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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.
Heads.330 [Six-score precepts to be compared with the heathen maxims and morals with which they so generally conflict. See Elucidation XII.]
1. On the benefit of good works and mercy.
2. In works and alms, even if by smallness of power less be done, that the will itself is enough.
3. That charity and brotherly love must be religiously and stedfastly practised.
4. That we must boast in nothing, since nothing is our own.
5. That humility and quietness is 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 sustain one another.
10. That we must trust in God only, and in Him we must glory.
11. That he who has attained to faith, having put off the former man, ought to regard only celestial and spiritual things, and to give no heed to the world which he has already renounced.
12. That we must not swear.
13. That we are not to curse.
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 benefit of martyrdom.
17. That what we suffer in this world is of less account than is the reward which is promised.
18. That nothing must be preferred to the love of God and of Christ.
19. That we must not obey our own will, but that 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 Christ.
25. That unless a man have been baptized and born again, he cannot attain to the kingdom of God.
26. That it is of small account to be baptized and to receive the Eucharist, unless one profits by it both in deeds and works.
27. That even a baptized person loses the grace which he has attained, unless he keep innocency.
28. That remission cannot in the Church be granted unto him who has sinned against God.
29. That it was before predicted concerning the hatred of the Name.
30. That what any one has vowed to God, he must quickly pay.
31. That he who does not believe is judged already.
32. Of the benefit of virginity and of continency.
33. That the Father judgeth nothing, but the Son; and the Father is not honoured by him by whom the Son is not honoured.
34. That the believer ought not to live like the Gentiles.
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 manner.
37. That the believer ought not to be punished for other offences but for the name he bears only.
38. That the servant of God ought to be innocent, lest he fall into secular punishment.
39. That the example of living is given to us in Christ.
40. That we must not labour boastfully or noisily.
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 truly believes can immediately obtain.
44. That the believers who differ among themselves ought not to refer to a Gentile judge.
45. That hope is of future things, and therefore that faith concerning those things which are promised ought to be patient.
46. That a woman ought to be silent in the church.
47. That it arises from our fault and our desert that we suffer, and do not perceive God’s help in everything.
48. That we must not take usury.
49. That even our enemies are to be loved.
50. That the sacrament of the faith must not be profaned.
51. That no one should be uplifted in his doing.
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 none 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.
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.
59. Of the idols which the Gentiles think 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 desired.
62. That marriage is not to be contracted with Gentiles.
63. That the sin of fornication is grievous.
64. What are those carnal things which beget death, and what are the spiritual things which lead to life.
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 would despise sound discipline.
68. That we must depart from him who lives irregularly and contrary to discipline.
69. That the kingdom of God is not in the wisdom of the world, nor in eloquence, but in the faith of the cross and in virtue of conversation.
70. That we must obey parents.
71. And that fathers ought not to be bitter against their children.
72. That servants, when they believe, ought the more to be obedient to their fleshly masters.
73. Likewise that masters ought to be more gentle.
74. That every widow that is approved ought to be honoured.
75. That every person ought to have care rather of his own people, and especially of believers.
76. That one who is older must not rashly be accused.
77. That the sinner is to 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 hair331 “Cirrum in capite non habendum.” “Cirrus” means “a tuft of hair,” or a curl or lovelock. [But compare Clement, vol. ii. p. 286 (and the note, on the chrism), for the more probable meaning.] 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.
86. That a schism must not be made, even although he who withdraws should remain in one faith and in the same tradition.
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 departs, 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 with deeds, not with words.
97. That we must hasten to faith and to attainment.332 Scil. “of baptism,” Oxford transl.
98. That the catechumen ought to sin no more.
99. That judgment will be in accordance with the terms, before the law, of equity; after Moses, of the law.
100. That the grace of God ought to be gratuitous.
101. That the Holy Spirit has often appeared in fire.
102. That all good men ought willingly to hear rebuke.
103. That we must abstain from much speaking.
104. That we must not lie.
105. That they are frequently to be corrected who do wrong in domestic service.
106. That when a wrong is received, patience is to be maintained, and that vengeance is 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 evil men are not acceptable.
112. That those are more severely judged who in this world have more power.
113. That widows and orphans ought to be protected.
114. That while one is in the flesh, he ought to make confession.
115. That flattery is pernicious.
116. That God is more loved by him who has had many sins forgiven in baptism.
117. That there is a strong conflict to be waged against the devil, and that therefore we ought to stand bravely, that we may be able to conquer.
118. Of Antichrist, that he will come as a man.
119. That the yoke of the law was heavy, which is cast off by us; and that the Lord’s yoke is light, which is taken up by us.
120. That we are to be urgent in prayers.
I. De bono operis et misericordiae .
II. In opere et eleemosynis, etiamsi per mediocritatem minus fiat, ipsam voluntatemsatis esse.
III. Agapem et dilectionem fraternam religiose et firmiter exercendam.
IV. In nullo gloriandum, quando nostrum nihil sit.
V. Humilitatem et quietem in omnibus tenendam.
VI. Bonos quosqueet justos pluslaborare, sed tolerare debere, quia probantur.
VII. Non constristandumSpiritum sanctum quem 0723Daccepimus.
VIII. Iracundiam vincendam esse, ne cogat delinquere.
0724B IX. Invicem se fratres sustinere debere.
X. In Deum solumfidendum, et in ipso gloriandum.
XI. Eum qui fidem consecutus est, expositopriore homine, coelestia tantum et spiritalia cogitare debere nec attendere ad saeculum, cui jam renuntiavit .
XII. Non jurandum.
XIII. Non maledicendum.
XIV. Numquam mussitandum, sed circa omnia quae acciduntbenedicendum Deum.
XV. Ad hoc tentari homines a Deo ut probentur .
XVI. De bono martyrii.
XVII. Minora esse quae in saeculo patimur quam sit praemium quod promissum est.
XVIII. Dilectioni Dei ac Christi nihil praeponendum.
0724C XIX. Voluntati, non nostrae, sed Dei, obtemperandum.
XX. Fundamentum et firmamentum spei et fidei esse timorem .
XXI. Non temere de altero judicandum.
XXII. Accepta injuria , remittendum et ignoscendum.
XXIII. Vicem malis non reddendam.
XXIV. Non posse ad Patremperveniri nisi per Christum.
XXV. Ad regnum Dei, nisi baptizatus et renatus quis fuerit, pervenire non posse.
XXVI. Parum esse baptizari et Eucharistiam accipere, nisi quis factis et opere proficiat.
XXVII. Baptizatum quoque gratiam perdere quam consecutus sit , nisi innocentiam servet.
0724D XXVIII. Non posse in Ecclesia remitti ei qui in Deum deliquerit.
0725A XXIX. De odio nominis ante praedictum.
XXX. Quod quis Deo voverit, cito reddendum.
XXXI. Eum qui non crediderit jam judicatum esse.
XXXII. De bono virginitatis et continentiae.
XXXIII. Nihil Patrem judicare, sed Filium, et Patrem ab eo non honorificari a quo non honorificetur Filius .
XXXIV. Fidelem gentiliter vivere non oportere .
XXXV. Deum ad hoc patientem esse, ut nos poeniteatpeccati nostri et reformemur.
XXXVI. Mulierem ornari saeculariter non debere .
XXXVII. Fidelem non oportere ob alia delicta nisi ob nomen solum puniri.
XXXVIII. Servum Dei innocentem esse debere, ne incidat in poenam saecularem.
0725B XXXIX. Datum nobis esse exemplum vivendi in Christo.
XL. Non jactanter nec tumultuose operandum.
XLI. Inepte et scurriliternon loquendum.
XLII. Fidem in totumprodesse, et tantum nos posse quantum credimus.
XLIII. Posse eum statim consequi qui vere crediderit.
XLIV. Fideles inter se disceptantes non debere gentilem judicem experiri.
XLV. Spem futurorum esse, et ideo fidemcirca ea quae promissa sunt patientem esse debere.
XLVI. Mulierem in ecclesia tacere debere.
XLVII. Delicto et merito nostro fieri ut laboremus, nec Dei opem in omnibus sentiamus.
XLVIII. Non foenerandum.
0725C XLIX. Inimicos quoque diligendos.
L. Sacramentum fidei non esse profanandum.
LI. Quod nemo in opere suo extolli debeat.
LII. Credendi vel non credendi libertatem in arbitrio positam.
LIII. Dei arcana perspici non posse, et idcirco fidem nostram simplicem esse debere.
LIV. Neminem sine sorde et sine peccato esse.
LV. Non hominibus, sed Deo, placendum.
LVI. Deum nihil latere ex his quae geruntur.
LVII. Fidelem emendari et reservari.
LVIII. Neminem contristari morte debere, cum sit in vivendo labor et periculum, in moriendopax et resurgendi securitas .
LIX. De idolis quae gentiles deos putant.
0725D LX. Ciborum nimiam concupiscentiam non appetendam.
LXI. Possidendi concupiscentiam et pecuniam nonappetendam.
0726A LXII. Matrimonium cum gentilibus non jungendum.
LXIII. Gravedelictum esse fornicationis.
LXIV. Quae sint carnalia quae mortem pariant, et quae spiritalia quae ad vitam ducant .
LXV. Omnia delicta in Baptismo deponi.
LXVI. Disciplinam Dei in ecclesiasticis praeceptis observandam.
LXVII. Praedictum quod disciplinam sanam aspernaturi essent.
LXVIII. Recedendum ab eo qui inordinateet contra disciplinam vivat.
LXIX. Non in sapientia mundi nec in eloquentia esse regnum Dei, sed in fide crucis et virtute conversationis.
LXX. Parentibus obsequendum.
0726B LXXI. Patres quoque asperos circa filios esse non oportet .
LXXII. Servos, cum crediderint, plus dominis carnalibus servire debere.
LXXIII. Item dominos mitiores esse debere.
LXXIV. Viduas probatas quasque honorandas.
LXXV. Suorum, et maxime fidelium, curam plus unumquemque habere debere.
LXXVI. Majorem natu non temere accusandum.
LXXVII. Peccantem publice objurgandum.
LXXVIII. Cum haereticis non loquendum.
LXXIX. Innocentiamfidenter petere et impetrare.
LXXX. Nihil licere diabolo in hominem, nisi Deus permiserit.
LXXXI. Mercedemmercenario cito reddendam.
0726C LXXXII. Non augurandum.
LXXXIII. Cirrumin capite non habendum.
LXXXIV. Non vellendum .
LXXXV. Surgendum cum episcopus aut presbyter veniat.
LXXXVI. Schisma non faciendum, etiamsi in una fide et in eadem traditione permaneat qui recedit.
LXXXVII. Fideles simplices cum prudentia esse debere.
LXXXVIII. Fratrem non circumveniendum.
LXXXIX. Subito venire finem mundi.
XC. Uxorem a viro non recedere, aut si recesserit, innuptam manere .
XCI. Tantum unumquemque tentari quantum potest sustinere.
0726D XCII. Non quicquid licet esse faciendum.
XCIII. Praedictum quod haereses futurae essent.
XCIV. Cum timore et honore Eucharistiam accipiendam.
0727A XCV. Bonis convivendum , malos autem vitandos.
XCVI. Factis, non verbis, operandum .
XCVII. Ad fidem et ad consecutionem properandum esse .
XCVIII. Catecuminum peccare jamnon debere.
XCIX. Judicium secundum tempora futurum, aequitatis ante Legem, vel Legis post Moysen.
C. Gratiam Dei gratuitam esse debere.
CI. Spiritum sanctum in igne frequenterapparuisse.
CII. Correptionem bonos quosquelibenter audire debere.
CIII. A multiloquentia temperandum.
CIV. Non mentiendum.
CV. Frequenter emendandos qui delinquunt in domestico 0727Bministerio.
CVI. Injuria accepta patientiamtenendam, et ultionem Deo relinquendam.
CVII. Non detrahendum.
CVIII. Non esse proximo insidiandum.
CIX. Infirmos visitandos.
CX. Susurronesmaledictos esse.
CXI. Sacrificia malorum acceptabilia non esse.
CXII. Gravius judicari de his qui in saeculo plus habuerint potestatis.
CXIII. Viduaset pupillos protegi oportere.
CXIV. Dum in carne est quis, Exomologesin facere debere.
CXV. Adulationem perniciosam esse.
CXVI. Plus ab eo diligi Deum cui in Baptismo plura 0727Cpeccata dimittuntur.
CXVII. Fortem congressionem esse adversus diabolum, et ideo fortiter nos stare debere, ut possimus vincere.
CXVIII. De antichristo, quod in homineveniat.
CXIX. Grave fuisse jugum legis quod a nobis abjectum est , et leve esse jugum Domini quod a nobis susceptum est.
CXX. Orationibus insistendum.