To Quirinus: Three Books of Testimonies

Contents

Reading pages: 0 · 1.1–1.24 · 2.1–2.14 · 2.15–2.29 · 2.30–3.10 · 3.11–3.25 · 3.26–3.58 · 3.59–3.118 · 3.119–3.120

1. 0Cyprian sends Quirinus two books of Scripture passages arranged under headings: one on the Jews and the church, the other on Christ.
2. 1.1Scripture shows Israel repeatedly forsaking the Lord for idols, from the golden calf to the time of the Judges.
3. 1.2Israel refused to listen to the prophets God sent and killed them.
4. 1.3The prophets foretold that Israel would not know, understand, or receive the Lord, as John's Gospel records.
5. 1.4The Scriptures were sealed to Israel but would be opened in the last times after Christ came, as he himself opened them to the disciples.
6. 1.5Understanding of Scripture comes only through faith in Christ, since righteousness has always been by faith, as with Abraham.
7. 1.6Isaiah and Jesus foretold the desolation of Jerusalem and its land.
8. 1.7Isaiah and John show that those who reject Christ lose the light of the Lord.
9. 1.8Scripture foretold a spiritual circumcision of the heart, and the righteous before Abraham were uncircumcised, while the sign of the Lord seals women and men alike.
10. 1.9Isaiah and Jesus indicate that the law given through Moses was to end.
11. 1.10The prophets foretold a new law going out from Zion, and the Father's voice commands us to hear his Son.
12. 1.11Jeremiah foretold a new covenant, unlike the one made at the exodus.
13. 1.12The prophets foretold new waters in the desert, and John the Baptist and Jesus announced a new baptism of water and the Spirit.
14. 1.13The old yoke would be broken, and Christ offers his own easy yoke.
15. 1.14God promised to remove the old shepherds of Israel and give new shepherds after his own heart.
16. 1.15God promised David a son who would build God's house, and Christ foretold the temple's destruction and a new temple raised without hands.
17. 1.16The prophets and Psalms reject animal sacrifices and foretell a pure sacrifice offered among the nations.
18. 1.17The Psalms and God's word to Eli foretold a new and eternal priest after the order of Melchizedek.
19. 1.18Moses foretold a prophet like himself, and Christ says that Moses wrote of him.
20. 1.19The two peoples in Rebecca's womb, the elder serving the younger, and Hosea's “not my people” foreshadow the old people and the new.
21. 1.20The barren women of Scripture who bore late, Sarah, Rachel, and Hannah, prefigure the church, which bears more children from the nations than the synagogue, symbolized by the number seven.
22. 1.21From the blessings of Abraham, Jacob, Ephraim, and Judah through the prophets to Paul, Scripture foretells that the nations would believe in Christ.
23. 1.22The prophets and Jesus' words about the bread of life are read as foretelling that Christ's bread and cup, and the new name of Christian, would pass to the nations.
24. 1.23Jesus foretold that many from east and west would enter the kingdom while the sons of the kingdom are cast out.
25. 1.24Isaiah's call to wash and be clean is read as an invitation to the Jews to receive forgiveness through Christ's baptism in the church.
26. 2.1Proverbs, Sirach, the Psalms, John, Paul, and the Apocalypse show Christ as the firstborn and the Wisdom and Power of God through whom all was made.
27. 2.2Wisdom's banquet in Proverbs is read as a figure of Christ's incarnation, passion, the eucharistic cup and altar, and the apostles' preaching.
28. 2.3The Psalms, Isaiah, John, and the Apocalypse show that Christ is the Word of God.
29. 2.4Isaiah's references to the hand and arm of the Lord are read as speaking of Christ.
30. 2.5Passages where the angel of the Lord speaks and acts as God are read of Christ, who came in his Father's name.
31. 2.6From Genesis to the Apocalypse, Scripture calls Christ God, as Thomas confessed and Paul wrote.
32. 2.7The prophets foretold that God himself would come to save and enlighten, and the Gospels announce Jesus as that Savior.
33. 2.8The eternal Son of God was to be born in the flesh, as the Psalm, Elizabeth's greeting, Paul, and John declare.
34. 2.9Isaiah's sign of the virgin who bears Emmanuel, and the woman's seed who crushes the serpent's head, foretell Christ's virgin birth.
35. 2.10Scripture shows Christ as both man and God, born of the Spirit and of Mary, the heavenly man who mediates between us and the Father.
36. 2.11God's promise to David, Isaiah's shoot of Jesse, the angel's word to Mary, and the lion of Judah show that Christ was born of David's line.
37. 2.12Micah foretold, and Matthew records, that Christ would be born in Bethlehem.
38. 2.13Isaiah's suffering servant, the Psalms, Zechariah's high priest, and Paul's hymn in Philippians show that Christ came first in humility.
39. 2.14The Wisdom of Solomon, Isaiah, and Judas' confession point to Christ as the Righteous One who would be put to death.
40. 2.15Isaiah, Jeremiah, the Passover lamb, the Apocalypse, and John the Baptist show Christ as the lamb to be slain.
41. 2.16Christ is the stone of Scripture: the cornerstone of Isaiah and the Psalms, and the stone of Jacob's pillow, Moses' seat, the ark's resting place, David's sling, and Samuel's Ebenezer.
42. 2.17The stone cut without hands in Nebuchadnezzar's dream, which becomes a mountain filling the earth, is read as Christ.
43. 2.18Isaiah's mountain of the Lord, to which the nations stream, and the Psalm's hill of the Lord are read of Christ in the last times.
44. 2.19Christ is the Bridegroom and the church his bride; Joshua and Moses took off their shoes, and John was unworthy to loose Christ's sandal, because none of them was the bridegroom.
45. 2.20The prophets and Psalms foretold the crucifixion: the outstretched hands, the pierced hands and feet, the divided garments, and the Son of Man lifted up like Moses' serpent.
46. 2.21The horns in God's hands, the government on the child's shoulders, and Moses' outstretched arms against Amalek are read as figures of the power of the cross.
47. 2.22The mark on the foreheads in Ezekiel, the Passover blood, and the name on the foreheads in the Apocalypse are read as the saving sign of the cross.
48. 2.23Amos and Jeremiah foretold the midday darkness that fell at the crucifixion.
49. 2.24The Psalms and Jesus' own words show that death could not hold him.
50. 2.25Hosea, the third day at Sinai, and the sign of Jonah foretell the resurrection on the third day.
51. 2.26Daniel's son of man, the Psalm's Lord at God's right hand, and the risen Christ of the Apocalypse and the Gospel show that he received all power from the Father for ever.
52. 2.27The Gospels and letters teach that Christ is the only way and door to the Father.
53. 2.28The prophets, the Psalms, the demons' outcry, and the words of Jesus and Paul show that Christ will come as Judge.
54. 2.29The prophets, the royal Psalms, the magi, and Jesus' words to Pilate show that Christ is the eternal King.
55. 2.30The Psalm, the rider on the white horse, and the parable of the sheep and goats show Christ as both Judge and King.
56. 3.0Cyprian's preface to Book 3: at Quirinus's request he has gathered short scriptural headings on Christian conduct so that they can be read quickly and memorized.
57. 3.1Scripture passages on almsgiving and works of mercy, from Isaiah's true fast to Christ's judgment of the nations by what was done for the least of his brothers.
58. 3.2When means are small, the willingness to give is what God accepts.
59. 3.3Passages urging brotherly love and peace, from Malachi's “one Father” to Paul's hymn to love and John's “God is love.”
60. 3.4Since everything we have is received from God, no one should boast.
61. 3.5Scripture commends humility and quietness: God looks on the lowly, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.
62. 3.6The righteous suffer more than others, but must endure, since trials prove them, as Job, Paul, and the Psalms show.
63. 3.7Believers must not grieve the Holy Spirit with whom they were sealed.
64. 3.8Anger must be mastered before it leads to sin.
65. 3.9Christians must carry one another's burdens.
66. 3.10Trust and boasting belong to God alone, not to human wisdom, strength, or princes, as the three young men in Daniel showed.
67. 3.11The believer, having put off the old self and renounced the world, should set his mind on heavenly things, as the Passover, the Sermon on the Mount, and Paul's letters teach.
68. 3.12Christians are not to swear oaths.
69. 3.13Cursing and evil speech are forbidden, since every idle word will be judged.
70. 3.14Instead of grumbling, believers should bless God in all circumstances, as Job, the Psalmist, and Paul and Silas did.
71. 3.15God tests people in order to prove them, as he did Abraham and the righteous who suffered.
72. 3.16Scripture praises martyrdom: the death of the saints is precious to God, and those who confess Christ unto death receive the crown of life.
73. 3.17Present sufferings are small compared with the promised glory.
74. 3.18Nothing, not even family or life itself, may be preferred to the love of God and Christ.
75. 3.19Following Christ's own example, believers must do God's will rather than their own.
76. 3.20The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom and the foundation of hope and faith, as Abraham's trial showed.
77. 3.21Christians must not rashly judge others, since they too may fall.
78. 3.22Those who pray to be forgiven must forgive the injuries done to them.
79. 3.23Christians must not repay evil with evil but overcome it with good, leaving the reward to Christ at his coming.
80. 3.24Christ is the only way to the Father.
81. 3.25Baptism and new birth, and eating Christ's flesh and drinking his blood, are necessary for entering God's kingdom.
82. 3.26Baptism and the Eucharist profit little unless they bear fruit in good works.
83. 3.27Baptismal grace can be lost by one who does not keep his innocence afterwards.
84. 3.28Sin against God himself, like blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, cannot be forgiven by the church.
85. 3.29Christ foretold that his followers would be hated and persecuted for his name.
86. 3.30Vows made to God must be kept promptly; Ananias's lie was against God himself.
87. 3.31Unbelief is already its own judgment.
88. 3.32Scripture commends virginity and continence: Christ praises those who renounce marriage for the kingdom, and Paul prefers the undivided single life while permitting marriage.
89. 3.33The Father has given all judgment to the Son, and whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father.
90. 3.34Believers must not live like the heathen but separate themselves from them, as the call to come out of Babylon shows.
91. 3.35God's patience is meant to lead sinners to repentance, not to presumption.
92. 3.36Christian women should not adorn themselves with worldly finery, which Scripture associates with the harlot, but with modesty and good conduct.
93. 3.37A Christian should suffer punishment only for bearing Christ's name, never for wrongdoing.
94. 3.38A servant of God should live blamelessly so as not to incur punishment from the civil authorities.
95. 3.39Christ's patient suffering, self-emptying, and foot-washing give believers the pattern for their lives.
96. 3.40Good works should be done in secret, not for show.
97. 3.41Christians should avoid foolish and coarse talk.
98. 3.42Faith avails for everything, and we can do as much as we believe, as Abraham and the three young men show.
99. 3.43One who truly believes may be baptized at once, as the Ethiopian was.
100. 3.44Christians should not take their disputes with one another before pagan courts.
101. 3.45Hope looks to future things, so faith must wait patiently for what God has promised.
102. 3.46Following Paul, women are to keep silent in the church assembly and not teach.
103. 3.47Our troubles, and our failure to feel God's help, come from our own sins, as the prophets declare.
104. 3.48Lending money at interest is forbidden by Scripture.
105. 3.49Christians must love even their enemies, as God is good to all.
106. 3.50The holy mystery of the faith must not be exposed to those who will mock it.
107. 3.51No one should take pride in his good works, since he has only done his duty.
108. 3.52Whether to believe or not is left to each person's free choice.
109. 3.53God's secrets are beyond our sight, so our faith should be simple rather than curious or quarrelsome.
110. 3.54No human being is free from sin.
111. 3.55Christians must seek to please God rather than people.
112. 3.56Nothing people do is hidden from God, who sees the heart and will judge all.
113. 3.57God disciplines believers in order to correct and preserve them.
114. 3.58Christians should not grieve at death, since life is toil and danger while death brings peace and the sure hope of resurrection.
115. 3.59The idols of the heathen are lifeless works of human hands, and the gods of the nations are demons.
116. 3.60Christians must not give way to greed for food, since God's kingdom is not food and drink.
117. 3.61The love of money and possessions is condemned, for it profits nothing and leads to ruin.
118. 3.62Christians must not marry pagans, as the examples of Isaac, Ezra, and Solomon and Paul's words “only in the Lord” show.
119. 3.63Sexual immorality is a graver sin, because it is committed against one's own body.
120. 3.64Paul lists the works of the flesh, which exclude from God's kingdom, and the fruit of the Spirit.
121. 3.65Baptism washes away all former sins.
122. 3.66The discipline God gives through the church's precepts must be kept, for those who reject it are wretched.
123. 3.67Paul foretold that people would reject sound teaching for teachers who suit their desires.
124. 3.68Believers must keep apart from a brother who lives in disorder and against the church's rule.
125. 3.69God's kingdom rests not on worldly wisdom or eloquence but on faith in the cross and a life lived in its power.
126. 3.70Children must obey and honor their parents.
127. 3.71Fathers must not be harsh with their children.
128. 3.72Slaves who become believers should serve their earthly masters even more faithfully, as serving Christ.
129. 3.73Masters must be gentle with their slaves, knowing they share one Lord in heaven.
130. 3.74True widows are to be honored, but younger widows who grow restless and wish to remarry are warned against.
131. 3.75Everyone must care for his own household, and especially for fellow believers, who are Christ's household.
132. 3.76Accusations against an elder should not be lightly received.
133. 3.77Sinners are to be rebuked publicly as a warning to others.
134. 3.78Heretics are to be avoided after a first warning, since their teaching spreads like a cancer.
135. 3.79Those with a clear conscience can pray with confidence and receive what they ask.
136. 3.80The devil can do nothing against anyone except by God's permission.
137. 3.81Workers' wages must be paid without delay.
138. 3.82Taking omens and augury are forbidden.
139. 3.83Christians should not wear the pagan-style topknot of hair.
140. 3.84The beard should not be plucked.
141. 3.85Believers should stand to honor a bishop or presbyter.
142. 3.86Schism is forbidden even for those who keep the same faith and tradition, since the church is one house.
143. 3.87Believers should be simple and guileless, yet also prudent.
144. 3.88Christians must not cheat one another in business.
145. 3.89The end will come suddenly, at a time no one can know.
146. 3.90A wife must not leave her husband; if she does, she must remain unmarried or be reconciled.
147. 3.91God never allows anyone to be tempted beyond what he can bear.
148. 3.92Not everything permitted is beneficial or edifying.
149. 3.93Paul foretold that heresies would arise to reveal who is genuine.
150. 3.94The Eucharist must be received with reverence, since unworthy reception brings guilt.
151. 3.95Christians should keep company with the good and avoid the wicked, since bad company corrupts.
152. 3.96Faith must show itself in deeds, not words alone, like the wise man who built on rock.
153. 3.97No one should delay turning to the Lord.
154. 3.98Those preparing for baptism must already stop sinning, not presume on the grace to come.
155. 3.99God judges each according to his time: those before the law by natural equity, those after Moses by the law.
156. 3.100God's grace is given freely and must not be bought or sold.
157. 3.101The Holy Spirit has often shown himself in fire, at Sinai, at Pentecost, and on accepted sacrifices.
158. 3.102The wise welcome correction, while the ungodly resent it.
159. 3.103Much talk leads to sin; restraint of speech is wisdom.
160. 3.104Lying is an abomination to God.
161. 3.105Children and members of the household who do wrong should be corrected regularly.
162. 3.106Injuries should be borne patiently, leaving vengeance to God.
163. 3.107Christians must not slander others but love them, as Paul loved his brothers.
164. 3.108Whoever plots against his neighbor will fall into his own trap.
165. 3.109Visiting the sick strengthens love and is done to Christ himself.
166. 3.110Gossips and the double-tongued are accursed for destroying peace.
167. 3.111God does not accept the offerings of the wicked.
168. 3.112Those with greater worldly power will face a stricter judgment.
169. 3.113Widows and orphans must be protected, since God himself is their father and judge.
170. 3.114Confession and repentance must be made in this life, since there is none after death.
171. 3.115Flattery leads people astray.
172. 3.116The more sins forgiven in baptism, the greater one's love for God.
173. 3.117The fight against the devil is hard, so believers must put on God's whole armor and stand firm.
174. 3.118The Antichrist will come in the form of a man.
175. 3.119The heavy yoke of the Mosaic law has been cast off, and Christ's light yoke taken up in its place.
176. 3.120Christians must pray constantly, meditating on God's law day and night.