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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.
29. That He will reign as a King for ever.
In Zechariah: “Tell ye the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee: just, and having salvation; meek, sitting upon an ass that hath not been tamed.”308 Zech. ix. 9. Also in Isaiah: “Who will declare to you that eternal place? He that walketh in righteousness, and holdeth back his hands from gifts; stopping his ears that he may not hear the judgment of blood; and closing his eyes, that he may not see unrighteousness: this man shall dwell in the lofty cavern of the strong rock; bread shall be given him, and his water shall be sure. Ye shall see the King with glory.”309 Isa. xxxiii. 14–17. Likewise in Malachi: “I am a great King, saith the Lord, and my name is illustrious among the nations.”310 Mal. i. 14. Also in the second Psalm: “But I am established as a King by Him upon His holy hill of Zion, announcing His empire.”311 Ps. ii. 6. Also in the twenty-first Psalm: “All the ends of the world shall be reminded, and shall turn to the Lord: and all the countries of the nations shall worship in Thy sight. For the kingdom is the Lord’s: and He shall rule over all nations.”312 Ps. xxii. 27, 28. Also in the twenty-third Psalm: “Lift up your gates, ye princes; and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord strong in battle. Lift up your gates, O ye princes; and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory.”313 Ps. xxiv. 7–10. Also in the forty-fourth Psalm: “My heart hath breathed forth a good discourse:314 [i.e., rather “a good Word.” See p. 516, supra.] I tell my works to the king: my tongue is the pen of a writer intelligently writing. Thou art lovely in beauty above the children of men: grace is shed forth on Thy lips, because God hath blessed Thee for ever. Be girt with Thy sword on Thy thigh, O most mighty. To Thy honour and to Thy beauty both attend, and direct Thyself, and reign, because of truth, and meekness, and righteousness.”315 Ps. xlv. 1–4. Also in the fifth Psalm: “My King, and my God, because unto Thee will I pray. O Lord, in the morning Thou shalt hear my voice; in the morning I will stand before Thee, and will contemplate Thee.”316 Ps. v. 2, 3. Also in the ninety-sixth Psalm: “The Lord hath reigned; let the earth rejoice; let the many isles be glad.”317 Ps. xcvii. 1. Moreover, in the forty-fourth Psalm: “The queen stood at thy right hand in a golden garment; she is clothed in many colours. Hear, O daughter, and see, and incline thine ear, and forget thy people and thy father’s house; for the King hath desired thy beauty, for He is thy Lord God.”318 Ps. xlv. 9–11. Also in the seventy-third Psalm: “But God is our King before the world; He hath wrought salvation in the midst of the earth.”319 Ps. lxxiv. 12. Also in the Gospel according to Matthew: “And when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judah in the days of Herod the king, behold, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, Where is He who is born King of the Jews? for we have seen His star in the east, and have come to worship Him.”320 Matt. ii. 1, 2. Also, according to John, Jesus said: “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would be in trouble, that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now is my kingdom not from hence. Pilate said, Art thou a king, then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I am come into the world, that I might bear testimony to the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.”321 John i. 36, 37.
0720B
Apud Zachariam: Dicite filiae Sion: Ecce rex tuus venit tibi justus et salvans, mitis, sedens super asinum indomitum (Zach. IX, 9). Item apud Esaiam: Quis nuntiabit vobis locumillum aeternum? Ambulans in justitia, et manus abstinens a muneribus, gravans aures ut non audiat judicium sanguinis, et comprimens oculos suos ne videat injustitiam, hic inhabitabitin alta spelunca petrae fortis. Panis illi dabitur, et aqua ejus fidelis. Regem cum claritate videbitis (Isa. XXXIII, 14-17). Item apud Malachiam: Rex magnus sum ego, dicit Dominus, et nomen meum illustre est apud gentes (Malach. I, 14). Item in Psalmo II: Ego autem constitutus 0720Csum rex ab eo super Sion montem sanctum ejus , annuntians imperium ipsius (Ps. II, 6, 7). Item in Psalmo XXI: Commemorabunturet convertentur ad Dominum omnes termini terrae, et adorabunt in conspectu tuo omnes patriae gentium; quoniam Domini est regnum, et ipse dominabituromnium gentium (Ps. 0721A XXI. 28, 29). Item in Psalmo XXIII: Auferte portas , principes, vestras, et extollimini, portae aeternales, et introibit rex claritatis. Quis est iste rex claritatis ? Dominus fortis et potens, Dominus fortis in praelio. Auferte portas principes vestras, et extollimini portae aeternales, et introibit rex claritatis. Quis est iste rex claritatis? Dominus virtutum ipse est rex claritatis (Ps. XXIII, 7-10). Item in Psalmo XLIV: Eructavit cor meum sermonem bonum , dico egoopera mea regi. Lingua mea calamus scriptorisacute scribentis, decorusspecie super filios hominum. Effusa estgratia in labiis tuis, propterea benedixit te Deus in saecula . Accingere ense tuoad femur, potentissime. Decori et speciei tuae et intende et dirigeet regna propter veritatemet mansuetudinem et justitiam (Ps. XLIV, 2, 5). 0721B Item in Psalmo V: Rex meus et Deus meus, quoniam ad te orabo, Domine, mane exaudies vocem meam; mane assistam tibi , et contemplabor te (Ps. V, 3, 4). Item in Psalmo XCVI: Dominus regnavit, exultet terra, jucundenturinsulae multae (Ps. XCVI, 1). Item in Psalmo XLIV: Adstitit regina ad dexteram tuam in veste inaurata , amicta est varietate. Audi, filia, et vide, et inclina aurem tuam, et obliviscere populi tui et domus patristui, quoniam desideravit rex speciem tuam, quia ipse est Dominus Deus tuus (Ps. XLIV, 10-12). Item in Psalmo LXXIII: Deus autem rex noster ante saeculum , operatus est salutem in medio terrae (Ps. LXXIII, 12). Item in Evangelio cata Matthaeum: Et cum Jesus natus esset in Bethlehem Judae, in diebus Herodis regis, ecce magi ab Oriente venerunt Hierosolymamdicentes: 0721CUbi est qui natus est rex Judaeorum? Vidimus enim stellam ejus in Oriente, et venimus adorare eum (Matth. II, 1, 2). Item cata Joannem dixit Jesus: Regnum meum non est de isto saeculo. Si de isto saeculoesset regnum meum, ministri mei turbarenturne traderer Judaeis. Nunc autem regnum meum non est hinc. Dixit Pilatus : Ergo rex es tu? Respondit Jesus: Tu dicis, quoniam rex sum. Ego in hoc natus sumet in hoc veni in saeculum, ut testimonium perhibeam veritati0722A . Omnis qui est de veritate audit vocem meam (Joan. XVIII, 36, 37).