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Cyprian of Carthage, Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews
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Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews.
2. Also because they did not believe the prophets, and put them to death.
5. That the Jews could understand nothing of the Scriptures unless they first believed in Christ.
6. That the Jews should lose Jerusalem, and should leave the land which they had received.
7. Also that they should lose the Light of the Lord.
9. That the former law which was given by Moses was to cease.
10. That a new law was to be given.
11. That another dispensation and a new covenant was to be given.
12. That the old baptism should cease, and a new one should begin.
13. That the old yoke should be made void, and a new yoke should be given.
14. That the old pastors should cease and new ones begin.
16. That the ancient sacrifice should be made void, and a new one should be celebrated.
17. That the old priesthood should cease, and a new priest should come, who should be for ever.
21. That the Gentiles should rather believe in Christ.
23. That the Gentiles rather than the Jews attain to the kingdom of heaven.
3. That the same Christ is the Word of God.
4. That Christ is the Hand and Arm of God.
5. That Christ is at once Angel and God.
7. That Christ our God should come, the Enlightener and Saviour of the human race.
11. That Christ was to be born of the seed of David, according to the flesh.
12. That Christ should be born in Bethlehem.
13. That Christ was to come in low estate in His first advent.
14. That He is the righteous One whom the Jews should put to death.
16. That Christ also is called a Stone.
17. That afterwards this Stone should become a mountain, and should fill the whole earth.
20. That the Jews would fasten Christ to the cross.
21. That in the passion and the sign of the cross is all virtue and power.
22. That in this sign of the Cross is salvation for all people who are marked on their foreheads.
23. That at mid-day in His passion there should be darkness.
24. That He was not to be overcome of death, nor should remain in Hades.
25. That He should rise again from the dead on the third day.
27. That it is impossible to attain to God the Father, except by His Son Jesus Christ.
28. That Jesus Christ shall come as a Judge.
29. That He will reign as a King for ever.
30. That He Himself is both Judge and King.
1. On the benefit of good works and mercy.
3. That charity and brotherly affection are to be religiously and stedfastly practised.
4. That we must boast in nothing, since nothing is our own.
5. That humility and quietness are to be maintained in all things.
6. That all good and righteous men suffer more, but ought to endure because they are proved.
7. That we must not grieve the Holy Spirit, whom we have received.
8. That anger must be overcome, lest it constrain us to sin.
9. That brethren ought to support one another.
10. That we must trust in God only, and in Him we must glory.
14. That we must never murmur, but bless God concerning all things that happen.
15. That men are tried by God for this purpose, that they may be proved.
16. Of the benefits of martyrdom.
17. That what we suffer in this world is of less account than is the reward which is promised.
18. That nothing is to be preferred to the love of God and Christ.
19. That we are not to obey our own will, but the will of God.
20. That the foundation and strength of hope and faith is fear.
21. That we must not rashly judge of another.
22. That when we have received a wrong, we must remit and forgive it.
23. That evil is not to be returned for evil.
24. That it is impossible to attain to the Father but by His Son Jesus Christ.
25. That unless a man have been baptized and born again, he cannot attain unto the kingdom of God.
27. That even a baptized person loses the grace that he has attained, unless he keep innocency.
29. That it was before predicted, concerning the hatred of the Name,
30. That what any one has vowed to God, he must quickly repay.
31. That he who does not believe is judged already.
32. Of the benefit of virginity and of continency.
34. That the believer ought not to live like the Gentile.
35. That God is patient for this end, that we may repent of our sin, and be reformed.
36. That a woman ought not to be adorned in a worldly fashion.
37. That the believer ought not to be punished for other offences, except for the name he bears.
38. That the servant of God ought to be innocent, lest he fall into secular punishment.
39. That there is given to us an example of living in Christ.
40. That we must not labour noisily nor boastfully.
41. That we must not speak foolishly and offensively.
42. That faith is of advantage altogether, and that we can do as much as we believe.
43. That he who believes can immediately obtain (i.e., pardon and peace).
44. That believers who differ among themselves ought not to refer to a Gentile judge.
46. That a woman ought to be silent in the church.
48. That we must not take usury.
49. That even our enemies must be loved.
50. That the sacrament of faith must not be profaned.
51. That no one should be uplifted in his labour.
52. That the liberty of believing or of not believing is placed in free choice.
53. That the secrets of God cannot be seen through, and therefore that our faith ought to be simple.
54. That no one is without filth and without sin.
55. That we must not please men, but God.
56. That nothing that is done is hidden from God.
57. That the believer is amended and reserved.
59. Of the idols which the Gentiles think to be gods.
60. That too great lust of food is not to be desired.
61. That the lust of possessing, and money, are not to be sought for.
62. That marriage is not to be contracted with Gentiles.
63. That the sin of fornication is grievous.
65. That all sins are put away in baptism.
66. That the discipline of God is to be observed in Church precepts.
67. That it was foretold that men should despise sound discipline.
68. That we must depart from him who lives irregularly and contrary to discipline.
70. That we must obey parents.
71. And that fathers also should not be harsh in respect of their children.
72. That servants, when they have believed, ought to serve their carnal masters the better.
73. Moreover, that masters should be the more gentle.
74. That all widows that are approved are to be held in honour.
75. That every person ought to have care rather of his own people, and especially of believers.
76. That an elder must not be rashly accused.
77. That the sinner must be publicly reproved.
78. That we must not speak with heretics.
79. That innocency asks with confidence, and obtains.
80. That the devil has no power against man unless God have allowed it.
81. That wages be quickly paid to the hireling.
82. That divination must not be used.
83. That a tuft of hair is not to be worn on the head.
84. That the beard must not be plucked.
85. That we must rise when a bishop or a presbyter comes.
87. That believers ought to be simple, with prudence.
88. That a brother must not be deceived.
89. That the end of the world comes suddenly.
90. That a wife must not depart from her husband or if she should depart, she must remain unmarried.
91. That every one is tempted so much as he is able to bear.
92. That not everything is to be done which is lawful.
93. That it was foretold that heresies would arise.
94. That the Eucharist is to be received with fear and honour.
95. That we are to live with the good, but to avoid the evil.
96. That we must labour not with words, but with deeds.
97. That we must hasten to faith and to attainment.
98. That the catechumen ought now no longer to sin.
100. That the grace of God ought to be without price.
101. That the Holy Spirit has frequently appeared in fire.
102. That all good men ought willingly to hear rebuke.
103. That we must abstain from much speaking.
105. That they are frequently to be corrected who do wrong in domestic duty.
106. That when a wrong is received, patience is to be maintained, and vengeance to be left to God.
107. That we must not use detraction.
108. That we must not lay snares against our neighbour.
109. That the sick are to be visited.
110. That tale-bearers are accursed.
111. That the sacrifices of the wicked are not acceptable.
112. That those are more severely judged, who in this world have had more power.
113. That the widow and orphans ought to be protected.
114. That one ought to make confession while he is in the flesh.
115. That flattery is pernicious.
116. That God is more loved by him who has had many sins forgiven in baptism.
16. That Christ also is called a Stone.
In Isaiah: “Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I place on the foundations of Sion a precious stone, elect, chief, a corner stone, honourable; and he who trusteth in Him shall not be confounded.”227 Isa. xxviii. 16. [See Tertull., “stumbling-stone,” vol. iii. p. 165.] Also in the cxviith Psalm: “The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner. This is done by the Lord, and it is wonderful in our eyes. This is the day which the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. O Lord, save therefore, O Lord, direct therefore. Blessed is He who cometh in the name of the Lord.”228 Ps. cxviii. 21–26. Also in Zechariah: “Behold, I bring forth my servant. The Orient is his name, because the stone which I have placed before the face of Jesus; upon that one stone are seven eyes.”229 Zech. iii. 8, 9. Also in Deuteronomy: “And thou shalt write upon the stone all this law, very plainly.”230 Deut. xxvii. 8. Also in Jesus the son of Nave: “And he took a great stone, and placed it there before the Lord; and Jesus said unto the people, Behold, this stone shall be to you for a testimony, because it hath heard all the things which were spoken by the Lord, which He hath spoken to you to-day; and it shall be for a testimony to you in the last of the days, when ye shall have departed from your God.”231 Josh. xxiv. 26, 27. Also in the Acts of the Apostles, Peter: “Ye princes of the people, and elders of Israel, hearken: Behold, we are this day interrogated by you about the good deed done to the impotent man, by means of which he is made whole. Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye have crucified, whom God hath raised up from the dead, by Him he stands whole in your presence, but by none other. This is the stone which was despised by you builders, which has become the head of the corner. For there is no other name given to men under heaven in which we must be saved.”232 Acts iv. 8–12. This is the stone in Genesis, which Jacob places at his head, because the head of the man is Christ; and as he slept he saw a ladder reaching to heaven, on which the Lord was placed, and angels were ascending and descending.233 [The anointing of this stone gave it the name of Messiah in our author’s account; and this interpretation gives great dignity to Jacob’s dying reference to Him, Gen. xlix. 24.] The Oxford edition omits “and descending.” And this stone he designating Christ consecrated and anointed with the sacrament of unction. This is the stone in Exodus upon which Moses sate on the top of a hill when Jesus the son of Nave fought against Amalek; and by the sacrament of the stone, and the stedfastness of his sitting, Amalek was overcome by Jesus, that is, the devil was overcome by Christ. This is the great stone in the first book of Kings, upon which was placed the ark of the covenant when the oxen brought it back in the cart, sent back and returned by the strangers. Also, this is the stone in the first book of Kings, with which David smote the forehead of Goliath and slew him; signifying that the devil and his servants are thereby thrown down—that part of the head, namely, being conquered234 The Oxford edition reads, “conquered, that is, in that part of the head.” which they have not had sealed. And by this seal we also are always safe and live. This is the stone which, when Israel had conquered the aliens, Samuel set up and called its name Ebenezer; that is, the stone that helpeth.
Apud Esaiam sic dicit Dominus: Ecce ego immillo0711Ain fundamenta Sion lapidem pretiosum, electum , summum, angularem, honoratum; et qui crediderit in eum, non confundetur (Isa. XXVIII, 16). Item in Psalmo CXVII: Lapis quem reprobaverunt aedificantes, hic factus est in caput anguli. A Domino factus est iste , et est admirabilis in oculis nostris. Iste diesquem fecit Dominus, exultemus et jucundemurin eo. O Domine, salvaigitur, o Domine, dirige igitur. Benedictus est qui venit in nomine Domini (Ps. CXVIII, 22-26). Item apud Zachariam: Ecce ego adduco puerum meum. Oriensnomen est ei: quoniam lapis quem dedi ante faciem Jesu, super lapidem ipsum unum septem oculi sunt (Zach. III, 8, 9). Item in Deuteronomio: Et scribessuper lapidem omnem legem hanc manifeste nimis (Deut. XXVII, 8). Item apud Jesum Nave: Et accepit lapidem magnum, 0711Bet statuit eum illic contra Dominum, et ait Jesus ad populum: Ecce lapis iste erit vobis in testimonium quia iste audivitomnia quae dicta sunt a Domino, quanta locutus estad vos hodie; et erit ipse vobis in testimonium in novissimo dierum, quando recesseritis a Deo vestro (Jos. XXIV, 26, 27). Item in Actibus Apostolorum Petrus: Principes populi et seniores Israël , audite: Ecce nos hodie interrogamur a vobis super benefacto hominisinfirmi in quo iste salvatus est. Sit vobis omnibus notum et omni populo Israël quia in nomine Jesu Christi Nazareni, quem vos crucifixistis, quem Deus suscitavit a mortuisin illo iste in conspectu vestro sanus adstat , in alio autem nullo. Hic est lapis qui contemptus est a vobis aedificantibus , qui factus est in caput anguli. Non est enim nomen aliud sub coelo datum hominibus in quo oportet salvari nos (Act. IV, 8-12). 0711C Hic est lapis in Genesi (Gen. XXVIII) quem ponit Jacob ad caput suum, quia caput viri Christus; et dormiens videt scalam ad coelum pertingentem, in qua constitutus erat Dominus, et Angeli ascendebant et descendebant; quem lapidem consecravit et unxit sacramento unctionis Christum significans. Hic est lapis in Exodo (Exod. XVII) super quem sedit Moyses in cacumine collis , quando Jesus Nave contra Amalech dimicavit, et sacramento lapidis et stabilitate sessionis Amalech superatus est ab Jesu, id est, diabolus a Christo victus est. Hic est lapis magnus in Basilion primo (I Reg. IV) super quem posita est arca testamenti, quando eam ab allophylis remissam et redditam in plaustro boves reportaverunt. Item hic 0712A est lapis in Basilion (I Reg. XVII) quo David frontem Goliae percussit et occidit, significans diabolum et servos ejus inde prosterni, victa scilicet ea capitis parte quam signatam non habent . Quo signo nos et tuti semper sumus et vivimus. Hic est lapis quem cum alienigenas Israël vicisset statuit Samuel, et appellavit nomen ejus Abennezer, id est lapis auxiliator (I Reg. VII, 12).