Chapter XXXIX.--The Jews hate the Christians who believe this. How great the distinction is between both!
"Now it is not surprising," I continued, "that you hate us who hold these opinions, and convict you of a continual hardness of heart. [2048] For indeed Elijah, conversing with God concerning you, speaks thus: Lord, they have slain Thy prophets, and digged down Thine altars: and I am left alone, and they seek my life.' And He answers him: I have still seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.' [2049] Therefore, just as God did not inflict His anger on account of those seven thousand men, even so He has now neither yet inflicted judgment, nor does inflict it, knowing that daily some [of you] are becoming disciples in the name of Christ, and quitting the path of error; who are also receiving gifts, each as he is worthy, illumined through the name of this Christ. For one receives the spirit of understanding, another of counsel, another of strength, another of healing, another of foreknowledge, another of teaching, and another of the fear of God."
To this Trypho said to me, "I wish you knew that you are beside yourself, talking these sentiments."
And I said to him, "Listen, O friend, [2050] for I am not mad or beside myself; but it was prophesied that, after the ascent of Christ to heaven, He would deliver [2051] us from error and give us gifts. The words are these: He ascended up on high; He led captivity captive; He gave gifts to men.' [2052] Accordingly, we who have received gifts from Christ, who has ascended up on high, prove from the words of prophecy that you, the wise in yourselves, and the men of understanding in your own eyes,' [2053] are foolish, and honour God and His Christ by lip only. But we, who are instructed in the whole truth, [2054] honour Them both in acts, and in knowledge, and in heart, even unto death. But you hesitate to confess that He is Christ, as the Scriptures and the events witnessed and done in His name prove, perhaps for this reason, lest you be persecuted by the rulers, who, under the influence of the wicked and deceitful spirit, the serpent, will not cease putting to death and persecuting those who confess the name of Christ until He come again, and destroy them all, and render to each his deserts."
And Trypho replied, "Now, then, render us the proof that this man who you say was crucified and ascended into heaven is the Christ of God. For you have sufficiently proved by means of the Scriptures previously quoted by you, that it is declared in the Scriptures that Christ must suffer, and come again with glory, and receive the eternal kingdom over all the nations, every kingdom being made subject to Him: now show us that this man is He."
And I replied, "It has been already proved, sirs, to those who have ears, even from the facts which have been conceded by you; but that you may not think me at a loss, and unable to give proof of what you ask, as I promised, I shall do so at a fitting place. At present, I resume the consideration of the subject which I was discussing.
[2048] Literally, "of a hard-hearted opinion."
[2049] 1 Kings xix. 14, 18.
[2050] o houtos. [Or, Look you, listen!]
[2051] Literally, "carry us captive."
[2052] Ps. lxviii. 19.
[2053] Isa. v. 21.
[2054] Contrasting either Catholics with heretics, or Christians with Jews. [Note this word Catholic, as here used in its legitimate primitive sense.]
Chapter XL.--He returns to the Mosaic laws, and proves that they were figures of the things which pertain to Christ.
"The mystery, then, of the lamb which God enjoined to be sacrificed as the passover, was a type of Christ; with whose blood, in proportion to their faith in Him, they anoint their houses, i.e., themselves, who believe on Him. For that the creation which God created--to wit, Adam--was a house for the spirit which proceeded from God, you all can understand. And that this injunction was temporary, I prove thus. God does not permit the lamb of the passover to be sacrificed in any other place than where His name was named; knowing that the days will come, after the suffering of Christ, when even the place in Jerusalem shall be given over to your enemies, and all the offerings, in short, shall cease; and that lamb which was commanded to be wholly roasted was a symbol of the suffering of the cross which Christ would undergo. For the lamb, [2055] which is roasted, is roasted and dressed up in the form of the cross. For one spit is transfixed right through from the lower parts up to the head, and one across the back, to which are attached the legs of the lamb. And the two goats which were ordered to be offered during the fast, of which one was sent away as the scape [goat], and the other sacrificed, were similarly declarative of the two appearances of Christ: the first, in which the elders of your people, and the priests, having laid hands on Him and put Him to death, sent Him away as the scape [goat]; and His second appearance, because in the same place in Jerusalem you shall recognise Him whom you have dishonoured, and who was an offering for all sinners willing to repent, and keeping the fast which Isaiah speaks of, loosening the terms [2056] of the violent contracts, and keeping the other precepts, likewise enumerated by him, and which I have quoted, [2057] which those believing in Jesus do. And further, you are aware that the offering of the two goats, which were enjoined to be sacrificed at the fast, was not permitted to take place similarly anywhere else, but only in Jerusalem.
[2055] Some think this particularly refers to the paschal lamb, others to any lamb which is roasted.
[2056] Literally, "cords."
[2057] Chap. xv.