THE EPISTLE OF BARNABASThis text for the Epistle of Barnabas comes from The Early h!rch Fathers" #ol!me $"pa%es $&'($)*" +hich is in p!blic ,omain-HAP- I-((AFTER THE SAL.TATION" THE /RITER 0ELARES THAT HE /O.L0 O11.NIATE TO HIS BRETHREN SO1ETHIN2 OF THAT /HIH HE HA0 HI1SELF REEI3E0-All hail" ye sons an, ,a!%hters" in the name of o!r Lor, 4es!s hrist" +ho lo#e, !s in peace- Seein% that the ,i#ine fr!its of ri%hteo!sness abo!n, amon% yo!" I re5oice excee,in%ly an, abo#e meas!re in yo!r happy an, hono!re, spirits" beca!se ye ha#e +ith s!ch effect recei#e, the en%rafte, spirit!al %ift- /herefore also I in+ar,ly re5oicethe more" hopin% to be sa#e," beca!se I tr!ly percei#e in yo! the Spirit po!re, forth from the rich Lor, of lo#e- 6o!r %reatly ,esire, appearance has th!s fille, me +ith astonishment o#er yo!- I am therefore p!rs!a,e, of this" an, f!lly con#ince, in my o+n min," that since I be%an to spea7 amon% yo! I !n,erstan, many thin%s" beca!se the Lor, hath accompanie, me in the +ay of ri%hteo!sness- I am also on this acco!nt bo!n, by the strictest obli%ation to lo#e yo! abo#e my o+n so!l" beca!se %reat are thefaith an, lo#e ,+ellin% in yo!" +hile yo! hope for the life +hich He has promise,- onsi,erin% this" therefore" that if I sho!l, ta7e the tro!ble to comm!nicate to yo! some portion of +hat I ha#e myself recei#e," it +ill pro#e to me a s!fficient re+ar, that I minister to s!ch spirits" I ha#e hastene, briefly to +rite !nto yo!" in or,er that" alon% +ith yo!r faith" yo! mi%ht ha#e perfect 7no+le,%e- The ,octrines of the Lor," then" are three8 the hope of life" the be%innin% an, the completion of it- For the Lor, hath ma,e 7no+n to !s by the prophets both the thin%s +hich are past an, present" %i#in% !s also the first(fr!its of the 7no+le,%e of thin%s to come" +hich thin%s as +e see accomplishe," one by one" +e o!%ht +ith the %reater richness of faith an, ele#ation of spirit to ,ra+ near to Him +ith re#erence- I then" not as yo!r teacher" b!t as one of yo!rsel#es" +ill set forth a fe+ thin%s by +hich in present circ!mstances yo!may be ren,ere, the more 5oyf!l-HAP-9II:((THE 4E/ISH SARIFIES ARE NO/ ABOLISHE0-Since" therefore" the ,ays are e#il" an, Satan possesses the po+er of this +orl," +e o!%ht to %i#e hee, to o!rsel#es" an, ,ili%ently in;!ire into the or,inances of the Lor,-Fear an, patience" then" are helpers of o!r faith< an, lon%(s!fferin% an, continence arethin%s +hich fi%ht on o!r si,e- /hile these remain p!re in +hat respects the Lor," /is,om" .n,erstan,in%" Science" an, =no+le,%e re5oice alon% +ith them- For He hath re#eale, to !s by all the prophets that He nee,s neither sacrifices" nor b!rnt(offerin%s" nor oblations" sayin% th!s" >/hat is the m!ltit!,e of yo!r sacrifices !nto 1e" saith the Lor,? I am f!ll of b!rnt(offerin%s" an, ,esire not the fat of lambs" an, the bloo, of b!lls an, %oats" not +hen ye come to appear before 1e8 for +ho hath re;!ire, these thin%s at yo!r han,s? Trea, no more 1y co!rts" not tho!%h ye brin% +ith yo! fine flo!r- Incense is a #ain abomination !nto 1e" an, yo!r ne+ moons an, sabbaths I cannot en,!re-> He has therefore abolishe, these thin%s" that the ne+ la+ of o!r Lor, 4es!s hrist" +hich is +itho!t the yo7e of necessity" mi%ht ha#e a h!man oblation- An, a%ain He says to them" >0i, I comman, yo!r fathers" +hen they +ent o!t from the lan, of E%ypt" to offer !nto 1e b!rnt(offerin%s an, sacrifices? B!t this rather I comman,e, them" Let no one of yo! cherish any e#il in his heart a%ainst his nei%hbo!r" an, lo#e not an oath of falsehoo,-> /e o!%ht therefore" bein% possesse, of!n,erstan,in%" to percei#e the %racio!s intention of o!r Father< for He spea7s to !s" ,esiro!s that +e" not %oin% astray li7e them" sho!l, as7 ho+ +e may approach Him- To !s" then" He ,eclares" >A sacrifice @pleasin%A to 2o, is a bro7en spirit< a smell of s+eet sa#o!r to the Lor, is a heart that %lorifieth Him that ma,e it-> /e o!%ht therefore" brethren" caref!lly to in;!ire concernin% o!r sal#ation" lest the +ic7e, one" ha#in% ma,e his entrance by ,eceit" sho!l, h!ff !s forth from o!r @tr!eA life-HAP- III-((THE FASTS OF THE 4E/S ARE NOT TR.E FASTS" NOR AEPTABLE TO 2O0-He says then to them a%ain concernin% these thin%s" >/hy ,o ye fast to 1e as on this ,ay" saith the Lor," that yo!r #oice sho!l, be hear, +ith a cry? I ha#e not chosen this fast" saith the Lor," that a man sho!l, h!mble his so!l- Nor" tho!%h ye ben, yo!r nec7li7e a rin%" an, p!t !pon yo! sac7cloth an, ashes" +ill ye call it an acceptable fast-> To !s He saith" >Behol," this is the fast that I ha#e chosen" saith the Lor," not that a man sho!l, h!mble his so!l" b!t that he sho!l, loose e#ery ban, of ini;!ity" !ntie the fastenin%s of harsh a%reements" restore to liberty them that are br!ise," tear in pieces e#ery !n5!st en%a%ement" fee, the h!n%ry +ith thy brea," clothe the na7e, +hen tho! seest him" brin% the homeless into thy ho!se" not ,espise the h!mble if tho! behol, him" an, not @t!rn a+ayA from the members of thine o+n family- Then shall thy ,a+n brea7 forth" an, thy healin% shall ;!ic7ly sprin% !p" an, ri%hteo!sness shall %o forth before thee" an, the %lory of 2o, shall encompass thee< an, then tho! shalt call" an, 2o, shall hear thee< +hilst tho! art yet spea7in%" He shall say" Behol," I am +ith thee To this en," therefore" brethren" He is lon%(s!fferin%" foreseein% ho+ the people +hom He has prepare, shall +ith %!ilelessness belie#e in His Belo#e,- For He re#eale, all these thin%s to !s beforehan," that +e sho!l, not r!sh for+ar, as rash acceptors of their la+s-HAP-I3-((ANTIHRIST IS AT HAN08 LET .S THEREFORE A3OI0 4E/ISH ERRORS-It therefore beho#es !s" +ho in;!ire m!ch concernin% e#ents at han," to search ,ili%ently into those thin%s +hich are able to sa#e !s- Let !s then !tterly flee from all the +or7s of ini;!ity" lest these sho!l, ta7e hol, of !s< an, let !s hate the error of the present time" that +e may set o!r lo#e on the +orl, to come8 let !s not %i#e loose reins to o!r so!l" that it sho!l, ha#e po+er to r!n +ith sinners an, the +ic7e," lest +e become li7e them- The final st!mblin%(bloc7 9or so!rce of ,an%er: approaches" concernin% +hich it is +ritten" as Enoch says" >For for this en, the Lor, has c!t short the times an, the ,ays" that His Belo#e, may hasten< an, He +ill come to the inheritance-> An, the prophet also spea7s th!s8 >Ten 7in%,oms shall rei%n !pon the earth" an, a little 7in% shall rise !p after them" +ho shall s!b,!e !n,er one three of the7in%s-> In li7e manner 0aniel says concernin% the same" >An, I behel, the fo!rth beast" +ic7e, an, po+erf!l" an, more sa#a%e than all the beasts of the earth" an, ho+ from it spran% !p ten horns" an, o!t of them a little b!,,in% horn" an, ho+ it s!b,!e, !n,er one three of the %reat horns-> 6e o!%ht therefore to !n,erstan,- An, this also I f!rther be% of yo!" as bein% one of yo!" an, lo#in% yo! both in,i#i,!ally an, collecti#ely more than my o+n so!l" to ta7e hee, no+ to yo!rsel#es" an, not to be li7esome" a,,in% lar%ely to yo!r sins" an, sayin%" >The co#enant is both theirs an, o!rs-> B!t they th!s finally lost it" after 1oses ha, alrea,y recei#e, it- For the Script!re saith" >An, 1oses +as fastin% in the mo!nt forty ,ays an, forty ni%hts" an, recei#e, the co#enant from the Lor," tables of stone +ritten +ith the fin%er of the han, of the Lor, b!t t!rnin% a+ay to i,ols" they lost it- For the Lor, spea7s th!s to 1oses8 >1oses %o ,o+n ;!ic7ly< for the people +hom tho! hast bro!%ht o!t of the lan, of E%ypt ha#e trans%resse,-> An, 1oses !n,erstoo, @the meanin% of 2o,A" an, cast the t+o tables o!t of his han,s< an, their co#enant +as bro7en" in or,er that the co#enant of the belo#e, 4es!s mi%ht be seale, !pon o!r heart" in the hope +hich flo+s from belie#in% in Him- No+" bein% ,esiro!s to +rite many thin%s to yo!" not as yo!r teacher" b!t as becometh one +ho lo#es yo!" I ha#e ta7en care not to fail to +rite to yo! from +hat I myself possess" +ith a #ie+ to yo!r p!rification- /e ta7e earnest hee, in these last ,ays< for the +hole @pastA time of yo!r faith +ill profit yo! nothin%" !nless no+ in this +ic7e, time +e also +ithstan, comin% so!rces of ,an%er" as becometh the sons of 2o,- That the Blac7 One may fin, no means of entrance" let !s flee from e#ery #anity" let !s !tterly hate the +or7s of the +ay of +ic7e,ness- 0o not" by retirin% apart" li#e a solitary life" as if yo! +ere alrea,y @f!llyA 5!stifie,< b!t comin% to%ether in one place" ma7e common in;!iry concernin% +hat ten,s to yo!r %eneral +elfare- For the Script!re saith" >/oe to them +ho are +ise to themsel#es" an, pr!,ent in their o+n si%htB> Let !s be spirit!ally(min,e,8 let !s be a perfect temple to 2o,- As m!ch as in !s lies" let !s me,itate !pon the fear of 2o," an, let !s 7eep His comman,ments" that +e may re5oice in His or,inances- The Lor, +ill 5!,%e the +orl, +itho!t respect of persons- Each +ill recei#e as he has ,one8 if he is ri%hteo!s" his ri%hteo!sness +ill prece,e him< if he is +ic7e," the re+ar, of +ic7e,ness is before him- Ta7e hee," lest restin% at o!r ease" as those +ho are the calle, @of 2o,A" +e sho!l, fall asleep in o!r sins" an, the +ic7e, prince" ac;!irin% po+er o#er !s" sho!l, thr!st !s a+ay from the 7in%,om of the Lor,- An, all the more atten, to this" my brethren" +hen ye reflect an, behol," that after so %reat si%ns an, +on,ers +ere +ro!%ht in Israel" they +ere th!s @at len%thA aban,one,- Let !s be+are lest +e be fo!n, @f!lfillin% that sayin%A" as it is +ritten" >1any are calle," b!t fe+ are chosen->HAP- 3-((THE NE/ O3ENANT" FO.N0E0 ON THE S.FFERIN2S OF HRIST" TEN0S TO O.R SAL3ATION" B.T TO THE 4E/SC 0ESTR.TION-For to this en, the Lor, en,!re, to ,eli#er !p His flesh to corr!ption" that +e mi%ht be sanctifie, thro!%h the remission of sins" +hich is effecte, by His bloo, of sprin7lin%- For it is +ritten concernin% Him" partly +ith reference to Israel" an, partly to !s< an, @the Script!reA saith th!s8 >He +as +o!n,e, for o!r trans%ressions" an, braise, for o!r ini;!ities8 +ith His stripes +e are heale,- He +as bro!%ht as a sheep tothe sla!%hter" an, as a lamb +hich is ,!mb before its shearer-> Therefore +e o!%ht to be ,eeply %ratef!l to the Lor," beca!se He has both ma,e 7no+n to !s thin%s that are past" an, hath %i#en !s +is,om concernin% thin%s present" an, hath not left !s +itho!t!n,erstan,in% in re%ar, to thin%s +hich are to come- No+" the Script!re saith" >Not !n5!stly are nets sprea, o!t for bir,s-> This means that the man perishes 5!stly" +ho" ha#in% a 7no+le,%e of the +ay of ri%hteo!sness" r!shes off into the +ay of ,ar7ness- An, f!rther" my brethren8 if the Lor, en,!re, to s!ffer for o!r so!l" He bein% Lor, of all the +orl," to +hom 2o, sai, at the fo!n,ation of the +orl," >Let !s ma7e man after o!r ima%e" an, after o!r li7eness"> !n,erstan, ho+ it +as that He en,!re, to s!ffer at the han, of men- The prophets" ha#in% obtaine, %race from Him" prophesie, concernin% Him- An, He 9since it beho#e, Him to appear in flesh:" that He mi%ht abolish ,eath" an, re#eal the res!rrection from the ,ea," en,!re, @+hat an, as He ,i,A" in or,er that He mi%ht f!lfill the promise ma,e !nto the fathers" an, by preparin%a ne+ people for Himself" mi%ht sho+" +hile He ,+elt on earth" that He" +hen He hasraise, man7in," +ill also 5!,%e them- 1oreo#er" teachin% Israel" an, ,oin% so %reat miracles an, si%ns" He preache, @the tr!thA to him" an, %reatly lo#e, him- B!t +hen He chose His o+n apostles +ho +here to preach His 2ospel" @He ,i, so from amon% thoseA +ho +ere sinners abo#e all sin" that He mi%ht sho+ He came >not to call the ri%hteo!s" b!t sinners to repentance-> Then He manifeste, Himself to be the Son of 2o,- For if He ha, not come in the flesh" ho+ co!l, men ha#e been sa#e, by behol,in% Him? Since loo7in% !pon the s!n +hich is to cease to exist" an, is the +or7of His han,s" their eyes are not able to bear his rays- The Son of 2o, therefore came in the flesh +ith this #ie+" that He mi%ht brin% to a hea, the s!m of their sins +ho ha,persec!te, His prophets to the ,eath- For this p!rpose" then" He en,!re,- For 2o, saith" >The stro7e of his flesh is from them an, >+hen I shall smite the Shepher," then the sheep of the floc7 shall be scattere,-> He himself +ille, th!s to s!ffer" for it +as necessary that He sho!l, s!ffer on the tree- For says he /ho prophesies re%ar,in%Him" >Spare my so!l from the s+or," fasten my flesh +ith nails< for the assemblies of the +ic7e, ha#e risen !p a%ainst me-> An, a%ain he says" >Behol," I ha#e %i#en my bac7 to sco!r%es" an, my chee7s to stro7es" an, I ha#e set my co!ntenance as a firm roc7->HAP- 3I-((THE S.FFERIN2S OF HRIST" AN0 THE NE/ O3ENANT" /ERE ANNO.NE0 B6 THE PROPHETS-/hen" therefore" He has f!lfille, the comman,ment" +hat saith He? >/ho is he that +ill conten, +ith 1e? let him oppose 1e8 or +ho is he that +ill enter into 5!,%ment +ith 1e? let him ,ra+ near to the ser#ant of the Lor,-> >/oe !nto yo!" for ye shall all+ax ol," li7e a %arment" an, the moth shall eat yo! !p-> An, a%ain the prophet says" >Since as a mi%hty stone He is lai, for cr!shin%" behol, I cast ,o+n for the fo!n,ations of Dion a stone" precio!s" elect" a corner(stone" hono!rable-> Next" +hat says He? >An, he +ho shall tr!st> in it shall li#e for e#er-> Is o!r hope" then" !pon a stone? Far from it- B!t @the lan%!a%e is !se,A inasm!ch as He lai, his flesh @as a fo!n,ationA +ith po+er< for He says" >An, He place, me as a firm roc7-> An, the prophet says a%ain" >The stone +hich the b!il,ers re5ecte," the same has become the hea, of the corner-> An, a%ain he says" >This is the %reat an, +on,erf!l ,ay +hich theLor, hath ma,e- I +rite the more simply !nto yo!" that ye may !n,erstan,- I am the off(sco!rin% of yo!r lo#e- /hat" then" a%ain says the prophet? >The assembly of the +ic7e, s!rro!n,e, me< they encompasse, me as bees ,o a honeycomb"> an, >!pon my %arment they cast lots-> Since" therefore" He +as abo!t to be manifeste, an, to s!ffer in the flesh" His s!fferin% +as foresho+n- For the prophet spea7s a%ainst Israel" >/oe to their so!l" beca!se they ha#e co!nselte, an e#il co!nsel a%ainst themsel#es" sayin%" Let !s bin, the 5!st one" beca!se he is ,ispleasin% to !s-> An, 1oses also saysto them" >Behol, these thin%s" saith the Lor, 2o,8 Enter into the %oo, lan, +hich the Lor, s+are @to %i#eA to Abraham" an, Isaac" an, 4acob" an, inherit ye it" a lan, flo+in% +ith mil7 an, honey-> /hat" then" says =no+le,%e? Learn8 >Tr!st"> she says" >in Him +ho is to be manifeste, to yo! in the flesh((that is" 4es!s-> For man is earth ina s!fferin% state" for the formation of A,am +as from the face of the earth- /hat" then" meaneth this8 >into the %oo, lan," a lan, flo+in% +ith mil7 an, honey?> Blesse,be o!r Lor," +ho has place, in !s +is,om an, !n,erstan,in% of secret thin%s- For the prophet says" >/ho shall !n,erstan, the parable of the Lor," except him +ho is +ise an, pr!,ent" an, +ho lo#es his Lor,?> Since" therefore" ha#in% rene+e, !s by the remission of o!r sins" He hath ma,e !s after another pattern" @it is His p!rposeA that +e sho!l, possess the so!l of chil,ren" inasm!ch as He has create, !s ane+ by His Spirit- For the Script!re says concernin% !s" +hile He spea7s to the Son" >Let .s ma7e man after O!r ima%e" an, after O!r li7eness< an, let them ha#e ,ominion o#er the beasts of the earth" an, the fo+ls of hea#en" an, the fishes of the sea-> An, the Lor, sai," on behol,in% the fair creat!re man" >Increase" an, m!ltiply" an, replenish the earth-> These thin%s @+ere spo7enA to the Son- A%ain" I +ill sho+ thee ho+" in respect to !s" He has accomplishe, a secon, fashionin% in these last ,ays- The Lor, says" >Behol," I +ill ma7e the last li7e the first-> In reference to this" then" the prophetproclaime," >Enter ye into the lan, flo+in% +ith mil7 an, honey" an, ha#e ,ominion o#er it-> Behol," therefore" +e ha#e been refashione," as a%ain He says in another prophet" >Behol," saith the Lor," I +ill ta7e a+ay from these" that is" from those +hom the Spirit of the Lor, foresa+" their stony hearts" an, I +ill p!t hearts of flesh +ithin them"> beca!se He +as to be manifeste, in flesh" an, to so5o!rn amon% !s- For"my brethren" the habitation of o!r heart is a holy temple to the Lor,- For a%ain saith the Lor," >An, +here+ith shall I appear before the Lor, my 2o," an, be %lorifie,?> He says" >I +ill confess to thee in the h!rch in the mi,st of my brethren< an, I +ill praise thee in the mi,st of the assembly of the saints-> /e" then" are they +hom He has le, into the %oo, lan,- /hat" then" mean mil7 an, honey? This" that as the infant is 7ept ali#e first by honey" an, then by mil7" so also +e" bein% ;!ic7ene, an, 7ept ali#e by the faith of the promise an, by the +or," shall li#e r!lin% o#er the earth- B!t He sai, abo#e" >Let them increase" an, nile o#er the fishes-> /ho then is able to %o#ern the beasts" or the fishes" or the fo+ls of hea#en? For +e o!%ht to percei#e that to %o#ern implies a!thority" so that one sho!l, comman, an, r!le- If" therefore" this ,oes not exist at present" yet still He has promise, it to !s- /hen? /hen +e o!rsel#es also ha#e been ma,e perfect @so asA to become heirs of the co#enant of the Lor,->HAP- 3II-((FASTIN2" AN0 THE 2OAT SENT A/A6" /ERE T6PES OF HRIST-.n,erstan," then" ye chil,ren of %la,ness" that the %oo, Lor, has foresho+n all thin%sto !s" that +e mi%ht 7no+ to +hom +e o!%ht for e#erythin% to ren,er than7s%i#in% an, praise- If therefore the Son of 2o," +ho is Lor, all thin%s" an, +ho +ill 5!,%e the li#in% an, the ,ea," s!ffere," that His stro7e mi%ht %i#e !s life" let !s belie#e that the Son of 2o, co!l, not ha#e s!ffere, except for o!r sa7es- 1oreo#er" +hen fixe, to the cross" He ha, %i#en Him to ,rin7 #ine%ar an, %all- Hear7en ho+ the priests of the people %a#e pre#io!s in,ications of this- His comman,ment ha#in% been +ritten" the Lor, en5oine," that +hosoe#er ,i, not 7eep the fast sho!l, be p!t to ,eath" beca!se He also Himself +as to offer in sacrifice for o!r sins the #essel of the Spirit" in or,er that the type establishe, in Isaac +hen he +as offere, !pon the altar mi%ht be f!lly accomplishe,- /hat" then" says He in the prophet? >An, let them eat of the %oat +hich is offere," +ith fastin%" for all their sins-> Atten, caref!lly8 >An, let all the priests alone eat the in+ar,s" !n+ashe, +ith #ine%ar-> /herefore? Beca!se to me" +ho am to offer my flesh for the sins of my ne+ people" ye are to %i#e %all +ith #ine%ar to ,rin78 eat ye alone" +hile the people fast an, mo!rn in sac7cloth an, ashes-@These thin%s +ere ,oneA that He mi%ht sho+ that it +as necessary for Him to s!ffer for them- Ho+" then" ran the comman,ment? 2i#e yo!r attention- Ta7e t+o %oats of %oo,ly aspect" an, similar to each other" an, offer them- An, let the priest ta7e one as a b!rnt(offerin% for sins- An, +hat sho!l, they ,o +ith the other? >Acc!rse,"> says He" >is the one-> 1ar7 ho+ the type of 4es!s no+ comes o!t- >An, all of yo! spit !pon it" an, pierce it" an, encircle its hea, +ith scarlet +ool" an, th!s let it be ,ri#en into the +il,erness-> An, +hen all this has been ,one" he +ho bears the %oat brin%s it into the ,esert" an, ta7es the +ool off from it" an, places that !pon a shr!b +hich is calle, Rachia" of +hich also +e are acc!stome, to eat the fr!its +hen +e fin, them in the fiel,- Of this 7in, of shr!b alone the fr!its are s+eet- /hy then" a%ain" is this? 2i#e %oo, hee,- @6o! seeA >one !pon the altar" an, the other acc!rse, an, +hy @,o yo! behol,A the one that is acc!rse, cro+ne,? Beca!se they shall see Him then in that,ay ha#in% a scarlet robe abo!t his bo,y ,o+n to his feet< an, they shall say" Is not this He +hom +e once ,espise," an, pierce," an, moc7e," an, cr!cifie,? Tr!ly this isHe +ho then ,eclare, Himself to be the Son of 2o,- For ho+ li7e is He to HimB /ith a #ie+ to this" @He re;!ire,A the %oats to be of %oo,ly aspect" an, similar" that" +hen they see Him then comin%" they may be amaEe, by the li7eness of the %oat- Behol," then" the type of 4es!s +ho +as to s!ffer- B!t +hy is it that they place the +ool in the mi,st of thorns? It is a type of 4es!s set before the #ie+ of the h!rch- @They place the +ool amon% thornsA" that any one +ho +ishes to bear it a+ay may fin, it necessary to s!ffer m!ch" beca!se the thorn is formi,able" an, th!s obtain it only as the res!lt of s!fferin%- Th!s also" says He" >Those +ho +ish to behol, 1e" an, lay hol, of 1y 7in%,om" m!st thro!%h trib!lation an, s!fferin% obtain 1e->HAP- 3III-((THE RE0 HEIFER A T6PE OF HRIST-No+ +hat ,o yo! s!ppose this to be a type of" that a comman, +as %i#en to Israel" that men of the %reatest +ic7e,ness sho!l, offer a heifer" an, slay an, b!rn it" an," that then boys sho!l, ta7e the ashes" an, p!t these into #essels" an, bin, ro!n, a stic7 p!rple +ool alon% +ith hyssop" an, that th!s the boys sho!l, sprin7le the people" one by one" in or,er that they mi%ht be p!rifie, from their sins? onsi,er ho+ He spea7s to yo! +ith simplicity- The calf is 4es!s8 the sinf!l men offerin% it are those +ho le, Him to the sla!%hter- B!t no+ the men are no lon%er %!ilty" are no lon%er re%ar,e, as sinners- An, the boys that sprin7le are those that ha#e proclaime, to !s the remission of sins an, p!rification of heart- To these He %a#e a!thority to preach the 2ospel" bein% t+el#e in n!mber" correspon,in% to the t+el#e tribes of Israel- B!t +hy are there three boys that sprin7le? To correspon, to Abraham" an, Isaac" an, 4acob" beca!se these +ere %reat +ith 2o,- An, +hy +as the +ool @place,A !pon the +oo,? Beca!se by +oo, 4es!s hol,s His 7in%,om" so that @thro!%h the crossA those belie#in%on Him shall li#e for e#er- B!t +hy +as hyssop 5oine, +ith the +ool? Beca!se in His 7in%,om the ,ays +ill be e#il an, poll!te, in +hich +e shall be sa#e," @an,A beca!se he +ho s!ffers in bo,y is c!re, thro!%h the cleansin% efficacy of hyssop- An, on this acco!nt the thin%s +hich stan, th!s are clear to !s" b!t obsc!re to them beca!se they ,i, not hear the #oice of the Lor,-HAP- IF-((THE SPIRIT.AL 1EANIN2 OF IR.1ISION-He spea7s moreo#er concernin% o!r ears" ho+ He hath circ!mcise, both them an, o!rheart- The Lor, saith in the prophet" >In the hearin% of the ear they obeye, me-> An, a%ain He saith" >By hearin%" those shall hear +ho are afar off< they shall 7no+ +hat I ha#e ,one-> An," >Be ye circ!mcise, in yo!r hearts" saith the Lor,-> An, a%ain He says" >Hear" O lsrael" for these thin%s saith the Lor, thy 2o,-> An, once more the Spirit of the Lor, proclaims" >/ho is he that +ishes to li#e for e#er? By hearin% let him hear the #oice of my ser#ant-> An, a%ain He saith" >Hear" O hea#en" an, %i#e ear" O earth" for 2o, hath spo7en-> These are in proof- An, a%ain He saith" >Hear the +or,of the Lor," ye r!lers of this people-> An, a%ain He saith" >Hear" ye chil,ren" the #oiceof one cryin% in the +il,erness-> Therefore He hath circ!mcise, o!r ears" that +e mi%ht hear His +or, an, belie#e" for the circ!mcision in +hich they tr!ste, is abolishe,- For He ,eclare, that circ!mcision +as not of the flesh" b!t they trans%resse, beca!se an e#il an%el ,el!,e, them- He saith to them" >These thin%s saiththe Lor, yo!r 2o,>(9here I fin, a ne+ comman,ment:((>So+ not amon% thorns" b!t circ!mcise yo!rsel#es to the Lor,-> An, +hy spea7s He th!s8 >irc!mcise the st!bbornness of yo!r heart" an, har,en not yo!r nec7?> An, a%ain8 >Behol," saith the Lor," all the nations are !ncirc!mcise, in the flesh" b!t this people are !ncirc!mcise, in heart-> B!t tho! +ilt say" >6ea" #erily the people are circ!mcise, for a seal-> B!t so also is e#ery Syrian an, Arab" an, all the priests of i,ols8 are these then also +ithin the bon, of His co#enant? 6ea" the E%yptians also practise circ!mcision- Learn then" my chil,ren" concernin% all thin%s richly" that Abraham" the first +ho en5oine, circ!mcision" loo7in% for+ar, in spirit to 4es!s" practise, that rite" ha#in% recei#e, themysteries of the three letters- For @the Script!reA saith" >An, Abraham circ!mcise, ten" an, ei%ht" an, three h!n,re, men of his ho!sehol,-> /hat" then" +as the 7no+le,%e %i#en to him in this? Learn the ei%hteen first" an, then the three h!n,re,- The ten an, the ei%ht are th!s ,enote,((Ten by I" an, Ei%ht by H- 6o! ha#e @the initials of the" name ofA 4es!s- An, beca!se the cross +as to express the %race @of o!r re,emptionA by the letter he says also" >Three H!n,re,-> He si%nifies" therefore" 4es!s by t+o letters" an, the cross by one- He 7no+s this" +ho has p!t +ithin !s the en%rafte, %ift of His ,octrine- No one has been a,mitte, by me to a more excellent piece of 7no+le,%e than this" b!t I 7no+ that ye are +orthy-HAP- F-((SPIRIT.AL SI2NIFIANE OF THE PREEPTS OF 1OSES RESPETIN2 0IFFERENT =IN0S OF FOO0-No+" +herefore ,i, 1oses say" >Tho! shalt not eat the s+ine" nor the ea%le" nor the ha+7" nor the ra#en" nor any fish +hich is not possesse, of scales?> He embrace, three ,octrines in his min, @in ,oin% soA- 1oreo#er" the Lor, saith to them in 0e!teronomy" >An, I +ill establish my or,inances amon% this people-> Is there then not a comman, of 2o, they sho!l, not eat @these thin%sA? There is" b!t 1oses spo7e +ith a spirit!al reference- For this reason he name, the s+ine" as m!ch as to say" >Tho! shalt not 5oin thyself to men +ho resemble s+ine-> For +hen they li#e in pleas!re" they for%et their Lor,< b!t +hen they come to +ant" they ac7no+le,%e the Lor,- An, @in li7e mannerA the s+ine" +hen it has eaten" ,oes not reco%niEe its master says he >the ea%le" nor the ha+7" nor the 7ite" nor the ra#en-> >Tho! shalt not 5oin thyself"> he means" >to s!ch men as 7no+ not ho+ to proc!re foo, for themsel#esby labo!r an, s+eat" b!t seiEe on that of others in their ini;!ity" an, altho!%h +earin% an aspect of simplicity" are on the +atch to pl!n,er others-> So these bir,s" +hile they sit i,le" in;!ire ho+ they may ,e#o!r the flesh of others" pro#in% themsel#es pests @to allA by their +ic7e,ness- >An, tho! shalt not eat"> he says" >the lamprey" or the polyp!s" or the c!ttlefish-> He means" >Tho! shalt not 5oin thyself or be li7e to s!ch men as are !n%o,ly to the en," an, are con,emne, to ,eath-> In li7e manner as those fishes" abo#e acc!rse," float in the ,eep" not s+immin% @on the s!rfaceA li7e the rest" b!t ma7e their abo,e in the m!, +hich lies at the bottom- 1oreo#er" >Tho! shall not">he says" >eat the hare-> /herefore? >Tho! shall not be a corr!pter of boys" nor li7e !nto s!ch-> Beca!se the hare m!ltiplies" year by year" the places of its conception< for as many years as it li#es so many it has- 1oreo#er" >Tho! shall not eat the hyena-> He means" >Tho! shall not be an a,!lterer" nor a corr!pter" nor be li7e to them that are s!ch-> /herefore? Beca!se that animal ann!ally chan%es its sex" an, is at one time male" an, at another female- 1oreo#er" he has ri%htly ,eteste, the +easel- For he means" >Tho! shalt not be li7e to those +hom +e hear of as committin% +ic7e,ness +ith the mo!th" on acco!nt of their !ncleanness< nor shall tho! be 5oine, to those imp!re +omen +ho commit ini;!ity +ith the mo!th- For this animal concei#es by themo!th-> 1oses then iss!e, three ,octrines concernin% meats +ith a spirit!al si%nificance< b!t they recei#e, them accor,in% to fleshly ,esire" as if he ha, merely spo7en of @literalA meats- 0a#i," ho+e#er" comprehen,s the 7no+le,%e of the three ,octrines" an, spea7s in li7e manner8 >Blesse, is the man +ho hath not +al7e, in the co!nsel of the !n%o,ly"> e#en as the fishes @referre, toA %o in ,ar7ness to the ,epths @of the seaA< >an, hath not stoo, in the +ay of sinners"> e#en as those +ho profess to fear the Lor," b!t %o astray li7e s+ine< >an, hath not sat in the seat of scorners"> e#en as those bir,s that lie in +ait for prey- Ta7e a f!ll an, firm %rasp of this spirit!al 7no+le,%e- B!t 1oses says still f!rther" >6e shall eat e#ery animal that is clo#en(foote, an, r!minant-> /hat ,oes he mean? @The r!minant animal ,enotes himA +ho" on recei#in% foo," reco%niEes Him that no!rishes him" an, bein% satisfie, by Him" is #isibly ma,e %la,- /ell spa7e @1osesA" ha#in% respect to the comman,ment- /hat" then" ,oes he mean? That +e o!%ht to 5oin o!rsel#es to those that fear the Lor," those +ho me,itate in their heart on the comman,ment +hich they ha#e recei#e," those +ho both !tter the 5!,%ments of the Lor, an, obser#e them" those +ho 7no+ that me,itation is a +or7 of %la,ness" an, +ho r!minate !pon the +or, of the Lor,- B!t +hat means the clo#en(foote,? That the ri%hteo!s man also +al7s in this +orl," yet loo7s for+ar, to the holy state @to comeA- Behol, ho+ +ell 1oses le%islate,- B!t ho++as it possible for them to !n,erstan, or comprehen, these thin%s? /e then" ri%htly !n,erstan,in% his comman,ments" explain them as the Lor, inten,e,- For this p!rpose He circ!mcise, o!r ears an, o!r hearts" that +e mi%ht !n,erstan, these thin%s-HAP- FI-((BAPTIS1 AN0 THE ROSS PREFI2.RE0 IN THE OL0 TESTA1ENT-Let !s f!rther in;!ire +hether the Lor, too7 any care to foresha,o+ the +ater @of baptismA an, the cross- oncernin% the +ater" in,ee," it is +ritten" in reference to the Israelites" that they sho!l, not recei#e that baptism +hich lea,s to the remission of sins" b!t sho!l, proc!re another for themsel#es- The prophet therefore ,eclares" >Be astonishe," O hea#en" an, let the earth tremble at this" beca!se this people hath committe, t+o %reat e#ils8 they ha#e forsa7en 1e" a li#in% fo!ntain" an, ha#e he+n o!t for themsel#es bro7en cisterns- Is my holy hill Dion a ,esolate roc7? For ye shall be as the fle,%lin%s of a bir," +hich fly a+ay +hen the nest is remo#e,-> An, a%ain saith the prophet" >I +ill %o before thee an, ma7e le#el the mo!ntains" an, +ill brea7 the braEen %ates" an, br!ise in pieces the iron bars< an, I +ill %i#e thee the secrets hi,,en" in#isible treas!res" that they may 7no+ that I am the Lor, 2o,-> An, >He shall ,+ell in a lofty ca#e of the stron% roc7-> F!rthermore" +hat saith He in referenceto the Son? >His +ater is s!re< ye shall see the =in% in His %lory" an, yo!r so!l shall me,itate on the fear of the Lor,-> An, a%ain He saith in another prophet" >The man +ho ,oeth these thin%s shall be li7e a tree plante, by the co!rses of +aters" +hich shall yiel, its fr!it in ,!e season< an, his leaf shall not fa,e" an, all that he ,oeth shallprosper- Not so are the !n%o,ly" not so" b!t e#en as chaff" +hich the +in, s+eeps a+ay from the face of the earth- Therefore the !n%o,ly shall not stan, in 5!,%ment" nor sinners in the co!nsel of the 5!st< for the Lor, 7no+eth the +ay of the ri%hteo!s" b!t the +ay of the !n%o,ly shall perish-> 1ar7 ho+ He has ,escribe, at once both the +ater an, the cross- For these +or,s imply" Blesse, are they +ho" placin% their tr!st in the cross" ha#e %one ,o+n into the +ater< for" says He" they shall recei#e their re+ar, in ,!e time8 then He ,eclares" I +ill recompense them- B!t no+ He saith" >Their lea#es shall not fa,e-> This meaneth" that e#ery +or, +hich procee,eth o!t of yo!r mo!th in faith an, lo#e shall ten, to brin% con#ersion an, hope to many- A%ain" another prophet saith" >An, the lan, of 4acob shall be extolle, abo#e e#ery lan,-> This meaneth the #essel of His Spirit" +hich He shall %lorify- F!rther" +hat says He? >An, there +as a ri#er flo+in% on the ri%ht" an, from it arose bea!tif!l trees< an, +hosoe#er shall eat of them shall li#e for e#er-> This meaneth" that +e in,ee, ,escen,into the +ater f!ll of sins an, ,efilement" b!t come !p" bearin% fr!it in o!r heart" ha#in% the fear @of 2o,A an, tr!st in 4es!s in o!r spirit- >An, +hosoe#er shall eat of these shall li#e for e#er"> This meaneth8 /hosoe#er" He ,eclares" shall hear thee spea7in%" an, belie#e" shall li#e for e#er-HAP- FII-((THE ROSS OF HRIST FREG.ENTL6 ANNO.NE0 IN THE OL0 TESTA1ENT-In li7e manner He points to the cross of hrist in another prophet" +ho saith" >An, +hen shall these thin%s be accomplishe,? An, the Lor, saith" /hen a tree shall be bent ,o+n" an, a%ain arise" an, +hen bloo, shall flo+ o!t of +oo,-> Here a%ain yo! ha#e an intimation concernin% the cross" an, Him +ho sho!l, be cr!cifie,- 6et a%ain He spea7s of this in 1oses" +hen Israel +as attac7e, by stran%ers- An, that He mi%ht remin, them" +hen assaile," that it +as on acco!nt of their sins they +ere ,eli#ere, to,eath" the Spirit spea7s to the heart of 1oses" that he sho!l, ma7e a fi%!re of the cross" an, of Him abo!t to s!ffer thereon< for !nless they p!t their tr!st in Him" they shall be o#ercome for e#er- 1oses therefore place, one +eapon abo#e another in the mi,st of the hill" an, stan,in% !pon it" so as to be hi%her than all the people" he stretche, forth his han,s" an, th!s a%ain Israel ac;!ire, the mastery- B!t +hen a%ain he let ,o+n his han,s" they +ere a%ain ,estroye,- For +hat reason? That they mi%ht 7no+ that they co!l, not be sa#e, !nless they p!t their tr!st in Him- An, in another prophet He ,eclares" >All ,ay lon% I ha#e stretche, forth 1y han,s to an !nbelie#in% people" an, one that %ainsays 1y ri%hteo!s +ay-> An, a%ain 1oses ma7es a type of 4es!s" @si%nifyin%A that it +as necessary for Him to s!ffer" @an, alsoA that He +o!l, be the a!thor of life @to othersA" +hom they belie#e, to ha#e ,estroye, on the cross +henIsrael +as failin%- For since trans%ression +as committe, by E#e thro!%h means of the serpent" @the Lor,A bro!%ht it to pass that e#ery @7in, ofA serpents bit them" an, they ,ie," that He mi%ht con#ince them" that on acco!nt of their trans%ression they +ere %i#en o#er to the straits of ,eath- 1oreo#er 1oses" +hen he comman,e," >6e shall not ha#e any %ra#en or molten @ima%eA for yo!r 2o,"> ,i, so that he mi%ht re#eal a type of 4es!s- 1oses then ma7es a braEen serpent" an, places it !pon a beam" an, by proclamation assembles the people- /hen" therefore" they +ere come to%ether"they beso!%ht 1oses that he +o!l, offer sacrifice in their behalf" an, pray for their reco#ery- An, 1oses spa7e !nto them" sayin%" >/hen any one of yo! is bitten" let himcome to the serpent place, on the pole< an, let him hope an, belie#e" that e#en tho!%h,ea," it is able to %i#e him life" an, imme,iately he shall be restore,-> An, they ,i, so- Tho! hast in this also @an in,ication ofA the %lory of 4es!s< for in Him an, to Him are all thin%s- /hat" a%ain" says 1oses to 4es!s 94osh!a: the son of Na#e" +hen he %a#e him this name" as bein% a prophet" +ith this #ie+ only" that all the people mi%ht hear that the Father +o!l, re#eal all thin%s concernin% His Son 4es!s to the son of Na#e? This name then bein% %i#en him +hen he sent him to spy o!t the lan," he sai," >Ta7e a boo7 into thy han,s" an, +rite +hat the Lor, ,eclares" that the Son of 2o, +ill in the last ,ays c!t off from the roots all the ho!se of Amale7-> Behol, a%ain8 4es!s +ho +as manifeste," both by type an, in the flesh" is not the Son of man" b!t the Son of 2o,- Since" therefore" they +ere to say that hrist +as the son of 0a#i," fearin% an, !n,erstan,in% the error of the +ic7e," he saith" >The Lor, sai, !nto my Lor," Sit at 1y ri%ht han," !ntil I ma7e Thine enemies Thy footstool-> An, a%ain" th!s saith Isaiah" >The Lor, sai, to hrist" my Lor," +hose ri%ht han, I ha#e hol,en" that the nations sho!l, yiel, obe,ience before Him< an, I +ill brea7 in pieces the stren%th of 7in%s-> Behol, ho+ 0a#i, calleth Him Lor, an, the Son of 2o,-HAP- FIII-((HRISTIANS" AN0 NOT 4E/S" THE HEIRS OF THE O3ENANT-B!t let !s see if this people is the heir" or the former" an, if the co#enant belon%s to !s or to them- Hear ye no+ +hat the Script!re saith concernin% the people- Isaac praye, for Rebecca his +ife" beca!se she +as barren< an, she concei#e,- F!rthermore also" Rebecca +ent forth to in;!ire of the Lor,< an, the Lor, sai, to her" >T+o nations are in thy +omb" an, t+o peoples in thy belly< an, the one people shall s!rpass the other" an, the ei,er shall ser#e the yo!n%er-> 6o! o!%ht to !n,erstan, +ho +as Isaac" +ho Rebecca" an, concernin% +hat persons He ,eclare, that this people sho!l, be %reater than that- An, in another prophecy 4acob spea7s more clearly to his son 4oseph" sayin%" >Behol," the Lor, hath not ,epri#e, me of thy presence< brin% thy sons to me" that I may bless them-> An, he bro!%ht 1anasseh an, Ephraim" ,esirin% that 1anasseh sho!l, be blesse," beca!se he +as the ei,er- /ith this #ie+ 4oseph le, him to the ri%ht han, of his father 4acob- B!t 4acob sa+ in spirit the type of the people to arise after+ar,s- An, +hat says @the Script!reA? An, 4acob chan%e, the ,irection of his ban,s" an, lai, his fi%ht han, !pon the hea, of Ephraim" the secon, an, yo!n%er" an, blesse, him- An, 4oseph sai, to 4acob" >Transfer thy ri%ht han, to the hea, of 1anasseh" for he is my first(born son-> An, 4acob sai," >I 7no+ it" my son" I 7no+ it< b!t the ei,er shall ser#e the yo!n%er8 yet he also shall be blesse,-> 6e see on +hom helai, @his han,sA" that this people sho!l, be first" an, heir of the co#enant- If then" still f!rther" the same thin% +as intimate, thro!%h Abraham" +e reach the perfection of o!r7no+le,%e- /hat" then" says He to Abraham? >Beca!se tho! hast belie#e," it is imp!te, to thee for ri%hteo!sness8 behol," I ha#e ma,e thee the father of those nations+ho belie#e in the Lor, +hile in @a state ofA !ncirc!mcision->HAP- FI3-((THE LOR0 HATH 2I3EN .S THE TESTA1ENT /HIH 1OSES REEI3E0 AN0 BRO=E-6es @it is e#en soA< b!t let !s in;!ire if the Lor, has really %i#en that testament +hich He s+ore to the fathers that He +o!l, %i#e to the people- He ,i, %i#e it< b!t they +erenot +orthy to recei#e it" on acco!nt of their sins- For the prophet ,eclares" >An, 1oses +as fastin% forty ,ays an, forty ni%hts on 1o!nt Sinai" that he mi%ht recei#e the testament of the Lor, for the people-> An, he recei#e, from the Lor, t+o tables" +ritten in the spirit by the fin%er of the han, of the Lor,- An, 1oses ha#in% recei#e, them" carrie, them ,o+n to %i#e to the people- An, the Lor, sai, to 1oses" >1oses" 1oses" %o ,o+n ;!ic7ly< for thy people hath sinne," +hom tho! ,i,st brin% o!t of thelan, of E%ypt-> An, 1oses !n,erstoo, that they ha, a%ain ma,e molten ima%es< an, he thre+ the tables o!t of his han,s" an, the tables of the testament of the Lor, +ere bro7en- 1oses then recei#e, it" b!t they pro#e, themsel#es !n+orthy- Learn no+ ho++e ha#e recei#e, it- 1oses" as a ser#ant" recei#e, it< b!t the Lor, himself" ha#in% s!ffere, in o!r behalf" hath %i#en it to !s" that +e sho!l, be the people of inheritance- B!t He +as manifeste," in or,er that they mi%ht be perfecte, in their ini;!ities" an, that +e" bein% constit!te, heirs thro!%h Him" mi%ht recei#e the testament of the Lor, 4es!s" +ho +as prepare, for this en," that by His personal manifestation" re,eemin% o!r hearts 9+hich +ere alrea,y +aste, by ,eath" an, %i#en o#er to the ini;!ity of error: from ,ar7ness" He mi%ht by His +or, enter into a co#enant +ith !s- For it is +ritten ho+ the Father" abo!t to re,eem !s from ,ar7ness" comman,e, Him to prepare a holy people for Himself- The prophet therefore ,eclares" >I" the Lor, Thy 2o," ha#e calle, Thee in ri%hteo!sness" an, +ill hol, Thy han," an, +ill stren%then Thee< an, I ha#e %i#en Thee for a co#enant to the people" for a li%ht to the nations" to open the eyes of the blin," an, to brin% forth from fetters them that are bo!n," an, those that sit in ,ar7ness o!t of the prison(ho!se-> 6e percei#e" then" +hence +e ha#e been re,eeme,- An, a%ain" the prophet says" >Behol," I ha#e appointe, Thee as a li%htto the nations" that Tho! mi%htest be for sal#ation e#en to the en,s of the earth" saith the Lor, 2o, that re,eemeth thee-> An, a%ain" the prophet saith" >The Spirit of the Lor, is !pon me< beca!se He hath anointe, me to preach the 2ospel to the h!mble8 He hath sent me to heal the bro7en(hearte," to proclaim ,eli#erance to the capti#es" an, reco#ery of si%ht to the blin,< to anno!nce the acceptable year of the Lor," an, the ,ay of recompense< to comfort all that mo!rn->HAP- F3-((THE FALSE AN0 THE TR.E SABBATH-F!rther" also" it is +ritten concernin% the Sabbath in the 0ecalo%!e +hich @the Lor,A spo7e" face to face" to 1oses on 1o!nt Sinai" >An, sanctify ye the Sabbath of the Lor, +ith clean han,s an, a p!re heart-> An, He says in another place" >If my sons 7eep the Sabbath" then +ill I ca!se my mercy to rest !pon them-> The Sabbath is mentione, at the be%innin% of the creation @th!sA8 >An, 2o, ma,e in six ,ays the +or7s of His han,s" an, ma,e an en, on the se#enth ,ay" an, reste, on it" an, sanctifie, it-> Atten," my chil,ren" to the meanin% of this expression" >He finishe, in six ,ays-> This implieth that the Lor, +ill finish all thin%s in six tho!san, years" for a ,ay is +ith Him a tho!san, years- An, He Himself testifieth" sayin%" >Behol," to(,ay +ill be as a tho!san, years-> Therefore" my chil,ren" in six ,ays" that is" in six tho!san, years" all thin%s +ill be finishe,- >An, He reste, on the se#enth ,ay-> This meaneth8 +hen His Son" comin% @a%ainA" shall ,estroy the time of the +ic7e, man" an, 5!,%e the !n%o,ly" an, chan%e the(s!n" an, the moon" an, the stars" then shall He tr!ly rest on the se#enth ,ay- 1oreo#er" He says" >Tho! shalt sanctify it +ith p!re han,s an, a p!re heart-> If" therefore" any one can no+ sanctify the ,ay +hich 2o, hath sanctifie," except he is p!re in heart in all thin%s" +e are ,ecei#e,- Behol," therefore8 certainly then one properly restin% sanctifies it" +hen +e o!rsel#es" ha#in% recei#e, the promise" +ic7e,ness no lon%er existin%" an, all thin%s ha#in% been ma,e ne+ by the Lor," shall be able to +or7 ri%hteo!sness- Then +e shall be able to sanctify it" ha#in% been first sanctifie, o!rsel#es- F!rther" He says to them" >6o!r ne+moons an, yo!r Sabbath I cannot en,!re-> 6e percei#e ho+ He spea7s8 6o!r present Sabbaths are not acceptable to 1e" b!t that is +hich I ha#e ma,e" @namely this"A +hen" %i#in% rest to all thin%s" I shall ma7e a be%innin% of the ei%hth ,ay" that is" a be%innin% of another +orl,- /herefore" also" +e 7eep the ei%hth ,ay +ith 5oyf!lness" the ,ay also on +hich 4es!s rose a%ain from the ,ea,- An, +hen He ha, manifeste, Himself" He ascen,e, into the hea#ens-HAP- F3I-((THE SPIRIT.AL TE1PLE OF 2O0-1oreo#er" I +ill also tell yo! concernin% the temple" ho+ the +retche, @4e+sA" +an,erin% in error" tr!ste, not in 2o, Himself" b!t in the temple" as bein% the ho!se of 2o,- For almost after the manner of the 2entiles they +orshippe, Him in the temple- B!t learn ho+ the Lor, spea7s" +hen abolishin% it8 >/ho hath mete, o!t hea#en +ith a span" an, the earth +ith his palm? Ha#e not I?> >Th!s saith the Lor," Hea#en is 1y throne" an, the earth 1y footstool8 +hat 7in, of ho!se +ill ye b!il, to 1e" or +hat is the place of 1y rest?> 6e percei#e that their hope is #ain- 1oreo#er" He a%ain says" >Behol," they +ho ha#e cast ,o+n this temple" e#en they shall b!il, it !p a%ain-> It has so happene,- For thro!%h their %oin% to +ar" it +as ,estroye, by theirenemies< an, no+8 they" as the ser#ants of their enemies" shall reb!il, it- A%ain" it +asre#eale, that the city an, the temple an, the people of Israel +ere to be %i#en !p- For the Script!re saith" >An, it shall come to pass in the last ,ays" that the Lor, +ill ,eli#er !p the sheep of His past!re" an, their sheep(fol, an, to+er" to ,estr!ction-> An, it so happene, as the Lor, ha, spo7en- Let !s in;!ire" then" if there still is a temple of 2o,- There is((+here He himself ,eclare, He +o!l, ma7e an, finish it- For it is +ritten" >An, it shall come to pass" +hen the +ee7 is complete," the temple of 2o, shall be b!ilt in %lory in the name of the Lor,-> I fin," therefore" that a temple ,oes exist- Learn" then" ho+ it shall be b!ilt in the name of the Lor,- Before +e belie#e, in 2o," the habitation of o!r heart +as corr!pt an, +ea7" as bein% in,ee, li7e a temple ma,e +ith han,s- For it +as f!ll of i,olatry" an, +as a habitation of ,emons" thro!%h o!r ,oin% s!ch thin%s as +ere oppose, to @the +ill ofA 2o,- B!t it shall be b!ilt" obser#e ye" in the name of the Lor," in or,er that the temple of the Lor,may be b!ilt in %lory- Ho+? Learn @as follo+sA- Ha#in% recei#e, the for%i#eness of sins" an, place, o!r tr!st in the name of the Lor," +e ha#e become ne+ creat!res" forme, a%ain from the be%innin%- /herefore in o!r habitation 2o, tr!ly ,+ells in !s- Ho+? His +or, of faith< His callin% of promise< the +is,om of the stat!tes< the comman,s of the ,octrine< He himself prophesyin% in !s< He himself ,+ellin% in !s< openin% to !s +ho +ere ensla#e, by ,eath the ,oors of the temple" that is" the mo!th< an, by %i#in% !s repentance intro,!ce, !s into the incorr!ptible temple- He then" +ho +ishes to be sa#e," loo7s not to man" b!t to Him +ho ,+elleth in him" an, spea7eth in him" amaEe, at ne#er ha#in% either hear, him !tter s!ch +or,s +ith his mo!th" nor himself ha#in% e#er ,esire, to hear them- This is the spirit!al temple b!ilt for the Lor,-HAP- F3II-((ONL.SION OF THE FIRST PART OF THE EPISTLE-As far as +as possible" an, co!l, be ,one +ith perspic!ity" I cherish the hope that" accor,in% to my ,esire" I ha#e omitte, none of those thin%s at present @,eman,in% consi,erationA" +hich bear !pon yo!r sal#ation- For if I sho!l, +rite to yo! abo!t thin%s f!t!re" ye +o!l, not !n,erstan," beca!se s!ch 7no+le,%e is hi, in parables- These thin%s then are so-HAP- F3III-((SEON0 PART OF THE EPISTLE- THE T/O /A6S-B!t let !s no+ pass to another sort of 7no+le,%e an, ,octrine- There are t+o +ays of ,octrine an, a!thority" the one of li%ht" an, the other of ,ar7ness- B!t there is a %reat ,ifference bet+een these t+o +ays- For o#er one are statione, the li%ht(brin%in% an%els of 2o," b!t o#er the other the an%elsC of Satan- An, He in,ee, 9i-e-" 2o,: is Lor, for e#er an, e#er" b!t he 9i-e-" Satan: is prince of the time of ini;!ity-HAP- FIF-((THE /A6 OF LI2HT-The +ay of li%ht" then" is as follo+s- If any one ,esires to tra#el to the appointe, place" he m!st be Eealo!s in his +or7s- The 7no+le,%e" therefore" +hich is %i#en to !sfor the p!rpose of +al7in% in this +ay" is the follo+in%- Tho! shalt lo#e Him that create, thee8 tho! shalt %lorify Him that re,eeme, thee from ,eath- Tho! shalt be simple in heart" an, rich in spirit- Tho! shalt not 5oin thyself to those +ho +al7 in the +ay of ,eath- Tho! shalt hate ,oin% +hat is !npleasin% to 2o,8 tho! shalt hate all hypocrisy- Tho! shalt not forsa7e the comman,ments of the Lor,- Tho! shalt not exaltthyself" b!t shalt be of a lo+ly min,- Tho! shalt not ta7e %lory to thyself- Tho! shalt not ta7e e#il co!nsel a%ainst thy nei%hbo!r- Tho! shalt not allo+ o#er(bol,ness to enter into thy so!l- Tho! shalt not commit fornication8 tho! shalt not commit a,!ltery8tho! shalt not be a corr!pter of yo!th- Tho! shalt not let the +or, of 2o, iss!e from thy lips +ith any 7in, of imp!rity- Tho! shalt not accept persons +hen tho! repro#est any one for trans%ression- Tho! shalt be mee78 tho! shalt be peaceable- Tho! shalt tremble at the +or,s +hich tho! hearest- Tho! shalt not be min,f!l of e#il a%ainst thy brother- Tho! shalt not be of ,o!btf!l min, as to +hether a thin% shall be or not- Tho!shalt not ta7e the name of the Lor, in #ain- Tho! shalt lo#e thy nei%hbo!r more than thine o+n so!l- Tho! shalt not slay the chil, by proc!rin% abortion< nor" a%ain" shalt tho! ,estroy it after it is born- Tho! shalt not +ith,ra+ thy han, from thy son" or fromthy ,a!%hter" b!t from their infancy tho! shalt teach them the fear of the Lor,- Tho! shalt not co#et +hat is thy nei%hbo!rCs" nor shalt tho! be a#aricio!s- Tho! shalt not be 5oine, in so!l +ith the ha!%hty" b!t tho! shalt be rec7one, /ith the ri%hteo!s an, lo+ly- Recei#e tho! as %oo, thin%s the trials +hich come !pon thee- Tho! shalt not beof ,o!ble min, or of ,o!ble ton%!e" for a ,o!ble ton%!e is a snare of ,eath- Tho! shalt be s!b5ect to the Lor," an, to @otherA masters as the ima%e of 2o," +ith mo,esty an, fear- Tho! shalt not iss!e or,ers +ith bitterness to thy mai,ser#ant or thy man(ser#ant" +ho tr!st in the same @2o,A" lest tho! sho!l,st not re#erence that 2o, +ho is abo#e both< for He came to call men not accor,in% to their o!t+ar, appearance" b!t accor,in% as the Spirit ha, prepare, them- Tho! shalt comm!nicate in all thin%s +ith thy nei%hbo!r< tho! shalt not call thin%s thine o+n< for if ye are parta7ers in common of thin%s +hich are incorr!ptible" ho+ m!ch more @sho!l, yo! beA of those thin%s +hich are corr!ptibleB Tho! shalt not be hasty +ith thy ton%!e" for the mo!th is a snare of ,eath- As far as possible" tho! shalt be p!re in thy so!l- 0o not be rea,y to stretch forth thy han,s to ta7e" +hilst tho! contractest them to %i#e- Tho! shalt lo#e" as the apple of thine eye" e#ery one that spea7eth to thee the +or, of the Lor,- Tho! shalt remember the ,ay of 5!,%ment" ni%ht an, ,ay- Tho! shalt see7 o!t e#ery ,ay the faces of the saints" either by +or, examinin% them" an, %oin% to exhort them" an, me,itatin% ho+ to sa#e a so!l by the +or," or by thy han,s tho! shalt labo!r for the re,emption of thy sins- Tho! shalt not hesitate to %i#e" nor m!rm!r +hen tho! %i#est- >2i#e to e#ery one that as7eth thee"> an, tho! shalt 7no+ +ho is the %oo, Recompenser of the re+ar,- Tho! shalt preser#e +hat tho! hast recei#e, @in char%eA" neither a,,in% to it nor ta7in% from it- To the last tho! shalt hate the +ic7e, @oneA- Tho! shalt 5!,%e ri%hteo!sly- Tho! shalt not ma7e a schism" b!t tho! shalt pacify those that conten, by brin%in% them to%ether- Tho! shalt confess thy sins- Tho! shalt not %o to prayer +ith an e#il conscience- This is the +ay of li%ht-HAP- FF-((THE /A6 OF 0AR=NESS-B!t the +ay of ,ar7ness is croo7e," an, f!ll of c!rsin%< for it is the +ay of eternal ,eath +ith p!nishment" in +hich +ay are the thin%s that ,estroy the so!l" #iE-" i,olatry" o#er(confi,ence" the arro%ance of po+er" hypocrisy" ,o!ble(hearte,ness" a,!ltery" m!r,er" rapine" ha!%htiness" trans%ression" ,eceit" malice" self(s!fficiency" poisonin%" ma%ic" a#arice" +ant of the fear of 2o,- @In this +ay" too"A are those +ho persec!te the %oo," those +ho hate tr!th" those +ho lo#e falsehoo," those +ho 7no+ not the re+ar, of ri%hteo!sness" those +ho clea#e not to that +hich is %oo," those +ho atten, not +ith 5!st 5!,%ment to the +i,o+ an, orphan" those +ho +atch not to the fear of 2o," @b!t inclineA to +ic7e,ness" from +hom mee7ness an, patience are far off< persons +ho lo#e #anity" follo+ after a re+ar," pity not the nee,y" labo!r not in ai, of him +ho is o#ercome +ith toil< +ho are prone to e#il(spea7in%" +ho 7no+ not Him that ma,e them" +ho are m!r,erers of chil,ren" ,estroyers of the +or7manship of 2o,< +ho t!rn a+ay him that is in +ant" +ho oppress the afflicte," +ho are a,#ocates of the rich" +ho are !n5!st 5!,%es of the poor" an, +ho are in e#eryrespect trans%ressors-HAP- FFI-((ONL.SION-It is +ell" therefore" that he +ho has learne, the 5!,%ments of the Lor," as many as ha#e been +ritten" sho!l, +al7 in them- For he +ho 7eepeth these shall be %lorifie, inthe 7in%,om of 2o,< b!t he +ho chooseth other thin%s shall be ,estroye, +ith his +or7s- On this acco!nt there +ill be a res!rrection" on this acco!nt a retrib!tion- I beseech yo! +ho are s!periors" if yo! +ill recei#e any co!nsel of my %oo,(+ill" ha#e amon% yo!rsel#es those to +hom yo! may sho+ 7in,ness8 ,o not forsa7e them- For the ,ay is at han, on +hich all thin%s shall perish +ith the e#il @oneA- The Lor, is near"an, His re+ar,- A%ain" an, yet a%ain" I beseech yo!8 be %oo, la+%i#ers to one another< contin!e faithf!l co!nsellors of one another< ta7e a+ay from amon% yo! all hypocrisy- An, may 2o," +ho r!leth o#er all the +orl," %i#e to yo! +is,om" intelli%ence" !n,erstan,in%" 7no+le,%e of His 5!,%ments" +ith patience- An, be ye ta!%ht of 2o," in;!irin% ,ili%ently +hat the Lor, as7s from yo!< an, ,o it that ye maybe safe in the ,ay of 5!,%ment- An, if yo! ha#e any remembrance of +hat is %oo," be min,f!l of me" me,itatin% on these thin%s" in or,er that both my ,esire an, +atchf!lness may res!lt in some %oo,- I beseech yo!" entreatin% this as a fa#o!r- /hile yet yo! are in this fair #essel" ,o not fail in any one of those thin%s" b!t !nceasin%ly see7 after them" an, f!lfil e#ery comman,ment< for these thin%s are +orthy- /herefore I ha#e been the more earnest to +rite to yo!" as my ability ser#e," that I mi%ht cheer yo!- Fare+ell" ye chil,ren of lo#e an, peace- The Lor, of %lory an,of all %race be +ith yo!r spirit- Amen-