CHAP. XI.
Of faith: and particularly what we are to believe as to the Resurrection.
BUT all these things must be confirmed by the faith which is in Christ; for so He himself bespeaks us by the Holy Ghost;
2 Comeye children and hearken unto me, and I will teach you the fear of the Lord. What man is there that desireth life, and loveth to see good days?
3 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips that they speak no guile.
4 Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
5 The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers.
6 But the face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
7 The righteous cried, and the Lord heard him, and delivered him out of all his troubles.
8 Many are the troubles of the wicked; but they that trust in the Lord mercy shall encompass them about.
9 Our all-merciful and beneficent Father hath bowels of compassion towards them that fear him: and kindly and lovingly bestows his graces upon all such as come to him with a simple mind.
10 Wherefore let us not waver, neither let us have any doubt in our hearts, of his excellent and glorious gifts.
11 Let that be far from us which is written, Miserable are the double-minded, and those who are doubtful in their hearts;
12 Who say these things have we heard, and our fathers have told us these things. But behold we are grown old, and none of them has happened unto us.
13 O ye fools consider the trees: take the vine for an example. First it sheds its leaves; then it buds; after that it spreads its leaves; then it flowers; then come the sour grapes; and after them follows the ripe fruit. See how in a little time the fruit of the trees comes to maturity.
14 Of a truth yet a little while and his will shall suddenly be accomplished.
15 The Holy Scripture itself bearing witness, that He shall quickly come and not tardy, and that the Lord shall suddenly come to his temple, even the 3 holy ones whom ye look for.
16 Let us consider, beloved, how the Lord does continually show us, that there shall be a future resurrection; of which he has made our Lord Jesus Christ the first fruits, raising him from the dead.
17 Let us contemplate, beloved, the resurrection that is continually made before our eyes.
18 Day and night manifest a resurrection to us. The night lies down, and the day arises: again the day departs and the night comes on.
19 Let us behold the fruits of the earth. Every one sees how the seed is sown. The sower goes forth, and casts it upon the earth; and the seed which when it was sown fell upon the earth dry and naked, in time dissolves.
20 And from the dissolution, the great power of the providence of the Lord rises it again; and of one seed many arise, and bring forth fruit.
CHAPTER XII.
The Resurrection further proved.
LET us consider that wonderful type of the resurrection which is seen in the Eastern countries: that is to say, in Arabia.
2 There is a certain bird called a Phoenix; of this there is never but one at a time: and that lives five hundred years. And when the time of its dissolution draws near, that it must die, it makes itself a nest of frankincense, and myrrh, and other spices into which when its time is fulfilled it enters and dies.
3 But its flesh putrifying, breeds a certain worm, which being nourished with the juice of the dead bird brings forth feathers; and when it is grown to a perfect state, it takes up the nest in which the bones of its parent lie, and carries it from Arabia into Egypt, to a city called Heliopolis:
4 And flying in open day in the sight of all men, lays it upon the altar of the sun, and so returns from whence it came.
5 The priests then search into the records of the time: and find that it returned precisely at the end of five hundred years.
6 And shall we then think it to be any very great and strange thing for the Lord of all to raise up those that religiously serve him in the assurance of a good faith, when even by a bird he shows us the greatness of his power to fulfil his promise?
7 For he says in a certain place, Thou shalt raise me up and I shall confess unto thee.
8 And again, I laid me down and slept, and awaked, because thou art with me.
9 And again, Job says, Thou shalt raise up this flesh of mine, that has suffered all these things.
10 Having therefore this hope, let us hold fast to him who is faithful in all his promises, and righteous in all his judgments; who has commanded us not to lie, how much more will he not himself lie?
11 For nothing is impossible with God but to lie.
12 Let his faith then be stirred up again in us; and let us consider that all things are nigh unto him.
13 By the word of his power he made all things: and by the same word he is able, (whenever he will,) to destroy them.
14 Who shall say unto him, what dost thou? or who shall resist the power of his strength?
15 When, and as he pleased, he will do all things; and nothing shall pass away of all that has been determined by him.
16 All things are open before him; nor can anything be hid from his counsel.
17 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth his handy work. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard.
CHAPTER XIII.
It is impossible to escape the vengeance of God, if we continue in sin.
SEEING then all things are seen and heard by God, let us fear him, and let us lay aside our wicked works which proceed from ill desires; that through his mercy we may be delivered from the condemnation to come.
2 For whither can any of us flee from his mighty hand? Or what world shall receive any of those who run away from him?
3 For thus saith the Scripture in a certain place. Whither shall I flee from thy spirit, or where shall I hide myself from thy presence?
4 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there; if I shall go to the uttermost parts of the earth, there is thy right hand: if I shall make my bed in the deep, thy Spirit is there.
5 Whither then shall any one go; or whither shall he run from him that comprehends all things?
6 Let us therefore come to him with holiness of heart, lifting up chaste and undefiled hands unto him; loving our gracious and merciful Father, who has made us to partake of his election.
7 For so it is written, When the Most High divided the nations; when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the nations, according to the number of his angels; his people Jacob became the portion of the Lord, and Israel the lot of his inheritance.
8 And in another place he saith, Behold the Lord taketh unto himself a nation, out of the midst of the nations, as a man taketh the first- fruits of his flour; and the Most Holy shall come out of that nation.
CHAPTER XIV.
How we must live that we may please God.
WHEREFORE we being apart of the Holy One: let us do all those things that pertain unto holiness:
2 Fleeing all evil-speaking against one another; all filthy and impure embraces, together with all drunkenness, youthful lusts, abominable concupiscences, detestable adultery, and execrable pride.
3 For God saith, he resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.
4 Let us therefore hold fast to those to whom God has given his grace.
5 And let us put on concord, being humble, temperate; free from all whispering and detraction; and justified by our actions, not our words.
6 For he saith, Doth he that speaketh and heareth many things, and is of a ready tongue, suppose that he is righteous? Blessed is he that is born of a woman, that liveth but a few days: use not therefore much speech.
7 Let our praise be of God, not of ourselves; for God hateth those that commend themselves.
8 Let the witness of our good actions be given to us by others, as it was given to the holy men that went before us.
9 Rashness, and arrogance, and confidence, belong to them who are accursed of God: but equity, and humility, and mildness, to such as are blessed by him.
10 Let us then lay hold of his blessing, and let as consider what are the ways by which we may attain unto it.
11 Let us look back upon those things that have happened from the beginning.
12 For what was our Father Abraham blessed? Was it not because that through faith he wrought righteousness and truth?
13 Isaac being fully persuaded of what he knew was to come, cheerfully yielded himself up for a sacrifice. Jacob with humility departed out of his own country, fleeing from his brother, and went unto Laban and served him; and so the sceptre of the twelve tribes of Israel was given unto him.
14 Now what the greatness of this gift was, will plainly appear, if we shall take the pains distinctly to consider all the parts of it.
15 For, from him came the priests and Levites; who all ministered at the altar of God.
16 From him came our Lord Jesus Christ, according to the flesh.
17 From him came the kings, and princes, and rulers in Judah.
18 Nor were the rest of his tribes in any little glory: God having promised that their seed shall be as the stars of heaven.
19 They were all therefore greatly glorified, not for their own sake, or for their own works, or for the righteousness that they themselves wrought, but through his will.
20 And we also being called by the same will in Christ Jesus, are not justified by ourselves, neither by our own wisdom, or knowledge, or piety, or the works which we have done in the holiness of our hearts.
21 But by that faith, by which God Almighty has justified all men from the beginning; to whom be glory for ever and ever, Amen.
CHAPTER XV.
We are justified by faith; yet this must not lessen our care to live a virtuous life, nor our pleasure in it.
WHAT shall we do therefore, brethren? Shall we be slothful in well-doing, and lay aside our charity? God forbid that any such thing should be done by us.
2 But rather let us hasten with all earnestness and readiness of mind, to perfect every good work. For even the Creator and Lord of all things himself rejoices in his own works.
3 By his Almighty power he fixed the heavens, and by his incomprehensible wisdom he adorned them.
4 He also divided the earth from the water, with which it is encompassed: and fixed it as a secure tower, upon the foundation of his own will.
5 He also by his appointment, commanded all the living creatures that are upon it, to exist.
6 So likewise the sea, and all the creatures that are in it; having first created them, he enclosed them therein by his power.
7 And above all, he with his holy and pure hands, formed man, the most excellent; and, as to his understanding, truly the greatest of all other creatures; the character of his own image.
8 For thus God says; Let us make man in our image, after our own likeness; so God created man, male and female created he them.
9 And having thus finished all these things, he commended all that he had made, and blessed them, and said, increase and multiply.
10 We see how all righteous men have been adorned with good works Wherefore even the Lord himself, having adorned himself with his works, rejoiced.
11 Having therefore such an example, let us without delay, fulfil his will; and with all our strength, work the work of righteousness.
CHAPTER XVI.
A virtuous life enforced from the examples of the holy angels, and from the exceeding greatness of that reward which God has prepared for us.
THE good workman with confidence receives the bread of his labour; but the sluggish and lazy cannot look him in the face that set him on work.
2 We must therefore be ready and forward in well-doing: for from him are all things.
3 And thus he foretels us, behold the Lord cometh, and his reward is with him, even before his face, to render to everyone according to his work.
4 He warns us therefore beforehand, with all his heart to this end, that we should not be slothful and negligent in well-doing.
5 Let our boasting, therefore, and our confidence be in God let us submit ourselves to his will, Let us consider the whole multitude of his angels, how ready they stand to minister unto his will.
6 As saith the Scripture, thousands of thousands stood before him and ten thousand times ten thousand ministered unto him. And they cried, saying, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of his glory.
7 Wherefore let us also, being conscientiously gathered together in concord with one another; as it were with one mouth, cry, earnestly unto him, that he would make us partakers of his great and glorious promises.
8 For he saith, a Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that wait for him,
CHAPTER XVII.
1 We must attain the gifts of God by faith and obedience, which we must carry on in an orderly pursuing of the duties of our several stations, without envy or contention. 24 The necessity of different orders among men. 33 We have none of us anything but what we received of God: whom therefore we ought in every condition thankfully to obey.
HOW blessed and wonderful, beloved, are the gifts of God.
2 Life in immortality! brightness in righteousness! truth in full assurance! faith in confidence! temperance in holiness!
3 And all this has God subjected to our understandings:
4 What therefore shall those things be which he has prepared for them that wait for him?
5 The Creator and Father of spirits, the Most Holy; he only knows both the greatness and beauty of them,
6 Let us therefore strive with all earnestness, that we may be found in the number of those that wait for him, that so we may receive the reward which he has promised.
7 But how, beloved, shall we do this? We must fix our minds by faith towards God, and seek those things that are pleasing and acceptable unto him.
8 We must act conformably to his holy will; and follow the way of truth, casting off from us all unrighteousness and iniquity, together with all covetousness, strife, evil manners, deceit, whispering, detractions; all hatred of God, pride and boasting; vain-glory and ambition;
9 For they that do these things are odious to God; and not only they that do them, but also all such as approve of those that do them.
10 For thus saith the Scripture, But unto the wicked, God said, What hast thou to do to declare my statute, or that thou shouldst take my covenant in thy mouth? Seeing that thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee.
11 When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him; thou hast been partaker with adulterers, Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit. Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother's son.
12 These things hast thou done and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such a one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.
13 Now consider this ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.
14 Whose offereth praise, gloryfieth me; And to him that disposeth his way aright, will I show the salvation of God.
15 This is the way, beloved, in which we may find our Saviour, even Jesus Christ, the high-priest of all our offerings, the defender and helper of our weakness.
16 By him we look up to the highest heavens; and behold, as in a glass, his spotless and most excellent visage.
17 By him are the eyes of our hearts opened; by him our foolish and darkened understanding rejoiceth to behold his wonderful light.
18 By him would God have us to taste the knowledge of immortality: who being the brightness of his glory, is by so much greater than the angels, as be has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
19 For so it is written, who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire:
20 But to his son, thus saith the Lord, Thou art my Son, to-day have I begotten thee.
21 Ask of me and I will give thee the heathen for thy inheritance, and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession.
22 And again he saith unto him, Sit thou on my right hand until I make thine enemies thy foot-stool.
23 But who are his enemies? even the wicked, and such who oppose their own wills to the will of God.
24 Let us therefore march-on, men and brethren, with all earnestness in his holy laws.
25 Let us consider those who fight under our, earthly governors How orderly, how readily, and with what exact obedience they perform those things that are commanded them.
26 All are not generals, nor colonels, nor captains, nor inferior officers:
27 But everyone in his respective rank does what is commanded him by the king, and those who have the authority over him.
28 They who are great, cannot subsist without those that are little; nor the little without the great;
29 But there must be a mixture in all things, and then there will be use and profit too.
30 Let us, for example, take our body: the head without the feet is nothing, neither the feet without the head.
31 And even the smallest members of our body are yet both necessary and useful to the whole body.
32 But all conspire together, and are subject to one common use, namely, the preservation of the whole body.
33 Let therefore our whole body by saved in Christ Jesus; and let everyone be subject to his neighbour, according to the order in which he is placed by the gift of God.
34 Let not the strong man despise the weak; and let the weak see that he reverence the strong.
35 Let the rich man distribute to the necessity of the poor; and let the poor bless God, that he has given one unto him, by whom his want may be supplied.
36 Let the wise man show forth his wisdom, not in words, but in good works.
37 Let him that is humble, not bear witness to himself, but let him leave it to another to bear witness of him.
38 Let him that is pure in the flesh, not grow proud of it, knowing that it was from another that he received the gift of continence.
39 Let us consider therefore, brethren, whereof we are made; who, and what kind of men we came into the world, as it were out of a sepulchre, and from outer darkness.
40 He hath made us, and formed us, brought us into his own world; having presented us with his benefits, even before we were born.
41 Wherefore, having received all these things from him, we ought in everything to give thanks unto him, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Clement therefore exhorts them to do everything orderly in the Church, as the only way to please God.
FOOLISH and unwise men, who have neither prudence, nor learning, may mock and deride us; being willing to setup themselves in their own conceits.
2 But what can a mortal man do? Or what strength is there in him that is made out of the dust?
3 For it is written, there was no shape before mine eyes; only I heard a sound and a voice.
4 For what? Shall man be pure before the Lord? Shall he be blameless in his works?
5 Behold, he trusteth not in his servants; and his angels he chargeth with folly.
6 Yes, the heaven is not clean in his sight, how much less they that dwell in houses of clay; of which also we ourselves were made?
7 He smote them as a moth: and from morning even unto the evening they endure not. Because they were not able to help themselves, they perished; he breathed upon them and they died, because they had no wisdom.
8 Call now if there be any that will answer thee; and to which of the angels wilt thou look?
9 For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth him that is in error.
10 I have seen the foolish taking root, but lo, their habitation was presently consumed.
11 Their children were far from safety, they perished at the gates of those who were lesser than themselves: and there was no man to help them.
12 For what was prepared for them, the righteous did eat; and they shall not be delivered from evil.
13 Seeing then these things are manifest unto us, it will behove us to take care that looking into the depths of the divine knowledge, we do all things in order, whatsoever our Lord has commanded us to do.
14 And particularly that we perform our offerings and service to God, at their appointed seasons for these he has commanded to be done, not rashly and disorderly, but at certain determinate times and hours.
15 And therefore he has ordained by his supreme will and authority, both where, and by what persons, they are to be performed; that so all things being piously done unto all well-pleasing, they may be acceptable unto him.
16 They therefore who make their offerings at the appointed seasons, are happy and accepted; because through obeying the commandments of the Lord, they are free from sin.
17 And the same care must be had of the persons that minister unto him.
18 For the chief-priest has his proper services; and to the priest their proper place is appointed; and to the Levites appertain their proper ministries; and the layman is confined within the bounds of what is commanded to laymen.
19 Let every one of you therefore, brethren, bless God in his proper station, with a good conscience, and with all gravity, not exceeding the rule of his service that is appointed to him.
20 The daily sacrifices are not offered everywhere; nor the peace- offerings, nor the sacrifices appointed for sins and transgressions; but only at Jerusalem: nor in any place there, but only at the altar before the temple; that which is offered being first diligently examined by the high-priest and the other minister we before mentioned.
21 They therefore who do any thing which is not agreeable to his will, are punished with death.
22 Consider, brethren, that by how much the better knowledge God has vouchsafed unto us, by so much the greater danger are we exposed to.
CHAPTER XIX.
The orders of Ministers in Christ's Church established by the Apostles, according to Christ's command, 7 after the example of Moses. 16 Therefore they who have been duly placed in the ministry according to their order, cannot without great sin be put out of it.
THE Apostles have preached to us from the Lord Jesus Christ Jesus Christ from God.
2 Christ therefore was sent by God, the Apostles by Christ; so both were orderly sent, according to the will of God.
3 For having received their command, and being thoroughly assured by the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, and convinced by the word of God, with the fulness of the Holy Spirit, they went abroad, publishing, That the kingdom of God was at hand.
4 And thus preaching through countries and cities, they appointed the first fruits of their conversion to be bishops and ministers over such as should afterwards believe, having first proved them by the Spirit.
5 Nor was this any new thing; seeing that long before it was written concerning bishops and deacons.
6 For thus saith the Scripture, in a certain place; I will appoint their overseers in righteousness, and their ministers in faith.
7 And what wonder if they, to whom such a work was committed by God in Christ, established such officers as we before mentioned; when even that blessed and faithful servant in all his house, Moses, set down in the Holy Scriptures all things that were commanded him.
8 Whom also all the rest of the prophets followed, bearing witness with one consent to those things that were appointed by him.
9 For he, perceiving an emulation to arise among the tribes concerning the priesthood, and that there was a strife about it, which of them should be adorned with that glorious name; commanded their twelve captains to bring to him twelve rods; every tribe being written upon its rod, according to its name,
10 And he took them and bound them together, and sealed them with the seals of the twelve princes of the tribes: and laid them up in the tabernacle of witness, upon the table of God.
11 And when he had shut the door of the tabernacle, he sealed up the keys of it, in like manner as he had done the rods; and said unto them, Men and brethren, whichsoever tribe shall have its rod blossom, that tribe has God chosen to perform the office of a priest, and to minister unto him in holy things.
12 And when the morning was come, he called together all Israel, six hundred thousand men; and showed to the princes their seals and opened the tabernacle of witness; and brought forth the rods.
13 And the rod of Aaron was found not only to have blossomed, but also to have fruit upon it.
14 What think you, beloved? Did not Moses before know what should happen?
15 Yes verily: but to the end there might be no division, nor tumult in Israel, he did in this manner, that the name of the true and only God might be glorified; to whom be honour for ever and ever, Amen.
16 So likewise our Apostles knew by our Lord Jesus Christ, that there should contentions arise, upon account of the ministry.
17 And therefore having a perfect fore-knowledge of this, they appointed persons, as we have before said, and then a gave direction, how, when they should die, other chosen and approved men should succeed in their ministry.
18 Wherefore we cannot think that those may justly be thrown out of their ministry, who were either appointed by them, or afterwards chosen by other eminent men, with the consent of the whole church; and who have with all lowliness and innocency ministered to the flock of Church, in peace, and without self-interest, and were for a long time commended by all.
19 For it would be no small sin in us, should we cast off those from their ministry, who holily and without blame fulfil the duties of it.
20 Blessed are those priests, who having finished their course before these times, have obtained a fruitful and perfect dissolution for they have no fear, lest any one should turn them out of the place which is now appointed for them.
21 But we see how you have put out some, who lived reputably among you, from the ministry, which by their innocence they had adorned.
CHAPTER XX.
He exerts them to peace from examples out of the Holy Scriptures, 20 particularly from St. Paul's exhortation to them.
YE are contentious, brethren, and zealous for things that pertain not unto salvation.
2 Look into the Holy Scriptures, which are the true words of the Holy Ghost. Ye know that there is nothing unjust or counterfeit written in them.
3 There you shall not find that righteous men were ever cast off by such as were good themselves.
4 They were persecuted, but it was by the wicked and unjust.
5 They were cast into prison, but they were cast in by those that were unholy.
6 They were stoned, but it was by transgressors.
7 They were killed, but by accursed men, and such as had taken up an unjust envy against them.
8 And all these things they underwent gloriously.
9 For what shall we say, brethren? Was Daniel cast into the den of lions, by men fearing God? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, were they cast into the fiery furnace by men, professing the excellent and glorious worship of the Most High? God forbid.
10 What kind of persons then were they that did these things? They were men abominable, full of all wickedness; who were incensed; to so great a degree, as to bring those into sufferings, who with a holy and unblameable purpose of mind worshipped God: not knowing that the Most High is the protector and defender of all such as with a pure conscience serve his holy name: to whom be glory for ever and ever, Amen.
11 But they who with a full persuasion have endured these things, are made partakers of glory and honour: and are exalted and lifted up by God for a memorial throughout all ages, Amen.
12 Wherefore it will behove us also, brethren, to follow such examples as these; for it is written, Hold fast to such as are holy; for they that do so shall be sanctified.
13 And again in another place he saith, With the pure, thou shalt be pure (and with the elect thou shalt be elect,) but with, the perverse man thou shalt be perverse.
14 Let us therefore join ourselves to the innocent and righteous; for such are the elect of God.
15 Wherefore are there strifes, and anger, and divisions, and schisms, and wars, among us?
16 Have we not all one God, and one Christ? Is not one spirit of grace poured out upon us all? Have we not one calling in Christ.
17 Why then do we rent and tear in pieces the members of Christ; and raise seditious against our own body? And are come to such a height of madness, as to forget that we were members one of another?
18 Remember the words of our Lord Jesus, (how he said, Woe to that man by whom offences come). It, were better for him that he had never been born, than that he should have offended one of my elect. It were better for him, that a mill-stone should be tied about his neck, and he should be cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of my little ones.
19 Your schism has perverted many, has discouraged many: it has caused diffidence in many, and grief in us all. And yet your sedition continues still.
20 Take the Epistle of the blessed Paul the Apostle into your hands; What was It that he wrote to you at his first preaching the Gospel among you?
21 Verily he did by the spirit admonish you concerning himself, and Cephas, and Apollos, because that even then ye had begun to fall into parties and factions among yourselves.
22 Nevertheless your partiality then led you into a much less sin forasmuch as ye placed your affections upon Apostles, men of eminent reputation in the church; and upon another, who was greatly tried and approved of by them.
23 But consider, we pray you, who are they that have now led you astray; and lessened the reputation of that brotherly love that was so eminent among you;
24 It is a shame, my beloved, yea, a very great shame, and unworthy of your Christian profession, to hear that the most firm and ancient church of the Corinthians should, by one or two persons, be led into a sedition against its priests.
25 And this report is come not only to us, but to those also that differ from us.
26 Insomuch that the name of the Lord is blasphemed through your folly; and even ye yourselves are brought into danger by it.
27 Let us therefore with all haste put an end to this sedition; and let us fall down before the Lord, and beseech him with tears that he would be favourably reconciled to us, and restore us again to a seemly and holy course of brotherly love.
28 For this is the gate of righteousness, opening unto life: As it is written, I Open unto me the gates of righteousness; I will go into them and will praise the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord, the righteous shall enter into it.
29 Although therefore many gates are opened, yet this gate of righteousness is that gate in Christ at which blessed are they that enter in, and direct their way in holiness and righteousness; doing all things without disorder.
30 Let a man be faithful, let him be powerful in the utterance of knowledge; let him be wise in making an exact judgment of words; let him be pure in all his actions.
31 But still by how much the more he seems to be above others, by reason of these things, by so much the more will it behove him to be humble-minded; and to seek what is profitable to all men, and not his own advantage.
CHAPTER XXI.
1 The value which God, puts upon love and unity: the effects of a true charity, 8 which is the gift of God, and must be obtained by prayer.
HE that has the love that is in Christ, let him keep the commandments of Christ.
2 For who is able to express the obligation of the love of God? What man is sufficient to declare, and is fitting, the excellency of its beauty?
3 The height to which charity leads, is inexpressible.
4 Charity unites us to God; charity covers the multitude of sins: charity endures all things; is long-suffering in all things.
5 There is nothing base and sordid in charity: charity lifts not itself up above others; admits of no divisions; is not seditious; but does all things in peace and concord.
6 By charity were all the elect of God made perfect: Without it nothing is pleasing and acceptable in the sight of God.
7 Through charity did the Lord join us into himself; whilst for the love that he bore towards us, our Lord Jesus Christ gave his own blood for us, by the will of God; his flesh for our flesh; his soul for our souls.
8 Ye see, beloved, how great and wonderful a thing charity is; and how that no expressions are sufficient to declare its perfection.
9 But who is fit to be found in it? Even such only as God shall vouchsafe to make so.
10 Let us therefore pray to him, and beseech him, that we may be worthy of it; that so we may live in charity; being unblamable, without human propensities, without respect of persons.
11 All the ages of the world, from Adam, even unto this day, are passed away; but they who have been made perfect in love, have by the grace of God obtained a place among the righteous; and shall be made manifest in the judgment of the kingdom of Christ.
12 For it is written, Enter into thy chambers for a little space, till my anger and indignation shall pass away: And I will remember the good day, and, will raise you up out of your graves.
13 Happy then shall we be, beloved, if we shall have fulfilled the commandments of God, in the unity of love; that so, through love, our sins may be forgiven us.
14 For so it is written, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth no sin, and in whose mouth there is no guile.
15 Now this blessing is fulfilled in those who are chosen by God through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom be glory for ever and ever, Amen.
CHAPTER XXII.
1 He exhorts such as have been concerned in these divisions to repent, and return to their unity, confessing their sin to God, 7 which he enforces from the example of Moses, 10 and of many among the heathen, 23 and of Judith and Esther among the Jews.
LET us therefore, as many as have transgressed by any of the suggestions of the adversary, beg God's forgiveness.
2 And as for those who have been the heads of the sedition and faction among you, let them look to the common end of our hope.
3 For as many as are endued with fear and charity, would rather they themselves should fall into trials than their neighbours: And choose to be themselves condemned, rather than that the good and just charity delivered to us, should suffer.
4 For it is seemly for a man to confess wherein he has transgressed.
5 And not to harden his heart, as the hearts of those were hardened, who raised up sedition against Moses the servant of God whose punishment was manifest unto all men, for they went down alive into the grave; death swallowed them up.
6 Pharaoh and his host, and all the rulers of Egypt, their chariots also and their horsemen, were for no other cause drowned in the bottom of the Red Sea, and perished; but because they hardened their foolish hearts, after so many signs done in the land of Egypt, by Moses the servant of God.
7 Beloved, God is not indigent of anything; nor does he demand anything of us, but that we should confess our sins unto him.
8 For so says the Holy David, I will confess unto the Lord, and it shall please him better than a young bullock that hath horns and hoof. Let the poor see it and be glad.
9 And again he saith, Offer unto God the sacrifice of praise, and pay thy vows unto the Most Highest. And call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. The sacrifice of God is a broken spirit.
10 Ye know, beloved, ye know full well, the Holy Scriptures; and have thoroughly searched into the oracles of God: call them therefore to your remembrance.
11 For when Moses went up into the mount, and tarried there forty days and forty nights in fasting and humiliation; God said unto him, Arise, Moses, and get thee down quickly from hence, for thy people whom thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have committed wickedness: they have soon transgressed the way that I commanded them, and have made to themselves graven images.
12 And the Lord said unto him, I have spoken unto thee several times, saying, I have seen this people, and behold it is a stiff- necked people: let me therefore destroy them, and put out their name from under heaven. And I will make unto thee a great and a wonderful nation, that shall be much larger than this.
13 But Moses said, Not so, Lord: Forgive now this people their sin; or if thou wilt not, blot me also out of the book of the living. O admirable charity! O insuperable perfection! The servant speaks freely to his Lord: He beseeches him either to forgive the people, or to destroy him together with them.
14 Who is there among you that is generous? Who that is compassionate? Who that has any charity? Let him say, if this sedition, this contention, and these schisms, be upon my account, I am ready to depart; to go away whithersoever you please; and do whatsoever ye shall command me: Only let the flock of Christ be in peace, with the elders that are set over it.
15 He that shall do this, shall get to himself a very great honour in the Lord; and there is no place but what will be ready to receive him: For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.
16 These things, they who have their conversation towards God not to be repented of, both have done, and will always be ready to do.
17 Nay and even the Gentiles themselves have given us examples of this kind.
18 For we read, How many kings and princes, in times of pestilence, being warned by their oracles, have given up themselves unto death; that by their own blood, they might deliver their country from destruction.
19 Others have forsaken their cities, so that they might put an end to the seditions of them.
20 We know how many among ourselves, have given up themselves unto bonds, that thereby they might free others from them.
21 Others have sold themselves into bondage, that they might feed their brethren with the price of themselves.
22 And even many women, being strengthened by the grace of God, have done many glorious and manly things on such occasions.
23 The blessed Judith, when her city was besieged, desired the elders, that they would suffer her to go into the camp of their enemies; and she went out exposing herself to danger, for the love she bare to her country and her people that were besieged: and the Lord delivered Holofernes into the hands of a woman.
24 Nor did Esther, being perfect in faith, expose herself to any less hazard, for the delivery of the twelve tribes of Israel, in danger of being destroyed. For by fasting and humbling herself, she entreated the Great Maker of all things, the God of spirits; so that beholding the humility of her soul, he delivered the people, for whose sake she was in peril.
CHAPTER XXIII.
The benefit of mutual advice and correction.
He entreats them to follow that which is here given to them.
WHEREFORE let us also pray for such as are fallen into sin. That being endued with humility and moderation, they may submit not unto us, but to the wish of God.
2 For by this means they shall obtain a fruitful and perfect remembrance, with mercy, both in our prayers to God, and in our mention of them before his saints.
3 Let us receive correction, at which no man ought to repine.
4 Beloved, the reproof and the correction which we exercise towards one another, is good, and exceeding profitable: for it unites us the more closely to the will of God.
5 For, so says the Holy Scripture, The Lord corrected me, but he did not deliver me over unto death. For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
6 The righteous, saith he, shall instruct me in mercy and reprove me; but let not oil of sinners make fat my head.
7 And again he saith, Happy is the man whom God correcteth; therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty.
8 For he maketh gore and bindeth up; he woundeth and his hands make whole.
9 He shall deliver thee in six troubles; yea in seven there shall no evil touch thee. In famine he shall redeem thee from death; and in war from the power of the sword.
10 Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue; neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh.
11 Thou shalt laugh at the wicked and sinners; neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth. The wild beast shall be at peace with thee.
12 Then shalt thou know that thy house shall be in peace; and the habitation of thy tabernacle shall not err. Then shalt know also that thy seed shall be great and thy offspring as the grass of the earth.
13 Thou shalt come to thy grave as the ripe corn, that is taken in due time: like as a shock of corn cometh in, in its season.
14 Ye see, beloved, how there shall be a defence to those that are corrected of the Lord. For being a good instructor, he is willing to admonish us by his holy, diaipline.
15 Do ye therefore who laid the first foundation of this sedition, submit yourselves unto your priests; and be instructed unto repentance, bending the knees of your hearts.
16 Learn to be subject, laying aside all proud and arrogant boasting of your tongues.
17 For it is better for you to be found little, and approved, in the sheepfold of Christ, than to seem to yourselves better than others, and be cast out of his fold.
18 For thus speaks the excellent and all-virtuous wisdom, Behold I will pour out the word of my spirit upon you, I will make known my speech unto you.
19 Because I called and ye would not hear, I stretched out my hand and ye regarded not.
20 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof. I will also laugh at your calamity, and mock when your fear cometh.
21 When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction as a whirlwind, when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
22 Then shall ye call upon me but I will not hear you: the wicked shall seek me but they shall not find me. For that they hated knowledge, and did not seek the fear of the Lord.
23 They would not hearken unto my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own ways; and be filled with their own wickedness.