Testament of Our Lord

Historical English source page 249

1. 13] NOTES 229 Rahmani suggests that James of Edessa found ebyouer in his text, and read it “pray” when he should have read “boast that the saints enter,’ etc. But the parallels forbid this.] Eg. C.O. continues: “When you have been called to eat, eat only what suffices you, that he who has called you may do what he pleases with what remains, so that they may remain over for the saints, and that he may rejoice at your entering in to him.” [This is not in C.H.; Test. has modified it. The words “what suffices” (ré& xadjxovre) get into “sufficienter” in H. (see below), and so into “abundantly” in Test.] The eaters are to eat in peace and not in strife, to answer the bishop when questioned; then to be silent with attention (Lagarde, rapa- rnpovvras) until they are again questioned. [Test. has altered sraparnp. to “choose” (cf. C.H. 102).] Eg. 0.0. then goes on to allow a presbyter or deacon to preside if the bishop is absent. (3) Hauler 113, 114, says after a lacuna, “you who are present, and so feast.” Catechumens are to receive the bread of exorcism, and each one is ¢o offer a cup; they are not to be at the Lord’s Supper (Agapé), . . . (and so on as in Eg. C.O,, not Test.). Eaters and drinkers to eat and drink honestly and not to drunkenness, and not so that any one should laugh at (you) or the host be grieved at your inquietude, but that he may pray to be made worthy that the saints may enter in to him. “For, Ye are the salt of the earth, He says.” If an offering is made to all in common, called in Greek apoforetum, receive it from him, but, that all may taste, taste sufficiently, that also there may be left (somewhat), and that he who called you may send (it) to whom he will, as of the relies of the saints (tanquam de reliquiis sanctorum), and rejoice in trustfulness (gaudeat in fiducia). [Note that H., Eg.C.0., and Test. are all involved here; the original must have been early corrupted.] The guests are to eat in silence, not striving with words, but (hearing ?) what the bishop exhorts; and if he questions about anything he is to be answered; and when the bishop speaks a [or, the} word, all modestly praising him (cf. Test.) to be silent till again questioned; and so on as Eg. C.0. The idea in Test. of “eating abundantly” at the Agapé (cf. H., above) is found elsewhere. Thus Didaché x. 1: “After ye are satisfied (2uanodjvas), thus give ye thanks.” So Tertullian, Apol, 39 (Migne, i. 540): “They are satisfied (saturantur).” The expression in Eg.C.0., “This is a blessing (Acy/«),” needs some comment. The name «doy/a (see Brightman, L.E.W. 577, 597, and Keating, The Agapé and the Eucharist, p. 130) was used for the bread offered at the offertory in the