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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.
6. That Christ is God.
In Genesis: “And God said unto Jacob, Arise, and go up to the place of Bethel, and dwell there; and make there an altar to that God who appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of thy brother Esau.”154 Gen. xxxv. 1. Also in Isaiah: “Thus saith the Lord, the God of Sabaoth, Egypt is wearied; and the merchandise of the Ethiopians, and the tall men of the Sabeans, shall pass over unto Thee, and shall be Thy servants; and shall walk after Thee bound with chains; and shall worship Thee, and shall pray to Thee, because God is in Thee, and there is no other God beside Thee. For Thou art God, and we knew it not, O God of Israel, our Saviour. They shall all be confounded and fear who oppose Thee, and shall fall into confusion.”155 Isa. xlv. 14–16. Likewise in the same: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight the paths of our God. Every channel shall be filled up, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and all crooked places shall be made straight, and rough places plain; and the glory of the Lord shall be seen, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God, because the Lord hath spoken it.”156 Isa. xl. 3–5. Moreover, in Jeremiah: This is our God, and no other shall be esteemed beside Him, who hath found all the way of knowledge, and hath given it to Jacob His son, and to Israel His beloved. After this He was seen upon earth, and He conversed with men.”157 Baruch iii. 35–37. Also in Zechariah God says: “And they shall cross over through the narrow sea, and they shall smite the waves in the sea, and they shall dry up all the depths of the rivers; and all the haughtiness of the Assyrians shall be confounded, and the sceptre of Egypt shall be taken away. And I will strengthen them in the Lord their God, and in His name shall they glory, saith the Lord.”158 Zech. x. 11, 12. Moreover, in Hosea the Lord saith: “I will not do according to the anger of mine indignation, I will not allow Ephraim to be destroyed: for I am God, and there is not a holy man in thee: and I will not enter into the city; I will go after God.”159 Hos. xi. 9, 10. Also in the forty-fourth Psalm: “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of Thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity: wherefore God, Thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows.”160 Ps. xlv. 6, 7. So, too, in the forty-fifth Psalm: “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, and I will be exalted in the earth.”161 Ps. xlv. 10. Also in the eighty-first Psalm: “They have not known, neither have they understood: they will walk on in darkness.”162 Ps. lxxxii. 5. Also in the sixty-seventh Psalm: “Sing unto God, sing praises unto His name: make a way for Him who goeth up into the west: God is His name.”163 Ps. lxviii. 4. Also in the Gospel according to John: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and God was the Word.”164 John i. 1. Also in the same: “The Lord said to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands: and be not faithless, but believing. Thomas answered and said unto Him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed.”165 John xx. 27–29. Also Paul to the Romans: “I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren and my kindred according to the flesh: who are Israelites: whose are the adoption, and the glory, and the covenant, and the appointment of the law, and the service (of God), and the promises; whose are the fathers, of whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is God over all, blessed for evermore.”166 Rom. ix. 3–5. Also in the Apocalypse: “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end: I will give to him that is athirst, of the fountain of living water freely. He that overcometh shall possess these things, and their inheritance; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.”167 Rev. xxi. 6, 7. Also in the eighty-first Psalm: “God stood in the congregation of gods, and judging gods in the midst.”168 Ps. lxxxii. 1. And again in the same place: “I have said, Ye are gods; and ye are all the children of the Highest: but ye shall die like men.”169 Ps. lxxxii. 6, 7. But if they who have been righteous, and have obeyed the divine precepts, may be called gods, how much more is Christ, the Son of God, God! Thus He Himself says in the Gospel according to John: “Is it not written in the law, that I said, Ye are gods? If He called them gods to whom the word of God was given, and the Scripture cannot be relaxed, do ye say to Him whom the Father hath sanctified and sent into the world, that thou blasphemest, because I said, I am the Son of God? But if I do not the works of my Father, believe me not; but if I do, and ye will not believe me, believe the works, and know that the Father is in me, and I in Him.”170 John x. 34–38. Also in the Gospel according to Matthew: “And ye shall call His name Emmanuel, which is, being interpreted, God with us.”171 Matt. i. 23.
In Genesi: Dixit autem Deus ad Jacob: Exsurge, et ascende in locumBethel: et habita illic, et fac illic altare illi Deo qui tibi apparuit cum fugeres a facie Esau fratris tui (Gen. XXXV, 1). Item apud Esaiam: 0700CSic dicit Dominus Deus sabaoth: Fatigata est Aegyptus, et negotiatio Aethiopum, et Sabaim viri alti ad te transgredientur, et tui erunt servi, et post teambulabunt vincti compedibus, et adorabunt te, et in te precabuntur; quoniam in te Deus est, et non est Deus aliuspraeter te. Tu enim es Deus, et non sciebamus, Deus Israel salvator. Confundentur et reverebuntur omnes qui adversantur tibi, et cadent in confasionem (Isa. XLV, 14-16). Item apud eumdem: Vox clamantis in deserto0701A : Parate viam Domini , rectas facite semitas Dei nostri. Omnis rivusimplebitur, et omnis mons et collis humiliabitur, et erunt omnia tortuosain directum et aspera in campum : et videbitur claritas Domini , et videbit omnis caro salutare Dei, quoniam Dominus locutus est (Isa. XL, 3-5). Item apud Hieremiam: Hic Deus noster , et non deputabituralius absque illo, qui invenit omnem viam prudentiae, et dedit eam Jacobpuero suo et Israel dilecto sibi. Post haec in terris visus est, et cum hominibus conversatus est (Baruc. III, 35). Item apud Zachariam Deus dicit: Et transibunt per mare angustum, et percutient in mari fluctus, et arefacientomnes altitudines fluminum, et confundetur omnis injuriaAssyriorum, et sceptrum Aegyptiauferetur, et confortabo eos in 0701BDomino Deo ipsorum, et in nomine ejus gloriabuntur, dicit Dominus (Zach. X, 11, 12). Item apud Osee dicit Dominus: Non faciam juxta iram indignationis meae, non sinam deleri Effraim, quoniam Deus ego sum, et non homo in te sanctus , et non introiboin civitatem, post Deum ibo (Ose. XI, 9, 10). Item in Psalmo XLIV: Thronus tuus, Deus, in saecula saeculorum, virga aequitatis, virga regni tui. Dilexisti justitiam, et odistiiniquitatem . Propterea unxit te Deus. Deus tuus, oleo exultationis super participes tuos (Ps. XLIV, 7, 8). Item in Psalmo XLV: Vacate et cognoscite quoniam ego sum Deus. Exaltabor in gentibus et exaltabor in terra (Ps. LXV, 11). Item in Psalmo LXXXI: Non cognoveruntneque intellexerunt, in umbra deambulabunt (Ps. LXXXI, 5). Item in Psalmo LXVII: Cantate Deo: psallite 0701Cnomini ejus, viam facite ei qui ascendit in occasum, Deus nomen illi (Ps. LXVII, 3). Item in Evangelio cata Joannem: In principio erat Sermo , et Sermo erat apud Deum, et Deus erat Sermo (Joan. I, 1). Item in eodem Dominus ad Thomam: Injice huc digitum tuum, et vide manus meas, et noli esse incredulus sed fidelis. Respondit Thomas, et dixit illi: Dominus 0702Ameus et Deus meus. Dicit illi Jesus: Quia vidisti me , credidisti. Felices qui non viderunt et crediderunt (Joan. XX, 27-29). Item Paulus ad Romanos: Optabam ego ipse anathema esse a Christo pro fratribus cognatisque meissecundum carnem, qui sunt Israelitae, quorum adoptio et claritas et testamentum et legis constitutio et famulatus et promissiones, quorum patres , ex quibus Christus secundum carnem, qui est super omnia Deus benedictus in saecula (Rom. IX, 3-5). Item in Apocalypsi: Ego sum α et ω, initium et finis. Ego sitienti dabo de fonte aquae vitaegratis. Qui viceritpossidebit ea et eorum haereditatem; et ero ejus Deus, et ille erit mihi filius (Apoc. XXI, 6, 7). Item in Psalmo LXXXI. Deus stetit in synagoga deorum, in medio autem deos discernens. Et iterum illic: Ego dixi: Dii estis et 0702Bfilii Altissimi omnes; vos autem sicut homines morienimi (Ps. LXXXI, 1, 6, 7). Quod si justi qui fuerint et praeceptis divinis obtemperaverint dii, dici possunt, quanto magis Christus Deus Dei Filius ? Sic ipse in Evangelio cata Joannem dicit: Nonne scriptum est in Lege quoniam ego dixi: Dii estis? Si illos dixit deosad quos sermo Dei factus est, et non potest solvi Scriptura, quem Pater sanctificavit et misit in saeculum, vos dicitis quoniam blasphemas , quia dixi: Filius Dei sum. Quod sinon facio facta Patris, nolite mihi credere ; quod si facio et mihi non vultis credere, factis credite, et cognoscite quoniam in me est Pater, et ego in illo (Joan. X. 34). Item in Evangelio cata Matthaeum: Et vocabitis nomen ejus Emmanuel, quod est interpretatum nobiscum Deus (Matth. I, 23).