Page:Tracts for the Times Vol 1.djvu/459

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.

3

Altar, as to One Jesus Christ, who proceeded from One Father, and is in One, and to One returned.

VIII. Be not led astray by strange doctrines, nor by old fables, which are unprofitable. For if we still live under the Judaic Law, it is a confession that we have not received Grace. For in the faith of Jesus Christ the holy Prophets lived; wherefore also they were persecuted, being inspired with His grace, that unbelievers might be fully assured, that there is One God, who manifested Himself in Jesus Christ His Son, who is His eternal Word, (not proceeding from silence,) who in all things well pleased Him who sent Him.

IX. If then they who lived under the old dispensation, have come to a newness of hope, superseding the Sabbatical system, with that rule of life which is according to the Lord's Day, wherein our life has arisen through the Lord, and through His death which some deny; (from which mystery we received our faith, and thence take patience, that we may be found Disciples of Jesus Christ our only Master;) how shall we be able to have life except through Him? Whom the prophets also, being His Disciples, expected in spirit as their Master; and therefore He for whom they justly waited, did by His advent raise them from the dead.

X. Let us not then be insensible to His goodness; for, if He should imitate the way in which we act, we already have perished. Wherefore, becoming His disciples, let us live according to the religion of Christ; for whosoever is called by any other name but this, is not of God. Put aside therefore the evil leaven, which hath grown old and waxed sour, and be ye changed into the new leaven which is Jesus Christ. Be ye salted in Him, that none among you may be corrupted, inasmuch as by your savour shall ye be judged. The name of Jesus Christ cannot be joined with an adherence to Judaism. For the Christian faith goes not for its completion to the Jewish, but the Jewish goes to the Christian; that every tongue that believeth may be gathered to God.

XI. Beloved, it is my desire, not as knowing that any of you are so affected, but as setting myself below you, to guard you against these things, so that you fall not upon the hooks of vain doctrine, but be fully assured of the Birth, and Passion, and Resurrection, which took place in the time of the government of Pontius Pilate; which verily and surely are things done by Jesus Christ our Hope:—and from that Hope may none of you be turned away.

XII. May you be my joy in all things, if of that I be worthy; and