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THE GENERAL EPISTLE OF
B A R N A B A S
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, Eu-
sebius, and Jerome, and many ancient Fathers. Cotelerius affirms that Origen and Jerome es-
teemed 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 Ebionites, (the
christianized Jews,) who were tenacious of rites and ceremonies. Bishop Fell feared to own ex-
pressly 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 of 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,
Whitson, and Archbishop Wake also esteemed it genuine: Menardus, Archbishop Land, Span-
heim, and others deemed it apocryphal.
CHAPTER I. 6 Wherefore considering this, that
Preface to the Epistle. if I shall take care to communicate
ALL happiness to you my sons and to you a part of what I have re-
daughters, in the name of our Lord ceived, it shall turn to my reward,
Jesus Christ, who loved us, in peace. that I have served such good souls. I
2 Having perceived abundance of gave diligence to write in a few
knowledge of the great and excellent words unto you; that together with
laws of God to be in you, I exceed- your faith, your knowledge also may
ingly rejoice in your blessed and ad- be perfect.
mirable souls, because ye have so 7 There are therefore three things
worthily received the grace which ordained by the Lord; the hope of
was grafted in you. life, the beginning, and the comple-
3 For which cause I am full of joy, tion of it.
hoping the rather to be saved; inas- 8 For the Lord hath both declared
much as I truly see a spirit infused unto us, by the prophets, those
into you, from the pure fountain of things that are past; and opened to
God: us the beginnings of those that are
4 Having this persuasion, and being to come.
fully convinced thereof, because that 9 Wherefore, it will behove us, as he
since I have begun to speak unto has spoken, to come more holily, and
you, I have had a more than ordinary nearer to his altar.
good success in the way of the law 10 I therefore, not as a teacher but
of the Lord, which is in Christ, as one of you, will endeavour to lay
5 For which cause brethren, I also before you a few things by which you
think verily that I love you above my may, on many accounts, become the
own soul; because that therein dwell- more joyful.
eth the greatness of faith and char-
ity, as also the hope of that life CHAPTER II.
which is to come. That God has abolished the legal sacri-
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fices, to introduce the spiritual righteous- mand your fathers when they came
ness of the Gospel. out of the land of Egypt concerning
SEEING then the days are exceed- burnt-offerings of sacrifices?
ingly evil, and the adversary has got 10 But this I commanded them, say-
the power of this present world we ing, Let none of you imagine evil in
ought to give the more diligence to your hearts against his neighbour,
inquire into the righteous judgments and love no false oath.
of the Lord. 11 Forasmuch then as we are not
2 Now the assistants of our faith without understanding, we ought to
are fear and patience; our fel- apprehend the design of our merci-
low-combatants, long suffering and ful Father. For he speaks to us, being
continence. willing that we who have been in the
3 Whilst these remain pure in what same error about the sacrifices,
relates unto the Lord, wisdom, and should seek and find how to ap-
understanding, and science, and proach unto him.
knowledge, rejoice together with 12 And therefore he thus bespeaks
them. us, The sacrifice of God (is a broken
4 For God has manifested to us by spirit,) a broken and contrite heart—
all the prophets, that he has no occa- God will not despise.
sion for our sacrifices, or burnt-of- 13 Wherefore brethren, we ought
ferings, or oblations: saying thus; To the more diligently to inquire after
what purpose is the multitude of those things that belong to our sal-
your sacrifices unto me, saith the vation, that the adversary may not
Lord. have any entrance into us, and de-
5 I am full of the burnt-offerings prive us of our spiritual life.
of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; 14 Wherefore he again speaketh to
and I delight not in the blood of them, concerning these things; Ye
bullocks, or of he-goats. shall not fast as ye do this day, to
6 When ye come to appear before make your voice to be heard on high.
me, who hath required this at your 15 Is it such a fast that I have
hands? Ye shall no more tread my chosen? A day for a man to afflict
courts. his soul? Is it to bow down his head
7 Bring no more vain oblations, in- like a bulrush, and to spread sack-
cense is an abomination unto me cloth and ashes under him? Wilt
your new moons and sabbaths, and thou call this a fast, and an accept-
the calling of assemblies I cannot able day to the Lord?
bear with, it is iniquity, even the sol- 16 But to us he saith on this wise: Is
emn meeting; your new moons and not this the fast that I have chosen,
your appointed feasts my soul hat- to loose the bands of wickedness, to
eth. undo the heavy burdens, and to let
8 These things therefore hath God the oppressed go free: and that ye
abolished, that the new law of our break every yoke?
Lord Jesus Christ, which is without 17 Is it not to deal thy bread to the
the yoke of any such necessity, might hungry, and that thou bring the poor
have the spiritual offering of, men that are cast out to thy house? When
themselves. thou seest the naked that thou cover
9 For so the Lord saith again to him, and that thou hide not thyself
those heretofore; Did I at all com- from thy own flesh.
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18 Then shall thy light break forth and there shall rise last of all anoth-
as the morning, and thy health shall er little one, and he shall humble
spring forth speedily; and thy right- three kings.
eousness shall go before thee; the 6 And again Daniel speaks in like
glory of the Lord shall be thy re- manner concerning the kingdoms;
ward. and I saw the fourth beast dreadful
19 Then shalt thou call and the Lord and terrible, and strong exceedingly;
shall answer; thou shalt cry and he and it had ten horns. I considered
shall say, Here I am; if thou put the horns, and behold there came up
away from the midst of thee the among them another little horn, be-
yoke; the putting forth of the finger, fore which were three of the first
and speaking vanity; and if thou horns plucked up by the roots.
draw out thy soul to the hungry; and 7 We ought therefore to understand
satisfy the afflicted soul. this also: And I beseech you, as one
20 In this, therefore, brethren, God of your own brethren, loving you all
has manifested his foreknowledge beyond my own life, that you look
and love for us; because the people well to yourselves, and be not like to
which he has purchased to his be- those who add sin to sin, and say;
loved Son were to believe in sincer- That their covenant is ours also. Nay,
ity; and therefore he has shown these but it is ours only: for they have
things to all of us, that we should forever lost that which Moses re-
not run as proselytes to the Jewish ceived.
Law. 8 For thus saith the Scripture: And
Moses continued fasting forty days
CHAPTER III. and forty nights in the Mount; and
The prophecies of Daniel concerning the he received the covenant from the
ten kings, and the coming of Christ. Lord, even the two tables of stone,
WHEREFORE it is necessary that written by the hand of God.
searching diligently into those things 9 But having turned themselves to
which are soon to come to pass, we idols they lost it; as the Lord also
should write to you what may serve said to Moses; Moses, go down
to keep you whole. quickly, for thy people which thou
2 To which end, let us flee from hast brought forth out of Egypt,
every evil work and hate the errors have corrupted themselves, and
of the present time, that we may be turned aside from the way which I
happy in that which is to come. commanded them. And Moses cast
3 Let us not give ourselves the the two tables out of his hands; and
liberty of disputing with the wicked their covenant was broken; that the
and sinners; lest we should chance in love of Jesus might be sealed in your
time to become like unto them. hearts, unto the hope of his faith.
4 For the consummation of sin is 10 Wherefore let us give heed unto
come, as it is written, as the prophet the last times. For all the time past
Daniel says. And for this end the of our life and our faith, will profit
Lord hath shortened the times and us nothing; unless we continue to
the days, that his beloved might hate what is evil, and to withstand
hasten his corning to his inheritance. the future temptations. So the Son
5 For so the prophet speaks; There of God tells us; Let us resist all
shall ten kings reign in the heart, iniquity and hate it.
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11 Wherefore consider the works of 2 Now for what concerns the things
the evil way. Do not withdraw that are written about him, some be-
yourselves from others as if you long to the people of the Jews, and
were already justified; but coming al- some to us.
together into one place, inquire what 3 For thus saith the Scripture; He
is agreeable to and profitable for the was wounded for our transgressions,
beloved of God. For the Scripture he was bruised for our iniquities, and
saith; Woe unto them that are wise in by his blood we are healed. He was
their own eyes; and prudent in their led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as
sight. a sheep before his shearers is dumb,
12 Let us become spiritually a per- so he opened not his mouth.
fect temple to God. As much as in us 4 Wherefore we ought the more to
lies let us meditate upon the fear of give thanks unto God, for that he
God; and strive to the utmost of our hath both declared unto us what is
power to keep his commandments; passed, and not suffered us to be
that we may rejoice in his righteous without understanding of those
judgments. things that are to come.
13 For God will judge the world 5 But to them he saith; The nets are
without respect of persons and not unjustly spread for the birds.
everyone shall receive according to 6 This he spake, because a man will
his works. justly perish, if having the know-
14 If a man shall be good, his right- ledge of the way of truth, he shall
eousness shall go before him if nevertheless not refrain himself
wicked, the reward of his wickedness from the way of darkness.
shall follow him. 7 And for this cause the Lord was
15 Take heed therefore lest sitting content to suffer for our souls, al-
still now, that when we are called, we though he be the Lord of the whole
fall asleep in our sins; and the earth; to whom God said before the
wicked one getting the dominion beginning of the world, Let us make
over us, stir us up, and shut us out man after our own image and like-
of the kingdom of the Lord. ness.
16 Consider this also: although you 8 Now how he suffered for us, see-
have seen so great signs and wonders ing it was by men that he underwent
done among the people of the Jews, it, I will shew you.
yet this notwithstanding the Lord 9 The prophets having received
hath forsaken them. from him the gifts of prophecy,
17 Beware, therefore, lest it happen spake before concerning him:
to us; as it is written: There may be 10 But he, that he might abolish
many called, but few chosen. death, and make known the resurrec-
tion from the dead, was content, as
CHAPTER IV. it was necessary, to appear in the
That Christ was to suffer is proved from flesh, that he might make good the
the prophecies concerning him. promise before given to our fathers,
FOR this cause did our Lord vouch- and preparing himself a new people,
safe to give up his body to destruc- might demonstrate to them whilst he
tion, that through the forgiveness of was upon earth, that after the resur-
our sins we might be sanctified; that rection he would judge the world.
is, by the sprinkling of his blood. 11 And finally, teaching the people
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of Israel, and doing many wonders CHAPTER V.
and signs among them, he preached The subject continued.
to them, and shewed the exceeding AND when he had fulfilled the
great love which he bare towards commandment of God, What says
them. he? Who will contend with me? Let
12 And when he chose his apostles, him stand against me or who is he
which were afterwards to publish his that will implead me? Let him draw
Gospel, he took men who had been near to the servant of the Lord. Woe
very great sinners; that thereby he be to you! Because ye shall all wax
might plainly shew That he came not old as a garment, the moth shall eat
to call the righteous but sinners to you up.
repentance. 2 And again adds the prophet, He is
13 Then he clearly manifested him- put for a stone of stumbling. Behold
self to be the Son of God. For had I lay in Zion for a foundation, a pre-
he not come in the flesh, how should cious stone a choice corner-stone; an
men have been able to look upon honourable stone. And what follows?
him, that they might be saved? And he that hopeth in him shall live
14 Seeing that if they beheld only for ever.
the sun, which was the work of his 3 What then? Is our hope built upon
hands, and shall hereafter cease to a stone? God forbid. But because the
be, they are not able to endure sted- Lord hath hardened his flesh against
fastly to look against the rays of it; sufferings, he saith, I have put me as
15 Wherefore the Son of God came a firm rock.
in the flesh for this cause, that he 4 And again the prophet adds; The
might fill up the measure of their stone which the builders refused has
iniquity, who have persecuted his become the head of the corner. And
prophets unto death. And for the again he saith This is the great and
same reason also he suffered. wonderful day which the Lord hath
16 For God hath said of the stripes made. I write these things the more
of his flesh, that they were from plainly to you that ye may under-
them. And, I will smite the shep- stand: I For indeed I could be con-
herd, and the sheep of the flock tent even to die for your sakes.
shall be scattered. 5 But what saith the prophet again;
17 Thus he would suffer, because it The counsel of the wicked encom-
behoved him to suffer upon the passed me about. They came about
cross. me, as bees about the honey-comb:
18 For thus one saith, prophesying and, Upon my vesture they cast lots.
concerning him; Spare my soul from 6 Forasmuch then as our Saviour
the sword. And again, My flesh was to appear in the flesh and suffer,
trembleth for fear. his passion was hereby foretold.
19 And again, the congregation of 7 For thus saith the prophet against
wicked doers rose up against me, Israel: "Woe be to their soul because
(They have pierced my hands and my they have taken wicked counsel
feet). against themselves, saying; let us lay
20 And again he saith, I gave my snares for the righteous, because he
back to the smiters, and my face I is unprofitable to us."
set as a hard rock. 8 Moses also in like manner speak-
eth to them; Behold thus saith the
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Lord God; Enter ye into the good the land flowing with milk and
land of which the Lord hath sworn honey, and have dominion over it.
to Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, 16 Wherefore ye see how we are
that he would give it you, and pos- again formed anew; as also he speaks
sess it; a land flowing with milk and by another prophet; Behold saith the
honey. Lord, I will take from them; that is,
9 Now what the spiritual meaning from those whom the spirit of the
of this is, learn; It is as if it had Lord foresaw, their hearts of stone,
been said, Put your trust in Jesus, and I will put into them hearts of
who shall be manifested to you in flesh.
the flesh. For man is the earth which 17 Because he was about to be made
suffers: forasmuch as out of the sub- manifest in the flesh and to dwell in
stance of the earth Adam was us.
formed. 18 For, my brethren, the habitation
10 What therefore does he mean of our heart is a holy temple unto
when he says, Into a good land flow- the Lord. For the prophet saith
ing with milk and honey? Blessed be again, In what place shall I appear
our Lord, who has given us wisdom, before the Lord my God, and be
and a heart to understand his secrets. glorified?
For so says the prophet, "Who shall 19 He answers I will confess unto
understand the hard sayings of the thee in the congregation in the midst
Lord? But he that is wise, and intelli- of my brethren; and will sing unto
gent, and that loves his Lord." thee in the church of the saints:
11 Seeing therefore he has renewed 20 Wherefore we are they whom he
us by the remission of our sins, he has brought into that good land.
has put us into another frame, that 21 But what signifies the milk and
we should have souls like those of honey? Because as the child is nour-
children, forming us again himself ished first with milk, and then with
by the spirit. honey; so we being kept alive by the
12 For thus the Scripture saith con- belief of his promises and his word,
cerning us, where it introduceth the shall live and have dominion over
Father speaking to the Son; Let us the land.
make man after our likeness and 22 For he foretold before, saying,
similitude; and let them have domin- increase and multiply, and have
ion over the beasts of the earth, and dominion over the beasts, fishes, and
over the fowls of the air, and the birds.
fish of the sea. 23 But who is there that is now able
13 And when the Lord saw the man to have this dominion over the wild
which he had formed, that behold he beasts, or fishes, or fowls of the air?
was very good; he said, Increase and For you know that to rule, is to have
multiply, and replenish the earth. power; that a man should be set over
And this he spake to his son. what he rules.
14 I will now show you, how he 24 But forasmuch as this we have
made us a new creature, in the latter not now, he tells us when we shall
days. have it; namely, when we shall be-
15 The Lord saith; Behold I will come perfect, that we may be made
make the last as the first. Wherefore the inheritors of the covenant of the
the prophet thus spake, Enter into Lord.
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burnt offering. And what shalt be
CHAPTER VI. done with the other? Let it, says he,
The sacrifice of Jesus, and of a goat, an be accursed.
evident type of Christ crucified. 8 Consider how exactly this appears
UNDERSTAND then my beloved to have been a type of Jesus. And let
children, that the good God hath be- all the congregation spit upon it, and
fore manifested all things unto us, prick it; and put the scarlet wool
that we might know to whom we about its head; and thus let it be car-
ought always to give thanks and ried forth into the wilderness.
praise. 9 And this being done, he that was
2 If therefore the Son of God who appointed to convey the goat, led it
is the Lord of all, and shall come to into the wilderness, and took away
judge both the quick and dead, hath the scarlet wool, and put it upon a
suffered, that by his stripes we might thorn bush, whose young sprouts,
live; let us believe that the Son of when we find them in the field, we
God could not have suffered but for are wont to eat: so the fruit of that
us. But being crucified, they gave thorn only is sweet.
him vinegar and gall to drink. 10 And to what end was this cere-
3 Hear therefore how the priests of mony? Consider; one was offered
the temple did foreshow this also: upon the altar, the other was ac-
the Lord by his command which was cursed.
written, declared that whosoever did 11 And why was that which was ac-
not fast the appointed fast he should cursed crowned? Because they shall
die the death: because he also was see Christ on that day having a scar-
himself one day to offer up his body let garment about his body; and shall
for our sins; that so the type of what say: Is not this he whom we cruci-
was done in Isaac might be fulfilled, fied; having despised him, pierced
who was offered upon the altar. him, mocked him? Certainly, this is
4 What therefore is it that he says he, who then said, that he was the
by the prophet? And let them eat of Son of God.
the goat which is offered in the day 12 As therefore he shall be then like
of the fast for all their sins. Hearken to what he was on earth, so were the
diligently, (my brethren,) and all the Jews heretofore commanded, to take
priests, and they only shall eat the two goats fair and equal; that when
inwards not washed with vinegar. they shall see (our Saviour) hereafter
5 Why so? because I know that coming (in the clouds of heaven),
when I shall hereafter offer my flesh they may be amazed at the likeness
for the sins of a new people, ye will of the goats.
give me vinegar to drink mixed with 13 Wherefore ye here again see a
gall; therefore do ye only eat, the type of Jesus who was to suffer for
people fasting the while, and lament- us.
ing in sackcloth and ashes. 14 But what then signifies this, That
6 And that he might foreshow that the wool was to be put into the
he was to suffer for them, hear then midst of the thorns?
how he appointed it. 15 This also is a figure of Jesus, set
7 Take, says he, two goats, fair and out to the church. For as he who
alike, and offer them; and let the would take away the scarlet wool
high priest take one of them for a must undergo many difficulties, be-
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cause that thorn was very sharp, and 8 But why was the wool and hyssop
with difficulty get it: So, says Christ, put together? To signify that in the
they that will see me, and come to kingdom of Christ there shall be evil
my kingdom, must through many af- and filthy days, in which however, we
flictions and troubles attain unto me. shall be saved; and because he that
has any disease in the flesh by some
CHAPTER VII. filthy humours, is cured by hyssop.
The red heifer, another type of Christ. 9 Wherefore these things being thus
BUT what type do ye suppose it to done, are to us indeed evident, but
have been, where it is commanded to to the Jews they are obscure; because
the people of Israel, that grown per- they hearkened not unto the voice of
sons in whom sins are come to per- the Lord.
fection, should offer an heifer, and
after they had killed it should burn CHAPTER VIII.
the same; Of the circumcision of the ears; and how
2 But then young men should take in the first institution of circumcision
up the ashes and put them in vessels; Abraham mystically foretold Christ by
and tie a piece of scarlet wool and name.
hyssop upon a stick, and so the AND therefore the Scripture again
young men should sprinkle every one speaks concerning our ears, that God
of the people, and they should be has circumcised them, together with
clear from their sins? our hearts. For thus saith the Lord
3 Consider how all these are de- by the holy prophet: By the hearing
livered in a figure to us. of the ear they obeyed me.
4 This heifer is Jesus Christ; the 2 And again, They who are afar off,
wicked men that were to offer it are shall hear and understand what
those sinners who brought him to things I have done. And again, Cir-
death; who afterwards have no more cumcise your hearts, saith the Lord.
to do with it: for the sinners have no 3 And again be saith, Hear O Israel!
more the honour of handling it: For thus saith the Lord thy God.
5 But the young men that performed And again the Spirit of God proph-
the sprinkling, signified those who esieth, saying: Who is there that
preach to us the forgiveness of sins, would live for ever, let him hear the
and the purification of the heart, to voice of my Son.
whom the Lord gave authority to 4 And again, Hear, O Heavens, and
preach his Gospel: being at the be- give ear O Earth! Because the Lord
ginning twelve, to signify the tribes, has spoken these things for a wit-
because there were twelve tribes of ness.
Israel. 5 And again, he saith, Hear the
6 But why were there three young word of the Lord, ye princes of the
men appointed to sprinkle? To de- people. And again, Hear O children!
note Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, The voice of one crying in the wil-
because they were great before God. derness.
7 And why was the wool put upon a 6 Wherefore he has circumcised our
stick? Because the kingdom of Jesus ears, that we should hear his word,
was founded upon the cross; and and believe. But as for that circum-
therefore they that put their trust in cision, in which the Jews trust, it is
him, shall live for ever. abolished: for the circumcision of
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which God spake, was not of the gift of his doctrine within us, knows
flesh. that I never taught to anyone a more
7 But they have transgressed his certain truth: but I trust that ye are
commands, because the evil one hath worthy of it.
deceived them. For thus God be-
speaks them; Thus saith the Lord CHAPTER IX.
your God, (Here I find the new law) That the commands of Moses concerning
Sow not among thorns; but circum- clean and unclean beasts, were all de-
cise yourselves to the Lord your signed for a spiritual signification.
God. And what doth he mean by this BUT why did Moses say Ye shall not
saying? Hearken unto your Lord. eat of the swine, neither the eagle
8 And again he saith, Circumcise the nor the hawk; nor the crow; nor any
hardness of your heart, and harden fish that has not a scale upon him?—
not your neck. And again, Behold, I answer that, in the spiritual sense,
saith the Lord, all the nations are he comprehended three doctrines,
uncircumcised, (they have not lost that were to be gathered from
their fore-skin): but this people is thence.
uncircumcised in heart. 2 Besides which he says to them in
9 But you will say the Jews were cir- the book of Deuteronomy, And I
cumcised for a sign. And so are all will give my statutes unto this
the Syrians and Arabians, and all the people. Wherefore it is not the com-
idolatrous priests: but are they there- mand of God that they should not
fore of the covenant of Israel? And eat these things; but Moses in the
even the Egyptians themselves are spirit spake unto them.
circumcised. 3 Now the sow he forbad them to
10 Understand therefore, children, eat; meaning thus much: Thou shalt
these things more fully, that Abra- not join thyself to such persons as
ham was the first, that brought in are like unto swine, who, whilst they
circumcision, looking forward in the live in pleasure, forget their God;
Spirit, to Jesus; circumcised, having but when any want pinches them,
received the mystery of three letters. then they know the Lord: as the sow
11 For the Scripture says that Abra- when she is full knows not her mas-
ham circumcised three hundred and ter, but when she is hungry she
eighteen men of his house. But what makes a noise; and being again fed,
therefore was the mystery that was is silent.
made known unto him! 4 Neither, says he, shalt thou eat
12 Mark, first the eighteen, and next the eagle, nor the hawk, nor the kite,
the three hundred. For the numeral nor the crow; that is, thou shalt not
letters of ten and eight are T H. And keep company with such kind of
these denote Jesus. men as know not how by their labour
13 And because the cross was that and sweat to get themselves food;
by which we were to find grace, but injuriously ravish away the things
therefore he adds, three hundred; the of others, and watch how to lay
note of which is T (the figure of his snares for them; when at the same
cross). Wherefore by two letters he time they appear to live in perfect
signified Jesus, and by the third his innocence.
cross. 3 So these birds alone (seek not
14 He who has put the engrafted food for themselves,) but sitting idle,
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seek how they may eat of the flesh walked in the counsel of the un-
others have provided being destruct- godly; as the fishes before men-
ive through their wickedness. tioned in the bottom of the deep, in
6 Neither, says he, shalt thou eat darkness.
the lamprey, nor the polypus, nor the 13 Nor stood in the way of sinners,
cuttle-fish; that is thou shalt not be as they who seem to fear the Lord,
like such men, by seeking to con- but yet sin, as the sow.
verse with them who are altogether 14 And hath not sat in the seat of
wicked and adjudged to death. For so the scorners; as those birds who sit
those fishes are alone accursed, that and watch that they may devour.
wallow in the mire, nor swim as oth- 15 Here you have the law concern-
er fishes, but tumble in the dirt at ing meat perfectly set forth and ac-
the bottom of the deep. cording to the true knowledge of it.
7 But, he adds, neither shalt thou 16 But, says Moses, ye shall eat all
eat of the hare. To what end?—To that divideth the hoof, and cheweth
signify this to us; Thou shalt not be the cud. Signifying thereby such an
an adulterer, nor liken thyself to one as having taken his food, knows
such persons. For the hare every year him that nourisheth him; and resting
multiplies the places of its concep- upon him, rejoiceth in him.
tion; and as many years as it lives, so 17 And in this he spake well, having
many it has. respect to the commandment. What,
8 Neither shalt thou eat of the hy- therefore, is it that he says?—That
ena: that is, again, be not an adulter- we should hold fast to them that fear
er, nor a corrupter of others; neither the Lord; with those who meditate
be like to such. And wherefore so?— on the command of the word which
Because that creature every year they have received, in their heart;
changes its kind, which is sometimes with those that declare the righteous
male and sometimes female. judgments of the Lord, and keep his
9 For which cause also he justly commandments;
hated the weazel; to the end that 18 In short, with those who know
they should not be like such persons that to meditate is a work of pleas-
who with their mouths commit ure, and therefore exercise them-
wickedness by reason of their un- selves in the word of the Lord.
cleanness; nor join themselves with 19 But why might they eat those
those impure women, who with their that clave the hoof? Because the
mouths commit wickedness. Because righteous liveth in this present
that animal conceives with its mouth. world; but his expectation is fixed
10 Moses, therefore, speaking as upon the other. See, brethren, how
concerning meats, delivered indeed admirably Moses commanded these
three great precepts to them in the things.
spiritual signification of those com- 20 But how should we thus know all
mands. But they according to the de- this, and understand it? We, there-
sires of the flesh, understood him as fore, understanding aright the com-
if he had only meant it of meats. mandments, speak as the Lord would
11 And therefore David took aright have us. Wherefore he has circum-
the knowledge of his three-fold cised our ears and our hearts, that
command, saying in like manner: we might know these things.
12 Blessed is the man that hath not
10