " ' Doubting. I2 Vid. Edit. Colomes. p. 53. 13 Hollow, or depth. u Commanded, so it does. ** Job, xxxviii. i« Stations. '7 Service. 100 and to obedience. I. CORINTHIANS. Offaith. 1 live together in peace and con cord with each other. 17 All these has the Great Creator and Lord of all, com manded to observe peace and con cord ; being good to all. 18 But especially to us who flee to his mercy through our Lord Jesus Christ ; to whom be glory and majesty for ever and ever, Amen. CHAP. IX. He exhorts them to obedience, from the consideration of the goodness of God, and of his presence in evei-y place. TAKE heed, beloved, that his many blessings be not to2 us to condemnation ; except we shall walk worthy of him, doing with s one consent what is good and pleasing in his sight. 2 4 The spirit of the Lord is a candle, searching out the inward parts ofthe belly. 3 Let us therefore consider how near he is to us ; and how that none of our thoughts, or reason ings which we frame within our selves, are 5 hid from him. 4 It is therefore just that we should not forsake our rank, by doing contrary to his will. 5 Let us chuse to offend a few foolish and inconsiderate men, lifted up, and glorying 6 in their own pride, rather than God. 6 Let us reverence our Lord Jesus Christ whose blood was given for us. 7 Let us honour those who are set over us ; let us respect the aged that are amongst us; and let us instruct the younger men, in the discipline and fear of the Lord. 8 Our wives let us 7 direct to do that which is good. 9 Let them shew forth a lovely habit of purity in all theirconver- sation ; with a sincere 8 affection of meekness. 10 Let the 9 government of their tongues 10be made manifest by their silence. II Let their charity be with out respect of persons, alike to wards all such as religiously fear God. 12 Let your children » be bred up in the instruction of Christ : 13 And especially let them learn how great a power humi lity has with God ; how much a pure and holy charity avails with him ; how excellent and great his fear is ; and how it will 12 save all such as turn to him with holi ness in a pure mind. 14 For he is the searcher of the thoughts and counsels ofthe heart; whose breath is in us, and when he pleases he can take it from us. CHAP. X. Offaith : and particularly what we are to believe as to the Resurrection. BUT all these things 13 must be confirmed by the faith which is in Christ ; for so he himself be speaks us by the Holy Ghost. 2 "Come ye children and hearken unto me, and I will teach you the fear of the Lord. What man is there that desireth life, and loveth to see good days ? 3 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips that they speak no guile. 4 Depart from evil and do good ; seek peace and ensue it. 5 The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers. 6 But the face of the Lord is • • Mix together. 2 All of us. 3 With concord. * Prov. xx. 27. 5 That nothing is hid to him ofour thoughts, or reasonings. *> In the pride of their own speech, or reason. 7 Correct, or amend. s Will, or counsel. "> Moderation. io Let them manifest. " Partake of. ¦ is Saving! ,3 The faith confirms. H Psalm xxxiv. 11. 101 Various proofs I. CORINTHIANS. from nature to his temple, even the 8 holy one whom ye look for. 16 Let us consider, beloved, how the - Lord does continually shew us, that there shall be a future resurrection ; of which he has made our Lord Jesus Christ the first-fruits, raising him from the dead. 17 Let us 9 contemplate, be loved, the resurrection that is 10 continually made before our eyes. 18 Day and night manifest a resurrection to us. The night lies down, and the day arises : again the day departs and the night comes on. 19 Let us behold the fruits of the earth. Every one sees how the seed is sown. The sower 11 goes forth, and casts it upon the earth ; and the seed which when it was sown fell upon the earth dry and naked, in time dissolves. 20 And from the dissolution, the great power of the providence of the Lord raises it again ; and of one seed many arise, and bring forth fruit. CHAP. XI. The Resurrection further proved. LET us consider that wonder ful 13 type ofthe resurrection, which is seen in the eastern coun tries ; that is to say, in Arabia. 2 There is a certain bird called a Phoenix : of this there is never but one at a time ; and that lives five hundred years. And when the time of its dissolution draws near, that it must die, it makes it self a nest of frankincense and myrrh, and other spices, into which, when its time is fulfilled, it enters and dies. ' Psalm xxxii. io. ** Scourges. 3 Be double-minded. 4 Let the 7 w mo m us* 5 James> >• 8. 6 Compare yourselves unto a tree. 7 .tux. MS. omitted by Junius, Hab. ii. 3. Malach. iii. 1. 8 Coteler. "Ayy.x®., ?anf *• n ¦*•' l0 MalIe evei*y season. *¦*¦ Went forth, and so in tht rest. 102 against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 7 The righteous cried, and the Lord heard him, and delivered him out of all his troubles. 8 ' Many are the 2 troubles of the wicked ; but they that trust in the Lord, mercy shall encom pass them about. 9 Our all-merciful and bene ficent Father hath bowels of com- Eassion towards them that fear im; and kindly and lovingly bestows his graces upon all such as come to him with a simple mind. 10 Wherefore let us not 3 waver, neither let us have any doubt in our hearts, of his excellent and glorious gifts. 1 1 4 Let that be far from us which is written, 5 Miserable are the double-minded, and those who are doubtful in their hearts. 12 Who say, These things have we heard, and our fathers have told us these things. But behold we are grown old, and none of them has happened unto us. 13 O ye fools ! 6 consider the trees; take the vine for an exam ple. First it sheds its leaves ; then it buds ; after that it spreads its leaves ; then it flowers ; .then come the sour grapes ; and after them follows the ripe fruit. Ye' see how in a little time the fruit ofthe trees comes to maturity. 14 Of a truth, yet a little while and his will shall suddenly be ac complished. 15 The Holy Scripture itself bearing witness, That 7 He shall quickly come and not tarry, and that. the Lord shall suddenly come of tlie resurrection. I. CORINTHIANS. God's vengeance. 3 But itsflesh putrifying, breeds a certain worm, which being nourished with the juice of the dead ' bird brings forth feathers ; and when it is grown to 2 a per fect state, it fakes up the nest in which the bones of its 3 parent lie, and carries it from Arabia into Egypt, to a city called Helio- polis : 4 And flying in open day in the sight of all men, lays it upon the altar of the sun, and so returns from whence it Came. 5 The priests then search into tbe records ofthe time; and find that it returned precisely at the end of five hundred years. 6 And 4 shall we then think it to be any very great and strange thing, for the Lord of all to raise up those that religiously serve him in the assurance of a good faith, when even by a bird he shews us the greatness of his power to ful fil, his promise ? 7 For he says in a certain place, Thou shalt raise me up and I shall confess unto thee. 8 And again, 3 1 laid me down and slept, and awaked, because thou art with me. 9 And again, Job says, * Thou shalt raise up this flesh of mine, that has suffered all these things. 10 Having therefore this hope, let us 7 hold fast lo him who is faithful in all his promises, and righteous in all his judgments; who has commanded us not to lie, how much more will he not him self lie ? 11 For nothing is impossible with God, but to lie. 12 Let his faith then be stirred up again in us ; and let us consider that all things are nigh unto him. 13 By the word of his 8 power he made all things ; and by 9 the same word he is able, (whenever he will,) to destroy them. 14 io Wh0 shall say unto him, What dost thou ? Or who shall re sist the power of his strength ? 15 When, and as he pleased, 11 he will do all things ; and no thing shall pass away of all that has been determined by him. 16 All things are open before him ; nor can any thing be hid from his counsel. 17 12 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament sheweth his handy work. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth know ledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. CHAP. XII. It is impossible lo escape the vengeance qf God, if we continue in sin. SEEING then all things are seen and heard by God ; let us fear him, and let us lay aside our wicked works which proceed from ill desires ; that through his mercy we may be "delivered from the 14 condemnation to come. 2 For whither can any of us flee from his mighty band ? Or what world shall receive any of those who run away from, him? 3 For thus saith the Scripture in a certain place, u Whither shall I flee from thy spirit, or where shall I hide myself from thy pre sence ? 4 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I shall go to the utmost parts of the earth, there is thy right hand : if I shall make my bed in the deep, thy Spirit is there. 'Animal. 2 Strong. 3 Progenitor. 4Do, 7 Let our minds be fastened. 8 Majesty. 11 MS. muiru. ]2 If the, &c. Psalm xix. l. 15 Psalm cxxxix. 7. 103 » Psalm iii. 5. e Job, xix. 26. 9 His word. ,io Wisd. xii. 12. 13 Covered. 14 Judgments. How to, live I. CORINTHIANS. to please God- 5 Whither then shall any one go; or whither shall he run from him that comprehends all things ? 6 Let us therefore come to him with holiness' of ' heart, lifting up chaste and undefiled hands unto him : loving our gracious and merciful Father, who has made us 2 to partake of his election. 7 For so it is written, 3 When the Most High divided the na tions, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the nations, according to the number of his angels: 4 his people Jacob became the portion of the Lord, and Israel the lot of his inherit ance. 8 And in another place he saith, 6 Behold the Lord taketh unto himself a nation, out of the midst of the nations, as a man taketh the first-fruits of his flour ; 0 and the Most Holy shall come out of that nation. CHAP. XIII. How we must live that we may please God. WHEREFORE we being a part of the Holy One ; let us do all those things that pertain unto holiness; 2 Fleei ng all evil-speaki ng agai nst one another ; all filthy and impure embraces, together with all drun kenness, youthful lusts, abominable concupiscences, detestable adul tery, and execrable pride. 3 7For God, saith he, resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. 4 Let us therefore bold fast to those to whom 8God has given his grace. 5 And let us put on concord being humble, temperate ; free from all whispering and detract tion ; and justified by our 9 ac tions, not our words. 6 For he saith, 10 Doth he that speaketh and heareth many things, and that is of a ready tongue, sup pose that he is righteous ? u Blesr sed is he that is born of a woman, that liveth but a few days : I2 use not therefore much speech. 7 Let our praise be of God, not of ourselves; for God hateth those that 13 commend themselves. 8 Let the witness of our good actions be given to us of others, as it was given to the holy men that went before us. 9 Rashness, and arrogance, and confidence, belong to them who are accursed of God : but equity, and humility, and mildness, to such as are blessed by him. 10 Let us then lay hold of his blessing, and let us 14 consider - what are the ways by which we may attain unto it. 11 Let us 15 look back upon those things that have happened from the beginning. 12 For what was our Father Abraham blessed i Was it not because that through faith he wrought righteousness and truth ? 13 Isaac being "fully persuad ed of what he knew was to come, cheerfully yielded himself up for a sacrifice. Jacob with humility- departed out of his own country, fleeing from his brother, and went unto Laban and served him : and so the sceptre of the twelve tribes of Israel was given unto him. 14 Now what the greatness of ' Mind. 2 A part. 3 Deut. xxxii. 8, 9. 4 So the lxx. 5 Deut. iy. 34- ». Isaiah, xi. 1. ' 7, Jam. iv. 6. 1 Pet. v. 5. 8 The grace of God has been given. 9 Works. 10 He that speaketh many things shall also hear, &c. n Job, xi. 2, 3. lxx. l2 Be not much in words. "Are pYaised'of. " See what are the ways of his blessing. 15 Unrol. 16 With fall persuasion, foreknowing what was to be, pleasingly became a sacrifice, 104 Of justification I. CORINTHIANS. by faith and works. 1 this gift was, will plainly ap pear, if we shall take the pains distinctly to consider all the parts of it. 15 For from him came the priests and Levites ; who all mi nistered at the altar of God. 16 From him came our Lord JesusChrist, accordingto the flesh. 17 From him came the kings, and princes, and rulers in Judah. 18 Nor were the rest of his 2 tribes in any small glory : God having promised that 3 thy seed, (says he,) shall be as the stars of heaven. 19, They were all therefore 4 greatly glorified, not for their own sake, or for their own works, or for the righteousness that they themselves wrought, but through 'his will. 20 And we also being called by the same will in Christ Jesus, are not justified by ourselves, nei ther by our own wisdom, or know ledge, or piety, or the works which we have done 5in the holiness of our hearts : 21 But by that faith by which God Almighty has justified all men from the beginning ; to whom be glory for ever and ever, Amen. CHAP. XIV. We are justified by faith; yet this must not lessen our care to live well, nor our pleasure in it. WHAT shall we do therefore, brethren? Shall we be slothful in well-doing, and lay aside our charity ? God forbid that any such thing should be done by us. '2 But rather let us hasten with all earnestness and readiness of mind, to perfect every good work; For even the Creator and Lord of all things himself rejoices in his own works. 3 By his 6 Almighty power he fixed the heaven, and by his in comprehensible wisdom he adorn ed them.. 4 He also divided the earth frojm the water, with which it is encompassed ; and fixed it as a secure tower, upon the foundation of his own will. 5 He also by his appointment, commanded all the living crea tures that are upon it, to exist. 6 So likewise the sea, and all the creatures that are in it; hav ing first created them, he enclosed them therein by his power. 7 And above all, he with his holy and pure hands, formed man, the most excellent, and, as to his understanding, truly the greatest of all other creatures, the charac ter of his own image. 8 For so God says, 7 Let us make man in our image, after our own likeness : so God created man, male and female created he them. 9 And having thus finished all these things, he commended all that he had made, and blessed them, and said, * increase and multiply : 10 We see how all righteous men have been adorned with good works : Wherefore even the Lord himself, having adorned himself with his works, rejoiced. 11 Having therefore 9 such an example, let us without delay, 18 fulfil his will ; and with all our strength, work the work of righ teousness. i The gifts that were given by him, were, he shall know whosoever will one by one, carefully and distinctly consider them. 2 Sceptres : See Jun. Annot, 3 Gen. xiii. 16. 4 Glorified and magnified. s In holiness of heart. B All- greatest. 7 Gen. i. 26, 27. 8 Gen. i. 28. 9 This. i° Come to. 105 ®f attaining the reward I. CORINTHIANS. CHAP. XV. This enforced from the examples qf the holy angels, and from the exceeding greatness of that reward which God has prepared for us. THE good workman with con fidence receives the bread of his • labour ; but the sluggish and lazy cannot look him in the face that set him on work. 2 We must therefore be ready and forward in well doing: for from him are all things. 3 And thus he foretels us, 2 be hold the Lord cometh, and his reward is with him, even before his face, to render to every one according to his work. 4 He warns us therefore before hand, with all his heart, to this end, that we should not be sloth ful and negligent in 5 well-do ing. 5 Let our boasting, therefore, and our confidence be in * God : let us submit ourselves to his will. Let Us consider the whole multi tude of his angels, how ready they stand to minister unto his will., 6 As saith the scripture, 5 thou sand of thousands stood before him, and ten thousand times ten thousand ministered unto him. 6 And they cried, saying, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of Sab- baoth: 'The whole earth is full of his glory. 7 Wherefore let us also, being conscientiously gathered together in concord with one another ; as it were with one mouth, cry ear nestly unto him, that he would make us partakers of his great and glorious promises. 8 For he saith, " Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have of the righteout. entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that wait for him. CHAP. XVI. 1 We must attain unto this reward by faith and obedience, which we must carry on in an orderly pursuing of the duties of our several stations, ivithout envying or contention. 24. The neces sity of different orders among men. 33 We have none of us any thing but what we received of God; whom therefore we ought in every condition thankfully to obey. HOW blessed and wonderful, beloved, are the gifts of God. 2 Life in immortality ! bright ness in righteousness ! truth in full assurance! faith in confidence! temperance in holiness ! 3 And all this has 9 God sub jected to our understandings : 4 What therefore shall those things be which he has prepared for them that wait for him ? 5 The Creator and Father of 10 spirits, the Most Holy ; he only knows both the ll greatness and beauty of them. 6 Let us therefore strive with all earnestness, that we may be found in the number of those that wait for him, that so we may re ceive the 12 reward which he has promised. 7 But how, beloved, shall we do this?- "We must fix our minds by faith towards God, and seek those things that are pleasing and acceptable unto him. S We must 14 act conformably to his holy will; and follow the way of truth, casting off from us all unrighteousness and iniquity, together with all covetousness, strife, evil manners, deceit, whis- » Work. 2 Isaiah, xl. 10. lxii. 11. 3 Every good work. * Him. 5 Dan. vii. 10. 6 I.aiah, vi. 3. 7 Every Creature. 8 Isaiah, lxiv. 4. 1 Cor. ii. 9. 9 He. io Ages. "Quantity. *2 Gifts. '3 If we shall. •* Perform those things that are agreeable. 106 by faith, and obedience I. CORINTHIANS. in our callings. pering, detractions ; all hatred of God, pride, and boasting ; vain glory and ambition : 9 For they that do these things, are odious to God ; and not only they that do them, but also ' all such as approve of those that do them. 10 For thus saith the scripture, 2 But unto the wicked God said, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldst take my covenant in thy mouth ? Seeing that thou hatest instruc tion, and castest my words be- hind,thee. 11 When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him ; and hast been partaker with adul terers. Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit. Thou- sittest and speak est against thy brother ; thou slanderest thine own mother's son. 12 These things hast thou done and I kept silence ; thou thought- est that I was altogether such a one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order be fore thine eyes. 13 Now consider this ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to de liver. 14 Whoso offereth praise, glo- rifieth me: And to him that dis- poseth his way aright, will I shew the salvation of God. 15 This is the way, beloved, in which we may find 3 our Saviour, even Jesus Christ, the high-priest of all our offerings, the defender and helper of our weakness. 16 By him we look up to the 4 highest heavens ; and behold, as in a glass, his spotless and most excellent visage. 17 By him are the eyes of our hearts opened ; by him our fool ish and darkened understanding rejoiceth to behold his wonderful light. 18 By him would God have us to taste the knowledge of immor tality ; 5 who being tbe brightness of his glory, is by so much greater than the angels, as he has by in heritance obtained a more excel lent name than they. 19 For so it is written, "who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. 20 But to his Son, thus saith the Lord, 7 Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. 21 8 Ask of me, and I will give thee the heathen for thine inhe ritance, and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession. 22 And again he saith unto him, 9 Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. 23 But who are his enemies? Even the wicked, and such who oppose their own wills to the will of God. 24 Let us therefore 10 march on, men and brethren, with all ear nestness in his holy laws. 25 Let us consider those who fight under our earthly governors: How orderly, how readily, and with what exact obedience they perform those things that are com manded them ? 26 All are not " generals, nor "colonels, nor "captains, nor "in ferior officers : " 1 Rom. i. 32. 2 Psalm 1. 15, &c. according to the Hebrew. ' That wliich has the power to save us. ' Heights ol heaven. b Helvi. 3, 4. 6 Psalm civ. 4. Heb.i. 7. ' Heb. i. 5." « Comp. Psalm ii. 7, 8. 9 Heb. i. 13. Psalm ex. 1. ") War. "Prefects. '- Commanders of a thousand. 13 Centurions. • * Commanders of 50, and so on. 107 Exhorts, from the I. CORINTHIANS. different orders of men, 27 But every one in his respec tive rank does what is commanded him by the king, and those who have the authority over him. 28 They who are great, cannot subsist without those that are lit tle ; nor the little without the great. 29 But there must be a mix- lure in all things, and then there will be use and profit too. 30 Let us, 'for example, take our body : the head without the feet is nothing, neither the feet without the head. 31 And even the smallest mem bers of our body are yet both necessary and useful to the whole body. .32 But all conspire together, and 2 are subject to one common use, namely, the preservation of the whole 3 body. 33 Let therefore our whole body be saved in Christ Jesus: and let every one be subject to his neighbour, 4 according to the order in which he is placed by the5 gift of God. 34 Let not the strong man de spise the weak ; and let the weak see that he reverence the strong. 35 Let the rich man distribute to the necessity of the poor : and let the poor bless Godj that he has given one unto him, by whom his want may be supplied, 36 Let the wise man shew forth his wisdom, not in words, but iri good works. 37 Let him that is humble, not bear witness to himself, but let him leave it to another to bear witness of him. 38 Let him that is pure in the flesh, not grow proud of it, know ing that it was 6 from another that he received the gift of continence. 39 Let us consider therefore, brethren, 7 whereof we are made ; who,' and what kind of men we came into the world, as it were out of a sepulchre, and from outer darkness. 40 He that made us, and form ed us, brought us into his own world; having8 prevented us with his benefits, even before we were born. 41 Wherefore, having received all these things from him, we ought in every thing, to give thanks unto him : to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. CHAP. XVII. From whence he exhorts them to do every thing orderly in the Church, as the only way to please God. FOOLISH and unwise men, 9 who have neither prudence, nor learning, may mock and de ride us ; being willing to set up themselves in their own conceits : 2 I9 But what can a mortal man do ? Or what strength is there in him that is made out of the dust ? 3 For it is written, There was no shape before mine eyes ; only I heard a ?' sound and a voice. 4 12For what? Shall man be pure before the Lord ? Shall he be blameless in his works? 5 Behold, be trusteth not in his servants; and his angels he charg ed with folly. 6 Yea, the heaven is not clean in his sight, how much less they that dwell in houses of clay ; of which also we ourselves were made ? 7 He smote them as a moth ; and from morning even unto the 1 J Cor. xii. 13, 21. 2 Use one common subjection. 3 MS. to a-Hpa. * As also he has been placed. "¦ His gift. 6 Another that gave him. 7 Of what matter. s Prepared for us. » And imprudent, and without instruc tion'. "°For. "An air. "•» Job, iv. 17, &c. xv. IS. iv. 19. * IOS to order in the church, I.CORINTHIANS. as pleasing to God. evening they endure not. Be cause they were not able to help themselves they perished : he breathed upon them and they died, because they had no wis dom. 8 ' Call now if there be any that will answer thee ; and to which of the angels wilt thou look? 9 For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth him that is in error. 10 I have seen the foolish tak ing root, but lo, their habitation was presently consumed. II Their children were far from safety, they "perished at the gates of those who were lesser than themselves ; and there was no man to s help them. 12 For what was prepared for them, the righteous 4did eat : and they shall not be delivered from evil. 13 Seeing then these things are manifest unto us, it will behove us, to take care that looking into the depths of the divine know ledge, we do all things in order, whatsoever our Lord has com manded us to do. 14 And particularly, that we perform our offerings and service to God, at their appointed sea sons : for these he has command ed to be done, not 5 rashly and disorderly, but at certain deter minate times and hours. 15 And therefore he has or dained by his supreme will and authority, both where, and by what persons, they are to be per formed : that so all things being piously done unto all well-plea sing, they may be acceptable unto 'him. 16 They, therefore, who make their offerings at the appointed seasons, are happy and accepted : because that obeying the com mandments of the Lord, they are free from sin. 17 And the same care must be had of the persons that minister unto him. 18 7 For. the chief-priest has his proper services; and to the priests their proper place is ap pointed ; and to the Levites ap pertain their proper ministries : and the layman is confined within the bounds of what is commanded to laymen. 19 Let every one of you there fore, brethren, bless God in his proper station, with 8 a good con science, and with all gravity, not exceeding the rule of his service that is appointed to him. 20 The daily sacrifices are not offered every where ; nor the peace-offerings, nor the sacrifices appointed for sins and transgres sions ; but only at Jerusalem : nor in any place there, bqt only at the altar before the temple ; that which is offered being first diligently examined by the high- priest and the other ministers we before mentioned. 21 They therefore who do any thing which is not agreeable to his will, are punished with death. 22 9 Consider, brethren, that by how much the better know ledge God has vouchsafed unto us, by so much the greater danger are we exposed to. CHAP. XVIII. The orders of Ministers in Christ's Church established by the Apostles, according to Christ's command, 7 after, the ex ample of Moses. 16 Therefore they who have heen duly placed in the minis try according io their order, cannot with out great sin bt put out of it. 1.Job, v. 1, &c. , 2 Were crushed upon. 3 Deliver. 4 Eat. 5 By chance. s To his will. 7 See Coteler. in loc. » Being in a good con science, o Ye see. 109 Ofthe orders I. CORINTHIANS. in the ministry. THE Apostles have preached to us from our Lord Jesus Christ: Jesus Christ from God. 2 Christ therefore was sent by God, the Apostles by Christ: so both were orderly * sent, accord ing to the will of God. 3 For having received their command, and being thoroughly assured by the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ ; 2 and convinc ed by the word of God, with the 3 fulness of the Holy Spirit, they went abroad, publishing, That the kingdom of God was at hand. 4 And thus preaching through countries and cities, 4they ap pointed the first fruits of their conversions to be bishops and ministers over such as should af terwards believe, having first prov ed them by the Spirit. 5 Nor was this any new thing : seeing that long before it was written concerning bishops and deacons. 6 For thys saith the Scripture, in a certain place ; * I will ap point their "overseers in righte ousness, and their ministers in faith. 7 And what wonder if they, to whom such a work was committed by God in Christ, established such officers as we before mentioned ; when even that blessed and faith ful servant in all his house, Moses, 'set down in the Holy Scriptures all things that were commanded him. 8 Whom also all the rest of the prophets followed, bearing witness with one consent to those things that were appointed by him. 9 For he, perceiving an 8 emu lation to arise among the tribes concerning the priesthood, and that there was a strife about it, which of them should be adorned with that glorious name ; com manded their twelve captains to bring to him 9 twelve rods ; every tribe being written upon its rod, according to its name. 10 And he took them and bound them together, and sealed them with the seals of the twelve princes of the tribes; and laid them up in the tabernacle of wit ness, upon the table of God. 1 1 And when he had shut the door of the tabernacle, he sealed up the keys of it, in like manner 10 as he had done the rods ; and said unto them, Men and breth ren, whichsoever tribe shall have its rod blossom, that tribe has God chosen to perform the office of a priest, and n to minister unto him in holy things. 12 And when the morning was come, he called together all Israel, six hundred thousand men ; and shewed to their princes the seals ; and opened the tabernacle of wit ness ; and brought forth the rods. 13 And the rod of Aaron was found not only to have blossomed, but also to have fruit upon it. 14 What think you, beloved? Did not Moses before know 12what should happen ? 15 Yes verily : but to the end there might be no division, nor tumult in Israel, he did in this manner, that the name of the true and only God might be glorified ; to him be honour for ever and ever, Amen. 16 So likewise our Apostles knew by our Lord Jesus Christ, that there should contentions arise, 15 up- 3 With the full assurance. 7 * Vid. Coteler. 1 Done. 2 l Thess. i. ; in loc. 5 Isaiah, lx. 17. 6 Bishops, Deacons. 7 Signified. 8 An emu lation happening. s Numb. xvii. 10 And the rods. " To exercise the office of the priesthood, and to minister, Sec. ' - That this should be so. is About the name of the bishoprick. 110 I. CORINTHIANS. Exhorts to peace on the account of the ministry. 17 And therefore having a per fect fore-knowledge of this, they appointed persons, as we have be fore said, and then l gave direc tion, how when they should die, other chosen and approved men should succeed in their ministry. 18 Wherefore we cannot think that those may justly be thrown out of their ministry, who were either appointed by them, or af terwards chosen by other eminent men, with the consent of the whole church; and who have with all lowliness and innocency mi nistered to the flock of Christ, in peace, and without self-interest, and were for a long time com mended by all. 19 For it would be no small sin in us, should we cast off those from their 2 ministry, who holily and without blame 'fulfil the du ties of it. 20 Blessed are those priests, who having finished their course before these times, have obtained a fruitful and perfect dissolution : for they have no fear, lest any one should turn them out of the place which is now appointed for them. 21 But we see how you have put out some, who lived reputably among you, from the ministry, which by their innocence they had adorned. CHAP. XIX. He exhorts them to peace from examples out of the Holy Scriptures, 20 parti cularly from St. Paul's exhortation to them. _-" YE are contentious, brethren, and zealous for things that pertain not unto salvation. from holy examples. 2 Look into the Holy Scrip tures, which are the true words of the Holy Ghost. Ye know that there is nothing unjust or coun terfeit written in them. 3 There you shall not find that righteous men were ever cast off by such &s were good themselves. 4 4 They were persecuted, but it was by the wicked and unjust. 5 They were cast into prison ; but they were cast in by those that were unholy. 6 They were stoned ; but it was by transgressors. 7 They were killed ; but by accursed men, and such as had taken up an unjust envy against them. 8 5And all these things they underwent gloriously. 9 For what shall we say, bre thren ? Was Daniel cast into the 6 den of lions, by men fearing God ? Ananias, Azarias, and Mi- sael, were they 7 cast into the 8 fiery furnace by men, 9 profess ing the excellent and glorious worship of the Most High ? God forbid. 10 What kind of persons then were they that did these things ? They were men abominable, full of all wickedness; who were in censed to so great a degree, as to bring those into sufferings, who with a holy and unblamable pur pose of mind worshipped God : not knowing that the Most High is the protector and defender of all such as with a pure conscience serve his 10 holy name : to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 11 But they who with a full persuasion have endured these 1 Left a list of other chosen and approved persons, who should succeed them in their ministry. See Dr. Arden's Disc, upon this passage. Dr. Hammond's Powerof the Keys, c. iii. p. 413. 2 Bishoprick. 3 Offer the gifts. * Just men. 6 Suffering these things they underwent them gloriously. s Dan vi, 16. i Shut into. e Dan, iii. 20. t> Worshipping the worship. io Full of virtue. Ill Further exhort/ I. CORINTHIANS. to peace and union. things, ' are made partakers of glory arid honour : and 2 are ex alted and lifted up by God in their memorial throughout all ages, Amen. . 12 % Wherefore it will behove us also, brethren, 3 to follow such examples as these ; for it is writ ten, Hold fast to such as are holy ; for they that do so shall be sancti fied. 13 And again in another place he saith, 4 With the pure thou shalt be pure, (5 and with jthe elect thou shalt be elect,) but with the perverse man thou shalt be 6 per verse. 14 Let us -therefore join our selves to the innocent and righte ous ; for such are the elect of God. 15 Wherefore are there strifes, and anger, and divisions, and schisms, and wars, among us ? 16 ' Have we not all one God, and one Christ ? 8 Is not one spi rit of grace poured out upon us all ? Have we not one calling in Christ ? 17 Why then do we rent and tear in pieces the members of Christ; and raise seditions against our own body ? And are come to such a height of madness, as to forget that 9 we were members one of another ? 18 Remember the words of our Lord Jesus, 10 how he said, Wo to that man, (by whom offences come) u It were better for. him that he had never been born, than that he should have offended one of my elect. It were better for him, that a mi)l.-stone should be tied about his neck, and he should be cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of my little ones. 19 Your schism has perverted many, has discouraged many : it has caused diffidence in many, and grief in us all. And yet your sedition continues still. 20 f Take the Epistle of tbe blessed Paul the Apostle into your hands ; 12 What was it that he wrote lo you at his first preaching the Gospel among you ? 21 Verily he did l3 by the spi rit admonish you concerning him self, and Cephas, and Apollos, be cause that even then ye had begun to fall into u parties and factions among yourselves. 22 Nevertheless your partiality then led you into a much less sin : forasmuch as ye 15 placed your affections upon Apostles, men of ]6 eminent reputation in the church ; and upon another, who was greatly tried and approved of by them. 23 But consider, we pray you, who are they that have now led you astray ; and lessened the " re putation of that brotherly love that was18 so eminent among you? 24 It is a shame, my beloved, yea, a very great shame, and un worthy of your Christian 19 pro fession, to hear that the most firm and 20ancient church ofthe Corin thians should, by one or two per sons, be led into a sedition against its priests. 25 And this report is come not • Have inherited. ' 2 Have been exalted. 3 To cleave to. * Psalm xviii. 86. 5 Omitted by Junius, and now restored from the MS. 6 Turn aside. 7 Eph. iv. 4. 8 1 Cor. xii. 9 Rom. xii. 5. - 10 For he said. " Loke, xvii. 2. 12 See Mr. Dodwell's add. ad Pearson. Chronol, p. 2iz3. Dr. Grabe's Spicileg. tom. i. p. 256. .*> Spiritually send to you. 1 Cor. i. 12.. " Inclinations (for one above another). ]6 Inclined. 18 Witnessed ofv 17 Gravity. 18 So much spoken of. '** Institution. so See Mr. Dodwell, 1. C. p. 222. 112 Hie value and effects I. CORINTHIANS. of unity and charily. Only to us, but to those also that differ from us. 26 Insomuch that the name of the Lord is blasphemed through your folly ; aind even ye your selves are brought into danger by it. 27 5f Let us therefore with all haste * put an end to this sedition ; and. let 'us fall down before the Lord, and beseech him with tears that he would 2 be favourably re conciled to us, and restore us again to a 3 seemly and holy course of brotherly love. 28 For this is the gate of righte ousness, opening unto life : As it is written, 4 Open unto me the gates of righteousness ; I will go in unto them and will praise the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord, the righteous shall enter into it. 29 Although therefore many gates are opened, yet this gate of righteousness is that gate in Christ, at which blessed are all they that enter in, and direct their way in holiness and righteousness, doing all things without disorder. 30 Let a man be faithful, let him be powerful in the utterance of knowledge ; let him be wise in making an exact judgment of words ; let him be pure in all his actions. 31 But still by how much the more he seems to be s above others, by reason of these things, by so much the more will it be hove him to be humble-minded ; and to seek what is profitable to all men, and not his own advantage. CHAP. XX. 1 The palue which God puts upon love and unity : the effects of a true charity, 8 which is the gift of God, and must be obtained by prayer. " "TE that has the love that "is in Christ, let him keep the commandments of Christ. 2 For who is able to express the 6 obligation of the love of God ? What man is sufficient to declare, as is fitting, the excellency of its beauty ? 3 The height to which charity leads, is inexpressible. 4 Charity 7 unites us to God : 8 charity covers the multitude of sins : 9 charity endures all things, is long-suffering in all things. 5 There is nothing base and sordid in charity : charity lifts not itself up above others ; ad mits of no divisions ; is not sedi tious ; but does all things in peace and- concord. 6 By charity were all the elect of God made perfect : Without it nothing is pleasing and accept able in the sight of God. 7 Through charity did the Lord I0join us unto himself; whilst for the love that he bore towards us, our Lord Jesus Christ gave his own blood for us, by the will of God ; his flesh for our flesh; his soul for our souls. 8 "fl Ye see, beloved, how great and wonderful a thing charity is; and how that no expressions'are sufficient to declare its perfection. 9 But who is fit to be found in it ? Even such 'only as God shall vouchsafe to make so. 10 Let us therefore pray to him, and beseech him, that we may be worthy -of it; that so we may live in charity ; being un blamable, without human propen sities, without respect of persons. 11 All the ages of the world, from Adam, even unto this day, are passed away : but they who made perfect in love, have been made have by the grace of God obtained HE that has the love that Is in a place among the righteous ; and Christ, let him keep the sha.lbemademanifestinthenjudg- ment of the kingdom of Christ. ¦Takeaway. 2 Becoming favonrable be. 3 Grave; venerable. 4 Psalm cxviii. 19, 20. 6 G realtor, 6 Bond. ** Glues. 8 i Peter, iv. 8. '-> 1 Cor. xiii. 7, &c. *° Take us" up. " Animadversion, or visitation. 113 i Exhorts to unity from I. CORINTHIANS. the example of Moses, 5 8 And not to harden his heart, as the hearts of those were hardened, who raised up sedition against Moses the servant of God : whose punishment was manifest 9 unto all, men ; for they went down alive into the grave, death swallowed them up. 6 '"Pharaoh and hishost, and all the rulers of Egypt, their chariots also and their horsemen, were for no other cause ckowned in the bottom of the Red Sea, and pe rished ; but because they harden ed their foolish hearts, after so many signs done in the land of Egypt, by Moses the servant of God. 7 5[ Beloved, God is not indi gent of any thing ; nor does he demand any thing of us, but that we should confess our sins unto him. 8 For so says the n Holy David, 12 1 will confess unto the Lord,- and it shall please him better than a young bullock that hath horns and hoofs. Let the poor see it and be glad. 9 And again he saith, 13 Offer unto God the sacrifice of praise, and pay thy vows unto the Most Highest. And call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will de liver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. I4 The sacrifice of God is a broken -spirit. 10 ***[ Ye know, beloved, ye know full well, the Holy Scrip tures; and have thoroughlysearch- ed into the oracles of God : call them therefore to your remem brance. 11 For when Moses went up into the mount, and tarried there forty days and forty nights in fasting and humiliation ; God said unto him, 15 Arise, Moses, get thee 3 Psalm xxxii. 4 See Junius in loc. 12. For it is written, 'Enter into thy chambers for a little space, till my anger and indignation shall pass away : And I will re member the good day, and will raise you up out of your graves. 13 Happy 2 then shall we be, beloved, if we shall have fulfilled the commandments of God, in the unity of love ; that so, through love, our sins may be forgiven us. 14 For so it is written, * Bless ed are- they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are co vered. Blessed is tbe man to whom the Lord imputeth no sin, and in whose mouth there is no guile. 15 Now this blessing is fulfilled in those who are chosen by God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom be glory for ever and ever, Amen. CHAP. XXI. 1 - He exhorts such as have been concerned in these divisions to repent, and return to their unity, confessing their sin to . God, 7 which he enforces from the ex ample qf Moses, 10 and qf many among the heathen, 23 and of Judith and Esther among the Jews. LET us therefore", as many as have transgressed by any of the 4 suggestions of the adversary, beg God's forgiveness. 2 And as for those who have been the 5heads ofthe sedition and faction among you, a let them look to the common end of our hope. 3 For as many as are 7 endued with fear and charity, would ra ther they themselves should fall into- trials than their neighbours: And chuse to be themselves con demned, rather than that the good and just charity delivered to us, should suffer. 4 For it is seemly for a man to confess wherein he has trans gressed, 1 Isaiah, xxvi. 20. 2 Are we » Chief leaders. 6 They ought. 7 Walk according to; live in. 8 Rather than. *> Numb. xvi. 10 Exod. iv. "Chosen. 12 Psalm lxix. 31. 13 Psalm 1. 14. li Psalm li. 17. *¦"¦ Exod. xxxii. Deut. ix. 114 and some among I. CORINTHIANS. the heathens, fyc. down quickly from hence, for thy people whom thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, ¦ have committed wickedness : they have soon transgressed the way that I commanded them, and have made to themselves graven images. 12 And the Lord said unto him, I have spoken unto thee ' several times, saying, I have seen this people, and- behold it is a stiff- necked people : Let me therefore destroy them, and put out their name from under heaven. Andl will make unto thee a great and a wonderful nation, that shall be much 2 larger than this. 13 But Moses said, Not so, Lord : Forgive now this people their sin ; or if thou wilt not, blot me also out of the book of the liv ing. O admirable charity ! O in superable perfection ! The servant speaks freely to his -Lord : -He be seeches him either to forgive the people, or to 3 destroy him toge ther with them. 14 5[ Who is there among you that is generous? Who that is compassionate ?--Who that has any charity? Let him say, if this se<- dition, tbis contention, and these schisms, be upon my account, I am ready to depart ; to go away whithersoever ye please; and do whatsoever 4 ye shall command me : Only let the flock of Christ be in peace, with the elders that are set over it. 15 He that shall do tbis, shall get te himself a very great honour in the Lord ; and 3 there is no place but what will be ready to re ceive him : 6 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. 16 These things they who have their conversation towards God not to be repented of, both have done, and will always be ready to do. 17 *ff 7 Nay and even the Gen tiles themselves have given us ex amples of thu kind. 18 For we read, How many kings and princes, in times of pes tilence, being warned by their oracles, have given up themselves unto death ; that by their own blood, they inight deliver their 8 country from destruction. 19 9 Others have forsaken their cities, that so they might put an end to the seditions of them. 20 We know how many among ourselves, have given up them selves unto bonds, that thereby they might free others from them. 2 1 Others have sold themselves into bondage, that they might filed 10 their brethren with the price of themselves. 22 And even many women, being strengthened by the grace of God, have done/many glorious and manly things on such occasions. 23 The blessed " Judith, when her city was besieged, desired the elders, that they would suffer ber to go into the camp of ls their ene mies : and she went out exposing ' herself to danger, for the love she bare to her country and her peo ple that were besieged ; and the Lord delivered Holofernes into the hands of a woman. 24 Nor did "Esther, being per fect in faith, expose herself to any less hazard, for the delivery of the twelve tribes of Israel, in danger of being destroyed. For by fast ing and humbling herself, she en treated the Great Maker of all things, the God of 3 spirits ; so that beholding the humility of her soul, he delivered the people, for whose sake she was in peril. i Once, and twice. 2 More, greater. 3 Blot out. * The multitude. 6 Psalm xxiv. 7 But that we may bring the example- of i°Otiiers. " Judith, viii. ix. x. ' i4 Ages; who. 1 2 6 Every place. heathens. 8 Citizens. 9 Many 12 The strangers. 13 Esther, vii. viii 115 . xiii. The benefit I. CORINTHIANS. of mutual advice. * CHAP. XXII. The benefit of mutual advice and correc tion. He entreats them to follow tliat which is here given to them. WHEREFORE let us also pray for such as are fallen into • sin. That being endued with humility and moderation, they may submit not unto us, but to the will of God. 2 For by this means 2 they shall obtain a fruitful and perfect remembrance, with mercy, both in our prayers to God, and in our mention of them before his 'saints. 3 Let us receive correction, at which no man ought to repine. 4 Beloved, the reproof and the correction which we exercise to wards one another, is good, and ex ceeding profitable : for it unites us the more closely to the will of God. 5 For so says the Holy Scrip ture, 4 The Lord corrected me, but he did not deliver me over unto death. 5 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth, 6 6 The righteous, saith he, shall instruct me in mercy and reprove me ; but let not oil of sinners make fat my head. 7 And again he saith, ' Happy is the man whom God correcteth ; therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty. 8 For he maketh sore and bind- eth up ; he woundeth and his hands make whole. 9 He shall deliver thee in six troubles; yea in seven there shall no evil touch thee. In famine he shall redeem thee from death ; and in war from the power ofthe sword. 10 Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue; neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh. 1 Viz. that of schism. Christians. * Psalm xcviii. v. 17, &c. « Elders. , " Prov. i. 23, &c. 116 11 Thou shalt laugh at the wicked and sinners ; neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of tbe earth. The wild beasts shall be at peace with thee. 12 Then shalt thou know that thy house shall be in peace; and the habitation of thy tabernacle shall not err. ThOu shalt know also that thy seed shall be great, and thy offspring as the grass of the earth. 13 Thou shalt come to thy grave as the ripe corn, that is taken indue time; like as a shock of corn cometh in, in its season. 14 Ye see, beloved, how there shall be a defence to those that are corrected of the Lord. For being a good instructor, he is willing to admonish us by his holy discipline. 15 Do ye therefore who laid the first foundation of this sedi tion, submit yourselves unto your 8 priests ; and be instructed unto repentance, bending the knees of your hearts. 16 Learn to be subject, laying aside all proud and arrogant boast ing of your tongues. 17 For it is better for you to be found little, and approved, in the 9 sheepfold of Christ, than to seem to yourselves better than others, and to be cast out of his 10 fold. 18 For thus speaks the excel lent and all-virtuous wisdom, "Be hold I will pour out the word of my spirit upon you, I will make known my speech unto you. 19 Because I called and ye would not hear, I stretched out my words and ye regarded not. 20 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof. I will also laugh at your calamity, and mock when your fear cometh. 2 There shall be to them. ' i. e. our Fellow- 5 Prov. iii. 12. 8 Psalm cxli. 5. i Job, 9 See Junius in loc. 10 See Coteler. in loc. We ought lo value II. CORINTHIANS. ,.21 When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction as a whirlwind, when distress and anguish cometh upon you. 22 Then shall ye call upon me, but I will not hear you : the wicked shall seek me, but they shall not find me.. For that they hated knowledge, and did not seek the fear of the Lord. 23 They would not hearken unto my counsel : they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own ways; and be filled with their own wickedness. ****** CHAP. XXIII. -1 Recommends them to God. 3 Desires speedily to hear that this Epistle has bad a good effect upon them. 4 Con clusion. NOW God, the inspector of all things, the • Father of Spi rits, and the Lord of all flesh, who hath chosen our Lord Jesus Christ, apd us by him,' to be his peculiar people ; 2 Grant to every soul of man our salvation. * that calleth upon his glorious and holy name, faith, fear, peace, long-suffering, patience, temper ance, holiness, and sobriety, unto all well-pleasing s in his sight ; through our High-priest and Pro tector Jesus Christ, by whom be glory and majesty, and power, and honour, unto him now and for ever more, Amen. 3 *(f The messengers whom we have sent unto you, Claudius Ephebus, and Valerius Bito, with Fortunatus, send back to us again with all speed in peace and with joy, that they may the sooner ac quaint us with your peace and concord, so much prayed for and desired by us : and that we may rejoice in your good order. 4 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you, and with all that are any where called by God through him : To whom be ho nour and glory, and might and majesty, and eternal dominion, by > Christ Jesus, from everlasting to everlasting, Amen. The SECOND EPISTLE of CLEMENT to the CO RINTHIANS. [Archbishop Wake is the translator ofthis Second Epistle, which he says was not of so great reputation among the primitive Fathers as the first. He defends it notwithstanding; and in answer to those who objected to Clement's First Epistle, that it did not duly honour the Trinity ; the Archbishop refers to this as containing proof of the writer's fulness of belief on that point.] CHAP. I. Tliat we ought to value our and io shew tliat we do, by a sincere obe dience. BRETHREN, we ought so to think of Jesus Christ as of God ; as of the judge of the living and the dead : nor should we think *any less of our salvation. 2 For if we think * meanly of him, we shall hope only to re ceive 4 some small things from him. 1 Master ** To his name. 6 Hear as of little things. * owe nnto him. 117 3 And if we s do so ; we i sin; not 'considering from whence we have been called, and by whom, and to what place ; and how-much Jesus Christ vouchsafed to suffer for our sakes. 4 What recompense then shall we render unto him ? Or what fruit that may be worthy of what he has given to us ? 5 For indeed 7 how great are those advantages which we owe to "> Him. 4 Little things, or meanly. Knowing. 7 How great holy things do w* The Gentiles II. CORINTHIANS. to be saved. him in relation to our holiness ? He has illuminated us ; as a fa ther, he has called us his children ; he has saved us who were lost and Undone. 6 What praise shall we give to him ? Or what reward that may be answerable to those things whic.h we have received. 7 We were defective in our un derstandings ; worshipping stones, and wood; gold, and silver, and brass, the works of men's hands : and our whole life was nothing else but death. 8 Wherefore-being encompass ed with darkness, and having such a mist before our eyes, we have looked up, and through his will have laid aside the cloud where with we were surrounded. 9 For he had comparison upon us, and being moved in his bowels towards us, he saved us; having beheld in us much error, and de struction ; and seen that we had no hope of salvation, but only through him. 10 For he called us, who were not; and was pleased from nothing to give us a being. CHAP. IL 1 That God had before prophesied by Isaiah, that the Gentiles should be saved. 8 That this ought to engage such especially to live well; without which they will still miscarry. REJOICE thou barren, that bearest not, break forth and cry thou that travailest not ; for she that is desolate hath many more children than she that hath an husband.1 2 In that he said, rejoice thou barren that bearest not, be spake of us : for our church was barren before that children were given unto it. 3 And again; when he said, cry thou that travailest not; he i Isaiah, liv. 1 . » 'Av\s,g. See St. James, i. 5. Compare Rom. xii. 8. -2 Cor. viii. 2. ix. 11, 13. 3 Matt. ix. 13. *' What is the knowledge which is to wards him. '• Matt. x. 32. 118 implied thus much : That afj^gr the manner of woman iu travail, we should not cease to put up our prayers unto God 2 abundantly. 4 And for what follows, because she that is desolate hath more children than she that hath a hus band; it was therefore added, be cause our people which seemed to have been forsaken by God, now believing in him, are become more than they who seemed to have God. 5 And another Scripture saith, 3 I came not to call the righteous but sinners (to repentance). -The meaning of which is this ; that those who were lost, must be saved. 6 For that is, indeed,' truly great and wonderful, not to con firm those things that are yet standing, but those which are fall ing- 7 Even so did it seem good to Christ to save what was lost ; and when he came into the world, he saved many, and called us who were already lost. 8 Seeing then he has shewed so great, mercy towards us ; and chiefly for that we who are alive, do now no longer sacrifice to dead gods, nor pay any worship to them, but have by him been brought to the knowledge of the Father of Truth; 0 4 Whereby shall we shew that we do indeed know him, but by not denying him by, whom we have come to the knowledge of him ? 10 For even he himself saith, 5 Whosoever shall confess me before men, him will I confess before my Father. This therefore is our re ward, if we shall confess him by whom we have been saved. 11 But, wherein must we con- Exhorts against the II. CORINTHIANS. things of this world. fess him,? — Namely, in doing those things which he saith,- and not disobeying his commandments : by worshipping him not with our lips only, but with all our heart, and with all our mind. For he saith in Isaiah,; ' This people ho noreth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. .12 Let us then not only call him Lord ; for that will not save us. For he saith ; 2 Not every one that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall be saved, but he that doth righteousness. 13 Wherefore, brethren, let us confess him by our works ; by loving one another; in not com mitting adultery, not speaking evil against" each, other, not envy ing one another ; but by being temperate, merciful, good. 14 Let us also have a mutual sense of one another's sufferings; and not be covetous of money ; but, let us, by our good works, confess God, and not by those that are otherwise. 15 Also let us not fear men ; but rather God. 3 Wherefore, if we should do such wicked things, the Lord hath said ; Though ye should be joined unto me, even in my very bosom, and not keep my commandments, I would cast you off, and say unto you; * Depart from ine; I know not whence you are, ye workers of iniquity. CHAP. III. 1 That whilst we secure the other world ; we need not fear what can befal us in this, h That if u-e follow the interests ¦ of this present world, we cannot escape the punishment of the other. 10 Which ought to bring us to repentance and ho liness, 1 4, and that presently ; because in this 'world is the only time for re- pentance. WHEREFORE, brethren, leaving willingly for con science sake our sojourning in this world, let us do the will of him who has called us, and not fear to depart out of this world. 2 For the Lord saith, 5 Ye shall be as sheep in the midst of wolves. Peter answered and said, What if the wolves shall tear in pieces the sheep ? Jesus said unto Peter, Let not the sheep fear the wolves after death : "And ye also fear not those that kill you, and after that have no more that they can do unto you ; but fear him who after you are dead, has power to cast both soul and body into hell-fire. 3 For consider, brethren, that the sojourning of this flesh in the present world, is but little, and of a short continuance ; but the pro mise of Christ is great and won derful, even the rest of the king dom that is to come, and of eter nal life. '4 What then must we do that we may attain unto it ? — We must 'order our conversation holily and righteously, and look upon all the things of this world as none of ours, and not desire them., For, if we desire to possess them, we fall from the way of righteousness. 5 For thus saith the Lord, 8 No servant can serve two masters. If, therefore, we shall desire to serve God and Mammon, it will be without profit to us. 9 For what will it profit, if one gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 6 Now this world and that to come are two enemies. This speak eth of adultery and corruption, of covetousness and deceit ; but that renounceth these things. 7 We cannot, therefore, be the friends of both ; but we must re solve by forsaking the one, to en joy the other. And we think it is better to hate the present things, 1 Isaiah, xxix. 13. ** Matt. vii. 21. ' Wherefore we doing these things. 4 Matt. vii. 23. Luke, xiii. 27. "• Matt. x. 16. 6 Luke, xii. 4, 5. l i BIS. Alexander. Wait >J Juwiaj muffy-rOii. ' 8 Luke, xvi. 13. 9 Matt. xvi. 26. JSxhorts te II. CORINTHIANS. repentance. as little, short-lived, and corrupti ble, and, to love those which are to come, which are truly good and incorruptible. 8 For, if we do the will of Christ, we shall find rest : but if not, nothing shall deliver us from eternal punishment if we shall disobey his commands. For even thus saith the Scripture in the prophet Ezekiel, * If Noah, Job, and Daniel should rise up, they shall not deliver their children in captivity. . 9 Wherefore, if such righteous men are not able by their righte ousness to deliver their children ; how can we hopeLto enter into the kingdom of God, except we keep our baptism holy and undefiled ? Or who shall be our advocate, un less we shall be found to have done what is holy and just? ip Let us, therefore, my bre thren, contend with all earnest ness, knowing that our combat is at hand ; and that many go long voyages to encounter for a cor ruptible reward. 11 And yet all are not crowned, but they only that labour much, and strive gloriously. Let us, therefore, socontend, that we may all be crowned. Let us run in the straight road,- the race that is, incorruptible : and let us -in great numbers pass unto it, and strive that we may receive the crown. But and if we cannot a|| be crowned, let us come as near to it as we are able. 12 Moreover, we must consider, that he who contends in a cor ruptible combat ; if he be found doing any thing that is not fair, is taken away and scourged, and cast out of the lists. What think ye then that he shall suffer, who does any thing that is not fitting in the combat of immortality ? 13 Thus speaks the prophet % concerning those who keep not their seal; 2Their worm shall not die, and. their fire shall not be quenched ; and they shall be for a spectacle unto all flesh. 14 Let us therefore repent, whilst we are yet upon the earth : for jwe are as clay in the hand of the artificer. For as the potter if he make a vessel, and it be turned amiss in his hands, or broken, again forms it anew ; but if he have gone so far as to throw it into the furnace of fire, he can no more bring any remedy to it. 15 So we, whilst we are in this world 3 should repent with our whole heart for whatsoever evil we have done in the flesh ; while we have yet the time of repent ance, that we may be saved by the Lord. 16 For after we shall have de parted out of this world, we shall no longer be able either to confess our sins, or repent 4 in the other. 17 Wherefore, brethren, let us, doing the will of the Father, and keeping our flesh pure, and ob serving the commandments ofthe Lord, lay hold on eternal life : for the Lord saith in the Gospel1, 5 If ye have not kept that which was little, who will give you that which is great ? — For I say unto you, he that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much. 18 This, therefore, is what he saith ; keep your bodies pure, and your seal , without spot, that ye may receive eternal life. CHAP. IV. 1 We shall rise, and be judged, in our bodies; therefore we must live well in them, 6 that we ought for our own i Ezek. xiv. 14, 20. k Luke, xvi. 10, 12. 120 4 Isaiah, lxvi. 24. 3 Let us repent. * There. Of the resurrection II. CORINTHIANS. and judgment. interest, to live well ; though few seem to mind what really is for their ad vantage, 10 and not deceive ourselves : seeing God will certainly judge us, and render to all of us according to our works. AND let not any one among you say, that this very flesh is not judged, neither raised up. Consider, in what were ye saved ; in what did ye look up, if not whilst ye were in this flesh ? 2 We must, therefore, keep our flesh as the temple of God. For in like manner as ye were called in the flesh, ye shall also come to judgment in the flesh. ' Our one Lord Jesus Christ, who has saved us, being first a spirit, was made flesh, and so called us : even so we also shall in this flesh receive the reward. 3 Let us, therefore, love one another, that we may attain unto the kingdom of God. Whilst we have time to be healed, let us deli ver up ourselves to God our physi cian, giving our reward unto him. 4 And what reward shall we give ? — Repentance out of a pure heart. For he knows all things before hand, and searches out our very hearts. 5 Let us, therefore, give praise'- unto him ; not only with our mouths, but with ah our souls ; that he may receive us as chil dren. 2 For so the Lord hath said ; 3 They are my brethren, who do the will of my Father. 6 <"J Wherefore, my brethren, let us do the will of the Father, who hath called us, that we may live. Let us pursue virtue, and forsake wickedness, which leadeth us into sins ; and let us flee all ungodliness, that evils overtake us not. 7 For, if we shall do our dili- 14 If, therefore, we shall do 1 MS. Alex, plane sic exhibet: _Tt Xpi«-".. a Vox e.5 non est in MS. 3 Matt. xii. 50. 4 For for this cause, we cannot find a man. Aliter WendeL in traduct. lat. a. v. 5 See I. Clement, chap. x. 121 gence to live well, peace shall follow us. * And yet how hard is it to find a man that does this ? For almost all are led by human fears, chusing rather the present enjoyments, than the future pro mise. 8 For they know not how great a torment the present enjoyments bring with them; nor what de lights the future promise. 9 And if they themselves only did this, it might the more easily be endured ; but now they go on to infect innocent souls with their evil doctrines ; not knowing that both themselves, and those that hear them, shall receive a double condemnation. 10 ^1 Let us, therefore, serve God with a pure heart, and we shall be righteous : but, if we shall not serve him, because we do not believe the promise of God, we shall be miserable. 11 For thus saith the prophet; 5 Miserable are the double minded, who doubt in |heir heart, and say, these things have we heard, even in the tipne of our fathers, but we have seen none of them, though we have expected them from day to day. 12 O ye foolsj compare your selves to a tree ; take the vine for an example. First it sheds its leaves, then it buds, then come the sour grapes, then the ripe fruit : even so my people has borne its disorders and afflictions, but shall hereafter receive good things. 13 Wherefore, my brethren, let us not doubt in our minds, but let us expect with hope, that we may receive our reward : for he is faithful, who has promised that he will render to every one a reward according to his works. 14 If, therefore, Preface' to BARNABAS. the Epistle." what is just in the sight of God, we shall enter into his kingdom, and shall receive the promises ; 1 Which neither eye has seen, nor ear hard, nor have entered into the heart of man. 15 "fl* Wherefore let us every hour expect the kingdom of God in love and righteousness; because we know not. the day of God's appearing. CHAP. V. A Fragment. Of the Lord's kingdom. 1 *** 2 For the Lord himself, being asked by a certain person, When his kingdom should come ? answered, When two shall be one, and that which is without as that which is within ; and the male with the female, neither male nor female. 2 Now, two are one, when we speak the truth to each other, aud there is (without hypocrisy) one soul in two bodies : 3 And that which is without as that which is within; — He means this ; he calls the soul that which is within, and the body that which is without. As therefore thy body appears, so let thy soul be seen by its good works. 4 And the male with the female, neither male nor femule ;3 — He means this; he calls our anger the male, our concupiscence the female. 5 When therefore a man' is come to such a pass, that he is subject neither to the one nor the other of these, (both of which, through the prevalence of custom, and an evil education, cloud and darken the reason,) - 6 But rather, having dispelled the mist arising from them, and being full of shame, shall by re pentance have united both his soul and spirit in the obedience of reason ; then, as Paul says, there is in us neither male nor female. The GENERAL EPISTLE of BARNABAS. [Barnabas was a companion and fellow-preacher with Paul. This Epistle lays a greater claim to canonical authority than most others. It has been cited by Clemens Alexandriuus, Oricen, Eusebius, and Jerome, and many ancient Fa thers. Cot ele i ius affirms that Origen and Jerome esteemed it genuine and canonical ; but Cotelerius himself did not believe it to he either one nr the other; on the contrary, he supposes it was written for the benefit of the Ebionites, (the christianized Jews,) who were tenacious of rites and cere monies. Bishop Fell feared to own expressly what he seemed to be per suaded of, that i,t ought to be treated with the same respect as several of the books ofthe present canon. Dr. Bernard, Savilian professor at Oxford, not only believed it to be genuine, hut that it was read throushout, in the churches at Alexandria, as Ihe canonical scriptures were. Dodwell supposed it to have been published before the Epistle of Jude, and the writings of both the Johns. Vossius, Dupuis, Dr. Cave, Dr. Milj, Dr. S. Clarke, Whiston, and Archbishop Wake, also esteemed it genuine: Menardus, Archbishop Laud, Spanheim, and others,, deemed it apocryphal.] A CHAP. I. Preface to the Epistle. LL happiness to you my sons and daughters, in the name ofour Lord Jesus Christ, who loved us, in peace. 2 Having perceived abundance of knowledge .of, the great and l 1 Cor. ii. 9. 122 s Clem. Rom. ex MS. Regio. s Ex Clem. Alexandria Preface BARNABAS. continued^ 1 excellent s laws of God to be in you, I exceedingly rejoice in your blessed and admirable 3 souls, be cause ye have so worthily received the grace which was 4 grafted in you. 3 For which cause I am full of joy, hoping the rather to -be 5 saved ; inasmuch as I truly see a spirit infused into you, from the 8 pure fountain of God : 4 Having this persuasion, and being fully convinced thereof, be cause that since 1 have begun to speak unto you, I have had a more than ordinary good success in the way of 7 the law of the Lord, which is in Christ. 5 For which cause, 8 brethren, I also think verily that I love you above my own soul : because that therein dwelleth the greatness of faith and charity, as also the hope of that life which is to come. , 6 Wherefore considering this, that if I shall take care to com municate to you a part of what I have received, it shall turn to my reward, 9 that I have served such good souls'; I gave diligence to write in a few words unto you ; that together with your faith, your 10 knowledge also may be perfect. 7 There are therefore three 11 things ordained by the Lord ; the hope of life ; 12 the beginning, and the completion of it. 8 Forthe Lord hath both de clared unto us, hy the prophets, those things that '» are past ; and 14 opened to us the beginnings of those that are to come. 9 Wherefore, it will behove us, 15 as he has spoken, to come 16 more holily, and nearer to his altar. 10 I therefore, not as a teacher, but as one "of you, will endeavour to lay before you a few things by which you may, ls on many Ac counts, become the more joyful. CHAP. II. That God has abolished the legal sacrifices, to introduce the spiritual righteousness ofthe Gospel. SEEING then the days are ex ceeding evil, and the adversary has got the power of this present 19 world, we ought to give the more diligence to inquire into the 20 righteous judgments of the Lord. 2 21 Now the assistants of our faith are fear and patience : our fellow-combatants, long-suffering and continence. 3 Whilst these remain pure in what relates unto the Lord, wis dom, and understanding, and science, and knowledge, rejoice together with them. 4 For God has manifested to us by all the prophets, that he has no occasion for our sacrifices, or burnt offerings, or oblations; say ing thus : n To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me, saith the Lord. 5 I am full of the burnt-offer ings of rams, and the fat of S3 fed 1 Honestarum. * /Equitatum, t_m.m_ifxli.Tm, righteous judgments. 3 Spi- ritibus, Disposition. * Natural : Gr. ifj.Hf_.vi. Sec chap. xix. eu^iltm tojeiv S»Sa^1?f: which the Lat. Int. renders, Naturale donum Doctrinae. Comp. Jam. i. 21. 5 Liberari : Gr. ut videtur _-»9-bvhi. 6 Honesto, from the Gr. xa>.5f. " Comp. Psalm cxix. 33. viz. either by preaching or fulfilling the same. 8 Vid. Annot. Vos. in loc. 9 Tali', us spiritibns servienti. Usser. "° rv»_-if. ." _\SyfA,ala, xvpiu, Constitutions of the Lord. 13 Viz. faith and charity. See be fore. 13 Namely, which we are to believe. 14 That is, which are to be hoped for, and end in love. v> Given us to know. '*> Honestius et Altius : the most honestly and highly. 17 Like yourselves. '8 In many things. 19 Age. so Equities. 21 Comp. Graec. Clem. Alex. '<"* Isaiah, i. 11. *» Lambs. » 123 J_\egal sacrifices BARNABAS. abolished. beasts ; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of he-goats. 1 6 l When ye come to appear before me; who hath required this at your hands ? Ye shall no more tread my courts. 7 Bring no more vain oblations, incense is an abomination unto m%: your new moons and sab baths, the calling of assemblies I cannot away with, it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting : your new moons and your appointed feasts, my soul hateth. 8 These things therefore hath God abolished,' that the new law of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is without ihe yoke of any such necessity, might have the spiri tual offering of men themselves. , 9 For so the Lord saith again to those heretofore ; 2 Did I at all command your fathers when they came out of the land of Egypt concerning burnt-offerings or sa crifices ? 10 But this I commanded them, saying, *> Let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour, and love no false oath. 11 Forasmuch then as we are not without understanding, we ought to apprehend the design f of bur merciful Father. For he speaks to us, being willing that ive who have been in the' same error about the sacrifices,' should seek and find how to approach unto him. 12 And therefore he thus be speaks us, s The sacrifice of God {is a broken spirit), a broken and contrite heart God will not despise. 13 Wherefore, brethren, we ought the more diligently to in quire after those things that be long to our salvation, that the adversary may not have any en trance into us, and deprive us of our spiritual life. 14 Wherefore he again speak eth to them, concerning these things; e Ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. 15 Is it such a fast that I have chosen ? A day for a man to af flict his soul ? * Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes un der him ? Wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord. 16 But to us he saith on this wise. e Is not this the fast that I have chosen, to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free ; and that ye break every yoke ? 17 ° Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house ? When thou seest the naked that thou cover him, and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh ? 18 ,0Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thy health shall spring forth speedily ; and thy righteousness shall go before thee, the glory of the Lord shall' be thy rere-ward. 19 .'Then sbalt thou call and the Lord shall answer ; thou shalt cry and he shall say, Here I am. If thou put away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity : ,B and if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry; and sa tisfy the afflicted soul. 20 In this therefore, brethren, God has manifested his I3 fore knowledge and mercy to us ; be cause the people which he has 1 Isaiah, i. 12, 13, 14. * Jer. vii. 22, 23. ' Zach. viii. 17 mercy of our Father, s paaim jj_ -yf. *> Isaiah, lviii. 4. 7 Verse 5 9 Verse 7. io Verse 8. "Verse 9. 12 Verse 10. 124 4 Ofthe 8 Verse 6. 13 Providence. Prophecies of Daniel BARNABAS. concerning Christ, ice. purchased to his beloved Son were to believe in 1 sincerity ; and therefore he has shewn these things to all of us, that we should not run as proselytes to 2 the Jew ish Law. CHAP. III. The prophtcies qf Daniel concerning the ten kings, and tlie coming of Christ. WHEREFORE it is necessa ry that searching diligent ly into those a things which are near to come to pass, we should write to you what may serve to keep you whole. 2 To which end let us flee from every evil work, and hale the errors of the present time, that we may be 4 happy in that which is to come : 3 Let us not give ourselves the liberty of disputing with the wick ed and sinners ; lest we should chance in time to become like un to them. 4 For the consummation of * sin is come, as it is written, as the prophet Daniel says. And for this end the Lord hath short ened the times and the days, that his beloved might hasten his com ing to his inheritance. 5 For so the prophet speaks; 8 There shall ten kings reign in the earth, and there shall rise last of all another little one, and he shall humble three kings. 6 And again Daniel speaks in like manner concerning the king doms; 7and I saw the fourth beast dreadful And terrible, and strong exceedingly ; and it had ten horns. * I considered the horns, and behold there came up among, them another little horn, before which were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots. 7 We ought therefore to un derstand this also : And I beseech you, as one of your own brethren, loving you all beyond my own life, that you look well to your selves, and be not like to those who * add sin to sin, and say; That their covenant is ours also. Nay, but it is ours only ; for fhey have for ever lost that which Moses received. 8 For thus saith tlie Scripture : 10 And Moses continued fasting forty days and forty nights in the Mount ; and ha received the covenant from the Lord, even the two tables of stone written by the hand of God. 9 But having turned themselves to idols they lost it ; as the Lord also said to Moses ; Moses, " go down quickly, for thy people which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt, have corrupted them selves, and turned aside from the way which I commanded them. 12 And Moses cast the two tables out of his hands ; and their cove nant was broken ; that the love of Jesus might be sealed in your hearts, unto the hope of his faith. 10 Wherefore let us give heed unto the last times. For all the " time past of our life, and our faith will profit us nothing ; unless we continue to hate what is evil, and to withstand the future temptations. So the Son of God tells us; Let us resist all iniquity and hate it. 11 Wherefore consider the works of the evil way. 14 Do not withdraw yourselves from others, as if you were already justified ; but coming altogether into one place, inquire what is agreeable 1 Simplicity. - Their. 3 Histantibus: read Instantibus. * Beloved, s Temptation. Dan. ix. 6 Dan. vii. 7 Verse 7. * Verse 8. 9 Heap up sins. io Exod. xxxi. xxxiv. ' * Exod. xxxii. 7. Deut. ix. 12. IS Exod. xxxii. 19, is Days. i* Heb. x. 25. 125 That Christ was BARNABAS. to suffer, proved to, and profitable for. the beloved of God. For the Scripture saith ; 1Wo unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight. 12 Let us become spiritual, a perfect temple to God. As much as in us lies let us meditate upon the fear of God ; and strive to the utmost of our power to keep his commandments ; that we may re joice in his righteous judgments. 13 For God will judge the world without respect of persons ; and every one shall receive ac cording to his works. 14 If a man shall be good, his righteousness shall go before him : if wicked, the reward of his wick edness shall follow him. 15 Take heed therefore lest sitting still now, that we are call ed, we fall asleep in our sins; and the wicked one getting tjje domi nion over us, stir us up, 2 and shut us out of the kingdom qf the Lord. 16 Consider this also: although you have seen so great signs and wonders. done among the people of the Jews, yet this notwithstanding the Lord hath forsaken them. 17 Beware therefore, lest it happen to us ; as it is written, s There be many called, but few chosen. CHAP. IV. That Christ was to suffer ; proved from the prophecies concerning him. FOR this cause did our Lord vouchsafe to give up his body to destruction, that through the forgiveness of our sins we might be sanctified ; that is, by the sprinkling of his blood. 2 Now for what concerns the things that are written about him, some belong to the people of the Jews, and some to us. i Vid. Gr. Clem. Alex. Isaiah, v. 21. a Matt. xxv. 7, 10. * Isaiah, liii. 5, 7. *• Vid. Edit. Oxon. p. 21. * Prov.i. 17. • Learn. , 126 3 For thus saith the Scripture ; 4 He was wounded for our trans gressions, he was bruised for our iniquities, and by his blood we are healed. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before his shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. 4 Wherefore we ought the more to give thanks unto God, for that he hath both declared unto us what is passed, 5 and not suf fered us to be without understand ing of those things that are to come. 5 But to them he saith ; 6 The nets are not unjustly spread for the birds. 6 This he spake, because a man will justly perish, if having the knowledge ofthe way of truth, he shall nevertheless not refrain himself from the way of darkness. 7 And for this cause the Lord Was content to suffer for our souls, although he be the Lord of the whole earth ; to whom God said before the beginning ofthe world, 7 Let us make man after our own image and likeness. 8 Now how he suffered for us, seeing it was by men that he un derwent it, 8 1 will shew you. 9 The prophets having received from him the gift of prophecy, spake before concerning him : 10 But he, that he might abo lish death, and make known' the resurrection from the dead, was content, as it was necessary, to ap pear in the flesh, that he might make good the promise before given to our fathers, and prepar ing himself a new people, might demonstrate to them whilst he was upon earth, that after the resur rection he would judge the world. 11 And finally teaching the people of Israel, and doing many 3 Matt. xxii. 14. 7 Gen. i. SC. from prophecies BARNABAS. concerning him. wonders and signs among them, j he preached to them, and shewed the exceeding great love which he bare towards them. 12 And when he chose his apostles, which were afterwards to publish his Gospel, he took men who had been very great sinners ; that thereby he might plainly shew, ' That he came not to call the righteous but sinners to repen tance. 13 Then he clearly manifested himself to be the Son of God. For had he not come in the flesh, how should men have been able to look upon him, that they might be saved ? 14 Seeing if they behold only the sun, which was the work of his hands, and shall hereafter cease to be, they are not able to endure stedfastly to look against the rays of it. 15 Wherefore the Son of God came in the flesh for this cause, that he might fill up the measure of their iniquity, who have per secuted his prophets unto death. And for the same reason also he suffered. 16 For God hath said, of tbe s stripes of his flesh, that they were from them. And, s I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered. 17 Thus he would suffer, be cause it behoved him to suffer upon the cross. 18 For thus one saith, prophe sying concerning him ; 4 Spare my soul from the sword. And again, Pierce my flesh from thy fear. 19 And again, the congrega tion of wicked doers rose up against me, 6 (They have pierced my hands and .my feet). 20 And again he saith, I gave my back to the smiters, 6 and my cheeks to be buffeted, and my face I set as an hard rock. CHAP. V. The subject continued. AND when he had fulfilled the commandment of God What says he ? 7 Who will con tend with me ? Let him stand against me : or who is he that will implead me? Let him draw near to the servant of the Lord. Wo be to you ? 8 Because ye shall all wax old as a garment, the moth shall eat you up. 2 And again the prophet adds, 9 He is put for a stone of stumb ling. 10 Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation, a precious stone, a choice corner-stone ; an honour able stone. And what follows ? And he that hopeth in him shall live for ever. 3 What then ? Is our hope built upon a stone? God forbid. But because the Lord hath " har dened his flesh against sufferings, he saith, 12 1 have put me as a firm rock. 4 And again the prophet adds ; 'a The stone which the builders refused is become the head of the corner. ., And again he saith'; 14 This is the great and wonderful 1 Matt.ix. 13. 2 Namely, from the Jews. 3 Zach. xiii. 6, 7. ? Ac Cording to tho lxx. Psalm xxii. 20. Psalm cxix. 120. Psalm xxii. 16, 17. 5 These words were doubtless cited thus by Barnabas, because that without them, those foregoing do not prove tlie Crucifixion of Christ. But through the repetition of the same preposition, this latter part was so early omitted, that il was not in the Latin interpreter's copy. 6 Isaiah, 1. 6. ,7 Isaiah, 1. 8, 9. 8 Septuag. Inter. 9 Isaiah, viii. 14. l0 Isaiah, xxviii. 16. " Gr. Put in strength, or strengthened. '** Isaiah, 1. 7. ' 3 Psalm cxviii. 22. ' 4 Verse 24. Clem. Alex. Strom, v. 127 Prophecies- concerning BARNABAS. Chrises sufferings. day which tbe Lord hath made. 1 1 write these things the more plainly to you that ye rpay under stand : 2 For indeed I could be con tent even to die for your sakes. 5 But what saith the prophet again : 3 The counsel ofthe wicked encompassed me about: * They came about me, as- bees about the honey-comb : and, 5 Upon my vesture they cast lots. 6 Forasmuch then as our Savi our was to appear in the flesh, and suffer; his passion was hereby foretold. 7 For thus saith the prophet against Israel : 6 Wo be to their soul, because they have taken wicked counsel against themselves, saying; Let us 'lay snares for the righteous, because he is unprofit able to us. 8 Moses also in like manner speaketh to them : 8 Behold thus saith the Lord God ; Enter ye into the good land of which the Lord hath sworn lo Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, that he would give it you, and possess it ; a land flowing with milk and honey. 9 Now what the spiritual mean ing of this is, learn ; 9 It is as if it had been said ; Put your trust in Jesus, who shall be manifested to you in the flesh. For man is the earth which suffers : forasmuch as out of the 10 substance ofthe earth Adam was formed. 10 What therefore does he mean when he says, Into a good land flowing with milk and honey " Blessed be our Lord, who has given us wisdom, and a heart to understand his secrets. For so says the prophet, u Who shall un- 1 This is not in the Old Latin Version. ms ayamt; vf*w. 3 Psalm xxii. 16. derstand the hard sayings of the Lord ? 1S But he that is wise, and intelligent, and that loves his Lord. U Seeing therefore he has re newed us by the remission of our sins, he has 13 put us into another frame, that we should have souls 14like those of children, forming us again himself " by the spirit. 12 For(_hus the Scripture saith concerning us, 16 where it intro duced the Father speaking to (he Son ; " Let us make man after our likeness and similitude ; and let them have dominion over the beasts of the earth, and over the fowls of the air, and over the fish of the sea. « 13 And when the Lord saw the man which he had formed, that behold he was very good ; he said, 18 Increase, and multiply, and re plenish the earth. And this he spake lo his son. 14 I will now shew you, how he made us 19 a new creature, in the latter days : 15 The Lord saith; 2» Behold I will make the last as the first. Wherefore the prophet thus spake ; 21 Enter into the land flowing with milk and honey, and have domi nion over it. 16 Wherefore ye see how we are again formed 'anew ; as also he speaks by another prophet : 22 Behold, saith the Lord, I will take from them, that is, from those whom the Spirit ofthe Lord fore saw, their hearts of stone, and I will put into them hearts of flesh. 17 Because he was about to be made manifest in the flesh, and to dwell in us. 2 Vid. Edit. Oxon. 4 Psalm cxviii. 12. <* Isaiah, iii. 9. 7 Bind. s Exod. xxxiii. 1. 9 Vid. Marg. ex Clem. A}ex. 10 Tlpa-emu. " Osee, xiv. nit. , p. 29. a. mplj-.fi* *• Psalm xxii. 18. Coteler. Annot. .**" Prov. i. 6. '3 Gr. made us another form. ' 14 Vid. Edit. Oxon. p. 30. b. ' 5 Vid. Vet. Lat. Interp. '6 As he saith to the Son. " Gen. i, 26. Comp. Coloss. iii. 10. 18 Gen. i. 28. 19 Gr. a second formation. so Isaiah, xliii. 18, 19. Matt. xx. 16. *" Comp. Heh. iii. 2** E*ek. xi. 19; 128 The scape-goat BARNABAS. typical of Christ. 18 For, my brethren, the habi tation ofour heart is a ' holy tem ple unto the Lord. For the Lord saith again ; - In what place shall I appear before the Lord my God, and be glorified ? 19 He answers, I will confess junto thee in the congregation in the midst of my brethren ; and will sing unto thee in the church of the saints.'1 . ¦ 20 Wherefore we are they whom he has brought into that good land. 21 3But what signifies the milk and honey? Because as the child is nourished first with milk, and then with honey ; so we being kept alive by the belief of his promises, and his word, shall live andliave dominion over the land. 22 For he foretold above, say ing1, Increase and multiply, and have dominion over the fishes, &c. 23 But who is there that is now able to have this dominion over the wild beasts, or fishes, or fowls of the air ? For you know that to rule is to have power, that a man should be set over what he rules. 24 But forasmuch as this we have not now, he tells us when we shall have it; namely, when we shall become perfect, that we may be made inheritors ofthe covenant of the Lord. CHAP. VI. The scape-goat, an evident type ofthis. UNDERSTAND then, my be loved children, that the good God hath before manifested all things unto us, that we might know to whom we ought always to give thanks and praise. 2 If therefore the Son of God, who is the Lprd of all, and shall come to judge both the quick and dead, hath suffered; that by his stripes we might live : let us be lieve that the Son of God could not have suffered but for us. But, being crucified, they gave him vi negar and gall to drink. 3 Hear therefore how the priests of the temple did foreshew this also : * the Lord by his command which was written, declared that whosoever did not fast the ap- "pointed fast he 4 should die the death : because he also was him self one day to offer up his 6 body for our sins; that so the type of what was done in 7 Isaac might-be fulfilled, who was offered upon the altar. 4 What therefore is it that he says by the prophet ? * And let them eat of the goat which is offered in the day of the fast for all their sins. Hearken diligently, (my brethren,) and all the priests, and they only shall eat the in wards, not washed, with vinegar. 5 Why so ? because ? I know that when I shall hereafter offer my flesh for the sins of a new people, ye will give me vinegar to drink mixed with gall ; therefore do ye only eat, the people fasting the while,, and lamenting ih sack cloth and ashes. 6 And that he might foreshew, that he was to suffer for them, hear then, how he appointed it. 7 10 Take, says he, two goats,*, fair and alike, and offer them; and let the high-priest take one of them for a burnt-offering. And i So St. Paul, 1 Cor. iii. 16, 17. vi. 19. 2 Psalm xiii. 2. 3 Comp. Hier. in Jer. xxxii. 22. et in- Jer. xi. 5. Add. 1 Pet. ii. 2. * See this applied after the same manner, Heb. ix. ? Levit. xxiii. 29. 6 The vessel ofhis spirit. 7 Gen. xxii. 8 Numb. xxix. &c. Vid. Coteler. in Marg. et Annot. iriloc.,Comp. Obsetv. Edit^Okon. *"¦ Vid. Annot. Coteler. in 10c. *° Levit. xvi. Vid. Maimon, Tract, de Die Exp. Edit, du Veil. p. 350, Add. Annot. Cotel. and Ed; Oxon. in loc. 129 K Christ typified BARNABAS. what must be done with the other? Let it, says- he, be accursed. 8 Consider how exactly this appears to. have been a type of Jesus. * And let all the congre* gation spit upon it, and prick it; a.nd put the scarlet wool about its head : and thus let it be carried forth into the wilderness. ' 9 And this being done, he that was appointed to convey the goat, led it into the wilderness, ? and took away the scarlet wool; and put it upon a thorn-bush, whose 'young sprouts when we find them in the field we- are wont to eat : so the fruit of that thorn only is sweet. 10 And to what end was this ceremony ? Consider ; one was offered upon the altar, the other was accursed. 11 And why was that which was. accursed, crowned? Because they shall see Christ in that day having a scarlet garment , about bis body ; and shall say : Is not this he whom we crucified ; hav ing despised him, pierced him, mocked him ? Certainly, this is he, who then said, that he was the Son of God. 1 2 4 As therefore he shall be then like to what he was on earth, so were the Jews heretofore com manded, to take two goats, fair and equal. That when they shall see (our Saviour) hereafter com ing, (in the clouds of heaven), they may be amazed at the likeness of the goats. 13 Wherefore 5 ye here i again see a type of Jesus Who was to suffer fpr us. 14 But what then signifies this, That the wool was to be put into the midst of the thorns ? by the red heifer; 15 This also is a figure of Jesus, set out to the church. For as he who would take away the scarlet wool must undergo many diffi culties, because that thorn was very sharp, and with difficulty get it : 6 So they, says Christ, that will see me, and come to my kingdom, must through many afflictions and troubles attain untw me. CHAP. VII. The red heifer, another type of Christ. BUT what 7 type do ye suppose it to have been,- wher*e it is commanded 8 to the people of Israel, that grown persons in whom sins are come to perfection, should offer a heifer, and after they had killed it should burn the same : 2 But then young men should take up the ashes and put them in' vessels ; and tie a piece of scarlet- wool and hyssop upon a stick, and so the young men should sprinkle every one of the people, and they should be clear from, their sins ? .3 Consider how ali these are delivered in a 9 figure to' us. 4 This heifer is Jesus Christ ; the wicked men that were to offer it, are those sinners who brought' him to death : who afterward* have no more to do with it ; the sinners have no more the honour of handling of it : 5 But the young men that per formed the sprinkling, signified those who preach to us the for giveness of sins, and the purifica tion of the heart, to whom the Lord gave authority to preach his Gospel : being at the beginnings twelve, 10 to signify the tribes, be-, cause there were twelve tribes of Israel.' 6 But why were there three 1 Vid. Edit. Oxon. p. 40. a. 4i.'b. ** Vid. Maim, ibid. p. 311. Comp. Annot. Edit. Oxon. in loc. 3 Vid. Annot. Isaac Voss. in loc. 4 The Greek is im' perfect. * Vid. Lat. Ver. <* See Acts, xiv. 22. ' 7 Numb. xix. 8 That this Was also a type of Christ, see Heb. ix, 13. • 9 Vid. Vet. Lat. Interpr. Simplicity. Gr. *° Gr. to te'stify. 130 t)f 'the ckclimcision BARNABAS. ofthe ears. young men, appointed to sprinkle? To denote Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, because they were great before God. 7 And why was the wool put upon a 'stick ? Because the king dom of Jesus" was founded upon the ' cross ; and therefore they that pul their trust in him, shall live for ever. 8 But why was the wool and hyssop put together? To signify that in the kingdom of Christ there shall be evil and filthy days, in which however we shall be saved ; and 2 because he that has any disease in the flesh- by sdme filthy humours, is cured by hys sop. 9 Wherefore these things be ing thus done, are to us indeed evident, but to the 3 Jews they are obscure ; because they heark ened not unto the voice of the Lord. CHAP. VIII. Of the circumcision of the ears: and how in the first institution qf circumcision, Abraham mystically foretold Christ by name. AND therefore the Scripture again speaks concerning our ears, that God has Circumcised them, together with our hearts. For thus saith the Lord by the boly prophet: 4By the hearing ofthe ear they obeyed me. 2 And again, 5 They who are afar off, shall hear and understand what things I have done. And again, 6 Circumcise your hearts, saith the Lord. 3 And again he saith, 7 Hear O Israel ! For thus saith the Lord thy God. And again the Spirit of God prophesieth, saying ; e Who is there that would live forever, 9 let him hear the voice of my Son. - 4 And again, '"Hear.O Heaven, and give ear O Earth ! Because the Lord has spoken, these things for a witness. 5 And again he saith, " Hear the word of the Lord, ye princes of the people. And again, w Hear O children ! The voice of one crying in the wilderness. 6 Wherefore he has circum cised our ears, that we should hear his word, and believe. But as for that circumcision, in which the Jews trust, it is abolished. For the circumcision of which God spake, was not of the flesh : 7 But they have transgressed his commands, because ; the evil '' one hath deceived them. For thus God bespeaks them ; ,4Thus saith the Lord your God, (Here I find the new law) Sow not among thorns; but circumcise yourselves to the Lord your God. And what doth he mean by this saying ? Hearken unto your Lord. 8 And again he saith, ,5 Cir cumcise the hardness of your heart, and harden not your heck. And again, 10 Behold, saith the Lord, all the nations are uncir cumcised, (they have not lost their* fore-skin) ; but this people is un circumcised in heart. 9 But you will say I7lhe Jews were circumcised for a sign. 18And so are all the Syrians and Arabi ans, and all the idolatrous priests : but are they therefore of the co venant of Israel? And even the Egyptians themselves are, circum cised. 10 Understand therefore, chil dren, these things more fully, that 1 Wood. 2 Vid. Coteler. in loc. 3 Them. 4 Septuag. Psalm xviii. 44. * Isaiah, xxxiii, 13. 6 Jer. iv. 4. 7 Jer. vii. 2. 8 Psalms xxxiii. xxxiv. 9 Isaiah, 1. 10. '** Isaiah, i. 2. *' Isaiah, i. 10. " Isaiah, xl. 3. is Angel. i* Jer. iv.* 3^4. 15 Jer. iv. 4. 16 Deut. x. 16. '*' That people. '» Vid. Coteler. in loc. confer. Orig. ad Rom. cap. ii. 2$. 131 *2 Spiritual meaning BARNABAS. of clean and unclean Abraham, who was the first that brought in circumcision, looking forward in the Spirit to Jesus, cir cumcised, having received the mystery of three letters. 11 For the Scripture says that Abraham circumcised three hun dred and eighteen men of his house. * But what therefore was the mystery that was made known unto him ? 12 Mark, first the eighteen, and next the three hundred. For the numeral letters of ten and eight are I H. And these denote Jesus. 13 And because the cross was that by which we were to find grace; therefore he adds, three hundred ; the note of which is T (the figure of his cross). Where fore by two letters, he signified Jesus, and by the third his cross. 14' He who has put the en grafted gift of his doctrine within us, knows, that I never taught to any one a more 3 certain truth ; but I trust, that ye are worthy of it. CHAP. IX. That the commands of Moses concermng clean and unclean beasts, Sec. were all designed for a spiritual signification. BUT why did Moses say 3 Ye shall not eat of the swine, neither the, eagle, nor the hawk; nor the crow ; nor any fish that has riot a scale up6n him? — I answer, that in the spiritual sense, he comprehended three doctrines, that were to be 4 gathered from thence. 2 Besides which he says to them in the book of Deuteronomy, and I will give my statutes unto this people. Wherefore it is not 1 That many others of the ancient Fathers have concurred with him in this : see Coteler. in loc. Add. Eund. p. 34, 35. ibid Ed. Oxon. in loc. An instance of the like kind. See Rev. xiii. 17, 18. Add. Annot. D.Bernard. Edit. Oxon. p. 125. * Genuine. 3 That in this he . goes on the received opinion of the RR. Vid. Annot. Coteler. and Ed. Oxon. in loc. Levitic. xi. Deut. xiv. Add. Ains worth on Lev. xi.l. And again on. Dent. xiv. 4. 4 In the understanding. Deut. iv. *• Vid. Antiq. Lat. Vers. '6 Wicked to the end. 132 the command of God that they should not eat these things ; but Moses in the spirit, spake unto them. 3 Now the sow he forbad them to eat ; meaning thus much : thou shalt not join thyself to such persons as are like unto swine ; who whilst they live in pleasure, forget their God ; but when any want pinches them, then they know the Lord : as the sow when she is full, knows not her master ; but when she is hungry, she makes a noise ; and being again fed, is silent. 4 Neither, says he, shalt thou eat the eagle, nor the hawk, nor, the kite, nor the crow ; that is, thou shalt not keep company with such kind of men as know not how by their labour ar\d sweat to get themselves food : but injuri ously ravish away the things of others ; and watch how to lay snares for- them ; when at the same time they appear to live in perfect innocence. 5 (sSo these birds alone seek not food for themselves, but) sit ting idle seek how they may eat of the flesh which others have pro vided ; being destructive through their wickedness. 6 Neither, says he, shalt thou eat the lamprey, nor the polypus,, nor the cuttle-fish; that is, thou shalt pot be like such, men, by using to converse with them ; who are 6 altogether wicked arid ad judged to death. For so those fishes are alone accursed, and wal low in the mire, nor swim as other fishes, but tumble in the dirt at the bottom of the deep. ¦beasts under the 6ARNABAS. law of Muses. 7 But he adds, > Neither shalt thou eat of the hare. To what end? — To signify this to us ; * Thou shalt not be an adulterer ; nor liken thyself to such persons. For the hare every-year multiplies 3 the peaces of its conception; and as many years as it lives, so many 4 it has. ¦ 8 Neither shalt thou eat of the hyena : that is, again, be not an adulterer, nor a corrupter of others ; neither be like to such. And wherefore so ? — 5 Because that creature every year changes its kind, and • is sometimes male, and sometimes female. 9 For which cause also he just ly hated the weasel ; to the end that they should not be like such persons who with their mouths Commit wickedness, by reason of their uncleanness; nor join them selves with those impure women, who with their mouths commit wickedness. 6 Because that ani mal conceives with its mouth. 10 Moses therefore speaking as concerning meats, delivered in deed three great precepts to them in the spiritual signification of those commands. But they according to the desires of the flesh, under stood him as if he had only meant it of meats. 11 And therefore David took aright the knowledge of his three fold command, saying in like manner; 12 7 Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the Counsel of the ungodly ; as the fishes before mentioned in the bottom of the deep in darkness. 13 Nor stood in the way of sinners, as they who seem to fear the Lord, but yet sin, as the sow. 14 And hath not sat in the seat of the scorners ; as those birds who sit and watch that they may devour. 15 Here you have the law con cerning meat perfectly set forth, and according to the true know ledge of it. 16 But says Moses, "Ye shall eat all that divideth the hoof, and cheweth the cud. Signifying there by such an one as having taken his food, knows him that nourish eth him ; and resting upon him, rejoiceth in him. "¦ 17 And in this he spake well, having respect to the command ment. 9 What therefore is it that he says? — That we should hold fast to them that fear the Lord ; with those who meditate on the command of the word which they have received, in their heart; with those that declare the righteous judgments of the Lord ; and keep his commandments ; 18 In short, with those who know that to meditate is a work of pleasure, and therefore 10 exercise themselves in the word of the Lord. 19 But why might they eat those that clave the hoof? — Be cause the righteous liveth in this present world ; but his expecta tion is fixed upon the other. See, brethren, how admirably Moses commanded these things. :j 20 But how should we thus know all this, and understand it? We therefore understanding aright the commandments, speak as the Lord would have us. Wherefore i See Coteler. Annot. in loc. * Thou shalt not abuse thyself with mankind. * 'a^Uuhtw. 4 Tjiiwa.. 6 So several naturalists have affirmed1, though others deny H.— See Annot. Coteler. in loc. 6 Vid. Arist. apud Euseb; Praep. E*aug. L. Viii. cap. 9. Add. Coteler. in loc. ? Psalm i. t. • See Edit., Oxon. p. 64. a. So Iren. adv. Her. 1. v. c. 8. 9 Comp. Clem. Alex. I. iii. c. ll. et simil. Orig. Theod. &c. Coteler. Annot, in loc. "* Ruminate npon. 133 Q Baptism and BARNABAS. the cross he has circumcised our ears and our hearts, that we might know these things. CHAP. X. Baptism and the cross of Christ, foretold in figures under the law. LET us now inquire whetherthe Lord took care to manifest any thing beforehand concerning water and the cross. 2 Now for the former of these,' it is written to the people of Israel how' they shall not receive that baptism which brings to forgive ness of sins ; but shall institute another t#themselves,tbat cannot. 3 For thus saith the prophet : ' Be astonished O Heaven ! and let the earth tremble at it, because this people have done two great and wicked things : they have left me, the fountain of living water, and have digged for themselves broken cisterns, that can hojd no water. ¦ 4 Is my holy mountain 2Zion a desolate wilderness ? — * For ye shall be as a young bird when its nest is taken away. 5 And again the prophet saith, 4 I will go before thee, and will make plain the mountains, and will break the gates of brass, and will snap in sunder the bars of iron : and will give thee dark, and hid den, and invisible treasures, that they may know that Iam the Lord God. 6 And again; he shall dwell5 in the high den of the strong rock. And then, what follows in the same prophet ? His water is faith ful : ye s6all see the king with glory, and your soul shall learn the fear of the Lord. 7 And again he saith in ano ther prophet ; He that does these things; 6 shall be like a tree plant ed by the currents of water, which shall give its fruit in its season. Its leaf also shall not wither, and whatsoever he doth it- shall pros per. - 8 As fpr the wicked it is not so with them ; but they are as the dust which the wind scattereth away from (he face ofthe earth. 9 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, neither _ the sinrters in the council of the righteous. For the Lord knoweth the way ofthe righteous, and the way of the ungodly shall perish. 10 Consider hqw he has joined both the cross and the water toge-' ther. 11 For this he saith ; Blessed are they who put their trust in the cross, descend into tbe water j for they shall have their reward in due time : then, saith he, will I give it thf m. 12 But as concerning the pre sent time, he saith, their leaves shall not fall: meaning thereby, that every word that shall go out of your mouth, shall through faith and charity be to the conversion a,nd hope of many. 13 In like manner doth another prophet speak. 7 And the land of Jacob was the praise of all the - earth ; 8 magnifying thereby 9 the vessel of his spirit. 14 And what follows? — And there was a river running on the right-hand, and beautiful trees grew up by it ; and he that shall eat of them shall live for ever. The signification of which is this : that we go down into the water full of sins and pollutions; but * Jeremiah, ii. 12. s Vid. Annot. Coteler. and Ed. Oxon. in loc, xvi. 1, 2. * Isaiah, xiv. 2. 5 Isaiah, xxxiii. 16, 17.- 6 Psalm i, iii, "" 3 Isaiah, 7 Zeph. iii. 20, 8 For t»V \i?_,, and S, the Old Interpreter did not read : and Clemens Alex, lib. iii. Strom, p. 463. transcribing this passage, hath them not. 9 ,i, e,' The body of Christ. . 134 foretold under BARNABAS. the law. come up again bringing forth fruit; having in our hearts the fear and hope which is in Jesus, by the spirit. And whosoever eat of them shall live for ever. 15 That is, whosoever shall hearken to those who call them, aud shall believe, shall live for ever. CHAP. XI. : The subject continued. IN like manner he determines concerning the. cross in ? ano ther prophet, saying ; And when , shall these things be fulfilled ? 2 The Lord answers; When the tree that is fallen shall rise, and when blood shall drop down from the tree. Here you have again mention made, both of the cross, and of him that was to be crucified upon it. 3 ? And yet farther he saith by Moses ; (when Israel was fighting with, and beaten by, a strange people ; to the end that God might put sthem in mind how that for their sins they were delivered unto death) yea the holy spirit put it into the heart of Moses, to repre sent both the sign of the cross, and of him that was to suffer : that so they might know that if they did not believe in him, they should be overcome for ever. 4 Moses therefore -4 piled up ar mour upon armour in the middle of a rising ground, and standing up high above all of them stretch ed forth his arms, and so Israel again conquered. 5 But no sooner did he let down his hands, but they were again 1 Vid. Conject. Edit. Oxon. Comp. iv. Esdr. v. 4. et Obs. Cotel., in loc * See St. Hier. in like manner. Annot. D. Bernard, p. 124. JZdit. 6xoi| Exod. xvii. 3 That were so beaten. armed. Lat. Vers. 5 Isaiab, lxv. 2 Chrysost. &c. Vid. Edit. Oxon. p. 77. a. » Deut. xxvii. is. 135 slain. And why so ? — To the end they might know, that except they trust in him they pannot be saved. 6 And in another prophet, he saith, °I have stretched out my hands all the day long to a, people disobedient, and speaking against my righteous way. 7 And again Moses makes a • type of Jesus, to shew that he was to die, and then that he, whom they thought to be dead, was to give life to others ; in the 7 type of 8 those that fell in Israel. 8 For God caused all sorts of serpents to bite them, and they died ; forasmuch as by a serpent transgression began in Eve ; that so he might convince them that for their transgressions they shall be delivered into the pain of death. 9 Moses then himself, who had commanded them, saying, 9 Ye shall not make to yourselves any graven, or molten image, to be your God ; yet now did so him self, that he might represent to them the figure of the Lord Jesus. 10 For he made a brazen ser pent, and set it up on high, and -. called the people together by a proclamation: where being come, they intreated Moses thfat he would make an atonement for them, and pray that they might be healed. 11 Then Moses spake unto them, saying ; when any one among you shall be bitten, let , him come unto the serpent that is set upon the pole ; and let him as suredly trust in him, that though he be dead, yet he is able to give life, and presently he shall be ' ; , JT- — — *» frurrr r_rj_ir.J. * Again set them in array, being 6 So Irenaeus, Just. Mart., St. 7 Sign. * Israel falling. God's promises ' BARNABAS. madejo saved; and so they did. See therefore how here also you have in this the glory of Jesus.; and that ' in him and to him are all things. 12 Again; What says Moses to Jesus the Son of Nun, when he gave that name unto him, as being a prophet, that all the peo ple might hear him alone, 2 be cause the Father did manifest all things concerning his Son Jesus, in 3 Jesus the Son of Nun ; and gav;e him that name when he sent him to spy out the land of Ca naan; 4he said; Take a book in thine hands, and write what the Lord saith: forasmuch as Jesus -the Son of God shall in the last days cut off, by the roots all the house of Amalek. See here again Jesus, not the son of man, but the Son of God, made manifest in a type and in the flesh. 13 But because it might here after be said, that Christ was the Son of David ; 5 therefore David fearing and well-knowing the errors of the wicked, saith ; 6 the Lord said unto my Lord, sit thou on my right-hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool: 14 And again Isaiah speaketh on this wise, The Lord said unto ' Christ my Lord, I have laid hold on his right-hand, that the nations should obey before him, and. I will break the^strength of kings. 15 Behold, how both8 David and Isaiah call him Lord, and the Son of God. CHAP. XII. The promise of God not made to the Jews only, but to the Gentiles also, and ful filled to us by Jesus Christ. BUT let us go yet farther, and inquire whether this' people be the heir, or the former ; and whether the covenant be with us, or with them. 2 And first, as concerning the people, hear now what the Scrip ture saith. 3 9 Isaac prayed for his wife Rebekah, • because she was bar ren ; and she conceived. After wards Rebekah went forth to in quire ofthe Lord. 4 And the Lord said unto her : There are two nations in thy womb, and two people shall come from thy body ; and the one shall have power over the other, and the greater shall serve the lesser. Understand here who was Isaac; who Rebekah ; and of whom it was foretold, that this people should be greater than that. .5 And in another prophecy Ja- .cob speaketh more clearly to his son Joseph, saying : 1() Behold the Lord hath not deprived me bf see ing thy face, bring me thy sons that I may bless them. And he brought unto his father, " Ma nasseh and Ephraim, desiring that he should bless Manasseh, because he was the elder. 6 Therefore Joseph brought him to the right-hand of his fa ther Jacob. But Jacob by the spirit foresaw the figure of the people that was to come. 7 And what saith the Scrip ture? And Jacob crossed his hands, and put his right-hand upon Ephraim, his second and the younger son, and blessed him. And Joseph said unto Jacob: Put thy right-hand upon the head of Manasseh, for he is my first-born son. And Jacob said unto Jo seph ; I know it, my son, I know it ; but the greater shall serve 1 Rom.xi. 36. " Deut. xviii. 15, 18. 3 So the other Fathers. Just. Mart. &c. Vid. Edit. Oxon. page 79. 4 Vid. Interp. Vet. Lat. Exod. xvii. J4. 5 Comp. Vet. Lat. Interp. <" Psalm ex. 1. 7 Vid. Annot. Coteler. in loc. Edit. Oxon. page 78, c. Isaiah, xiv. 1. 6 Comp. Vet. Lat. Interp. 9 Gen. v xxv. 21. Comp. §t. Paul, Rom. ix. Just. Mart., Tert. &c. Vid. Ed. Oxon. p. 81. a. '° Gen. xlviii. " ' ' Vid. Lat. Interp. Vet. 136 the Gentiles, and BARNABAS. fulfiUed in Christ. $ the lesser ; though he also shall be blessed. 8 Ye see of whom he appointed it, that they should be the first people, and heirs of the cove- pant. ' 9 If therefore God shall have yet farther taken notice of this by Abraham too ; our understanding of it will then be perfectly estab lished. 10 What then saith the Scrip ture to Abraham, when he * be lieved, apd it was imputed unto him for righteousness ; Behold I have made thee a father of the nations, which without circumci sion believe in the Lord. 11 Let us therefore now in quire, whether God has fulfilled the covenant, which he sware to our fathers, that he would give this people ? Yes, verily, he gave it : but they were not worthy to receive it by reason of their sins. 12 For thus saith the prophet: 9 And Moses continued fasting in mount Sinai, to receive the cove nant of the Lord with the people, forty days and forty nights. 13 3 And he received of the' Lord two tables written with the finger of the Lord's hand in the Spirit. And Moses when he had received them brought them down that he might deliver them to the people. 14 And the Lord said unto Moses ; 4 Moses, Moses, get thee- down quickly, for the people which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt have done wickedly. 15 And Moses understood that ' they had again set up a molten ; image; and he cast the two ta bles out ef his hands ; and the tables of the covenant of the Lord were broken. Moses there fore received them, but they were not worthy. 16 Now then learn how we have received them. Moses, be ing a servant took them ; but the Lord himself has given them unto us, that we might be the people of his inheritance, having suffered for us. 17 He was therefore made ma nifest; that they should fill up the measure of their, sins, and that we 5 being made heirs by him, should receive the covenant of the Lord Jesus. 18 And again the. prophet safth : 6 Behold, I have set thee for a light unto the Gentiles, to be 7 the saviour of all the ends of the earth, saith the Lord the God who hath redeemed thee. 19 Who for that very end was prepared, that by his own appear ing he might redeem our hearts, already devoured by death, and delivered over to the irregularity of error, from darkness; and establish a covenant with us by his word. 20 :For so it is written, that the father commanded him by deli vering us from darkness, to pre pare unto himself a holy people. 21 Wherefore the prophet saith: 8 1 the Lord thy God have called thee in righteousness ; and I will take thee by thy hand and will strengthen thee. And give thee for a covenant of the people, for' a light ofthe Gentiles. *To open the eyes of the blind, to bring oat the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit. in darkness out of the prison-house. 22 Consider therefore from 1 Martyr dom), u Eph. v. 2. '2 See the old Lat. Ed. of Bishop Usher. ¦-> Pos sess,- " Blessed in all things. 143 Of unity EPHESIANS. and subjection. pertaining to God; I entreat you that he may tarry longer^ both for yours, and your bishop's ho nour. 7 And Crocus also worthy both pur God and you, whom I have received as the pattern of your love, has in all things refreshed me, as the Father of our Lord Je sus Christ shall also refresh him ; together with Onesimus, and Bur- rhus, and Euplus, and Fronto, l in whom I have, as to your charity, seen all of you. And may I al ways 2have joy of you, if I shall he worthy of it. 8 It is therefore fitting that you should 3 by all means glorify Je sus-Christ who hath glorified you : that 4 by a uniform obedience * ye may be perfectly joined to gether in the same mind, and in the same judgment ; and'may all speak the same things concerning everything: 9 And that being subject to 'your bishop, and the presbytery, ye may be wholly and thoroughly sanctified. 10 These things I 7 prescribe to you, not as if I were somebody extraordinary : for though I am bound 8 for his name, I am not yet perfect in Christ Jesus. 9 But now I begin to learn, and I speak to you as fellow-disciples together with me. 11 For I ought to have been stirred up by you, in faith, in ad monition, in patience, in long- suffering : but forasmuch as cha rity suffers me not to be silent 10 towards you, I have first taken upon me to exhort you, that ye would all run together according to the will of God. 12 For even Jesus Christ, our inseparable' life, is sent by the 11 will of the Father ; as the bi shops, appointed unto the utmost bounds of the earth, are by the will of Jesas Christ. 13 ,2 Wherefore it will become you to run together according to the will of your bishop, as also ye do. 14 For your Js famous presby tery, worthy of God, is fitted as exactly to the bishop, as the strings are to the harp. 15 Therefore in your concord, and agreeing charity, Jesus Christ is sung; and every single person among you makes up the chor us: 16 That so being all consonant in w love, and taking up the song of God, ye may in a perfect unity, with one voice, sing to the Father _ by Jesus Christ ;' to the end that ~ he may both hear you, and per ceive by your works, that ye are indeed the members of his Son, 17 Wherefore it is profitable for you to live in an unblamable unity, that so ye may always 15 have a fellowship with God. CHAP. II. 1 Tlie benefit of subjection. 4 The bi- shopnot to be respected the Uss because he is not forward in exacting it: 8 warns them agdinst heretics ; bidding them cleave] to Jesus, whose divine and hu man future is declared ; commends them for their care to keep tltemselves from false teachers ; and shews them the way to God. -- FOR if I in this little time have had such a familiarity with your bishop, I mean not a carnal, but spiritual acquaintance with him; how much more must I think you happy who are so joined to him, as the church is to Jesjjs Christ, and Jesus Christ to tlie 1 By. « See Philem. 20. » In all manner of ways. *_Cor.i. 10. « The. 7 Command you. * In. ocniins;. u Milid, counsel; opinion, &c, '''Whence. named. l* Concord. 15 Partake of. 144 * In oi ie. io C.'on- i! Worthy to be Love to the bishop. EPHESIANS. Exhorts against heresy. Father; that so all things may agree in the same unity ? 2 Let no man deceive himself; if a man be not within the altar, he is deprived of the bread of God. For if the prayer of ' one or two be of such force, as we are told; how much more powerful shall that of the bishop and the whole church be ? 3 He therefore that does not come together into the same place with it, is '* proud, and has al ready *> condemned himself. For it is written, 4God resisteth the proud. Let us take heed there fore, that we do not set ourselves against the bishop, that we may be subject to God. 4 5 The more any one sees his bishop silent, the more let him revere him. For whomsoever the master of the house sends to be over his own household, we ought in like manner to receive him, as we would do him that sent him. It is therefore evident that we ought to look upon the bishop, even as we would do upon the Lord himself. 5 And indeed Onesimus him self does greatly commend your good order in God : That you all live according to the truth, and that no heresy dwells among yod. For neither do ye hearken to any ope more than- to Jesus Christ speaking to you in truth. 6- For some there are who 6 carry about the name of Christ 7 in deceitfulness, but do things unworthy of God ; whom ye must 8. flee:, as ye would do so many wild beasts. Forthey are raven ing dogs, who bite secretly : 9 Matt, xviii. 19. • Is already proud and has, &c. -' Judged, or sepa" rated. * 4 James, iv. 6. 5 And the. 6 Accustom themselves to carry. * In wicked deceit. 8 Avoid. ¦> Which can. 10 Without doubt ye live. l' Vid. Voss. Annot. in loc. Pearson. Vind. Ign. par. 2. p. 207, 208. la To ages. 13 As neither is faith the things of infidelity, nor infidelity the things of faith. 14 Known. 16 Passed- thither. 16 Upon. " Comp. Eph. ii. 20, 81, 22. 1 Pet. ii. 5. 18 The building of God the Father. '» By the engine ofthe cross, &c. 145 l against whom ye must guard yourselves, as fnen hardly to be cured. 7 There is one physician, both fleshly and spiritual; made and not made ; God incarnate ; true life in death ; both of Mary and of God ; first passible, then im passible ; even Jesus Christ our Lord. 8 Wherefore let no man de ceive you ; as indeed neither are ye deceived, being wholly the servants of God. For inasmuch as there, is no contention, nor strife among you, 9 to trouble you, 10 ye must needs live accord ing to God's will. " My soul be for yours ; and I myself the ex piatory offering for your church of Ephesus, so famous 12 through out the world. 9 They that are of the flesh cannot do the works of the spirit ; neither they that are of the spirit the works of the flesh. 13 As he that has faith cannot be an infi del ; nor he that is an infidel have faith. But even those things which ye do according to the flesh are spiritual ; forasmuch as ye do all things in Jesus Christ., 10 Nevertheless I have u heard of some who have 15 passed by you, having perverse doctrine ; whom ye did not suffer to sow 16 among you ; but stopped your ears, that ye might not receive those things that were sown by them : as " be ing t-1^ stones of the temple of the Father, prepared for la his build ing; and drawn up on high by the Cross of Christ, 19 as by an engine. 11 Using the Holy Ghost as the Efohorts • to prayer, EPHESIANS; against sin, rope : . your faith being your sup port; and your charity the way that leads unto God. - 12 Ye are therefore, with all your companions in the same 1 journey, full of God ; his spiri tual temples, 3 full of Christ, 3 full of holiness: adorned in all things with the commands of Christ. 13 In whom also I rejoice, that I have been thought worthy by 3 this present epistle to converse, and joy together with you ; that with respect to the other life, ye love nothing but God only. CHAP. III. 1 Exhorts them lo prayer ; to be unblam able. 5 To be careful of salvation ; 11 frequent in public devotion, 13 and to live in charity. P1AY also without ceasing for other men : for there is hope of repentance in them, that they may attain unto God, let them therefore at least be instructed by your works, if they will be no other way. 2 Be ye mild at their anger ; bumble at their boasting : to their blasphemies, return your prayers : tp their error, your * firmness in the faith: when they are cruel, be ye gentle; not endeavouring to imitate their ways. 3 (Let us be their brethren in all kindness and moderation, but let us be followers of the Lord : * for who was ever more unjustly used ? More destitute ? More despised ?) 4 That so no herb of the devil may be fonnd in you ; but ye may- remain in all holiness and sobriety 6 both of body and spirit, in Christ Jesus. 5 The last times 7 are come upon us : let us therefore be very reverent, and fear the long-suf- ferirtg of God, that it.be not to us unto condemnation. 6 For let us either fear, the wrath that is to come, or let us love the grace 8 that we at present enjoy: that9 by the one, or other,. of these we may be found in Christ Jesus, unto true life. 7 10 Besides him, let nothing M be worthy of you ; 12 for whom also I bear about these bonds, those spiritual jew Is, in which L would to God that I might arise through your prayers. 8 Of which I entreat you to make me always partaker, that I may be found in the lot of the christians of Ephesus, who haye always 13 agreed with the Apostles, 14 through the power of Jesus C hrist. 9 "H*. I -know both who I am, and to whom I write : I,, a person condemned; ye, such as have obtained , mercy : I, exposed . to danger; ye, confirmed .against danger. 10 Ye are the1 passage of those that are killed for God ; the com panions of Paul in the mysteries of the Gospel ; the holy, the 15 martyr, the deservedly most happy Paul : at whose feet may I be found, when I shall have at tained unto God;, who, 1C through out all his epistle makes mention of you in Christ Jesus. 11 Let it be your care there fore to come more fully together, to the praise and glory of God. For when ye meet fully together in the same place, the powers of •Pearson, ib. part 2. cap. 12. 2 Carriers. 3 TNiese things I write. 4 Be ye firm. s Who has been more, &c. 6 In Jesus Christ both bodily and -spiritually. i Cor. vii. 34. 7 Remain : or, for it remains. 8 Is present. 8 O/ne of the two, only that we may be found, &c. ,0 Without him. 'i Become you. is In. "Assented to. 14 In. 15 Witnessed of. '*¦ Vid. Coteler. io loc. Pears, Vind. Ign. par. 2. cap. 10. 146 ft) charity, and to EPHESIANS. love of the Gosptjt! by those things of which he is si lent. 22 There is nothing hid from God, but even our secrets are nigh untohim. 23 Let us therefore d6 all things, as becomes those who have 10 God dwelling in them; that we may be his temples, and he may be our God : as also he is, and will manifest himself before our faces, by those things " for which we justly love him. CHAP, IV. 1 To have a care for the Gospel. 9 Tlie virginity of Mary, the incarnation and the death of Christ, were hid from the Devil. 11 How the birth of Christ was revealed'. 16 Exhorts to unity. BE not deceived, my brethren : those that " corrupt families by adultery, shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 2 If therefore they who do this according to the flesh,' 13 have dif fered death ; how much more shall he die, who by his wicked dbctrine corrupts the faith' of God; 'for which Christ was crucified ? "'' 3 "He that is thus defildd; shall depart into unquenchable fireVand so also shall he that "hearkens to him. 4 For this cause did the Lord is suffer the ointment to be poured on his head; that he might breathe tbe breath of itrimortality unto his church. 5 Be not ye therefore anointed with the evil : savour of the' doc trine of. the prince of this world: let him not take you captive from the life that'is set before yog. 6 And why are we not all wise j seeing we have received the know- 1 Destruction. 2 Concord. 3 Of things in heaven, and of things on earth/ * Being iii unity. ' 5 Matt. xii. 33. 6 Sllall be seen, or made ma nifest; " 1 Speaking, not to be. s if he who says, does. 9 That 'lie may. !D Him.- ¦¦ *' Out of. 12 The corrupters of houses. 1 Cor. vi. 9, io. 1 Cor. xi 8i 14- Such a one being become defiled; ¦ » Hears him. the devil are deslroyed and his 1 mischief is dissolved by the 8 unity of your faith. 1'2 And indeed, nothing is bet ter than peace; by which all war both s spiritual and earthly is abo lished.' 13 Of all which nothing is hid from you, if ye have perfect faith and charity in Christ Jesus, which are the beginning and end of life. 14 Forthe beginning is faith; the end charity. And these two * joined together, are of God: but all other things which concern a holy life are the consequences of these. 15 No man professing a true faith, sinneth ; neither does he tyho has charity, hate any. .16 5 The tree is made manifest by';its fruit; so they who profess themselves to be christians 6 are known by what they do. 17 For.. Christianity is not the work of an outward profession ; but shews itself in the power of faith, if a man be found faithful unto the end; 18 It'is better for a man to hold his peace, and be ; than ' to say, he is a christian, and not to be. 19 It is good to teach ; ¦ * if what he says, he does likewise. -20 There is therefore one mas ter .who spake, and it was done ; and even those things which he did without speaking, are worthy of the Father. 21 Hie that possesses the word of Jesus, is. truly able to hear his very silence, that he may be per fect ; - 9 and; both do according- to what ) he speaks, and be known M 16 Receive ointment. 147 Psalm xxiii. 5, cxxxiii. 2. i,2 The incarnation, l;c. EPHESIANS. hid from the devil. ledge of God, which is Jesus Christ ? Why ' do we suffer our selves foolishly to perish ; s not considering the gift which the Lord has truly sent to us ? 7 3 Let my life be sacrificed for the doctrine of the cross ; which is indeed a scandal to the unbe lievers, but to us is salvation and life eternal. 8 * Where is the wise man ? Where is the disputer? Where is the boasting of those who are called wise ? 9 For our God Jesus Christ was according to the dispensation of God, s conceived in the womb of Mary, of tbe seed of David, * by the Holy Ghost : 7 he was born, and baptized, that through his passion he might purify water, to the washing away of* sin. 10 Now the virginity of Maty, and he who was born of her, was kept in secret from the prince of this world ; as was also the death of our Lord : three of the 8 mys teries the most spoken of through out .the world, yet done in 9 secret by God. 1 1 How then was our Saviour manifested to the world ? A Star shone in heaven beyond all tbe other stars, and its light was inex pressible, and its novelty struck terror into men's minds. All the rest of the stars, together with the sun and moon, were the chorus to this star : but that sent out its light exceedingly above them all. 12 And men 10 began to be troubled to think whence this 11 new star came so unlike to 13all the others. 13 Hence all the power of ma gic became dissolved ; and every bond of wickedness was I3 destroy ed; men's ignorance was taken away; and the old kingdom abo lished ; God himself " appearing in the form of a man, for the re newal of eternal life. 14 From thence began what God had prepared : from thence forth things were disturbed ; for asmuch as he designed to abolish death. 15 But if Jesus Christ shalt give me grace through your pray ers, and it be his will, I purpose in a second epistle which I will suddenly write unto you to mani fest to you more fully the dispen sation of which I have now begun to speak, unto tbe new man, which is Jesus Christ ; both in his faith, and charity ; in his suffer ing, and in his resurrection. 16 Especially if the Lord shall 16 make known unto me, that ye all by name come together in com mon in one faith, and in one Je sus Christ; who was of the race of David according to the flesh ; the Son of man, and Son of God ; 16 obeying your bishop and the presbytery with an intire " affec tion ; breaking one and the same bread, which is the medicine of immortality; our antidote that we should not die, but live for ever in Christ Jesus. 17 My soul be for yours, and theirs whom ye have sent, to the glory of God; even unto Smyrna, from whence also I write to you ; giving thanks unto the Lord, and loving Polycarp even as I do you. Remember me, as Jesus Christ does remember you. ' Are we. foolishly destroyed ? « Not knowing. . 3 See Dr. Smith's note in loc- 1 Cor. i. 18, _3, 24. * I Coj. i. 20. 6 Carried. 6 But by. 7, Wl.o was. 8 Masteries of noise. 9 Silence, or quietness. See Rom. .xvi. 25. w There was a disorder. n Novelty. '» Them. la Disappeared. i* Being made manifest. >* Reveal. 1S Tliat ye may obey. 17 Mind. 148 Exhorts to reverence MAGNESIANS, 18 Pray for the church which is in Syria, from whence I am carried bound to Rome ; being the least of all the faithful which are there, as I have been thought the bishop. worthy to be found to the glory of God. 19 Fare ye well in God the Father, and in Jesus Christ, our common Hope. Amen. •fl To the Ephesians. The EPISTLE of IGNATIUS to the MAGNESIANS. CHAP. I. 4 Mentions the arrival of Damas their bishop, and others, 6 whom he exhorts them to reverence, notwithstanding he was a young man. IGNATIUS who is also called Theophorus ; to the blessed 1 (church) 2 by the grace of God the Father in Jesus Christ our Sa viour : in whom I salute the church which is at Magnesia near the Maeander; and wish it all joy in God the Father and in Jesus Christ. 2 When I heard of your well- ordered love and charity 3 in God, being full of joy, I desired much to speak unto you in the faith of Jesus Christ. 3 For having 4 been thought worthy to obtain a most excellent name, s in the bonds which I car ry about, I 6 salute the churches ; wishing in them a union both of the body and spirit of Jesus Christ, our eternal life : as also of faith and charity, to which nothing is preferred : but especially of Jesus and the Father; in whom 7if we undergo all the injuries of the prince of this present world, and escape, we shall enjoy God. 4 Seeing then 1 have been judged worthy to see you, by Damas your 8 most excellent bi shop ; and by your very worthy presbyters, Bassus and Apollonius; and by my fellow-servant Sotio, the deacon ; 5 In whom 9 1 rejoice, foras much as he is subject unto his bishop as to the grace of God, and to the presbytery as to the- law of Jesus Christ; I0 1 determined to write unto you. 6 Wherefore it will become you also not " to use your bishop too familiarly upon the account of his youth;, but to yield all reverence to him according to the power of God the Father: as also I perceive that your holy presbyters do; not considering his 1J age, which in deed to appearance is young ; but as becomes those who are prudent in God, submitting to him, or rather not to him, but to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the bishop of us all. 7 It will therefore l3 behove you, 14 with all sincerity, to obey your bishop; in honour of him "whose pleasure it is that ye should do so. 8 Because he that does not do so, deceives not the bishop whom 1 Vid. Interp. Lat. Epist. Interpol. - In. 3 According to. 4 Been vouchsafed a name carrying a great deal of divinity in it. * See Bishop Pear- ton, Vind. Ign. par. ii. cap. 19. p. 146. 6 Sing, commend . 1 Undergoing, escaping. 8 Worthy of God. *> Whom may I enjoy. 10 Apud Vet. Lat. Interpr. Glorificato Deum Patrem D. nostri Jesu Christi. ' ' Vid. Voss. Annot. in loc. Pearson Praef. ad Vind. Ignat. >2 Seeming youthful state. » It it becoming. 14 Without any hypocrisy. ls Who willeth it. 149 Exhorts to .live MAGNESIANS. orderly and in unify. he sees, but ' affronts him that is invisible. a For whatsoever of this kind is done, it reflects not upon s man, hut upon God, who knows the secrets of our hearts. 9 It is therefore fitting, that we should not only be called chris tians, but be so. 10 As some call indeed their governor, bishop ; but yet do all things without him. 11' But I can never think that* such as these have a good con science, seeing they are not ga thered together 4 thoroughly ac cording to God's commandment. CHAP. II. 1 TW as all must die, S he exhorts them to live orderly, und in unity. SEEING, then all things have an end, there are these two 5 in differently set before us, death and life "• and every one shall depart unto his proper place. 2 For as there are two sorts of coins, the one of God, the other of the world ; and each of these has its proper 6 inscription en graven upon it ; so also is it here. 3 The unbelievers are of this world ; but the faithful, through charity, have the character of God the Father by Jesus Christ : by whom if we are not readily dis posed to die after the likeness of his passion, his life is not in us. 4 Forasmuch therefore as I haye in the persons before-mentioned, seen 7 all of you in faith and cha rity ; I exhort you that ye study to do all things in a 8 divine con cord : 5 Your bishop presiding in the place of God ; your presbyters in the place of the council of the Apostles; and your deacons most ? dear to me, 'being intrusted with the ministry of Jesus Christ; who; was the Father before all ages, and appeared in the I0 end to us. 6 Wherefore taking the same 11 holy course, ^ee that ye all re verence one another : and let no one look upon his neighbour after the flesh ; but do ye all mutually love each other in Jesus Christ. 7 Let there be nothing that may be able to make a division among you ; but be ye united to your •bishop, and those who preside over you, lo be your pattern and direction in the way to immor tality. 8 12 As therefore the Lord did nothing without the Father, being united to him ; neither by him* self nor yet by his Apostles; so neither do ye do any thing with out your bishop and presbyters : 9 Neither endeavour to let any thing appear rational to yourselves apart ; 10 But being come together into the same place, I3haive one common prayer ; one supplica tion ; one mind ; one hope; in charity, and in joy undefiled. 11 There is one Lord Jesus Christ, than whom nothing is better. Wherefore 14 come ye all together as unto one temple of God ; as to one ls altar, as to one Jesus Christ; who proceeded from one Father/and exists in one, aii3 is' returned to one. CHAP. III. 1 He cautions them against false opinions. 3 Especially /those of 16 Ebion and the Judaizing Christians. BE not deceived with " strange doctrines ; nor with old fa bles which are unprofitable. For , . Deludes. » Vid. Epist. Interp. ad loc. s Flesh. 4 Firmly. 5 To gether. 6 Character set. 7 Your whole multitude. 8 The concord of God. s-Sweet. i° Was made manifest. Heb. ix. 26. n Habit of God. >*> John, x.SD. xiv. 11,18. xvii. 21,22. *3 Eph. iv. 3, 4,5,6. * 4 Run. ''John, xvi. 28. 16 Pearson, Vind. Ign. par. 2. cap. 4. 17 Heterodox. 150 Cautions against MAGNESIANS. false opinion). if we still continue to live accord ing to the Jewish law, we do con fess ourselves not to have received grace. For even the most ' holy prophets lived according to Christ Jesus. 2 And for this cause were they persecuted, being inspired by his grace,, 2 to convince the unbe lievers and disobedient that there is one God who has manifested himself by Jesus Christ his Son ; who is his 'eternal word, not com ing forth from silence, who in all things pleased him that sent him. 3 Wherefore if they who were brought up in these ancient 4 laws came nevertheless to the newness of hope ; no longer observing sabbaths, but 4 keeping the Lord's day, in which also our life is sprung up by him, and through his death, 6 whom yet some deny : 4 (By which mystery we have r been brought to believe, and therefore wait that we may be found the disciples of Jesus Christ, our only master :) 5 How shall we be able to live •different from him; whose dis ciples the^ery prophets them selves being, did by the spirit expect him as their master. 6 9 And therefore he whom they justly waited for, being come, raised them up from the dead. r 7 Let us not then be insensible of his goodness ; for should he 10have dealt with us according to our works, we had not now had a being. 8 Wherefore being become his disciples, let us learn to live ac cording to the rules of Christi anity : for whosoever is called by any other name u besides this, he is not of God. ,9 Lay aside therefore the old and sour, and evil leaven; and be ye changed into the new leaven, which is Jesus Christ. 10 Be ye salted in him, lest any one among you should be cor rupted ; for by your Saviour ye shall be 12 judged. 11 It is absurd to name Jesus Christ, and to Judaize. Forthe christian religion did not 13 em brace the Jewish, but the Jewish the christian; that so every tongue that believed might be gathered together unto God. 12 These things, my beloved, I write unto you ; not that I know of any among you that ]4 lie under this errqr : but as 15 one of the least among you, I am desirous to forewarn you that ye fall not into the 16 snares of vain doctrine : 13 But that ye be fully in* structed in the birth, and suffer ing, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our hope ; which was ac complished in the time of the government of Pontius Pilate, and that most truly and " certainly ; and from which God forbid that any among you should be turned aside. CHAP. IV. 1 Commends their faith and piety : 7 ex horts them to persevere: 1 0 desires their prayers for himself and the church at Antioch. MAY" I therefore have joy of you in all things, if I shall be worthy of it. For though 1 am bound, yet am I not worthy to be compared to one of you that are at liberty. 2 I know that ye are not puffed up ; for ye have Jesus Christ 18 in your hearts. 3 And especially when I com- 1 Most divine. » Fully to satisfy. *> ,Jo~_n,i. 1. 4 Things. 'Or, living according to. 6 Or, which. 7 Received. s Without. 9 Matt. xxvii. 5,2. 10 Vid. Annot. Voss. in loc. should he have imitated our works Gr| 11 More than. 12 Convicted, overthrown. '3 Believe. u Have your selves so. ls Lesser than you. 10 Hooks. ' ? Firmly. 'a In yourselves 151 Commends subjection mend you, I know that ye are ashamed, as it is written, ' The just man condemneth himself. 4 Study therefore to be con firmed in the doctrine ofour Lord, and of his Apostles ; that so what soever ye do, ye may prosper both in body and spirit ; in faith and -charity; in the Son, and in the Father, and in the Holy Spirit ; jn the*' beginning, and in the end. 5 Together with your most worthy bishop, and the 2 well- wrought- spiritual crown of your presbytery ; and your deacons which are according to God. 6 Be subject to your bishop, and to one another, as Jesus Christ to the Father according to tbe flesh ; and the Apostles both to Christ, and to the Father, and to the Holy Ghost ; that so ye may ' be united both in body and spirit. 7 4 Knowing you to be full of God, I have the more briefly ex horted you. TRALLIANS. to bisliops, priests, 8 Be mindful of me in your prayers, that I may 5 attain unto God; and of the church that is in Syria, from 6 which I am not worthy to be called. 9 For 1 stand in need of your joint-prayers in God, and of your charity, that the church which isr in Syria may be thought worthy to be 7nourished by your church. 10 The Ephesians s from Smyr- , na salute you, from which place I write unto you ; (being present here to the glory of God, in like manner as you are,) who have in all things refreshed me ; , together with Polycarp the bishop of the Smyrnaeans. 1 1 The rest of the churches in the honour of Jesus Christ, salute you. 1 2 'Farewell, and be ye strength ened in the concord of God ; 10 en-. joying his inseparable spirit, which is Jesus Christ. •Jf To the Magnesians. The EPISTLE of IGNATIUS to the TRAI4_IANS. 1 Acknowledges the coming of their bi shop. 5 Commends them for their sub jection to their bishop, priests, and dea cons; and exhorts them to continue in it : 15 is afraid even of his over-great - desire to suffer, lest it should be preju dicial to him. IGNATIUS, who is also called Theophorus, to the holy church, which is at.Tralles in Asia; be loved of God, the Father of Jesus Christ ; elect and worthy of God ; having peace u through the flesh and blood, and passion of Jesus Christ our hope; in the resurrec- in the apostolical character; wish ing all joy and happiness unto it. 2 I have ls heard of your blame less and "constant disposition through patience, which "not only appears in your outward conver^ sation, but is naturally rooted and grounded in you. 3 In like manner as Polybius your bishop has declared unto me; who caine to me to Smyrna, by the will of God and Jesus Christ ; and so rejoiced together with me 16 in my bonds for Jesus Christ, that in effect I saw your whole 17 church in him. tion which is 12 by him: which also I salute in its fulness, continuing 1 Prov. xviii. 17. Sept. 2 Worthily complicated. 3 There may be a union both fleshly and spiritual. 4 Eph. iii. 19. 5 Find, enjoy. 6 Whence. ** Bedewed. Vid. Epist. Interpol, in loc, 8 Which came to Smyrna upon my account. 9 "Ep'owSj. io Possessing. u In.- ^12 Unto. 13 Known, 14 Inseparable mind. *5 Which you have not according to use, but according to possession. *8 Who am bound. '? Multitude. 152 and deacons. TRALLIANS. Desires to suffer. 4 Having therefore received the 1 testimony of your good will to wards me 2for God's sake, by him ; 3 1 seemed to find you, as also I knew that ye were the 4 fol lowers of God. 5 For s whereas ye are subject to your bishop as to Jesus Christ, ye appear to me. to live not after the manner of men, but according to Jesus Christ ; who died for us, that so believing in his death,- ye might 6 escape death. 6 It is therefore necessary, that as ye do, so without your bishop, you should do nothing: also be ye subject to your presbyters, as to the Apostles of Jesus Christ our hope ; in whom if we walk, we shall be found in him. 7 7 The deacons also, as being the ministers of the mysteries of Jesus Christ, must by all means please all. For they are not tbe "ministers of meat and drink, but of the church of God. Wherefore they must avoid all offences, as they would do fire. 8 -In like manner let all rever ence the deacons 9 as Jesus Christ ; and the bishop as the Father ; and the presbyters as the Sanhedrim of God, and college of the Apostles. 9 Without these there is no 10 church. Concerning all which I am persuaded that ye " think after tjftg very same manner : for I have received, and even now have with me the pattern of your love, in your bishop. 10 Whose very ,2look is in structive ; and whose mildness, "powerful: "whom I am per suaded, the very Atheists them selves cannot but reverence. 11 But because I have a love towards you, I will not write any more sharply unto you about this matter, though I very well might ; but now I have done so; lest being a condemned man, I should seem to prescribe to you as an Apostle. 12 I have u. great knowledge in God; but I 18 refrain myself, lest I should perish in my boasting. 13 For now I ought tbe more to fear ; and not hearken to those that would puff me up. 14 For they that speak to me, in my praise, chasten me. 15 For I indeed "desire to suf fer, but I cannot tell whether I am worthy so to do. 16 "And this desire, though to others it does not appear, yet to myself it is for that very reason the more violent. I have, there fore, need of 19 moderation ; by which the prince of this world is destroyed. 17 Am I not able to write to you of heavenly things ? — But I fear lest I should harm you, who- are yet but babes ih Christ : (ex cuse me this care ;) and lest per chance being not able to receive them, ye should be choaked with them. 18 For even I myself, although I am in bonds, yet am not there-' fore able to understand heavenly things : 19 As the f places ofthe angels, and the several companies of them, under their respective princes ; 1 Your benevolence. a According to God. '-Vid. Vossium in loe-. 4 Imitators. 5 When. 6 Flee from. 7 Vid. Vossium in loc. 8 Deacons. 9 As also the bishop like Jesus Christ the Son of the Father. Vossius in loc. vid. aliter Cotelerium. m A church is not called. "So do. 12 Habit of body, is great instruction. « Power. '* Vid. Vossium et Usserium in loc. 15 1 understand many things. • "> Measure. '''Love. " Vid. Annot. Vossii in loc. 19 Mildness. so Orders. 153 Warns against ieresy. TRALLIANS. Exhorts to humility, things visible and invisible ; but in these I am yet a learner. .20 For many things are want ing to us, that we come not' short of God. CHAP. II. 1 Warns them against heretics, 4 exhorts them to humility and unity, 10 briefly . .sets before them the true doctrine con cerning Christ. I EXHORT you therefore, or rather not I, but the love of Jesus Christ ; that ye use none but christian nourishment ; abstain ing from pasture which is of ano ther kind, I mean heresy. 2 ' For they that are heretics, confound together the doctrine of Jesus Christ with their own poi son ; 2 whilst they seem worthy of belief: 3 As men give a deadly potion mixed with sweet wine ; which he who is ignorant of, does with the treacherous pleasure sweetly drink in his own death. 4 Wherefore guard yourselves against such persons. And that you will do if you are not puffed up; butcontinue inseparable from Jesus Christ our God, and from ypur bishop, and from the com mands of the Apostles. 5 s He that is within the altar is pure : but he that is without, that is, that does any thing without the bishop, and presbyters, and dea cons, is not pure in his conscience. 6 Not that I know there is any thing of this nature among you ; but I fore-arm you, as being great ly beloved ' by me, foreseeing the snares of the devil. 7 Wherefore putting on meek ness, renew yourselves in faith, that is, the flesh of the Lord; and in charity, that is, the blood of Jesus Christ. 8 Let no man have •** any grudge against his neighbour. Give 00 occasion to the Gentiles ; lest by means of a few foolish men, the whole congregation of God be evil spoken of. 9 For wo to that man ? through whose vanity my name is blas phemed by any. 10 Stop your ears therefore, as often as any one shall speak 6 con trary to Jesus Christ,; who was of the race of David, of the Virgin Mary. 11 Who was truly born, and did eat and drink ; was truly per secuted under Pontius Pilate ; was truly crucified and dead ; both those in heaven and on earth, and under the earth 7 being spectators of it. 12 Who was also truly raised from the dead 8by his Father, after the same manner as 9 he will also raise up us who believe in him, by Christ Jesus ; without whom we have no true life. 13 But if as some who are Atheists, that is to say infidels, pretend, that he only seemed to suffer : (they themselves only seeming to exist) why then am I bound ? — Why do I desire to fight with beasts ? — Therefore do I die in vain : therefore I will not spe falsely against the Lord. 14 Flee therefore these evil 10 sprouts which bring forth dead ly fruit; of which if any one taste, he shall presently die. 15 For these are not the plants of the Father ; seeing if they were, they would appear to be the bran ches of the cross, and their fruit ' Vid. de hoc Ipeo conjecturas Vossii, Cotelerii, et Junii apud Usserium. Comp. Epist. Interpol, in loc. et Voss. Annot. in Epist. ad Phil. p. 281. 2 Being believed for their dignity. 3 Vid. Usserii Obs. Marg. Comp. Coteler. ib. ? Anything. *¦ Through whom in vanity, Isaiah, Hi. _5. ''Without. 'Seeing, or looking on. » His Father raising him. *> The Father. '*> Plants. 154 unity, and prayer ROMANS. for the Church.. would be incorruptible : by "which he invites you through his passion, who are members of him. t t 16 For the head cannot be with out its members, God having pro mised a union, that is, himself. CH\P. III. He again exhorts to unity: and desires their prayers for himself and for his church at Antioch. 1 SALUTE you from Smyrna, 1 together with the churches of God that are present with me ; who have refreshed me in all things, both in the flesh and in the spirit. 2 My bonds, which I carry about me for the sake of Christ, (beseeching him that I may attain unto God) exhort you, that you continue in - concord among your selves, and in prayer with one ano ther. 3 For it becomes every one of you, especially the presbyters, to refresh the bishop, to the honor of the Father, of Jesus Christ, and of the Apostles. 4 I beseech you, that you hearken to me in love ; that I may not 3 by those things which I write, rise up in witness against you. 5 Pray also for me ; who through the mercy of God stand in need of your. prayers, that I may be worthy of the portion which I am about to obtain, that I be not found a reprobate. 6 The love of those who are at Smyrna and Ephesus salute you. Remember in your prayers the church of Syria, from which I am not worthy to be called, being one of the least of 4 it. 7 Fare ye well in Jesus Christ ; being subject to your bishop as to the command of God ; and so likewise to the presbytery. 8 Love every one his brother with an 5 unfeigned heart. 6 My soul be your expiation, not rOoly now, but when I shall have attaint ed unto God : for I am yet under danger. , • 9 But the Father is faithful in Jesus Christ, to fulfil both mine and your petition ; in whom may ye be found unblamable. 5f To the Trallians. ¦ The EPISTLE, of IGNATIUS to the ROMANS. CHAP. I. 1 He testifies his desire to see, and his hopes 0 suffering for Christ, 5 which he earnestly entreats them not to prevent, 10 but to pray for him, that God would Strengthen him to the combat. IGNATIUS, 7 who is also called Theopborus, to the church which has obtained mercy 8 from tbe majesty of the Most Hjgh Father, and his only "begotten Son Jesus Christ; beloved, and illuminated '"through the will of him who willeth all things which are according to the love of Jesus Christ our " God ; which also pre sides in the 1! place ofthe region ' i. e. The delegates of the church. 2 The concord of you. 'Be a testimony among you, writing. * Them. b Undivided. "Vid. Annot. Vossii et Cptcler. in loc. ' Vid. Pearson. Vind. Ignat. par. 2. ch. xvi. p. 214. s In. 9 Omitted. Gr. io In. u God ; which also presides in the place ofthe region of the Romans, worthy of God ; most decent, mpst blessed, most praised, most worthy to obtain what it desires ; most pure, most charitable, called by the name of Christ and the Father ; Gr. ,** Type of the chorus, i. e. tbe church of the Romans. See Voss. Aunot. in loc. 155 Hopes to suffer ROMANS. of the Romans ; and which ' I salute in the name of Jesus Christ, (sas being) united both in flesh and spirit to all his commands, and 3 filled with the grace of God ; 4 (all joy) in Jesus Christ our God. 2 * Forasmuch, as I have at last • obtained through my prayers to God, to see your 7 faces, 8 which I much desired to do ; being bound in Christ Jesus, I hope ere long to salute you, if it shall be the will 9 of God to grant me to attain unto the end I long for. 3 For the beginning is well disposed, if I shall but have grace, without hindrance, to receive 10 what is appointed for me. 4 But I fear your love, lest it do me an injury. For it is easy for you to do what you please ; but it u will be hard for me to at tain unto God, if you spare me. 5 But 1 "would not that ye should please men, but God ; " whom also ye do please. For neither shall I ever hereafter have such an opportunity u of going unto God; nor, will you, if ye shall now be silent, ever be inti tuled to a better work. For if you shall be silent " in my behalf, I shall be made partaker of God. 6 But if you shall love my ,s body, I shall have my course again to run. Wherefore ye can not do me a greater kindness, than to suffer me to be sacrificed unto God, now that the altar is already prepared : for Christ's sake. 7 That " when ye shall be ga thered together in love, ye may 18 give thanks to the Father through Christ Jesus ; that he has vouch- • safed19 to bring a bishop of Syria unto you, being called from the east unto the west. 8 For it is good for me to set from the world, unto God ; that I may rise again unto him. 9 Ye have never envied any one ; ye have taught others. I would therefore that ye 50 should now do those things yourselves, which in your instructions you have sl prescribed to others. 10 Only pray for me, that God would give me both inward and outward strength, that 1 may not only say, but will ; nor he only called a christian, but be found one. 11 For if I shall be found a christian, I may then deservedly be called one: And be thought faithful, when I shall no longer appear to the world. 12 Nothing is "good, that is seen. 13 For even our God, Jesus Christ, now that he is in the Fa ther, does so much the more ap pear. 14 A christian is not a work of !s opinion ; but of greatness of mind, ("especially when he is hated by the world). __ , CHAP. II. Expresses his great desire and determino' tion to suffer martyrdom. lAlso. "(The Son ofthe Father; to those who are— Gr.) 3 Wholly filled. Gr. * (Being absolutely separated from any other colour ; much pure, or immaculate joy.) *¦ Gr. 6 Vid. Voss. Annot. in loc. 7 Worthy of God. 8 And have received even more than I asked, being bound. 9 Gr. 10 My lot. 11 Is. is I will not please you as men. Gr. 13 As. 14 Attaining unto. 16 From me. *« Flesh. " Being become a chorus. 18 Sing. 19That a bishop of Syria should be found. *» Thai those things also should be firm. »* Commanded. Vid. Annot. Usserii in loc. N. 26, 27. **« Nothing' that is seen is eternal : for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things that are not seen are eternal. Gr. ss Persuasion, or silence. Gr. *4 (Desunt, Gr.) 156 Earnestly desires ROMANS. 1 WRITE to the churches, and 1 signify to them all, that I am willing to 'die for God, unless you 'hinder me. 2 I beseech you that you ' shew not an unseasonable good will towards me. Suffer me to be food to the wild beasts ; by whom I shall attain unto God. 3 For I am the wheat of God ; and I shall be ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that I may be found the pure bread 4 of Christ. 4 Rather 5 encourage the beasts, that they may become my sepul chre ; and pnay. leave nothing of my body ; that being dead, I may not be troublesome to any. 5 Then shall J be truly the. dis ciple of Jesus Christ, when the world shall not see so much as my body. Pray therefore unto Christ for me, that by these instruments I may be made the sacrifice 6of God. 6 I do not, as Peter and Paul, command you. They were Apos tles, I a condemned man ; they were free, but I am even to this day a servant : 7 But if I shall suffer, I shall theh become the freeman of Jesus Christ,- and shall rise 7 free. And now, being in bonds, I learn, not to desire 8 any thing. 8 From Syria even unto Rome, I fight with beasts both by sea and land; both; night and day: being bound to ten leopards, that is to say, to such a band of sol diers ; who though treated with martyrdom. the all manner of kindness, are worse for it. 9 But I am the more instructed by their injuries ; • yet am I not therefore justified. 10 May I enjoy the wild beasts that are prepared for me ; which also I wish may 10 exercise all their fierceness upon me. 11 And whom for that end I Will "encourage, that they may be sure to devour me, and not serve me as they have done some, whom out of fear they have not touched. But, and if they will not do it wil lingly, I will provoke them to it. 12 Pardon me in this matter ; I know what is profitable for me. Now I begin to 12be a disciple : Nor 13 shall any thing move me, whe ther visible or invisible, that I may attain to Christ Jesus. 13 Let fire, and the cross; let the "companies of wild beasts; "let breakings of bones, and tear ing of members; let the 16 shat tering in pieces of the whole body, and all "the wicked torments of the devil come upon me ; only let 18 me enjoy Jesus Christ. 14 All the "ends of the world, and the kingdoms '*° of it, will pro fit me nothing: I would rather die 2' for Jesus Christ, than rule to the utmost ends of the earth. 22 Him I seek who died for us: him I desire, that rose again for us. This is the 23 gain that is laid up for me. 15 Pardon me, my brethren, ye shall not hinder me from living : 1 Vid. Usser. Annot. N. 31. ** Forbid me. * Be not. * Vid. Lat. Vet. Interpr. et Annot. Usser. N. 32. 5 Flatter. 6 Desunt. Gr. 7 Free in him. Gr. s Any worldly or vain things. Gr. 9 1 Car. iv. 4. ' l0 Vid. Voss. in loc. Usser. Annot. N. 4U. May be ready for me. Gr. "Usser. Annot. N. 48. '** Luke, xiv. 27. *¦*> Vid. Coteler. in loc. Rom. viii. 38, 39. 14 Force, or rage. 15 Let tearings, and rendings. Gr. I6 Vid. Usser. Annot. N. 56. 17 lb. N. 57. "8 That I may enjoy. .'» Gr. Pleasures. *° Of this age. 2,i Gr; unto. *2 For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul. Gr. Add. « Usury. - Gr. Vid. Voss. Correct, p. 301. 157 Further desiris ROMANS (' Nor seeing I desire to go to God, may you separate me from Him, for the sake of this world ; nor seduce me by any of the' 'desires of it). Suffer me to 3 enter into pure light : Where being come, I shall be indeed the 4 servant of s God. 16 ^ Permit me to imitate the passion of my God. If any one has him within himself, let him consider what I desire ; and let him have compassion on me, as knowing-6 how I am straightened. CHAP. III. Furl her expresses his desire to suffer. THE prince of this world would fain carry me away, and cor- Tupt my 7 resolution towards my God. Let none of you 8 there fore help 9 him : Rather do ye join with me, that is, with God. 2 Do not speak with Jesus Christ, and yet covet the wbrld. Let not any envy dwell with you : No not though I myself when I shall be come unto you, .should exhort you to it, yet do not ye hearken to me ; but rather believe what I now write to you. 3 For though I am alive at the writing this, yet my desire is to die. My love is crucified ; 10 (and the "fire that is within me does not- desire any, water : but being alive and ,s springing within me, says,) Come to the Father. 4 I take no pleasure in the. food to suffer. of corruption, nor in the pleasures of this life." 5 I desire the bread of God, 13 which is-the flesh of Jesus Christ, (14 of the seed of David ; and the drink that I long for) is his blood, which is incorruptible love.15 6 I have no desire to live any longer after the manner of men ; 16 neither shall I, if you consent. Be ye therefore willing, that ye yourselves also may be " pleasing to God. 1 18 exhort you 19 in a few* words ; I pray you believe me. 7 Jesus Christ will shew you that I speak truly. My mouth is without deceit, and the Father hath truly spoken 20by it. Pray therefore for me, that I may ac- , complish what I desire. 8 I have not written to you after the flesh, but according to the will of God. If I shall suffer, 21 ye have loved me : but if I shall be rejected, 22 ye have haled me. 9 Remember in your prayers the church of Syria, which now enjoys; God for its shepherd in stead of me : 23 Let Jesus Christ only 24 oversee it, and your cha rity. 10 But I am even ashamed to be reckoned as one of them : For neither am I worthy, , being, the least among them, and as one 25 born out of due season. But through mercy I have obtained to be somebody, if' I shall get unto God. 1 Nor desire that I should die, who seek to go to God, rejpice not in the world. Gr. 2 By matter. 3 Take : lay hold on. 4 Man. 5 Vid. Annot. Voss. in loc. 6 What things constrain me. 7 Mind : will. 8' Who Are. present. 9 Vid. Voss. Aunot. in loc. 10 (And there is not any fire within me that loves matter, but living and '. speaking water saying within me. Gr.) 11 Cotelerius aliter explicat. Annot. in loc. Usser. N. 79. ' •'< 14' Voss. "in lot. Contr; Coteler. q, v. " Theheavenly bread which is. Gr. ** (The Son of God made in these last times of. the seed of David and Abraham, and. the drink of God that I long for. Gr.) '¦* Gr. Adds, And perpetual life. 16 And that shall be. *7 Willed. "8 Vid. Annot. Voss. in loc. "9 By a short letter. 20 jn# 2, Ye have ,^||e(j it_ ss Viz. as unworthy to suffer, *s Vid. Vet. Interpr. Lat.. s-t Shall oversee it. 25 1 Cor. xv. S. 158 Commends their PHILADELPHIANS. 11 My spirit salutes you; and the charity of the Churches that have received me in the name of Jesus Christ; not as a passenger. For even they that were not near to me in the way, have gone be fore me to the next city to meet me. 12 These things I write to you from Smyrna, by the most worthy ofthe church of Ephesus. 13 There is now with me, to gether with many others, Crocus, most beloved of me. As for those which are ' come from Syria, and bishop. are gone before me to Rome, to the Glory of God, I suppose you are not ignorant of them. 14 Ye shall therefore signify to them that I draw near, for they are all worthy both of God and of you : Whom it is fit that you refresh in all things. 15 This have I written to you, the day before the ninth of the calends of September. 2 Be strong unto the end, in the patience "of Jesus Christ.s If To the Romans. The EPISTLE of IGNATIUS to the PHILADELPHIANS. CHAP. I. Commends their bishop, whom they had sent unto him, 5 warns them against divisions and schism. IGNATIUS, who is also called Theophorus, to the church of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, which is al Philadel phia in Asia; which has obtained mercy, being fixed in the concprd of God, and rejoicing 4 evermore in the passion of our Lord, and being fulfilled in all mercy through his resurrection : Which also I salute in the blood of Jesus Christ, f which is our eternal and unde filed joy ; especially if they are at unity with the bishop, and pres byters who are with him, and the deacons appointed ° according to the 7 mind of Jesus Christ ; whom he has settled according to his own will in all thinness by his Holy Spirit : 2 Which bishop I know ob tained 8 that great ministry among you, not of himself, neither by men, nor out of vain glory ; but 9 by the love of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ : , 3 Whose moderation 10 1- ad mire ; who by his silence is able to do more than n others with all their vain talk. For he is fitted to the commands, as the harp to its strings. 4 Wherefore my soul esteems his mind towards God most hap py, knowing it to be fruitful in all virtue, and perfect; full of con7 stancy, free from passion, Is and according to all the moderation, of the living God! 5 Wherefore as becomes the children both Of the light and of truth, flee divisions and false doc trines : but where your shepheyd is, there do ye, as sheep, ffellow after. 6 For there are pany wolves is who seem worthy of belief, that with a "false pleasure lead captive 1 Vid. Vet. Interpr. Lat. * That h, the xxiiid of August. 'Gr. 3 Amen. Giv- 4 Inseparably. 5 Vid. Vet. Interp. Lat. 6. In. 1 Will, order. * Ministry belonging to the public. 9 In. ,0 Has struck me with wonder. 11 Those that speak vain things. lsIn. *¦» Vid Vossii Annot. in loc. ,4 Evil. 159 Exhorts to PHILADELPHIANS. those that run in the course of God : but in your concord, they shall find no place. % : 7 Abstain therefore from those evil herbs which Jesus Christ does not dress; because such are not the plantation of the Father* Not that I have found any division among you, but rather all manner of * purity. S For as many as are of God, and of Jesus Christ, are also with their bishop. And as many as shall with repentance return into the unity of the church, even these shall also be the servants of God, that they may live accord ing to Jesus Christ. 9 Be not deceived, brethren: if- any one follows him that makes a schism in the church, he shall not inherit the kingdom of God. If any one walks after any other opinion, he agrees not with the passion of Christ. 10 Wherefore let it be your endeavour to partake all of the same holy eucharist. 1 1 For there is but one flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ ; and one cup in the unity of his blood ; one altar ; 12 As also there is one bishop, together with his presbytery, and the deacons my fellow-servants : that so whatsoever ye do, ye may do it according to the will of God. CHAP. II. Desires their prayers, and to be united, but not to Judaize. MY brethren, the love t have towards you makes me the 2 more large ; and having a great joy in you, I endeavour to secure you against danger: or rather not I, but Jesus Christ; in whom being bound I the more fear, as being yet only 3 on the way to suffering. 2 But your prayer to God shall make me perfect, that I may at tain to that portion, which by God's mercy is allotted to me ; fleeing to the Gospel as-to the flesh of Christ ; and to the Apos tles- as to the presbytery of the church. 3 Let us also love the prophets, for as much as they also have ' led us to the Gospel, and to hope in s Christ, and to expect him. 4 In whom also believing they were saved, in the unity of Jesus Christ ; being holy men, worthy to be loved, and had in won der; 5, Who have received testimony from Jesus Christ, and are num bered in the Gospel of our com mon hope. 6 But if any one shall preach 6 the Jewish law unto you, heark en not unto him : for it is better to receive the doctrine of Christ from one that has been circum cised, than Judaism from one that has not. . 7 But if either the one, or other, do not speak concerning Christ Jesus ; they seem to me to be but as monuments and sepulchres of the dead, upon which are written only the names of men. 8 Flee therefore the wicked arts and snares of the prince of this world ; lest at any time being oppressed by his 7 cunning, ye grow 8 cold in your charity. But come all together into the same place, with an undivided heart. 9 And I bless my God that I have a good conscience towards you, and that no one among you has whereof to boast either openly or privately, that I have been bur- i Cleanness made by sifting. s Very much poured out. _ 3 Vid. Voss. in loc. Imperfect.- * Or preached of the Gospel; and hoped in him, ahd ex pected him. * Vid. Voss. in loc. 6 Judaism. ' Opinion : council. 8 Weak. 160 xhorts to PHILADELPHIANS. union. thensome to him in much or little. 10 And I wish to all among whom I have conversed, that it may not turn to a witness against them. II For although some would have deceived me according to the flesh; yet the spirit, being from God, is not deceived : for it knows both whence it comes, and' whi ther it goes, and reproves the se crets of the heart. 12 I cried whilst I was among you ; I spake with a loud voice ; attend to the bishop, and to the presbytery, and to the deacons. 13 Now some supposed that I spake this as foreseeing the divi sion ' that should come among you. 14 But he is my witness for whose sake I am in bonds that I knew nothing from any * man^ But the spirit spake, saying on this wise; Do nothing without the bishop : . 15 Keep your 9 bodies as the temples of God : Love unity : Flee divisions: Be the followers of Christ, as he was of his Father. 16 I therefore did as became me, as a man composed to unity. For where there is division and wrath, God dwelleth not. ' 17 But the Lord forgives all that repent, if they s return to the unity of God, and to the council of the bishop. 18 For I trust in the grace of Jesus Christ 4 that he will free you from every bond. 19 Nevertheless I exhort you that you do nothing out of strife, but according to the instruction of Christ. 20 Because I have heard of some who say ; Unless I find it written in the * originals, I will not believe it' to be written in the Gospel. And when I said, It is written : they answered1 what lay before them in their corrupted copies. 21 But to me Jesus Christ is instead of all the uncorrupted monuments in the world : toge ther with those 6 undefiled monu ments, his cross, and death, and resurrection, and the faith, which is by him : by which I desire, through your prayers, to be justi fied. 22 «f[ The priests indeed are good : but much better is the High Priest to whom the Holy of Holie* has been committed ; and who alone has been entrusted with the secrets of God. • 23 He is the door ofthe Father; by which Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all tbe prophets enter in ; as well as the Apostles and the church. 24 And all these things tend to the unity which is of God. How beit the Gospel has somewhat in it far above all other dispensations ; namely, the appearance of our Saviour, the Lord JeSus Christ,- his passion and resurrection. 25 For the beloved prophets- referred to him : but the Gospel- is the perfection of incorruption. All therefore together are good, if ye believe with charity. CHAP. III. Informs them he had heard that the perse cution was stopped at Antioch ; and di rects them to send a messenger thither, to congratulate with the church. NOW as concerning the church of Antioch which is in Syria, seeing I am told that through your prayers, and (he bowels which ye have towards it in Jesus Christ, it is in peace ; it .will be come you, as the church of God, 1 Of some. ** Flesh. Vid. Voss. Annot. in loc. 161 » Repent. * Who will loose from ydu. 6 Untouched. M- s Archives. On the person SMYRN^ANS. of Christ to ordain some * deacon to go to them thither as the ambassador of God; that he may rejoice with them when they meet together, and glorify God's name. 2 Blessed be that man in Jesus Christ, who shall be found worthy of such. a ministry ; and ye your selves also shall be glorified. 3 Now if ye be willing, it is not impossible for you to do this for the sake of God ; as also the other neighbouring churches have sent them, some bishops, some priests and deacons. 4 As concerning Philo the dea con of Cilicia, a most worthy 2 man, he still ministers unto me in the word of God; together with Rheus 3 of Agathopolis, a sin gular good person, who has fol lowed me even from Syria, not •regarding his life : These also.bear witness unto you. 5 And, I myself give thanks to God for you, that ye receive them as the Lord shall receive you. But for those that dishonoured them, may they be forgiven through the grace of Jesus Christ. 6 The charity of the brethren that are at Troas salutes you : from whence also I now write by Burrhus, who was sent together with me by those of Ephesus and Smyrna, for respect sake. 7. May our Lord Jesus Christ honour them ; in whom they hope, both in flesh, and soul, and spirit ; in faith, in love, in unity. Fare well in Christ Jesus our common hope. The EPISTLE of IGNATIUS to the SMYRN^IANS. CHAP. I. 1 Declares his joy for their firmness in the Gospel. ,4 Enlarges on the person qf Christ, against such as pretend that Christ did not really suffer. IGNATIUS* who is also called Theophorus, to the church of God the Father, and of the belov ed Jesus Christ ; which God hath mercifully * blessed with every good gift ; being filled with faith and charity, so that it is wanting in no gift ; most worthy of God, and fruitful in saints; the church which is at Smyrna in Asia; all joy, through his immaculate spi rit, and the word of God. 2 I glorify God, even Jesus Christ, who- has given you such wisdom. 3 For I have observed that you are settled in an immoveable faith, as if you were nailed to the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, both in the flesh and in the spirit ; and are confirmed in love through the blood of Christ ; being fully per suaded of those things which re late 5 unto our Lord. 4 Who truly was of the race of David according to the flesh, but the Son of God according to the will and power of God: 'truly born of the Virgin, and baptized of John; that, so e all righteous ness might be fulfilled by him. «5 He was also truly crucified by Pontius Pilate, and Herod the Tetrarch, being nailed for us in the flesh ; by the fruits of which we 1 Messenger or minister. a Vossius, a martyr or confessor. Vid. Annot. in loc. 3 Vid. Vossius Annot;. in Ep, ad Smyrn. p. 261. Seechap.iii.ver.il. ¦¦ Comp. 1 Cor. i. 6. 7. * Uuto the Lord. b Matt. iii. IS. 162 Exhorts against SMYRNjEANS. heretics. are, even by his most blessed pas sion ; 6 That he might set 'up a token for all ages through his re» surrection, to all his holy and faith ful servants, whether they be Jews or Gentiles, in one body of his church. 7 Now all these things he suf fered for us, that we might be saved. And he suffered truly, as he also truly raised up himself: And not, as some unbelievers say, that he only seemed to suffer, they themselves only seeming to be:2 8 And as they believe so shall it happen unto them ; when being divested of the body they shall become 3 mere spirits. 9 But I know that even after his resurrection he was in the flesh ; and I believe that he is st;il so. 10 And when he came to those who were with Peter, * he said unto them, Take, handle me, and see that I am not an incorporeal daemon. And straightway they felt him and believed ; being con vinced both by his flesh and spi rit. 1 1 For this cause they despised death, and were found to be above sit. 12 But after his resurrection he did eat and drink with them, as he was flesh ; although as to his Spirit he was united to the Father. CHAP. II. , 1 Exhorts them against heretics. 8 The danger of their doctrine. NOW these things, beloved, I 6 put you in mind of, not questioning but that you your selves also 7 believe that they are so. 2 But I arm you before-hand 1 Vid.. Voss. Annot. in loc. 2 i. e. Christians. 3 Incorporeal and dsemoniac. * Ex. Evang. Sec. Hebr. See Dr. Grabe Spicileg. tom. ii. p; 25. * Death. * Admonish. i Have so. 8 Had true flesh. 163 m 2 against certain beasts in the shape of men ; whom you must not only not receive, but if it be possible must not meet with. 3 Only you must pray for them, that if it be the will of God they may repent ; which yet will be very hard. But of this our Lord Jesus Christ has the power, who is our true life. 4 For if all these things were done only in shew by our Lord, then do I also seem only to be bound : 5- And why have I given up; myself to death, to the fire, to the sword, to wild beasts ? 6 But now the nearer I am to' the sword, the nearer am I to God : when I shall come among the wild beastsj I shall come to God. 7 Only in the name of Jesus Christ, I undergo all, to suffer together with him ; he who was made a perfect man strengthen ing me. 8 Whom some, not knowing, do deny ; or rather have been denied by him, being the advo cates of death, rather than of the truth. Whom neither the pro phecies, nor the law of Moses have persuaded ; nor the Gospel itself even to this day, nor the sufferings of every one of us. 9 For they think also the same things of us. For what does a man profit me, if' he shall praise me, and blaspheme my Lord ; not confessing that he 8 was truly made man ? 10 Now he that doth not say ' this, .does in effect deny him, and is in death. But for the names of such as do this, they being unbe lievers, I thought it not fitting to write them unto you. Danger of heresy. SMYRNJE.ANS. On duty 11 Yea, God forbid that I should, ipnake any mention of them, till they shaU repent to a true be lief of Christ's passion, which is, our resurrection. 12 Let no man deceive him self; both the things which are in heaven, apd. the glorious angels,, and princes, whether visible 0,r invisible, if they believe not in the blood of Chrjst, ¦ it shall be lo them to condemnation. 13 2 He that is able' to Receive this, let' him receive it. Let no maji's's place or state in the wojld puff him up : that which is worth all is faith and charity, to which nothing is to be preferred. 14 But consider those who are of a different opinion from us, as to wljat concerns the grace of Jesus Christ which is come unto u^, how contrary they are tp the design of God, 15 They have no regard *tp charity, no care, of the widow, the fatherless, and the oppressed ;. of the bond or free, of the hun gry or thirsty. 16 They abstain from the eu charist, and from 4 the public . offices ; because they confess not. the eucharist to be the flesh of our Saviour Jesus Christ; which suffered for our sins, and which the Father of his goodness raised again from the dead- 17 And for this cause contra dicting the gift of God, they die in their disputes : 5 but much better, would it be for them to 6 receive it, that, they might one day rise through it. 18 It will therefore become you to abstain from such persons ; and not to speak with them neither in private nor in public. 19 But to hearken to the pro- i It is. * Matt. xix. 12. Coteler. in loc. Or, Prayers. 5 Vid. Coteler. Annot. ".Love. 7 Multitude. n Make a love-feast. » Return to a sound mind. ,0 Does worship 164 phets, and especially to the. Gos pel, in which both Christ's passion, is manifested unto us, and his re surrection perfectly declared. 20 But flee all divisions, as the beginning of evils. CHAP. Ill 1 Exhorts them jo follow their bishop and pustors ; but especially their bishop. 6 Thanks them for their kindnesses, 11 and acquaints them with the ceasing of tlie persecution at, Antioch. SEE that ye all follow your bishop, as Jesus Christ, the Father: and the presbytery, as !the Apostles. And reverence the deacons, as the command of God. 2 Let no man do any thing of what belongs to the church sepa rately from the bishop. 3 Let that eucharist be looked upon as well- established, which is either offered by the bishop, or by him to whom the bishop has given his consent. 4 Wheresoever the bishop shall appear, there let the * people also be : as where Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic church. 5 It is not lawful without the bishop, neither to baptize, nor 8 to celebrate the Holy Commu nion : but whatsoever be shall ap prove of, that is also pleasing unto God ; that so whatever is done, may be sure and well done. 6 For what remains, it is very reasonable that we should 'repent whilst there is yet time to return unto God. 7 It is a good thing to have a due. regard both to( God, and to the bishop : he- that honours the bishop, shall be honoured of God. But he that does any thing with out his knowledge, 10 ministers unto the devil. 8 Let all things therefore abound 3 Vid, Epist. Interpol. 4 Vid. Annot. "o Me bishop SMYRN^ANS. and pastor f. lo you in charity ; seeihg yfe are worthy. 9 Ye havfe refreshed me in all things ; so shall Jesus Christ you. Ye have loved me both when I was present with you, and now being absent, ye cease not to do so. 10 May God be your reward, for whom whilst ye undergo all things, ye shall attain unto him. 1 1 Ye have done well in that ye have received Philo, and Rheus 1 Agathopus, who followed me 3 for the word of God, as the dea cons of Christ our God. 12 Who also give thanks unto the Lord for you, forasmuch as ye have refreshed them in- all 3 things. *Nor shall any thing that you have done, be lost to you. 13 My s soul be for yours, and my bonds which ye have not de spised, nor been ashamed of. Wherefore neither shall Jesus Christ, our perfect faith, be asham ed of you. 14 Your prayer is come lo the church of Antioch which is in Syria. From whence being sent bound with chains becoming God, I salute the ' churches; being not worthy to be called 'from thence as being the least among them. 15 Nevertheless by the will of God I have been thought worthy of this honour ; not for that I think I have deserved it, but by the grace of God : 16 Which I wish may be per fectly given unto me, that through your prayers I may attain unto God. 17 And therefore that your work may be fully accomplished both upon earth and in heaven ; it will be fitting, and for the ho nour of God, 8that your church appoint some worthy delegate, who being come as far as Syria, may rejoice together with Ihem that they are in peace ; and ihat they arfe again restored to their former 9 state, and have again re ceived their proper bbdy. 18 Wherefore I should think it a worthy action, to send some one from you with an epistle, to con gratulate with them, their, peace in God ; and that through your prayers, they have now gotten to their harbor. 19 For in as much as ye are perfect yourselves, you ought to think those things thatt are per fect. For when you are desirous to do Well, God is ready to "ena ble you thereunto. 20 The love of the brethren that are at Troas salute you j from whence I write to you by Burrhus whom ye sent with me, together with the Ephesians your brethren ; and who has in all things refreshed me. 21 And I would to God that all would imitate him, as being a pattern of the ministry of God. May his Grace fully reward him. 22 I salute your very worthy bishop, and your venerable pres bytery ; and your deacons', my fellow-servants ; and all of you in general, and every one in parti cular, in the name of Jesus Christ, and in his flesh and blood ; in his passion and resurrection both fleshly and spiritually ; and in 11 the unity of God 12 with you. 23 Grace be with you, and mercy, and peace, and patience, for evermore. 24 I salute the families of my brethren, with their wWes aiid .' Vid. Voss. Annot. in loc. 2 Unto. 3 Ways. * Vid. Epist. Interpol. J Spirit. s All the. 7 i.e. The bishop of that church. 8Vid..VoSs. Auhot. in loc. 9 Bulk .- greatness. >° Help you, ' i Vid. Voss. Annot. iu loc. 12 And. ' 165 *» Ignatius exhorts POLYCARP. Polycarp children.; and the i virgins that are called widows. Be strong in the power of the Holy Ghost. Philo, who is present with me, salutes you. 25 I salute the house of Tavias, and pray that it may be strength ened in faith and charity, both of flesh and spirit. 26 I salute Alee my well-be loved, 2 together with the incom parable Daphnus, and Eutechnus, and all by name. ' 27 Farewel in the grace of God. *][ To the Smyrnctans from Troas. The EPISTLE of IGNATIUS to POLYCARP. CHAP. I. Blesses God for the firm establishment of Polycarp in the faith, and gives him , particular directions for improving it. . IGNATIUS, who is also called Theophorus, to Polycarp,- bi shop of the church 3 which is at Smyrna, their overseer, but rather himself overlooked by God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ ; all happiness. , 2 Having known that thy mind towards God is fixed as it were upon an immoveable rock ; I ex ceedingly give thanks, that I have been thought worthy to behold thy 4 blessed face, in which may I always rejoice in God. 3 Wherefore- 1 beseech thee by the Grace of God with which thou art cloathed, to press forward in thy course, and to exhort all others that they may be saved. 4 Maintain thy place with all care. 5 both of flesh and spirit : Make it thy endeavour to preserve unity, than which nothing is bet ter. Bear with all men, even as the. Lord with thee. 5 Support all in love, as also thou dost. 6 Pray without ceas ing: ask more understanding than 1 i. e. The deaconesses. See for the reason ofthis name, Voss. Annot. in loc. Add. Coteler. ib. a See Voss. Annot. ex Epist. Interpol. 3 Of the Smyr- niEans. * Innocent. ' b Vid. 1 Cor. vii. 34. ' 6 Be at leisure lo, &c. ' Vid. Voss. in loc. aliter Vet. Lat. Interpr; 8 Thediseases; . Is much. *¦*> Superfusions. " Matt. x. 16 166 what thou already hast. Be watch ful, havingthy spirit alwaysawake. 6 Speak to every one 7 accord ing as God shall enablie thee. Bear the 8 infirmities of all, as a perfect combatant : where the la bour is great, the gain 9 is the more. 7 If thou shalt love the good disciples, what thank is it ? But rather do thou subject to thee those that .are mischievous, in meekness. 8 Every wound is not healed with the same pjaister ; if the accessions of the disease be vehe ment, mollify them with 10 soft re medies : be in all things, " wise as a serpent,, but harmless as a dove. 9 For this cause thou art com posed of flesh and spirit ; that thou mayest mollify those things that appear before thy-face. 10 And as for those that are not seen, pray to God that he would reveal them unto thee, that so thou mayest be wanting in nothing, but mayest abound in every gift. 11 The limes demahdethee, as the pilots the winds ; and he that to improve POLYCARP. his faith. is tossed in a tempest, the haven where he would be ; that thou mayest attain unto God. 12 Be sober, as the combatant of God : * the crown proposed to thee is immortality, and eternal life ; concerning which thou art also fully persuaded. I will be thy surety in all things, and my bonds, which thou hast loved. 13 Let no„t those that seem worthy of credit, but teach other doctrines, 2 disturb thee. Stand firm and immoveable* as an anvil when it is beaten upon. 14 It is the part of a brave combatant, to be s wounded, and yet overcome. But especially we ought to endure all things for God's sake, that he may bear with us. 15 Be every day 4 better than other: consider the times; and expect him, who is above all time, eternal, Invisible, though for our sakes made visible : impalpable, and impassible, yet for us sub jected to sufferings ; enduring all manner of ways for our salvation. CHAP. II. 1 Continues his advice, 6 and leaches him how to advise others. 12 Inforces unity and subjection to the bishop. LET not the widows be neg lected : be thou after God, their guardian. ', 2 Let nothing be done without thy knowledge and consent : nei ther do thou any thing but accord ing to the will of God ; as also thou dost, 5 with all constancy. 3 Let your assemblies be more full : inquire into all by name. 4 Overlook not the men and maid Servants ; neither let them be pulled up ; but rather let them be the mpre subject to the glory of God, that they may obtain from him a better liberty. 5 Let them not desire to 6 be set free at the public cost, that they be not slaves to their own lusts. 6 Flee evil 7 arts : or rather, make not any mention of them. 7 Say to my sisters, that they love the Lord; and be satisfied with their own husbands, both in the flesh and spirit. 8 In like manner, exhort my brethren in the name of Jesus Christ, that they love their wives, even as the Lord the church. 9 If any man can remain in a virgin state, 8 to the honour of the flesh Christ, let him remain, without boasting: but if he boast, he is undone. And if he desire to be more taken notice of than the bishop, he is corrupted. 10 But it becomes all such as are married, whether men or wo men, to come together with the consent of the bishop, that so their marriage may be according to godliness, and not in lust. 1 1 Let all things be done to the honour of God. 12 9 Hearken unto the bishop, that God also may hearken unto you. My soul be security for them that submit to their bishop, with their presbyters and deacons. And may my portion be together with theirs in God.. 13 Labour with one another ; contend together, run together, suffer together ; sleep together, and rise together ; as the stewards, and assessors, and ministers of God. 14 Please him under whom ye • ' Vid. Voss. Annot. in loc. Collat. cum Coteler. ib. 2 Amaze thee. 3 Beaten. 4 More studious, diligent. 5 Being well settled. 6 Vid. Annot. Coteler. in loc. 7 Or, trades. 8 Vid. Annot. Vossii et Coteler. in loc. *> Observe, from the foregoing verses, that Ignatius here speaks not to Polycarp, but through him to the Church of Smyrna. 167 Desires to greet POLYCARP. the churches. war ; and from whom ye receive your wages. Let none of you be found a deserter ; but let your baptism remain, as your arms ; your faith, as your helmet ; your .charity, as your spear ; your pa- .tience, as your whole armour. 15 Let your works be your 1 charge, that so you may receive a suitable reward. Be long suf fering therefore towards each other in meekness; as God is to wards you. 16 Let me have joy of you in all things. CHAP. III. 1 Greets Polycarp on the peace ofthe church at Antioch : 2 and desires him to write to that and other churches. NOW forasmuch as the church of Antioch in Syria is, 2 as I am told, in peace through your prayers ; I also have been the more comforted 3and without care in God ; if so be that by suffering, I shall attain unto God; that through your prayers I may be found a disciple of Christ. 2 It will be very fit, O most worthy Polycarp, to call a 4 select council, and chuse some one whom ye partifcularly love, and who is patient of labour ; that he may be the messenger of God : and that going unto Syria, he may glorify your incessant love, to the praise of Christ. 3 A christian has not the power of himself; but must be always at leisure for God's service. Now this work is both God's and your's ; when ye shall have per fected it. 4 For I trust through the. grace of God that ye are ready to every good work that is fitting for you in the Lord. 5 Knowing therefore your earn est affection to the truth, I have exhorted you by 5 these short letters. 6 But forasmuch as I have not heen able to write to all the churches, because I must sud denly sail from Troas to Neapolis; (for so is the command of those to whose pleasure I am subject;) do you write to the churches that are near you, as being instructed in the will of God, that they also may do in like manner. 7 Let those that are able send 6 messengers ; and let the rest send' their letters by those who, shall be sent by you : that you may be glorified ' to all eternity, of which you are worthy. 8 I salute all byname; parti cularly the wife of Epitropus, with all her house and children. I salute Attalus my well-beloved. 9 I salute him, who shall be thought worthy to be sent by you into Syria. Let grace be ever with him, 8 and with Polycarp who sends him'. 10 I wish you all happiness in our God, Jesus Christ; in whom continue, in the unity and protec tion of God. II I salute Alee my well-be loved. Farewell in tbe Lord. «*]* To Polycarp. 1 That which is committed to your custody, to keep secure. *• It has been manifested unto me. 3 In the security of God. 4 Most becoming God. '¦> Viz. To the Sniyrnaeans, and this to himself. See Pearson in loc. 6 Footmen. i Vid. Voss. in loc. In the Eternal work. 8 Ex. VeU Interpr. Vid. Voss. Annot- 168 The EPISTLE of POLYCARP to the PHILIPPIANS. [The genuineness of this Epistle is controverted, but implicitly believed by Arch bishop Wake, whose translation is below. There is alto a translation by Dr. Cave, attached to his life of Polycarp.] Lord with fear, and in truth : lay ing aside all empty and vain speech, and the error of many ; 8 believing in him that raised up our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, and hath given him glory and a throne at his right-hand. 7 To whom all things are made subject, 9 both that are in heaven, and that are in earth; whom every w living creature shall worship ; who shall come to be the judge of the quick . and dead : whose blood God shall require of them that believe not in him. 8 But he that raised up " Christ from the dead, shall also raise up us in like manner, if we do his will, and walk 12 according to his commandments; and love those things which he loved : 9 Abstaining from all 13 un righteousness ; ' 4 inordinate affec tion, and love of money ; from evil-speaking ; false-witness ; not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing, or striking for strik ing, or cursing for cursing. 10 But remembering what the Lord has ,3 taught us saying, Judge not, and ye shall not be judged; forgive and ye shall be forgiven ; be ye merciful, and ye shall obtain mercy ; for with the same measure that ye mete withal, it shall be measured to you again. 11 And again, that "blessed are the poor, and they that are persecuted for righteousness sake; for theirs is the kingdom of God. 1 Sojonrncth. 2 Firm root remains in you. ' Acts, ii. 24. 4 1 Pet. i. 8. 5Eph.ii. 8. 6 1 Pet. i. 13. i Psalm ii. 11. 8 1 Pet. i. Cl. » Pliil. ii. 10. »> Breath. n Him. *« In. "Injustice. 14 Eph. iv. 19. Coloss. iii. 5. 1 Pet. iii. 9. ' 5 Said to us, Teaching. Luke. vi. 37. Matt. vii. 1. "" Matt. v. 3, 10. Luke, vi. 20. 169 CHAP. I. Commends the Philippians for their respect to those who suffered for tlie Gospel; and for their own faith. POLYCARP, and the presby ters that are with him, to the church of God which ' is at Phi lippi; mercy unto you, and peace, from God Almighty; and the Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour, be multiplied. 2 I rejoiced greatly with you in our Lord Jesus Christy that ye re ceived the images of a true love, and accompanied, as it behoved you, those who were in bonds, becoming saints ; which are the crowns of such as are truly chosen by God and our Lord : 3 As also that the - root of the faith which was preached from antient times, remains firm in you to this day ; and brings forth fruit to our Lord Jesus Christ, who suf fered himself to be brought even to the death for our sins. 4 3 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death. 4 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. 5 Into which many desire to enter; 'knowing that by grace ye are saved ; not by works, but by the will of God, through Jesus Christ. 6 6 Wherefore girding up the loins of your minds ; ' serve the Exhorts to PHILIPPIANS. social and other CHAP. II. 1 Exhorts lo Faith, Hope, and Charity. - 5 Against covetousness, and as to the duties qf husbands, tcives, widows, 9 deacons, young men, virgins, and pres byters. THESE things, my brethren, I took not the liberty of my self lo write "unto you concerning righteousness, but you yourselves before encouraged me to it. 2 For neither can I, nor any other such as I am, come up to the wisdom of the blessed and re nowned Paul ; who being himself in person with those who then, lived, did with all exactness and soundness teach the word ' of truth ; and being gone from you wrote an 2 epistle to you. 3 Into which if you look, you will be able to edify yourselves in the faith that has been delivered unto you ; which is the mdther of us all; being followed with hope, and led on by a general love, both towards God and towards Christ, and towards our neighbour. 4 For if any man 3 has these things, he has fulfilled the law of righteousness : for he that has charity is far from all sin. 5 But the love of money is the 4 root of all evil. • Knowing there fore that as we brought nothing into this world, so' neither may we carry any thing out ; let us sarm ourselves with the armour of righteousness. 6 And teach ourselves first to walk according to the command ments of the Lord ; and then your wives to walk likewise 6 according to the faith that is given to them ; in 7 charily, and in purity ; loving their own husbands with all 8 sin cerity, and all others alike with all temperance*; and to bring' up their children in the instruction 9 and fear of the Lord. 7 The widows likewise teach that they be sober as to what con cerns the faith ofthe Lord : pray.- ing always for all men ; being far from all detraction, evil speaking, false witness; from covetousness, and from all evil. 8 Knowing that they are the altars of God, ,0 who sees all ble mishes, and from whom nothing is hid ; who searches out tbe very reasonings, and thoughts, and se crets, of our hearts. 9 «(j Knowing therefore that God is not mocked, we ought to walk worthy both of his command and of his glory. 10 Also the deacons must be blameless before n him, as the ministers of God in Christ, and not of men. Not false accusers ; not double-tongued ; not lovers of money ; but la moderate in all things; compassionate, careful; walking according to the truth of the Lord, who was the servant of all. 11 Whom if we please in this present world, we shall also be made partakers of that which is to come, according as he has pro mised to us, that he will raise us from the dead; and that if we shall walk worthy of him, we shall also reign together with him, if we believe. 12 In like manner the younger men must be unblamable in all things : abovt: all, taking care of their purity, and to restrain them selves from all evil. For it is good to be cut off from the lusts that are * rsrspi ir.n0.i_-?, concerning Truth, * Epistles. Vid. Annot. Coteler. hi loc. 5. Be within. * Beginning of all troubles, or difficulties, ya^wmv. I'Tim. vi. 7. 5 He armed. e In. that he. ' ' His righteousness. 170 1 Love. 8 Truth. '*¦ Continent. s Of the. 10 And Christian duties. PHILIPPIANS. On faith. in the world ; because every such 1 lust warreth against the spirit : 2 and neither fornicators, nor ef feminate, nor abusers of them selves with mankind, shall inherit the kingdom of God ; nor they who do such things as are foolish and unreasonable. 13 Wherefore ye must needs abstain from all these things ; be ing subject to the s priests and deacons, as unto God and Christ. 14 The virgins admonish to walk in a spotless and pure con science. 15 And let the 4 elders.be com passionate and merciful towards all ; 5 turning them from their errors ; seeking out those that are weak; not forgetting the widows,- the fatherless, and the poor ; but always 6 providing what is good both in the sight of God and man. 16 Abstaining from all wrath, respect of persons, and unrigh teous judgment : and especially being free from all covetousness. 17 Not 7easy to believe any thing»against any ; not severe in judgment ; knowing that we are all debtors- in point of sin. 18 If therefore we pray to the Lord that he would forgive us, we ought also to forgive others : for we are all in the sight of our Lord and God ; 8 and must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ ; and shall every one give an account 9 of himself. 19 Let us therefore serve, him in fear, and with all reverence as both himself hath commanded ; and as the Apostles who have preached the Gospel unto us, and the prophets who have foretold the coming of our Lord, have taught us : i '20 Being zealous of what is good ; abstaining from all offence, and from false brethren ; and from those who bear the name of Christ in hypocrisy ; who deceive vain men. CHAP. III. 1 As to faith in our Saviour Christ ; his nature and sufferings, the resurrection and judgment. 3 Exhorts to prayer, 5 and steufastness in the faith, from the examples of Christ, 7 and .postles and saints, and exhorts to carefulness in all well-doing. FOR10 whosoever does not con fess that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, he is Antichrist : and whoever does not confess n his suffering upon the cross, is from the devil. 2 And whosoever perverts the oracles of the Lord to his own lusts ; and says that there shall neither be any resurrection, nor judgment, he is the first-barn of Satan. 3 Wherefore leaving the vanity of many, and their false doctrines ; let us return to the word that was delivered to us from the . begin ning ; 12 Watching unto prayer ; and persevering in fasting': 4 Whh supplication beseeching the all-seeing God h not to lead us into temptation ; as the Lord hath said, 14 The spirit truly is willing, but the flesh is weak. 5 Let us therefore without ceas ing hold stedfastly to him who is our hope, and the earnest of our righteousness, even Jesus Christ ; 13 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on tbe tree : who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth. But suffered all '. lPet.ii. 11. 2 1 Cor. vi. 9, 10. •> Elders. 4 Presbyters. "Ezek. xxxiv. 4, Coivv. 10. 12 1 Pet. iv, 22, 24. 171 6 Rom. xii. 17; ' Swiftly believing. ; s Bom. xiv. 10. 9 For. , , 10 1 John, iv. 3. " The martyrdpm of the cross. 7. *3 Matt. vi. 13. 14 Matt. xxvi. 41.. 15 1 Pet. ii. On well doing. PHILIPPIANS. Exhorts against for us that we might live l through him. 6 Let us therefore imitate his patience : and if we suffer for his name, let us. glorify him ; for this example he has given us by him self, and so have we believed. 7 Wherefore I exhort all of you that ye obey the word of righte ousness, and exercise all patience ; which ye have seen set forth be fore your eyes, not only in the blessed Ignatius, and Zozimus, and Rufus ; but in others among your selves; and in Paul himself, and the rest of the Apostles : 8 Being 'confident of this, that all these have not run in vain, but in faith and righteous ness ; and are gone to the place that was due to them from the Lord, with whom also they suf fered. 9 For they loved not this pre sent world; but him who died, and was raised again by God for us. 10 Stand therefore -in these things, and follow the example of the Lord ; being firm and immu table in the faith, lovers of the brotherhood, lovers of one ano ther: 3 companions together in the truth, "being kind and gentle towards each other, despising none. 11 When it is in your power to do good defer it not, for cha rity delivereth from death. 12 Be all of you subject one to another, * having your conversa tion e honest among the Gentiles; that by your good works, both ye yourselves may receive praise, and the Lord may not 7 be blasphemed 1 In: lPet.ii. 24, &c. ""Persuaded. 3 Associated in truth. ¦'Yield ing to each other the mildness of tbe Lord. Tobit, iii. 9. 5 1 Pet.ii. 12. eUn- reprovable. 7 Rom. ii. 24. Titus, iiv 5. 8 Concupiscence: or, immo derate and filthy lusts. So Dr. Hammond on Rom. i. 29. i. 9 1 Thess ». 22. Eph. v. 5. Coloss. ii, 5. «> As before. Dr. Hammond on 1 Gor. v. iO: i. " ICor. vi. 2. 12 Phil. i. 172 through you. But Wo be to him by whom the name ofthe Lord is blasphemed. 13 Therefore teach all men so briety ; in which do ye alsb (exer cise yourselves* CHAP. IV. Valens, a presbyter, having fallen into the siii of coistitousness, lie exhorts them against it. 1AM greatly afflicted far Va lens, who was once a presbyi ter among you ; that he should so little understand the place that was given to him in the church; Wherefore I admonish you that ye abstain from 8 covetousness ; and that ye be chaste, and true df speech. 2 9Keep yourselves from all evil. For he that in these things cannot govern himself, how shall he be able to prescribe them to another ? S If a man does not keep him self from 10 covetousness, he shall be polluted with idolatry, and be judged as if he were a Gentile. 4 But who of you are ignorant of the judgment of God ? "Do we not know that the saints shall judge the world, as Paul teaches ? 5 But I have neither perceived nor heard any thing of this kind in you, among whom the blessed 12 Paul laboured ; and who are named in the beginning of his Epistle. 6 For he glories of you in all the churches who then only knew God; for we did not then know him. Wherefore, my brethren, I am exceedingly sorry both ft* him, and for his wife ; to whom God grant a true repentance. the sin of 7 And be ye also moderate upon this occasion ; and look not upon such as enemies, but call them back as suffering, and erring members, that ye may save your whole body : for by so doing, ye shall edify your own selves. 8 For I ti;u$t t;hat ye are well exercised in the Holy Scriptures, and that nothing is hid from you : but at present it is not granted unto me to practise that which is 'written, Be angry and sin npt; and again, Let not the sun go down upon your wrath. 9 Blessed is he that believeth and remembereth these things; which also I trust you do. 10 Now the God, and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; and he himself who is our everlasting high-priest, the Son, of God, even Jesus Christ, build you up in faith and in truth, and in all meekness and lenity ; in patience and long- suffering, in forbearance and chas tity : 11' And grant unto you a lot and portion among his saints ; and us with you, and to all that are under the heavens, who shall be lieve in our Lord Jesus Christ, and in his Father 2 who raised him from tbe dead. 12 3 Pray for all the saints : pray also for kings, and4 all that are in authority ; and for those who per secute you, and hate you, and for the enemies of the cross : that your fruit may be manifest in all ; PHILIPPIANS. covetousness. and that ye may be perfect in 5 Christ. 13 6 Ye wrote to me, both ye, and also Ignatius, that if any one went from hence into Syria, he should bring your letters with him ; which also I will take care of, as soon as I shall have a conve nient opportunity ; either by my self, or him whom I shall send upon your account. 14 The epistles of Ignatius which he wrote 'unto us, toge ther with what others of his have come to our hands, we have sent to you, according to your order ; which are subjoined to this epis tle: 15 By which ye may be great ly profited ; for they treat of faith and patience, and of all things that pertain to edification in 8 the Lord Jesus. 16 «jf What you know certain-: Iy of Ignatius, and those that are with him, signify unto us. 17 **[ These things have I writ ten unto you by Crescens, whom by this present epistle I have re commended to you, and do now again commend. 18 For he has had his conver sation without blame among us ; and I suppose also with you. 19 Ye will also have regard un to his sister when she shall come unto you. 20 Be ye safe in the Lord Jesus Christ; *and in favour with all yours. Amen*. 1 Said in these Scriptures. Psalm iv. 4. Eph. iv. 26. * Gal. i. 1. 3 1 Tim. ii. 1, 2. 4 Powers and princes. 5 Him. <> See Annot. Usser. in loc' 7 i. e. To himself, and to the church of Smyrna. 8 Our Lord. -'His grace be with you all,' Amen. 173 , THE SHEPHERD OF HERMAS. [This book is thus entitled, because it was composed by Hermas, brother to Pius, bishop of Rome; and because the Angel, who bears the principal part in it, is represented in the form and habit of a Shepherd. Irena_ns duotesit under the very name of Scripture ; Origen thought it a most Useful writing, and that it was divinely inspired ; Eusebius says, that, though it was not esteemed canonical, it was read publicly m the churches, which is corroborated by Jerome ; and Athanasius cites it, calls it a most useful work, and observes, that though it was not strictly canonical, the Fathers appointed it to be read for direction and confirmation in faith and piety. Jerome, notwithstanding this, and that he applauded it in his catalogue of writers, in his comments npon it afterwards, terms it apocryphal and foolish. Tertullian praised it when a Catholic, and abused it when a Montanist. Although Gelasius ranks it among the apocryphal books, it is found attached to some of the most ancient MSS. ofthe New Testament ; and Archbishop Wake, believing it the genuine work of an apostolical Father, preserves it to the English reader by the following translation, in which he has rendered the books not only more exact, but in greater purity than they had before appeared. The archbishop procured Dr. Grabe to entirely collate the old Latin Version with an ancient MS. in the Lambeth library ; and the learned prelate himself still further improved the whole from a multitude of fragments of the original Greek never before used for that purpose.] The First Book of HERMAS, which is called his VISIONS VISION I. 1 Against filthy and proud thoughts; 20 also the neglect qf Hermas in chastising his children. HE who had bred me up sold a certain young maid at Rome ; whom when I saw many years after, I remembered .her, and began to love her as a sister. It happened ' some time after wards, that I saw her washing in the rive* Tyber ; and I reached out my hand unto her, and brought her out of the river : 2 And when I saw her, I thought with myself, saying, How happy should I be if I had such a wife, both for"" beauty and manners. This I thought with myself; nor did I think any thing more. But not long after, as I was walking, and musing on these thoughts, I began to honour this creature of God, thinking with myself how noble and beautiful she was. 3 And when I had walked a little, I fell asleep. And the Spirit caught me away, and carried me through a certain place towards the right-band, through which no man could pass. It was a place among rocks, very steep, and im passable for water. 4 When I was past this place, I came into a plain ; and there falling down upon my knees; I began to pray unto the Lord* and to confess my sins. 5, And as I was praying, the heaven was opened,' and I saw the woman which I had coveted, sa luting me from heaven, and say ing, Hermas, hail! and I look ing upon her, answered, Lady, what dost thou dp here ? She an swered me, ' I am taken up hi ther to accuse thee of sin before the Lord. 6 Lady, said I, Wilt thou 2 con vince me ? No, said she : but hear the words which I am about to speak unto thee. God who dwell eth in heaven, and hath made all things out of nothing, and hath multipied them for his holy chiirch's sake, is angry with thee, In MS. Lambeth. Prsecepta si.rn a Domino nt pecdata tua arguam : I am commanded of the Lord to reprove thee for thy sins. 2 In MSS. Wilt thou accuse me? 174 Against filthy because thou hast sinned against me. - 7 And I answering said unto her, Lady, if 1 have sinned against thee, tell me where, or in what place, or when did I ever speak an unseemly or dishonest word unto thee ? 8 Have I not always esteemed thee as a lady? Have I not al ways reverenced thee as a sister ? Why then dost thou imagine these wicked things against me ? 9 Then she, smiling upon me, said: The desire of naughtiness has risen up in thy heart. Does it not seem to thee to be an ill thing for a righteous man to have an evil desire rise up in his heart ? 10 Jt is .indeed a sin, and that a very great one, to such a one ; for a righteous man thinketh that which is righteous. And whilst he does so, and walketh uprightly, he shall have the Lord in heaven favourable unto him in all his business. " 1 1 But as for those who think wickedly in their hearts, they take to themselves death and captivity : and especially those who love this present world, and glory in their riches, and regard not the good things that, are to come; their souls wander up and down, and know not where to fix. 12 Now this is the case of such as are double-minded, who trust not in the Lord, and despise and neglect their own life. 13 But do thou pray, unto the Lord, and he will heal thy sins, and the sins of thy whole house, and of all his saints. 14 5T As soon as she had spo ken these words the heavens were shut, and I remained utterly swal lowed up with sadness and fear ; and said within myself, if this be VISION I. '. and proud thoughts. laid against me for sin, how can I be saved ? 15 Or how shall I ever be able to entreat the Lord for my many and great sins ? With what words shall I beseech him to be merciful unto me ? 16 As I was thinking over these things, and meditating in myself upon them, behold a chair was set over against me of the whitest wool, as bright as snow. 17- And there came an old wo man in a bright garment, having a book in her hand, and sate alone, and saluted me, saying, 1 Hermas, hail ! And I being full of sorrow, and weeping, answered, Hail, Lady ! 18 And she said unto me, Why art thou sad, Hermas, who wert wont to be pa'tient, and modest, and always cheerful ? I answered, and said to her, Lady, a reproach has been laid to my charge by an excellent woman, who tells me that I have sinned against her. 19 She replied, Far be any such. thing from the servant of God. But it may be the desire of her has risen up in thy heart ? For in deed such a thought maketh the servants of God guilty of sin ; 20 Nor ought such a detestable thought to be in the servant of God; nor should he who is ap proved by the Spirit desire that which is evil ; but especially Her mas, who contains, himself from all wicked lusts, and is full of all simplicity, and of great inno cence. , 21 *"J Nevertheless the Lord is not so much angry with thee for thine own sake, as upon the account of thy house, which has committed , wickedness against the Lord, and against their parents. 22 And for thatout of thy fond- 175 1 Vid. Hieron. in Hoseam, vii. 9. On, neglecting to I. HERMAS. chastise his children. ness towards thy sons, thou hast not admonished thy house, but hast permitted them to live wick edly ; for tbis cause the Lord is angry with thee : but he will heal all the evils that are done in thy house. For through their sins and iniquities, thou art wholly consumed in secular affairs. . 23 But now the mercy of God hath taken compassion upon thee, and upon thine house, and hath 1 greatly comforted thee. Only as for thee, do not wandter, but be of an even mind, and comfort thy house. 24 As the workman bringing forth his work, offers it to whom soever he pleases ; so shalt thou by teaching every day what is just, cut off a great sin. Where fore cease not to admonish thy sons, for the Lord knows that they wil! repent with all their heart, - and they shall be written in the book of life. 25 And when she had said this, she added unto me ; Wilt thou hear me read ? — I answered her, Lady, I will. 26 Hear then, said she ; and opening the book she read; glori ously, greatly, and wonderfully such things as 1 could not keep in my memory. For they were ter rible words, such as no man could bear. 27 Howbeit I committed her last words to my remembrance ; for- they were but few, and of great use to us. 28 Behold the mighty Loi'd; who by his invisible power, and with his excellent wisdom made the world; and by his glorious counsel beautified his creature, and with tbe word of his strength fixed the heaven, and founded the earth upon the waters ; and by his 1 In Glory — Edit. Oxon. Hath preserved, thee in hononr. Lamb Et describentur in libro vitae. 3 Edit. Oxon. 176 powerful virtue established his Holy Church, which he hath bles sed. 29 Behold, he will remove the heavens, and the mountains, the hills, and the seas ; and all things shall be made plain for his elect; that he may render unto them the promise which he has promised, with much honour and joy ; if so be that they shall keep the com mandments of God, which they - have received with great faith. 30 <¦*[ And when she had made an end of reading, she rose out of the chair ; and behold four young men came, and carried the chair lo the east. 31 And she called me unto her, and touched my breast, and said unto me, Did my reading please thee? — I answered, Lady, these last things please me ; but what went before was severe and hard. 32 She said unto me, These last things are for 3 the righteous, but the foregoing for the revolters and heathen. 33 And as she was talking with me, two men appeared, and took her upon their shoulders, and went to the east, where the chair was. 34 And: she went cheerfully away ; and as she was going, said unto me, Hermas, be of' good cheer. VISION II. Again, qf his neglect in correcting his talkative w_fe ; and of his lewd sons.* AS I was on the way to Cuma, about the same time that I went the year before, I began to call to mind the vision I formerly had. And again the spirit carried me away, and brought me into the same place, in which I had been the year before. 2 And when I was come into the place, I fell down upon my ** So MS* Et ejus modo. Of his neglect in VISION II. correct his talkative wife'. knees, and began to pray unto the Lord, and to glorify his name, that he had esteemed me worthy, and had manifested unlo me my former sins. 3 And when I arose from pray er, behold I saw over against me the old woman whom I had seen the last year, walking and reading in a certain book. 4 And she said iinto me, Canst thou tell these things to the elect of God ? — I answered and said unto her, Lady, I cannot retain so many things in my memory, but give me the book", and I will write them down. 5 Take it, says she, and see that thou restore it again to me. 6 As soon as I had received it, I went aside into a certain place of the field, and transcribed every letter, for I found no syllables. 7 ' And as soon as I had finished what was written in the book, the book was suddenly caught out of my hands, but by whom I saw not. 8 Are about. d of several 37 For these revelations have an end, seeing they are fulfilled. But thou dost not leave off to de sire revelations ; for thou art very 1 urgent. 38 As for the tower which thou seest built, it is I myself, namely . the church, which have appeared to thee both now, and heretofore Wherefore ask what thou wilt concerning the tower, and I will reveal it unto thee, that thou may est rejoice with the saints. 39 I said unto her : Lady, be cause thou hast thought me once worthy to receive from thee the revelation of all these things, de clare them unto me. 40 She answered me ; Whatso ever is fit to be rgvealed unto thee, shall be revealed: 2only let thy heart be with the Lord, and doubt not, whatsoever thou shalt see. 41 I asked her, Lady, why is the tower built upon the 3 water? She replied ;~I said before to thee that thou wert very wise, to inquire diligently concerning the building, therefore thou shalt find the.truth. ' 42 Hear therefore why the tower is built upon the water : because your life is and shall be saved by water. For * it is found ed by the word of the almighty and honorable name ; and is sup ported by the invisible power and virtue of God. 43 *J[ And I answering, said unto her ; These things are very admirable : but, lady, who are those six young men that build ? 44 They arp, said she, the angels of God, which were first appoint ed, and to whom tbe Lord has de livered all his creatures, to frame and build them up, and to rule over them. For.by these the build ing of the tower shall be finished. VISION III. sorts of reprobates. 45 And who are the rest who bring them stones ? 46 They also are the holy angels of the Lord ; but the other are more excellent than these. Where fore when the whole building of the tower shall be finished, they shall all feast together beside the tower, and shall glorify Godj be cause tbe structure of the tower is finished. 47 I asked her, saying ; I would know the condition bf the stones, and the meaning-of them, what it is? 48 She answering, said unto me ; Art thou better than all others, that this should be revealed unto thee ? For others are both before thee, and better than thou art, to whom these visions should be made manifest : 49 Nevertheless, that the name of God may be glorified, it has been, and shall be revealed unto thee, for the sake of those who are doubtful, and think in their hearts whether these things are so or not. 50 Tell them that all these things are true ; and that there is nothing in them that is not true ; but all are firm, and truly esta blished. 51 5f Hear now then concern ing the stones that are in the building. 52 The square and white stones, which agree exactly in their joints, are the apostles, and bishops, and doctors, and ministers, who through the mercy of God have come in, and governed, and laught and ministered holily and modest ly to the elect of God, both t|iey that are fallen asleep, and which yet remain ; and have always agreed with them, and have had peace 1 Edit. Oxon. tower. 181 * Clem. Alex. Strom, xii. *> Baptism. Namely, tha Of (he chufch I. HERMAS. triumphant, within themselves, and have heard each other. ¦. 53 For which cause their joints exactly meet together in the build ing ofthe tower. '. ' 54 They which are drawn out of tlie deep and put into the building, and whose joftits ijgree with, the other stones which are already built, are those which are already fallen asleep, and have suffered for the sake of the Lord's name. 55 And what are the other stones, lady, that are brought ¦from the earth; I would know what they are? 56 She answered, They which lie upon the ground and are not polished, are those which God has approved, because they have walk ed in ' the law of the Lord, and directed their ways in his com mandments. 57 They which are brought and put in the building of the tower, are the young in faith and the faithful. And these are admo nished by the angels to do well, because that iniquity is not found in them. 58 But who are those whom they rejected, and laid beside the tower. 59 They are suoh as have sinned, and are willing to repent; for which cause they are not- cast far from' the tower, because they will be useful for the building, if they shall repent. \ 60 They therefore that are yet to rep'ent, if they shall repent shall become strong in the faith ; that is, if they repent now, whilst the tower is building. For if the building shall be finished there will then be no place for them to be put in, but they shall be, re jected : for he only has this pri vilege, who shall now be put into the tower.. 61 <¦*[ But would you know who they, are that were cut out, and cast afar off from the tower ? 2 Lady, said I, I desire it. 62 They are the: childfeln of iniquity, who believed only in hypocrisy, but departed not from their; evil ways : for this cause they shall not be saved, because they are not of any use in the buildingby reason of their -sins. . 63 Wherefore they are cut out, and cast .afar off because of the anger of the Lord, and because they have provoked him to anger against them. 64 As for the great number of other stones which thou hast seen placed about the tower, but not put into the building ; those which are rugged, are they who have known the truth, but haVe not continued in it, nor been joined to the saints; and therefore - are unprofitable. 65 Those that have clefts in them, are they who keep trip dis cord in their hearts against each other, and live not in peace ; that are friendly when present with their brethren ; but as sOon as they are departed from one an other, their wickedness still* con tinues in their hearts : these are the clefts which are seen in those stones. 66 Those that are maimed and short, are they who have believed indeed; but still are in great measure full of wickedness,; for this cause are they maimed and not whole* 67 Bui what are the white and round stones, lady, and which are not proper for the building of the towfer ? 68 She answering said unto 182 1 In acqnitatem Domini. Lat. ** Vid. Edit. Oxon. and of several VISION III: sorts of reprobate^. me; Hot* long wilt thou continue foolish and without understand ing ; asking every thing, and dis cerning nothing?' 69 They are sufift as havtf faith indeed ; but have withal the riches of this present world. When therefore any 'troubles arise, for the sake of their riches and traf fic, they deny the L«rdf 70 I answering, said unto her ; When therefore will they be pro fitable fo the Lord ? When their riches shall be cut away, says she, in which they take delight, then they will be profitable unto the Lord for his building. 71 For as a round stone, unless it be cut away^, and cast some what off its bulk, cannot be made square ; so they who are rich in this wOrld, unless their riches be pared off, cannot be made pro fitable unto the Lord. 72 Learn this from thy own experience : when thou wert rich, thou wast unprofitable; but now thou art profitable, and fit for the life which thou hast undertaken ; for thou also once wast one of those stones. 73 «*J As for the rest of the stones which thoil sawest cast afar off from the tdwer, artd running in the way ; and tumbled out of the way into desert places ; they are such as have believed1 irideedi but through their dbuoting have for saken the true way, thinking1 that they could find a better. But they wander and are miserable, going into desolate ways. 74 Theii for those stories Which .fell into the fire, and were burnt ; they are those who have 2 for ever departed from the living God ; nor doth it ever' come into their hearts to repent, by reason of the affection which' they bearto'their lusts and wickednesses which tbey commit. 75 And what are the rest which fell by the water, arid COuld not roll into the water ? , 76 They are such as haVe heard the word; and were billing to be baptised in the name of the Lofd; but considering the great holiness which the truth required, have withdrawn themselves, and walked again after their wicked lusts. 77 Thus she finished the expli cation of the tower. 78 But I being still trgent, asked her : Is there repentance allowed to all ' those stones which are thus cast away, and were not suitable to' the building of the tower ; and shall they find place1 in this tower? 79 They may repent, said she, but they cannot come into this toWer ; but they shall be placed in a much lower rank; and this after that they shall have been afflicted, and fulfilled the days of their sins. 80 And for this cause they shall' be removed, because they have received the word of righteous ness : and then they shall b'e; translated from their afflictions, if they shall have a true sense in their hearts of what they have done amiss. 81 But if they shall not have this sense in their hearts, they shall not be saved, by reason of the hardness of their hearts. 82 *"j When therefore I had done asking her concerning all these things, she said unto me : Wilt thou see somewhat else ? And being desirous pf seeing it, I became very chearful of counte nance. 83 She therefore looking back upon'me, and smiling a little, said 1S3 Tribulation arises. Finally. Of the Church I. HERMAS. triumphant, unto me : Seest thou seven women about the tower ? Lady, said J, I see them. , 84 This towpr, replied she, is supported by them, according to the command of the Lord : hear therefore the effecjs.of them. , 85 The first of them which holds fast with her hand, is called Faith ; by her the elect shall be saved. The next which is girt up, and looks manly, is named Absti nence; she is the daughter of Faith. 86 Whosoever therefore shall follow her, shall be happy in all his life ; because he shall abstain from all evil works, believing that if he shall contain himself from all concupiscence, he shall be the heir of eternal life. And what, lady, said I, are the other five ? 87 They are, replied she, the daughters of one another, The first of them is called Simplicity ; the next Innocence ; the third Modesty ; then Discipline ; and the last of all is Charity. When therefore thou shalt have fulfilled the works of their mother, thou shalt be able to do all things. 88- Lady, said I, I would know what particular virtue every one of these has. 89 Hear then, replied she; they have equal virtues, and their virtues are knit together, and fol low one another as they were born. 90 From Faith proceeds Ab stinence ; from Abstinence, Sim plicity-; from Simplicity, Inno cence; from Innocence, Modesty; from Modesty, Discipline and Charity. Therefore the works of these are holy and chaste, and right. 91 Whosoever therefore shall serve these, and hold fast to their works, he shall have his dwelling 184 in the tower with the saints of God. 9%l Then I asked her concern ing the times, whether the end were now at hand ? 93 But she cried out with a loud voice, saying; O foolish man ! Dost thou not see the tower yet a building ? When therefore the tower shall be finished, and built, it shall have an end ; and indeed it shall soon be accomplished. ¦ 94 But do not ask me any more questions. What has been said may suffice thee and all the saints; for the refreshment of your spirits. For these things have pot been revealed to thee only, but that thou mayest make them manifest unto all. 95 For therefore, O Hermas, after three days thou must under stand these words which I begin to speak unto thee, that thou mayest speak them in the ears of the saints ; that when they shall have heard and done them, they may be cleansed, from their ini quities, and thou together with them. 96 ***[ Hear rcie therefore, O my sons! 1 have bred you up in much simplicity, and innocency, and modesty, for the mercy of God, which has dropped down upon you in righteousness; that you should be sanctified, and justified from all sin and wickedness : but ye will not cease from your evil- doings. 97 Now therefore hearken unto me, and have peace one with another, and visit one another, and receive one another, and do not enjoy the creatures of God alone. 98 Give freely to them that are in need. For some by too free feeding contract an infirmity in their flesh, and do injury to their bodies ; whilst the flesh of others, and of several VISION III. sorts of reprobates. who have not food, withers away, because they Want sufficient nou rishment, and their bodies are consumed. , 99 Wherefore this intemper ance is hurtful to you, who have, and do not communicate to them that, want. Prepare for the judg ment that is about to come upon you. 100 Ye that are the more emi nent, search out them that are hungry, whilst the tower is yet unfinished. For when the tower shall be finished, ye shall be wil ling to do good, and shall not find any place in it. 101 Beware therefore, ye that glory in your riches, lest perhaps they groan who are in want ; and their sighing come up unto God, and ye be shut out with your goods without the gate of the tower. 102 Behold I now warn you who are set over the church, and love the highest seats ; be not ye like unto those that work mis chief. 103 And they indeed carry about their, poison in boxes ; but ye contain your poison and 'in fection in your hearts; and will not purge them, and mix your sense with a pure heart, that ye may find mercy with the Great King. 104 Take heed, my children, that your dissensions deprive you not of your lives. How will ye instruct the elect of God, when ye yourselves want correction ? Wherefore admonish one another, and be at peace among yourselves ; that I standing before your fa ther, may give an account for you unto the Lord. 105 ^f And when she had made an end of talking with me, the six young men that built, came and carried. her to the tower; and four others took up the seat on which she sa*e, and they also went away again to the tower. I saw not the faces of these, for their backs were towards me. 106 As she was going away, I asked her, that she would reveal to me what concerned the three forms, in which she had appeared unlo me. 107 But she answering said unto me: Concerning these things thou must ask some other, that they may be revealed unto thee. 108 Now, brethren, in the first vision the last year, she appeared unto me exceeding old, and sitting in a chair. 109 In another vision, she had indeed a youthful face, but her flesh and hair were old ; and she talked with me standing, and was more chearful than the first time. 110 In the third vision, - she was in all respects much younger, and comely to the eye ; only she had the hair of an aged person : yet she looked chearful, and sate upon a seat. Ill I was therefore very sad concerning these things, until I might understand the vision. 112 Wherefore I saw the same old woman in a vision of the night saying unto me ; all prayer need- eth humiliation. Fast therefore, and thou shalt learn from tbe Lord that which thou dost ask. I fasted therefore one day. 113 The same night a young man appeared to me and said : Why dost thou thus often desire Revelations in thy prayers? Take heed that by asking many things, thou hurt not thy body. Let; these" Revelations suffice thee. 114 Canst thou see more nota- 185 1 Medicaments. Qf several sorts L HERMAS. of '- reprobates. bie Revelations than those which thon bast already received. 115 I answered arid said unto him: Sir, I only ask this one thing upon the account of the three figures of the old woman that appeared to me, that the Revelation may be compkat. 116 He answered me ; You are not wiihout understanding, but your doubfs make you so ; foras much as you have not your heart with the Lord. 117 I replied and said; But we shall learn these things more care fully from you. 1 18 «¦*]* Hear then, says he, con cerning the figures, about which you inquire. , 119 And first, in the first vision she appeared to thee in the Shape of an Old woman sitting in a diair ; because your old spirit was de cayed, and without strength, by reason of your infirmities, and the doubtfulness of ydur heart. 120 For as they who are old have no hope of renewing them selves, nor expect. any thing but their departure ; so yoa beiftg weakened through your worldly affairs garve yourself up to sloth, and cast not away your solicitude from yourself Upon the Lord; and your sense was lconf(_sed, and you grew old in youfr sadness. 121 But, Sir, I would know why she sate upon a chair ? 1221 He answered, Because every one that is weak, sitteth upon a chair by reason of his infirmity, that his weakness may be apheH : Behold therefore the figure of the first vision. 123 f[ In the second vision you saw her standing, and having a youthful face, and more chearful than ber former; but her flesh and her hair were ancient. Hear, said he, this parable also. 1 Broken, Contusus. 186 124 When any one grows old, he despairs of himself by reason of his infirmity and poverty ; and expects nothing but the last day of his life. 125 But on a sudden an in heritance is left to him ; and he hears of it, and rises; and being become chearful, he puts on new strength. And now he no longer.. sits down, but stands ; and is de livered from his former sorrow ; and sits not, but acts manfully. 126 So you, having heard the Revelation which God reveled unto you ; because God bad com passion upon you, and renewed youi- spirit ; both laid aside your infirmities, and strength came to you, and you grew strong in the faith;, and God seeing your strength, rejoiced. 137 For this cause he shewed you the building of the tower ; and will shew other things unto yon, if you shall have peace with all yowr,heart among each other. 128 -ff But in the third vision you saw her yet younger; *fair and chearful, and of a' serene countenance. 129 For as if some good news Comes to one that is sad, he straight way forgets" his sadness, and re gards nothing' else but the good news which he has heard; and for the rest he is comforted, and his spirit is renewed through the joy which he has received : even so you have been refreshed in your spirit, by seeing these good things. 130 And for that you saw her sittitfig upon- a bench, it denotes a strong position ; because a bench has four feet, and stands strongly. And even the world itself fa up held by the four elements. 131 They therefore thai! repent perfectly, shall be young ; and they that turn from their sins " Honestam. Qf tht\ tribulation VISION IV, tp come. with their whole heart, shall be established. ,, ,, . , 132 And now you have the Re velation fully ; ask no more l{to haye. any thing farther revealed unto you. 133 But if any thing.be to be revealed, it shall be made manifest unto you. VISION TV- Of the, trial and tribulation that is about to come upon men. 1SAW a vision, brethren, twenty days after the, former vision ; a representation of the tribulation that is at hand. I was walking in the field- way. 2 Now from the public way to the place whither I went is about ten furlongs; it is a way very little frequented : 3 And as I was walking alone, I entreated the Lord that he would confirm the Revelations which he had shewed unto me by his Holy Church : 4 And- would grant repent ance to aU his servants, who had been offended, that his great and honourable name might be glo rified ; and because he thought me worthy } to whom he might shew his , wonders ; , and that I might, honour him, and give thanks unto him. 5 And behold somewhat like a voice answered me ; Doubt not, Hermas. Wherefore ,1 began to think, and say within myself; why should I doubt, seeing I am thus settled by the Lord, and have seen such glorious things ? 6 I had gone but a little far ther, brethren, when behold I saw a dust rise up to heaven. I began to say within myself; Is there a drove of cattle coming, that raises such a dust ? ..7 It;, was about a furlong off from me. iAnd behold I saw the dqst rise, more and more, inso much that I began, to suspect that there was 2 somewhat extraordi nary in it. 8 And the sun shone a little; and behold I saw a great beast, as it were a whale; and fiery locusts came out of his mouth.- The height of the beast was about a hundred feet ; and he had a head likp a s large earthen vessel. 9 I began to weep, and to pray unto the Lord, that he would deliver me from it. Then I called to mind the word which I had he.ard; Doubt not, Hermas. 10 Wherefore, brethren, put ting on a divine faith, and re membering who it was that had taught me great things, I delivered myself boldly unto the beast. 11 Now the beast came on in such a manner, as if it could ' at once have devoured a city. 12 I came near unto it; and the beast extended its whole bulk upon the ground ; and put forth nothing but its tongue, nor once moved itself, till I had quite passed by it. 13 Now the beast had upon its head four colours, first black, then a red and bloody colour, then a golden, and then a white. 14 <"T After that I had passed by it, and was gone forward abont thirty foot ; behold there met me a certain virgin well adorned, as if she had been just come out of her bride-chamber ; all in white, having on white shoes, and a veil down -her- face, and covered with shining hair. 15 Now I knew by my former visions that it was the church ; and thereupon grew the more chearful. She saluted me saying, 1 That he would shew me. 187 3 Aliquid div'nitus. 3 Vas urnale. 4'In ictu, Cf the tribulation i Hail O Man ! I returned the salu tation, saying, Lady, Hail ! 16 She answering said unto me, Did nothing meet you, O man ! I replied ; Lady, there met me such a beast, as seemed able to devour a whole people ; but by tbe power of God, and through his singular mercy I escaped it. 17 Thou didst escape it well, said she ; because thou didst cast thy whole care upon God ; and openedst thy heart unto him ; be lieving that thou couldst be safe by no other, than by his great and honourable name. 18 For this cause the Lord sent his angel, who is over the beast, whose name is Hegrin, and stopped his mouth, that he should not devour thee. Thou hast escaped a great trial through thy faith, and because thou didst not doubt for such a terrible beast. 19 Go therefore, and relate to the elect of God, the great things that he hath done for thee. And thou shall say unto them, that this beast is the figure of the trial that js about to come. 20 If therefore ye shall have prepared yourselves,ye may escape it, if your heart be pure and with out spot ; and if ye shall serve God all the rest of your days with out complaint. 21 Cast all your cares upon the Lord, and he will direct them. L HERMAS. « to come. cerning the four colours which the beast had upon its head. But she answered me, saying ; Again thou art curious in that thou askest concerning these things. And I said unto her, Lady, shew me what they are ? 24 Hear, said she : The black which thou sawest, denotes the world in which you dwell. The fiery and bloody colour, signifies, that this age must be destroyed by fire and blood. 25 The golden part are ye, ivho have escaped out of it. For as gold is tried by the fire, and is made profitable, so are ye also in like manner tried who dwell among the men of this world. 26 They therefore that shall endure to the end, and be proved by them, shall be purged. And as gold, by this trial is cleansed and loses its dross ; so shall ye also cast away all sorrow and trouble ; and be made pure for the building ofthe tower. 27 But the white colour de notes the time ofthe world which is to come, in which the elect of God shall dwell : because the elect of God shall be pure and without spot unto life eternal. 28 Wherefore do not thou cease to speak these things in the ears of the saints. Here ye have the figure of the great tribulation that is about to come ; which, if you please, shall be nothing to you. Keep therefore in mind the ' ' unto Believe in God, ye doubtful, be cause he can do all things ; he can both turn away his wrath things which I have said from you, and send you help and j you security. 22 Wo to the doubtful, to those who shall hear these words, and shall despise them : it had 29 When she had spoken thus much, she departed ; but I saw not whither she went. But sud denly I heard a noise, and I turn- been better for them that they had ed back, being afraid; for I not been born. i thought that the beast was coming 23 ***[ Then I asked her con- 1 toward me. , 188 The Second Book of HERMAS, called his COMMANDS. 1J Introduction. WHEN I had prayed at home, and was sat down upon the bed ; a certain man came in to me with a reverend look, in the habit of a shepherd cloathed with a white cloak, hav ing his bag upon his back, and his staff in his hand, and saluted me. 2 I returned his salutation ; and immediately he sat down by me, and said unto me ; I am sent by that venerable messenger, that I should dwell with thee all the re maining days of thy life. 3 But I thought that he was come to try me, and said unto him,-- Who are you? For I know to whom I am committed. He said unto me, Do you not know me ? I answered, No. I am, said he, that shepherd, to whose care you are delivered. - 4 Whilst he was yet speaking, his shape was changed; and when I knew that it was he to whom I was committed, I was ashamed, and a sudden fear came upon me, and I was utterly overcome with sadness, because I had spoken so foolishly unto him. 5 But he said unto me, Be npt ashamed, but receive strength in thy mind, through the commands which I am about to deliver unto thee. For, said he, I am sent to shew unto thee all those things , again, which thou hast seen be fore ; but especially such of them as may be of most use unto thee. 6 And first of all write my Com mands and Similitudes, the rest thou shalt so write as I shall shew unto thee. But I therefore bid thee first of all write my Com mands and Similitudes, that by often reading of them, thou mayest the more easily 'keep them in memory. 7 Whereupon I wrote bis Com mands and Similitudes, as he bade me. 8 Which things if when you have heard, ye shall observe to do them ; and shall walk according to them, and exercise yourselves in ihem, with a pure mind ; ye shall receive from the Lord those things which he has promised un to you. 9 But if having heard them ye shall not repent, but shall still go on to add to your sins ; 2 ye shall be punished by him. 10 All these things that Shep herd, the angel of repentance, commanded me to write. COMMAND I. Of believing ' in one God. FIRST of4 all believe that there is one God who created and framed all things of nothing into a being. 2 He comprehends all things, and is only immense, not to be comprehended by any. 3 Who can neither be defined by any words, nor conceived by the mind. 4 Therefore believe in him, and fear him ; and fearing him 5 ab stain from all evil. 5 Keep these things, and cast all 6lust and iniquity far from 1 Observe them, Custodire possis. Lat. 2 Adversa recipietis. s Faith. 4 Ireneeus, 1. 1. c. 3. Origen de Princ. 1. 1. c. 3. Enseh. Hist. Eccies. 1. 5. c. 8. Athanas. de Inrarn. Verb. Hee. *• Habe abstinentiam, c Ouiuem con- cupiacentiam et aequitiam. MSS. Lamb, et Oxon. 189 Against detraction II. HERMAS. and lying. thee; and put on righteousness ; and thou shalt live to God, if thou shalt, keep ^his cpmmandRient, COMMAND II. That we must avoid detraction; and do our alms-deeds with simplicity. HE said unto me ; 'be inno cent and without disguise ; so shalt thou be like an infant who knows no malice, which destroys the life of man. 2 Especially see that thou speak evil of none ; nor willingly hear any one speak evil of any. ' 3 2 For if thou observest not this, thou also who hearest, shalt be *< partaker ofthe sin of him that speaketh evil by believing the slander, and thou also shalt have sin ; because thou believedst him that spake evil of thy brother. 4 4 Detraction is a pernicious thing; an inconstant, 6evil spirit; that never continues in peace, but is always in discord. 6 Where fore refrain thyself from it ; and keep peace evermore with thy brother. ' 5 Put on a holy 'constancy, 8 in which there are no sins, but all is full of joy ; and do good of thy labours. 6 9 Give ,0 without distinction to all that are in want ; not doubt ing to whom thou givest. 7 But give to all ; for God will have us giVe to all, of " all his own gifts. They therefore that receive shall give an account to God, both wherefore they received, and for what end. 8 And they that receive with- M out a real need, shall give an ac count for it; but he that gives shall be innocent; 9 For he has fulfilled his duty as he received it from God ; not making any choice to whoni he should give, and to whom - not. And this service he did with sim plicity, and 12(o the glory of God. 10 Keep therefore this, com mand 'according as I have deli vered it unto thee; that thy re pentance may be found to be sin cere, and that good may come to thy house; and have a pure heart. - COMMAND III. Of avoiding lying, and the repentance ef Hermas for his dissimulation. OREOVER13 he said unto me, love truth ; and let all the speech be true which proceeds out of thy mouth ; 2 That the spirit which the Lord hath given to dwell in thy flesh may be found true towards all men ; and the Lord be glori fied, who hath given such a spirit unto thee : because God is true in all his" words, and in him there is no lie. 3 They therefore that lie, deny the Lord ; u and become robbers ofthe Lord; u not rendering to God what they received from him. 4 For they received the spirit free from lying : if therefore they make that a liar, they defile what was committed to them by the Lord, and become deceivers. 5 When I heard this, I wept bitterly. And when he saw me weeping, he said unto me ; Why 1 Lat. Have simplicity, and be innocent. s Gr. 'Ei Jfe ^ii, x*i av nauW box®' 'im ? So the Gr. and Lamb. MS. Particeps eris peccati male loquentis, credens ; 3 Antioch. Horn. lxri. H According to the Gr. is See III. Hermas, Simil. ix. ver. 2tJ8 et seq., 190 ' Of putting away COMMAND IV. a W_fe for adultery. weepest thou ? And I said ; be cause, sir, I doubt whether I can be saved ? 6 He asked me, Wherefore ? I replied ; Because, sir, I never -spake a true word in my life ; but always lived in dissimulation, and affirmed a lie for truth to all men ; and no man contradicted me, but all gave credit to my words. How then can I live, seeing I have done in this manner? 7 And he said unto me ; Thou thinkest well, and truly. For thou oughtest, as the servant of God, to have walked in the truth, and not have joined an evil conscience with the spirit of truth ; nor have grieved the holy and true Spirit Of God. 8 And I replied unto him ; Sir, I never before hearkened so dili gently to these things. He an swered ; Now thou hearest them : Take care from henceforth, that even those things which thou hast formerly spoken falsely for the sake of thy business, may, ' by thy present truth, receive credit. • 9 For even those things may be credited, if for the time to come thou shalt speak the truth ; and 2 by so doing thou mayest attain unto life. 10 And whosoever shall hearken unto this command, and do it ; and shall depart from all lying, he shall live unto God. COMMAND IV. Of putting away one's wife for adultery, FURTHERMORE, said he, I command thee, that thou keep * thyself chaste ; and that thou suffer not any thought 4of any other marriage, or of fornication, to enter into thy heart : for such a thought produces a great sin. 2 But be thou at all times mindful of the Lord, and thou shalt never sin. For if such an evil 'thought should arise in thy heart, thou shouldest be guilty of a great sin ; and they who do such things, follow the way of death. 3 Look therefore to thyself, and keep thyself from such a thought : for where chastity remains in the heart of a righteous man, there an evil thought ought never to arise. 4 And I said unto him, Sir, suffer me to speak a little to you. He bade me say on. Aiid I an swered, Sir, if a man that is faith ful in the Lord, shall have a wife, and shall catch her in adultery ; doth a man sin that continues to live still with her ? 5 And he said unto me ; As long as he is ignorant of her sin, he commits no fault in living with her: but if a man shall know his wife to have offended ; and she shall not repent of her sin, but go on still in her fornication, and a man shall continue nevertheless to live with her, he shall become guilty of her sin, and partake with her in her adultery. '6 And I said unto him ; What therefore is to be done, if the wo man continues on in her sin ? He answered ; Let her husband put her away, and let him continue by himself. But if he shall put away his wife, and marry another, he also doth commit adultery. 7 And I said; What if the wo man that is so put away, shall re- pent, and be willing to return tfr her husband, shall she not be re ceived by him ? He said unto me, Yes; and if her husband shall 1 Through these words. Lat. His verbis et ilia fidem recipiant. shalt keep the truth. - 3 Chastity. 4 Another man's. 191 " » If thow Of putting away not receive her, he will sin ; and commit a great offence against himself: but he ought to receive the offender, if she repents.; only not often. 8 For to the servants of God there is but one repentance. And for this cause a man that putteth away his wife ought not to take another, because she may . re pent. 9 This act is alike both in the man and in the woman. Now they commit adultery, not. only who pollute their flesh, but who also make an image. ' If there fore a woman perseveres in any thing of this kind, and- repents not, depart from her, and live not with her : otherwise thou also shalt be partaker of her sin. 10 But it is therefore com manded that both the man and ' the woman should remain unmar ried, because such persons may repent. 11 Nor do I in this administer any occasion for the doing of these things ; but rather that who so has offended, should not offend any more. 12 But for their former sins, God who has the power of heal ing will give a remedy : for he has the power of all things. 13 "fl* I asked him again, and said ; Seeing tbe Lord hath thought me worthy that thou shouldest dwell with me conti nually ; speak a few words unto me, because I understand nothing, and my heart is hardened through my former conversation ; and open my 2 understanding because I am very dull, and apprehend nothing at all. 14 Aud he answering said unto 1 See l Cor. vii. * Great wisdom. 192 I II. HERMAS. a wife for adultetif. me ; I am the 3 minister of re pentance, and give 4 understand ing to all that repent. Does it not seem to- thee to.be 5a very wise thing to repent ? Because he that does so, gets great understand ing- 15 For he is sensible that he hath sinned and done wickedly in the sight of the Lord ; and he re members 6 within himself that he* has offended, and repents and does no more wickedly ; but does that which is good, and humbles -his soul, and afflicts it, because he has offended. You see therefore that repentance is- great wisdom. 16 And I said unto him ; For this cause, sir, I inquire diligent ly into all thiugs, because I am a sinner, that I may know what I must do that I may live ; because my sins are many. 17 And he said unto me, Thou shalt live if thou shalt keep these my commandments. And who^ soever shall hear and do these commands, shall live unto God. 18 "fl And I said unto him ; I have even now heard from certain teachers that there is no other re pentance beside that of baptism ; when we go down into the water, and receive the forgiveness of our sins ; and that after that, we must sin no more, but live in 7 purity. 19 And he said unto me, Thou hast 8 been rightly informed. Ne vertheless-seeing now thou inquir- est diligently into all things, I will manifest this also unto thee ; yet not so as to give any occasion of sinning either to those who shall hereafter believe, or to those who have already believea in the Lord. 20 For neither they who have 15.2 Sense. 3 Propositus. 4 See below, ver. 18 et seq. 6 In his understanding. *- Chastity. 8 Rightly heard. Continued. COMMAND V. Of sadness of heart. 1 newly believed, or who shall hereafter believe, have any re pentance of sins, but forgiveness of them'. 21 But as to those who have been called to the faith, and since that are fallen into any gross sin, the Lord hath appointed repent- ance : Because God knoweth the thoughts of all men's hearts, and their infirmities ; and the mani fold wickedness of the devil : who is always contriving something against tbe servants of God ; and maliciously lays snares for them. 22 Therefore our merciful Lord had compassion towards his crea ture, and appointed that repent ance, and gave unto me the power of it. And therefore I say unto thee ; If any one after that great and holy calling shall be tempted by the devil and sin, he has one E repentance. But if he shall often sin and repent, it shall not profit such a one ; .for he shall hardly live unto God. 23 And I said, Sir, I am re stored again to life since I have thus diligently hearkened to these commands. For I perceive, that if I shall not hereafter add any more to my sins, I shall be saved. 24 And he said, Thou shalt be saved ; and so shall all others, as many as shall observe these com mandments. 25 i Gr. Bitterness of gall. 10 Place. "" Gr. Aiilugtirat. ls 'ofrx.^a. 193 o Of sadness of heart, II. HERMAS. and of patience. 1 When therefore both these spi rits dwell together, it is destruc tive to a man. 5 As if one should take a little wormwood, and put it into a ves sel of honey, the whole honey Would be spoiled; and a great quantity of honey is corrupted by a very little wormwood, and loses the sweetness of honey, and is no longer acceptable to its Lord ; be-- cause the whole honey is made bitter, and loses its use. '6 But if no wormwood be put into the honey, it is sweet and profitable to its Lord. Thus is forbearance sweeter than honey, and profitable to the Lord -who dwelleth in it. 7 But anger is unprofitable. If therefore anger shall be mixed with forbearance, the soul is dis tressed, and its prayer is not pro fitable 2 with God. 8 And I said unto him, Sir, I would know the sinfulness of an ger, that I may keep myself from it. And he said unto me, Thou shalt know it ; and if thou shalt not keep thyself from it, thou shalt1 lose thy, hope with aU thy house. Wherefore depart from it. 9 For I the 3 messenger of righteousness am with thee; and all that depart from it, as many as shall repent with all their hearts shal^ live unto God ; and I will be with them, and wilfkeep them all. 10 For all such as have repent ed, have been justified, by the most holy messenger, who is a • minister of salvation. 11 *¦**" And now, says he, hear the wickedness of anger ; how evil and hurtful it is, and how it overthrows the servants of God-: for it cannot 4 hurt those that are full of faith, because the s power of God is with them ; but it over throws the -doubtful, and those that are destitute of faith. ' 12 For as often as it sees 6such men, it casts itself into their hearts ; and so a man or woman is in bitterness for nothing: for the things of life : or for suste- nance ; or for a vain word, if any should chance to fall In ; or by reason of any friend ; or for a debt; or for any Other superfluous things of the like nature. 13 For these things are foolisb, and superfluous, and vain to the servants of God. But equanimity is strong, and forcible ; and of great power, and sitteth in great enlargement ; is chearful, rejoic ing in peace ; and glorifying God at all times ¦' with meekness. 14 And this long suffering dwells with those that are full of faith. But anger is foolish, and light, and empty. Now bitter ness is bred through folly; by bitterness, anger ; by anger, fury. And this fury arising from so many evil principles, worketh a great and uncurable sin. 15 For when all these things are in the same s man in which the Holy Spirit dwells; the vessel cannot contain them, but runs over: and because the Spirit be ing tender- cannot tarry with the evil one ; it departs and dwells with him that is meek. 16 When therefore it is de- • i Both Athanasius and Antiochus add here these words, omitted in our copies: " For in forbearance (or long-suffering) the Lord dwelleth, but in bitterness the Devil. a Xo. 3 Angel. 4 Gr. Work upon, .n^yHirui ; et MS. Lamb. Facere. » Virtue. 6 Gr. Tmsts. avSpoSm.;; " In the Greek of Athanasius and Antiodius the sense is fuller: Having nothing of bitterness in itself, aud con tinuing always in meekness and quietness. ' 8 Vessel. 194 ' Every man COMMAND VI. has two angels. parted from the man in whom it dwelt; that man becomes desti tute ofthe Holy Spirit, and is after wards filled with wicked spirits1, and is blinded with evil thoughts. Thus doth it happen to all angry men. 17 Wherefore depart thou from anger, and put on equanimity and resist wrath ; so shalt thou be 2 found with modesty and chastity by God. Take good heed there fore that thou neglect not this commandment. 18 For" if thou shalt obey this command, then shalt thou also be able- to observe the other com mandments which I shall • com mand thee. 19 Wherefore strengthen thy self now in these commands, that thou mayest live unto God, And whosoever shall observe these commandments shall live unto God. COMMAND VI. That every man has two 3 angels, and qf the suggestions of both. 1 COMMANDED thee, said he, in my first commandment, that thou shouldest keep faith, and fear, and * repentance. Yes, sir, said I. 2 He continued ; But now I will shew thee the virtues of these commands, that thou mayest know their effects ; how they are 5 prescribed alike to the just and unjust. 3 Do thou therefore believe the righteous, but give no credit to the unrighteous. For righteous- 1 In the Greek of Athanasius follow these words, omitted in the Lat. Vers. of Hermas : " And is unstable in all his doings, being drawn hither and thither by wicked men." 2 In the Greek of Athanasius it runs better thus, " Ap plauded with reverence by those who are beloved of God." 3 Vid. Coteler. Annot. in loc. pp. 67, 68. Comp. Edit. Oxon. p. 61. Note a. - * Lat. Pceni- tentiara; it should rather be Abstinentiam ; as ip the Greek of Athanasius ; as appears by the first Commandment, which is here referred to. '¦> Placed- Lat. Positasunt. 6 Vid. Antioch. Horn. lxi. Comp. Orig. 1. iii. Dc Prineip, et in Luc. Hom. xxxv. 195 e>2,... ness k-.-epeth the right way, but unrighteousness the wicked way., 4 Do thou therefore keep the right way, and leave that which is evil. For the evil way has not a good end, but hath many stum bling-blocks ; it is rugged and full of thorns, and leads to de struction ; and is hurtful to all such as walk in it. 5 But they who go in the right way, walk with evenness, and without offence ; because it is not rough nor thorny. 6 Thou seest therefore, how it is best to walk in this way. Thou shalt therefore, go, says he, and all others, as many as believe in God with all their heart, shall go through it. 7 «J[ And now, says he ; 6 un derstand first of all what belongs to faith. There are two angels with man ; one of righteousness, the other of iniquity. 8 And I said unto him ; Sir, how shall I know that there are two such angels with man ? Hear, says he, and understand. 9 The angel of righteousness is mild, and modest, and gentle, and quiet. When therefore he gets into thy heart, immediately he talks with thee of righteous ness, of modesty, of chastity, of bou n tiful ness, of forgiveness, of charity, and piety. 10 When all these things come into thy heart, know then that the angel of righteousness is with thee.. Wherefore hearken to this angel and to his works, 11 Learn also tbe works ofthe ¦Familiar angels. II. HERMAS. We must fear God. angel of iniquity. He is first of all bitter, and angry, and foolish ; and his works are perni cious, and overthrow the servants of God. When therefore* these things come into thy heart; thou shalt know by his works, that this is the angel of iniquity. 12 And I said unto him ; Sir, how -shall I understand these things? Hear, says he, and un derstand. When anger overtakes thee, or bitterness, know that he is in thee : 13 As also, when the desire of many 1 things, and of the best meals, and of drunkenness ; when the.love of what belongs to others, 'pride, and much speaking, and ambition, and the like things, come upon thee. 14 When therefore these things arise* in thy heart, know that the angel of iniquity is with thee, See ing therefore thou knowest his works, depart from them all, and give no credit to him : because his works are evil, and become not the servants of God. 15 Here therefore thou hast the works of both these angels, Un derstand now and believe the an gel of righteousness, because his instruction is good. 16 For let a man be never so happy ; yet if the thoughts of the olher angel arise in bis heart, that man or woman must needs sin. 17, But let man or woman be never so wicked, if the works of the angel of righteousness come into his heart, that man or wo man must needs do some good. ,18 Thou seest therefore how it is good to follow the angel of righteousness. If therefore thou shalt follow him, and 2 submit to his works, thou shalt live unto God. And as many as shall s sub mit to bis works, shall live also unto God. , COMMAND VII. That we must fear God, but not the Devil. FEAR s God, says he, and keep his commandments. For if thou keepest his commandments thou shalt be powerful in every work, and all thy work shall be 4 excellent. For by fearing God, thou shalt do every thing well. 2 This is that fear with which thou must be affected that' thou mayest be saved. But fear not the Devil : for if thou fearest the Lord, thou shalt have dominion over him ; because there is- no power in him. . 3 Now if there be no power in him, then neither is he to be feared. But he in whom there is excellent power, he is to be feared : for every one tbat has power, is to be feared. But he that has no power is despised by every one. 4 Fear the works of the Devi), because they are evil. For by fearing the Lord, thou wilt fear and not do- the works of the Devil, but keep thyself from them. 5 There is therefore a twofold fear ; 6 if thou ,wilt not do evil, fear the Lord and thou shalt not do it. But if thou wilt do good, rthe fear of the Lord is strong, and great, and glorious. 6 Wherefore, fear -God and thou shalt live : and whosoever shall fear him, and keep his com mandments, their life is with the Lord. But they who keep them not, neither is life in them. 1 Works. Gr. rif<m. % Gr. mo-rEus-i,?, Lat. Credideris, Believe. 3 Vjd. Antioch. Horn, cxxvii. Eccies. xii. 13. ' 4 'Aa-iyxfi.©-, Withsut comparison: or without mixture. 5 Gr. Antioch. 6 In the Gr. of Antiochus these words follow, which make the connexion more dear: '" Fear also the Lord, and thou shalt be able to do it, for." 196 We must Jleeepil, COMMAND VIII. and do pood. COMMAND VIII. That ute must flee from evil, and do good. 1HAVE told thee, said he, that there are two kinds of creatures of the Lord, and that there is a two-fold l abstinence. From some things therefore thou must abstain, and from others not, 2 I answered, Declare to me, sir, from what I must abstain, and from what not. Hearken, said he. Keep thyself from evil, and do it not; but abstain not from good, but do it. For if thou shalt abstain from what is good, and not do it, thou shalt sin. Abstain therefore from all evil, and thou shalt 2 know all righteousness. , 3 I said ; What evil things are they from which I must abstain ? Hearken, said be ; from adultery; from drunkenness ; from riots ; from excess of eating ; from, dain tiness and dishonesty; from pride; from fraud; from lying; from detraction ; from hypocrisy ; from remembrance of injuries; and from all evil speaking. 4 Fpr these are the works of iniquity; from which the servant of God must abstain. For he that cannot keep himself from these things, cannot live unto God. 5 But hear, said he, what fol lows of these kind of things: for indeed many more there are from which the servant of God must ab stain. From theft, and cheating ; from false-witness ; from cove tousness ; from boasting ; and all other things of the like nature. 6 Do these things seem to thee to be. evil or npt? Indeed they are very evil to the servants of God. Wherefore the servant of God must abstain irom all these 3 works. 7 Keep thyself therefore from them, that thou mayest live unto God, and be written among those that abstain from them. And thus have I shewn thee what things thou must avoid : now learn from what thou must not abstain. 8 Abstain not from any good works, but do thema, Hear, said he, what the virtue of those good works is which thou must, do, that thou mayest be saved. The first of all. is faith; the fear of the Lord; charity; concord; equity; truth ; patience ; chastity. * 9 There is nothing better than these things in the life of man; 4 who shall keep and do these things in their life. Hear next what follow these. 10 To minister to the widows ; not to despise tlie fatherless and poor;;, to redeem the servants of God from necessity ; to be hospit able; (for in hospitality there is sometimes a great fruit) not to be contentious, but be quiet ; 11 To be humble above all men; to reverence the aged; to labour to be righteous $ 6 to re spect- the brotherhood ; to bear affronts ; to be long-suffering ; ' not to cast away those that have fallen from the faith ; but to con-* vert them, and make them be of 8 good chear ; to admonish sinners; not to oppress those that are our debtors ; and all other things of a like kind. 12 Do these things seem to thee 1 Antioch. Hom. lxxix. ** Do, according to the Greek, Ijj/aj, 3 Vid. Coteler. in loc. * The- sense here is defective and may be thus restored from tbe Greek of Athanasius : Whosoever keeps these things, and doth not ab stain from them, shall be happy in his life. And so the Lamb. MS. Hare qui custodierit. 5 Gr. dyaSmolnai;, good deed. 6 iwtdjeTV. 7 Add from the Gr. of Athanasius and Antiochus : Not to remember injuries ; To comfort those who labour in their minds. s 'Euiift,n.. 197 We must ask of God II. HERMAS. to be good, or not ? And I said, What can be belter than these words? Live then, said- he, in these commandments, and do not depart from them. , For if thou shalt keep all these Command ments, thou shalt live unto God. And all they that shall keep these commandments shall live unto God. COMMAND IX. That we must ask of God daily ; and without doubting. AGAIN he said unto me ; ¦remove from thee all doubt ing ; and question nothing at all, when thou askest any thing of the Lord ; saying within thyself ; how shall 1 be able to ask any thing of the Lord and receive it, seeing I have so greatly sinned against him? 2 Do not think thus, but turn unto the Lord with all thy heart, and ask of him without doubting, and thou shalt know the mercy of the Lord ; how that he will not forsake thee, but will fulfil the re quest of thy soul. 3 For God is not as men, mind ful of the injuries he has re ceived ; but he forgets injuries, and has 'compassion upon his creature. 4 Wherefore purify thy heart from all the vices of this present world ; and observe the commands I have before delivered unto thee from God ; and thou shalt receive whatsoever good things thou shalt ask, and nothing shall be wanting unto thee of all thy petitions ; if thou shalt ask of the Lord without doubting. 5 2 Btlt they that are not such, daily, in faith. shall obtain none of those things which they ask. For they that are full of faith, ask all things with confidence, and receive from the Lord, because they ask with out doubting. But he that doubts, shall hardly live unto God, except he repent. 6 Wherefore purify thy heart from doubting, and put on faith ; and trust in God ; and thou shalt receive all that thou shalt ask. But and if thou shouldest chance to ask somewhat and not (3 imme diately) receive it, yet do not therefore doubt, because thou hast not presently received tbe petition of thy soul. 7 For it may be thou shalt not presently receive it for thy trial, or else for' some sin which thou knowest not. But do not thou leave off to ask, 4 and then thou shalt receive. Elsie if thou shalt cease to ask, thou must complain of thyself, and not of God, thathe has not given unto thee what thou didst desire. 8 Consider therefore this doubt ing how cruel and pernicious it is ; and how it utterly roots out many from the faith, who were very faithful and firm. For this doubting is the daughter of the Devil ; and deals very wickedly with the servants of God. 9 Despise it therefore, and thou shalt rule over it son every occa sion. Put on a firm and powerful faith : for faith promises all thihgs, and perfects all things. But doubting will not believe, that it shall obtain any thing, by all that it can do. 10 Thou seest therefore, says 1 Vid. Antioch. Hom. lxxxiii. Cqnfer. Fragm. D. Grabe. Spicileg. torn. pag. 303. a Add from the Gr. both of Athanasius and Antiochus : But if thou doubtest in thy heart, thou shalt receive none of thy petitions. For 'those who distrust (or, doubt of) God, are like the double minded, who shall obtain none of these things. 3 So MS. Lamb. Tardius accipias : and so the Gr. gjaSii-rspcrv Kawfiavsir. * Asking the petition of thy soul. 5 In every thing. 198 sadness COMMAND X. of the heart. he, how faith cometh from above, from God ; and has great power. But doubting is an earthly spirit, and proceedeth from the Devil, and has no strength. - . 11 Do thou therefore keep the virtue of faith, and depart from doubting, in which is no virtue, and thou shalt live unto God. And all shall live unto God, as ma ny as shall do these things. COMMAND X. Of the sadness of the h, art ; and that we must take heed not to grieve the spirit , qf God that is in us. PUT all sadness far from thee ; for it is the sister of doubting and of anger. How, sir, said-I, is it the sister- of these ? For sad ness, and anger, and doubting, seem to me to be very different from one anolher.- 2 And he answered; 'Art thou without sense that thou dost not understand it? For' sadness is the most mischievous of all spirits, and the worst to the servants of God: 2It destroys the spirits of all men, and torments the Holy Spi rit ; -and again it saves. 3 Sir, said I, I am very foolish, and understand not these 3 things. I cannot apprehend how it can torment, and yet save ? Hear, said he, and understand. They who never sought out the truth, nor inquired concerning the ma jesty , of God, but only believed, are involved in the affairs of the heathen. _, . 4 And there is another * lying prophet, that destroys" the 5 minds of the servants of God ; that is, of those that are doubtful, not of those that fully trust in the Lord. Now those doubtful persons come to him; as to a divine spirit, and inquire of him, what shall befall them. 5 And this lying prophet, hav ing no power in him of the Divine Spirit,. answers them according, to their demands ; and fills their souls with promises according as they desire. Howbeit that pro phet is vain, and answers vain things to those who are themselves vain. 6 And whatsoever is asked of him by vain men, he answers them vainly. Nevertheless he speaketh some things truly. For the Devil fills him with his spirit, that he may overthrow some of the righ teous. 7 «(y Whosoever therefore are strong in the faith of the Lord, and have put on the truth; they are not joined to such spirits, but depart from them. But they that are doubtful, and often repenting; like the heathens, consult them, and heap up to themselves great sin, serving idols. 8 As many therefore as are such, inquire of them upon every Occasion ; worship idols ; and are foolish, and, void of the truth. 9 For every spirit that is given from God needs not to be asked; but having the power of divinity speaks all things of itself*; because he comes from above, from the power ofthe spirit of God. 10 But > he that being asked speaks according to men's desires, and concerning many other affairs ofthis present world, understands not the things which relate unto, God. For-these spirits are dark ened through such affairs, and corrupted, find broken. 11 As good vines if they are neglected, are oppressed .with 1 Without sense thou dost not understand it. 2 So the Lat. Vers. But the Gr. of Athanasius is better: And destroyeth man more than any other spirit. 3 Questions. 4 Vid. Edit. Oxon. p. 70. b. Comp. 2 Cor* vii. 10. 5 La}.; Sensus : from the Greek NS... 199 -We must not grieve - II. HERMAS. weeds and th&rns, and at last killed by them ; so are the men who believe such spirits : 12 They fall into many actions and businesses, and are void of sense, * and when they think of things pertaining unto God, they understand nothing at all: but if at any time they chance to hear any thing concerning the Lord, fheir 2 thoughts are upon their business. 13 But they that have tlie fear of the Lord, and search out the truth concerning God, s having all their thoughts tdwards the Lord-; apprehend whatsoever is said to them, and forthwith un derstand it, because they have the fear of the Lord in them. 14 For where the spirit of the Lord dwells, there is also * much understanding added. Where fore 'join thyself to the Lord, 5 and thou shalt understand all things. • 15 "fl* Learn now, O unwise man! how sadness 6 troubleth the Holy Spirit, and how it saves. When a man thai is doubtful is engaged in any affair, and does not accom plish it by reason of his doubting ; this sadness enters into him, and grieves the Holy Spirit, and makes him sad. 16 Again, anger when it over takes any man for any business, the Spirit of God. 1 again sadness entereth into the heart of him, who was moved . with anger, and he is troubled for what he hath done, and repenteth, because he hath done amiss. * 17 This sadness therefore seem eth to bring salvation, because he repenteth of his evil deed. But both the other things, namely, doubting and sadness, such as be fore was mentioned, vex the spi rit : doubting, because his work did not succeed ; and sadness, be cause be angered the Holy Spirit. 18 8 Remove therefore sadness from thyself; 9 and afflict not the Holy Spirit which dwelleth in thee ; lest he 10 intreat God, and depart from thee. For the spirit of the Lord n which is given to dwell in the flesh, endureth no such sadness. 19 Wherefore cloath thyself with* cheerfulness, which has al-*. ways favour with the Lord, and thou shalt rejoice in it. For every cheerful- man does well ; and re lishes those things that are good, and despises 12 sadness. 20 But the sad man does al ways wickedly. First, he doth wickedly, 13 because he grieveth the Holy Spirit, which is given to man being of a cheerful nature. And again he does ill, because he prays with sadness unto the Lord, and maketh not first a thankful he is greatly moved; "7 and then | acknowledgment unto him of for- i And understand nothing at all, thinking of riches. Lat. 3 Senses. 3 Gr. of Athanasius, ___>;&« ££°vt_; m^__ xiipio* So that the Latin should be Habentes, not Habent. * Gr. SiWi? wi>,x.. 5 Gr. n&rrm w.«if. And so the Lamb. MS. Omniascies. 6 Gr. Urpigei. MS. Lamb. Contribulat. 7 In the Greek of Athanasius, follows, 5 .roi .rn ti xaniy. And he doth something which is ill. Which better agrees with what follows, Because he haih done amiss. Tbe text in tbis place being evidently corrupted, it has been endeavoured to restore the true sense of it from the Greek of Athanasius, which is as follows". rio-Xty ft Xutt . .Vint. % Euelrti _"_ -r .v xag&ay tu axfytbirts t5 .%v%t_\i_Ti__.__)'t Kj \v7rBvtat lirt vn irg&Z-i ttvrS . _ryga£i¥, £ f^svavosT art rffovpgoy !.gyttf<_T0. *"aut. Sv . \v Gr. M. 6hli_, MS. Lamb. Noli nocere. "0 Gr. Mi ll) T.ii|ii?Si Tf &£ji. Comp. Rom. vii. 27. n Gr. To it&h _1_- i-ii. c_j„«, mint KuVnv .ix bwvpigei. la Gr. a.!*-*.;, 13 So the Greek; oJ_>u»mjo} «yiif b-*vto1_5tov»}I:i'_?*i. _t»*"tov /*iv ironpsvtlcti, &c. 200 Spirits and prophets COMMAND XI. to. be tried by works. mer mercies ; and obtains not of God what he asks. 21 For the prayer of a sad man has not always efficacy to come up to the altar of God. And I said unto him, Sir, why has not the prayer of a sad man virtue to come up to the altar of God ? Because, said he, that sadness remaineth in bis heart. " 22 When therefore a man/s prayer shall be accompanied with sadness, it will not suffer his re quests to ascend pure to the altar of God. For as wine when it is mingled with vinegar, has not the sweetness it had before ; so sad ness being mixed with the Holy Spirit, suffers not a man's prayer to be the same that it would be otherwise. 23 Wherefore cleanse thyself from sadness, which is evil, and thou shalt live, unto God. And all others shall live unto God, as ma ny as shall lay aside sadness, and put on cheerfulness. COMMAND XI. That the spirits and prophets are io be tried by their works; and of a twofold spirit. HE shewed me certain men sitting upon benches, and one sitting in a chair : and he said unto me ; Seest thou those who sit upon the benches ? Sir, said I, I see them. He answered, They are the faithful ; and he who sits in the chair, is an earthly spirit. 2 For he cometh not into l the assembly ofthe faithful, but avoids it. But he joins himself to the doubtful and empty ; and prophe sies to them in corners and hid den places ; and pleases them by speaking according to all the de sires of their hearts. . 3 For he placing himself among empty vessels, is not broken, but the one fitteth the other. But when he cometh into the company of just men, s who are full of the spirit of God, and they pray unto the Lord ; that man is 3 emptied, because that earthly spirit flies from him, and he is dumb, and cannot speak any thing. 4 As if in a store-house you shall stop up wine or oil; and a- mong those vessels shall place an empty jar; and shall afterwards come to open it, you shall find it empty as, you stopped it up : so those empty prophets, when they come among the spirits. of the just, are found to be such as they came.4 5 fl said, How then shall a man be able to discern them? Consider what I am going to. say- Concerning both kinds of s men ; and as I speak unto thee, so shalt thou prove the prophet of God, and the false prophet. 6 And first try the man Who hath the Spirit of God ; because the spirit which is from above is humble, and quiet ; and departs from all wickedness ; and from the1 vain desires of the present world ; and makes himself more humble than all men ; and an swers to none when he is asked ; nor to every one singly : for the Spirit of God doth not speak to a man when he will, but when God pleases. 7 When therefore a man who hath the Spirit of God shall come 1 Church of the living. - Have the Spirit of God in them. ' Exinanitui , 4 Something was wanting in this place to make the subject clear, and it was sug gested to Archbishop Wake, by Dr. Grabe, that what should have followed was transposed into the next command. Accordingly the Archbishop reduced both places to what he conceived should be their true order, end in that state they now stand. 5 Vessels. 201 Of a two-fold spirit. II. HERMAS. Ofa two -fold desire. into the church of the righteous, who have the faith of God, and they pray unto the Lord; then the holy angel of -God fills that man with the blessed Spirit, and he speaks in the congregation as he is moved of God. 8 Thus therefore is the Spirit of God known, because whosoever speaketh by the Spirit of God, speaketh as the Lord will. 9 «"J Hear now concerning the earthly spirit, which is empty and foolish, and without virtue. And first pf all the man who is sup posed to have the Spirit, (whereas he hath it not in reality), exalteth himself, and desires to have the first seat, and is wicked, and full of words ; 10 And spends his time in pleasure, and in all manner of voluptuousness; and receives the reward of his divination ; which if he receives not, he does not di vine. 11 Should the Spirit of God re ceive reward and divine ? It doth not become a prophet of God so to do. 12 Thus you see the life of each of these kind of prophets. Where fore prove that' man by his life and works, who says that he hath the Holy Spirit. And believe the Spirit which comes from God, and has power as such. But believe not the earthly and empty spirit, which is from thedevil, in whom there is no faith nor virtue. 13 Hear now the similitude which I am about to speak unto thee. Take a stone, and throw it up towards heaven ; or take a spout of water, and mount it up thitherward; and see if thou canst reach unto heaven. 14 Sir, said I, How can this be done ? For neither of those things which you have mentioned, are possible to be done. And he an swered, therefore as these things cannot be done, so is the earthly spirit without virtue, and without effect. 15 Understand yet farther the power which cometh from above, iii this similitude. The grains of hail that drop down are exceeding small; and yet when they fall upon the head of a man, how do they cause pain to it ? 16 And again ; consider the droppings of a house ; how the little drops falling upon the earth, work a hollow in the stones. 17 So in like manner the least things which come from above, and fall upon the earth, have great force. Wherefore join thyself fo this spirit, which has power; and depart from tbe other which is empty. COMMAND XII. Of a two-fold desire: that the commands of God are not impossible: and that the devil is not to be feared by them that believe. AGAIN he said unto me ; 1 re move from thee all evil de sires, and put on good and holy desires. For having put on a good desire, thou shalt hate that which is evil, and bridle it as thou wilt. But an evil desire is dread ful, and hard to be tamed. 2 It is very horrible and wild ; and by its wildness consumes men. And especially if a servant of God shall chance to fall into it, except he,be very wise, he 2 is ruined by it. For it destroys those who have not the garment of a good desire ; and 3 are engaged in the affairs of 1 Vid. Antioch. Hom. lxxiv. *" MS. Lamb. Consumifur, et Gr. Athanas. S***v«t«. » Gr. Athanas. Iftrrnfuj^lvou; to** b'iSvi tou't». Instead of Implicat eos, the Lat, Vers, should be Implicatos. I 202 God's commands COMMAND XII. not impossible. this present world ; and .delivers them unto death. 3 1 Sir, said I, What are the works of an evil desire, which bring men unto death ? Shew them to me, that I may depart from them. Hear, said he, by what works an evil desire bringeth the servants of God unto death. 4 First of all, it is an evil desire to covet another man's wife ; or for a woman to covet another's husband ; as also to desire the dainties of riches; and multitude of superfluous meats; and drun kenness ; and many delights. 5 For in much delicacy there is folly ; and many pleasures are needless to the servants of God. Such lusting therefore is evil and pernicious, which brings to death the servants of God. For all such lusting is from the devil. 6 Whosoever therefore shall de part from all evil desires, shall live unto God ; but tbey that are sub ject unto them shall die for ever. For this evil lusting is deadly. Do thou therefore put on the desire of righteousness, and being armed with the fear of the Lord resist all wicked lusting. 7 For this fear dwelleth in good desires ; and when evil coveting shall see thee armed with the fear of the Lord, and resisting it ; it will fly far from thee ; and not appear ; before thee, but be afraid of thy armour ; 8 And thou shalt have the vic tory, and be crowned for it ; and shalt attain unto that desire which is good ; and shalt give the victory i which thou hast obtained untoi God, and shalt serve him in doing what thou thyself wouldest do. 9 For if thou shalt serve good desires, and be subject to them ; Ihou shalt be able to get the do minion over thy wicked listings ; and they shall be subject to thee as thou wilt. 10 ""J And I said ; Sir, I would know how to serve that desire which is good ? Hearken, said he, Fear God, and put thy trust in him, and love truth, and righte ousness, and do that which is good. 11 If thou shalt do these things, thou shalt be an approved servant of God ; and shalt serve him : and all others who shall in like manner serve a good desire shall live unto God. 12 «*]" And when he had fulfilled these twelve commands, he said unto me, Thou hast now\these commands, walk in them ; and exhort those that hear them that they repent, and that they keep their repentance pure all the re maining days of their life. 13 And fulfil diligently this ministry which I commit to thee, and thou shalt receive great ad vantage by it ; and shalt find fa vour with all such as shall repent, and shall believe thy words. For I am with thee, and willibrce them to believe. 14 And I said unto him, Sir, these- commands < are great and excellent, and able to cheer the heart of that man that shall, be able to keep them. But, sir, I cannot tell, whether they can be observed by any man ? 15 He answered, Thou shalt easily keep these commands, and they shall not be hard: howbeit, if thou shalt suffer it once to enter into thy heart that they cannot be kept by anyone, thou shalt not fulfil them. 16 But now I say unto thee, if 1 That the words here inserted, and removed into their proper jjlace in the foregoing Command, do not belong to this Discourse, the Greek of Athanasius, in which they are all omitted, clearly shews. 203 Believers not lo II. HERMAS. fear the dcril, thou shalt not observe these com mands, but shalt neglect them, thou shalt not be saved, nor thy children, nor thy house : because thou hast judged that these com mands cannot be kept by man. 17 «fl These things he spake very angrily unto me, insomuch that he greatly affrighted me. For he changed his countenance, so that a man could not bear his anger. 18 And .when he saw me alto gether troubled and confounded, he began to speak more moderate ly and cheerfully, saying, O fool ish, and without understanding? 19 Unconstant, not knowing the majesty of God, how great and wonderful he is : who created the world for man, and hath made every creature subject unto him ; and given him all power, that he should be able to " fulfil all these Commands. 20 He is able, said he, to > ful fil all these commands, who has the Lord in his heart: but they who have the Lord only in their mouths, and their heart is har dened, and they are far frOm the Lord ; to such persons these com mands are hard and difficult. 21 Put therefore, ye that are empty and light in the faith, tbe Lord your God in your hearts; and ye shall perceive how that nothing is more easy than these commands, nor more pleasant, nor more gentle and holy. 22 And turn yourselves to the Lord your God, arid forsake the devil and his pleasures, because they are evil, and bitter, and im pure. And fear not the devil, because he has no power over you. 23 For I am with you, the '' messenger of repentance, who 1 Ut domfnetor. 2 Angel. *> Matt. xxiv. 48. 204 have tbe dominion over him. The devil doth indeed affright men ; but his terror is vain. Where fore fear him not, and he will flee from you. 24 f And I said unto him ; Sir, hear me speak a < few words unto you. He answered, Say on : A man indeed desires to keep the commandments of God ; and there is no one but what prays unto God, that he may be able to keep his commandments. 25 But the devil is hard, and bj his power rules over the servants of God. And he said ; He can not rule over tbe servants of God, 3 who trust in him with all their hearts. 26 The devil may strive, but he cannot overcome them. 27 For if ye resist him, he will flee away with confusion from you. But they that are not full in the . faith, fear the devil, as if he had some great power. For the devil tries the servants of God ; and if he finds them empty, be destroys them. 28 For as a man, when he fills up vessels with good wine, * and among them puts a few vessels half full, and comes to try and taste of the vessels, doth not try those that are full, because he knows that they are good; but tastes those that are half full, lest they should grow sour ; (for ves sels half full soon grow sour, and lose tbe taste of wine.:) so the devil comes to the servants of God to try them. 29 They that are- full of faith resist him stoutly, and he departs from them, because be finds no place where to enter into them: then he goes to those that are not full of faith, and because he has place of entrance, he goes into Gr. _av(£«V.m i!*5 VM*. 4 Origen. in but turn to COMMAND Xll. . the Lord. them, aiid does what he will with them, and they become his ser vants./ 30 fl But I, the •* messenger of repentance, say unto you, fear not the devil. For I am sent unto you, that I may be with you, as many as shall repent with your whole heart,- and that I may con firm you in the faith. 31 2 Believe therefore, ye who by reason of your transgressions have 3 forgot God, and your own salvation; and 4 adding to your sins have made your life very heavy ; 32 That if ye shall turn to the Lord with your whole hearts, and . shall serve him according to his will ; he will heal you of your former sins, and ye shall have do minion over all the works of the devil. 33 Be not then afraid in the least of his threatenings, for they are without force, as the nerves of a dead man. But hearken unto me, and fear the Lord Almighty, who is able to save and to destroy you ; and keep his commands, that ye may live unto God. 34 And I said unto him ; Sir, I am now confirmed in all the commands ofthe Lord whilst that you are with me ; and I know that you will break all the power of the devil. * 35 And we also shall overcome him, ifwe*shall be able, through the help of the Lord, to keep these commands which you have deli vered. 36 Thou shalt keep them, said he, if thou shalt purify thy heart towards the Lord. . And all they also shall keep them who. shall cleanse their hearts from the vain desires of the present world, and shall live unto God. The Third Book of HERMAS, which is called his SIMI LITUDES. SIMILITUDE I. That seeing we have no abiding city in this world, we ought to look after that which is to come. AND he said unto me ; 5 Ye know that ye who are the servants of the Lord, live here as in a pilgrimage ; for ypur city is far off from this city. 2 If, therefore, ye know your city in which ye are to dwell, why do ye here buy estates, and pro vide yourselves with delicacies, and stately buildings, and superfluous houses? For he that provides himself these things in this city, does not- think of returning into his own city. j 3 O foolish, and doubtful, and wretched man \, who understand- est not that all these things belong to other men, and are under the - power of another. For the Lord ofthis city saith unto thee; Either obey, my laws, or depart out of my city. 4 What therefore shalt thou do who art subject to a law in thine own city ? Canst thou for thy es tate; or for any of those things which thou hast provided, deny thy law ? But if thpu shalt deny it, and wilt afterwards return into thy own city, thou shalt not be received,- but shalt be excluded thence. 5 See therefore, that like a man 1 Angel. * Vid. Antioch. Hom. Ixxvii. ' MS. Lamb. Qui obliti eatis Deiim, et salutem vestram. . * "What follows should be Corrected thus : Et qui adjicientes peccatis veitrii, gravatis vitam vestram. 205 * Antiocb. Hom. xv. Of the world lo come. III. HERMAS. The rich helped by in another country, thou procure no more to thyself tfian what is necessary, and sufficient for thee ; and be ready, that when the God or Lord of this city shall drive thee out of it, thou mayest oppose his law, and go into thine own city; where thou mayest with all cheer fulness live according to thine own law without wrong. 6 Take heed therefore ye that serve God, and have him in your hearts : work ye the works of God, being mindful both of bis com mands and of his promises, which he has promised ; and be assured that he will make them good unto you ; if ye shall keep his .com mandments. 7 Instead therefore of the pos sessions that ye would otherwise purchase, redeem l those that are in want from their necessities, as every one is . able ; justify the widows; judge the cause of the fatherless ; and spend your riches and your wealth in such works as these. 8 For, for this end has God en riched you, that ye might fulfil these kind of services. It is much better to do this, than to buy lands or houses; because all such things shall perish with this present time. : 9 But what ye shall do for the name of the Lord, ye shall find in your city, and shall have joy with out - sadness or fear. Wherefore covet not the riches ofthe heathen ; for they are destructive to the ser vants of God. 10 2 But trade with your own riches which you possess, by which ye may attain unto everlasting joy. 11 And do not commit adul tery, nor touch any other man's wife, nor desire her; but covet that which is thy own business, and thou shalt be saved. SIMILITUDE II. As the vine is supported by the elm, so is the rich man helped by the prayers of the poor. AS I was walking into the field, and considered the elm and the vine, and thought with myself of their fruits, an angel appeared unto me, and said unto me; What is it that thou thinkest upon thus' long within thyself? 2 And I said unto him, Sir, I , think of this vine and this elm, because their fruits are fair. And he said, unto me ; s These two trees are set for a pattern to the ser vants of God. 3 And I said unto him : Sir, I would know in what the pattern of these trees which thou mentionest does consist. Hearken, saith he'; seest thou this vine and this elm ? Sir, said I, I see them. 4 This vine, saith he, is fruit ful, but the elm is a tree without fruit. Nevertheless this vine un less it were set by this elm, and, supported by itj would not bear much fruit; but lying alongupon the ground, would bear but ill fruit, because it did not hang upon the elm : whereas, now being sup ported upon the elm, it bears fruit both for itself, and for that. 5 See, therefore, how the elm. gives no less, but rather more fruit, than the vine. How, sir, said I, does it bear more fruit than the vine ? Because, said he, the vine being supported upon the elm gives both much and good fruit: whereas, if it lay alongupon the ground, it would bear but little, and that very ill too. 6 This similitude, therefore, is set forth to the servants of God ; 1 Sonls* * MS. Lambeth. Origeh. in Jos. Hom. x. 20# Proprias autem quas habetis agite. 3 Vid. the prayers of the poor. SIMILITUDE IV. Of green and dry trees. increased : for he that is sensible of this, will be able to minister; somewhat lo others. and it represents the rich and poor man. I answered, Sir, make this manifest unto me. Hear, said he ; the rich man ' has wealth ; how beit towards the Lord he is poor ; for he is 'taken up about his rich es, and prays but little to the Lord ; and the prayers which he makes are lazy and without force. 7 When, therefore, the rich man reaches out to the poor those things which he wants, the poor man prays unto the Lord for the rich ; and God grants unto the rich man all good things, because the poor man is rich in prayer : and his requests have great power with the Lord. 8 Then the rich man ministers all things to the poor, because- he perceives that he is_heard by the Lord ; and he the more willingly, and without doubting, affords him what he wants, and takes care that nothing be lacking to him. 9 And the poor man gives thanks unto the Lord for the rich ; because they do both their work from the Lord. 10 -With men, therefore, the elm is not thought to give any fruit ; and they know not, neither understand that its company being added to the vine, the vine bears a double increase, both for itself and for the elm. 11 Even so the poor praying unto the Lord for the rich, are heard by him; and their riches are increased, because they minis ter to the poor of their wealth. They are, therefore, both made partakers of each other's good works. 12 Whosoever, therefore, shall do these things, he shall not be forsaken by the Lord, but shall be written in the book of life. 13 Happy are they who are rich, and perceive themselves to be 1 Distracted. 207 SIMILITUDE III. v As the green treesjn the winter cannot be distinguished from the dry ; so neither can the righteous from tlie wicked in , this present world. AGAIN he shewed me many trees whose leaves were shed and which seemed to me to be withered, for they were all alike. And he said unto me, Seest thou these trees ? I said, Sir, I see that they look like dry trees. 2 He answering, said unto me ; These trees are like unto the men who live in this present world. I replied; Sir, why are they like unto dried trees . Because, said he, neither the righteous, nor un righteous, are known from one another ; but are all alike in this present world. 3 For this world is as the winter to the righteous men, 3 because they are not known, but dwell among sinners. 4 As in the winter, all the trees having lost their leaves, are like dry trees ; nor can it be discern ed which are dry, and which are green : so ii» this present world neither the righteous, nor wicked, are discerned from each other ; but they are all alike. SIMILITUDE IV. , As in the summer the living trees are dis tinguished from the dry by their fruit and green leaves ; so in the world to come the righteous shall be distinguished from the unrighteous by their happiness. AGAIN he shewed me many other trees, of which some had leaves, and others appeared dry and withered. And he said unto me, Seest thou these trees?. I answered, Sir, I see them ; and some are dry, and others full of leaves. 4 Who are. Of believers' fruits. Ill HERMAS. Of a true fast, .2 These trees, saith he, which are green, are the righteous, which shall possess the world to come. For the world to come, is the sum mer to the righteous ; but to sin ners it is the winter. 3 When, therefore, 'the mercy ofthe Lord shall shine forth, then they who serve God shall be made manifest, and plain unto all. For as in the summer the fruit of every tree is shewn and made manifest, so also the works of the righteous shall be declared and made mani fest, and they shall all be restored in that world merry and joyful. ' 4 For the other ' kind of men, namely the wicked, like the trees which thou sawest dry, shall as such be found dry and without fruit in that other world; and like dry wood shall be burnt; and it shall be made manifest that they have done evil all the time of their ' bTe ; 5 And they shall be burnt be cause theyhave sinned and have not repented of their sins. And also all the other nations shall be burnt, because they have not ac knowledged God their Creator. 6 Dp thou, therefore, bringforth good fruit, that iu the summer thy fruit may be known ; and keep thyself from much business, and thou shalt not offend. For they who are involved in much busi ness, sin much ; because they are taken, up with their affairs, and serve not God. 7 And how can a man that does not serve God, ask any thing of God, and receive it-? But they who serve him, ask and receive what they desire. 8 But, if a man has only one thing to follow, he may serve God, because his mind is not taken off from God; but he serves him with a pure mind. 9 If, therefore, thou shall do this, thou mayest have fruit in the world to come ; and all, as many as shall do in like manner, shall bring forth fruit. similitude" V. Ofa true fast, and the rewards (fit: also ofthe cleanliness ofthe body. AS I was fasting, and sitting down in a certain mountain, and giving thanks unto God for all the things that he had done ! unto me ; behold I saw the shepherd, who was wont to converse with me, sitting by me, and saying unto me : What has brought thee hither thus early in the morning? I answered, Sir, to-day I keep a 3 station. 2 He answered, What is. a sta tion ? I replied, It is a fast. He said, What is that fast ? I answer ed, I fast, as I have been wont to do. Ye know not, said he,, what it is lo fast unto God ; nor is this a fast which ye fast, profiting no thing with God. 3 Sir, said I, what makes you speak thus ? He replied, I speak it, because this is not the true fast which you, think that you fast ; but I will shew you what that is which is a 4 complete fast, and acceptable unto God. 4 Hearken, said he, The Lord does not desire such a needless fast : for by fasting in this man ner, thou advancest nothing in righteousness. 5 4 But the true fast is this: Do nothing wickedly in thy life, but serve God with a pure mind ; and keep his commandments, and walk according to his precepts, nor suf fer any wicked desire to enter into thy mind. 1 Nations. s With me. . Vid. Not. Coteler. in loc. pp. 72, ?3. teler. Ibid. 5 Jejuna certe verum jejunium tale. Lat. 208 ¦¦.Co- utul the similitude V. 'rewards of it. 6 But trust in the Lord, that if thou dost these things, and fearest him, and abstainest from every evil work; thou shalt live unto God. 7 If thou shalt do this, thou shalt perfect a great fast, and an acceptable one unto the Lord. 8 fl Hearken unto 'the simili tude which I am about to propose unto thee, as to this matter. 9 A certain man having a farm, and many servants, planted a vineyard in a certain part of his estate for his' posterity : 10 And taking a journey into a far country, chose one of his ser vants which he thought the most faithful and approved, and deli vered the vineyard into his care ; commanding him that he should stake up his vines. Which if he did, and fulfilled his command, he promised to give him his liberty. Nor did he command him to do any thing more ; and so went into a far country. 11 After then that that servant had taken that charge upon him; he did whatsoever his lord com manded him. And when he bad staked the' vineyard, and found it to be full of weeds, he began to think with himself, saying ; 12 I have done what my lord commanded me : I will now dig this vineyard, and when it is dig ged, it will be more beautiful; and the weeds being pulled up, it will bring- forth more fruit, and not be choked by the weeds. 13 So setting about this work he digged it, and plucked up all the weeds that were in it ; and so the vineyard became very beauti ful and prosperous, not being choked with weeds. 14 After some time the lord of the vineyard comes and goes into the vineyard, and when he' saw that it was handsomely staked, and digged;- and the weeds pluck ed up that wefe in it, and the vines flourishing, he rejoioed greatly at the care of hi** servant. 15 And Calling his son Whom he loved, and who was to bfe his heir, and his friends with whom he was wont to consult ; he tells them what he had commanded his servant to do, and what his ser vant had done more : and they immediately congratulated that servant, that he had received so •'full a testimony from his lord. - 16 Then he said unto them, I indeed promised this' servant his liberty, if he Observed the Com mand which I gave him ; and he observed it, and besides has done a good work to my vineyard, which has exceedingly pleased me. 17 Wherefore for this work which he hath done, I will make him my heir together with my son ; because that when he saw what was good, he neglected it not, but did it. 18 This design of the lord both his son and his friends approved, namely, that this servant should be heir together with his son. 19 Not long after this, the mas ter of the family calling together his friends, sent from his supper ' several kinds of food to that ser vant. 20 Which when he had receiv ed, he took so much of them as was sufficient for himself, and di vided the rest among his fellotv servants. 21 Which when they had re ceived, they rejoiced ; and wished that he might find yet greater fa vour with bis lord, for what he had done to them. 209 1 Just a commendation. Qf a truefastK HI. HERMAS. and its rewar sd, 22 When his ford heard all these things, he was again filled with great joy ; and calling again his friends and his son together, he related to them what his ser vant had done with the meats which he had sent unto him. 23 They therefore so much the more assented to the master of the household ; that he ought to make that servant his heir together with his son. 24 fl I said unto him, Sir, I know not these similitudes, nei ther can I understand them, un less you expound them unto me. I will, says he, expound all things unto thee, whatsoever I have talk ed with thee, or shewn unto thee. 25 Keep the commandments of the Lord and thou shalt be ap proved, and shalt be written in the number of those that keep his commandments. But if besides those things which the Lord hath commanded, thou shalt add some good thing ; thou shalt purchase to thyself a greater dignity, and be in more favour with the Lord than thou shouldest otherwise have been. 26 If therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord, and shalt add to them these sta tions, thou shalt rejoice ; but espe ciaUy if thou shalt keep them ac cording to my commands. 27 I said unto him, Sir, what soever thou shalt command me, I will observe ; for I know that thou wilt be with me. I will, said he, be with thee, who hast taken up such a resolution ; and I will be with all those who purpose in like manner. 28 This fast, saith he, whilst thou "dost also observe rthe com mandments of the Lord, is ex ceeding good. Thus therefore shalt thou keep it; 29 First of all, take lieed to thyselfj and keep thyself ifrom every ' wicked act, and from every filthy word, and from every hurt ful desire; and purify thy mind from all the vanity of this present world. If thou shalt observe these things, this fast shall be right. 30 Thus therefore do. Having perftrmed what is before written, that day on which thou fastest thou shall taste nothing at all but •bread and water; Jand com puting the quantity of food which thou art wont to eat upon other days, thou shalt slay aside the expense whieh thoU shouldest have made that day, and give it unto the widow, the fatherless, and the poor. 31 3 And thus thou shalt per fect the humiliation of thy soul; that he Who receives of it may sa tisfy his soul, and his prayer come up to the Lord God for thee. 32 If therefore thou shalt thus accomplish thy fast, as I command thee, thy sacrifice shall be accept able unto the Lord, and thy fast shall be written in his book. 33 This station, thus perform ed, is. good and pleasing and ac ceptable unto the Lord. These things if thou shalt observe with thy children, and with all thy house, thou shalt be happy. 34 And whosoever, wheh they hear these things, shall do them, they also shall be happy ; and whatsoever they shall ask of the Lord- they shall1 receive 'it. 35 And I prayed him thathe would expound unto me the simi litude of the farm, and the lord, and of the Vineyard* land of the servant that had stakedthe vine- i Shameful: or, upbraiding. 210 ** Vid. Not. Coteler. ii. p. 74- A. B. C. Antioch. Horn. vii. 'Vid. and of cleanliness SIMILITUDE V. of tlie body. yard ; and of the weeds that were plucked out of the vineyard ; and of his son and his friends which he took into counsel with him. For I understood that that was a similitude; 36 He said unto me, Thou art very bold in asking: for thou oughtest not to ask any thing ; because if it be fitting to shew it unto thee, it shall be shewed unto thee. 37 I answered him ; Sir, what soever thou shalt shew me, with out explaining it unto me, I shall in vain see it, if I do not under stand what it is. And if thou shalt propose any similitudes, and not expound them, I shall in vain hear them. . 38 He answered me again, say ing : Whosoever is the servant of God, and has the Lord in his heart, he desires understanding of him, and receives it ; and he ex plains every similitude, and un derstands the words of the Lord, which need an inquiry. 39 But they that are lazy and stow to pray, doubt to seek from the Lord ; although the Lord be of such an extraordinary good ness, that without ceasing he giv eth all things to them that ask of him. 40 Thou therefore who art strengthened by that venerable messenger, and hast received such a powerful gift of prayer ; seeing thou art not slothful, why dost thou not now ask understanding of the Lord, and receive it ? 41 I said unto him ; seeing I have thee present, it is necessary that I should seek it of thee, and ask thee; for thou she west all things unto me, and speakest to me When thou art present. 42 But, if; I. should;, see or hear these things when thou wert not present, I would then ask the Lord that he would shew them unto me. 43 fl And be replied, I said a little before that thou wert subtle and bold, in that thou askest the meaning of these similitudes. 44 But because thou still per- sistest ; I will unfold to thee this parable which thou desirest, that thou mayest make it known unto all men. 45 Hear therefore, said he, and understand. The farm before men tioned denotes the whole .earth. The lord of the farm is he, who created and finished all things; and gave virtue unto them. 46 His son is the Holy Spirit,: the servant is the Son of God: the vineyard is the people whom he saves. The stakes are * the messen gers which are set over them by the Lord, to support bis people. The weeds that are plucked up out of the vineyard, are the sins which the servants of God had committed. 47 The food which he sent him from his supper, are the com mands which he gave to his peo ple by his Son. .The friends whom he called to counsel with him, are the holy angels whom he first created. The absence of the mas ter of the household, is the time that remains unto his coming. 48 I said unto him, .Sir, all these things are very excellent, and wonderful, and good. But, continued I, could I or any other man besides, though never so wise, have understood these things? 49 Wherefore now, sir, tell me what I ask. He replied, Ask me what thou wilt. Why, said I, is the Son of God in this 'parable, put in the place ofa ser vahl ? 21. Angels. Of cleanliness HI. HERMAS. of the body. 50 Hearken, said he ; the Son of God is not put in the condi tion of a servant, but in great power and authority. I said unto hini, How, sir? I understand it not. 51 Because, said he, -the Son set his ' messengers over those whom the Father delivered unto him, to keep every one of them ; but he himself laboured very much, and suffered much, that he might blot out their offences. 52 For no vineyard can be dig ged without much labour and pains. Wherefore having blotted out the sins of his people, he shewed to them the paths of life, giving them the law which he had received of the Father. 53 You see, said he, that he is the Lord of his people, having received all power from his Fa ther. 2 But why the lord did fake his son into counsel, about dividing the inheritance, and the good angels, hear now. 54 That s Holy .Spirit, which was created- first of all, he placed in the body in which God should dwell; namely, in a. chosen body, as it seemed good to him. This body therefore into which the 3 Holy Spirit was brought, served that Spirit, walking rightly and purely in modesty; nor ever de filed that Spirit. 55 Seeing therefore the body at all times obeyed the Holy Spirit, and laboured rightly and chastely wilh him, nor faltered at any time ; that body being wea ried conversed indeed servilely, but' being mightily approved to God with the Holy Spirit, was ac cepted by him. 56 For such a stout course pleased God, because he was not defiled in the earth, keeping the Holy Spirit. He called. therefore to counsel his Son, and tbe good angels, that there might be some place of standing given to tbis body which had served the Holy Spirit without blame ; , lest it should seem to have lost the re ward of its service. 57 For every pure body shall receive its reward ; that is found without spot, in which the Holy Spirit has been appointed to dwell. And thus you have now the exposition of this parable also. 58 Sir, said I,! I now under stand your meaning, since I have heard this exposition. Hearken farther, said he : keep this thy body clean andpure, thatthe Spi rit which- shall dwell in it may bear witness unto it, and be judg ed to have been with thee. 59 Also take heed that it be not instilled into thy mind that this body perishes, and thou abuse it to any lust. For if thou shalt de file thy body, thou shaU also at the same time defile the v Holy Spirit ; and if thou shalt defile 4 the Holy Spirit, thou shall not live. i 60 And I said, What if through ignorance this should have been already committed, before a man heard these words ; How can he attain unto salvation, who has thus defiled his body ? 61 He replied, As for men's ,, , ;l Angels. s This place which in all the editions of Hermas is wretchedly .Corrupted, by the collation of editions and MSS. is thus corrected by flr. Grabe : '.' Quare autem Dominus in consilio adhibuerit, filium de heereditate, honestosque nuncios, audi : Spiritum Sanctum, qui creatus est omnium primus, ih corpore,' in quo habit are t Dens, collocavit; in delectd scilicet corpore quod ei videbatur." » Viz. the created Spirit of Christ, as man ; not the Holy Ghost, the Third Person ofthe sacied Trinity. < Thy body, according to some copies. 212 Of two sorts of SIMILITUDE VI. voluptuous men. former actions, which through ig norance they have committed, God only can afford a remedy unto them ; for all power belong eth unto him. . 62 But now guard thyself; and seeing God is almighty and mer ciful, he will grant a remedy to what thou hast formerly done a- miss, if for the time to come thou shalt not defile thy body and spirit : 63 For they are companions together, and the one cannot be defiled but the other will be so .tpo. Keep therefore both of ihepi pure, and thou shalt live unto God. ¦ SIMILITUDE VI. Of two sorts of voluptuous men, and qf their dealh, defection, and of the conti nuance of their pains. AS I was sitting at home, and praising God for all the things which I had seen; and was thinking concerning the com mands, that they were exceeding good, and great, and honest, and pleasant; and such as were able to bring a man to salvation ; I said thus within myself: I shall be happy if I shall walk accord ing to these commands, and who soever shall walk in them shall live unto God. 2: Whilst I was speaking on this wise within myself, I saw him whom I had before been wont to see, sitting by me ; and he spake thus unto me ; 3 What doubtest thou con cerning my commands which 1 have delivered unto thee ? They are good, doubt not, but trust in , the Lord, and thou shalt walk in them. For I will give thee strength 1 to fulfil them. 4 These commands- are profit able to those who shall repent of those sins which they; have for merly committed ; if for the time to come they shall not continue in them. 5 Whosoever therefore ye be that repent, cast aw"ay from:,j[ou the naughtiness of the present world: and put on all, virtue, and righteousness, and so shall ye be able to keep these commands ; and not sin from henceforth any more. 6 For if ye shall keep your selves from sin for the time to come, ye shall cut off a great deal of your former sins. Walk in my commands, and ye shall live unto God : These things have. I spoken unto you. 7 And when be had said this, he added ; let us go into the field, and I will shew thee shepherds of sheep. I replied, Sir, let, us go. 8 And we came intp a certain field, and there he shewed me a young shepherd, 2 finely, arrayed, with his garments ofa purple co lour. And he fed large flocks ; and his sheep were full of plea sure, and in - much delight and chearfulness ; and they skipping, ran here and there. 9 And, the shepherd took very great satisfaction in his flock; and the countenance of that shepherd was chearful, running up and down among his flock. 10- fl Then the angel said unto me, • Seest thou this shepherd ? I answered, Sir, I see him. He said unto me, this is the" s messenger of delight and pleasure. He there fore corrupts the minds of the servants of God, and turns them from the truth, delighting them with many pleasures, and they perish. 11 For they forget the com mands of the living God, and live in luxury and in vain pleasures ; 213 1 In them. - Vid. Annot. Coteler, in loc. Angel. Of two sorts of HI. HERMAS. voiuptuotts mew, and are corrupted by this evil angel, some of them even unto death ; and others to * a falling away* 12 I replied <) I understand not what you mean, by saying unto death, and to a falling away; Hear, slays he: All those sheep Which thou sawest exceeding 2 joy ful, are such as have for ever departed from God, and given themselves tp to the ! lusts of this present time. 13 To these therefore there is no return, by repentance, unto life; because that to their other sins they have added this, that they have blasphemed the name ofthe Lord. These kind of men are ordained unto death. 14 But those sheep which thou sawest not leaping* but feeding in One- place-; are such as have in deed given themselves up to plea sures and delights; but have not spoken anything wickedly against the Lord< 15 These therefore are only fallen off from the truth, and so have yet hope laid up for them in repentance. For such a falling off hath some hope still left of a renewal ; but they that are dead, sire utterly gone for ever. 16 Again we went a Jittle far ther forward ; and he shewed me - a great 4 shepherd, who had as it were a .rustic figure ; clad with a white goat's skin, having his, bag upon his shoulder, and in his hand a stick full of knots, and very hard, and a whip in his other hafnd ; and his countenance was stern and sour; enough to affright a man ; such was his look. 17 He took from that young s\tepherd such sheep as lived in pleasures, but did not skip up and down; and drove them into a certain steep craggy place, full of thorns and briers, insomuch that they could not get themselves free from them ; 18 But being entangled iq them, fed upon thorns and briers, and were grievously tormented with his whipping. For he still drove them on, and afforded them not any place, or time, to stand still. 19 fl When therefore I saw them so cruelly whipped and afflicted, I was grieved for them ; because they were greatly tor-; mented, nor had they any rest afforded them. 20 And I said unto the shep herd that was with me ; Sir/whQ is this cruel and implacable shep herd, who is moved with no com passion towards these sheep ? He answered, s This shepherd is in^ deed one of the ? holy angels, but is appointed for the punishment of sinners. " 21 To him therefore are deli vered those who have erred frora God, and served the lusts and pleasures of this world. For this cause he punishes them every one according to their deserts, with cruel and various kind of pains. 22 Sir, said I, I would know, what kind of pains they are which every one undergoes ? Hearken, said he ; The several pains and torments are those which men every day undergo in their pre sent lives. For some suffer losses ; others poverty; others divers sick nesses, Some are unsettled ; others suffer injuries from those that are unworthy; others fall under many other trials and inconveniencies. 23 For many with an unsettled design aim at naany things, and it 1 Ad defectionem, Lat - Exsultantia. Lat. *IiU_k'Attanas.'i«8ui<*J_ue*_, 'aiSv®. tiStb. * Agrestem. Lat. * Vid. Origen. in Psalm xxxvii. Hom. 1. 6 Righteousl la t3r. AtbaS&s. _« *Sv 'Ay_4\tit rh iamttn .rr"y&c. et Bie MS. Lamb. 214 and ,of theh • death SIMILITUDE VI. aaid defection; profiteth them* nplj ; and tifcey say that they have wt *"W"*"ws.s in tlaeir undertakings. 24 ' They do not calif to tl^eir mind what they have done amiss, and they Complain of the Lord. When therefore they shaW have undergone all kind of vexation and inconvenience ^ thenthey'are delivered over to me for good in struction, and are confirmed in the faith of the Lord, and serve the Lord all the rest of their days with a pure mind. 25 And Vyhen they begin to re pent of their sins, then they call to mind their- works which they have done amiss, and give honour to God, saying, That he is a just Judge, and they have deservedly suffered all things according to their deeds. 26 Then fop what remains of their lives, they serve God with a pure mind; and have success in all their undertakings, and receive from the Lord whatever they de sire. 27 And then they give thanks unto the Lord that they were de livered unto me ; nor do they suffer any more cruelty. 28 fl I said unto him ; Sir, I intreat you still to shew me now one thing. What, said he, dost thou2 ask? I said unto him ; Are they who depart from the fear of God, tormented for the same time that they enjoyed their false de lights and pleasures? He answered me ; They are tormented for the same time.' 29 And I said unto him; They are then tormented but. little ; whereas they who enjoy tbeir pleasures so as to forget God, ought to endure seven times as much punishment. 30 He answered me ; Thou art foolish, neither understandest thou tbe efficacy of this punishment. I said unto him ; Sir, if I under stood it, I would not desire you to tell me. 31 Hearken, said he, and learn what the force of both is, both of the pleasure and of the punish ment. An hour of pleasure ia terminated within its own space : but one hour of punishment has the efficacy of thirty days, s Who soever therefore enjoys his false pleasure for one day, and is one day tormented ; that one day of punishment is equivalent to a whole year's space. 32 Thus look how many days - any one pursues his pleasures, so many years is he punished for it. You see therefore, how that the time of worldly enjoyments is but short ; but that of pain and tor ments, a great deal more. 33 I replied; Sir, forasmuch as I do not understand 4 at all these times of pleasure and pain ; I in treat you that you would explain yourself more clearly concerning ihem. He answered me, saying; Thy foolishness still sticks unto thee. 34 Shouldest thou not rather purify thy mind, and serve God? Take heed; lest when thy time is fulfilled, thoq be found still un wise. Hear then, as thou desirest, that thou mayest the more easily understand. ,35 He that gives himself up one day to his pleasures and de lights, and does whatsoever hig soul desires, is full of great folly, nor understands what he does, but the day following forgets what he did the day before. 36 For delight and worldly pleasure are not kept in memory, by reason of the folly that is rooted 1 MS. Lamb. Snccurrit iis : Gr. Athanas. Z ymtmun. » MS, Lamb. Inqniris. 9 Origen. in Num. Horn. viii. * MS. Lamb. Omnino. 215 Of.voluptuotts men. III. HERMAS. The repentant must in them. 'But when pain and tor ment befal a man a day, he is in effect troubled the whole year after; because his punishment continues firm in his memory. 37 Wherefore he remembers it with sorrow the whole year ; and then calls to mind his vain plea sure and delights and perceives that for the sake of that he was punished. 38 Whosoever therefore have delivered themselves over to such pleasures, are thus punished ; be cause that when they had life, they rendered themselves liable to death. 39 I said unto him; Sir, what pleasures are hurtful ? He answer ed ; That is pleasure to every man which he doth willingly. 40 For the angry man, gratify ing his passion, perceives pleasure in it; and so the adulterer, and drunkard; the slanderer, and liar; the covetous man, and the de- frauder ; and whosoever commits any thing like unto these, because he l followeth his evil . disposition, he receives a satisfaction in the doing of it. 41 All these pleasures and de lights are hurtful to the servants of God. For these therefore they are tormented and suffer punishment. 42 There are also pleasures that bring salvation unto men. For many, when they do what is good, find pleasure in it, and are attract- ed'by the delights of it. 43 Now this pleasure is pro fitable to the servants of God, and brings life to such men : but those hurtful pleasures, which were be fore mentioned, bring torments and punishment. 44 And whosoever shall con tinue in them, and shall not re pent of what they havejdone, shall bring death upon themselves. 1 Obeyeth his disease. 216 SIMILITUDE VII. That they who repent,: must bring forth fruits worthy qf repentance. AFTER, a tew, days Lsaw the same person that; before talk ed with me,, in the: same field, in which I had seen those shepherds. And he said unto me ; What seek- est thou ? i 2 Sir, said I, I came to intreat you that you would command the shepherd, who is ,. the. minister of punishment, to depart out of my house, because he greatly raifiicts me. ' , ¦ •:.¦.,„ , 3 And he answered, It is neces sary for thee . to, endure jncon- veniencies and vexations ; for so that good angel bath commanded concerning thee, because he would try thee. ¦ ¦ 4 Sir, said I; What so great, offence have I committed, that I should be delivered to this a mes senger ? Hearken; said he : Thou art indeed guilty of many sins, yet not so many that thou should est be delivered to this ? messenger. 5 But thy house hath (.ommit ted many sins and offences, and therefore that good 2 messenger being grieved at their doings, commanded, that for. some, time thou shouldest, suffer affliction; that they may both repent of what they have done, and may wash themselves; from all the lusts. of this present world. , , 6 When therefore they shall have repented, and be. purified, then that messenger which is apr pointed over thy punishment, shall depart from thee. 7 I said un).o him ; Sir, if they have behaved themselves so as to anger that good; angel, yet what have I done ? He answered,; They cannot otherwise be afflicted, un less thou, who art the head . , 15 And moreover thou shalt suffer adversity but for a little time ; and then thou shalt again 217 be restored to thy former state; only continue on in the humility of thy mind. , 16 Obey the Lord with a pure heart; thou, and thy house, and thy -. children ; and, walk in the commands: which I have delivered unto thee; and then thy repen tance may be firm and pure. 17 And if thou shal t keep these things with thy house, thy incon- veniencies shall depart from thee. 18 And all vexation shall in like manner depart from all those, whosoever shall walk according to these commands. . , SIMILITUDE VIII. Thai there are many kinds of elect, and of repenting sinners : and how all of ' ihem shall receive a reward proportion able to the measure of their repentance and good works. AGAIN he shewed me a wil low which covered the fields' and the mountains,, under whose shadow came alt such as were called by. the name of the Lord. 2 And by that willow stood an angel of the Lord very excellent and. lofty; and did cut down. bpughs from that willo.w with a great hook ; and reached out to the people that were under the shadow of that willow little rods, as it were about a foot long. 3 And when all of them had taken them, he laid aside his hook, and the tree continued in- tire, as I had before seen it. • At which I wondered, and mused within myself. .4 Then that shepherd said unto me ; , Forbear ,to wonder that that tree continues whole, notwith* standing so many boughs have been cut off .from it : but stay a little, for now it shall be shewn thee, what that angel means,, who gave, those Bods to the people. 5 So he, again .demanded the rods of them; and in the same Of th* elect III. HERMAS. and the repentant, order that every one had- received' them, was he called to him, and restored his rod ; which when he had received, he examined them. 6 From some he received them dry and rotten, and as it were touched with the moth ; those he commanded to be separated from the rest, and placed by themselves. Others gave him their rods dry indeed, but not touched with the moth ; these also he ordered to be set by themselves. 7 Others gave in their rods half dry ; these also were set apart. Others gave in their rods half dry, and cleft ; these too were set by themselves- Others brought ih their rods, half dry and half green, and these were in like manner placed by themselves. 8 Others delivered up their rods two parts green, and the third dry ; and they too were set apart. Others brought . their rods two parts dry, and the third green; and were also placed by them selves. 9 Others delivered up their rods less dry, (for there was but a very little, to wit, their tops dry) but they had clefts, and these were set in like manner by themselves. In the rods of others there was but a little green, and the rest dry ; and these were set aside by them selves. 10 Others came, and brought their rods green as they had re ceived them, and the greatest part of the people brought theii: rods thus ; and the messenger greatly rejoiced at these, and tbey also were put apart by them selves. 11 Others brought their rods not only green, but full of branch es; and these were set aside, being also received bythe angel with great joy. Others brought their rods green with branches. 218 and those also some fruit upon them. 12 They who had such rods, were very cheerful ; and the an gel* himself took great joy at them ;¦ nor was the shepherd that stood with me, less pleased with them. 13 fl Then, the angel of the Lord commanded crowns to be brought: and the crowns were brought made of palms ; and the angel crowned those men in whose rods he found the young branches with fruit ; and commanded them to go into the tower. 14 He also sent those into the tower, in whose rods he found branches without fruit, giving a seal unto them. For they had the same garment, that is, ohe white as snow ; with which he bade them go into the tower. And so he did to those who returned their rods green as they received them ; giving them a white garment, and so sent them away to go into the tower. 15 Having done this, he said to, the shepherd that was with me, I go my way ; but do thou send these within the walls, every one into the place in which he has de served to dwell ; examining first their rods, but examine them dili gently that no one deceive thee. But and if any one shall escape thee, I will try them upon the altar. Having said this to the shepherd, he departed. 16 After he was gone, thesbep- herd said unto me ; Let us take the rods from them all, and plant them*; if perchance they may grow green again. I said unto him ; Sir, how can those dry rods ever grow green again ? 17 He answered me ; That tree is a willow, and always loves to live. If therefore these rods shall be planted, and receive a little and of SIMILCTFUKE Vffl. their rewardjit moisture, many of them will re cover themselves. ' 18 Wherefore I will try, and will pour water upon them, and if any of them can live, I will rejoice with him: but if not, at least by this means I shall be found not to have neglected my part. 19 Then be commanded me to call them ; and they all came unto him, every one in tbe rank in which he stood, and gave him their rods; which having received, he planted every one of them in their several orders. 20 And after be had planted them all, he poured much water upon them, insomuch that they were covered with water, and did not appear above it. Then when he had watered them, he said unto me ; Let us depart, and after a little time we will return and visit them. 21 For he who created this tree, would have all those live that received rods from it. And I hope, now that these rods are thus wa tered, many of them, receiving in the moisture, will recover. 23 fl. I said unto him, Sir, tell me what this tree denotes ? For I am greatly 'astonished, that after so many branches have been cut off, it seems still to be whole ; nor does there any thing the less of it appear to remain, which greatly amazes me. 23 He answered, Hearken. This great tree which covers the plains and the mountains, and all the earth, is the law of God, published throughout the whole world. 24 Now » this law is the Son of God, who is preached to all the ends of the earth. The people that stand under its shadow, are those which have heard his preach ing, and believed. 1 Moved. Satisfied. 219 35 The great and venerable angel which you saw, was Michael, wh6 has the power over this peo ple, and governs them. For he has planted the law in the hearts of those who have believed : and therefore he visits them to whom he has given the law, to see if they have kept it. 36 And he examines everyone's rod; and of those, many that are weakened : for those rods are the law of the Lord. Then he dis^- cerns all those who have not kept the law, knowing the place of every one of them. 27 I said unto him, Sir, why did he send away some to the tower, and left others here to you ? He replied, those who have trans gressed the law, which they re ceived from him, are left in my power, that they may repent of their sins : but they who 3 fulfilled the law and kept it, are under his power. 38 But who then, said I, are those, who went into the tower crowned ? He replied, all such as having striven with the devil, have overcome him, are crowned: and they are those, who have suffered hard things, that they might keep the law. 29 But they who gave up their rods green, and with young branches, but without fruit, have indeed endured trouble for tbe same law, but have not suffered death ; neither have they denied their holy law. 30 They who delivered up their rods green as they received them, are those who were modest and just, and have lived with a very pure mind, and kept the com mandments of God. 31 The rest thou shalt know, when I shall have considered those ** MS. Lamb. Haee autem lex Films Dei est, pruadicatui, &c. Of the elect, III. HERMAS. and the repintant, rods which I have planted and watered. ^ >82 fl After a few days we re turned, and in the . same place stood that glorious angel, and 1 stood by him. Then he said unto me ; Gird thyself with a * towel, and serve me. , , ... -,-.- 33 And I girded myself with a clean towel, which was made of coarse cloth. And when he :saw me girded, and ready to minister unto him, he said, Call those men whose rods have been ¦ planted, every one in his order as they gave them. 34 And he brought me iiSto the field, and I called them all,, and they all stood ready in their se veral ranks. Then he' said unto them ; let every one pluck up his r.od, and bring it unto me. And first they delivered theirs, whose rods, had been dry and rotten.,: 35 And those whose rods still continued so, he commanded to stand apart. Then they came whose rods had been dry. but not rotten. Sonie of these delivered in their rods green ; others. :dry and rotten, as if they had been touched by the molh. , 36 Tliose who gave, them up green, he commanded to stand apart : but those whose rods were dry and rotten, he caused to stand with the first sort. Then came they . whose rods had been half dry,7 and cleft: many of these gave up their rods green, and un- cleft. 37 Others delivered them up green with branches, and fruit upon the branches,' like unto theirs who went crowned into the tower. .Others delivered them up dry, but not rotten : and some gave, them as they were before, half dry; and cleft. i Sabano.Vid. Edit.Oxon. p.l29.not. d. 230 38 Every one of, these he or dered to stand apart ; some by themselves, others in their respec tive ranks. , 39 Then came they whose rods had been green, but cleft. These delivered their rods altogether green, and stood in their own or der. And the shepherd rejoiced at these, because they were all changed, and free from their clefts. 40 Then they gave in their rods, who had them half green and half dry. Of these some were found wholly green, others half dry ; others green, with young shoots. And all these were sent away, every one to his proper rank. 41 Then they gave up their rods, who had them before two parts green, and the third dry. Many of these gave in their rods green'; many half dry; the rest dry, but not rotten. So these were Sent away, each to his pro per place. 43 Then came they who had before tbeir rods two parts dry and the third gteen; many of these delivered up their rods half dry, others dry and rotten ; others half dry and cleft ; but few green. And all these were set every one in his own rank. 43 Then they reached in their rods, 2Jn which there was before but a little green, and the rest dry. Their rods were for the most part found green, having little boughs, with fruit upon them ; and the rest altogether green. 44 And the shepherd upon sight of these rejoiced exceeding ly, because he had found them thus: and they also went to their proper orders, 45 fl Now after be had examined * MS. Lamb.Minimnm habuerant viride. and of SIMILITUDE VIII. their rettiards. all thfiir rods, he said unto me, I told thee that this tree loved life : thou seest how many have repent ed, and attained unto salvation. Sir, said I, I see it. 46 That thou mightest know, saith, he, that the goodness and mercy ofthe Lord is great, and to be had in honour; who gave his spirit to them that were found worthy of repentance. 47 I answered, Sir, why then did not all of them repent? He replied, those whose minds the Lord foresaw would be pure, and that they would serve him with all their hearts, to them he gave re pentance. 48 But for those whose deceit and wickedness he beheld,, and perceived that they would not truly return unto him; to them he denied any return unto re pentance, lest they should again blaspheme his law with wicked words. - 49 I said unto him ; Now, Sir, make known unto me what is the place of every one of those, who have given up their rods, and what their 'portion; that when they who have not kept their seal en- lire, but have wasted the seal which they received, shall , hear and believe these things, they may acknowledge their evil deeds and repent ; 50 And receiving again their seal from you, may give glory to God, that he was moved with com passion towards them, and sent you to renew their spirits. 51 Hearken, said he: they whose rods have been found dry and rotten, and as it were touched with, the moth; are the deserters. and the betrayers ofthe church. 52, Who with the rest of their crimes have also blasphemed the^ Lord, and denied his name which had been called upon them. There fore all these are dead unto God ; and thou seest that none of them have repented, although they have heard my commands which thou hast delivered unto them. From these men therefore life is far dis tant. ,, 53 They also who have deliver ed up their rods dry, but not rot ten, have not been far from them. For they have been counterfeits, and brought in evil doctrines ; and have perverted the servants of God ; but especially those who had sinned ; not suffering them to return unto repentance, but keep ing them back by their /alse doc trines. 54 These therefore, have hope; and thou seest that many of them have repented since the time that thou hast laid my commands, be fore them ; and many more will yet repent. But they that shall not repent, shall lose both re pentance and life. 55 But they that have repented, their place is begun to be within the first walls, and some of them are even , gone into the tower. Thou seest therefore, said he, that in the repentance of sinners there is life ; but- that for those who re pent not, death is prepared. 56 fl Hear now concerning those who gave in their rods half dry, and full of clefts. They whose rods were only half dry are the doubtful ; for they are neither living nor dead. . 57 But they who delivered in their rods not only half dry, but also full of clefts, are both doubt ful and evil speakers ; who detract from those that are absent, and have never peace among them selves, and that envy one another. 1 Seat. 22,1 Gfiilcevleiiti 111. HERMAS. and the repentant, 58 Howbeit to these also re pentance is offered; ft* .thou seest 'that some of these have re pented. 59 Now all those of this kind who have quickly repented, shall have a place in the tower ^ but; they Who have been more alow in : their repentance, shall dwell with- ! ih the walls : but they theit shall not repent, but shall continue on in their wicked doings, shall die the death. 60 As for those who had their rods green, but yet cleft; they are such as were always faithful and good, but they had some envy and strife among themselves con cerning dignity andpre-eminence. 61 Now all such are vain and without understanding, as con tend with one another about these things. '62 'Nevertheless, seeing they are otherwise good, if when they shall hear these commands they shall amend themselves, and shall at my persuasion suddenly repent ; they shall at last dwell in the tower, as they who have truly "and worthily repented. 63 But if tiny one shall again return to his dissension, he -shall be shut out from the tower, and shall lose his life. For die life of those who keep the command ments of the Lord, consists in do ing What they are commanded ; not in principality, or in any other dignity. '64 'For'by forbearance and hu mility of mind, men shall attain unto life ; but by seditions, andj contempt of the 'law, iJbey -shall; purchase death unto themselves. 65 fl They who in their rods had half dry and half green, are! tfooSe \#bo are engaged in many 4fl&irs of 'the world, and are not joined to the saints. For which Cause half of them liveth, and half is dead. 66 Wherefore many of these since the time that they have heard my commands,, have re pented, and begun to dwell in the tower. But some of them have wholly fallen away ; to these ihere is no more place for repentance. 67 For by reason of their pre sent interests, they have blasphem ed and denied God : and for this wickedness they have lost life. And of these many are still ih doubt ; these may yet return ; and if they shall quickly repent, they shall have a place in the tower ; but if they shall be more slow, they shall dwell within tbe walls ; but if they shall hot ire- pent, they shall die. 63 As for those who had two parts of their rods green, and the third dry ; .they have ' by mani fold ways denied the Lord. Of these many have repented, and found a place in the tower ; and many have altogether departed from God. These have utterly lost life. 69 And some being in a doubt ful state, have raised up dissen sions : these may yet return, if they' shall suddenly repent, and not continue in their lusts ; hut if they shall continue in -their evil doing they shall die. 70 'fl They who gave in their rods two parts dry, and the other green ; are those who'have indeed been faithful, but withal rich and full of good things ; and there upon have desired to be famous among the heathen which are without, and have thereby fallen into great pride, and begun to aim at high matters, and to for sake the truth : 222 1 Lamb, MS. Quaniplurimi. generibus inficiati. and of SIMILITUDE VIII. their rewards. 71 Nor were they joined to the 1 saints, but lived with the hea then; and this life seemed the more pleasant to them. Howbeit they have not departed from God, but continued in the faith ; only they have not wrought the works offaith. 72 Many therefore of these have repented; and begun to dwell in the tower. Yet others still living among the heathen people, and being lifted up with their vanities have utterly fallen away from God, and followed the works and wickednesses of the heathen. These kind of men there fore are reckoned among strangers to tbe Gospel. 73 "Others of these began to be doubtful in their minds ; despair ing by reason of their wicked do ings ever to attain unto Salvation : Others being thus made doubtful, did moreover -stir up dissensions. 74 To these therefore, and to those who by reason of their do ings are become doubtful, there is still hopes of return ; but they must repent quickly, that their place may be in the tower. But they that repent not, but continue still in their pleasures, are nigh. unto death. '75 fl As for those who gave in their rods green, excepting their tops, which only were dry, and had clefts; these Were always good, and faithful, and * upright before God: nevertheless theyi sinned a little, by reason of theirj empty pleasures > and trifling thoughts which they had within themselves. 76 Wherefore many of themj When they heard my Words, re pented, forthwith:; and began to| dwell in the tower. Nevertheless! some,!grew doubtful, and others, to their doubtful minds added dissensions. To these therefore there is still hope of return, be cause they were always good ^ but they shall hardly be moved. 77 A» foi' those, lastly, who gave in their rods dry, their tops only excepted, which alone were green,; they are such as have be lieved indeed in God, but have. lived in wickedness ; yet without departing from God: having al ways willingly borne the name of the Lord ; and readily received into their houses the servants of God. 78 Wherefore hearing -these things, they returned, and without delay repented, and lived in all righteousness. And some of them suffered death,; others readily un derwent many trials, being mind ful of their evil doings. 79 fl And when he had ended his explications of all the rods, he said unto me, Go, and say unto all men that they repent, and they shall live unto God r because the Lord being moved with great clemency hath sent me to preach repentance unto all. 80 Even unto those who by reason of their evil doings, de serve not to attain unto salvation. But the Lord will be patient, and keep tbe invitation that was made by his Son. 81 I said unto him, Sir, I hope that all when they shall hear these things will repent. For I trust that every one acknowledging his crimes, and taking up the -fear of the Lord, will return unto repent ance. 82 He said unto me, Whoso ever shall repent with all their hearts, and cleanse themselves from all tbe evils that I have before mentioned, and not add any thing 223 Righteous. '*** 'PHobi. Of the mysteries 111. HERMAS. ofthe chureh. more to their sins, shall receive from the Lord the cure of their former iniquities, if (hey shall not make any doubt of these com mands, and shall live unto God. 83 But they that shall continue to add to their transgressions, and shall still converse with the lusts ofthis present world, shall con demn themselves1 unto death. But do thou walk in these commands, and thou shalt live unto God :' and whosoever shall walk in these, and exercise them rightly, shall live unto God. 84 And having shewed me all these things, he said ; I will shew thee the rest in a few days. SIMILITUDE IX. The greatest mysteries ofthe militant and triumphant church which is to be built. AFTER I had written the Com mands and Similitudes of the Shepherd, the Angel of Re pentance; he came unto me, and said to me, I will shew thee all those things which the ' Spirit spake With thee under the figure Of the church. For that Spirit is the Son of God. 2 And because thou wert weak jn body, it was not declared unto theeby the angel, until thou wert strengthened by the Spirit, and increased in force, that thou mightest also see the angel. 3 For then indeed the building of the tower was very well and gloriously shewn unto thee by the church ;• nevertheless thou sawest all things • shewn unto thee as it were by a virgin. 4 But now thou art enlightened by the angel, but yet by the same Spirit. But thou must consider all things diligently ; for therefore am I sent into thine house by that venerable *¦ messenger, that when thou shalt have seen all things 224 1 See above, Book I, powerfully, thou mayest not ' be afraid as before. 5 And he led me to the s height of a mountain of Arcadia, and we sat upon its top.- And he shewed me a great plain; and about it twelve mountains in different fi gures. ( 6 The first was black as soot. The second was smooth, without herbs. The third was full of thorns and thistles. The fourth had herbs half dried; of which the upper part was green, but that next the root was dry ; and some of the herbs, when the sun grew hot, were dry. 7 The fifth mountain was very rugged ; but yet had green herbs. The sixth mountain was full of clefts, some lesser, and some great er ; and in those clefts grew grass, not flourishing, but which seemed to be Withering. 8 The seventh mountain had delightful pasture, and was wholly fruitful ; and all kinds of cattle, and of the birds of heaven, fed upon it ; and the more they fed of it, the more and better did the grass grow. 9 The eighth mountain was full of fountains, and from those fountains were watered all kinds of the creatures of God. The ninth mountain had no water at all, but was wholly destitute of it ; and nourished deadly serpents, and destructive to men. 10 The tenth mountain was full of tall trees, and altogether shady; and under the shade of them lay cattle resting and chewing the cud. . ! II The eleventh mountain was full • of the thickest trees ; and those trees seemed to be loaded with several sorts of fruits ; that whosoever saw them could not 3 Ascent. militant SIMILITUDE IX. and triumphant. 19 Do not seem to consider, as if thou wert wise, what thou dost not understand, but pray unto the Lord, that thou mayest have abi lity to understand it : what is to come thou canst not understand, but thou seest that which is before thee. 20 Be not therefore disquieted at those things which thou canst not see ; but get the understand ing of those which thou seest. 3l Forbear to be cueious; and I will shew thee all things that I ought to declare unto thee : but first consider what yet remains. 82 fl And when he had said this unto me I looked up, and be hold I saw six tall and venerable men coming; their countenances were all alike ; and they called a certain multitude of men ; and they who came at their call were also tall and stout. 23 And those six commanded they stood in the four parts of the them to build a certain tower over gate. | that gate. And immediately there chuse but desire to eat of their fruit. 12 The twelfth mountain was altogether white, and of a most pleasant aspect, and itself gave a most excellent beauty to itself. 13 fl In the middle of the 1 plain he shewed me a huge white rock, which rose out of the plain, -and the rock was higher than those mountains, and was square ; so that it seemed capable of sup porting the whole world. 14 It looked to me to be old, yet had in it a new gate, which seemed to have been newly hewn out in it. Now that gate was bright beyond the sun itself; in somuch, that I greatly admired at its light. 15 About that gate stood twelve virgins ; of which four that stood at the corners of the gate, seemed to me to be the chiefest, although the rest also were of worth : and 1 6 It added also to the grace of those virgins, that they stood in pairs, clothed with linen gar ments, and decently girded, their right arms being at liberty, as if they were, about to lift up some 3 burden : for so they were adorn ed, and were exceeding chearful and ready. 17 When I saw this, I wonder ed with myself to see such great and noble things. And again I admired upon the account of those virgins, that they were so hand- spme and delicate; and stood with such firmness and constancy; as if th^y would carry the whole heaven-, 18 And as I was thinking thus within myself, the shepherd said unto me ; what thinkest thou with in thyself, and art disquieted, and fillest thyself with care ? began to be a great noise of those men running here and there aboul the gate, who were come together to build the tower. 24 But those virgins which stood about the gate perceived that the building of the tower was to be hastened by them. And they stretched out their hands, as if they were to receive somewhat from them to do. 25 Then those six men com manded, that they should lift up stones out of a certain deep place. and prepare them for the building of the tower. And there were lifted up ten white stones, square, and s not cut-round. 26 Then those six men called the virgins to them, and com manded them to. carry all the stones that were to be put into the building ; and having carried 1 Origen. Hom, iii. in Ezech. 225- * Fascem aliquem. Lat. 3 So Cotelerius in loc. Q Of thf mysteries HI. HERMAS. them through the gate to deliver them to those that were about to build that tower. 27 Immediately the virgins be gan all of them together to lift up those stones, that were before taken out of the deep. 28 fl And they also who stood about the gate did carry stones in such a manner, that those stones which seemed to be the strongest were laid at the corners, the rest were put into the sides ; 29 And thus they carried all the stones, and bringing them through the gate delivered them to the builders, as they had been commanded : who receiving them at their hands, built with them. 30 But this building was made upon that great rock, and over the gate ; and by these the whole tower was supported. But the building of the ten stones filled the whole gate, which began to be made for the foundation of that tower. 31 After those ten stones did five and twenty others l rise up out of the deep ; and these were placed in the building of the same tower ; being lifted up by those virgins, as the others had been before. 32 After these did five and thir ty others l rise up ; and these were also in like manner fitted into, the same work. Then forty other stones were brought up, and all these were added unto the build ing of that tower. 33 So there began to be four ranks in the foundation of that tower; and the stones ceased to 1 rise out of the deep ; and they also which built rested a little. 34 Again, those six men com manded the multitude, that they should bring stones out of those of the chureh twelve mountains to the building of the same tower, 35 So they cut out of all the mountains stones of divers co lours, and brought them, and gave them to the virgins ; which when they had received they carried them, and delivered them into the building of the tower. 36 In which when they were built they became white, and dif ferent from what they were be fore ; for they were all alike, and did change their former colours. And some were reached up by the men'themselves, which when they came into the building, continued such as they were put in. 37 These neither became white, nor different from what they were before; because they were not car ried by the virgins through thegate. Wherefore. these stones were dis agreeable in the building ; which when those six men perceived, they commanded them to be removed, and put again in the place from which they were brought. 38 And they said to those who brought those stones ; Do not ye reach up to us any stones for this building, but lay them down by the tower, that these virgins may carry them and reach them to us. 39 For unless they shall be car ried by these virgins through this gate, they cannot change their colours: therefore do not labour in vain. 40 fl So the building that day was done, howbeit the tower was not finished; for it was afterwards to be built, therefore now also there was some delay made of it. 41 And these six men com manded those that built to depart,, and as it were to rest for some time ; but they ordered those vir gins that they should not depart 1 MS. Lamb. Ascenderunt. 226 militant SIMILITUDE IX. and triumphant. from the tower : now they seemed " to me to be left for the guarding of it. 42 When all were departed, I said unto that shepherd ; Sir, why is not the building of the tower finished ? Because it cannot, said he, be finished until its Lordcomes, and approves ofthe building ; that if he shall find any stones in it that are not good they may be Changed; for this tower is built according to his will. ' 43 Sir, said I, I would know, what the building of this tower Signifies ; as also I would be in formed concerning this rock, and this gate, 44 And concerning the moun tains, and the virgins, and the stones that did rise out of the deep, and were not cut, but put into the building just as they came forth ; and why the ten stones were first laid in the foundation ; then the twenty-five; then thirty- five ; then forty ? 45 Also concerning those stones that were putintotbe building, and again taken out, and carried back into their place ! Fulfil, I pray, the desire of my soul as to all these things, and manifest all unto me. 46 And he said unto me ; If thou shalt not be dull, thou shalt know all, and shalt see all the Other things that are about to hap pen in this tower ; and shalt un derstand diligently all these simi litudes. 47 And after a few days we came into the same place where we had sat before ; and he said unto me, Let us go unto tbe tower ; for the Lord of it will come and examine it. 48 So we came thither, and found none but those virgins there. And he- asked them, whether the Lord of that tower was come thither? And they replied, that he would be there presently, to examine the building. 49 fl After a very little while I saw a great multitude of men com ing, and in the middle of them a man so tall, that he surpassed the tower in * height. 50 AboUt him were those six; who before commanded in the building, and all the rest of those who had built that tower, and many others of great dignity : and the virgins that kept the tower ran to meet him, and kissed him, and began to walk near unto him. 51 But he examined the build ing with so mUch care that he handled every stone ; and struck every one With a rod which he held in his hand : 52 Of which some being so struck turned black as soot ; others were rough ; some looked as if they bad cracks in them ; others seemed maimed ; some neither black nor white ; some looked sharp, and agreed not ¦ with the other stones, and others were full of spots. 53 These were the several kinds of those stones which were not found proper in the building : all which the Lord commanded to be taken out of the tower, and laid near it, and other stones to be brought, and put in their places. 54 And they that built, asked him from which of the mountains he would have stones brought to put in the place of those that were laid aside. But he forbad them to bring any from the mountains, and commanded that they should take them out of a certain field that was near. 55 So they digged in that fi eld 227 Greatness. a 2 Of the mysteries III. HERMAS. of the chureh and found many bright square stones, and some also that were round. Howbeit, all that were found in that field were taken away, and carried through the gate by those virgins ; and those of them that were square were fitted ahd put into the places of those that were pulled out. 56 But the round ones' were not put into the building, because they were hard, and. it would have re quired too much time to cut them ; but they were placed about the tower, as if they should hereafter be cut square, and put into the building ; for they were very white. 57 fl When he who was chief in dignity, and lord of the whole tower saw this, he called to him the shepherd that was with me, and gave him the stones that were rejected and laid about the tower, and said unto him ; cleanse these stones with all care, and fit them into the building of the tower, that 'they may agree with the rest ; but thoseuhat will not suit with the rest, cast away afar off from the tower. 58 When he had thus com manded him, he departed, with all those that came with him to the tower: but those virgins still stood about the tower to keep it. 59 And I said unto that shepe herd ; How can these stoxes, seed ing they have been rejected, return into the building of this tower ? He replied ; I will cut off the greatest part from these stones; and will add them to thebuilding, and they will agree with the rest. 60 .And I said, Sir, how will they be able to fill the same place, when they shall be so much cut away ? He answered ; They that shall be found too little shall i MS. Lamb. patris-familias. 228 be put into the middle of the building, and the greater shall be placed without, and keep them in. 61 When he had said thus unto me, he added ; Let us go, and after threrf days we will return, and I will put these stones, being cleansed, into the tower. 62 For all these that are about the tower must be cleansed, lest the master of the house chance to come upon the sudden, and find those which are about the tower uncleAn ; ' and be so exasperated that these stones should never be put into the building of this tower, and I shall be looked upon tohave been 2 unmindful of my master's commands. 63 When therefore we came after three days to the tower, he said unto me ; Let us examine all these stones, and let us see which of them may go into the building. I answered, Sir, let us see. 64 . fl And first of all we begun .to consider those which had been black ; for they were found just such as they were when they were pulled out of the tower : where fore he commanded them to be removed from the tower, and put by themselves. 65 Then he examined those which had been rough;, and com manded many of those to be cut round; and to be fitted by the vir gins into the building ofthe tower: so they took them, and fitted them into the middle of the building; and he commanded the rest to be laid by with the black ones, for they also were become black. 66 Next he considered those which were full of cracks, and many of those also he ordered to be pared away, and so to be added to the rest of the building, by the same virgins. Ita exasperetur, ut hi lapides. 2 MS. Lamh. Negligens militant SIMILITUDE IX. and triumphant. 67 These were placed without, because they were found entire ; but the residue through the mul titude of their cracks could not be reformed, and therefore were cast away from the building of the tower. 68 Then he considered those that had been maimed; many of these had cracks, and were be come black ; others had large clefts : these he commanded to be placed with those that were rejected. 69 But the rest being cleansed and reformed, he commanded to be put into the building. These therefore those virgins took up, and fitted into the middle of the building, because they were but weak. 70 After these he examined those which were found half white and half black ; and many of those were now black : these also he ordered to be laid among those that were cast away. 71 The rest were found alto gether white ; those were taken up by the virgins, and fitted into the same tower : l and these were put in the outside, because they were found entire ; that so they might keep in those that were placed in the middle, for nothing was cut off from them. 72 Next he looked upon those s which had been hard and sharp ; but few of these were made use of, because they could not be cut, for they were found very hard : but the rest were formed, and fitted by the virgins into the middle of the building, because they were more weak. 73 Then he considered those which had spots ; of these a few were found black, and these were carried to their fellows. The rest were white and entire ; and they were fitted by the virgins into the building, and placed in the out side, by reason of their strength. 74 fl After this he came to consider those stones which were white and round ; and he said unto me, What shall we do with these stones ? I answered, Sir, I cannot tell. 75 He replied, Canst thou think of nothing then for these ? I an swered, Sir, I understand not this art ; neither am I a stone-cutter, nor can I tell any thing. 76 And he said, Seest thou not that they are very round ? Now to make them square, I must cut off a great deal from them ; how beit, it is necessary that some of these should go into the building of the tower. 77 I answered ; If it be neces sary, why do you perplex your- self.^and not rather chuse, if you have any choice among them, and fit them into the building ? 78 Upon this he chose out the largest and brightest, and squared them ; which, when he had done, the virgins took them up, and placed them in the outside of the building. 79 And the rest that remained, were carried back into the same field from which they were taken : howbeit, they were not cast away ; because, said he, there is yet a little wanting to this tower, which is to be built ; and perhaps the Lord will have these stones fitted into this building, because they are exceeding white. 80 Then were there called twelve very stately women, cloath- ed.with a black garment, girded, and their shoulders free, and their hair loose. These seemed to me to be country women. * Vid. MS. Lamb. Edit. Oxon. p. 157. 229 s MS. Lamb. Fuerant. Of the mysteries III. HERMAS. of the church 81 And the shepherd command ed them to take up those stones which were cast out of the build ing, and carry them back to the mountains out of which they were taken. 82 And they took them all up joyfully, and carried them back to their places from whence they had been taken. 83 When not one stone remain ed about the tower, he said unto me, Let us go, about this tower, and see whether any thing be wanting to it. 84 We began therefore to go round about it ; and when he saw that it was handsomely built, he began to be very glad : for it was po beautifully framed, that any one that had seen it must have been in love with the building : 85 For it seemed to be all but one stone, nor did a joint any where appear ; but it looked as if it had all been cut out of one rock. 86 fl And when I diligently considered what a tower it was, I was extremely pleased : and he said unto me, Bring hither some lime and little shells, that I may fill up the 1 spaces of those stones that were taken out of the build ing, and put in again ; for all things about the tower must be made even. 87 And I did as he command ed me, and brought them unto him : and he said unto me, Be ready to help me, and this work will quickly be finished. 88 He therefore filled up the spaces of those stones, and com manded the place about the tower to be cleansed. 89 Then those virgins took be soms, and cleansed all the place around, and took away all the rubbish, and threw on water : which being done, the place be came delightful, and the tower beauteous. 90 Then he said unto me, All is now clean : if the Lord should come td finish the tower, he will find nothing whereby tq complain of us. 91 When he had said this be would have departed. But I laid hold on his bag, and began to enT treat him for the Lord's sake, that he would explain to me all things that he had shewn me. 92 He said unto me, I have at present a little business ; but I will suddenly explain all things unto thee. Tarry here for me till I come. 93 I said unto him, Sir, what shall I do here alone ? He answer ed, Thou art not alone, seeing all these virgins are with thee. 94 I said, Sir, deliver me then unto them. Then he called them, and said unto them, I commend this man unto you till I shall come. 95 So I remained with those virgins : now they were cheerful and courteous unto me ; especi ally the four, which seemed to be the chiefest among them. 96 fl Then those virgins said unto me, that shepherd will not return hither to-day ^ I said unto, them, What then shall I do? They answered, Tarry for him till the evening, if perhaps he may come and speak with thee ; but if not, yet tbou shaft continue with us till he does tome. 97 I said unto them, I will tarry for him till evening; but if he comes not by that time, I will go home, and return hither > again the next morning. 98 They answered me, Thou 230 Formas. Lat. inilitant SIMILITUDE IX. and triumphant. art delivered unto us, thou mayest not depart from us. I said, Where shall I tarry ? 99 They replied, ThoU shalt sleep with us as a brother, not as a husband : for thou art our bro ther, and we are ready from henceforth to dwell with thee;, for thou art very dear to us. 100 Howbeit I was ashamed to continue with them. But she that seemed to be the chiefest amongst them, embraced me, and began to kiss me. And the rest when they saw that I was kissed by her, began also to kiss me as a brother ; and led me about the tower, and played with me. 101 Some of them also sung psalms, others made up the chorus with them. But I walked about the tower with them, rejoicing si lently, and seeming to myself to be grown young again. 102 When the evening came on, I would forthwith haye gone home, but they withheld me, and suffered me not to depart. Where fore I continued with them that night near the same tower. 103 So they spread their linen garments upon the ground ; and placed me in the middle, nor did they any thing else, only they prayed. 104 I also prayed with them without ceasing, no less than they. Who when they saw me pray in that manner, rejoiced greatly; and I continued there with them till the next day. 105 And when we had wor shipped God, then the shepherd came and said unto them : You bave done no injury to this man. They answered, Ask him. I said unto him, Sir, I have received a great deal of satisfaction in that I have remained with them. 106 And he said unto me, How didst thou sup ? I answered, Sir, I feasted the whole night upon the words of the Lord. They re ceived thee well, then ? said he. I said, Sir, very well. 107 He answered, Wilt thou now learn what thou didst desire ? I replied, Sir, I will : and first I pray thee that thou shouldes shew me all things in the order that I asked them. 108 He answered, I will do all as thou wouldest have me, nor will I hide any thing from thee. 109 fl First of all, Sir, said I, tell me, what this rock and this gate denote ? Hearken, said he ; tbis rock, and this gate, are the Son of God. I replied, Sir, how can that be ; seeing the rock is old, but the gate new. 110 Hear, said he, O foolish man ! and understand. The Son of God is indeed more ancient than any creature ; ' insomuch that he was in council with' his Father at the creation of ** all things. Ill But the gate is therefore new, because he appeared in the last days at the fulness of time ; that they who shall attain unto salvation, may by it enter into the kingdom of God. 112 You have seen, said he, those stones which were carried through the gate, how they were placed in the building «of the tower ; but that those which were not carried through the gate, were sent away into their own places ? 113 I answered, Sir, I saw it. Thus, said he, no man shall enter into the kingdom of God, but he who shall take upon him the name of the Son of God. 114 For if you would enter > Itaut. Lat. • The creatures. Of the mysteries HI. HERMAS. of the church into any city, and that city should be encompassed with a wall, and had only one gale, could you enter into that city, except by that gate ? 115 I answered, Sir, how could I do otherwise ? As therefore, said he, there would be no other way of entering into that city but by its gate, so neither can any one enter into t)pe kingdom of God, but only by the name of his Son, who is most dear unto him. 116 And he said unto me, Didst thou see the multitude of those that built that tower r Sir, said I, I saw it. He answered, All those are the angels, venerable in their dignity. 117 With these is the Lord en compassed as with a wall ; but the gate is tbe Son of God, who is the only way of coming unto God. For no man shall go to God, but by his Son. 118 Thou sawest also, said he, the'six men, and in the middle of them that venerable grfeat man, who walked about the tower, and rejected the stones out of the tower ? 119 Sir, said I, I saw them. He answered, that tall man was the. Son of God ; and those six were his angels of most eminent dignity, which stand about him on the right hand and on the left. 120 Of these excellent angels none comes in unto God without him. He added, Whosoever there fore shall not take upon him his name, he shall not'enter into the kingdom of God. 121 fl Then I said, What is this tower ? This, said he, is the church. And what, Sir, are these virgins? He said unto me, These are the holy spirits, for no man can enter into the kingdom of * Vid. Annot. Edit. Oxon, p. 116. d. 232 God, except these clothe him with their garment. 122 For it will avail thee no* thing to take up the name of the Son of God, unless thou shalt also receive their garment from them. For these virgins are the powers of the Son of God. So shall a man in vain bear his name, unless he shall also be endued with his powers. 123 And he said unto me, Saw- , est thou those stones that were cast away ? They bore indeed the name, but put not on their garment. I said, Sir, what is their garment ? ' Their very names, said he, are their gar ment. 124 Therefore whosoever bear eth the name of the Son of God, ought to bear their names also ; for the Son of God also himself beareth their names. 125 As for those stones, conti nued he, which being delivered by their hands, thou sawest re main in the building, vthey were clothed with their power; for which cause thou seest -of gain have deceived men, leading them ac cording to the lusts of sinners ; wherefore they shall suffer for this thing. 185 Howbeit there is still left them room for repentanqe, because they have not spoken any thing wickedly against their Lord. 186 fl They who are of the 1 Lat. Virtutem. 5 Feigned. 2 Vid. Orig. Philocal. c. viii. 3 Evil. Pcofiigate. 236 militant SIMILITUDE IX. and triumphant. third mountain which had thorns and brambles, are those who be lieved, but were some of them rich, others taken up with many affairs : the brambles are their riches ; the thorns, those affairs in which they were engaged. 187 Now they who are en tangled in much business, and in diversity of affairs, join not them selves to the servants of God, but wander, being called away by those affairs with which they are choked. 188 And so they which are rich, with difficulty yield them selves to the 1 conversation of the servants of God ; fearinglest any thing should be asked of them. These therefore shall hardly enter into the kingdom of God. 189 For as men walk with dif ficulty bare-foot over thorns, even so these kind of men shall scarce ly enter into the kingdom of God. 190 Nevertheless there is af forded to all these a return unto repentance ; if that they shall quickly return to it ; that because. in their former days they have ne glected to work, in the time that is to come they may do some good. 191 If, therefore having re pented they shall do the works of righteousness, they shall live : but if they shall continue in their evil courses, they shall be delivered to those women that will take away their life. 192 fl As for the fourth moun tain, which had many herbs, the upper part of which is green, but the roots-dry, and some of which being touched with the heat of the sun are withered ; 193 It denotes the doubtful, who have believed; and some others who carry the Lord in their tongues, but have him not in their heart : therefore their grass is dry, and without root ; because they live only in words, but their works are dead. 194 These therefore are neither dead nor living, and withal are doubtful. For the doubtful -are neither green nor dry ; that is, neither dead nor alive. 195 For as the herbs dry away at the sight of the sun ; so the doubtful as soon as they hear of persecution, and fear inconve niences, return to their idols, and again serve them, and are asham ed to bear the name of their Lord. 196 This kind of men then is neither dead nor alive ; neverthe less these also may live, if they shall presently repent : but if not, they shall be delivered to those women, who shall take away their life. 197 fl As concerning the fifth mountain that is craggy, and yet has green grass : they are of this kind who have believed, and are faithful indeed, but believe with difficulty ; and are bold, and self- conceited ; that would be thought to know all things, but really know nothing. 198 Wherefore, by reason of this confidence, knowledge is de parted from them ; and a rash presumption is entered into them. 199 But they carry themselves high, and as prudent men ; and though they are fools, yet would seem to be teachers. 200 Now by reason of this folly many of them whilst they magnify themselves, are become vain and empty. , For boldness and vain confidence is a 3 very evil spirit. 237 Vid. Edit. Oxon. p. 178. Not. b. 2 Magnum Daemonium. Of the mysteries III. HERMAN ofthe church 201 Wherefore many of these are cast away : but others acknow ledging their error, have repented, and submitted themselves to those who are knowing : 202 And to all the rest of this kind there is repentance allowed ; forasmuch as they were not so much wicked, as foolish, and void of understanding. 203 If these therefore shall re pent, they shall live unto God; but if not, they shall dwell with those women, who shall exercise their wickedpess upon them. 304 fl For what concerns the sixth mountain having greater and lesser clefts, they are such as have believed; but those in which were lesser clefts are they who have had controversies among themselves ; and by reason of their quarrels languish in the faith : 205 Nevertheless many of these have repented, and so will the rest when they shall hear my com mands ; for their controversies are but small, and they will easily re-v turn unto repentance. 206 But those who have the greater clefts, will be as stiff stones, mindful of grudges and, offences, and full of anger among them selves. These therefore are cast( from the tower, and refused to be put into its building; for this kind of men shall hardly live. 207 Our God and Lord, who ruleth over all things, and has power over all his creatures, will not remember our offences, but is easily appeased by those who con fess their sins; but man being languid, mortal, infirm, and full of sins, perseveres in his anger against man ; as if it were in his power to save, or to destroy him. 208 But I, as the angel who am set over your repentance, ad monish you, that whosoever among you has any such purpose he should lay it aside; and return unto repentance ; arid the Lord will heal your former sins, if you shall puf'ge yourselves from this evil spirit; but if you shall not do it, ye shall be delivered to him, unto dealh. 209 fl As for the seventh moun tain in which the grass was green and flourishing, and the whole mountain fruitful ; and all kind of cattle fed upon the grass of it ; and the more the grass was eaten, so much the more it flourished ; 210 They are such as believed, and were always good and up right ; and without any differen ces among themselves, but still re joiced in the servants of God, having put on the spirit of these virgins ; and been always forward to shew mercy to all men, readily- giving to all men of their labours without upbraiding, and without deliberation. 211 Wherefore the Lord seeing their simplicity and ' innocence, has increased them in the works of their hands, and given them grace in all their works. 312 But I, who am the angel appointed over your repentance, exhort you, that as many as are of this kind would continue in the same purpose, that your seed may not be rooted out for ever. 213 For the Lord hath tried you, and written you into our number ; and all your seed shall dwell with the Son of God ; for ye are all of his spirit. 214 fl As concerning the eighth mountain in which were a great many springs, by which every kind of all the creatures of God was watered ; they are such as have believed the, AposUes. which 238 Infancy, militant. SIMILITUDE IX. and triumphant. the Lord sent into all the world to preach ; 215 And ' some of them being teachers have preached and taught purely and sincerely, and have not in the least yielded to any evil desires, but have constantly walked in righteousness and truth. 216 These therefore have their conversation among the angels. 217 fl Again ; ' as for what con cerns the ninth mountain which is desert, and full of serpents ; they are such as have believed, but had many stains; 218 These are such ministers as discharge their ministry amiss ; ravishing away the goods of the widows and fatherless ; and serve themselves, not others, out of those things which they have re ceived. 219 These, if they continue in this covetousness, have delivered themselves unto death, nor shall there be any hope of life for them. But if they shall be con verted, and shall discharge their ministry sincerely, they may live. 220 As for those which were found rough; they are such as have ¦ denied the name of the Lord, and not returned again to the Lord, but have become savage and wild; not applying them selves to the servants of God ; but being separated from them, have for a little carefulness lost their lives. 221 For as a vine that is for saken in a fiedge, and never dress ed, perishes and is choked by the weeds, and in time becomes wild, and ceases to be useful to its lord ; so this kind of men despairing of themselves, and being soured, have begun to be unprofitable to their Lord. 222 Howbeit to these there is, after all, repentance allowed, if they shall not be found from their hearts to have denied Christ : but if any of these shall be found to have denied him from his heart, I cannot tell whe ther such a one can attain unto life. 223 I say therefore, that if any one hath denied, he should in these days return unto repen tance ; for it cannot be that any one who now denies the Lord, can afterwards attain unto salvation : nevertheless repentance is pro posed unto them, who have for merly denied. 224 But he who will repent must hasten on his repentance, before the building of this tower is finished : otherwise, he shall be delivered by those women unto death. 225 But they that are maimed, are the deceitful ; and those whof mix with one another, these are the serpents that you saw min gled in that mountain. 226 For as the poison of ser pents is deadly unto men ; so the words of such persons infect and destroy men. They are there fore maimed in their faith, by reason of that kind of life which they lead. 227 Howbeit some of them, having repented, have been saved; and so shall others of the same kind be also saved, if they shall repent; but if not, they shall die by those women whose power and force they possess. 228 fl For what concerns the tenth mountain, in which were the trees covering the cattle, they are- such as have believed ; and some of them been bishops, that is, go vernors of the churches. 239 MS. Lamb. Et quidam Doctores caste : Omitting Qui. Of the mysteries III. HERMES. ofthe chureh 229 Others, are such stones, as have not feignedly, but with a chearful mind entertained the ser vants of God. 230 Then such as have been set over inferior ministries; and have protected the poor and the widows ; and have always kept a chaste conversation ; therefore they also are protected by the Lord. 231 Whosoever shall do on this wise, are honoured with the Lord ; and their place is among the angels, if they shall continue to obey the Lord even unto the end. 232 fl As to the eleventh moun-. tain in which were trees loaded with several sorts of fruits ; they are such as have believed, and suffered death for the name of the Lord ; and have endured with a, ready mind, and have given up their lives with all their hearts. 233 And I said, Why then, Sir, have all these fruit indeed, but yet some fairer than others ? 234 Hearken, said he : Who soever have suffered for the name ofthe Lord are esteemed honour able by the Lord ; and all their offences are blotted out, because they have suffered death for the name ofthe Son of God. 235 Hear now, why their fruits are different, and some of them excel others, they who being brought before magistrates, and being asked, denied not the Lord, but suffered with a ready mind ; these are more honourable with the Lord. The fruits therefore that are the most fair are these. 236 But they who were fearful and doubtful, and have deliberat ed with themselves whether they should confess or deny Christ, and yet have suffered ; their fruits are smaller, because that this thought came into their hearts. 337 For it is a wicked and evil 240 thought for a servant to deliberate whether he should deny his mas ter. Take heed therefore ye who have such thoughts, that this mind continue not in you, and ye die unto God. 238 But ye who suffer death for his name sake, ought to honour the Lord, that he has esteemed you worthy to bear his name; and that you should be delivered from all your sins. 239 And why therefore do you not rather esteem yourselves hap py ? Yea think verily that if any one among you suffer, he performs a great work ? For the Lord giveth you life, and ye understand it not. For your offences did oppress you ; and if you had not suffered for his name sake, ye had now been dead unto the Lord. 240 Wherefore I speak this unto you who deliberate whether ye should confess or deny him : confess that ye have the Lord for your God ; lest at any time de nying him, ye be delivered over into bonds. 241 For if all nations punish their servants which deny their masters,; what think you thatthe Lord will do unto you, who has the power of all things. 242 Remove therefore out of your hearts these doubts, that ye may live for ever unto God. 243 As for the twelfth moun tain, which was white, they are such as have believed like, sincere children, into whose thoughts there never came any malice; nor have they ever known what sin was, but have always continued in their integrity. .244 Wherefore this kind of men shall without all doubt inherit the kingdom of God ; because they have never /in any thing de filed the commandments of God, but have continued with sincerity militant SIMILITUDE IX. and triumphant; in the same condition all the days of their life. 245 Whosoever therefore, said he, shall continue as children without malice ; shall be more honourable than all those of whom I haye,yet spoken: for all such children are honoured by the Lord, and esteemed the first of all. 346 Happy therefore are ye who shall remove all malice from you, and put on innocence ; be cause ye shall first see the Lord. 247 And after he had thiis ended his explication of all the mountains, I said unto him ; Sir, shew me now also what concerns the stones that were brought out of the plain, and put into the tower iri the room of those that were rejected : 248 As also concerning those round stones which were added into' the building ofthe tower; and also of those who still con tinued round. 249 fl Hear now, says he, con cerning those stones which were brought out of the plain into the building of the tower, and placed in the room of those that were rejected : they are the roots of that white mountain. 250 Wherefore because those who have believed Of that moun tain, were very innocent ; the lord of this tower commanded that they which were of the roots ofthis mountain should be placed into the building. 251 Foi* he knew that if they were put into this building they would continue bright ; nor woUld any of them any more be made black. 252 But if he had added on this manner from the rest of the mountains, he would "almost have needed again to visit this tower and to cleanse it. 253 Now all these white stones are the young men who have be lieved, or shall believe ; for they are all of the same kind. Happy is this kind, because it is inno cent. 254 Hear now also concerning those round and bright stones: all these are of this white mountain. But they are therefore found round, because their riches have a little darkened them from the truth, and dazzled their eyes : 255 Howbeit they have never departed from the Lordj< nor has any wicked word proceeded out of their mouths ; but all righte ousness, and virtue, and truth. 256 When therefore the Lord saw their mind, and that they might adorn the truth ; he com manded that they should continue gOod, and that their riches should be pared away : 257 For he would not have them taken wholly away, to tbe end they might do some good with that which was left, and live unto God; because they also are ofa good kind. 358 Therefore was there a little cut off from them, and so they were pu,t into the building of this tower. 259 fl As for the rest which continued still round, and were not found fit for the building * of this toWer, because they have not yet received the seal ; they were carried back to their place, be-. cause they, were found very round. 260 But this present world must ,be cut away from them, and the vanities of their riches ; and then they will befit for the kingdom of God. For they must enter into 1 MS. Lamb. Tantum non necesse habuisset. turris hujus. 241 2 MS. Lamb. Structuram Of the mysteries III. HERMAS. the kingdom of God, because God has blessed this innocent kind. 261 Of this kind therefore none shallfall away'; for though any of them being tempted by the devil should offend, he shall soon return to his Lord God. 262 I the angel of repentance esteem you happy, whosoever are innocent as little children, because your portion is good and honour able with the Lord. 263 And I say unto all you who have received this seal; keep simplicity, and remember not the offences' which are committed against you, nor continue in ma lice, or in bitterness, through the rhemory of offences, 264 'But become one spirit, and provide remedies for these evil rents, and remove them from you ; that the lord of the sheep may rejoice 2 at it ; 3 for. he will rejoice, if he shall find all whole. 265 But if any of these sheep shall be found scattered away, Wo shall be to the shepherds: but and if the shepherds themselves shall, be scattered; what will they an swer to 4the lord of the sheep- fold? Will they say that they were troubled by the sheep ? But they shall not be believed. 266 For it is an incredible thing that the shepherd should suffer by his flock; and he shall be the more punished for his lie. 267 Now I am the shepherd ; and I especially must give an ac count of you. 268 fl Wherefore take care of yourselves whilst the tower is yet building. The Lord dwells in those that love peace ; for peace is beloved ; but he is far off from of the church. the contentious, and those who are s full of malice. 269 Wherefore restore unto him the Spirit intire, as ye received it. 6 For if thou shalt give unto a fuller a garment new and whole, thou wilt expect to receive it whole again : if .therefore the fuller shall restore it unto thee torn, wouldest thou receive it ? 270 Wouldest thou riot presently be angry; and reproach him, say ing; I gave my garment to thee whole ; why hast thou rent it, and made it useless to me ? Now it is of no use to me, by reason of the rent which thou hast made in it. Wouldest thou not say all this to a fuller, for the rent which he made in thy garment ? 271 If therefore thou wouldest be concerned for thy garment, and complain that thou hadst not received it whole ; what thinkest thou that the Lord will do, who gave his Spirit to thee intire, and thou hast rendered him altogether unprofitable, so that he can be of no use unto his Lord ? For being corrupted by thee, he is no longer profitable to him. 273 Will not therefore the Lord do the same concerning his Spirit, by reason of thy deed ? Undoubt edly, said I, he will do the same to all those whom he shall' find to continue in the remembrance of injuries. 373 Tread not then under foot, said he, his mercy; but rather honour him, because he is so pa tient with respect to your offences, and not like one of you ; but re pent, for that will be profitable for you. 374 fl All these things which * MS. Lamb. Et unum queniqiie spiritum fieri : which appears from the Greek of Antiochus to be the true reading, $ yirir&kt h wnupa,. 8 MS. Lamb. Gaudeat deliis; and Gr. Antioch. Xa.fm a.irS. 3 Vid. Antioch. Hom. cxxii. \ Gr. t£ isa-mr. *S miftvtu. ' Perditis malitia. Lat. 6 Antioch. Hom. xew. 242 Of repentance SIMILITUDE X. and alms deeds. are above written, I the shepherd, the angel of repentance, have shewn and spoken to the servants of God. 275 If therefore ye shall believe and hearken to these words, and shall walk in them, and shall cor rect your ways, ye shall liye. But if ye shall continue in malice, aud in the remembrance of injuries, no such sinners shall live unto God. 276 All these thjngs which were to be spoken by me, I have thus delivered unto you. Then the shepherd said unto me, Hast thou asked all things of me ? I answer ed, Sir, I have. 277 Why then, said he, hast thou not asked concerning the spaces of these stones that were put in the building, that I may explain that also unto thee ? I answered, Sir, I forgot it. Hear, then, said he, concerning those also. 378 They are those who have now heard these commands, and have repented with all their hearts: 379 And when the Lord saw that their repentance was good and pure, and that they could con tinue in it, he commanded their former sins to be blotted out. For' these spaces were their sins, and they are therefore made even that they might not appear. SIMILITUDE X. Of repentance and alms-deeds. AFTER that I had written this book, tbe angel which had delivered me to that 'shep herd, came into the house where I was, and sate upon the bed, and that shepherd stood at his right hand. 3 Then he called me and said unto me; I delivered thee and thy house to this shepherd, that thou mightest be protected by him. I said, Yes, Lord. 3 If therefore, said he, thou wilt be protected from all vexa tions and from all cruelty, and have success in every good Word and work ; and have all virtue and righteousness; walk in those com mands which he has given thee, and thou shalt have dominion over all sin. 4 For if thou keepest those commands, all the lust and plea sure ofthis present world shall be subject to thee ; and success shall follow thee in every good under taking. 5 Take therefore his ' gravity and modesty towards thee, and say unto all, that he is in great honour and renown with God., and is a 2 prince of great autho rity, and powerful in his office. 6 To him only is the power of repentance committed throughout the whole world. Does he not seem to thee to be of gre^it autho rity; 7 But ye despise his goodness, and the modesty which he shews towards you. 8 fl 1 said unto him ; Sir, ask him since the time that he came into my house, whether I have done any thing disorderly, or have > offended him in any thing ? 9 I know, said he, that thou hast done nothing disorderly, nei ther wilt thou hereafter do any such thing ; and therefore I speak these things with thee that thou mayest persevere ; for he has given me a good account concerning thee. 10 But thou shalt speak these things to others, that they who either have repented, or shall re pent, 3 may be like-minded with thee ; and he may give me as 1 Lat. Maturitatem. 343 ** President. 3 Eadem quae tu sentiant, m Of repentance III. HERMAS. and alms deeds. good an account of them also, and I may do the same unto the Lord. Ill answered; Sir, I declare to all men the wonderful works of God; and I hope that all who love them and havebefore sinned, when they shall hear these things, will repent, and recover life. 12 Continue therefore, said he, in this ministry, and fulfil it. And whosoever shall do according to the commands of this shepherd, he shall live ; and shall have great honor both here and with the Lord. 13 But they that shall not keep his commands, flee from their life, and are adversaries unto it. And they that follow not his commands shall deliver themselves unto death; and shall be every one guilty of his own blood. 14 But I say unto thee, keep these commandments, and thou shall find a cure for all thy sins. 15 ' fl Moreover I have sent 1 these virgins to dwell with thee; for I have seen that they are very kind to thee. Thou shalt there fore have them for thy helpers, that thou mayest the better keep the commands which he hath given thee; for these commands cannot be kept without these virgins. 16 And 2 I see how they are willing to be with' thee ; and I will also command them that they shall not all depart from thy house. 17 Only do thou purify thy house; for they will readily dwell in a clean house. For they are clean and chaste, arid industrious; and all of them have grace with the Lord. 18 If, therefore, thou shalt have thy house pure, they will abide with thee. But, if it shall be never so little polluted, they will imme diately depart from thy house; for these virgins cannot endure any manner of pollution. 19 I said unto hini; Sir, I hope that I shall so please them, that they shall always delight to dwell in my house. And as he to whom you have committed me, makes no complaint of me ; so neither shall they complain. 20 Then he said to that shep herd : I see that the servant of God will live and keep these com- mandmenls, and place these vir gins jn a pure habitation. 21 When he had said this, he delivered me again to that shep herd, and called the virgins, and said unto them ; forasmuch as I see that ye will readily dwell in this man's bouse, I commend him and his house to you, that ye may not at all depart from his house. And they willingly heard these words. 22 fl Then he said unto me, Go on manfully in thy ministry ; de clare to all men the great things of God, and thou shalt find grace in this ministry. 23 And whosoever shall walk in these commands, shall live, and be happy in his life. But he that shall neglect them, shall not live, and shall be unhappy in his life. 24 Say unto all, that whosoever can do well, cease not to exercise themselves in good works, for it is profitable unto them. For I 3 would that all men should be de livered from the inconveniences^ they lie under. 25 For hejthat wants, and- suf fers inconveniences in his daily life, is in great torment and ne cessity. Whoever therefore deli vers jSuch a soul from necessity, gets great joy unto himself. i What is meant by these virgins ; see before, Simil. ix. v. 139 et seq. a MS. Lamb. Video : which appears from the close of this section to be the true read ing. 3 Say. 244 Of repentance 26 For he that is grieved with such inconveniences is equally tormented, as if he were in chains. And many upon the account of such calamities, being not able to bear them, have chosen even to destroy themselves. 27 He therefore that knows the calamity of such a man, and does not free him from it, commits a great sin, and is guilty of his blood. 28 Wherefore exercise your selves in good works, as many a_s have received ability from the Lord ; lest whilst ye delay to do SIMILITUDE X. and alms deeds. them, the building of the toyverbe finished; because for, your sakes the building is stopped. 29 Except therefore ye shall make haste to do well, the tower shall be finished, and ye shall be shut out of it. 30 And after he had.thus spoken, with me, he rose up from the bed, and departed, taking the shepherd and virgins with him. 31 Howbeit he said unto me that he would send back the shep herd and virgins unto my house, amen. THE END OF THE APOCRYPHA!, NEW TESTAMENT. 245 TABLE I. A LIST of all the Apocryphal Pieces not now extant, mentioned by Writers in the first four Centuries of Christ, with the several Works wherein they are cited or noticed.— By the Rev. Jere miah Jones. A. 1. The Acts of Andrew. Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. 3. c. 25. Philastr. Uteres. 87. Epiphan. Hares. 47. §. 1. Hares. 61. §. 1. et Hceres. 63. §. 2. Helas. in Decret. apud Concil. Sanct. tom. 4. p. 1260. 2 Books under the name of Andrew. August, contr. Adversar. Leg. et Prophet. 1. 1. c. 20. et Innocent I. Epist. 3. ad Exuper. Tholos. Episc. §. 7. 3. The Gospel of Andrew. Gelas. in Decret. A Gospel under the name of Apeixes. Hieron. Prafat. in Com- " ment. in Matt. The. Gospel according to the Twelve Apostles. Origen. Homil. in Ifuc. i. 1. Ambros. Comment, in Luc. i. 1. et Hieron. Prafat. in Com ment, in Matt. B. The Gospel of Barnabas. Gelas. in Decret. 1. The Writings of Bartholomew the Apostle. Dionys. Areopagit. de Theol. Myst.c.i. 3. The Gospel bf Bartholomew. Hieron. Catal. Script. Eccies. in Pantan. et Prafat. in Comm. in Matt. Gelas. in Decret. The Gospel of Basilides. Orig. in Luc. i. 1. Ambros. in Luc. i. 1. Hieron. Prafat. in Comm. in Matt. c. 1. The Gospel of Cerinthus. Epiphan. Hares. 51. §. 7. 2. The Revelation of Cerinthus. Caius Presb. Rom. lib. Disput. apud Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. 3. e. 38. 1 . An Epistle of Christ to Peter and Paul. August, de Consens. Evang. 1. 1. c. 9, 10. 3. Some other Books under the name of Christ. Ibid. c. 3. 3. An Epistle of Christ, produced by the Manichees. August. contr. Faust. 1. 28. c. 4. 4. A Hymn, which Christ taught his Disciples. Epist. ad Ceret. Episc. E. The Gospel according to, the Egyptians. Clem. Alex. Strom. 1.3. p. 452, 465. Origen. in Lue. i. 1. Hieron. Prof, in Comm. in Matt. Epiphan. Hares. 62. §. 2. The Acts ofthe Apostles, made use of by the Ebionites. Epiphan. Hares. 30. §. 16. The Gospel of the Ebionites. Epip han. Hares. 30. §. 13. , The Gospel ofthe EncratItes. Epiphan. Hares. 46. §. 1. The Gospel of Eve. Epiphan. Hares. 26. §. 2. H. The Gospel according lo the Hebrews. Hegesipp. lib. Comment. apud Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. 4. c. 22. Clem. Alex. Strom. 1. 2. p. 3S0. Origen. Tract. 8. in Matt. xix. 19. et 1. 2. in Joan. p. 58. Euseb. Hist." Eccl. 1. 3. c. 25, 27, et 39. Jerome in many places, as above. 246 Table I. — The Lost Apocryphal Books. Tl}e Book of the Helkesaites. Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. 6. c. 38. The false Gospels of Hesychius. Hieron. Prafat. in Evang. ad Damas. Gelas. in Decret. j. 1. The Book of James. Origen. Comm. in Matt. xiii. 55, 56. 2. Books forged arid published under the name of James. Epiphan. 'Hares. SO. §. 33. Innocent I. Epist. 3. ad Exuper. Tholos. Episc. §. 7. 1. The Acts of John. Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. 3. c. 25. Athanas. in Synops. §. 76. Philastr. Hares. S7. Epiphan. Hares. 47. §. 1. August. contr. Advers. Leg. 1. 1. c. 20. 2. Books under the name of John. Epiphan. Hares. 30. §. 23. et Innocent I. ibid. A Gospel under the name of Jude. Epiphan. Hares. 38. §. 1. , A' Gospel under the name of Judas Iscariot. Iren. advers. Hares. 1. 1. c. 35. l. The Acts of the Apostles by Leucius. August, lib. de Fide contr. Manich. c. 38. The Acts of the Apostles by Lentitius. August, de Act. cum Falic. Manich. 1. 2. c. 6. The Books of Lentitius. Gelas. in Decret. The Acts under the Apostles' name by Leontius. August, de Fide eontr. Manich. c. 5. The Acts of the Apostles by Leuthon. Hieron. Epist. ad Chromat. et Heliodor. The false Gospels, published by Lucianus. Hieron. Prafat. in Evang. ad Damas. M. The Acts of the Apostles used by the Manichees. August, lib. coht. Adimant. Manich. c. 17. The Gospel of Marcion. Tertull. adv. Marcion. lib. 4. c. 2. et 4. Epiphan. Hares. 42. Proam. Books under the name of Matthew. Epiphan. Hares. 30. §. 23. I. The Gospel of Matthias. Orig. Comm. in Luc. i. 1. Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. 3. c. 25. Ambros. in Luc. i. 1. Hieron. Prafat. in Comment. in Matt. 2. The Traditions of Matthias. Clem. Alex. Strom. 1. 2. p. 380. 1. 3. p. 436. et 1. 7. p. 748. 3. A Book, under the name of Matthias. Innocent I. ibid. The Gospel of Merinthus. Epiphan. Hares. 51. §. 7. n. The Gospel according to the Nazarenes. See above concerning the Gospel according to the Hebrews. p. 1. The Acts of Paul and Thecla. Tertull. de Baptism, c. 17. Hieron. Catal. Script. Eccl. in Luc. Gelas. in Decret. 3. The Acts of Paul. Orig.de Prineip. 1. I.e. 2. eti. 21. in Joan. tom. 2. p. 298. Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. 3. c. 3. et 25. Philastr. Hares. 87. 3. The Preaching of Paul (and Peter). Lactant. de Ver. Sap.]. 4. c. 21. Script, anonym, ad calcem Opp. Cypr. and, according to some, Clem- Alex. Strom. I. 6. p. 636. 247 •.Table I. — The Lost Apocryphal Books. 4. A Book under the name of Paul. Cyprian. Epist. 27. 5. The Revelation of Paul. Epiphan.' llares. $8, §. 2. August. Tract. 98. in Joann. in fin. Gelas. in Decret. The Gospel of. Perfection. Epiphan. Hares. 26.§. 2. 1. The Acts Of Peter. Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. 3. c. 3. Athanas, in Synops. S. Scriptur. §. 76. Philas(r. Hares. 87. Hieron. Catal. Script. Eccl. in Petr. Epiphan. Hares. 30. §. 15. 2. The Doctrine of Peter. Orig. Prqam. in lib. de Prineip. 3. The Gospel of Peter. Serap. lib. de JEvang. Petri apud Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. 6. c. 12. Tertull. adv. Marc. 1. 4. c, 5. Orig. Comment. in Matt. xiii. 55) 56. tom. i. p. 223. Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. 3.'c. 3. et 35. Hieron. Catal. Script. Eccies. in Petr. 4 The Judgment of Pet^er. Rufin. Exposii. in Symbol^ Apostol. §. 36. HierOti. Catal. 'Script. Eccies. in Petr. 5. The Preaching of Peter. Iferacl. apud Orig. 1. 14. in Joan. Clem. Alex. Strom. I. I. p. 357. 1. 3. p. 390. 1. 6. p. 635, 636, et 678. Theodot. Byzant. ih Excerpt, p. 809. ad calc. Opp. Clem. Alex. Lactant. de Ver. Sap. 1. 4. c. 21. Euseb. Hist. Eccies. 1. 3. c. 3. it Hieron. Catdt Script. Eccies. iri Petr. 6. The , Revelation of Pe-^er. Clem. Alex. lib. Hypotypos. apud Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. 6. c. 14. Theodot. Bytant. in Excerpt, p. 806, 807. ad calc. Opp. Clem. Alex. Euseb. Hist. Eccl. I. 3. c. 3. et 25. Hieron. Catal. Script. Eccl. in Petr. 7. Books under the name of Peter. Innocent I. Epist. 3. ad Ex uper. Tholos. Episc. §. 7. 1. The Acts of Philip. Gelas. in Decret. 2. The Gospel of Philip. Epiphan. Hares. 26. §. IS. s. The Gospel of Scytkianus. Cyrill. Catech. VI. §. 22. et Epiphan. Hares. 66. §.3, The Acts of the ApostlesNby Seleucus. Hieron. Epist. ad Chromat. et Heliodor. The Revelation of Stephen. Gelas. in Decret. t. The Gospel of Titian. Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. 4. c. 29. jj The Gospel of Thadd_eus. Gelas. in Decret. The Catholic Epistle' of Themison the Montanist. Apolhn. lib. cont. Cataphryg, apud Euseb. Hist. EccL 1. 5. c. 18_ 1. The Acts' of Thomas. Epiphan. Hares. 47. §. 1. et 61. §. L Athanas. in Synops. S. Script. §. 76. et Gelas. in Decret. 2. The Gospel , of Thomas. Orig. in Luc. i. 1. Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. 3. c.25. Cyrill. Catech. IV. §. 36. et Catech. VI. §. 31. Ambros. in Luc. i. 1. Athan. in Synops. S. Script. 0. 76. Hieron. Prof, in Com-, ment. in Matth. Gelas.. in Decret. < 3. The Revelation of Thomas. .Gelas. in Decret. 4."^Books under, the name of Thomas. Innocent I. Epist. 3. ad - Exuper. Tliolos. Episc.' §.7. TJie Gospel of Truth made use of by the Valentinians. Iren. adv. HaresA. 3. c. 11. v. The Gospel of Valentinus. Tertull. de Prascript. adv.Haret. c. 49. 248 TABLE II. A LIST of the Christian Authors of the first four Centuries, whose Writings contain Catalogues of the Books of the New Testament. — By the Rev. Jeremiah Jones. •*#* Those which also have Catalogues of the Book of the Old Testament, are marked thus *. Tbe Names of the Writers. The Variation or Agree ment of their Catalogues with ours now received. The Places of their Writings, in which these Catalogues * Origen, a Pres byter of Alex andria, who em ployed incredi ble pains in knowing the Scriptures. * II. Eusebius Pam- philus, whose writings evi dence his zeal about the sacred writings, and his great care to be informed, which were genuine, and which not. A.C. 310. 315. 249 Omits the Epistles of James and Jude, though he owns them both in other parts of his writings. His Catalogue- is ex actly the same with the modern one; on ly he says, the Epis tles of James, Jude, the 3d of Peter, the 3d and 3d of John, though they were ge nerally received, yet had been by some doubted of. As to tbe Revelation, though he says some reject ed it, yet he says o- thers received it; and himself places it a- mong those, which are to be received wiihout dispute. Comment, in Matth. apud Euseb. Hist. Eccl. I. 6. c. 25. Exposit. in Joan. I. 5. apud Euseb. ibid. Hist. Eccl. I. 3. c. 25. confer e> jusdem lib. c. 3, Table II. — Catalogues of the N. Test. The Names of the Writers. B OJ The Variation or Agree ment of their Catalogues with ours now received. The Places of their Writings, in which these Catalogues III. * Athanasius, Bp. of Alexan dria. IV. * Cyril, Bp. of Jerusalem. * The Bishops as sembled in the Council of Lao dicea. VI. ' Epiphanius, Bp. of Salamis in Cy prus. VII. Gregory Nazi- anzen, Bp. of Constantinople. VIII. Philastrius, Bp. of Brixia in Ve- A.C. 315. 340. 364. t The same perfectly with ours now re ceived. The same with ours, only the Revelation is omitted. The Revelation is o> mitted. 370. 375, 380. The same with ours now received. Omits the Revelation. Fragment. Epist. Festal, et in Sy nops. Siriptur. Sacr. Catech. IV. § 36. Canon. LX. N.B. The Canons of this Council were not longal'ter wanls received into the body of the f!a- * nons of the univer sal Church. Hares. 76. c. 5. Carm. de veris et genuin. Scriptur. The same with ours now received ; ex cept that he men tions only thirteen of St. Paul's Epis tles (omitting, very probably, the Epistle to the Hebrews), and leaves out the Reve lation. Lib.deHares.87, f Tbe Papists generally place this Council before thp Council of Nice. 250 Ta'ble II.— Catalogues of the N. Test. The Names of tlie Writers. S1L S£* Hi is The Variation or Agree ment of their Catalogues with ours now received. The Places of their Writings, in which these Catalogues are. IX. * Jerome. X. * Rufin, Pres byter of Aquile- gium. XI. * Austin, Bp. of Hippo in Africa. XII. * The forty-four Bps. assembled in the third Council of Car thage. XIII. The anonymous author of the vorks under the mme of Diony- iius the Areopa- gile. A.C. 3S2. 390. 394, St. Austin was present at it 390. The same with ours; except Ihat he speaks dubiously of the E- pist. to the Hebrews; though in other parts of his writings he re ceives it as Canoni cal It perfectly agrees with ours. It perfectly agrees' with ours. It perfectly agrees with ours. It seems perfectly to agree with, ours : for though he doth not, for good reasons, pro duce the names of the books ; yet (as the learned Daille says, De Script, sup- posit. Dionys. 1. 1. c. 16.) he so clearly describes them, as that he has left out no divine book, may be easily perceived. Ep. ad Paulin. de stud. Script. Also commonly prefixed to the Latin Vulgate. Expos. in^Symb. Apostol. § 36. int. Op. Hieron. et inter Op. Cypr. De Doct. Christ. 1. 2. c. 8. Vid. Canon. XLVII. et cap. ult. Lib. de Hierarch. Eccl. c. 3. ¦» 261 TABLE III. Times of writing the FOUR GOSPELS in the New Testa ment from 1. Dr. Lakdner's Supplement to the Credibi lity ff the Gospel History. 2. The Rev. Jeremiah Jones's Canonical Authority of the New Testament. 3. Dr. Henry Owen'* Observations on the Four Gospels. Gospels. Lardner. Jones. Matthew A. D. 64 . : . . 41 . Mark . . . . , 64 . . . . 67 . Owen. . 38 63 Luke :.. 63 .... 63 .... 53 John 63 .... 97 .... 69 Acts of the Apostles written, according to Dr. Lardner, A. D. 63 or 64. Note.— Christ died A. D. 36. TIMES and Places ofthe writing of PAUL's EPISTLES, arranged chronologically. — From Lardner. Epistles, Places. A.D. I. Thessalonians .... Corinth .* . . . 52 II. Thessalonians .... Corinth .- . 52 .Galatians Corinth or Ephesus . . . end of 52 or beginning of 53 I. Corinthians . .... Ephesus beginning of 56 I. Tirpothy Macedonia ....*.... 56 Titus ........ Macedonia, or near it, before the end of 56 II. Corinthian's . . . , Macedonia Romans Corinth . JEpbesians Rome II. Timothy Rome Philippians Rome Colossians Rome Philemon Rome Hebrews Rome or Italy about October, 57 . about Feb. 5S . about April, 61 . about May, 61 before end of 62 before end of 62 before eni'iff';"'' . . Spring ji TIMES and Places of the writing ofthe SEFEN CA'Ijh LIC EPISTLES.— From Lardner. St. James Judea 61 or beginning of 62 Rome 64 Ephesus about 80 Ephesus .... between 80 and 90 Unknown 64 or'65 Patmps or Ephesus . . . 95 or 96 THE END. I. II. St. Peter . . I. St. John. . . . II. III. St. John . . St. Jude .... Revelation of St, John J. M'Creery, Tookt-Qpurt, ChMiatrjr-Liine, London YALE UNIVERSITY a 39 002 00J_ 9.