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| Chapter XXIII.—The opinion of the Jews regarding the law does an injury to God.
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Chapter XXIII.—The opinion of the
Jews regarding the law does an injury to God.
“But if we
do not admit this, we shall be liable to fall into foolish opinions, as
if it were not the same God who existed in the times of Enoch and all the
rest, who neither were circumcised after the flesh, nor observed
Sabbaths, nor any other rites, seeing that Moses enjoined such
observances; or that God has not wished each race of mankind continually
to perform the same righteous actions: to admit which, seems to be
ridiculous and absurd. Therefore we must confess that He, who is ever the
same, has commanded these and such like institutions on account of sinful
men, and we must declare Him to be benevolent, foreknowing, needing
nothing, righteous and good. But if this be not so, tell me, sir, what
you think of those matters which we are investigating.” And when no
one responded: “Wherefore, Trypho, I will proclaim to you, and to
those who wish to become proselytes, the divine message which I heard
from that man.2005
Do you see that the elements are not
idle, and keep no Sabbaths? Remain as you were born. For if there was no
need of circumcision before Abraham, or of the observance of Sabbaths, of
feasts and sacrifices, before Moses; no more need is there of them now,
after that, according to the will of God, Jesus Christ the Son of God has
been born without sin, of a virgin sprung from the stock of Abraham. For
when Abraham himself was in uncircumcision, he was justified and blessed
by reason of the faith which he reposed in God, as the Scripture tells.
Moreover, the Scriptures and the facts themselves compel us to admit that
He received circumcision for a sign, and not for righteousness. So that
it was justly recorded concerning the people, that the soul which shall
not be circumcised on the eighth day shall be cut off from his family.
And, furthermore, the inability of the female sex to receive fleshly
circumcision, proves that this circumcision has been given for a sign,
and not for a work of righteousness. For God has given likewise to women
the ability to observe all things which are righteous and virtuous; but
we see that the bodily form of the male has been made different from the
bodily form of the female; yet we know that neither of them is righteous
or unrighteous merely for this cause, but [is considered righteous] by
reason of piety and righteousness.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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