The Mysterious, Missing, and Mis-Matched ARAMAIC TEXT of Matthew 2:6

  

... Or ...

Where Did the real Aramaic TEXT Go?

Matthew 2:6 from the Netzarim's publishing house's "golden, best, and historic" version of the Peshitta-to-English translation of the New Covenant, in an exact quote:

"And you, Beth-Lekhem of Yehuda you will not be the least of Yehuda. From you, therefore, will go out a king who will shepherd among the kings, my people, Israel. "  Matthew 2:6, Mis-pag. Edition, page 4

What is wrong with this  New Covenant translation of this verse of Matthew 2:6 ?

Only One Thing...
one MAJOR thing:  

it does NOT match...

ANYTHING !

To begin with, it does not match the translations of: Drs. Etheridge, Murdock, Lamsa, the Dutch, Swedish, South African, or French versions, a multitude of English versions, the Greek versions (neither Nestle's nor Pierpont and Robinson's Byzantine Textform) and the Latin Vulgate. (These texts are available to check each New Covenant verse at the user-friendly Dukhrana website.)

Not only that, but ... the quoted verse of Matthew 2:6 does NOT even match ITS OWN PRINTED ARAMAIC TEXT in this interlinear !
. 

That is quite a sleight-of-hand foisted upon the innocent reader who trusts that the Aramaic text printed is the one being translated. [ N.B.: However, I have it upon good authority that there is one Aramaic TEXT published with this aberrant reading implanted somehow within the Interlinear text  itself and is so translated ! Sr. Judith Hannah ]
.

Furthermore, it does not match the Eastern Texts: The Khabouris C, Khabouris T, nor the Syriac MS 148 (Mingana) text, (which is freely available for anyone to check at the excellent Dukhrana website.)
.    

Now, NOT matching the Eastern Texts  may not seem a HUGE problem to some... except this Netzarim New Covenant's version's compiler / editor  takes great pride in SCRUPULOUSLY following the Eastern Texts, according to the words in the introduction and copious footnotes.
.

But then, not matching the Eastern Texts may ONLY be important in the eyes of man... since it certainly was NOT very important in the eyes of the Netzarim compilers, editors, proof-readers, co-translators and cohorts, and others in the publishing house  of this "golden, best, and historic" version of the HOLY WORD of The LORD.
.

To make matters worse, however, Matthew 2:6 will be familiar to readers of the New Covenant BECAUSE it is a quote of the prophetic Scripture regarding the anointed Kingship of YESHUA+ HA MASHIYACH+  from Micah 5:2 :

And you, Bethlehem Ephratha,

being least

among the thousands of Judah,

out of you

to ME

HE+ shall come forth

to become ONE+ RULING in Israel. 

And HIS+ forth comings have been

from of old,

from the days of Eternity.

~ ~ ~ Jay P. Green's Hebrew-English Interlinear

If, however, the learned translators, compilers, co-translators, and cohorts had ANY QUESTION at all about the correct Aramaic translation of  Matthew 2:6, they could have checked the original verse in Micah 5:2 with: 

• The Hebrew Masoretic text
• The 2 Jewish Scriptures on-line (see above)
•  Justin Martyr, Ante-Nicene Fathers , Vol 1, The First Apology of Justin, chapter 34, page 174; and Dialogue withTrypho, chapter 78, page237 ( Justin's version was not the Masoretic nor the Septuagint. Maybe he used the Syriac ? )
•  Tertullian, ANF, Vol 3, An Answer to the Jews, page 169.
• Origen, ANF, Vol 4, De Principiis, Book 4, chapter I, page 353.
• Cyprian, ANF, Vol 5, Treatises of Cyprian, Second Book, section 12, page 52.

. 

... before they printed an erroneous translation of that verse of HOLY SCRIPTURE, a prophetic one regarding YESHUA+ HA MASHIYACH+....
.

... before they printed an erroneous translation based upon a manuscript,  different from  the Eastern Manuscript printed in the Netzarim  publishing house's Interlinear itself... which it was supposed to be translating.

. 

Unfortunately for their readers, this group of editors, proof-readers, compilers,  co-translators, and cohorts allowed this incorrect translation to occur because, perhaps ... : 

• not one of them have access to the Eastern Khabouris Texts, even on-line ?
• or... they do not hold a high regard for the sacredness and infallibility of the Eastern TEXTS ?
• or... none of them check the Eastern TEXTS carefully enough to catch their discrepancies and differences from the Eastern TEXTS ?
• or... none of them remembered Micah 5:2 correctly ?
• or... none have access to the Masoretic TEXT or other Jewish Scriptures of Micah 5:2 ?
• or... if all of the above is INCORRECT...

. 

...then not one of them

[ i.e., the editors, compilers, proof-readers,

translators, co-translators, and cohorts in this publishing house ]

evidenced INTEGRITY 

in handling the HOLY WORD of GOD.

.

Does ANYONE know

where this erroneous manuscript [with the mis-placed text of B'MALKE, the plural form for "among the kings" , i.e,  B'MALKE should be word #8 instead of between words #15 and 16 !] is to be found... since it is not among the Eastern Texts, the Western Texts, the Gwilliam, the New York 1886 Peshitta, nor the Old Syriac Curetonian manuscripts ?

.

Someone does!
. 
Somebody knows
WHERE
that manuscript
IS
with the changed
 Aramaic TEXT itself.... 
which led to this erroneous translation.
.  

Even more crucial... 
. 

SOMEONE+ ELSE knows

• who changed the Aramaic TEXT,
•   when  the Aramaic TEXT was changed,
•     where  the Aramaic TEXT was changed, and
• WHY  the Aramaic TEXT was changed. 

.

After all ...

HE WHO planted the ear,

shall HE not hear?

HE Who formed the eye,

shall HE not see?

Psalm 94:9 
.

SOMEONE+ ELSE

...frighteningly enough ... 

also knows how many are being 

led astray by this error.
.

Hear what the "golden, best, and historic" translation of 2 Corinthians 4:2 itself says about such actions:  

"But we have renounced the concealments of dishonor, and we walk not in craftiness, nor do we treat the WORD of ALAHA ( GOD ) deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth we exhibit ourselves to all the consciences of men before ALAHA ( GOD )."

.

The problem, you see , is not with the translating;

it is a problem with ETHICS

 ...with honesty... with integrity in the inner man 

...with fair weights and measures,

so to speak.

.

.

Torah is important for it speaks rightly against our human condition, a condition full of deceit and guile, the old man Adam in each of us.
. 

Not one of us is able to live above secret deceits until we are born from above by the Second ADAM+, YESHUA+ HA MASHIYACH+.
. 

When we become New Creatures in YESHUA+, then the old man --- and his deceitful and guileful nature -- is changed !
. 
.
We now want to walk in the Light because HE+ is in the Light and we denounce the hidden works of darkness of our hearts. 
 .
.

If we sin after we have become a New Creature in CHRIST, though, we do have an advocate with Our FATHER in Heaven, in YESHUA+ , HIS Eternal SON+, HIS Eternal WORD+,  WHO+ is faithful to forgive us our sins... if we repent. Hear the Words of Life+ :

 But
If

we walk

in the Light,

as HE+ is in the Light,

we have fellowship one with another

and The BLOOD of YESHUA+ 

HIS SON+ 

cleanses us from

ALL

unrighteousness.

I John 1:7

Drawings courtesy of The ORDER of the GOOD SHEPHERD+

YESHUA+ is The Way, The Truth, and The Life;

no one comes to The FATHER.... except through HIM+.

John 14:6

Sincerely,
Yours for Integrity+ in the Inner Man,

Sister Judith Hannah  + + +

MICAH 5:2, Masoretic .... DANIEL 7: 13, 14

And you, Bethlehem Ephratha,

being least

among the thousands of Judah,

out of you

to ME

HE+ shall come forth

to become ONE+ RULING in Israel. 

And HIS+ forth comings have been

from of old,

from the days of Eternity.

I was looking in visions of the night
and behold,
with the clouds of the Heavens,
like the SON+ of Man
was coming,
and to
The ANCIENT OF DAYS
HE+ came
and before HIM
they brought HIM+ near.

And to HIM+ was given
dominion
and glory
and a Kingdom
that all the peoples, the nations, 
and the languages
HIM+ shall serve.
HIS+ dominion is an Everlasting Dominion
which shall not pass away,
and HIS+ Kingdom
that which shall not be destroyed.

~ ~ ~ Jay P. Green's Hebrew-English Interlinear

Why Have You SPARED me ?



Photo Copyright by Anonymous Artist

 ולַאפַּי תּשַׁע שָׁעִין קעָא יֵשׁוּע בּקָלָא רָמָא וֵאמַר אִיל אִיל למָנָא שׁבַקתָּני .

 ܘܠܰܐܦ݁ܰܝ ܬ݁ܫܰܥ ܫܳܥܺܝܢ ܩܥܳܐ ܝܶܫܽܘܥ ܒ݁ܩܳܠܳܐ ܪܳܡܳܐ ܘܶܐܡܰܪ ܐܺܝܠ ܐܺܝܠ ܠܡܳܢܳܐ ܫܒ݂ܰܩܬ݁ܳܢܝ ܀

Matthew 27:46 above, in Aramaic with Hebrew block letters, courtesy of Dukhrana / Peshitta Tools.

 

 Why have you SPARED me ?

That could well be the question many of us ask... when we finally admit how our sins look to YESHUA+ HA MASHIYACH+.

That is not,

however,

the question

that fell from the lips of Our Redeemer+ YESHUA+ HA MASHIYACH+ as HE+ was about to die.

This Netzarim editor [ of the "golden, best, and historic" modern English version of the Aramaic New Covenant ], plus Dr. Lamsa and Mr. Younan, have seemed to join forces to ignore the historic, linguistic, grammatical facts --- not to mention spiritual truth --- of those verses found in Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34.

They would have readers to believe that YESHUA+ dying upon the Cross was asking His+ FATHER:

" Why have you spared me? " 

Somehow, with nail spikes in His+ hands and feet, with His+ precious Blood upon His+ head and face from the crown of thorns, and with His+ backsides lacerated from the Roman whips... it does not seem a very logical question, does it ?

The Netzarim editor / compiler  of this version states in the 266th footnote in the book of Matthew  that  "azbatani from the Hebrew azab (Strong's 5800) translated as : loosen, relinquish, permit, release, set free, forsake, abandon, leave behind, omit, and relax " and it  

"cannot mean forsaken

as we think of the word because..."  

[We will deal with the editor's "because" statements later, as they  do not involve the language or Aramaic text words in question here but rather refer to several theological issues which, alas,  are also inaccurate. One error at a time, please!]

Thus, the readers of this "golden, best, and historic" Aramaic version are told to disregard the lexical meaning of the Hebrew and Aramaic word for FORSAKEN and substitute SPARED in its place... based on the editor's own ... um... understanding? doctrine ? thinking?

To go against the established lexical meaning, against the historical record established centuries earlier than the Peshitta, and against linguistical and grammatical concerns seem like... well... like asking for readers to trust that that editor / compiler knows more truth than all  orthodox Christians, for centuries ! 

Thus, to find out the truth of the matter,  we will analyze the contributing factors to this verse and word and , like the Bereans, let us "see if it is so, " searching the Scriptures.

Like the Bereans,  searching the Scriptures is EXACTLY where to start when faced with such strange fire on the altar.  

Let us look at the Aramaic and Hebrew word that is used in the Aramaic New Covenant Scripture itself for the word SPARED in three important verses.  

Spelled similarly, only using the two different alphabets, both the Hebrew and Aramaic word for SPARED is kos. This word, kos, is found in Romans 8: 32 and 2 Peter 2:4,5 in the Aramaic.     

[ More to come... ]

ARAMAIC PRIMACY or GREEK PRIMACY ?

SCHISMATICS = HERETICS

"That there should be no schism in the Body+..."

How would you like it if your family were divided?  Family feuds, rebellion, family divorce, abandonment, unfaithfulness,   lawsuits over inheritances... modern tragedy as old as Cain and Abel.

The splitting apart of what The ELOHIM ordained to be a unit  brings intense pain and turmoil. ALWAYS. [ Ask any child whose parents are divorcing, any 75-yr-old whose siblings won't speak to him. ]

How does it feel to YESHUA HA MASHIYACH+ when His+ BODY+ is split?  

It feels about the same

as if your body were dismembered

.... and you lived to tell about it. 



Originally, we were designed to be ONE, in a single BODY+ of YESHUA+... ONE with YESHUA+, Who+ made us ONE with The FATHER, by means of the ONENESS of THEIR SHARED HOLY SPIRIT... that we might be made ONE with THEM and with each other.

That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with The FATHER, and with HIS SON+ YESHUA+ HA MASHIYACH+. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. 1 John 1:3, 4

[ The Greek manuscripts are nearly equally divided between "your joy" versus "our joy," according to Pierpont and Robinson, Greek Textform. Aramaic: ...  "so that our joy that is in you would be full."
Janet Magiera, Aramaic Peshitta New Testament Translation] 

The above verse not only verifies the previous statement but  is a case in point: the Greek Primacists and the Aramaic Primacists NEED EACH OTHER.  

Here is a familiar Scripture that includes both the Greek and the Aramaic. Note the richness of these verses.

I therefore, the prisoner of The LORD, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the calling wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness , humbleness of mind, and meekness, quietness, with long-suffering, forbearing, hold up one another in love, being eager, diligent to keep the unity, the alliance of The SPIRIT in the bond of peace. ... with the girdle of peace, as The SPIRIT is the bond or tie that brings peace.

So that you will be in ONE BODY+ and by ONE SPIRIT, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling.

For there is ONE LORD, one faith, one baptism, one  ELOHIM and FATHER of all, WHO is above all and through all and in you, us all.

Now to each one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of MASHIYACH+.

Ephesians 4:1-7. Aramaic words which differ from the Greek text  in BOLD type from Magiera's APNT.

These verses state the same BASIC Truth in both Greek and Aramaic. Most of the words and the grammar [ sentence structure] is the same or close to it. EVEN THE WORD PLAY is the same in both languages, bringing forth the SAME picture, the SAME MESSAGE to both camps... and to all readers.

Is the Scriptural message CLEAR ?

Yes.

Are we all..all..all 
who follow
YESHUA+ HA MASHIYACH+

--- out of every kindred and tongue,
and people and nation ---

to be united,

to speak with the same VOICE+,

to issue the same GOOD NEWS  ? 

YES.

Well then, why is it

that WITH ONE ACCORD

 we ALL disregard this passage

of very clear, very succinct Scripture ?

It is apparent by the innumerable websites on the Internet and by the footnotes in the "golden, historic, and best" Aramaic-English translation of the New Covenant that the ONLY agreement  among Christians today  is that it is OKAY TO DIVIDE THE BODY+ of YESHUA+, it is okay to DIVIDE The BODY+ of CHRIST.

Will YESHUA+ bless the factions

dividing His+ BODY+ ?

Will 

The ELOHIM,

The Great Plural,

The Unified ECHAD, 

bless those groups

making havoc
of HIS SON'S+ BODY+,

HIS Word-Made-Flesh 
WHO+ dwelt among us ?

Does

The ELOHIM

EVER  

bless those

who IGNORE HIS WORD

... and write

their own instructions ?

Is CHRIST DIVIDED ?

Is YESHUA+ DIVIDED ?

Are we Christians  divided ?

.
Enormous damage is done when the Christian camp is so divided. Moslems, Buddhists, Hindu, and all the tribal religions in between, watch in awe as we split and devour one another. No outreach is possible. A house divided against itself CANNOT stand.

Do you believe that ?  The Early Christians believed it. They believed it for more than 200 years!  That is why Novatian and his cohorts were declared heretics: they thought it okay to divide the house.

Why did Novatian... who wrote clearly and CORRECTLY about Christian doctrine... make his own "church?"

Novatian refused the ORDAINED leadership and wanted to be a leader himself, ignoring The HOLY WORD and ordinances laid down by the Apostles in Scriptures. Novatian refused to be corrected by the very Scriptures he defended !

 

Woe, woe , woe

to those who divide

the BODY+ OF CHRIST, 

the BODY+ OF YESHUA+ HA MASHIYACH,+

in WHOM+
there is

no division.

They will find themselves
with Novatian... 

outside the camp.  

The Schism of Novatian, the Heretic

WHAT !?!

Was this the Novatian (d. 257 AD), a distinguished Presbyter (elder) in the early church at Rome, who wrote so clearly about the Paraclete ?

Yes.

That very man, Novatian, was declared a heretic by the unified Primitive Christian Church. 

Why ?

Novatian's writings are some of the clearest statements of faith in the Ante-Nicene writings. They are in line with the Christian doctrines of the Early, Pre-Nicene Church. Novatian was an excellent apologist for Christianity. It was NOT BECAUSE his doctrines were different from Early Christian doctrines that he was pronounced a heretic in the time of total Christian unity.  

So what... ? 

Novatian was a heretic for what he did:

start his own church. 

He broke away from the unified church and established his own.

They viewed him with horror for splitting the Body of CHRIST. How did he do this heinous thing ?

• He re-baptized believers.
• He sent out his own apostles from city to city.
• He did their "own" communion.
• He appointed himself bishop or overseer.
• He rejected the duly ordained bishop... ordained by 16 godly co-bishops.

Novatian who was an elder in the church at Rome was a disciplinarian. He followed the Letter of the Law in the New Covenant. Yet, his doctrines or teaching were orthodox with Early Christianity.... but his spirit was not. 

Thus, he decided ON HIS OWN that those  believers who denied CHRIST ... and who had repented... should not be allowed back into The Church... based on the Letter of the Law in the New Covenant.  

The ONE, unified Christian Church disagreed with him.

Since he was an elder, he wanted to become the Overseer and enforce his decision... but the other Overseers did not agree with Novatian. They said CHRIST had shown Peter mercy when he lapsed and denied CHRIST. The church should show mercy also if the ones who denied CHRIST were repentant.

Novatian refused to recognize their authority and created his own church, creating the schism. 

Thus, even though his DOCTRINES WERE CORRECT,   his discipline was seen as too harsh and out-of-line with the Ancient Church. Because he disagreed with the Church, he would not  submit to the ordained authority. So, he established his own... a totally un-lawful thing to do.  He and his followers were cast out.

[Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 5, Cyprian's writings, pgs. 321, 333, 380 and the Treatise Against Novatian  by an unknown bishop, pgs. 657, 658, according to summaries in David Bercot, A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs  , page 476-478, Hendrickson Publishers 1998. See Scroll Publishing at www.scrollpublishing.com]

+  +  +

Although we have seen that Paraqlita  or Paraclete was used by the ancient Pre-Nicene, Pre-Peshitta Christian writers to mean HOLY SPIRIT or Advocate and not "Redeemer+," there is a more important issue at hand for those in the publishing house of the Netzarim and those in the  Hebrew Roots camp, in general.  

That issue is
SCHISMATICS = heretics.

(more to come)

NOVATIAN: Paraqlita in the PRE-Peshitta, Pre-Nicene Writings of the Early Christian Apologists

 

NOVATIAN, (d. 257)  p. 639 , Vol 5 ANF , excerpts from chapters 28 and 29. Treatise Concerning the Trinity,

>>> Let the reader take note of the verses quoted in John, in reference to the Paraqlita,   and its translation by this Early Christian apologist, that it is in line with the other Early Christian apologists, never being translated as "Redeemer+".  

 

Here is what Novatian wrote: And HE+ further subjoins [John 14:15 and 16],

“If ye love ME+, keep My+ commandments; and I+ will ask THE FATHER, and HE+ will give you another Comforter.”

After which also HE+ adds this [ John 14:23]:

“If any one loveth ME+, he shall keep My+ Word: and My+ FATHER will love him; and WE will come unto him, and will make OUR abode with him.”

Moreover, also, HE+ added this too [John 14:26 ]:

“But the Advocate, that HOLY SPIRIT whom THE FATHER will send, HE will teach you, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I+ have said unto you.”

And the LORD said,

“Receive ye the HOLY SPIRIT: whose sins ye remit, they shall be remitted; and whose ye retain, they shall be retained.”

But this HOLY SPIRIT the LORD CHRIST calls at one time “the Paraclete,” at another pronounces to be the “Spirit of truth.”

And HE is not new in the Gospel, nor yet even newly given; for it was HE Himself who accused the people in the prophets, and in the apostles gave them the appeal to the Gentiles.

For the former deserved to be accused, because they had contemned [ i.e., despised ... SrJH ] the Law [ i.e, O.T./ Mosaic Law ... SrJH] ; and they of the Gentiles who believe deserve to be aided by the defense of the SPIRIT, because they earnestly desire to attain to the Gospel Law  [ i.e., the Royal Law of CHRIST, as spoken of in Matthew 22:37-40,  in James 2:8, and in John 15:12... SrJH ] .

Assuredly in the SPIRIT there are different kinds of offices, because in the times there is a different order of occasions;

and yet, on this account, HE who discharges these offices is not different, nor is HE another in so acting, but HE is one and the same, distributing HIS offices according to the times, and the occasions and impulses of things.

Moreover, the Apostle Paul says,

“Having the same Spirit; as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak.”

HE is therefore one and the same SPIRIT Who was in the prophets and apostles, except that in the former HE was occasional, in the latter always.

But in the former [i.e., the O.T.  Prophets] not as being always in them, in the latter [ i.e., the Apostles] as abiding always in them; and in the former distributed with reserve, in the latter all poured out; in the former given sparingly, in the latter liberally bestowed; not yet manifested before the LORD'S Resurrection, but conferred after the Resurrection.

For, said HE+,

“I+ will pray THE FATHER, and HE will give you another ADVOCATE, that HE may be with you for ever, even the SPIRIT of TRUTH.” [John 14:16, 17 ] 

And, “When HE, the ADVOCATE, shall come, Whom I+ shall send unto you from My+ FATHER, the SPIRIT of TRUTH Who proceedeth from My+ FATHER.”[John 15:26 ]

And, “If I+ go not away, that ADVOCATE shall not come to you; but if I+ go away, I+ will send Him to you.”[John 16:7 ]


And, “When the SPIRIT of TRUTH shall come, HE will direct you into all the truth.”

And because the LORD was about to depart to the Heavens, HE+ gave the PARACLETE out of necessity to the disciples; so as not to leave them in any degree orphans, which was little desirable, and forsake them without an ADVOCATE and some kind of PROTECTOR.

For this is HE Who strengthened their hearts and minds, Who marked out the Gospel sacraments, Who was in them the enlightener of divine things;

and they being strengthened, feared, for the sake of the LORD'S name, neither dungeons nor chains, nay, even trod under foot the very powers of the world and its tortures, since they were henceforth armed and strengthened by the same SPIRIT,

having in themselves the gifts which this same SPIRIT distributes, and appropriates to the Church, the Spouse of CHRIST, as her ornaments.

THIS [ HOLY SPIRIT ] is HE who places prophets in the Church, instructs teachers, directs tongues, gives powers and healings, does wonderful works, often discrimination of spirits, affords powers of government, suggests counsels, and orders and arranges whatever other gifts there are of charismata; and thus makes the LORD'S Church everywhere, and in all, perfected and completed.

THIS is HE Who, after the manner of a dove, when our LORD was baptized, came and abode upon HIM+, dwelling in CHRIST full and entire, and not maimed in any measure or portion;

but with HIS whole overflow copiously distributed and sent forth, so that from HIM others might receive some enjoyment of HIS graces:

the source of the entire HOLY SPIRIT remaining in CHRIST, so that from HIM might be drawn streams of gifts and works, while the HOLY SPIRIT dwelt affluently in CHRIST.

For truly Isaiah, prophesying this, said:

“And the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding shall rest upon HIM+, the Spirit of Counsel and Might, the Spirit of Knowledge and Piety; and the Spirit of the fear of the LORD shall fill HIM+.”


This selfsame thing also he said in the person of the LORD HIMSELF+, in another place:

“The SPIRIT of the LORD is upon ME+; because HE has anointed ME+, HE has sent ME+ to preach the Gospel to the poor.”

Similarly David:

“Wherefore GOD, even Thy+ GOD, hath anointed THEE+ with the oil of gladness above Thy+ fellows.”

Of HIM [ The HOLY SPIRIT ] the Apostle Paul says:

“For he who hath not the SPIRIT of CHRIST is none of HIS+.”

“And where the SPIRIT of the LORD is, there is liberty.”

HE [ The HOLY SPIRIT ] it is who effects with water the second birth as a certain seed of divine generation, and a consecration of a heavenly nativity, the pledge of a promised inheritance, and as it were a kind of handwriting of eternal salvation;

Who (the HOLY SPIRIT) can make us GOD’S Temple, and fit us for His house; Who solicits the divine hearing for us with groanings that cannot be uttered; filling the offices of advocacy, and manifesting the duties of our defense, — an inhabitant given for our bodies and an effector of their holiness.

Who, working in us for eternity, can also produce our bodies at the resurrection of immortality, accustoming them to be associated in Himself+ with Heavenly power, and to be allied with the divine eternity of the HOLY SPIRIT.

For our bodies are both trained in Him and by Him to advance to immortality, by learning to govern themselves with moderation according to His decrees.

For this is HE Who “desireth against the flesh,” because the flesh resisteth against the SPIRIT.”

This is HE who restrains insatiable desires, controls immoderate lusts, quenches unlawful fires, conquers reckless impulses, repels drunkenness, checks avarice, drives away luxurious reveling, links love, binds together affections, keeps down sects, orders the rule of truth, overcomes heretics, turns out the wicked, guards the Gospel.

Of this says the same Apostle:

“We have not received the spirit of the world, but the SPIRIT which is of GOD.”

Concerning HIM he exultingly says:

“And I think also that I have the SPIRIT of GOD.”

Of HIM he says: “The SPIRIT of the Prophets is subject to the prophets.”

Of HIM also he tells:

“Now the SPIRIT speaketh plainly, that in the last times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, doctrines of demons, who speak lies in hypocrisy, having their conscience cauterized.”

Established in this [ HOLY ] Spirit, “none ever calleth JESUS anathema;” no one has ever denied CHRIST to be the SON+ of GOD, or has rejected GOD the Creator; no one utters any words of his own contrary to the Scriptures; no one ordains other and sacrilegious decrees; No one draws up different laws.

Whosoever shall blaspheme against HIM, “hath not forgiveness, not only in this world, but also not in the world to come.”

THIS is HE Who in the apostles gives testimony to CHRIST; in the martyrs shows forth the constant faithfulness of their religion; in virgins restrains the admirable continency of their sealed chastity;


In others, guards the laws of the LORD’S doctrine incorrupt and uncontaminated; destroys heretics, corrects the perverse, condemns infidels, makes known pretenders;

Moreover, rebukes the wicked, keeps the Church uncorrupt and inviolate, in the sanctity of a perpetual virginity and truth.