A frugment of II. CLEMENT. the Lord's kingdom. that he may receive us as children. | even so my people has borne its For so the Lord hath said; "They disorders and afflictions, but shall are my brethren, who do the will hereafter receive good things. my father. of 6 ¶ Wherefore, my brethren, let us do the will of the Father, who hath called us, that we may live. Let us pursue virtue, and forsake wickedness, which leadeth us into sins; and let us flee all ungodliness, that evils overtake us not. 7 For, if we shall do our diligence to live well, peace shall follow us. And yet how hard is it to find a man that does this? For almost all are led by human fears,choosing rather the present enjoyments, than the future promise. 8 For they know not how great a torment the present enjoyments bring with them; nor what delights the future promise. 13 Wherefore my brethren, let us not doubt in our ininds, but let us expect with hope, that we may receive our reward; for he 18 faithful, who has promised that he will render to every one a reward according to his works. 14 If, therefore, we shall do what is just in the sight of God we shall enter into his kingdom, and shall receive the promises; Which neither eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man. 15 ¶ Wherefore let us every hour expect the kingdom of God in love and righteousness; because we know not the day of God's appearing. CHAP. V. A FRAGMENT. Of the Lord's kingdom. For the Lord himself, being asked by a certain person, 9 And if they themselves only did this, it might the more easily be endured; but now they go on to infect innocent souls with their evil doctrines; not knowing that both themselves, and those that hear them, shall receive a double | When his kingdom should come? condemnation. 10 Let us, therefore serve God with a pure heart, and we shall be righteous: but if we shall not serve him because we do not believe the promise of God, we shall be miserable. 11 For thus saith the prophet; Miserable are the double minded, who doubt in their heart, and say, these things we have heard, even in the time of our fathers, but we have | seen none of them, though we have expected them from day to day. 12 O ye fools! compare yourselves to a tree; take the vine for an example. First it sheds its leaves, then it buds, then come the sour grapes, then the ripe fruit; 1 answered, When two shall be one, and that which is without as that which is within; and the male with the female, neither male nor female. 2 Now two are one, when we speak the truth to each other, and there is (without hypocrisy) one soul in two bodies: 3 And that which is without as that which is within ;-He means this: he calls the soul that which is within, and the body that which is without. As therefore thy body appears, so let thy soul be seen by its good works. 4 And the male with the female neither male nor female ;—He means this; he calls our anger the male, our concupiscence the female 1 Vox. Ocov non est in MS. 2 Matt. xii. 50. 3 For, find a man. Aliter Wendel. in traduct. lat. q. v. for this cause, we cannot *See I. Clement, chap Preface to BARNABAS. the Epistle 6 But rather, having dispelled the mist arising from them, and being full of shame, shall by re 5 When therefore a man is come to such a pass that he is subject neither to the one nor the other of these (both of which,pentance have united both his soul through the prevalence of custom, and spirit in the obedience of reaand an evil education, cloud and son; then, as Paul says, there is darken the reason,) in us neither male nor female. The GENERAL EPISTLE OF BARNABAS. (Barnabas was a companion and fellow preacher with Paul. This Epistle lays a greater claim to canonical authority than most others. It has been cited by Clemens Alexandrinus, Origen, Eusebius, and Jerome, and many ancient Fathers. Cotelerius affirms that Origen and Jerome esteemed it genuine and canonical; but Cotelerius himself did not believe it to be either one or the other; on the contrary, he supposes it was written for the benefit of the Ebonites (the christianized Jews,) who were tenacious of rights and ceremonies. Bishop Fell feared to own expressly what he seemed to be persuaded of, that it ought to be treated with the same respect as several of the books of the present canon. Dr. Bernard, Savilian professor at Oxford, not only believed it to be genuine but that it was read throughout, in the churches at Alexandria, as the canonical scriptures were. Dodwell supposed it to have been published before the Epistle of Jude, and the writings of both the Johns. Vossius, Dupuis, Dr. Cane, Dr. Mill, Dr. S. Clark, Whiston, and Archbishop Wake also esteemed it genuine : Menardus, Archbishop Laud, Spanheim, and others, deemed it apocryphal.] A CHAP. I. Preface to the Epistle. LL happiness to you my sons and daughters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who loved us, in peace. 2 Having perceived abundance of knowledge of the great and 1 excellent 2 laws of God to be in you, I exceedingly rejoice in your blessed and admirable 3 souls, because ye have so worthily received the grace which was grafted in you. 4 3 For which cause I am full of joy, hoping the rather to be 5 saved; inasmuch as I truly see a spirit infused into you, from the 'pure fountain of God : cause that since I have begun to speak unto you, I have had a more than ordinary good success in the way of the law of the Lord which is in Christ. 5 For which cause 8 brethren, I also think verily that I love you above my own soul: because that therein dwelleth the greatness of faith and charity, as also the hope of that life which is to come. 9 6 Wherefore considering this, that if I shall take care to communicate to you a part of what I have received, it shall turn to my reward, that I have served such good souls; I gave diligence to write in a few words unto you; that together with your faith, your 10 knowledge also may be perfect. 4 Having this persuasion, and 7 There are therefore three being fully convinced thereof, be- 11 things ordained by the Lord; 1Honestarum. Equitatum, Aikaiwμarov, righteous judgments. 3Spiritibus, Disposition. Natural, Gr. eupuyor. See chap. xix. eupuyov dopeav dayns which the Lat. Int. renders, Naturale donum Doctrinæ. Comp Jam. i. 21. Liberari: Gr. at videtur ownval. Honesto, from the Gr. naλsk. Comp. Psalm 119, 33, viz. either by preaching or fulfilling the same. & Vid. Annot. Vos. in loc. Talibus spiritibus servienti. Usser. 10 Tvous. Kupiov, Constitutions of the Lord. 2 Aoyμayo Prejuce BARNABAS. continued. the hope of life; the beginning | this at your hands? Ye shall no 8 For the Lord hath both declared unto us, by the prophets, those things that are past; and opened to us the beginnings of those that are to come 8 4 9 Wherefore, it will behove us, more as he has spoken, to come holily, and nearer to his altar. 10 I therefore, not as a teacher, but as one of you, will endeavour to lay before you a few things by which you may, on many accounts, become the more joyful. CHAP. II. That God has abolished the legal sac- 3 Whilst these remain pure in 4 For God has manifested to us by all the prophets, that he has no occasion for our sacrifices, or burntofferings, or oblations: saying thus; To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me, saith the Lord. 5 I am full of the burnt-offerings of rams, and the fat of 12fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of he-goats. 7 Bring no more vain oblations, 8 These things therefore hath God abolished, that the new law such of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is without the yoke of any necessity, might have the spiritual offering of men themselves. 9 For so the Lord saith agair 14 Did I at to those heretofore; all command your fathers when they came out of the land of Egypt concerning burnt offerings of sacrifices? 10 But this I commanded them, saying, 15 Let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour, and love no false oath. 11 Forasmuch then as we are not without understanding, we ought to apprehend the design 16 of our merciful father. For he speaks to us, being willing that we who have been in the same error about the sacrifices, should seek and tind how to approach unto him. 12 And therefore he thus bespeaks us, 17The sacrifice of God (is a broken spirit,) a broken and contrite heart God will not despise. 13 Wherefore brethren, we ought the more diligently to inquire after those things that belong to our salvation, that the adversary may not have any entrance into us, and deprive us of our spiritual life. 2 14 Wherefore he again speak6 13 When ye come to appear before me; who hath required eth to them, concerning these 1 Viz. faith and Charity. See before. Namely, which we are to believe. 'That is, which are to be hoped for, and end in love. Given us to know. 11 Isaiah 'Honestius et Altius: the more honestly and highly. Like yourselves. "In 10 Comp. Græc. Clem. Alex. 8 Age. Equitus. many things. 1.11. 12 Lambs. 13 Isaiah, i. 12, 13, 14. 14 Jer. vii. 22, 23. 15 Zach. viii. 17. 17 Psalm i. 19. 1 Of the mercy of Our Father. 9 things; Ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. 15 Is it such a fast that I have chosen a day for a man to afflict his soul? 2 Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord? 16 But to us he saith on this wise. 8 Is not this the fast that I have chosen, to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free; and that ye break every yoke ? concerning Christ, &c. CHAP. III. The prophecies of Daniel. concerning the ten kings, and the coming of Christ. HEREFORE it is necessa Wry that searching diligently into those things which are near to come to pass, we should write to you what may serve to keep you whole. 2 To which end, let us flee from every evil work and hate the errors of the present time, that we may be 12 happy in that which is to come: 3 Let us not give ourselves the liberty of disputing with the wick17 4 Is it not to deal thy breaded and sinners; lest we should to the hungry, and that thou bring chance in time to become like unto the poor that are cast out to thy them. house? When thou seest the naked that thou cover him, and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh. 18 5 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thy health shall spring forth speedily; and thy righteousness shall go before thee, the glory of the Lord shall be thy reward. pro 4 For the consummation of 18sin is come, as it is written, as the phet Daniel says. And for this end the Lord hath shortened the times and the days, that his beloved might hasten his coming to his inheritance.. 5 For so the prophet speaks; 14There shall ten kings reign in the heart, and there shall rise last of all another little one, and he shall humble three kings. 19 Then shalt thou call and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry and he shall say, Here I am. If thou put away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; 7 and if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry; and satisfy the afflict-horns, 16 I considered the horns, ed soul. 20 In this therefore brethren, God has manifested his 8 foreknowledge and love for us; because the people which he has purchased to his beloved Son were to believe insincerity; and therefore he has shewn these things to all of us, that we should not run as proselytes to 10the Jewish law. 6 And again Daniel speaks in like manner concerning the kingdoms; 15 and I saw the fourth beast dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had ten and behold there came up among them another little horn, before which were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots. 7 We ought therefore to understand this also: And I beseech you as one of your own brethren, loving you all beyond my own life, that you look well to yourselves, and be not like to those who17 add Isa. lviii. 4. V.5. V. 6. V.7. V. 8. V.9. V. 10. ε Providence. 17 sin to sin, and say: That their to suffer, proved. utmost of our power to keep his 14 If a man shall be good, his lest 16 Take heed therefore 9 But having turned themselves to idols they lost it; as the Lord sitting still, now that we are call also said to Moses; Moses, goed, we fall asleep in our sins; and down quickly, for thy people the wicked one getting the domiwhich thou hast brought forth out nion over us, stir us up, and of Egypt, have corrupted them- shut us out of the kingdom of the selves, and turned aside from the Lord. way which I commanded them. 8 And Moses cast the two tables out of his hands and their covenant was broken; that the love of Jesus might be sealed in your hearts, unto the hope of his faith. 10 Wherefore let us give heed the 16 Consider this also: although you have seen so great signs and wonders done among the people of the Jews, yet this notwithstand17 Beware therefore, lest it ing the Lord hath forsaken them. happen to us; as it is written. There may be many called, but few chosen. FOR CHAP. IV. the prophecies concerning him. That Christ was to suffer: proved from OR this cause did our Lord vouchsafe to give up his body to destruction, that through the forgiveness of our sins we might be sanctified; that is, by the sprinkling of his blood. 2 Now for what concerns the things that are written about him, some belong to the people of the Jews, and some to us. 3 For thus saith the Scripture: He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities, and by his blood we are healed. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before his shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. Exod. xxxvii. 7. Deut. ix. 12. V. 19 Days. 7 Matt. xxv. 7-10. 6 Vid. Gr. Clem. Alex. Isa. v., 21. Isa. lii. 5-7. 12 Let us become spiritual, a perfect temple to God. As much as in us lies let us meditate upon the fear of God; and strive to the 1 Exod. xxxi. xxxiv. 'Heb. x. 25. Matt. xxii. 14. |