Church Fathers: Nicene Fathers Vol 05: 15.14.17 Treatise XII Against Jews Part 5

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Church Fathers: Nicene Fathers Vol 05: 15.14.17 Treatise XII Against Jews Part 5



TOPIC: Nicene Fathers Vol 05 (Other Topics in this Collection)
SUBJECT: 15.14.17 Treatise XII Against Jews Part 5

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55. That we must not please men, but God.

In the fifty-second Psalm: "They that please men are confounded, because God hath made them nothing."hyperlink Also in the Epistle of Paul to the Galatians: "If I wished to please men, I should not be the servant of Christ."hyperlink

56. That nothing that is done is hidden from God.

In the Wisdom of Solomon: "In every place the eyes of God look upon the good and evil."hyperlink Also in Jeremiah: "I am a God at hand, and not a God afar off. If a man should be hidden in the secret place, shall I not therefore see him? Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord."hyperlink Also in the first of Kings: "Man looketh on the face, but God on the heart."hyperlink Also in the Apocalypse: "And all the churches shall know that I am the searcher of the reins and heart; and I will give to every one of you according to his works."hyperlink Also in the eighteenth Psalm: "Who understands his faults? Cleanse Thou me from my secret sins, O Lord."hyperlink Also in the second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians: "We must all be manifested before the tribunal of Christ, that every one may bear again the things which belong to his own body, according to what he hath done, whether good or evil."hyperlink

57. That the believer is amended and reserved.

In the cxviith Psalm: "The Lord amending hath amended me, and hath not delivered me to death."hyperlink Also in the eighty-eighth Psalm: "I will visit their transgressions with a rod, and their sins with scourges. But my mercy will I not scatter away from them."hyperlink Also in Malachi: "And He shall sit melting and purifying, as it were, gold and silver; and He shall purify the sons of Levi."hyperlink Also in the Gospel: "Thou shalt not go out thence until thou pay the uttermost farthing."hyperlink

58. That no one should be made sad by death; since in living is labour and peril, in dying peace and the certainty of resurrection.

In Genesis: "Then said the Lord to Adam, Because thou hast hearkened to the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of that tree of which alone I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat, cursed shall be the ground in all thy works; in sadness and groaning shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life: thorns and thistles shall it cast forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field in the sweat of thy brow. Thou shall eat thy bread until thou return unto the earth from which also thou wast taken; because earth thou art, and to earth thou shall go."hyperlink Also in the same place: "And Enoch pleased God, and was not found afterwards: because God translated him."hyperlink And in Isaiah: "All flesh is grass, and all the glory of it as the flower of grass. The grass withered, and the flower hath fallen away; but the word of the Lord abideth for ever."hyperlink In Ezekiel: "They say, Our bones are become dry, our hope hath perished: we have expired. Therefore prophesy, and say, Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I open your monuments, and I will bring you forth from your monuments, and I will bring you into the land of Israel; and I will put my Spirit upon you, and ye shall live; and I will place you into your land: and ye shall know that I the Lord have spoken, and will do it, saith the Lord."hyperlink Also in the Wisdom of Solomon: "He was taken away, lest wickedness should change his understanding; for his soul was pleasing to God."hyperlink Also in the eighty-third Psalm: "How belovedhyperlink are thy dwellings, Thou Lord of hosts? My soul desires and hastes to the courts of God."hyperlink And in the Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians: "But we would not that you should be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who sleep, that ye sorrow not as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also them which have fallen asleep in Jesus will God bring with Him."hyperlink Also in the first Epistle to the Corinthians: "Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened except it have first died."hyperlink And again: "Star differeth from star in glory: so also the resurrection. The body is sown in corruption, it rises without corruption; it is sown in ignominy, it rises again in glory; it is sown in weakness, it rises again in power; it is sown an animal body, it rises again a spiritual body."hyperlink And again: "For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal put on immortality. But when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall come to pass the word that is written, Death is absorbed Into striving. Where, O death, is thy sting? Where, O death, is thy striving? "hyperlink Also in the Gospel according to John: "Father, I will that those whom Thou hast given me be with me where I shall be, and may see my glory which Thou hast given me before the foundation of the world."hyperlink Also according to Luke: "Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Lord, according to the word; for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation."hyperlink Also according to John: "If ye loved me, ye would rejoice because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I."hyperlink

59. Of the idols which the Gentiles think to be gods.

In the Wisdom of Solomon: "All the idols of the nations they counted gods, which neither have the use of their eyes for seeing, nor their nostrils to receive breath, nor their ears for hearing, nor the fingers on their hands for handling; but their feet also are slow to walk. For man made them; and he who has borrowed his breath, he fashioned them. But no man will be able to fashion a god like to himself. For since he is mortal, he fashioneth a dead thing with wicked hands. But he himself is better than they whom he worships, since he indeed lived, but they never."hyperlink On this same matter: "Neither have they who have regarded the works known who was the artificer, but have thought that either fire, or wind, or the rapid air, or the circle of the stars, or the abundant water, or the sun and moon, were the gods that rule over the world; and if, on account of the beauty of these, they have thought thus, let them know how much more beautiful than these is the Lord; or if they have admired their powers and operations, let them perceive from these very things that He who has established these mighty things is stronger than they."hyperlink Also in the cxxxivth Psalm: "The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have a mouth, and speak not; they have eyes, and see not; they have ears, and hear not; and neither is there any breath in their mouth. Let them who make them become like unto them, and all those who trust in them."hyperlink Also in the ninety-fifth Psalm: "All the gods of the nations are demons, but the Lord made the heavens."hyperlink Also in Exodus: "Ye shall not make unto yourselves gods of silver nor of gold."hyperlink And again: "Thou shalt not make to thyself an idol, nor the likeness of any thing."hyperlink Also in Jeremiah: "Thus saith the Lord, Walk not according to the ways of the heathen; for they fear those things in their own persons, because the lawful things of the heathen are vain. Wood cut out from the forest is made. the work of the carpenter, and melted silver and gold are beautifully arranged: they strengthen them with hammers and nails, and they shall not be moved, for they are fixed. The silver is brought from Tharsis, the gold comes from Moab. All things are the works of the artificers; they will clothe it with blue and purple; lifting them, they will carry them, because they will not go forward. Be not afraid of them, because they do no evil, neither is there good in them. Say thus, The gods that have not made the heaven and the earth perish from the earth, and from under this heaven. The heaven hath trembled at this, and hath shuddered much more vehemently, saith the Lord. These evil things hath my people done. They have forsaken the fountain of living water, and have dug out for themselves worn-out wells, which could not hold water. Thy love hath smitten thee, and thy wickedness shall accuse thee. And know and see that it shall be a bitter thing for thee that thou hast forsaken me, saith the Lord thy God, and thou hast not hoped in me, saith thy Lord. Because of old time thou hast resented my yoke, and hast broken thy bonds, and hast said, I will not serve, but I will go upon every lofty mountain, and upon every high hill, and upon every shady tree: there I will be confounded with fornication. To the wood and to the stone they have said, Thou art my father; and to the stone, Thou hast begotten me: and they turned to me their back, and not their face."hyperlink In Isaiah: "The dragon hath fallen or is dissolved; their carved works have become as beasts and cattle. Labouring and hungry, and without strength, ye shall bear them bound upon your neck as a heavy burden."hyperlink And again: "Gathered together, they shall not be able to be saved from war; but they themselves have been led captive with thee."hyperlink And again: "To whom have ye likened me? See and understand that ye err in your heart, who lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, bringing it up to the weight. The workmen have made with their hand the things made; and, bowing themselves, they have adored it, and have raised it on their shoulders: and thus they walked. But if they should place them down, they will abide in their place, and will not be moved; and they will not hear those who cry unto them: they will not save them from evils."hyperlink Also in Jeremiah: "The Lord, who made heaven and earth, in strength hath ordered the world, in His wisdom hath stretched forth the heaven, and the multitude of the waters in the heaven. He hath brought out the clouds from the end of the earth, the lightnings in the clouds; and He hath brought forth the winds from His treasures. Every man is made foolish by his knowledge, every artificer is confounded by his graven images; because he hath molten a falsehood: there is no breath in them. The works shut up in them are made vain; in the time of their consideration they shall perish."hyperlink And in the Apocalypse: "And the sixth angel sounded with his trumpet. And I heard one of the four corners of the golden ark, which is in the presence of God, saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound upon the great river Euphrates. And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, to slay the third part of men; and the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred thousand of thousand: I heard the number of them. And then I saw the horses in the vision, and those that sate upon them, having breastplates of fire, and of hyacinth, and of sulphur: and the heads of the horses (as the heads of lions); and out of their mouth went fire, and smoke, and sulphur. By these three plagues the third part of men was slain, by the fire, and the smoke, and the sulphur which went forth from their mouth, and is in their tails: for their tails were like unto eels; for they had heads, and with them they do mischief. And the rest of the men who were not slain by these plagues, nor repented of the works of the deeds of their hands, that they should not worship demons and idols, that is, images of gold, and of silver, and of brass, and of stone, and of wood, which can neither see nor walk, repented not also of their, murders."hyperlink Also in the same place: "And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and hath received his mark in his forehead or upon his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of His wrath, and shall be punished with fire and sulphur, under the eyes of the holy angels, and under the eyes of the Lamb; and the smoke of their torments shall ascend up for ever and ever."hyperlink

60. That too great lust of food is not to be desired.

In Isaiah: "Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we shall die. This sin shall not be remitted to you even until ye die."hyperlink Also in Exodus: "And the people sate down to eat and drink, and rose up to play."hyperlink Paul, in the first to the Corinthians: "Meat commendeth us not to God; neither if we eat shall we abound, nor if we eat not shall we want."hyperlink . And again: "When ye come together to eat, wait one for another. If any is hungry, let him eat at home, that ye may not come together for judgment."hyperlink Also to the Romans: "The kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."hyperlink In the Gospel according to John: "I have meat which ye know not of. My meat is, that I should do His will who sent me, and should finish His work."hyperlink

61. That the lust of possessing, and money, are not to be sought for.

In Solomon, in Ecclesiasticus: "He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver."hyperlink Also in Proverbs: "He who holdeth back the corn is cursed among the people; but blessing is on the head of him that communicateth it."hyperlink Also in Isaiah: "Woe unto them who join house to house, and lay field to field, that they may take away something from their neighbour. Will ye dwell alone upon the earth?hyperlink Also in Zephaniah: "They shall build houses, and shall not dwell in them; and they shall appoint vineyards, and shall not drink the wine of them, because the day of the Lord is near."hyperlink Also in the Gospel according to Luke: "For what does it profit a man to make a gain of the whole world, but that he should lose himself? "hyperlink And again: "But the Lord said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul is required of thee. Whose, then, shall those things be which thou hast provided? "hyperlink And again: "Remember that thou hast received thy good things in this life. and likewise Lazarus evil things. But now he is besought, and thou grievest."hyperlink And in the Acts of the Apostles: "But Peter said unto him, Silver and gold indeed I have not; but what I have I give unto you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk. And, taking hold of his right hand, he lifted him up."hyperlink Also in the first to Timothy: "We brought nothing into this world, but neither can we take anything away. Therefore, having maintenance and clothing, let us with these be content. But they who will become rich fall into temptation and a snare, and many and hurtful lusts, which drown man in perdition and destruction. For the root of all evils is covetousness, which some coveting, have made shipwreck from the faith, and have plunged themselves in many sorrows."hyperlink

62. That marriage is not to be contracted with Gentiles.

In Tobias: "Take a wife from the seed of thy parents, and take not a strange woman who is not of the tribe of thy parents."hyperlink Also in Genesis, Abraham sends his servant to take from his seed Rebecca, for his son Isaac. Also in Esdras, it was not sufficient for God when the Jews were laid waste, unless they forsook their foreign wives, with the children also whom they had begotten of them. Also in the first Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians: "The woman is bound so long as her husband liveth; but if he die, she is freed to marry whom she will, only in the Lord. But she will be happier if she abide thus."hyperlink And again: "Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? Shall I take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? Far be it from me. Or know ye not that he who is joined together with an harlot is one body? for two shall be in one flesh. But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit."hyperlink Also in the second to the Corinthians: "Be not joined together with unbelievers. For what participation is there between righteousness and unrighteousness? or what communication hath light with darkness? "hyperlink Also concerning Solomon in the third book of Kings: "And foreign wives turned away his heart after their gods."hyperlink

63. That the sin of fornication is grievous.

In the first Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians: "Every sin whatsoever a man doeth is outside the body; but he who committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. Ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a great price. Glorify and bear the Lord in your body."hyperlink

64. What are those carnal things which beget death, and what are the spiritual things which lead to life.

Paul to the Galatians: "The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: for these are contrary the one to the other, that ye cannot do even those things which ye wish. But the deeds of the flesh are manifest, which are: adulteries, fornications, impurities, filthiness, idolatries, sorceries, murders, hatreds, strifes, emulations, animosities, provocations, hatreds, dissensions, heresies, envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: with respect to which I declare, that they who do such things shall not possess the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is charity, joy, peace, magnanimity, goodness, faith, gentleness, continency, chastity. For they who are Christ's have crucified their flesh, with its vices and lusts."hyperlink

65. That all sins are put away in baptism.

In the first Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians: "Neither fornicators, nor those who serve idols, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor the lusters after mankind, nor thieves, nor cheaters, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor robbers, shall obtain the kingdom of God. And these things indeed ye were: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God."hyperlink

66. That the discipline of God is to be observed in Church precepts.

In Jeremiah: "And I will give to you shepherds according to my own heart; and they shall feed the sheep, feeding them with discipline."hyperlink Also in Solomon, in the Proverbs: "My son neglect not the discipline of God, nor fail when rebuked by Him. For whom God loveth, He rebuketh."hyperlink Also in the second Psalm: "Keep discipline, lest perchance the Lord should be angry, and ye perish from the right way, when His anger shall burn up quickly against you. Blessed are all they who trust in Him."hyperlink Also in the forty-ninth Psalm: "But to the sinner saith God, For what dost thou set forth my judgments, and takest my covenant into thy mouth? But thou hatest discipline, and hast cast my words behind thee."hyperlink Also in the Wisdom of Solomon: "He who casteth away discipline is miserable."hyperlink ]

67. That it was foretold that men should despise sound discipline.

Paul, in the second to Timothy: "There will be a time when they will not endure sound doctrine; but according to their own lusts will heap to themselves teachers itching in hearing, tickling their ears; and shall turn away their hearing indeed from the truth, but they shall be converted unto fables."hyperlink ]

68. That we must depart from him who lives irregularly and contrary to discipline.

Paul to the Thessalonians: "But we have commanded you, in the name of Jesus Christ, that ye depart from all brethren who walk disorderly, and not according to the tradition which they have received from us."hyperlink Also in the forty-ninth Psalm: "If thou sawest a thief, at once thou rannest with him, and placedst thy portion with the adulterers."hyperlink ]

69. That the kingdom of God is not in the wisdom of the world, nor in eloquence, but in the faith of the cross, and in virtue of conversation.

In the first Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians: "Christ sent me to preach, not in wisdom of discourse, lest the cross of Christ should become of no effect. For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who perish; but to those who are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will reprove the prudence of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? Since indeed, in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. Because the Jews desire signs, and the Greeks seek for wisdom: but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews indeed a stumbling-block, and to the Gentiles foolishness; but to them that are called, Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God."hyperlink And again "Let no man deceive himself. If any man think that he is wise among you, let him become a fool to this world, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, Thou shall rebuke the wise in their own craftiness."hyperlink And again: "The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are foolish."hyperlink

70. That we must obey parents.

In the Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians: "Children, be obedient to your parents: for this is right. Honour thy father and thy mother (which is the first command with promise), that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest be long-lived on the earth."hyperlink

71. And that fathers also should not be harsh in respect of their children.

Also in the same place: "And, ye fathers, drive not your children to wrath: but nourish them in the discipline and rebuke of the Lord."hyperlink

72. That servants, when they have believed, ought to serve their carnal masters the better.

In the Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians: "Servants, obey your fleshly masters with fear and trembling, and ill simplicity of your heart. as to Christ; not serving for the eye, as if you were pleasing men; but as servants of God."hyperlink

73. Moreover, that masters should be the more gentle.

Also in the same place: "And, ye masters, do the same things to them, forbearing anger: knowing that both your Master and theirs is in heaven; and there is no choice of persons with Him."hyperlink

74. That all widows that are approved are to be held in honour.

In the first Epistle of Paul to Timothy: "Honour widows which are truly widows. But the widow that is wanton, is dead while she liveth."hyperlink And again: "But the younger widows pass by: for when they shall be wanton in Christ, they wish to marry; having judgment, because they have cast off their first faith."hyperlink

75. That every person ought to have care rather of his own people, and especially of believers.

The apostle in his first Epistle to Timothy: "But if any take not care of his own, and especially of those of his own household, he denies the faith, and is worse than an infidel."hyperlink Of this same thing in Isaiah: "If thou shalt see the naked, clothe him; and despise not those who are of the household of thine own seed."hyperlink Of which members of the household it is said in the Gospel: "If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much rather them of his household!"hyperlink

76. That an elder must not be rashly accused.

In the first to Timothy: "Against an eider receive not all accusation."hyperlink

77. That the sinner must be publicly reproved.

In the first Epistle of Paul to Timothy: "Rebuke them that sin in the presence of all, that others also may be afraid."hyperlink

78. That we must not speak with heretics.

To Titus: "A man that is an heretic, after one rebuke avoid; knowing that one of such sort is perverted, and sinneth, and is by his own self condemned."hyperlink Of this same thing in the Epistle of John: "They went out from among us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would doubtless have remained with us."hyperlink Also in the second to Timothy: "Their word doth creep as a canker."hyperlink

79. That innocency asks with confidence, and obtains.

In the Epistle of John: "If our heart blame us not, we have confidence towards God; and whatever we ask, we shall receive from Him."hyperlink Also in the Gospel according to Matthew: "Blessed are they of a pure heart, for they shall see God."hyperlink Also in the twenty-third Psalm: "Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in His holy place? The innocent in hands and of a pure heart."hyperlink

80. That the devil has no power against man unless God have allowed it.

In the Gospel according to John: "Jesus said, Thou couldest have no power against me, unless it were given thee from above."hyperlink Also in the third of Kings: "And God stirred up Satan against Solomon himself."hyperlink Also in Job, first of all God permitted, and then it was allowed to the devil; and in the Gospel, the Lord first permitted, by saying to Judas, "What thou doest, do quickly."hyperlink Also in Solomon, in the Proverbs: "The heart of the king is in God's hand."hyperlink

81. That wages be quickly paid to the hireling.

In Leviticus: "The wages of thy hireling shall not sleep with thee until the morning."hyperlink

82. That divination must not be used.

In Deuteronomy: "Do not use omens nor auguries."hyperlink

83. That a tuft of hair is not to be worn on the head.

In Leviticus: "Ye shall not make a tuft from the hair of your head."hyperlink

84. That the beard must not be plucked.

"Ye shall not deface the figure of your beard."hyperlink

85. That we must rise when a bishop or a presbyter comes.

In Leviticus: "Thou shalt rise up before the face of the elder, and shall honour the person of the presbyter."hyperlink

86. That a schism must not be made, even although he who withdraws should remain in one faith, and in the same tradition.

In Ecclesiasticus, in Solomon: "He that cleaveth firewood shall be endangered by it if the iron shall fall off."hyperlink Also in Exodus: "In one house shall it be eaten: ye shall not cast forth the flesh abroad out of the house."hyperlink Also in the cxxxiid Psalm: "Behold how good and how pleasant a thing it is that brethren should dwell in unity!"hyperlink Also in the Gospel according to Matthew: "He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth."hyperlink Also in the first Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians: "But I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all say the same thing, and that there be no schisms among you; but that ye be all joined together in the same mind and in the same opinion."hyperlink Also in the sixty-seventh Psalm: "God, who maketh men to dwell with one mind in a house."hyperlink

87. That believers ought to be simple, with prudence.

In the Gospel according to Matthew: "Be ye prudent as serpents, and simple as doves."hyperlink And again: "Ye are the salt of the earth. But if the salt have lost his savour, in what shall it be salted? It is good for nothing, but to be cast out abroad, and to be trodden under foot of men."hyperlink

88. That a brother must not be deceived.

In the first Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians: "That a man do not deceive his brother in a matter, because God is the avenger for all these."hyperlink

89. That the end of the world comes suddenly.

The apostle says: "The day of the Lord shall so come as a thief in the night. When they shall say, Peace and security, then on them shall come sudden destruction."hyperlink Also in the Acts of the Apostles: "No one can know the times or the seasons which the Father has placed in His own power."hyperlink

90. That a wife must not depart from her husband; or if she should depart, she must remain unmarried.

In the first Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians: "But to them that are married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, that the wife should not be separated from her husband; but if she should depart, that she remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband: and that the husband should not put away his wife."hyperlink

91. That every one is tempted so much as he is able to bear.

In the first Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians: "No temptation shall take you, except such is human. But God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."hyperlink

92. That not everything is to be done which is lawful.

Paul, in the first Epistle to the Corinthians: "All things are lawful, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful, but all things edify not."hyperlink

93. That it was foretold that heresies would arise.

In the first epistle of Paul to the Corinthians: "Heresies must needs be, in order that they which are approved may be made manifest among you."hyperlink

94. That the Eucharist is to be received with fear and honour.hyperlink

In Leviticus: "But whatever soul shall eat of the flesh of the sacrifice of salvation, which is the Lord's, and his uncleanness is still upon him, that soul shall perish from his people."hyperlink Also in the first to the Corinthians: "Whosoever shall eat the bread or drink the cup of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord."hyperlink

95. That we are to live with the good, but to avoid the evil.

In Solomon, in the Proverbs: "Bring not the impious man into the habitation of the righteous."hyperlink Also in the same, in Ecclesiasticus: "Let righteous men be thy guests."hyperlink And again: "The faithful friend is a medicine of life and of immortality."hyperlink Also in the same place: "Be thou far from the man who has the power to slay, and thou shalt not suspect fear."hyperlink Also in the same place, : "Blessed is he who findeth a true friend, and who speaketh righteousness to the listening ear."hyperlink Also in the same place: "Hedge thine ears with thorns, and hear not a wicked tongue."hyperlink Also in the seventeenth Psalm: "With the righteous Thou shalt be justified; and with the innocent man Thou shalt be innocent; and with the froward man Thou shalt be froward."hyperlink Also in the first Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians: "Evil communications corrupt good dispositions."hyperlink

96. That we must labour not with words, but with deeds.

In Solomon, in Ecclesiasticus: "Be not hasty in thy tongue, and in thy deeds useless and remiss."hyperlink And Paul, in the first to the Corinthians: "The kingdom of God is not in word, but in power."hyperlink Also to the Romans: "Not the hearers of the law are righteous before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified."hyperlink Also in the Gospel according to Matthew: "He who shall do and teach so, shall be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven."hyperlink Also in the same place: "Every one who heareth my words, and doeth them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house upon a rock. The rain descended, the floods came, the winds blew, and beat upon that house, and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one who heareth my words, and doeth them not, I will liken him to the foolish man, who built his house upon the sand. The rain descended, the floods came, the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and its ruin became great."hyperlink

97. That we must hasten to faith and to attainment.

In Solomon, in Ecclesiasticus: "Delay not to be converted to God, and do not put off from day to day; for His anger cometh suddenly."hyperlink

98. That the catechumen ought now no longer to sin.hyperlink

In the Epistle of Paul to the Romans: "Let us do evil until the good things come; whose condemnation is just."hyperlink

99. That judgment will be according to the times, either of equity before the law, or of law after Moses.

Paul to the Romans: "As many as have sinned without law, shall perish without law; and as many as have sinned in the law, shall be judged also by the law."hyperlink

100. That the grace of God ought to be without price.

In the Acts of the Apostles: "Thy money be in perdition with thyself, because thou hast thought that the grace of God is possessed by money."hyperlink Also in the Gospel: "Freely ye have received, freely give."hyperlink Also in the same place: "Ye have made my Father's house a house of merchandise; and ye have made the house of prayer a den of thieves."hyperlink Also in Isaiah: "Ye who thirst, go to the water, and as many as have not money: go, and buy, and drink without money."hyperlink Also in the Apocalypse: "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to him that thirsteth from the fountain of the water of life freely. He who shall overcome shall possess these things, and their inheritance; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son."hyperlink

101. That the Holy Spirit has frequently appeared in fire.

In Exodus: "And the whole of Mount Sinai smoked, because God had come down upon it in fire."hyperlink Also in the Acts of the Apostles"And suddenly there was made a sound from heaven, as if a vehement blast were borne along, and it filled the whole of that place in which they were sitting. And there appeared to them cloven tongues as if of fire, which also settled upon each of them; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost."hyperlink Also in the sacrifices, whatsoever God accounted accepted, fire descended from heaven, which consumed what was sacrificed. In Exodus: "The angel of the Lord appeared in a flame of fire from the bush."hyperlink

102. That all good men ought willingly to hear rebuke.

In Solomon, in the Proverbs: "He who reproveth a wicked man shall be hated by him. Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you."hyperlink

103. That we must abstain from much speaking.

In Solomon: "Out of much speaking thou shall not escape sin; but sparing thy lips, thou shalt be wise."hyperlink

104. That we must not lie.

"Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord."hyperlink

105. That they are frequently to be corrected who do wrong in domestic duty.

In Solomon: "He who spareth the rod, hateth his son."hyperlink And again: "Do not cease from correcting the child."hyperlink

106. That when a wrong is received, patience is to be maintained, and vengeance to be left to God.

Say not, I will avenge me of mine enemy; but wait for the Lord, that He may be thy help."hyperlink Also elsewhere: "To me belongeth vengeance; I will repay, saith the Lord."hyperlink Also in Zephaniah: "Wait on me, saith the Lord, in the day of my rising again to witness; because my judgment is to the congregations of the Gentiles, that I may take kings, and pour out upon them my anger."hyperlink

107. That we must not use detraction.

In Solomon, in the Proverbs: "Love not to detract, lest thou be taken away."hyperlink Also in the forty-ninth Psalm: "Thou sattest, and spakest against thy brother; and against the son of thy mother thou placedst a stumbling-block."hyperlink Also in the Epistle of Paul to the Colossians:hyperlink "To speak ill of no man, nor to be litigious."hyperlink

108. That we must not lay snares against our neighbour.

In Solomon, in the Proverbs: "He who diggeth a pit for his neighbour, himself shall fall into it."hyperlink

109. That the sick are to be visited.hyperlink

In Solomon, in Ecclesiasticus: "Be not slack to visit the sick man; for from these things thou shall be strengthened in love."hyperlink Also in the Gospel: "I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me."hyperlink

110. That tale-bearers are accursed.

In Ecclesiasticus, in Solomon: "The talebearer and the double-tongued is accursed; for he will disturb many who have peace."hyperlink

111. That the sacrifices of the wicked are not acceptable.

In the same: "The Highest approveth not the gifts of the unrighteous."hyperlink

112. That those are more severely judged, who in this world have had more power.

In Solomon: "The hardest judgment shall be made on those who govern. For to a mean man mercy is granted; but the powerful shall suffer torments mightily."hyperlink Also in the second Psalm "And now, ye kings, understand; be amended, ye who judge the earth."hyperlink

113. That the widow and orphans ought to be protected.

In Solomon: "Be merciful to the orphans as a father, and as a husband to their mother; and thou shalt be the son of the Highest if thou shalt obey."hyperlink Also in Exodus: "Ye shall not afflict any widow and orphan. But if ye afflict them, and they cry out and call unto me, I will hear their cryings, and will be angry in mind against you; and I will destroy you with the sword, and your wives shall be widows, and your children orphans."hyperlink Also in Isaiah: "Judge for the fatherless, and justify the widow; and come let us reason, saith the Lord."hyperlink Also in Job: "have preserved the poor man from the hand of the mighty, and I have helped the fatherless who had no helper: the mouth of the widow hath blessed me."hyperlink Also in the sixty-seventh Psalm: "The Father of the orphans, and the Judge of the widows."hyperlink

114. That one ought to make confession while he is in the flesh.

In the fifth Psalm: "But in the grave who will confess unto Thee? "hyperlink Also in the twenty-ninth Psalm: "Shall the dust make confession to Thee? "hyperlink Also elsewhere that confession is to be made: "I would rather have the repentance of the sinner than his death."hyperlink Also in Jeremiah: "Thus saith the Lord, Shall not he that falleth arise? or shall not he that is turned away be converted? "hyperlink

115. That flattery is pernicious.

In Isaiah: "They who call you blessed, lead you into error, and trouble the paths of your feet."hyperlink

116. That God is more loved by him who has had many sins forgiven in baptism.

In the Gospel according to Luke: "To whom much is forgiven, he loveth much; and to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little."hyperlink

117. That there is a strong conflict to be waged against the devil, and that therefore we ought to stand bravely, that we may be able to conquer.

In the Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians: "Our wrestle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers and princes of this world, and of this darkness; against the spiritual things of wickedness in the heavenly places. Because of this, put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to resist in the most evil day; that when ye have accomplished all, ye may stand, having your loins girt in the truth of the Gospel, putting on the breastplate of righteousness, and having your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace; in all things taking the shield of faith, in which ye may extinguish all the fiery darts of the most wicked one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."hyperlink

118. Also of Antichrist, that he will come as a man.

In Isaiah: "This is the man who arouseth the earth, who disturbeth kings, who maketh the whole earth a desert."hyperlink ]

119. That the yoke of the law was heavy, which is cast off by us, and that the Lord's yoke is easy, which is taken up by us.

In the second Psalm: "Wherefore have the heathen been in tumult, and the peoples meditated vain things? The kings of the earth have stood up, and their princes have been gathered together against the Lord, and against His Christ. Let us break their bonds asunder, and cast away from us their yoke."hyperlink Also in the Gospel according to Matthew: "Come unto me, ye who labour and are burdened, and I will make you to rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me: for I am meek and lowly of heart,hyperlink and ye shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is good, and my burden is light."hyperlink Also in the Acts of the Apostles: "It seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to impose upon you no other burden than those things which are of necessity, that you should abstain from idolatries, from shedding of blood, and from fornication. And whatsoever you would not to be done unto you, do not to others."hyperlink

120. That we are to be urgent in prayers.

In the Epistle of Paul to the Colossians: "Be instant in prayer, and watch therein."hyperlink Also in the first Psalm: "But in the law of the Lord is his will, and in His law will he meditate day and night."hyperlink



Footnotes



643 Ps. li. 5.

644 1 John i. 8.

645 Ps. liii. 5.

646 Gal. i. 10.

647 Prov. xv. 3.

648 Jer. xxiii. 23, 24.

649 1 Sam. xvi. 7.

650 Rev. ii. 23.

651 Ps. xix. 12.

652 2 Cor. v. 10.

653 Ps. cxviii. 18.

654 Ps. lxxxix. 32, 33.

655 Mal. iii. 3.

656 Matt. v. 26.

657 Gen. iii. 17-19.

658 Gen. v. 24.

659 Isa. xl. 6, 7.

660 Ezek. xxxvii. 11-14.

661 Wisd. iv. 11, 14.

662 Some read "amabiles," "amiable."

663 Ps. lxxxiv. 1, 2.

664 1 Thess. iv. 13, 14.

665 1 Cor. xv. 36.

666 1 Cor. xv. 41-44.

667 1 Cor. xv. 53-55.

668 John xvii. 24.

669 Luke ii. 29, 30.

670 John xiv. 28.

671 Wisd. xv. 15-17.

672 Wisd. xiii. 1-4.

673 Ps. cxxxv. 16-18.

674 Ps. xcvi. 5.

675 Ex. xx. 23.

676 Ex. xx. 4. This section closes bere, according to the Oxford text. The Lespzic edition continues as in the above reading.

677 Jer. x. 2-5, 9, 11, ii. 12,13, 19, 20, 27.

678 Isa. xlvi. 1, 2, 5.

679 Migne refers this to Jer. li. 15-18, but there is nothing corresponding to it in the passage.

680 Isa. xlvi. 6, 7.

681 Jer. li. 16-19.

682 Rev. ix. 1, 13-21.

683 Rev. xiv. 9-11.

684 Isa. xxii. 13, 14.

685 Ex. xxxii. 6.

686 1 Cor. viii. 8.

687 1 Cor. xi. 33.

688 Rom. xiv. 17.

689 John iv. 32, 34.

690 Eccles. v. 10.

691 Prov. xi. 26.

692 Isa. v. 8.

693 Zeph. i. 13, 14.

694 Luke ix. 25.

695 Luke xii. 20.

696 Luke xvi. 25.

697 Acts iii. 6.

698 1 Tim. vi. 7-10.

699 Tob. iv. 12.

700 1 Cor. vii. 39, 40.

701 1 Cor. vi. 15-17.

702 2 Cor. vi. 14.

703 1 Kings xi. 4. [Surely this principle is important in teaching fathers and mothers how to guard the social relations of children.]

704 1 Cor. vi. 18-20

705 Gal. v. 17-24.

706 1 Cor. vi. 9-11.

707 Jer. iii. 15.

708 Prov. iii. 11, 12.

709 Ps. ii. 12.

710 Ps. l. 16.

711 Wisd. iii. 12.

712 2 Tim. iv. 3, 4.

713 2 Thess. iii. 6. [A very noteworthy safeguard of apostolic ordinances; but mark the charity with which it is softened, 2 Thess. iii. 14, 15. Compare also cap. ii. 15.]

714 Ps. l. 28.

715 1 Cor. i. 17-24.

716 1 Cor. iii. 18-20.

717 Ps. xciii. 11.

718 Eph. vi. 1-3.

719 Eph. vi. 4.

720 Eph. vi. 5, 6.

721 Eph. vi. 9.

722 1 Tim. v. 3, 6.

723 1 Tim. v. 11, 12.

724 1 Tim. v. 8.

725 Isa. lviii. 7.

726 Matt. x. 25.

727 1 Tim. v. 19.

728 1 Tim. v. 20.

729 Tit. iii. 10, 11.

730 John ii. 19.

731 2 Tim. ii. 17.

732 1 John ii. 21, 22.

733 Matt. v. 8.

734 Ps. xxiv. 3, 4.

735 John xix. 11.

736 1 Kings xi. 23.

737 John xiii. 27.

738 Prov. xxi. 1.

739 Lev. xix. 13.

740 Deut. xviii. 10.

741 Lev. xix 27. [See p. 530, Supra, the note and reference.]

742 Lev. xix. 27. [Compare Clement, vol. ii. p. 280, this series.]

743 Lev. xix. 32.

744 Eccles. x. 9.

745 Ex. xii. 4.

746 Ps. cxxxiii. 1.

747 Matt. xii. 30.

748 1 Cor. i. 10.

749 Ps. lxviii. 6. [So Vulgate and Anglican Psalter.]

750 Matt. x. 16.

751 Matt. v. 13.

752 1 Thess. iv. 6.

753 1 Thess. v. 2, 3.

754 Acts i. 7.

755 1 Cor. vii. 10, 11.

756 1 Cor. x. 13.

757 1 Cor. x. 23.

758 1 Cor. xi. 19.

759 [Note, not to be worshipped, but received.]

760 Lev. vii. 20.

761 1 Cor. xi. 27.

762 Prov. xxiv. 15.

763 Ecclus. ix. 16.

764 Ecclus. vi. 16.

765 Ecclus. ix. 13.

766 Ecclus. xxv. 9.

767 Ecclus. xxviii. 24.

768 Ps. xviii. 25, 26.

769 1 Cor. xv. 33.

770 Ecclus. iv. 29.

771 1 Cor. iv. 20.

772 Rom. ii. 13.

773 Matt. v. 19.

774 Matt. vii. 24-27.

775 Ecclus. v. 7.

776 [Converts preparing far baptism. Apostolical Constitutions, and Bunsen's Hippolytrus, vol. iii. pp. 3-24.]

777 Rom. iii. 8.

778 Rom. ii. 12.

779 Acts viii. 20.

780 Matt. x. 8.

781 Matt. xxi. 13. The latter clause of this quotation is omitted by the Oxford editor.

782 Isa. 1v. 1.

783 Rev. xxi. 6, 7.

784 Ex. xix. 18.

785 Acts ii. 2-4.

786 Ex. iii. 2.

787 Prov. ix. 8.

788 Prov. x. 19.

789 Prov. xii. 22.

790 Prov. xiii. 24.

791 Prov. xix. 18.

792 Lev. xix. 18.

793 Deut. xxxii. 35.

794 Zeph. iii. 8.

795 Prov. xx. 13 (LXX.).

796 Ps. l. 20.

797 Oxford edition, "to Titus."

798 Tit. iii. 2.

799 Prov. xxvi. 27.

800 [Elucidation XII. See p. 528, supra.]

801 Ecclus. vii. 39.

802 Matt. xxv. 36.

803 Ecclus. xxviii. 15.

804 Ecclus. xxxiv. 19.

805 Wisd. vi. 6.

806 Ps. ii. 10.

807 Ecclus. iv. 10.

808 Ex. xxii. 22-24.

809 Isa. i. 17, 18.

810 Job xxix. 12, 13.

811 Ps. lxviii. 5.

812 Ps. vi. 5. [Here, as often, the grave is represented as enjoying a temporary victory, for the flesh is no longer capable of worship. Not till the whole man is restored comes 1 Cor. xv. 54, 55.]

813 Ps. xxx. 9.

814 Ezek. xxxiii. 11.

815 Jer. viii. 4.

816 Isa. iii. 12.

817 Luke vii. 47.

818 Eph. vi. 12-17.

819 Isa. xiv. 16.

820 Ps. ii. 1-3.

821 In one codex, from this point all the rest is wanting.

822 Matt. xi. 28-30.

823 Acts xv. 28, 29.

824 Col. iv. 2.

825 Ps. i. 2. The Oxford edition continues; "Likewise in Soloman; `Be not hindered from praying ever, and delay not unto death to be justified; for the repayment of the Lord abideth for ever.


0'" [In a day when there were few Bibles, and no printed books, no concordances, and no published collections of this sort, reflect on the value of this treatise to a young believer, and on the labour of his pastor in making it.]