Apocryphal New Testament — Historical English Collection

Apocryphal New Testament — Hone/Wake/Jones — Section 14

14 And hath not sat in the seat of the scorners; as those birds who sit and watch that they may devour. 15 Here you have the law concerning meat perfectly set forth, and according to the true knowledge of it. 16 But, says Moses, ye shall eat all that divideth the hoof, and cheweth the cud. Signifying thereby such an one as having taken his food, knows him that nourisheth him ; and resting upon him, rejoiceth in him. 17 And in this he spake well, having respect to the command- ment. What, therefore, is it that he says ? — That we should hold fast to them that fear the Lord ; with those who meditate on the command of the word which they have received in their heart ; with those that declare the right- eous judgments of the Lord, and keep his commandments; 18 In short, with those who know that to meditate is a work of pleasure, and therefore exer- cise themselves in the word of the Lord. 19 But why might they eat those that clave the hoof? — Be- cause the righteous liveth in this present world; but his ex- pectation is fixed upon the other. See, brethren, how admirably Moses commanded these things. 20 But how should we thus know all this, and understand it ? We, therefore, understanding aright the commandments, speak as the Lord would have us. Wherefore he has circumcised our ears and our hearts, that we might know these things. CHAP. X. Baptism and the Cross of Christ fore- told in figures under the law. LET us now inquire whether the Lord took care to manifest anything beforehand concerning water and the cross. 2. Now for the former of these, it is written to the people of Is- rael how they shall not receive that baptism which brings to- for- giveness of sins ; but shall insti- tute another to themselves that cannot. 3 For thus saith the prophet : ^ Be astonished, 0 Heaven ! and let the earth tremble at it, be- cause this people have done two great and wicked things ; they have left me, the fountain of living water, and have digged for themselves broken cisterns, that can hold no water.