CHAP. II.
1926 anthology with historical English translations and Crane introduction
William Wake and Frank Crane
CHAP. II.
1 Warns them against heretics, 4 exhorts them to humility and unity, 10 briefly sets before them the true doctrine concerning Christ.
I EXHORT you therefore, or rather not I, but the love of Jesus Christ; that ye use none but Christian nourishment; abstaining from pasture which is of another kind, I mean heresy.
3 As men give a deadly potion mixed with sweet wine; which he who drinks of, does with the treacherous pleasure sweetly drink in his own death.
4 Wherefore guard yourselves against such persons. And that you will do if you are not puffed up; but continue inseparable from Jesus Christ our God, and from your bishop, and from the commands of the Apostles.
5[934] He that is within the altar is pure; but he that is without, that is, that does anything without the bishop, the presbyters, and deacons, is not pure in his conscience.
6 Not that I know there is any thing of this nature among you; but I fore-arm you, as being greatly beloved by me, foreseeing the snares of the devil.
7 Wherefore putting on meekness, renew yourselves in faith, that is, the flesh of the Lord; and in charity, that is, the blood of Jesus Christ.
8 Let no man have any[935] grudge against his neighbour. Give no occasion to the Gentiles; lest by means of a few foolish men, the whole congregation of God be evil spoken of.
9 For woe to that man[936] through whose vanity my name is blasphemed by any.
10 Stop your ears therefore, as often as any one shall[937] speak contrary to Jesus Christ; who was of the race of David, of the Virgin Mary.
11 Who was truly born and did eat and drink; was truly persecuted under Pontius Pilate; was truly crucified and dead; both those in heaven and on earth,[938] being spectators of it.
13 But if, as some who are Atheists, that is to say infidels, pretend, that he only seemed to suffer: (they themselves only seeming to exist) why then am I bound?—Why do I desire to fight with beasts?—Therefore do I die in vain: therefore I will not speak falsely against the Lord.
14 Flee therefore these evil[941] sprouts which bring forth deadly fruit; of which if any one taste, he shall presently die.
15 For these are not the plants of the Father; seeing if they were, they would appear to be the branches of the cross, and their fruit would be incorruptible; by which he invites you through his passion, who are members of him.
16 For the head cannot be without its members, God having promised a union, that is himself.