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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. Of the benefits of martyrdom.
In the Proverbs of Solomon: “The faithful martyr delivers his soul from evils.”474 Prov. xiv. 25. Also in the same place: “Then shall the righteous stand in great boldness against them who have afflicted them, and who took away their labours. When they see them, they shall be disturbed with a horrible fear; and they shall wonder at the suddenness of their unhoped-for salvation, saying among themselves, repenting and groaning with distress of spirit, These are they whom some time we had in derision, and in the likeness of a proverb; we fools counted their life madness, and their end without honour. How are they reckoned among the children of God, and their lot among the saints! Therefore we have wandered from the way of truth, and the light of righteousness has not shined upon us, and the sun has not risen upon us. We have been wearied in the way of iniquity and of perdition, and we have walked through difficult solitudes; but we have not known the way of the Lord. What hath pride profited us? or what hath the boasting of riches brought to us? All these things have passed away as a shadow.”475 Wisd. v. 1–9. Of this same thing in the cxvth Psalm: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.”476 Ps. cxvi. 5. Also in the cxxvth Psalm: “They who sow in tears shall reap in joy. Walking they walked, and wept as they cast their seeds; but coming they shall come in joy, raising up their laps.”477 Ps. cxxvi. 5, 6. Of this same thing in the Gospel according to John: “He who loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall find it to life eternal.”478 John xii. 25. Also in the same place: “But when they shall deliver you up, take no thought what ye shall speak; for it is not ye who speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.”479 Matt. x. 19, 20. Also in the same place: “The hour shall come, that every one that killeth you shall think he doeth service to God; but they shall do this also because they have not known the Father nor me.”480 John xvi. 2, 3. Of this same matter, according to Matthew: “Blessed are they which shall suffer persecution for righteousness’ sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”481 Matt. v. 10. Also in the same place: “Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear Him which is able to kill the soul and body in Gehenna.”482 Matt. x. 28. Also in the same place: “Whosoever shall confess me before men, him also will I confess before my Father which is in heaven; but he who shall deny me before men, him also will I deny before my Father which is in heaven. And he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved.”483 Matt. x. 32, 33. Of this same thing, according to Luke: “Blessed shall ye be when men shall hate you, and shall separate you (from their company), and shall drive you out, and shall speak evil of your name, as wicked, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice in that day, and exult; for, lo, your reward is great in heaven.”484 Luke vi. 22, 23. Also in the same place: “Verily I say unto you, There is no man that leaveth house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, and does not receive seven times as much in this present time, but in the world to come life everlasting.”485 Luke xviii. 29, 30. Of this same thing in the Apocalypse: “And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar of God the souls of them that were slain on account of the word of God and His testimony. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And unto every one of them were given white robes; and it was said to them, that they should rest still for a short time, until the number of their fellow-servants, and of their brethren, should be fulfilled, and they who shall afterwards be slain, after their example.”486 Rev. vi. 9–11. Also in the same place: “After these things I saw a great crowd, which no one among them could number, from every nation, and from every tribe, and from every people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb; and they were clothed with white robes, and palms were in their hands. And they said with a loud voice, Salvation to our God, that sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb. And one of the elders answered and said to me, What are these which are clothed with white robes? who are they, and whence have they come? And I said unto him, My lord, thou knowest. And he said unto me, These are they who have come out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sitteth upon the throne shall dwell among them. They shall neither hunger nor thirst ever; and neither shall the sun fall upon them, nor shall they suffer any heat: for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne shall protect them, and shall lead them to the fountains of the waters of life; and God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes.”487 Rev. vii. 9–17. Also in the same place: “He who shall overcome I will give him to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of my God.”488 Rev. ii. 7. Also in the same place: “Be thou faithful even unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”489 Rev. ii. 10. Also in the same place: “Blessed shall they be who shall watch, and shall keep their garments, lest they walk naked, and they see their shame.”490 Rev. xvi. 15. Of this same thing, Paul in the second Epistle to Timothy: “I am now offered up, and the time of my assumption is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. There now remains for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me in that day; and not only to me, but to all also who love His appearing.”491 2 Tim. iv. 6–8. Of this same thing to the Romans: “We are the sons of God: but if sons and heirs of God, we are also joint-heirs with Christ; if we suffer together, that we may also be magnified together.”492 Rom. viii. 16, 17. Of this same thing in the cxviiith Psalm: “Blessed are they who are undefiled in the way, and walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they who search into His testimonies.”493 Ps. cxix. 1, 2.
In Proverbiis Salomonis: Liberat de malis animam0743Bmartyrfidelis (Prov. XIV, 25). Item illic: Tunc stabunt justi in magna constantia adversus eos qui se angustiaverunt et qui abstulerunt laboreseorum. Videntes turbabuntur timore horribili, et mirabuntur in subitatione insperatae salutis, dicentes inter se , poenitentiam habentes , et per angustiam spiritus gementes: Hi sunt quos aliquando habuimus in derisumet in similitudinem improperii. Nos insensati vitam illorum aestimabamus insaniam et finem illorum sine honore. Quomodocomputati sunt inter filios Dei, et inter sanctos sors illorum est! Ergo erravimus a via veritatis, et justitiae lumen non luxit nobis, et sol non est ortus nobis. Lassati sumusin iniquitatis via et perditionis, et ambulavimus solitudines difficiles, viam autem Domini 0743Cignoravimus. Quid nobisprofuit superbia, aut quid divitiarum jactatio contulit nobis? Transierunt omnia illa tamquam umbra (Sap. V, 1-9). De hoc ipso in Psalmo CXV: Pretiosain conspectu Domini mors sanctorumejus. Item in Psalmo CXXV: Qui seminant in lacrymis, in exultationemetent. Ambulantesambulabant et plorabant mittentes semina sua, venientes autem venient in exultatione tollentes gremiasua. De hoc ipso in Evangelio cata Joannem: Qui amat animam suam perdet illam; et qui odit animam suam in isto saeculo, in vitam aeternam inveniet0744Aillam (Joan. XII, 25). Item illic: Cum autem tradiderint vos, nolite cogitare quid loquamini. Non enim vos estis qui loquimini, sed Spiritus Patris vestri qui loquitur in vobis (Matth. X, 19). Item illic: Veniet hora ut omnis qui interficit vos , arbitreturofficium se Deo facere. Sed et hoc facient, quoniam non cognoverunt Patrem neque me (Joan. XVI, 2). De hoc ipso cata Matthaeum: Beati qui persecutionem passi fuerint propter justitiam , quoniam ipsorum est regnum coelorum (Matth. V, 10). Item illic: Ne timueritis eos qui occidunt corpus, animam autem non possunt occidere. Magis autem metuite eum qui potest animam et corpus occidere in gehennam (Matth. X, 28). Item illic: Quicumque me confessus fuerit coram hominibus, et ego confitebor illum coram Patre meoqui 0744Bin coelis est. Qui autem me negaverit coram hominibus, et ego negabo eum coram Patre meo, qui in coelis est. Qui autem sustinueritusque in finem, hic salvus erit (Ibid. XXXII, 22). De hoc ipso cata Lucam: Beati eritis cum vos oderint homines, et separaverint vos et expulerint, et maledixerint nomini vestro quasi nequam propter Filium hominis. Gaudete in illa die et exultate; ecce enim merces vestra multain coelis (Luc. VI, 22). Item illic: Amen dico vobis, nemo estqui relinquatdomum, aut parentes , aut fratres, aut uxorem, aut filiospropter regnum Dei, et non recipiat septies tantum in isto tempore, in saeculo autem futuro vitam aeternam (Luc. XVIII, 29). De hoc ipso in Apocalypsi: Et cum aperuisset quintum signum , vidi sub ara Dei animas occisorum propter Verbum 0744CDei et martyrium suum, et clamaverunt magna voce dicentes: Quousque, Domine sanctus et verus, non judicas et vindicas sanguinem nostrum de his qui in terris inhabitant? Et datae sunteis singulis stolae albae, et dictum est eis ut requiescerent brevi adhuc tempore , donec impleaturnumerus conservorum et fratrum eorum, quique postea occidentur exemplo ipsorum (Apoc. VI, 7-11). Item illic: Post haec vidi turbam multam, quam dinumerareex his nemo poterat, ex omni gente, et ex omni tribu, et ex omni populo et lingua, stantes in conspectu throni et in conspectu Agni, 0745Aet erant amicti stolas albas, et palmae fuerunt in manibus eorum, et magno clamore dicebant: Salus Deonostro sedenti super thronum et Agno. Et respondit unus ex senioribus dicens mihi : Qui amicti sunt stolis albis, qui sunt? et undevenerunt? Et dixi ei: Domine mi, tu scis . Et ait mihi: Hi sunt qui venerunt ex magna tribulatione, et laverunt stolas suas, et candidas eas fecerunt in sanguine Agni. Ideo suntin conspectu throni Dei, et serviunt ei diebus et noctibus in templo ejus, et is qui sedet in throno inhabitabit super eos. Neque esurient , neque sitient umquam, sed neque sol super eos cadet, neque ullum aestum patientur : quoniam Agnus qui in medio throni est, tegeteos, et deducet eosad fontes vitaeaquarum, et absterget Deus omnem lacrymam ex oculiseorum (Apoc. VII, 0745B 9-17). Item illic: Qui vincet, dabo illi edere de ligno vitaequod est in paradiso Dei mei. Item illic: Esto fidelis usque ad mortem, et dabo tibi coronam vitae (Apoc. II, 7-10). Beatierunt qui vigilabunt et servabuntvestimenta sua, ne nudi ambulent et videant turpitudinem suam (Apoc. XVI, 15). De hoc ipso Paulus ad Timotheum in secunda: Ego jam delibor , et tempus instat meae assumptionis . Bonum agonemcertavi, cursum perfeci, fidem servavi. Jam superestmihi corona justitiae, quam mihi reddet Dominus in illo die justusjudex; non solum autem mihi, sed et omnibus qui dilexerint adventum ejus (II Tim. IV, 6-8). De hoc ipso ad Romanos: Sumus filii Dei. Si autem filii, et haeredes Dei, cohaeredes autem Christi; siquidem compatiamur , ut et commagnificemur (Rom. 0745C VIII, 16). De hoc ipso in Psalmo CXVIII: Beatiqui immaculati sunt in via et qui ambulant in lege Domini . Beati qui perscrutantur martyria ejus .