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5 For which cause brethren, I

also think verily that I love youabove my own soul; because thattherein dwelleth the greatness offaith and charity, as also the hopeof that life which is to come.

6 Wherefore considering this,that if I shall take care tocommunicate to you a part of whatI have received, it shall turn tomy reward, that I have served suchgood souls. I gave diligence towrite in a few words unto you;

that together with your faith, yourknowledge also may be perfect.

7 There are therefore threethings ordained by the Lord; thehope of life, the beginning, andthe completion of it.

8 For the Lord hath bothdeclared unto us, by the prophets,those things that are past; andopened to us the beginnings of

those that are to come.

9 Wherefore, it will behove us,as he has spoken, to come moreholily, and nearer to his altar.

10 I therefore, not as a teacherbut as one of you, will endeavourto lay before you a few things bywhich you may, on many accounts,become the more joyful.

CHAPTER II.

That Clod has abolished the legal sacrifices,to introduce the spiritual righteousness of the Gospel.

SEEING then the days areexceedingly evil, and theadversary has got the power of this

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present world we ought to give the

more diligence to inquire into therighteous judgments of the Lord.

2 Now the assistants of ourfaith are fear and patience; ourfellow-combatants, long sufferingand continence.

3 Whilst these remain purein what relates unto the Lord,wisdom, and understanding, andscience, and knowledge, rejoicetogether with them.

4 For God has manifested to usby all the prophets, that he has nooccasion for our sacrifices, orburnt-offerings, or oblations:saying thus; To what purpose isthe multitude of your sacrificesunto me, saith the Lord.

5 I am full of the burnt-offeringsof rams, and the fat of fed beasts;and I delight not in the blood of

bullocks, or of he-goats.

6 When ye come to appearbefore me, who hath requiredthis at your hands? Ye shall nomore tread my courts.

7 Bring no more vain oblations,incense is an abomination unto meyour new moons and sabbaths,and the calling of assembliesI cannot bear with, it is iniquity,even the solemn meeting; yournew moons and your appointedfeasts my soul hateth.

8 These things therefore hathGod abolished, that the new lawof our Lord Jesus Christ, whichis without the yoke of any suchnecessity, might have the spiritualoffering of, men themselves.

9 For so the Lord saith again

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to those heretofore; Did I at all

command your fathers when theycame out of the land of Egyptconcerning burnt-offerings ofsacrifices?

10 But this I commanded them,saying, Let none of you imagineevil in your hearts against hisneighbour, and love no false oath.

11 Forasmuch then as we arenot without understanding, weought to apprehend the design of

our merciful Father. For hespeaks to us, being willing thatwe who have been in the sameerror about the sacrifices, shouldseek and find how to approachunto him.

12 And therefore he thusbespeaks us, The sacrifice of God(is a broken spirit,) a broken andcontrite heartGod will not despise.

13 Wherefore brethren, we oughtthe more diligently to inquireafter those things that belongto our salvation, that theadversary may not have anyentrance into us, and depriveus of our spiritual life.

14 Wherefore he again speakethto them, concerning these things;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 havechosen? A day for a man to afflicthis soul? Is it to bow down hishead like a bulrush, and to spreadsackcloth and ashes under him?Wilt thou call this a fast, and anacceptable day to the Lord?

16 But to us he saith on thiswise: Is not this the fast that Ihave chosen, to loose the bands of

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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 breadto the hungry, and that thou bringthe poor that are cast out to thyhouse? When thou seest the nakedthat thou cover him, and that thouhide not thyself from thy ownflesh.

18 Then shall thy light breakforth as the morning, and thy

health shall spring forth speedily;and thy righteousness shall gobefore thee; the glory of the Lordshall be thy reward.

19 Then shalt thou call andthe Lord shall answer; thou shaltcry and he shall say, Here I am;if thou put away from the midst ofthee the yoke; the putting forthof the finger, and speaking vanity;and if thou draw out thy soul to

the hungry; and satisfy theafflicted soul.

20 In this, therefore, brethren,God has manifested his foreknowledgeand love for us; because thepeople which he has purchased tohis beloved Son were to believein sincerity; and therefore he hasshown these things to all of us,that we should not run asproselytes to the Jewish Law.

CHAPTER III.

The prophecies of Daniel concerning the ten kings,and the coming of Christ.

WHEREFORE it is necessarythat searching diligently into

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those things which are soon to

come to pass, we should write toyou what may serve to keep youwhole.

2 To which end, let us flee fromevery evil work and hate the errorsof the present time, that we maybe happy in that which is to come.

3 Let us not give ourselves theliberty of disputing with the wickedand sinners; lest we should chancein time to become like unto them.

4 For the consummation of sinis come, as it is written, as theprophet Daniel says. And for thisend the Lord hath shortened thetimes and the days, that hisbeloved might hasten his corningto his inheritance.

5 For so the prophet speaks;There shall ten kings reign inthe heart, and there shall rise last

of all another little one, and heshall humble three kings.

6 And again Daniel speaks inlike manner concerning the kingdoms;and I saw the fourth beast dreadfuland terrible, and strong exceedingly;and it had ten horns. I consideredthe horns, and behold there came upamong them another little horn,before which were three of the firsthorns plucked up by the roots.

7 We ought therefore to understandthis also: And I beseech you, as oneof your own brethren, loving you allbeyond my own life, that you lookwell to yourselves, and be not liketo those who add sin to sin, and say;That their covenant is ours also.Nay, but it is ours only: for theyhave forever lost that which Mosesreceived.

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8 For thus saith the Scripture

And Moses continued fasting fortydays and forty nights in the Mount;and he received the covenant fromthe Lord, even the two tables ofstone, written by the hand of God.

9 But having turned themselvesto idols they lost it; as the Lordalso said to Moses; Moses, godown quickly, for thy people whichthou hast brought forth out ofEgypt, have corrupted themselves,and turned aside from the way

which I commanded them. AndMoses cast the two tables out ofhis hands; and their covenant wasbroken; that the love of Jesusmight be sealed in your hearts,unto the hope of his faith.

10 Wherefore let us give heedunto the last times. For all thetime past of our life and our faith,will profit us nothing; unless wecontinue to hate what is evil, and

to withstand the future temptations.So the Son of God tells us; Let usresist all iniquity and hate it.

11 Wherefore consider the worksof the evil way. Do not withdrawyourselves from others as if youwere already justified; but comingaltogether into one place, inquirewhat is agreeable to and profitablefor the beloved of God. For theScripture saith; Woe unto themthat are wise in their own eyes;and prudent in their sight.

12 Let us become spiritually aperfect temple to God. As muchas in us lies let us meditate uponthe fear of God; and strive to theutmost of our power to keep hiscommandments; that we may rejoicein his righteous judgments.

13 For God will judge the world

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without respect of persons and

everyone shall receive accordingto his works.

14 If a man shall be good, hisrighteousness shall go before himif wicked, the reward of hiswickedness shall follow him.

15 Take heed therefore lestsitting still now, that when we arecalled, we fall asleep in our sins;and the wicked one getting thedominion over us, stir us up, and

shut us out of the kingdom of theLord.

16 Consider this also: althoughyou have seen so great signs andwonders done among the peopleof the Jews, yet this notwithstandingthe Lord hath forsaken them.

17 Beware, therefore, lest ithappen to us; as it is writtenThere may be many called, but

few chosen.

CHAPTER IV.

That Christ was to suffer is provedfrom the prophecies concerning him.

For this cause did our Lordvouchsafe to give up his bodyto destruction, that through theforgiveness of our sins we mightbe sanctified; that is, by thesprinkling of his blood.

2 Now for what concerns thethings that are written about him,some belong to the people of theJews, and some to us.

3 For thus saith the Scripture;

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He was wounded for our transgressions,

he was bruised for our iniquities,and by his blood we are healed.He was led as a lamb to theslaughter, and as a sheep beforehis shearers is dumb, so heopened not his mouth.

4 Wherefore we ought the moreto give thanks unto God, for thathe hath both declared unto uswhat is passed, and not sufferedus to be without understanding ofthose things that are to come.

5 But to them he saith; Thenets are not unjustly spread forthe birds.

6 This he spake, because a manwill justly perish, if having theknowledge of the way of truth, heshall nevertheless not refrainhimself from the way of darkness.

7 And for this cause the Lord

was content to suffer for our souls,although he be the Lord of thewhole earth; to whom God saidbefore the beginning of the world,Let us make man after our ownimage and likeness.

8 Now how he suffered for us,seeing it was by men that heunderwent it, I will shew you.

9 The prophets having receivedfrom him the gifts of prophecy,spake before concerning him:

10 But he, that he mightabolish death, and make known theresurrection from the dead, wascontent, as it was necessary, toappear in the flesh, that he mightmake good the promise before givento our fathers, and preparinghimself a new people, mightdemonstrate to them whilst he was

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upon earth, that after the

resurrection he would judgethe world.

11 And finally, teaching thepeople of Israel, and doing manywonders and signs among them,he preached to them, and shewedthe exceeding great love whichhe bare towards them.

12 And when he chose his apostles,which were afterwards to publishhis Gospel, he took men who had

been very great sinners; thatthereby he might plainly shewThat he came not to call therighteous but sinners torepentance.

13 Then he clearly manifestedhimself to be the Son of God.For had he not come in the flesh,how should men have been able tolook upon him, that they might besaved?

14 Seeing that if they beheldonly the sun, which was the workof his hands, and shall hereaftercease to be, they are not able toendure stedfastly to look againstthe rays of it;

15 Wherefore the Son of Godcame in the flesh for this cause,that he might fill up the measureof their iniquity, who havepersecuted his prophets untodeath. And for the same reasonalso he suffered.

16 For God hath said of thestripes of his flesh, that they werefrom them. And, I will smite theshepherd, and the sheep of theflock shall be scattered.

17 Thus he would suffer, becauseit behoved him to suffer upon the

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cross.

18 For thus one saith,prophesying concerning him;Spare my soul from the sword.And again, My flesh tremblethfor fear.

19 And again, the congregationof wicked doers rose up againstme, (They have pierced myhands and my feet).

20 And again he saith, I gave

my back to the smiters, and myface I set as a hard rock.

CHAPTER V.

The subject continued.

And when he had fulfilled thecommandment of God, What

says he? Who will contend withme? Let him stand against meor who is he that will impleadme? Let him draw near to theservant of the Lord. Woe be toyou! Because ye shall all waxold as a garment, the mothshall eat you up.

2 And again adds the prophet,He is put for a stone ofstumbling. Behold I lay in Zionfor a foundation, a preciousstone a choice corner-stone;an honourable stone. And whatfollows? And he that hopethin him shall live for ever.

3 What then? Is our hope builtupon a stone? God forbid. Butbecause the Lord hath hardenedhis flesh against sufferings, hesaith, I have put me as a firm

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rock.

4 And again the prophet adds;The stone which the buildersrefused has become the head ofthe corner. And again he saithThis is the great and wonderfulday which the Lord hath made.a I write these things the moreplainly to you that ye mayunderstand: I For indeed Icould be content even to diefor your sakes.

5 But what saith the prophetagain; The counsel of the wickedencompassed me about. Theycame about me, as bees about thehoney-comb: and, Upon my vesturethey cast lots.

6 Forasmuch then as our Saviourwas to appear in the flesh andsuffer, his passion was herebyforetold.

7 For thus saith the prophetagainst Israel: Woe be to theirsoul because they have takenwicked counsel against themselves,saying; let us lay snares for therighteous, because he isunprofitable to us.

8 Moses also in like mannerspeaketh to them; Behold thussaith the Lord God; Enter yeinto the good land of which theLord path sworn to Abraham, andIsaac, and Jacob, that he wouldgive it you, and possess it; a landflowing with milk and honey.

9 Now what the spiritual meaningof this is, learn; It is as if ithad been said, Put your trust inJesus, who shall be manifested toyou in the flesh. For man is theearth which suffers: forasmuchas out of the substance of the

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earth Adam was formed.

10 What therefore does he meanwhen he says, Into a good landflowing with milk and honey?Blessed be our Lord, who hasgiven us wisdom, and a heart tounderstand his secrets. For sosays the prophet, Who shallunderstand the hard sayings of theLord? But he that is wise, andintelligent, and that loves hisLord.

11 Seeing therefore he hasrenewed us by the remission of oursins, he has put us into anotherframe, that we should have soulslike those of children, formingus again himself by the spirit.

12 For thus the Scripture saithconcerning us, where it introduceththe Father speaking to the Son;Let us make man after our likenessand similitude; and let them have

dominion over the beasts of theearth, and over the fowls of theair, and the fish of the sea.

13 And when the Lord saw theman which he had formed, thatbehold he was very good; he said,Increase and multiply, andreplenish the earth. And thishe spake to his son.

14 I will now show you, how hemade us a new creature, in thelatter days.

15 The Lord saith; Behold Iwill make the last as the first.Wherefore the prophet thus spake,Enter into the land flowing withmilk and honey, and have dominionover it.

16 Wherefore ye see how weare again formed anew; as also

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he speaks by another prophet;

Behold saith the Lord, I will takefrom them; that is, from thosewhom the spirit I of the Lordforesaw, their hearts of stone,and I will put into them heartsof flesh.

17 Because he was about to bemade manifest in the flesh and todwell in us.

18 For, my brethren, thehabitation of our heart is a holy

temple unto the Lord. For the prophetsaith again, In what place shall Iappear before the Lord my God,and be glorified?

19 He answers I will confessunto thee in the congregation inthe midst of my brethren; and willsing unto thee in the church ofthe saints:

20 Wherefore we are they whom

he has brought into that good land.

21 But what signifies the milkand honey? Because as the childis nourished first with milk, andthen with honey; so we beingkept alive by the belief of hispromises and his word, shall liveand have dominion over the land.

22 For he foretold before, saying,increase and multiply, and havedominion over the beasts, fishes,and birds.

23 But who is there that is nowable to have this dominion overthe wild beasts, or fishes, or fowlsof the air? For you know that torule, is to have power; that a manshould be set over what he rules.

24 But forasmuch as this wehave not now, he tells us when we

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shall have it; namely, when we

shall become perfect, that we maybe made the inheritors of thecovenant of the Lord.

CHAPTER VI.

The sacrifice of Jesus, and of a goat,an evident type of Christ crucified.

UNDERSTAND then my beloved

children, that the good God hathbefore manifested all things untous, that we might know to whomwe ought always to give thanksand praise.

2 If therefore the Son of Godwho is the Lord of all, and shallcome to judge both the quick anddead, hath suffered, that by hisstripes we might live; let usbelieve that the Son of God could

not have suffered but for us. Butbeing crucified, they gave himvinegar and gall to drink.

3 Hear therefore how the priestsof the temple did foreshow thisalso: the Lord by his commandwhich was written, declared thatwhosoever did not fast theappointed fast he should die thedeath: because he also was himselfone day to offer up his body forour sins; that so the type ofwhat was done in Isaac might befulfilled, who was offered upon thealtar.

4 What therefore is it that hesays by the prophet? And letthem eat of the goat which isoffered in the day of the fast forall their sins. Hearken diligently,(my brethren,) and all the priests,

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and they only shall eat the inwards

not washed with vinegar.

5 Why so? because I knowthat when I shall hereafter offermy flesh for the sins of a newpeople, ye will give me vinegar todrink mixed with gall; thereforedo ye only eat, the people fastingthe while, and lamenting insackcloth and ashes.

6 And that he might foreshowthat he was to suffer for them,

hear then how he appointed it.

7 Take, says he, two goats, fairand alike, and offer them; and letthe high priest take one of themfor a burnt offering. And whatshalt be done with the other? Letit, says he, be accursed.

8 Consider how exactly thisappears to have been a type ofJesus. And let all the congregation

spit upon it, and prick it; andput the scarlet wool about itshead; and thus let it be carriedforth into the wilderness.

9 And this being done, he thatwas appointed to convey the goat,led it into the wilderness, andtook away the scarlet wool, andput it upon a thorn bush, whoseyoung sprouts, when we findthem in the field, we are wont toeat: so the fruit of that thornonly is sweet.

10 And to what end was thisceremony? Consider; one wasoffered upon the altar, theother was accursed.

11 And why was that which wasaccursed crowned? Because theyshall see Christ on that day havinga scarlet garment about his body;

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and shall say: Is not this he whom

we crucified; having despised him,pierced him, mocked him? Certainly,this is he, who then said,that he was the Son of God.

12 As therefore he shall bethen like to what he was onearth, so were the Jews heretoforecommanded, to take two goats fairand equal; that when they shallsee (our Saviour) hereafter coming(in the clouds of heaven), they maybe amazed at the likeness of the

goats.

13 Wherefore ye here againsee a type of Jesus who was tosuffer for us.

14 But what then signifies this,That the wool was to be put intothe midst of the thorns?

15 This also is a figure of Jesus,set out to the church. For as he who

would take away the scarlet woolmust undergo many difficulties,because that thorn was very sharp,and with difficulty get it: So,says Christ, they that will see me,and come to my kingdom, mustthrough many afflictions andtroubles attain unto me.

CHAPTER VII.

The red heifer, another type of Christ.

BUT what type do ye supposeit to have been, where it iscommanded to the people of Israel,that grown persons in whom sinsare come to perfection, shouldoffer an heifer, and after they hadkilled it should burn the same;

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2 But then young men shouldtake up the ashes and put them invessels; and tie a piece of scarletwool and hyssop upon a stick, andso the young men should sprinkleevery one of the people, and theyshould be clear from their sins?

3 Consider how all these aredelivered in a figure to us.

4 This heifer is Jesus Christ;the wicked men that were to offer

it are those sinners who broughthim to death; who afterwards haveno more to do with it: for thesinners have no more the honourof handling it:

5 But the young men that performedthe sprinkling, signified those whopreach to us the forgiveness ofsins, and the purification of theheart, to whom the Lord gaveauthority to preach his Gospel:

being at the beginning twelve,to signify the tribes, becausethere were twelve tribes of Israel.

6 But why were there threeyoung men appointed to sprinkle?To denote Abraham, and Isaac,and Jacob, because they weregreat before God.

7 And why was the wool putupon a stick? Because the kingdomof Jesus was founded upon the cross;and therefore they that put theirtrust in him, shall live for ever.

8 But why was the wool andhyssop put together? To signifythat in the kingdom of Christ thereshall be evil and filthy days, inwhich however, we shall be saved;and because he that has any diseasein the flesh by some filthy humours,is cured by hyssop.

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9 Wherefore these things beingthus done, are to us indeed evident,but to the Jews they are obscure;because they hearkened not untothe voice of the Lord.

CHAPTER VII I.

Of the circumcision of the ears and how in thefirst institution of circumcision Abraham

mystically foretold Christ by name.

AND therefore the Scriptureagain speaks concerning ourears, that God has circumcisedthem, together with our hearts.For thus saith the Lord by theholy prophet: By the hearing ofthe ear they obeyed me.

2 And again, They who are afaroff, shall hear and understand

what things I have done. Andagain, Circumcise your hearts,saith the Lord.

3 And again be saith, Hear OIsrael! For thus saith the Lordthy God. And again the Spirit ofGod prophesieth, saying: Who isthere that would live for ever, lethim hear the voice of my Son.

4 And again, Hear, O Heavens,and give ear O Earth! Becausethe Lord has spoken these thingsfor a witness.

5 And again, he saith, Hearthe word of the Lord, ye princesof the people. And again, HearO children! The voice of onecrying in the wilderness.

6 Wherefore he has circumcised

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our ears, that we should hear his

word, and believe. But as forthat circumcision, in which theJews trust, it is abolished: for thecircumcision of which God spake,was not of the flesh.

7 But they have transgressedhis commands, because the evilone hath deceived them. Forthus God bespeaks them; Thussaith the Lord your God, (Here Ifind the new law) Sow not amongthorns; but circumcise yourselves

to the Lord your God. And whatdoth he mean by this saying?Hearken unto your Lord.

8 And again he saith, Circumcisethe hardness of your heart, andharden not your neck. And again,Behold, saith the Lord, all thenations are uncircumcised, (theyhave not lost their fore-skin): butthis people is uncircumcised inheart.

9 But you will say the Jewswere circumcised for a sign. Andso are all the Syrians and Arabians,and all the idolatrous priests: butare they therefore of the covenantof Israel? And even the Egyptiansthemselves are circumcised.

10 Understand therefore, children,these things more fully, thatAbraham was the first, thatbrought in circumcision, lookingforward in the Spirit, to Jesus;circumcised, having received themystery of three letters.

11 For the Scripture says thatAbraham circumcised three hundredand eighteen men of his house.But what therefore was the mysterythat was made known unto him!

12 Mark, first the eighteen, and

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next the three hundred. For the

numeral letters of ten and eightare T H. And these denote Jesus.

13 And because the cross wasthat by which we were to findgrace, therefore he adds, threehundred; the note of which is T(the figure of his cross).Wherefore by two letters hesignified Jesus, and by thethird his cross.

14 He who has put the engrafted

gift of his doctrine within us,knows that I never taught toanyone a more certain truth: but Itrust that ye are worthy of it.

CHAPTER IX.

That the commands of Moses concerning clean and uncleanbeasts, were all designed for a spiritual signification.

BUT why did Moses say Yeshall not eat of the swine,neither the eagle nor the hawk;nor the crow; nor any fish thathas not a scale upon him?Ianswer that, in the spiritual sense,he comprehended three doctrines,that were to be gathered fromthence.

2 Besides which he says to themin the book of Deuteronomy, AndI will give my statutes unto thispeople. Wherefore it is not thecommand of God that they shouldnot eat these things; but Moses inthe spirit spake unto them.

3 Now the sow he forbad themto eat; meaning thus much: Thoushalt not join thyself to suchpersons as are like unto swine,

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who, whilst they live in pleasure,

forget their God; but when any wantpinches them, then they know theLord: as the sow when she is fullknows not her master, but whenshe is hungry she makes a noise;and being again fed, is silent.

4 Neither, says he, shalt thoueat the eagle, nor the hawk, northe kite, nor the crow; that is,thou shalt not keep company withsuch kind of men as know not howby their labour and sweat to get

themselves food; but injuriouslyravish away the things of others,and watch how to lay snares forthem; when at the same time theyappear to live in perfect innocence.

3 So these birds alone (seek notfood for themselves,) but sittingidle, seek how they may eat of theflesh others have provided beingdestructive through theirwickedness.

6 Neither, says he, shalt thoueat the lamprey, nor the polypus,nor the cuttle-fish; that is thoushalt not be like such men, byseeking to converse with themwho are altogether wicked andadjudged to death. For so thosefishes are alone accursed, thatwallow in the mire, nor swim as otherfishes, but tumble in the dirt atthe bottom of the deep.

7 But, he adds, neither shaltthou eat of the hare. To whatend?To signify this to us;Thou shalt not be an adulterer,nor liken thyself to such persons.For the hare every year multipliesthe places of its conception; andas many years as it lives, so manyit has.

8 Neither shalt thou eat of the

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hyena: that is, again, be not an

adulterer, nor a corrupter ofothers; neither be like to such.And wherefore so?Because thatcreature every year changes itskind, which is sometimes maleand sometimes female.

9 For which cause also he justlyhated the weazel; to the end thatthey should not be like suchpersons who with their mouthscommit wickedness by reason oftheir uncleanness; nor join

themselves with those impure women,who with their mouths commitwickedness. Because that animalconceives with its mouth.

10 Moses, therefore, speakingas concerning meats, deliveredindeed three great precepts tothem in the spiritual significationof those commands. But theyaccording to the desires of theflesh, understood him as if he

had only meant it of meats.

11 And therefore David tookaright the knowledge of histhree-fold command, saying inlike manner:

12 Blessed is the man that hathnot walked in the counsel of theungodly; as the fishes beforementioned in the bottom of thedeep, in darkness.

13 Nor stood in the way ofsinners, as they who seem to fearthe Lord, but yet sin, as the sow.

14 And hath not sat in the seatof the scorners; as those birdswho sit and watch that they maydevour.

15 Here you have the lawconcerning meat perfectly set

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forth and according to the

true knowledge of it.

16 But, says Moses, ye shalleat all that divideth the hoof, andcheweth the cud. Signifyingthereby such an one as havingtaken his food, knows him thatnourisheth him; and resting uponhim, rejoiceth in him.

17 And in this he spake well,having respect to the commandment.What, therefore, is it that

he says?That we should holdfast to them that fear the Lord;with those who meditate on thecommand of the word which theyhave received, in their heart;with those that declare therighteous judgments of the Lord,and keep his commandments;

18 In short, with those whoknow that to meditate is a workof pleasure, and therefore exercise

themselves in the word of theLord.

19 But why might they eatthose that clave the hoof?Because the righteous liveth in thispresent world; but his expectationis fixed upon the other. See,brethren, how admirably Mosescommanded these things.

20 But how should we thusknow all this, and understand it?We, therefore, understandingaright the commandments, speakas the Lord would have us.Wherefore he has circumcised ourears and our hearts, that we mightknow these things.

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CHAPTER X.

Baptism and the cross of Christforetold in figures under the law.

LET us now inquire whetherthe Lord took care to manifestanything beforehand concerning waterand the cross.

2 Now for the former of these,it is written to the people of

Israel how they shall not receivethat baptism which brings toforgiveness of sins; but shallinstitute another to themselvesthat cannot.

3 For thus saith the prophet:Be astonished, O Heaven! andlet the earth tremble at it, becausethis people have done two greatand wicked things: they have leftme, the fountain of living water,and have digged for themselves

broken cisterns, that can hold nowater.

4 Is my holy mountain of Zion,a desolate wilderness? For yeshall be as a young bird when itsnest is taken away.

5 And again the prophet saith,I will go before thee, and willmake plain the mountains, andwill break the gates of brass, and

will snap in sunder the bars ofiron; and will give thee dark,and hidden, and invisibletreasures, that they may knowthat I am the Lord God.

6 And again: he shall dwellin the high den of the strongrock. And then, what follows inthe same prophet? His water isfaithful; ye shall see the king

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with glory, and your soul shall

learn the fear of the Lord.

7 And again he saith in anotherprophet: He that does thesethings; I shall be like a treeplanted by the currents of water,which shall give its fruit in itsseason. Its leaf also shall notwither, and whatsoever he dothit shall prosper.

8 As for the wicked it is notso with them; but they are as the

dust which the wind scatterethaway from the face of the earth.

9 Therefore the ungodly shallnot stand in the judgment, neitherthe sinners in the council of therighteous. For the Lord knoweththe way of the righteous, and theway of the ungodly shall perish.

10 Consider how he has joinedboth the cross and the water

together.

11 For this he saith: Blessedare they who put their trust in thecross, and descend into the water;for they shall have their reward indue time: then, saith he, will Igive it them.

12 But as concerning the presenttime, he saith, their leaves shallnot fall: meaning thereby, thatevery word that shall go out ofyour mouth, shall through faithand charity be to the conversionand hope of many.

13 In like manner doth anotherprophet speak. And the land ofJacob was the praise of all theearth; magnifying thereby thevessel of his spirit.

14 And what follows?And

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there was a river running on the

right hand, and beautiful treesgrew up by it; and he that shalleat of them shall live for ever.The signification of which is thisthat we go down into the waterfull of sins and pollutions, butcome up again, bringing forthfruit; having in our hearts thefear and hope which is in Jesus,by the spirit. And whosoevershall eat of them shall live forever.

15 That is, whosoever shallhearken to those who call them, andshall believe, shall live for ever.

CHAPTER XI.

The subject continued.

IN like manner he determines

concerning the cross in anotherprophet, saying: And when shallthese things be fulfilled?

2 The Lord answers: When thetree that is fallen shall rise, andwhen blood shall drop down fromthe tree. Here you have againmention made, both of the cross,and of him that was to be crucifiedupon it.

3 And yet farther he saith byMoses; (when Israel was fightingwith, and beaten by, a strangepeople; to the end that God mightput them in mind how that fortheir sins they were delivered untodeath) yea, the holy spirit put itinto the heart of Moses, to representboth the sign of the cross, and ofhim that was to suffer: that sothey might know that if they did

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not believe in him, they should be

overcome for ever.

4 Moses therefore I piled uparmour upon armour in the middleof a rising ground, and standingup high above all of them, stretchedforth his arms, and so Israel againconquered.

5 But no sooner did he let downhis hands, but they were againslain. And why so?To the endthey might know, that except they

trust in him they cannot be saved.

6 And in another prophet, hesaith, I have stretched out myhands all the day long to a peopledisobedient, and speaking againstmy righteous way.

7 And again Moses makes atype of Jesus, to show that he wasto die, and then that he, whomthey thought to be dead, was to

give life to others; in the typeof those that fell in Israel.

8 For God caused all sorts ofserpents to bite them, and theydied: forasmuch as by a serpenttransgression began in Eve; thatso he might convince them thatfor their transgressions they shallbe delivered into the pain of death.

9 Moses then himself, who hadcommanded them, saying, Ye shallnot make to yourselves any gravenor molten image, to be your Godyet now did so himself, that hemight represent to them the figureof the Lord Jesus.

10 For he made a brazenserpent, and set it up on high,and called the people togetherby a proclamation: where being come,they entreated Moses that he would

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make an atonement for them, and

pray that they might be healed.

11 Then Moses spake unto them,saying: when any one among youshall be bitten, let him come untothe serpent that is set upon thepole; and let him assuredly trustin him, that though he be dead,yet he is able to give life, andpresently he shall be saved; and sothey did. See therefore how herealso you have in this the glory ofJesus; and that in him and to

him are all things.

12 Again; What says Moses toJoshua, the Son of Nun, when hegave that name unto him, as beinga prophet, that all the people mighthear him alone? Because thefather did manifest all thingsconcerning his son Jesus, in Joshua,the Son of Nun; and gave himthat name when he sent him to spyout the land of Canaan, saying;

Take a book in thine hands,and write what the Lord saith.Forasmuch as Jesus the Son of Godshall in the last days cut off by theroots all the house of Amalek, seehere again Jesus, not the son ofman, but the Son of God, mademanifest in a type, and in the flesh.

13 But because it might hereafterbe said that Christ was theSon of David; therefore Davidfearing and well knowing the errorsof the wicked, saith; the Lordsaid unto my Lord, sit thou on myright hand until I make thineenemies thy footstool.

14 And again Isaiah speakethon this wise, The Lord said untoChrist my Lord, I have laid holdon his right hand, that the nationsshould obey before him, and I willbreak the strength of kings.

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15 Behold, how doth David andIsaiah call him Lord, and the Sonof God.

CHAPTER XII.

The Promise of God not made to the Jews only,but to the Gentiles also, and fulfilled to us by Jesus Christ.

BUT let us go yet further, and

inquire whether this people bethe heir, or the former; andwhether the covenant be with usor with them.

2 And first, as concerningthe people, hear now what theScripture saith:

3 Isaac prayed for his wifeRebekah, because she was barren;and she conceived. Afterwards

Rebekah went forth to inquireof the Lord.

4 And the Lord said unto her;There are two nations in thy womb,and two people shall come fromthy body; and the one shall havepower over the other, and thegreater shall serve the lesser.Understand here who was Isaac;who Rebekah; and of whom it wasforetold, this people shall begreater than that.

5 And in another prophecy Jacobspeaketh more clearly to hisson Joseph, saying; Behold theLord hath not derived me of seeingthy face, bring me thy sons thatI may bless them. And he broughtunto his father Manasseh andEphraim, desiring that he shouldbless Manasseh, because he was

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the elder.

6 Therefore Joseph brought himto the right hand of his fatherJacob. But Jacob by the spiritforesaw the figure of the peoplethat was to come.

7 And what saith the Scripture?And Jacob crossed his hands, andput his right hand upon Ephraim,his second, and the younger son,and blessed him. And Joseph saidunto Jacob; Put thy right hand

upon the head of Manasseh, for heis my first-born son. And Jacobsaid unto Joseph; I know it, myson, I know it; but the greatershall serve the lesser; though healso shall be blessed.

8 Ye see of whom he appointedit, that they should be the firstpeople, and heirs of the covenant.

9 If therefore God shall have

yet farther taken notice of this,by Abraham too; our understandingof it will then be perfectlyestablished.

10 What then saith the Scriptureof Abraham, when I he believed,and it was imputed unto him forrighteousness? Behold I have madethee a father of the nations,which without circumcision believein the Lord.

11 Let us therefore now inquirewhether God has fulfilled thecovenant, which he sware to ourfathers, that he would give thispeople? Yes, verily, he gave it;but they were not worthy to receiveit by reason of their sins.

12 For thus saith the prophetAnd Moses continued fasting inmount Sinai, to receive the covenant

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of the Lord with the people, forty

days and forty nights.

13 And he received of the Lordtwo tables written with the fingerof the Lords hand, in the Spirit.And Moses, when he had receivedthem, brought them down that hemight deliver them to the people.

14 And the Lord said untoMoses; Moses, Moses, get theedown quickly, for the people whichthou broughtest out of the land of

Egypt have done wickedly.

15 And Moses understood thatthey had again set up a moltenimage: and he cast the two tablesout of his hands; and the tablesof the covenant of the Lord werebroken. Moses therefore receivedthem, but they were not worthy.

16 Now then learn how we havereceived them. Moses, being a

servant, took them; but the Lordhimself has given them unto us,that we might be the people of hisinheritance; having suffered forus.

17 He was therefore mademanifest; that they should fillup the measure of their sins,and that we being made heirs byhim, should receive the covenantof the Lord Jesus.

18 And again the prophet saithBehold, I have set thee for a lightunto the Gentiles; to be the saviourof all the ends of the earth, saiththe Lord; the God who hath re-deemedthee.

19 Who for that very endwas prepared, that by his ownappearing he might redeem ourhearts, already devoured by

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death, and delivered over to

the irregularity of error,from darkness; and establisha covenant with us by his word.

20 For so it is written that thefather commanded him by deliveringus from darkness, to prepare untohimself a holy people.

21 Wherefore the prophet saithI the Lord thy God have calledthee in righteousness, and I willtake thee by thy hand, and will

strengthen thee, and give theefor a covenant of the people; for alight to the Gentiles. To open theeyes of the blind, to bring out theprisoners from the prison, and themthat sit in darkness out of theprison house.

22 Consider, therefore, fromwhence we have been redeemed.And again the prophet saithThe spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he hath anointed me: hehath sent me to preach glad tidingsto the lowly; to heal the broken inheart; to preach remission to thecaptives, and give sight unto theblind; to proclaim the acceptableyear of the Lord, and the day ofrestitution; to comfort all thatmourn.

CHAPTER XII I.

That the sabbath of the Jews was but a figureof a more glorious sabbath to come, and theirtemple, of the spiritual temples of God.

FURTHERMORE it is writtenconcerning the sabbath, in theTen Commandments, which Godspake in the mount Sinai to Moses,

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face to face: Sanctify the sabbath

of the Lord with pure hands, andwith a clean heart.

2 And elsewhere he saith;If thy children shall keep mySabbaths, then will I put mymercy upon them.

3 And even in the beginning ofthe creation he makes mention ofthe sabbath. And God made insix days the works of his hands,and he finished them on the seventh

day; and he rested the seventhday, and sanctified it.

4 Consider, my children, whatthat signifies, he finished themin six days. The meaning of it isthis: that in six thousand yearsthe Lord God will bring all thingsto an end.

5 For with him one day isa thousand years; as himself

testifieth, saying, Behold thisday shall be as a thousand years.Therefore, children, in six days,that is, in six thousand years,shall a all things be accomplished.

6 And what is that he saith,And he rested the seventh dayhe meaneth this: that whenhis Son shall come, and abolishthe season of the Wicked One,and judge the ungodly; and shallchange the sun and the moon, andthe stars; then he shall gloriouslyrest on that seventh day,

7 He adds, lastly: Thou shaltsanctify it with clean hands anda pure heart. Wherefore we aregreatly deceived if we imaginethat anyone can now sanctify thatday which God has made holy,without having a heart pure inall things.

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8 Behold, therefore, he will thentruly sanctify it with blessed rest,when we (having received therighteous promise, when iniquityshall be no more, all things beingrenewed by the Lord) shall be ableto sanctify it, being ourselves firstmade holy;

9 Lastly, he saith unto themYour new moons and your SabbathsI cannot bear them. Considerwhat he means by it; the

Sabbaths, says he, which ye nowkeep are not acceptable unto me,but those which I have made;when resting from all things Ishall begin the eight day, that is,the beginning of the other world.

10 For which cause we observethe eight day with gladness, inwhich Jesus rose from the dead;and having manifested himself tohis disciples, ascended into heaven.

11 It remains yet that Ispeak to you concerning the temple:how those miserable men beingdeceived have put their trustin the house, and not in Godhimself who made them, as ifit were the habitation of God.

12 For much after the samemanner as the Gentiles, theyconsecrated him in the temple.

13 But learn therefore howthe Lord speaketh, rendering thetemple vain: Who has measured theheaven with a span, and the earthwith his hand? Is it not I? Thuswith the Lord, Heaven is mythrone, and the earth is myfootstool. What is the housethat ye will build me? Or whatis the place of my rest? Knowtherefore that all their hope

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is vain.

14 And again he speaketh afterthis manner: Behold they thatdestroy this temple, even theyshall again build it up. And soit came to pass; for through theirwars it is now destroyed by theirenemies; and the servants of theirenemies build it up.

15 Furthermore it has beenmade manifest, how both the cityand the temple, and the people of

Israel should be given up. Forthe scripture saith; And it shallcome to pass in the last days, thatthe Lord will deliver up the sheepof his pasture, and their fold, andtheir tower unto destruction. Andit is come to pass, as the Lord hathspoken.

16 Let us inquire therefore,whether there be any temple ofGod? Yes there is: and there

where himself declares that hewould both make and perfect it.For it is written: And it shallbe that as soon as the week shallbe completed, the temple of theLord shall be gloriously built inthe name of the Lord.

17 I find therefore that thereis a temple. But how shall it bebuilt in the name of the Lord? Iwill shew you.

18 Before that we believed inGod, the habitation of our heartwas corruptible, and feeble, as atemple truly built with hands.

19 For it was a house fullof idolatry, a house of devils;inasmuch as there was done in itwhatsoever was contrary unto God.But it shall be built in the nameof the Lord.

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20 Consider, how that thetemple of the Lord shall be verygloriously built; and by whatmeans that shall be, learn.

21 Having received remissionof our sins, and trusting in thename of the Lord, we are becomerenewed, being again created as itwere from the beginning. WhereforeGod truly dwells in our house,that is, in us.

22 But how does he dwell in us?By the word of his faith, the callingof his promise, the wisdom of hisrighteous judgments and the commandsof his doctrine. He himself prophesieswithin us, he himself dwelleth in us,and openeth to us who were in bondageof death the gate of our temple,that is, the mouth of wisdom, havinggiven repentance unto us; and by thismeans has brought us to be anincorruptible temple.

23 He therefore that desires tobe saved looketh not unto theman, but unto him that dwellethin him, and speaketh by him;being struck with wonder,forasmuch as he never eitherheard him speaking such wordsout of his mouth, nor everdesired to hear them.

24 This is that spiritual templethat is built unto the Lord.

CHAPTER XIV.

Of the way of light; being a summary of whata Christian is to do, that he maybe happy for ever.

AND thus I trust, I have

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declared to you as much, and

with as great simplicity as Icould, those, things which providefor your salvation, so as not tohave omitted any thing that mightbe requisite thereunto.

2 For should I speak farther ofthe things that now are, and ofthose that are to come, you wouldnot yet understand them, seeingthey lie in parables. This thereforeshall suffice as to these things.

3 Let us now go on to the otherkind of knowledge and doctrine.There are two ways of doctrineand power; the one of light, theother of darkness.

4 But there is a great deal ofdifference between these two waysfor over one are appointed theangels of God, the leaders ofthe way of light; over the other,the angels of Satan. And the one

is the Lord from everlasting toeverlasting; the other is theprince of the time ofunrighteousness.

5 Now the way of light is this:If any one desires to attain to theplace that is appointed for him,and will hasten thither by hisworks. And the knowledge thathas been given to us for walkingin it, to this effect: Thou shaltlove him that made thee: thoushalt glorify him that hathredeemed thee from death.

6 Thou shalt be simple in heart,and rich in the spirit. Thou shaltnot cleave to those that walk inthe way of death. Thou shalt hateto do anything that is not pleasingunto God. Thou shalt abhor alldissimulation. Thou shalt notneglect any of the commands of

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the Lord.

7 Thou shalt not exalt thyself,but shalt be humble. Then shaltnot take honour to thyself. Thoushalt not enter into any wickedcounsel against thy neighbour.Thou shalt not be over confidentin thy heart.

8 Thou shaft not commitfornication, nor adultery.Neither shalt thou corruptthyself with mankind. Thou

shalt not make use of theword of God, to any impurity,

9 Thou shalt not except anymans person, when thou reprovestany ones faults. Thou shalt begentle. Thou shalt be quiet.Thou shalt tremble at the wordswhich thou hast heard. Thoushalt not keep any hatred in thyheart against thy brother. Thoushalt not entertain any doubt

whether it shall be or not.

10 Thou shalt not take the nameof the Lord in vain. Thou shaltlove thy neighbour above thy ownsoul,

11 Thou shalt not destroy thyconceptions, before they arebrought forth; nor kill themafter they are born.

12 Thou shalt not withdraw thyhand from thy son, or from thydaughter; but shall teach themfrom their youth the fear of theLord.

13 Thou shalt not covet thyneighbours goods; neither shaltthou be an extortioner. Neithershall thy heart be joined to proudmen; but thou shalt be numberedamong the righteous and the

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lowly. Whatever events shall

happen unto thee, thou shaltreceive them as good.

14 Thou shalt not be double-minded or double-tongued; for adouble tongue is the snare of death.Thou shalt be subject unto theLord and to inferior masters as tothe representatives of God, in fearand reverence.

15 Thou shalt not be bitter inthy commands towards any of thy

servants that trust in God; lestthou chance not to fear him whois over both; because he came notto call any with respect of persons,but whomsoever the spirit hadprepared.

16 Thou shalt communicate tothy neighbour of all thou hast;thou shalt not call anythingthine own: for if ye partake ofsuch things as are incorruptible,

how much more should you do itin those that are corruptible?

17 Thou shalt not be forward tospeak; for the mouth is the snareof death. Strive for thy soul withall thy might. Reach not outthine hand to receive, andwithhold it not when thoushouldest give.

18 Thou shalt love, as the appleof thine eye, everyone that speakethunto thee the Word of the Lord.Call to thy remembrance, day andnight, the future judgment.

19 Thou shalt seek out everyday, the persons of the righteous;and both consider and go about toexhort others by the word, andmeditate how thou mayest save asoul.

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20 Thou shaft also labour with

thy hands to give to the poor,that thy sins may be forgiven thee,Thou shalt not deliberate whetherthou shouldst give; nor havinggiven, murmur at it.

21 Give to everyone that asksso shalt thou know who is the goodrewarder of thy gifts.

22 Keep what thou hast received;thou shalt neither add to it nortake from it.

23 Let the wicked be alwaysthy aversion. Thou shalt judgewith righteous judgment. Thoushalt never cause divisions; butshalt make peace between thosethat are at variance, and bringthem together.

24 Thou shalt confess thy sins;and not come to thy prayer withan evil conscience.

25 This is the way of light.

CHAPTER XV.

Of the way of darkness; that is, what kind of personsshall be for ever cast out of the kingdom of God.

BUT the way of darkness iscrooked, and full of cursing.For it is the way of eternal death,with punishment; in which theythat walk meet those things thatdestroy their own souls.

2 Such are; idolatry, confidence,pride of power, hypocrisy, double-mindedness, adultery, murder, rapine,pride, transgression, deceit, malice,arrogance, witchcraft, covetousness,

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and the want of the fear of God.

3 In this, walk those, who arethe persecutors of them that aregood; haters of truth; lovers oflies; who know not the reward ofrighteousness, nor cleave to anything that is good.

4 Who administer not righteousjudgment to the widow and orphan;who watch for wickedness, and notfor the fear of the Lord;

5 From whom gentleness andpatience are far off: who lovevanity, and follow after rewards;having no compassion upon thepoor; nor take any pains for suchas are heavy laden and oppressed.

6 Ready to evil speaking,not knowing him that made them;murderers of children; corruptersof the creature of God; that turnaway from the needy; oppress the

afflicted; are the advocates of therich, but unjust judges of the poor;being altogether sinners.

7 It is therefore fittingthat learning the just commandsof the Lord, which we have beforementioned, we should walk in them.For he who does such things shallbe glorified in the kingdom of Hod.

8 But he that chooses the otherpart, shall be destroyed, togetherwith his works. For this causethere shall be both a resurrection,and a retribution.

9 I beseech those that are inhigh estate among you, (if so beyou will take the counsel whichwith a good intention I offer toyou,) you have those with youtowards whom you may do good;do not forsake them.

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10 For the day is at hand inwhich all things shall be destroyed,together with the wicked one.The Lord is near, and his rewardis with him.

11 I beseech you, therefore,again, and again, Be as goodlawgivers to one Another; continuefaithful counsellors do each otherremove from among you all hypocrisy.

12 And may God, the Lord

of all the world, give youwisdom, knowledge, counsel,and understanding of hisjudgments in patience:

13 Be ye taught of God;seeking what it is the Lordrequires of you, and doing it;that ye may be saved in theday of judgment.

14 And if there be among you

any remembrance of what is good,think of me; meditating on thesethings, that both my desire andmy watching for you may turn toa good account.

15 I beseech you; I ask it as afavour of you; whilst you are inthis beautiful tabernacle of thebody, be wanting in none of thesethings; but without ceasing seekthem, and fulfil every command,For these things are fitting andworthy to be done.

16 Wherefore I have given themore diligence to write unto youaccording to my ability, that youmight rejoice. Farewell, childrenof love and peace.

17 The Lord of glory and ofall grace, be with your spirit,Amen.

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[The end of the Epistle of Barnabasthe Apostle, and fellow-travellerof St. Paul the Apostle.]

REFERENCES TO THE GENERAL EPISTLE OF BARNABAS.

[Barnabas was a companion and fellow-preacher with Paul. This Epistlelays a greater claim to canonical authority than most others. It has beencited by Clemens, Alexandrinus, Origen, Eusebius, and Jerome, and manyancient Fathers. Cotelerius affirms that Origen and Jerome esteemed itgenuine and canonical; but Cotelerius himself did not believe it to beeither one or the other; on the contrary, he supposes it was written forthe benefit of the Ebionites, (the christianized Jews,) who were

tenacious of rites and ceremonies. Bishop Fell feared to own expresslywhat he seemed to be persuaded of, that it ought to be treated with thesame respect as several of the books of the present canon. Dr. Bernard,Savilian professor at Oxford, not only believed it to be genuine, butthat it was read throughout in the churches of Alexandria, as thecanonical Scriptures were. Dodwell supposed it to have been publishedbefore the Epistle of Jude, and the writings of both the Johns. Vossius,Dupuis, Dr. Cane, Dr. Mill, Dr, S. Clark, Whitson, and Archbishop Wakealso esteemed it genuine: Menardus, Archbishop Land, Spanheim, and othersdeemed it apocryphal.]

forbidden gospels and episrles

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