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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.
58. That no one should be made sad by death; since in living is labour and peril, in dying peace and the certainty of resurrection.
In Genesis: “Then said the Lord to Adam, Because thou hast hearkened to the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of that tree of which alone I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat, cursed shall be the ground in all thy works; in sadness and groaning shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life: thorns and thistles shall it cast forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field in the sweat of thy brow. Thou shalt eat thy bread until thou return unto the earth from which also thou wast taken; because earth thou art, and to earth thou shalt go.”656 Gen. iii. 17–19. Also in the same place: “And Enoch pleased God, and was not found afterwards: because God translated him.”657 Gen. v. 24. And in Isaiah: “All flesh is grass, and all the glory of it as the flower of grass. The grass withered, and the flower hath fallen away; but the word of the Lord abideth for ever.”658 Isa. xl. 6, 7. In Ezekiel: “They say, Our bones are become dry, our hope hath perished: we have expired. Therefore prophesy, and say, Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I open your monuments, and I will bring you forth from your monuments, and I will bring you into the land of Israel; and I will put my Spirit upon you, and ye shall live; and I will place you into your land: and ye shall know that I the Lord have spoken, and will do it, saith the Lord.”659 Ezek. xxxvii. 11–14. Also in the Wisdom of Solomon: “He was taken away, lest wickedness should change his understanding; for his soul was pleasing to God.”660 Wisd. iv. 11, 14. Also in the eighty-third Psalm: “How beloved661 Some read “amabiles,” “amiable.” are thy dwellings, Thou Lord of hosts? My soul desires and hastes to the courts of God.”662 Ps. lxxxiv. 1, 2. And in the Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians: “But we would not that you should be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who sleep, that ye sorrow not as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also them which have fallen asleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.”663 1 Thess. iv. 13, 14. Also in the first Epistle to the Corinthians: “Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened except it have first died.”664 1 Cor. xv. 36. And again: “Star differeth from star in glory: so also the resurrection. The body is sown in corruption, it rises without corruption; it is sown in ignominy, it rises again in glory; it is sown in weakness, it rises again in power; it is sown an animal body, it rises again a spiritual body.”665 1 Cor. xv. 41–44. And again: “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal put on immortality. But when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall come to pass the word that is written, Death is absorbed into striving. Where, O death, is thy sting? Where, O death, is thy striving?”666 1 Cor. xv. 53–55. Also in the Gospel according to John: “Father, I will that those whom Thou hast given me be with me where I shall be, and may see my glory which Thou hast given me before the foundation of the world.”667 John xvii. 24. Also according to Luke: “Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Lord, according to the word; for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation.”668 Luke ii. 29, 30. Also according to John: “If ye loved me, ye would rejoice because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I.”669 John xiv. 28.
In Genesi: Tunc dixit Dominus ad Adam: Quia exaudisti vocem uxoristuae, et manducasti ex illa arbore de qua sola praeceperam tibi ne manducares , maledicta terra erit in omnibus operibus tuis. In tristitia et gemitu edes ex ea omnibus diebus vitae tuae. Spinas 0762Cet tribulos ejiciet tibi, et edes pabulum agriin sudore vultus tui. Edes panem tuum donec revertaris in terram de qua et sumptus es: quia terra es, et in terram ibis (Gen. III, 17-19). Item illic: Et complacuit Enoch Deo; et non est inventuspostmodum, quia Deus illum transtulit (Gen. V, 24). Et apud Esaiam: Omnis caro foenum, et omnis claritas ejus ut flos foeni. Aruit foenum, et flos decidit. Sermoautem Domini manetin aeternum (Isa. XL, 6-8). Apud Ezechielem: Ipsi dicunt: Arida facta sunt ossa nostra, periit spes nostra, exspiravimus; propterea prophetiza, et dic : 0763AHaec dicit Dominus : Ecce ego aperio monumenta vestra, et educam vos de monumentis vestris, et inducam vos in terram Israel. Et dabo Spiritum meum in vos, et vivetis. Et ponam vos in terram vestram, et cognoscetis quoniam ego Dominus locutus sum, et faciam, dicit Dominus (Ezech. XXXVII, 11-14). Item in Sapientia Salomonis: Raptus estne malitia mutaret intellectum illius. Placita enim erat Deo anima illius (Sap. IV, 11-14). Item in Psalmo LXXXIII: Quam dilectissimaehabitationes tuae, Deus virtutum! Desiderat et properatanima mea ad atriaDei (Ps. LXXXIII, 2, 3). Et in Epistola Pauli ad Thessalonicenses: Nolumus autem vos ignorare, fratres, de dormientibus, ne contristemini sicut et caeteri, qui spem non habent. Si enim credimus quia Jesus mortuus 0763Best et resurrexit, sic et Deus eos qui dormierunt in Jesu adducet cum eo (I Thess. IV, 13, 14). Item ad Corinthios I: Stulte , tu quod seminas non vivificatur nisi priusmortuum fuerit. Et iterum: Stella a stella differt in claritate, sic et resurrectio . Seminatur corpus in corruptione, resurgit sine corruptela . Seminatur in ignominia , resurgit in gloria. Seminatur in infirmitate, resurgit in virtute. Seminatur corpus animale, resurgitspiritale (I Cor. XV, 36, 41-44, 53-55). Et iterum: Oportet enim corruptivum istud induere incorruptionem et mortale hoc induere immortalitatem. Cum autem corruptivum hoc induerit incorruptionem, et mortale hoc induerit incorruptionem, tunc fiet verbum quod scriptum est: Absorpta est morsin contentionem . Ubi est, mors, aculeus tuus? ubi est, mors, contentio 0763Ctua? Item in Evangelio cata Joannem: Pater, quos dedisti mihi, volo ut ubi ego fuero et ipsi sint mecum, et videant claritatem meam quam mihi dedisti ante constitutionem mundi (Joan. XVII, 24). Item cata Lucam: Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine, secundum verbum tuum, in pace, quia viderunt oculi mei salutare tuum (Luc. II, 29, 30). Item cata Joannem: Si me dilexissetis, gauderetisquoniam vado ad Patrem, quia Pater major me est (Joan. XIV, 28).