,this e,book was produced by ,david ,widger widgercecomet4net ,additional proofing was done by ,curtis ,a4 ,weyant ,,the ,,suppressed ,,gospels ,,and ,,epistles ,,of ,,the ,,original ,,new ,,testament ,,of ,,jesus ,,the ,,christ ,,and ,,other ,,portions ,,of ,,the ,,ancient ,,holy ,,scriptures4 ,,now ,,extant1 ,,attributed ,,to ,,his ,,apostles1 ,,and ,,their ,,disciples1 ,,and ,,venerated ,,by ,,the ,,primitive ,,christian ,,churches ,,during ,,the ,,first ,,four ,,centuries1 ,,but ,,since1 ,,after ,,violent ,,disputations ,,forbidden ,,by ,,the ,,bishops ,,of ,,the ,,nicene ,,council1 ,,in ,,the ,,reign ,,of ,,the ,,emperor ,,constantine ,,and ,,omitted ,,from ,,the ,,catholics ,,and ,,protestant ,,editions ,,of ,,the ,,new ,,testament1 ,,by ,,its ,,compilers ,,translated ,,from ,,the ,,original ,,tongues1 ,,with ,,historical ,,references ,,to ,,their ,,authenticity1 ,,by ,,archbishop ,,wake ,,and ,,other ,,learned ,,divines ,,the ,,general ,,epistle ,,of ,,barnabas4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,preface to the ,epistle4 ,,all happiness to you my sons and daughters1 in the name of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 who loved us1 in peace4 #b ,having perceived abundance of knowledge of the great and excellent laws of ,god to be in you1 ,i exceedingly rejoice in your blessed and admirable souls1 because ye have so worthily received the grace which was grafted in you4 #c ,for which cause ,i am full of joy1 hoping the rather to be saved2 inasmuch as ,i truly see a spirit infused into you1 from the pure fountain of ,god3 #d ,having this persuasion1 and being fully convinced thereof1 because that since ,i have begun to speak unto you1 ,i have had a more than ordinary good success in the way of the law of the ,lord1 which is in ,christ1 #e ,for which cause brethren1 ,i also think verily that ,i love you above my own soul2 because that therein dwelleth the greatness of faith and charity1 as also the hope of that life which is to come4 #f ,wherefore considering this1 that if ,i shall take care to communicate to you a part of what ,i have received1 it shall turn to my reward1 that ,i have served such good souls4 ,i gave diligence to write in a few words unto you2 that together with your faith1 your knowledge also may be perfect4 #g ,there are therefore three things ordained by the ,lord2 the hope of life1 the beginning1 and the completion of it4 #h ,for the ,lord hath both declared unto us1 by the prophets1 those things that are past2 and opened to us the beginnings of those that are to come4 #i ,wherefore1 it will behove us1 as he has spoken1 to come more holily1 and nearer to his altar4 #aj ,i therefore1 not as a teacher but as one of you1 will endeavour to lay before you a few things by which you may1 on many accounts1 become the more joyful4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,that ,clod has abolished the legal sacrifices1 to introduce the spiritual righteousness of the ,gospel4 ,,seeing then the days are exceedingly evil1 and the adversary has got the power of this present world we ought to give the more diligence to inquire into the righteous judgments of the ,lord4 #b ,now the assistants of our faith are fear and patience2 our fellow-combatants1 long suffering and continence4 #c ,whilst these remain pure in what relates unto the ,lord1 wisdom1 and understanding1 and science1 and knowledge1 rejoice together with them4 #d ,for ,god has manifested to us by all the prophets1 that he has no occasion for our sacrifices1 or burnt-offerings1 or oblations3 saying thus2 ,to what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me1 saith the ,lord4 #e ,i am full of the burnt-offerings of rams1 and the fat of fed beasts2 and ,i delight not in the blood of bullocks1 or of he-goats4 #f ,when ye come to appear before me1 who hath required this at your hands8 ,ye shall no more tread my courts4 #g ,bring no more vain oblations1 incense is an abomination unto me your new moons and sabbaths1 and the calling of assemblies ,i cannot bear with1 it is iniquity1 even the solemn meeting2 your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth4 #h ,these things therefore hath ,god abolished1 that the new law of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 which is without the yoke of any such necessity1 might have the spiritual offering of1 men themselves4 #i ,for so the ,lord saith again to those heretofore2 ,did ,i at all command your fathers when they came out of the land of ,egypt concerning burnt-offerings of sacrifices8 #aj ,but this ,i commanded them1 saying1 ,let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour1 and love no false oath4 #aa ,forasmuch then as we are not without understanding1 we ought to apprehend the design of our merciful ,father4 ,for he speaks to us1 being willing that we who have been in the same error about the sacrifices1 should seek and find how to approach unto him4 #ab ,and therefore he thus bespeaks us1 ,the sacrifice of ,god 7is a broken spirit17 a broken and contrite heart--,god will not despise4 #ac ,wherefore brethren1 we ought the more diligently to inquire after those things that belong to our salvation1 that the adversary may not have any entrance into us1 and deprive us of our spiritual life4 #ad ,wherefore he again speaketh to them1 concerning these things2 ,ye shall not fast as ye do this day1 to make your voice to be heard on high4 #ae ,is it such a fast that ,i have chosen8 ,a day for a man to afflict his soul8 ,is it to bow down his head like a bulrush1 and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him8 ,wilt thou call this a fast1 and an acceptable day to the ,lord8 #af ,but to us he saith on this wise3 ,is not this the fast that ,i have chosen1 to loose the bands of wickedness1 to undo the heavy burdens1 and to let the oppressed go free3 and that ye break every yoke8 #ag ,is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry1 and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house8 ,when thou seest the naked that thou cover him1 and that thou hide not thyself from thy own flesh4 #ah ,then shall thy light break forth as the morning1 and thy health shall spring forth speedily2 and thy righteousness shall go before thee2 the glory of the ,lord shall be thy reward4 #ai ,then shalt thou call and the ,lord shall answer2 thou shalt cry and he shall say1 ,here ,i am2 if thou put away from the midst of thee the yoke2 the putting forth of the finger1 and speaking vanity2 and if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry2 and satisfy the afflicted soul4 #bj ,in this1 therefore1 brethren1 ,god has manifested his foreknowledge and love for us2 because the people which he has purchased to his beloved ,son were to believe in sincerity2 and therefore he has shown these things to all of us1 that we should not run as proselytes to the ,jewish ,law4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,the prophecies of ,daniel concerning the ten kings1 and the coming of ,christ4 ,,wherefore it is necessary that searching diligently into those things which are soon to come to pass1 we should write to you what may serve to keep you whole4 #b ,to which end1 let us flee from every evil work and hate the errors of the present time1 that we may be happy in that which is to come4 #c ,let us not give ourselves the liberty of disputing with the wicked and sinners2 lest we should chance in time to become like unto them4 #d ,for the consummation of sin is come1 as it is written1 as the prophet ,daniel says4 ,and for this end the ,lord hath shortened the times and the days1 that his beloved might hasten his corning to his inheritance4 #e ,for so the prophet speaks2 ,there shall ten kings reign in the heart1 and there shall rise last of all another little one1 and he shall humble three kings4 #f ,and again ,daniel speaks in like manner concerning the kingdoms2 and ,i saw the fourth beast dreadful and terrible1 and strong exceedingly2 and it had ten horns4 ,i considered the horns1 and behold there came up among them another little horn1 before which were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots4 #g ,we ought therefore to understand this also3 ,and ,i beseech you1 as one of your own brethren1 loving you all beyond my own life1 that you look well to yourselves1 and be not like to those who add sin to sin1 and say2 ,that their covenant is ours also4 ,nay1 but it is ours only3 for they have forever lost that which ,moses received4 #h ,for thus saith the ,scripture ,and ,moses continued fasting forty days and forty nights in the ,mount2 and he received the covenant from the ,lord1 even the two tables of stone1 written by the hand of ,god4 #i ,but having turned themselves to idols they lost it2 as the ,lord also said to ,moses2 ,moses1 go down quickly1 for thy people which thou hast brought forth out of ,egypt1 have corrupted themselves1 and turned aside from the way which ,i commanded them4 ,and ,moses cast the two tables out of his hands2 and their covenant was broken2 that the love of ,jesus might be sealed in your hearts1 unto the hope of his faith4 #aj ,wherefore let us give heed unto the last times4 ,for all the time past of our life and our faith1 will profit us nothing2 unless we continue to hate what is evil1 and to withstand the future temptations4 ,so the ,son of ,god tells us2 ,let us resist all iniquity and hate it4 #aa ,wherefore consider the works of the evil way4 ,do not withdraw yourselves from others as if you were already justified2 but coming altogether into one place1 inquire what is agreeable to and profitable for the beloved of ,god4 ,for the ,scripture saith2 ,woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes2 and prudent in their sight4 #ab ,let us become spiritually a perfect temple to ,god4 ,as much as in us lies let us meditate upon the fear of ,god2 and strive to the utmost of our power to keep his commandments2 that we may rejoice in his righteous judgments4 #ac ,for ,god will judge the world without respect of persons and everyone shall receive according to his works4 #ad ,if a man shall be good1 his righteousness shall go before him if wicked1 the reward of his wickedness shall follow him4 #ae ,take heed therefore lest sitting still now1 that when we are called1 we fall asleep in our sins2 and the wicked one getting the dominion over us1 stir us up1 and shut us out of the kingdom of the ,lord4 #af ,consider this also3 although you have seen so great signs and wonders done among the people of the ,jews1 yet this notwithstanding the ,lord hath forsaken them4 #ag ,beware1 therefore1 lest it happen to us2 as it is written ,there may be many called1 but few chosen4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,that ,christ was to suffer is proved from the prophecies concerning him4 ,for this cause did our ,lord vouchsafe to give up his body to destruction1 that through the forgiveness of our sins we might be sanctified2 that is1 by the sprinkling of his blood4 #b ,now for what concerns the things that are written about him1 some belong to the people of the ,jews1 and some to us4 #c ,for thus saith the ,scripture2 ,he was wounded for our transgressions1 he was bruised for our iniquities1 and by his blood we are healed4 ,he was led as a lamb to the slaughter1 and as a sheep before his shearers is dumb1 so he opened not his mouth4 #d ,wherefore we ought the more to give thanks unto ,god1 for that he hath both declared unto us what is passed1 and not suffered us to be without understanding of those things that are to come4 #e ,but to them he saith2 ,the nets are not unjustly spread for the birds4 #f ,this he spake1 because a man will justly perish1 if having the knowledge of the way of truth1 he shall nevertheless not refrain himself from the way of darkness4 #g ,and for this cause the ,lord was content to suffer for our souls1 although he be the ,lord of the whole earth2 to whom ,god said before the beginning of the world1 ,let us make man after our own image and likeness4 #h ,now how he suffered for us1 seeing it was by men that he underwent it1 ,i will shew you4 #i ,the prophets having received from him the gifts of prophecy1 spake before concerning him3 #aj ,but he1 that he might abolish death1 and make known the resurrection from the dead1 was content1 as it was necessary1 to appear in the flesh1 that he might make good the promise before given to our fathers1 and preparing himself a new people1 might demonstrate to them whilst he was upon earth1 that after the resurrection he would judge the world4 #aa ,and finally1 teaching the people of ,israel1 and doing many wonders and signs among them1 he preached to them1 and shewed the exceeding great love which he bare towards them4 #ab ,and when he chose his apostles1 which were afterwards to publish his ,gospel1 he took men who had been very great sinners2 that thereby he might plainly shew ,that he came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance4 #ac ,then he clearly manifested himself to be the ,son of ,god4 ,for had he not come in the flesh1 how should men have been able to look upon him1 that they might be saved8 #ad ,seeing that if they beheld only the sun1 which was the work of his hands1 and shall hereafter cease to be1 they are not able to endure stedfastly to look against the rays of it2 #ae ,wherefore the ,son of ,god came in the flesh for this cause1 that he might fill up the measure of their iniquity1 who have persecuted his prophets unto death4 ,and for the same reason also he suffered4 #af ,for ,god hath said of the stripes of his flesh1 that they were from them4 ,and1 ,i will smite the shepherd1 and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered4 #ag ,thus he would suffer1 because it behoved him to suffer upon the cross4 #ah ,for thus one saith1 prophesying concerning him2 ,spare my soul from the sword4 ,and again1 ,my flesh trembleth for fear4 #ai ,and again1 the congregation of wicked doers rose up against me1 7,they have pierced my hands and my feet74 #bj ,and again he saith1 ,i gave my back to the smiters1 and my face ,i set as a hard rock4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,the subject continued4 ,and when he had fulfilled the commandment of ,god1 ,what says he8 ,who will contend with me8 ,let him stand against me or who is he that will implead me8 ,let him draw near to the servant of the ,lord4 ,woe be to you6 ,because ye shall all wax old as a garment1 the moth shall eat you up4 #b ,and again adds the prophet1 ,he is put for a stone of stumbling4 ,behold ,i lay in ,zion for a foundation1 a precious stone a choice corner-stone2 an honourable stone4 ,and what follows8 ,and he that hopeth in him shall live for ever4 #c ,what then8 ,is our hope built upon a stone8 ,god forbid4 ,but because the ,lord hath hardened his flesh against sufferings1 he saith1 ,i have put me as a firm rock4 #d ,and again the prophet adds2 ,the stone which the builders refused has become the head of the corner4 ,and again he saith ,this is the great and wonderful day which the ,lord hath made4 a ,i write these things the more plainly to you that ye may understand3 ,i ,for indeed ,i could be content even to die for your sakes4 #e ,but what saith the prophet again2 ,the counsel of the wicked encompassed me about4 ,they came about me1 as bees about the honey-comb3 and1 ,upon my vesture they cast lots4 #f ,forasmuch then as our ,saviour was to appear in the flesh and suffer1 his passion was hereby foretold4 #g ,for thus saith the prophet against ,israel3 ,woe be to their soul because they have taken wicked counsel against themselves1 saying2 let us lay snares for the righteous1 because he is unprofitable to us4 #h ,moses also in like manner speaketh to them2 ,behold thus saith the ,lord ,god2 ,enter ye into the good land of which the ,lord path sworn to ,abraham1 and ,isaac1 and ,jacob1 that he would give it you1 and possess it2 a land flowing with milk and honey4 #i ,now what the spiritual meaning of this is1 learn2 ,it is as if it had been said1 ,put your trust in ,jesus1 who shall be manifested to you in the flesh4 ,for man is the earth which suffers3 forasmuch as out of the substance of the earth ,adam was formed4 #aj ,what therefore does he mean when he says1 ,into a good land flowing with milk and honey8 ,blessed be our ,lord1 who has given us wisdom1 and a heart to understand his secrets4 ,for so says the prophet1 ,who shall understand the hard sayings of the ,lord8 ,but he that is wise1 and intelligent1 and that loves his ,lord4 #aa ,seeing therefore he has renewed us by the remission of our sins1 he has put us into another frame1 that we should have souls like those of children1 forming us again himself by the spirit4 #ab ,for thus the ,scripture saith concerning us1 where it introduceth the ,father speaking to the ,son2 ,let us make man after our likeness and similitude2 and let them have dominion over the beasts of the earth1 and over the fowls of the air1 and the fish of the sea4 #ac ,and when the ,lord saw the man which he had formed1 that behold he was very good2 he said1 ,increase and multiply1 and replenish the earth4 ,and this he spake to his son4 #ad ,i will now show you1 how he made us a new creature1 in the latter days4 #ae ,the ,lord saith2 ,behold ,i will make the last as the first4 ,wherefore the prophet thus spake1 ,enter into the land flowing with milk and honey1 and have dominion over it4 #af ,wherefore ye see how we are again formed anew2 as also he speaks by another prophet2 ,behold saith the ,lord1 ,i will take from them2 that is1 from those whom the spirit ,i of the ,lord foresaw1 their hearts of stone1 and ,i will put into them hearts of flesh4 #ag ,because he was about to be made manifest in the flesh and to dwell in us4 #ah ,for1 my brethren1 the habitation of our heart is a 'holy temple unto the ,lord4 ,for the prophet saith again1 ,in what place shall ,i appear before the ,lord my ,god1 and be glorified8 #ai ,he answers ,i will confess unto thee in the congregation in the midst of my brethren2 and will sing unto thee in the church of the saints3 #bj ,wherefore we are they whom he has brought into that good land4 #ba ,but what signifies the milk and honey8 ,because as the child is nourished first with milk1 and then with honey2 so we being kept alive by the belief of his promises and his word1 shall live and have dominion over the land4 #bb ,for he foretold before1 saying1 increase and multiply1 and have dominion over the beasts1 fishes1 and birds4 #bc ,but who is there that is now able to have this dominion over the wild beasts1 or fishes1 or fowls of the air8 ,for you know that to rule1 is to have power2 that a man should be set over what he rules4 #bd ,but forasmuch as this we have not now1 he tells us when we shall have it2 namely1 when we shall become perfect1 that we may be made the inheritors of the covenant of the ,lord4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,the sacrifice of ,jesus1 and of a goat1 an evident type of ,christ crucified4 ,,understand then my beloved children1 that the good ,god hath before manifested all things unto us1 that we might know to whom we ought always to give thanks and praise4 #b ,if therefore the ,son of ,god who is the ,lord of all1 and shall come to judge both the quick and dead1 hath suffered1 that by his stripes we might live2 let us believe that the ,son of ,god could not have suffered but for us4 ,but being crucified1 they gave him vinegar and gall to drink4 #c ,hear therefore how the priests of the temple did foreshow this also3 the ,lord by his command which was written1 declared that whosoever did not fast the appointed fast he should die the death3 because he also was himself one day to offer up his body for our sins2 that so the type of what was done in ,isaac might be fulfilled1 who was offered upon the altar4 #d ,what therefore is it that he says by the prophet8 ,and let them eat of the goat which is offered in the day of the fast for all their sins4 ,hearken diligently1 7my brethren17 and all the priests1 and they only shall eat the inwards not washed with vinegar4 #e ,why so8 because ,i know that when ,i shall hereafter offer my flesh for the sins of a new people1 ye will give me vinegar to drink mixed with gall2 therefore do ye only eat1 the people fasting the while1 and lamenting in sackcloth and ashes4 #f ,and that he might foreshow that he was to suffer for them1 hear then how he appointed it4 #g ,take1 says he1 two goats1 fair and alike1 and offer them2 and let the high priest take one of them for a burnt offering4 ,and what shalt be done with the other8 ,let it1 says he1 be accursed4 #h ,consider how exactly this appears to have been a type of ,jesus4 ,and let all the congregation spit upon it1 and prick it2 and put the scarlet wool about its head2 and thus let it be carried forth into the wilderness4 #i ,and this being done1 he that was appointed to convey the goat1 led it into the wilderness1 and took away the scarlet wool1 and put it upon a thorn bush1 whose young sprouts1 when we find them in the field1 we are wont to eat3 so the fruit of that thorn only is sweet4 #aj ,and to what end was this ceremony8 ,consider2 one was offered upon the altar1 the other was accursed4 #aa ,and why was that which was accursed crowned8 ,because they shall see ,christ on that day having a scarlet garment about his body2 and shall say3 ,is not this he whom we crucified2 having despised him1 pierced him1 mocked him8 ,certainly1 this is he1 who then said1 that he was the ,son of ,god4 #ab ,as therefore he shall be then like to what he was on earth1 so were the ,jews heretofore commanded1 to take two goats fair and equal2 that when they shall see 7our ,saviour7 hereafter coming 7in the clouds of heaven71 they may be amazed at the likeness of the goats4 #ac ,wherefore ye here again see a type of ,jesus who was to suffer for us4 #ad ,but what then signifies this1 ,that the wool was to be put into the midst of the thorns8 #ae ,this also is a figure of ,jesus1 set out to the church4 ,for as he who would take away the scarlet wool must undergo many difficulties1 because that thorn was very sharp1 and with difficulty get it3 ,so1 says ,christ1 they that will see me1 and come to my kingdom1 must through many afflictions and troubles attain unto me4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,the red heifer1 another type of ,christ4 ,,but what type do ye suppose it to have been1 where it is commanded to the people of ,israel1 that grown persons in whom sins are come to perfection1 should offer an heifer1 and after they had killed it should burn the same2 #b ,but then young men should take up the ashes and put them in vessels2 and tie a piece of scarlet wool and hyssop upon a stick1 and so the young men should sprinkle every one of the people1 and they should be clear from their sins8 #c ,consider how all these are delivered in a figure to us4 #d ,this heifer is ,jesus ,christ2 the wicked men that were to offer it are those sinners who brought him to death2 who afterwards have no more to do with it3 for the sinners have no more the honour of handling it3 #e ,but the young men that performed the sprinkling1 signified those who preach to us the forgiveness of sins1 and the purification of the heart1 to whom the ,lord gave authority to preach his ,gospel3 being at the beginning twelve1 to signify the tribes1 because there were twelve tribes of ,israel4 #f ,but why were there three young men appointed to sprinkle8 ,to denote ,abraham1 and ,isaac1 and ,jacob1 because they were great before ,god4 #g ,and why was the wool put upon a stick8 ,because the kingdom of ,jesus was founded upon the cross2 and therefore they that put their trust in him1 shall live for ever4 #h ,but why was the wool and hyssop put together8 ,to signify that in the kingdom of ,christ there shall be evil and filthy days1 in which however1 we shall be saved2 and because he that has any disease in the flesh by some filthy humours1 is cured by hyssop4 #i ,wherefore these things being thus done1 are to us indeed evident1 but to the ,jews they are obscure2 because they hearkened not unto the voice of the ,lord4 ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,of the circumcision of the ears and how in the first institution of circumcision ,abraham mystically foretold ,christ by name4 ,,and therefore the ,scripture again speaks concerning our ears1 that ,god has circumcised them1 together with our hearts4 ,for thus saith the ,lord by the holy prophet3 ,by the hearing of the ear they obeyed me4 #b ,and again1 ,they who are afar off1 shall hear and understand what things ,i have done4 ,and again1 ,circumcise your hearts1 saith the ,lord4 #c ,and again be saith1 ,hear ,o ,israel6 ,for thus saith the ,lord thy ,god4 ,and again the ,spirit of ,god prophesieth1 saying3 ,who is there that would live for ever1 let him hear the voice of my ,son4 #d ,and again1 ,hear1 ,o ,heavens1 and give ear ,o ,earth6 ,because the ,lord has spoken these things for a witness4 #e ,and again1 he saith1 ,hear the word of the ,lord1 ye princes of the people4 ,and again1 ,hear ,o children6 ,the voice of one crying in the wilderness4 #f ,wherefore he has circumcised our ears1 that we should hear his word1 and believe4 ,but as for that circumcision1 in which the ,jews trust1 it is abolished3 for the circumcision of which ,god spake1 was not of the flesh4 #g ,but they have transgressed his commands1 because the evil one hath deceived them4 ,for thus ,god bespeaks them2 ,thus saith the ,lord your ,god1 7,here ,i find the new law7 ,sow not among thorns2 but circumcise yourselves to the ,lord your ,god4 ,and what doth he mean by this saying8 ,hearken unto your ,lord4 #h ,and again he saith1 ,circumcise the hardness of your heart1 and harden not your neck4 ,and again1 ,behold1 saith the ,lord1 all the nations are uncircumcised1 7they have not lost their fore-skin73 but this people is uncircumcised in heart4 #i ,but you will say the ,jews were circumcised for a sign4 ,and so are all the ,syrians and ,arabians1 and all the idolatrous priests3 but are they therefore of the covenant of ,israel8 ,and even the ,egyptians themselves are circumcised4 #aj ,understand therefore1 children1 these things more fully1 that ,abraham was the first1 that brought in circumcision1 looking forward in the ,spirit1 to ,jesus2 circumcised1 having received the mystery of three letters4 #aa ,for the ,scripture says that ,abraham circumcised three hundred and eighteen men of his house4 ,but what therefore was the mystery that was made known unto him6 #ab ,mark1 first the eighteen1 and next the three hundred4 ,for the numeral letters of ten and eight are ,t ,h4 ,and these denote ,jesus4 #ac ,and because the cross was that by which we were to find grace1 therefore he adds1 three hundred2 the note of which is ,t 7the figure of his cross74 ,wherefore by two letters he signified ,jesus1 and by the third his cross4 #ad ,he who has put the engrafted gift of his doctrine within us1 knows that ,i never taught to anyone a more certain truth3 but ,i trust that ye are worthy of it4 ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,that the commands of ,moses concerning clean and unclean beasts1 were all designed for a spiritual signification4 ,,but why did ,moses say ,ye shall not eat of the swine1 neither the eagle nor the hawk2 nor the crow2 nor any fish that has not a scale upon him8--,i answer that1 in the spiritual sense1 he comprehended three doctrines1 that were to be gathered from thence4 #b ,besides which he says to them in the book of ,deuteronomy1 ,and ,i will give my statutes unto this people4 ,wherefore it is not the command of ,god that they should not eat these things2 but ,moses in the spirit spake unto them4 #c ,now the sow he forbad them to eat2 meaning thus much3 ,thou shalt not join thyself to such persons as are like unto swine1 who1 whilst they live in pleasure1 forget their ,god2 but when any want pinches them1 then they know the ,lord3 as the sow when she is full knows not her master1 but when she is hungry she makes a noise2 and being again fed1 is silent4 #d ,neither1 says he1 shalt thou eat the eagle1 nor the hawk1 nor the kite1 nor the crow2 that is1 thou shalt not keep company with such kind of men as know not how by their labour and sweat to get themselves food2 but injuriously ravish away the things of others1 and watch how to lay snares for them2 when at the same time they appear to live in perfect innocence4 #c ,so these birds alone 7seek not food for themselves17 but sitting idle1 seek how they may eat of the flesh others have provided being destructive through their wickedness4 #f ,neither1 says he1 shalt thou eat the lamprey1 nor the polypus1 nor the cuttle-fish2 that is thou shalt not be like such men1 by seeking to converse with them who are altogether wicked and adjudged to death4 ,for so those fishes are alone accursed1 that wallow in the mire1 nor swim as other fishes1 but tumble in the dirt at the bottom of the deep4 #g ,but1 he adds1 neither shalt thou eat of the hare4 ,to what end8--,to signify this to us2 ,thou shalt not be an adulterer1 nor liken thyself to such persons4 ,for the hare every year multiplies the places of its conception2 and as many years as it lives1 so many it has4 #h ,neither shalt thou eat of the hyena3 that is1 again1 be not an adulterer1 nor a corrupter of others2 neither be like to such4 ,and wherefore so8--,because that creature every year changes its kind1 which is sometimes male and sometimes female4 #i ,for which cause also he justly hated the weazel2 to the end that they should not be like such persons who with their mouths commit wickedness by reason of their uncleanness2 nor join themselves with those impure women1 who with their mouths commit wickedness4 ,because that animal conceives with its mouth4 #aj ,moses1 therefore1 speaking as concerning meats1 delivered indeed three great precepts to them in the spiritual signification of those commands4 ,but they according to the desires of the flesh1 understood him as if he had only meant it of meats4 #aa ,and therefore ,david took aright the knowledge of his three-fold command1 saying in like manner3 #ab ,blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly2 as the fishes before mentioned in the bottom of the deep1 in darkness4 #ac ,nor stood in the way of sinners1 as they who seem to fear the ,lord1 but yet sin1 as the sow4 #ad ,and hath not sat in the seat of the scorners2 as those birds who sit and watch that they may devour4 #ae ,here you have the law concerning meat perfectly set forth and according to the true knowledge of it4 #af ,but1 says ,moses1 ye shall eat all that divideth the hoof1 and cheweth the cud4 ,signifying thereby such an one as having taken his food1 knows him that nourisheth him2 and resting upon him1 rejoiceth in him4 #ag ,and in this he spake well1 having respect to the commandment4 ,what1 therefore1 is it that he says8--,that we should hold fast to them that fear the ,lord2 with those who meditate on the command of the word which they have received1 in their heart2 with those that declare the righteous judgments of the ,lord1 and keep his commandments2 #ah ,in short1 with those who know that to meditate is a work of pleasure1 and therefore exercise themselves in the word of the ,lord4 #ai ,but why might they eat those that clave the hoof8 ,because the righteous liveth in this present world2 but his expectation is fixed upon the other4 ,see1 brethren1 how admirably ,moses commanded these things4 #bj ,but how should we thus know all this1 and understand it8 ,we1 therefore1 understanding aright the commandments1 speak as the ,lord would have us4 ,wherefore he has circumcised our ears and our hearts1 that we might know these things4 ,,chapter ,x4 ,baptism and the cross of ,christ foretold in figures under the law4 ,,let us now inquire whether the ,lord took care to manifest anything beforehand concerning water and the cross4 #b ,now for the former of these1 it is written to the people of ,israel how they shall not receive that baptism which brings to forgiveness of sins2 but shall institute another to themselves that cannot4 #c ,for thus saith the prophet3 ,be astonished1 ,o ,heaven6 and let the earth tremble at it1 because this people have done two great and wicked things3 they have left me1 the fountain of living water1 and have digged for themselves broken cisterns1 that can hold no water4 #d ,is my holy mountain of ,zion1 a desolate wilderness8 ,for ye shall be as a young bird when its nest is taken away4 #e ,and again the prophet saith1 ,i will go before thee1 and will make plain the mountains1 and will break the gates of brass1 and will snap in sunder the bars of iron2 and will give thee dark1 and hidden1 and invisible treasures1 that they may know that ,i am the ,lord ,god4 #f ,and again3 he shall dwell in the high den of the strong rock4 ,and then1 what follows in the same prophet8 ,his water is faithful2 ye shall see the king with glory1 and your soul shall learn the fear of the ,lord4 #g ,and again he saith in another prophet3 ,he that does these things2 ,i shall be like a tree planted by the currents of water1 which shall give its fruit in its season4 ,its leaf also shall not wither1 and whatsoever he doth it shall prosper4 #h ,as for the wicked it is not so with them2 but they are as the dust which the wind scattereth away from the face of the earth4 #i ,therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment1 neither the sinners in the council of the righteous4 ,for the ,lord knoweth the way of the righteous1 and the way of the ungodly shall perish4 #aj ,consider how he has joined both the cross and the water together4 #aa ,for this he saith3 ,blessed are they who put their trust in the cross1 and descend into the water2 for they shall have their reward in due time3 then1 saith he1 will ,i give it them4 #ab ,but as concerning the present time1 he saith1 their leaves shall not fall3 meaning thereby1 that every word that shall go out of your mouth1 shall through faith and charity be to the conversion and hope of many4 #ac ,in like manner doth another prophet speak4 ,and the land of ,jacob was the praise of all the earth2 magnifying thereby the vessel of his spirit4 #ad ,and what follows8--,and there was a river running on the right hand1 and beautiful trees grew up by it2 and he that shall eat of them shall live for ever4 ,the signification of which is this that we go down into the water full of sins and pollutions1 but come up again1 bringing forth fruit2 having in our hearts the fear and hope which is in ,jesus1 by the spirit4 ,and whosoever shall eat of them shall live for ever4 #ae ,that is1 whosoever shall hearken to those who call them1 and shall believe1 shall live for ever4 ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,the subject continued4 ,,in like manner he determines concerning the cross in another prophet1 saying3 ,and when shall these things be fulfilled8 #b ,the ,lord answers3 ,when the tree that is fallen shall rise1 and when blood shall drop down from the tree4 ,here you have again mention made1 both of the cross1 and of him that was to be crucified upon it4 #c ,and yet farther he saith by ,moses2 7when ,israel was fighting with1 and beaten by1 a strange people2 to the end that ,god might put them in mind how that for their sins they were delivered unto death7 yea1 the holy spirit put it into the heart of ,moses1 to represent both the sign of the cross1 and of him that was to suffer3 that so they might know that if they did not believe in him1 they should be overcome for ever4 #d ,moses therefore ,i piled up armour upon armour in the middle of a rising ground1 and standing up high above all of them1 stretched forth his arms1 and so ,israel again conquered4 #e ,but no sooner did he let down his hands1 but they were again slain4 ,and why so8--,to the end they might know1 that except they trust in him they cannot be saved4 #f ,and in another prophet1 he saith1 ,i have stretched out my hands all the day long to a people disobedient1 and speaking against my righteous way4 #g ,and again ,moses makes a type of ,jesus1 to show that he was to die1 and then that he1 whom they thought to be dead1 was to give life to others2 in the type of those that fell in ,israel4 #h ,for ,god caused all sorts of serpents to bite them1 and they died3 forasmuch as by a serpent transgression began in ,eve2 that so he might convince them that for their transgressions they shall be delivered into the pain of death4 #i ,moses then himself1 who had commanded them1 saying1 ,ye shall not make to yourselves any graven or molten image1 to be your ,god yet now did so himself1 that he might represent to them the figure of the ,lord ,jesus4 #aj ,for he made a brazen serpent1 and set it up on high1 and called the people together by a proclamation3 where being come1 they entreated ,moses that he would make an atonement for them1 and pray that they might be healed4 #aa ,then ,moses spake unto them1 saying3 when any one among you shall be bitten1 let him come unto the serpent that is set upon the pole2 and let him assuredly trust in him1 that though he be dead1 yet he is able to give life1 and presently he shall be saved2 and so they did4 ,see therefore how here also you have in this the glory of ,jesus2 and that in him and to him are all things4 #ab ,again2 ,what says ,moses to ,joshua1 the ,son of ,nun1 when he gave that name unto him1 as being a prophet1 that all the people might hear him alone8 ,because the father did manifest all things concerning his son ,jesus1 in ,joshua1 the ,son of ,nun2 and gave him that name when he sent him to spy out the land of ,canaan1 saying2 ,take a book in thine hands1 and write what the ,lord saith4 ,forasmuch as ,jesus the ,son of ,god shall in the last days cut off by the roots all the house of ,amalek1 see here again ,jesus1 not the son of man1 but the ,son of ,god1 made manifest in a type1 and in the flesh4 #ac ,but because it might hereafter be said that ,christ was the ,son of ,david2 therefore ,david fearing and well knowing the errors of the wicked1 saith2 the ,lord said unto my ,lord1 sit thou on my right hand until ,i make thine enemies thy footstool4 #ad ,and again ,isaiah speaketh on this wise1 ,the ,lord said unto ,christ my ,lord1 ,i have laid hold on his right hand1 that the nations should obey before him1 and ,i will break the strength of kings4 #ae ,behold1 how doth ,david and ,isaiah call him ,lord1 and the ,son of ,god4 ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,the ,promise of ,god not made to the ,jews only1 but to the ,gentiles also1 and fulfilled to us by ,jesus ,christ4 ,,but let us go yet further1 and inquire whether this people be the heir1 or the former2 and whether the covenant be with us or with them4 #b ,and first1 as concerning the people1 hear now what the ,scripture saith3 #c ,isaac prayed for his wife ,rebekah1 because she was barren2 and she conceived4 ,afterwards ,rebekah went forth to inquire of the ,lord4 #d ,and the ,lord said unto her2 ,there are two nations in thy womb1 and two people shall come from thy body2 and the one shall have power over the other1 and the greater shall serve the lesser4 ,understand here who was ,isaac2 who ,rebekah2 and of whom it was foretold1 this people shall be greater than that4 #e ,and in another prophecy ,jacob speaketh more clearly to his son ,joseph1 saying2 ,behold the ,lord hath not derived me of seeing thy face1 bring me thy sons that ,i may bless them4 ,and he brought unto his father ,manasseh and ,ephraim1 desiring that he should bless ,manasseh1 because he was the elder4 #f ,therefore ,joseph brought him to the right hand of his father ,jacob4 ,but ,jacob by the spirit foresaw the figure of the people that was to come4 #g ,and what saith the ,scripture8 ,and ,jacob crossed his hands1 and put his right hand upon ,ephraim1 his second1 and the younger son1 and blessed him4 ,and ,joseph said unto ,jacob2 ,put thy right hand upon the head of ,manasseh1 for he is my first-born son4 ,and ,jacob said unto ,joseph2 ,i know it1 my son1 ,i know it2 but the greater shall serve the lesser2 though he also shall be blessed4 #h ,ye see of whom he appointed it1 that they should be the first people1 and heirs of the covenant4 #i ,if therefore ,god shall have yet farther taken notice of this1 by ,abraham too2 our understanding of it will then be perfectly established4 #aj ,what then saith the ,scripture of ,abraham1 when ,i he believed1 and it was imputed unto him for righteousness8 ,behold ,i have made thee a father of the nations1 which without circumcision believe in the ,lord4 #aa ,let us therefore now inquire whether ,god has fulfilled the covenant1 which he sware to our fathers1 that he would give this people8 ,yes1 verily1 he gave it2 but they were not worthy to receive it by reason of their sins4 #ab ,for thus saith the prophet ,and ,moses continued fasting in mount ,sinai1 to receive the covenant of the ,lord with the people1 forty days and forty nights4 #ac ,and he received of the ,lord two tables written with the finger of the ,lord's hand1 in the ,spirit4 ,and ,moses1 when he had received them1 brought them down that he might deliver them to the people4 #ad ,and the ,lord said unto ,moses2 ,moses1 ,moses1 get thee down quickly1 for the people which thou broughtest out of the land of ,egypt have done wickedly4 #ae ,and ,moses understood that they had again set up a molten image3 and he cast the two tables out of his hands2 and the tables of the covenant of the ,lord were broken4 ,moses therefore received them1 but they were not worthy4 #af ,now then learn how we have received them4 ,moses1 being a servant1 took them2 but the ,lord himself has given them unto us1 that we might be the people of his inheritance2 having suffered for us4 #ag ,he was therefore made manifest2 that they should fill up the measure of their sins1 and that we being made heirs by him1 should receive the covenant of the ,lord ,jesus4 #ah ,and again the prophet saith ,behold1 ,i have set thee for a light unto the ,gentiles2 to be the saviour of all the ends of the earth1 saith the ,lord2 the ,god who hath re-deemed thee4 #ai ,who for that very end was prepared1 that by his own appearing he might redeem our hearts1 already devoured by death1 and delivered over to the irregularity of error1 from darkness2 and establish a covenant with us by his word4 #bj ,for so it is written that the father commanded him by delivering us from darkness1 to prepare unto himself a holy people4 #ba ,wherefore the prophet saith ,i the ,lord thy ,god have called thee in righteousness1 and ,i will take thee by thy hand1 and will strengthen thee1 and give thee for a covenant of the people2 for a light to the ,gentiles4 ,to open the eyes of the blind1 to bring out the prisoners from the prison1 and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house4 #bb ,consider1 therefore1 from whence we have been redeemed4 ,and again the prophet saith ,the spirit of the ,lord is upon me1 because he hath anointed me3 he hath sent me to preach glad tidings to the lowly2 to heal the broken in heart2 to preach remission to the captives1 and give sight unto the blind2 to proclaim the acceptable year of the ,lord1 and the day of restitution2 to comfort all that mourn4 ,,chapter ,,xiii4 ,that the sabbath of the ,jews was but a figure of a more glorious sabbath to come1 and their temple1 of the spiritual temples of ,god4 ,,furthermore it is written concerning the sabbath1 in the ,ten ,commandments1 which ,god spake in the mount ,sinai to ,moses1 face to face3 ,sanctify the sabbath of the ,lord with pure hands1 and with a clean heart4 #b ,and elsewhere he saith2 ,if thy children shall keep my ,sabbaths1 then will ,i put my mercy upon them4 #c ,and even in the beginning of the creation he makes mention of the sabbath4 ,and ,god made in six days the works of his hands1 and he finished them on the seventh day2 and he rested the seventh day1 and sanctified it4 #d ,consider1 my children1 what that signifies1 he finished them in six days4 ,the meaning of it is this3 that in six thousand years the ,lord ,god will bring all things to an end4 #e ,for with him one day is a thousand years2 as himself testifieth1 saying1 ,behold this day shall be as a thousand years4 ,therefore1 children1 in six days1 that is1 in six thousand years1 shall a all things be accomplished4 #f ,and what is that he saith1 ,and he rested the seventh day he meaneth this3 that when his ,son shall come1 and abolish the season of the ,wicked ,one1 and judge the ungodly2 and shall change the sun and the moon1 and the stars2 then he shall gloriously rest on that seventh day1 #g ,he adds1 lastly3 ,thou shalt sanctify it with clean hands and a pure heart4 ,wherefore we are greatly deceived if we imagine that anyone can now sanctify that day which ,god has made holy1 without having a heart pure in all things4 #h ,behold1 therefore1 he will then truly sanctify it with blessed rest1 when we 7having received the righteous promise1 when iniquity shall be no more1 all things being renewed by the ,lord7 shall be able to sanctify it1 being ourselves first made holy2 #i ,lastly1 he saith unto them ,your new moons and your ,sabbaths ,i cannot bear them4 ,consider what he means by it2 the ,sabbaths1 says he1 which ye now keep are not acceptable unto me1 but those which ,i have made2 when resting from all things ,i shall begin the eight day1 that is1 the beginning of the other world4 #aj ,for which cause we observe the eight day with gladness1 in which ,jesus rose from the dead2 and having manifested himself to his disciples1 ascended into heaven4 #aa ,it remains yet that ,i speak to you concerning the temple3 how those miserable men being deceived have put their trust in the house1 and not in ,god himself who made them1 as if it were the habitation of ,god4 #ab ,for much after the same manner as the ,gentiles1 they consecrated him in the temple4 #ac ,but learn therefore how the ,lord speaketh1 rendering the temple vain3 ,who has measured the heaven with a span1 and the earth with his hand8 ,is it not ,i8 ,thus with the ,lord1 ,heaven is my throne1 and the earth is my footstool4 ,what is the house that ye will build me8 ,or what is the place of my rest8 ,know therefore that all their hope is vain4 #ad ,and again he speaketh after this manner3 ,behold they that destroy this temple1 even they shall again build it up4 ,and so it came to pass2 for through their wars it is now destroyed by their enemies2 and the servants of their enemies build it up4 #ae ,furthermore it has been made manifest1 how both the city and the temple1 and the people of ,israel should be given up4 ,for the scripture saith2 ,and it shall come to pass in the last days1 that the ,lord will deliver up the sheep of his pasture1 and their fold1 and their tower unto destruction4 ,and it is come to pass1 as the ,lord hath spoken4 #af ,let us inquire therefore1 whether there be any temple of ,god8 ,yes there is3 and there where himself declares that he would both make and perfect it4 ,for it is written3 ,and it shall be that as soon as the week shall be completed1 the temple of the ,lord shall be gloriously built in the name of the ,lord4 #ag ,i find therefore that there is a temple4 ,but how shall it be built in the name of the ,lord8 ,i will shew you4 #ah ,before that we believed in ,god1 the habitation of our heart was corruptible1 and feeble1 as a temple truly built with hands4 #ai ,for it was a house full of idolatry1 a house of devils2 inasmuch as there was done in it whatsoever was contrary unto ,god4 ,but it shall be built in the name of the ,lord4 #bj ,consider1 how that the temple of the ,lord shall be very gloriously built2 and by what means that shall be1 learn4 #ba ,having received remission of our sins1 and trusting in the name of the ,lord1 we are become renewed1 being again created as it were from the beginning4 ,wherefore ,god truly dwells in our house1 that is1 in us4 #bb ,but how does he dwell in us8 ,by the word of his faith1 the calling of his promise1 the wisdom of his righteous judgments and the commands of his doctrine4 ,he himself prophesies within us1 he himself dwelleth in us1 and openeth to us who were in bondage of death the gate of our temple1 that is1 the mouth of wisdom1 having given repentance unto us2 and by this means has brought us to be an incorruptible temple4 #bc ,he therefore that desires to be saved looketh not unto the man1 but unto him that dwelleth in him1 and speaketh by him2 being struck with wonder1 forasmuch as he never either heard him speaking such words out of his mouth1 nor ever desired to hear them4 #bd ,this is that spiritual temple that is built unto the ,lord4 ,,chapter ,,xiv4 ,of the way of light2 being a summary of what a ,christian is to do1 that he maybe happy for ever4 ,,and thus ,i trust1 ,i have declared to you as much1 and with as great simplicity as ,i could1 those1 things which provide for your salvation1 so as not to have omitted any thing that might be requisite thereunto4 #b ,for should ,i speak farther of the things that now are1 and of those that are to come1 you would not yet understand them1 seeing they lie in parables4 ,this therefore shall suffice as to these things4 #c ,let us now go on to the other kind of knowledge and doctrine4 ,there are two ways of doctrine and power2 the one of light1 the other of darkness4 #d ,but there is a great deal of difference between these two ways for over one are appointed the angels of ,god1 the leaders of the way of light2 over the other1 the angels of ,satan4 ,and the one is the ,lord from everlasting to everlasting2 the other is the prince of the time of unrighteousness4 #e ,now the way of light is this3 ,if any one desires to attain to the place that is appointed for him1 and will hasten thither by his works4 ,and the knowledge that has been given to us for walking in it1 to this effect3 ,thou shalt love him that made thee3 thou shalt glorify him that hath redeemed thee from death4 #f ,thou shalt be simple in heart1 and rich in the spirit4 ,thou shalt not cleave to those that walk in the way of death4 ,thou shalt hate to do anything that is not pleasing unto ,god4 ,thou shalt abhor all dissimulation4 ,thou shalt not neglect any of the commands of the ,lord4 #g ,thou shalt not exalt thyself1 but shalt be humble4 ,then shalt not take honour to thyself4 ,thou shalt not enter into any wicked counsel against thy neighbour4 ,thou shalt not be over confident in thy heart4 #h ,thou shaft not commit fornication1 nor adultery4 ,neither shalt thou corrupt thyself with mankind4 ,thou shalt not make use of the word of ,god1 to any impurity1 #i ,thou shalt not except any man's person1 when thou reprovest any one's faults4 ,thou shalt be gentle4 ,thou shalt be quiet4 ,thou shalt tremble at the words which thou hast heard4 ,thou shalt not keep any hatred in thy heart against thy brother4 ,thou shalt not entertain any doubt whether it shall be or not4 #aj ,thou shalt not take the name of the ,lord in vain4 ,thou shalt love thy neighbour above thy own soul1 #aa ,thou shalt not destroy thy conceptions1 before they are brought forth2 nor kill them after they are born4 #ab ,thou shalt not withdraw thy hand from thy son1 or from thy daughter2 but shall teach them from their youth the fear of the ,lord4 #ac ,thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's goods2 neither shalt thou be an extortioner4 ,neither shall thy heart be joined to proud men2 but thou shalt be numbered among the righteous and the lowly4 ,whatever events shall happen unto thee1 thou shalt receive them as good4 #ad ,thou shalt not be double- minded or double-tongued2 for a double tongue is the snare of death4 ,thou shalt be subject unto the ,lord and to inferior masters as to the representatives of ,god1 in fear and reverence4 #ae ,thou shalt not be bitter in thy commands towards any of thy servants that trust in ,god2 lest thou chance not to fear him who is over both2 because he came not to call any with respect of persons1 but whomsoever the spirit had prepared4 #af ,thou shalt communicate to thy neighbour of all thou hast2 thou shalt not call anything thine own3 for if ye partake of such things as are incorruptible1 how much more should you do it in those that are corruptible8 #ag ,thou shalt not be forward to speak2 for the mouth is the snare of death4 ,strive for thy soul with all thy might4 ,reach not out thine hand to receive1 and withhold it not when thou shouldest give4 #ah ,thou shalt love1 as the apple of thine eye1 everyone that speaketh unto thee the ,word of the ,lord4 ,call to thy remembrance1 day and night1 the future judgment4 #ai ,thou shalt seek out every day1 the persons of the righteous2 and both consider and go about to exhort others by the word1 and meditate how thou mayest save a soul4 #bj ,thou shaft also labour with thy hands to give to the poor1 that thy sins may be forgiven thee1 ,thou shalt not deliberate whether thou shouldst give2 nor having given1 murmur at it4 #ba ,give to everyone that asks so shalt thou know who is the good rewarder of thy gifts4 #bb ,keep what thou hast received2 thou shalt neither add to it nor take from it4 #bc ,let the wicked be always thy aversion4 ,thou shalt judge with righteous judgment4 ,thou shalt never cause divisions2 but shalt make peace between those that are at variance1 and bring them together4 #bd ,thou shalt confess thy sins2 and not come to thy prayer with an evil conscience4 #be ,this is the way of light4 ,,chapter ,,xv4 ,of the way of darkness2 that is1 what kind of persons shall be for ever cast out of the kingdom of ,god4 ,,but the way of darkness is crooked1 and full of cursing4 ,for it is the way of eternal death1 with punishment2 in which they that walk meet those things that destroy their own souls4 #b ,such are2 idolatry1 confidence1 pride of power1 hypocrisy1 double- mindedness1 adultery1 murder1 rapine1 pride1 transgression1 deceit1 malice1 arrogance1 witchcraft1 covetousness1 and the want of the fear of ,god4 #c ,in this1 walk those1 who are the persecutors of them that are good2 haters of truth2 lovers of lies2 who know not the reward of righteousness1 nor cleave to any thing that is good4 #d ,who administer not righteous judgment to the widow and orphan2 who watch for wickedness1 and not for the fear of the ,lord2 #e ,from whom gentleness and patience are far off3 who love vanity1 and follow after rewards2 having no compassion upon the poor2 nor take any pains for such as are heavy laden and oppressed4 #f ,ready to evil speaking1 not knowing him that made them2 murderers of children2 corrupters of the creature of ,god2 that turn away from the needy2 oppress the afflicted2 are the advocates of the rich1 but unjust judges of the poor2 being altogether sinners4 #g ,it is therefore fitting that learning the just commands of the ,lord1 which we have before mentioned1 we should walk in them4 ,for he who does such things shall be glorified in the kingdom of ,hod4 #h ,but he that chooses the other part1 shall be destroyed1 together with his works4 ,for this cause there shall be both a resurrection1 and a retribution4 #i ,i beseech those that are in high estate among you1 7if so be you will take the counsel which with a good intention ,i offer to you17 you have those with you towards whom you may do good2 do not forsake them4 #aj ,for the day is at hand in which all things shall be destroyed1 together with the wicked one4 ,the ,lord is near1 and his reward is with him4 #aa ,i beseech you1 therefore1 again1 and again1 ,be as good lawgiver's to one ,another2 continue faithful counsellors do each other remove from among you all hypocrisy4 #ab ,and may ,god1 the ,lord of all the world1 give you wisdom1 knowledge1 counsel1 and understanding of his judgments in patience3 #ac ,be ye taught of ,god2 seeking what it is the ,lord requires of you1 and doing it2 that ye may be saved in the day of judgment4 #ad ,and if there be among you any remembrance of what is good1 think of me2 meditating on these things1 that both my desire and my watching for you may turn to a good account4 #ae ,i beseech you2 ,i ask it as a favour of you2 whilst you are in this beautiful tabernacle of the body1 be wanting in none of these things2 but without ceasing seek them1 and fulfil every command1 ,for these things are fitting and worthy to be done4 #af ,wherefore ,i have given the more diligence to write unto you according to my ability1 that you might rejoice4 ,farewell1 children of love and peace4 #ag ,the ,lord of glory and of all grace1 be with your spirit1 ,amen4 ,the end of the ,epistle of ,barnabas the ,apostle1 and fellow-traveller of ,st4 ,paul the ,apostle4 ,,references ,,to ,,the ,,general ,,epistle ,,of ,,barnabas4 ,barnabas was a companion and fellow-preacher with ,paul4 ,this ,epistle lays a greater claim to canonical authority than most others4 ,it has been cited by ,clemens1 ,alexandrinus1 ,origen1 ,eusebius1 and ,jerome1 and many ancient ,fathers4 ,cotelerius affirms that ,origen and ,jerome esteemed it genuine and canonical2 but ,cotelerius himself did not believe it to be either one or the other2 on the contrary1 he supposes it was written for the benefit of the ,ebionites1 7the christianized ,jews17 who were tenacious of rites and ceremonies4 ,bishop ,fell feared to own expressly what he seemed to be persuaded of1 that it ought to be treated with the same respect as several of the books of the present canon4 ,dr4 ,bernard1 ,savilian professor at ,oxford1 not only believed it to be genuine1 but that it was read throughout in the churches of ,alexandria1 as the canonical ,scriptures were4 ,dodwell supposed it to have been published before the ,epistle of ,jude1 and the writings of both the ,johns4 ,vossius1 ,dupuis1 ,dr4 ,cane1 ,dr4 ,mill1 ,dr1 ,s4 ,clark1 ,whitson1 and ,archbishop ,wake also esteemed it genuine3 ,menardus1 ,archbishop ,land1 ,spanheim1 and others deemed it apocryphal4