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BS
2832
·A2
1878

Ø F
University of
Michigan
Libraries
11t1
1817
ARTES
;
SCIENTIA
VERITAS
A
:
Ridle. N.T. Apocryphal books. Forglich.
THE
Wa
APOCRYPHAL

NEW TESTAMENT;
BEING ALL THE
NOW EXTANT,
GOSPELS, EPISTLES, AND OTHER PIECES,
ATTRIBUTED, IN THE FIRST FOUR CENTURIES, TO
".
JESUS CHRIST,
AND
Frog.
HIS APOSTLES, AND THEIR COMPANIONS,
BY ITS COMPILERS.
NOT INCLUDED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
TRANSLATED, AND NOW FIRST COLLECTED INTO ONE VOLUME,
From the last London Edition.
WITH PREFACES AND TABLES, AND VARIOUS NOTES AND REFERENCES.
CACA
BOSTON :
COLBY AND RICH, PUBLISHERS,
9 MONTGOMERY PLACE.
1878.
PREFACE
TO
THE FIRST EDITION.
AFTER the writings contained in the New Testament were
selected from the numerous Gospels and Epistles then in ex-
istence, what became of the books that were rejected by the com-
pilers?
This question naturally occurs on every investigation as to
the period when, and tae 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, and, according to Jortin,* originated
thus:-
6
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 sen-
timents, and to quit his own; as if a man could change his
opinions as easily as he can change his coat! He then called
a council of war, consisting of near a hundred bishops, and de-
posed, excommunicated, and anathematized Arius, and with
him several ecclesiastics, two of whom were bishops. Alex-
ander then wrote a circular letter to all bishops, in which he
represents Arius and his partisans as heretics, apostates, blas-
phemous enemies of God, full of impudence and impiety, fore-
* Rem. on Eccl. Hist. vol. ii. p. 177.
A 2
PREFACE.
runners 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 Fathers; for what did they get by
it besides obloquy and banishment? Many good men were en-
gaged on both sides of the controversy. So it was in the
fourth century, and so it hath been ever since. Eusebius of
Nicomedia, and Eusebius the historian, endeavored 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 sum-
moned, consisting of about three hundred and eighteen bish-
ops,—a mystical number, on which many profound remarks
have been made.* The first thing that they did was to quar-
VI
* "For the Scripture says, that Abraham circumcised three hundred
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 eight are I H;
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). Wherefore by two letters, he
signified Jesus, and by the third his cross."-Barnabas, viii. 11, 12, 13.
The Jews had a piece of cabalisın, or allegory, upon the number
of Abraham's servants (Genesis, xiv. 14.), viz. 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, as follows:
thus
אליעזר
Eliezer
30
10
70
7
2001
318
00/
PREFACE.
rel, and to express their resentments, and to present accusa-
tions to the emperor against one another. So say Socrates,
Sozomen, and Rufinus. Theodoret favours his brethren in
this affair, and seems to throw the fault upon the laity. But
the whole story, as it is related by them all, and even by Theo-
doret, shows that the bishops accused one another. The em-
peror burnt all their libels, and exhorted them to peace and
unity; so that if they had not been restrained by his authority,
and by fear and respect, they would probably have spent their
time in altercations.
VI
This Council of Nice is one of the most famous and interest-
ing events presented to us in ecclesiastical history; and yet,
what is most surprising, scarcely any part of the History of the
Church has been unfolded 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 council, 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 certain† that they were considered genuine and
authentic (with a few variations of opinion as to some of them)
by the most early Christian writers; and that they were se-
lected from various other Gospels and Epistles, the titles of
Now, say the Jews, the numeral letters of 198, Eliezer, making
iust 318, the number of servants which Abrahaın 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
Clern. Alex. Exercit. lxxv., in Gen. xiv.
* Mosheim, Eccl. Hist. c. v. § 12.
See Table II. at the end of this work.
viii
PREFACE.
which are mentioned in the works of the Fathers and the early
historians of the Church.* The books that exist, of those not
included in the canon, are carefully brought together into the
present volume. They naturally assume the title of the Apoc-
ryphal New Testament; and he who possesses this and the
New Testament, has, in the two volumes, a collection of all
the historical 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 Hell ;—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 Hel into the Apostles' Creed could be as well ac-
counted for as the insertion of the said verse (1 John, v. 7.)§
See Table I. at end.
† Of course the Ebionites, and various other sects, denominateu
heretics by the Fathers and Councils, are included in the denomination
of Christians.
‡ As the title expresses, every Apocryphal Writing, attributed during
the first four centuries to Jesus Christ and his Apostles, and their Com-
panions, is given in this volume. There were many Gospels 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 alluded to by Mr. Casley is 1 John, v. 7. This
spurious passage, in the authorized version of the New Testament,
printed by the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge and the king's
printers, and appointed to be read in churches, stands thus: "For there
are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy
PREFACE.
The best that can be said for it is, that it might possibly have
come in, in like manner, not long before, from a gloss or para-
phrase, that was at first put in the margin or between the
lines."
18
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, whick
is discovered to have been transcribed from the printed Biblia Com-
plutensia; and another modern one at Dublin, probably translated or
corrected from the Latin Vulgate. It is conjectured that it may have
been inserted by the mistake of a Latin copyist; for the owners of
MSS. often wrote glosses or paraphrases of particular passages be-
tween the lines, and ignorant transcribers sometimes mistook these
notes for interlined omissions by the original scribes, and, 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, annexed to Malala's
Chronicle, has proved Σινᾶ ὄρος ἐστὶν ἐν τῇ Αραβία, in Galatians, iv. 25.
to be of the same stamp.*
It is scarcely necessary to tell the reader, that, in 1516 and 1519,
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 sin-
gle 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
edition, 1522. That this MS., after a profound sleep of two cen-
turies, has at last been found in the library of Trinity College, Dub-
lin. 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, trans-
ferred to the end of the seventh. That Colinæus, in 1534, omitted the
verse on the faith of MSS. That R. Stephens, in his famous edition
of 1550, inserted the verse, and marked the words ir tai ovqarwi as
wanting in seven MSS. That Beza, suspecting no mistake, concluded
that these seven MSS. contained the rest of the seventh verse, and the
eighth with the words ἐν τηι γη
*Cat King's Libr. Pref. p. xxi.
1
+ Porson's Letters to Travis -Prefuce.
PREFACE.
By the publication of the APOCRYPHA to the New Testa
ment, the Editor conceives he has rendered an acceptable ser-
vice to the Theological Student, and the Ecclesiastical Anti-
quary --he has endeavoured to render it more gratifying to
D4
X
Sir Isaac Newton wrote a Dissertation upon this passage, wherein
he gave a clear, exact, and comprehensive view of the whole question,
and wherein he says, that when the adversaries of Erasinus had got
the Trinity into his edition, they threw by their MS. as an almanac
out of date.*
The text is not contained in any Greek manuscript which was writ
ten earlier than the fifteenth century. 2. Nor in any Latin manu-
script 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 of the
early Latin Fathers, even when the subjects upon which they treat
would naturally have led them to appeal to its authority. 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:-in the two first of Erasmus,
in those of Aldus, Colinæus, Zwinglius, and lately of Griesbach. 8
It was admitted by Luther in his German Version. In the old Eng-
lish 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 Letters to Gibbon, and Porson's to Tra-
vis. Also Griesbach's excellent Dissertation on the Text at the end of
his second volume. Archbishop Newcome omits the text, and the
* Sir I. Newtoni Opera à Horsley, 4to. 1785, vol. v. p. 549.-Bishop Horsey, in
his edition of Sir Isaac Newton's works, has not included several MSS. on theologi-
cal subjects, for the reasons which perhaps induced the nobleman in whose posses-
sion they remain, to withhold them still from publication. His lordship's judgment
in this respect is said to be influenced by a prelate whose notions do not accord either
with the philosopher's opinions or criticisms. They are fairly transcribed, in Sit
Isaac's ovn hand-writing, ready for the press. It is to be regretted that the produc
tion of his luminous mind should be suppressed by a censorship, however respect
able.
PREFACE.
the reader, and inore convenient for referencs, by arranging
the books into chapters, and dividing the chapters into verses,
after the manner of the APOCRYPHA to the Old Testament
He has only to add, that the lover of old literature will here
find the obscure but unquestionable origin of several remark-
XI
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 extract from it.
Hic est qui uenit per aquam & sanguinem. ihe rpe. on in aq solum.
sed in aqua & sanguinem & spu. spe est qui testificatur. quoniam rpe est
veritas. Duoniam tres sunt, qui testimonium dant in tra. Spe. aqua. @
sanguis. Et tres unum sunt,†
The following Greek and Latin authors HAVE NOT QUOTED THE
TEXT:
Greek authors :-Irenæus-Clemens Alexandrinus-Dionysius Alex-
andrinus (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 Trinitate-Cæsarius Proclus
The Council of Nice, as it is represented by Gelasius Cyzicenus-Hyp-
polytus–Andrias Six catena quoted by Simon-The marginal scholia
of three MSS.-Hesychius-John Damascenus-Oecumenius-- Eu
thymius Zigabenus.
Latin authors :-The author de Baptismo Hæreticorum, among
Cyprian's works-Novatian-Hilary-Lucifer Calazitanus-Jerome-
Augustine—Ambrose-Faustinus-Leo Magnus-The author de Pro-
missis Eucherius-Facundus-Cerealis-Rusticus--Bede-Gregory
Philastrius-Paschasius-Arnobius, junior-Pope Eusebius
* Improved version of the New Testament, 1808.
↑ HARL. COLL. MSS. Cod. 4773,
i Porson's Letters to Travis, p. 363
xii
PREFACE.
able 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
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 awkwardly translates the verse from
the Latin, and the other transcribes it from a printed book; notwithstand-
ing 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 silence 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.*
Sir Isaac Newton observes, that "what the Latins have done to this
text (1 John, v. 7.), the Greeks have done to that of St. Paul (Timo-
thy, iii. 16.). For by changing ó into , the abbreviation of eos, they
now read, Great is the mystery of godliness: GOD manifested in the flesh :
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 flesh."
Sir Isaac gives a list of authors, who, he says, "wrote, all of them, in
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, except-
ing that Gregory Nyssenf once urges it (if the passage crept not into
him out of some marginal annotation). In all the times of the hot and
lasting Arian controversy, it never came into play; though, now those
disputes are over, they that read God made manifest in the flesh, think
* Porson's Letters to Travis, p. 402
Orat. xi. contra Eunom
PREFACE.
xii.
Descent into Hell. Several 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
Actes des Apostres, which, by order of Francis I. in 1511
was represented at Paris, and occupied, with a Dramatis l'er.
sonæ of 485 Characters, several days in the performance.
Many valuable Pictures by the best masters-Prints by the
early engravers, particularly of the Italian and German schools
-Wood-cuts in early black letter, and Block books—and Il-
luminations of missals and monastic MSS.-receive imme-
diate elucidation on referring to the APOCRYPHAL NEW
TESTAMENT, and are without explanation from any other
source.
August 1st, 1820.
it," Sir Isaac says, ((
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 under-
stand 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 detection 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 commentators."
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.
one of the most obvious and pertinent texts for
B
PREFACE
TO
THE SECOND EDITION
* Table III.
ALTHOUGH the APOCRYPHAL NEW TESTAMENT was ut
forth without pretension, or ostentatious announcement, 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 Clem-
ent to the Corinthians, accidentally omitted, has been added:
it forms the fifth Chapter of that Epistle. There is likewise
annexed, a Table* of the years wherein all the books of the
NEW TESTAMENT are stated to have been written; to the
'Order of the Books of the APOCRYPHAL NEW TESTAMENT,'
the authorities from whence they have been taken are affixed
and, finally, many errors in the numerous scriptural references
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 considerably 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.†
Reference to the preceding Preface will leave little doubt
that the Apocryphal writings formed an interesting portion of
† B. iv. c. 3. and 4.
PREFACE.
the lay, as well as the monkish literature of our forefathers.
There is a translation of the Gospel of Nicodemus almost co-
eval with the origin of printing in England ;* and ancient MSS.
of the Gospel of the Infancy are still extant in the Welsh lan-
guage under the title of Mabinogi Jesu Grist.
Concerning the genuineness of any portion of the work, the
Editor has not offered an opinion, nor is it necessary that he
should. The brief notice at the head of each Gospel directs
the reader to its source, and will assist him to inquire further,
and form an opinion for himself. Yet, respecting the Epistles,
which commence at "The First Epistle of Clement to the
Corinthians," and occupy the remaining two-thirds of the
volume, the Editor would call attention to Archbishop Wake's
testimony. The pious and learned Prelate says, that these Epis-
tlest are a full and perfect collection of "all the genuine writ-
ings that remain to us of the Apostolical Fathers, and carry on
the antiquity of the Church from the time of the Holy Scrip-
tures of the New Testament to about a hundred and fifty years
after Christ; that except the Holy Scriptures, there is nothing
remaining of the truly genuine Christian antiquity more early ;‡
that they contain all that can with any certainty be depended
upon of the most Primitive Fathers, who had not only the ad-
vantage of living in the apostolical times, of hearing the holy
Apostles, and conversing with them, but were most of them
persons of a very eminent character in the church too ;|| that
we cannot, with any reason, doubt of what they deliver to us
as the Gospel of Christ, but ought to receive it, if not with
XV
It was printed in quarto, first by Mynkyn oe Morde in 1509, next
by John Skot in 1525, by the same printer subsequently, and several
times afterwards.
+ Abp. Wake's Apostolical Fathers, Bagster's Edition 8v 1817
Prelim. Disc. p. 106.
‡ Ibid p. 120. § Ibid. p. 126.
|| Ibid. p. 128.
PREFACE.
equal veneration, yet but with a little less respect than we do
the Sacred Writings of those who were their masters and in-
structers;" and "if," says the Archbishop (who translated
these Epistles,*) "it shall be asked how I came to choose the
drudgery of a translator, rather than the more ingenious part of
publishing somewhat of my own composing? It was, in short,
this; because I hoped that such writings as these would find a
more general and unprejudiced acceptance with all sorts of
men, than any thing that could be written by any one now
living."
As a Literary Curiosity, the work has attracted much no-
tice; as throwing a light upon the Arts of Design and Engrav-
ing, it has already been useful to the Painter, and the Collec-
tor of Pictures and Prints; and, as relating to Theology, it has
induced various speculation and inquiry.
But the Editor has been charged with expressing too little
veneration for the Councils of the Church. He feels none.
It is true that respecting the three hundred Bishops assembled
at the Council of Nice, the Emperor Constantinet 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. Yet Sabinus, the Bishop of Heraclea, affirms,
that "excepting Constantine himself, and Eusebius Pamphilus,
they were a set of illiterate, simple creatures, that understood
nothing;" and Pappus seems to have estimated them very low,
for in his Synodicon to 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
6
{√]
* Abp. Wake's Apostolical Fathers, Bagster's Edition, 8vo., Prelim
Disc. p. 155.
↑ Ibid. c. 9.
+ Socrates Schol. Eccl. Hist. b. i. c. 8.
PREFACE.
get upon the table, while the spurious ones remained under-
neath, and that it happened accordingly." A commentator*
on this legend suggests that nothing less than such a sight
could sanctify that fiery zeal which breathes throughout an
edict published by Constantine, in which he decrees that all
the writings of Arius should be burned, and that any person
concealing any writing composed by him, and not immediately
producing it, and committing it to the flames, should be pun-
ished with death.f Let us, with the illustrious Jortin,‡ con
sider 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,
banished, fined, beggared, starved, if they refused to submit ; by
compliance with some active, leading, and imperious Spirits; by
a deference to the majority; by a love of dictating and domi-
neering, of applause and respect; by vanity and ambition; by
a total ignorance of the question in debate, or a total indiffer-
ence about it; by private friendships; by enmity and resent-
ment; by old prejudices; by hopes of gain; by an indolent dis-
position; 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. Whosoever takes these things into due con-
XVL
* Mace's N. Test. p. 875
+ Socrates, Schol. Eccl. Hist. b. i. c. 9.
‡ Rem. on Eccl. Hist. vol. ii. p. 177.
§ These considerations are more or less natural on 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
B 2
PREFACE.
sideration will not be disposed to pay a blind defe.ence to the
authority of General Councils, but will rather be inclined to judge
that "the Council held by the Apostles at Jerusalem was the
first and the last in which the Holy Spirit may be affirmed to
have presided."*
xviii
In accommodation to this opinion, the Church of England
compels her Clergy to subscribe to the following among the
thirty-nine Articles of Religion :'t "When Genera Councils
:'†
be gathered together (forasmuch 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 pertaining 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 bloodshed and cruelties perpe-
divers ends, and by divers means, procured and hastened, hindered
and deferred, for two-and-twenty years; and, for eighteen years more,
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 raised step by
step to earthly power, they cared less and less for religious precepts.
Using their spiritual only as an instrument of their temporal authority,
their business was no more sanctity of life, increase of religion, and
love and charity towards their neighbours; but fomenting 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 facul
ty which they have of gratifying princes."-Guicciardini's Hist. b. iv.
+ Art. xxi.
* Jortin's Rein. on Eccl. Hist. vol. ii. p. 177
PREFACE.
rated in the name of Christianity, it is gradually emerging
from the mystifying subtleties of Fathers, Councils, and Hie-
rarchies, and the incumbering edicts of Soldier-kings and Pa-
pal decretals. Charmed by the loveliness of its primitive sim-
plicity, 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 in the welfare of
mankind, left us, for the Rule of our Happiness, the sum and
substance of His Code of peace and good will :-Whatsoever
ye would that men should do to you, do you even so to them.
By some persons of the multitude, commonly known by the
name of Christians, and who profess to suppose they do God
service by calling themselves so, the Editor has been attacked
with a malignity and fury that would have graced the age of
Mary and Elizabeth, when Catholics put to death Protestants,
and Protestants put to death Catholics, for the sake of Him
who commanded mankind to love one another.
To these as-
sailants, he owes no explanation; to the craft of disingenuous
criticism, he offers no reply; to the bolt of the Bigot, and the
shaft of the Shrine-maker, he scarcely condescends the oppo
sition of a smile.
February 13th, 1821.
xix
THE
APOCRYPHAL NEW TESTAMENT.
The GOSPEL of the BIRTH of MARY.
in the primitive ages, there was a Gospel extant bearing this name, attributed to St. Mat-
thew, and received as genuine and authentic by several of the ancient Christian sects. It is
to be found in the works of Jerome, a Father of the Church, who flourished in the fourth cen-
tury, from whence the present translation is made. His contemporaries, Epiphanius, Bishop
of Salamis, and Austin, also mention a Gospel under this title. The ancient copies differoi
from Jeron e's; for from one of them the learned Faustus, a native of Britain, who became
Bishop of Riz, 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 he cited, the Virgin herself was not of this tribe, but of the tribe of Levi; her
father being a priest of the name of Joachim. It was likewise from this Gospel that the sect
of the Collyridians established the worship and offering of manchet bread and cracknels, cr
fine wafers, as sacrifices to Mary, whom they imagined to have been born of a Virgin, as
Christ is related in the Canonical Gospels to have been born of her. Epiphanius likewise cites
a passage concerning the death of Zacharias, which is not in Jerome's copy, viz. "That it was
the 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 mouth 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, Wo unto you; whom do ye
worship? he who had appeared to him in the temple took away the use of his speech. After-
wards, 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 bells, that whensoever he
went into the temple to sacrifice, he, whom they worshipped, hearing the noise of the bells,
might have time enough to hide 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. 1.
The parentage of Mary. 7 Joachim her
father, and Anna her mother, go to Jerusa-
lem to the feast of the dedication. 7 Issa-
char the high-priest reproaches Joachim for
being childless.
The family of her mother was
of Bethlehem.
3 Their lives were plain and
right in the sight of the Lord,
pious and faultless before men.
For they divided all their sub-
stance into three parts:
TE
HE blessed and ever glori-
ous Virgin Mary, sprung
from the royal race and family 4 One of which they devoted
of David, was born in the city to the temple and officers of the
of Nazareth, and educated at temple; another they distributed
Jerusalem, in the temple of the among strangers, and persons in
Lord.
poor circumstances; and the
2 Her father's naine was Joa-third they reserved for them-
chim, and her mother's Anna. selves and the uses of their own
The family of her father was of family.
Galilee and the city of Nazareth.
5 In this manner they lived
I
1
Mary's parents barren.
MARY.
An angel appears
for about twenty years chastely, this from the high-priest, should
in the favour of God, and the publicly reproach him in the
esteem of men, without any chil- same manner.
dren.
6 But they vowed, if God
should favour them with any
CHAP. II.
issue, they would devote it to 1 An angel appears to Joachim, 9 and in-
the service of the Lord; on
which account they went at
every feast in the year to the
temple of the Lord.1
forms him that Anna shall conceive and
bring forth a daughter, who shall be called
Mary, 11 be brought up in the temple,
12 and while yet a virgin, in a way unpar
alleled, bring forth the Son of God; 13
gives him a sign, 14 and departs.
B
UT when he had been there
for some time, on a certain
day, when he was alone, the an-
gel of the Lord stood by him
with a prodigious light,
7 ¶ And it came to pass,
that when the feast of the dedi-
cation drew near, Joachim, with
some others of his tribe, went up
to Jerusalem, and, at that time,
Issachar was high-priest;
2 To whom, being troubled
8 Who, when he saw Joachim at the appearance, the angel who
along with the rest of his neigh-| had appeared to him, endeavour-
bours, bringing his offerings, de-ing to compose him, said,
spised both him and his offer- 3 Be not afraid, Joachim, nor
ings, and asked him,
troubled at the sight of me, for
I am an angel of the Lord, sent
by him to you, that I might in-
form you, that your prayers are
heard, and your alms ascended
in the sight of God.2
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
judged by him unworthy to have
children; the Scripture having
said, Cursed is every one who
shall not beget a male in Israel.
4 For he hath surely seen
your shame, and heard you un-
justly reproached for not having
children; for God is the avenger
of sin, and not of nature;
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.
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 bar-
ren even till her eightieth year,
and yet, even in the end of hei
old age, brought forth Isaac, in
11 But Joachim, being much
confounded with the shame of
such reproach, retired to the
shepherds 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
' 1 Sam. i. 6, 7, &c.
2 Acts,.x. 4
2
and promises
MARY.
them a child.
whom the promise was made of | yet a virgin, in a way unparal
a blessing to all nations.¹
leled, bring forth the Son of the
7 Rachel also, so much in most High God, who shall be
favour with God, and beloved so called Jesus, and, according to
much by holy Jacob, continued the signification of his name, be
barren for a long time, yet after-the Saviour of all nations.5
wards was the mother of Joseph,
who was not only governor of
Egypt, but delivered many na-
tions from perishing with hun-
ger.2
13 And this shall be a sign to
you of the things which I de-
clare, 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
or more holy than Samuel? And sooner, shall then rejoice to see
yet both their mothers were bar-you.
ren.3
8 Who, among the judges,
was more valiant than Samson,
9 But if reason will not con-
vince you of the truth of my
words, that there are frequent
conceptions in advanced years,
and 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,
10 She shall, according to
your vow, be devoted to the Lord
from her infancy, and be filled
with the Holy Ghost from her
mother's womb;4
.4
be without 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 manne; born of one that
was barren, so she shall, while
·
1 Gen. xvi. 2, &c. and xviii. 10, &c.
2 Gen. xxx. 1—29, and xli. 1, &c.
3 Judg. xiii. 2. and 1 Sam. i. 6, &c.
14 When the angel had said
this, he departed from him.
11 She shall neither eat nor
drink any thing which is un-
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
clean, nor shall her conversation | you, that a daughter will be born
unto you, who shall be called
Mary, and shall be blessed above
all women.”
3 She shall be, immediately
upon her birth, full of the grace
of the Lord, and shall continue
during the three years of her
weaning in her father's house,
and afterwards, being devoted
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.
A
FTERWARDS the angel
appeared to Anna his wife,
saying, Fear not, neither think
that which you see is a spirit ;6
4 Luke, i. 15.
6 Matt. xiv 26.
Matt. i. 21.
7 Luke i. 28.
3
Anna conceives
MARY
Mury born
to the service of the Lord, shall Lord, they returned home, and
not depart from the temple, till lived in a cheerful and assured
she arrives to years of discretion. expectation of the promise of
4 In a word, she shall there | God.
serve the Lord night and day in
fasting and prayer,' shall abstain
from every unclean thing, and
never know any man;
5 But, being an unparalleled
instance, without any pollution
or defilement, and a virgin not
CHAP. IV.
knowing any man, shall bring 1 Mary brought to the temple at three years
forth a son, and a maid shall
bring forth the Lord, who, both
old. 6 Ascends the stairs of the temple by
miracle. 8 Her parents sacrifice and retuir
home.
by his grace and name and expired, and the time of
ND when three years were
works, shall be the Saviour of
the world.
her weaning complete, they
6 Arise therefore, and go up brought the Virgin to the tem-
to Jerusalem, and when youple of the Lord with offerings.
shall come to that which is 2 And there were about the
called the golden gate (because temple, according to the fifteen
it is gilt with gold), as a sign of Psalms of Degrees,2 fifteen stairs
what I have told you, you shall to ascend.
meet your husband, for whose
safety you have been so much
concerned.
3 For, the temple being built
in a mountain, the altar of burnt-
offering, which was without,
could not be come near but by
stairs.
7 When therefore you find
these things thus accomplished,
believe that all the rest which I 4 The parents of the blessed
have told you, shall also undoubt-[Virgin and infant Mary put her
edly be accomplished.
upon one of these stairs;
8
5 But while they were putting
off their clothes, in which they
had travelled, and according to
some that.
custom putting on
were more neat and clean,
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 an-
gel's prediction, 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
11 ¶ So Anna conceived,
and brought forth a daughter,
and, according to the angel's
cominand, the parents did call
her name Mary.
1 Luke ii. 37.
6 In the mean time, the Vir-
gin of the Lord in such a man-
ner went up all the stairs one
after another, without the help
of any to lead her or lift her,
that any one would have judged
from hence, that she was of per
fect age.
•
2 Those Psalms are from the 120'h t
the 134th, including both.
4
Ministered unto
7 Thus the Lord did, in the
nfancy of his Virgin, work this
extraordinary work, and evi-
dence by this miracle how great
she was like to be hereafter.
MARY
8 But the parents, having
offered up their sacrifice, ac-
cording to the custom of the
law, and perfected their vow,
left the Virgin with other virgins
in the apartments of the temple,
who were to be brought up there,
and they returned home.
CHAP. V.
4 The
2 Mary ministered unto by angels.
high priest orders all virgins of fourteen
years old to quit the temple and endeavour
to be married. Mary refuses, 6 having
vowed her virginity to the Lord. 7 The
high-priest commands a meeting of the
chief persons of Jerusalem, 11 who seek the
Lord for counsel in the matter. 13 A voice
from the mercy-seat. 16 The high-priest
obeys it by ordering all the unmarried men
of the house of David to bring their rods to
the altar, 17 that his rod which should
flower, and on which the Spirit of God
should sit, should betroth the Virgin.
by angels
4 At that time the high-priest
made a public order, That al
the virgins who had public set-
tlements in the temple, and were
come to this age, shoula return
home, and, as they were now of
a proper maturity, should, ac-
cording to the custom of their
country, endeavour to be mar-
ried.
5 To which command, though
all the other Virgins readily
yielded obedience, Mary the
Virgin of the Lord alone an-
swered, that she could not com-
ply 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 re-
solved never to break through
by lying with a man.
7 The high-priest being here-
by 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,'
9 Nor on the other hand in-
troduce a custom, to which the
people were strangers, com-
BUT
UT the Virgin of the
Lord, as she advanced
in years, increased also in per-
fections, and according to the
saying of the Psalmist, her fa-
ther and mother forsook her,
but the Lord took care of
her.
2 For she every day had the
conversation of angels, and everymanded,
day received visions from God, 10 That at the approaching
which preserved her from all feast all the principal persons
sorts of evil, and caused her to both of Jerusalem and the
abound with all good things; neighbouring places should meet
together, that he might have
their advice, how he had best
proceed in SO difficult a
3 So that when at length she
arrived to her fourteenth year,
as the wicked could not lay any
thing to her charge worthy of case.
reproof, so all gool persons, who 11 When they were accord
were acquainted with her, ad-ingly met, they unanimously
mired her life and conversa- 1 Eccles. v. 4, 5, 6. and Psalm Ixxv1.
tion.
11.
The Virgin
agreed to seek the Lord, and
ask counsel from him on this
matter.!
12 And when they were all
engaged in prayer, the high
priest, according to the usual
way, went to consult God,
MARY
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.
betrothed
CHAP
VI
1 Joseph draws back his rod. 5 The Gove
pitches on it. 6 He betroths Mary, and re-
turns to Bethlehem. 7 Mary returns to her
parents' house at Galilee.
13 And immediately there
was a voice from the ark, and
the mercy-seat, which all pres-
ent heard, that it must be in-ed his.
quired or sought out by a proph- 2 So that when nothing ap
ecy of Isaiah, to whom the Vir-peared agreeable to the heavenly
gin should be given and be voice, the high-priest judged it
betrothed;
proper to consult God again,
3 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, every one plainly saw, that
the Virgin was to be betrothed
16 Then, according to this
prophecy, he appointed, that all to him:
the men of the house and family 6 Accordingly, the usual cer-
of David, who were marriagea-emonies of betrothing being
ble, and not married, should over, he returned to his own
bring their several rods to the city of Bethlehem, to set his
house in order, and make the
needful provisions for the mar
riage.
altar
>
17 And out of whatsoever
person'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 appear-
ance of a dove. he should be weaned at the same time, and
the man to whom the Virgin
should be given and be
trothed.
7 But the Virgin of the Lord,
Mary, with seven other virgins
of the same age, who had been
1 Num. xxvii, 21. compared with Exod.
xxviii. 30. Lev. viii. 8. Deut. xxxiii. 8.
Ezra, ii. 63. Nehem vii. 65.
MONG the rest there was
A
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 present-
who had been appointed to at-
be-tend her by the priest, returned
to her parents' house in Galilee
CHAP. VII.
1 The salutation of the Virgin by Gabriel.
who explains to her that she shall conceive.
without lying with a man, while a Vugin
6
Angel Gabriel
19 by the Holy Ghost coming upon ner
without the heats of lust. 21 She submits.
MARY.
NOW
OW 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
conceiving him.
2 Accordingly going in to her,
he filled the chamber where she
was with a prodigious light, and
in a most courteous manner sa-
luting her, he said,
3 Hail, Mary! Virgin of the
Lord most acceptable! Oh Vir-
gin full of grace! The Lord is
with you, you are blessed above
all women, you are blessed above
all men, that have been hitherto
born.1
4 But the Virgin, who had
before 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 of the angel, nor as-
tonished at the greatness of the
light, but only troubled about
the angel's words:
6 And began to consider
what so extraordinary a saluta-
tion 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 :
salutes Mary
10 Therefore while you are a
virgin, you shall conceive with
out sin, and bring forth a son.
11 He shall be great, because
he shall reign from sea to sea,
and from the rivers even to the
ends of the earth.3
9 For you have found favour
with the Lord, because you made
virginity your choice.
1 Luke, i. 28.
2 Luke, i. 29
12 And he shall be called the
Son of the Highest; for he who
is born in a mean state on earth,
reigns in
exalted one ir
heaven.
an
13 And the Lord shall give
him the throne of his father
David, and he shall reign over
the house of Jacob for ever, and
of his kingdom 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, I never have known
any man, how can I bear a child
without the addition of a man's
seed?
17 To this the angel replied
and said, Think not, Mary, that
you shall conceive in the ordi-
nary way.
18 For, without lying with a
man, while a Virgin, you shall
conceive; while a Virgin, you
shall bring 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 over
3 Li ke, i. 31, &c.
Mary is married
STARY.
to Joseph
shadow you, without any of the | vately to put an end to heir
heats of lust.
agreement, and as privately to
send her away.
20 So that which shall be
born of you shall be only holy, 8 But while he was meditat-
because it only is conceived ing these things,2 behold, the
without sin, and being born, angel of the Lord appeared to
shall be called the Son of God. him in his sleep, and said,
|
21 Then Mary, stretching Joseph, son of David, fear not;
forth her hands, and lifting her 9 Be not willing to entertain
eyes to heaven, said, Behold the any suspicion of the Virgin's
handmaid of the Lord! Let it being guilty of fornication, or to
be unto me according to thy think any thing amiss of her,
word.1
neither be afraid to take her to
wife;
CHAP. VIII.
1 Joseph returns to Galilee to marry the Vir-
gin he had betrothed, 4 perceives she is
with child, 5 is uneasy, 7 purposes to
put her away privily, 8 is told by the an-
gel of the Lord it is not the work of man,
but the Holy Ghost. 12 Marries her, but
keeps chaste, 13 removes with her to Beth-
lehem, 15 where she brings forth Christ.
Jos
OSEPH
therefore went
from Judæa to Galilee,
with intention to marry the
Virgin who was betrothed to
hiin ·
2 For it was now near three
months since she was betrothed
to him.
3 At length it plainly appear-
ed 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
neasy and doubtful, not know-
ing what course it would be best
to take;
6 For being a just man, he
was not willing to expose her,
nor defame her by the suspicion
of being a whore, since he was
a pious man.
7 He purposed therefore pri-
¹ Luke, i. 38.
10 For that which is begotten
in her, and now distresses your
mind, is not the work of man,
but the Holy Ghost.
11 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 an-
gel, married the Virgin, and did
not know her, but kept her in
chastity.
13 And now the ninth month
from her conception drew near,
when Joseph took his wife and
what other things were necessa◄
ry to Bethlehem, the city from
whence he came.
14 And it came to pass, while
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
? Matt i 20
8
The PROTEVANGELION; or, An Historica Account of
the 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 Chris-
tians 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 his marriage with the Virgin.
It seems material to remark, that the legends of the latter ages affirm the virginity of Jo
seph, notwithstanding Epiphanius, Hilary, Chrysostom, Cyril, Euthymius, Theophylact,
Oecumenius, and, indeed, all the Latin Fathers till Ambrose, and the Greek Fathers after-
wards, 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 & Basi, where Bibliander, a Protestant divine, and the Pro-
fessor of Divinity at Zurich, caused it to be printed in 1552. Postellus 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 of the most learned di-
vines in the Protestant and Catholic churches.]
CHAP. I.
1 Joachim, a rich man, 2 offers to the Lord,
3 is opposed by Reuben the high-priest, be
cause he has not begotten issue in Israel, 6
retires into the wilderness and fasts forty
days and forty nights.
cerned very much, went away
to consult the registries of the
twelve tribes, to see whether he
was the only person who had be
got no issue.
N of the twelve
4 But inquiry he
In the bistory we read there that all the righteous had raised
T
tribes of Israel
was a certain person called Joa-up seed in Israel:
chim, who, being very rich, made 5 Then he called to mind the
double offerings to the Lord patriarch Abraham, how that
God, having made this resolu- God in the end of his life had
tion: My substance shall be forgiven him his son Isaac; upon
the benefit of the whole people, which he was exceedingly dis-
and that I may find mercy from tressed, and would not be seen
the Lord God for the forgiveness by his wife;
of my sins.
6 But retired into the wilder-
ness, and fixed his tent there,
and fasted forty days and forty
nights, saying to himself,
2 But at a certain great feast
of the Lord, when the children
of Israel offered their gifts, and
Joachim also offered his, Reu- 7 I will not go down either to
ben the high-priest opposed him, eat or drink, till the Lord my
saying, It is not lawful for thee God shall look down upon me,
to offer thy gifts, seeing thou but prayer shall be my meat and
hast not begot any issue in Is-drink.2
rael.
2 In imitation of the forty days ang
3 At this Joachim being con-nights' fast of Moses, recorded Exod.
xxi 18. xxxiv. 28. Deut. ix. 9; of Eli-
That is, gave as much more as he jah, 1 Kings, xix. 8; and Christ's Matt
was obliged to give
N. 2.
9
Anna's
PROTEVANGELION.
CHAP. II.
1 Anna, the wife of Joachim, mourns her bar
renness, 6 is reproached with it by Judith her
maid, 9 sits under a laurel tree, and prays to
the Lord.
N the mean time his wife An-
na was distressed and per-
plexed on a double account, and
said, I will mourn both for my
widowhood, and my barrenness.
2 Then drew near a great
feast of the Lord, and Judith her
maid said, How long will you
thus afflict your soul? The feast
of the Lord is now come, when
it is unlawful for any one to
* PROTE
6 Then Judith her maid an-
swered, What evil shall I wish,
since you will not hearken to
me?
7 I cannot wish you a greater
curse than you are under, in that
God hath shut up your womb,
that you should not be a mother
in Israel.
barrenness
and sat under it, and prayed un-
to the Lord, saying,
10 O God of my fathers, bless
me, and regard my prayer, as
thou didst bless the womb of Sa-
rah, and gavest her a son Isaac.'
mourn.
2 And mourning within her-
self, she said, Wo is me, who
begat me? and what womb did
3 Take therefore this hood bare me, that I should be thus
which was given me by one who accursed before the children of
makes such things, for it is not | Israel, and that they should re-
fit that I, who am a servant, proach and deride me in the
should wear it, but it well suits temple of my God: wo is me, to
a person of your greater charac- what can I be compared?
ter.
3 I am not comparable to the
4 But Anna replied, Depart| very beasts of the earth, for even
from me, I am not used to such the beasts of the earth are fruit-
things; besides, the Lord hath | ful before thee, O Lord! Wo
greatly humbled me.
is me, to what can I be com-
pared?
5 I fear some ill-designing
person hath given thee this, and
thou art come to pollute me with
thy sin.
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,
whether they are calm, or in mo-
tion, with the fishes which are in
them, praise thee, O Lord! Wo
is me, to what can I be com
pared?
8 At this Anna was exceed-
ingly troubled, and having on
her wedding garment, went about
three o'clock in the afternoon to
walk in her garden.
9 And she saw a laurel-tree,
CHAP. III.
1 Anna, perceiving a sparrow's nest in the
laurel, bemoans her barrenness.
ND as she was looking to-
wards heaven, she perceived
a sparrow's nest in the laurel,
1 Gen. xxi. 2.
10
Angels foretell
7 I am not comparable to
the very earth, for the earth pro-
duces its fruits, and praises thee,
O Lord!
PROTEVANGELION.
Mary's birth.
8 And Joachim went down
with the shepherds, and Anna
stood by the gate and saw Joa-
chim coming with the shepherds,
9 And she ran, and hanging
about his neck, said, Now I
CHAP. IV.
An angel appears to Anna, and tells her she know that the Lord hatn greatly
blessed me;
shall conceive; 3 two angels appear to her
on the same errand. 5 Joachim sacrifices.
8 Anna goes to meet him, 9 rejoicing that
she shall conceive.
10 For behold, I who was a
widow am no longer a widow,
and I who was barren shall con-
ceive.
T
HEN an angel of the Lord
stood by her, and said, An-
na, Anna, the Lord hath heard
thy prayer; thou shalt conceive
CHAP. V.
and bring forth, and thy progeny 1. Joachim abides the first day in his house.
shall be spoken of in all the
world.
but sacrifices on the morrow, 2 consults the
plate on the priest's forehead, 3 and is with-
out sin. 6 Anna brings forth a daughter,
9 whom she calls Mary.
2 And Anna answered, As
the Lord my God liveth, what-
ever I bring 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
coming with his shepherds,
4 For an angel of the Lord
hath also come down to him,
and said, The Lord God hath 4 And Joachim said, Now I
heard thy prayer; make haste know that the Lord is propitious
and go hence, for behold Anna to me, and hath taken away all
thy wife shall conceive.
my sins.
6 And bring me twelve calves
without blemish, and the twelve
calves shall be for the priests
and the elders.
A
ND 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
high-priest's forehead' make it
manifest.
3 And he consulted the plate
which the priest wore, and saw
it, and behold sin was not found
in him.
5 And Joachim went down, 5 And he went down from
and called his shepherds, saying, the temple of the Lord justified,
Bring me hither ten she-lambs, and he went to his own house.
without spot or blemish, and they
shall be for the Lord my God,
6 And when nine months
were fulfilled to Anna, she
brought forth, and said to the
midwife, What have I brough
forth?
7 Bring me also a hundred
goats, and the hundred goats discoveries. Ser Exod. xxviii. 36, &c
hall be for the whole people.
7 And she told her, A girl.
1 Such an instrument God had ap
pointed the high-priest to wear for suck
and Spencer de Jrim et Thummim.
11
PROTEVANGELION.
Mary's
8 Then Anna said, The 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.
CHAP. VI.
Mary, at nine months old, walks nine steps,
3 Anna keeps noly, 4 when she is a year
old, Joachim makes a great feast, 7 Anna
gives her the breast, and sings a song to the
Lord.
ND the 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
mother'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 thee into the temple of the
Lord.
3 Accordingly she made her
hamber a holy place, and suf-
fered nothing common or unclean
to but invited
dedication
6 Then Joachim a second
time offered her to the priests,
and they blessed her, saying, O
most high God, regard this girl,
and bless her with an everlast-
ing 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 vis-
ited me, and taken away from
me the reproach of mine ene-
mies, 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
consecrated, and she went ou*
and ministered 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 al
tar, and she dances with her feet.
tertain undefiled daughters of B she was two years old, Jo-
UT grew, and when
Israel, and they drew 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 peo-
ple of Israel;
achim said to Anna, Let us lead
her to the temple of the Lord,
that we may perform our vow
which we have vowed unto the
Lord God, lest he should be an-
5 And Joachim then made angry with us, and our offering be
offering of the girl to the chief unacceptable.
priests, and they blessed her, 2 But Anna said, Let us wait
saying, The God of our fathers the third year, lest she should be
bless this girl, and give her a at a loss to know her father. And
è ame famous and lasting through| Joachim said, Let us then wait
all generations. And all the
1 Compare 1 Sam. ii. 1, &c. with Luke
people replied, So be it, Amen: i. 46
12
Mary fed
PROTEVANGELION.
by angels
3 And when the child was shall we do with her, for fear
three years old, Joachim said, lest the holy place of the Lord
Let us invite the daughters of the our God should be defiled?
Hebrews, 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 tem-
ple of the Lord.
4 And they did. thus till they
ascended into the temple of the
Lord. And the high-priest re-
ceived her, and blessed her, and
said, Mary, the Lord God hath
magnified thy name to all gen-
erations, and to the very end of
time by thee will the Lord show
his redemption to the children
of Israel.
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.
7 And the criers went out
through all Judæa, and the trum-
pet of the Lord sounded, and all
the people ran and met together.
8 ¶ Joseph also, throwing
away his hatchet, went out to
meet them; and when they were
met, they went to the high-priest,
taking every man his rod.
9 After the high-priest had
AND her parents went away received their rods, he went into
the temple to pray;
filled
praising 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.
CHAP. VIII.
2 Mary fed in the temple by angels, 3 when
twelve years old, the priests consult what to
do with her. 6 The angel of the Lord warns
Zacharias to call together all the widowers,
each bringing a rod. 7 The people meet by
sound of trumpet. 8 Joseph throws away
his hatchet, and goes to the meeting, 11 a
dove comes forth from his rod, and alights
on his head. 12 He is chosen to betroth the
Virgin, 13 refuses, because he is an old man,
15 is compelled, 16 takes her home, and goes
to mind his trade of building.
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 en-
tered into the Holy of Holies,
and taking away with him the
breast-plate of judgment,¹ made
prayers concerning her;
6 And behold the angel of
the Lord came to him, and said,
Zacharias, Zacharias, go forth
and call together all the widow-
ers among the people, and let
every one of them bring his rod,
and he by whom the Lord shall
show a sign shall be the husband
of Mary.
3 And when she was twelve
years of age, the priests met in a
council, and said, Behold, Mary
is twelve years of age; what
-
10 And when he had finished
his prayer, he took the rods, and
went forth and distributed them,
and there was no miracle attend-
ed 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.
1 See Exod. xxviii. 22, &c.
2
13
Mary married
12 And the high-priest said,
Joseph, Thou art the person cho-
sen to take the Virgin of the
Lord, to keep her for him;
to Joseph
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.
13 But Joseph refused, say-
ing, I am an old man, and have
children, but she is young, and
4 Then the high-priest knew
Mary, that she was of the tribe
I fear lest I should appear ridic-of David; and he called her, and
ulous in Israel.
the true purple fell to her lot to
spin, and she went away to her
own house.
5 But from that time Zachari-
as the high-priest became dumb,
and Samuel was placed in his
room till Zacharias spoke again.
6 But Mary took the true pur-
ple, and did spin it.
And she took a pot, and
went out to draw water, and
heard a voice saying unto her,
Hail thou who art full of grace,
the Lord is with thee; thou art
blessed among women.
1
8 And she looked round to
the right and to the left, (to see)
whence that voice came, and
then trembling went into her
house, and laying down the
water-pot, she took the purple,
and sat down in her seat to
work it.
PROTEVANGELION.
14 Then the high-priest re-
plied, Joseph, fear the Lord thy
God, and remember how God
dealt with Dathan, Korah, 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 into his house, and Jo-
seph said unto Mary, Behold I
nave taken thee from the temple
of the Lord, and now I will leave
thee in my house; I must go to
mind my trade of building.
trade of building. The
Lord be with thee.
CHAP. IX.
1 The priests desire a new veil for the temple,
3 seven virgins cast lots for making different
parts of it, 4 the lot to spin 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 to work, 9 an angel appears, and sa-
lutes her, and tells her she shall conceive by
the Holy Ghost, 17 she submits, 19 visits her
cousin Elizabeth, 21 whose child in her womb
leaps.
A
ND it came to pass, in a
council of the priests, it
was said, Let us make a new
veil for the temple of the Lord.
2 And the high-priest said,
Call together to me seven unde-
filed virgins of the tribe of David.
3 And the servants went and
brought them into the temple of
the Lord, and the high-priest
9 And behold the angel of the
Lord stood by her, and said,
Fear not, Mary, for thou hast
found favour in the sight of God;
10 Which when she heard,
she reasoned with herself what
that sort of salutation meant.
11 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 women do?
1 Luke i. 28, &c.
14
Joseph's
PROTEVANGELION.
jealousy.
13 But the angel returned an- | which the archangel Gabriel had
swer, Not so, O Mary, but the spoken to her,
lifted up her eyes
Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, to heaven, and said, Lord! What
and the power of the Most High am I, that all the generations o
shall overshadow thee;
the earth should call me blessed ¹¹
14 Wherefore that which shall
be born of thee shall be holy,
and shall be called the Son of
the living God, and thou shalt
call his name Jesus; for he shall
save his people from their sins.
15 And behold thy cousin
Elizabeth, she also hath con-
ceived a son in her old age.
16 And this now is the sixth
nonth with her who was called
barren; for nothing is impossi-
ble with God.
18 ¶ And when she had
wrought her purple, she carried
it to the high-priest, and the
high-priest blessed her, saying,
Mary, the Lord God hath mag-
nified 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
Elizabeth, and knocked at the
door.
17 And Mary said, Behold
the handmaid of the Lord; let
it be unto me according to the AND when her sixth month
word.
was come, Joseph returned
from his building houses abroad,
which was his trade, and enter-
ing 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
out of the temple of the Lord my
God, and have not preserved her
such!
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?
23 But perceiving herself dai-
ly 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.
21 For lo! 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
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 re-
proaches her, 10 she affirms her innocence,
13 he leaves her, 16 determines to dismiss
her privily, 17 is warned in a dream that
Mary is with child by the Holy Ghost, 20
and glorifies God who had shown him such
favour.
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 the very instant of his
glory, the serpent came, and found
Eve alone, and seduced her
Just after the same manner
it has happened to me.
1 Luke i. 48.
15
Joseph and
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?
PROTEVANGELION.
9 Why hast thou thus debased
thy soul, who wast educated in
the Holy of Holies, and received
thy food from the hand of an-
gels?
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
Joseph drinks the water of the Lord as an
ordeal, and receiving no harm, returns home
HEN
came Annas the
scribe, and said to Joseph,
Wherefore have we not seen you
since your return?
TH
12 Mary answered, As the
Lord my God liveth, I know not
by what means.
2 And Joseph replied, Be-
cause I was weary after my jour-
ney, and rested the first day.
3 But Annas, turning about,
child,
13 ¶ Then Joseph was ex-perceived the Virgin big with
ceedingly afraid, and went away
from her, considering what he
should do with her; and he thus
reasoned with himself:1
4 And went away to the priest,
and told rim, 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 pri-
vately married her, not discov-
ering 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,
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?
Mary
20 Then Josep arose from
his sleep, and glorified the God
of Israel, who had shown him
such favour, and preserved the
Virgin.
14 If I 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 I do?
I will privily dismiss her.
17 Then the night was come
upon him, when behold an angel
of the 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 of the Holy Ghost, | Mary, what hast thou done?
19 And she shall bring forth
a son, and thou shalt call his
name Jesus, for he shall save his
people from their sins.
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
1 See Matt. i. 18.
16
PROTEVANGELION
Chastity
angels, and heardest their
songs?
10 Why hast thou done this?
11 To which with a flood of
tears she answered, As the Lord
my God liveth, I am innocent in
his sight, seeing I know no
man.
12 Then the priest said to
Joseph, 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
hast privately married her, and
not discovered it to the children
of Israel, and humbled thyself
under the mighty hand (of God),
that thy seed might be blessed :
15 And Joseph was silent.
16 Then said the priest (to
Joseph), You must restore to
.he temple of the Lord the Vir-
gin 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, which 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 wonder-
ed that his guilt was not discov-
ered.
-
20 So the priest said, Since
he Lord has not made your
sins evident, neither do I con-
Jemn you.
21 So he sent them away.
1 Num. v. 18
provea
22 Then Joseph took Mary,
and went to his house, rejoicing
and praising the God of Israel.
CHAP. XII.
1 A decree from Augustus for taxing the Jews,
5 Joseph puts Mary on an ass, to return to
Pethlehem, 6 she looks sorrowful, 7 she
laughs, 8 Joseph inquires 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, and places her in a cave.
ND it came to pass, that
here went forth a decree
from the Emperor Augustus,
that all the Jews should be tax-
ed, who were of Bethlehem in
Judæa:
2 And Joseph said, I will
take care that my children be
taxed: but what shall I do with
this young woman?
3 To have her taxed as my
wife, I am ashamed; and if I
tax her as my daughter, all Is-
rael knows she is not my daugh-
ter.
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 arrived 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 had turned
about again, he saw her laugh-
ing, and said to her,
8 Mary, how happens it, that
I sometimes see sorrow, and
sometimes laughter and joy ig
thy countenance?
2 Luke, ii. 1.
う
​2*
17
}
Miracles at
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, for that which is in me
presses to come forth.
11 But Joseph replied,
Whither 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.
PROTEVANGELION.
14 And he found there a
cave, and let her into it.
Mary's labo
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
dispersed, and yet the sheep
stood still:
9 And the shepherd lifted up
his hand to smite them, and his
hand continued up.
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. 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.
HEN I beheld a woman
ND leaving her and his T coming down from the
A
3 And I looked down towards
the earth, and saw a table
spread, and working people sit-
ting around it, but their hands
were upon the table, and they
did not move to eat.
|
sons in the cave, Joseph mountains, and she said to me,
went forth to seek a Hebrew | Where art thou going, O man?
midwife in the village of Beth-
lehem.
2 And I said to her, I go to
inquire for a Hebrew midwife:
2 But as I was going (said
Joseph) 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 She replied to me, Where
is the woman that is to be deliv-
ered?
4 And I answered, In the
cave, and she is betrothed to
me.
4 They who had meat in their
mouths did not eat.
CHAP XIV.
1 Joseph finds a midwife. 10 A bright
cloud overshadows the cave. 11 A great
light in the cave, gradually increases until
the infant is born. 13 The midwife goes
out, and tells Salome that she had seen a
Virgin bring forth. 17 Salome doubts it.
20 Her hand withers, 22 she supplicates
the Lord, 28 is cured, 30 but warned
not to declare what she had seen.
5 They who lifted their hands
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.
18
PROTEVANGELION.
Christ
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
midwife said, This day my soul
is magnified, for mine eyes have
seen surprising things, and sal-
vation is brought forth to Israel
11 But on a sudden the cloud
became a great light in the cave,
so that their eyes could not
bear it.
12 But the light gradually
decreased, until the infant ap-
peared, and sucked the breast
of his mother Mary.
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:
22 Then Salome made her
supplication to the Lord, and
said, O God of my fathers, re-
member 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.
24 For thou well knowest, O
Lord, that I have performed
many offices of charity in thy
name, and have received my
reward from the.
25 Upon this an angel of the
Lord stood by Salome, and said.
The Lord God hath heard thy
prayer; reach forth thy hand to
the child, and carry him, and
15 And the midwife said to by that means thou shalt be
her, Salome, Salome, I will tell | restored.
most surprising thing
you a
which I saw.
ex-
26 Salome, filled with
ceeding joy, went to the child,
and said, I will touch him;
to nature.
27 And she purposed to wor-
ship him, for she said, This is
17 To which Salome replied, a great king, which is born in
As the Lord my God liveth, | Israel.
uniess I receive particular proof
of this matter, I will not believe was cured.
that a virgin hath brought
forth.
28 And straightway Salome
16 A virgin hath brought
forth, which is a thing contrary
Dorn
19 And Salome rece ved sat
isfaction.
20 But her hand was with
ered, 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.
29 Then the midwife went
out of the cave, being approved
18 ¶ Then Salome went in, | by God.
and the midwife said, Mary,
show thyself, for a great contro-
versy is risen concerning thee.
30 And lo! a voice came to
Salome, Declare not the strange
things which thou hast seen, till
19
The wise
PROIEVANGELION.
the child shall come to Jerusa- | heaven, and so out-shined al
lem.
the other stars, as that they be
31 So Salome also departed, came not visible, and we knew
approved by God.
thereby that a great king was
born in Israel, and therefore we
are come to worship him.
8 Then said Herod to them,
Go and make diligent inquiry;
and if ye find the child, bring
me word again, that I may come
and worship him also.
THEN Joseph was preparing
to go away, because there
arose a great disorder in Bethle-
hem by the coming of some
wise men from the east,
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
2 Who said, Where is the the cave where the young child
king of the Jews born? For
we have seen his star in the east,
and are come to worship him.
was with Mary his mother.
3 When Herod heard this,
he was exceedingly troubled,
and sent messengers to the wise
men, and to the priests, and in-
10 Then they brought forth
out of their treasures, and offer-
ed unto him gold and frankin-
cense, and myrrh.
11 And being warned in a
dream by an angel, that they
quired of them in the town-hall, should not return to Herod
4 And said unto them, Where through Judæa, they departed
have you it written concerning into their own
Christ the king, or where should
country by
another way.
he be born?
CHAP. XV.
1 Wise men come from the cast. 3 Herod
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 re-
turn to Herod, but go home another way.
5 Then they say unto him,
CHAP. XVI.
In Bethlehem of Judæa; for 1 Herod, enraged, orders all the infants in
thus it is written: And thou
Bethlehem, in the land of Ju-
dah, art not the least among the
princes of Judah, for out of
thee shall come a ruler, who
shall rule my people Israel.
Bethlehem to be slain. 2 Mary puts her
infant in an ox-manger. 3 Elizabeth flees
with her son John to the mountains. 6 A
mountain miraculously divides and receives
them. 9 Herod, incensed at the escape of
John, causes Zacharias to be murdered at
the altar. 23. The routs of the temple rent,
the body miraculously conveyed, and the
blood petrified. 25 Israel mourns for him.
27 Simeon chosen his successor by lot.
2
6 And having sent
perceiving
chief priests, he inqui, ed 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
shining among the stars
of
men
1 Matt. ii. 1, &c
THEN Herod,
that he was mocked by
the wise men, and being very
angry, commanded 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
2 Matt. ii. 16
20
PROTEVANGELION.
Zacharias
under much fear, took the child,
and wrapped him up in swad-
dling clothes, and laid him in an
ox-inanger,¹ because there was
no room for them in the inn.
3 Elizabeth also, hearing that
her son John was about to be
searched for, took him and went
up unto the mountains, and
looked around for a place to
hide him;
4 And there was no secret partition;
place to be found.
17 But the children of Israel
knew not when he was killed.
5 Then she groaned within
herself, and said, O mountain of
the Lord, receive the mother
with the child.
18 ¶ Then at the hour of sal-
utation the priests went into the
temple, but Zacharias did not
6 For Elizabeth could not according to custom meet them
and bless them;
climb up
7 And instantly the mountain
was divided and received them,
19 Yet they still continued
waiting for him to salute them;
8 And there appeared to
them an angel of the Lord to
preserve them.
20 And when they found he
did not in a long time come, one
of them ventured into the holy
place where the altar was, and
he saw blood lying upon the
ground congealed;
9 ¶ But Herod made search
after John, and sent servants to
Zacharias, when he was (minis-
tering) at the altar, and said unto
him, Where hast thou hid thy
son?
21 When, behold, a voice
from heaven said, Zacharias is
murdered, and his blood shall
not be wiped away, until the
revenger of his blood come.
22 But when he heard this,
he was afraid, and went forth,
and told the priests what he had
seen and heard; and they all
went in, and saw the fact.
23 Then the roofs of the
temple howled, and were rent
from the top to the bottom:
24 And they could not find
the body, but only blood made
hard like stone.
25 And they went away,
and
told the people, that Zacharias
was murdered, and all the tribes
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?
11 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, say-
ing, Tell us the truth, where is
thy son, for you know that your
life is in my hand.
¹ Luke, ii. 7. is alluded to, though
misapplied as to time.
murde, ed.
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.
16 However, Zacharias was
murdered in the entrance of the
temple and altar, and about the
21
Simeon succeeds
PROTEVANGELION.
2.
of Israel heard thereof, and ¶ I James wrote this H
mourned for him, and lamented
three days.¹
26 Then the priests took coun-
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
There is a story both in the Jerusa-
lem and Babylonish Talmud very similar
to this. It is cited by Dr. Lightfoot,
Talmud. Hierosol. in Taanith, fol. 69;
and Tulmud. Babyl. in Sanhedr., fol. 96.
"Rabbi Jochanan said, Eighty thousand
priests were slain for the blood of Zacha-
rias. 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 of the 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 written
here, The blood is in the midst of her;
she set it upon the top of a 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 ven-
geance: I have set his blood upon the
top of a rock, that it should not be cov-
ered. They committed seven evils that
day: they murdered a priest, a prophet,
and a king they shed the blood of the
innocent: they polluted the court: that
day was the Sabbath, and the day of ex-
piation. When therefore Nebuzaradan
rame there, (viz. to Jerusalem,) he saw
His blood bubbling, and said to them,
22
rias
ry in
Jerusalem; and when the dis-
turbance was, I retired into a
desert place, until the death of
Herod. And the disturbance
ceased at Jerusalem. That
which remains is, that I glo-
rify God that he hath given
me such wisdom to write unto
you who are spiritual, and who
love God; to whom (be ascrib-
ed) glory and dominion for
ever and ever, Amen.
What meaneth this? They answered, It
is the blood of calves, lambs, and rams,
which we have offered upon the altar. He
commanded, then, that they should bring
calves, and lambs, and rams, and said,
I will try whether this be their blood; ac-
cordingly 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 calamiues
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's) blood, and he was not
yet appeased. Next he took the young
boys from the schools, and slew them up-
on 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, Ŏ Zacha-
rias, Zacharias, thou hast occasioned the
death of the chief of thy countrymen; shall
I slay them all? Then e Icod ceased,
and did bubble no more
}
2 Luke, ii. 26
The First Gospel of the INFANCY of JESUS CHRIST.
Mr. Henry Sike, Professor of Oriental Languages at Cambridge, first translated and pub
lished this Gospel in 1697. It was received by the Gnostics, a sect of Christians in the second
century, and several of its relations were credited in the following ages by other Christians,
viz. Eusebius, Athanasius, Epiphanius, Chrysostom, &c. Fozomen 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 his clothes in a sycamore
tree, from whence balsam afterwards proceeded. These stories are from this Gospel. Chein-
nitius, out of Stipulensis, who had it from Peter Martyr, Bishop of Alexandria, in the third
century, says, that the place in Egypt where Christ was banished, is now called 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 Nestorians in that country.
Ahmed Ibn Idris, a Mahometan divine, says, it was used 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
in compiling the Koran. There are several stories believed of Christ, proceeding from this
Gospel; as that which Mr. Sike relates out of La Brosse's Persic Lexicon, that Christ prac-
tised the trade of a dyer, and his working a miracle with the colours; from whence the Per-
sian dyers honour him as their patron, and call a dye-house the shop of Christ. Sir John
Chardin mentions Persian legends concerning Christ's dispute with his schoolmaster about
his A B C; and his lengthening the cedar board which Joseph sawed too short.]
CHAP. I.
1 Caiphas reates, that Jesus, when in his
cradle, informed his mother, that he was the
Son of God. 5 Joseph and Mary going to
of
Bethlehem to be taxed,
bringing forth arrives, and she goes into a
cave. 8 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
HE 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 declaration of the angel Ga-
briel to thee, and my Father
hath sent me for the salvation of
the world.
4 In the three hundred
¶
and ninth year of the era of Al-
exander, 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
Bethlehem, that he and his fam-
ily 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
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 ford
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
23
and circumcised
21 But when the old Hebrew
woman saw all these evident
miracles, she gave praises to God,
and said, I thank thee, O God,
11 The infant was then wrap-thou God of Israel, for that mine
ped up in swaddling clothes, and eyes have seen the birth of the
sucking the breasts of his mother, Saviour of the world.
St. Mary.
Christ born
filled with lights, greater than |
the light of lamps and candles,
and greater than the light of the
sun itself.
I. INFANCY
CHAP. II.
12 When they both saw this
light, they were surprised; the 1 The child circumcised in the cave, 2 and the
old woman asked St. Mary, Art
thou the mother of this child?
old woman preserving his foreskin or navel-
string in a box of spikenard, Mary after-
wards anoints Christ with it. 5 Christ
brought to the temple; 6 shines, 7 angels
stand around him adoring. 8 Simeon praises
Christ.
13 St. Mary replied, She was.
14 On which the old woman
said, Thou art very different from
all other women.
A
ND when the time of his
circumcision was come,
15 St. Mary answered, As namely, the eighth day, on which
there is not any child like to my the law commanded the child to
son, so neither is there any wo-be circumcised, they circum-
man like to his mother.
cised him in the cave.
16 The old woman answered,
and said, O my Lady, I am come
hither, that I may obtain an ev-
erlasting reward.
17 Then our Lady St. Mary
said to her, Lay thine hands up-
on 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 of this infant.
2 And the old Hebrew wo-
man took the foreskin, (others
say she took the navel-string,)
and preserved 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 ala-
baster-box of spikenard ointment,
although thou shouldest be offer-
ed three hundred pence for it.
4 Now this is that alabaster-
19 After this, when the shep-box which Mary the sinner pro-
herds came, and had made a fire, cured, and poured forth the oint-
and they were exceedingly re- ment out of it upon the head and
joicing, the heavenly host ap- the feet of our Lord Jesus Christ,
peared to them, praising and and wiped them off with the
adoring the supreme God.
hairs of her head.
20 And as the shepherds were 5 Then after ten days they
engaged in the same employ-brought him to Jerusalem, and
ment, the cave at that time seem- on the fortieth day from his birth
ed like a glorious temple, be- they presented him in the temple
cause both the tongues of angels before the Lord, making the
and men united to adore and proper offerings for him accord-
magnify God, on account of the ing to the requirement of the law
birth of the Lord Christ.
of Moses; namely, that every
24.
The rise men
I. INFANCY.
visit Christ
male which opens the womb | namely, gold, frankincense, and
shall be called holy unto God. myrrh, and worshipped 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 they 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
journey; the light of which they
followed till they returned into
their own country.
4 ¶ On their return their kings
and princes came to them, in-
quiring, What they had seen and
done? What sort of journey and
return they had? What com-
pany they had on the road?
5 But they produced the swad-
dling cloth which St. Mary had
given to them, on account where-
of they kept a feast.
6 And having, according to
the custom of their country, made
a fire, they worshipped it.
7 And casting the swaddling
cloth into it, the fire took it, and
kept it.
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 pre-
pared for the salvation of all
nations; a light to all people,
and the glory of thy people Is-
rael.
•
10 Hannah the Prophetess
was also present, and drawing
near, she gave praises to God,
and celebrated the happiness of
Mary.
CHAP. III.
The wise men visit Christ. Mary gives
given
them one of his swaddling clothes. 3 An
angel appears to them in the form of a star.
4 They return and make a fire, and worship
the swaddling cloth, and put it in the fire,
where it remains unconsumed.
8 And when the fire was put
out, they took forth the swad-
dling cloth unhurt, as much as
if the fire had not touched it.
A
ND it came to pass, when
the Lord Jesus was born
at Bethlehem, a city of Judæa, their eyes, saying, This is cer-
in the time of Herod the king; tainly an undoubted truth, and
the wise men came from the East it is really surprising that the
to Jerusalem, according to the fire could not burn it, and con-
prophecy of Zoradascht,' and
brought with them offerings:
sume it.
10 Then they took it, and
with the greatest respect laid it
up among their treasures.
1 Zoroaster
9 Then they began to kiss it,
and put it upon their
3
25
An idol
I. INFANCY.
CHAP. IV.
I Herod intends to put Christ to death. 3 An
angel warns Joseph to take the child and his
mother into Egypt. 6 Consternation on
their arrival. 13 The idols fall down. 15
Mary washes Christ's swaddling clothes,
and hangs them to dry on a post. 16 A son
of the chief priest puts one on his head, and
being possessed of devils, they leave him.
TOW Herod, perceiving that
the wise men did delay,
and not return to him, called to-
gether the priest and wise men,
and said, Tell me in what place
the Christ should be born?
2 And when they replied, In
Bethlehem, a city of Judæa, he
began to contrive in his own
mind the death of the Lord Je-
sus Christ.
3 But an angel of the Lord
appeared to Joseph in his sleep,
and said, Arise, take the child
and his mother, and go into
Egypt as soon as the cock crows.
So he arose, and went.
4 | And as he was consider-
ing with himself about his jour-
ney, the morning came upon him.
5 In the length of the journey
the girts of the saddle broke.
falls down
with his clothes torn, throwing
stones at those whom he saw.
9 Near to that idol was the
inn of the city, into which when
Joseph and St. Mary were come,
and had turned into that inn, all
the inhabitants of the city were
astonished.
10 And all the magistrates
and priests of the idols assem-
bled before that idol, and made
inquiry there, saying, What
means all this consternation and
dread, which has fallen upon all
our country?
11 The idol answered them,
The unknown God is come
hither, who is truly God; nor is
there any one besides him, who
is worthy of divine worship; for
he is truly the Son of God.
12 At the fame of him this
country trembled, and at his
coming it is under the present
commotion and consternation,
and we ourselves are affrighted
by the greatness of his power.
13 And at the same instant
this idol fell down, and at his fall
all the inhabitants of Egypt, be-
sides others, ran together.
14 But the son of the priest,
when his usual disorder came
upon him, going into the inn,
found there Joseph and St. Mary,
whom all the rest had left be-
hind and forsook.
6 And now he drew near to
a great city, in which there was
an idol, to which the other idols
and gods of Egypt brought their
offerings and vows.
|
7 And there was by this idol
a priest ministering to it, who,
as often as Satan spake out of
that idol, related the things he
said to the inhabitants of Egypt,
|
and those countries.
15 And when the Lady St.
Mary had washed the swaddling
clothes of the Lord Christ, and
8 This priest had a son three hanged them out to dry upon a
years old, who was possessed post, the boy possessed with the
with a great multitude of dev-devil took down one of them,
ls, who uttered many strange and put it upon his head.
ings; and when the devils seiz-
ed him, walked about naked,
16 And presently the devils
began to come out of his mouth.
26
Joseph and Mary
I. INFANCY
leave Egypt
and fly away in the shapes of we were in the land of Israel
crows and serpents.
Herod, intending to kill Jesus,
slew for that purpose all the in-
fants at Bethlehem, and that
17 From that time the boy
was healed by the power of the
Lord Christ, and he began to neighbourhood.
sing praises, and give thanks to
the Lord who had healed him.
2 And there is no doubt sut
the Egyptians, if they come to
hear that this idol is broken and
fallen down,will burn us with fire.
3 They went therefore hence
to the secret places of robbers,
who robbed travellers, as they
pass by, of their carriages and
their clothes, and carried them
away bound.
19 The son answered, When
the devils seized me, I went into
the inn, and there found a very
handsome woman with a boy,
whose swaddling clothes she had
just before washed, and hanged
out upon a post
4 These thieves, upon their
coming, heard a great noise, such
as the noise of a king with a
great army, and many horse, and
the trumpets sounding, at his de-
20˚One of these I took, and
put it upon my head, and imme-parture from his own city; at
diately the devils left me, and which they were so affrighted, as
fled away.
to leave all their booty behind
them, and fly away in haste.
21 At this the father exceed-
ingly rejoiced, and said, My son,
perhaps this boy is the Son of
the living God, who made the
heavens and the earth.
5 Upon this, the prisoners
arose, and loosed each other's
bonds, and taking each man his
bags, they went away, and saw
Joseph and Mary coming towards
them, and inquired, Where is
that king, the noise of whose ap-
proach the robbers heard, and
have left us, so that we are now
come off safe?
18 When his father saw him
restored to his former state of
health, he said, My son, what
has happened to thee, and by
what means wert thou cured?
22 For as soon as he came
amongst us, the idol was broken,
and all the gods fell down, and
were destroyed by a greater
power.
23 Then was fulfilled the
prophecy which saith, Out of
Egypt I have called my son.
CHAP. V.
Joseph and Mary leave Egypt. 3 Go to the
haunts of robbers, 4 who, hearing a mighty
noise, as of a great army, flee away.
NOW Joseph and Mary,
when they heard that the
idol was fallen down and de-
stroyed, were seized with fear
and trembling, and said, When
6 Joseph answered, He w
come after us.
CHAP. VI.
1 Mary looks on a woman in whom Satan had
taken up his abode, and she becomes dis
possessed. 5 Christ kissed by a bride made
dumb by sorcerers, cures her, 11 miracu-
lously cures a gentlewoman in whom Satan
had taken up his abode. 16 A leprous girl
cured by the water in which he was washed,
and becomes the servant of Joseph and Ma
ry. 20 The leprous son of a prince's wife
cured in like manner. 37 His mother offers
large gifts to Mary, and dismisses her with
respect.
27
Mary cures
I. INFANCY.
THE
HEN they went into anoth- | saw the lady St. Mary entering
er city, where was a woman into the town, and carrying the
possessed with a devil, and in Lord Christ in her arms, she
whom Satan, that cursed rebel, stretched out her hands to the
had taken up his abode.
Lord Christ, and took him in her
arms, and closely hugging him,
very often kissed him, continu-
ally moving him, and pressing
him to her body.
a woman
2 One night, when she went
to fetch water, she could neither
endure her clothes on, nor to be
in any house; but as often as
they tied her with chains or 7 Straightway the string of
cords, she brake them, and went her tongue was loosed, and her
out into desert places, and some-ears were opened, and she began
times standing where roads cross-to sing praises unto God, who
ed, and in church-yards, would had restored her.
throw stones at men.
8 So there was great joy
3 When St. Mary saw this among the inhabitants of the
woman, she pitied her; where-town that night, who thought
upon Satan presently left her, that God and his angels were
and fled away in the form of a come down among them.
young man, saying, Wo to me,
because of thee, Mary, and thy
9 In this place they abode
three days, meeting with the
greatest respect, and most splen-
son.
4 So the woman was deliv-did entertainment;
ered from her torment; but con-
sidering, and perceiving herself
naked, she blushed, and avoided
seeing any man, and having put
on her clothes, went home, and
gave an account of her case to
her father and relations, who, as
they were the best of the city,
entertained St. Mary and Joseph
with the greatest respect.
5 The next morning, having
received a sufficient supply of
provisions for the road, they went
from them, and about the even-
ing of the day arrived at an-
other town, where a marriage
was then about to be solemnized;
but by the arts of Satan, and the
practices of some sorcerers, the
bride was become so dumb, that
she could not so much as open
her mouth.
6 But when this dumb bride
10 And being then furnished
by the people with provisions for
the road, they departed, and went
to another City, in which they
were inclined to lodge, because
it was a famous place.
11 There was in this city a
gentlewoman, who as she went
down one day to the river to
bathe,behold cursed Satan leaped
upon her in the form of a serpent,
12 And folded himself about
her belly, and every night lay
upon her.
13 This woman, seeing the
Lady St. Mary, and the Lord
Christ the infant in her bosom,
asked the Lady St. Mary, that
she would give her the child to
kiss, and carry in her arms.
14 When she had consented,
and as soon as the woman had
moved the child, Satan left her
I
28
leprous persons
23 Thou therefore, says the
prince's wife, shalt keep the
15 Hereupon all the neigh-secret, and not discover it to any
bours praised the Supreme God,
and the woman rewarded them
with ample beneficence.
16 On the morrow the same
woman brought perfumed water
to wash the Lord Jesus, and
when she had washed him, she
preserved the water.
17 And there was a girl there,
whose body was white with a
leprosy, who, being sprinkled
with this water, and washed,
was instantly cleansed from her
leprosy.
18 The people therefore said,
Without doubt Joseph and Mary,
and that boy, are Gods, for they
do not look like mortals.
Christ cures two
and filed away, nor did the wo-
man ever afterwards see him.
1. INFANCY.
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 nev-
er heard of; and now take care
of yourself; I will never see you
more.
27 So here I pine, lamenting
19 And when they were mak-my wretched and miserable
ing ready to go away, the girl, circumstances. Alas, my son !
who had been troubled with alas, my husband! Have I dis-
the leprosy, came and desired closed it to you?
they would permit her to go
along with them: so they con-
sented, and the girl went with
them till they came to a city,
in which was the palace of a
great king, and whose house
was not far from the inn.
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 La-
dy Mary.
20 Here they staid, and when
the girl went one day to the
prince's wife, and found her in
a sorrowful and mournful condi-
tion, 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
grievance, perhaps I may find
tou a remedy for it.
29 The woman inquiring
where that God was, whom she
spake of, the girl answered, Ile
lodges with you here in the same
house.
30 But how can this be? says
she: where is he? Behold, re-
plied the girl, Joseph and Mary;
and the infant who is with them
is called Jesus; and it is he who
delivered me from my disease
and torment.
31 But by what means, says
she, were you cleansed from
3 *
29
Christ cures a
I. INFANCY.
married man
your leprosy? will not you tell | house that night, the man was
ne that?
freed of his disorder;
32 Why not? says the girl: 4 And when they were pre
I took the water with which his paring early in the morning to
body had been washed, and go forward on their journey, the
poured it upon me, and my lep-new-married person hindered
rosy vanished.
them, and provided a noble enter-
33 The prince's wife then tainment for them.
arose, and entertained them, 5 But going forward on the
providing a great feast for Jo-morrow, they came to another
seph among a large company of city, and saw three women going
from a certain grave with great
men;
34 And the next day took | weeping.
perfumed 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,
Blessed 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 the Lady Mary, and sent
her away with all imaginable
respect.
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 and is married to the girl who
had een cured of leprosy.
HEY came afterwards to
another city, and had a
mind to lodge there.
2 Accordingly they went to a
man's house, who was newly
inarried, but by the influence of
sorcerers could not enjoy his
wife.
3 But they lodging at his
6 When St. Mary saw them,
she spake to the girl who was
their companion, saying, Go and
inquire of them what is the mat-
ter with them, and what misfor-
tune has befallen them.
7 When the girl asked them,
they made her no answer, but
asked her again, Who are ye,
and where are ye going? For
the day is far spent, and night
is at hand.
8 We are travellers, saith the
girl, and are seeking for an inn
to lodge nt.
9 They replied, Go along
with us, and lodge with us.
10 They then followed them,
and were introduced into a new
house, well furnished with all
sorts of furniture.
11 It was now winter-time,
and the girl went into the par-
lour where these women were,
and found them weeping and
lamenting, as before.
12 By them stood a mule,
covered over with silk, and an
ebony collar hanging down from
his neck, whom they kissed, and
were feeding.
13 But when the girl said,
How handsome, ladies. tha
30
The bewitched
mule is! they replied with tears,
and said, This mule, which you
see, was our brother, born of the
same mother as we;
I. INFANCY.
14 For when our father died,
and left us a very large estate,
and we had only this brother,
and we endeavoured to procure
him a suitable match, and
thought he should be mar-
ried as other men, some giddy
and jealous women bewitched
him without our knowledge;
15 And we, one night, a lit-
tle before day, while the doors
of the house were all fast shut,
saw this our brother was chang-
ed into a mule, such as you now
see him to be:
16 And we, in the melancholy
condition in which you see us,
having no father to comfort us,
have applied to all the wise men,
magicians, and diviners in the
world, but they have been of no
service to us.
17 As often therefore as we
find ourselves oppressed with
grief, we rise and go with this
our mother to our father's tomb,
where when we have cried suffi-
ciently, we return home.
18 When the girl had heard
this, she said, Take courage,
and cease your fears, for you
have a remedy for your afflic-
tions near at hand, even among
you, and in the midst of your
house.
19 For I was also leprous;
but when I saw this woman, and
this little infant with her, whose
name is Jesus, I sprinkled my
body with the water with which
his mother had washed him, and
I was presently made well.
young man
20 A 1 am certain that he
is also capable of relieving you
under your distress. Where-
fore arise, go to my mistress Ma-
ry, and when you have brought
her into your own parlour, dis-
close to her the secret, at the
same time earnestly beseeching
her tc compassionate your case.
21 As soon as the women na
heard the girl's discourse, they
hastened away to the Lady St.
Mary, introduced themselves to
her, and sitting down before her,
they wept,
22 And said, O our Lady St.
Mary, pity your handmaids, for
we have no head of our family
no one elder than us; no father
or brother to go in and out be-
fore us;
23 But this mule, which you
see, was our brother, which
some women by witchcraft have
brought into this condition
which you see; we therefore en-
treat you to compassionate us.
24 Hereupon St. Mary was
grieved at their case, and taking
the Lord Jesus, put him upon
the back of the mule,
25 And said to her son, O
Jesus Christ, restore (or heal)
according to thy extraordinary
power this mule, and grant him
to have again the shape of a
man and a rational creature, as
he had formerly.
28 This was scarce said by
the Lady St. Mary, but the mule
immediately passed into a hu-
man form, and became a young
man without any deformity.
27 Then he and his mother
and the sisters worshipped the
Lady St. Mary, and lifting the
31
The young
child upon their heads, they kiss-
ed him, and said, Blessed is thy
mother, O Jesus, O Saviour of
the world! Blessed are the eyes
which are so happy as to see
thee.
I. INFANCY.
28 Then both the sisters told
their mother, saying, Of a truth
our brother is restored to his
former shape by the help of the
Lord Jesus Christ, and the kind-
ness of that girl, who told us of
Mary and her son.
29 And inasmuch as our
brother is unmarried, it is fit
that we marry him to this girl
their servant.
30 When they had consulted
St. Mary in this matter, and she
had given her consent, they
made a splendid wedding for
this girl,
man married
machus ana Titus shall be crucified with
him, and that Titus shall go before him
into Paradise. 10 Christ auses a well to
spring from a sycamore tree, and Mary
washes his coat in it. 11 A bálsam grows
there from his sweat. They go to Mem-
phis, where Christ works more miracles.
14 Return to Judæa. 15 Being warned, de-
part for Nazareth.
IN
N their journey from hence
they came into a desert
country, 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 be-
seech thee let those persons go
31 And so their sorrow be- | along quietly, that our company
ing turned into gladness, and may not perceive any thing of
their mourning into mirth, they them;
began to rejoice, and make mer-
4 But Dumachus refusing,
ry, and sing, being dressed in Titus again said, I will give thee
their richest attire, with bracelets. forty groats, and as a pledge
32 Afterwards they glorified take my girdle, which he gave
and praised God, saying, O Je-him before he had done speak-
sus, son of David, who changest ing, that he might not open his
sorrow into gladness, and mourn- mouth, or make a noise.
ing into mirth.
5 When the Lady St. Mary
33 After this Joseph and Ma-saw the kindness which this rob-
ry tarried there ten days, then | ber did show them, she said to
went away, having received him, The Lord God will receive
great respect from those people; thee to his right hand, and
grant thee the pardon of thy sins.
34 Who, when they took their
leave of them, and returned home,
cried,
35 But especially the girl.
CHAP. VIII.
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
1 Joseph and Mary pass through a country
infested by robbers. 3 Titus, a humane
thief, offers Dumachus, his comrade, forty be with me at the same time
groats,to let Joseph and Mary pass unmolest-
d. 6 Jesus proj hesics that the thieves Du-upon the cross, Titus on my
32
1. INFANCY.
Mary washes
right hand, and Dumachus on
my left, and from that time Titus
shall go before me into Para-
dise;
8 And when she had said, God WHEN they came after
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.
wards into the city Beth
lehem, they found there several
very desperate distempers, which
became so troublesome to chil-
dren by seeing them, that most
of them died.
12 Thence they proceeded to
Memphis, 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 ¶ At the end of three
years he returned out of Egypt,
and when he came near to Ju-
dæa, Joseph was afraid to enter;
15 For hearing that Herod
was dead, and that Archelaus
his son reigned in his stead, he
was afraid;
Christ's coat
9¶ Hence they went to that
sycamore tree, which is now
called Matarea;
2 There was there a woman
who had a sick son, whom she
brought, when he was at the
10 And in Matarea the Lord Je-point of death, to the Lady St.
sus caused awell to spring forth,in | Mary, who saw her when she
which St. Mary washed his coat. was washing Jesus Christ.
11 And a balsam is produced,
or grows, in that country, from
the sweat which ran down there
from the Lord Jesus.
3 Then said the woman, O
my Lady Mary, look down upon
this my son, who is afflicted with
most dreadful pains.
16 And when he went to Ju-
dæa, an angel of God appeared to
him, and said, O Joseph, go into
the city Nazareth, and abide
there.
17 It is strange, indeed, that
he, who is the Lord of all coun-
tries, should be thus carried
backward and forward through
so many countries.
CHAP. IX.
2 Two sick children cured by water whereir
Christ was washed.
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
recovered.
6 The mother, being abun
dantly 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 neigh-
bour 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 shut, and she was lament
ing for him day and night.
33
?
ง
The sick
I. INFANCY.
9 The mother of the child | stead of it give me
which was cured said to her, swaddling cloth.
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 When the woman heard
her say this, she also went, and
having procured the same wa-
ter, washed her son with it,
whereupon his body and his
eyes were instantly restored to
their former state.
CHAP. X.
sick. 2 One of them, named Mary, and
1 Two wives of one man each have a son
whose son's name was Caleb, presents the
Virgin with a handsome carpet, and Caleb
is cured; but the son of the other wife dies,
4 which occasions a difference between the
5 The other wife puts Caleb in-
o a hot oven, and he is miraculously pre-
s. rved, 9 she afterwards throws him into a
well, and he is again preserved; 11 his
mother appeals to the Virgin against the
other wife, 12 whose downfall the Virgin
prophesies, 13 and who accordingly falls in-
women.
to the well, 14 therein fulfilling a saying
of old.
THER
ERE 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.
children healed
a small
5 And when the turn of Ma-
ry the mother of Caleb came,
and she was heating the oven to
bake bread, and went away to
her son to St. Mary, and open- fetch the meal, she left her son
11 And when she brought |
Caleb by the oven;
ed his case to her, she com-
manded her to give thanks to
God for the recovery of her son's
health, and to tell no one what
had happened.
6 Whom the other wife, her
rival, seeing to be by himself,
took and cast him into the oven,
which was very hot, and then
went away.
7 Mary on her return saw
her son Caleb lying in the mid-
dle of the oven laughing, and
the oven quite as cold as though
it had not been before heated,
and knew that her rival, the oth-
er wife, had thrown him into the
fire.
2 She arose, and taking her
son, went to the Lady St. Mary,
the mother of Jesus, and offer-
ed her a very handsome carpet,
saying, my Lady Mary, ac-
cept this carpet of me, and in-
3 To this Mary agreed;
and when the mother of Ca-
leb was gone, she made a coat
for her son of the swaddling
cloth, put it on him, and his dis-
ease was cured; but the son of
the other wife died.
4 ¶ Hereupon there arose be-
tween them a difference in doing
the business of the family by
turns, each her week;
8 When she took him out
she brought him to the Lady St
Mary, and told her the story ;
to whom she replied, Be quiet,
for I am concerned lest thou
shouldest make this matter
known.
9 After this her rival, the
other wife, as she was drawing
water at the well, and saw Ca-
|leb playing by the well, and that
no one was near, took him, and
threw him into the well.
10 And when some mer
!
34
Bartholomew
I. INFANCY.
cured.
came to fetch water from the 3 0 my Lady, help and re-
well, they saw the boy sitting lieve me, for I had two sons;
on the superficies of the water, the one I have just now buried,
and drew him out with ropes, the other I see is just at the
and were exceedingly surprised point of death; wehold, how I
at the child, and praised God. (earnestly) seek favour from
11 Then came the mother, | God, and pray to him.
and took him and carried him
to the Lady St. Mary, lamenting
and saying, O my Lady, see
what my rival hath done to my
son, and how she hath cast him
into the well, and I do not ques-
tion but one time or other she
will be the occasion of his
death.
4 Then she said, O Lord,
thou art gracious, and merciful,
and kind; thou hast given me
two sons; one of them thou hast
taken to thyself, O spare me
this other.
5 St. Mary, then, perceiving
the greatness of her sorrow,
pitied her, and said, Do thou
place thy son in my son's bed,
and cover him with his clothes.
6 And when she had placed
him in the bed wherein Christ
lay, at the moment when his
eyes were just closed by death,
as soon as ever the smell of the
garments of the Lord Jesus
Christ reached the boy, his eyes
were opened, and calling with a
loud voice to his mother, he
asked for bread; and when he
had received it, he sucked it.
7 Then his mother said, O
Lady Mary, now I am assured
that the powers of God do dwell
in you, so that thy son can cure
children who are of the same
sort as himself, as soon as they
touch his garments.
8 This boy, who was thus
cured, is the same who in the
Gospel is called Bartholemew
12 St. Mary replied to her,
God will vindicate your injured
case.
13 Accordingly a few days
after, when the other wife came
to the well to draw water, her
foot was entangled in the rope,
so that she fell headlong into
the well, and they who ran to
her assistance found her skull
broken, and her bones bruised.
14 So she came to a bad end,
and in her was fulfilled that
saying of the author, They
digged a well, and made it
deep, but fell themselves into
the pit which they prepared.
CHAP. XI.
1 Bartholomew, when a child and sick, mi-
raculously restored by being laid on Christ's
bed.
A
sick,
2 And when one was dead,
the other, who lay at the point
of death, she took in her arms
to the Lady St. Mary, and in a
flood of tears addressed herself
to her, saying,
NOTHER woman in that
city had likewise two sons
CHAP. XII.
1 A leprous woman healed by Christ's wash-
ing water. 7 A princess healed by it, and
restored to her husband.
GAIN, there was a leprous
woman, who went to the
Lady St. Mary, the mother of
A
35
The lepious
Jesus, and said, O my Lady,
help me.
2 St. Mary replied, What
help dost thou desire? Is it gold
or silver, or that thy body be
cured of its leprosy?
I. INFANCY.
3 Who, says the woman, can
grant me this?
4 St. Mary replied to her,
Wait a little til I have washed
my son Jesus, and put him in bed.
5 The woman waited, as she
was commanded; and Mary,
when she had put Jesus in bed,
giving her the water with which
she had washed his body, said,
Take some of the water, and
pour it upon thy body;
6 Which when she had done,
she instantly became clean, and
praised God, and gave thanks
to him.
7¶ Then went she away,
after she had abode with her
three days;
8 And going into the city,
she saw a certain prince, who
had married another prince's
daughter;
9 But when he came to see
her, he perceived between her
eyes the signs of the leprosy
like a star, and thereupon de-
clared the marriage dissolved
and void.
10 When the woman saw
these persons in this condition,
exceeding sorrowful, and shed-
ding abundance of tears, she
inquired of them the reason of
their crying;
11 They replied, Inquire not
into our circumstances; for we
are not able to declare our mis-
fortunes to any person whatso-
ever.
princess cured
12 But she still pressed and
desired them to communicate
their case to her; intimating,
that perhaps she might be able
to direct them to a remedy.
13 So when they showed the
young woman to her, and the
signs of the leprosy, which ap-
peared between her eyes,
14 She said, I also, whom ye
see in this place, was afflicted
with the same distemper, and
going on some business to Betli-
lehem, I went into a certain
cave, and saw a woman named
Mary, who had a son called
Jesus,
15 She, seeing me to be lep-
rous, was concerned for me,
and gave me some water with
which she had washed her son's
body; with that I sprinkled my
body, and became clean.
16 Then said these women,
Will you, mistress, go along
with us, and show the Lady St
Mary to us?
17 To which she consenting
they arose, and went to the La
dy St. Mary, taking with them
very noble presents.
18 And when they came in,
and offered their presents to her,
they showed the leprous young
woman whom they brought with
them to her.
19 Then said St. Mary, The
mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ
rest upon you;
20 And giving them a little
of that water, with which she
had washed the body of Jesus.
Christ, she bade them wash the
diseased person with it; which
when they had done, she was
presently cured;
26
A girl, whose blood
I. INFANCY.
Satan sucked, cured.
21 So they and all who were leprosy, hearing the complaint
present, praised God; and being of that girl, went upon the top
filled with joy, they went back of her castle, and saw her with
to their own city, and gave her hands twisted about her
praises to God on that account. | head, pouring out a flood of
22 Then the prince, hearing tears, and all the people that
that his wife was cured, took were about her in sorrow.
her home, and made a second
marriage, giving thanks unto
God for the recovery of his
wife's health.
7 She then asked the hus-
band of the possessed person,
Whether his wife's mother was
alive? He told her, That her
father and mother were both
alive.
CHAP. XIII.
1 A girl, whose blood Satan sucked, receives
ene of Christ's swaddling cloths from the
Virgin. 14 Satan comes like a dragon, and
she shows it to him; flames and burning
coals proceed from it, and fall upon him;
19 he is miraculously discomfited, and leaves
the girl.
T
HERE was also a girl, who
was afflicted by Satan ;
2 For that cursed spirit did
frequently appear to her in the
shape of a dragon, and was in-
clined to swallow her up, and
had so sucked out all her blood,
that she looked like a dead car-
8 Then she ordered her
mother to be sent to her; to
whom, when she saw her com-
ing, she said, Is this possessed
girl thy daughter? She moan-
ing and bewailing said, Yes,
madam, I bore her.
6 Then the prince's daugh-
ter, who had been cured of her
9 The prince's daughter an-
swered, Disclose the secret of
her case to me, for I confess to
you that I was leprous, but the
Lady Mary, the mother of Je-
sus Christ, healed me.
cass.
3 As often as she came to
herself, with her hands wringed
about her head, she would cry
out, and say, Wo, wo is me,
that there is no one to be found,
who can deliver me from that
impious dragon!
10 And if you desire your
daughter to be restored to her
former state, take her to Bethle-
hem, and inquire for Mary the
mother of Jesus, and doubt not
but your daughter will be cured
for I do not question but you
will come home with great joy
at your daughter's recovery.
4 Her father and mother, and
all who were about her and saw
her, mourned and wept over her;
11 As soon as ever she had
done speaking, she arose and
5 And all who were present went with her daughter to the
would especially be under sor-place appointed, and to Mary,
row and in tears, when they and told her the case of her
heard her bewailing, and say- daughter.
ing, My brethren and friends, is
there no one who can deliver me
from this murderer?
12 When St. Mary had heard
her story, she gave her a little
of the water witn wnich she had
washed the body of her son Je-
sus and bade her pour it up.
4
37
Judas possessed
on the body of her daugh-
ter.
1. INFANCY.
13 Likewise she gave her one
of the swaddling cloths of the
Lord Jesus, and said, Take this
swaddling cloth, and show it to
thine enemy as often as thou
seest him; and she sent them
away in peace.
like-
wise lived there, whose
14 After they had left that
city, and returned home, and
the time was come in which Sa-
tan was wont to seize her, in the
same moment this cursed spirit
appeared to her in the shape of ANOTHER woman
a huge dragon, and the girl, see- son was possessed by Satan.
ing him, was afraid.
2 This boy, named Judas, as
often as Satan seized him, was
inclined to bite all that were
present; and if he found no one
else near him, he would bite his
own hands and other parts.
15 The mother said to her,
Be not afraid, daughter; let him
alone till he come nearer to
thee! then show him the swad-
dling cloth, which the Lady
Mary gave us, and we shall see
the event.
16 Satan then coming like a
dreadful dragon, the body of the
girl trembled for fear.
17 But as soon as she had
put the swaddling cloth upon
her head, and about her eyes,
and showed it to him, presently
there issued forth from the swad-
dling cloth flames and burning
coals, and fell upon the dra-
gon.
18 Oh! how great a miracle
was this, which was done: as
Soon as the dragon saw the
swaddling cloth of the Lord Je-
sus, fire went forth, and was
scattered upon his head and
eyes; so that he cried out with
a loud voice, What have I to do
with thee, Jesus, thou son of
Mary? Whither shall I flee
from thee?
by Satan
19 So he drew back much
affrighted, and left the girl.
20 And she was delivered
from this trouble, and sang
praises and thanks to God, and
with her all who were present
at the working of the miracle.
CHAP. XIV.
I
Judas, when a boy, possessed by Satan, and
brought by his parents to Jesus to be cured,
6 whom he tries to bite, 7 but failing,
strikes Jesus, and makes him cry out. 8
Whereupon Satan goes from Judas in the
shape of a dog.
3. But the mother of this mis-
erable boy, hearing of St. Mary
and her son Jesus, arose present-
ly, and taking her son in her
arms, brought him to the Lady
Mary.
4 In the meantime, James
and Joses had taken away the
infant, the Lord Jesus, to play a
a proper season with other chil-
dren; and when they went forth,
they sat down, and the Lord Je-
sus with them.
5 Then Judas, who was pos-
sessed, came and sat down at
the right hand of Jesus;
6 When Satan was acting
upon him as usual, he went
about to bite the Lord Jesus,
7 And because he could not
do it, he struck Jesus on his
right side, so that he cried
out,
8 And in the same moment
38
Jesus animates
Satan went ou of the boy, and
ran away like a mad dog.
9 This same boy who struck
Jesus, and out of whom Satan
went in the form of a dog, was
Judas Iscariot, who betrayed
him to the Jews
1. INFANCY
10 And that same side, on
which Judas struck him, the
Jews pierced with a spear.
.
CHAP. XV.
1 Jesus and other boys play together, and
make clay figures of animals. 4 Jesus
causes them to walk, 6 also makes clay
birds, which he causes to fly, and eat and
drink. 7 The children's parents alarmed,
and take Jesus for a sorcerer. 8 He goes to
the furnace, and works a miracle therewith.
a dyer's shop, and throws all the cloths into
15 Whereupon the Jews praise God.
ND when the Lord Jesus
was seven years of age, he
was on a certain day with other
boys his companions about the
same age,
2 Who, when they were at
play, made clay into several
shapes, namely, asses, oxen,
birds, and other figures,
3 Each boasting of his work,
and endeavouring to excel the
rest.
clay figures
went away, and related these
things to their parents, their
fathers said to them, Take heed,
children, for the future, of his
company, for he is a sorcerer ;
shun and avoid him, and from
henceforth never play with him
8 ¶ On a certain day also,
when the Lord Jesus was play-
ing with the boys, and running
about, he passed by a dyer's
shop, whose name was Sa-
lem
4 Then the Lord Jesus said
to the boys, I will command
those figures which I have made
to walk.
9 And there were in his
shop many pieces of cloth be-
longing to the people of that
city, which they designed to dye
of several colours.
10 Then the Lord Jesus, go-
ing into the dyer's shop, took all
the cloths and threw them into
the furnace.
11 When Salem came home,
and saw the cloths spoiled, he
began to make a great noise,
and to chide the Lord Jesus, say-
ing,
12 What hast thou done to
me, O thou son of Mary? Thou
hast injured both me and my
neighbours; they all desired their
cloths of a proper colour; but
thou hast come and spoiled them
all.
5 And immediately they mov- 13 The Lord Jesus replied, I
ed; and when he commanded will change the colour of every
them to retuin, they returned. cloth to what colour thou de-
6 He had also made the fig-sirest;
ures of birds and sparrows, 14 And then he presently be-
which, when he commanded to gan to take he cloths out of the
fly, did fly, and when he com-furnace, and they were all dyed
manded to stand still, did stand of those same colours which the
still, and if he gave them meat dyer desired;
and drink, they did eat and
drink.
15 And when the Jews saw
this surprising miracle, hey
praised God.
7 When at length the boys
39
Jesus alters
I. INFANCY
CHAP. XVI.
I Christ miraculously widens or contracts
gates, milk-pails, sieves or boxes, not prop-
erly made by Joseph, 4 he not being skil-
ful at his carpenter's trade. 5 The king
of Jerusalem gives Joseph an order for a
throne. 6 Joseph works on it for two years
in the king's palace, and makes it two
spans too short. 8 The king being angry
with him, 10 Jesus comforts him, 13 com-
mands him to pull one side of the throne
while he pulls the other, and brings it to
its proper dimensions. 14 Whereupon the
bystanders praise God.
bad carpentry
king's anger, went to bed with-
out his supper, taking not any
thing to eat.
AND Joseph, wheresoever he
went in the city, took the
Lord Jesus with him, where he
was sent for to work, to make
gates, or milk-pails, or sieves, or
boxes; the Lord Jesus was with
him, wheresoever he went.
2 And as often as Joseph had
any thing in his work to make
longer or shorter, or wider or
narrower, the Lord Jesus would
stretch his hand towards it.
10 Then the Lord Jesus ask.
ed him, What he was afraid
of?
11 Joseph replied, Because
I have lost my labour in the
work which I have been about
these two years.
12 Jesus said to him, Fear
not, neither be cast down ;
13 Do thou lay hold on one
side of the throne, and I will the
other, and we will bring it to its
just dimensions.
14 And when Joseph had
done as the Lord Jesus said,
and each of them had with
strength drawn his side, the
throne obeyed, and was brought
to the proper dimensions of the
place.
3 And presently it became as
Joseph would have it.
15 Which miracle when
4 So that he had no need to they who stood by saw, they
finish any thing with his own were astonished, and praised
hands, for he was not very God.
skilful at his carpenter's trade. 16 The throne was made of
the same wood which was in
being in Solomon's time, name-
ly, wood adorned with various
shapes and figures.
5 ¶ On a certain time the
king of Jerusalem sent for him,
and said, I would have thee
make me a throne, of the same
dimensions with that place in
which I commonly sit.
CHAP. XVII.
with began the work, and con-
timed two years in the king's
palace before he finished it.
6 Joseph obeyed, and forth- 1 Jesus plays with boys at hide and seek
3 Some women put his play-fellows in a
furnace, 7 where they are transformed by
Jesus into kids. 10 Jesus calls them to go
and play, and they are restored to their
shape.
7 And when he came to fix
it in its place, he found it want-
ed two spans on each side of the
appointed measure.
8 Which when the king saw,
he was very angry with Jo-
Keph;
O
N another day the Lord
Jesus, going out into the
street, and seeing some boys
who were met to play, joined
himself to their company :
2 But when they saw him,
they hid themselves, and left him
9 And Joseph, afraid of the to seek for them;
40
Boy poisoned
3 The Lord Jesus came to
the gate of a certain house, and
asked some
women who were
standing there, Where the boys
were gone?
4 And when they answered,
That there was no one there,
the Lord Jesus said, Who are
those whom ye see in the fur-
nace?
5 They answered, They
were kids of three years old.
6 Then Jesus cried out aloud,
and said, Come out hither, O ye
kids, to your shepherd;
I. INFANCY.
7 And presently the boys
came forth like kids, and leaped
about him; which when the
women saw, they were exceed-
ingly amazed, and trembled.
8 Then they immediately
worshipped the Lord Jesus, and
beseeched him, saying, O our
Lord Jesus, son of Mary, thou
art truly that good shepherd of
Israel! have mercy on thy hand-
maids, who stand before thee,
who do not doubt but that thou,
O Lord, art come to save, and
not to destroy.
by a serpent
CHAP. XVIII.
1 Jesus becomes the king of his play-fellows
and they crown him with flowers; 4 mirac-
ulously causes a serpent who had bitten Si-
mon the Canaanite, then a boy, to suck out
all the poison again; 16 the serpent bursts,
and Christ restores the boy to health.
10 Then Jesus said, Come
hither, O boys, that we may go
and play; and immediately, in
the presence of these women,
the kids were changed, and
returned into the shape of boys.
I
N the month Adar Jesus
gathered together the boys,
and ranked them as though he
had been a king;
2 For they spread their gar-
ments on the ground for him to
sit on; and having made a
crown of flowers, put it upon his
head, and stood on his right
and left as the guards of a king;
3 And if any one happened
to pass by, they took him by
force, and said, Come hither,
and worship the king, that you
may have a prosperous jour-
ney.
4 ¶ In the meantime, while
these things were doing, there
came certain men, carrying a boy
upon a couch;
5 For this boy having gone.
with his companions to the
mountain to gather wood, and
having found there a partridge's
nest, and put his hand in to take
9 After that, when the Lord
Jesus said, The children of Is-out the eggs, was stung by a
rael are like Ethiopians among poisonous serpent, which leaped
the people; the women said, out of the nest; so that he was
Thou, Lord, knowest all things; forced to cry out for the help of
nor is any thing concealed from his companions: who, when
thee; but now we entreat thee, they came, found him lying
and beseech of thy mercy, upon the earth like a dead
that thou wouldst restore those person.
boys to their former state.
6 After which, his reighbours
came and carried him back into
the city.
7 But when they came to the
place where the Lord Jesus was
sitting like a king, and the other
boys stood around him like his
s
41
Christ cures the
ministers, the boys made haste
to meet him, who was bitten by
the serpent, and said to his
neighbours, Come and pay your
respects to the king;
8 But when, by reason of
their sorrow, they refused to
come, the boys drew them and
forced them against their wills
I INFANCY.
to come.
9 And when they came to the
Lord Jesus, he inquired, On
CHAP. XIX.
what account they carried that 1 James being bitten by a viper, Jesus blows
boy?
on the wound and cures him. 4 Jesus charg-
ed with throwing a boy from the roof of a
house, 10 miraculously causes the dead
boy to acquit him, 12 fetches water for his
mother, breaks the pitcher and miraculously
gathers the water in his mantle and brings
it home, 16 makes fish-pools on the sab-
bath, 20 causes a boy to die who broke
them down. 22 another boy runs against
him, whom he also causes to die.
10 And when they answered,
that a serpent had bitten him,
the Lord Jesus said to the boys,
Let us go and kill that serpent.
11 But when the parents of
the boy desired to be excused,
because their son lay at the
point of death, the boys made
answer, and said, Did not ye
hear what the king said? Let
us go and kill the serpent; and
will not ye obey him?
12 So they brought the couch
back again, whether they would
bite of a viper
17 And he touched the boy
with his hand to restore him tc
his former health ;
18 And when he began to cry,
the Lord Jesus said, Cease cry-
ing, for hereafter thou shalt be
my disciple;
19 And this is that Simon the
Canaanite who is mentioned in
the Gospel.
or not.
13 And when they were come
to the nest, the Lord Jesus
said to the boys, Is this the ser-
pent's lurking place? They said,
It was.
14 Then the Lord Jesus call-
ing the serpent, it presently came
forth, and submitted to him to
whom he said, Go and suck out
all the poison which thou hast
infused into that boy :
15 So the serpent crept to
'he boy, and took away all its
poison again.
16 Then the Lord Jesus curs-
ed the serpent, so that it imme-
fiately burst asunder, and died;
ON
N another day, Joseph sent
his son James to gather
wood, and the Lord Jesus went
with him;
2 And when they came to the
place where the wood was, and
James began to gather it, be-
hold, a venomous viper bit him,
so that he began to cry and
make a noise.
3 The Lord Jesus, seeing him
in this condition, came to him,
and plowed upon the place
where the viper had bit him, and
it was instantly well.
4 ¶ On a certain day the
Lord Jesus was with some boys,
who were playing on the house-
top, and one of the boys fell
down, and presently died.
5 Upon which the other boys
all running away, the Lord Je-
sus was left alone on the house-
top.
6 And the boy's relations
came to him, and said to the
Lord Jesus, Thou didst throw
42
Christ gathers
I. INFANCY.
spilt water
our son down from the house- | channels, and made little fish
top.
7 But he denying it, they
cried out, Our son is dead, and
this is he who killed him.
8 The Lord Jesus replied to
them, Do not charge me with a
crime, of which you are not able
to convict me, but let us go ask
the boy himself, who will bring
the truth to light.
9 Then the Lord Jesus, going
down, stood over the head of the
dead boy, and said with a loud
voice, Zeinunus, Zeinunus, who
threw thee down from the house-
top?
10 Then the dead boy an-
swered, Thou didst not throw ine
down, but such a one did.
11 And when the Lord Jesus
bade those who stood by take
notice of his words, all who were
present praised God on account
of that miracle.
12 On a certain time the
Lady St. Mary had command-
ed the Lord Jesus to fetch
her some water out of the well;
13 And when he had gone to
fetch the water, the pitcher,
when it was brought up full,
brake;
14 But Jesus, spreading his
mantle, gathered up the water
again, and brought it in that to
his mother;
pools.
17 But the Lord Jesus had
made twelve sparrows, and placed
them about his pool on each
side, three on a side.
18 But it was the sabbath-day,
and the son of Hanani, a Jew,
came by, and saw them making
these things, and said, Do ye
thus make figures of clay on the
sabbath? And he ran to them,
and broke down their fish-pools.
19 But when the Lord Jesus
clapped his hands over the spar-
rows which he had made, they
fled away chirping.
20 At length the son of Hana-
ni coming to the fish-pool of Je-
sus to destroy it, the water van-
ished away, and the Lord Jesus
said to him,
16 ¶ Again on another day
the Lord Jesus was with some
boys by a river, and they drew
water out of the river by little
21 In like manner as this wa-
ter has vanish.d, so shall thy
life vanish; and presently the
boy died.
22 Another time, when the
Lord Jesus was coming home in
the evening with Joseph, he
met a boy, who ran
so hard
against him, that he threw him
down;
23 To whom the Lord Jesus
said, As thou hast thrown me
down, so shalt thou fall, nor ever
rise.
24 And that moment the boy
fell down, and died.
15 Who, being astonished at
this wonderful thing, laid up
CHAP XX.
this, and all the other things 4 Sent to school to Zaccheus to rn his
which she had seen, in her mem-
ory.
letters, and teaches Zaccheus. 13 Sent to
another schoolmaster, 14 refuses to tell
his letters, and the schoolmaster going to
whip him, his hand withers, and he dies.
HERE was also at Jerusa.
lem one named Zaccheus,
who was a schoolmaster :
THER
43
The two
I. INFANCY.
schoolmasters
2 And he said to Joseph, Jo- 12 He said also to St. Mary
seph, why dost thou not send Je-This your son has no need of
sus to me, that he may learn his any learning.
letters ?
3 Joseph agreed, and told St.
Mary.
4 So they brought him to
that master; who, as soon as he
saw him, wrote out an alphabet
for him,
5 And he bad him say Aleph;
and when he had said Aleph,
the master bad him pronounce
Beth.
13 They brought him then
tɔ a more learned master, who,
when he saw him, said, Say
Aleph;
14 And when he had said Aleph,.
the master bad him pronounce
Beth; to which the Lord Jesus
replied, Tell me first the mean-
ing of the letter Aleph, and then
I will pronounce Beth.
15 But this master, when he
lift up his hand to whip him,
had his hand presently withered,
and he died
6 Then the Lord Jesus said to
him, Tell me first the meaning
of the letter Aleph, and then I
will pronounce Beth.
7 And when the master
threatened to whip him, the
16 Then said Joseph to St.
Mary, Henceforth we will not
allow him to go out of the house ;
Lord Jesus explained to him for every one who displeases
the meaning of the letters Aleph
and Beth;
him is killed.
8 Also which were the straight
figures of the letters, which the
oblique, and what letters had
double figures; which had points,
and which had none; why one
letter went before another; and
many other things he began to
tell him, and explain, of which
the master himself had never
heard, nor read in any book.
9 The Lord Jesus further said
to the master, Take notice how
I say to thee; then he began
clearly and distinctly to say
Aleph, Beth, Gimel, Daleth, and
so on to the end of the alphabet.
10 At this the master was so
surprised, that he said, I believe
this boy was born before Noah ;
11 And turning to Joseph, he
said, Thou hast brought a boy to
me to be taught, who is more
earned than any master.
CHAP. XXI.
Disputes miraculously with the doctors in
the temple, 7 on law, 9 on astronomy,
12 on physics and metaphysics. 21 Is wor-
shipped by a philosopher, 28 and fetched
home by his mother.
ND when he was twelve
years old, they brought
him to Jerusalem to the feast;
and when the feast was over
they returned.
2 But the Lord Jesus con.
tinued behind in the temple
among the doctors and elders,
and learned men of Israel; to
whom he proposed several ques-
tions of learning, and also gave
them answers:
3 For he said to them, Whose
son is the Messiah? They an-
swered, The son of David:
4 Why then, said he, does
he in the spirit call him Lord"
44
Disputes with
when he saith, The Lord said to
my Lord, Sit thou at my right
hand, till I have made thine en-
emies thy footstool.
5 Then a certain principal
Rabbi asked him, Hast thou
read books?
I. INFANCY.
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.
8 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 of the
spheres and heavenly bodies, as
also their triangular, square, and
sextile aspect; their progressive
and retrograde motion; their
size, and several prognostica-
tions; and other things, which
the reason of man had never
discovered.
the docturs
body, its humours and their ef
fects;
15 Also the number o. its
members, and bones, veins, ar-
teries, and nerves;
16 The several constitutions
of the body, hot and dry, cold
and moist, and the tendencies
of them;
17 How the soul operated
upon the body;
18 What its various sensa-
tions 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 un-
derstanding 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 ¶ While they were dis-
coursing on these and such like
things, the Lady St. Mary came
in, having been three days walk-
ing about with Joseph, seeking
for him.
11 There was also among
them a philosopher well skilled
in physic and natural philosophy,
who asked the Lord Jesus,
Whether he had studied physic?
12 He replied, and explained
to him physics and metaphysics,
13 Also those things which
were above, and below the power
of nature;
14 The powers also of the
23 And when she saw him
sitting among the doctors, and
in his turn proposing questions
to them, and giving answers,
she said to him, My son, why
hast thou done thus by us? Be-
hold, I and thy father have been
at much pains in seeking thee.
24 He replied, Why did ye
seek me? Did ye not know
that I ought to be employed in
my father's house?
25 But they understood not
the words which he said to
them.
45
Christ is
II. INFANCY.
baptized.
26 Then the doctors asked | sending down this voice from
Mary, Whether this were her heaven, This is my beloved son,
son? And when she said, He in whom I am well pleased ;
was, they said, O happy Mary, 4 The Holy Ghost being also
who hast borne such a son. present in the form of a dove.
5 This is he whom we wor-
ship with all reverence, because
he gave us our life and being,
28 And his mother kept all and brought us from our moth-
these sayings in her mind;
er's womb;
29 And the Lord Jesus grew
in stature and wisdom, and fa-
vour with God and man.
27 Then he returned with
them to Nazareth, and obeyed
them in all things.
CHAP. XXII.
1 Conceals his miracles, 2 studies the law,
3 and is baptized.
NOW
OW from this time, Jesus
began to conceal his mir-
acles and secret works,
2 And gave himself to the
study of the law, till he arrived
to the end of his thirtieth year;
3 At which time the Father
publicly owned him at Jordan,
6 Who, for our sakes, took a
human body, and hath redeemed
us, that so he might embrace
us with everlasting mercy, and .
show his free, large, bountiful
grace and goodness to us.
7 To him be glory and praise,
and power and dominion, from
henceforth and for evermore.
Amen.
THOMAS'S GOSPEL of the INFANCY of JESUS
CHRIST.
The original in Greek, from which this translation is made, will be found printed by Co ele-
rius, in his notes on the constitutions of the Apostles, from a MS. in the French King's
Library, No. 2279.-It is attributed to Thomas, and conjectured to have been originally
connected with the Guspel of Mary.]
CHAP. I.
7 Jesus miraculously clears the water after
rain, 4 plays with clay sparrows, which
he animates on the saath day.
I
¶ The end of the whole Gospel
of the Infancy, by the assist-
ance of the supreme God, ac-
cording to what we found in
the original.
¶ An Account of the ACTIONS | make known to our brethren
and MIRACLES of our Lord among the Gentiles, the actions
and Saviour JESUS CHRIST and miracles of Christ in his
in his INFANCY.
childhood, which our Lord and
God Jesus Christ wrought after
his birth in Bethlehem in our
country, at which I myself was
astonished; the beginning of
which was as followeth .
2¶ When the child Jesus was
THOMAS, an Israelite,
judged it necessary to
46
Christ enlivens
five years of age, and there had
CHAF. II.
been a shower of rain, which | 1 Causes a boy to wither who broke down his
fish-pools, 6 partly restores h.m, 7 kille
another boy, 16 causes blindness to fall on
his accusers,
18 for which Joseph pulls
him by the ear.
II. INFANCY.
was now over, Jesus was play-
ing with other Hebrew boys by
a running stream; and the
water, running over the banks,
stood in little lakes;
6 Behoid, thy boy is playing
by the river side, and has taken
clay, and formed it into twelve
sparrows, and profaneth the sab-
bath.
B
3 But the waters instantly standing there with Joseph,
became clear and useful again; and took a bough of a willow
he having smote them only by his tree, and scattered the waters
word, they readily obeyed him. which Jesus had gathered into
lakes.
4 Then he took from the
bank of the stream some soft
clay, and formed out of it twelve
sparrows; and there were other
boys playing with him.
5 But a certain Jew, seeing
the things which he was doing,
namely, his forming clay into
the figures of sparrows on the
sabbath day, went presently
away, and told his father Joseph, branches, or fruit.
and said,
7 Then Joseph came to the
place where he was, and when
he saw him, called to him, and
said, Why doest thou that which
it is not lawful to do on the sab-
bath day?
8 Then Jesus, clapping to-
gether the palms of his hands,
called to the sparrows, and said
to them, Go, fly away; and
while ye live remember me.
clay birds
9 So the sparrows fled away,
making a noise.
10 The Jews, seeing this,
were astonished, and went away,
and told their chief persons
what a strange miracle they had
seen wrought by Jesus.
ESIDES this, the son of
Anna the scribe was
2 But the boy Jesus, seeing
what he had done, became an-
gry, and said to him, Thou fool,
what harm did the lakes do thee,
that thou shouldest scatter the
water?
3 Behold, now thou shalt
wither as a tree, and shalt not
bring forth either leaves, or
4 And immediately he be-
came withered all over.
5 Then Jesus went away
home. But the parents of the
boy who was withered, lament-
ing the misfortune of his youth,
took and carried him to Joseph,
accusing him, and said, Why
dost thou keep a son who is
guilty of such actions?
6 Then Jesus, at the request
of all who vere present, did
heal him, leaving only some small
member to continue withered,
that they might take warning.
7 ¶ Another time Jesus went
forth into the street, and a boy,
running by, rushed upon his
shoulder;
8 At which Jesus, being
angry, said to him, Thou shalt
go no farther.
9 And he instantly fell down
dead;
47
Christ sent
10 Which when some per-
CHAP. III.
sons saw, they said, Where was Astonishes his schoolmaster by his learning.
this boy born, that every thing
which he says presently cometh
to pass?
11 Then the parents of the
dead boy, going to Joseph, com-
plained, saying, You are not fit
to live with us, in our city, hav-ed,
ing such a boy as that:
12 Either teach him that he
bless, and not curse, or else de-
part hence with him, for he kills
our children.
II. INFANCY.
13 ¶ Then Joseph, calling the
boy Jesus, by himself, instructed
him, saying, Why doest thou
such things to injure the people,
so that they hate us and perse-
cute us?
14 But Jesus replied, I know
that what thou sayest is not of
thyself, but for thy sake I will
say nothing;
15 But they who have said
these things to thee, shall suffer
everlasting punishment.
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
am thine? trouble me no more.
•
to school
A
CERTAIN schoolmaster,.
named Zaccheus, stand-
ing in a certain place, heard Je-
sus speaking these things to his
father;
2 And he was much surpris-
that, being a child, he should
few days he came to Joseph,
speak such things; and after a
and said,
3 Thou hast a wise and sen-
sible 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 ;
16 And immediately they who
had accused him became blind.
17 And all they who saw it,
were exceedingly afraid and
confounded, and said concern-
ing him, Whatsoever he saith,
CHAP. IV.
Fragment of an adventure at a dyer's.
whether good or bad, immedi-AS Jesus was passing by a
ately cometh to pass: and they certain shop, he saw a
were amazed.
young man dipping (or dyeing)
some cloths and stockings in a
furnace, of a sad colour, doing
them according to every person's
particular order;
5 But Jesus pronounced the
second letter Mpeth (Beth),
Cghimel (Gimei), and said over
all the letters to him to the end.
6 Then, opening a book, he
taught his 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.
2 The boy Jesus, going to the
young man who was doing this,
took also some of the cloths * *
Here endeth the Fragment of
Thomas's Gospel of the In
fancy of Jesus Christ.
48
The EPISTLES of JESUS CHRIST and ABGARUS
King of Edessa.
[The first writer who makes any mention of the Epistles that passed between Jesus Christ
and Abgarus, is Eusebius, Bishop of Cæsarea, in Palestine, who flourished in the early
part of the fourth century. For their genuineness, he appeals to the public registries and
records of the city of Edessa, in Mesopotamia, where Abgarus reigned, and where he af
firms that he found them written in the Syriac language. He published a Greek translation
of them in his Ecclesiastical History.1 The 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 admission into the canon of Scrip-
ture, they are deemed apocryphal. The reverend Jeremiah Jones observes, that the com-
mon 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 devo-
tion, regard it as the Word of God, and the genuine Epistle of Christ.]
CHAP. I.
of a journey hither, and cure a
disease which I am under.
A copy of a letter written by King Abgarus
to Jesus, and sent to him by Ananias, his
6 For I hear the Jews rial-
footman, to Jerusalem, 5 inviting him to cule you, and intend you mis-
Edessa.
chief.
ABGARUS, king of Edessa,
7 My city is indeed small,
to Jesus the good Saviour, but neat, and large enough for
who appears at Jerusalem, greet-
ing:
us both.
2 I have been informed con-
cerning you and your cures,
which are performed without
the use
herbs.
3 For it is reported, that you
cause the blind to see, the lame
to walk, do both cleanse lepers,
and cast out unclean spirits and
devils, and restore them to
health who have been long dis-
eased, and raisest up the
dead:
4 All which when I heard,
was persuaded of one of these
two, viz. either that you are God
himself descended from heaven,
who do these things, or the Son
of God.
of medicines and ABGARUS, you are happy,
as you have
believed on me, whom you have
not seen.
2 For it is written concern-
ing me, that those who have
seen me should not believe on
me, that they who have not seen
might believe and live.
3 As to that part of your let-
Iter 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.
5 On this account therefore I
have wrote to you, earnestly to
desire you would take the trouble
CHAP. II.
The answer of Jesus by Ananias the foot
man to Abgarus the king, 3 declining to
visit Edessa.
1 L. i. c. 13
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
i with you.
5
49
The GOSPEL of NICODEMUS, formerly called The
ACTS of PONTIUS PILATE.
Although this Gospel is, by some among the learned, supposed to have been really writte
by Nicodemus, who became a disciple of Jesus Christ, and conversed with him, others con
jecture that it was a forgery, towards the close of the third century, by some zealous believ
er, who, observing that there had been appeals made by the Christians of the former age t
the Acts of Pilate, but that such acts could not be produced, imagined it would be of ser
vice to Christianity to fabricate and publish this Gospel; as it would both confirm the
Christians under persecution, and convince the heathens of the truth of the Christian re-
ligion. The Rev. Jeremiah Jones says, that such pious frauds were very common amon
Christians even in the first three centuries; and that a forgery of this nature, with the
view above-inentioned, seems natural and probable. The same author, in noticing tha
Eusebius, in his Ecclesiastical History, charges the pagans with having forged and put
lished a book, called "The Acts of Pilate," takes occasion to observe, that the internal
evidence of this Gospel shows that it was not the work of any heathen; but that if in the
latter end of the third century we find it in use among Christians (and it was certainly
then read in some churches), and about the same time find a forgery of the heathens under
the same title, it seems exceeding probable, that some Christians, at that time, should pub-
lish such 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 Christians to the Acts of
Pilate; and Mr. Jones says, he thinks so the more particularly, as we have innumerable in-
stances of forgeries by the faithful in the primitive ages, grounded on less plausible rea-
sons. Whether it be canonical or not, it is of very great antiquity, and is appealed to by
several of the ancient Christians. The present translation is made from the Gospel pub-
lished by Grynæus in the Orthodoxographia, vol. i. tom. ii. p. 643.]
The Gospel of NICODEMUS the | the dissolution of the sabbath,3
Disciple, concerning the Suf- and the laws of our fathers.
ferings and Resurrection of
our Master and Saviour JE-
SUS CHRIST.
3 Pilate replied, What is it
which he declares? and what is
it which he attempts dissolv-
ing?
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
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 honour,
20 worshipped by the standards bowing down
to him.
NNAS Caiphas,
A and and deaf, those afflicted with the
palsy, the blind, and lepers, and
demoniacs, on that day by wick-
ed methods.5
Summas, and Datam, Ga-
maliel, Judas, Levi, Nepthalim,
Alexander, Cyrus, and other
Jews, went to Pilate about Je-
sus, accusing him with many
bad crimes.
5 Pilate replied, How can he
do this by wicked methods?
They answered, He is a con-
jurer, and casts out devils by the
prince of the devils;6 and so
all things become subject tu
him.
2 And said, We are assured
that Jesus is the son of Joseph
the carpenter,¹ and born of Ma-
ry, and that he declares himself
the Son of God, and a king;2
and not only so, but attempts
1 Matt xiii. 55. and John vi. 42.
2 John v. 17, 18. Mark xv. 2.
3 Mau. xii. 2, &c.
John v. 18.
↓
Luke xiii. 14.
6 Then said Pilate, Casting
out devils seems not to be the
4 Exod. xx, 8, &c.
5 Matt. iv. 24, and xi. 5.
6 Matt. ix. 34, and xii. 24, &£.
50
Christ worshipped
work of an unclean spirit, but
to proceed from the power of
God.
NICODEMUS.
7 The Jews replied to Pilate,
We entreat your highness to
summon him to appear before
your tribunal, and hear him
yourself.
8 Then Pilate called a mes-
senger, and said to him, By
what means will Christ be
brought hither?
11 Then Pilate called the
messenger, and said, Why hast
thou done thus?
by the standards
en; 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
couldst thou, who art a Greek,
understand the Hebrew?
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 mes-
senger? For the messenger,
when he saw him, worship- unto the messenger, Go forth,
ped him, and spread the cloak | and endeavour by any means to
which he had in his hand upon bring him in.
the ground before him, and said
to him, Lord, the governor calls
thee.
19 But the messenger went
forth, and did as before; and
said, Lord, come in, for the gov-
ernor calleth thee.
12 The messenger replied,
When thou sentest me from Je-
rusalem to Alexander, I saw Je-
sus sitting in a mean figure up-
on a she-ass, and the children
of the Hebrews cried out, Ho-
sannah, holding boughs of trees
in their hands.
13 Others spread their gar-
ments in the way, and said,
Save us, thon who art in heav-
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, Ho-
sannah, which, being interpret-
ed, 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 chil-
dren, namely, by your silence?
In what has the messenger done
amiss? And they were silent.
18 Then the governor said
20 And as Jesus was going
in by the ensigns, who carried
the standards, the tops of them
bowed down and worshipped
Jesus.
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 aid of themselves bow.
1 Matt. xxi. 8, 9, &c.
51
Charged
and worship Jesus; but why do
ye exclaim against the ensigns,
as if they had bowed and wor-
- shipped?
NICODEMUS.
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?
CHAP. II.
25 The ensigns said to Pi-2 Is compassionated by Pilate's wife, 7
late, We are all pagans, and
worship the gods in temples;
and how should we
charged with being born in fornication. 12
Testimony to the betrothing of his parents.
15 Hatred of the Jews to him.
thing about worshipping any NOW when Pilate saw this,
he was afraid, and was
about to rise from his seat.
him?
We only held the standards in
our hands, and they bowed
themselves and worshipped him. |
2 But while he thought to
rise, his own wife, who stood at
26 Then said Pilate to the a distance, sent to him, saying,
rulers of the synagogue, Do ye Have thou nothing to do with
yourselves choose some strong that just man; for I have suf-
men, and let them hold the fered much concerning him in
standards, and we shall see a vision this night.¹
whether they will then bend of
themselves.
27 So the elders of the Jews
sought out twelve of the most
strong and able old men, and
made them hold the standards;
and they stood in the presence
of the governors.
with being
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.
28 Then Pilate said to the
messenger, Take Jesus out, and
by some means bring him in
again. And Jesus and the mes-
senger went out of the hall.
29 And Pilate called the en-
signs who before had borne the
standards, and swore to them,
that if they had not borne 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
32 And when Jesus went in,
the standards bowed themselves
as before, and worshipped him
3 When the Jews heard this,
they said to Pilate, Did we not
say unto thee, He is a conjurer?
Behold he hath caused thy wife
to dream.
4 Pilate then, calling Jesus,
said, Hast thou heard what they
testify against thee, and makest
no answer?
5 Jesus replied, If they had
not a power of speaking, they
could not have spoke; but be-
cause every one has the com-
mand 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, that thou
wast born through fornication
1 Matt. xxvii. 19.
52
born in
NICODEMUS.
fornication
slain in Bethlehem; thirdly, that
thy father and mother Mary fled
into Egypt, because they could
not trust their own people.
secondly, that upon the account | 13 Then Pijate, addressing
of thy birth, the infants were himself to the twelve men who
spake this, said to them, I con-
jure you by the life of Cæsar,
that ye faithfully declare wheth-
er he was born through fornica-
tion, and those things be true
which ye have related.
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
petrothed to Joseph, and so he
was not born through fornica-
tion.
14 They answered Pilate, We
have a law, whereby we are for-
bid to swear, it being a sin; let
then swear by the life of Cæsar
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; which we are
so far from believing, that we
1
9 Then said Pilate to the
Jews who affirmed him to be
born through fornication, This
your account is not true, seeing
there was a betrothment, as they
testify who are of your own na-
tion.
10 Annas and Caiphas spake,
to Pilate, All this multitude of
people is to be regarded, who tremble to hear.
cry out, that he was born
hrough fornication, and is a
conjurer; but they who deny
him to be born through fornica-
tion, are his proselytes and dis-
ciples.
11 Pilate replied to Annas
and Caiphas, Who are the prose-sus?
lytes? They answered, They are 17 They answered him, They
those who are the children of
pagans, and are not become
Jews, but followers of him.
betrothed.
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 Je-
12 Then replied Eleazar, and
Asterius, and Antonius, and
James, Caras and Samuel, Isaac
and Phineas, Crispus and Agrip-
CHAP. II.
Pi.ate concerning truth.
pa, Annas and Judas, We are 1 Is exonerated by Pilate. 11 Disputes with
not proselytes, but children of
Jews, and speak the truth, and
1 John, 7. 17, 18. Mark xv. 2.
are angry because he wrought
cures on the sabbath day. Pi
late said, Will they kill him for
a good work!2 They say unto
him, Yes, sir.
THEN Pilate, filled with an
and said to the Jews, I call the
2 John, x. 32.
5 *
53
Christ disputes
NICODEMUS.
with Pilate
whole world to witness that I truth; and every one who is of
find no fault in that man.¹
the truth, heareth my voice.
11 Pilate saith to him, What
is truth? .
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,2 belongs to you,
but not to me.
7 And Jesus answering, said
to Pilate, Dost thou speak this
of thyself, or did the Jews tell
it thee concerning me?
CHAP. IV.
demand his crucifixion.
6. And he went again into the 1 Pilate finds no fault in Jesus.
hall, and called Jesus by him-
self, and said to him, Art thou
the king of the Jews?
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, and I should not have
been delivered to the Jews; but
now my kingdom is not from
bence.
10 Pilate said, Art thou a
king then? Jesus answered,
Thou sayest 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,
hat I should bear witness to the
12 Jesus said, Truth is from
heaven.
1 John, xviii. 31, &c.
2 Exod. xx. 13.
13 Pilate said, Therefore
truth is not on earth.
14 Jesus saith to Pilate, Be-
lieve that truth is on earth
among those who, when they
have the power of judgment,
are governed by truth, and form
right judgment.
16 The Jews
T
THEN Pilate left Jesus in
the hall, and 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,3 he said
he would destroy, 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.4
6 The Jews say to him, His
blood be upon us and our chil-
dren. Then Pilate, calling to
gether the elders and scribes,
priests and Levites, saith to them
privately, Do not act thus; I have
found nothing in your charge
3 John, ii 20.
4 Matt. xxvii. 24
54
Pilat inclines
NICODEMUS.
to Christ
(against him) concerning his | any one to death:2 we desire that
curing sick persons, and break- he may be crucified, because
ing the Sabbath, worthy of death. he deserves the death of the
7 The priests and Levites re-
plied to Pilate, By the life of
Cæsar, if any one be a blas-
phemer, he is worthy of death;¹
but this man hath blasphemed
against the Lord.
8 Then the governor again
commanded the Jews to depart
out of the hall; and calling Je-
sus, said to him, What shall I
do with thee?
9 Jesus answered him, Do sire his death.
according as it is written.
19 The elders of the Jews an-
10 Pilate said to him, How is swered to Pilate, We and all the
it written?
people came hither for this very
purpose, that he should die.
20 Pilate saith to them, Why
should he die?
21. They said to him, Because
he declares himself to be the Son
of God, and a king.
11 Jesus saith to him, Moses
and the prophets have prophe-
sied concerning my suffering and
resurrection.
12 The Jews, hearing this,
were provoked, and said to Pi-
late, Why wilt thou any longer
hear the blasphemy of that man ?
13 Pilate saith to them, If 1
these words seem to you blas-
phemy, do ye take him, bring
him to your court, and try him
according to your law.
14 The Jews reply to Pilate,
Our law saith, that if one man
injure another, he shall be oblig-
ed to receive nine and thirty
stripes; but if after this manner
he shall blaspheme against the
Lord, he shall be stoned.
15 Pilate saith unto them, If
that speech of his was blasphe-
my, do ye try him according to
your law.
cross.
17 Pilate saith to them, It is
not fit he should be crucified;
let him be only whipped and sent
away.3
18 But when the governor
looked upon the people that were
present and the Jews, he saw
many of the Tews in tears, and
said to the chief priests of the
Jews, All the people do not de-
16 The Jews say to Pilate,
Our law commands us not to put
1 Lev. xxiv. 16.
CHAP. V
Nicodemus speaks in defence of Christ, and
relates his miracles. 12 Another Jew, 20
with Veronica, 34 Centurio, and others, tes-
tify of other miracles.
B
UT Nicodemus, a certain
Jew, stood before the gov-
ernor, and said, I entreat thee,
O righteous judge, that thou
wouldest favour me with the l
erty of speaking a few word
2 Pilate said to him, Speak
3 Nicodemus said, I spake u
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
would do with this man?
4 He is a man who hath
wrought many useful and glori
2 Exod. xx. 13.
3 Luke xxiii. 16.
55
}
A Jew, cured
NICODEMUS.
by Christ,.
ous miracles, such as no man on | doctrine for truth, and have thy
earth ever wrought before, nor lot with Christ!
will ever work.1 Let him go,
and do him no harm: if he com-
eth from God, his miracles (his
miraculous cures) will continue ;
but if from men, they will come
to naught.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
magicians of that country, Jan-
nes and Jambres,³ wrought by
their magic the same miracles
which Moses did, yet they could
not work all which he did.4
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 believed 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 Nic-
odemus, Art thou become his
disciple, and making speeches
in his favour?
9 Nicodemus said to them, Is
the governor become his disciple
also, and does he make speeches
for him? Did not Ca sar 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
1 John iii. 2.
2 Acts v. 38.
3 These are mentioned also as the
names of te magicians, 2 Tim. iii. 8.
•
11 Nicodemus replied, Amen;
I will receive his doctrine, and
my lot with him, as ye have said.
12 Then another certain
Jew rose up, and desired leave
of the governor to hear him a
few words.
13 And the governor said,
Speak what thou hast a mind.
14 And he said, I lay for
thirty-eight years by the sheep-
pool at Jerusalem, labouring un-
der a great infirmity, and wait-
ing for a cure which should be
wrought by the coming of an
angel, who at a certain time
troubled the water; and who
soever first after the troubling of
the water, stepped in, was made
whole of whatsoever disease he
had.
15 And when Jesus saw me
languishing there, he said to me,
Wilt thou be made whole? And
I answered, Sir, I have no man,
when the water is troubled, to
put me into the pool.
16 And he said unto me,
Rise, Take up thy bed, and
walk. And I was immediately
made whole, and took up my
bed, and walked.“
17 The Jews then said to Pi-
late, Our lord governor, pray ask
him what day it was on which
he was cured of his infirmity.
18 The infirm person replied,
It was on the Sabbath.
19 The Jews said to Pilate,
Did we not say that he wrought
4 Exod. viii. 18, &c.
5 Acts v. 35. An allusion to Gamalie.'1
speech.
• John v. 1, 2, &c.
56
and others testify
his cures on the Sabbath, and
cast out devils by the prince of
devils?
NICODEMUS.
20 Then another certain¹ Jew
came forth, and said, I was blind,
could hear sounds, but could not
see any one; and as Jesus was
going along, I heard the multi-
tude passing by, and I asked
what was there.
21 They told me that Jesus
was passing by: then I cried out,
saying, Jesus, Son of David,
have mercy upon me. And he
stood still, and commanded
that I should be brought to
him, and said to me, What wilt
thou?
22 I said, Lord, that I may
receive my sight.
23 He said to me, Receive
thy sight; and presently I saw,
and followed him, rejoicing and
giving thanks.
2
24 Another Jew also came
forth, and said, I was a leper,
and he cured me by his word
only, saying, I will, be thou
clean; and presently I was
cleansed from my leprosy.
25 And another Jew came
forth, and said, I was crooked,
and he made me straight by his
word.3
of his miracies
27 The Jews then said, Wc
have a law, that a woman shall
not be allowed as an evidence.
1 Mark x. 46.
2 Matt. viii. 3, &.
3 Luke xiii. 11, &c.
4 Matt. ix. 20, &c. See concerning
this woman called Veronica, on whom this
miracle was performed; and the statue
28 And, after other things,
another Jew said,5 I saw Jesus
invited to a wedding with his
disciples, and there was a want
of wine in Cana of Galilee ;
29 And when the wine was
all drank, he commanded the
servants that they should fill six
pots which were there with wa-
ter, and they filled them up to
the brim and he blessed them,
and turned the water into wine;
and all the people drank, being
surprised at this miracle.
30 And another Jew stood
forth, and said, I saw Jesus
teaching in the synagogue at
Capernaum; and there was in
the synagogue a certain man
who had a devil; and he cried
out, saying, Let me alone; what
have we to do with thee, Jesus
of Nazareth? Art thou come
to destroy us? I know that thou
art the Holy One of God.
31 And Jesus rebuked him,
saying, Hold thy peace, unclean
spirit, and come out of the man;
and presently he came out of
him, and did not at all hurt him.
32 The following things were
also said by a Pharisee; I saw
26 ¶ And a certain woman
named Veronica, said,4 I was that a great company came to
afflicted with an issue of blood Jesus from Galilee and Judæa,
twelve years, and I touched the and the sea-coast, and many
hem of his garment, and pres-countries about Jordan; and
ently the issue of my blood stop-many infirm persons came to
ped.
him, and he healed them all.7
which she erected to the honour of Christ
in Euseb. Hist. Ecel 1. 7. c. 13.
5 John ii. 1, &c
• Luke iv. 33, &c.
7 Mark iv. 24.
57
Christ's death
1
33 And I heard the unclean
spirits crying out, and saying,
Thou art the Son of God. And
Jesus strictly charged them,
that they should not make him
known.
34 ¶ After this, another per-
son, whose name was Centurio,
said,2 I saw Jesus in Capernaum,
and I entreated him, saying,
Lord, my servant lieth at home
sick of the palsy.
35 And Jesus said to me, I four days in his grave.
will come and cure hit.
36 But I said, Lord, I am not
worthy that thou shouldest come
under my roof; but only speak
the word, and my servant shall
be healed.
37 And Jesus said unto me,
Go thy way; and as thou hast
believed, so be it done unto thee.
And my servant was healed from
that same hour.
NICODEMUS
demanded by
42 Some of them further said,
This power can proceed from
none but God.
38 Then a certain nobleman
said, I had a son in Capernaum,
who lay at the point of death;
and when I heard that Jesus was
come into Galilee, I went and
besought him that he would
come down to my house, and
heal my son, for he was at the
point of death.
39 He said to me, Go thy way,
thy son liveth.
1 Mark iii. 11.
2 Matt. viii. 5, &c.
43 Pilate said to the Jews,
Why are not the devils subject
to your doctors?
44 Some of them said, The
power of subjecting devils can-
not proceed but from God.
45 But others said to Pilate,
That he had³ raised Lazarus
from the dead, after he had been
46 The governor hearing this,
trembling, said to the multitude
of the Jews, What will it profit
you to shed innocent blood?
CHAP. VI.
1 Pilate dismayed by the turbulence of the
Jews, 5 who demand Barabbas to be releas-
ed, and Christ to be crucified. 9 Pilate
warmly expostulates with them, 20 washes
his hands of Christ's blood, 23 and sentences
him to be whipped and crucified.
T
HEN Pilate, having called
together Nicodemus, and
the fifteen men who said that Je-
sus was not born through forni-
cation, said to them, What shall
I do, seeing there is like to be a
tumult among the people ?4
2 They say unto him, We
know not; let them look to it
who raise the tumult.
3 Pilate then called the mul-
titude again, and said to them,
from that hour.
40 And my son was cured Ye know that ye have a custom,
that I should release to you one
prisoner at the feast of the pass-
over
11 Besides these, also many
others of the Jews, both men and
women, cried out and said, He is
truly the Son of God, who cures
all diseases only by his word, and
to whom the devils are altogether
subject.
4 I have a noted prisoner, a
murderer, who is called Barab-
bas, and' Jesus who is called
Christ, in whom I find nothing
that deserves death: which of
3 John x1. 1, &c.
4 Matt. xxvi. 24.
58

NICODEMUS. expostulates with them.
them therefore have you a mind | but Moses interceded for you,
that I should release to you?! and your God heard him, and
forgave your iniquity.
14 Afterwards ye were en-
raged against, and would have
killed your prophets, Moses and
Aaron, when they fled to the tab-
ernacle, and ye were always mur-
muring against God and his
prophets.
15 And arising from his judg-
ment-seat, he would have gone
out; but the Jews all cried out,
We acknowledge Cæsar to be
king, and not Jesus.
Jews. Pilate
5 They all cry out, and say,
Release to us Barabbas.
6 Pilate saith to them, What
then shall I do with Jesus who
is called Christ?
7 They all answer, Let him
be crucified.
8 Again they cry out and say
to Pilate, You are not the friend
of Cæsar, if you release this
man ;2 for he hath declared that
he is the Son of God, and a king.
But are you inclined that he
should be king, and not Cæsar?
9 Then Pilate, filled with an-
ger, said to them, Your nation
hath always been seditious, and
you are always against those
who have been serviceable to
you.
10 The Jews replied, Who
are those who have been service-
able to us?
11 Pilate answered them, Your
God who delivered you from the
hard bondage of the Egyptians,
and brought you over the Red
Sea, as though it had been dry
land, and fed you in the wilder-
ness with manna and the flesh
of quails, and brought water out
of the rock, and gave you a law
from heaven;
12 Ye provoked him always,
and desired for yourselves a mol-
ten calf, and worshipped it, and
sacrificed to it, and said, These
are thy gods, O Israel, which
brought thee out of the land of
Egypt !
13 On account of which, your
God was inclined to destroy you;
1 Matt. xxvii. 21, &c.
2 John xix. 12.
16 Whereas this person, as
soon as he was born, the wise
men came and offered gifts unto
him; which when Herod heard,
he was exceedingly troubled,
and would have killed him.
17 When his father knew this,
he fled with him and his mother
Mary into Egypt. Herod, when
he heard he was born, would
have slain him; and accordingly
sent and slew all the children
which were in Bethlehem, and
in all the coasts thereof, from two
years old and under.³
18 When Pilate heard this
account, he was afraid; and com-
manding silence among the peo-
ple, who made a noise, he said
to Jesus, Art thou therefore a
king?
19 All the Jews replied to Pi-
late, He is the very person whom
Herod sought to have slain.
20 Then Pilate, taking water,
washed his hands before the peo-
ple, and said, I am innocent of
the blood of this just person;
look ye to it.4
3 Matt. ii.
4 Matt. xxvii. 24, &c
&
59

Christ's
21 The Jews answered and
said, His blood be upon us and
our children.
crucifixu
time stood by, and the chief
priests and elders of the Jews
mocked him, saying, He saved
22 Then Pilate commanded others, let him now save himself
Jesus to be brought before him, if he can; if he be the Son of
and spake to him in the follow-God, let him now come down
ing words:
from the cross.
NICODEMUS.
23 Thy own nation hath 7 The soldiers also mocked
charged thee as making thyself him, and taking vinegar and
a king; wherefore I, Herod, sen- gall, offered it to him to drink,
tence thee to be whipped accord- and said to him, If thou art
ing to the laws of former gov- king of the Jews, deliver thy-
ernors; and that thou be first self.
bound, then hanged upon a cross
in that place where thou art now
a prisoner; and also two crimi-
nals with thee, whose names are
Dimas and Gestas.
CHAP. VII.
Manner of Christ's crucifixion with the two king of the Jews.3
thieves.
3 And in like manner did
they to the two thieves who were
crucified with him, Dimas on his
right hand, and Gestas on his
left.
1 Matt. xxvii. 33.
8 Then Longinus, a certain
soldier, taking a spear,2 pierced
his side, and presently there
came forth blood and water.
9 And Pilate wrote the title
upon the cross in Hebrew, Latin,
and Greek letters, viz. this is the
T
THEN Jesus went out of the
hall, and the two thieves
with him;
2 And when they came to the
place which is called Golgotha,¹
they stript him of his raiment, cified on his right hand, whose
name was Dimas, answering,
rebuked him, and said, Dost not
thou fear God, who art con-
demned to this punishment? We
indeed receive rightly and justly
the demerit of our actions; bu
this Jesus, What evil hath he
done?
and girt him about with a linen |
cloth, and put a crown of thorns
upon his head, and put a reed
in his hand.
4 But Jesus said, My Father,
forgive them; for they know not
what they do.
12 After this, groaning, he
said to Jesus, Lord, remember
me when thou comest into thy
'kingdom.
5 And they divided his gar- : 13 Jesus answering, said to
ments, and upon his vesture they
cast lots.
6 The people in the mean- in Paradise.
him, Verily I say unto thee, that
this day thou shalt be with me
་
"
10 But one of the two thieves
who were crucified with Jesus,
whose name was Gestas, said to
Jesus, If thou art the Christ, de-
liver thyself and us.
11 But the thief who was cru-
2 John xix. 34.
3 John xix. 19
60
body buried
CHAP. VIII.
9 And calling the Jews to-
Miraculous appearances at his death. 10 gether, said to them, Have ye
seen the miracle of the sun's
eclipse, and the other things
The Jews say the eclipse was natural.
Joseph of Arimathæa embalms Christ's body,
and buries it
12
AND i was about the sixth which came to pass, while Jesus
and darkness was was
and his
NICODEMUS.
upon the face of the whole earth
until the ninth hour.
2 And while the sun was
eclipsed, behold the vail of the
temple was rent from the top to
the bottom; and the rocks also
were rent, and the graves open-
ed, and many bodies of saints,
which slept, arose.
3 And about the ninth hour
Jesus cried out with a loud
voice, saying, Hely, Hely, lama
zabathani? which, being inter-
preted, is, My God, My God,
why hast thou forsaken me?
4 And after these things, Je-
sus said, Father, into thy hands
I commend my spirit; and hav-
ing said this, he gave up the
ghost.
5 But when the centurion
saw that Jesus, thus crying out, | him leave.
gave up the ghost, he glorified
God, and said, Of a truth this
was a just man.
6 And all the people who
stood by, were exceedingly trou-
bled at the sight; and, reflect-
ing upon what had passed, smote
upon their breasts, and then
returned to the city of Jeru-
salem.
7 The centurion went to the
governor, and related to him all
that had passed;
8 And when he had heard all
hese things, he was exceeding
sorro.vful;
1 Matt. xxvii, 45, &c
10 Which when the Jews
heard, they answered to the gov-
ernor, The eclipse of the sun
happened according to its usual
custom.
11 But all those who were the
acquaintance of Christ, stood at
a distance, as did the women¸
who had followed Jesus from
Galilee, observing all these
things.
12 And² behold a certain man
of Arimathæa, named Joseph,
who also was a disciple of Jesus,
but not openly so, for fear of the
Jews, came to the governor, and
entreated the governor, that he
would give him leave to take
away the body of Jesus from the
cross.
13 And the governor gave
14 And Nicodemus came,
bringing with him a mixture of
myrrh and aloes, about a hun-
dred pound weight; and they
took down Jesus from the cross
with tears, and bound him in
linen clothes with spices, accord-
ing to the custom of burying
among the Jews,
15 And placed him in a new
tomb, which Joseph had built
and caused to be cut out of a
rock, in which never any man
had been put; and they rolled a
great stone to the door of the
sepulchre.
• John xix. 38.
6
61
Toseph of Arimathaa
CHAP. IX.
1 The Jews angry with Nicodemus; 5 and
with Joseph of Arimathæa, 7 whom they
imprison.
NICODEMUS.
W
HEN the unjust Jews
heard that Joseph had
begged and buried the body of
Jesus, they sought after Nicode-
mus, and those fifteen men who
had testified before the governor,
that Jesus was not born through
fornication, and other good per-
sons, who had shown any good
actions towards him.
2 But when they all concealed
themselves through fear of the
Jews, Nicodemus alone showed
himself to them, and said, How
can such persons as these enter
into the synagogue?
3 The Jews answered him,
But how durst thou enter into
the synagogue, who wast a con-
federate with Christ? Let thy
lot be along with him in the
other world.
4 Nicodemus answered, Amen;
so may it be, that I may have my
lot with him in his kingdom.
5 In like manner Joseph,
when he came to the Jews, said
to them, Why are ye angry
with me for desiring the body of
Jesus of Pilate? Behold, I have
put him in my tomb, and wrap-
ped him up in clean linen, and
put a stone at the door of the
sepulchre :
imprisonca
7 The Jews at the hearing of
this were disquieted and trou
bled; and they seized Joseph,
and commanded him to be put
in custody before the sabbath
and kept there till the sabbath
was over.
8 And they said to him, Make
confession; for at this time it is
not lawful to do thee any harm,
till the first day of the week come.
But we know that thou wilt not
be thought worthy of a burial;
but we will give thy flesh to the
birds of the air, and the beasts
of the earth.
-
9 Joseph answered, That
speech is like the speech of proud
Goliath, who reproached the liv-
ing God in speaking against Da-
vid. But ye scribes and doctors
know, that God saith by the
prophet, Vengeance is mine, and
I will repay to you¹ evil equal to
that which ye have threatened to
me.
10 The God whom you have
hanged upon the cross, is able
to deliver me out of your hands.
All your wickedness will return
upon you.
11 For the governor, when he
washed his hands, said, I am
clear from the blood of this just
person. But ye answered and
cried out, His blood be upon us
and our children. According
as ye have said, may ye perish
for ever.
6 I have acted rightly towards
him; but ye have acted unjustly
against that just person, in cru-
crying him, giving him vinegar
12 The elders of the Jews,
hearing these words, were ex-
ceedingly enraged; and seizing
o drink, crowning him with Joseph, they put him into a
thorns, tearing his body with chamber where there was no
whips, and prayed down the
guilt of his blood upon you.
1 Deut. xxxii. 35. Heb. x. 30
62

Christ's
NICODEMUS.
resurrection
window; they fastened the door, | know that you seek Jesus, who
and put a seal upon the lock was crucified; he is risen, as he
foretold.
13 And Annas and Caiaphas
placed a guard about it, and took
counsel with the priests and Le-
vites, that they should all meet
after the sabbath, and they con-
trived to what death they should
put Joseph.
6 Come and see the place
where he was laid; and go pres-
ently, and tell his disciples that ·
he is risen from the dead, and
he will go before you into Gali-
lee; there ye shall see him, as
he cold you.
14 When they had done this,
the rulers, Annas and Caiaphas,
order Joseph to be brought forth.
In this place there is a portion
of the Gospel lost or omitted,
which cannot be supplied.
7 Then the Jews called to-
gether all the soldiers who kept.
the sepulchre of Jesus, and said
to them, Who are those women
to whom the angel spoke? Why
did ye not seize them?
8 The soldiers answered and
said, We know not who the wo-
men were; besides, we became
as dead persons through fear,
WHEN all the assembly and how could we seize those
heard this, they admired women?
and were astonished, because
they found the same seal upon
the lock of the chamber, and
could not find Joseph.
CHAP. X.
1 Joseph's escape. 2 The soldiers relate
Christ's resurrection. 18 Christ is seen
preaching in Galilee. 21 The Jews repent
of their cruelty to him.
2 Then Annas and Caiaphas
went forth, and while they were
all admiring at Joseph's being
gone, behold one of the soldiers,
who kept the sepulchre of Jesus,
spake in the assembly,
3 That while they were
guarding the sepulchre of Jesus,
there was an earthquake; and
we saw an angel of God roll
away the stone of the sepulchre,
and 2 sit upon it;
4 And his countenance was like
lightning, and his garment like
snow; and we became through
fear like persons dead.
5 And we heard an angel say-
ng to the women at the sepul-
thre of Jesus, Do not fear; I
1 Matt. xxviii. 11, 12, &c.
9 The Jews said to them, As
the Lord liveth, we do not be-
lieve you.
10 The soldiers answering,
said to the Jews, When ye saw
and heard Jesus working so
many miracles, and did not be-
lieve him, how should ye believe
us? Ye well said, As the Lord
liveth, for the Lord truly does
live.
11 We have heard that ye
shut up Joseph, who buried the
body of Jesus, in a chamber, un-
der a lock which was sealed;
and when ye opened it, found
him not there.
12 Do ye then produce Joseph,
whom ye put under guard in the
chamber, and we will produce
Jesus, whom we guarded in the
sepulchre.
13 The Jews answered and
* Matt. xxviii. 1, 2, &c.
63

Christ preaches
NICODEMUS
in Galile
said, We will produce Joseph, | soever shall believe and be bap◄
do ye produce Jesus. But Jo-tized, shall be saved.
seph is in his own city of Ari-
mathæa.
21 And when he had said
these things to his disciples, we
saw him ascending up to heaven.
22 When the chief priests,
and elders, and Levites, heard
these things, they said to these
15 The Jews, hearing this, three men, Give glory to the God
were afraid, and said among of Israel, and make confession
themselves, If by any means to him, whether those things are
these things should become pub-true, which ye say ye have seen
lic, then every body will believe and heard.
in Jesus.
14 The soldiers replied, If
Joseph be in Arimathæa, and
Jesus in Galilee, we heard the
angel inform the women.
16 Then they gathered a large
sum of money, and gave it to the
soldiers, saying, Do ye tell the
people that the disciples of Jesus
came in the night, when ye were
asleep, and stole away the body
23 They answering, said, As
the Lord of our fathers liveth,
the God of Abraham, and the
God of Isaac, and the God of Ja-
cob, according as we heard Jesus
talking with his disciples, and
according as we saw him as-
of Jesus; and if Pilate the gov-cending up to heaven, so we
have related the truth to you.
ernor should hear of this, we will
satisfy him and secure you.
17 The soldiers accordingly
took the money, and said as they
were instructed by the Jews;
and their report was spread
abroad among all the people.
24 And the three men fur-
ther answered and said, adding
these words, If we should not
own the words which we heard
Jesus speak, and that we saw
him ascending into heaven, we
should be guilty of sin.
18 But a certain priest, Phi-
nees, Ada, a schoolmaster, and 25 Then the chief priests
a Levite, named Agues, they immediately rose up, and hold-
three came from Galilee to Jeru-ing the book of the law in their
salem, and told the chief priests hands, conjured those men, say-
and all who were in the syna-ing, Ye shall no more hereafter
gogues, saying,
ever declare those things which
ye have spoke concerning Jesus.
19 We have seen Jesus, whom
ye crucified, talking with his
eleven disciples, and sitting in
the midst of them in mount Oli-
vet, and saying to them,¹
26 And they gave them a
large sum of money, and sent
other persons along with them,
who should conduct them to
their own country, that they
might not by any means make
any stay at Jerusalem.
20 Go forth into the whole
world, preach the gospel to all
nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father, and the Son,
and the Holy Ghost; and who-
¹ Matt. xxviii. 16, and Mark xvi. 16.
27 Then the Jews did assem-
ble all together, and having ex-
pressed the most lamentable
64

ficodemus
counsels the Jews
concern, said, What is this ex-
traordinary thing which is come
to pass in Jerusalem?
3 And the sons of the proph
ets said to him, Perhaps the
spirit hath carried him into one
28 But Annas and Caiaphas of the mountains of Israel;
comforted them, saying, Why there perhaps we shall find
should we believe the soldiers him. And they besought Elisha,
who guarded the sepulchre of and he walked about with them
Jesus, in telling us, that an an- three days, and they could not
gel rolled away the stone from find him.
the door of the sepulchre?
29 Perhaps his own disciples
told them this, and gave them
money that they should say so,
and they themselves took away
the body of Jesus.
4 And now hear me, O sons
of Israel, and let us send men
into the mountains of Israel, le-t
perhaps the spirit hath carried
away Jesus; and there perhaps
we shall find him, and be satis-
fied.
1
30 Besides, consider this, that
there is no credit to be given to
foreigners, because they also
took a large sum of us, and they
have declared to us according
to the instructions which we
gave them. They must either
be faithful to us or to the disciples
of Jesus.
NICODEMUS.
CHAP. XI.
1 Nicodemus counsels the Jews. 6 Joseph
19 Relates the manner of his miraculous
found 11 Invited by the Jews to return.
escape.
HEN Nicodemus
Nicodemus arose,
and said, Ye say right, O
sons of Israel, ye have heard
what those three men have
swore by the law of God, who
said, We have seen Jesus speak-
ing with his disciples upon
mount Olivet, and we saw him
ascending up to heaven.
2 And the scripture teacheth
us that the blessed prophet Eli-
jah was taken up to heaven; and
Elisha being asked by the sons
of the prophets, Where is our
father Elijah? he said to them,
that he is taken up to heaven.
THE
•
1 Heathens.
5 And the counsel of Nico-
demus 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 Ari-
mathæa.
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 pa-
per, 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 ma
6 *
65

Joseph relates the
licious counsel which we took
against thee, and that the Lord
took care of thee, and the Lord
himself delivered 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.
NICODEMUS.
11 Accordingly, when the
men came to Joseph, they did
salute him in peace, and gave
him the 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. Bless-
ed be God, who hast protected
me under thy wings.
13 And Joseph kissed them,
and took them into his house.
And on
the morrow, Joseph
mounted his ass, and went along
with them to Jerusalem.
manner of his es ape
18 For we have been very
much 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, before God, all that
came to pass.
19 Then Joseph answering,
said, Ye did indeed put me un-
der confinement, on the day of
preparation, till the morning.
20 But while I was standing
at prayer in the middle of the
night, the house was surrounded
with four angels; and I saw Je-
sus as the brightness of the sun,
and fell down upon the earth for
fear.
14' And when all the Jews
heard these things, they went
out to meet him, and cried out,
saying, Peace attend thy coming
hither, 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;
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
answered me, I am not Elias,
but Jesus of Nazareth, whose
body thou didst bury.
23 I said to him, Show me
the tomb in which I laid thee.
24 Then Jesus, taking me by
the hand, led me unto the place
where I laid him, and showed
me the linen clothes, and nap-
kin which I put round his head.
Then I knew that it was Jesus,
and worshipped him, and said,
Blessed be he who cometh in
the name of the Lord.
25 Jesus, again taking me by
the hand, led me to Arimathæa
66
The Jews
to my own house, and said to
me, Peace be to thee; but go
not out of thy house till the for-
tieth day; but I must go to my
disciples.
NICODEMUS.
dismayed.
5 Yea, a sword shall pierce
through thine own soul also, and
the thoughts of many hearts shall
be revealed.
6 Then 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 heaven.
CHAP. XII.
1 The Jews astonished and confounded. 14
Simeon's two sons, Charinus and Lenthius,
rise from the dead at Christ's crucifixion.
19 Joseph proposes to get them to relate the
mysteries of their resurrection. 21 They
ure sought and found, 22 brought to the syn-
W
agogue, 23 privately sworn to secrecy, 25
and undertake to write what they had seen.
HEN 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.
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.
2 And a certain Levite said,
I know many of his relations,
religious persons, who are wont
9 Then Annas and Caiaphas
said, Our law saith, By the mouth
of two or three witnesses every
to offer sacrifices and burnt-of-word shall be established.2
ferings to the God of Israel, in
the temple with prayers.
1
10 But what have we said?
The blessed Enoch pleased God,
3 And when the high-priest and was translated by the word
Simeon took him up in his arms, of God; and the burying-place of
he said to him, ¹ Lord, now let-the blessed Moses is not known.
test thou thy servant depart in 11 But Jesus was delivered
peace, according to thy word; to Pilate, whipped, crowned with
for mine eyes have seen thy sal- thorns, spit upon, pierced with a
vation, which thou hast prepared spear, crucified, died upon the
before the face of all people; a cross, and was buried, and his
light to enlighten the Gentiles, body the honourable Joseph
and the glory of thy people Israel. buried in a new sepulchre, and
he testifies that he saw him
alive;
4 Simeon in like manner
blessed Mary the mother of Je-
sus, and said to her, I declare to
thee concerning that child; He
is appointed for the fall and ris-
ing again of many, and for a sign
which shall be spoken against.
1 Luke ii. 29.
12 And besides, these men
have declared, that they saw him
talking with his disciples in
mount Olivet, and ascending up
to heaven.
2 Deut. xvii. 6.
67
Resurrection of
13 ¶ Then Joseph, rising up,
said to Annas and Caiaphas, Ye
may be justly under a great sur-
prise, that you have been told,
that Jesus is alive, and gone up
to heaven.
NICODEMUS.
14 It is indeed a thing really
surprising, that he should not
only himself arise from the dead,
but also raise others from their
graves, who have been seen by
many in Jerusalem.¹
Simeon's sons
but walking about the city, they
found them on their bended
knees at their devotions ;
17 Go therefore and see their
tombs, for these are open, and
they are risen; and behold, they
are in the city of Arimathæa,
spending their time together in
offices of devotion.
:
23 And putting it in theit
hands, swore them by God Ado-
nai, and the God of Israel, who
15 And now hear me a little spake to our fathers by the law
We all knew the blessed Sim- and the prophets, saying, If ye
eon, the high-priest, who took | believe him who raised you from
Jesus when an infant into the dead, to be Jesus, tell us what
arms in the temple.
ye have seen, and how ye were
raised from the dead.
his
16 This same Simeon had
two sons of his own, and we were
all present at their death and fu-
neral.
18 Some, indeed, have heard
the sound of their voices in prayer,
but they will not discourse with
any one, but they continue as
mute as dead men.
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 of the Law of the Lord,
24 Charinus and Lenthius,
the two sons of Simeon, trem-
bled 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,
19 But come, let us go to
them, and behave ourselves to-
wards them with all due respect
and caution. And if we can
bring them to swear, perhaps
they will tell us some of the mys-who art God, also the resur
and
teries of their resurrection.
20 When the Jews heard this,
they were exceedingly rejoiced.
21 Then Annas and Caiaphas,
Nicodemus, Joseph and Gama-
iel, went to Arimathæa, but did
not find them in their graves;
rection and life of the dead, give
us leave to declare thy mysteries,
which we saw after death, be-
longing to thy cross; for we
are sworn by thy name.
2 For thou hast forbid thy
servants to declare the secre
Matt. xxvii. 53.
CHAP. XIII.
1 The narrative of Charinus and Lenthius
3 A great light in hell. 7
Simeon arrives, and announces the coming
of Christ.
commenÇAS.
68
Great light
things, which were wrought by
thy divine power in hell.
3 ¶ When we were placed
with our fathers in the depth of
hell, in the blackness of dark-
ness, on a sudden there appear-
ed the colour of the sun like
gold, and a substantial purple-
coloured light enlightening the
place.
4 Presently upon this, Adam,
the father of all mankind, with
all the patriarchs and prophets,
rejoiced and said, That light is
the author of everlasting light,
who hath promised to translate
- us to everlasting light.
5 Then Isaiah the prophet
cried out, and said,¹ This is the
light of the Father, and the Son
of God, according to my prophe-
12 And I John, when I saw
Jesus coning to me, being mov-
cy when I was alive upon earth.ed by the Holy Ghost, I said,
Behold the Lamb of God, be-
hold him who takes away the
sins of the world.
6 The land of Zabulon, and
the land of Nephthalim beyond
Jordan, a people who walked in
darkness, saw a great light; and
to them who dwelled in the re-
gion of the shadow of death,
light is arisen. And now he is
come, and hath enlightened us
who sat in death.
in hell
the face of all people; a light to
enlighten the Gentiles, and the
glory of thy people Israel.
9 All the saints who were in
the depth of hell, hearing this,
rejoiced the more.
10 Afterwards there came
forth one like a little hermit,
and was asked by every one,
Who art thou?
NICODEMUS.
8 Whom I took up in my
aims when an infant in the tem-
ple, and being moved by the
Holy Ghost, said to him, and
acknowledged,2 That now mine
eyes have seen thy salvation,
which thou hast prepared before
1 Isaiah ix. 1 Matt iv 16.
1
11 To which he replied,
am the voice of one crying in
the wilderness, John the Baptist,
and the prophet of the Most
High, who went before his com-
ing to prepare his way, to give
the knowledge of salvation to his
people for the forgiveness of
sins.
13 And I baptized him in the
river Jordan, and saw the Holy
Ghost descending upon him in
the form of a dove, and heard
a voice from heaven, saying,
This is my beloved Son, in whom
7 And while we are all re- | I am well pleased.
joicing in the light which shone 14 And now while I was go-
upon us, our father Simeon ing before him, I came down
came among us, and congratu- hither to acquaint you, that the
lating all the company, said, Son of God will next visit us,
Glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, and as the day-spring from on
the Son of God.
high will come to us, who are in
darkness and the shadow of
death.
CHAP. XIV.
1 Adam causes Seth to relate what he heard
from Michael the archangel, when he sent
him to Paradise to entreat God to anoint
his head in his sickness.
2 Luke ii. 29.
69
Seth relates
B
UT when the first man our
father Adam heard these
things, that Jesus was baptized
in Jordan,¹ he called out to his
son Seth, and said,
2 Declare to your sons, the
patriarchs and prophets, all those
things which thou didst hear
from Michael the archangel,
when I sent thee to the gates of
Paradise, to entreat God that he
would anoint my head when I
was sick.
NICODEMUS.
3 Then Seth, coming near to
the patriarchs and prophets, said,
I Seth, when I was praying to
CHAP. XV.
Quarrel between Satan and the prince of hell,
concerning the expected arrival of Christ
in hell.2
WHILE all the saints were
the prince and captain of death,
said to the prince of hell,
2 Prepare to receive Jesus of
Nazareth himself, who boasted
that he was the Son of God, and
4 I tell thee, Seth, do not
pray to God in tears, and en-yet was a man afraid of death,
treat him for the oil of the tree and said,3 My soul is sorrowful
of mercy, wherewith to anoint even to death.
thy father Adam for his head-
ache;
3 Besides, he did many inju-
ries to me and to many others;
for those whom I made blind
and lame, and those also whom
I tormented with several devils,
he cured by his word; yea, and
those whom I brought dead to
thee, he by force takes away
from thee.
4 To this the prince of hell
replied to Satan, Who is that so
powerful prince, and yet a man
who is afraid of death?
5 For all the potentates of
the earth are subject to my pow-
er, whom thou broughtest to sub-
jection by thy power.
God at the gates of Paradise, be-
held the
of the Lord, Mi-
chael, appear unto me, saying,
I am sent unto thee from the
Lord; I am appointed to preside
over human bodies.
5 Because thou canst not by
any means obtain it, ill the last
day and times, namely, till five
thousand and five hundred years
ve past.
Michael's propnely
shall be born of the water and
the Holy Ghost unto eternal life.
8 And when at that time the
most merciful Son of God, Christ
Jesus, shall come down on earth,
he will introduce our father
Adam into Paradise, to the tree
of mercy.
6 Then will Christ, the most
merciful Son of God, come on
earth to raise again the human
body of Adam, and at the same
time to raise the bodies of the
dead, and when he cometh he
will be baptized in Jordan;
7 Then with the oil of his
mercy he will anoint all those
who believe on him; and the
oil of his mercy will continue to
future generations, for those who
1 Matt. iii. 13.
9 When all the patriarchs
and prophets heard all these
things from Seth, they rejoiced
more.
2 St. Jerome affirms that the soul of
Christ went to hell.
3 Matt. xxvi. 38.
70
Satan and the
NICODEMUS.
prince quarrel.
6 But if he be so powerful in | took away from me Lazarus, af-
his human nature, I affirm to ter he had been four days dea 1,
thee for truth, that he is almigh- and did both stink and was rot-
ty in his divine nature, and no ten, and of whom I had posses-
man can resist his power. sion as a dead person; yet he
brought him to life again by his
power.
7 When therefore he said he
was afraid of death, he designed
to ensnare thee, and unhappy it
will be to thee for everlasting
ages.
15 Satan answering, replied
to the prince of hell, It is the
very same person, Jesus of Naz-
areth.
8 Then Satan replying, said
to the prince of hell, Why didst
thou express a doubt, and wast
afraid to receive that Jesus of
Nazareth, both thy adversary
and mine?
16 Which when the prince of
hell heard, he said to him, I ad-
jure thee by the powers which
belong to thee and me, that thou
bring him not to me.
17 For when I heard of the
power of his word, I trembled
for fear, and all my impious
company were at the same
disturbed;
9 As for me, I tempted him,
and stirred up my old people the
Jews with zeal and anger against
him ;
10 I sharpened the spear for
his suffering; I mixed the gall
and vinegar, and commanded
that he should drink it; I pre-
pared the cross to crucify him,
and the nails to pierce through
his hands and feet; and now his
death is near at hand, I will
bring him hither, subject both
to thee and me.
11 Then the prince of hell
answering, said, Thou saidst to
me just now, that he took away
the dead from me by force.
1
18 And we were not able to
detain Lazarus, but he gave
himself a shake, and with all the
signs of malice, immediately
went away from us; and the
very earth, in which the dead
body of Lazarus was lodged,
presently turned him out alive.
19 And I know now that he
is Almighty God, who could per-
form such things, who is mighty
in his dominion, and mighty in
his human nature, who is the
Saviour of mankind.
20 Bring not therefore this
12 They who have been kept
here till they should live again
upon earth, were taken away | person hither, for he will set at
hence, not by their own power, liberty all those whom I hold in
but by prayers made to God, and prison under unbelief, and bound
their almighty God took them with the fetters of their sins, and
from me.
will conduct them to everlasting
life.
13 Who then is that Jesus of
Nazareth, that by his word hath
taken away the dead from me
without prayer to God?
14 Perhaps it is the same who
CHAP. XVI.
1 Christ's arrival at hell-gates; the confusion
thereupon. 19 He descends into hell.
1 John XI.
71
Christ arrives
A
NICODEMUS.
1
at hell-gates,
Satan and the name.y, holy Isaiah, spake in
prince of hell were dis- like manner to all the saints,
coursing thus to each other, on Did not I rightly prophesy to
a sudden there was a voice as of you, when I was alive on earth?
thunder and the rushing of 10 The dead men shall live,
winds, saying, Lift up your and they shall rise again who are
gates, O ye princes; and be ye in their graves, and they shall
lift up, O everlasting gates, and rejoice who are in earth; for
the King of Glory shall come in. the dew which is from the Lord,
shall bring deliverance to them.
11 And I said in another
place, O death, where is thy
victory? O death, where is thy
sting?
2 When the prince of hell
heard this, he said to Satan,
Depart from me, and begone out
of my habitations: if thou art a
powerful warrior, fight with the
King of Glory. But what hast
thou to do with him ?
12 When all the saints heard
these things spoken by Isaiah,
3 And he cast him forth from they said to the prince of hell,4
his habitations.
Open now thy gates, and take
away thine iron bars; for thou
wilt now be bound, and have no
power.
13 Then was there a great
voice, as of the sound of thun-
der, saying, Lift up your gates,
O princes; and be ye lifted up,
ye gates of hell, and the King of
Glory will enter in.
14 The prince of hell, per-
ceiving the same voice répeated,
cried out, as though he had been
ignorant, Who is that King of
Glory?
15 David replied to the prince
of hell, and said, I understand
the words of that voice, because
I spake them by his spirit. And
now, as I have above said, I say
unto thee, The Lord strong and
powerful, the Lord mighty in
8 For he hath broken the
gates of brass, and cut the bars
of iron in sunder. He hath taken battle; he is the King of Glory,
|
them because of their iniqui- and he is the Lord in heaven
ty, and because of their unright- | and in earth ;
rousness they are afflicted.
16 He hath looked down to
9 After this, another prophet,3 hear the groans of the prisoners,
ND while
4 And the prince said to his
impious officers, Shut the brass
gates of cruelty, and make them
fast with iron bars, and fight
courageously, lest we be taken
captives.
5 But when all the company
of the saints heard this, they
spake with a loud voice of anger
to the prince of hell,
6 Open thy gates, that the
King of Glory may come in.
7 And the divine prophet
David cried out, saying,2 Did
not I, when on earth, truly proph-
esy and say, O that men would
praise the Lord for his goodness,
and for his wonderful works to
the children of men !
·
Psalın xxiv 7, &c.
2 Psalın evii. 15, &e
3 Isaiah xxvi. 19.
4 Psalm xxi 7, &c.
72
and the confusion
NICODEMUS.
thereon
and to set loose those that are of the first rank, who ca. com.
appointed to death.1
mand in the form of a servant
as a common soldier?
17 And now, thou filthy and
stinking prince of hell, open
thy gates, that the King of Glo-
ry may enter in; for he is the
Lord of heaven and earth.
5 The King of Glory dead
and alive, though once slain
upon the cross?
6 Who layest dead in the
grave, and art come down alive
to us, and in thy death all the
creatures trembled, and all the
stars were moved, and now hast
thy liberty among the dead, and
givest disturbance to our legions?
7 Who art thou, who dost
18 While David was saying
this, the mighty Lord appeared
in the form of a man, and en-
lightened those places which had
ever before been in darkness,
19 And broke asunder the
fetters which before could not
be broken; and with his invin-release the captives that were
held in chains by original sin,
and bringest them into their
former liberty?
8 Who art thou, who dost
spread so glorious and divine a
light over those who were made
blind by the darkness of sin?
9 In like manner all the le-
gions of devils were seized with
MPIOUS death and her cru- the like horror, and with the
ese most out,
and said,
cible power visited those who sat
in the deep darkness by iniqui-
ty, and the shadow of death by
sin.2
CHAP. XVII.
1 Death and the devils in great horror at
Christ's coming. 13 He tramples on death,
seizes the prince of hell, and takes Adam
with him to heaven.
things, were seized with fear in
their several kingdoms, when
they saw the clearness of the
light,
2 And Christ himself on a
sudden appearing in their habi-
tations, they cried out, there-
fore, and said, We are bound
by thee; thou seemest to intend
our confusion before the Lord.
3 Who art thou, who hast no
signs of corruption, but that
bright appearance which is a full
proof of thy greatness, of which
yet thou seemest to take no no-
tice?
4 Who art thou, so powerful
and so weak, so great and so
little, a mean, and yet a soldier
1 Psalm cii. 19, 20.
10 Whence comes it, O thou
Jesus Christ, that thou art a
man so powerful and glorious in
majesty, so bright as to have no
spot, and so pure as to have no
crime? For that lower world
of earth, which was ever till
now subject to us, and from
whence we received tribute,
never sent us such a dead man
before, never sent such presents
as these to the princes of hell.
11 Who therefore art thou,
who with such courage enterest
among our abodes, and art not
only not afraid to threaten us
with the greatest punishments,
but also endeavourest to rescue
2 Luke i. 79
By
73
Hell greatly
NICODEMUS.
disturbea
all others from the chains in have now insu ted us, and we
which we hold them ?
are like to be defeated by their
prayers.
12 Perhaps thou art that Je-
sus, of whom Satan just now
spake to our prince, that by the
death of the cross thou wert
about to receive the power of
death.
5 Our impious dominions are
subdued, and no part of mankind
is now left in our subjection,
but
on the other hand, they all boldly
defy us;
6 Though, before, the dead
never durst behave themselves
insolently towards us, nor, being
prisoners, could ever on any oc-
casion be merry.
7 O Satan, thou prince of
all the wicked, father of the
impious and abandoned, why
wouldest thou attempt this ex-
ploit, seeing our prisoners were
hitherto always without the least
hopes of salvation and life?
8 But now there is not one
of them does ever groan, nor is
there the least appearance of a
tear in any of their faces.
9 O prince Satan, thou great
keeper of the infernal regions,
all thy advantages which thou
didst acquire by the forbidden
tree, and the loss of Paradise,
thou hast now lost by the wood
of the cross;
10 And thy happiness all then
expired, when thou didst crucify
Jesus Christ the King of Glory.
11 Thou hast acted against
thine own interest and mine, as
thou wilt presently perceive by
those large torments and infinite
punishments which thou
about to suffer.
al
I Then the King of Glory,
trampling upon death, seized
the prince of hell, deprived him
of all his power, and took our
earthly father Adam with him to
his glory.
CHAP. XVIII.
1 Beelzebub, prince of hell, vehemently up
braids Satan for persecuting Christ and
bringing him to hell. 14 Christ gives
Beelzebub dominion over Satan for ever,
as a recompense for taking away Adam
and his sons.
TH
THEN the prince of hell
took Satan, and with great
indignation said to him, O thou
prince of destruction, author of
Beelzebub's defeat and banish-
ment, the scorn of God's angels,
and loathed by all righteous per-
sons ! What inclined thee to
act thus ?
2 Thou wouldest crucify the
King of Glory, and by his de-
struction hast made us promises
of very large advantages, but as
a fool wert ignorant of what
thou wast about.
3 For behold now that Jesus
of Nazareth, with the brightness
of his glorious divinity, puts to
flight all the horrid powers of
darkness and death;
4 He has broke down our 12 O Satan, prince of all evil,
prisons from top to bottom, dis-author of death, and source of
missed all the captives, released all pride, thou shouldest first
all who were bound, and all who have inquired into the evil crimes
were wont formerly to groan un- of Jesus of Nazareth, and then
der the weight of their torments, tho wouldest have found that
NICODEMUS.
saints leave hell
5 I will extol thee, O Lord,
for thou hast lifted me up, and
13 Why didst thou venture, hast not made my foes to rejoice
without either reason or justice, over me.
O Lord my God, I
to crucify him, and hast brought cried unto thee, and thou hast
down to our regions a person in-healed me.
nocent and righteous, and there- 6 O Lord, thou hast brought
by hast lost all the sinners, im- up my soul from the grave; thou
pious and unrighteous persons in hast kept me alive, that I should
the whole world?
not go down to the pit.
7 Sing unto the Lord, all ye
saints of his, and give thanks at
the remembrance of his holiness
For his anger endureth but for
a moment; in his favour is life.
8 In like manner all the saints
prostrate at the feet of Jesus, said
with one voice, Thou art come,
O Redeemer of the world, and
hast actually accomplished all
CHAP. XIX.
Chriat takes Adam by the hand, the rest of
the saints join hands, and they all ascend things, which thou didst foretell
by the law and thy holy prophets.
with him to Paradise.
9 Thou hast redeemed the
living by thy cross, and art come
down to us, that by the death of
the cross thou mightest deliver
us from hell, and by thy power
from death.
Christ and the
he was guilty of no fault worthy
of death.
14 While the prince of hell
was thus speaking to Satan, the
King of Glory said to Beelzebub,
the prince of hell, Satan the
prince shall be subject to thy
dominion for ever, in the room
of Adam and his righteous sons,
who are mine.
HEN Jesus stretched forth
his hand, and said, Come
to me, all ye my saints, who
were created in my image, who
were condemned by the tree of
the forbidden fruit, and by the
devil and death;
T
2 Live now by the wood of
my cross; the devil, the prince
of this world, is overcome, and
death is conquered.
3 Then presently all the saints
were joined together under the
hand of the most high God; and
he Lord Jesus laid hold on
Adam's hand, and said to him,
Peace be to thee, and all thy
righteous posterity, which is mine.
10 O Lord, as thou hast put
the ensigns of thy glory in heav-
en, and hast set up the sign of
thy redemption, even thy cross,
on earth; so, Lord, set the sign
of the victory of thy cross in hell,
that death may have dominion
no longer.
11 Then the Lord, stretching
forth his hand, made the sign of
the cross upon Adam, and upon
all his saints,
4 Then Adam, casting him-
self at the feet of Jesus, address-by
ed himself to him with tears, in
humble language, and a loud
voice, saying,¹
1 Psalm xxx. 1, &c.
12 And taking hold of Adam
his right hand, he ascended
from hell, and all the saints of
God followed himn.
13 Then the royal prophet
David boldly cried out, and
#5
·Adam converses
NICODEMUS.
with Enoch, &:
said,¹ O sing unto the Lord a new 3 One of them answering,
song, for he hath done marvellous said, I am Enoch, who was
things; his right hand and his translated by the word of
holy arm hath gotten him the God ;5 and this man who is
victory.
with me, is Elijah the Tishbite,
14 The Lord hath made who was translated in a fiery
known his salvation, his righte- | chariot.6
ousness hath he openly shown in
the sight of the heathen.
15 And the whole multitude
of saints answered, saying,2 This
honour have all his saints, Amen,
Praise ye the Lord.
4 Here we have hitherto been,
and have not tasted death, but
are now about to return at the
coming of Antichrist, being arm
ed with divine signs and mira-
cles, to engage with him in battle,
and to be slain by him in Jeru..
salem, and to be taken up alive
again into the clouds, after three
days and a half.?
16 Afterwards, the prophet
Habakkuk³ cried out, and said,
Thou wentest forth for the sal-
vation of thy people, even for the
salvation of thy people.
4
5 ¶ And while the holy Enoch
and Elias were relating this, be-
hold there came another man
in a miserable figure, carrying
17 And all the saints said,
Blessed is he who cometh in the
name of the Lord; for the Lord
hath enlightened us. This is our the sign of the cross upon his
God for ever and ever; he shall
reign over us to everlasting ages,
Amen.
shoulders..
6 And when all the saints
saw him, they said to him, Who
18 In like manner all the pro-art thou? For thy countenance
phets spake the sacred things of is like a thief's; and why dost
his praise, and followed the Lord. thou carry a cross upon thy
shoulders?
CHAP. XX.
1 Christ delivers Adam to Michael the arch-
angel. 3 They meet Enoch and Elijah in
heaven, 5 and also the blessed thief, who
relates how he came to Paradise.
T
HEN the Lord, holding
8 And the Jews crucified me
Adam by the hand, deliv- with Jesus; and I observed the
ered him to Michael the archan- surprising things which happen-
gel; and he led them into Para-ed in the creation at the cruci-
fixion of the Lord Jesus,
dise, filled with mercy and glory.
2 And two very ancient 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 Paradise.
9 And I believed him to be
the Creator of all things, and the
Almighty King; and I prayed to
him, saying, Lord, remember me
when thou ce mest into thy king.
dom
1 Ps. xcviii. 1, &c
3 Ta. iii. 13.
7 To which he answering,
said, Ye say right, for I was a
thief, who committed all sorts of
wickedness upon earth.
2 Ps. cxlix. 2
4 Matt xxiii. 39
5 Gen. v. 24
7 Rev. xi. 11
6 2 Kings 11 11
76
The blessed
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.1
NICODEMUS.
11 And he gave me this 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, show
him the sign of the cross, and
say unto him, Jesus Christ, who
is now crucified, hath sent me
hither to thee.
12 When I did this, and told
the angel who is the guard of
Paradise 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
goodness, and the Father of
mercies, who hast shown 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.
thief's story
HESE are the divine and
T
sacred mysteries which we
saw and heard. I Charinus and
Lenthius are not allowed to de-
clare the other mysteries of God,
as the archangel Michael order-
ed us,
CHAP. XXI.
1 Charinus and Lenthius aeing only allowed
three days to remain on earth, 7 deliver in
their narratives, which miraculously corre-
spond; they vanish, 13 and Pilate records
thise transactions.
1 Luke xxiii. 43
2 Saying, Ye shall go with
my brethren to Jerusalem, and
shall continue in prayers, declar-
ing and glorifying the resurrec-
tion 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 per-
sons till the time come when the
Lord will allow you to relate the
mysteries of his divinity.
4 The archangel Michael fur-
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 pass-
over of our Lord with our par-
ents, and to bear our testimony
for Christ the Lord, and we have
been baptized in the holy river
of Jordan. And now they are
not seen by any one.
6 This is as inuch as God
allowed 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
7*
37
The Jews
NICODEMUS.
repint ana
Charinus gave what he wrote | Jews, and called together all the
nto the hands of Annas, and rulers and scribes, and doctors
Caiaphas, and Gamaliel.
of the law, and went with them
into a chapel of the temple,
2 And commanding that all
the gates should be shut, said to
them, I have heard that ye have
a certain large book in this tem-
ple; I desire you, therefore, that
it may be brought before me.
8 Lenthius likewise gave what
ne wrote into the hands of Nic-
odemus and Joseph; and imme-
diately they were changed into
exceeding 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 sur-
prising relations of Charinus
and Lenthius, 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
trembling, 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 con-
cerning Jesus, were presently
told by Joseph and Nicodemus
to the governor.
13 And Pilate wrote down all
these transactions, and placed all
these accounts in the public rec-
ords of his hall.
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 me.
4 Ye know all the things
which are written in that book
tell me therefore now, if ye in
the Scriptures have found any
thing of that Jesus whom ye
crucified, and at what time of
the world he ought to have
come: show 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 of the chapel,
and said to Pilate, Thou hast
made us to swear, O judge, by
the building of this temple, to
declare to thee that which is true
and right.
CHAP XXII.
riate goes to the temple; calls together the
rers, and scribes, and doctors. 2 Com-
mands 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,
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
A
after they put him to death, they examined. | large assembly in this temple.
8 And when we were deliber-
went to the temple of the | ating among one another abou
FTER these things, Pilate
78
acknowledge
NICODEMUS.
Christ.
the miracles which Jesus had thousand) years, Jesus Christ
was to come in the ark or taber-
nacle of a body;
wrought, we found many wit-
nesses of our own country, who
declared that they had seen him
alive after his death, and that
they heard him discoursing with
his disciples, and saw him as-rael.
cending unto the height of the
heavens, and entering into them;
9 And we saw 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 an-
nually 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 Mi-
chael the archangel is speaking
to the third son of Adam the
first man, an account that after
five thousand five hundred years,
Christ the most beloved Son of
God was to come on earth.
12 And we further consider-
ed, that perhaps he was the very
God of Israel who spake to Mo-
ses, 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 thereof, 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 per-
ceived and knew that in five
thousand years and half (one
Exod. xxv. 10
14 And so our Scriptures tes-
tify that he is the Son of God,
and the Lord and King of Is-
15 And because, after his suf-
fering, our chief priests were
surprised at the signs which
were wrought by his means, we
opened that book to search all
the generations down to the
generation of Joseph and Mary
the mother of Jesus, supposing
him to be of the 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
Abraham, nine hundred and
twelve. And from Abraham to
Moses, four hundred and thirty.
And from Moses to David the
king, five hundred and ten.
18 And from David to the
Babylonish captivity, five hun-
dred years. And from the Bab-
ylonish captivity to the incarna-
tion of Christ, four hundred
years.
19 The sum of all which
amounts to five thousand and
half (a thousand).
20 And so it appears that Je-
sus, whom we crucified, is Jesus
Christ the Son of God, and true
and Almighty God. Amen.
¶
In the name of the Holy
Trinity, thus end the Acts
of our Saviour Jesus Christ
79
THE APOSTLES' CREED.
which the Emperor Theodo-
sius the Great found at Jeru-
salem, in the hall of Pontius
Pilate, among the public rec-
ords; the things were acted
in the nineteenth year of Ti-
berius Cæsar, Emperor of the
Romans, and in the seventeenth
year of the government of
Herod, the son of Herod,
The APOSTLES' CREED.
771
It is affirmed by Ambrose, "that the twelve apostles, as skilful artificers, assem
bled together, and made a key by their common advice, that is, the Cree; by
which the darkness of the devil is disclosed, that the light of Christ may appear.
Others fable that every apostle inserted an article, by which the creed is divided
into twelve articles; and a sermon, fathered upon St. Austin, and quoted by the
Lord Chancellor King, fabricates that each particular article was thus inserted by
each particular apostle :—
king of Galilee, on the ghts
of the calends of April, which
is the twenty-third day of the
month of March, in
in the
ccnd Olympiad, when Joseph
and Caiaphas were rulers of
the Jews: being a History
written in Hebrew by Nicode-
mus of what happened after
our Saviour's crucifixion
"Peter.-1. I believe in God the Father Alınighty;
“John.-2. Maker of heaven and earth ;
"James.-3. And in Jesus Christ his only Sen, our Lord;
" Andrew.—4. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary ;
"Philip.-5. Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried;
"Thomas.-6. He descended into hell, the third day he rose again from the
dead;
Bartholomew.-7. He ascended into heaven, sitteth at the right hand of God
the Father Almighty;
'Matthew.-8. From thence shall he come to judge the quick and the dead;
"James, the son of Alpheus.-9. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy Catholic
Church }
"Simon Zelotes.-1C. The communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins;
"Jude, the brother of James.—11. The resurrection of the body;
"Matthias.-12. Life everlasting. Amen."2
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 the late critics of the Church
of Rome, Natalis Alexande3 Du Pin,4 &c., but yet more especially by Arch-
bishop Usher, Gerard Vossius,6 Suicer, Spanhemius,8 Tentzelius,9 and Sam
¹ Ambr. Opera, tom. iii. Serm.38, p.265.
King's Hist. Apost. Creed, 8vo. p.26.
a Nat. Alex. § i. vol. i. p. 490, &c.
Du Pin, Biblioth. Eccles. vol. i. p.
kế, &c.
Diatrib. de Symb.
Vos. Dissert. de tribus Symbolis
7 Suicer. Thesaur. Eccles. tom. ii.
Voce σúpboλov, p. 1086, &c.
8 Spanhem. Introd. ad Hist. Eccles
ii. c. 3.
§
9 E est. Tentzel. Exercit select. Ex
ercit.
·
80
THE APOSTLES' CREED.
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 apostles, St. Luke would have
passed it by, without taking the least notice of it; so the diversity of creeds ir
the ancient church, and that not only in expression, but in some whole articles too
sufficiently shows, that the Creed which we call by that name, was not composed
by the twelve apostles, much less in the same form in which it now is."2
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 ;" 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 existed before the
year 600, is not exactly known. The additions were probably made in opposition
to particular heresies and errors."
6
The most important " addition," since the year of Christ 600, is that which af-
firms, that Christ descended into hell. This has been proved not only to have
been an invention after the apostles' time, but even after the time of Eusebius.
Bishop Pearson says, that the descent into hell was not in the ncient creeds or
rules of faith. "It is not to be found in the rules of faith delivered by Irenæus,
by Origen, or by Tertullian. It is not expressed in those creeds which were
made by the councils as larger explications of the Apostles' Creed; not in the Ni-
cene, or Constantinopolitan; not in those of Ephesus, or Chalcedon; not in those
confessions made at Sardica, Antioch, Seleucia, Sirmium, &c. It is not mentioned
in several confessions of faith delivered by particular persons; not in that of Eu-
sebius Cæsariensis, presented to the council of Nice ;s not in that of Marcellus,
bishop of Ancyra, delivered to Pope Julius, not in that of Arius and Euzoius,
presented to Constantine ;10 not in that of Acacius, Bishop of Cæsarea, delivered
into the synod of Seleucia ;¹¹ not in that of Eustathius, Theophilus, and Silvanus,
sent to Liberius ;12 there is no mention of it in the creed of St. Basil ;13 in the
creed of Epiphanius,14 Gelasius, Damasus, 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 ;15 not in that other,16 attributed to
St. Augustine in another place; not in that expounded by Maximus Taurinensis;
nor in that so often interpreted by Petrus Chrysologus; nor in that of the church
of Antioch, delivered by Cassianus ;17 neither is it to be seen in the MS. creeds
set forth by the learned Archbishop of Armagh. It is affirmed by Ruffinus, that
in his time it was neither in the Roman nor the Oriental Creeds."18
1 Sam. Basnage, Exercit. Hist. Crit.
ad Ann. XLIV. num. 17, 18.
2 Wake's Apost. Fathers, 8vo. p. 103.
3 Mr.Justice Bailey's Common Prayer,
1813, p. 9.
4 Pearson on the Creed, fol. 1676, p.
225.
5 Lib. i. c. 2.
6 Lib. de Princip. in Prooem.
7 Advers. Praxeam. c. ii. Virgin. Ve-
land. 1.-De Præscript. advers. Hæres
c. 13.
~
8 Theodoret. I. 1. c. 2.
9 Epiphan. Hæres. 72.
10 Socrat. 1. 1. c. 19.
11 Ibid. 1. 2. c. 40.
12 Ibid. l. 4. c. 12.
13 Tract. de Fide in Ascet.
14 In Anchorat. c. 120.
15 De Fide et Symbolo.
16 De Symbolo ad Catechumenos,
17 De Incarnat. lib. 6.
18 Exposit. ir Symbol. Apost. § W.
91
As it stood Aa Dom. 600. Copied from Mr
Justice Bailey's Edition of the Book of
Common Prayer.
The APOSTLES' CREED,
Before the year 600, it was no more than
this."-Mr. Justice Bailey, p. 9. n.
1 I BELIEVE in God the Fa-
ther Almighty:
2 And i Jesus Christ his on-
ly begotten Son, our Lord;
3 Who was born of the Holy
Ghost and Virgin Mary,
4 And was crucified under
Pontius Pilate, and was buried;
5 And the third day rose
again from the dead,
6 Ascended into heaven, sit-
teth 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 esurrection of
ne flesh, Amen.
1
82
As it now stands in the Book of Common
Prayer of the United Church of England
and Ireland, as by law established.
1 I BELIEVE in God the Fa-
ther Almighty, 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 Pi-
late, was crucified, dead, and
buried;
5 He descended into hell;
6 The third day he rose again
from the dead :
7 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;
11 The forgiveness of sins;
12 The resurrection of the
body; and the life everlasting,
Amen.
1
The EPISTLE of PAUL the APOSTLF to the
LAODICEANS.
This Epistle has been highly esteemed by several learned men of the Ch arch of Rome, and
others. The Quakers have printed a translation, and plead for it, as the reader may see,
by consulting Poole's Annotations on 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 a Viridario, at Padua, which he transcribed and published; and
which is 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.]
He salutes the brethren; 3 exhorts them to
persevere in good works, 4 and not be moved to me to live shall be a life to
by vain speaking. 6 Rejoices in his bonds, Christ, to die will be joy.
10 and desires them to live in the fear of the
Lord.
9 And our Lord will grant us
his mercy, that ye may have the
same love, and be like-minded.
PAUL
AUL an Apostle, not of
men, neither by man, but
by Jesus Christ, to the brethren
which are at Laodicea.
2 Grace be to you, and peace
from God the Father, and our
Lord Jesus Christ.
3 I thank Christ in every
prayer of mine, that ye continue
and persevere in good works,
looking for that which is prom-
ised in the day of judgment.
10 Wherefore, my beloved, as
ye have heard of the coming of
the Lord, so think and act in
fear, and it shall be to you life
eternal;
am
11 For it is God, who work-
eth in you;
12 And do all things without
sin.
13 And 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, and true, and of good
report, and chaste, and just, and
lovely, these things do.
16 Those things which ye
have heard, and received, think
on these things, and peace shall
be with you.
17 All the saints salute you.
18 The grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Amen.
19 Cause this Epistle to be
read to the Colossians, and the
Epistle of the Colossians to be
4 Let not the vain speeches
of any trouble you, who pervert
the truth, that they may draw
you aside from the truth of the
gospel which I have preached.
5 And now may God grant,
that my converts may attain to a
perfect knowledge of the truth
of the gospel, be beneficent, and
doing good works which accom-
pany salvation.
6 And now my bonds, which
I suffer in Christ, are manifest,
in which I rejoice and
glad.
7 For know that this shall
turn to my salvation for ever,
which shall be through your
prayer, and the supply of the
Holy Spirit.
8 Whether I live or die; (for) | read among you.
83
The EPISTLES of PAUL the APOSTLE to SENECA
with SENECA'S to PAUL.
•
Several very learned writers have entertained a favourable opinion of these Epistles. They
are undoubtedly of high antiquity. Salmeron cites them to prove that Seneca was one of
Cæsar's household, referred to by Paul (Philip. iv. 22), as saluting the brethren at Philippi
In Jerome's enumeration of illustrious men, he places Seneca, on account of these Epistlus,
amongst the ecclesiastical and holy writers of the Christian church. Sixtus Senensis hap
published them in his Bibliotheque, p. 89, 90; and it is from thence that the present trans-
lation is made. Baronius, Bellarmine, Dr. Cave, Spanheim, and others, contend that they
are not genuine.]
CHAP. I.
ANNEUS SENECA to PAUL
Greeting.
SUPPOSE, Paul, that you
have been informed of that
conversation, which passed yes-
terday between me and my Lu-
cilius, concerning hypocrisy and
other subjects; for there were
some of your disciples in com-
pany with us;
2 For when we were retired
into the Sallustian gardens,
through which they were also
passing, and would have gone
another way, by our persuasion
they joined company with us.
3 I desire you to believe, that
we much wish for your conver-
sation ;
4 We were much delighted
with your book of many Epis-
tles, which you have wrote to
some cities and chief towns of
provinces, and contain wonder-
ful instructions for moral con-
duct:
5 Such sentiments, as I sup-
pose you were not the author of,
but only the instrument of con-
veying, though sometimes both
the author and the instru-
of those doctrines, and their
grandeur, that I suppose the
age of a man is scarce sufficient
to be instructed and perfected in
the knowledge of them. I wish
your welfare, my brother. Fare
well.
CHAP. II.
PAUL to SENECA Greeting.
I RECEIVED
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 in-
tended 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 per-
son.
4 I reckon myself very happy
in having the judgment of so
valuable a person, that you are
delighted with my Epistles:
5 For you would not be es-
teemed a censor, a philosopher,
or be the tutor of so great a
prince, and a master of every
thing, if you were not sincere.
I wish you a lasting pros◄
ment.
6 For such is the sublimity perity.
84
PAUL AND SENECA.
CHAP. III.
ANNEUS SENECA to PAUL
Greeting.
doned your former religion, and
made proselytes also of others,
you have this to plead, that your
HAVE completed some vol- acting thus proceeded not from
inconstancy, but judgment
umes, and divided them into
Farewell.
I
their proper parts.
2 I am determined to read
CHAP. VI.
them to Cæsar, and if any fa- PAUL to SENECA and LUCILIUS
vourable opportunity happens,
you also shall be present, when
they are read ;
3 But if that cannot be, I
will appoint and give you notice
of a day, when we will together
read over the performance.
Greeting.
Ch
ONCERNING 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
with safety, first to have your the other evidently declares
opinion of it, before I published
it to Cæsar, that you might be
convinced of my affection to
you. Farewell, dearest Paul.
4 I had determined, if I could
things.
2 Especially since I know
that there are near you, as well
as me, those who will under-
stand my meaning.
3 Deference is to be paid to
all men, and so much the more,
as they are more likely to take
occasions of quarrelling.
CHAP. IV.
A $
PAUL to SENECA Greeting.
S often as I read your let-
ters, I imagine you present
with me; nor indeed do I think
4 And if we show a submis-
any other, than that you are al-sive temper, we shall overcome
effectually in all points, if so be
ways with us.
they are, who are capable of
seeing and acknowledging them-
selves to have been in the
wrong. Farewell.
2 As soon therefore as you
begin to come, we shall present-
ly see each other. I wish you
all prosperity.
CHAP. V.
ANNEUS SENECA to PAUL
Greeting.
CHAP. VII.
ANNEUS SENECA to PAUL
Greeting.
E are very much con-
cerned at your too long
absence from us.
WE
I
PROFESS myself extreme-
ly pleased with the reading
your letter to the Galatians, Co
rinthians, and people of Achaia
2 What is it, or what affairs
are they which obstruct your
coming?
2 For the Holy Ghost has in
them by you delivered those
sentiments which are very lofty
3 If you fear the anger of
Cæsar, because you have ban-sublime, deserving of all respect
85
PAUL AND SENECA.
and beyond your own inven- contrary to his religion, and way
tion.
of worship; seeing he is a wor-
shipper of the heathen gods.
3 I know not what you par-
ticularly 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
showing 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 an-
gry be of any service to us:
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 maj-
esty.
4 And I must own, my broth-
er, that I may not at once dis-
honestly conceal any thing from
you, and be unfaithful to my
own conscience, that the empe-
ror is extremely pleased with the
sentiments of your Epistles ;
5 For when he heard the be-
ginning of them read, he de-
clared, That he was surprised
to find such notions in a person
who had not had a regular edu-
cation.
6 And if the empress act wor-
thy of her character, she will not
be angry; but if she act as a
woman, she will be affronted.
6 To which I replied, That | Farewell.
the Gods sometimes made use
of mean (innocent) persons to
speak by, and gave him an in-
stance of this in a mean country-
man, named Vatienus, who, when
he was in the country of Reate,
had two men appeared to him,
called Castor and Pollux, and
received a revelation from the
gods. Farewell.
CHAP. VIII.
PAUL to SENECA Greeting.
emperor is both an admirer
and favourer of our (religion),
vet give me leave to advise you
against your suffering any injury
(by showing favour to us).
2 I think indeed you ventured
upon a very dangerous attempt,
when you would declare (to the
emperor) that which is so very
CHAP. IX.
ANNEUS SENECA to PAUL
Greeting.
KNOW that my letter, where-
in I
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 froin their for-
mer manners and practices, that
I have always been surprised,
know the and have been fully convinced
of it by many arguments hereto-
fore.
3 Let us therefore begin afresh;
and if any thing heretofore has
been imprudently acted, do you
forg ve.
4 I have sent you a book de
copia verboruri. Farewell, dear
est Paul.
26
PAUL AND SENECA
CHAP. X.
Paul to Seneca Greeting.
As
S often as I write to you,
and place my name before
yours, I do a thing both disagree-
able to myself, and contrary to
our religion;
2 For I ought, as I have often
CHAP. XI.
ANNEUS SENECA to PAUL
Greeting.
A
LL happiness to you, my
dearest Paul.
2 If a person so great, so ev-
ery way agreeable as you are,
become not only a common, but
most intimate friend to me, how
happy will be the case of Seneca! |
3 You therefore, who are so
in the same that I am. Fare
well, dearest Paul. Dated the
xth of the calends of April, ir
the consulship of Aprianus and
Capito.
CHAP. XII.
ANNEUS SENECA to PAUL
Greeting.
sufferings?
all men, and to have that regard
to your quality, which the Roman
suppose I am extremely con-
law has honoured all senators cerned and grieved, that your
with; namely,to put my name last iocence should bring you into
in the (inscription of the) Epistle,
that I may not at length with
2 And that all the people
uneasiness and shame be obliged should suppose you (Christians)
to do that which it was always so criminal, and imagine all the
my inclination to do. Farewell, misfortunes that happen to the
most respected master. Dated city, to be caused by you?
the fifth of the calends of July,
in the fourth consulship of Nero
and Messala.
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
address to, till at length our mis
fortunes shall end in unalterable
happiness.
4 Lest I should suspect you
intend not so much to try me, as
to banter me; for you know
yourself to be a Roman citizen.
5 And I could wish to be in
that circumstance or station
which you are, and that you were
A
de resp pat you not
happiness to my
Paul. Do
4 Former ages have produced
(tyrants) Alexander the son of
Philip, and Dionysius; ours also
has produced Caius Cæsar;
whose inclinations were their
only laws.
5 As to the frequent burnings
all, even the greatest,do not think
yourself unfit to be first named
in the inscription of an Epistle;
eminent, and so far exalted above of the city of Rome, the cause
is manifest; and if a person in
my mean circumstances might
be allowed 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
87
PAUL AND SENECA
delights in murders and butch-] better manage the noble trust
eries, and disguises his villanies which is reposed in you.
with lies, is appointed to, or re-
served till, his proper time;
5 Farewell. Dated yth of the
nones of July, Leo and Savinus
consuls.
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
8 One hundred and 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.
CHAP. XIV.
PAUL to SENECA Greeting.
OUR serious consideration
all. YOUR
Y requited with those dis-
coveries, which the Divine Be-
ing has granted but to few.
2 I am thereby assured that I
sow the most strong seed in a
fertile soil, not any thing mate-
rial, which is subject to corrup
tion, but the durable word of
God, which shall increase and
bring forth fruit to eternity.
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
9 Dated the fifth of the ca-
lends of April, in the consulship
of Frigius and Bassus.
CHAP. XIII.
ANNEUS SENECA to PAUL
Greeting.
ALL happiness to you, my and Gentiles.
5 The things which you have
in some measure arrived to, pru-
dently make known to the em-
peror, his family, and to faithful
friends;
2 You have wrote many vol-
umes in an allegorical and mys-
tical style, and therefore such
mighty matters and business, be-
ing committed to you, require 6 And though your senti-
not to be set off with any rhetor-ments will seem disagreeable,
ical flourishes of speech, but only and not be comprehended by
with some proper elegance. them, seeing most of them will
not regard your discourses, yet
the Word of God, once infused
into them, will at length make
them become new men, aspiring
towards God.
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
7 Farewell, Seneca, who art
Dated on the
most dear to us.
calends of August, in the consul
ship of Leo and Savinus.
88
The ACTS of PAUL and THE LA.
Tertullian says that this piece was forged by a Presbyter of Asia, who, being cor ncter.
"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. Cyp
rian, Eusebius, Epiphanius, Austin, Gregory Nazianzen, Chrysostom, and Severus Sul
pitius, who all lived within the fourth century, mention Thecla, or refer to her history
Basil of Seleucia wrote her acts, sufferings, and victories, in verse; and Euagrius Scholas-
ticus, an ecclesiastical historian, about 590, relates that, "after the Emperor Zeno had ab.
dicated his empire, and Basilik had taken possession of it, he had a vision of the holy and
excellent martyr Thecla, who promised him the restoration of his empire; for which, when
it was brought about, he erected and dedicated a most noble and sumptuous temple to this
famous martyr Thecla, at Seleucia, a city of Isauria, and bestowed upon it very noble en-
dowments, which (says the author are preserved even till this day." Hist. Eccl. lib. 3,
cap. 8.-Cardinal Baronius, Locrinus, Archbishop Wake, and others, and also the learned
Grabe, who edited the Septuagint, and revived the Acts of Paul and Thecla, consider them
as having been written in the Apostolic age; as containing nothing superstitious, or disa-
greeing from the opinions and belief of those times; and, in short, as a genuine and authen
tic 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.]
The Martyrdom of the holy and
glorious first Martyr and
Apostle Thecla.
CHAP. I.
8
Demas and Hermogenes become Paul's com-
paniens. 4 Paul visits Onesíphorus.
Invited by Denias and Hermogenes. 11
Preaches to the household of Onesiphorus.
12 His sermon.
out speedily to meet him, to-
gether with his wife Lectra, and
his sons Simmia and Zeno, to
invite him to their house.
5 For Titus had given them
a description of Paul's person-
age, they as yet not knowing him
in person, but only being ac-
quainted with his character.
W
HEN Paul went up to 6 They went in the king's
Iconium, after his flight highway to Lystra, and stood
from Antioch, Demas and Her- there waiting for him, comparing
mogenes became his compan- all who passed by, with that de-
ions, who were then full of hy-scription which Titus had given
pocrisy.
them.
2 But Paul, looking only at
the goodness of God, did them
no harm, but loved them greatly.
3 Accordingly he endeavour-
ed to make agreeable to them
all the oracles and doctrines of
Christ, and the design of the
gospel of God's well-beloved Son,
7 At length they saw a man
coming (namely, Paul), of a low
stature, bald (or shaved) on the
head, crooked thighs, handsome
legs, hollow-eyed; had a crooked
nose; full of grace; for some-
times he appeared as a man,
sometimes he had the counte
instructing them in the knowl-nance of an angel. And Paul
edge of Christ, as it was revealed
to him.
saw Onesiphorus, and was glad.
8 ¶ And Onesiphorus said.
Hail, thou servant of the blessed
4 ¶ And a certain man nam-
ed Onesiphorus, hearing that God. Paul replied, The grace o
Paul was come to Iconium, went
God be with thee and thy famil▾
8*
89
Paul's
9 But Demas and Hermogenes
were moved with envy,and under
a show of great religion, Demas
said, And are not we also ser-
vants of the blessed God? Why
didst thou not salute us?
PAUL AND THECLA.
10 Onesiphorus replied, Be-
cause I have not perceived in
you the fruits of righteousness;
nevertheless, if ye are of that
sort, ye shall be welcome to my
house also.
11 Then Paul went into the
house of Onesiphorus, and there
was great joy among the family
on that account; and they em-
ployed themselves in prayer,
breaking of bread, and hearing
Paul preach the word of God
concerning temperance and the
resurrection, in the following
manner:
12 ¶ Blessed are the pure in
heart; for they shall see God.
13 Blessed are they who keep
their flesh undefiled (or pure);
for they shall be the temples of
God.
14 Blessed are the temperate
(or chaste); for God will reveal
himself to them.
15 ¶ Blessed are they who
abandon their secular enjoy-
ments; for they shall be accept-
ed of God.
16 Blessed are they who have
wives, as though they had them
not; for they shall be made an-
gels of God.
17 Blessed are they who trem-
ble at the word of God; for they
shall be comforted.
18 Blessed are they who keep
their baptism pure; for they shall
find peace with the Father, Son,
and Holy Ghost.
preaching
19 ¶ Blessed are they who
pursue the wisdom (or doctrine)
of Jesus Christ; for they shall be
called the sons of the Most High.
20 Blessed are they who ob
serve the instructions of Jesus
Christ; for they shall dwell in
eternal light.
21 Blessed are they, who for
the love of Christ abandon the
glories of the world; for they
shall judge angels, and be placed
at the right hand of Christ, and
shall not suffer the bitterness of
the last judgment.
22 ¶ Blessed are the bodies
and souls of virgins; for they
are acceptable to God, and shall
not lose the reward of their vir-
ginity; for the word of their
(heavenly) Father shall prove
effectual to their salvation in the
day of his Son, and they shall
enjoy rest for evermore.
CHAP. II.
1 Thecla listens anxiously to Paul's preach-
ing. 5 Thamyris, her admirer, concerts
with Theoclia, her mother, to dissuade her,
12 in vain. 14 Demas and Hermogenes
vilify Paul to Thamyris.
W
HILE Paul was preach-
ing this sermon in the
church which was in the house
of Onesiphorus, a certain virgin
named Thecla (whose mother's
name was Theoclia, and who
was betrothed to a man named
Thamyris) sat at a certain win-
dow in her house,
2 From whence, by the ad-
vantage of a window in the house
where Paul was, she both night
and day heard Paul's sermons
concerning God, concerning
charity, concerning faith in
Christ, and concerning prayer
90
Thecla admires
PAUL AND THECLA. Paul's preaching
.
3 Nor would she depart from | web, fastened to the window, is
.he window, till with exceeding captivated by the discourses of
Soy she was subdued to the doc- Paul, and attends upon them
trines of faith.
with prodigious eagerness, and
vast delight; and thus, by attend-
ing on what he says, the young
woman is seduced. Now then
do you go, and speak to her, for
she is betrothed to you.
9 Accordingly Thamyris went
and having saluted her, and tak-
ing care not to surprise her, he
said, Thecla, my spouse, why
sittest thou in this melancholy
posture? What strange impres-
sions are made upon thee? Turn
to Thamyris, and blush.
• 10 Her mother also spake to
her after the same manner,
and
said, Child, why dost thou sit so
melancholy, and, like one aston-
ished, makest no reply?
11 Then they wept exceed-
ingly; Thamyris, that he had
lost his spouse; Theoclia, that
she had lost her daughter; and
the maids, that they had lost
their mistress; and there was
4 At length, when she saw
many women and virgins going
in to Paul, she earnestly desired
that she might be thought wor-
thy to appear in his presence,
and hear the word of Christ; for
she had not yet seen Paul's per-
son, but only heard his sermons,
and that alone.
5 ¶ But when she would not
be prevailed upon to depart from
the window, her mother sent to
Thamyris, who came with the
greatest pleasure, as hoping now
to marry her. Accordingly, he
said to Theoclia, Where is my
Thecla ?
6 Theoclia replied, Thamy-
ris,I have something very strange
to tell you; for Thecla, for the
space of three days, will not move
from the window, not so much
as to eat or drink, but is so in-
tent in hearing the artful and
delusive discourses of a certain a universal mourning in the
foreigner, that I perfectly admire, | family.
Thamyris, that a young woman
of her known modesty, will suf-
fer herself to be so prevailed
up n.
12 But all these things made
no impression upon Thecla, so
as to incline her so much as to
turn to them, and take notice of
them; for she still regarded the
discourses of Paul.
For that man has disturbed
he whole city of Iconium, and
avn your Thecla among others.
All the women and young men
flo k to him to receive his doc-
*ne; who, besides all the rest,
tells them, that there is but one
but one
God, who alone is to be worship-
ped, and that we ought to live
in chastity.
-
8¶ Notwithstanding this, my
laughter Thecla, like a spider's
13 Then Thamyris ran forth
into the street, to observe who
they were that went in to Paul,
and came out from him; and he
saw two men engaged in a very
warm dispute, and said to them,
14 ¶ Sirs, what business have
you here? and who is that man
within, belonging to you, who
deludes the minds of men, both
91
betrayed
15 I promise to give you a
considerable sum, if ye will give
me a just account of him; for I
am the chief person of this city.
and said, Let him be brought
before the governor Castellius,
as one who endeavours to per-
suade the people into the new
religion of the Christians, and
he, according to the order of
Cæsar, will put him to death, by
which means you will obtain
your wife;
16 Demas and Hermogenes
replied, We cannot so exactly 5 While we at the same time
tell who he is, but this we know, will teach her, that the resurrec
that he deprives young men of tion which he speaks of, is al-
their (intended) wives, and vir- ready come, and consists in our
gins of their (intended) hus- having children; and that we
bands, by teaching, There can then arose again, when we came
be no future resurrection, unless to the knowledge of God.
ye continue in chastity, and do
not defile your flesh.
6 Thamyris having this ac-
count from them, was filled with
hot resentment ;
Paul is
young men and virgins, persuad-
ing them, that they ought not
to marry, but continue as they
are?
PAUL AND THECLA.
CHAP. III.
1 They betray Paul. 7 Thamyris arrests him
with officers.
THEN said Thamyris, Come
along with me to my house,
and refresh yourselves. So they
went to a very splendid enter-
tainment, where there was wine
in abundance, and very rich pro-
vision.
7 And rising early in the
morning, he went to the house
of Onesiphorus, attended by the
magistrates, the jailer, and a
great multitude of people with
staves, and said to Paul,
8 Thou hast perverted the
city of Iconium, and, among the
rest, Thecla, who is betrothed
to me, so that now she will not
marry me. Thou shalt therefore
go with us to the governor Cas-
tellius.
9 And all the multitude cried
out, Away with this impostor
(magician), for he has perverted
the minds of our wives, and all
the people hearken to him.
2 They were brought to a ta-
ble richly spread, and made to
drink plentifully by Thamyris,
on account of the love he had
for Thecla, and his desire to
niarry her.
3 Then Thamyris said, I de-
sire you would inform me what
the doctrines of this Paul are,
that I may understand them;
for I am under no small concern
about Thecla, seeing she so de-
lights in that stranger's dis-
courses, that I am in danger of
losing my intended wife.
HEN Thamyris, standing
before the governor's judg
4 Then Demas and Her-ment-seat, spake with a loud
mogen es answered both together, voice in the following manner
CHAP. IV.
1 Paul accused before the governor by The
myris. 5 Defends himself. 9 Is committed
to prison, 10 and visited by Thecla.
92
und
PAUL AND THECLA.
prisoned
2 ( governor, I know not this, he ordered Paul to be
whence this man cometh; but bound, and to be put in prison,
he is one who teaches that matri- till he should be more at leisure
mony is unlawful. Command to hear him more fully.
him therefore to declare before
you for what reasons he pub-
lishes such doctrines.
3 While he was saying thus,
Demas and Hermogenes (whis-
pered to Thamyris, and) said,
Say that he is a Christian, and
he will presently be put to death.
4 But the governor was more
deliberate, and calling to Paul,
he said, Who art thou? What
dost thou teach? They seem to
lay gross crimes to thy charge.
5 Paul then spake with a loud
voice, saying, As I am now called
to give an account, O governor,
of my doctrines, I desire your
audience.
6 That God, who is a God of
vengeance, and who stands in
need of nothing but the salvation
of his creatures, has sent me to
reclaim them from their wicked-
ness and corruptions, from all
(sinful) pleasures, and from
death; and to persuade them to
sin no more.
10 But in the night, Thecla,
taking off her ear-rings, gave
them to the turnkey of the pris-
on, who then opened the doors
to her, and let her in;
11 And when she made a
present of a silver looking-glass
to the jailer, was allowed to go
into the room where Paul was;
then she sat down at his feet,
and heard from him the great
things of God.
12 And as she perceived Paul
not to be afraid of suffering, but
that by divine assistance he be-
haved himself with courage, her
faith so far increased, that she
kissed his chains.
7 On this account, God sent
his Son Jesus Christ, whom I
preach, and in whom I instruct
men to place their hopes, as that
person who only had such com-
passion on the deluded world,
that it might not, O governor,
be condemned, but have faith, |
the fear of God, the knowledge
of religion, and the love of truth.
8 So that if I only teach those
things which I have received by
revelation from God, where is
my crime?
9 When the governor heard
CHAP. V.
1 Thecla sought and found by her relations
4 Brought with Paul before the governor
9 Ordered to be burnt, and Paul to be
whipped. 15 Thecla miraculously saved.
T
length Thecla was miss-
ed, and sought for by the
family and by Thamyris in every
street, as though she had been
lost; till one of the porter's fel-
low-servants told them, that she
had gone out in the night time.
2 Then they examined the
porter, and he told them, that
she was gone to the prison to the
strange man.
3 They went therefore accord
ing to his direction, and there
found her; and when they came
out, they got a mob together,
and went and told the governor
all that happened.
4 Upon which he ordered
93
Thecla saved
Paul to be brought before his
judgment-seat.
PAUL AND THECLA.
miraculously
upon the multitude, she saw the
Lord Jesus in the likeness of
Paul, and said to herself, Paul is
come to see me in my distressed
circumstances. And she fixed
her eyes upon him; but he in-
stantly ascended up to heaven,
while she looked on him.
6 When Paul was brought
thither, the mob with more vehe-
mence cried out, He is a magi-
cian; let him die.
13 Then the young men and
women brought wood and straw
for the burning of Thecla; who
being brought naked to the
stake, extorted tears from the
governor, with surprise at be-
holding the greatness of her
beauty.
7 Nevertheless, the governor
attended with pleasure upon 14 And when they had placed
Paul's discourses of the holy the wood in order, the people
works of Christ; and, after a commanded her to go upon it;
council called, he summoned which she did, first making the
Thecla, and said to her, Why sign of the cross.
do you not, according to the law
of the Iconians, marry Tha-
myris?
15 Then the people set fire
to the pile; though the flame
was exceeding large, it did not
8 She stood still, with her touch her; for God took com-
eyes fixed upon Paul; and find-passion on her, and caused a
ing she made no reply, Theoclia great eruption from the earth
her mother cried out, saying, Let | beneath, and a cloud from above
the unjust creature be burnt; let to pour down great quantities of
her be burnt in the midst of the rain and hail,
theatre, for refusing Thamyris,
that all women may learn from
her to avoid such practices.
16 Insomuch that by the rup-
ture of the earth, very many
were in great danger, and some
9 Then the governor was ex- were killed, the fire was extin-
ceedingly concerned, and order-guished, and Thecla preserved.
ed Paul to be whipped out of the
city, and Thecla to be burnt.
CHAP. VI.
10 So the governor arose, and 1 Paul with Onesiphorus in a cave.
went immediately into the thea-
tre; and all the people went forth
to see the dismal sight.
11 But Thecla, just as a lamb
in the wilderness looks every
way to see his shepherd, looked
around for Paul;
12 And as she was looking
5 Thecla in the mean time
lay wallowing on the ground, in
the prison, in that same place
where Paul had sat to teach her;
upon which the governor also
ordered her to be brought before
his judgment-seat; which sum-
mons she received with joy, and
went.
7 Thecla
discovers Paul; 12 Proffers to follow him:
13 he exhorts her not, for fear of fornication.
IN
N the mean time Paul, to-
gether with. Onesiphorus, his
wife and children, was keeping
a fast in a certain cave which
was in the road from Iconium to
Daphne.
2 And when they had fasted
94
Thecla
PAUL AND THECLA.
visits Paur
for several days, the children | tire affection to each other; Paul,
said to Paul, Father, we are Cnesiphorus, and all tha' were
ingry, and have not where- with them being filled with joy.
withal to buy bread; for Onesi- 11 They had five loaves, some
phorus had left all his substance, herbs, and water, and they sc
to follow Paul with his family. aced each other in reflections
upon the holy works of Christ.
3 Then Paul, taking off his
coat, said to the boy, Go, child,
an buy bread, and bring it
hither.
12 Then said Thecla to Paul
If you be pleased with it, I will
follow you whithersoever you go.
13 He replied to her, Persons
4 But while the boy was buy-
ing the bread, he saw his neigh-are now much given to fornica
bour Thecla; and was surprised, tion, and you being handsome, I
and said to her, Thecla, Where am afraid lest you should meet
are you going?
with greater temptation than the
former, and should not with-
stand, but be overcome by it.
14 Thecla replied, Grant me
only the seal of Christ, and no
temptation shall affect me
15 Paul answered, Thecla,
5 She replied, I am in pursuit
of Paul, having been delivered
from the flames.
6 The boy then said, I will
bring you to him, for he is under
great concern on your account,
and has been in prayer and fast-wait with patience, and you shall
ing these six days.
receive the gift of Christ.
7 When Thecla came to
the cave, she found Paul upon
his knees praying, and saying,
O holy Father, O Lord Jesus
Christ, grant that the fire may
not touch Thecla; but be her
helper, for she is thy servant.
8 Thecla then, standing be-
hind him, cried out in the fol-
lowing words: O sovereign Lord,
Creator of heaven and earth, the | Antioch;
Father of thy beloved and holy
Son, I praise thee that thou hast
preserved me from the fire, to
see Paul again.
9 Paul then arose, and when
he saw her, said, O God, who
searchest the heart, Father of
my Lord Jesus Christ, I praise
thee that thou hast answered my
prayer.
10
CHAP. VII.
Paul and Thecla go to Antioch. 2 Alexan-
der, a magistrate, falls in love with Thecla,
4 kisses her by force: 5 she resists him:
6 is carried before the governor, and con-
demned to be thrown to wild beasts.
TH
HEN Paul sent back One-
siphorus and his family to
their own home, and taking
Thecla along with him, went for
2 And as soon as they came
into the city, a certain Syrian,
named Alexander, a magistrate
in the city, who had done many
considerable services for the city
during his magistracy, saw Thec
la, and fell in love with her
and endeavoured by many rich
presents to engage Paul in his
interest.
And there prevailed 3 But Paul told him, I know
among then in the cave an en- not the woman of whom you
95
Thecla resists
PAUL AND THECLA.
Alexander,
speak, nor does she belong to
me.
4 But he, being a person of
great power in Antioch, seized
who would entertain her; upon
which a certain very rich widow,
named Trifina, whose daughter
was lately dead, desired that she
her in the street, and kissed her,|might have the keeping of her;
and she began to treat her in
her house as her own daughter.
which Thecla would not bear,
but looking about for Paul, cried
out in a distressed loud tone,
Force me not, who am a stran-
ger; force me not, who am a
servant of God; I am one of
the principal persons of Iconi-
um, and was obliged to leave
that city, because I would not
be married to Thamyris.
3 At length a day came, when
the beasts were to be brought
forth to be seen; and Thecla
was brought to the ampitheatre,
and put into a den, in which was
an exceeding fierce she-lion, in
the presence of a multitude of
spectators.
5 Then she laid hold on
Alexander, tore his coat, and
took his crown off his head, and
made him appear ridiculous be-
fore all the people.
6 But Alexander, partly as
he loved her, and partly being
ashamed of what had been done,
led her to the governor, and
upon her confession of what she
had done,' he condemned her
to be thrown among the beasts.
4 Trifina, without any sur-
prise, accompanied Thecla, and
the she-lion licked the feet of
Thecla. The title written which
denotes her crime was, Sacri-
lege. Then the women cried
out, O God, the judgments of
this city are unrighteous.
5 After the beasts had been
shown, Trifina took Thecla
home with her, and they went
to bed; and behold, the daugh-
ter of Trifina, who was dead,
appeared to her mother, and
said, Mother, let the young wo-
man, Thecla, be reputed by you
as your daughter in my stead;
WHICH when the people and desire her that she would
saw, they said,
pray for me, that I may be
translated to a state of happiness.
ments passed in this city are un-
Just. But Thecla desired the
favour of the governor, that her
chastity might not be attacked,
but preserved till she should be
cast to the beasts.
CHAP. VIII.
2 Tuecla entertained by Trifina, 3 brought
out to the wild beasts: 4 a she-lion licks
- her feet. 5 a vision of her
deceased daughter, adopts Thecla, 11 who
is taken to the amphitheatre again.
2 The governor then inquired,
There being somewhat wanting here in
the old Greek MS., it is supplied out of
the old Latin version, which is in the
Bodleian Library, Cod. Dig. 39, rather
than out of Simeon Metaphrastes, a
writer of the eleventh century.
6 Upon which Trifina, with a
mournful air, said, My daughter
Falconilla has appeared to me,
and ordered me to receive you
in her room; wherefore I desire,
Thecla, that you would pray for
my daughter, that sne may be
translated into a state of happi-
ness, and to life eternal.
7 When Thecla heard this,
she immediately prayed to the
96
and thrown to
PAUL AND THECLA.
wild beasts
Lord, and said, O Lord God of ple cried out, Bring in the crim
heaven and earth, Jesus Christ, inal.
thou Son of the Most High,
grant that her daughter Falco-
nilla may live for ever. Trifina,
hearing this, groaned again, and
said, O unrighteous judgments,
O unreasonable wickedness! that
such a creature should (again)
be cast to the beasts!
8 ¶ On the morrow, at break
of day, Alexander came to Tri-
fina's house, and said, The gov-
ernor and the people are waiting;
bring the criminel forth.
9 But Trifina ran in so vio-
lently upon him, that he was
affrighted, and ran away. Tri-
fina was one of the royal family;
and she thus expressed her sor-
row, and said, Alas! I have
trouble in my house on two ac-
counts, and there is no one who
will relieve me, either under the
loss of my daughter, or my being
unable to save Thecla.. But
now, O Lord God, be thou the
helper of Thecla thy servant.
10 While she was thus en-
gaged, the governor sent one of
his own officers to bring Thecla.
Trifina took her by the hand,
and, going with her, said, I went
with Falconilla to her grave, and
now must go with Thecla to the
beasts.
II When Thecla heard this,
she weeping prayed, and said,
O Lord God, whom I have made
my confidence and refuge, re-
ward Trifina for her compassion
to me, and preserving my chas-
tity.
12 Upon this there was a
great noise in the amphitheatre;
the beasts roared, and the peo-
13 But the women cried out,
and said, Let the whole city
suffer for such crimes; and order
all of us, O governor, to the same
punishment. O unjust judg
ment! O cruel sight!
14 Others said, Let the whole
city be destroyed for this vile
action. Kill us all, O governor.
O cruel sight! O unrighteous
judginent!
CHAP. IX.
1 Thecla thrown naked to the wild beasts; 2
they all refuse to attack her: 8 throws her-
10 Other wild
self into a pit of water.
beasts refuse her. 11 Tied to wild bulls.
13 Miraculously saved. 21 Released. 24
Entertained by Trifina.
-
TE
THEN Thecia was taken out
of the hands of Trifina,
stripped naked, had a girdle put
on, and thrown into the place
appointed for fighting with the
beasts: and the lions and the
bears were let loose upon her.
2 But a she-lion, which was
of all the most fierce, ran to
Thecla, and fell down at her
feet. Upon which the multitude
of women shouted aloud.
3 Then a she-bear ran fiercely
towards her; but the she-lion
met the bear, and tore it in
pieces.
4 Again, a he-lion, who had
been wont to devour men, and
which belonged to Alexander,
ran towards her; but the she-
lion encountered the he-lion, and
they killed each other.
5 Then the women were un-
der a greater concern, because
the she-lion, which had helpea
Thecla, was dead.
6 Afterwards they brought
9
97
The beasts refuse PAUL AND THECLA. to destroy The‹‚a
out many other wild beasts; but asleep, and did not touch
Thecla stood with her hands Thecla.
stretched towards heaven, and
prayed; and when she had done
praying, she turned about, and
saw a pit of water, and said,
Now it is a proper time for me
to be baptized.
7 Accordingly she threw her-
self into the water, and said, In 12 Then they put a cord
thy name, O my Lord Jesus round Thecla's waist, which
Christ, I am this last day bap-bound also her feet, and with it
tized. The women and the tied her to the bulls, to whose
people, seeing this, cried out, privy parts they applied red-hot
and said, Do not throw yourself irons, that so they, being the
into the water. And the gov- more tormented, might more
ernor himself cried out, to violently drag Thecla about, till
think that the fish (sea-calves) they had killed her.
were like to devour so much
beauty.
8 Notwithstanding all this,
Thecla threw herself into the
water in the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ.
13 The bulls accordingly tore
about, making a most hideous
noise; but the flame which was
about Thecla, burnt off the
cords which were fastened to
the members of the bulls, and
she stood in the middle of the
stage, as unconcerned as if she
had not been bound.
9 But the fish (sea-calves),
when they saw the lightning and
âre, were killed, and swam dead
upon the surface of the water,
and a cloud of fire surrounded
Thecla; so that as the beasts
could not come near her, so the
people could not see her naked-
ness.
11 Whereupon Alexander said
to the governor, I have some
very terrible bulls; let us bind
her to them. To which the
governor, with concern, repli-
ed, You may do what you
think fit.
14 But in the mean time Tri-
fina, who sat upon one of the
benches, fainted away and died;
upon which
which the whole city
was under a very great con-
cern.
15 And Alexander himself
10 Yet they turned other
wild beasts upon her; upon was afraid, and desired the gov◄
which they made a very mourn- ernor, saying, I entreat you,
ful outcry; and some of them take compassion on me and the
scattered spikenard, others cas-city, and release this woman,
sia, others amomus (a sort of who has fought with the beasts;
spikenard, or the herb Jerusa- lest both you and I, and the
lem, or ladies' rose), others oint- whole city, be destroyed :
ment; so that the quantity of
ointment was large, in proportion
to the number of people; and
upon this all the beasts lay as
though they had been fast
16 For if Cæsar should have
any account of what has passed
now, he will certainly immedi-
ately destroy the city, because
Trifina, a person of royal ex
98
Thecla is
PAUL AND THECLA.
released.
tract, and a reiation of his, is one God, who hath delivered
dead upon her seat.
17 Upon this the governor
called Thecla from among the
beasts to him, and said to her,
Who art thou? and what are
thy circumstances, that not
one of the beasts will touch
thee?
18 Thecla replied to him, I
am a servant of the living God;
and as to my state, I am a be-
liever on Jesus Christ his Son,
in whom God is well pleased;
and for that reason none of the
beasts could touch me.
19 He alone is the way to
eternal salvation, and the foun-
dation of eternal life. He is a
refuge to those who are in dis-
tress; a support to the afflicted,
hope and defence to those who
are hopeless; and in a word, all
those who do not believe on him,
shall not live, but suffer eternal
death.
20 ¶ When the governor
heard these things, he ordered
her clothes to be brought, and
said to her, Put on your clothes.
21 Thecla replied: May that
God who clothed me when I was
naked among the beasts, in the
day of judgment clothe your soul
with the robe of salvation. Then
she took her clothes and put
them on; and the governor im-
mediately published an order in
these words: I release to you
Thecla the servant of God.
22 Upon which the women
all cried out together with a
loud voice, and with one accord
gave praise unto God, and said,
There is but one God, who
is the God of Thecla; the
Thecla.
23 So loud were their voices,
that the whole city seemed to
be shaken; and Trifina herself
heard the glad tidings, and arose
again, and ran with the multi-
tude to meet Thecla; and em-
bracing her, said, Now I believe
there shall be a resurrection of
the dead; now I am persuaded
that my daughter is alive. Come
therefore home with me, my
daughter Thecla, and I will
make over all that I have to you.
24 So Thecla went with Tri-
fina, and was entertained there
a few days, teaching her the
word of the Lord, whereby
many young women were con-
verted; and there was great joy
in the family of Trifina.
25 But Thecla longed to see
Paul, and inquired and sent
every where to find him; and
when at length she was informed
that he was at Myra in Lycia,
she took with her many young
men and women; and putting
on a girdle, and dressing herself
in the habit of a man, she went
to him to Myra in Lycia, and
there found Paul preaching the
word of God; and she stood by
him among the throng.
CHAP. X.
1 Thecla visits Paul, 6 visits Onesiphorus, 8
visits her mother, 9 who repulses her. 12
Is tempted by the devil. 16 Works miracles.
UT it was no small surprise
to Paul, when he saw her
and the people with her; for he
imagined some fresh trial was
coming upon them;
BUT
2 Which when Thecla per
ceived, she said to him, I have
99
Thecla
PAUL AND THECLA
visits Pau.
been baptized, O Paul; for he you by me; if you want your
|
who assists you in preaching, daughter again, here I am.
has assisted me to baptize.
9 These and
many other
things she represented to her
mother, (endeavouring) to per-
suade her (to her own opinion).
But her mother Theoclia gave
no credit to the things which
were said by the martyr Thecla;
3 Then Paul took her, and
led her to the house of Hermes;
and Thecla related to Paul all
that had befallen her in Antioch,
insomuch that Paul exceedingly
wondered, and all who heard
were confirmed in the faith, and
prayed for Trifina's happiness.
4 Then Thecla arose, and
said to Paul, I am going to Ico-
nium. Paul replied to her, Go
and teach the word of the Lord.
10 So that Thecla, perceiving
she discoursed to no purpose,
signing her whole body with
the sign (of the cross), left the
house, and went to Daphne; and
when she came there, she went
to the cave, where she had found
Paul with Onesiphorus, and fell
down upon the ground, and
wept before God.
11 When she departed thence,
she went to Seleucia, and en-
lightened many in the knowledge
of Christ.
5 But Trifina had sent large
sums of money to Paul, and also
clothing by the hands of Thecla,
for the relief of the poor.
6 ¶ So Thecla went to Ico-
nium. And when she came to
the house of Onesiphorus, she
fell down upon the floor where
Paul had sat and preached, and
mixing tears with her prayers,
she praised and glorified God in
the following words:
12 And a bright cloud con-
ducted her in the journey.
13 And after she had arrived
at Seleucia, she went to a place
7 O Lord the God of this out of the city, about the dis-
house, in which I was first en-tance of a furlong, being afraid
lightened by thee; O Jesus, Son of the inhabitants, because they
of the living God, who was my were worshippers of idols.
helper before the governor, my
helper in the fire, and my
helper among the beasts; thou
alone art God for ever and ever.
Amen.
14 And she was led (by the
cloud) into a mountain called
Calamon, or Rodeon. There she
abode many years, and underwent
a great many grievous temptations
of the devil, which she bore in
a becoming manner, by the assist-
ance which she had from Christ.
8¶ Thecla now (on her re-
turn) found Thamyris dead, but
her mother living. So, calling
her mother, she said to her:
Theoclia, my mother, is it possi-
ble for you to be brought to a
belief, that there is but one
Lord God, who dwells in the
heavens? If you desire great
ches, God will give them to
15 At length certain gentle-
women, hearing of the virgin
Thecla, went to her, and were
instructed by her in the oracles
of God, and many of them aban-
doned this world, and led a mo
nastic life with her.
100
Escapes
16 Hereby a good report was
spread every where of Thecla,
and she wrought several (mi-
raculous) cures, so that all the
city and adjacent countries
brought their sick to that moun-
tain, and before they came as
far as the door of the cave, they
were instantly cured of whatso-
ever distemper they had.
PAUL AND THECLA
defilement
3 (For they thus concluded
among themselves, that if they
be able to debauch her, the gods
will no more regard her, nor
Diana cure the sick for her.)
4 They proceeded according
to this resolution, and the fel-
lows went to the mountain, and
as fierce as lions to the cave,
knocking at the door.
17 The unclean spirits were
cast out, making a noise; all re-
ceived their sick made whole, and
glorified God, who had bestowed
such power on the virgin Thecla;
business?
5 The holy martyr Thecla,
relying upon the God in whom
she believed, opened the door,
although she was before appriz-
ed of their design, and said to
18 Insomuch that the physi- them, Young men, what is your
cians of Seleucia were now of
no more account, and lost all 6 They replied, Is there any
the profit of their trade, because one within, whose name is Thec-
no one regarded them; upon la ? She answered, What
which they were filled with envy, would you have with her? They
and began to contrive what said, We have a mind to lie
methods to take with this servant with her.
of Christ.
CHAP. XI.
1 Is attempted to be ravished, 12 escapes by
a rock opening, 17 and closing miracu-
lously.
HE devil then suggested
7 The blessed Thecla an-
swered Though I am a mean
old woman, I am the servant of
my Lord Jesus Christ; and
though you have a vile design
against me, ye shall not be able
bad advice to their minds; to accomplish it. They replied.
and being on a certain day met It is impossible but we must be
together to consult, they reasonable to do with you what we
ed among each other thus: The have a mind.
virgin is a priestess of the great
goddess Diana, and whatsoever
she requests of her is granted,
because she is a virgin, and so is
beloved by all the gods:
2 Now then let us procure
some rakish fellows, and after
we have made them sufficiently 9 And while they held her,
drunk, and given them a good she looked up to heaven, and
sum of money, let us order them | said: O God most reverend, to
to go and debauch this virgin, | whom none can be likened
promising them, if they do it, a who makest thyself glorious over
larger reward.
thine enemies; who didst deliv
8 And while they were say
ing this, they laid hold on her
by main force, and would have
ravished her. Then she, with the
(greatest) mildness, said to them,
Young men, have patience, and
see the glory of the Lord.
9*
101
Introductory
I. CORINTHIANS.
notice
er me from the fire, and didst any crack visible where it had
not give me up to Thamyris, opened.
didst not give me up to Alexan-
der; who deliveredst me from
the wild beasts; who didst pre-
serve me in the deep waters;
who hast every where been my
helper, and hast glorified thy
name in me;
13 The men stood perfectly
astonished at so prodigious a
miracle, and had no power to
detain the servant of God; but
only catching hold of her veil,
(or hood) they tore off a piece
of it;
10 Now also deliver me from
the hands of these wicked and
unreasonable men, nor suffer
them to debauch my chastity,
which I have hitherto preserved
for thy honour; for I love thee,
and long for thee, and worship
thee, O Father, Son, and Holy
Ghost, for evermore. Amen.
14 And even that was by the
permission of God, for the con-
firmation of their faith, who
should come to see this venera-
ble place, and to convey bless-
ings to those in succeeding ages.
who should believe on our Lord
Jesus Christ from a pure heart.
11 Then came a voice from
hea en, saying, Fear not, Thec-
la, ny faithful servant, for I
am with thee. Look, and see
the place which is opened for
thee there thy eternal abode
15 Thus suffered that first
martyr and apostle of God, and
virgin, Thecla; who came from
Iconium at eighteen years of
age; afterwards, partly in jour-
neys and travels, and partly in a
monastic life in the cave, she
shall be; there thou shalt re-lived seventy-two years; so that
ceive the (beatific) vision. she was ninety years old when
the Lord translated her.
16 Thus ends her life.
12 The blessed Thecla, ob-
serving, saw the rock opened,
to as large a degree as that a
man might enter in; she did
as she was commanded, bravely
fled from the vile crew, and went
into the rock, which instantly
17 The day which is kept sa-
cred to her memory, is the twen-
ty-fourth of September, to the
glory of the Father, and the
Son, and the Holy Ghost, now
so closed, that there was not and for evermore. Amen.
The FIRST EPISTLE of CLEMENT to the COKIN-
THIANS.
Clement was a disciple of Peter, and afterwards Bishop of Rome. Clemens Alexandrinus
calls him an apostle, Jerome says he was an apostolical man, and Rufinus, that he was al-
tnost an apostle. Eusebins calls this the wonderful Epistle of St. Clement, and says that it
was public.y read in the assemblies of the primitive church. It is included in one of the
ane ent collections of the Canons of Scripture. Its genuineness has been nuch questioned,
particularly by Photius, patriarch of Constantinople in the ninth century whe objects, that
102
4
Commends the
I. CORINTHIANS.
Corinthians
Clement speaks of worlds beyond the ocean, that he has not written worthily of the divin
ity of Christ; and that, to prove the possibility of a future resurrection, he introduces
the fabulous story of the phoenix's revival from its own ashes. To the latter objection,
Archbishop Wake replies, that the generality of the ancient Fathers have made use of the
same instance in proof of the same point; and asks, if St. Clement really believed that
there was such a bird, and that it did revive out of the cinders of the body after burning,
where was the great harm either in giving credit to such a wonder, or, believing it, to make
such a use as he here does of it?—The present is the Archbishop's translation from the an-
cient Greek copy of the Epistle, which is at the end of the celebrated Alexandrine MS. of
the Septuagint and New Testament, presented by Cyril, patriarch of Alexandria, t❤ King
Charles the First, now in the British Museum. The Archbishop, in prefacing his transla-
tion, esteems it a great blessing that this Epistle "was at last so happily found out, for
the increase and confirmation both of our faith and charity."]
CHAP. I.
He commends them for their excellent order
and piety in Christ, before their schism
broke out.
T
THE Church of God which
1 is at Rome, to the Church
2 elect, sanctified, 3 by the will of
God, through Jesus Christ our
Lord: grace and peace from the
Almighty God, by Jesus Christ,
be multiplied unto you.4
of God which 1s at Corinth, ed abroad the magnificence of
your hospitality; and thought
you happy in your perfect and
certain knowledge of the Gospel?
2 ¶ Brethren, the 5 sudden
and unexpected dangers and ca-
lamities that have fallen upon
us, have, we fear, made us the
more slow in our consideration
of those things which you in-
quired of us:
5 For ye did all things with-
out respect of persons, and walk
ed 10 according to the laws of
God; being subject to those who
had the rule over you, and giv-
ing the honour that was fitting
to such as
were the 11
aged
among you.
6 Ye commanded the young
men to think those things that
were modest and grave.
3 6As also of that wicked
and detestable sedition, 7
SO un-
becoming the elect of God,
which a few heady and self-will-
ed men have fomented to such a
degree of madness, that your
venerable and renowned name,
so worthy of all men to be be-
loved, is greatly blasphemed
thereby.
8
4 For who that has ever
been among you has not experi-
1 Sojourneth.
2 Called. See Dr. Hammond on Matt.
XX. C.
mented the firmness of your
faith, 9 and its fruitfulness in all
good works; and admired the
temper and moderation of your
religion in Christ; and publish-
3 Gr. in.
4 See Bishop Pearson's note on this
place. Ed. Colomesii, p. 2.
6 And.
5 Ibid.
▾ Gr. Strange to.
7 The women ye exhorted to
do all things with an unblam-
able, and seemly, and pure con-
science; loving their own hus-
bands, as was fitting; and that,
keeping themselves within the
12 bounds of a due obedience,
they should 13 order their houses
gravely with all 14 discretion.
8 15 Ye were all of you hum.
8 Gr. Lodged as a stranger.
9 Adorned with all manner of virtues
10 In.
11 Presbyters.
12 Canon, rule.
13 Themselves do their own business
Vid. Not. Junii in loc.
14 Temperance, sobriety.
18 1 Pet. v. 5.
103
low the
I. CORINTHIANS.
divisions
ble minded, not 1 boasting of being adorned with a conversa-
any thing; desiring rather to be tion altogether virtuous and re-
subject than to govern; to 2 give ligious, ye did all things in the
than to receive; being 3 content fear of God; whose
11 com-
with the portion God had dis- mandments were written upon
pensed to you:
the tables of your heart.
9 And hearkening diligently
to his word, ye 4 were enlarged.
in your bowels, having his 5 suf-
ferings always before your eyes.
CHAP. II.
How their divisions began.
10 Thus a firm, and 6 bless-ALL honour, and enlarge-
ed, and
peace was
ment was given unto you;
given unto you; and an unsati- and so was fulfilled that which
able desire of doing good; and is written, 12 My beloved did eat
a plentiful effusion of the Holy and drink, he was enlarged, and
Ghost was upon all of you. waxed fat, and he kicked.
11 And being full of 7 good
designs, ye did with 8
great
readiness of mind, and with a
religious confidence,stretch forth
your hands to God Almighty ;
beseeching him to be merciful
unto you, if in any thing ye had
unwillingly sinned against him.
2 From hence came emula-
tion, and envy, and strife, and
sedition; persecution and 13 dis-
order, war and captivity.
12 Ye contended day and
night for the whole brotherhood;
that 9 with compassion, and a
good conscience, the number of
his elect might be saved.
3 So they who were of no
renown, lifted up themselves
against the honourable; those
of no reputation, 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, because every one hath for-
saken the fear of God; and is
grown blind in his faith; nor
walketh by the rule of God's
commandments, nor liveth as is
fitting in Christ :
13 Ye were sincere, and
without offence towards each
other; not mindful of injuries:
all sedition and schism was an
abomination unto you.
14 Ye bewailed every one his
neighbour's sins, esteeming their
defects your own.
15 Ye 10 were kind one to
another without grudging; being
ready to every good work. And
5 But every one 14 follows his
own wicked lusts; having taken
up an unjust and wicked envy,
by which death first entered into
the world.
2 Acts xx. 35.
1 Proud
3 1 fini. vi. 8.
4 Embraced it in your very bowels.
Пalпpата. See Dr. Grabe's Addit.
Bishop Bull's Def. fid. Nic. p. 60, 61.
4 Gr. λιπαρα.
7 Ioly counsel, or purpose, or will.
Gr good.
9 With mercy and conscience.
10 Ye were without repentance in all
well-doing, Titus iii. 1.
11 Prov. vii. 3.
12 Deut. xxxii. 15.
·
13 Confusion, tumults, &c
14 Walketh after.
104
began in
1. CORINTHIANS.
CHAP. III.
Envy and emulation the original of all strife
and disorder. Examples of the mischiefs
they have occasioned.
FOR
OR thus it is written, 'And
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 of the firstlings of
his flock, and of the fat thereof:
7 Through envy Aaron and
Miriam were 10 shut out of the
camp, from the rest of the con-
gregation, seven days.
2 And the Lord had respect
unto Abel, and to his offering. 8 Emulation 11 sent Dathan
But unto Cain, and unto his and Abiram quick into 12 the
offering, he had not respect. grave, because they raised up a
And Cain was very sorrowful, sedition against Moses, the ser-
and his countenance fell.
vant of God.
6 It was this that caused
"Joseph to be persecuted even
unto death, and to come into
the Church
8
bondage. Envy forced Moses
to flee from the face of Pharaoh
king of Egypt, when he heard
his own countrymen ask him,
9 Who made thee a judge, and a
ruler over us? Wilt thou kill
me, as thou didst the Egyptian
yesterday?
king of Israel.
3 And the Lord said unto 9 For this David 13 was not
Cain, Why art thou sorrowful? only hated of strangers, but
And why is thy countenance was persecuted even by Saul the
fallen? 2 If thou shalt offer
aright, but not divide aright, hast
thou not sinned? Hold thy
peace: unto thee shall be his
3 desire, and thou shalt rule over
bim.
10 But 14 not to insist upon
ancient examples, let us come
to those 15 worthies that have
been nearest to us; and take
the brave examples of our own
age.
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 4 the
death of a brother. For 5 this
our father 6 Jacob fled from the
face of his brother Esau.
• Gen. iv. 3, &c.
2 This is according to the lxx.
3 'Апоσтооon, conversion.
4 Fratricide.
5 Envy.
6 Gen. xxviii.
• Exod. ii. 15.
7 Gen. xxxvii,
Exod. ii. 14.
Num. xii. 14, 15.
12 Hades.
Made to lodge out.
Brought.
·
11 Through zeal and envy,
16 the most faithful and righteous
pillars of the church have been
persecuted even to the most
grievous deaths.
12 Let us set before our eyes
the 17 Holy Apostles: Peter by
unjust envy underwent not one
or two, but many 18 sufferings;
19 till, at last, being martyred, he
went to the place of glory that
was due unto him.
13 20 For the same cause, did
13 Had, or underwent the hatred, not
only, &c.
14 To cease from.
15 Combatants, wrestlers.
16 The faithful and most righteous.
17 Good.
19 And so.
Is Labours.
20 By envy
=
105
Exhorts them
I. CORINTHIANS.
to live orderly,
Paul in like manner receive the Adam; 10 This is now bone of
my bone, and flesh of my flesh.
19 In a word, envy and strife
have overturned 11 whole cities,
and rooted out great nations from
off the earth.
reward of his patience. Seven
times he was in bonds; he
was whipped, was stoned; he
preached both in the East and
in the West 2 leaving behind
him the glorious report of his
faith:
CHAP. IV.
pent of their divisions, and they shall be for
given.
14 And so having taught the He exhorts them to live by the rules, and re-
whole world righteousness, and
for that end travelled even to the
utmost bounds of the West, he
at last suffered martyrdom 3 by
the command of the governors,
15 And departed out of the
world, and went unto his holy
place; being become a most
eminent pattern of patience unto
all ages.
THESE things, beloved, we
12 write unto you, not only
13 for your instruction, but also for
our own remembrance.
2 For we are all in the same
14 lists, and the same combat is
15 prepared for us all.
3 Wherefore let us lay aside
all vain and empty cares; and
let us come up to the glori-
ous and venerable rule of our
holy calling.
16 To these 4 Holy Apostles
were joined a very great number
of others, who, having through
envy undergone in like manner
many pains and torments, have
5 left a glorious example to us.
4 16 Let us consider what is
good, and acceptable, and well-
pleasing in the sight of him that
made us.
8
17 For 6 this not only men,
but women, have been persecut- 5 Let us look steadfastly to
ed: 7 and having suffered very the blood of Christ, and see how
grievous and cruel punish-precious his blood is in the sight
ments, have finished the course of God: which, being shed for
of their faith with firmness; and our salvation, 17 has obtained the
though weak in body, yet re- grace of repentance for all the
ceived a glorious reward.
world.
18 9 This has alienated the
minds even of women from their
husbands; and changed what
was once said by our father
1 Having borne seven times bonds,&c.
2 He received the, &c.
3 Vide Pearson de Success, c. viii. 9.
4 Men who have lived godly, are gath-
red together.
5 Become an excellent example among
us.
6 Envy.
7 The names of Danae and Dirce I
emit. See Junius Annot. in loc.
* Cursed afflictions or torments.
Envy or emulation.
AMA
6 Let us 18 search into all the
ages that have gone before us,
and let us learn that our Lord
has 19 in every one of then still
10 Gen. ii. 23
11 Great.
12 Send.
13 Instructing you, but a so remember
ing, &c.
14 Place of encounter.
15 Imposed upon us all
16 1 Tim. v. 4.
17 Afforded or given to
18 Look diligently to.
19 From age to age
106
and sets
given place for repentance to all
such as would turn to him.
1
7 2Noah preached repentance:
and as many as hearkened to
him were saved. 3 Jonah de-
nounced destruction against the
Ninevites:
I. CORINTHIANS.
8 Howbeit they, repenting of
their sins, appeased God by their
prayers, and 4 were saved, though
they were strangers to the cove-
nant of God.
I Be turned.
2 2 Peter ii. 5. Gen. vii.
3 Jon. iii.
before them
to do well; seek judgment; re-
lieve the oppressed, judge the
fatherless, plead for the widow.
13 Come now and let us rea-
son together, saith the Lord:
though your sins be as scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they be red as crimson
12 they shall be as wool.
14 If ye be willing and obe-
dient, ye shall eat the good of
the land: 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 es-
tablished by his almighty will,
desiring that all his beloved
should come to repentance.
CHAP. V.
9 ¶ Hence we find how all
the ministers of the grace of God
have spoken by the Holy Spirit
of repentance. And even the
Lord of all has himself 5 declared
with an oath concerning it;
10 6As I live, saith the Lord,
I desire not the death of a sin-
ner, 7 but that he should repent.
Adding further this good sen-
tence, saying, & Turn from your WHEREFORE let us obey
iniquity, house of Israel.
119 Say unto the children of
my people, Though your sins
should reach from earth to heav-
en; and though they should be
redder than scarlet, and blacker
than sackcloth, 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.
his excellent and glori-
ous will; and 13 imploring his
mercy and goodness, let us fall
down upon
upon our faces before
him, and 14 cast ourselves upon
his mercy; laying aside all 15 van-
ity, and contention, and envy
which leads unto death.
12 And in another place he
saith on this wise: 10 Wash ye,
make you clean; put away 11 the
evil of your doings from before
mine eyes; cease to do evil, learn
2 Let us look up to those whc
have the most perfectly minis
tered to his excellent glory. Let
us take Enoch for our example;
who being found righteous in
obedience, was 16 translated, and
his death was not 17 known.
3 Noah, 18 being proved to be
4 Received salvation.
5 Spoken.
6 Ezek. xxxiii. 11.
7 So much as his repentance.
8 Repent from. Ezek. xviii. 30, 32
9 Isaiah i.
Jer iii. 4. 19.
He sets before them the examples of hoiy men
whose piety is recorded in the Scriptures.
10 Isaiah, i. 16.
11 Evil from your souls.
12 I will make them white as wool.
13 Becoming suppliants of, &c.
14 Turn ourselves to his mercy.
15 Vain labour.
16 Gen. v. 24.
17 Found.
18 Being found.
107
examples of
faithful, did by his ministry
preach 1 regeneration to the
world; and the Lord saved by
hi all the living creatures, that
went 2 with one accord together
into the ark.
I. CORINTHIANS.
10 And again he saith: And
God brought forth Abraham,
and said unto him, Look now
towards heaven, and tell the stars,
if thou be able to number them :
so shall thy seed be.
11 And Abraham believed
God, and it was counted to him
for righteousness.
12 Through faith and hospi-
5 By obedience 5 he went out
of his own country, and from his
own kindred, and from his fa-
ther's house; that so forsaking a
small country, and a weak affin-tality, 10 he had a son given him
in his old age; and through obe-
dience he offered him up in sa-
crifice to God, upon one of the
mountains which God showed
unto him.
ity, and a little house, he might
inherit the promises of God.
6 For thus God said unto him:
Get thee out of thy country, and
from thy kindred, and from thy
father's house, unto a land that
I will show thee.
4 3Abraham, who was called
God's friend, was in like man-
ner found faithful; inasmuch
as he obeyed the 4 commands of
God.
holy men.
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.
7
8 And again, when he sepa-
rated himself from Lot, God said
anto him, Lift up now thine
eyes, and look from the place
where thou art, northward and
southward, and eastward and
8 westward for all the land
which thou seest, to thee will I
give it, and to thy seed for ever.
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 BY hospitality and godliness
I will bless them that bless thee,
and curse them that curse thee;
and in thee shall all families of
the earth be blessed.
was Lot saved out of Sod-
om, when all the country round
about was 12 destroyed by fire
and brimstone:
1 Gen. vi. vii. viii.
2 In unity.
3 James ii. 23 Isaiah xli. 8.
4 Words.
5 This man.
• Gen. xii. 1.
7 Gen. xiii. 14.
8 Towargs the sea.
CHAP. VI.
And particularly such as have been eminent
for their kindness and charity to their
neighbours.
2 The Lord thereby making
it manifest, that he will not for-
sake those that trust in him;
but 13 will bring the disobedient
to punishment and correction.
3 For his wife, who went out
with him, being of a different
mind, 14 and not continuing in the
same obedience, was for that
reason 15 set forth for an example,
9 Gen. xv. 5.
10 A son was given unto him.
11 Gen. xix. 2 Peter ii. 6. Jude 7.
12 See Not. Junii. in loc., or punished
with.
13 But those that turn another way, he
puts, &c.
14 Not in concord.
15 Put for a sign.
108
Examples of
1. CORINTHIANS. kindness and charity
being turned into a pillar of salt taken it, 12 ye shall save me ana
unto this day.
my father's house.
4 That so all men may know,
that those who are double minded
1
God, are ¹ prepared for condem-
nation, and to be a sign to all
succeeding ages.
1
9 And they answered her,
saying, It shall be as thou hast
and distrustful of the power of spoken unto us: 13 Therefore,
when thou shalt know that we
are near, thou shalt gather all
thy family together upon the
house-top, and they shall be
saved: but all that shall be found
without thy house, shall be de-
stroyed.
5 2 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 Jer-
icho knew that they were come
to spy out his country, he 3 sent
men to take them, that so they]
might be put to death.
10 14 And they gave her more-
over a sign; that she should hang
out of her house a scarlet rope;
15 showing 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 prophecy too in this
woman.
6 4 Rahab, therefore, being
hospitable, received them, and
hid them under the stalks of flax,
on the top of her house.
7 And when the 5 messengers
that were sent by the king came
unto her, and asked her, saying,
6 There came men unto thee to
spy out the land, bring them forth,
for so hath the king command-
ed; she answered, 7 The two men
whom ye seek came unto me, but
presently they departed, and are
gone 8 Not discovering them
unto them.
8 Then she said to the 9 spies,
10 I know that the Lord your God
11 has given this city into your
hands; for the fear of you is
fallen upon all that dwell therein.
When, therefore, ye shall have
1 Become.
2 Josh. ii. 1, &c.
3 He sent men that should take them,
that being taken, &c.
4 Therefore hospitable Rahab.
5 Men being sent by the king, and say-
ing.
Josh. 11. 3.
* Ibid. 4, 5.
Vid. Conjectur. Coteler. in loc
CHAP. VII.
What rules are given for this purpose.
ET humble
I
ourselves, brethren, laying
aside all pride, and boasting,
and foolishness, and anger: and
let us do as it is written.
2 For thus saith the Holy
Spirit; 16 Let 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
9 Men.
11 Given you this city.
12 Josh. ii. 13.
10 Josh. ii. 9.
13 Ibid. 18, 19.
14 Ibid. 18.
15 Many of the Fatners have applied this
to the same purpose.-See not. Coteler
in loc.
16 Jer. ix. 23. Comp. 2 Cor. xi. 30.
10
109
Exhorts to
I. CORINTHIANS. kindness and charity
words of the Lord Jesus, which | another, according to the com
he spake ¹ concerning equity and passion and sweetness of him
long-suffering, 2 saying,
that made us.
1
4 3 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 oth-
ers, 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:
5
6 For so says 4 the Holy Scrip-
ture; upon whom shall I look,
even upon him that is poor and
of a contrite spirit, and that trem-
bles at my word.
7¶It is, therefore, just and
6 righteous, men and brethren,
that we should become obedient
unto God, rather than follow such
as, 7 through pride and sedition,
have made themselves the ring-
leaders of a detestable emulation.
1 Teaching us.
2 For thus he saith.
3 Luke vi. 36.
4 Holy word.
5 Isaiah lxvi.
• Holy.
8 Prick on to.-See Junius Ann.
• Psalm xxxvii. 9.
10 For it is written, 9 The
merciful shall inherit the earth;
and they that are without evil
shall be left upon it: 10 but the
transgressors shall perish from
off the face of it.
11 And again he saith, 11 I
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 it could not
be found.
• In.
7
12 Keep innocency, and do
the thing that is right; for there
shall be a remnant to the peace-
able man.
13 Let us, therefore, hold fast
to those who 12 religiously follow
peace; and not to such as
13 only
pretend to desire it.
14 For he saith in a certain
place, 14 This people honoureth
me with their lips, but their heart
is far from me.
15 And again, They 15 bless
with their mouth, 16 but curse in
their heart.
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
rashly give up ourselves to the
wills of men, who 8 promote strife
and seditions, to turn us aside
from that which is fitting.
9 But let us be kind to one speaketh proud things.
16 And again he saith, 17 They
loved him with their 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 18 Let all deceitful lips be-
come dumb, and the tongue that
Who
10 Prov. ii. 22.
11 Psalm xxxvii. 36.
12 With religion or godliness.
13 With hypocrisy will it.
14 Isaiah xxix. 13. Psalm lxxii. 4
15 Blessed.
16 Cursed.
17 Psalm lxxviii. 36, 37
18 Psalm xii. 3
110
humble, rum
7 But he was wounded for our
transgressions; he was bruised
for our iniquities; the chastise-
ment 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 ini-
quity of us all.
FOR
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 opened not his
mouth.
NOR 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 2 show of pride and arro-
gance, though he could have
done so; but with humility, as
the Holy Ghost had before spo-
ken concerning him.
3
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 transgres-
sion of my people was
stricken.
he
2 For thus he saith, Lord,
4 who hath believed our report,
and to whom is the arm of the 11 And he made his grave
Lord revealed? For he shall with the wicked, and with the
grow up before him as a tender | rich in his death; because he had
plant, and as a root out of a dry
ground.
done no violence, neither was
any deceit in his mouth.
3 He hath no form nor come-
liness, and when we shall see
him, there is no beauty that we
should desire him.
A vises to be
1
have said, ¹ With our tongue will
we prevail; our lips are our own,
who is Lord over us?
I. CORINTHIANS.
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. VIII.
He advises them to be humble; and that, from
the examples of Jesus and of holy men in all
ages.
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.
1 We will magnify our tongue.
? Boasting.
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.
13 He shall see of the travail
of his soul and shall be satisfied;
by his knowledge shall my right-
eous servant justify many: for he
shall bear their iniquities.
14 Therefore will I divide
3 Καιπερ δυναμενος, though he were
powerful.
4 Isaiah liii., according to the Hebrew
1'1
pious examples
him a portion with the great,
and he shall divide the spoil with
the strong; because he hath
poured out his soul unto death;
and he was numbered with
the transgressors, and he bare
the sin of many, and made in-
tercession for the transgressors.
1
15 And again he himself
saith, ¹ I ain a worm, and no man,
a reproach 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
ne delighted in him.
us.
16 Ye see, beloved, what the
pattern is that has been given to
For if the Lord thus hum-
bled himself, what should we do
who are brought 2 by him under
the yoke of his grace?
of holy men.
6
20 Again, of Job it is thus
written, That he was just and
without blame, true; one that
served God, and abstained from
all evil. Yet he, accusing him-
self, says, 7 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
conduct the Lord punished Is-
rael by stripes and plagues.
8
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,
9 Who am I that thou dost send
me? I am of a slender voice,
and a slow tongue.
23 And again he saith, 10 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, 11 I have found a man
17 Let us be followers of
those who went about in goat-
skins and sheep-skins, preach-after my own heart, David the
ing the coming of Christ. s of Jesse; with my holy oil
have I anointed him.
18 3 Such were Elias and
Elisæus, and Ezekiel, the proph-
4 And let us add to these
such others as have received the
like testimony.
ets.
I. CORINTHIANS.
19 Abraham has been greatly
witnessed of; having been called
the friend of God. And yet he,
steadfastly beholding the glory
of God, says with all humility,
5 I am dust and ashes.
1 Psalm xxii. 6.
2 Ms. δι αυτου.
3 We say.
4 To these, those also that have been
witnessed of.
5 Gen. xviii. 27.
• Job i. 1.
7 Job xiv. 4
25 But yet he himself saith
unto God, 12 Have mercy upon
me, O God, according to thy
loving kindness; according unto
the multitude of thy tender mer-
cies blot out my transgres-
sions.
26 Wash me thoroughly from
mine iniquity, and cleanse me
from my sin. For I acknowl-
8 MS. ἔκρινεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν Ισραηλ διὰ τῶν
μαστίγων.
9 Exod. iii. 11.
10 Exod. iv. 10.
11 Psalm lxxxix. 20.
12 Psalm li. to v. 17., according to the
Hebrew.
112
to unity.
lips, and my mouth shall shov
forth thy praise.
27 Against Thee only have I 39 For thou desirest not sacri-
sinned, and done this evil in thy | fice, else would I give it; thou
sight, that thou mightest be jus- delightest not in burnt-offerings.
tified when thou speakest, and
40 The sacrifices of God are
be clear when thou judgest. a broken spirit; a broken and a
contrite heart, O God, thou wilt
not despise.
28 Behold I was shapen in
iniquity, and in sin did my mo-
ther conceive me.
CHAP. IX.
divisions.
29 Behold, thou desirest truth 1 He again persuades them to compose their
in the inward parts; and in the
hidden part thou shalt make me
to know wisdom.
Persuades
edge my transgressions, and my
sin is ever before me.
I. CORINTHIANS.
TH
3
HUS has the humility and
1 godly fear of these 2 great
and excellent men, ³ recorded in
the Scriptures, through obedi-
ence, 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, 6 let us return to that
peace, which was the mark that
from the beginning was set be-
fore us:
3 Let us look up to the Fa
ther and Creator of the whole
world; and let us hold fast to
his glorious and exceeding gifts
and benefits of peace.
7
4 Let us consider and be-
hold with the eyes of our 8 un-
derstanding his long-suffering
37 Deliver me from blood-will; and think how gentle and
guiltiness, O God, thou God of patient he is towards his whole
my salvation, and my tongue creation.
shall sing aloud of thy right-
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 my iniqui-
ties.
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.
eousness.
38 O Lord, open thou my
1 Fearfulness.
So great and such kind of men.
3 Witnessed of, or celebrated.
4 In.
6 Deeds or works.
A
5 The heavens, moving by his
appointment, are subject to him
in peace.
6 Let us return to the mark of peac
given to us from the beginning.
7 See him with our understanding.
8 Soul.
10 *
113
Exhorts to
I. CORINTHIANS.
obedience
6 Day and night accomplish the winds fulfil their 9 work ir
the courses that he has allotted their seasons, without offending
unto them, not disturbing one one another.
another.
15 The ever-flowing foun-
tains, made both for pleasure
and health, never fail to reach
out their breasts, to support the
1
7 The sun and moon, and all
the several ¹ companies and con-
stellations of the stars, run the
2 courses that he has appointed | life of men.
to them in concord, without de-
parting in the least from them.
16 Even the smallest crea-
tures 10 live together in peace
and concord with each other.
8 The fruitful earth yields its
food plentifully in due season
17 All these has the Great
both to man and beast, and to Creator and Lord of all com-
all animals that are upon it, ac-manded to observe peace and
cording to his will; not 3 disput- concord; being good to all.
ing, 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 com-
mand:
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.
10 4 And the 5 conflux of the
vast sea, being brought together
by his order into its several col-
lections, passes not the boundsAKE heed, beloved, that
that he has set to it;
11 But as he 6 appointed it,
so it remains. For he said,
7 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 8 quarters of
1 Choruses.
2 Bounds.
3 Doubting.
4 Vid. Edit. Colomes. p. 53.
5 Hollow, or depth.
6 Commanded, so it does.
↑ Job xxxiii.
Stations
CHAP. X.
He exhorts them to obedience, from the con-
sideration of the goodness of God, and of
his presence in every place.
to 11 us to condemnation; ex-
cept we shall walk worthy of
him, doing with 12 one consent
what is good and pleasing in his
sight.
2 13 The spirit of the Lord is
a candle, searching out the in-
ward parts of the belly.
3 Let us therefore consider
how near he is to us; and how
that none of our thoughts, or
we frame
reasonings which
within ourselves, are
14 hid from
him.
9 Service.
10 Mix together.
11 All of us.
12 With concord.
13 Prov. xx. 27.
14 That nothing is hid to him of ow
thoughts, or reasonings.
·
114
The nature
4 It is therefore just that we
should not forsake our rank, by
doing contrary to his will.
5 Let us choose to offend a
ew foolish and inconsiderate
men, lifted
1
and glorying ¹ in
up
their own pride, rather than God.
8
6 Let us reverence our Lord BUT all these things & must
Jesus Christ, whose blood was
given for us.
be confirmed by the faith
which is in Christ; for so he
himself bespeaks us by the Holy
Ghost.
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 2 direct to
do that which is good.
a
9 Let them show forth
lovely habit of purity in all their
conversation; with
with a sincere
3 affection of meekness.
I. CORINTHIANS
10 Let the 4 government of
their tongues
5 be made mani-
fest by their silence.
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
against them that do evil, to cut
off the remembrance of them
from the earth.
12 Let your children 6 be bred
up in the instruction of Christ :
7 The righteous cried, and
13 And especially let them the Lord heard him, and deliv-
learn how great a power humili-ered him out of all his troubles.
ty has with God; how much a 8 10 Many are the 11 troubles
pure and holy charity avails of the wicked; but they that
with him; how excellent and trust in the Lord, mercy shall
great his fear is; and how it encompass them about.
will 7 save all such as turn to
him with holiness in a pure
mind.
14 For he is the searcher of
11 Let their charity be with-
out respect of persons, alike to-
wards all such as religiously fear
God.
of faith
the thoughts and counsels of the
heart; whose breath is in us
and when he pleases he can
take it from us.
CHAP. XI.
Of faith; and particularly what we are tɔ
believe as to the resurrection.
1 In the pride of their own speech, or
reason.
2 Correct, or amend.
3 Will, of counsel.
• Moderation.
Let them manifest.
29 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?
9 Our all-merciful and be
neficent Father hath bowels of
compassion towards them that
fear him; and kindly and lov
6 Partake of.
7 Saving.
8 The faith confirms
9 Psalm xxxiv. 11.
10 Psalm xxxii. 10.
11 Scourges.
115
Proofs of
ingly bestows his gra
such as come to him
ple mind.
1. CORINTHIANS.
the resurrection.
es upon all the first-fruits, raising him from
ith a sim- the dead.
▸
17 Let us contemplate, be-
loved, the resurrection that is
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.
1
10 Wherefore let us not ¹ wa-
ver, neither let us have any
doubt in our hearts, of his excel-
lent and glorious gifts.
11 2 Let that be far from us
which is written, 3 Miserable are
the double-minded, and those
who are doubtful in their hearts.
12 Who say, These things 19 Let us behold the fruits of
have we heard, and our fathers the earth. Every one sees how
have told us these things. But the seed is sown. The sower
behold we are grown old, and 9 goes forth, and casts it upon the
none of them has happened un-earth; and the seed which, when
it was sown, fell upon the earth
dry and naked, in time dissolves.
to us.
13 O ye fools! 4 consider the
trees; take the vine for an ex-
ample. First it sheds its leaves;
then it buds; after that it
spreads its leaves; then it flow-
ers; then comes the sour grapes;
and after them follows the ripe
fruit. Ye see how in a little
time the fruit of the trees comes
to maturity.
14 Of a truth, yet a little
while and his will shall suddenly
be accomplished.
15 The Holy Scripture itself
bearing witness, That 5 He shall
quickly come and not tarry, and
that the Lord shall suddenly
come to his temple, even the
6 holy one whom you look for.
16 Let us consider, beloved,
how the Lord does continually
show us, that there shall be a
future resurrection; of which he
has made our Lord Jesus Christ
1 Be double-minded.
2 Let the writing be far from us.
3 James, i. 8.
4 Compare yourselves unto a tree.
5 Ex. MS. omitted by Junius, Hab. ii.
3. Malach. iii. 1.
20 And from the dissolution,
the great power of the provi-
dence of the Lord raises it
again; and of one seed many
arise, and bring forth fruit.
CHAP. XII.
The resurrection further proved.
ET us consider that won-
L'
derful 10 type of the resur-
rection, which is seen in the
Eastern countries; 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 disso-
lution draws near, that it must
die, it makes itself a nest of
frankincense, and myrrh, and
other spices, into which, when
its time is fulfilled, it enters and
dies.
• Coteler. Ayyɛdos, Angel.
7 See.
8 Made every season.
9 Went forth, and so in the rest.
10 Sign.
116
God's
I. CORINTHIANS.
vengeance
3 But its flesh, putrefying, 11 For nothing is impossible
breeds a certain worm, which, with God, but to lie.
being nourished with the juice
of the dead bird, brings forth
feathers; and when it is grown
to 2 a perfect state, it takes up
12 Let his faith then be stir-
red up again in us; and let us
consider that all things are nigh
unto him.
the nest in which the bones of 13 By the word of his 8 power
its 3
parent lie, and carries it he made all things; and by
from Arabia into Egypt, to
9 the same word he is able,
city called Heliopolis :
(whenever he will,) to destroy
them.
a
4 And flying in open day in
the sight of all men, lays it
14 10 Who shall say unto him,
upon the altar of the sun, and What dost thou ? Or who shall
so returns from whence it came. | resist the power of his strength?
5 The priests then search 15 When, and as he pleased,
into the records of the time; 11 he will do all things; and
and find that it returned precise- nothing shall pass away of all
ly at the end of five hundred that has been determined by
years.
him.
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 religious-
ly serve him in the assurance
of a good faith, when even by a
bird he shows us the greatness
of his power to fulfil his promise?
7 For he says in a certain
place, Thou shalt raise me up,
and I shall confess unto thee.
6
9 And again, Job says, & Thou
shalt raise up this flesh of mine,
that has suffered all these things.
ī
10 Having therefore this hope,
let us hold fast to 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
himself lie?
CHAP. XIII.
8 And again, 5 I laid me down
and slept, and awaked, because It is impossible to escape the vengeance of
thou art with me.
God, if we continue in sin.
2 Strong.
4 Do.
• Job xix. 26.
16 All things are open before
him; nor can any thing be hid
from his counsel.
Animal.
3 Progenitor.
5 Psalm iii. 5.
Let our minds be fastened.
17 12 The heavens declare the
glory of God, and the firmament
showeth his handy work. Day
unto day uttereth speech, and
night unto night showeth knowl-
edge. There is no speech nor
language where their voice is
not heard.
S
EEING 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
13 delivered from the 14 condem-
nation to come.
2 For whither can any of us
flee from his mighty hand? Or
8 Majesty.
10 Wisd. xii. 12.
9
His word.
11 MS. RONσEL
12 If the, &c. Psalm xix. 1.
13 Covered.
14 Judgments.
117
How to live
to please God.
CHAP. XIV.
what world shall receive any of
who run away from
those
him?
How we must live that we may please God
3 For thus saith the Scrip- WHEREFORE, we being
1
ture in a certain place, ¹ Whither
shall I flee from thy spirit, or
where shall I hide myself from
thy presence?
a part of the Holy One,
let us do all those things that
pertain unto holiness:
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.
2 Fleeing all evil-speaking
against one another; all filthy
and impure embraces, together
with all drunkenness, youthful
lusts, abominable concupiscen-
ces, detestable adultery, and exe-
crable pride.
I. CORINTHIANS.
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 2 heart, lift-
ing up chaste and undefiled
hands unto him: loving our
gracious and merciful Father,
who has made us ³ to partake of
his election.
3
For so it is written, 4 When
the Most High divided the na-
tions, when he separated the
sous of Adam, he set the bounds
of the nations, according to the
number of his angels: 5 his
people Jacob became the portion |
of the Lord, and Israel the lot
of his inheritance.
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,
7and the Most Holy shall come
out of that nation.
1 Psalm cxxxix. 7.
2 Mind.
4 Deut. xxxii. 8, 9.
So the LXX.
7 Isaiah xi. 1.
• Jam. iv. 6. 1 Pet. v. 5.
The grace of God has been given.
3 A part.
6 Deut. iv. 34.
3 8 For God, saith he, resisteth
the proud, but giveth grace to
the humble.
4 Let us therefore hold fast to
those to whom 9 God has given
his grace.
5 And let us put on concord,
being humble, temperate; free
from all whispering and detrac-
tion; and justified by our 10 ac-
tions, not our words.
6 For he saith, 11 Doth he that
speaketh and heareth many
things, and that is of a ready
tongue, suppose that he is right-
eous? 12 Blessed is he that is
born of a woman, that liveth but
a few days: 13 use not therefore
much speech.
7 Let our praise be of God, not
of ourselves, for God hateth those
that 14 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.
10 Works.
11 He that speaketh many things shal
also hear, &c.
12 Job xi. 2, 3, LXX.
13 Be not much in words.
14 Are praised of.
118
Justification by
9 Rashness, and arrogance,
and confidence, belong to them
who are accursed of God: but
equity, and humility, and mild-
ness, to such as are blessed by
him.
1. CORINTHIANS.
10 Let us then lay hold of
his blessing, and let us ¹ consider
what are the ways by which we
may attain unto it.
12 For what was our father
Abraham blessed? Was it not
because that through faith he
wrought righteousness and truth?
13 Isaac, being 3 fully per-
suaded 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.
11 Let us look back upon | but through his will.
those things that have happened
from the beginning.
faith and works
5
18 Nor were the rest of his
tribes in any small glory; God
having promised that 6thy seed
(says he) shall be as the stars
of heaven.
17 From him came the kings
and princes, and rulers in Judah.
1 See what are the ways of his blessing.
2 Unrol.
3 With full persuasion, foreknowing
what was to be, pleasingly became a
sacrifice.
19 They were all therefore
7 greatly glorified, not for their
own sake, or for their own
works, or for the righteousness
that they themselves wrought,
4 The gifts that were given by him,
were, he shall know whosoever will, one
20 And we also being called
by the same will in Christ Jesus,
are not justified by ourselves,
neither by our own wisdom, or
knowledge, or piety, or the
works which we have done 8 in
the holiness of our hearts;
14 Now what the greatness WHAT shall we do there-
of 4 this gift was,
appear, if we shall take the
pains distinctly to consider all
the parts of it.
fore, brethren? Shall
we be slothful in well-doing, and
lay aside our charity? God for-
bid that any such thing should
be done by us.
15 For from him came the
priests and Levites; who all
ministered at the altar of God.
16 From him came our Lord
Jesus Christ, according to the
flesh.
2 But rather let us hasten
with all earnestness and readi
ness of mind to perfect every
good work. For even the Cre-
ator and Lord of all things him-
self rejoices in his own works.
3 By his 9 almighty power he
21 But by that faith by which
God Almighty has justified all
men from the beginning
whom be glory for ever and
ever, Amen.
to
CHAP. XV.
We are justified by faith; yet this must not
lessen our care to live well, nor our pleas-
ure in it.
by one, carefully and distinctly consider
them.
5 Sceptres: See Jun. Annot.
6 Gen. xiii. 16.
7 Glorified and magnified.
8 In holiness of heart.
9 All-greatest.
119
Of attaining
fixed the heavens, and by his
incomprehensible wisdom
adorned them.
he
4 He also divided the earth
from the water, with which it is
encompassed; and fixed it as a
secure tower, upon the founda-
tion of his own will.
I. CORINTHIANS.
1 Gen. i. 26, 27.
3 'This.
• Work.
2 Gen. i. 28.
4 Come to.
6 Isaiah xl. 10. lxii. 11.
the reward
CHAP. XVI.
This enforced, from the examples of the holy
angels, and from the exceeding greatness of
that reward which God has prepared for us
5 He also, by his appointment,
commanded all the living crea- | work.
tures that are upon it to exist.
2 We must therefore be ready
and forward in well-doing: for
from him are all things.
6 So likewise the sea, and all
the creatures that are in it;
having first created them, he
enclosed them therein by his
power.
3 And thus he foretells us,
6 Behold, the Lord cometh, and
his reward is with him, even
before his face, to render to
every one according to his work.
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 character of his own image.
4 He warns us therefore be-
forehand, with all his heart, to
this end, that we should not be
slothful and negligent in 7 well-
doing.
8 For so God says, 1 Let us
make man in our image, after 5 Let our boasting, therefore,
Our Own likeness: SO God and our confidence be in 8 God:
created man, male and female let us submit ourselves to his
created he them.
will. Let us consider the whole
multitude of his angels, how
ready they stand to minister
unto his will.
9 And having thus finished
all these things, he commended
all that he had made, and bless-
ed them, and said, 2 Increase and
multiply:
6 As saith the Scripture,
9 Thousands of thousands stood
before him, and ten thousand
10 We see how all righteous
men have been adorned with times ten thousand ministered
THE
HE good workman with
confidence receives the
bread of his 5 labour; but, the
sluggish and lazy cannot look
him in the face that set him on
good works: Wherefore even
the Lord himself, having adorn-
ed himself with his works, re-
joiced.
unto him. 10 And they cried,
saying, Holy, holy, holy, is the
Lord of Sabbaoth: 11The whole
earth is full of his glory.
7 Wherefore let us also, being
11 Having therefore 3 such an
example, let us, without delay, conscientiously gathered togeth-
4 fulfil his will; and with all our er in concord with one another,
strength, work the work of as it were with one mouth, cry
righteousness.
earnestly unto him, that he
7 Every good work.
9 Dan. vii. 10.
11 Every creature.
8 Him.
10 Isaiah vi 3
120
of the
I. CORINTHIANS.
righteous
|
1
would make us partakers of his pleasing and acceptable unto
great and glorious promises.
8 For he saith, ¹ Eye hath not
seen, nor ear heard, neither
have entered into the heart of
man, the things which God has
prepared for them that wait for
him.
CHAP. XVII.
I 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, without envying or con-
tention. 24 The necessity of different or-
ders among inen. 33 We have none of us
any thing but what we received of God
whom therefore we ought in every condition
thankfully to obey.
;
OW blessed and wonder-
ful, beloved, are the gifts
HOW
of God!
10 For thus saith the Scrip-
ture, 9 But unto the wicked God
said, What hast thou to do to
2 Life in immortality! bright- declare my statutes, or that thou
ness in righteousness! truth in shouldst take my covenant in
full assurance! faith in confi- thy mouth? seeing that thou
dence! temperance in holiness! hatest instruction, and castest
3 And all this has 2 God sub-iny words behind thee.
jected to our understandings:
11 When thou sawest a thief,
4 What therefore shall those then, thou consentedst with him;
things be which he has prepared and hast been partaker with
for them that wait for him? adulterers. Thou givest thy
mouth to evil, and thy tongue
frameth deceit. Thou sittest
and speakest against thy brother;
thou slanderest thine own moth
er's son.
5 The Creatcr and Father of
3 spirits, the Most Holy; he only
knows both the 4 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 receive the 5 reward which
he has promised.
7 But how, beloved, shall we
do this? 6 We must fix our
minds by faith towards God,
and seek those things that are
1 Isaiah liv. 4.
2 He.
4 Quantity.
If we shall
1 Cor. ii. 9.
him.
7
8 We must 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-
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 8 all such as approve of
those that do them.
3 Ages.
5 Gifts.
:
12 These things hast thou
done, and I kept silence; thou
thoughtest that I was altogether
such a one as thyself: but I will
reprove thee, and set them in
order before thine eyes.
13 Now consider this, ye tha
forget God, lest I tear you in pie-
ces, and there be none to deliver.
7 Perform those things that are agree
abie.
s Rom. i. 32.
9 Psalm
Hebrew.
15, &c., according to the
11
121
oy obcdience in
11 Whoso offereth praise,
glorifieth me: and to him that
disposeth his way aright, will I
show the salvation of God.
15 This is the way, beloved,
in which we may find 1 our
Saviour, even Jesus Christ, the
high-priest of all our offerings,
the defender and helper of our
weakness.
1. CORINTHIANS.
16 By him we look up to the
2 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
foolish and darkened under-
standing rejoiceth to behold his
wonderful light.
18 By him would God have
us to taste the knowledge of
immortality; 3 who, being the
brightness of his glory, is by so
much greater than the angels,
as he has by inheritance obtained
a more excellent name than they.
19 For so it is written, 4 Who
maketh his angels spirits, and
his ministers a flame of fire.
20 But to his Son, thus saith
the Lord, 5 Thou art my Son,
to-day have I begotten thee.
21 6 Ask of me, and I will
give thee the heathen for thine
inheritance, and the utmost parts
of the earth for thy possession.
22 And again he saith unto
him, 7 Sit thou on my right
hand, until I make thine enemies
hy footstool.
1 That which has the power to save us.
? Heights of heaven.
3 Heb i. 3, 4.
4 Psalm civ. 4. Heb. i. 7.
• Heb. i. 5.
our callings.
23 But who are his enemies?
Even the wicked, and such who
oppose their own wills to the
will of God.
• Comp. Psalm ii. 7, 8.
7 Heb. i 13. Psalm cx. 1.
24 Let us therefore 8 march
on, men and brethren, with all
earnestness, in his holy laws.
25 Let us consider those who
fight under our earthly govern-
ors. How orderly, how readily,
and with what exact obedience,
they perform those things that
are commanded them !
26 All are not 9 generals, no
10 colonels, nor captains, nor
12 inferior officers:
11
27 But every one in his re-
spective rank does what is com-
manded him by the king, and
those who have the authority
over him.
28 They who are great, can-
not subsist without those that
are little; nor the little without
the great.
29 But there must be a mix.
ture in all things, and then
there will be use and profit too.
30 Let us, 13 for example, take
our body: the head without the
feet is nothing, neither the feet
without the head.
31 And even the smallest
members of our body are yet
both necessary and useful to the
whole body.
32 But all conspire together,
and 14 are subject to one common
use, namely, the preservation of
the whole 15 body.
9 Prefects.
8 War.
10 Commanders of a thousand.
11 Centurions.
12 Commanders of 50, and so on.
13 1 Cor. xii. 13, 21.
14 Use one common subjection.
15 MS. To owμɑ
122
Exhorts to order I. CORINTHIANS.
in the church
33 Let therefore our whole thanks unto him. to whom be
body be saved in Christ Jesus: glory for ever and ever. Amen.
and let every one be subject to
his neighbour, ¹ according to the
order in which he is placed by
he 2 gift of God.
34 Let not the strong man
despise 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 God, that
he has given one unto him, by
whom his want may be supplied.
36 Let the wise man show
forth his wisdom, not in words,
but in 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,
knowing that it was 3 from ano-
ther that he received the gift of
continence.
40 He that made us, and
formed us, brought us into his
own world; having 5 prevented
us with his benefits, even before
we were born.
41 Wherefore, having receiv-
ed all these things from him,
we ought in every thing to give
CHAP. XVIII.
From whence he exhorts them to do every
thing orderly in the church, as the only way
to please God
¹ As also he has been placea.
2 His gift.
3 Another that gave him.
4 Of what ma ter.
• Prepared for is.
F
1OOLISH and unwise men,
6 who have neither prudence
nor learning, may mock and de-
ride us; being willing to set up
themselves in their own conceits
do?
27 But what can a mortal man
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 8 sound and a voice.
49 For what? Shall man be
pure before the Lord? Shali he
be blameless in his works?
39 Let us consider therefore,
brethren, 4 whereof we are made; | made?
who, and what kind of men we
came into the world, as it were
out of a sepulchre, and from
outer darkness.
·
5 Behold, he trusteth not in
his servants; and his angels he
charged 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
7 He smote them as a moth,
and from morning even unto the
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 10 Call now, if there be any
that will answer thee; and to
which of the angels wilt thou
look?
6 And imprudent, and without instruc
tion.
8 An air.
9 Job iv. 17, &c., xv. 15, iv. 19.
10 Job v 1, &c.
7 For.
123
as pleasing
9 For wrath killeth the fool-
ish man, and envy slayeth him
that is in error.
1. CORINTHIANS.
10 I have seen the foolish
taking root, but lo! their habita-
tion was presently consumed.
1
II Their children were far
from safety, they perished at
the gates of those who were less-
er than themselves; and there
was no man 2 to help them.
12 For what was prepared for
them, the righteous 3 did eat:
and they shall not be delivered
from evil.
13 Seeing then these things
are manifest unto us, it will be-
hove us to take care that, look-
ing into the depths of the divine
knowledge, we do all things in
order, whatsoever our Lord has
commanded us to do.
14 And particularly, that we
perform our offerings and ser-
vice to God at their appointed
seasons for these he has com-
manded to be done, not rashly
and disorderly, but at certain
determinate times and hours.
4
15 And therefore he has or-
dained by his supreme will and
authority, both where, and by 22 8 Consider, brethren, that
what persons, they are to be per- by how much the better knowl-
formed; that so all things being edge God has vouchsafed unto
piously done unto all well-pleas-us, by so much the greater dan-
ing, they may be acceptable unto ger are we exposed to.
5 him.
1 Were crushed upon.
2 Deliver.
3 Fat.
to Goa
17 And the same care must
be had of the persons that miu-
ister unto him.
18 6 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 with-
in the bounds of what is com
manded to laymen.
19 Let every one of you,
therefore, brethren, bless God in
his proper station, with 7
a gooa
conscience, and with all gravity,
not exceeding the rule of his ser-
vice 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 transgies-
sions; but only at Jerusalein :
nor in any place there, but 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.
16 They, therefore,who make
CHAP. XIX.
their offerings at the appointed The orders of Ministers in Christ's Church es-
seasons, are happy and accept-
ed; because that, obeying the
commandments of the Lord, they
are free from sin.
tablished by the Apostles, according to
Christ's command, 7 after the example of
Moses. 16 Therefore they who have been
duly placed in the ministry according to their
order, cannot without great sin be put out
of it.
4 By chance
To his will. 6 See Coteler. in loc
7 Being in a good conscience.
8 Ye see
124
Christ's
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 ¹ sent, accord-
ing to the will of God.
8 Whom also all the rest of
the prophets followed, bearing
witness with one consent to those
things that were appointed by
him.
1
9 For he, perceiving an 8em-
ulation to arise among the tribes
3 For having received their concerning the priesthood, and
command, and being thoroughly that there was a strife about it,
assured by the resurrection of which of them should be adorned
our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 and with that glorious name, com-
convinced by the word of God, manded their twelve captains to
with the 3 fulness of the Holy bring to him 9 twelve rods; ev-
Spirit, they went abroad, pub-ery tribe being written upon its
lishing, That the kingdom of rod, according to its name.
God was at hand.
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
witness, upon the table of
I. CORINTHIANS.
4
4 And thus preaching through
countries and cities, they ap-
pointed the first fruits of their
conversions to be bishops and
ministers over such as should
afterwards believe, having first God.
proved them by the Spirit.
5 Nor was this any new thing;
seeing that long before it was
written concerning bishops and
deacons.
|
11 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 11 to minister unto
him in holy things.
7 And what wonder if they, 12 And when the morning
to whom such a work was com- was come, he called together all
mitted by God in Christ, estab-Israel, six hundred thousand
lished such officers as we before men ; and showed to their
mentioned; when even that bless- princes the seals; and opened
ed and faithful servant in all his the tabernacle of witness; and
house, Moses, 7 set down in the brought forth the rods.
Holy Scriptures all things that
were commanded him.
13 And the rod of Aaron was
found not only to have blossom
6 For thus saith the Scripture,
in a certain place; 5I will ap-
point their 6 overseers in right-
eousness, and their ministers in
faith.
Done.
3 With the full assurance.
• Vid. Coteler. in loc.
2 1 Thess. i. 5.
conmana
Isaian, lx. 17. 6 Bishops, deacons.
Signified.
8 An emulation happening.
9 Numb. xvii.
10 And the rods.
11 To exercise the office of the priest
hood, and to minister, &c
11*
125
Of the orders
ed, but also to have fruit up-
on it.
14 What think you, beloved?
Di not Moses before know
what 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 glo-
rified: to him be honour for
ever and ever, Amen.
16 So likewise our Apostles
knew by our Lord Jesus Christ,
hat there should contentions
arise 2 upon the account of the
ministry.
17 And therefore, having a
perfect fore-knowledge of this,
they appointed persons, as we
have before said, and then 3 gave
directions,how, when they should
die, other chosen and approved
men should succeed in their
ministry.
I CORINTHIANS.
in the ministry
20 Blessed are thos、 priests
who, having finished their course
before these times, have obtain-
ed a fruitful and perfect disso
lution: for they have no fear,
lest any one should turn them
out of the place which is now
appointed for them.
19 For it would be no small
sin in us, should we cast off those
from their 4 ministry, who holily
and without blame 5 fulfil the du-
ties of it.
1
That this should be so.
2 About the name of the bishopric.
pr
3 Left a list of other chosen and ap-
ved persons, who should succeed thei
ir ministry. See Dr. Arden's Dis
21 But we see how you have
put out some, who lived reputa-
bly among you, from the minis-
try, which by their innocence
they had adorned.
CHAP. XX.
He exhorts them to peace from examplos out
of the Holy Scriptures, 20 particularly from
St. Paul's exhortation to them.
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 emi-
nent men, with the consent of 4 6 They were persecuted ; but
the whole church; and who have it was by the wicked and un-
with all lowliness and innocency | just.
ministered to the flock of Christ, 5 They were cast into prison;
in peace, and without self-inter- but they were cast in by those
est, and were for a long time that were unholy.
tommended by all.
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.
E are contentious, brethren,
and zealous for things that
pertain not unto salvation.
YE
2 Look into the Holy Scrip-
tures, which are the true words
of the Holy Ghost. Ye know
that there is nothing unjust or
counterfeit written in them.
3 There you shall not find
that righteous men were ever
cast off by such as were good
themselves.
проп this passage.
Dr. Han nond's
Power of the Keys, c. iii. p. 413.
4 Bishopric.
5 Offer the gifts.
Just men.
1
126
Exhorts
1
8 ¹ And all these things they
underwent gloriously.
I. CORINTHIANS.
9 For what shall we say,
prethren? Was Daniel cast into
the 2 den of lions by men fearing
God? Ananias, Āzarias, and
Misael, were they 3 cast into the
4 fiery furnace by men 5 profess-
ing the excellent and glorious
worship of the Most High? God
forbid.
11 But they who with a full
persuasion have endured these
things, 7 are made partakers of
glory and honour; and 8 are ex-
alted and lifted up by God in
their memorial throughout all
ages, Amen.
12 ¶ Wherefore it will behovej
us also, brethren, 9 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 sanctified.
13 And again in another place
he saith, 10 With the pure thou
10 What kind of persons then
were they that did these things?
They were men abominable, full
of all wickedness; who were in-us all?
censed to so great a degree, as to
bring those into sufferings, who
with a holy and unblumable pur-
pose of mind worshipped God;
not knowing that the Most High
is the protector and defender of
all such as with a pure cou-
science serve his 6 holy name
to whom be glory for ever and
ever, Amen.
:
1 Suffering these things they under-
went them gloriously.
2 Dan. vi. 16.
3 Shut into..
to peace
shalt be pure (11 and with the
elect thou shalt be elect), but
with the perverse man thou shalt
be 12 perverse.
4 Dan. iii. 20.
5 Worshipping the worship.
6 Full of virtue.
• Have been exalted.
7 Have inherited.
14 Let us therefore join our-
selves to the innocent and right-
eous; for such are the elect of
God.
15 Wherefore are there strifes
and anger, and divisions, and
schisms, and wars, among us?
16 13 Have we not all one God,
and one Christ?
14 Is not one
spirit of grace poured out upon
Have we not one call-
ing in Christ?
17 Why then do we rend 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 15 we were members
one of another?
18 Remember the words of
our Lord Jesus, 16 how he said,
Wo to that man (by whom of-
fences come); 17 it were better for
him that he had never been born,
than that he should have offend-
ed one of my elect. It were
better for him that a mill-stone
should be tied about his neck
and he should be cast into e
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.
9 To cleave to. 10 Psalm xviii. 26
11 Omitted by Junius, and now restored
from the MS.
12 Turn aside.
14 1 Cor. xii.
16 For he said.
13 Eph. iv. 4.
15 Rom. xii. 5.
17 Luke xvii. 2.
127
Further exhortations I. CORINTHIANS. to peace and union.
1
20 ¶Take the Epistle of the your folly; and even ye your-
plessed Paul the Apostle into selves are brought into danger
your hands; ¹ What was it that by it.
he wrote to you at his first
preaching the gospel among
you?
21 Verily he did 2 by the spirit
admonish you concerning him-
self, and Cephas, and Apollos;
because that even then ye had
begun to fall into 3 parties and
factions among yourselves.
27 Let us therefore with al
haste 10 put an end to this sedi-
tion; and let us fall down before
the Lord, and beseech him with
tears that he would 11 be favour-
ably reconciled to us, and restore
us again to a 12 seemly and holy
course of brotherly love.
28 For this is the gate of
22 Nevertheless your partial- righteousness, opening unto life ;
ity then led you into a much less as it is written, 13 Open unto me
sin forasmuch
4
as ye placed the gates of righteousness; I
your affections upon apostles, will go in unto them, and will
men of 5 eminent reputation in praise the Lord. This is the
the church; and upon another, gate of the Lord, the righteous
who was greatly tried and ap- shall enter into it.
proved of by them.
23 But consider, we pray you,
who are they that have now led
you astray; and lessened the
6 reputation of that brotherly love
that was 7 so eminent among
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 right-
eousness, doing all things with-
out disorder.
you.
|
24 It is a shame, my beloved,
yea, a very great shame, and un-
worthy of your Christian 8 pro-
fession, to hear that the most
firm and 9 ancient church of the
Corinthians should, by one or
two persons, be led into a sedi-
tion against its priests.
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.
25 And this report is come
not only to us, but to those also
that differ from us.
26 Insomuch that the name of
the Lord is blasphemed through
1 See Mr. Dodwell's add. ad. Pearson,
Chrono p. 223. Dr. Grabe's Spicileg.
om. i. p. 256.
2 Spíritually send to you. 1 Cor. i. 12.
3 Inclinations (for one above another).
4 Inclined.
5 Witnessed of.
6 Gravity,
7 So much spoken of.
31 But still by how much the
more he seems to be 14 above oth-
ers, 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
8 Institution.
9 See Mr. Dodwell, 1. c. p. 222.
10 Take away.
11 Becoming favourable be.
12 Grave, venerable.
13 Psalm cxviii. 19, 20
14 Greater.
128
The value
all men, and not his own advan-
tage.
I. CORINTHIANS.
CHAP. XXI.
1 The value 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.
A
10 Let us therefore pray to
him, and beseech him, that we
may be worthy of it; that so we
E that has the love that is may live in charity; being un-
commandments of Christ.
1
2 For who is able to express
the obligation of the love of
God? What man is sufficient
to declare, as is fitting, the ex-
cellency of its beauty ?
3 The height to which char-
ity leads is inexpressible.
4. Charity 2 unites us to God;
3 charity covers the multitude of
sins: 4 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 se-
ditious; 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 accepta-
ble in the sight of God.
2 Glues
7 Through charity did the
Lord 5 join 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 | Ye see, beloved, how
great and wonderful a thing
charity is; and how that no ex-
pressions are sufficient to declare
its perfection.
1 Bond.
3 Peter iv. 8.
41 Cor. xiii. 7, &c.
• Tare us u'.
and effects
9 But who is fit to be found
in it? Even such only as God
shall vouchsafe to make so.
sities, without respect of persons.
11 All the ages of the world,
from Adam, even unto this day,
are passed away; but they who
have been made perfect in love,
have by the grace of God ob-
tained a place among the right-
eous; and shall be made mani-
fest in the judgment of the
kingdom of Christ.
6
12 For it is written, 7 Enter
into thy chambers for a little
space, till my anger and indig-
nation shall pass away: and I
will remember the good day, and
will raise you up out of your
graves.
13 Happy & 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, 9 Bless-
ed are they whose iniquities are
forgiven, and whose sins are cov-
ered. Blessed is the man to
whom the Lord imputeth no sin,
and in whose mouth there is no
guile.
15 Now this blessing is ful-
filled in those who are chosen
by God, through Jesus Christ
our Lord, to whom be glory for
ever and ever, Amen.
6 Animadversion, or visitation.
7 Isaiah xxvi. 20
8 Are we
9 Psalm xxxii.
129
of unity
CHAP. XXII.
I He exhorts such as have been concerned in
these divisions, to repent, and return to their
unity, confessing their sinto God, 7 which he
enforces from the example of Moses, 10 and
of many among the heathen, 23 and of Judith
and Esther among the Jews.
I. CORINTHIANS.
1 See Junius in loc.
2 Chief leaders.
L
ET us therefore, as many
as have transgressed by any
of the suggestions of the adver-
sary, beg God's forgiveness.
1
2 And as for those who have
been the 2 heads of the sedition
and faction among you, 3 let them
look to the common end of our
hope.
9 And again he saith, 10 Offer
unto God the sacrifice of praise,
3 For as many as are 4 endued and pay thy vows unto the Most
with fear and charity, would Highest. And call upon me in
rather they themselves should the day of trouble, and I will
fall into trials than their neigh- deliver thee, and thou shalt glo-
bours; and choose to be them-rify me. 11 The sacrifice of God
selves condemned, rather than is a broken spirit.
that the good and just charity
delivered to us, should suffer.
10 Ye know, beloved, ye
know full well, the Holy Scrip-
tures; and have thoroughly
4 For it is seemly for a man
to confess wherein he has trans-
gressed.
searched into the oracles of
God call them therefore to your
remembrance.
5 5 And not to harden his
heart, as the hearts of those were
hardened, who raised up sedi-
tion against Moses, the servant
of God; whose punishment was
manifest 6 unto all men; for they
went down alive into the grave,
death swallowed them up.
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, 12 Arise, Moses,
get thee down quickly from
hence, for thy people, whom thou
broughtest out of the land of
Egypt, have committed wicked-
trans-
67 Pharaoh and his host, and
all the rulers of Egypt, their
chariots also and their horsemen, ness; they have soon
were for no other cause drown-gressed the way that I com-
ed in the bottom of the Red Sea, manded them, and have made to
and perished, but because they themselves graven images.
hardened their foolish hearts,
after so many signs done in the
12 And the Lord said unto
him, I have spoken unto thee
3 They ought.
♦ Walk according to; live in.
• Ratbe· than.
and charity
land of Egypt, by Moses the ser
vant of God.
6 Numb. xvi.
'
7 ¶ 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 8 holy Da-
vid, 9 I 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.
7 Exod. iv.
9 Psalm lxix. 31.
1 Psalın li. 17.
12 Exod. xxxii. Deut. ix.
8 Chosen.
10 Psalm 1. 14
130
Exhorts
I. CORINTHIANS.
to unity
¹ several times, saying, I have | have done, and will always be
seen this people, and behold it ready to do.
is a stiff-necked people: let me
therefore destroy them, and put
out their name from under heav-
en. And I will make unto thee
a great and a wonderful nation,
that shall be much 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 living. O admirable char-
ity! O insuperable perfection!
The servant speaks freely to his
Lord he beseeches him either
to forgive the people, or to ³ de-
stroy him together with them.
3
14 ¶ Who is there among
you that is generous? Who that
is compassionate? Who that has
any charity? Let him say, if
this sedition, this 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 this, shall
get to himself a very great
honour in the Lord; and there
is no place but what will be
ready to receive him: 6 for the
earth is the Lord's, and the ful-
ness thereof.
16 These things they who
have their conversation towards
God not to be repented of, both
1 Once and twice.
s Blot out.
2 More, greater.
4 The multitude.
6 Psalm xxiv.
3 Every place.
7 But that we may bring the examples
of heathens.
17 ¶ 7 Nay, and even the
Gentiles themselves have given
us examples of this kind.
18 For we read, How many
kings and princes, in times of
pestilence, being warned by their
oracles, have given up themselves
unto death; that by their own
blood, they might deliver their
country from destruction.
8
19 9 Others have
have forsaker
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.
21 Others have sold them-
selves into bondage, that they
might feed 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 occa-
sions.
23 The blessed 11Judith, when
her city was besieged, desired
the elders, that they would suffer
her to go into the camp of 12 their
enemies: and she went out, ex-
posing herself to danger, for the
love she bare to her country and
her people that were besieged;
and the Lord delivered Holofer-
nes into the hands of a woman
24 Nor did 13 Esther, being
perfect in faith, expose herself
to any less hazard, for the de
9 Many.
8 Citizens.
10 Others.
11 Judith viii. ix. x. xiii.
12 The strangers.
13 Esther vi, và i.
131
The benefit of
1. CORINTHIANS.
mutual advice
livery of the twelve tribes of Is- | reprove me; but let not oil of
rael, in danger of being de- sinners make fat my head.
stroyed. For by fasting and 7 And again he saith, 8 Hap-
humbling herself, she entreated py is the man whom God cor-
the Great Maker of all things, recteth; therefore despise not
the God of ¹-spirits; so that, be- thou the chastening of the Al-
holding the humility of her soul, mighty.
he delivered the people, for
whose sake she was in peril.
8 For he maketh sore and
bindeth up; he woundeth and
his hands make whole.
CHAP. XXIII.
9 He shall deliver thee in six
The benefit of mutual advice and correction.
He
here given to them.
lle entreats them to follow that which is troubles; yea, in seven there
shall no evil touch thee. In
famine he shall redeem thee
from death, and in war, from
the power of the sword.
10 Thou shalt be hid from the
scourge of the tongue; neither
shalt thou be afraid of destruc-
tion when it cometh.
W
nto 2
HEREFORE let us also
pray for such as are fallen
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 3 they
shall obtain a fruitful and per-
fect remembrance, with mercy,
both in our prayers to God, and
in our mention of them before
his 4 saints.
3 Let us receive correction,
at which no man ought to re-
pine.
4 Beloved, the reproof and
the correction which we exercise
towards one another, is good,
and exceeding profitable; for it
unites us the more closely to the
will of God.
5 For so says the Holy Scrip-
ture, 5 The Lord corrected me,
but he did not deliver me over
unto death. 6 For whom the
Lord loveth he chasteneth, and
scourgeth every son whom he
receiveth.
67 The righteous, saith he,
shal instruct me in mercy and
1
¹ Ages; who.
2 Viz. that of schism.
There shall be to them.
11 Thou shalt laugh at the
wicked and sinners; neither
shalt thou be afraid of the beasts
of the 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 in due 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 instructer, he is
willing to admonish us by his
holy discipline.
4
1. e. Our fellow-Christians.
5 Psalm xcviii.
7 Psalm cxli. 5.
6 Prov. iii. 12.
8 Job v. 17, &c
132
Commendation
I. CORINTHIANS.
to Goa
15 Do ye therefore who laid | ways; and be filled with their
the first foundation of this sedi- own wickedness.
* * * * * *
tion, submit yourselves unto your
1 priests; and be instructed unto
repentance, bending the knees
of your hearts.
16 Learn to be subject, laying
aside all proud and arrogant
boasting of your tongues.
17 For it is better for you to
be found little, and approved, in
the 2 sheepfold of Christ, than to
seem to yourselves better than
others, and be cast out of his
3 fold.
18 For thus speaks the excel-
lent and all-virtuous wisdom,
* Behold 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 naught
all my counsel, and would none
of my reproof. I will also laugh
at your calamity, and mock when
your fear cometh ;
21 When your fear cometh
as desolation, and your destruc-
tion as a whirlwind, when dis-
tress 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
1 Elders.
3 Sez Coteler. in loc.
2 See Junius in loc.
CHAP. XXIV.
1 Recommends them to God. 3 Desires
speedily to hear that this Epis'le has had
a good effect upon them. 4 Conclusion.
No
OW God the inspector of
all things, the 5 Father of
spirits, and the Lord of all flesh,
who has chosen our Lord Jesus
Christ, and us by him, to be his
peculiar people;
2 Grant to every soul of man
that calleth upon his glorious
and holy name, faith, fear, peace,
long-suffering, patience, temper-
ance, holiness and sobriety, unto
all well pleasing in his sight;
through our High-Priest and
Protector Jesus Christ, by whom
be glory and majesty, and pow-
er, and honour, unto him now
and for evermore, Amen.
3 ¶ 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 acquaint 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 hon-
our and glory, and might and
majesty, and eternal dominion,
by Christ Jesus, from everlast
ing to everlasting, Amen
7
4 Prov. i. 23, &c.
6 To his name.
5 Master.
7 Him
12
133
The SECOND EPISTLE of CLEMENT to the
CORINTHIANS.
Archbishop Wake is the translator of this Second Epistle, which he says was not of se
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.
That we ought to value our salvation; and to understandings;
show that we do, by a sincere obedience.
BR
so
RETHREN, we ought
to think of Jesus Christ as
of God; as of the judge of the liv-
ing and the dead: nor should we
think ¹ any less of our salvation.
1
2 For if we think 1 meanly of
him, we shall hope only to re-
ceive 1 some small things from
nim.
3 And if we 2 do so, we shall
sin; not 3 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 4 how great are
those advantages which we owe
to him in relation to our holi-
ness? He has illumined us; as
7 We were defective in our
worshipping
stones, and wood; gold, and sil-
and brass, the works of
ver,
men's hands; and our whole life
was nothing else but death.
1 Little things, or meanly.
2 Hear as of little things.
3 Knowing.
8 Wherefore being encom-
passed with darkness, and hav-
ing such a mist before our eyes
we have looked up, and through
his will have laid aside the cloud
wherewith we were surrounded.
9 For he had compassion
upon us, and being moved in his
bowels towards us, he saved us;
having beheld in us much error,
and destruction; 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 noth-
ing to give us a being.
CHAP. II.
1 That God had before prophesied by Isaiah,
that the Gentiles should be saved. 8 That
this ought to engage such especially to ive
well; without which they will still nis-
carry.
A father, he has called us his REJOICE, thou barren that
a
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
which we have received.
bearest not, break forth
and cry, thou that travailest not;
for she that is desolate hath many
more children than she that has
a husband.5
2 In that he said, Rejoice, thou
4 How great holy things do we owe
unto him.
5 Isaiah liv. 1.
134
The Gentiles
II. CORINTHIANS.
to be saved
barren that bearest not, he spake | brought to the knowledge of the
of us; for our church was barren Father of truth.
before that children were given
unto it.
3 And again; when he said,
Cry, thou that travailest not, he
implied thus much: That after
the manner of woman in travail,
we should not cease to put up
our prayers unto God 1 abun-
dantly.
4 And for what follows, be-
cause she that is desolate hath
more children than she that hath
a husband; it was therefore
added, because 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,
2 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
falling.
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 showed
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
9 3 Whereby shall we show
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,
4 Whosoever shall confess me
before men, him will I confess
before any Father. This there-
fore is our reward, if we shall
confess him by whom we have
been saved.
1 Anλws. See St. James i. 5. Com-
pare Rom. xii. 8.
2 Cor. viii. 2., ix. |
11, 13.
9 Matt. ix. 13.
11 But, wherein must we con-
fess him?-Namely, in doing
those things which he saith, and
not disobeying his command-
ments; by worshipping him not
with our lips only, but with all
our heart, and with all our mind.
For he saith in Isaiah; 5 This
people honoureth 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; 6 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
committing adultery, not speak-
ing evil against each other, not
envying one another; but by be-
ing 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
3 What is the knowledge which is to
wards him.
4 Matt. x. 32
5 Isaiah xxix. 13.
6 Matt. i. 21-
135
Exhorts
II. CORINTHIANS
against
confess God, and not by those | and of a short continuance; but
that are otherwise.
the promise of Christ is great
and wonderful, even the rest of
the kingdom that is to come, and
of eternal life.
15 Also let us not fear men;
but rather God. 1 Wherefore,
if we should do such wicked
things, the Lord hath said ;
Though ye should be joined un-
to me, even in my very bosom,
and not keep my command-
meuts, I would cast you off, and
say unto you; 2 Depart from me;
I know not whence you are, ye
workers of iniquity.
4 What then must we do
that we may attain unto it?→
We must 5 order our conversa-
tion 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.
CHAP. III.
5 For thus saith the Lord,
6 No servant can serve two mas-
1 That whilst we secure the other world,
we need not fear what can befall us in this.ters.
5 That if we follow the interests of this
If, therefore, we shall
present world, we cannot escape the pun- desire to serve God and Mam-
ishment of the other. 10 Which ought to
mon, it will be without profit to
bring us to repentance and holiness, 14 and
that presently; because in this world is the us. 7 For what will it profit, it
only time for repentance.
WH
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, 3 Ye
|
HEREFORE, brethren, lose his own soul?
6 Now this world and that
to come, are two enemies. This
speaketh of adultery and cor-
ruption, of covetousness and
deceit; but that renounceth
these things.
shall be as sheep in the midst of 7 We cannot, therefore, be
wolves. Peter answered and the friends of both; but we
said, What if the wolves shall must resolve, by forsaking the
tear in pieces the sheep? Jesus one, to enjoy the other. And
said unto Peter, Let not the sheep we think it is better to hate the
fear the wolves after death: 4And present things, as little, short-
ye also, fear not those that kill lived, and corruptible, and to
you, and after that have no more love those which are to come,
that they can do unto you; but which are truly good and incor-
fear him who after you are dead, |ruptible.
nas power to cast both soul and
body into hell-fire.
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.
3 For consider, brethren, that
the sojourning of this flesh in
the present world, is but little,
one gain the whole world, and
Wherefore we doing these things.
2 Matt vii. 23. Luke xiii. 27.
• Matt x. 16
4 Luke xi 4, 5
5 MS. Alexander, οσίως και δικαιως ανασ
τρέφεσθαι.
6 Luke xvi. 13.
7 Matt. xvi. 26
136
he things
II. CORINTHIANS.
of this worla
For even thus saith the Scrip-| 13 Thus speaks the prophet
ture in the prophet Ezekiel, concerning those who keep not
If Noah, Job, and Daniel their seal; 2 Their worm shal
should rise up, they shall not not die, and their fire shall
deliver their children in cap-not be quenched;
quenched; and they
tivity.
shall be for a spectacle unto all
9 Wherefore, if such right- flesh.
eous men are not able by their
righteousness to deliver their
children; how can we hope to
enter into the kingdom of God,
except we keep our baptism
holy and undefiled? Or who
shall be our advocate, unless we
shall be found to have done
what is holy and just?
10 Let us, therefore, my
brethren, contend with all ear-
nestness, knowing that our com-
bat is at hand; and that many
go long voyages to encounter
for a corruptible reward.
11 And yet all are not crown-
ed, but they only that labour
much, and strive gloriously.
Let us, therefore, so contend,
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 all be crowned, let us
come as near to it as we are able.
12 Moreover, we must con-
sider, that he who contends in a
corruptible 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
conbat of immortality?
1 Ezek. xiv. 14, 20.
2 Isaiah lxvi. 24.
14 Let us therefore repent,
whilst we are yet upon the
earth: for we 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 fur-
nace 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
repentance, that we may be
saved by the Lord.
16 For after we shall have
departed 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
observing the commandments of
the Lord, lay hold on eternal
life: for the Lord saith in the
Gospel, 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 wha
he saith; Keep your bodies pure
4 There
3 Let us repent.
5 Luke xvi. 10, 12.
12 *
137
II. CORINTHIANS
If the
and your seal without spot, that
ye may receive eternal life.
CHAP. IV.
We shall rise, and be judged, in our bodies;
therefore we must live well in them, 6 that
we ought, for our own interest, to live well;
hough few seem to mind what really is for
their advantage, 10 and not deceive our-
selves; seeing God will certainly judge us,
and render to all of us according to our
works.
Let us pursue virtue, and
forsake wickedness, which lead-
eth us into sins; and let us flee
all ungodliness, that evils over-
take us not.
7 For, if we shall do our dili-
gence to live well, peace shall
follow us. 4 And yet how hard
is it to find a man that does this!
2 We must, therefore, keep For almost all are led by human
our flesh as the temple of God. | fears, choosing rather the pres-
For in like manner as ye were ent enjoyments, than the future
called in the flesh, ye shall also promise.
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
receive the re-
ward.
8 For they know not how
great a torment the present en-
joyments bring with them; nor
what delights the future prom-
ise.
A
ND 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?
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 deliver up ourselves to God
our physician, giving our reward
unto him.
4 And what reward shall we
give?—Repentance out of a
pure heart.
For he knows all
things beforehand, and searches
out our very hearts.
5 Let us therefore give praise
unto him; not only with our
mouths, but with all our souls;
resurrection.
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 ¶ Wherefore, my brethren,
let us do the will of the Father,
who hath called us, that we may
live.
1 MS. Alex. plane six exhibet: εis Xpio-
ος.
2 Vox Oɛou non est in MS.
Matt. xi. 50.
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 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.
II For thus saith the prophet;
5 Miserable are the double-mind-
ed, who doubt in their heart, and
4 For for this cause, we cannot find a
Aliter Wendel, in traduct. lat
man.
q. v.
5 See I. Clement, cnap. x.
138
The Lord's
II. CORINTHIANS.
kingdom
say, These things have we heard, | person,
When his kingdom
even in the time of our fathers, should come? answered, When
but we have seen none of them, two shall be one, and that which
though we have expected them is without as that which is
from day to day.
within; and the male with the
12 O ye fools! compare your-female, neither male nor fe-
selves to a tree; take the vine male.
for an example.
its leaves, then it buds, then
come the sour grapes, then the
ripe fruit: even so my people
has borne its disorders and af-
factions, but shall hereafter 1e-
ceive good things.
First it sheds 2 Now, two are one, when we
speak the truth to each other,
and 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 fe-
male, neither male nor female ;3-
He means this; he calls our
anger the male, our concu-
piscence 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 educa-
tion, cloud and darken the rea-
son),
6 But rather, having dispelled
the mist arising from them, and
being full of shame, shall by
repentance have united both his
soul and spirit in the obedience
of reason; then, as Paul says,
there is in us neither male nor
female.
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, we shall do
what is just in the sight of God,
we shall enter into his kingdom,
and shall receive the promises;
Which neither eye hath seen,
nor ear heard, nor have entered
into the heart of man.
15 ¶ Wherefore let us every
hour expect the kingdom of God
in love and righteousness; be-
cause we know not the day of
God's appearing.
CHAP. V.
A FRAGMENT.
Of the Lord's kingdom.
1 *** 2 For the Lord him-
self, being asked by a certain
Cor. ii. 9.
• Clem. Rom. ex. MS. Regio.
3 Ex. Clem. Alexandrin.
139
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 Alexandri-
nus, Origen, Eusebius, and Jerome, and many ancient Fathers. Cotelerius affirms that
Origen and Jerome esteemed it genuine and canonical; but Cotelerius himself did not be-
lieve it to be either one or 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 persuaded of, that it
ought to be treated with the same respect as several of the books of the present canon.
Dr. Bernard, Savilian professor at Oxford, not only believed it to be genuine, but that it was
read throughout, in the churches at Alexandria, as the canonical Scriptures wero. Dod-
well supposed it to have been published before the Epistle of Jude, and the writings of both
the Johns. Vossius, Dupuis, Dr. Cave, Dr. Mill, Dr. S. Clark, Whiston, and Archbishop
Wake, also esteemed it genuine : Menardus, Archbishop Laud, Spanheim, and others,
deemed it apocryphal.]
CHAP. I.
Preface to the Epistle.
A
LL happiness to you, my
sons and daughters, in the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who loved us, in peace.
2 Having perceived abun-
dance of knowledge of the
great and ¹ excellent 2 laws of
God to be in you, I exceedingly
rejoice in your blessed and ad-
mirable 3 souls, because 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 6 pure fountain of God:
4 Having this persuasion,
and being fully convinced there-
of, because that since I 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.
Spiritibus, disposition.
4 Natural: Gr. Eµqvrov. See chap. xix.
εμφυτον. δορεαν διδαχης: which the Lat.
Int. renders, Naturale donum Doctrinæ.
Comp. Jam. i. 21.
5 Liberari: Gr. ut videtur owÔŋval.
• Honesto, from the Gr. kades.
5 For which cause, 8 breth-
ren, I also think verily that I
love you above my own soul:
because that therein dwelleth
the greatness of faith and char-
ity, 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 dili-
gence 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 For the Lord hath both de-
clared unto us, by the prophets,
those things that 13 are past; and
1 Honestarum.
2 Aquitatum. Aikawμarwv, righteous preaching or fulfilling the same.
udgments.
8 Vid. Annot. Vos. in loc.
7 Comp. Psalm cxix. 33. viz. either by
9 Talibus spiritibus servienti. Usser
10 Γνωσις.
11 Δογματα κυριου, Constitutions of the
Lord.
12 Viz. faith and charity. See before.
Namely, wnica we are to believe
140
Legal sacrifices
BARNABAS.
abolished
' opened to us the beginnings offerings of rams, and the fat of
those that are to come.
10 fed beasts; and I delight not
in the blood of bullocks, or of
he-goats.
2
9 Wherefore, it will behove
us, as he has spoken, to come
more holiły, and nearer to his
altar.
3
10 I, therefore, not as a
teacher, but as one 4 of you,
will endeavour to lay before you
a few things by which you may,
5 on many accounts, become the
more joyful.
CHAP. II.
That God has abolished the legal sacrifices, to
introduce the spiritual righteousness of the
Gospel.
7 Bring no more vain obla-
tions, incense is an abomination
unto me: your new moons and
sabbaths, the calling of assem
blies I cannot away with, it is
iniquity, even the solemn meet-
ing your new moons and your
appointed feasts, my soul
hateth.
Se
EEING then the days are |
exceeding evil, and the ad-
versary has got the power of this
present world, we ought to
give the more diligence to in-
quire into the 7 righteous judg-
ments of the Lord.
6
8 These things therefore hath
God abolished, that the new law
of our Lord Jesus Christ, which
is without the yoke of any such
necessity, might have the spirit-
ual offering of men themselves.
2 8 Now the assistants of our
faith are fear and patience; our
fellow-combatants, long-suffer-
ing and continence.
9. For so the Lord saith again
to those heretofore: 12 Did I at
all command your fathers when
they came out of the land of
Egypt concerning burnt-offer-
ings or sacrifices?
3 Whilst these remain pure
in what relates unto the Lord,
wisdom, and understanding, and
science, and knowledge, rejoice
together with them.
10 But this I commanded
them, saying, 13 Let none of you
imagine evil in your hearts
against his neighbour, and love
no false oath.
4 For God has manifested to
us by all the prophets, that he
has no occasion for our sacri- 11 Forasmuch then as we are
fices, or burnt-offerings, or obla- not without understanding, we
tions; saying thus: To what ought to apprehend the design
purpose is the multitude of
your of our merciful Father. For
sacrifices unto me, saith the he speaks to us, being willing
Lord.
that we, who have been in the
5 I am full of the burnt-of-same error about the sacrifices,
14
1 That is, which are to be hoped for,
and end in love.
6 11 When ye come to appear
before me, who hath required
this at your hands? Ye shall
no more tread my courts.
2 Given us to know.
3 Honestius et altius: the most honest-
y and highly.
4 Like yo urselves. 5 In many things.
6 Age.
7 Equities.
8 Comp. Græc. Clem. Alex.
9 Isaiah i. 11.
10 Lambs.
11 Isaial. i. 12, 13, 14.
12 Jer. vii. 22, 23. 13 Zach. viii. 17
14 Of the mercy of our Father.
141
Praphecies
BARNABAS.
of Dane.
12 And therefore he thus be-
speaks us, The sacrifice of
God (is a broken spirit), a bro-
ken and contrite heart God will
not despise.
should seek and find how to ap-| break forth as the morning, and
proach unto him.
thy health shall spring forth
speedily; and thy righteousness
shall go before thee, the glory
of the Lord shall be thy rere-
ward.
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: 2 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 afflict his soul? 3 Is it to bow
down his head like a bulrush,
and to spread sackcloth and
ashes under him? Wilt thou call
this a fast, and an acceptable
day to the Lord ?
1 Psalm li.
• Verse 5.
6 Verse 7.
▾ Verse 9
CHAP. III.
16 But to us he saith on this The prophecies of Daniel concerning the ten
kings, and the coming of Christ.
wise: 4 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 thy-
self from thine own flesh?
18 6 Then shall thy light
19 7 Then shalt 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: 8 and if thou
draw out thy soul to the hungry;
and satisfy the afflicted soul.
2 Isaiah, lviii. 4.
4 Verse 6.
• Verse 8.
8 Verse 10.
20 In this, therefore, breth-
ren, God has manifested his
9 foreknowledge and mercy to
us; because the people which
he has purchased to his beloved
Son were to believe in 10 sinceri-
ty; and therefore he has shown
these things to all of us, that we
should not run as proselytes to
11 the Jewish Law.
W
HEREFORE it is ne-
cessary that searching
diligently into those 12 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 hate
the errors of the present time,
that we may be 13 happy in that
which is to come :
3 Let us not give ourselves
the liberty of disputing with the
9 Providence.
11 Their.
10 Simplicity.
12 Histantibus: read Instantibus.
13 Beloved.
142
concerning
BARNABAS.
Christ, &
wicked and sinners; lest we ceived the covenant from the
should chance in time to become Lord, even the two tables of
like unto them.
stone written by the hand of
God.
4 For the consummation of
1 sin is come, as it is written, as 9 But having turned thein.
the prophet Daniel says. And selves to idols they lost it; as the
for this end the Lord hath Lord also said to Mosés; Moses
shortened the times and the 7 go down quickly, for thy peo
days, that his beloved might ple, which thou hast brought
hasten his coming to his inher- forth out of Egypt, have cor-
itance.
rupted themselves, and turned
aside from the way which I
commanded them. 8 And Mo-
ses cast the two tables out of
his hands; and their covenant
was broken; that the love of Je-
sus might be sealed in your
hearts, unto the hope of his
6 And again Daniel speaks
in like manner concerning the
kingdoms; 3 and I saw the faith.
fourth beast dreadful and terri-
ble, and strong exceedingly;
and it had ten horns. 4 I con-
sidered 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 be-
seech you, as one of your own
brethren, loving you all beyond
my own life, that you look well
to yourselves, and be not like to
those who 5 add sin to sin, and
say, That their covenant is ours
also. Nay, but it is ours only;
for they have for ever lost that
which Moses received.
5 For so the prophet speaks:
2 There shall ten kings reign in
the earth, and there shall rise
last of all another little one, and
he shall humble three kings.
1 Temptation, Dan. ix.
2 Dan. vii.
8 For thus saith the Scrip-
ture: 6 And Moses continued
fasting forty days and forty 12 Let us become spiritual, a
nights in the mount; and he re-perfect temple to God. As much
Verse 8.
Exod. xxxi. axxiv.
10 Wherefore let us give
heed unto the last times. For
all the 9 time past of our life, and
our faith, will profit us nothing;
unless we continue to hate what
is evil, and to withstand the fu-
ture temptations. So the Son
of God tells us; Let us resist
all iniquity and hate it.
3 Verse 7.
6 Heap up
sins.
10 Do
11 Wherefore consider the
works of the evil way.
not withdraw yourselves from
others, as if you were already
justified; but coming altogether
into one place, inquire what is
agreeable to, and profitable for
the beloved of God. For the
Scripture saith;
11 Wo unto
them that are wise in their own
eyes, and prudent in their own
sight.
7 Exod. xxxii. 7. Deut. ix. 12.
8 Exod. xxxii. 19.
10 Heb. x. 25.
11 Vid. Gr. Clem. Alex. Isaiah v.
21
• Days.
}
143
That Christ
BARNABAS.
wus to suffer
as in us lies let us meditate up-| him, some belong to the people
on the fear of God; and strive of the Jews, and some to us.
to the utmost of our power to 3 For thus saith the Scrip
keep his commandments; that ture;
that ture; 3 He was wounded for ou
we may rejoice in his righteous transgressions, he was bruised
judgments.
for our iniquities, and by his
13 For God will judge the blood we are healed. He was
world without respect of per-led as a lamb to the slaughter,
sons; and every one shall re- and as a sheep before his shear-
ceive according to his works. ers is dumb, so he opened not
his mouth.
14 If a man shall be good,
his righteousness shall go before
him; if wicked, the reward of
his wickedness shall follow
him.
15 Take heed, therefore, lest
sitting still now, that we are
called, we fall asleep in our
sins; and the wicked one, get-
ting the dominion over us, stir
us up,
1 and shut us out of the
kingdom of the Lord.
6 This he spake, because a
16 Consider this also: al-man will justly perish, if having
though you have seen so great the knowledge of the way of
signs and wonders done among truth, he shall nevertheless not
the people of the Jews, yet this refrain himself from the way of
notwithstanding the Lord hath darkness.
forsaken them.
17 Beware, therefore, lest it
happen to us; as it is written,
2 There be many called, but few
chosen.
CHAP. IV.
That Christ was to suffer, proved from the
prophecies concerning him.
F
NOR 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
4 Wherefore we ought the
more to give thanks unto God,
for that he hath both declared
unto us what is passed, 4 and not
suffered us to be without under-
standing of those things that are
to come.
1 Matt. xxv. 7, 10. 2 Matt. xxii. 14.
3 Isaiah liii, 5, 7.
5 But to them he saith; 5 The
nets are not unjustly spread for
the birds.
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
of the world, 6 Let us make man
after our own image and like-
ness.
8 Now how he suffered for
us, seeing it was by men that he
underwent it, I will show you.
9 The prophets, having re-
ceived from him the gift of
prophecy, spake before concern-
ing him ;
10 But he, that he might
abolish death, and make known
4 Vid. Edit.Oxon. p. 21
• Gen. i. 26.
5 Prov. i. 17
7 Learu.
144
proved from
BARNABAS.
prophecy.
the resurrection from the dead, | secuted his prophets unto death.
was content, as it was necessa- And for the same reason also he
ry, to appear in the flesh, that
he might make good the promise
before given to our fathers, and
preparing himself a new people,
might demonstrate to them
whilst he was upon earth, that
after the resurrection he would
judge the world.
II And finally teaching the
people of Israel, and doing ma-
ny wonders and signs among
them, he preached to them, and
showed 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 show, 1That he came
not to call the righteous, but sin-
ners to repentance.
13 Then he clearly manifest-
ed 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 on-
ly the sun, which was the work
of his hands, and shall hereafter
cease to be, they are not able to
endure steadfastly 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-
1 Matt. ix. 13.
2 Namely, from the Jews.
3 Zach. xiii. 6, 7.
4 According to the LXX. Psalın xxii.
20. Psalm exix. 120. Psalm xxii. 16, 17.
5 These words were doubtless cited
thus by Barnabas, because that without
suffered.
16 For God hath said, of the
2 stripes of his flesh, that they
were from them. And 3 I will
smite the shepherd, and the
sheep of the flock shall be scat-
tered.
17 Thus he would suffer, be-
cause it behoved him to suffer
upon the cross.
18 For thus one saith, proph-
esying 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 (5 They have pierced
my hands and my feet).
20 And again
again he saith, I
gave my back to the smiters,
6 and my cheeks to be buffeted,
and my face I set as a hard
rock.
CHAP. V.
The subject continued.
ND when he had fulfilled
the commandment of Goa,
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
them, those foregoing do not prove the
crucifixion of Christ. But through the
repetition of the same preposition, this
latter part was so early omitted, that it
was not in the Latin interpreter's copy.
6 Isaiah 1. 6.
7 İsaiah 1. 8, 9.
Septuag Inter.
13
-145
Prophecies
BARNABAS.
concerning
adds, ¹ He is put for a stone of soul, because they have taken
stumbling. 2 Behold I lay in wicked counse. against them-
Zion for a foundation, a precious selves, saying, Let us 13 lay snares
stone, a choice corner stone; an for the righteous, because he is
honourable stone? And what unprofitable to us.
follows? And he that hopeth in
him shall live for ever.
8 Moses also in like manner
speaketh to them:
14 Behold,
thus saith the Lord God; Enter
ye into the good land of which
the Lord hath sworn to Abra-
ham, and Isaac, and Jacob, that
he would give it you, and pos-
sess it; a land flowing with milk
and honey.
9 Now what the spiritual
meaning of this is, learn;
15 It is
as if it had been said; Put your
trust in Jesus, who shall be man-
ifested to you in the flesh. For
man is the earth which suffers:
forasmuch as out of the 16 sub-
stance of the earth Adam was
formed.
3 What then? Is our hope
ouilt upon a stone? God forbid.
But because the Lord hath
3 hardened his flesh against suf-
ferings, he saith, 4 I have put me
as a firm rock.
4 And again the prophet
adds, 5 The stone which the
builders refused is become the
head of the corner. And again
he saith; 6 This is the great and
wonderful day which the Lord
hath made. 7I write these
things the more plainly to you
that ye may understand: 8 For
indeed I could be content even
to die for your sakes.
10 What therefore does he
mean when he says, Into a good
land flowing with milk and hon-
ey? Blessed be our Lord, who
5 But what saith the prophet
again;
9 The counsel of the
wicked encompassed me about.
10 They came about me, as bees has given us wisdom, and a
about the honey-comb: and, heart to understand his secrets.
11 Upon my vesture they cast For so says the prophet, 17 Who
shall understand the hard sav-
ings of the Lord?
18 But he
that is wise, and intelligent, and
that loves his Lord.
lots.
as
6 Forasmuch then our
Saviour was to appear in the
flesh, and suffer, his passion
was hereby foretold.
7 For thus saith the prophet
against Israel: 12 Wo be to their
1 Isaiah, viii. 14.
2 Isaiah xxviii. 16.
3 Gr. Put in strength, or strengthened.
4 Isaiah, l. 7. Psalm cxviii. 22.
sion.
8 Vid. Edit. Oxon. p. 29, a пɛpi&nua
6 Verse 24, Clem. Alex. Strom. v.
7 This is not in the Old Latin Ver- | Alex.
της αγαπης υμων.
• Psalm xxii. 16.
11 Seeing therefore he has
renewed us by the remission of
our sins, he has 19 put us into
10 Psalm cxviii. 12.
11 Psalm xxii. 18.
12 Isaiah iii. 9.
13 Bind.
14 Exod. xxxiii. 1.
15 Vid. Coteler. Annot. Marg. ex Clem
17 Osee xiv. ult
16 Προσωπου.
18 Prov. i. 6.
19 Gr. made us another form.
146*
Christ's
sufferings
another frame, that we should 18 For, my brethren, the
have souls like those of chil-habitation of our heart is a
dren, forming us again himself 10 holy temple unto the Lord.
2 by the Spirit.
For the Lord saith again, 11 In
12 For thus the Scripture what place shall I appear before
saith concerning us, 3 where it the Lord my God, and be glori-
introduceth the Father speaking |fied?
to the Son; 4 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.
BARNABAS.
13 And when the Lord saw
the man which he had formed,
that behold he was very good,
he said, 5 Increase and multiply,
and replenish the earth. And
this he spake to his son.
14 I will now show you, how
he made us 6 a new creature, in
the latter days:
15 The Lord saith; 7 Behold,
I will make the last as the first.
Wherefore the prophet thus
spake; Enter into the land flow-
ing with milk and honey, and
have dominion over it.
S
16 Wherefore ye see how we
are again formed anew; as also
he speaks by another prophet:
9 Behold, saith the Lord, I will
take from them, that is, from
those whom the Spirit of the
Lord foresaw, 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.
1 Vid. Edit. Oxon. p. 30. b.
2 Vid. Vet. Lat. Interp.
3 As he saith to the Son.
4 Gen. i. 26. Comp. Coloss. iii. 10.
5 Gen. i. 28.
6 Gr. a second formation.
7 Isaia. xliii. 18, 19. Matt. xx. 16.
19 He answers, I will confess
unto thee in the congregation
in the midst of my brethren ;
and will sing unto thee in the
church of the saints.
20 Wherefore we are they
whom he has brought into that
good land.
21 12 But 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 and have dominion over
the land.
22 For he foretold above,
saying, 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 of the
covenant of the Lord.
8 Comp. Heb. iii.
9 Ezek. xi. 19.
10 So St. Paul, 1 Cor. iii. 16, 17. vi. 19
11 Psalm x'i. 2.
12 Comp. Hier. in Jer. xxxii. 22, et in
Jer. xi. 5. Add. 1 Pet. ii 2.
147
The s.ape-gvar
BARNABAS.
CHAP. VI.
The scape-goat, an evident type of this.
UN
NDERSTAND then, my
beloved 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 Lord of all, and
shall come to judge both the
quick and dead, hath suffered,
that by his stripes we might live;
let us believe that the Son of
God could not have suffered but
for us.
But, being crucified,
they gave him vinegar and gall
to drink.
1
3 Hear, therefore, how the
priests of the temple did fore-
show this also: ¹ the Lord, by his
command which was written,
declared that whosoever did not
fast the appointed fast, 2 he
should die the death: because
he also was himself one day to
offer up his 3 body for our sins;
that so the type of what was
done in 4 Isaac might be fulfilled,
who was offered upon the altar.
4 What therefore is it that he
says by the prophet? 5 And let
them eat of the goat which is
offered in the day of the fast for
al their sins. Hearken diligent-
ly (my brethren), and all the
priests, and they only shall eat
the inwards, not washed with
vinegar.
2 Levit. xxiii. 29.
3 The vessel of his spirit.
4 Gen. xxii.
1 See this applied after the same man-
ncr, Heb. ix.
evidentia
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; there-
fore do ye only eat, the people
fasting the while, and lamenting
in sackcloth and ashes.
5 Numb. xxix. &c Vid. Coteler. in
Marg. et Annot. in loc. Comp. Observ. |
Edit Oxon.
6 And that he might fore-
show, that he was to suffer for
them, hear then, how he ap-
pointed it.
7 7Take, says he, two goats,
fair and alike, and offer them;
and let the high-priest take one
of them for a burnt-offering
And what must be done with
the other? Let it, says he, be
|
9 And this being done, he
that was appointed to convey
the goat, led it into the wilder-
ness, 9 and took away the scarlet
wool, and put it upon a thorn-
bush, whose 10 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?
the ceremony? Consider; one was
offered upon the altar, the other
was accursed.
11 And why was that which
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;
and put the scarlet wool about
its head: and thus let it be car-
ried forth into the wilderness.
• Vid. Annot. Coteler. in loc.
7 Levit. xvi. Vid. Maimon, Tract. de
Die Exp. Edit. du Veil. p. 350. Ada.
Annot. Cotel. and Ed. Oxon: in loc.
8 Vid. Edit. Oxon. p. 40. a. 41. b.
9 Vid. Maim. ibid. page 341. Comp
Annot. Edit. Oxon. in loc.
10 Vid. Annot. Isaac Voss. in loe
148
of Christ
whom sins are come to perfec
tion, 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 all these are
delivered in a 6 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 af-
terwards have no more to do
with it; the sinners have no
more the honour of handling of it:
14 But what then signifies 5 But the young men that
this, That the wool was to be performed the sprinkling, signi-
put into the midst of the thorns? fied those who preach to us the
15 This also is a figure of forgiveness of sins, and the puri-
Jesus, set out to the church. |fication of the heart, to whom
For as he who would take away the Lord gave authority to
the scarlet wool must undergo preach his Gospel : being at the
many difficulties, because that beginning twelve, 7 to signify the
thorn was very sharp, and with tribes, because there were twelve
difficulty get it: 3 So they, says tribes of Israel.
Christ, that will see me, and
come to my kingdom, must
through many afflictions and
troubles attain unto me.
6 But why were there three
young men appointed to sprin-
kle? To denote Abraham, and
Isaac, and Jacob, because they
were great before God.
7 And why was the wool put
upon a 8 stick? Because the
kingdom of Jesus was founded
upon the 8 cross; and therefore
they that put their trust in him,
shall live for ever.
sypical
was accursed, crowned? Be-
cause they shall see Christ in
that day having a scarlet garment
about his body; and shall say,
ls not this he whom we crucifi-
ed; having despised him, pierced
him, mocked him? Certainly,
this is he, who then said, that
he was the Son of God.
BARNABAS.
12 ¹ As therefore he shall be
then like to what he was on
earth, so were the Jews hereto-
fore commanded to take two
goats, fair and equal. That
when they shall see (our Saviour)
hereafter coming (in the clouds
of heaven), they may be amazed
at the likeness of the goats.
13 Wherefore 2 ye here again
see a type of Jesus who was to
suffer for us.
CHAP. VII.
The red heifer, another type of Christ.
BUT
UT what 4 type do ye sup-
pose it to have been, where
It is commanded 5 to the people
of Israel, that grown persons in
The Greek is imperfect.
• Vid. Lat. Ver.
3 See Acts xiv. 22.
4 Numb. xix.
5 That this was also a type of Christ,
see Hb. ix. 13.
← Vid. Vet. Lat. Interpr. Simplicity,Gr.
7 r. to testify.
8 Wood
13*
149
Circumcision
8 But why was the wool and
nyssop 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 because he that
has any disease in the flesh by
some filthy humours, is cured by
hyssop.
9 Wherefore these things
being thus done, are to us in-
deed evident, but to the 2 Jews
they are obscure; because they
hearkened not unto the voice of
he Lord.
of the cars ·
because the Lord has poken
these things for a witness.
5 And again he saith, 10 Hear
the word of the Lord, ye princes
of the people. And again,
11 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 :
CHAP. VIII.
Of the circumcision of the ears: and how in
the first institution of circumcision, Abra- |
7 But they have transgressed
his commands, because the evil
12 one hath deceived them. For
thus God bespeaks them; 13 Thus
ham mystically foretold Christ by name. 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.
me.
2 And again, 4 They who are
afar off, shall hear and under-
stand what things I have done.
And again, 5 Circumcise your
hearts, saith the Lord.
8 And again he saith, 14 Cir-
cumcise the hardness of your
heart, and harden not your neck.
And again, 15 Behold, saith the
Lord, all the nations are uncir-
cumcised (they have not lost
their fore-skin); but this people
is uncircumcised in heart.
say
3 And again he saith, 6Hear,
O Israel! For thus saith the 9 But you will 16 the Jews
Lord thy God. And again the were circumcised for a sign
Spirit of God prophesieth, say-17 And so are all the Syrians and
ing, 7 Who is there that would | Arabians, and all the idolatrous
live for ever, let him hear the priests: but are they therefore
voice of my Son.
of the covenant of Israel? And
4 And again, 9 Hear, O Heav- even the Egyptians themselves
en, and give ear, O Earth! | are circumcised.
A
ND therefore the Scripture
again speaks concerning
our ears, that God has circum-
cised them, together with our
hearts. For thus saith the Lord
by the holy prophet: 3 By the
hearing of the ear they obeyed
BARNABAS.
1 Vid. Coteler. in loc.
3 Septuag. Psalm xviii. 44.
4 Isaiah xxxiii. 13.
6 Jer. vii. 2.
• Psalms xxxiii xxxiv.
Isaiah i 10.
2 Them.
5 Jer. iv. 4.
10 Isaiah i. 10
12 Angel.
11 Isaiah xl. 3.
13 Jer. iv. 3, 4.
13 Deut. x. 16.
14 Jer. iv. 4.
16 That people.
17 Vid. Coller. in loc. confer. Orig
• Isaiah i 2. ad Rom. cap. ii. 25.
150
Spiritual meaning
BARNABAS.
of the can
10 Understand, therefore, chil- | the hawk, nor the crow, nor
dren, these things more fully, any fish that has not a scale
that Abraham, who was the first upon him-I answer, that
that brought in circumcision, in the spiritual sense, he com-
looking forward in the spirit to prehended three doctrines, that
Jesus, circumcised, having re- were to be 4 gathered from
ceived the mystery of three thence.
letters.
2 Besides which he says to
them in the book of Deuterono-
my, and I will give my statutes
unto this people. Wherefore it
is not the command of God that
they should not eat these things;
but Moses in the Spirit spake
unto them.
·
11 For the Scripture says,
that Abraham circumcised three
hundred and eighteen men of
his house. But what therefore
1 1
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
nundred; the note of which is
T (the figure of his cross.)
Wherefore, by two letters, he
signified Jesus, and by the third
his cross.
14 He who has put the en-
grafted gift of his doctrine with-
in us, knows, that I never taught
to any one a more 2 certain
truth; but I trust that ye are
worthy of it.
CHAP. IX.
That the commands of Moses concerning
clean and unclean beasts, &c. were all de-
signed for a spiritual signification.
B
UT why did Moses say,
3 Ye shall not eat of the
wine, neither the eagle, nor
1 That many others of the ancient Fa-
thers 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 17, 18.
EJE
Add. Annot. D. Benard
125
3 Now the sow he forbade
them to eat; meaning thus
much: thou shalt not join thy-
self 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 and
sweat to get themselves food,
but injuriously 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.
2 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. Ainsworth on Lev. xi. 1
Auc
in on Deut. xiv. 4.
In the understanding. Deut. v.
151
beasts, &c. under
BARNABAS.
the law of Moses.
5 (1So these birds alone seek | join themselves with those im.
not food for themselves, but) sit-pure women, who with their
ting idle seek how they may eat mouths commit wickedness.
of the flesh which others have 8 Because that animal conceives
provided; being destructive with its inouth.
through their wickedness.
6 Ñeither, says he, shalt thou
eat the lamprey, nor the polypus,
nor the cuttle-fish; that is, thou
shalt not be like such men, by
using to converse with them;
who are 2 altogether wicked and
adjudged to death. For so those
fishes are alone accursed, and
wallow in the mire, nor swim as
other fishes, but tumble in the
dirt at the bottom of the deep.
10 Moses therefore, speaking
as concerning meats, delivered
indeed three great precepts to
them in the spiritual signification
of those commands. But they,
according to the desires of the
flesh, understood him as if he
had only meant it of meats.
11 And therefore David took
aright the knowledge of his
threefold command, saying, in
like manner;
7 But he adds, 3 Neither shalt
thou eat of the hare. To what
end?-To signify this to us;
4 thou shalt not be an adulterer;
nor liken thyself to such persons.
For the hare every year multi-
plies 5 the places of its concep-
tion; and as many years as it
lives, so many 6 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?-7 Because
that creature every year changes
its kind, and is sometimes male,
and sometimes female.
9 For which cause also he
justly hated the weasel; to the
end that they should not be like
such persons who with their
mouths com:nit wickedness, by
reason of their uncleanness; nor
1 Vid. Antiq. Lat. Vers.
2 Wicked to the end.
12 9 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.
6
5 Αφοδευσιν.
Τρυπας.
Só several naturalists have affirmed,
15 Here you have the law
concerning meat perfectly set
forth, and according to the true
knowledge of it.
16 But says Moses, 10 Ye shall
eat all that divideth the hoof
and cheweth the cud. Signify-
ing thereby such a one as having
taken his food, knows him that
nourisheth him; and resting
upon him, rejoiceth in him.
though others deny it.—See Annot. Cote-
ler. in loc.
•
3 See Coteler. Annot. in loc.
4 Thou shalt not abuse thyself with Evang. L. viii. cap. 9.
mankind.
8 Vid. Arist. apud Euseb. Præp
Add. Coteler. in
loc.
9 Psalm i. 1.
10 See Edit. Oxon. p. 64. a. So Iren
adv. Her. I. v. c. 9.
+
152
Baptism and
BARNABAS.
the cross
17 And in this he spake well, | rael how they shall not receive
having respect to the command- that baptism which brings to
ment. What therefore is it that forgiveness of sins; but shall in-
he says?—That we should hold stitute another to themselves, that
fast to them that fear the Lord; cannot.
with those who meditate on the 3 For thus saith the prophet,
command of the word which | 3 Be astonished, O Heaven! and
they have received, in their let the earth tremble at it, be-
heart; with those that declare cause this people have done two
the righteous judgments of the great and wicked things. they
Lord; and keep his command- have left me, the fountain of liv-
ments;
ing water, and have digged for
themselves broken cisterns that
can hold no water.
18 In short, with those who
know that to meditate is a work
of pleasure, and therefore 2
ercise themselves in the word of
the Lord.
ex-
1
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.
4 Is my holy mountain 4 Zion
a desolate wilderness? 5 For ye
shall be as a young bird when its
nest is taken away.
5 And again the prophet saith,
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 hidden, and invisible treas-
ures, that they may know that I
20 But how should we thus
know all this, and understand
it? We, therefore, understand-am the Lord God.
ing aright the commandments,
speak as the Lord would have us.
Wherefore 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.
6 And again; He shall dwell
7 in the high den of the strong
rock. And then, what follows in
the same prophet? His water is
faithful: ye shall see the king
with glory, and your soul shall
learn the fear of the Lord.
7 And again he saith in
another prophet; He that does
ET
L
us now inquire whether
these things 8 shall be like a
the Lord took care to man-tree planted by the currents of
ifest any thing beforehand con-
cerning water and the cross.
2 Now for the former of these,
it is written to the people of Is-
water, which shall give its frunt
in its season. Its leaf also shall
not wither, and whatsoever he
doth it shall prosper.
Comp. Clem. Alex. 1. iii. c. 11. et
simil. Orig. Theod. &c. Coteler. Annot. | in loc.
in loc.
2 Ruminat› upor
3 Jeremiah ii. 12.
4 Vid. Annot. Coteler. and Ed. Oxon
Isaiah xvi. 1, 2.
7 Isa. xxxiii 16, 17.
6 Isaiah xlv.
8 Psalın i.
153
foretold in
BARNABAS.
figures
8 As for the wicked, it is not | water full of sins and pollutions;
so with them; but they are as but come up again bringing forth
the dust which the wind scatter- fruit; having in our hearts the
eth away from the face of the fear and hope which is in Jesus,
earth.
by the spirit. And whosoever
shall eat of them shall live for
ever.
9 Therefore the ungodly shall
not stand in the
the judgment,
neither the sinners in the coun-
cil of the righteous. For the
Lord knoweth the way of the
righteous, and the way of the
ungodly shall perish.
10 Consider how he has join-
ed both the cross and the water
together.
11 For this he saith; Blessed
are they who put their trust in
the cross, descend into the wa-
ter; for they shall have their re-
ward in due time; then, saith
he, will I give it them.
12 But as concerning the
present 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 and hope of many.
1
13 In like manner doth an-
other prophet speak. And the
land of Jacob was the praise of
all the earth; 2 magnifying there-
by 3 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 forever.
The signification of which is
this; that we go down into the
1 Zeph. iii. 20.
τουτο λεγει,
2 For rouro deyeɩ, and o, the Old Inter-
preter did not read: and Clemens Alex.
fib. iii. Strom. p. 463., transcribing this
passage, hath them not.
3 i. e. The body of Christ.
15 That is, whosoever shall
hearken to those who call them,
and shall believe, shall live for
ever.
CHAP. XI.
The subject continued.
IN
N like manner he determines
concerning the cross in 4an-
other 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.
6
3 5 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 them in mind
how that for their sins they were
delivered unto death); yea, the
Holy Spirit put it into the heart
of Moses, to represent 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 7 piled up
4 Vid. Conject. Edit. Oxon. Comp. iv.
Esdr. v. 4. et Obs. Cotel. in loc.
|
5 See St. Hier. in like manner. Annot
D. Bernard, p. 124. Edit. Oxon. Ex. xv •
6 That were so beaten.
7 Again set them in array, being armed
Lat Vers
154
under
BARNABAS.
the law
armour upon armour in the mid-called the people together by a
dle of a rising ground, and stand- proclamation: where being come,
ing up high above all of them, they entreated Moses that he
stretched forth his arms, and so would make an atonement for
Israel again conquered.
them, and pray that they might
be healed.
5 But no sooner did he let
down his hands, but they were
again slain. And why so?-To
the end they might know, that
except they trust in him, they
cannot be saved.
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
6 And in another prophet he him assuredly trust in him, that
saith, ¹ I have stretched out my though he be dead, yet he is able
hands all the day long to a peo- | to give life, and presently he shall
ple disobedient, and speaking be saved; and so they did. See
against my righteous way. therefore how here also you have
in this the glory of Jesus; and
that 6 in him and to him are all
things.
7 And again Moses makes a
2 type of Jesus, to show that he
was to die, and then that he,
whom they thought to be dead,
was to give life to others; in
the 3 type of 4 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,
5 Ye shall not make to yourselves
any graven or molten image, to
be your god, yet now did so
himself, 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
1 Isaiah lxv. 2.
2 So Irenæus, Just. Mart. St. Chrysost.
&c. Vid. Edit. Oxon. p. 77. a.
3 Sign.
4 Israel falling.
5 Deut. xxvii. 15
• Rom. xi 36
8
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, 7 be-
cause the Father did manifest all
things concerning his Son Jesus,
in Jesus the Son of Nun; and
gave him that name when he
sent him to spy out the land of
Canaan; 9 he 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; 10therefore David,
7 Deut. xviii. 15, 18.
8 So the other Fathers.
Just. Mart
&c. Vid. Edit. Oxon. page 79.
9 Vid. Interp. Vet. Lat. Exod. xvii
14.
10 Comp. Vet. Lat. Interp.
155
God's promises
1
fearing and well knowing the
errors of the wicked, saith, I The
Lord said unto my Lord, Sit
thou on my right hand until I
make thine enemies thy foot-
stool.
BARNABAS.
14 And again Isaiah speaketh
on this wise, The Lord said unto
"Christ my Lord, I have laid holding
on his right hand, that the nations
should obey before him, and I
will break the strength of kings.
15 Behold, how both 3 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 fulfilled
to us by Jesus Christ.
B
made te
5 And in another prophecy
Jacob speaketh more clearly to
his son Joseph, saying, 5 Behold,
the Lord hath not deprived me
of seeing thy face: bring me thy
sons, that I may bless them.
And he brought unto his father
6 Manasseh and Ephraim, desir
that he should bless Manas
seh, because he was the elder.
6 Therefore Joseph brought
him to the right hand of his
father 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 Joseph, I know it, my
son, I know it; but the greater
shall serve the lesser; though he
also shall be blessed.
8 Ye see of whom he ap-
pointed it, that they should be
the first people, and heirs of the
covenant.
9 If therefore God shall have
yet further taken notice of this
by Abraham too; our under-
standing of it will then be per-
fectly established.
UT let us go yet further and
inquire whether this peo-
ple 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
Scripture saith.
3 4 Isaac prayed for his wife
Rebekah, because she was bar-
ren; and she conceived. After-
wards, Rebekah went forth to
inquire of the 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.
10 What then saith the Scrip-
ture to Abraham, when he 7 be-
lieved, and it was imputed unto
him for righteousness? Behold,
I have made thee a father of the
ix. Just. Mart. Tert. &c. Vid. Edit.
|
1 Psalm. cx. 1.
2 Vid. Annot. Coteler. in loc. Edit. Oxon. p. 81. a.
Oxon. page 78, c. Isaiah xlv. 1.
5 Gen. xlviii.
7 Gen. xv. 6.
3 Comp. Vet. Lat. Interp.
* Gen. xxv. 21. Comp. St. Paul, Rom. [plies this; Rom. iv. 3
6 Vid. Lat. Interp. Vet
So St. Paul himself ap
156
the Gentiles, und
BARNABAS.
fulfilled in Christ.
nations, which without circum- | people of his inheritance, having
cision believe in the Lord.
suffered for us.
11 Let us therefore now in- 17 He was therefore made
quire, whether God has fulfilled manifest; that they should fill
the covenant, which he sware to up the measure of their sins,
our fathers, that he would give and that we, 4 being made heirs
this people? Yes, verily, he gave | by him, should receive the cove-
it: but they were not worthy to nant of the Lord Jesus.
receive it by reason of their
sins.
12 For thus saith the prophet:
¹ And Moses continued fasting
in Mount Sinai, to receive the
covenant of the Lord with the
people, forty days and forty
nights.
13 2 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; 3 Moses, Moses, get thee
down quickly, for the people
which thou broughtest out of the
land of Egypt have done wick-
edly.
15 And Moses understood
that they had again set up a
molten image; and he cast the
two tables out of 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,
being a servant, took them; but
the Lord himself has given them
unto us, that we might be the
1 Exod. xxiv. 18.
2 Deut. ix. 10. Exod. xxxi. 18.
3 Exod. xxxii. 7.
EA
Deut. ix. 12
4 Vid. Lat. Interp. Vet.
18 And again the prophet
saith: 5 Behold, I have set thee
for a light unto the Gentiles, to
be 6 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
appearing he might redeem our
hearts, already devoured by
death, and delivered over to the
irregularity of error, from dark-
ness; and establish a covenant
with us by his word.
20 For so it is written, that
the Father commanded him, by
delivering us from darkness, to
prepare unto himself a holy
people.
21 Wherefore the prophet
saith, 7 I the Lord thy God have
called thee in righteousness, and
I will take thee by thy hand,
and I will strengthen thee. And
give thee for a covenant of the
people, for a light of the Gen-
tiles. To open the eyes of the
blind, to bring out the prisoners
from the prison, and them that
sit in darkness out of the prison-
house.
22 Consider therefore from
whence we have been redeemed.
And again the prophet saith,
5 Isaiah xlix. 6.
6 For salvation unto
7 Isaiah xlii. 6.
8 Verse 7
14
157
Jewish sabbath
BARNABAS.
typi. ce
1 The Spirit of the Lord is upon
5 For with him one day is a
me, because he hath anointed thousand years, as himself testi-
me; he hath sent me to preach fieth, saying, Behold this day
glad tidings to the lowly; to heal shall be as a thousand years.
the broken in heart; to preach Therefore, children, in six days,
remission to the captives, and that is, in six thousand years
sight unto the blind; to proclaim shall all things be accomplished
the acceptable year of the Lord,
and the day of restitution; to
comfort all that mourn.
CHAP. XIII.
6 And what is that he saith,
And he rested
rested the seventh
day he meaneth this, that when
his Son shall come, and abolish
That the sabbath of the Jews was but a figure and judge the ungodly; and
the season of the 9 Wicked One,
of a more glorious sabbath to come, and
their temple, of the spiritual temples of God. shall change the sun and the
NURTHERMORE, it is moon, and the stars; then he
written concerning the shall gloriously rest in that
sabbath, in the Ten 2 Command-seventh day.
ments, which God spake in the
Mount Sinai to Moses, 3 face to
face: Sanctify the sabbath of the
Lord with pure hands, and with
a clean heart.
2 And elsewhere he saith,
4 If thy children shall keep my
sabbaths, then will I put my
mercy upon them.
3 And even in the beginning
of the creation he makes men-
tion of the sabbath. 5 And God
made in six days the works of
his hands; and he finished them
on the 6 seventh day, and he
rested the seventh day, and
sanctified it.
4 Consider, my children, what
that signifies, he finished them
in six days. The meaning of it
is this; that in 7 six thousand
years the Lord God will bring
all things to an end.
¹ Isaiah lxi. 1, 2. Comp. Luke iv. 18.
2 Words.
3 Exod. xx. 8.
4 Jer. xvii. 24.
5 Gen. ii. 2.
Exod. xx. 11. xxxi. 17.
• Vid. Coteler. Annot. in loc.
↑ How general this tradition then was,
|
7 He adds, lastly, Thou shalt
sanctify it with clean hands and
a pure heart. Wherefore, we
are greatly deceived if we ima-
gine that any one can now sanc-
tify that day which God has
made holy, without having a
heart pure in all things.
8 Behold, therefore, he will
then truly sanctify it with blessed
rest, when we (having received
the righteous promise, when ini-
quity shall be no more, all things
being renewed by the Lord)
shall be able to sanctify it, being
ourselves first made holy.
9 Lastly, he saith unto them
10 Your new moons and your
sabbaths I cannot bear them.
Consider what he means by it:
the sabbaths, says he, which ye
now keep, are not acceptable
unto me, but those which I have
See Coteler. Annot. in loc. Edit. Oxen
page 90, a. Psalm lxxxix. 4.
That is, to the time of the Gospel
says Dr. Bernard, q. v. Annot. p. 127
Ed. Oxon.
9 So the Lat. Vers.
10 Isaiah 1. 13
158
The temple
1
made; when, resting from all
things, I shall begin ¹ the eighth
day, that is, the beginning of the
other world.
typical
15 Furthermore, it has been
made manifest, how both the
city and the temple, and the
people of Israel, should be given
10 For which cause we ob- up. For the Scripture saith;
serve the eighth day with glad-5 And it shall come to pass in the
ness, in which Jesus rose from last days, that the Lord will de-
the dead, and having manifested | liver up the sheep of his pasture,
himself to his disciples, ascend- and their fold, and their tower
ed into heaven.
unto destruction. And it is
come to pass, as the Lord hath
spoken.
11 ¶ It remains yet that I
speak to you concerning the
temple; how those miserable 16 Let us inquire, therefore,
men, being deceived, have put whether there be any temple of
their trust in the 2 house, and God? Yes, there is: and that
not in God himself who made there, where himself declares
them; as if it were the habitation that he would both make and
of God.
perfect it. For
For it is written;
6 And it shall be that as soon as
the week shall be completed,
the temple of the Lord shall be
gloriously built in the name of
BARNABAS.
12 For much after the same
manner as the Gentiles, they
consecrated him in the temple.
13 But learn therefore how
the Lord speaketh, rendering the Lord.
the temple vain: 3 Who has 17 I find therefore that there
measured the heaven with a is a temple.
But how shall it be
built in the name of the Lord?
I will show you.
18 Before that we believed in
God, the habitation of our heart
was corruptible, and feeble, as a
temple truly built with hands.
19 For it was a house full of
idolatry, a house of devils; inas-
much as there was done in it
whatsoever was contrary unto
God. But it shall be built in the
[name of the Lord.
20 Consider, how that the
temple of the Lord shall be very
gloriously built; and by what
means that shall be, learn.
21 Having received remission
span, and the earth with his
hand? Is it not I? Thus saith
the Lord, 4 Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool.
What is the house that ye will
build me? Or what is the place
of my rest? Know therefore
that all their hope is vain.
14 And again he speaketh
after this manner: Behold, they
that destroy this temple, even
they shall again build it up.
And so it came to pass; for
through their wars it is now de-
stroyed by their enemies; and the
servants of their enemies build
it up.
1 So the other Fathers, q. v. apud Cot-
eler. Annot. in loc. p. 36.
↑ Vid. Edit. Oxon. et Vet Lat. Interp.
Isaiah xl. 12.
4 Isaiah lxvi. 1.
Zeph. ii. 6. juxt. Heh.
6 Dan. ix. Haggai ii.
159
If the way
of our sins, and trusting in the
name of the Lord, we are be-
come renewed, being again cre-
ated as it were from the begin-
ning. Wherefore, God truly
dwells in our house, that is, in us.
22 But how does he dwell
in us? The word of his faith,
the calling of his promise, the
wisdom of his righteous judg-
ments, the commands of his
doctrine; he himself prophesies
within us, he himself dwelleth in
us, and openeth to us who were
in bondage of death the gate of
1 our temple, that is, ¹the mouth
of wisdom, having given repent-
ance unto us; and by this means
has brought us to be an incor-
ruptible temple.
23 He therefore that desires
to be saved looketh 1 not unto
the man, but unto him that
dwelleth in him, and speaketh
by him; being struck with won-
der, forasmuch as he never either
heard him speaking such words
out of his mouth, nor ever desir-
ed to hear them.
24 This is that spiritual tem-
ple that is built unto the Lord.
BARNABAS.
of light
of those that are to come, you
would not yet understand them,
seeing they lie in parables
This therefore shall suffice as to
these things.
1 Vid. Lat. Ver. Interp.
• So the old Lat. Interp.
3 Let us now go on to the
other kind of knowledge and
doctrine. There are two ways
of doctrine and power; the one
of light, the other of darkness.
4 But there is a great deal of
difference between these two
ways; for over one are appoint
ed the 3 angels of God; the lead-
ers of the way of light; over the
other, the angels of Satan. And
the one is the Lord 'rom ever-
lasting to everlasting; the other
is the prince of the time of un-
righteousness.
5 Now the way of light is
this, if any one desires to attain
to the place that is appointed for
him, and will hasten thither by
his works. And the knowledge
that has been given to us for
walking in it, is to this effect:
Thou shalt love him that made
thee: thou shalt glorify him that
hath redeemed thee from death.
6 Thou shalt be simple in
heart, and rich in the spirit.
Thou shalt not cleave to those
CHAP. XIV.
Of the way of light; being a summary of that walk in the way of death.
what a Christian is to do, that he may be
happy for ever.
A
ND thus, I trust, I have
declared to you as much,
and with as great simplicity as I
could, those things which make
for your salvation, so as not to
nave omitted any thing that
might be requisite thereunto.
Thou shalt hate to do any thing
that is not pleasing unto God
Thou shalt abhor all dissimula
tion.
Thou shalt not neglect
any of the commands of the
Lord.
7 Thou shalt not exalt thy-
self, but shalt be humble. Thou
shalt not take honour to thyself
Thou shalt not enter into any
2 For should I speak further
of the things that 2 now are, and
3 Vid. Coteler. in loc et Basil. in
Psalm i.
160
Summary for
a Christian.
against thy |
wicked counsel
14 Thou shalt not be doi ble.
neighbour. Thou shalt not be minded, or double-tongued; for
over-confident in thy heart. a double tongue is the snare of
& Thou shalt not commit for- death. Thou shalt be subject
nication, nor adultery. Neither unto the Lord, and to inferior
shalt thou corrupt thyself with masters as to the representa-
mankind. Thou shalt not make tives of God, in fear and rever-
use of the word of God, to any ence.
impurity.
15 Thou shalt not be bitter in
9 Thou shalt not accept any thy commands towards any of
man's person, when thou reprov-thy servants that trust in God;
est any one's faults. Thou shalt lest thou chance not to fear him
who is over both; because he
came not to call any with respect
of persons, but whomsoever the
spirit had prepared.
16 Thou shalt communicate
to thy neighbour of all thou
hast; thou shalt not call any
thing thine own: for if ye par-
take in such things as are incor-
ruptible, how much more should
ye do it in those that are cor-
ruptible?
17 3 Thou shalt not be for-
BARNABAS.
be gentle. Thou shalt be quiet.
Thou shalt tremble at the words
which thou hast heard. Thou
shalt not keep any hatred in thy
heart against thy brother. Thou
shalt not entertain any doubt
whether it shall be, or not.
10 Thou shalt not take the
name of the Lord in vain. Thou
shalt love thy neighbour above
thy own soul.
12 Thou shalt not withdraw
thy hand from thy son, or from
thy daughter; but shalt teach
them from their youth the fear
of the Lord.
11 Thou shalt not destroy
thy conceptions before they are
brought forth; nor kill them af-ward to speak; for the mouth is
ter they are born.
the snare of death. 4 Strive for
thy soul with all thy might
5 Reach not out thine hand to
receive, and withhold it not when
thou shouldest give.
18 Thou shalt love, as the
apple of thine eye, every one
that speaketh unto thee the
6 Call to
thy remembrance, day and night,
the future judgment.
ther shall thy heart be joined to
proud men; but thou shalt be
numbered among the righteous
19 Thou shalt seek out every
and the lowly. Whatever day the persons of the 7 right-
2events shall happen unto thee, eous: and both consider, and
thou shalt receive them as good. | go about to exhort others by the
13 Thou shalt not covet thy
neighbour's goods; neither shalt
thou be an extortioner. Nei-Word of the Lord.
1
1 Greedy. πλεονεκτης.
See Ecclus. iv. 29.
2 Effects.
4 Ibid. ver. 28. For so I choose to
read it, υπερ της ψυχής σου αγωνευσεις, ac- the sense.
ecrding to the conjecture of Cotelerius
5 Ibid. ver. 36.
6 And remember him night and day.
The words ημερας ηρίσεως seem to have
been erroneously inserted, and perver:
F
7 Gr. Saints.
14*
161
Way of
Word, and meditate how thou
mayest save a soul.
20 Thou shalt also labour
with thy hands to give to the
poor, ¹that thy sins may be for-
given thee. Thou shalt not de-
liberate whether thou shouldest
give; nor having given, murmur
at it.
BARNABAS.
•
21 Give to every one that
asks; so shalt thou know who
is the good rewarder of thy gifts.
22 Keep what thou hast re-
ceived; thou shalt neither add
to it, nor take from it.
23 Let the wicked be always
thy aversion. Thou shalt judge
righteous judgment. Thou shalt
never cause divisions; but shalt
make peace between those that
are at variance, and bring them
together.
24 Thou shalt confess thy
sins; and not come to thy
prayer with an evil conscience.
25 This is the way of light.
CHAP. XV.
Of the way of darkness; that is, what kind
of persons shall be for ever cast out of the
kingdom of God.
UT the way of darkness
is crooked and full of curs-
ing. For it is the way of eternal
death, with punishment; in
which they that walk meet those
things that destroy their own
souls.
2 Such are idolatry, confi-
dence, pride of power, hypocri-
sy, double-mindedness, adultery,
murder, rapine, pride, transgres-
sion, deceit, malice, arrogance,
witchcraft, covetousness, and
the want of the fear of God.
1 Gr. For the redemption of thy sins.
Comp Dan. iv. 24. See LXX.
warkness
.3 In this walk those who are
the persecutors of them that are
good; haters of truth; lovers of
lies; who know not the reward
of righteousness, nor cleave to
any thing that is good.
4 Who administer not right-
eous judgment to the widow and
orphan; who watch for wicked-
ness, and not for the fear of the
Lord:
5 From whom gentleness and
patience are far off; who ove
vanity, and follow after rewards;
having no compassion upon the
poor; nor take any pains for
such as are heavy laden and op-
pressed.
6 Ready to evil speaking, not
knowing him that made them;
murderers of children; corrupt-
ers of the creature of God; that
turn away from the needy; op-
press the afflicted; are the ad-
vocates of the rich, but unjust
judges of the poor; being alto-
gether sinners.
7 It is therefore fitting that,
learning the just commands of
the Lord, which we have before
mentioned, we should walk in
them. For he who does such
things shall be glorified in the
kingdom of God.
8 But he that chooses the
other part, shall be destroyed
together with his works. For
this cause there shall be both a
resurrection, and a retribution.
9 I beseech those that are in
high estate among you (if so be
you will take the counsel which
with a good intention I offer to
you), you have those with you
towards whom you may do good;
do not forsake them.
162
Who shall be
BARNABAS.
cast out
10 For the day is at hand in desire and my watching for
1
which all things shall be destroy-you may turn to a good ac-
ed, together with the wicked count.
The Lord is near, and his
reward is with him.
one.
15 I beseech you; I ask it
as a favour of you, whilst you
are in this beautiful ¹tabernacle
of the body, be wanting in none
of these things; but without
ceasing seek them, and fulfil
every command: for these things
are fitting and worthy to be
done.
11 I beseech you therefore
again, and again, be as good
lawgivers to one another; contin-
ue faithful counsellors to each
other remove from among you
all hypocrisy.
12 And may God, the Lord
of all the world, give you wis-
dom, knowledge, counsel, and
understanding of his judgments
in patience.
13 Be ye taught of God; seek-
ing what it is the Lord requires
of you, and doing it; that ye
may be saved in the day of judg-
ment.
14 And if there be among
you any remembrance of what is
good, think of me; meditating
upon these things, that both my
16 Wherefore I have given
the more diligence to write unto
you, according to my ability,
that you might rejoice. Fare-
well, children of love and peace.
17 The Lord of glory, and
of all grace, be with your spirit.
Amen.
¶ The end of the Epistle of
Barnabas, the Apostle, and
fellow-traveller of St. Paul
the Apostle.
1 Vessel.
The EPISTLE of IGNATIUS to the EPHESIANS.
T OF THE EPISTLES OF IGNATIUS.
The Epistles of Ignatius are translated by Archbishop Wake from the text of Vossies. He
says that there were considerable differences in the editions; the best for a long time extant
containing fabrications, and the genuine being altered and corrupted. Archbishop Usher
printed old Latin translations of them at Oxford, in 1644. At Amsterdam, two years after-
wards, Vossius printed six of them in their ancient and pure Greck; and the seventh,
greatly amended from the ancient Latin version, was printed at Paris, by Ruinart, in 1689,
in the Acts and Martyrdom of Ignatius, from a Greck uninterpolated copy. These are
supposed to form the collection that Polycarp made of the Epistles of Ignatius, mentioned
by Irenæus, Origen, Eusebius, Jerome, Athanasius, Theodoret, Gelasius, and other an-
cients but many learned men have imagined all of them to be apocryphal. This supposi ·
tion, the piety of Archbishop Wake, and his persuasion of their utility to the faith of the
church, will not permit him to entertain; hence he has taken great pains to render the
present translation acceptable, by adding numerous readings and references to the Canoni
cal Books ]
163
Exhorts
EPHESIANS.
to unity
gave himself to God, an offering
and sacrifice for us (12 ye hasten
see me). I received,
therefore, in the name of God,
your whole multitude in Onesi-
mus.
CHAP. I.
I Commends them for sending Onesimus and
other members of the church to him. 8 Ex-ed to
horts them to unity, 13 by a due subjection
to their bishop.
I
1
and predestinated before the
world began, that it should be
always unto an enduring and
· unchangeable glory; being unit-
ed and chosen 3 through his
true passion, 3 according to the
will of the Father, and Jesus
6 For what concerns my fel
Christ our God; all 4 happiness, low-servant Burrhus, and your
by Jesus Christ, and 5 his unde- 14 most blessed deacon in things
filed grace.
pertaining to God; I entreat you
GNATIUS, who is also called
Theophorus, to the church
which is at Ephesus in Asia; 5 Who by inexpressible love
most deservedly happy; being is ours, but according to the
blessed through the greatness flesh is your bishop: whom 1
and fulness 2 of God the Father, beseech you, by Jesus Christ,
to love; and that you would all
strive to be like unto him. And
blessed be God, who has granted
unto you, who are so worthy of
him, to 13 enjoy such an excellent
bishop.
6
2 I have 5 heard of your that he may tarry longer, both
name, much beloved in God; for yours and your bishop's
which ye have very justly at-honour.
tained by a 7 habit of righteous-
ness, according to the faith and
love which is in Jesus Christ our
Saviour.
8
7 And Crocus, also, worthy
both our God and you, whom I
have received as the pattern of
your love, has in all things re-
3 How that being followers freshed me, as the Father of our
of God, and stirring up your-Lord Jesus Christ shall also re-
selves by the blood of Christ, ye | fresh him, together with Onesi-
have perfectly accomplished the mus, and Burrhus, and Euplus,
work that was con-natural unto and Fronto, 15 in whom I have,
you.
as to your charity, seen all of
4 For hearing that I came you. And may I always 16 have
bound from Syria, for the com-joy of you, if I shall be worthy
mon name and 9 hope, trusting of it.
through your prayers to fight 8 It is therefore fitting that
with beasts at Rome; that so by you should 17 by all means glorify
10 suffering I may become in- Jesus Christ who hath glorified
deed the disciple of him 11 who you; that 18 by a uniform obedi
2 See Eph. iii. 19.
• Health, joy.
5 Received. Vid. Epist. Interpol.
1 In.
3 In.
• Vid. Coteler. in loc. Comp. Gal. iv. 8,
7 Pearson. Vind. Ignat. Par. 2. Cap.
11
Imitatcrs.
9. Viz. of Christ.
10 Martyrdom. 11 Eph. v. 2
12 See the old Lat. Ed. of Bishop Usher
13 Possess. 14 Blessed in all things.
15 By.
16 See Philem. 20
17 In all manner of ways
18 In one.
164
of unity
and subjection
1
ence ye may be perfectly join-| Christ is sung; and every single
ed together in the same mind, person among you makes up the
and in the same judgment; and
may all speak the same things
concerning every thing:
chorus:
16 That so being all conso-
nant in 10 love, and taking up the
song of God, ye may in a per-
fect. unity, with one voice, sing
to the Father by Jesus Christ
to the end that he may both hear
you, and perceive by your works,
that ye are indeed the members
of his Son.
10 These things I 3 prescribe
to you, not as if I were some-
body extraordinary: for though
I am bound 4 for his name, I 17 Wherefore it is profitable
am not yet perfect in Christ for you to live in an unblamable
Jesus. 5 But now I begin to unity, that so ye may always
learn, and I speak to you as fel-11 have a fellowship with God.
low disciples together with me.
CHAP. II.
11 For I ought to have been
stirred up by you, in faith, in
admonition, in patierce, in long
suffering: but forasmuch as char-
ity suffers me not to be silent
6 towards you, I have first taken
upon me to exhort you, that ye
would all run together accord
ing to the will of God.
12 For even Jesus Christ, our
inseparable life, is sent by the
7 will of the Father; as the
bishops, appointed unto the ut-
most bounds of the earth, are by
:he will of Jesus Christ.
13 8 Wherefore it will become
you to run together according to
the will of your bishop, as also
ye do.
14 For your 9 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
EPHESIANS.
9 And that being subject to
2 your bishop, and the presbytery,
ye may be wholly and thorough-
ly sanctified.
11 Cor. i. 10.
3 Com and you.
6 For.
7 Mind, counsel, opinion, &c
2 The.
4 In.
• Concerning.
1 The benefit of subjection. 4 The bishop
not to be respected the less because he is
not forward in exacting it: 8 warns them
against heretics; bidding then cleave to
Jesus, whose divine and human nature is
declared commends them for their care to
keep themselves from false teachers'; and
shows them the way to God.
NOR
if I in this little time
have had such a familiarity
with your bishop, I mean not a
carnal, but spiritual acquaint-
ance with him, how much more
must I think you happy who are
so joined to him, as the church
is to Jesus Christ, and Jesus
Christ to the Father; that so all
things may agree in the same
unity?
2 Let no man deceive him
self; if a man be not within the
altar, he is deprived of the bread
of God
For if the prayer of
12 one or two be of such force, as
we are told, how much more
powerful shall that of he bishop
and the whole church be?
8 Whence.
9 Worthy to be named.
10 Concord.
12 Matt. xviii. 19.
11 Partake of.
165
Love to
3 He therefore that does not
come together into the same
place with it, is 1 proud, and has
already 2 condemned himself.
For it is written, 3 God resisteth
the proud. Let us take heed
therefore, that we do not set
ourselves against the bishop, that
we may be subject to God.
8 Wherefore, let no man de-
ceive you; as indeed neither are
ye deceived, being wholly the
4 4 The more any one sees servants of God. For inasmuch
lis bishop silent, the more let as there is no contention, nor
him revere him. For whomso-strife among you, to trouble
ever the master of the house you, 9 ye must needs live accord-
sends to be over his own house-ing to God's will. 10 My soul be
hold, we ought in like manner to for yours; and I myself the ex-
receive him, as we would do him piatory offering for your church
that sent him. It is therefore of Ephesus, so famous 11 through-
evident that we ought to look out the world.
upon the bishop even as
would do upon the Lord himself.
as we
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
you. For neither do ye hearken
to any one more than to Jesus
Christ speaking to you in truth.
6 For some there are who
carry about the name of Christ
6 in deceitfulness, but do things of some who have 14 passed by
unworthy of God; whom yel you, having perverse doctrine;
must flee, as ye would do so whom ye did not suffer to sow
For they are 15
many wild beasts.
among you; but stopped your
ravening dogs, who bite secret-ears, that ye might not receive
ly against whom ye must guard those things that were sown by
yourselves, as men hardly to be them; as 16 being the stones of
cired.
the temple of the Father, pre-
pared for 17 his building; and
5
7
7 There is one physician,
1 Is already proud and has, &c.
2 Judged, or separated.
* James iv. 6.
5 Accustom themselves to carry.
7 Avoid.
6 In wicked deceit.
8 Which can.
EPHESIANS.
the bishop
both fleshly and spiritual; made
and not made; God incarnate;
true life in death; both of Mary
and of God; first passible; then
impassible; even Jesus Christ
our Lord.
4 And the.
9 Without doubt ye live.
10 Vid. Voss. Annot. in loc. Pearson.
Vind. Ign. par. 2. p. 207, 208.
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.
12 As he that has faith cannot be
an infidel; nor he that is an infi-
del 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 13heard
11 To ages.
12 As neither is faith the things of infi
delity, nor infidelity the things of faith.
13 Known.
14 Passed thither.
15 Upon.
16 Comp. Eph. ii. 20, 21, 22. 1 Pet. ii. 5
17 The building of God the Father.
166
Exhorts to
drawn up on high by the cross
of Christ, ¹ as by an engine.
1
11 Using the Holy Ghost as
the rope; your faith being your
support; and your charity the
way that leads unto God.
EPHESIANS.
2
12 Ye are, therefore, with all
your companions in the same
journey, full of God; his spir-
itual 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
4 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 to prayer; to be unblamable.
5 To be careful of salvation; 11 frequent in
public devotion, 13 and to live in charity.
PRA
for other men; for there is
hope of repentance in them, that
they may attain unto God; let
them therefore at least be in-
structed by your works, if they
will be no other way.
2 Be ye mild at their anger;
humble at their boasting: to
their blasphemies, return your
prayers to their error, your
5 firmness in the faith: when
they are cruel, be ye gentle; not
endeavouring to imitate their
ways.
RAY also without ceasing
&c.
1 By the engine of the cross,
2 Pearson. ib. part 2. cap. 12.
3 Carriers.
4 These things I write.
5 Be ye arm.
6 Who has been more, &c.
7 Ir. Jesus Christ both bodily and spirit-
ually. 16r. vii 34.
prayer
3 (Let us be their brethren
in all kindness and moderation,
but let us be followers of the
Lord: 6 for who was ever more
unjustly used? more destitute ?
more despised?)
4 That so no herb of the devil
may be found in you; but ye
may remain in all holiness and
sobriety 7 both of body and spir
it, in Christ Jesus.
are come
5 The last times 8
upon us: let us therefore be very
reverent, and fear the long-suf
fering 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 9 that we at pres-
ent enjoy; that 10 by the one, or
other, of these we may be found
in Christ Jesus, unto true life.
7 11 Besides him, let nothing
12 be worthy of you; 13 for whom
also I bear about these bonds,
those spiritual jewels, in which 1
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 have
always 14 agreed with the Apos-
tles, 15 through the power of Jesus
Christ.
9 ¶ I know both who I am,
and to whom I write: I, a person
condemned; ye, such as have
obtained mercy; I, exposed to
8 Remain; or, for it remains.
9 Is present.
10 One of the two, only that we may
be found, &c.
11 Without him.
12 Become you.
14 Assented to.
13 In.
15 lu.
167
Exhorts
EPHESIANS.
against sin.
danger; ye, confirmed against fest by its fruit: so they who
danger.
profess themselves to be Chris
tians are known by what they
do.
10 Ye are the passage of those
that are killed for God; the com-
panions of Paul in the mysteries
of the Gospel; the holy, the
1 martyr, the deservedly most
happy Paul: at whose feet may
I be found, when I shall have at-
tained unto God; who, 2 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
the devil are destroyed, and his
3 mischief is dissolved by the
4 unity of your faith.
12 And indeed, nothing is
better than peace, by which all
war, both 5 spiritual and earthly,
is abolished.
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 For the beginning is faith;
the end charity. And these two,
6 joined together, are of God:
but all other things which con-
cern a holy life are the conse-
quences of these.
15 No man, professing a true
faith, sinneth; neither does he
who has charity, hate any.
16 7 The tree is made mani-
1 Witnessed of.
2 Vid. Coteler. in loc. Pears. Vind. Ign.
par. 2. cap. 10.
3 Destruction.
• Concord.
5 Of things in heaven, and of things on
parth.
17 For Christianity is not the
work of an outward profession;
but shows 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
9 say, he is a Christian, and not
to be.
19 It is good to teach, 10 if
what he says, he does likewise.
20 There is therefore one
Master, who spake, and it was
done; and even those things
which he did without speaking,
are worthy of the Father.
21 He that possesses the word
of Jesus, is truly able to hear his
very silence, that he may be per-
fect; 11 and both do according to
what he speaks, and be known
by those things of which he is
silent.
22 There is nothing hid from
God, but even our secrets are
nigh unto him.
23 Let us therefore do all
things, as becomes those who
have 12 God dwelling in them;
that we may be his temples, and
he may be our God; as also
he is, and will manifest him-
self before our faces, by those
things 13 for which we justly love
him.
• Being in unity.
7 Matt. xii. 33.
8 Shall be seen or made manifest
9 Speaking not to be.
10 If he who says does.
11 That he may.
12 Him.
13 Cut cf
168
Love of
CHAP. IV.
1 To have a care for the gospel. 9 The vir-
ginity 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
E not deceived, my breth-
1
ren; those that corrupt
families by adultery shall not
inherit the kingdom of God.
2 If therefore they who do
this according to the flesh, 2 have
suffered death; how much more
shall he die, who by his wicked
doctrine corrupts the faith of
God, for which Christ was cru-
cified ?
EPHESIANS.
3 3 He that is thus defiled,
shall depart into unquenchable
fire, and so also shall he that
4 hearkens to him.
4 For this cause did the Lord
5 suffer the ointment to be pour-ries the most spoken of through-
out the world, yet done in 14 se-
cret by God.
ed on his head; that he might
breathe the breath of immortality
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 you.
11 How then was our Saviour
manifested to the world? A star
shone in heaven beyond all the
other stars, and its light was in-
expressible, 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.
6 And why are we not all
wise; seeing we have received
the knowledge of God, which is
Jesus Christ? Why do we suf-
fer ourselves foolishly to perish;
7 not considering the gift which
the Lord has truly sent to us?
6
12 And men
began to be
troubled to think whence this
78 Let my life be sacrificed 16 new star came, so unlike to
for the doctrine of the cross;
|
17 all the others.
1 The corrupters of houses. 1 Cor. vi.
9, 10.
2 1 Cor. x. 8.
the gospe
which is indeed a scandal to the
unbelievers, but to us is salvation
and life eternal.
8 9 Where is the wise man?
Where is the disputer? Where
is the boasting of those who are
called wise?
3 Such a one being become defiled.
4 Hears him.
5 Receive ointment. Psalm xxiii. 5.
exxxiii. 2.
• Are we foolishly destroyed?
7 Not knowing.
9 For our God Jesus Christ
was according to the dispensa-
tion of God 10 conceived in the
womb of Mary, of the seed of
David, 11 by the Holy Ghost:
12 he was born, and baptized,
that through his passion he might
purify water, to the washing
away of sin.
10 Now the virginity of Mary,
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 13 myste
15
8 See Dr. Smith's note in loc. 1 Cor. 1
18, 23, 24.
9 1 Cor. i. 20.
11 But by.
10 Carried.
12 Who was.
See Roin
13 Mysteries of noise.
14 Silence, or quietness.
xvi. 25.
15 There was a disorder.
16 Novelty.
17 Them.
15.
139
Exhorts to
EPHESIANS.
unity
13 IIence all the power of Jesus Christ; who was of the
magic became dissolved; and race of David, according to the
every bond of wickedness was flesh; the Son of man, and Son
1 destroyed; men's ignorance of God; 4 obeying your bishop
was taken away; and the old and the presbytery with an en-
kingdom abolished; God himself tire 5 affection, breaking one
2 appearing in the form of a and the same bread, which is
man, for the renewal of eternal the medicine of immortality; our
life.
antidote that we should not die,
but ive 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 1
do you. Remember me, as Je-
sus Christ does remember you.
18 Pray for the church which
15 But if Jesus Christ shall
give me grace through your
prayers, and it be his will, I pur-
pose in a second epistle, which I
will suddenly write unto you, to |
manifest to you more fully the
dispensation of which I have 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
resur-worthy to be found to the glory
of God.
14 From thence began what
God had prepared: from thence-
forth things were disturbed; for-
asmuch as he designed to abol-
ish death.
now begun to speak, unto the
new man, which is Jesus Christ;
both in his faith, and charity;
in his suffering, and in his
rection.
16 Especially if the Lord shall
3 make known unto me, that ye
all by name come together in
common in one faith, and in one
The EPISTLE of IGNATIUS to the MAGNESIANS.
CHAP. I.
♦ Mentions the arrival of Damas their bishop,
and others, 6 whom he exhorts them to rev-
erence, notwithstanding he was a young
the Father in Jesus Christ our
Saviour: in whom I salute the
church which is at Magnesia
near the Mæander; and wish it
all joy in God the Father and in
Jesus Christ.
man.
2 When I heard of your well
19
GNATIUS, who is also called
Theophorus, to the blessed
(6 church) 7 by the grace of God
19 Fare ye well in God the
Father, and in Jesus Christ, our
common hope. Amen.
To the Ephesians.
1 Disappeared.
2 Being made manifest ' Reveal.
4 That ye may obey.
5 Mind.
6 Vid. Interp. Lat. Epist. Interpol.
7 In.
170
Reverence
ordered love and charity in
God, being full of joy, I desired
much to speak unto you in the
faith of Jesus Christ.
3
3 For having 2 been thought
worthy to obtain a most excellent
name, in the bonds which I
carry about, I 4 salute the church-
es; 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 fa-
ther; in whom 5 if we undergo
all the injuries of the prince of
this present world, and escape,
we shall enjoy God.
MAGNESIANS.
7 It will therefore 11 behove
you, 12 with all sincerity, to obey
your bishop; in honour of him
13 whose pleasure it is that you
should do so.
8 Because he that does not do
so, deceives not the bishop whom
he sees, but 14 affronts him that
is invisible. 15 For whatsoever
of this kind is done, it reflects
not upon 16 man, but upon God,
who knows the secrets of our
hearts.
4 Seeing then I have been
judged worthy to see you, by
Damas your
6 most excellent
bishop; and by your very worthy
presbyters, Bassus and Apolloni-
us; and by my fellow-servant
Sotio, the deacon;
9 It is therefore fitting, that
we should not only be called
Christians, but be so.
10 As some call indeed their
governor, bishop; but yet do all
things without him.
5 In whom I 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; I deter-gathered together, 17 thoroughly
mined to write unto you.
according to God's command-
11 But I can never think
that such as these have a good
conscience, seeing they are not
8
6 Wherefore it will become ment.
the bishop
10 age, which indeed to appear
ance 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.
9
you also not to use your bishop
CHAP. II.
too familiarly upon the account
live orderly, and in unity.
of his youth; bu: to yield all rev-1 That as all must die, 3 he exhorts them to
erence to him according to the
power of God the Father; as also
perceive that your presby-
ters do; not considering his
1 According to.
2 Been vouchsafed a name carrying a
great deal of divinity in it.
3 See Bishop Pearson, Vind. Ign. par.
12. p 146.
cap.
4 Sing. commend
5 Un ergoing, escaping
6 Worthy of God.
7 Whom may I enjoy.
SEEING then all things have
an end, there are these two
18 indifferently set before us,
8 Apud Ved. Lat. Interpr. Glorificato
Deum Patrem D. nostri Jesu Christi.
9 Vid. Voss. Annot. in loc. Pearson
Præf. ad Vind. Ignat.
10 Seeming youthful state.
11 It is becoming.
12 Without any hypocrisy.
13 Who willeth it.
14 Deludes.
15 Vid. Epist. Interp. ad. loc.
10 Flesh. 17 Firmly.
18 Together
171
Exhorts to
MAGNESIANS.
live orderty
death and life and every one side over you, to be your pattern
shall depart unto his proper place. and direction in the way to im
2 For as there are two sorts mortality.
of coins, the one of God, the
other of the world; and each of
these has its proper ¹ inscription
engraven upon it; so also is it
here.
1
87 As therefore the Lord did
nothing without the Father,
being united to him; neither by
himself nor yet by his apostles,
so neither do ye do any thing
without your bishop and presby
ters:
9 Neither endeavour to let
any thing appear rational to
yourselves apart;
10 But being come together
into the same place, 8 have 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 9
Wherefore 9 come ye all
5 Your bishop presiding in together as unto one temple of
the place of God; your presby-God; as to one 10 altar, as to one
ters in the place of the council Jesus Christ; who proceeded
of the Apostles; and your dea- from one Father, and exists in
cons most 4 dear to me, being one, and is returned to one.
intrusted with the ministry of
Jesus Christ; who was the Fa-
ther before all ages, and appeared
in the 5 end to us.
•
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
disposed to die after the likeness
of his passion, his life is not in us.
4 Forasmuch therefore as I
have, in the persons before men-
tioned, seen 2 all of you in faith
and charity; I exhort you that
ye study to do all things in a
3 divine concord;
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 pre-
6 Wherefore, taking the same
6 holy course, see that ye all rev-
erence one another and let no bles which are unprofitable. For
one look upon his neighbour af- if we still continue to live ac-
ter the flesh; but do ye all mutu-cording to the Jewish law, we
ally love each other in Jesus do confess ourselves not to have
Christ.
received grace. For even the
most 13 holy prophets lived ac-
cording to Christ Jesus.
2 And for this cause were
they persecuted, being inspired
1 Character set.
Your whole multitude.
The concord of God.
Was made manifest.
Habit of GA.
CHAP. III.
1 He cautions them against false opinions.
3 Especially those of 11 Ebion and the Ju-
daizing Christians.
4 Sweet.
Heb. ix. 26.
E not deceived with 12strange
doctrines; nor with old fa-
7 John x. 30. xiv. 11, 12. xvii. 21,
8 Eph. iv. 3, 4, 5, 6.
22
9 Run.
10 John xvi. 28.
11 Pearson, Vind. Ign. par. 2. cap. 4.
12 Heterodox.
13 Most divine
172
Iutions against
MÁGNESIANS.
false opinions
1
by his grace, to convince the | by any other name 10 besides this,
unbelievers and disobedient that he is not of God.
there is one God who has mani-
fested himself by Jesus Christ
his Son; who is his 2 eternal
word, not coming forth from si-
lence, who in all things pleased
him that sent him.
3 Wherefore if they who were
brought up in these ancient
3 laws came nevertheless to the
newness of hope; no longer ob-
serving sabbaths, but 4 keeping
the Lord's day, in which also
our life is sprung up by him, and
through his death, 5 whom vet
some deny :
4 (By which mystery we have
6 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 7 different from him; whose
disciples the very prophets them-
selves being, did by the spirit
expect him as their master.
6 8 And therefore he whom
they justly waited for, being
come, raised them up from the
dead.
1 Fully to satisfy. 2 John i. 1.
• Things.
4 Or, living according to.
5 Or, which.
7 Without.
7 Let us not then be insensi-
ble of his goodness; for should
he 9 have dealt with us accord-
ing to our works, we had not
now had a being.
8 Wherefore being become
his disciples, let us learn to live
according to the rules of Chris- 1
tianit for whosoever is called
6 Received.
8 Matt. xxvii. 52.
9 Vid. Annot. Voss. in loc. should be
9 Lay aside therefore the old,
and sour, and evil leaven; and
be ye changed into the new
leaven, which is Jesus Christ.
have imitated our works, Gr.
10 Be ye salted in him, lest
any one among you should be
corrupted; for by your Saviour
ye shall be judged.
11
11 It is absurd to name Jesus
Christ, and to Judaize. For the
Christian religion did not 12 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
13 lie under this error; but as
14 one of the least among you, 1
am desirous to forewarn you that
ye fall not into the 15 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 16 cer-
tainly; and from which God for·
bid that any among you should
be turned aside.
CHAP. IV.
Commends their faith and piety; 7 exhorts
thon to persevere: 10 desires their prayern
for himself and the church at Antioch.
10 More than.
11 Convicted, overthrown.
12 Believe.
13 Have yourselves so
14 Lesser than you,
15 Hooks.
1ª Firmly.
15 *
173
Commends
MA
AY I therefore have joy
of you in all things, if I
shall be worthy of it. For
though I 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 puff-
ed up; for ye have Jesus Christ
' in your hearts.
MAGNESIANS.
3 And especially when I com-
mend you, I know that ye are
ashamed, as it is written, 2 The
just man condemneth himself.
4 Study therefore to be con-
firmed in the doctrine of our
Lord, and of his Apostles; that
so whatsoever 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; in the beginning,
and in the end.
5 Together with your most
worthy bishop, and the 3 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 the flesh; and the Apostles
both to Christ, and to the Father,
In yourselves.
Prov. xviii. 17. Sept.
Worthily complicated.
• There may be a union both fleshly
and spiritual.
Eph. 'ü 19.
174
their faith.
and to the Holy Gлost; that sc
ye may 4 be united both in body
and spirit.
7 5 Knowing you to be full of
God, I have the more briefly ex-
horted you.
8 Be mindful of me in your
prayers, that I may 6 attain unto
God; and of the church that is
in Syria, from which I am not
worthy to be called.
9 For I stand in need of your
joint prayers in God, and of your
charity, that the church which is
in Syria may be thought worthy
to be nourished by your church.
10 The Ephesians 9 from
Smyrra 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 bish
op of the Smyrnæans.
11 The rest of the churches,
in the honour of Jesus Christ,
salute you.
12 10 Farewell, and be ye
strengthened in the concord of
God; 11 enjoying his inseparable
spirit, which is Jesus Christ.
To the Magnesians.
6 Find, enjoy.
• Bedewed. Vid.
loc.
9 Which came t
account.
| 10 Ερρωσθε.
7 Whence.
Epist. Interpol. in
Smyrna upon my
11 Possessing
The EPISTLE of IGNATIUS to the TRALLIANS.
Acknowledges the coming of their bishop. also I knew that ye were the
11 followers of God.
5 Commends them for their subjection to
their bishop, priests, and deacons ; and ex-
horts them to continue in it: 15 is afraid
even of his over-great desire to suffer, lest it
should be prejudicial to him.
I
5 For 12 whereas ye are sub-
ject to your bishop as to Jesus
GNATIUS, who is also called Christ, ye appear to me to live
Theophorus, to the holy not after the manner of men,
church, which is at Tralles in but according to Jesus Christ;
Asia; beloved of God the Father who died for us, that so, believ-
of Jesus Christ; elect and worthying in his death, ye might 13
es-
cape death.
of God; having peace ¹through
the flesh and blood, and passion
of Jesus Christ our hope; in the
resurrection which is 2 by him:
which also I salute in its fulness,
continuing in the apostolical
character; wishing all joy and
happiness unto it.
6 It is therefore necessary
that as ye do, so without your
bishop, you should do nothing:
also be ye subject to your presby-
ters, as to the Apostles of Jesus
Christ our hope; in whom if we
walk, we shall be found in him.
2 I have 3 heard of your 7 14 The deacons also, as being
blameless and 4 constant dispo- the ministers of the mysteries of
sition through patience, which Jesus Christ, must by all means
5 not only appears in your out-please all. For they are not the
ward conversation, but is natu- 15 ministers of meat and drink,
rally rooted and grounded in you. but of the church
church of God.
Wherefore they must avoid all
offences, as they would do fire.
3 In like manner as Polybius
your bishop has declared unto
me; who came to me to Smyrna,
by the will of God and Jesus
Christ; and so rejoiced together
with me in my bonds for Jesus
Christ, that in effect I saw your
whole 7 church in him.
4 Having therefore received
the 8 testimony of your good will
towards me 9 for God's sake, by
him, 10 I seemed to find you, as
2 Unto.
1 In.
3 Known.
4 Inseparable mind.
• Which you have not according to
ise, but according to possession.
6 Who am bound.
7 Multitude.
8 Your benevolence.
9 According to God.
10 Vid. Vossium in loc.
8 In like manner let all rever-
ence the deacons 16 as Jesus
Christ; and the bishop as the
Father; and the presbyters as
the Sanhedrim of God, and col-
lege of the Apostles.
9 Without these there is no
17 church. Concerning all which
I am persuaded that
18 think
ye
after the very same manner: for
12 Whea.
15 Deacons.
16 As also the bishop like Jesus Christ
the Son of the Father. Vossius in loc.
vid, aliter Cotelerium.
11 Imitators.
13 Flee from.
14 Vid. Vossium in loc.
17 A church is not called
19 So do.
175
Desires
TRALLIANS.
to suffer
I have received, and even now I them, ye should be thoked with
have with me the pattern of your them.
love, in your bishop.
10 Whose very look is in-
structive; and whose mildness,
2 powerful: 3 whom I am per-
suaded, the very atheists them-
selves cannot but reverence.
18 For even I myself, ak
though I am in bonds, yet am
not therefore able to understand
heavenly things:
19 As the 9 places of the an-
gels, and the several companies
of them, under their respective
princes; things visible and invis
ible; but in these I am yet a
learner.
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
condemned man, I
should seem to prescribe to you
as an Apostle.
20 For many things are want-
ing to us, that we come .not
short of God.
12 I have great knowledge
in God; but I 5 refrain myself,
lest I should perish in my boast-
ing.
13 For now I ought the 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 6 desire to
suffer, but I cannot tell whether
I am worthy so to do.
16 7 And this desire, though
to others it does not appea", yet
to myself it is for that very reason
the more violent. I have, there-
fore, need of moderation; by
which the prince of this world is
destroyed.
CHAP. II.
1
Warns them against heretics, 4 exnortg
them to humility and unity, 10 briefly sets
before them the true doctrine concerning
Christ.
1 Habit of body is great instruc-ion.
2 Power.
3 Vid. Vossium et Usserium in loc.
♦ I understand many things.
Measure.
Vid. Aumot. Vossii in loc.
• Love.
I
EXHORT
you therefore, or
rather not I, but the love of
Jesus Christ, that ye use none
but Christian nourishment; ab-
staining from pasture which is
of another kind, I mean heresy.
2 10 For they that are heretics,
confound together the doctrine
of Jesus Christ with their own
poison; 11 whilst they seem wor-
thy 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.
17 Am I not able to write to
you of heavenly things? But I 4 Wherefore guard yourselves
fear lest I should harm you, who against such persons. And that
are yet but babes in Christ (ex-you will do if you are not puffed
cuse me this care); and lest per-up; but continue inseparable
chance, being not able to receive from Jesus Christ our God, and
8 Mildness.
9 Orders.
10 Vid. de hoc loco conjecturas Vossii,
Cotelerii, et Junii apud Usserium. Comp
Epist. Interpol. in loc. et Voss. Annot.
Epist. ad Phil. p. 281.
i¹ Being believed for their diguity,
176
Warns them
rom your bishop, and from the
commands of the Apostles.
5 1 He that is within the altar
s pure but he that is without,
that is, that does any thing with-
out the bishop, and presbyters,
and deacons, is not pure in his
conscience.
TRALLIANS.
against her, st
after the same manner as 7he
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
you; but I fore-arm you, as
being greatly beloved by me,
foreseeing the snares of the devil.
6 Not that I know there is
any thing of this nature among | I bound?-Why do I desire to
fight with beasts ?-Therefore
do I die in vain : therefore I will
not speak falsely against the
Lord.
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
14 Flee therefore these evil
sprouts, which bring forth dead-
ly fruit; of which if any one taste,
he shall presently die.
8 Let no man have 2 any
15 For these are not the plants
grudge against his neighbour. of the Father; seeing if they
Give no occasion to the Gen- were, they would appear to be
tiles; lest by means of a few the branches of the cross, and
foolish men, the whole congre- their fruit would be incorrupti-
gation of God be evil spoken of. ble; by which he invites you
9 For wo to that man 3 through through his passion, who are
whose vanity my name is blas-members of him.
phemed by any.
16 For the head cannot be
10 Stop your ears therefore, without its members; God hav-
as often as any one shall speaking promised a union, that is,
4 contrary to Jesus Christ; who himself.
was of the race of David, of the
Virgin Mary.
11 Who was truly born, and
did eat and drink; was truly
persecuted under Pontius Pilate;
was truly crucified and dead; 9 together with the churches
both in heaven on
earth, and under the earth, 5 be-
ing spectators of it.
12 Who was also truly raised
from the dead 6 by his Father,
¹ Vid. Usserii Obs. Marg. Comp. Cote-
r. ib.
2 Any thing.
CHAP. III.
He again exhorts to unity; and desires their
prayers for himself and for his church at
Antioch.
* Through whom in va itv, Isa. lii. 5.
• Without.
of God that are present with
me; who have 1efreshed me in
all things, both in the flesh, and
in the spirit.
5 Seeing, or looking on.
6 His Father raising him.
7 The Father.
8 Plants.
"1. e. The delegates of the car CÒ
177
Hopes to
suffer
2 My bonds, which I carry
6 The love of those who are
about me for the sake of Christ at Smyrna and Epnesus salute
(beseeching him that I may at- you. Remember in your prayers
tain unto God), exhort you, that the Church of Syria, from
you continue in ¹ concord among which I am not worthy to be
yourselves, and in prayer with called, being one of the least
one another.
of 3 it.
1
ROMANS.
3 For it becomes every one
of you, especially the presbyters,
to refresh the bishop, to the
honour 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, 2 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.
CHAP. I.
I He testifies his desire to see, and his hopes
of 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
The EPISTLE of IGNATIUS to the ROMANS.
GNATIUS, 6 who is also
called Theophorus, to the
church which has obtained mer-
4 Un livided.
5 Vid. Annot. Vossii et Coteler. in loc.
• Vid. Pearson, Vind Ignat. par. 2.
ch. xvi. p. 214.
7 In.
8 Omitted. Gr.
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 unfeigned heart. 5
4
My
soul be your expiation, not only
now, but when I shall have at-
tained 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.
To the Trallians.
1 The concord of
you.
10 God; which also presides in the
2 Be a testimony among you, writing. place of the region of the Romans,
3 Them.
worthy of God; most decent, most bless-
ed, most praised, most worthy to obtain
| what it desires; most pure, most charita-
ble, called by the name of Christ and the
Father. Gr.
9 In.
cy 7 from the majesty of the
Most High Father, and his only
8 begotten Son Jesus Christ; be-
loved, and illuminated 9through
the will of him who willeth all
things which are according to the
love of Jesus Christ our
10 God
which also presides in the 11 place
11 Type of the chorus, i. e. the church
of the Romans. See Voss. Annot. in loo
178
fo· Christ's
sake
of he region of the Romans; 6 But if you shall love my
and which ¹I salute in the name | 16 body, I shall have my course
of Jesus Christ, (2 as being) again to run.
Wherefore ye
united both in flesh and spirit to cannot do me a greater kindness
all his commands, and 3 filled than to suffer me to be sacrificed
with the grace of God; (4 all unto God, now that the altar is
joy) in Jesus Christ our God. already prepared;
ROMANS.
25 Forasmuch as I have at last 7 That 17 when ye shall be
6 obtained through my prayers to gathered together in ove, ye
God, to see your 7 faces, which may 18 give thanks to the Father
I much desire to do; being through Christ Jesus; that he has
bound in Christ Jesus, I hope vouchsafed 19 to bring a bishop
ere long to salute you, if it shall of Syria unto you, being called
be the will of God to grant from the east unto the west.
me to attain unto the end I long
for.
9
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 20 should
now do those things yourselves,
which in your instructions you
have 21 prescribed to others.
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 11 will be hard for me to
attain unto God, if you spare me.
10 Only pray for me, that
God would give me both inward
and outward strength, that I may
not only say, but will; nor be
only called a Christian, but be
found one.
11 For if I shall be found a
5 But I 12 would not that ye
should please men, but God;
13 whom also ye do please. For
neither shall I ever hereafter
have such an opportunity 14 of
going unto God; nor will you, | Christian, I may then deservedly
if ye shall now be silent, ever be be called one; and be thought
entitled to a better work. For | faithful, when I shall no longer
if you shall be silent 15 in my be appear to the world.
half, I shall be made partaker of
God.
12 Nothing is 22 good that is
seen.
3 For the beginning is well
disposed, if I shall but have grace
without hinderance, to receive
10 what is appointed for me.
1 Also.
2 (The Son of the Father; to those
who are-Gr.)
3 Wholly filled. Gr.
4 (Being absolutely separated from
any other color; much pure, or immacu-
late joy.)
• Gr.
6 Vid. Voss. Annot. in loc.
* Worthy of God.
I
8 And have received even more than
asked, being bound.
9
Gr.
11 Is.
10 My lot.
.2 I will not please you as men. Gr.
13 As.
15 From me.
17 Being become a chorus.
18 Sing.
19 That a bishop of Syria should be
found.
20 That those things also should be firm.
21 Commanded. Vid. Annot. Usserii in
loc. N. 26, 27.
22 Nothing that is seen is eternal: for
the things which are seen are temporal
but the things that are not seen are eter
nal. Gr.
14 Attaining unto
16 Flesh.
179
Earnestly
ROMANS.
desires
13 For even our God, Jesus 6 I do ɔt, as Peter and
Christ, now that he is in the Paul, command you. They
Father, does so much the more were Apostles, I a condemned
appear.
man; they were free, but I am,
even to this day, a servant
1
14 A Christian is not a work
of ¹ opinion; but of greatness of
mind, (2 especially when he is
hated by the world.)
7 But if I shall suffer, I shall
then become the freeman of
Jesus Christ, and shall rise
9 free. And now, being in bonds,
I learn not to desire 10 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
I
WRITE to the churches,
and 3 signify to them all, that
I am willing to die for God, un-is to say, to such a band of sol-
less you 4 hinder me.
diers; who, though treated with
all manner of kindness, are the
worse for it.
2 I beseech you that you
5 show not an unseasonable good
will towards me. Suffer me to
be food to the wild beasts; by
whom I shall attain unto God.
9 But I am the more instruct-
ed by their injuries; 11 yet am I
not therefore justified.
10 May I enjoy the wild beasts
that are prepared for me; which
also I wish may 12 exercise all
their fierceness upon me.
11 And whom for that end I
CHAP. II.
Expresses his great desire and determination
to suffer martyrdom.
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 6 of
Christ.
4 Rather 7 encourage the
beasts, that they may become
my sepulchre; and may leave
nothing of my body; that being
dead, I may not be troublesome
to any.
1 Persuasion or silence. Gr.
2 (Desunt, Gr.)
3 Vid. Usser. Annot. N. 31.
4 Forbid me.
5 Then shall I be truly the
disciple of Jesus Christ, when
1 12 Pardon me in this matter;
the world shall not see so much I know what is profitable for me.
as my body. Pray therefore unto Now I begin to 14 be a disciple:
Christ for me, that by these in-nor 15 shall any thing move me,
struments I may be made the whether visible or invisible, that
sacrifice of God.
I may attain to Christ Jesus.
6 Vid. Lat. Vet.
Jsser. N. 32.
5 Be not
Interpr. et Annot.
8 Desunt, Gr.
7 Flatter.
9 Free in him. Gr.'
will 13 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 willingly, I will provoke
them to it.
1
10 Any worldly or vain things. Gr.
11 1 Cor iv. 4.
12 Vid. Voss. in loc. Usser. Annot. N
48.
May be ready for me. Gr.
13 Usser. Annot. N. 48.
14 Luke xiv. 27.
15 Vid. Coteler. in loc. Rom. viii
38, 39.
180
to suffer
13 Let fire, and the cross; let
CHAP. III.
1
Furtue. expresses his desire to suffer
the ¹ companies of wild beasts;
2 let breakings of bone, and tear- THE prince of this world
ing of members; let the 3 shat-E prince
would fain carry me away,
tering in pieces of the whole and corrupt my 17 resolution to-
body, and all 4 the wicked tor-wards my God. Let none of you
ments of the devil come upon 18 therefore help 19 him: rather
me; only let 5 me enjoy Jesus do ye join with me, that is, with
Christ.
God.
8
14 All the 6 ends of the world,
and the kingdoms 7 of it, will
profit me nothing: I would rath-
er die for Jesus Christ, than
rule to the utmost ends of the
earth. 9 Him I seek who died
for us: him I desire, that rose
again for us. This is the 10 gain
that is laid up for me.
15 Pardon me, my brethren,
ye shall not hinder me from liv-
ing: (1¹ 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 12 desires of it.) Suffer me
to 13 enter into pure light; where,
being come, I shall be indeed
the 14
servant of 15 God.
ROMANS.
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 16 how I am straitened.
1 Force or rage.
2 Let tearings, and rendings. Gr.
3 Vid. Usser. Annot. N. 56.
4 Ibid, N. 57.
5 That I may enjoy.
6 Gr. Pleasures.
7 Of this age.
8 Gr. Unto.
9 For what is a man profited if he shall
gain the whole world and lose his own
soul? Gr. Add.
10 Usury. Gr.Vid. Voss. Correct. p. 301.
11 Nor desire that I should die, who
seek to go to God, rejoice not in the
world. Gr.
12 By matter.
3 Take, may hold on.
14 Man.
martyrdom
2 Do not speak with Jesus
Christ, and yet covet the world.
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 be-
lieve 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;
(20 and the 21 fire that is within
me does not desire any water:
but being alive, and 22 springing
within me, says,) Come to the
Father.
4 I take no pleasure in the
food of corruption, nor in the
pleasures of this life.
5 I desire the bread of God,
23 which is the flesh of Jesus
Christ, (24 of the seed of David
and the drink that I long for) is
his blood, which is incorruptible
love.25
15 Vid. Annot. Voss. in loc.
16 What things constrain me.
17 Mind, will.
18 Who are present.
19 Vid. Voss. Aunot. in loc.
20 (And there is not any fire within me
that loves matter, but living and speaking
water saying within me. Gr.)
21 Cotelerius aliter explicat. Annot. ir
loc. Usser. N. 79.
22 Voss. in loc. Contr. Coteler. q. v.
23 The heavenly bread which is. Gr.
24 (The Son of God made in these last
times of the seed of David and Abrahain,
and the drink of God that I long for. Gr.)
25 Gr. Adds, and perpetual life.
16
181
•
Further desires
6 I have no desire to live any
longer after the manner of men;
¹ neither shall I if you consent.
Be ye therefore willing, that ye
yourselves also may be 2 pleasing
to God. I exhort you 4 in a
few words: I pray you believe me.
7 Jesus Christ will show you
that I speak truly. My mouth
is without deceit, and the Father
nath truly spoken 5 by it. Pray
therefore for me, that I may ac-sus.
complish what I desire.
8 I have not written to you
after the flesh, but according to
the will of God. If I shall suf-
fer, 6 ye have loved me: but if
I shall be rejected, 7 ye have
hated me.
13 There is now with me,
together with many others, Cro-
cus, most beloved of me.
As
for those which are 11 come from
Syria, and are gone before me
to Rome, to the glory of God, I
suppose you are not ignorant of
them.
14 Ye shall therefore signi-
9 Remember in your prayers
the church of Syria, which now
enjoys God for its shepherd in-fy to them that I draw near,
stead of me : 8 let Jesus Christ for they are all worthy both
only oversee it, and your of God and of you; whom it
charity.
is fit that you refresh in all
things.
9
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 10 born out of due season.
But through mercy I have ob-
tained to be somebody, if I shall
get unto God.
15 This have I written to
you, the day before the ninth of
the calends of September. 12 Be
strong unto the end, in the pa.
tience of Jesus Christ. 13
¶ To the Romans.
1 And that shall be.
3 Vid. Annot. Voss. in loc.
4 By a short letter.
• Ye have willed it.
Viz. as unworthy to suffer.
182
ROMANS.
to suffer
11 My spirit salutes you; and
the charity of the churches that
have received me in the name
of Jesus Christ; not as a pas-
senger. For even they that
were not near to me in the way,
have gone before me to the next
city to meet me.
12 These things I write to
you from Smyrna, by the most
worthy of the church of Ephe-
2 Willed.
5 In.
8 Vid. Vet. Interpr. Lat.
9 Shall oversee it.
&
10 1 Cor. xv.
11 Vid. Vet. Interpr. Lat.
12 That is, the 23d of August. Gr.
13 Amen. Gr.
The EPISTLE OF IGNATIUS to the PHILADEL
PHIANS.
CHAP. I.
Commends their bishop whom they had sent
unto him, 5 warns them against divisions
und schism.
4 Wherefore my soul esteems
his mind towards God most
happy, knowing it to be fruitful
in all virtue, and perfect; full
of constancy, free from passion,
9 and according to all the mod-
eration of the living God.
5 Wherefore, as becomes the
children both of the light and
of truth, flee divisions and false
doctrines: but where your shep-
herd is, there do ye, as sheep,
follow after.
6 For there are many wolves,
10 who seem worthy of belief, that
with a 11 false pleasure lead cap-
tive 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 12 pu.
rity.
2 Which bishop I know ob-
tained 5 that great ministry
among you not of himself,
neither by men, nor out of vain
glory, but 6 by the love of God 8 For as many as are of God,
the Father, and our Lord Jesus and of Jesus Christ, are also
Christ;
with their bishop.
And as
3 Whose moderation 7 I ad-many as shall with repentance
mire; who by his silence is able return into the unity of the
to do more than 8 others with all | church, even these shall also be
their vain talk. For he is fitted the servants of God, that they
I
GNATIUS, who is also
called Theophorus, to the
church of God the Father, and
our Lord Jesus Christ, which is
at Philadelphia in Asia; which
has obtained mercy, being fixed
in the conccrd of God, and re-
joicing 1 evermore in the passion
of our Lord, and being fulfilled
in all mercy through his resur-
rection; which also I salute in
the blood of Jesus Christ,
2 which is our eternal and unde-
filed joy; especially if they are
at unity with the bishop, and
presbyters who are with him,
and the deacons appointed 3 ac-
cording to the 4 mind of Jesus
Christ; whom he has settled ac-
cording to his own will in all
firmness by his Holy Spirit.
1 Inseparably.
2 Vid. Vet. Interp. Lat.
3 In.
to the commands, as the harp to
its strings.
4 Will, order.
Ministry belonging to the public.
6 In.
7 Has struck me with wonder.
8 Those that speak vain things.
9 In.
10 Vid. Vossii Annot. in loc.
11 Evil.
12 Cleanness made by sifting.
183
Cxhorts to
may live according to Jesus
Christ.
PHILADELPHIANS.
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.
11 For there is but one flesh
of our Lord Jesus Christ; and
one cup in the unity of his
blood; one altar;
CHAP. II.
Desires their prayers, and to be united, but
not to Judaize.
6 But if any one shall preach
5 the Jewish law unto you,
12 As also there is one hearken not unto him: for it is
bishop, together with his presby-better to receive the doctrine of
tery, and the deacons my fellow- Christ from one that has been
servants: that so, whatsoever ye circumcised, than Judaism from
do, ye may do it according to one that has not.
the will of God.
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 6 cunning, ye
grow 7 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 burthensome to him iŋ
much or little.
MY
brethren, the love I
have towards you makes
me the ¹ 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 2 on
the way to suffering.
2 But your prayer to God
shall make me perfect, that I
may attain 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
apostles as to the presbytery of
the church.
1 Very much poured out.
2 Vid. Voss. in loc. Imperfect.
union.
3 Let us also love tle proph-
ets, forasmuch as they also have
3 led us to the Gospel, and
to hope in 4 Christ, and to ex-
pect 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
wonder;
3 Or, preached of the Gospel; and
nopa' in him, and expected him.
5 Who have received testi-
mony from Jesus Christ, and
are numbered in the Gospel of
our common hope.
4 Vid. Voss. in loc.
5 Judaism.
6 Opinion, council.
7 Weak
184
Desires them not
PHILADELPHIANS.
to Judaize
10 And I wish to all among strife, but according to the in
whom I have conversed, that it struction of Christ.
may not turn to a witness
against them.
20 Because I have heard of
some who say, Unless I find it
11 For although some would written in the 5 originals, I wil
have deceived me according to not believe it to be written in
the flesh; yet the spirit, being the Gospel. And when I said,
from God, is not deceived: It is written, they answered
for it knows both whence it what lay before them in their
comes, and whither it goes, and
reproves the secrets of the heart.
corrupted copies.
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 di-
vision 1 that should come among
you.
1
14 But he is my witness for
whose sake I am in bonds that
I knew nothing from any ¹ man.
But the spirit spake, saying on
this wise; Do nothing without
the bishop :
15 Keep your 2 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 3 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
1 Of some.
2 Flesh.
3 Repent.
21 But to me Jesus Christ 18
instead of all the uncorrupted
monuments in the world; to-
gether with those 6 undefiled
monuments, his cross, and death,
and resurrection, and the faith
which is by him; by which I
desire, through your prayers, to
be justified.
22 ¶ The priests indeed are
good but much better is the
High Priest to whom the Holy
of Holies has been committed;
and who alone has been intrust-
ed with the secrets of God.
23 He is the door of the Fa-
ther; by which Abraham, and
Isaac, and Jacob, and all the
prophets, enter in; as well as
the Apostles and the church.
24 And all these things tend
to the unity which is of God
Howbeit the Gospel has some.
what in it far above all other
dispensations; namely, the ap-
pearance 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.
4 Who will loose from you.
5 Archives. Vid. Voss. Annot, in loc
6 Untouched.
16 *
185
Persecution
SMYRNÆANS.
stopped, &
4 As concerning Philo, the
deacon of Cilicia, a most worthy
CHAP. III.
Informs them he had heard that the persecu-2 man, he still ministers unto me
tion was stopped at Antioch: and directs
them to send a messenger thither, to con-
gratulate with the church.
TOW as concerning the
church of Antioch which
is in Syria, seeing I am told that
through your prayers, and the
bowels which ye have towards it 5 And I myself give thanks
in Jesus Christ, it is in peace; to God for you, that ye receive
it will become you, as the them as the Lord shall receive
church of God, to ordain some you. But for those that dishon-
¹ deacon to go to them thither oured them, may they be for-
as the ambassador of God; that given through the grace of
he may rejoice with them when Jesus Christ.
they meet together, and glorify 6 The charity of the brethren
God's name.
that are at Troas salutes you:
2 Blessed be that man in from whence also I now write
Jesus Christ, who shall be found by Burrhus, who was sent
worthy of such a ministry; and together with me by those of
ye yourselves also shall be glori-Ephesus and Smyrna, for respect
fied.
sake.
in the word of God; together
with Rheus 3 of Agathopolis, a
singular good person, who has
followed me even from Syria,
not regarding his life: these
also bear witness unto you.
3 Now if ye be willing, it is 7 May our Lord Jesus Christ
not impossible for you to do this honour them; in whom they
for the sake of God; as also the hope, both in flesh, and soul,
other neighbouring churches and spirit; in faith, in love, in
have sent them, some bishops, unity. Farewell in Christ Jesus,
some priests and deacons. our common hope.
CHAP. I.
1 Declares his joy for their firmness in the
Gospel. 4 Enlarges on the person of Christ,
against such as pretend that Christ did not
really suffer.
The EPISTLE of IGNATIUS to the SMYRNÆANS.
of the beloved Jesus Christ;
which God
God hath mercifully
4 blessed with every good gift;
being filled with faith and char
ity, so that it is wanting in no
gift; most worthy of God, and
fruitful in saints; the church
all
which is at Smyrna in Asia;
3 Vid. Vossius Annot. in Ep. ad Smyrn
GNA
GNATIUS, who is also
called Theophorus, to the
church of God the Father, and
Messenger or minister.
? Vossia martyr or confessor. Vid. p. 261. See chap. iii. 11.
Anot. in lo.
4 Comp. 1 Cor. i. 5. 7.
186
Of the person
joy, through his immaculate !
spirit, and the word of God.
2 I glorify God, even Jesus
Christ, who has given you such
wisdom.
SMYRNÆANS.
3 For I have observed that
you are settled in an immovable
faith, as if you were nailed to
the cross of our Lord Jesus 10 And when he came to
Christ both in the flesh and in those who were with Peter, 6 he
the spirit; and are confirmed in said unto them, Take, handle
love through the blood of Christ; me, and see that I am not
an incorporeal demon. And
straightway they felt him and
believed; being convinced both
by his flesh and spirit.
being fully persuaded of those
things which relate unto our
Lord.
11 For this cause they de-
spised death, and were found to
be above 7 it.
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.
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 2 all
righteousness might be fulfilled
by him.
of Christ
8 And as they believe, so
shall it happen unto them; when,
being divested of the body, they
shall become 5 mere spirits.
9 But I know that even after
his resurrection, he was in the
flesh; and I believe that he is
still so.
5 He was also truly crucified
by Pontius Pilate, and Herod
the Tetrarch, being nailed for
CHAP. II.
us in the flesh; by the fruits of 1 Exhorts them against heretics. 8 The
which we are, even by his most
danger of their doctrine.
blessed passion;
OW these things, beloved,
Now these
6 That he might set 3 up a
I 8 put you in mind of,
token for all ages through his not questioning but that you
resurrection, to all his holy and yourselves also 9 believe that
faithful servants, whether they
be Jews or Gentiles, in one
body of his church.
7 Now all these things he
suffered for us, that we might
be saved. And he suffered
truly, as he also truly raised up
himself; and not, as some un-
believers say, that he only seem-
ed to suffer, they themselves
only seeming to be.4
1 Unto the Lord.
3 Vid. Voss. Annot. in loc.
4 i. e. Christians.
• Incorporeal and demoniac.
2 Matt. iii. 15.
they are so.
2 But I arm you beforehand
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
6 Ex. Evang. Sec. Hebr. See I.
Grabe Spicileg. tom. ii. p. 25.
7 Death.
8 Admonish.
9 Have so.
187
Danger of
the power, who is our
fe.
SMYRNÆANS.
heresy
true | them, till they shall repent to a
true belief of Christ's passion,
which is our resurrection.
12 Let no man deceive him-
self; both the things which are
in heaven, and the glorious
angels, and princes, whether
visible or invisible, if they be-
lieve not in the blood of Christ,
- it shall be to them to condem-
nation.
13 3 He that is able to receive
this, let him receive it. Let no
man's 4 place or state in the
7 Only in the name of Jesus world puff him up that which
Christ, I undergo all, to suffer is worth all is faith and charity,
ogether with him; he who was to which nothing is to be pre-
made a perfect man strengthen-ferred.
ing me.
4 For if all these things were
done only in show 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 beasts, I shall come to
God.
14 But consider those who
8 Whom some, not knowing, are of a different opinion from
do deny; or rather have been us, as to what concerns the
denied by him, being the advo-grace of Jesus Christ which is
cates of death, rather than of come unto us, how contrary they
the truth. Whom neither the are to the design of God.
prophecies, nor the law of Mo-
ses, have persuaded; nor the Gos-
pel itself even to this day, nor
the sufferings of any 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
1 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 unbelievers, I thought it
not fitting to write them unto
you.
11 Yea, God forbid that I
should make any mention of
1 Had true flesh.
3 Matt. xix. 12.
4 Vid. Epist. Interpol.
2 I: is.
15 They have no regard to
charity, no care of the widow,
the fatherless, and the oppress-
ed; of the bond or free, of the
hungry or thirsty.
16 They abstain from the eu-
charist, and from 5 the pub-
lic 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 con-
tradicting the gift of God, they
die in their disputes: 6 but
much better would it be for them
to 7 receive it, that they might
one day rise through it.
5 Vid Annot. Coteler. in loc. U
Prayers.
6 Vid. Coteler. Annot.
7 Lov
188
On duty to
SMYRNEANS.
the bishop, &
18 It will therefore become | pleasing unto God; that SQ
you to abstain from such per- whatever is done, may be sure
sons; and not to speak with to be well done.
them, neither in private, nor in
public.
6 For what remains, it is
very reasonable that we should
3 repent whilst there is yet time
to return unto God.
19 But to hearken to the
prophets, and especially to the
Gospel, in which both Christ's
7 It is a good thing to have
passion is manifested unto us, a due regard both to God, and
and his resurrection perfectly to the bishop: he that honours
declared.
the bishop, shall be honoured of
But he that does any
thing without his knowledge,
4 ministers unto the devil.
20 But flee all divisions, as God.
the beginning of evils.
CHAP. III.
? Exhorts them to follow their bishop and
8 Let all things therefore
pastors; but especially their bishop. 6abound to you in charity; see-
Thanks them for their kindness, 11 and ing ye are worthy.
acquaints them with the ceasing of the per-
secution at Antioch.
9 Ye have 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,
2 Let no man do any thing for whom whilst ye undergo
of what belongs to the church all things, ye shall attain unto
separately from the bishop. him.
3 Let that eucharist be look- 11 Ye have done well in that
S'
EE 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.
ed upon as well established, ye have received Philo, and
which is either offered by the | Rheus 5 Agathopus, who fol-
bishop, or by him to whom the lowed me 6 for the word of God,
bishop has given his consent. as the deacons of Christ our
God.
4 Wheresoever the bishop
shall appear, there let the ¹ peo-
ple also be as where Jesus
Christ is, there is the Catholic
church.
12 Who also give thanks
unto the Lord for you, foras-
much as ye have refreshed them
in all things. 8 Nor shall any
thing that you have done, be
lost to you.
7
5 It is not lawful without
the bishop, neither to baptize,
nor 2 to celebrate the Holy 13 My 9 soul be for yours,
Communion: but whatsoever and my bonds which ye have
he shall approve of, that is also not despised, nor been asharned
1 Multitude.
2 Make a love feast.
3 Return to a sound mind.
4 Does worship.
5 Vid. Voss. Annot. in loc.
6 Unto.
8 Vid. Epist. Interpol.
9 Spirit
Ways.
{
189
Ceasing of the
SMYRNÆANS.
persecution
of. Wherefore neither shall perfect yourselves, ye ought to
Jesus Christ, our perfect faith, think those things that are per-
be ashamed of you.
fect. For when you are desi-
rous to do well, God is ready to
5 enable you thereunto.
14 Your prayer is come to
the church of Antioch which is
in Syria. From whence being
sent bound with chains becom-
ing God, I salute the church-
es; being not worthy to be
called 2 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
perfectly 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
honour of God, 3 that your
church appoint some worthy
delegate, who, being come as far
as Syria, may rejoice together
with them that they are in
peace; and that they are again
restored to their former 4 state,
and have again received their
proper body.
18 Wherefore I should think
it a worthy action, to send some
one from you with an epistle, to
congratulate with them their
peace in God; and that through
your prayers, they have now
gotten to their harbour
19 For inasmuch as ye are
All the.
2 i. e. The bishop of that church
3 Vid. Voss. Annot. in loc.
4 Bulk, greatness.
Help you.
20 The love of the brethren
that are at Troas salute you;
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
presbytery; and your deacons,
my fellow-servants; and all of
you in general, and every one in
particular, in the name of Jesus
Christ, and in his flesh and
blood; in his passion and res-
urrection both fleshly and spir-
itually; and in 6 the unity of
God 7 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 wives
and children; and the 8 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 Ta
vias, and pray that it may be
strengthened in faith and char-
ity, both of flesh and spirit.
• Vid. Voss. Annot in loc.
7 And.
8 i. e. The deaconesses. See, for the
reason of this name, Voss. Aunot. in loc.
Add. Coteler. ib.
199
.gnatius exhorts
Polycarp .
27 Farewell in the grace of
26 I salute Alcé my well-
beloved; 1 together with the God.
incomparable Daphnus, and Eu-1 To the Smyrnæans from
technus, and all by name.
Troas.
POLYCARP.
The EPISTLE of IGNATIUS to POLYCARP.
than what thou already hast.
Be watchful, having thy spirit
always awake.
CHAP. I.
Blesses God for the firm establishment of Pul-
ycarp in the faith, and gives him particu-
lar directions for improving it.
IGN
GNATIUS, who is also called
Theophorus, to Polycarp,
bishop of the church 2 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 immovable rock;
I exceedingly give thanks, that I
have been thought worthy to be-
hold thy 3 blessed face; in which
may I always rejoice in God.
8 Every wound is not healed
with the same plaster; if the
accessions of the disease be ve-
hement, mollify them with 9 soft
3 Wherefore, I beseech thee, remedies: be in all things
by the grace of God, with which | 10 wise as a serpent, but harmless
thou art clothed, to press forward as a dove.
in thy course, and to exhort all
others that they may be saved.
9 For this cause thou art
composed of flesh and spirit;
4 Maintain thy place with all that thou mayest mollify those
care 4 both of flesh and spirit: things that appear before thy
make it thy endeavour to pre-face.
scrve unity, than which nothing
is better. Bear with all men,
even as the Lord with thee.
5 Support all in love, as also
thou dost. 5 Pray without ceas-
ing. ask more understanding
6 Speak to every one 6 ac-
cording as God shall enable
thee. Bear the 7 infirmities of
all, as a perfect combatant:
where the labour is great, the
gain is the more.
8
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.
1 Sec Voss. Annot. ex Epist. Interpol.
3 Innocent.
2 Of the Smyrnæans.
4 Vid. 1 Cor. vii. 34.
• Be at leisure to, &c.
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.
6 Vid. Vossius in loc. aliter Vet. I at
Interpr.
7 The diseases.
9 Superfusions.
$ Is much.
10 Matt. x. 1
191
to improve
11 The times demand thee,
as the pilots the winds; and he
that is tossed in a tempest, the
haven where he would be; that
thou mayest attain unto God.
1
12 Be sober, as the combat-
ant of God: the crown pro-
posed to thee is immortality,
and eternal life; concerning
which thou art also fully per-
suaded. I will be thy surety in
all things, and my bonds, which
thou hast loved.
POLYCARP.
13 Let not those that seem
worthy of credit, but teach other
doctrines, 2 disturb thee. Stand
firm and immovable, as an anvil
when it is beaten upon.
14 It is the part of a brave
combatant, to be 3 wounded,
and yet overcome. But es-
pecially we ought to endure all
things for God's sake, tha. 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; im-
palpable, and impassible, yet
for us subjected to sufferings;
enduring all manner of ways for
our salvation.
CHAP. II.
1 Continues his advice, 6 and teaches him
how to advise others. 12 Enforces unity
and subjection to the bishop.
ET not the widows be
neglected; be thou, after
God, their guardian.
L
2 Let nothing be done with-
cut thy knowledge and consent;
his faith
neither do thou any thing bu
according to the will of God;
as also thou dost, 5 with all con-
stancy.
pe
3 Let your assemblies
more full inquire into all by
name.
4 Overlook not the men and
maid servants; neither let them
be puffed up; but rather let
them be the more subject to the
glory of God, that they may ob-
tain 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.
1 Via. Voss. Annot. in loc. Collat. cum
Coteler. ib.
2. Amaze thee.
3 Beaten.
4 More studious, diligent.
8 In like manner, exhort my
brethren in the name of Jesus
Christ, that they love their
wives, even as the Lord the
church.
8
9 If any man can remain in
a virgin state, to the honour
of the flesh Christ, let him re-
main, 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
women, to come together with the
consent of the bishop, that so
their marriage may be according
to godliness, and not in lust.
5 Being well settled.
6 Vid. Annot. Coteler. in loc.
7 Or, trades.
8 Vid. Annot. Vossii et Coteler, in loo
192
Subjection to
11 Let all things be done to
the honour of God.
POLYCARP
I
cons.
12 ¹ Hearken unto the bishop,
that God also may hearken unto
you. My soul be security for
them that submit to their bishop, 2 It will be very fit, O most
with their presbyters and dea-worthy Polycarp, to call a 5 se-
And may my portion be lect council, and choose some
together with theirs in God. one whom ye particularly love,
13 Labour with one another; and who is patient of labour;
contend together, run together, that he may be the messenger
suffer together, sleep together, of God; and that going unto
and rise together; as the stew- Syria, he may glorify your inces-
ards, and assessors, and ministers sant love, to the praise of Christ.
of God.
14 Please him under whom
ye war; and from whom ye e-
ceive your wages. Let none of
you be found a deserter; but
let your baptism remain as your
arms; your faith as your hel-
met; your charity as your
spear; your patience as your
whole armour.
15 Let your works be your
2 charge, that so you may re-
ceive a suitable reward. Be long-
suffering, therefore, towards each
other in meekness; as God is
towards you.
CHAP. III.
Greets Polycarp on the peace of the church
at Antioch: 2 and desires him to write to
that and other churches.
the bishop
4 and witnout care in God; if so
be that by suffering I shall attain
unto God; that through your
prayers I may be found a disci-
ple of Christ.
Now forasmuch
as
the
church of Antioch in
Syria is, 3 as I am told, in peace
through your prayers; I also
have been the more comforted
6 But forasmuch as I have
not been able to write to all the
16 Let me have joy of you in churches, because I must sud-
all things.
denly sail from Troas to Neap-
olis (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.
1 Observe, from the foregoing verses,
that Ignatius here speaks not to Poly-
carp, but through him to the Church of
Smyrna.
2 That which is committed to your
eustody, to keep secure.
3 A Christian has not the
power of himself; but must be
always at leisure for God's ser-
vice. Now this work is both
God's and yours; when ye shall
have perfected 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
earnest affection to the truth, T
have exhorted you by
6 these
short letters.
7 Let those that are able send
messengers; and let the rest
7
3 It has been manifested unto me.
4 In the security of God.
5 Most becoming God.
6 Viz. To the Smyrnæans, and this te
himself. See Pearson in loc.
7 Footmen
17
193
PHILIPPIANS.
Commends
send their letters by those who
shall be sent by you; that you
may be glorified ¹ to all eternity,
of which you are worthy.
1
8 I salute all by name; par-
ticularly the wife of Epitropus,
with all her house and children. I
salute Attalus, my well-beloved.
9 I salute him who shall be beloved.
thought worthy to be sent by
The EPISTLE OF POLYCARP to the PHILIPPIANS
[The genuineness of this Epistle is controverted, but implicitly believed by Archbishop
Wake, whose translation is below. There is also a translation by Dr. Cave, attached to his
life of Polycarp.]
CHAP. I.
Commends the Philippians for their respect to
those who suffered for the Gospel; and for
their own faith.
the Philippians
you into Syria. Let grace be
ever with him, 2 and with Poly-
carp who sends him.
10 1 wish you all happiness.
in our God, Jesus Christ, in
whom continue, in the unity
and protection of God.
11 I salute Alcé, my well-
Farewell in the Lord.
To Polycarp.
POLYCARP, and the
OLYCARP, and the pres-
byters that are with him,
to the church of God which 3 is
at Philippi; 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 Christ, that
ye received the images of a true
love, and accompanied, as it be-
hoved 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 4 root of
the faith which was preached
* from ancient times, remains firm
1 Vid. Voss. in loc. In the Eternal
work.
2 Ex. Vet. Interpr. Vid. Voss. Arnot.
Sojourneth.
in you to this day; and brings
forth fruit to our Lord Jesus
Christ, who suffered himself to
be brought even to the death for
our sins.
4 5 Whom God hath raised
up, having loosed the pains of
death. 6 Whom having not
seen, ye love; in whom, though
now ye see him not, yet believ-
ing, ye rejoice with joy unspeak-
able and full of glory.
5 Into which many desire to
enter; 7 knowing that by grace
ye are saved; not by works, but
by the will of God, through
Jesus Christ.
9
6 8 Wherefore, girding up the
loins of your minds; serve the
Lord with fear, and in truth;
laying aside all empty and vain
speech, and the error of many;
10 believing in him that raised up
4 Firm root remains in
5 Acts ii. 24.
7 Eph. ii. 8.
9 Psalm ii. 11.
you.
6 1 Pet. i. 8.
8 1 Pet. i. 13.
" 1 Pet. i. 21
194
Exhorts to
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,' both that
and in
in
HESE things, my brethren,
heaven, nu that are ma earth; TI took not the liberty of
PHILIPPIANS.
whom every ²living 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.
myself to write unto you con-
cerning righteousness, but you
yourselves before encouraged
me to it.
2 For neither can I, nor any
8 But he that raised up other such as I am, come up to
3 Christ from the dead, shall the wisdom of the blessed and
also raise up us in like manner, renowned Paul; who, being him-
if we do his will, and walk 4 ac- self in person with those who
cording to his commandments; then lived, did with all exact-
and love those things which he ness and soundness teach the
loved :
word 9 of truth; and being
gone from you wrote an 10 epistle
to you.
un-
9 Abstaining from all 5
righteousness; 6 inordinate af-
fection, and love of money;
3 Into which if you look, you
from evil speaking; false wit-will be able to edify yourselves
ness; not rendering evil for evil, in the faith that has been deliv-
or railing for railing, or striking ered unto you; which is the
for striking, or cursing for curs- mother of us all; being followed
ing.
with hope, and led on by a gen-
eral love, both towards God and
towards Christ, and towards our
neighbour.
10 But remembering what
the Lord has 7 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 8 blessed
are the poor, and they that are
persecuted for righteousness'
sake; for theirs is the kingdom
of God.
1 Phil. ii. 10.
3 Him.
5 Injustice.
6 Eph. iv. 19. Coloss. iii. 5. 1 Pet. iii. 9.
7 Said to us. Teaching. Luke vi. 37.
Matt. vii. 1.
• Matt. v. 3. 10. Luke vi. 20
social and otoer
2 Breath.
4 In.
CHAP. II.
1
Exhorts to faith, hope, ard charity,
Against covetousness, and as to the duties
of husbands, wives, widows, 9 deacons
young inen, virgins, and presbyters.
4 For if any man 11 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 12 root of all evil. Knowing
therefore that as we brought
nothing into this world,
neither may we carry any thing
out; let us 13 arm ourselves with
the armour of righteousness.
SO
9
Tεpi adnosias, concerning Truth.
10 Epistles. Vid. Annot. Coteler. u
loc.
11 Be within.
12 Beginning of all troubles, or difficul
ties, xalɛnwv. 1 Tim. vi. 7.
13 Be armed.
195
Christian
PHILIPPIANS.
duties
6 And teach ourselves first to | ised to us, that ne will raise us
walk according to the command- from the dead; and that if we
ments of the Lord; and then your shall walk worthy of him, we
wives to walk likewise ¹accord-shall also reign together with
ing to the faith that is given to him, if we believe.
them; in 2 charity, and in puri-
ty; loving their own husbands
with all 3 sincerity, and all others
alike with all temperance; and
to bring up their children in the
instruction 4 and fear of the Lord.
8
12 In like manner the younge-
men must be unblamable in ali
things; above all, taking care
of their purity, and to restrain
themselves from all evil. For it
is good to be cut off from the
7 The widows likewise teach lusts that are in the world; be-
that they be sober as to what cause every such lust warreth
concerns the faith of the Lord; against the spirit: 9 and neither
praying always for all men; be- fornicators, nor effeminate, nor
ing far from all detraction, evil | abusers of themselves with man-
speaking, false witness; from kind, shall inherit the kingdom
covetousness, and from all evil. of God; nor they who do such
8 Knowing that they are the things as are foolish and un-
altars of God, 5 who sees all blem-reasonable.
ishes, and from whom nothing 13 Wherefore ye must needs
is hid; who searches out the abstain from all these things;
very reasonings, and thoughts, being subject to the 10 priests
and secrets of our hearts.
and deacons, as unto God and
Christ.
•
14 The virgins admonish to
walk in a spotless and pure con-
science.
15 And let the 11 elders be
compassionate and merciful to-
wards all; 12 turning them from
their errors; seeking out those
that are weak; not forgetting
the widows, the fatherless, and
the poor; but always 13 providing
what is good both in the sight
of God and man.
9 ¶ Knowing, therefore, that
God is not mocked, we ought to
walk worthy both of his com-
mand and of his glory.
10 Also the deacons must be
blameless before 6 him, as the
ministers of God in Christ, and
not of men. Not false accusers;
not double-tongued; not lovers
of money; but 7 moderate in all
things; compassionate, careful;
walking according to the truth
of the Lord, who was the ser-
vant 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 prom-
1 In.
3 Truto.
5 And that he.
7 Continent.
2 Love.
4 Of the.
6 His righteousness.
8 1 Pet. 11.
16 Abstaining from all wrath,
respect of persons, and unright-
eous judgment; and especially
being free from all covetousness.
17 Not 14 easy to believe any
9 1 Cor. vi. 9, 10.
11 Presbyters.
13 Rom. xii. 17
14 Swift' believing
10 Elders.
12 Ezek. xxxiv 4
196
As to faith in
PHILIPPIANS.
our Saviou
thing against any; not severe in | judgment, he is the first-born of
judgment; knowing that we are Satan.
all debtors in point of sin.
18 If therefore we pray to
the Lord that he would forgive
us, we ought also to forgive oth-
ers; for we are all in the sight
of our Lord and God;
must all stand before the judg-
ment seat of Christ; and shall
every one give an account 2 of
himself.
3 Wherefore, leaving the
vanity of many, and their false
doctrines; let us return to the
word that was delivered to us
from the beginning; 5 Watching
and unto prayer; and persevering in
fasting:
4 With supplication beseech-
ing the all-seeing God 6 not to
lead us into temptation; as the
Lord hath said; 7 The spirit
truly is willing, but the flesh is
19 Let us therefore serve him
in fear, and with all reverence
as both himself hath command- weak.
ed; 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:
20 Being zealous of what is
good; abstaining from all of
fence, 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 na-
ture and sufferings; the resurrection and
judgment. 3 Exhorts to prayer, 5 and
steadfastness in the faith, from the examples
of Christ, 7 and Apostles and saints, and
exhorts to carefulness in all well-doing.
FOR
NOR 3 whosoever does not
confess that Jesus Christ
is come in the flesh, he is An-
tichrist and whoever does not
confess his suffering upon the
cross, is from the devil.
4
2 And whosoever perverts the
oracles of the Lord to his own
lusts; and says that there shall
neither be any resurrection, nor
1 Rom. xiv. 10, 2 Cor. 7. 10.
2 For.
3 1 John iv. 3.
The martyrdom of the cross.
5 Let us therefore, without
ceasing, hold steadfastly to him
who is our hope, and the ear-
nest of our righteousness, even
Jesus Christ; 8 Who his own
self bare our sins in his own
body on the tree; who aid no
sin, neither was guile found in
his mouth. But suffered all for
us that we might live 9 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
himself, and so have we be
lieved.
7 Wherefore I exhort all of
you that ye obey the word of
righteousness, and exercise all
patience; which ye have seen
set forth before your eyes, not
only in the blessed Ignatius, and
Zozimus, and Rufus; but in
others among yourselves; and
in Paul himself, and the rest of
the Apostles:
5 1 Pet iv. 7.
6 Matt. vi. 13
7 Matt. xxvi. 41: 8 1 Pet. ii. 22 24
9 In; 1 Pet. ii. 24. &c
17 *
197
Exhorts
PHILIPPIANS.
agarns
I
8 Being ¹ confident of this,
1
that all these have not run AM greatly afflicted for Va-
lens, who was once a pres
vain; but in faith and righteous-byter among you; that he should
ness, and are gone to the place so little understand the place
that was due to them from the that was given to him in the
Lord; with whom also they suf-church. Wherefore I admon-
ish you that ye abstain from
9 For they loved not this 7 covetousness; and that ye be
present world; but him who chaste, and true of speech.
died, and was raised again by
God for us.
fered.
2 8 Keep yourselves from all
evil. For he that in these things
cannot govern himself, how shall
he be able to prescribe them to
another?
10 Stand therefore in these
things, and follow the example
of the Lord; being firm and
immutable in the faith, lovers of
the brotherhood, lovers of one
another; 2 companions together
in the truth, 3 being kind and
gentle towards each other, de-
spising none.
3 If a man does not keep
himself from 9 covetousness, he
shall be polluted with idolatry,
and be judged as if he were a
Gentile.
11 When it is in your power
to do good, defer it not; for
charity delivereth from death.
4 But who of you are igno-
rant of the judgment of God?
10 Do we not know that the saints
shall judge the world, as Paul
teaches?
12 Be all of you subject one
to another; 4 having your con-
5 But I have neither perceiv-
versation 5 honest among the ed nor heard any thing of this
Gentiles; that by your good kind in you, among whom the
works, both ye yourselves may blessed Paul laboured; and
receive praise, and the Lord who are named in the beginning
may not 6 be blasphemed of his Epistle.
through you.
But wo be to 6 For he glories of you in all
him by whom the name of the the churches who then only
Lord is blasphemed.
knew God; for we did not then
know him. Wherefore, my
brethren, I am exceedingly
sorry both for him, and for his
wife; to whom God grant a
true repentance.
13 Therefore teach all men
sobriety; in which do ye also
exercise yourselves.
CHAP. IV.
Valens, a presbyter, having fallen into the sin
of covetousness, he exhorts them against it.
1 Persuaded.
2 Associated in truth.
3 Yielding to each other the mildness.
of the Lord. Tobit xii. 9.
1 Pet. ii. 12.
5 Unreprovable.
• Rom. ii. 24. Titus ii. 5.
Concupiscence; or, immoderate and
·
7 And be ye also moderate
upon this occasion; and look
filthy lusts. So Dr. Hammond on Rom
i. 29.
8 1 Thess. v. 22. Eph. v. 5. Coloss
ii. 5.
9 As before. Dr. Ha'nmond on 1 Cor
v. 10.
10 1 Cor. vi. 2
Phil. 1.
198
the sin of
PHILIPPIANS.
covetousness
not upon such as enemies, but manifest in all; and that ye may
call them back as suffering and be perfect in 5 Christ.
erring members, that ye may
save your whole body: for by
so doing, ye shall edify your
own selves.
136 Ye wrote to ine, 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 nave a con-
venient opportunity; either by
myself, or him whom I shall
send upon your account.
7
14 The epistles of Ignatius
which he wrote unto us, to-
gether with what others of his
have come to our hands, we
have sent to you, according to
your order; which are subjoined
to this epistle:
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.
8 For I trust that ye are well
exercised in the Holy Scrip-
tures, 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 not; and again, Let not
the sun go down upon your
wrath.
1
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 everlast-
ing high-priest, the Son of God,
even Jesus Christ, build you up
in faith and in truth, and in all
meekness and lenity; in pa-
tience and long-suffering, in
forbearance and chastity;
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 believe in our Lord Jesus
Christ, and in his Father 2 who
raised him from the dead.
12 3 Pray for all the saints:
pray also for kings, and 4 all that
are in authority; and for those
who persecute you, and hate
you, and for the enemies of the
cross; that your fruit may be
¹ Said in these Scriptures. Psalm iv.
Eph. iv. 26.
2 Ĝal. i. 1.
3 1 Tim. ii. 1, 2.
• Powers and princes.
Him.
16 ¶ What you know certain-
ly of Ignatius, and those that are
with him, signify unto us.
17¶ These things have I
written unto you by Crescens,
whom by this present epistle I
have recommended to you, and
do now again commend.
18 For he has had his con-
versation without blame among
us; and I suppose also with you.
19 Ye will also have regard
unto his sister, when she shall
come unto you.
20 Be ye safe in the Lord
Jesus Christ; 9 and in favour
with all yours. Amen.
6 See Annot. Usser. in loc.
7 i. e. To himself, and to the church oʻ
Smyrna.
8 Our Lord.
9 His grace be with you all. Amen
199
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. Irenæus quotes it 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 in 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 upon it afterwards, terms it apocryphal and
foolish. Tertullian praised it when a Catholic, and abused it when a Montanist. Al-
though Gelasius ranks it among the apocryphal books, it is found attached to some of the
most ancient MSS. of the New Testament; and Archbishop Wake, believing it the genu-
ine 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.
thinking with myself how noble
and beautiful she was.
H
3 And when I had walked a
And the
little, I fell asleep.
E who had bred me up Spirit caught me away, and car-
sold a certain young maid ried me through a certain place
at Rome; whom when I saw towards the right hand, through
many years after, I remembered which no man could pass. It
her, and began to love her as a was a place among rocks, very
sister. It happened some time steep, and unpassable for water.
afterwards, that I saw her wash- 4 When I was past this place,
ing in the river Tyber; and II came into a plain; and there,
reached out my hand unto her, falling down upon my knees, I
and brought
brought her out of the began to pray unto the Lord,
and to confess my sins.
river.
2 And when I saw her, I 5 And as I was praying, the
thought with myself, saying, heaven was opened, and I´saw
How happy should I be if I had the woman which I had coveted
such a wife, both for beauty and saluting me from heaven, and
manners! This I thought with saying, Hermas, hail! and I
myself; nor did I think any looking upon her, answered,
thing more. But not long after, Lady, what dost thou do here?
as I was walking, and musing She answered me, ¹I am taken
on these thoughts, I began to up hither to accuse thee of sin
honour this creature of God, before the Lord.
VISION I.
1 Against filthy and proud thoughts; 20 also
the neglect of Hermas in chastising his
children.
1 In MS. Lambeth. Præcepta sum aj commanded of the Lord to reprove the◄
Vo nino ut peccata tua arguam: I am for thy sins.
200
Against filthy and
6 Lady, said I, Wilt thou
'convince me? No, said she;
but hear the words which I am
about to speak unto thee. God,
who dwelleth in heaven, and
hath made all things out of noth-
ing, and hath multiplied them
for his holy church's sake, is
angry with thee, because thou
hast sinned against me.
VISION I.
proud thoughts
12 Now this is the case of
such as are double-minded, who.
trust not in the Lord, and de-
spise 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 ¶ As soon as she had
spoken these words, the heavens
7 And I answering said unto were shut, and I remained utter-
swallowed up with sadness
and fear; and said within my-
self, If this be 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
woman in a bright garment, hav-
ing a book in her hand, and sat
alone, and saluted me, saying,
2 Hermas, hail! And I,
And I, being
full of sorrow, and weeping, an-
swered, Hail, lady!
18 And she said unto me,
Why art thou sad, Hermas, who
wert wont to be patient, and
modest, and always cheerful?
her, Lady, if I have sinnedly
against thee, tell me where, or
in what place; or when did I
ever speak an unseemly or dis-
honest word unto thee?
8 Have I not always esteem-
ed thee as a lady? Have I not
always reverenced thee as a sis-
ter? 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 It 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.
11 But as for those who think
wickedly in their hearts, they I answered, and said to her,
take to themselves death and Lady, a reproach has been laid
captivity; and especially those to my charge by an excellent
who love this present world, and woman, who tells me that I have
glory in their riches, and regard sinned against her.
not the good things that are to
come; their souls wander up and
down, and know not where to fix.
19 She replied, Far be any
such thing from the servant of
God. But it may be the desire
In MSS. Wilt thou accuse me?
2 Vid. Hieron. in Hoscam, và. 9.
201
The neglect
1. HERMAS.
of Hermas
of her has risen up in thy heart? | sons, for the Lo. knows that
For indeed such a thought mak- they will repent with all their
eth the servants of God guilty of heart, 2 and they shall be written
sin;
in the book of life.
20 Nor ought such a detesta-
ble thought to be in the servant
of God; nor should he who is
approved by the Spirit desire
that which is evil; but especially
Hermas, who contains himself
from all wicked lusts, and is full
of all sinplicity, and of great in-
nocence.
21 ¶ Nevertheless the Lord is
not so much angry with thee for
thine own sake, as upon the ac-
count of thy house, which has
committed wickedness against
the Lord, and against their par-
ents.
22 And for that out of thy
fondness towards thy sons, thou
hast not admonished thy house,
but hast permitted them to live
wickedly; for this 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.
1
23 But now the mercy of God
hath taken compassion upon
thee, and upon thy house, and
hath greatly comforted thee.
Only as for thee, do not wander,
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, cu off a great sin. Where-
fore cease not to admonish thy
1 In Glory.-Edit Oxon. Hath pre-
crved thee in honour
25 And when she had said
this, she added unto me, Wilt
thou hear me read?-I answer
ed her, Lady, I will.
26 Hear, then, said she; and
opening the book, she read, glo-
riously, greatly, and wonderfully,
such things as I could not keep
in my memory. For they were
terrible 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 Lord,
who by his invisible power, and
with his excellent wisdom, made
the world, and by his glorious
counsel beautified his creature,
and with the word of his strength
fixed the heaven, and founded
the earth upon the waters; and
by his powerful virtue establish-
ed his Holy Church, which he
hath blessed.
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 honou.
and joy; if so be that they shall
keep the commandments 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
2 So MS. Lamb. Et describentur u
libro vitæ.
202
to chastise
four young men came, and
ried the chair to the east.
VISION II.
his children
çar-seen the ast year, walking, and
reading in a certain book.
4 And she said unto ine,
Canst thou tell these things to
the elect of God?-I answered,
and said unto her, Lady, I can-
not retain so many things in my
memory, but give me the book,
and I will write them down.
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.
1
32 She said unto me, These
last things are for the right-
eous, 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 whom I saw not.
good cheer.
VISION II.
Again, of his neglect in correcting his talka-
tive wife; and of his lewd sons. 2
A
S 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
knees, and began to pray unto
the Lord, and to glorify his name,
that he had esteemed me worthy,
and had manifested unto me
my former sins.
3 And when I arose from
prayer, behold I saw over against
me the old woman whom I had
1 Edit. Oxon.
2 Et ejus modo.
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 trans-
scribed every letter, for I found
no syllables.
73 And as soon as I had fin-
ished what was written in the
book, the book was suddenly
caught out of my hands, but by
8 After fifteen days, when
I had fasted, and entreated the
Lord with all earnestness, the
knowledge of the writing was re-
vealed unto me. Now the writ-
ing was this:
9 Thy seed, O Hermas! hath
sinned against the Lord, and
have betrayed their parents,
through their great wickedness.
And they have been called the
betrayers of their parents, and
have gone on in their treachery
10 And now have they added
lewdness to their other sins, and
the pollutions of naughtiness
thus have they filled up the
measure of their iniquities. But
do thou 4 upbraid thy sons with
all these words; and thy wife,
which shall be thy sister; and let
her learn to refrain her tongue,
with which she calumniates.
3 Clem. Alex. Strom. VI.
4 Impropera.
203
Of his neglect
1 HERMAS.
to correct
11 For when she shall hear 19 For the Lord hath sworn
by his Son, that whoso denieth
his Son and him, being afraid of
his life, he will also deny him
in the 4 world that is to come.
20 But those who shall never
deny him, he will of his exceed-
ing great mercy be favourable
unto them.
1
these things, she will refrain
herself, and shall obtain mercy.
12 And ¹ they also shall be
instructed, when thou shalt have
reproached them with these
words, which the Lord has com-
manded to be revealed unto thee.
13 Then shall their sins be
forgiven which they have hereto-
fore committed, and the sins of
all the saints, who have sinned
even unto this day; if they shall
repent with all their hearts, and
remove all doubts out of their
hearts.
14 For the Lord hath sworn
by his glory concerning his
2 elect, having determined this
very time, that if any one shall
2 even now sin, he shall not be
saved.
15 For the repentance of the
righteous has its end: the days
of repentance are fulfilled to all
the saints; but to the heathen,
there is repentance even unto
the last day.
16 Thou shalt therefore say
to those who are over the church;
that they order their ways in
righteousness; that they may
fully receive the promise with
much glory.
17 Stand fast, therefore, ye
that work righteousness; and
continue to do it, that your de-
parture may be with the holy
angels.
18 Happy are ye, as many as
shall endure the great trial that
is at hand, and whosoever shall
not deny his life.
So one MS. in Coteler. Edit. Oxon.
And she, &c.
2 Day. Præfinita ista die etiam nunc
peccaverit aliquis. Lat
21 ¶ But thou, O Hermas.
remember not the 5 evils which
thy sons have done, neither neg-
lect thy sister, but take care that
they amend of their former sins.
22 For they will be instructed
by this doctrine, if thou shalt not
be mindful of what they have
done wickedly.
23 For the remembrance of
evils worketh death; but the for-
getting of them, life eternal.
24 But thou, O Hermas! hast
undergone a great many worldly
troubles for the offences of thy
house, because thou hast neg-
lected them, as things that did
not belong unto thee: and thou
art wholly taken up with thy
great business.
25 Nevertheless, for this cause
shalt thou be saved, that thou
hast not departed from the living
God; and thy simplicity and
singular continency shall pre-
serve thee, if thou shalt continue
in them.
26 Yea, they shall save all
such as do such things; and
walk in innocence and simpli-
city.
27 They who are of this kind
shall prevail against all impiety
and continue unto life eternal.
3 Shall sin after it.
4 Days that are coming.
5 Lujuries.
204
his talkative
28 Happy are all tney that do
righteousness; they shall not be
consumed for ever.
VISION III.
wife.
the words, they shall be clearly
understood by the elect.
36 4 And thou shalt write twc
books, and send one to Clement,
and one to Grapté. For Clem-
ent shall send it to the foreign
cities, because it is permitted
to him so to do: but Grapté shall
admonish the widows and or.
phans.
37 But thou shalt read in this
city with the elders of the church.
VISION III.
of the building of the church triumphant ;
TH
and of the several sorts of reprobates.
HE vision which I saw,
brethren, was this.
2 When I had often fasted
and prayed unto the Lord, that
he would manifest unto me the
revelation which he had promis-
ed by the old woman to show
unto me; the same night she ap-
peared unto me, and said unto
29 But thou wilt say, Behold
there is a great trial coming. If
it seems good to thee, deny him
again.
30 The Lord is nigh to them
that turn to him, as it is written
in the books of Heldam and
Modal, who prophesied to the
people of Israel in the wilderness.
31 ¶ Moreover, brethren, it
was revealed to me, as I was
sleeping by a very goodly young
man, saying unto me, What
thinkest thou of that old woman
from whom thou receivedst the
book? who is she?—I answer-
ed, a Sybil.
32 Thou art mistaken, said
he; she is not. I replied, Who
is she, then, sir ?—He answered
me, It is the church of God.
33 And I said unto him, Why me,
then does she appear old? She 3 Because thou dost thus af
is therefore, said he, an old wo-flict thyself, and art so desirous
man, because she was 2 the first to know all things, come into
of all the creation, and the world the field, where thou wilt, and
was made for her.
about the sixth hour, I will ap
pear unto thee, and show thee
what thou must see.
4 I asked her, saying, Lady,
into what part of the field? She
answered, Wherever thou wilt;
only choose a good and a private
place. And before I began to
speak and to tell her the place,
she said unto me, I will come
where thou wilt.
34 After this I saw a vision
at home in my own house, and
the old woman, whom I had seen
before, came to me, and asked
me whether I had yet delivered
3 her book to the elders of the
church. And I answered, that
I had not yet.
35 She replied, Thou hast
well done; for I have certain
words more to tell thee. But
when I shall have finished all
Eldad and Medad. Numb. xi. 26, 27.
2 See D. Grabe's Annot. to bishop
Bull's Def. id Nic. p. 24. Fol. de S.
Herma
5 I was therefore, brethren,
in the field, and I observed the
3 Suum is added in the Lambeth MS
4 Origen. Philo. cal. cap. 1
18
205
Of the
1. HERMAS.
building
hours, and came into the place | ed me not, but made a sign to
where I had appointed her to me with her hand, that I should
sit on the left.
come.
6 And I beheld a bench
placed; it was a linen pillow,
and over it spread a covering of
fine linen.
7 When I saw these things
ordered in this manner, and that
there was nobody in the place, I
began to be astonished, and my
hair stood on end, and a kind of
horror seized me; for I was
alone.
8 But being come to myself,
and calling to mind the glory of
God, and taking courage, I fell
down upon my knees, and began
again to confess my sins as
fore.
16 But continue, as thou
doest, in thy sincerity, and thou
shalt sit with them; as all others
be-shall, that do their works, and
shall bear what they have borne
17 ¶ I said unto her, Lady,
9 And whilst I was doing
this, the old woman came thith- I would know what it is that
er with the six young men they have suffered? Hear, then,
whom I had seen before, and said she: wild beasts, scourg-
stood behind me as I was pray-ings, imprisonments, and crosses,
ing, and heard me praying and for his name sake.
confessing my sins unto the
Lord.
18 For this cause the right
hand of holiness belongs to them,
and to all others as many as
shall suffer for the name of God;
but the left belongs to the rest.
10 And, touching me, she
said, Leave off now to pray only
for thy sins; pray also for right-
eousness, that thou mayest re-
ceive a part of her in thy house.
11 And she lifted me up from
the place, and took me by the
hand, and brought me to the
seat; and said to the young men,
Go, and build.
12 As soon as they were de-
parted, and we were alone, she
said unto me, Sit here. I an-
swered her, Lady, let those who
are elder sit frst. She replied,
Sit down as I bid you.
14 As I was therefore mus
ing, and full of sorrow, that she
would not suffer me to sit on the
right side, she said unto me,
Hermas, why art thou sad?
15 The place which is on the
right hand is theirs who have
already attained unto God, and
have suffered for his name sake.
But there is yet a great deal re-
maining unto thee, before thou
canst sit with them.
13 And when I would have
sat on the right side, she suffer-
19 Howbeit the gifts and the
promises belong to both, to them
on the right, and to those on the
left hand; only that sitting on
the right hand they have some
glory above the others.
20 But thou art desirous to sit
on the right hand with them;
and yet thy 1 defects are many.
But thou shalt be purged from
thy defects: as also all who doubt
not, shall be cleansed from all
the sins which they have com
mitted unto this day.
1 Lat. Exiguitates.
206
of the church
21 And when she had said
this, she would have departed;
22 Wherefore, falling down
before her feet, I began to en-
treat her, for the Lord's sake,
that she would show me the
vision which she had promised.
23 Then she again took me
by the hand, and lifted me up,
and made me sit upon the seat
on the left side; and holding up
a certain bright wand, said unto
me, Seest thou that great thing?
I replied, Lady, I see nothing.
VISION III
24 She answered, Dost thou
not see over against thee a great
tower, which is built upon the
water with bright square stones.
25 For the tower was built
upon a square by those six young
men that came with her.
26 But many thousands of
other men brought stones: some
drew them out of the deep;
others carried them from the
ground, and gave them to the six
young men. And they took
them, and built.
triumphant
cast them at a distance from the
tower: but many others of them
lay round about the tower, which
they made no use of in the build-
ing.
30 For some of these were
rough, others had clefts in them,
others were white and round,
not proper for the building of the
tower.
31 But I saw the other stones
cast afar off from the tower, and
falling into the highway, and yet
not continuing in the way, but
were rolled from the way into a
desert place.
32 Others I saw falling into
the fire and burning: others fell
near the water, yet could not
roll themselves into it, though
very desirous to fall into the
water.
33 And when she had
showed me these things, she
would have departed. But I said
unto her, Lady, what doth it prof-
it me to see these things, and
not understand what they mean?
34 She answered and said
1
27 As for those stones which
were drawn out of the deep, unto me, You are very cunning,
they put them all into the build-in that you are desirous to know
ing; for they were polished, and those things which ¹ relate to the
their squares exactly answered tower. Yea, said I, lady, that
one another, and so one was join- I may declare them unto the
ed in such wise to the other, that brethren; and they may rejoice,
there was no space to be seen and hearing these things may
where they joined insomuch glorify God with great glory.
that the whole tower appeared to
be built as it were of one stone.
28 But as for the other stones
that were taken off from the
ground, some of them they re-weep.
jected, others they fitted into the
building.
35 Then she said, Many in-
deed shall hear them, and when
they shall have heard them,
some shall rejoice, and others
And yet even these, if
they shall repent, shall rejoice too.
36 Hear, therefore, what I
shall say concerning the parable
29 As for those which were
rejected, some they cut out, and
1 Are about
207
and of
1. HERMAS.
of the tower, and after this be unto her, These hings are very
no longer importunate with me admirable: but, lady, who are
about the revelation.
those six young men that
build?
37 For these revelations have
an end, seeing they are fulfilled.
But thou dost not leave off to
desire revelations; for thou art
very ¹urgent.
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 mayest 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,
declare them unto me.
40 She answered me, What-
soever is fit to be revealed unto
thee, shall be revealed: 2 only
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 in-
quire diligently concerning the
building; therefore thou shalt
find the truth.
Edit. Oxon.
• Clem. Alex. Strom. xii.
s:veras
44 They are, said she, the
angels of God, which were first
appointed, and to whom the
Lord has delivered all his crea-
tures, to frame and build them
up, and to rule over them. For
by these the building of the
tower shall be finished.
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.
Wherefore, when the whole
building of the tower shall be
finished, they shall all feast to-
gether beside the tower, and
shall glorify God, because the
structure of the tower is finished.
47 I asked her, saying, I
would know the condition of 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 re-
vealed 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
42 Hear therefore why the
tower is built upon the water:
because your life is and shall be
saved by water. For 4 it is
founded by the word of the al-
mighty and honourable name;
and is supported by the invisible
power and virtue of God.
43 ¶ And I answering, said is nothing in them that is not
3 Baptism.
4 Namely, the tower
208
sorts of
VISION III.
reprobates
true; but all are firm, and truly monished by the angels to do
established.
well, because that iniquity is not
found in them.
58 But who are those whom
they rejected, and laid beside
the tower?
51 ¶ Hear now, then, con-
cerning 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 mer-
cy of God have come in, and
governed, and taught, and min-
istered holily and modestly to
the elect of God, both they that
are fallen asleep, and which yet
remain ; and have always agreed
with them, and have had peace
within themselves, and have
heard each other.
53 For which cause their
joints exactly meet together in
the building of the tower.
54 They which are drawn
out of the deep and put into the
building, and whose joints agree
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
walked in ¹the law of the Lord,
and directed their ways in his
commandments.
57 They which are brought
and put in the building of the
tower, are the young in faith and
the faithful. And these are ad-
Inæquitatein Domini. Lat.
59 They are such as have
sinned, and are willing to re-
pent; for which cause they are
not cast far from the tower, be-
cause they will be useful for the
building, if they shall repent.
60 They therefore that are
yet to repent, 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 rejected: for he only has this
privilege, who shall now be put
into the tower.
2
61 ¶ But would you know
who they are that were cut out,
and cast afar off from the tower?
Lady, said I, I desire it.
62 They are the children 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
building by 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
2 Vid. Edit. Oxon.
18*
209
Of
I. HERMAS.
the
nave not continued in it, nor | somewhat off, its bulk cannot be
Jeen joined to the saints; and made square; so they who are
therefore are unprofitable. rich in this world, unless their
riches be pared off, cannot be
made profitable unto the Lord.
65 Those that have clefts in
them, are they who keep up 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
another, their wickedness still
continues in their hearts: these
are the clefts which are seen in
those stones.
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.
66 Those that are maimed
and short, are they who have
believed indeed; but still are in
great measure full of wicked-
ness; for this cause are they
maimed and not whole.
67 But what are the white
and round stones, lady, and
which are not proper for the
building of the tower?
68 She answering, said unto
me, How long wilt thou continue
foolish and without understand-
ing; asking every thing, and
discerning nothing?
74 Then for those stones
which fell into the fire, and were
burnt; they are those who have
2 for ever departed from the liv-
ing God, nor doth it ever come
into their hearts to repen, by
reason of the affection which
they bear to their lusts and
69 They are such as have
faith indeed; but have withal
the riches of this present world.
When, therefore, any troubles wickednesses which they com-
arise, for the sake of their riches
and traffic, they deny the
Lord.
70 I answering, said unto
her, When, therefore, will they
be profitable to the Lord? When
their riches shall be cut away,
says she, in which they take de-
light, then they will be profitable
unto the Lord for his building.
73 As for the rest of the
stones which thou sawest cast
afar off from the tower, and run-
ning in the way; and tumbled
out of the way into desert places;
they are such as have believed
indeed, but through their doubt-
ing have forsaken the true way,
thinking that they could find a
better. But they wander, and
are miserable, going into deso-
late ways.
71 For as a round stone, un-
'ess it be cut away, and cast
'Tribulation arises.
mit.
75 And what are the rest
which fell by the water, and
could not roll. into the water?
76 They are such as have
heard the word; and were will
ing to be baptized in the name
of the Lord; but considering
the great holiness which the
truth requires, have withdrawn
themselves, and walked again
after their wicked lusts.
2 Finally.
210
building
VISION III.
if the
77 Thus she finished the ex- | Faith; by her the clect shall be
plication of the tower.
saved. The next, which is girt
78 But I, being still urgent, up, and looks manly, is named
asked her Is there repentance Abstinence: she is the daughter
allowed to all those stones which of Faith.
are thus cast away, and were
not suitable to the building of
the tower; and shall they' find
place in this tower?
86 Whosoever, therefore, shal.
follow her, shall be happy in all
his life; because he shall abstain
from all evil works, believing
79 They may repent, said that if he shall contain himself
she, but they cannot come into from all concupiscence, he shall
this tower; but they shall be be the heir of eternal life. And
placed in a much lower rank; | what, lady, said I, are the other
and this after that they shall five?
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 right-
eousness and then they shall
be translated from their afflic-
tions, 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 ¶ When therefore I had
done asking her concerning all
these things, she said unto me,
Wilt thou see somewhat else?
And being desirous of seeing it,
I became very cheerful of coun-
tenance.
83 She, therefore, looking
back upon ine, and smiling a
little, said unto me, Seest thou
seven women about the tower?
Lady, said I, I see them.
81 This tower, replied she, is
supported by them, according to
the command of the Lord: hear
therefore the effects of them.
85 The first of them, which
holds fast with he. hand, is called
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 ful-
filled 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 follow one another as they
were born.
90 From Faith proceeds Ab-
stinence; from Abstinence, Sim-
plicity; from Simplicity, Inno-
cence; from Innocence, Mod-
esty; 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 in the tower with the
saints of God.
92 Then I asked her con
211
church
I. HERMAS.
triumphant
cerning the times, whether the | freely feeding contract an in
end were now at hand.
firmity in their flesh, and do in
jury to their bodies; whilst the
flesh of others, who have not
food, withers away, because they
want sufficient nourishmen and
their bodies are consumed.
93 But she cried out with a
loud voice, saying, O foolish
man! Dost thou not see the
tower vet a building? When,
therefore, the tower shall be fin-
ished, 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
sairts; for the refreshment of
your spirits. For these things
have not been revealed to thee
only, but that thou mayest make
them manifest unto all.
99 Wherefore this intemper.
ance is hurtful to you, who have,
and do not communicate to
them that want. Prepare for
the judgment that is about to
come upon you.
100 Ye that are the more
eminent, search out them that
are hungry, whilst the tower is
yet unfinished. For when the
tower shall be finished, ye shall
95 For therefore, O Hermas! be willing to do good, and shall
after three days thou must un-not find any place in it.
derstand these words which I 161 Beware, therefore, ye that
begin to speak unto thee, that glory in your riches, lest perhaps
thou mayest speak them in the they groan who are in want;
ears of the saints; that when and their sighing come up unto
they shall have heard and done God, and ye be shut out with
them, they may be cleansed from your goods without the gate of
their iniquities, and thou togeth- the tower.
er with them.
96¶ Hear me, therefore, O
my sons! I have bred you up in
much simplicity, and innocency,
and modesty, for the mercy of
God, which has dropped down up-
on you in righteousness, that you
should be sanctified, and justi-ye
fied from all sin and wicked-
ness: but ye will not cease from
your evil doings.
97 Now, therefore, hearken
unto me, and have peace one
with another, and visit one an-
other, and receive one another,
and do not enjoy the creatures
of God alone
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
mischief.
103 And they indeed carry
about their poison in boxes; but
contain your poison and ¹in-
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.
98 Give freely to them that
are in need. For some by too
104 Take heed, my children
that your dissensions deprive
How
you not of your lives.
will ye instruct the elect of God,
when ye yourselves want cor
1 Medicaments.
212
and of
VISION III.
rection? Wherefore admonish 112 Wherefore I saw the
same old woman in a vision
of the night saying unto me,
All prayer needeth humiliation.
Fast, therefore, and thou shalt
learn from the Lord that which
thou dost ask. I fasted, there-
fore, one day.
one another, and be at peace
among yourselves; that I, stand-
ing before your father, may give
an account for you unto the
I ord.
105 ¶ 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 sat,
and they also went away again
to the tower. I saw not the faces
of these, for their backs were to-
wards me.
114 Canst thou see more
106 As she was going away,
I asked her that she would re- notable revelations than those
which thou hast already re-
ceived?
veal to me what concerned the
three forms, in which she had
appeared unto me.
107 But she answering said
unto me, Concerning these
things thou
must ask some
other, that they may be revealed
unto thee.
115 I answered and 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 complete.
116 He answered me, You
are not without understanding,
but your doubts make you so;
forasmuch as you have not your
heart with the Lord.
108 Now, brethren, in the
first vision the last year, she ap-
peared unto me exceeding old,
and sitting in a chair.
109 In another vision, she
had indeed a youthful face, but
ner flesh and hair were old;
and she talked with me stand-
ing, and was more cheerful than
the first time.
110 In the third vision, she
was in all respects much young-
er, and comely to the eye; only
she had the hair of an aged per-
son yet she looked cheerful,
and sat upon a seat.
sivera.
111 I was therefore very
sad concerning these things,
until I might understand the
vision.
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.
117 I replied, and said, But
we shall learn these things more
carefully from you.
118 ¶ H, then, says he,
concerning the figures, about
which you inquire.
119 And first, in the first
vision she appeared to thee in
the shape of an old woman sit-
ting in a chair; because your
old spirit was decayed, and
without strength, by reason of
your infirmities, and the doubt-
fulness of your heart.
120 For as they who are old
213
sorts of
I. HERMAS.
rep-obates
have no hope of renewing them- | aside. your infirmities, and
selves, nor expect any thing but strength came to you, and you
their departure; so you, being grew strong in the faith; and
weakened through your worldly God, seeing your strength, re-
affairs, gave yourself up to sloth,
and cast not away your solici-
tude from yourself upon the
Lord; and your sense was
¹ confused, and you grew old in
your sadness.
joiced.
121 But, sir, I would know
why she sat upon a chair?
122 He answered, because
every one that is weak, sitteth
upon a chair by reason of his
infirmity, that his weakness
may be upheld: Behold there-
fore the figure of the first vision.
123 ¶ In the second vision
you saw her standing, and hav-
ing a youthful face, and more
cheerful than her former; but
her flesh and her hair were an-
cient. Hear, said he, this par-
able also.
127 For this cause he showed
you the building of the tower;
and will show other things unto
you, if you shall have peace with
all your heart among each other.
128 ¶ But in the third vision
you saw her yet younger; 2 fair
and cheerful, and of a serene
countenance.
129 For as if some good
news comes to one that is sad,
he straightway forgets his sad-
ness, and regards nothing else
but the good news which he has
heard; and for the rest he is
comforted, and his spirit is re-
newed through the joy which he
has received: even so you have ·
been refreshed in your spirit, by
seeing these good things.
124 When any one grows
130 And for that you saw
old, he despairs of himself by her sitting upon a bench, it de-
reason of his infirmity and pov-notes a strong position; because
erty; and expects nothing but a bench has four feet, and stands
the last day of his life.
strongly. And even the world
itself is upheld by the four
elements.
125 But on a sudden an in-
heritance is left to him; and he
hears of it, and rises; and being
become cheerful, he puts on new
strength. And now he no longer
sits down, but stands; and is
delivered from his former sor-
row; and sits not, but acts
manfully.
131 They, therefore, that re-
pent perfectly, shall be young;
and they that turn from their
sins with their whole heart, shall
be established.
126 So you, having heard
he revelation which God re-
vealed unto you, because God
had compassion upon you, and
renewed your spirit, both laid
' Broken, Contusus.
214
132 And now you have the
revelation fully; ask no more
to have any thing further re-
vealed unto you.
133 But if any thing be to be
revealed, it snall be made manı
fest unto you.
2 Honestam.
1
•
Of the
VISION IV.
VISION IV.
Of the trial and tribulation that is about to extraordinary in it.
come upon men.
:
trial and
pect that there was 2 somewhat
I
SAW a vision, brethren,
twenty days after the former
vision; a representation of the
tribulation that is at hand. I
was walking in the field away.
8 And the sun shone a little;
and behold I saw a great beast,
as it were a whale; and fierv
locusts came out of his mouth
The height of the beast was
about a hundred feet; and he
had a head like a ³ large earthen
vessel.
3
2 Now from the public way
to the place whither I went is
about ten furlongs; it is a way
very little frequented :
9 I began to weep, and to
pray unto the Lord, that he
3 And as I was walking alone, would deliver me from it. Then
I entreated the Lord that he I called to mind the word which
would confirm the revelations I had heard: Doubt not, Her-
which he had showed unto me mas.
by his Holy Church;
4 And would grant repent-
ance to all his servants, who
had been offended, that his
great and honourable name
might be glorified; and because beast.
he thought me worthy ¹ to whom
he might show his wonders; and
that I might honour him, and
give thanks unto him.
1
7 It was about a furlong off
from me.
And behold I saw
the dust rise more and more,
insomuch that I began to sus-
That he would show me.
2 Aliquod divinitus.
10 Wherefore, brethren, put-
ting on a divine faith, and re-
membering who it was that had
taught me great things, I deliv-
ered myself boldly unto the
11 Now the beast came on
in such a manner, as if it could
4 at once have devoured a city.
12 I came near unto it; and
5 And behold somewhat like the beast extended its whole
a voice answered me: Doubt
not, Hermas.
Wherefore I be-
gan to think, and say within
myself, Why should I doubt,
seeing I am thus settled by the
Lord, and have seen such glori-
ous 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?
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 After that I had passed
by it, and was gone forward
about 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
3 Vas urnale.
4 In ictu.
?
215
tribulation
15 Now I knew by my for-
mer visions that it was the
Church; and thereupon grew
the more cheerful. She saiuted
me, saying, Hail, O man! I re-
turned the salutation, saying,
Lady, hail!
I. HERMAS
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 the power of God, and
through his singular mercy, I es-
caped it.
to come
things; he can both turn away
his wrath from you, and send
you help and security.
22 Wo to the doubtful, to those
who shall hear these words, and
shall despise them: it had been
better for them that they had
not been born.
23¶Then I asked her con-
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, show me what they are.
17 Thou didst escape it well,
said she; because thou didst cast
thy whole care upon God; and
openedest thy heart unto him;
believing that thou couldst be
safe by no other, than by his
great and honourable name.
24 Hear, said she; The black
which thou sawest, denotes the
world in which you dwell. The
fiery and bloody colour, signi
fies, that this age must be de-
stroyed by fire and blood.
18 For this cause the Lord 25 The golden part are ye,
sent his angel, who is over the who have escaped out of it.
beast, whose name is Hegrin,| For as gold is tried by the fire,
|
and stopped his mouth that he and is made profitable, so are ye
should not devour thee. Thou also in like manner tried who
hast escaped a great trial through dwell among the men of this
thy faith, and because thou didst world.
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 shalt say unto them,
that this beast is the figure of
the trial that is about to come.
20 If, therefore, ye shall have
prepared yourselves, ye may es-
cape it, if your heart be pure
and without spot; and if ye shall
serve God all the rest of your
days without complaint
21 Cast all your cares upon
the Lord, and he will direct
them; believe in God, ye doubt-
ful, because he can do all
26 They, therefore, that shall
endure to the end, and be prov
ed by them, shall be purged
And as gold, by this trial, is
cleansed, and loses its dross, so
shall ye also cast away all sor-
row and trouble; and be made
pure for the building of the
tower.
27 But the white colour de-
notes the time of the world
which is to come, in which the
elect of God shall dwell; be-
cause the elect of God shall be
pure and without spot unto life
eternal.
28 Wherefore do not thou
216
Introduction to
cease to speak these things in
the ears of the saints. Here ye
have the figure of the great trib-
ulation that is about to come;
which, if you please, shall be
nothing to you. Keep therefore
in mind the things which I have
said unto you.
II. HERMAS.
The Second Book of HERMAS, called his COM-
MANDS.
¶ Introduction.
WH
HEN 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,
clothed with a white cloak, hav-
ing his bag upon his back, and
his staff in his hand, and saluted
the second book
29 When she had spoken
thus much, she departed; but I
But
saw not whither she went.
suddenly I heard a noise, and I
turned back, being afraid; for I
thought that the beast was com
ing toward me.
me.
2 I returned his salutation;
and immediately he sat down by
me, and said unto me, I am
sent by that venerable messen-
ger, that I should dwell with
thee all the remaining days of
thy life.
5 But he said unto me,
Be not 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 show unto
thee all those things again,
which thou hast seen before;
but especially such of them as
may be of most use unto thee.
6 And first of all write my
Commands- and Similitudes; the
rest thou shalt so write as I shall
3 But I thought that he was show unto thee. But I there-
come to try me, and said unto fore bid thee first of all write
him, Who are you? For I my Commands and Similitudes,
know to whom I am committed. that by often reading of them,
He said unto me, Do you not thou mayest the more easily
know me? I answered, No. I¹ keep them in memory.
1
7 Whereupon I wrote his
Commands and Similitudes, as
he bade me.
8 Which things if, when you
have heard, ye shall observe to
¹ Observe them, Custodire, possis. Lat
am, said he, that shepherd, to
whose care you are delivered.
4 Whilst he was yet speaking,
hus 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 utter-
ly overcome with sadness, be-
cause I had spoken so foolishly
unto him.
19
217
Of believing
II. HERMAS.
COMMAND I!.
do them, and shall
and shall walk ac-
cording to them, and exercise That we must avoid detraction; and do our
alms-deeds with simplicity.
yourselves in them, with a pure
mind, ye shall receive from the
Lord those things which he has
promised unto you.
9 But if, having heard them,
ye shall not repent, but shall
still go on to add to your sins,
1 ye shall be punished by him.
10 All these things that
shepherd, the angel of repent-any.
ance, commanded me to write.
COMMAND I.
Of 2 believing in one God.
IRST of 3 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 de-
fined by any words, nor con-
ceived by the mind.
4 Therefore believe in him,
and fear him; and fearing him,
4 abstain from all evil.
5 Keep these things, and cast
all 5 lust and iniquity far from
thee; and put on righteousness;
and thou shalt live 'to God, if
thou shalt keep this command-
ment.
1 Adversa recipietis.
2 Faith.
3 Irenæus, l. 1. c. 3. Origen de Princ.
1. c. 3. Euseb. Hist. Eccles. 1. 5. c. 8.
Athanas. de Incarn. Verb., &c.
4 Habe abstinentiam.
• Omnem concupiscentium et nequiti-
am. MSS. Lamb. et Oxon.
6 Lat Have simplicity, and be inno-
in one God
6
E
said unto me, & Be inno
cent, and without disguise;
so shalt thou be like an infant
who knows no malice, whicn
destroys the life of man.
2 Especially see that thou
speak evil of none; nor willing-
ly hear any one speak evil of
80%.
8 So the Gr. and Lamb. MS. Parti-
ceps eris peccati male loquentis, credens;
at tu habeois peccatum.
37 For if thou observest not
this, thou also who hearest,
shalt be partaker of the sin of
him that speaketh evil by be-
lieving the slander, and thou
also shalt have sin; because
thou believedst him that spake
evil of thy brother.
4 9 Detraction is a pernicious
thing; an inconstant, 10 evil
spirit; that never continues in
peace, but is always in discord.
11 Wherefore refrain thyself from
it; and keep peace evermore
with thy brother.
5 Put on a holy 12 constancy,
13 in which there are no sins,
but all is full of joy; and de
good of thy labours.
6 14 Give 15 without distinc
tion to all that are in want; not
doubting to whom thou givest.
7 But give to all; for God
will have us give to all, of 16 all
11 The Greek hath ovv.
12 Rather simplicity; according to the
Greek reading, preserved by Athana-
sius.
13 Gr. in which there is no evil offence,
but all things smooth and delightful, ev os
ουδεν προσκόμμα ἐστιν πονηρον αλλά παντα
ομαλα και ιλαρα.
cent.
1 Gr. Ει δε μη, και συ ακουων ενοχος
|
14 Vid. Antioch. Hom. xcviii.
15 Simply.
16 Gr. Ek
των ιδιων δωρεμα των MS
Lamb. De suis donis
9 Vid. Antioch. Hom. xxix.
10 Demon.
218
Against
COMMAND III.
detration
his own gifts. They therefore 4 For they received the spiri
that receive shall give an ac-free from lying: if therefore
count to God, both wherefore they make that a liar, they defile
they received, and for what end. what was committed to them by
8 And they that receive with- the Lord, and become deceivers
out a real need, shall give an
5 When I heard this, I wept
account for it; but he that gives bitterly. And when he saw ine
shall be innocent:
weeping, he said unto me, Why
weepest thou? And I said, Be-
cause, sir, I doubt whether I can
be saved.
9 For he has fulfilled his duty
as he received it from God; not
making any choice to whom he
should give, and to whom not.
And this service he did with
simplicity, and 1 to the glory of
God.
6 He asked me, Wherefore?
I replied, Because, sir,
I never
spake a true word. in my life;
but always lived in dissimula
tion, and affirmed a lie for truť'
to all men; and no man contra-
dicted 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 ser-
vant 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.
2 That the spirit which the 8 And I replied unto him,
Lord hath given to dwell in thy Sir, I never before hearkened
flesh may be found true towards so diligently to these things.
all men; and the Lord be glori- He answered, Now thou hear-
fied, who hath given such a spir-est them: Take care from
it unto thee; because God is henceforth, that even those
true in all his words, and in him things which thou hast formerly
there is no lie.
spoken falsely for the sake of
thy business, may, 5 by thy pres-
ent truth, receive credit.
9 For even those things may
be credited, if for the time to
come thou shalt speak the truth;
10 Keep therefore this com-
mand according as I have de-
livered it unto thee; that thy
repentance may be found to be
sincere, and that good may come
to thy house; and have a pure
heart.
COMMAND III.
Of avoiding lying, and the repentance of Her-
mas for his dissimulation.
MORE
OREOVER 2 he said unto
me, Love truth, and let all
the speech be true which pro-
ceeds out of thy mouth;
3
3 They therefore that lie, de-
ny the Lord; ³ and become rob-
bers of the Lord; 4 not render-
ing to God what they received
from him
1 Gloriously to God.
• Antioch. Hom. lxvi.
3 According to the Greek.
4 See III. Hermas, Simil. 1x. ver. 268
et sey.
5 Through these words. Lat His
verbis et illa fidem recipiant
219
Of putting
II. HERMAS.
xway
1
and by so doing thou mayest | and she shall not repent of her
attain unto life.
sin, but go on still in her forn-
cation, and a man shall continue
nevertheless to live with her, he
shall become guilty of her sin,
and partake with her in her
adultery.
COMMAND IV.
Of putting away one's wife for adultery.
F
NURTHERMORE, said he,
I command thee, that thou
keep 2 thyself chaste; and that
thou suffer not any thought 3 of
any other marriage, or of forni-
cation, to enter into thy heart:
for such a thought produces a
great sin.
6 And I said unto him.
What therefore is to be done, it
the woman continues on in her
sin? He answered, Let her hus
band put her away, and let him
continue by himself. But if he
shall put away his wife and mar-
ry another, he also doth commit
adultery.
7 And I said, What if the
2 But be thou at all times woman that is so put away, shall
mindful of the Lord, and thou | repent, and be willing to return
shalt never sin. For if such to her husband? shall she not be
an evil thought should arise in received by him? He said unto
thy heart, thou shouldest be guil-me, Yes; and if her husband
ty of a great sin; and they who shall not receive her, he will
do such things, follow the way sin; and commit a great offence
of death.
against himself: but he ought to
receive the offender if she re-
pents; 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 repent.
9 This act is alike both
in the man and in the woman,
Now they commit adultery, not
but
only who pollute their flesh,
4 If
who also make an image.
therefore a woman perseveres in
any thing of this kind, and re-
pents not, depart from her, and
live not with her otherwise
thou also shalt be partaker of
her sin.
10 And whosoever shall
hearken unto this command,
and do it, and shall depart from
all lying, he shall live unto God.
3 Look therefore to thyself,
and keep thyself from such a
thought for where chastity re-
mains in the heart of a right-
eous 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. And I
answered, Sir, if a man that is
faithful in the Lord, shall have
a wife, and shall catch her in
adultery, doth a man sin that
continueth to live still with her?
5 And he said unto me, As
ong 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,
1 If thou shalt keep the truth
2 Chastity.
3 Another man's.
4 See 1 Cor. vii. 15.
↑
220
one's wife
COMMAND IV.
for adulte y.
10 But it is therefore com- | You see therefore tha repent-
manded that both the man and ance is great wisdom.
the woman should remain un-
married, because such persons
may repent.
11 Nor do I in this adminis-
ter any occasion for the doing
of these things; but rather that
whoso has offended, should not
offend any more.
16 And I said unto him,
For this cause, sir, I inquire
diligently into all things, be-
cause I am a sinner, that I may
know what I must do that I
may live; because my sins are
many.
12 But for their former sins,
God, who has the power of
healing, will give a remedy:
for he has the power of all
things.
17 And he said unto me,
Thou shalt live if thou shalt
keep these my commandments.
And whosoever shall hear and
do these commands, shall live
unto God.
13 ¶ I asked him again, and 18 ¶ And I said unto him,
said, Seeing the Lord hath I have even
Lord hath I have even now heard from
thought me worthy that thou certain teachers that there is no
shouldest dwell with me contin- other repentance beside that of
ually; speak a few words unto baptism; when we go down into
me, because I understand noth- the water, and receive the for-
ing, and my heart is hardened giveness of our sins; and that
through my former conversation; after that, we must sin no more ;
and open my ¹ understanding
because I am very dull, and ap-
prehend nothing at all.
1
but live in 6 purity.
7
14 And he answering said
unto me; I am the 2 minister of
repentance, and give 3 under-
standing to all that repent.
Does it not seem to thee to be
4 a very wise thing to repent?
Because he that does so, gets
great understanding.
19 And he said unto me
Thou hast been rightly inform-
ed. Nevertheless, seeing now
thou inquirest 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 be-
lieve, or to those who have al-
ready believed in the Lord.
20 For neither they who have
15 For he is sensible that he
hath sinned and done wickedly 8 newly believed, or who shall
in the sight of the Lord; and hereafter believe, have any re-
he remembers 5 within himself pentance of sins, but forgive-
that he has offended, and re-ness of them.
pents and does no more wicked- 21 But as to those who have
ly; but does that which is good, | been called to the faith, and
and humbles his soul, and af- since that are fallen into any
flicts it, because he has offended. gross sin, the Lord hath ap
2 Præpositus
1 Sense.
3 See below, ver. 18 et seq.
4 Great wisdom.
In his understanding.
6 Chastity.
7 Rightly heard.
8 MS. Lamb. Qui modo crediderunt,
Who have just now helieved.
19 *
221
Of sadness
of reart,
pointed repentance;
God knoweth the thoughts of all
men's hearts, and their infirmi-
ties; and the manifold wicked-
ness of the devil; who is always
contriving something against the 27 Keep therefore thy chasti-
servants of God; and malicious-ty and modesty; and thou shalt
ly lays snares for them.
live unto God. Observe from
because sin in s doing? 2 IIe that mar
ries (says he) sins not: huwbeit
if he shall remain single, he shall
thereby gain to himself great
honour before the Lord.
3
22 Therefore our merciful henceforth those things which I
Lord had compassion towards speak with thee, and command
his creature, and appointed that thee to observe; from the time
repentance, and gave unto me that I have been delivered
the power of it. And therefore unto thee, and dwell in thy
I say unto thee, If any one af house.
ter that great and holy calling 28 So shall thy former sins be
shall be tempted by the devil forgiven, if thou shalt keep these
and sin, he has one 1 repent- my commandments. And in
ance. But if he shall often sin like manner shall all others be
and repent, it shall not profit forgiven, who shall observe these
such a one; for he shall hardly my commandments.
live unto God.
II. HERMAS.
-
23 And I said, Sir, I am
restored again to life since I
COMMAND V.
have thus diligently hearkened Of the sadness of the heart, and of patience
to these commands. For I per-
ceive, that if I shall not here-
after add any more to my sins,
shall be saved.
I
24 And he said, Thou shalt
be saved; and so shall all others,
as many as shall observe these
commandments.
25 ¶ And again I said unto
him, Sir, seeing thou hearest me
patiently, show me yet one thing |
more. Tell me, saith he, what
it is.
26 And I said, If a husband|peace.
or wife die, and the party which
survives marry again, does he
1 Vid. Annot. Coteler. in loc. pp. 60,
61.
2 Vid. Not. Coteler. in loc. p. 64. B. C.
Rom. vii. 3. Comp. 1. Cor. vii.
BE
E patient, says he, and
4 long-suffering; so shalt
thou have dominion over all
wicked works, and shalt 5 fulfil
all righteousness.
2 For if thou shalt be patient,
the Holy Spirit which dwelleth
in thee shall be pure, and not be
darkened by any evil spirit; but
being full of joy shall be en-
larged, and feast 6 in the body in
which it dwells, and 7 serve the
Lord with joy, and in great
3 MS. Lamo. me:ius: Ex quo mihi tra-
ditus es, That thou hast been delivered
unto me, and I dwell, &c.
3 But if any 8 anger shall
overtake thee, presently the Ho-
4 Gr. Μακροθυμος. MS. Lamb. Ani-
mæquus.
5 Work.
MS. Lamb. melius, Cum vase. E
Gr. μετα του σκεύους, with the body ot
vessel
7 Gr. Λειτουργει τω κυρίω
8 Ošvxoła. Gr. Bitterness of gall.
and of
COMMAND V.
ly Spirit which is in thee, will be thy house.
straitened, and seek to depart | from it.
from thee.
9 For I the 6 messenger of
1
4 For he is choked by the righteousness am with thee: and
evil spirit; and has not the lib- all that depart from it, as many
erty of 2 serving the Lord as he as shall repent with all their
would; for he is grieved by hearts, shall live unto God; and
3 anger. 4 When therefore both I will be with them, and will
these spirits dwell together, it is keep them all.
destructive to a man.
10 For all such as have re-
pented, have been justified, by
the most holy messenger, who is
a minister of salvation.
5 As if one should take a litt'e
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; because 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
profitable 5 with God.
1 Place.
2 Gr Λειτουργῆσαι.
3 Οξυχολια.
4 Both Athanasius and Antiochus add
here these words, omitted in our copies :
"For in forbearance (or long-suffering)
the Lord velleth, but in bitterness the
devil."
patience
Wherefore depart
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 hurt those that
are full of faith, because the
7
8 power of God is with them;
but it overthrows the doubtful,
and those that are destitute of
faith.
8 And I said unto him, Sir, I
would know the sinfulness of nature.
anger, 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 shalt lose thy hope with all
12 For as often as it sees
9 such men, it casts itself into
their hearts; and so a man or
woman is in bitterness for noth-
ing for the things of life; or for
sustenance; 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 su
perfluous things of the like
ΟΙ
13 For these things are fool
ish, and superfluous, and vain to
the servants of God. But equa-
nimity is strong, and forcible,
and of great power, and sitteth
5 To.
6 Angel.
7 Gr. Work upon, ɛrɛpyncɑɩ; et MS
Lamb. Facere.
s Virtue.
9 Gr. Τοιουτους ανθρωπους.
•
223
Every
11. HERMAS.
man
in great enlargement; is cheer- | command, then sì at thou also
ful, rejoicing in peace; and glo- be able to observe the other
rifying God at all times with commandments which I shall
meekness.
command thee.
1
14 And this long-suffering 19 Wherefore strengthen thy-
dwells with those that are full self now in these commands,
'of faith. But anger is foolish, that thou mayest live unto God.
and light, and empty.
Now And whosoever shall observe
bitterness is bred through folly; these commandments shall live
by bitterness, anger; by anger, unto God.
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 3 man in which
the Holy Spirit dwells; the ves-
sel cannot contain them, but
runs over and because the Spirit
being tender cannot tarry with
the evil one, it departs and
dwells with him that is meek.
1 In the Greek of Athanasius and Anti-
chus the sense is fuller: Having nothing
of bitterness in itself, and continuing al-
ways in meekness and quietness.
2 Vessel.
COMMAND VI.
That every man has two 5 angels, and of the
suggestions of both.
16 When therefore it is de-
parted from the man in whom it
dwelt; that man becomes desti-
tute of the Holy Spirit, and is
afterwards filled with wicked
spirits, 3 and is blinded with evil
thoughts. Thus doth it happen
to all angry men.
17 Wherefore depart thou
from anger, and put on equa-way.
nimity, and resist wrath; so shalt 4 Do thou therefore keep the
thou be 4 found with modesty | right way, and leave that which
and chastity by God. Take is evil. For the evil way has
good heed, therefore, that thou not a good end, but hath many
neglect not this commandment. stumbling-blocks; it is rugged
and full of thorns, and leads to
18 For if thou shalt obey this
3 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.'
72
"l
I
COMMANDED thee, said
he, in my first commandment,
that thou shouldest keep faith,
and fear, and repentance. Yes,
sir, said I.
6
2 He continued; But now I
will show thee the virtues of
these commands, that thou may-
est know their effects; how they
are 7 prescribed alike to the just
and unjust.
3 Do thou therefore believe
the righteous, but give no credit
to the unrighteous. For right-
eousness keepeth the right way,
but unrighteousness the wicked
4 In the Greek of Athanasius it runs
better thus: "Applauded with reverence
by those who are beloved of God."
5 Vid. Coteler. Annot. in loc. pp. 67,
68. Comp. Edit. Oxon. p. 61. Note a.
• Lat. Poenitientiam; it should rather
be Abstinentiam; as in the Greek of
Athanasius; as appears by the first Com-
mandment, which is here referred to
7 Placed. Lat. Posita sunt
4
224
has two
COMMAND VI.
angels
destruction; and is hurtful to all that this is the angel of in
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 be-
lieve in God with all their heart,
shall go through it.
iquity.
12 And I said unto him, Sir,
how shall I understand these
things? Hear, says he, and un-
derstand. When anger over-
takes thee, or bitterness, know
that he is in thee.
13 As also, when the desire
of many 2 things, and of the best
meats, and of drunkenness ;
when the love of what belongs
to otars, pride, and much speak-
ing, 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. Seeing 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.
7 ¶ And now, says he, ¹ 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
bountifulness, of forgiveness, of
charity and piety.
10 When all these
all these things
16 For let a man be never so
come into thy heart, know then happy; yet if the thoughts of
that the angel of righteousness is the other angel arise in his
with thee. Wherefore heark-heart, that man or woman must
en to this angel and to his needs sin.
works.
15 Here therefore thou hast
the works of both these angels.
Understand now and believe the
angel of righteousness, because
his instruction is good.
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
woman must needs do some
good.
18 Thou seest therefore how
1 Vid. Antioch. Hom. Ixi. Comp. Orig.
iii De Princip. et in Luc. Hom. xxxv.
11 Learn also the works of
the angel of iniquity. He is
first of all bitter, and angry, and
foolish; and his works are per-
uicious, and overthrow the ser-
vants of God. When therefore
these things come into thy heart, it is good to follow the angel of
thou shalt know by his works, righteousness. If therefore thou
2 Works. Gr. Πράξεων.
225
We must fear God,
II. HERMAS.
shalt follow him, and ¹ submit to | shalt not do it.
his works, thou shalt live unto do good, 5 the
God. And as many as 1 shall sub- is strong, and
mit to his works, shall live also rious.
unto God.
COMMAND VII.
That we must fear God, but not the devil.
2 God, says he, and
keep his commandments.
For if thou keepest his com-
mandments thou shalt be power-
ful in every work, and all thy
work shall be 3 excellent. For
by fearing God, thou shalt do
every
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 that has
power is to be feared. But he
that has no power is despised by
every one.
4 Fear the works of the devil, | righteousness.
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.
1 Gr. Пiorεvons, Lat. Credideris, Be-
lieve.
2 Vid. Antioch. Hom. cxxvii. Eccles.
xii. 13.
Without comparison; or
3 ᾿Ασύγκριτος,
without mixture.
♦ Gr. Antioch.
but not the devi
But if thou wil
fear of the Lord
great, and glo-
6 Wherefore, fear God and
thou shalt live: and whosoever
shall fear him, and keep his
commandments, their life is with
Lord. But they who keep
them not, neither is life in them.
COMMAND VIII.
That we must flee from evil, and do good.
HAVE told thee, said he,
that there are two kinds of
creatures of the Lord, and that
there is a twofold 6 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 7know all
4
5 There is therefore a two-
fold fear; if thou wilt not do
evil, fear the Lord, and thou lying; from detraction ;
3 I said, What evil things are
they from which I must abstain?
Hearken, said he; from adul-
tery; from drunkenness; from
riots; from excess of eating;
from daintiness and dishonesty ;
from pride; from fraud; from
from
3 In the Gr. of Antiochus these words
follow, which make the connection more
clear: "Fear also the Lord, and thou
shalt be able to do it for."
•
6 Antioch. Hom. lxxix.
7 Do, according to the Greek, coya
ζομενος.
226
We must flee evil,
COMMAND VIII.
and do good.
hypocrisy, from remembrance | equity; truth; patience: chas
of injuries; and from all evil tity.
speaking.
4 For 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.
9 There is nothing better
than these things in the life of
man; 2 who shall keep and do
these things in their life. Hear,
next what follow these.
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 abstain. From theft, and
cheating; from false witness;
from covetousness; from boast-
ing; and all other things of the
like nature.
6 Do these things seem to
thee to be evil or not? Indeed
they are very evil to the servants
of God. Wherefore the servant
of God must abstain from all
these 1 works.
7 Keep thyself therefore from
them, that thou mayest live unto
God, and be written among
those that abstain from them. kind.
And thus have I shown thee
what things thou must avoid
now learn from what thou must
not abstain.
8 Abstain not from any good
works, but do them. 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;
10 To minister to the widows,
not to despise the fatherless and
poor; to redeem the servants
of God from necessity; to be
hospitable (for in hospitality
there is sometimes 3 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; 4 to re-
spect the brotherhood; to bear
affronts; to be long-suffering
5 not to cast away those tha
have fallen from the faith
fallen
but to convert them and make
them be of 6 good cheer; to ad-
monish sinners; not to oppress
those that are Our debtors;
and all other things of a like
1 Vid. Coteler. in loc.
2 The sense here is defective, and may
be thus restored from the Greek of Atha-
nasius: Whosoever keeps these things and
doth not abstain from them, shall be hap-
py in his life. And so the Lamb. MS.
Hæc qui custodi erit.
12 Do these things seem to
thee to be good, or not? And
I said, What can be better than
these words? Live then, said
he, in these commandments, and
do not depart from them. For
if thou shalt keep all these com
mandments, thou shalt live unto
God. And all they that sha
keep these commandments, shs.l.
live unto God.
3 Gr. ayalonoinois, good deed.
4 Συντηρειν.
5 Add from the Gr. of Athan sius and
Antiochus: Not to remember injuries
To comfort those who labour in their minds
6 Ευθυμους.
227
IVε must ask
II. HERMAS.
COMMAND IX.
That we must ask of God daily, and without
doubting
A
GAIN he said unto me,
1 Remove from thee all
doubting; and question nothing
at all, when thou askest any
thing of the Lord; saying within
thyself, How shall I 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 doubt-
ing, and thou shalt know the
mercy of the Lord; how that
he will not forsake thee, but
will fulfil the request of thy
soul.
3 For God is not as men,
mindful of the injuries he has
received; but he forgets injuries,
and has compassion upon his
of God daily
from the Lord, because they ask
without doubting. But he that
doubts shall hardly live unto
God, except he repent.
6 Wherefore purify thy neart
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 im-
mediately) receive it, yet do not
therefore doubt, because thou
hast not presently received the
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. Else if thou
shalt cease to ask, thou must
complain of thyself, and not of
God, that he has not given unto
thee what thou didst desire.
303.
¹ Vid. Antioch. Hom. lxxxiii. Confer.
Fragm. D. Grabe. Spicileg. tom. i.
page
Add from the Gr. both of Athanasius
and Antiochus: But if thou doubtest in
dy heart, thou shalt receive none of thy
petitious. For those who distrust (or,
·
creature.
4 Wherefore purify thy heart
from all the vices of this present
world; and observe the com-
mands I have before delivered
unto thee from God; and thou
shalt receive whatsoever good
things thou shalt ask, and noth-
ing shall be wanting unto thee
of all thy petitions; if thou shalt
ask of the Lord without doubting.
9 Despise it therefore, and
thou shalt rule over it 5 on every
occasion. Put on a firm and
powerful faith: for faith promises
5 2 But they that are not such,|
shall obtain none of those things all things, and perfects all things.
which they ask. For they that But doubting will not believe,
are full of faith, ask all things that it shall obtain any thing by
with confidence,
confidence, and receive all that it can do.
8 Consider therefore this
doubting how cruel and perni-
cious 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.
doubt of) God, are like the double mind
ed, who shall obtain none of these things
So MS. Lamb. Tardius accipias: and
so the Gr. Boadurepov λapßaves.
4 Asking the petition of thy soul.
In every thing.
22E
We must
COMMAND X.
not grieve
10 Thou seest therefore, says | lieved, are involved in the af
ne, how faith cometh from above, fairs of the heathen.
from God; and has great power.
But doubting is an earthly spirit,
and proceedeth from the devil,
and has no strength.
4 And there is another 4 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 spir-
*, and inquire of him, what
shall befall them.
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
many as shall do these things.
5 And this lying prophet, hav-
ing no power in him of the Di-
vine Spirit, answers them ac-
COMMAND X.
take heed not to grieve the Spirit of God
that is in us.
Of the sadness of the heart; and that we must cording to their demands; and
fills their souls with promises ac-
cording as they desire. How-
beit that prophet is vain, and an-
swers vain things to those who
are themselves vain.
UT all sadness far from
PUT
thee; for it is the sister of
doubting and of anger. How,
sir, said I, is it the sister of
these? For sadness, and anger,
and doubting, seem to me to
be very different from one an-
other.
2 And he answered, 1 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: 2 It de-
stroys the spirits of all men, and
torments the Holy Spirit; and
again it saves.
3 Sir, said I, I am very fool-
ish, 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 majesty of God, but only be-
1 Without sense thou dost not under-
stand it.
2 So the Latin Version. But the Greek
of Athanasius is better: And destroyeth
man more than any other spirit.
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 righteous.
7¶ 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 re-
penting, 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.
3 Questions.
4 Vid. Edit. Oxon. p. 70. b. Comp. 2
Cor. vii. 10.
5 Lat. Sensus: from the Greek Novs.
20
229
the Spirit
II. HERMAS.
of God
9 For every spirit that is given | derstand it, because they have
from God needs not to be asked; the fear of the Lord in them.
but having the power of divinity 14 For where the Spirit of the
speaks all things of itself; be- Lord dwells, there is also much
cause he comes from above, from understanding added. Where-
the power of the Spirit of fore join thyself to the Lord
God.
5 and thou shalt understand al
things.
15 ¶ Learn now, O unwise
man! how sadness 6 troubleth
the Holy Spirit, and how it saves.
When a man that is doubtful is
engaged in any affair, and does
not accomplish it by reason of
his doubting; this sadness enters
into him, and grieves the Holy
Spirit, and makes him sad.
10 But he that being asked
speaks according to men's de-
sires, and concerning many other
affairs of this present world, un-
derstands not the things which
relate unto God. For these spir-
its are darkened through such
affairs, and corrupted, and bro-
ken.
11 As good vines, if they are
neglected, are oppressed with
weeds and thorns, and at last
killed by them; so are the men
who believe such spirits.
1
12 They fall into many ac-
tions and businesses, and are
void of sense, and when they
think of things pertaining unto
God, they understand nothing at amiss.
all: but if at any time they
chance to hear any thing con-
cerning the Lord, their 2 thoughts
are upon their business.
13 But they that have the fear
of the Lord, and search out the
truth concerning God, 3 having
all their thoughts towards the
Lord, apprehend whatsoever is
said to them, and forthwith un-
1 And understand nothing at all, think-
ing of riches. Lat.
Senses.
16 Again, anger, when it
overtakes any man for any busi-
ness, he is greatly moved; 7 and
then again sadness entereth into
the heart of him, who was moved
with anger, and he is troubled
for what he hath done, and re-
penteth because he hath done
3 Gr. of Athanasius, Kapdiav Exovтes
προς κυριον.
So that the Latin should be
Habentes, not Habent.
4 Gr. Συνεσις νελλη.
5 Gr. Παντων νοησεις. And so the
with what follows: Because he hath done
amiss. The text in this place being evi-
dently corrupted, it has been endeavoured
to restore the true sense of it from the
| Greek of Athanasius, which is as follows :
Παλιν η λυπη εισπορευεται εις την καρδιαν
του ανθρωπου του οξυχολησαντος, και
λυπείται επι τη πραξει αυτου η έπραξεν, και
μετανοει οτι πονηρον ειργασατο. Αυτη ουν η
Lamb. MS. Omnia scies.
6 Gr. εκτριβει. MS. Lamb. Contribulat. λυπη δοκει σωτηρίαν έχειν, οτι το πονηρό,
7 In the Greek of Athanasius, follows, πραξας μετενόησεν. Αμφότεραι δε των πραξ
εων λυπουσι, &c.
And he doth some-
Which better agrees
και ποίηση τι κακον.
thing which is ill.
17 This sadness therefore
seemeth to bring salvation, be-
cause he repenteth of his evil
deed. But both the other things,
namely, doubting and sadness,
such as before was mentioned,
vex the Spirit: doubting, because
his work did not succeed; and
sadness, because he angered the
Holy Spirit.
230
The spirits
COMMAND XI.
and prophets
18 1 Remove therefore sad- has not the sweetness it ha、 be-
fore; so sadness being mixed
with the Holy Spirit, suffers no*
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
many as shall lay aside sadness,
and put on cheerfulness.
ness from thyself; 2 and afflict
not the Holy Spirit which dwell
eth in thee; lest he 3 entreat
God; and depart from thee. For
the Spirit of the Lord, 4 which
is given to dwell in the flesh,
endureth no such sadness.
19 Wherefore clothe thyself
with cheerfulness, which has al-
ways favour with the Lord, and
thou shalt rejoice in it. For
every cheerful man does well;
and relishes those things that
are good, and despises 5 sadness.
20 But the sad man does al-
ways wickedly. First, he doth
wickedly because he grieveth
the Holy Spirit, which is given
to man being of a cheerful na-
ture. And again he does ill, be-
cause he prays with sadness unto
the Lord, and maketh not first a
thankful acknowledgment unto
him of former mercies; and ob-
tains 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 his heart.
22 When therefore a man's
prayer shall be accompanied
with sadness, it will not suffer
nis requests to ascend pure to
the altar of God. For as wine,
when it is mingled with vinegar,
1 Antioch. Hom. xxv.
2 Greek, Mŋ Xißɛ, MS. Lamb Noli
nocere.
3 Gr. Μη εντευξηται τω θεω. Comp.
Rom. vii. 27
4 Gr Το δοθεν εις την σαρκα, ταυτην
λυπην ουκ υποφέρει.
COMMAND XI.
That the spirits and prophets are to be tried
by their works, and of a twofold spirit.
H
E showed 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? Sit,
said I, I see them. He answer-
ed, They are the faithful; and
he who sits in the chair, is an
earthly spirit.
2 For he cometh not into 7 the
assembly of the faithful, but
avoids it. But he joins himself
to the doubtful and empty; and
prophesies to them in corners
and hidden places; and pleases
them by speaking according to
all the desires of their hearts.
3 For he placing himself
among empty vessels, is not bro-
ken, but the one fitteth the other.
But when he cometh into the
company of just men,
8 who are
full of the Spirit of God, and
they pray unto the Lord, that
man is 9 emptied, because that
5 Gr. λυπης.
6 So the Greek : ο δε λυπηρος ανερ παντοτε
πονηρεύεται. Πρωτον μεν πονηρεύεται,
7 Church of the liv...
&c.
8 Have the Spirit of God in them
9 Exinanitur
231
to be tried
earthly spirit flies from him, and
he is dumb, and cannot speak
any thing.
II. HERMAS.
by works
he speaks in the congregation
as he is moved of God.
7 When therefore a man who
hath the Spirit of God shall come
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
8 Thus therefore is the Spirit
of God known, because whoso
ever speaketh by the Spirit of
God, speaketh as the Lord will.
9 ¶ Hear now concerning the
earthly spirit, which is empty
and foolish, and without virtue.
And first of all the man who is
supposed to have the Spirit
(whereas he hath it not in real-
ity), exalteth himself, and de-
sires to have the first seat, and
is wicked, and full of words;
4 As if in a store-house you
shall stop up wine or oil; and
among those vessels shall place
an empty jar; and shall after-
wards come to open it, you shall
find it empty as you stopped it
up. so those empty prophets,
when they come among the spir-
its of the just, are found to be
such as they came.¹
10 And spends his time in
5 ¶ I said, How then shall a
man be able to discern them?
Consider what I am going to
say concerning both kinds of pleasure, and in all manner of
2 men; and as I speak unto voluptuousness; and receives
thee, so shalt thou prove the the reward of his divination;
prophet of God, and the false which if he receives not, he does
prophet.
not divine.
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
the 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.
:
+
11 Should the Spirit of God
receive 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.
Wherefore 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 earth-
ly and empty spirit, which is
from the devil, 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
Accordingly the Archbishop reduced botk
1 Something was wanting in this place
to make the subject clear, and it was sug-places to what he conceived should be
gested to Archbishop Wake, by Dr. their true order, and ir that state they
Grave, that what should have followed now stand.
was transposed into the next Command.
2 Vessels
232
Of a twofold
COMMAND XII.
desire.
thitherward; and see if thou | dle it as thou wilt. Bi
an evil
canst reach unto heaven.
desire is dreadful, and hard to
be tamed.
2 It is very horrible and wild ;
and by its wildness consumes
men. And especially if a ser
vant of God shall chance to fall
into it, except he be very wise,
he 2 is ruined by it. For it de-
stroys those who have not the
garment of a good desire; and
are engaged in the affairs of
this present world; and delivers
them unto death.
3
3 4 Sir, said I, What are the
works of an evil desire, which
bring men unto death? Show
them to me, that I may depart
from them. Hear, said he, by
what works an evil desire bring-
eth the servants of God unto
death.
14 Sir, said I, How can this
be done? For neither of those
things which you have mention-
ed, are possible to be done.
And he answered, Therefore, as
these things cannot be done, so
is the earthly spirit without vir-
tue, and without effect.
15 Understand yet further the
power which cometh from above,
in this similitude. The grains
of hail that drop down are ex-
ceeding 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.
4 First of all, it is an evil de-
17 So in like manner, the sire to covet another man's wife,
least things which come from or for a woman to covet anoth-
above, and fall upon the earth, er's husband; as also to desire
have great force. Wherefore the dainties of riches; and mul-
join thyself to this spirit, which | titude of superfluous meats; and
has power; and depart from the drunkenness; and
other, which is empty.
many de-
COMMAND XII.
Of a twofold desire: that the commands of
God are not impossible: and that the devil
is not to be feared by them that believe.
A
GAIN he said unto me,
¹ Remove from thee all
evil desires, and put on good
and holy desires. For having
put on a good desire, thou shalt
hate that which is evil, and bri-
1 Vid. Antioch. Hom. lxxiv.
2 MS. Lamb. Consumitar,
Athanas. δαπανάται.
lights.
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
depart from all evil desires, shall
live unto God; but they that are
subject unto them shall die for
4 That the words here inserted, and
et Gr. removed into their proper place in the
foregoing Command, do not belong to
this Discourse, the Greek of Athanasius,
in which they are all omitted, clear.j
shows
3 Gr. Athanas, εμπεφυρμένους τω αιωνι
τούτω. Instead of Implicat eos, the Lat.
Vers. should be Implicatos.
20 *
233
God's commands
II. HERMAS.
not impossible
ever. For this evil lusting is keep their repentance pure a
deadly. Do thou therefore put the remaining days of their life.
on the desire of righteousness, 13 And fulfil diligently this
and being armed with the fear ministry which I commit to
of the Lord, resist all wicked thee, and thou shalt receive great
lusting.
advantage by it; and shalt find
favour with all such as shall re-
pent, and shall
shall believe thy
words. For I am with thee, and
will force them to believe.
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
victory, and be crowned for it;
and shalt attain unto that desire
which is good; and shalt give
the victory which thou hast ob-
tained unto God, and shalt serve
him in doing what thou thyself
wouldest do.
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 any one, thou
shalt not fulfil them.
16 But now I say unto thee,
If thou shalt not observe these
commands, but shalt neglect
them, thou shalt not be saved,
nor thy children, nor thy house;
because thou hast judged that
these commands cannot be kept
by man.
9 For if thou shalt serve good
desires, and be subject to them;
thou shalt be able to get the do-
minion over thy wicked lust-
ings, and they shall be subject
to thee as thou wilt.
10 ¶ 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
righteousness, and do that which
is good.
11 If thou shalt do these
things, thou shalt be an approv-
ed servant of God; and shalt
serve him: and all others who
shall in like manner serve a 18 And when he saw me al
good desire shall live unto God. together troubled and confound.
12 ¶ And when he had ful-ed, he began to speak more
filled these twelve commands, moderately and cheerfully, say
he said unto me, Thou hast now ing, O foolish, and without un-
these commands, walk in them; derstanding!
and exhort those that hear them
that they repent, and that they
17 ¶ These things he spake
very angrily unto me, insomuch
that he greatly affrighted me.
For he changed his counte-
nance, so that a man could not
bear his anger.
19 Unconstant, not knowing
the majesty of God, how great
231
Believers not to
COMMAND XII.
fear the devi.
and wonderful he is; who creat- by his power rules over the ser
ed the world for man, and hath vants of God. And he said, He
made every creature subject unto cannot rule over the servants of
him; and given him all power, God, 3 who trust in him with all
that he should be able to ¹ fulfil their hearts.
all these commands.
1
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, he destroys them.
28 For as a man, when he
fills up vessels with good wine,
4 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, be-
cause he knows that they are
good; but tastes those that are
half full, lest they should grow
sour (for vessels half full soon
grow sour, and lose the taste of
wine): so the devil comes to the
servants of God to try them.
20 He is able, said he, to
¹ fulfil all these commands, who
has the Lord in his heart: but
they who have the Lord only in
their mouths, and their heart is
hardened, and they are far from
the Lord; to such persons these
commands are hard and difficult.
21 Put therefore, ye that are
empty and light in the faith, the
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, and forsake the
devil and his pleasures, because
they are evil, and bitter, and
impure. And fear not the devil,
because he has no power over
you.
23 For I am with you, the
2 messenger of repentance, who
have the dominion over him.
The devil doth indeed affright
men; but his terror is vain.
-Wherefore fear him not, and he
will flee from you.
24 ¶ 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
1 Ut dominetur.
2 Angel.
29 They that are full of faith
resist him stoutly, and he de-
parts from them, because he
finds no place where to enter
into them: then he goes to those
that are not full of faith, and be-
cause he has place of entrance,
he goes into them, and does
what he will with them, and they
become his servants.
30 ¶ But I, the 5 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 re-
pent with your whole heart, and
5 Angel
3 Gr. ελπιζοντων εἰς ᾿Αυτον.
4 Origen, in Matt. xxiv. 42
235
Of the world
that I may confirm you in the
faith.
III. HERMAS.
1
31 ¹ Believe, therefore, ye who
by reason of your transgressions
have 2 forgot God, and your own
salvation; and 3 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
dominion 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
SIMILITUDE I.
That seeing wo have no abiding city in this
world, we ought to look after that which
is to come.
to co ne
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 of the 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 over-
come him, if we shall be able,
through the help of the Lord, to
keep these commands which you
have delivered.
The Third Book of HERMAS, which is called his
SIMILITUDES.
2 If, therefore, ye know your
city in which ye are to dwell,
why do ye here buy estates,
and provide yourselves with deli-
cacies, and stately buildings,
36 Thou shalt keep them,
said he, if thou shalt purify thy
heart towards the Lord. And
au they also shall keep them who
shall cleanse their hearts from
the vain desires of the present
world, and shall live unto God.
AND he said unto me, 4 Ye city.
know that ye, who are the
servants of the Lord, live here
as in a pilgrimage; for your
city is far off from this city.
et sa' 'tem vestram.
? What follows should be corrected
and superfluous houses? For
he that provides himself these
things in this city, does not
think of returning into his own
3 O foolish, and doubtful, and
wretched man; who understand-
est not that all these things be-
long to other men, and are un-
For
der the power of another.
the Lord of this city saith unto
thee, Either obey my laws, or
depart out of my city.
4 What, therefore, shalt thou
1 Vid. Antioch. Hom. Ixxvii.
2 MS. Lamb. Qui obliti estis Deum, gravatis vitam vestram.
4 Antioch. Hom. xv.
thus: Et qui adjicientes peccatis vestri
236
The rich helped
SIMILITUDE II.
by the poor
do who art subject to a law in | buy lands or houses; because all
thine own city? Canst thou for such things shall perish with this
thy estate, or for any of those | present time.
things which thou hast provided,
deny thy law? But if thou shalt
deny it, and wilt afterwards re-
turn into thy own city, thou
shalt not be received, but shalt
be excluded thence.
9 But what ye shall do for the
name of the Lord, ye shall find
in your city, and shall have joy
without sadness or fear. Where-
|fore covet not the riches of the
heathen; for they are destructive
to the servants of God.
10 2 But trade with your own
riches which you possess, by
which ye may attain unto ever-
lasting 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.
5 See, therefore, that like a
man in another country, thou
procure no more to thyself than
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 cheerful-
ness live according to thine own
law without wrong.
6 Take heed therefore, ye that
God, and have him in
I was
herve work ye the works of A field, and considered the
hearts:
God, being mindful both of his
commands, 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.nandments.
SIMILITUDE II.
As the vine is supported by the elm, so is the
rich man helped by the prayers of the poor.
7 Instead therefore of the
pos-
sessions that ye would otherwise
purchase, redeem those that
are in want from their necessi-
ties, 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
enriched you, that ye might ful-
fil these kind of services. It is
much better to do this, than to
1 Souls.
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, These
two trees are set for a pattern to
the servants of God.
3 And I said unto him, Sir,
I would know in what the pat-
tern of these trees which thou
mentionest, dost consist. Heark-
en, saith he; Seest thou this
vine and this elm? Sir, said I,
I see them.
2 MS. Lambeth. Proprias autem quas
habetis agite.
3 Vid. Origen. in Jos. Hom. x.
237
Of green and
III. HERMAS.
dry trees
4 This vine, saith he, is fruit- | ters all things to the poor, be
ful, but the elm is a tree with- cause he perceives that he
out fruit. Nevertheless this vine, heard by the Lord; and he
unless it were set by this elm and the more willingly, and without
supported by it, would not bear doubting, affords him what he
much fruit; but lying along upon wants, and takes care that noth-
the ground, would bear but ill ing be lacking to him.
fruit, because it did not hang
upon the elm; whereas, now
being supported upon the elm,
t 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
along upon the ground, it would
bear but little, and that very
ill too.
6 This similitude, therefore,
is set forth to the servants of
God; and it represents the rich
and poor man. I answered, Sir,
make this manifest unto me.
Hear, said he; The rich man
has wealth; howbeit towards the
Lord he is poor; for he is
I taken up about his riches, and
prays but little to the Lord; and
the prayers which he makes are
lazy and without force.
9 And the poor man gives
thanks unto the Lord for the
rich; because they do both their
work from the Lord.
1 Distracted.
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 min-
ister 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 increased: for he that is
sensible of this, will be able to
minister somewhat to others.
SIMILITUDE III.
As the green trees in the winter cannot be dis
tinguished from the dry; so neither can the
righteous from the wicked in this present
GAIN he showed me many
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 world.
unto the rich man all good
ail good
things, because the poor man is
rich in prayer; and his requests shed, and which seemed to me
have great power with the Lord. to be withered, for they were all
Then the rich man minis-alike. And he said unto me,
Seest thou these trees
A
trees whose leaves were
I said,
239
Believers'
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 unrighteous are
known from one another; but
are all alike in this present
world.
SIMILITUDE IV.
fruits.
of the Lord shall shine forth,
then they who serve God shall
be made manifest, and plain un-
to all. For as in the summer
the fruit of every tree is shown
and made manifest, so also the
works of the righteous shall be
declared and made manifest, and
they shall all be restored in that
world merry and joyful.
4 For the other 2 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
3 For this world is as the
winter to the righteous men,
1 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 dis-time of their life;
cerned which are dry, and which
are green so in this present
world neither the righteous nor
wicked are discerned from each
other; but they are all alike.
SIMILITUDE IV.
As in the sunmer the living trees are distin-
guished from the dry by their fruit and
6 Do thou, therefore, bring
green leaves; so in the world to come the forth good fruit, that in the sum-
righteous shall be distinguished from the
unrighteous by their happiness.
mer thy fruit may be known; and
5 And they shall be burnt,
because they have sinned and
have not repented of their sins.
And also all the other nations
shall be burnt, because they
have not acknowledged God
their Creator.
he showed me many keep from much
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.
1 Who are.
and thou shalt not offend. For
they who are ir volved in much
business, sin much; because
they are taken up with their af-
fairs, and serve not God.
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 summer to the righteous;
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
but to sinners it is the winter. serve God, because his mind
3 When, therefore, the mercy
is not taken off from God, but
2 Nations.
239
A true fast,
he serves him
him with
with a pure
inind.
9 If, therefore, thou shalt 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.
III. HERMAS.
SIMILITUDE V.
Of a true fast, and the rewards of it: also of every evil work, thou shalt live
the cleanliness of the body.
unto God.
and its rewards
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 pre-
cepts, nor suffer any wicked de
sire to enter into thy mind.
6 But trust in the Lord, that
if thou dost these things, and
fearest him, and abstainest from
As was
7 If thou shalt do this, thou
shalt perfect a great fast, and an
acceptable one unto the Lord.
1
8 ¶ Hearken unto the simili-
tude which I am about to pro-
pose unto thee, as to this matter.
9 A certain man having a
farm, and many servants, plant-
ed a vineyard in a certain part
down in a certain moun-
tain, and giving thanks unto
God for all the things that he
had done ¹ 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, of his estate for his posterity;
Sir, to-day I keep a station. 10 And taking a journey into
2 He answered, What is a | a far country, chose one of his
station? I replied, it is a fast. servants which he thought the
He said, What is that fast? I most faithful and approved, and
answered, I fast, as I have been delivered the vineyard into his
wont to do. Ye know not, said care, commanding him that he
he, what it is to fast unto God; should stake up his vines.
nor is this a fast which ye fast, Which if he did, and fulfilled
profiting nothing with God. his command, he promised to
2
•
3 Sir, said I, what makes give him his liberty. Nor did
you speak thus? He replied, I he command
He replied, I he command him to do any
speak it, because this is not the thing more; and so went into a
true fast which you think that far country.
you fast; but I will show you
what that is which is a 3 com-
plete fast, and acceptable unto
God
4 Hearken, said he; The
Lord does not desire such a
needless fast; for by fasting in
this manner, thou advancest
nothing in righteousness.
1 With me.
• Vid. Not. Coteler. in loc. pp. 72, 73.
11 After then that that ser
vant had taken that charge upon
him, he did whatsoever his lord
commanded him. And when
he had 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
3 Coteler. Ibid.
4 Jejuna certe verum jejunium tale. Lat
240
A true fast,
commanded me. I will now dig
this vineyard, and when it is
digged, it will be more beauti-
ful; and the weeds being pulled
up, it will bring forth more fruit,
and not be choked by the weeds.
SIMILITUDE V.
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
beautiful and prosperous,
being choked with weeds.
not
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 plucked up that were in
it, and the vines flourishing, he
rejoiced greatly at the care of
his servant.
and its rewards
18 This design of the lord
both his son and his friends ap-
proved, namely, that this ser-
vant should be heir together
with his son.
15 And calling his whom
he loved, and who was to be 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
servant had done more; and
they immediately congratulated
that servant, that he had received
so ¹ full a testimony from his lord.
1
16 Then he said unto them,
I indeed promised this servant
his liberty, if he observed the
command which I gave him, and
he observed it, and besides has
done a good work to my vine-
yard, 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.
1 Just a commendation.
19 Not long after this, the
master of the family, calling to-
gether his friends, sent from his
supper several kinds of food to
that servant.
20 Which when he had re-
ceived, he took so much of them
as was sufficient for himself, and
divided the rest among his fel-
low servants.
21 Which when they had re-
ceived, they rejoiced, and wished
that he might find yet greater fa-
vor with his lord, for what he
had done to them.
22 When his lord 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 to-
gether with his son.
24 ¶ I said unto him, Sir,
I know not these similitudes,
neither can I understand them,
unless you expound them unto
me. I will, says he, expound
all things unto thee whatsoever
I have talked with thee, or shown
unto thee.
25 Keep the commandments
of the Lord, and thou shalt be
approved, and shalt be written
in the number of those that keep
his commandments. But if be-
sides those things which the
21
241
A true fast,
111. HERMAS.
and its rewards
Lord hath commanded, thou | aside the expense which thou
1
shalt add some good thing, thou shouldest have made that day,
shalt purchase to thyself a great- and give it unto the widow, the
er dignity, and be in more fa- fatherless, and the poor.
vor with the Lord than thou
shouldest otherwise have been.
31 2 And thus thou shalt per-
fect the humiliation of thy soul
that he who receives of it may
satisfy his soul, and his prayer
come up to the Lord God fo
mands.
26 If therefore thou shalt
keep the commandments of the
Lord, and shalt add to them
these stations, thou shalt rejoice; | thee.
but especially if thou shalt keep 32 If therefore thou shalt thu
them according to my com- accomplish thy fast, as I com-
mand thee, thy sacrifice shall be
27 I said unto him, Sir, what-acceptable unto the Lord, and
soever thou shalt command me, thy fast shall be written in his
I will observe; for I know that book.
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 pur-
pose in like manner.
28 This fast, saith he, whilst
thou dost also observe the com-
mandments of the Lord, is ex-
ceeding good. Thus, therefore,
shalt thou keep it.
29 First of all, take heed to
thyself, and keep thyself from
every 1 wicked act, and from
every filthy word, and from every
hurtful desire; and purify thy
mind from all the vanity of this
present world.
If thou shalt ob-
serve these things, this fast shall
be right.
33 This station, thus perform-
ed, is good, and pleasing, and
acceptable unto the Lord. These
things if thou shalt observe with
thy children, and with all thy
house, thou shalt be happy.
34 And whosoever, when they
hear these things, shall do them,
they also shall be happy; and
whatsoever they shall ask of the
Lord, they shall receive it.
35 And I prayed him that
he would expound unto me the
similitude of the farm, and the
lord, and of the vineyard, and
of the servant that had staked
the vineyard; and of the weeds
that were plucked out of the
vineyard; and of his son and
his friends which he took into
For I under-
was a simili.
30 Thus therefore do: Hav-
ing performed what is before counsel with him.
written, that day on which thou stood that that
fastest thou shalt taste nothing | tude.
at all but 2 bread and water;
3 and computing the quantity of
food which thou art wont to eat
upon other days, thou shalt 2 lay
Shameful, or upbraiding.
• Vid. Not. Coteler. ii. p. 74, A. B. C. |
36 He said unto me, Thot
art very bold in asking; for thou
oughtest not to ask any thing;
because if it be fitting to show it
3 Vid. Antiach. Hom. vù.
242
Uf cleanliness
SIMILITUDE V.
of the body.
unto thee, it shall be showed tle and bold, in that thou askest
unto thee.
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.
37 I answered him, Sir,
whatsoever thou shalt show me,
without explaining it unto me, I
shall in vain see it, if I do not
understand what it is. And if
thou shalt propose any simili-
tudes, and not expound them, I
shall in vain hear them.
fore
45 Hear, therefore, said he,
and understand. The farm be-
mentioned denotes the
38 He answered me again, whole earth. The lord of the
saying, Whosoever is the ser- farm is he who created and
vant of God, and has the Lord finished all things, and gave
in his heart, he desires under- virtue unto them.
standing of him, and receives it; 46 His son is the IIoly
and he explains every similitude, Spirit; the servant is the son
and understands the words of the of God; the vineyard is the
Lord which need an inquiry. people whom he saves. The
stakes are the 1 messengers
which are set over them by the
Lord, to support his people.
The weeds that are plucked up
out of the vineyard are the sins
which the servants of God had
committed.
39 But they that are lazy, and
slow to pray, doubt to seek from
the Lord; although the Lord be
of such an extraordinary good-
ness, that without ceasing he
giveth all things to them that ask
of him.
47 The food which he sent
him from his supper are the
commands which he gave to his
people by his Son. The friends
whom he called to counsel with
him are the holy angels whom
he first created. The absence
of the master 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. Bat,
continued 1, 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.
43 And he replied, I said! Ask me what thou wilt. Why,
a little before that thou wert sub-|
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 under-
standing of the Lord, and re-
ceive 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 showest 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 show them
unto me.
1 Angels.
9.43
Of cleanliness
III. HERMAS.
said I, is the Son of God, in this | esty ; nor
parable, put in the place of a Spirit.
servant?
55 Seeing therefore the body
at all times obeyed the Holy
Spirit, and labored rightly and
chastely with him, nor faltered
at any time; that body, being
wearied, conversed indeed ser-
vilely, but being mightily ap-
proved to God with the Holy
Spirit, was accepted 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
the good angels, that there might
be some place of standing given
to this body which had served
the Holy Spirit without blame;
lest it would seem to have lost
the reward of its service.
57 For every pure body shall
receive its reward, that is found
53 You see, said he, that he without spot, in which the Holy
is the Lord of his people, having Spirit has been appointed to
received all power from his dwell. And thus you have now
Father. 2 But why the lord the exposition of this parable
did take his son into counsel also.
about dividing the inheritance, 58 Sir, said I, I now under-
and the good angels, hear now. stand your meaning, since I
54 That 3 Holy Spirit, which have heard this exposition.
was created first of all, he Hearken further, said he: Keep
placed in the body in which this thy body clean and pure,
God should dwell; namely, in a that the Spirit which shall dwell
chosen body, as it seemed good in it may bear witness unto it,
to him. This body, therefore, and be judged to have been with
into which the 3 Holy Spirit was thee.
brought, served that Spirit, walk-
ing rightly and purely in mod-
50 Hearken, said he; The
Son of God is not put in the
condition of a servant, but in
great power and authority. I
said unto him, How, sir? I un-
derstand it not.
51 Because, said he, the Son
set his 1
messengers over those
whom the Father delivered
unto him, to keep every one of
them; but he himself labored
very much, and suffered much,
that he might blot out their
offences.
52 For no vineyard can be
digged without much labor and
pains. Wherefore, having blot-
ted out the sins of his people, he
showed to them the paths of life,
giving them the law which he
had received of the Father.
of the body
ever defiled that
Angels.
2 This place, which, in all the editions of
Hermas, is wretchedly corrupted, by the
collation of editions and MSS., is thus cor-
rected by Dr. Grabe: “Quare autem
Dominus in consilio adhibuerit, filium de
aære litate, honestosque nuncios, audi:
59 Also take heed that it be
not instilled into thy mind that
Spiritum Sanctum, qui creatus est omnium
primus, in corpore, in quo habitaret Deus,
collocavit; in delecto scilicet corporé
quod ei videbatur."
3 Viz. The created Spirit of Christ, as
man; not the Holy Ghost, the Third Per
son of the sacred Trinity.
244
Of two sorts of
SIMILITUDE VI
voluptuous men
this body perishes, and thou abuse | honest, and pleasant, and such
it to any lust. For if thou shalt as were able to bring a man to
defile thy body, thou shalt also salvation, I said thus within
at the same time defile the Holy myself: I shall be happy if I
Spirit; and if thou shalt defile shall walk according to these
¹ the Holy Spirit, thou shalt not commands, and whosoever shall
ive.
walk in them shall live unto
God.
60 And I said, What if,
through ignorance, this should 2 Whilst I was speaking on
have been already committed, this wise within myself, I saw
before a man neard these words: him whom I had before been
How can he attain unto salva- went to see, sitting by me; and
tion, who has thus defiled his he spake thus unto me:
body?
3 What doubtest thou con-
61 He replied, As for men's cerning my commands which I
former actions, which through have delivered unto thee? They
ignorance they have committed, are good, doubt not, but trust
God only can afford a remedy in the Lord, and thou shalt walk
unto them, for all power belong- in them. For I will give thee
eth unto him.
strength 2 to fulfil them.
4 These commands are prof-
itable 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.
62 But now guard thyself;
and seeing God is almighty and
merciful, he will grant a remedy
to what thou hast formerly done
amiss, 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
too. Keep, therefore, both of
them pure, and thou shalt live
unto God.
5 Whosoever therefore ye be
that repent, cast away from you
the naughtiness of the present
world; and put on all virtue,
and righteousness, and so shall
ye be able to keep these com-
mands; and not sin from hence-
forth 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
and praising God for all live unto God: These things
the things which I had seen, and have I spoken unto you.
was thinking concerning the 7 And when he had said this,
commands, tha: they were ex- he added; Let us go into the
ceeding good, and great, and field, and I will show thee shep
S I was sitting at home,
SIMILITUDE VI.
Of two sorts of voluptuous men, and of their
death, defection, and of the continuance of
their pains.
A
Thy body, according to some cop es.
2 In them.
21 *
245
Of tuo sorts of
herds of sheep. I replied, Sir,
let us go.
8 And we came into a cer-
tain field, and there he showed
me a young shepherd, ¹ finely
arrayed, with his garments of a
purple colour. And he fed
large flocks; and his sheep were
full of pleasure, and in much
delight and cheerfulness; and
they skipping, ran here and
there.
14 But those sheep which
thou sawest not leaping, but
feeding in one place, are such
as have, indeed, given themselves
up to pleasures and delights,
but have not spoken any thing
wickedly against the Lord.
9 And the shepherd took very
great satisfaction in his flock;
and the countenance of that
shepherd was cheerful, running
up and down among his flock.
15 These therefore are only
fallen off from the truth, and so
have yet hope laid up for them
in repentance. For such a fall-
6
10 Then the angel said
unto me, Seest thou this shep-ing off hath some hope still left
herd? I answered, Sir, I see of a renewal; but they that are
him. He said unto me, This is dead, are utterly gone for ever.
the 2
messenger of delight and
16 Again we went a little
pleasure. He therefore corrupts farther forward; and he show-
the minds of the servants of God, ed me a great shepherd, who
and turns them from the truth, had as it were a rustic fig-
delighting them with many pleasure; clad with a white goat's
ures, and they perish.
skin, having his bag upon his
11 For they forget the com-shoulder, and in his hand a
mands of the living God, and stick full of knots, and very
live in luxury and in vain pleas- hard, and a whip in his other
ures; and are corrupted by this hand; and his countenance was
evil angel, some of them even stern and sour; enough to af-
unto death; and others to 3 a fright a man; such was his look.
falling away.
|
12 I replied, I understand
not what you mean, by saying
anto death, and to a falling
away. Hear, says he; All those
sheep which thou sawest exceed-
ing 4 joyful, are such as have for
ever departed from God, and
given themselves up to the
5 lusts of this present time.
17 He took from that young
shepherd 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 briars, insomuch
that they could not get them-
selves free from them;
III. HERMAS.
1 Vid. Aaot. Coteler. in loc.
2 Angel.
• Exsultantia Lat.
3 Ad defectionem. Lat.
voluptuous men.
is
13 To these therefore there
no return, by repentance,
unto life; because that to their
other sins they have added this,
that they have blasphemed the
name of the Lord. These kind
of men are ordained unto death.
18 But being entangled in
them, fed upon thorns and
5 In Gr. Athanas. Envμiais Tov 'Alw29:
τούτου.
6 Agrestem. Lat
246
Of their death
SIMILITUDE VI.
and defection.
briars, and were grievously tor- | tled design aim at many things,
mented with his whipping. For and it profiteth them not; and
he still drove them on, and they say that they have not suc-
afforded them not any place, or cess in their undertakings.
time, to stand still.
24 3 They do not call to their
19 ¶ When therefore I saw | mind what they have done amiss,
them so cruelly whipped and and they complain of the Lord.
afflicted, I was grieved for them; When therefore they shall have
because they were greatly tor-undergone all kind of vexation
mented, nor had they any rest and inconvenience; then they
afforded them.
are delivered over to me for
good instruction, and are con-
firmed in the faith of the Lord,
and serve the Lord all the rest of
their days with a pure mind.
20 And I said unto the shep-
herd that was with me, Sir, who
is this cruel and implacable
shepherd, who is moved with
no compassion towards these
sheep? He answered, 1 This
shepherd is indeed one of the
2 holy angels, but is appointed
for the punishment of sinners.
25 And when they begin to
repent 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 ac-
cording to their deeds.
21 To him therefore are de-
livered those who have erred
from God, and served the lusts
and pleasures of this world. 26 Then for what remains of
For this cause he punishes them their lives, they serve God with
every one according to their de-a pure mind; and have success
serts, with cruel and various in all their undertakings, and
kind of pains.
receive from the Lord whatever
they desire.
27 And then they give thanks
unto the Lord that they were de-
livered unto me; nor do they
suffer any more cruelty.
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 28 ¶ I said unto him, Sir,
in their present lives. For some I entreat you still to show me
suffer losses; others proverty; now one thing. What, said he,
others divers sicknesses. Some dost thou 4 ask? I said unto
are unsettled; others suffer in- him, Are they who depart from
juries from those that are un- the fear of God, tormented for
worthy; others fall into many the same time that they enjoyed
other trials and inconveniencies. their false delights and pleas-
23 For many with an unset-ures? He answered me, They
1 Vid. Origen. in Psalm xxxvii. H‹m. 1.
2 Righteous. In Gr. Athanas. EK TWV
'Αγγελων των δικαιων εστι, &c. et sic MS
Lamb.
3 MS. Lamb. Succurrit iis. Gr. Atha-
nas. ου γινώσκουσι.
4 MS. Lamb. Inquiris.
247
Of voluptuous
are tormented
tormented for the
time.
III. HERMAS.
same | Take heed, lest, when thy time
is fulfilled, thou be found still
unwise. Hear then, as thou de-
sirest, that thou mayest the more
easily understand.
35 He that gives himself up
one day to his pleasures and de
lights, and does whatsoever hi:
soul desires, is full of great fol-
nor understands what he
does, but the day following for-
gets 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 in them. But when pain
and torment befall a man a day,
he is in effect troubled the whole
year after; because his punish-
ment continues firm in his mem-.
ory.
29 And I said unto him,
They are then tormented but
little; whereas they who enjoy
their pleasures so as to forget
God, ought to endure seven
times as much punishment.
30 He answered me, Thou
art foolish, neither understand-ly,
est thou the efficacy of this pun-
ishment. I said unto him, Sir,
if I understood 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
punishment. An hour of pleas-
ure is terminated within its
own space: but one hour cf
punishment has the efficacy of
thirty days. 1 Whosoever there- 37 Wherefore he remembers
fore enjoys his false pleasure for it with sorrow the whole year;
one day, and is one day tor- and then calls to mind his vain
mented, that one day of punish-pleasure and delight, and
per-
ment is equivalent to a whole ceives that for the sake of that
year's space.
he was punished.
32 Thus look how many days
any one pursues his pleasures, so
many years is he punished for
33 Whosoever therefore have
delivered themselves over to such
pleasures, are thus punished
because that when they had life,
they rendered themselves liable
to death.
it.
You see, therefore, how that
the time of worldly enjoyments
is but short, but that of pain
and torments a great deal more.
39 I said unto him, Sir, what
pleasures are hurtful?
He an-
swered, That is pleasure to
every man which he doth will
33 I replied, Sir, forasmuch
as I do not understand 2 at all
these times of pleasure and pain,
I entreat you that you would ex-ingly.
plain yourself more clearly con-
cerning them. He answered me,
saying, Thy foolishness still
sticks unto thee.
34 Shouldet thou not rather
purify thy mind, and serve God?
¹ Origen in Num. Hom. viii
men
40 For the angry man, grati-
fying his passion, perceives pleas
ure in it; and so the adulterer,
and drunkard; the slanderer,
and liar; the covetous man, and
the defrauder; and whosoever
8 MS. Lamb. Omnino.
248
Fruits of
SIMILITUDE VII.
the repentant
commits any thing like unto so that good angel hath co-
these, because he 1 followeth his manded concerning thee, be-
evil disposition, he receives a cause he would try thee.
satisfaction in the doing of it.
4 Sir, said I, What so great
41 All these pleasures and offence have I committed, that
delights are hurtful to the ser- I should be delivered to this
vants of God. For these there-2 messenger? Hearken, said he;
fore they are tormented and suf- Thou art indeed guilty of many
for punishment.
sins, yet not so many that thou
shouldest be delivered to this
messenger.
42 There are also pleasures
that bring salvation unto men.
For many, when they do what
is good, find pleasure in it, and
are attracted by the delights
of it.
5 But thy house hath com-
mitted many sins and offences,
and therefore that good 2 mes-
senger, being grieved at their
doings, commanded that for some
time thou shouldest suffer afflic-
tion; that they may both repent
of what they have done, and
may wash themselves from all
the lusts of this present world.
43 Now this pleasure is profit-
able to the servants of God, and
brings life to such men: but
those hurtful pleasures, which
were before mentioned, bring
torments and punishment.
44 And whosoever shall con-
tinue in them, and shall not re-
pent of what they have done,
6 When therefore they shall
have repented, and be purified,
then that messenger which is
shall bring death upon them-appointed over thy punishments
selves.
shall depart from thee.
7 I said unto him, Sir, if
they have behaved themselves so
as to anger that good angel, yet
what have I done? He answer-
SIMILITUDE VII.
That they who repent, must bring forth fruits
worthy of repentance.
FTER a few days I saw
A
the same person that be-ed, They cannot otherwise be
fore talked with me, in the same
field, in which I had seen those
shepherds. And he said unto
me, What seekest thou?
2 Sir, said I, I came to en-
treat you that you would com-
mand the shepherd, who is the
minister of punishment, to de-
part out of my house, because he
greatly afflicts me.
3 And he answered, It is
necessary for thee to endure in-
conveniencies and vexations; for
2
1
Obeyeth his disease
afflicted, unless thou, who art
the head of the family, suffer.
8 For whatsoever thou shalt
suffer, they must needs feel it:
but as long as thou shalt stand
well established, they cannot ex-
perience any vexation.
9 I replied, But, sir, behold
they also now repent with all
their hearts. I know, says he,
that they repent with all their
hearts; but dost thou therefore
think that their offences who re
2 Angel.
249
Of the elect
III. HERMAS.
and repentant
pent, are immediately blotted | heart, thou, and thy house, and
out?
thy children; and walk in the
10 No, they are not present-commands which I have deliver-
ly; but he that repents must ed unto thee; and then thy re-
afflict his soul, and show him-pentance may be firm and pure
self humble in all his affairs, and 17 And if thou shalt keep
undergo many and divers vexa-these things with thy house, thy
tions.
inconveniencies shall depart from
11 And when he shall have thee.
suffered all things that were ap- 18 And all vexation shall in
pointed for him, then perhaps like manner depart from all
he that made him, and formed those, whosoever shall walk ac
all things besides, will be moved cording to these commands.
with compassion towards him,
and afford him some remedy;
and especially if he shall per-
ceive his heart, who repents, to
be pure from every evil word.
12 But at present it is expe-
dient for thee, and for thy house,
to be grieved; and it is needful
that thou shouldest endure much
vexation, as the angel of the
Lord who committed thee unto
me, has commanded.
14 I said unto him, Sir, be
but thou also with me, and I
shall easily undergo any trouble.
I will, said he, be with thee;
and I will entreat the messenger
who is set over thy punishment,
that he would moderate his
afflictions towards thee.
SIMILITUDE VIII.
That there are many kinds of elect, and of
repenting sinners and how all of them
shall receive a reward proportionable to
the measure of their repentance and good
works.
13 Rather give thanks unto 2 And by that willow stood
the Lord, that knowing what an angel of the Lord very ex-
was to come, he thought thee cellent and lofty; and did cut
worthy to whom he should fore-down boughs from that willow
tell that trouble was coming upon with a great hook; and reached
thee, who art able to bear it.
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
entire, 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,
notwithstanding so many boughs
have been cut off from it; but
stay a little, for now it shall be
15 And moreover thou shalt
suffer adversity but for a little
time, and then thou shalt again
be restored to thy former state;
only continue on in the humility
of thy mind.
16 Obey the Lord with a pure
GAIN he showed me a
willow which covered the
fields and the mountains, under
whose shadow came all such as
were called by the name of the
Lord.
250
und of
SIMILITUDE VIII.
their rewards.
shown thee, what that
means, who gave those rods to
the people.
angel 10 Others came, and brought
their rods green as they had re-
ceived them, and the greatest
5 So he again demanded the part of the people brought their
rods of them; and in the same rods thus; and the messenger
order that every one had receiv-greatly rejoiced at these, and
ed them, was he called to him, they also were put apart by
and restored his rod; which themselves.
when he had received, he exam-
ined them.
6 From some he received
them dry and rotten, and as it
were touched with the moth;
those he commanded to be sepa-
rated 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 in their rods half dry
and half green, and these were
in like manner placed by them-
selves.
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
themselves.
11 Others brought their rods
not only green but full of branch-
es; and these were set aside,
being also received by the angel
with great joy. Others brought
their rods green with branches,
and those also some fruit upon
them.
12 They who had such rods,
were very cheerful; and the
angel himself took great joy at
them; nor was the shepherd
that stood with me, less pleased
with them.
13 ¶ 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 com-
manded them to go into the
tower.
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
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, one
white as snow; with which he
bade them go into the tower
And so he did to those who re-
turned their rods green as they
received them; giving them a
white garment, and so sent them
away to go into the ower.
15 Having done this, he said
these were set aside by them-to the shepherd that was with
selves.
me, I go my way; but do thou
251
Of the elect
III. HERMAS.
and repentant
send these within the walls, | said unto me, Let us depart,
every one into the place in and after a little time we will re
which he has deserved to dwell; turn and visit them.
examining first their rods, but 21 For he who created this
examine them diligently, that no tree, would have all those live
one deceive thee. But and if that received rods from it
Anu
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 the
зhepherd 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 moisture, many of them
will recover 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 he commanded me to
call them; and they all came
unto him, every one in the rank
in which he stood, and gave him
their rods; which having receiv-
ed, he planted every one of them
in their several orders.
I hope, now that these rods are
thus watered, many of them, re-
ceiving in the moisture, will re-
|
25 The great and venerable
angel which you saw, was Mi-
chael, who has the power over
this people, 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.
20 And after he had planted
them all, he poured much water
upon them, insomuch that they
26 And he examines every
were covered with water, and one's rod; and of those, many
did not appear above it. Then that are weakened: for those
when he had watered them, he rods are the law of the Lord
1 Moved.
cover.
22 ¶ I said unto him, Sir,
tell me what this tree denotes ?
For I am greatly ¹astonished,
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 2 this law is the Son
of God, who is preached to all
the ends of the earth. The peo-
ple that tand under its shadow,
are those which have heard his
preaching, and believed.
2 MS. Lamb. Hæc autem ex Filius
Dei est, prædicatus. &c.
***
252
und of
Then he discerns 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 transgressed the law which
they received from him, are left
in my power, that they may re-
pent of their sins: but they who
¹ fulfilled the law and kept it,
are under his power.
28 But who then, said I, are
those who went into the tower
crowned? He replied, All such
as have striven with the devil,
have overcome him, are crown-
ed: 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 the
same law, but have not suffered
death; neither have they de-up
nied their holy law.
SIMILITUDE VIII
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
commandments of God.
31 The rest thou shalt know,
when I shall have considered
those rods which I have planted
and watered.
32 ¶ After a few days we re-
turned, and in the same place
stood that glorious angel, and I
stool by him. Then he said
unto me, Gird thyself with a
towel, and serve me.
1 Satisfied.
E
their rewards
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 into
the field, and I called them all,
and they all stood ready in their
several ranks. Then he said
unto them, Let every one pluck
up his rod, 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. Some of these delivered
in their rods green; others dry
and rotten, as if they had been
touched by the moth.
36 Those who gave them
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, and
cleft: many of these gave up
their rods green, and uncleft.
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 be-
fore, half dry, and cleft.
38 Every one of these he or
dered to stand apart; some by
2 Sabano. Vid. Edit. Oxon. p. 12.
not. d.
22
253
Of the elect
III. HERMAS.
and repentant
themselves, others in their re- them thus: and they also went
spective ranks.
to their proper orders.
39 Then came they whose
rods had been green, but cleft.
These delivered their rods alto-
gether green, and stood in their
own order. And the shepherd
rejoiced at these, because they
were all changed, and free from
their clefts.
45¶ Now after he had ex•
amined all their rods, he said.
unto me, I told thee that this
tree loved life: thou seest how
many have repented, and attain-
ed unto salvation. Sir, said I,
I see it.
1
46 That tho mightest know,
saith he, that the goodness and
mercy of the 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
41 Then they gave up their Lord foresaw would be pure, and
rods, who had them before two that they would serve him with
parts green, and the third dry. | all their hearts, to them he gave
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 prop-
er place.
repentance.
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.
42 Then came they who had
before their rods two parts dry
and the third green; 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,
1 in which there was be-
fore but a little green, and the
rest dry. Their rods were for the
most part found green, having lit-
tle boughs, with fruit upon them;
and he rest altogether green.
43 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 2 portion; that
when they who have not kept
their seal entire, but have wasted
the seal which they received
shall hear and believe these
things, they may acknowledge
their evil deeds and pent;
44 And the shepherd upon 50 And receiving again their
sight of these rejoiced exceed- seal from you, may give glory to
ingly, because he had found God, that he was moved with
2 Seat.
¹ MS. Lamb. Minimum habuerant
iride.
254
and of
compassion towards them, and
sent you to renew their spirits.
their rewards.
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 of the church.
56 ¶ 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
52 Who, with the rest of their in their rods not only half dry,
crimes, have also blasphemed but also full of clefts, are both
the Lord, and denied his name doubtful and evil speakers; who
which had been called upon | detract from those that are ab-
them. Therefore all these are sent, and have never peace
dead unto God; and thou seest among themselves, and that envy
that none of them have repented, one another.
although they have heard my 58 Howbeit to these also repent-
commands which thou hast de-ance is offered; for thou seest
livered unto them. From these that some of these have repented.
men therefore life is far distant.
SIMILITUDE VIII.
53 They also who have de-
livered up their rods dry, but not
rotten, have not been far from
them. For they have been coun-
terfeits, and brought in evil doc-
trines; and have perverted the
servants of God; but especially
those who had sinned; not suf
fering them to return unto re-
pentance, but keeping them back
by their false doctrines.
54 These therefore have hope;
and thou seest that many of them
have repented, since the time
that thou hast laid my commands
before them; and many more
will yet repent. But they that
shall not repent, shall lose both
repentance and life.
55 But they that have rèpent-
ed, 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 repent not, death
is prepared.
59 Now all those of this kind
who have quickly repented, shall
have a place in the tower; but
they who have been more slow
in their repentance, shall dwell
within the walls; but they that
shall not repent, but shall con-
tinue 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 enmity
and strife among themselves con-
cerning dignity and pre-emi-
nence.
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 re-
pent; they shall at last dwell in
the tower, as they who have
truly and worthily repented.
63 But if any one shall again
255
Of the elect
return to his dissension, he shall
be shut out from the tower, and
shall lose his life. For the life
of those who keep the command-
ments of the Lord, consists in
doing what they are commanded;
not in principality, or in any
other dignity.
III. HERMAS.
64 For by forbearance and
humility of mind, men shall at-
tain unto life; but by seditions,
and contempt of the law, they
shall purchase death unto them-
selves.
65 ¶ They who in their rods
had half dry and half green, are
those who are engaged in many
affairs of the world; and are
not joined to the saints; for
which cause half of them liveth,
and half is dead.
and repentan
1
third dry; they have ¹ 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.
1 Lamb. MS. Quamplurimis generibus
inficiati.
69 And some, being in a
doubtful state, have raised up
dissensions: these may yet re-
turn, if they shall suddenly re-
pent, and not continue in their
lusts; but if they shall con-
tinue in their evil doing they
shall die.
J
70 ¶ They who gave in their
rods two parts dry, and the other
green, are those who have in-
deed been faithful, but withal
rich and full of good things; and
thereupon have desired to be
famous among the heathen which
are without, and have thereby
fallen into great pride, and be-
gun to aim at high matters, and
to forsake the truth:
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 71 Nor were they joined to
there is no more place for re- the 2 saints, but lived with the
pentance.
heathen; and this life seemed
67 For by reason of their | the more pleasant to them. How-
present interests, they have blas- beit they have not departed from
phemed and denied God; and God, but continued in the faith;
for this wickedness they have only they have not wrought the
lost life. And of these many are works of faith.
still in doubt; these may yet
eturn; 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 the walls; but if they
shall not repent, they shall die.
72 Many therefore of these
have repented; and begun to
Yet others
dwell in the tower.
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
These kind of
the heathen.
68 As for those who had two
parts of their rods green, and the
2 Righteous
256
and of
SIMILITUDE VIII.
their rewaras
men therefore are reckoned
among strangers to the gospel.
lived in wickedness; yet without
departing from God; having al-
73 Others of these began to ways willingly borne the name
be doubtful in their minds; of the Lord; and readily received
despairing, by reason of their into their houses the servants of
wicked doings, ever to attain | God.
unto salvation. Others, being
thus made doubtful, did more-
over stir up dissensions.
74 To these therefore, and to
those who, by reason of their do-
ings, are become doubtful, there
is still hope 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.
78 Wherefore hearing these
things, they returned, and with-
out delay repented, and lived in
all righteousness. And some of
them suffered death; others read-
ily underwent many trials, be-
ing mindful of their evil doings.
79 ¶ 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:
because the Lord, being moved
75 ¶ As for those who gave
in their rods green, excepting with great clemency, hath sent
their tops, which only were dry, me to preach repentance unto
and had clefts; these were al-all;
ways good, and faithful, and 80 Even unto those who, by
1 upright before God: neverthe-reason of their evil doings, de-
less they sinned a little, by reason serve not to attain unto salvation.
of their empty pleasures and tri-But the Lord will be patient,
fling thoughts, which they had and keep the invitation that was
within themselves.
made by his Son.
76 Wherefore many of them,
81 I said unto him, Sir, I hope
when they heard my words, re- that all when they shall hear
pented forthwith; and began to these things will repent. For I
dwell in the tower. Neverthe-trust that every one acknowledg-
less some grew doubtful, and ing his crimes, and taking up the
others to their doubtful minds fear of the Lord, will return unto
added dissensions. To these repentance.
therefore there is still hope of 82 He said unto me, Whoso-
return, because they were al-ever shall repent with all their
ways good; but they shall hardly hearts, and cleanse themselves
be moved.
from all the evils that I have
before mentioned, and not add
any thing more to their sins,
shall receive from the Lord the
cure of their former iniquities,
if they shall not make any doubt
of these commands, and shall
live unto God.
77 As for those, lastly, who
gave in their rods dry, their tops
only excepted, which alone were
green; they are such as have
believed indeed in God but have
I Probi.
22 *
257
of the mysteries
III. HERMAS
of the churc
83 But they that shall continue | 2 messenger, that when thou
to add to their transgressions, shalt have seen all things power-
and shall still converse with the fully, thou mayest not be afraid
lusts of this present world, shall as before.
condemn themselves unto death. 5 And he led me to the
But do thou walk in these com- 3 height of a mountain of Ar-
mands, and thou shalt live unto cadia, and we sat upon its top.
God; and whosoever shall walk | And he showed me a great plain,
in these, and exercise them and about it twelve mountains in
rightly, shall live unto God.
different figures.
84 And having showed me all
these things, he said, I will show
thee the rest in a few days.
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
greater; and in those clefts grew
grass, not flourishing, but which
seemed to be withering.
SIMILITUDE IX.
The greatest mysteries of the militant and
triumphant church which is to be built.
A
FTER I had written the
Commands and Similitudes
of the Shepherd, the Angel of
Repentance, he came unto me,
and said to me, I will show thee
all those things which the ¹ Spir-
it spake with thee under the
figure of the Church. For that
Spirit is the Son of God.
1
2 And because thou wert
weak in body, it was not de-
clared unto thee by 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 build-
ing of the tower was very well 9 The eighth mountain was
and gloriously shown unto thee full of fountains, and from those
by the Church; nevertheless fountains were watered all kinds
thou sawest all things shown of the creatures of God. The
unto thee as it were by a virgin. ninth mountain had no water at
4 But now thou art enlight-all, but was wholly destitute of
ened by the angel; but yet by the it; and nourished deadly ser-
same Spirit. But thou must pents, and destructive to men.
consider all things diligently; 10 The tenth mountain was
for therefore am I sent into full of tall trees, and altogether
thine house by that venerable shady; and under the shade of
3 Ascent.
¹ See above, Book I.
2
Angel.
8 The seventh mountain had
delightful pasture, and was whol-
ly ruitful; and all kinds of cat-
tle, and of the birds of heaven,
fed upon it; and the more they
fed of it, the more and better did
the grass grow.
258
militant ana
SIMILITUDE IX.
triumphant
them lay cattle resting and chew-dered with myself to see such
ing the cud.
great and noble things. And
again I admired upon the ac-
count of those virgins, that they
were so handsome and delicate;
and stood with such firmness
and constancy, as if they would
carry the whole heaven.
18 And as I was thinking
thus within myself, the shepherd
said unto me, What thinkest thou
within thyself, and art disquieted,
and fillest thyself with care?
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 ability 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 under-
standing of those which thou
seest.
21 Forbear to be curious;
and I will show thee all things
that I ought to declare unto
thee: but first consider what yet
remains.
11 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 choose 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.
1
13 ¶ In the middle of the ¹ plain
he showed 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;
insomuch 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 they stood
in the four parts of the gate.
22 ¶ And when he had said
this unto me, I looked up, and
behold I saw six tall and venera-
16 It added also to the grace ble men coming; their counte-
of those virgins that they stood in [nances were all alike; and they
pairs clothed with linen gar- called a certain multitude of
ments, and decently girded; men; and they who came at
their right arms being at liberty, their call were also tall and
as if they were about to lift up
some 2 burden; for so they were
adorned, and were exceeding
cheerful and ready.
stout.
23 And those six commanded
them to build a certain tower
over that gate. And immedi-
17 When I saw this, I won-ately there began to be a great
'Origer in Hom. iii in Ezech.
2 Fascem aliquem. Lat.
259
Of the mysteries
noise of those me running here
and there about the gate, who
were come together to build the
tower.
III. HERMAS.
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 not cut
round.
1
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
them through the gate, to deliver
them to those that were about to
build that tower.
27 Immediately the virgins
began all of them together to
lift up those stones, that were
before taken out of the deep.
28 ¶ 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 cor-
ners, 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
1 So Cotelerius in loc.
of the church
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 2 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
thirty others 2 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 building of that tower.
33 So there began to be four
ranks in the foundation of that
tower; and the stones ceased to
2 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
twelve mountains to the building
of the same tower.
35 So they cut out of all the
mountains stones of divers col-
ours, 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
different from what they were
before; for they were all alike,
and did change their former
colours. And some were reached
up by the men themselves, which
2 MS. Lamb. Ascenderunt.
260
militant und
SIMILITUDE IX
triumphant.
when they came into the build-| building; that if he shall find
ing, continued such as they any stones in that are not
were put in.
good, they may be changed; for
37 These neither became this tower is built according to
white, nor different from what his will.
they were before; because they 43 Sir, said 1, I would know
were not carried by the virgins what the building of this tower
through the gate. Wherefore signifies; as also I would be in-
these stones were disagreeable formed concerning this rock, and
in the building; which, when this gate,
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.
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 put into the
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.
39 For unless they shall be
carried by these virgins through
this gate, they cannot change
their colours therefore do not
labour in vain.
40 ¶ So the building that day 46 And he said unto me, If
was done, how beit the tower was thou shalt not be dull, thou shal
not finished; for it was after- know all, and shalt see all the
wards to be built; therefore now other things that are about to
also there was some delay made | happen in this tower; and shalt
understand diligently all these
41 And these six men com- similitudes.
manded those that built to de-
part, and as it were to rest for
some time; but they ordered
those virgins that they should
not depart 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 can-
not, said he, be finished until its
Lord comes, and approves of the
|
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 the
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 re-
plied, that he would be there pres
ently, to examine the building.
261
Of the mysteries
of the church
49 After a very little while
I saw a great multitude of men
coming, and in the middle of
them a man so tall, that he sur-
passed the tower in 1 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.
55 So they digged in that
field, 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 and 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 required too much time to
51 But he examined the build-cut them; but they were placed
ing with so much care that he about the tower, as if they should
handled every stone; and struck | hereafter be cut square, and put
every one with a rod which he into the building; for they were
held in his hand :
very white.
III HERMAS.
52 Of which some being so 57 ¶ When he who was chief
struck turned black as soot; in dignity, and lord of the whole
others were rough; some looked tower, saw this, he called to him
as if they had cracks in them; the shepherd that was with me,
others seemned maimed; some and gave him the stones that
neither black nor white; some were rejected and laid about
looked sharp, and agreed not the tower, and said unto him,
with the other stones, and others Cleanse these stones with all
were full of spots.
care, and fit them into the build-
ing of the tower, that they may
agree with the rest; but those that
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 shep-
herd, How can these stones,
seeing 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 the
building, and they will agree
with the rest.
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 forbade them
to bring any from the mountains,
and commanded that they shonid
take them out of a certain field
that was near.
1 Greatness.
262
militant and
SIMILITUDE IX.
triumphant.
60 And I said, Sir,how will they | tower: so they took them, and
be able to fill the same place,when fitted them into the middle of
they shall be so much cut away? the building; and he command-
He answered, They that shall ed the rest to be laid by with the
be found too little, shall be put black ones, for they also were
into the middle of the building, become black.
and the greater shall be placed
without, and keep them in.
61 When he had said thus
unto me, he added, Let us go,
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 add-
and after three days we will re-ed to the rest of the building,
by the same virgins.
turn, and I will put these stones,
being cleansed, into the tower.
67 These were placed with-
out, because they were found
entire; but the residue, through
the multitude 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 mid-
dle of the building, because they
were but weak.
70 After these he examined
62 For all these that are
about the tower must be cleansed,
lest the master of the house
chance to come upon the sud-
den, and find those which are
about the tower unclean; 1 and
be so exasperated that these
stones should never be put into
the building of this tower, and I
shall be looked upon to have
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 ¶ And first of all, we be-
gan to consider those which had
been black; for they were found
just such as they were when those which were found half
they were pulled out of the tow-white and half black; and many
er
wherefore, he commanded of those were now black; these
them to be removed from the also he ordered to be laid among
tower, and put by themselves. those that were cast away.
71 The rest were found alto-
65 Then he examined those
which had been rough; and com-gether white; those were taken
manded many of those to be cut up by the virgins, and fitted into
round, and to be fitted by the the same tower : 3 and these
virgins into the building of the were put in the outside, because
•
1 MS Lamb. Ita exasperetur, ut hi
lapides.
2 MS. Lamb. Negligens patris-familias
3 Vid. MS. Lamb, Fdit. Oxon. p.
157
263
Of the mysteries
III. HERMAS.
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
I which had been hard and
sharp; but few of these were
made use of, because they could
not be cut, for they were found 79 And the rest that remain-
very hard but the rest were ed, were carried back into the
formed, and fitted by the virgins same field from which they were
into the middle of the building, taken; howbeit, they were not
because they were more weak. 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 build-
ing, because they are exceed-
ing white.
|
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 vir-
gins into the building, and
placed in the outside, by reason
of their strength.
74 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 answered, 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 thein square, I must
cut off a great deal from them;
howbeit, it is necessary that
some of these should go into the
building of the tower.
* I answered, If it be ne-
cessary, why do you perplex
yourself, and not rather choose,
ify have any choice among
MS. Lamb. Fuerant.
of the churc
them, and fit them into the build.
ing?
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 out-
side of the building.
80 Then were there called
twelve very stately women, cloth-
ed with a black garment, girded,
and their shoulders free, and
their hair loose. These seemed
to me to be country women.
81 And the shepherd com-
manded them to take up those
stones which were cast out of the
building, 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 re-
mained about the tower, he said
unto me, Let us go about this
tower, and
whether any
thing be wanting to it.
see
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 so beautifully framed, that
any one that had seen it must
*
264
militant and
SIMILITUDE IX.
triumphant
have been in love with the build-| at present a little business; but
ing:
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 an-
swered, 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 hem, I
commend this man unto you till
I shall come.
85 For it seemed to be all but
one stone, nor did a joint any
where appear; but it looked as
it' it had all been cut out of one
rock.
86 ¶ 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
building, and put in again: for
all things about the tower must
he made even.
87 And I did as he com-
Înanded 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
besoms, 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 to finish the tower, he will
find nothing whereby to com-
plain of us.
91 When he had said this he
would have departed. But I laid
hold on his bag, and began to
entreat him for the Lord's sake
that he would explain to me all
things that he had shown me.
92 IIe said unto me, I have
1 Formas. Lat.
95 So I remained with those
virgins: now they were cheerful
and courteous unto me; especial-
ly the four, which seemed to be
the chiefest among them.
96 ¶ Then those virgins said
unto me, That shepherd will not
return hither to-day. I said
unto them, What then shall J
do? They answered, Tarry for
him till the evening, if perhaps
he may come and speak with
thee; but if not, yet thou shalt
continue with us till he does
come.
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 lither
again the next morning.
98 They answered me, Thou
art delivered unto us; thou
mayest not depart from us. I
said, Where shall I tarry?
our
99 They replied, Thou shalt
sleep with us as a brother, not as
a husband: for thou art
brother, 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
23
265
Of the mysteries
III. HERMAS.
of the church
that seemed to be the chiefest upon the words of the Lord.
amongst them, embraced me, They received thee well, then?
and began to kiss me. And the said he. I said, Sir, very
rest, when they saw that I was well.
kissed by her, began also to kiss
me as a brother; and led ine
about the tower, and played with
me.
101 Some of then also sung
psalms, others made up the
chorus with them. But I walked
about the tower with them, re-
juicing silently, and seeming to
myself to be grown young
again.
102 When the evening came
on, I would forthwith have gone
home, but they withheld me, and
suffered me not to depart.
Wherefore I continued with
them that night near the same
tower.
106 And he said unto me,
How didst thou sup? I answered,
Sir, I feasted the whole night
107 He answered, Wilt thou
now learn what thou didst de-
sire? I replied, Sir, I will:
and first I pray thee that thou
shouldest show me all things in
the order that I asked them.
1 Ita ut. Lat.
108 He answered, I will do
all as thou wouldest have me,
nor will I hide any thing,from
thee.
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 hem till the next day.
105 And when we had wor-
shipped God, then the shep-
herd came and said unto them,
You have done no injury to this
man. They answered, Ask him.
I said unto him, Sir, I have re- tower; but that those which
ceived a great deal of satisfac-were not carried through the
tion in that I have remained with gate, were sent away into their
them.
own places?
112 You have seen, said he,
those stones which were carried
through the gate, how they were
placed in the building of the
109 First of all, sir, said I,
tell me what this rock and this
gate denote. Hearken, said he;
This 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 an-
cient than any creature, 1 inso-
much that he was in council with
his Father at the creation of
2 all things.
111 But the gate is therefore
new, because he appeared in the
last days as the fulness of time ;
that they who shall attain unto
salvation, may by it enter into
the kingdom of God.
113 I answered, Sir, I saw it.
Thus, said he, no man shall enter
into the kingdom of God, but he
2 The creatures.
266
militant and
SIMILITUDE IX.
triumphant
who shall take upon him the | therefore shall not take upon him
name of the Son of God.
his name, he shall not enter inte
the kingdom of God.
·
114 For if you would enter
into any city, and that city
should be encompassed with a
wall, and had only one gate,
could you enter into that city
except by that gate?
121 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 ;
115 I answered, Sir, how for no man can enter into
could I do otherwise? As there- the kingdom of God, except
fore, said he, there would be no these clothe him with their gar-
other way of entering into that ment.
city but by its gate, so neither 122 For it will avail thee
can any one enter into the king-nothing to take up the name of
dom of God, but only by the the Son of God, unless thou
name of his Son, who is most shalt also receive their garment
dear unto him.
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,
Sawest thou those stones that
were cast away? They bore in-
deed the name, but put not on
their garment. I said, Sir, what
is their garment ?
1 Their very
names, said he, are their gar-
ment.
116 And he said unto me,
Didst thou see the multitude of
those that built that tower? Sir,
said I, I saw it. He answered,
All those are the angels, vener-
able in their dignity.
117 With these is the Lord
encompassed as with a wall; but
the gate is the 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 124 Therefore whosoever
he, the six men, and in the mid-beareth the name of the Son of
dle of them that venerable great God ought to bear their names
man, who walked about the also; for the Son of God also
tower, and rejected the stones himself beareth their names.
out of the tower?
125 As for those stones, con-
119 Sir, said I, I saw them.tinued he, which, being delivered
IIe answered, That tall man was by their hands, thou sawest re-
the Son of God; and those six main in the building, they were
were his angels of most eminent clothed with their power; for
dignity, which stand about him which cause thou seest the
on the right hand and on the whole tower of the same 2 colour
left.
with the rock, and made as it
were of one stone.
126 So also those who have
believed in God by his Son, have
2 Vid. Origen. Philocal. c. viii.
120 Of these excellent angels
none comes in unto God without
nin. He added, Whosoever
Vid. Am.ot. Edit. Oxon. p. 116. d.
267
Of the mysteries
III. HERMAS.
of the church
put on his spirit Behold, there | the house of God. This, said
shall be one spirit, and one body, he, is the signification of those
and one colour of their garments; stones which were rejected.
and all they shall attain this, who
shall bear the names of these
virgins.
132 ¶ And I said, Sir, what
if any of these men shall repent,
and cast away their desire of
those women, and be converted,
and return to these virgins, and
put on again their virtue; shall
they not enter into the house of
God? They shall enter, said he,
if they shall lay aside all the
works of those women, and shall
128 Seeing, said he, thou resume the power of these vir-
takest care to inquire diligently gins, and shall walk in their
into all things, hear also con- works.
cerning those stones which were
rejected. All these received the
name of the Son of God, and
with that the power of these vir-
gins.
127 And I said, Sir, Why
then were those stones cast away
which were rejected? seeing they
also were carried through the
gate, and delivered by the hands
of these virgins into the building
of this tower.
129 Having therefore received
these spirits, they were perfected,
and brought into the number of
the servants of God; and they
began to be one body, and to
have one garment; for they were
¹endued with the same righteous-
ness, which they alike exercised.
130 But after that they beheld
these women which thou sawest
clothed with a black garment,
with their shoulders at liberty
and their hair loose, they fixed
their desires upon them, being
tempted with their beauty; and
were clothed with their power,
and cast off the clothing of the
virgins:
131 Therefore were they cast
off from the house of God, and
delivered to those women. But
they that
were not corrupted
with their beauty, remained in
133 And for this cause there
is a stop in the building, that it
they shall repent, they may be
added to the building of this
tower; but if they shall not re-
pent, that others may be built in
their places, and so they may be
utterly cast away.
134 For all these things I gave
thanks unto the Lord, that being
moved with mercy towards all
those upon whom his name is
called, he sent to us the angel
of repentance to preside over us
who have sinned against him;
and that he has refreshed our
spirits which were almost gone,
and who had no hope of salva-
tion, but are now refreshed to
the renewal of life.
135 Then I said, Show me
now, sir, why this tower is not
built upon the ground,
the ground, but upon
a rock, and upon the gate! He
replied, Thou art foolish and
without understanding, therefore
thou askest this.
136 And I said, Sir, I must
1 Sentiebant æquitatem, Lat. from ing of Hermas seemeth to have been
the Greek εφρονουν : but the true read-|εφόρουν
269
nilitant and
SIMILITUDE IX.
triumphans
needs ask all things of you, be- | were clothed with the black gar
cause I understand nothing at ment. Of these, four are the
all For all your answers are principal: the first is Perfidious
great and excellent; and which ness; the second, Incontinence ;
a man can hardly understand. the third, Infidelity; the fourth,
Pleasure.
+
137 Hear, said he : The name
of the Son of God is great and
without bounds, and the whole
world is supported by it. If,
therefore, said I, every creature
of God be sustained by his Son,
why should he not support those
also who have been invited by
him, and who carry his name,
and walk in his commandments?
144 And the rest which fol-
low are called thus: Sadness,
Malice, Lust, Anger, Lying,
Foolishness, Pride, and Hatied.
The servant of God, which car-
ries these spirits, shall see indeed
the kingdom of God, but he shall
not enter into it.
145 But, sir, what are those
stones which were taken out of
the deep, and fitted into the build-
ing? The ten, said he, which
were placed at the foundation,
are the first age; the following
five-and-twenty, the second, of
righteous men.
146 The next thirty-five are
the prophets and ministers of the
Lord. And the forty are the
Apostles and doctors of the
preaching of the Son of God.
1
147 And I said, Sir, why did
the virgins put even those stones
into the building after they were
carried through the gate? And
141 The first is called ¹ Faith; he said, Because these first car-
the second, Continence; the ried those spirits, and they de-
third, Power; the fourth, Pa- parted not one from the other,
tience; the rest which stand be- neither the men from the spirits,
neath these are, Simplicity, In-nor the spirits from the men.
nocence, Chastity, Cheerfulness,
Truth, Understanding, Concord,
Charity.
148 But the spirits were join-
ed to those men even to the day
of their death; who if they had
not had these spirits with them,
they could not have been useful
to the building of this tower.
142 Whosoever therefore bear
these names, and the name of
the Son of God, shall enter into
the kingdom of God.
149 And I said, Sir, show me
this further. He answered,
What dost thou ask? Why did
these stones come out of the
138 Seest thou not, said he,
that he doth support them, who
with all their heart bear his
name? He therefore is their
foundation, and gladly supports
those who do not deny his name,
but willingly bear it.
139 ¶ And I said, Sir, tell
me the names of these virgins,
and of those women that were
clothed with the black garment.
140 Hear, said he, the names
of those virgins which are the
more powerful, and stand at the
corners of the gate. These are
their names :
143 Hear now, said he, the
names of hose women, which
1 Origen. Hom. 13. in Ezek
-
23 *
269
Of the mysteries
III. HERMAS.
of the church
deep, and were placed into the | before, and they gave this seal
building of this tower, seeing to them.
that they long ago carried those
1 holy spirits.
1502 It was necessary, said he,
for them to ascend by water, that
they might be at rest. For they
could not otherwise enter into
the kingdom of God, but by lay-
ing aside the mortality of their
former life.
151 They, therefore, being
dead, were nevertheless sealed
with the seal of the Son of God,
and so entered into the kingdom
of God.
:
158 Through these therefore
they received life, and knew the
Son of God for which cause
they came up with them, and
were fit to come into the build-
ing of the tower, and were not
re-cut, but put in entire; because
they died in righteousness, and
in great purity; only this seal
was wanting to them.
152 For before a man
ceives the name of the Son of
God, he is ordained unto death;
but when he receives that seal,
he is freed from death, and 3 as-
signed unto life.
157 They went down therefore
into the water with them, and
again came up. But these went
down whilst they were alive, and
came up again alive; whereas
those who were before dead,
went down dead, but came up
alive;
153 Now that seal is the wa-
ter of baptism, into which men me now what concerns those
go down under the obligation | mountains, why they are so dif-
unto death, but come up ap-ferent; some of one form, and
pointed urto life.
some of another.
155 And I said, Why then,
sir, did these forty stones also as-
cend with them out of the deep,
having already received that
seal?
154 Wherefore to those also 161 Hear, said he: These
was this seal 4 preached, and twelve mountains which thou
they made use of it, that they seest, are twelve nations, which
might enter into the kingdom of make up the whole world.
God.
Wherefore the Son of God is
preached to them, by those whom
he sent unto them.
162 But why, said I, are they
different, and every one of a
figure? He replied, Hearken.
Those twelve nations which pos-
sess the whole world, are twelve
people.
163 And as thou hast beheld
these mountains different, so are
they. I will therefore open to
156 He answered, 5 Because
these Apostles and teachers, who
preached the name of the Son
of God, dying after they had re-
ceived his faith and power,
preached to them who were dead
1 Justos, righteous.
2 Vid. Edit. Oxon. p. 171. b.
Traditur, delivered.
159 Thus you have the ex-
plication of these things.
160 ¶ I answered, Sir, tell
4 Vid. Coteler. Annot. in loc. p. 77, 78
Comp. 1 Pet. iii. 19.
5 Vid. Clem. Alex. Strom. ii. et vi
270
militant and
thee the meaning and actions of
every mountain.
164 But first, sir, said I, show
me this: Seeing these mountains
are so different, how have they
agreed into the building of this
tower; and been brought to one
colour; and are no less bright
than those which came out of
the deep?
165 Because, replied he, all
the nations which are under
heaven, have heard and believed
in the same one name of the Son
of God, by whom they are called.
166 Wherefore, having re-
ceived his seal, they have all
been made partakers of the same
1 understanding and 2 knowl-
edge, and their faith and charity
have been the same; and they
have carried the spirits of these
virgins together with his name.
167 And therefore the build-
ing of this tower appeared to be
of the same colour, and did
shine like the brightness of the
sun.
SIMILITUDE IX.
168 But after that they had
thus agreed in one mind, there
began to be one body of them
all: how beit some of them poi-
luted themselves, and were cast
off from the kind of the righteous,
and again returned to their for-
mer state, and became even
worse than they were before.
169 How, said I, sir, were
they worse who knew the Lord?
He answered, If he who knows
not the Lord liveth wickedly, the
punishment of wickedness at-
tends him.
1 Prudence.
Lat. Virtutem.
triumphant
170 But he who has known
the Lord, ought to abstain alto-
gether from all wickedness, and
more and more to be the servant
of righteousness.
171 And does not he then
seem to thee to sin more who
ought follow goodness, if he
shall prefer the part of sin, than
he who offends without knowing
the 3 power of God ?
172 Wherefore these are in-
deed ordained unto death; but
they who have known the Lord,
and have seen his wonderful
works, if they shall live wicked-
ly, they shall be doubly punish-
ed, and shall die for ever.
173 As therefore thou hast
seen that after the stones were
cast out of the tower, which had
been rejected, they were de-
livered to wicked and cruel
spirits; and thou beheldest the
tower so cleansed, as if it had
all been made of one stone :
·
174 4 So the church of God,.
when it shall be purified (the
5 wicked and counterfeits, the
6 mischievous and doubtful, and
all that have behaved them-
selves wickedly in it, and com-
mitted divers kinds of sin, being
cast out), shall become one body,
and there shall be one under-
standing, one opinion, one faith,
and the same charity :
? Sense.
175 And then shall the Son
of God rejoice among them, and
shall receive his people with a
pure will.
176 And I said, Sir, ali these
things are great and honourable :
4 Vid. Orig. Philocan. c. vii.
5 Evil.
* Profligate
271
Of the mysteries
III. HERM.AS.
of the church
but now show unto me the effect 184 There is therefore, said
he, to these a return unto life by
repentance, because they have
not blasphemed against their
Lord, nor betrayed the servants
of God: but by their desire of
gain have deceived men, leading
them according to the lusts of
sinners; wherefore they shall suf-
fer for this thing.
and force of every mountain;
that every soul which trusteth in
the Lord, when it shall hear these
things, may honour his great,
and wonderful, and holy name.
177 Hear, said he, the variety
of these mountains, that is, of
the twelve nations.
178 They who have be-
hieved of the first mountain,
which is black, are those who
have revolted from the faith, and
spoken wicked things against
the Lord, and betrayed the ser-
vants of God.
181 For as their mountain is
barren, and without fruit, so also
such kind of men have indeed
the name of Christians, but are
empty of faith, nor is there any
fruit of the truth in them.
185 Howbeit there is still left
them room for repentance, be-
cause they have not spoken any
thing wickedly against their
Lord.
1
179 These are condemned
to death; there is no repentance
for them and therefore they are
black, because their kind is
wicked.
180 of the second mountain, riches; the thorns, those affairs
which was smooth, are the ¹ hyp-in which they were engaged.
ocrites, who have believed, and 187 Now they who are en-
the teachers of naughtiness and tangled in much business, and
these are next to the foregoing, in diversity of affairs, join not
which have not in them the themselves to the servants of
• fruit of righteousness.
God, but wander, being called
away by those affairs with which
they are choked.
186 They who are of the
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
1 Feigned.
188 And so they which are
rich, with difficulty yield them-
selves to the 2 conversation of the
servants of God; fearing lest any
thing should be asked of them.
These therefore shall hardly
enter into the kingdom of God.
182 Nevertheless there is
room left to them for repentance,
if they shall suddenly pursue it;
but if they shall delay, they also
shall be partakers of death with
he foregoing kind.
189 For as men walk with
difficulty bare-foot over thorns,
even so these kind of men shall
scarcely enter into the kingcom
of God.
183 I said, Sir, why is there
room left to those for repent-
ance, and not to the foregoing 190 Nevertheless there is af
kind, seeing their sins are well | forded to all these a return unto
nigh the same ?
repentance; if that they shall
2 Vid Edit Oxon. p. 178. Not. b.
272
militant and
quickly return to it; that be-
cause in their former days they
have neglected to work, in the
ime that is to come they may
do some good.
SIMILITUDE IX.
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.
191 If therefore, having re-lieve with difficulty; and are
bold, and self-conceited; that
would be thought to know all
things, but really know nothing.
192 ¶ 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.
triumphant
197¶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 be-
ther 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
inconveniences, return to their
idols, and again serve them, and
are ashamed to bear the name
of their Lord.
196 This kind of men then is
neither dead nor alive; never-
theless these also may live, if
they shall presently repent: but
if not, they shall be delivered to
hose women, who shall take
away their life.
198 Wherefore, by reason of
this confidence, knowledge is
departed 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 very
evil spirit.
1
194 These therefore are nei-repented, and submitted them-
selves 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.
201 Wherefore many of these
are cast away; but others, ac-
knowledging their error, have
203 If these therefore shall
repent, they shall live unto God ;
but if not, they shall dwell with
those women, who shall exercise
their wickedness upon them.
204 ¶ For what concerns the
sixth mountain, having greater
and lesser clefts, they are such
as have believed; but those in
which were lesser clefts arc
they who have had controversies
Magnum Dæmonium.
273
Of the mysteries
III. HIERMAS.
of the charch
among theinselves; and by rea- | the whole mountain fruitful, and
son of their quarrels languish in all kind of cattle fed upon the
the faith:
grass of it; and the more the
grass was eaten, so much the
more it flourished;
205 Nevertheless many of
these have repented, and so will
the rest when they shall hear
my commands; for their con-
troversies are but small, and
they will easily return 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
themselves. 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 confess 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,
admonish you, that whosoever
among you has any such purpose,
he should lay it aside, and return
unto repentance; and the Lord
will heal your former sins, if you
shall purge yourselves from this
evil spirit; but if you shall not
do it, ye shall be delivered to
him unto death.
209 As for the seventh
¶
mountain, in which the grass
was green and flourishing, and
1 Infancy.
210 They are such as believed,
and were always good and up-
right; and without any differ-
ences among themselves, but
still rejoiced in the servants of
God, having put on the spirit of
these virgins; and been always
forward to show mercy to all
men, readily giving to all men
of their labours without upbraid-
ing, and without deliberation.
211 Wherefore the Lord, see-
ing their simplicity and inno-
cence, has increased them in the
works of their hands, and given
them grace in all their works.
212 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 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 Apos-
tles which the Lord sent into all
the world to preach.
215 And 2 some of them, be-
ing teachers, have preached and
taught purely and sincerely, and
have not in the least yielded to
2 MS. Lamb. Et quidam Doctores
castè· Omitting Qui.
274
militant and
SIMILITUDE IX.
triumphant
any evil desires, but have con- | after all, repentance allowed, if
stantly walked in righteousness they shall not be found from their
and truth.
hearts to have denied Christ: but
if any of these shall be found to
have denied him from his heart,
I cannot tell whether such a
one can attain unto life.
223 I say therefore, that if
any one hath denied, he should
in these days return unto repent-
ance; for it cannot be that any
one who now denies the Lord,
can afterwards attain unto sal-
vation: nevertheless repentance
is proposed unto them, who have
formerly 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 who
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
therefore maimed in their faith,
by reason of that kind of life
which they lead.
216 These therefore have
their conversation among the
angels.
217 ¶ Again; as for what
concerns the ninth mountain,
which is desert, and full of ser-
pents; 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
received.
219 These, if they continue
in their covetousness, have deliv-
ered themselves unto death, nor
shall there be any hope of life
for them. But if they shall be
converted, 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
themselves 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 hedge, and never
dressed, perishes and is choked
by the weeds, and in time be-
comes 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,
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 ¶ For what concerns tne
tenth mountain, in which were
the trees covering the cattle
they are such as have believed
275
Of the mysteries
III. HERMAS.
of the church
and some of them been bishops, | therefore that are the most fair
that is. governors of the churches. are these.
229 Others are such stones
as have not feignedly, but with
a cheerful mind, entertained the
servants 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 As to the eleventh
mountain, 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 of the Lord are esteemed
honourable by the Lord; and all
their offences are blotted out,
because they have suffered death
for the name of the Son of God.
235 Hear, now, why their
fruits are different, and some of
them excel others, they who be-
ing brought before magistrates,
and being asked, denied not the
Lord, but suffered with a ready
mind; these are more honoura-
ble with the Lord. The fruits
236 But they who were fear
ful and doubtful, and have delib.
erated 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.
237 For it is a wicked and
evil thought for a servant to de-
liberate whether he should deny
his master. 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
happy? 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 becn
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 that the
Lord will do unto you, who has
the power of all things?
276
militant and
SIMILITUDE IX.
triumphunt
242 Remove therefore out of 249 ¶ Hear now, says he,
concerning those stoues 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.
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
nor have
have they ever
known what sin was, but have
always continued in their in-
tegrity.
244 Wherefore this kind of
men shall without all doubt in-into the building.
herit the kingdom of God; be-
cause they have never in any
thing defiled the commandments
of God, but have continued with
sincerity 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 have yet spoken; for all
such children are honoured by
the Lord, and esteemed the first
of all.
|
246 Happy therefore are ye
who shall remove all malice
from you, and put on innocence;
because ye shall first see the
Lord.
247 And after he had thus
ended. his explication of all the
mountains, I said unto him, Sir,
show me now also what concerns
the stones that were brought out
of the plain, and put into the
tower in the room of those that
were rejected:
248 As also concerning those
round stones which were added
nto the building of the tower;
and also of those who still contin-
ued round.
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
of this mountain should be placed
251 For he knew that if they
were put into this building, they
would continue bright; nor would
any of them any mor、 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.
1
253 Now all these white stones
are the young men who have
believed, or shall believe; for
they are all of the same kind.
Happy is this kind, because it is
innocent.
254 Hear now also concerning
those round and bright stones:
all these are of this white moun-
tain. 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 Lord, nor has
any wicked word proceeded out
of their mouths; but all righte-
ousness, and virtue, and truth.
25th When therefore the Lord
saw their mind, and that they
1 MS. Lamb. Tantum non necesse
habuisset.
24
277
Of the mysteries
II. HERMAS.
of the churc
might adorn the truth, he com- who have received this seal;
manded that they should con- Keep simplicity, and remember
tinue good, and that their riches not the offences which are com
should be pared away:
mitted against you, nor con
tinue in malice, or in bitterness,
through the memory of offences.
257 For he would not have
them taken wholly away, to the
end they might do some good
with that which was left, and
live unto God; because they also
are of a good kind.
264 2 But become one spirit,
and provide remedies for these
evil rents, and remove them from
you; that the lord of the sheep
may rejoice 3 at it; 4 for he will
rejoice, if he shall find all whole
258 Therefore was there a
little cut off from them, and so
they were put into the building
of this tower.
265 But if any of these sheep
shall be found scattered away.
wo shall be to the shepherds:
but and if the shepherds them-
selves shall be scattered, what
will they answer. to 5 the lord of
the sheepfold? Will they say
that they were troubled by the
sheep? But they shall not be
believed.
259 ¶ As for the rest which
continued still round, and were
not found fit for the building
¹of this tower, because they
have not yet received the seal;
they were carried back to their
place, because 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 be fit for the
kingdom of God. For they must
enter into the kingdom of God,
because God has blessed this
innocent kind.
261 Of this kind therefore
none shall fall 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, be-
cause your portion is good and
honourable with the Lord.
263 And I say unto all you
1 MS. Lamb. Structuram turris hu-
jus.
2 MS. Lamb. Et unum quemque spiri-
tum fieri which appears from the Greek
of Antiochus to be the true reading, kat
γενεσθαι εν πνευμα.
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
account of you.
268 ¶ 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 the contentious, and
those who are 6 full of malice.
269 Wherefore restore unto
him the spirit entire, as ye re-
ceived it. For if thou shalt
give unto a fuller a garment new
and whole, thou wilt expect to
7
3 MS. Lamb. Gaudeat de his; and
Gr. Antioch. χαρη επ' αυτω.
4 Vid. Antioch. Hom. cxxii.
5 Gr. Το δεσποτη του ποιμνιου-
6 Perditis malitia. Lat.
7 Antioch. Hom, xciv.
278
militant and
receive it whole again: if there-
fore the fuller shall restore it
unto thee torn, wouldest thou
receive it?
SIMILITUDE X.
triumphant.
275 If therefore ye shall be
lieve and hearken tc these words,
and shall walk in them, and
shall correct your ways, ye shall
live. But if ye shall continue in
malice, and in the remembrance
of injuries, no such sinners shall
live unto God.
270 Wouldest thou not pres-
ently be angry, and reproach
him, saying, 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
entire, and thou hast rendered
him altogether unprofitable, so 278 They are those who have
that he can be of no use unto | now heard these commands, and
his Lord? For being corrupted have repented with all their
by thee, he is no longer profita- | hearts:
ble to him.
272 Will not therefore the
Lord do the same concerning
his Spirit, by reason of thy
deed? Undoubtedly, said I, he
will do the same to all those
whom he shall find to continue
in the remembrance of injuries.
279 And when the Lord saw
that their repentance was good
and pure, and that they could
continue 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.
273 Tread not then under
foot, said he, his mercy; but
rather honour him, because he
is so patient with respect to your
offences, and not like one of
Of repentance and alms-deeds.
you; but repent, for that will be AFTER that I had written
profitable for you.
274 ¶ All these things which
are above written, I, the shep-
herd, the angel of repentance,
have shown and spoken to the
servants of God.
276 All these things 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
answered, 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.
had delivered me to that shep-
herd, came into the house where
I was, and sat upon the bed, and
that shepherd stood at his right
hand.
2 Then he called me and said
279
Of repentance
III. HERMAS.
and alms-dels
unto me, I delivered thee and thy | I speak these things with thee
house to this shepherd, that thou that thou mayest persevere; for
mightest be protected by him. I he has given me a good account
said, Yes, Lord.
concerning thee.
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
commands which he has given
thee, and thou shalt have domin-
ion over ali sin.
4 For if thou keepest those
commands, all the lust and pleas-
ure of this present world shall
be subject to thee; and success
shali follow thee in every good
undertaking.
1
5 Take therefore his ¹ 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 au-
thority, and powerful in his
office.
10 But thou shalt speak these
things to others, that they who
either have repented, or shall
repent, 3 may be like-minded
with thee; and he may give me
as good an account of them also,
and I may do the same unto the
Lord.
1 Lat. Maturitatem.
2 President.
3 Eadem quæ tu sentiant.
11 I answered, Sir, I declare
to all men the wonderful works
of God; and I hope that all who
love them and have before sin-
ned, 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 accord-
ing to the commands of this
shepherd, he shall live; and
shall have great honour both
here and with the Lord.
6 To him only is the power of 13 But they that shall not
repentance committed through- keep his commands, flee from
out the whole world. Does he their life, and are adversaries
not seem to thee to be of great unto it. And they that follow
authority?
not his commands shall deliver
themselves unto death; and shall
be every one guilty of his own
blood.
7 But ye despise his goodness,
and the modesty which he shows
towards you.
8 I 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,
neither wilt thou hereafter do
any such thing; and therefore
·
14 But I say unto thee, Keep
these commandments, and thou
shalt find a cure for all thy sins.
15 Moreover, I have sent
these virgins to dwell with
thee; for I have seen that they
are very kind to thee. Thou
shalt therefore have them for
thy helpers, that thou mayest
4 What is meant by these virgins ;~
See before, Simil. 9. v. 139, et seq.
C
280
Of repentance
the better keep the commands
which he hath given thee; for
these commands cannot be kept
without these virgins.
SIMILITUDE X.
16 And ¹I 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, and industri-
ous; and all of them have grace
with the Lord.
and alms-deeds
1
from his house. And they will-
ingly heard these words.
22 ¶ Then he said unto me,
Go on manfully in thy ministry;
declare to all men the great
things of God, and thou shalt
find grace in this ministry.
1 MS. Lamb. Video; which appears
from the close of this section to be the
true reading.
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 whoso-
ever can do well, cease not to
exercise themselves in good
works, for it is profitable unto
18 If, therefore, thou shalt
have thy house pure, they will
abide with thee. But if it shall them. For I 2 would that all
be never so little polluted, they men should be delivered from
will immediately depart from the inconveniences they lie
thy house; for these virgins
cannot endure any manner of
pollution.
19 I said unto him, 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
commandments, and place these
virgins in a pure habitation.
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, be-
ing not able to bear them, have
chosen even to destroy them-
21 When he had said this, he | selves.
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 house, I
commend him and his house to 28 Wherefore exercise your◄
you, that ye may not at all depart selves in good works, as many
• Say.
under.
25 For he that wants, and suf-
fers inconveniences in his daily
life, is in great torment and
necessity. Whoever, therefore,
delivers such a soul from ne-
cessity, gets great joy unto
himself.
27 He therefore that knows
the calamity of such a man, and
does not free him from it, com-
mits a great sin, and is guilty of
his blood.
24 *
281
Of repentance
as have received ability from the
Lord; lest whilst ye delay to do
them, the building of the tower
be 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.
282
and alms-deeus
30 And after he had thus
spoken with me, he rose up
from the bed, and departed,
taking the shepherd and virgins
with him.
III. HERMAS.
31 Howbeit he said unto me,
that he would send back the
shepherd and virgins unt> my
house. Amen.
THE END
OF THE APOCRYPHAL NEW TESTAMENT.
TABLE I.
A LIST of the Apocryphal Pieces not now extant, mentioned by
Writers in the first Four Centuries of Christ, with the severa
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.
Hares. 87. Epiphan. Hæres. 47. § 1. Hæres. 61. § 1. et Hæres. 63.
§ 2. Gelas. 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 APELLES. Hieron. Præfat. in Comment.
in Matt.
For
The Gospel according to the Twelve APOSTLES. Origen. Homil.
in Luc. i. 1. Ambros. Comment. in Luc. i. 1. et Hieron. Præfat. in
Comment. in Matt.

B.
The Gospel of Barnabas.
Gelas. in Decret.
1. The writings of BARTHOLOMEW the Apostle.
de Theol. Myst. c. 1.
Dionys. Areopagit.
2. The Gospel of BARTHOLOMEW. Hieron. Catal. Script. Eccles. in
Pantan et Præfat. in Comm. in Matt. Gelas. in Decret.
'The Gospel of BASILIDES. Orig. in Luc. i. 1. Ambros. in Luc. 1. 1
Hieron. Præfat. in Comm. in Matt.
C.
1. The Gospel of CERINTHUS. Epiphan. Hæres. 51. § 7.
2. The Revelation of CERINTHUS.
Caius Presb. Rom. lib. Disput.
apud Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. 3. c. 28.
1. An Epistle of CHRIST to Peter and Paul. August. de Consens
Evang. 1. 1. c. 9, 10.
2. Some other Books under the name of CHRIST. Ibid. c. 3.
3. An Epistle of CHRIST, produced by the Manichees. August.
contr. Fuust. 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 Luc. i. 1. Hieron. Præf. in Comm. in Matt
Epiphan. Hares. 62. § 2.
283
1 ABLE I.-The lost Apocryphal Books.
The Acts of the Apostles, made use of by the EBIONITES Epiphan
Hæres. 30. § 16.
The Gospel of the EBIONITES. Epiphan. Hæres. 30. § 13.
The Gospel of the ENCRATITES. Epiphan. Hæres. 46. § 1.
The Gospel of EvE. Epiphan. Hæres. 26. § 2.
H.
The Gospel according to the HEBREWS. Hegesipp. lib. Comment.
apud Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. 4. c. 22. Clem. Alex. Strom. 1. 2. L 380.
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.
The Book of the HELKESAITES. Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. 6. c. 38.
The false Gospels of HESYCHIUS. Hieron. Præfat. in Evang, ad
Damas. Gelas. in Decret.
J.
1. The Book of JAMES. Origen. Comment. in Matt. xiii. 55, 56.
2. Books forged and published under the name of JAMES. Epiphan.
Hæres. 30. § 23. Innocent I. Epist. 3. ad Exuper. Tholos. Episc. §7
1 The Acts of JOHN. Euseb. Hist. Eccl. l. 3. c. 25. Athanas. în
Synops. § 76. Philastr. Hæres. 87. Epiphan. Hares. 47. § 1. August.
contr. Advers. Leg. l. 1. c. 20.
2. Books under the name of JOHN.
Innocent I. ibid.
Epiphan. Hæres. 30. § 23. et
Epiphan. Hæres. 38. § 1.
A Gospel under the name of JUDE.
A Gospel under the name of JUDAS ISCARIOT. Iren. advers. Hæres.
L. 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
Fælic. Manich. 1. 2. c. 6.
The Books of LENTITIUS.
Gelas. in Decret.
The Acts under the Apostles' name by LEONTIUS. August. de Fide
contra. Manich. c. 5.
The Acts of the Apostles by LEUTHON. Hieron. Epist. ad Chromat.
et Heliodor.
The false Gospels, published by LUCIANUS. Hieron. Præfat. in
Evang. ad Damas.
M.
The Acts of the Apostles used by the MANICHEES. August. lib.
cont. Adimant. Manich. c. 17.
Tertull. adv. Marcion. lib. 4. c. 2. et 4.
The Gospel of MARCION.
Epiphan. Hares. 42. Proœm.
Books under the naine of MATTHEW. Epiphan. Hæres. 30. § 23.
1. The Gospel of MATTHIAS. Orig. Comm. in Luc. i. 1. Euseb
Hist. Eccl. 1. 3. c. 25. Ambros in Luc. i. 1. Hieron. Præfat. in Com
ment. in Matt.
Clem. Alex. Strom. 1. 2. p. 380. L
2. The Traditions of MATTHIAS.
3. p. 436. et l. 7. p. 748.
284
TABLE I.—The lost Apocryphal Books.
3. A Book under the name of MATTHIAS. Innocent I. ibid.
The Gospel of MERINTHUS. Epiphan. Hæres. 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.
2. The Acts of PAUL. Orig. de Princip. 1. 1. c. 2. et 1. 21. in Joan.
tom. 2. p. 298. Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. 3. c. 3. et 25. Philastr. Hæres. 87.
3. The Preaching of PAUL (and PETER). Lactant de Ver. Sap. 1. 4.
c. 21. Script. anonym. ad calcem Opp. Cypr. and, according to some,
Clem. Alex. Strom. 1. 6. p. 636.
4. A Book under the name of PAUL. Cyprian, Epist. 27.
Epiphan. Hæres. 38. § 2. August.
Gelas. in Decret.
5. The Revelation of PAUL.
Tract. 98. in Joann. in fin.
The Gospel of Perfection. Epiphan. Hæres. 26. § 2.
1. The Acts of PETER. Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. 3. c. 3. Athanas. in
Synops. S. Scriptur. § 76. Philastr. Hæres. 87. Hieron. Catal. Script.
Eccl. in Petr. Epiphan. Hares. 30. § 15.
2. The Doctrine of PETER. Orig. Præm. in lib. de Princip.
3. The Gospel of PETER. Cerap. lib. de Evang. 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 25.
Hieron. Catal. Script. Eccl. in Petr.
4. The Judgment of PETER. Ruffin. Exposit. in Symbol. Apostol.
36. Hieron. Catal. Script. Eccles. in Petr.

5. The Preaching of PETER. Heracl. apud. Orig. 1. 14. in Joan.
Clem. Alex. Strom. 1. 1. p. 357. 1. 2. p. 390. l. 6. p. 635, 636. et 678.
Theodot. Byzant. in Excerpt. p. 809. ad calc. Opp. Clem. Alex. Lactant.
de Ver. Sap. 1. 4. c. 21. Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. 3. c. 3. et Hieron. Catal.
Script. Eccl. in Petr.
6. The Revelation of PETER. Clem. Alex. lib. Hypotypos. apul
Euseb. Hist. Eccl. l. 6. c. 14. Theodot. Byzant. in Excerpt. p. 806, 807.
ad calc. Opp. Clem. Alex. Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. 3. c. 3. et 25. Hieron.
Catal. Script. Eccl. in Petr.
7. Books under the name of PETER. Innocent I. Epist. 3. ad Exu-
per. Tholos. Episc. § 7.
1. The Acts of PHILIP.
2. The Gospel of PHILIP.
Gelas. in Decret.
Epiphan. Hares. 26. § 13.
S.
The Gospel of SCYTHIANUS. Cyrill. Catech. VI. § 22. et Epiphan.
Hæres. 66. § 2.
The Acts of the Apostles by SELEUCUS. Hieron. Epist. ad Chromat.
et. Heliodor.
The Revelation of STEPHEN. Gelas. in Decret.
285
TABLE I.--The lost Apocryphal Books.
T.
The Gospel of TITIAN. Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. 4. c. 29.
The Gospel of THADDEUS. Gelas. in Decret.
The Catholic Epistle of THEMISON the Montanist. Apollon. lib
cont. Cataphryg. apud Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. 5. c. 18.

1. The Acts of THOMAS. Epiphan. Hæres. 47. § 1. et 61. § 1.
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. § 76. Hieron. Præf. in
Comment. in Matt. Gelas. in Decret.
3. The Revelation of THOMAS.
Gelas. in Decret.
4. Books under the name of THOMAS. Innocent I. Epist. 3. aa
Exuper. Tholos. Episc. § 7.
The Gospel of TRUTH, made use of by the Valentinians. Iren. adv.
Hæres. 1. 3. c. 11.
V.
The Gospel of VALENTINUS. Tertull. de Præscript. adv. Haret.
€ 49.
286
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 books of the Old Testament, are
marked thus *.

The Names of the Writ-
ers.
The times in
which they
lived.
II.
The Variation or Agreement of The Places of their
their Catalogues with ours now Writings, in which
these Catalogues are.
received.
I.
A.C.
* ORIGEN, a Pres-210. Omits the Epistles of
byter of Alexan-
James and Jude, though
dria, who employ-
he owns them both in
ed incredible pains other parts of his writ-
in
knowing the
ings.
Scriptures.

EUSEBIUS
PHILUS,
PAM-315. His Catalogue is exactly
whose
the same with the mod-
writings evidence
ern one; only he says,
his zeal about the
the Epistles of James,
sacred writings, Jude, the 2d of Peter,
and his great care
the 2d and 3d of John,
to be informed
though they were gen-
which were genu-
erally received, yet
ine and which not.
had been by some
doubted of. As to the
Revelation, though he
says some rejected it,
yet he says others re-
ceived it; and him-
self places it among
those which are to
be received without
dispute.
Comment. in Matth.
apud Euseb. Hist.
Eccl. l. 6. c. 25.
Exposit. in Joan.
1. 5. apud Euseb.
ibid.
Hist. Eccl. l. 3. c.
25. confer ejus-
dem lib. c. 3.

III.
* ATHANASIUS, Bp. 315. The same perfectly with Fragment.
of Alexandria.
ours now received.
Epis.
Festal. et in Sy-
nops. Scriptur.
Sacr.
287
TÁBLE II.—Catalogues of the New Testament.
The Variation or Agreement of The
their Catalogues with ours now
received.


The Names of the Writ-
ers.
The times in
which they
lived.
IV.
A.C.
;l
*CYRIL, Bp. of Je-340. The same with ours Catech. IV. § 36.
rusalem.
only the Revelation is
omitted.
of The Places of their 1
Writings, in which
these Catalogues are.
V.
*The bishops as-364. The Revelation is omit-Canon. LX.
sembled in the t
Council ef Laod-
ted.
icea.
VI.
EPIPHANIUS, Bp. 370. The same with ours now Hares. 76. c. 5.
of Salamis in Cy-
received.
prus.
XI.
JEROME.
VII.
GREGORY NAZIAN-375. Omits the Revelation. Carm. de veris et
ZEN, Bp. of Con-
genuin. Scriptur.
stantinople.
N. B. The Canons of
thisCouncil were,not
long afterwards, re-
ceived into the body
of the Canons of the
Universal Church.
VIII.
PHILASTRIUS, Bp. 380. The same with ours now Lib. de Hares. 87.
of Brixia, in Ven-
lice.
received; except that he
mentions only thirteen
of St. Paul's Epistles
(omitting, very prob-
ably, the Epistle to the
Hebrews), and leaves
out the Revelation.

382. The same with ours; ex-Ep.
cept that he speaks du-
biously of the Epistle
to the Hebrews; though
in other parts of his
writings he receives it
as Canonical.
ad. Paulin. de
Stud. Script. also
commonly pre-
fixed to the Lat-
in Vulgate.
ours.
X.
*RUFIN, Presby 390. It perfectly agrees with Expos. in Symb.
ter of Aquilegiun
Apostol. § 36. int.
Op. Hieron. et
inter Op. Cyp.
The Roman Catholics place this Council before the Council of Nice.
288
D
TABLE II.—Catalogues of the New Testament.

The Names of the Writ-
ers.
The times in
which they
lived.
XI.
A.C.
*AUSTIN, Bp. of 394. It perfectly agrees with De Doct. Christ. l.
Hippo in Africa.
2. c. 8.
XII.
*The forty-fourSA It perfectly agrees with Vid. Canon. XLVII.
Bps. assembled in present
et cap. ult.
at it.
the third Council
of Carthage.
The
author of the works
under the name
of DIONYSIUS the
Areopagite.
The Variation or Agreement of The Places of their
their Catalogues with ours now
received.
Writings, in which
these Catalogues are.
25
ours.
XIII.
anonymous 390. It seems perfectly to agree Lib.
with ours: for though
he doth not, for good
reasons, produce the
names of the books,
yet (as the learned
Daille says, De Script.
supposit. Dionys. 1. 1. c.
16.) he so clearly de-
scribes them, as that he
has left out no divine
book, may be easily
perceived.
ours.
289
de Hierarch.
Eccl. c. 3.
TABLE III.
TIMES of writing the FOUR GOSPELS in the New Testa
ment, from 1. Dr. Lardner's Supplement to the Credibility
of the Gospel History. 2. The REV. JEREMIAH JONES's Canon-
ical Authority of the New Testament. 3. DR. HENRY OWEN'S
Observations on the Four Gospels.
Gospels.
Matthew
Mark
Luke
Epistles.
I Thessalonians
II. Thessalonians.
Galatians....
I. Corinthians
I. Timothy
Titus
II. Corinthians
John
Acts written, according to Dr. Lardner, A. D. 63 or 64.
Note.-Christ died A. D. 36
•.97
Romans.
Ephesians
II. Timothy
Philippians
Colossians.
Philemon.
Hebrews
·
•
TIMES and Places of the writing of PAUL'S EPISTLES,
arranged chronologically.—From Lardner.
•
•
•
•
·
•
·
Lardner.
A. D. 64..
•
64..
63..
68.
•
Places.
Corinth
Corinth
Corinth or Ephesus.
Ephesus
Macedonia
Rome.
Rome
St. James
I. II. St. Peter
I. St. John.
II. III. St. John.
St. Jude
Revelation of St. John. Patmos or Ephesus
THE END.
Rome
Rome
Rome or Italy
Macedonia, or near it... before the end of 56
Macedonia
about October, 57
Corinth
about February, 58
Rome
about April, 61
about May, 61
before end of 62
before end of 62
before end of 62
spring of 63
TIMES and Places of the writing of the SEVEN CATHO-
LIC EPISTLES.-From LARDNEr.
Judea
Rome.
Ephesus
Ephesus
Unknown
Jones.
41
6'7
63
•
Owen
•
38
63
53
69
•
A. D.
52
52
end of 52
or beginning of 53
beginning of 56
56
61
or beginning of 62
64
about 80
between 80 and 90
64 or 65
.95 or
290
THE ORDER OF ALL THE BOOKS
OF THE
APOCRYPHAL NEW TESTAMENT.

No. Authorities. See also the Authorities more at large in the
Chap.
Notices before each Book
Mary hath
8
Protevangelion 16
NAMES.
I. Infancy.
Il Infancy
•
Christ and Abgarus 2
22
Nicodemus.
Apostles' Creed in
its ancient state.
Apostles Creed in
its present state.
Laodiceans
•
•
Paul and Thecla
I. Corinthians.
II. Corinthians
Paul and Seneca.
Barnabas...
Ephesians
Magnesians.
Trallians.
Romans
•
•
.
· •
•
•
Philadelphians
Smyrnæans
Polycarp
Philippians.
militudes
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
·
•
I. Hermas--Visions
II. Hermas-Com-
mands
III. Hermas-Si-
•
• •
22
Received by the Gnostics, a sect of Christians
in the second century, and translated into Eng-
lish by Mr. Henry Sike, Oriental Professor at
Cambridge in 1697.
4
Printed 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 Cæsarea, A. D. 315.
1
1
In the works of St. Jerome, a father of the
Church, who died A. D. 420.
Preserved by Eusebius, one of the Council of
Nice, in his Ecclesiastical History. B. I. c. 13.
Published by Professor Grynæus in the Or-
thodoxographia, 1555, tom. ii. p. 643.
Without the articles of Christ's Descent into
1 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. 9.
note: Also in Bingham's Antiquities of the
Christian Church, folio, 1726. B. 10. c. 4. s. 12.
In the Book of Common Prayer of the Church
of England.
Postellus brought the MS. from the Levant,
translated it into Latin, and caused it to be
printed at Zurich in 1552.

14
11
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 the Bodleian Library,
copied by Dr. Mills, and transmitted to Dr. Grabe,
who edited and printed it in his Spicilegium.
23
These are The" GENUINE EPISTLES of the Apos-
5tolical Fathers: being, together with the Holy Scrip-
15tures of the NEW TESTAMENT, a complete collection
4 of the most primitive Antiquity for about a hundred
4 and fifty years after CHRIST. Translated and pub-
3 lished with a large preliminary discourse relating
3 to the several Treatises, by the most Reverend Father
3 in God, William (WAKE) Lord Bishop of Lincoln,
3 afterwards Lord Archbishop of Canterbury. The
3 authorities and proofs adduced by this erudite
4 and honest prelate, will be found in great num-
4 ber in the Introduction and Discourses to the
Edition of the Archbishop's Translation of these
12 Epistles, published in 1817, by Mr. BAGSTER,
Paternoster Row.
.10
From ancient MSS. in the Sorbonne and the
Library of Ioannes a Viridario at Padua. See
also Poole's Annotations on Col. iv. 16. and
Harl. MSS. Cod. 1212.

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