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PARALLEL HISTORY BIBLE - Proverbs 4:15


CHAPTERS: Proverbs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31     

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LXX- Greek Septuagint - Proverbs 4:15

εν 1722 1520 ω 3739 5600 5753 αν 302 τοπω 5117 στρατοπεδευσωσιν μη 3361 επελθης εκει 1563 εκκλινον δε 1161 απ 575 ' αυτων 846 και 2532 παραλλαξον

Douay Rheims Bible

Flee from it, pass not by it: go aside, and forsake it.

King James Bible - Proverbs 4:15

Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

World English Bible

Avoid it, and don't pass by it. Turn from it, and pass on.

World Wide Bible Resources


Proverbs 4:15

Early Christian Commentary - (A.D. 100 - A.D. 325)

Anf-03 iv.ix.ix Pg 11
In Isa. viii. 8; 10, compared with vii. 14 in the Eng. ver. and the LXX., and also Lowth, introductory remarks on ch. viii.

—in order that you may regard not the sound only of the name, but the sense too. For the Hebrew sound, which is Emmanuel, has an interpretation, which is, God with us. Inquire, then, whether this speech, “God with us” (which is Emmanuel), be commonly applied to Christ ever since Christ’s light has dawned, and I think you will not deny it. For they who out of Judaism believe in Christ, ever since their believing on Him, do, whenever they shall wish to say1257

1257 Or, “to call him.”

Emmanuel, signify that God is with us:  and thus it is agreed that He who was ever predicted as Emmanuel is already come, because that which Emmanuel signifies is come—that is, “God with us.” Equally are they led by the sound of the name when they so understand “the power of Damascus,” and “the spoils of Samaria,” and “the kingdom of the Assyrians,” as if they portended Christ as a warrior; not observing that Scripture premises, “since, ere the child learn to call father or mother, he shall receive the power of Damascus and the spoils of Samaria, in opposition to the king of the Assyrians.” For the first step is to look at the demonstration of His age, to see whether the age there indicated can possibly exhibit the Christ as already a man, not to say a general. Forsooth, by His babyish cry the infant would summon men to arms, and would give the signal of war not with clarion, but with rattle, and point out the foe, not from His charger’s back or from a rampart, but from the back or neck of His suckler and nurse, and thus subdue Damascus and Samaria in place of the breast. (It is another matter if, among you, infants rush out into battle,—oiled first, I suppose, to dry in the sun, and then armed with satchels and rationed on butter,—who are to know how to lance sooner than how to lacerate the bosom!)1258

1258 See adv. Marc. l. iii. c. xiii., which, with the preceding chapter, should be compared throughout with the chapter before us.

Certainly, if nature nowhere allows this,—(namely,) to serve as a soldier before developing into manhood, to take “the power of Damascus” before knowing your father,—it follows that the pronouncement is visibly figurative.  “But again,” say they, “nature suffers not a ‘virgin’ to be a parent; and yet the prophet must be believed.”  And deservedly so; for he bespoke credit for a thing incredible, by saying that it was to be a sign. “Therefore,” he says, “shall a sign be given you. Behold, a virgin shall conceive in womb, and bear a son.” But a sign from God, unless it had consisted in some portentous novelty, would not have appeared a sign. In a word, if, when you are anxious to cast any down from (a belief in) this divine prediction, or to convert whoever are simple, you have the audacity to lie, as if the Scripture contained (the announcement), that not “a virgin,” but “a young female,” was to conceive and bring forth; you are refuted even by this fact, that a daily occurrence—the pregnancy and parturition of a young female, namely—cannot possibly seem anything of a sign. And the setting before us, then, of a virgin-mother is deservedly believed to be a sign; but not equally so a warrior-infant.  For there would not in this case again be involved the question of a sign; but, the sign of a novel birth having been awarded, the next step after the sign is, that there is enunciated a different ensuing ordering1259

1259


Anf-03 v.iv.v.xx Pg 6
Josh. iii. 9–17.

when his priests began to pass over!4220

4220 This obscure passage is thus read by Oehler, from whom we have translated: “Lege extorri familiæ dirimendæ in transitu ejus Jordanis machæram fuisse, cujus impetum atque decursum plane et Jesus docuerat prophetis transmeantibus stare.” The machæram (“sword”) is a metaphor for the river. Rigaltius refers to Virgil’s figure, Æneid, viii. 62, 64, for a justification of the simile. Oehler has altered the reading from the “ex sortefamilæ,” etc., of the mss. to “extorrifamiliæ,” etc. The former reading would mean probably: “Read out of the story of the nation how that Jordan was as a sword to hinder their passage across its stream.” The sorte (or, as yet another variation has it, “et sortes,” “the accounts”) meant the national record, as we have it in the beginning of the book of Joshua. But the passage is almost hopelessly obscure.

What will you say to this? If it be your Christ that is meant above, he will not be more potent than the servants of the Creator.  But I should have been content with the examples I have adduced without addition,4221

4221 Solis.

if a prediction of His present passage on the sea had not preceded Christ’s coming. As psalm is, in fact, accomplished by this4222

4222 Istius.

crossing over the lake. “The Lord,” says the psalmist, “is upon many waters.”4223

4223


Anf-01 vi.ii.v Pg 3
Prov. i. 17, from the LXX, which has mistaken the meaning.

This means that the man perishes justly, who, having a knowledge of the way of righteousness, rushes off into the way of darkness. And further, my brethren: if the Lord endured to suffer for our soul, He being Lord of all the world, to whom God said at the foundation of the world, “Let us make man after our image, and after our likeness,”1483

1483


Anf-02 vi.iv.iii Pg 249.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.ii.vii Pg 9.1


Anf-01 ix.vi.xxvii Pg 18
Ibid. ver. 52, etc.; Ex. xxiii. 7.

Of whom also did the Lord say: “But if the evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming, and shall begin to smite the man-servants and maidens, and to eat and drink and be drunken; the lord of that servant shall come in a day that he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.”4164

4164


Anf-01 ii.ii.viii Pg 6
Isa. i. 16–20.

Desiring, therefore, that all His beloved should be partakers of repentance, He has, by His almighty will, established [these declarations].


Anf-01 viii.ii.xliv Pg 3
Isa. i. 16, etc.

And that expression, “The sword shall devour you,” does not mean that the disobedient shall be slain by the sword, but the sword of God is fire, of which they who choose to do wickedly become the fuel. Wherefore He says, “The sword shall devour you: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” And if He had spoken concerning a sword that cuts and at once despatches, He would not have said, shall devour. And so, too, Plato, when he says, “The blame is his who chooses, and God is blameless,”1858

1858 Plato, Rep. x. [On this remarkable passage refer to Biog. Note above. See, also, brilliant note of the sophist De Maistre, Œuvres, ii. p. 105. Ed. Paris, 1853.]

took this from the prophet Moses and uttered it. For Moses is more ancient than all the Greek writers. And whatever both philosophers and poets have said concerning the immortality of the soul, or punishments after death, or contemplation of things heavenly, or doctrines of the like kind, they have received such suggestions from the prophets as have enabled them to understand and interpret these things. And hence there seem to be seeds of truth among all men; but they are charged with not accurately understanding [the truth] when they assert contradictories. So that what we say about future events being foretold, we do not say it as if they came about by a fatal necessity; but God foreknowing all that shall be done by all men, and it being His decree that the future actions of men shall all be recompensed according to their several value, He foretells by the Spirit of prophecy that He will bestow meet rewards according to the merit of the actions done, always urging the human race to effort and recollection, showing that He cares and provides for men. But by the agency of the devils death has been decreed against those who read the books of Hystaspes, or of the Sibyl,1859

1859 [On the Orphica and Sibyllina, see Bull, Works, vol. vi. pp. 291–298.]

or of the prophets, that through fear they may prevent men who read them from receiving the knowledge of the good, and may retain them in slavery to themselves; which, however, they could not always effect. For not only do we fearlessly read them, but, as you see, bring them for your inspection, knowing that their contents will be pleasing to all. And if we persuade even a few, our gain will be very great; for, as good husbandmen, we shall receive the reward from the Master.


Anf-01 ix.vi.xlii Pg 15
Isa. i. 16.

Thus, no doubt, since they had transgressed and sinned in the same manner, so did they receive the same reproof as did the Sodomites. But when they should be converted and come to repentance, and cease from evil, they should have power to become the sons of God, and to receive the inheritance of immortality which is given by Him. For this reason, therefore, He has termed those “angels of the devil,” and “children of the wicked one,”4448

4448


Anf-01 viii.ii.lxi Pg 4
Isa. i. 16–20.


Anf-02 vi.iii.iii.xii Pg 21.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.v.xiv Pg 116.1


Anf-02 iv.ii.iii.xii Pg 2.1


Anf-03 v.iv.iii.xix Pg 6
Isa. i. 16, 17.

be fond of the divine expostulations:2926

2926


Anf-01 ix.vi.xxxvii Pg 6
Jer. vii. 3; Zech. vii. 9, 10, Zech. viii. 17; Isa. i. 17–19.

And again: “Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips that they speak no guile; depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.”4359

4359


Anf-01 v.xvi.i Pg 5
Isa. i. 19.

And again, “Ye shall eat flesh even as herbs.”1270

1270


Anf-02 vi.ii.x Pg 14.1
1588 Cod. Sin. here has the singular, “one who ruminates.”

upon the word of the Lord. But what means the cloven-footed? That the righteous man also walks in this world, yet looks forward to the holy state1589

1589 Literally, “holy age.”

[to come]. Behold how well Moses legislated. But how was it possible for them to understand or comprehend these things? We then, rightly understanding his commandments,1590

1590 Cod. Sin. inserts again, “rightly.”

explain them as the Lord intended. For this purpose He circumcised our ears and our hearts, that we might understand these things.


Anf-02 vi.iv.i.xviii Pg 8.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.vi.vi Pg 28.1


Anf-03 v.viii.xxvi Pg 8
Isa. i. 19.

the expression means the blessings which await the flesh when in the kingdom of God it shall be renewed, and made like the angels, and waiting to obtain the things “which neither eye hath seen, nor ear heard, and which have not entered into the heart of man.”7467

7467


Anf-02 vi.iv.ii.xxii Pg 7.1


Anf-03 iv.ix.xiii Pg 63
See Isa. lv. 6, 7.

in “the time of their visitation,”1440

1440


Anf-01 viii.iv.lxxxv Pg 0


Anf-01 viii.iv.xxxvi Pg 4
Ps. xxiv.

Accordingly, it is shown that Solomon is not the Lord of hosts; but when our Christ rose from the dead and ascended to heaven, the rulers in heaven, under appointment of God, are commanded to open the gates of heaven, that He who is King of glory may enter in, and having ascended, may sit on the right hand of the Father until He make the enemies His footstool, as has been made manifest by another Psalm. For when the rulers of heaven saw Him of uncomely and dishonoured appearance, and inglorious, not recognising Him, they inquired, ‘Who is this King of glory?’ And the Holy Spirit, either from the person of His Father, or from His own person, answers them, ‘The Lord of hosts, He is this King of glory.’ For every one will confess that not one of those who presided over the gates of the temple at Jerusalem would venture to say concerning Solomon, though he was so glorious a king, or concerning the ark of testimony, ‘Who is this King of glory?’


Anf-03 iv.iv.xx Pg 8
Because Scripture calls idols “vanities” and “vain things.” See 2 Kings xvii. 15, Ps. xxiv. 4, Isa. lix. 4, Deut. xxxii. 21, etc.

Whoever, therefore, honours an idol with the name of God, has fallen into idolatry.  But if I speak of them as gods, something must be added to make it appear that I do not call them gods. For even the Scripture names “gods,” but adds “their,” viz. “of the nations:” just as David does when he had named “gods,” where he says, “But the gods of the nations are demons.”328

328


Anf-03 v.iv.iii.xix Pg 18
Ps. xxiv. 4, 5. He has slightly misquoted the passage.

“For the eyes of the Lord are upon them that fear Him, upon them that hope in His mercy, to deliver their souls from death,” even eternal death, “and to nourish them in their hunger,” that is, after eternal life.2938

2938


Anf-01 viii.iv.lxxxv Pg 0


Anf-01 viii.iv.xxxvi Pg 4
Ps. xxiv.

Accordingly, it is shown that Solomon is not the Lord of hosts; but when our Christ rose from the dead and ascended to heaven, the rulers in heaven, under appointment of God, are commanded to open the gates of heaven, that He who is King of glory may enter in, and having ascended, may sit on the right hand of the Father until He make the enemies His footstool, as has been made manifest by another Psalm. For when the rulers of heaven saw Him of uncomely and dishonoured appearance, and inglorious, not recognising Him, they inquired, ‘Who is this King of glory?’ And the Holy Spirit, either from the person of His Father, or from His own person, answers them, ‘The Lord of hosts, He is this King of glory.’ For every one will confess that not one of those who presided over the gates of the temple at Jerusalem would venture to say concerning Solomon, though he was so glorious a king, or concerning the ark of testimony, ‘Who is this King of glory?’


Anf-02 vi.iv.vii.x Pg 11.1


Anf-01 ii.ii.xxxv Pg 9
Ps. l. 16–23. The reader will observe how the Septuagint followed by Clement differs from the Hebrew.


knowledge,155

155 Or, “knowledge of immortality.”

“who, being the brightness of His majesty, is by so much greater than the angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.”156

156


Anf-01 ix.vi.xviii Pg 13
Jer. vii. 2, 3.


Anf-01 ix.vi.xxxvii Pg 6
Jer. vii. 3; Zech. vii. 9, 10, Zech. viii. 17; Isa. i. 17–19.

And again: “Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips that they speak no guile; depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.”4359

4359


Anf-01 ix.vi.iii Pg 22
Jer. iv. 22.


Anf-01 ix.vi.xxxvii Pg 6
Jer. vii. 3; Zech. vii. 9, 10, Zech. viii. 17; Isa. i. 17–19.

And again: “Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips that they speak no guile; depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.”4359

4359


Anf-01 v.xvi.i Pg 5
Isa. i. 19.

And again, “Ye shall eat flesh even as herbs.”1270

1270


Anf-02 vi.ii.x Pg 14.1
1588 Cod. Sin. here has the singular, “one who ruminates.”

upon the word of the Lord. But what means the cloven-footed? That the righteous man also walks in this world, yet looks forward to the holy state1589

1589 Literally, “holy age.”

[to come]. Behold how well Moses legislated. But how was it possible for them to understand or comprehend these things? We then, rightly understanding his commandments,1590

1590 Cod. Sin. inserts again, “rightly.”

explain them as the Lord intended. For this purpose He circumcised our ears and our hearts, that we might understand these things.


Anf-02 vi.iv.i.xviii Pg 8.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.vi.vi Pg 28.1


Anf-03 v.viii.xxvi Pg 8
Isa. i. 19.

the expression means the blessings which await the flesh when in the kingdom of God it shall be renewed, and made like the angels, and waiting to obtain the things “which neither eye hath seen, nor ear heard, and which have not entered into the heart of man.”7467

7467


Anf-01 vi.ii.xvi Pg 7
Comp. Isa. v., Jer. xxv.; but the words do not occur in Scripture.

And it so happened as the Lord had spoken. Let us inquire, then, if there still is a temple of God. There is—where He himself declared He would make and finish it. For it is written, “And it shall come to pass, when the week is completed, the temple of God shall be built in glory in the name of the Lord.”1678

1678


Anf-02 vi.iv.iv.xi Pg 4.1


Anf-03 v.iv.v.xxix Pg 55
Tertullian calls by a proper name the vineyard which Isaiah (in his chap. v.) designates “the vineyard of the Lord of hosts,” and interprets to be “the house of Israel” (ver. 7). The designation comes from ver. 2, where the original clause ירשֹ והע[טָיִּוַ is translated in the Septuagint, Καὶ ἐφύτευσα ἄμπελον Σωρήκ. Tertullian is most frequently in close agreement with the LXX.

that when “He looked for righteousness therefrom, there was only a cry4704

4704


Anf-03 v.iv.v.xxvii Pg 36
See Isa. v. 5, 23, and x. 2.

Of these Isaiah also says, “Woe unto them that are strong in Jerusalem!”4609

4609


Anf-01 ix.vi.xviii Pg 13
Jer. vii. 2, 3.


Anf-01 ix.vi.xxxvii Pg 6
Jer. vii. 3; Zech. vii. 9, 10, Zech. viii. 17; Isa. i. 17–19.

And again: “Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips that they speak no guile; depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.”4359

4359


Anf-03 v.iv.v.xliii Pg 5
Hos. v. 15 and vi. 1; 2.

For who can refuse to believe that these words often revolved5168

5168 Volutata.

in the thought of those women between the sorrow of that desertion with which at present they seemed to themselves to have been smitten by the Lord, and the hope of the resurrection itself, by which they rightly supposed that all would be restored to them? But when “they found not the body (of the Lord Jesus),”5169

5169


Anf-03 iv.ix.xiii Pg 53
Oehler refers to Hos. vi. 1; add 2 (ad init.).

—which is His glorious resurrection—He received back into the heavens (whence withal the Spirit Himself had come to the Virgin1430

1430


Anf-03 v.iv.v.xliii Pg 5
Hos. v. 15 and vi. 1; 2.

For who can refuse to believe that these words often revolved5168

5168 Volutata.

in the thought of those women between the sorrow of that desertion with which at present they seemed to themselves to have been smitten by the Lord, and the hope of the resurrection itself, by which they rightly supposed that all would be restored to them? But when “they found not the body (of the Lord Jesus),”5169

5169


Anf-01 ix.vi.xxxvii Pg 6
Jer. vii. 3; Zech. vii. 9, 10, Zech. viii. 17; Isa. i. 17–19.

And again: “Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips that they speak no guile; depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.”4359

4359


Anf-01 v.xvi.i Pg 5
Isa. i. 19.

And again, “Ye shall eat flesh even as herbs.”1270

1270


Anf-02 vi.ii.x Pg 14.1
1588 Cod. Sin. here has the singular, “one who ruminates.”

upon the word of the Lord. But what means the cloven-footed? That the righteous man also walks in this world, yet looks forward to the holy state1589

1589 Literally, “holy age.”

[to come]. Behold how well Moses legislated. But how was it possible for them to understand or comprehend these things? We then, rightly understanding his commandments,1590

1590 Cod. Sin. inserts again, “rightly.”

explain them as the Lord intended. For this purpose He circumcised our ears and our hearts, that we might understand these things.


Anf-02 vi.iv.i.xviii Pg 8.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.vi.vi Pg 28.1


Anf-03 v.viii.xxvi Pg 8
Isa. i. 19.

the expression means the blessings which await the flesh when in the kingdom of God it shall be renewed, and made like the angels, and waiting to obtain the things “which neither eye hath seen, nor ear heard, and which have not entered into the heart of man.”7467

7467


Anf-02 vi.iv.ii.xxii Pg 7.1


Anf-03 iv.ix.xiii Pg 63
See Isa. lv. 6, 7.

in “the time of their visitation,”1440

1440


Anf-01 ii.ii.viii Pg 2
Ezek. xxxiii. 11.

adding, moreover, this gracious declaration, “Repent, O house of Israel, of your iniquity.39

39


Anf-01 v.vi.xi Pg 6
Comp. Ezek. xviii. 23; 32, Ezek. xxxiii. 11; 2 Pet. iii. 9.

The love of the brethren at Troas salutes you; whence also I write to you by Burrhus,971

971 The ms. has “Burgus.”

who was sent along with me by the Ephesians and Smyrnæans, to show their respect:972

972 Or, “for the sake of honour.”

whom the Lord Jesus Christ will requite, in whom they hope, in flesh, and soul, and spirit, and faith, and love, and concord. Fare ye well in the Lord Jesus Christ, our common hope, in the Holy Ghost.


Anf-01 viii.iv.xlvii Pg 7
Ezek. xxxiii. 11–20.

tells, repents of sins; and reckons sinful, unrighteous, and impious the man who fails away from piety and righteousness to unrighteousness and ungodliness. Wherefore also our Lord Jesus Christ said, ‘In whatsoever things I shall take you, in these I shall judge you.’ ”2094

2094


Anf-02 vi.iv.ii.vii Pg 12.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.ii.xv Pg 13.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.ii.xxiii Pg 29.1


Anf-03 v.iv.iii.xiii Pg 11
Ezek. xxxiii. 11.

be feared, because He dislikes the sinners who do not repent. Accordingly, the divine law enjoins duties in respect of both these attributes: Thou shalt love God, and, Thou shalt fear God. It proposed one for the obedient man, the other for the transgressor.2866

2866


Anf-03 v.iv.v.x Pg 16
Ezek. xxxiii. 11.

You will first have to deny that the Creator ever forgave sins; then you must in reason show3775

3775 Consequens est ut ostendas.

that He never ordained any such prerogative for His Christ; and so you will prove how novel is that boasted3776

3776 Istam.

benevolence of the, of course, novel Christ when you shall have proved that it is neither compatible with3777

3777 Parem.

the Creator nor predicted by the Creator.  But whether to remit sins can appertain to one who is said to be unable to retain them, and whether to absolve can belong to him who is incompetent even to condemn, and whether to forgive is suitable to him against whom no offence can be committed, are questions which we have encountered elsewhere,3778

3778 See book i. chap. xxvi.–xxviii.

when we preferred to drop suggestions3779

3779 Admonere.

rather than treat them anew.3780

3780 Retractare: give a set treatise about them.

Concerning the Son of man our rule3781

3781 Præscriptio.

is a twofold one: that Christ cannot lie, so as to declare Himself the Son of man, if He be not truly so; nor can He be constituted the Son of man, unless He be born of a human parent, either father or mother. And then the discussion will turn on the point, of which human parent He ought to be accounted the son—of the father or the mother?  Since He is (begotten) of God the Father, He is not, of course, (the son) of a human father. If He is not of a human father, it follows that He must be (the son) of a human mother. If of a human mother, it is evident that she must be a virgin. For to whom a human father is not ascribed, to his mother a husband will not be reckoned; and then to what mother a husband is not reckoned, the condition of virginity belongs.3782

3782 To secure terseness in the premisses, we are obliged to lengthen out the brief terms of the conclusion, virgo est.

But if His mother be not a virgin, two fathers will have to be reckoned to Him—a divine and a human one. For she must have a husband, not to be a virgin; and by having a husband, she would cause two fathers—one divine, the other human—to accrue to Him, who would thus be Son both of God and of a man. Such a nativity (if one may call it so)3783

3783 Si forte.

the mythic stories assign to Castor or to Hercules. Now, if this distinction be observed, that is to say, if He be Son of man as born of His mother, because not begotten of a father, and His mother be a virgin, because His father is not human—He will be that Christ whom Isaiah foretold that a virgin should conceive,3784

3784


Anf-03 v.iv.vi.xi Pg 13
Ezek. xxxiii. 11.

Now, if Marcion’s god has exhibited or proclaimed any such thing as this, I will allow him to be “the Father of mercies.” Since, however, he ascribes to him this title only from the time he has been revealed, as if he were the father of mercies from the time only when he began to liberate the human race, then we on our side, too,5690

5690 Atquin et nos.

adopt the same precise date of his alleged revelation; but it is that we may deny him! It is then not competent to him to ascribe any quality to his god, whom indeed he only promulged by the fact of such an ascription; for only if it were previously evident that his god had an existence, could he be permitted to ascribe an attribute to him. The ascribed attribute is only an accident; but accidents5691

5691 The Contingent qualities in logic.

are preceded by the statement of the thing itself of which they are predicated, especially when another claims the attribute which is ascribed to him who has not been previously shown to exist. Our denial of his existence will be all the more peremptory, because of the fact that the attribute which is alleged in proof of it belongs to that God who has been already revealed. Therefore “the New Testament” will appertain to none other than Him who promised it—if not “its letter, yet its spirit;”5692

5692


Anf-03 v.x.i Pg 15
Ezek. xxxiii. 11.

And how is He eager for the death of those who are not sinners? Whom will not these, and perhaps other subtle devices containing heretical poisons, pierce either for doubt if not for destruction, or for irritation if not for death? As for you, therefore, do you, if faith is on the alert, smite on the spot the scorpion with a curse, so far as you can, with your sandal, and leave it dying in its own stupefaction? But if it gluts the wound, it drives the poison inwards, and makes it hasten into the bowels; forthwith all the former senses become dull, the blood of the mind freezes, the flesh of the spirit pines away, loathing for the Christian name is accompanied by a sense of sourness. Already the understanding also seeks for itself a place where it may throw up; and thus, once for all, the weakness with which it has been smitten breathes out wounded faith either in heresy or in heathenism. And now the present state of matters is such, that we are in the midst of an intense heat, the very dog-star of persecution,—a state originating doubtless with the dog-headed one himself.8223

8223 i.e. the devil.—Tr.

Of some Christians the fire, of others the sword, of others the beasts, have made trial; others are hungering in prison for the martyrdoms of which they have had a taste in the meantime by being subjected to clubs and claws8224

8224 An instrument of torture, so called.—Tr.

besides. We ourselves, having been appointed for pursuit, are like hares being hemmed in from a distance; and heretics go about according to their wont.  Therefore the state of the times has prompted me to prepare by my pen, in opposition to the little beasts which trouble our sect, our antidote against poison, that I may thereby effect cures.  You who read will at the same time drink. Nor is the draught bitter. If the utterances of the Lord are sweeter than honey and the honeycombs,8225

8225


Anf-03 vi.ii.iv Pg 4
Dan. vii. 24, very loosely quoted.

In like manner Daniel says concerning the same, “And I beheld the fourth beast, wicked and powerful, and more savage than all the beasts of the earth, and how from it sprang up ten horns, and out of them a little budding horn, and how it subdued under one three of the great horns.”1471

1471


Anf-03 vi.iii.xx Pg 4
Perhaps Tertullian is referring to Prov. xxviii. 13. If we confess now, we shall be forgiven, and not put to shame at the judgment day.

for we do at the same time both make satisfaction8746

8746 See de Orat. c. xxiii. ad fin., and the note there.

for our former sins, by mortification of our flesh and spirit, and lay beforehand the foundation of defences against the temptations which will closely follow. “Watch and pray,” saith (the Lord), “lest ye fall into temptation.”8747

8747


Anf-01 ii.ii.viii Pg 6
Isa. i. 16–20.

Desiring, therefore, that all His beloved should be partakers of repentance, He has, by His almighty will, established [these declarations].


Anf-01 viii.ii.xliv Pg 3
Isa. i. 16, etc.

And that expression, “The sword shall devour you,” does not mean that the disobedient shall be slain by the sword, but the sword of God is fire, of which they who choose to do wickedly become the fuel. Wherefore He says, “The sword shall devour you: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” And if He had spoken concerning a sword that cuts and at once despatches, He would not have said, shall devour. And so, too, Plato, when he says, “The blame is his who chooses, and God is blameless,”1858

1858 Plato, Rep. x. [On this remarkable passage refer to Biog. Note above. See, also, brilliant note of the sophist De Maistre, Œuvres, ii. p. 105. Ed. Paris, 1853.]

took this from the prophet Moses and uttered it. For Moses is more ancient than all the Greek writers. And whatever both philosophers and poets have said concerning the immortality of the soul, or punishments after death, or contemplation of things heavenly, or doctrines of the like kind, they have received such suggestions from the prophets as have enabled them to understand and interpret these things. And hence there seem to be seeds of truth among all men; but they are charged with not accurately understanding [the truth] when they assert contradictories. So that what we say about future events being foretold, we do not say it as if they came about by a fatal necessity; but God foreknowing all that shall be done by all men, and it being His decree that the future actions of men shall all be recompensed according to their several value, He foretells by the Spirit of prophecy that He will bestow meet rewards according to the merit of the actions done, always urging the human race to effort and recollection, showing that He cares and provides for men. But by the agency of the devils death has been decreed against those who read the books of Hystaspes, or of the Sibyl,1859

1859 [On the Orphica and Sibyllina, see Bull, Works, vol. vi. pp. 291–298.]

or of the prophets, that through fear they may prevent men who read them from receiving the knowledge of the good, and may retain them in slavery to themselves; which, however, they could not always effect. For not only do we fearlessly read them, but, as you see, bring them for your inspection, knowing that their contents will be pleasing to all. And if we persuade even a few, our gain will be very great; for, as good husbandmen, we shall receive the reward from the Master.


Anf-01 ix.vi.xlii Pg 15
Isa. i. 16.

Thus, no doubt, since they had transgressed and sinned in the same manner, so did they receive the same reproof as did the Sodomites. But when they should be converted and come to repentance, and cease from evil, they should have power to become the sons of God, and to receive the inheritance of immortality which is given by Him. For this reason, therefore, He has termed those “angels of the devil,” and “children of the wicked one,”4448

4448


Anf-01 viii.ii.lxi Pg 4
Isa. i. 16–20.


Anf-02 vi.iii.iii.xii Pg 21.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.v.xiv Pg 116.1


Anf-02 iv.ii.iii.xii Pg 2.1


Anf-03 v.iv.iii.xix Pg 6
Isa. i. 16, 17.

be fond of the divine expostulations:2926

2926


Anf-01 ix.vi.xxxvii Pg 6
Jer. vii. 3; Zech. vii. 9, 10, Zech. viii. 17; Isa. i. 17–19.

And again: “Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips that they speak no guile; depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.”4359

4359


Anf-01 v.xvi.i Pg 5
Isa. i. 19.

And again, “Ye shall eat flesh even as herbs.”1270

1270


Anf-02 vi.ii.x Pg 14.1
1588 Cod. Sin. here has the singular, “one who ruminates.”

upon the word of the Lord. But what means the cloven-footed? That the righteous man also walks in this world, yet looks forward to the holy state1589

1589 Literally, “holy age.”

[to come]. Behold how well Moses legislated. But how was it possible for them to understand or comprehend these things? We then, rightly understanding his commandments,1590

1590 Cod. Sin. inserts again, “rightly.”

explain them as the Lord intended. For this purpose He circumcised our ears and our hearts, that we might understand these things.


Anf-02 vi.iv.i.xviii Pg 8.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.vi.vi Pg 28.1


Anf-03 v.viii.xxvi Pg 8
Isa. i. 19.

the expression means the blessings which await the flesh when in the kingdom of God it shall be renewed, and made like the angels, and waiting to obtain the things “which neither eye hath seen, nor ear heard, and which have not entered into the heart of man.”7467

7467


Anf-02 vi.iv.ii.xxii Pg 7.1


Anf-03 iv.ix.xiii Pg 63
See Isa. lv. 6, 7.

in “the time of their visitation,”1440

1440


Anf-01 ii.ii.viii Pg 3
Ezek. xviii. 30.

Say to the children of My people, Though your sins reach from earth to heaven, I and though they be redder40

40


Anf-03 vi.ii.iv Pg 3
The Latin reads, “Daniel” instead of “Enoch;” comp. Dan. ix. 24–27.

says, “For for this end the Lord has cut short the times and the days, that His Beloved may hasten; and He will come to the inheritance.” And the prophet also speaks thus: “Ten kingdoms shall reign upon the earth, and a little king shall rise up after them, who shall subdue under one three of the kings.”1470

1470


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.x Pg 16.1


Anf-01 vi.ii.x Pg 11
Ps. i. 1.

even as the fishes [referred to] go in darkness to the depths [of the sea]; “and hath not stood in the way of sinners,” even as those who profess to fear the Lord, but go astray like swine; “and hath not sat in the seat of scorners,”1585

1585 Literally, “of the pestilent.”

even as those birds that lie in wait for prey. Take a full and firm grasp of this spiritual1586


Anf-01 viii.ii.xl Pg 3
Ps. i., Ps. ii.


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.x Pg 17.1


Anf-02 vi.iii.iii.xi Pg 95.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.ii.xv Pg 19.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.v.v Pg 21.1


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.x Pg 4.1


Anf-03 iv.v.iii Pg 4
Ps. i. 1. [Kaye’s censure of this use of the text, (p. 366) seems to me gratuitous.]

Though he seems to have predicted beforehand of that just man, that he took no part in the meetings and deliberations of the Jews, taking counsel about the slaying of our Lord, yet divine Scripture has ever far-reaching applications: after the immediate sense has been exhausted, in all directions it fortifies the practice of the religious life, so that here also you have an utterance which is not far from a plain interdicting of the shows. If he called those few Jews an assembly of the wicked, how much more will he so designate so vast a gathering of heathens! Are the heathens less impious, less sinners, less enemies of Christ, than the Jews were then? And see, too, how other things agree. For at the shows they also stand in the way. For they call the spaces between the seats going round the amphitheatre, and the passages which separate the people running down, ways. The place in the curve where the matrons sit is called a chair. Therefore, on the contrary, it holds, unblessed is he who has entered any council of wicked men, and has stood in any way of sinners, and has sat in any chair of scorners. We may understand a thing as spoken generally, even when it requires a certain special interpretation to be given to it. For some things spoken with a special reference contain in them general truth. When God admonishes the Israelites of their duty, or sharply reproves them, He has surely a reference to all men; when He threatens destruction to Egypt and Ethiopia, He surely pre-condemns every sinning nation, whatever. If, reasoning from species to genus, every nation that sins against them is an Egypt and Ethiopia; so also, reasoning from genus to species, with reference to the origin of shows, every show is an assembly of the wicked.


Anf-03 v.iv.iii.xix Pg 14
Ps. i. 1.

Where then?  “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity;”2934

2934


Anf-03 v.iv.v.xlii Pg 46
Ps. i. 1.



Anf-03 iv.iv.xv Pg 14
Ps. i. 1–3; xcii. 12–; 15.

If you have renounced temples, make not your own gate a temple. I have said too little. If you have renounced stews, clothe not your own house with the appearance of a new brothel.


Anf-01 viii.ii.xl Pg 3
Ps. i., Ps. ii.


Anf-01 viii.iv.lxxxvi Pg 5
Ps. i. 3.

Again, the righteous is said to flourish like the palm-tree. God appeared from a tree to Abraham, as it is written, near the oak in Mamre. The people found seventy willows and twelve springs after crossing the Jordan.2290

2290


Anf-01 vi.ii.xi Pg 11
Ps. i. 3–6.

Mark how He has described at once both the water and the cross. For these words imply, Blessed are they who, placing their trust in the cross, have gone down into the water; for, says He, they shall receive their reward in due time: then He declares, I will recompense them. But now He saith,1601

1601 Cod. Sin. has, “what meaneth?”

“Their leaves shall not fade.” This meaneth, that every word which proceedeth out of your mouth in faith and love shall tend to bring conversion and hope to many. Again, another prophet saith, “And the land of Jacob shall be extolled above every land.”1602

1602


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.x Pg 17.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.iv.xvii Pg 19.1


Anf-03 iv.iv.xv Pg 14
Ps. i. 1–3; xcii. 12–; 15.

If you have renounced temples, make not your own gate a temple. I have said too little. If you have renounced stews, clothe not your own house with the appearance of a new brothel.


Anf-03 v.iv.iii.xix Pg 17
Ps. i. 3.

“He that hath clean hands and a pure heart, who hath not taken God’s name in vain, nor sworn deceitfully to his neighbour, he shall receive blessing from the Lord, and mercy from the God of his salvation.”2937

2937


Anf-03 vi.ii.iv Pg 11
So the Cod. Sin. Hilgenfeld reads, with the Latin, “let us take.”

heed in these last days; for the whole [past] time of your faith will profit you nothing, unless now in this wicked time we also withstand coming sources of danger, as becometh the sons of God. That the Black One1478

1478


Anf-02 vi.iv.vi.xiv Pg 2.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.vi.xiv Pg 2.1


Anf-01 v.ii.ix Pg 10
Ps. cxix. 1.

Now the way is unerring, namely, Jesus Christ. For, says He, “I am the way and the life.”550

550


Anf-01 vi.ii.x Pg 11
Ps. i. 1.

even as the fishes [referred to] go in darkness to the depths [of the sea]; “and hath not stood in the way of sinners,” even as those who profess to fear the Lord, but go astray like swine; “and hath not sat in the seat of scorners,”1585

1585 Literally, “of the pestilent.”

even as those birds that lie in wait for prey. Take a full and firm grasp of this spiritual1586


Anf-01 viii.ii.xl Pg 3
Ps. i., Ps. ii.


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.x Pg 17.1


Anf-02 vi.iii.iii.xi Pg 95.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.ii.xv Pg 19.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.v.v Pg 21.1


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.x Pg 4.1


Anf-03 iv.v.iii Pg 4
Ps. i. 1. [Kaye’s censure of this use of the text, (p. 366) seems to me gratuitous.]

Though he seems to have predicted beforehand of that just man, that he took no part in the meetings and deliberations of the Jews, taking counsel about the slaying of our Lord, yet divine Scripture has ever far-reaching applications: after the immediate sense has been exhausted, in all directions it fortifies the practice of the religious life, so that here also you have an utterance which is not far from a plain interdicting of the shows. If he called those few Jews an assembly of the wicked, how much more will he so designate so vast a gathering of heathens! Are the heathens less impious, less sinners, less enemies of Christ, than the Jews were then? And see, too, how other things agree. For at the shows they also stand in the way. For they call the spaces between the seats going round the amphitheatre, and the passages which separate the people running down, ways. The place in the curve where the matrons sit is called a chair. Therefore, on the contrary, it holds, unblessed is he who has entered any council of wicked men, and has stood in any way of sinners, and has sat in any chair of scorners. We may understand a thing as spoken generally, even when it requires a certain special interpretation to be given to it. For some things spoken with a special reference contain in them general truth. When God admonishes the Israelites of their duty, or sharply reproves them, He has surely a reference to all men; when He threatens destruction to Egypt and Ethiopia, He surely pre-condemns every sinning nation, whatever. If, reasoning from species to genus, every nation that sins against them is an Egypt and Ethiopia; so also, reasoning from genus to species, with reference to the origin of shows, every show is an assembly of the wicked.


Anf-03 v.iv.iii.xix Pg 14
Ps. i. 1.

Where then?  “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity;”2934

2934


Anf-03 v.iv.v.xlii Pg 46
Ps. i. 1.



Anf-03 iv.iv.xv Pg 14
Ps. i. 1–3; xcii. 12–; 15.

If you have renounced temples, make not your own gate a temple. I have said too little. If you have renounced stews, clothe not your own house with the appearance of a new brothel.


Anf-01 viii.ii.xl Pg 3
Ps. i., Ps. ii.


Anf-01 viii.iv.lxxxvi Pg 5
Ps. i. 3.

Again, the righteous is said to flourish like the palm-tree. God appeared from a tree to Abraham, as it is written, near the oak in Mamre. The people found seventy willows and twelve springs after crossing the Jordan.2290

2290


Anf-01 vi.ii.xi Pg 11
Ps. i. 3–6.

Mark how He has described at once both the water and the cross. For these words imply, Blessed are they who, placing their trust in the cross, have gone down into the water; for, says He, they shall receive their reward in due time: then He declares, I will recompense them. But now He saith,1601

1601 Cod. Sin. has, “what meaneth?”

“Their leaves shall not fade.” This meaneth, that every word which proceedeth out of your mouth in faith and love shall tend to bring conversion and hope to many. Again, another prophet saith, “And the land of Jacob shall be extolled above every land.”1602

1602


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.x Pg 17.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.iv.xvii Pg 19.1


Anf-03 iv.iv.xv Pg 14
Ps. i. 1–3; xcii. 12–; 15.

If you have renounced temples, make not your own gate a temple. I have said too little. If you have renounced stews, clothe not your own house with the appearance of a new brothel.


Anf-03 v.iv.iii.xix Pg 17
Ps. i. 3.

“He that hath clean hands and a pure heart, who hath not taken God’s name in vain, nor sworn deceitfully to his neighbour, he shall receive blessing from the Lord, and mercy from the God of his salvation.”2937

2937


Anf-03 vi.ii.iv Pg 11
So the Cod. Sin. Hilgenfeld reads, with the Latin, “let us take.”

heed in these last days; for the whole [past] time of your faith will profit you nothing, unless now in this wicked time we also withstand coming sources of danger, as becometh the sons of God. That the Black One1478

1478


Anf-02 vi.iv.vi.xiv Pg 2.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.vi.xiv Pg 2.1


Anf-01 viii.iv.lxxxv Pg 0


Anf-01 viii.iv.xxxvi Pg 4
Ps. xxiv.

Accordingly, it is shown that Solomon is not the Lord of hosts; but when our Christ rose from the dead and ascended to heaven, the rulers in heaven, under appointment of God, are commanded to open the gates of heaven, that He who is King of glory may enter in, and having ascended, may sit on the right hand of the Father until He make the enemies His footstool, as has been made manifest by another Psalm. For when the rulers of heaven saw Him of uncomely and dishonoured appearance, and inglorious, not recognising Him, they inquired, ‘Who is this King of glory?’ And the Holy Spirit, either from the person of His Father, or from His own person, answers them, ‘The Lord of hosts, He is this King of glory.’ For every one will confess that not one of those who presided over the gates of the temple at Jerusalem would venture to say concerning Solomon, though he was so glorious a king, or concerning the ark of testimony, ‘Who is this King of glory?’


Anf-03 iv.iv.xx Pg 8
Because Scripture calls idols “vanities” and “vain things.” See 2 Kings xvii. 15, Ps. xxiv. 4, Isa. lix. 4, Deut. xxxii. 21, etc.

Whoever, therefore, honours an idol with the name of God, has fallen into idolatry.  But if I speak of them as gods, something must be added to make it appear that I do not call them gods. For even the Scripture names “gods,” but adds “their,” viz. “of the nations:” just as David does when he had named “gods,” where he says, “But the gods of the nations are demons.”328

328


Anf-03 v.iv.iii.xix Pg 18
Ps. xxiv. 4, 5. He has slightly misquoted the passage.

“For the eyes of the Lord are upon them that fear Him, upon them that hope in His mercy, to deliver their souls from death,” even eternal death, “and to nourish them in their hunger,” that is, after eternal life.2938

2938


Anf-01 viii.iv.lxxxv Pg 0


Anf-01 viii.iv.xxxvi Pg 4
Ps. xxiv.

Accordingly, it is shown that Solomon is not the Lord of hosts; but when our Christ rose from the dead and ascended to heaven, the rulers in heaven, under appointment of God, are commanded to open the gates of heaven, that He who is King of glory may enter in, and having ascended, may sit on the right hand of the Father until He make the enemies His footstool, as has been made manifest by another Psalm. For when the rulers of heaven saw Him of uncomely and dishonoured appearance, and inglorious, not recognising Him, they inquired, ‘Who is this King of glory?’ And the Holy Spirit, either from the person of His Father, or from His own person, answers them, ‘The Lord of hosts, He is this King of glory.’ For every one will confess that not one of those who presided over the gates of the temple at Jerusalem would venture to say concerning Solomon, though he was so glorious a king, or concerning the ark of testimony, ‘Who is this King of glory?’


Anf-03 v.iv.iii.xix Pg 18
Ps. xxiv. 4, 5. He has slightly misquoted the passage.

“For the eyes of the Lord are upon them that fear Him, upon them that hope in His mercy, to deliver their souls from death,” even eternal death, “and to nourish them in their hunger,” that is, after eternal life.2938

2938


Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge, Chapter 4

VERSE 	(15) - 

Pr 5:8; 6:5 Ex 23:7 Job 11:14; 22:23 Isa 33:15 Eph 5:11 1Th 5:22


PARALLEL VERSE BIBLE

God Rules.NET