And all the rest which we know by names."
To the multitude, then, this vain labour is desirable. But to us the apostle says, "Now we know this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." [2757] Does not the apostle then plainly add the following, to show the contempt for faith in the case of the multitude? "For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as appointed to death: we are made a spectacle to the world, and to angels, and to men. Up to this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are beaten, and are feeble, and labour, working with our hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we entreat; we are become as it were the offscourings of the world." [2758] Such also are the words of Plato in the Republic: [2759] "The just man, though stretched on the rack, though his eyes are dug out, will be happy." The Gnostic will never then have the chief end placed in life, but in being always happy and blessed, and a kingly friend of God. Although visited with ignominy and exile, and confiscation, and above all, death, he will never be wrenched from his freedom, and signal love to God. "The charity which bears all things, endures all things," [2760] is assured that Divine Providence orders all things well. "I exhort you," therefore it is said, "Be followers of me." The first step to salvation [2761] is the instruction accompanied with fear, in consequence of which we abstain from what is wrong; and the second is hope, by reason of which we desire the best things; but love, as is fitting, perfects, by training now according to knowledge. For the Greeks, I know not how, attributing events to unreasoning necessity, own that they yield to them unwillingly. Accordingly Euripides says:--
"What I declare, receive from me, madam:
No mortal exists who has not toil;
He buries children, and begets others,
And he himself dies. And thus mortals are afflicted."
Then he adds:--
"We must bear those things which are inevitable according to nature, and go through them:
Not one of the things which are necessary is formidable for mortals."
And for those who are aiming at perfection there is proposed the rational gnosis, the foundation of which is "the sacred Triad." "Faith, hope, love; but the greatest of these is love." [2762] Truly, "all things are lawful, but all things are not expedient," says the apostle: "all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not." [2763] And, "Let no one seek his own advantage, but also that of his neighbour," [2764] so as to be able at once to do and to teach, building and building up. For that "the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof," is admitted; but the conscience of the weak is supported. "Conscience, I say, not his own, but that of the other; for why is my liberty judged of by another conscience? For if I by grace am partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." [2765] "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh; for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the demolition of fortifications, demolishing thoughts, and every high thing which exalteth itself against the knowledge of Christ." [2766] Equipped with these weapons, the Gnostic says: O Lord, give opportunity, and receive demonstration; let this dread event pass; I contemn dangers for the love I bear to Thee.
"Because alone of human things
Virtue receives not a recompense from without,
But has itself as the reward of its toils."
"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness, meekness, long-suffering. And above all these, love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God reign in your hearts, to which also ye are called in one body; and be thankful," [2767] ye who, while still in the body, like the just men of old, enjoy impassibility and tranquillity of soul.
[2738] John i. 4.
[2739] Matt. vi. 30.
[2740] Luke vi. 46.
[2741] Isa. xxix. 15.
[2742] Gal. v. 24, 25.
[2743] Gal. vi. 8.
[2744] [This is important testimony as to the primitive understanding of the awards of a future life.]
[2745] Matt. xxvi. 41.
[2746] [See book iii., cap iii., supra.]
[2747] Rom. viii. 7, 8, 10, 13, 17, 18, 28, 29, 30.
[2748] Rom. vii. 24, 25.
[2749] In allusion to Eph. vi. 12.
[2750] 1 Pet. iv. 12, 13, 14.
[2751] Rom. viii. 36, 37.
[2752] Rom. x. 10, 11.
[2753] 2 Tim. i. 7, 8; Rom. viii. 15.
[2754] Rom. xii. 9.
[2755] Rom. xiii. 8.
[2756] Instead of megistoi, read from Rom. xv. 13, 14, mestoi.
[2757] Rom. vi. 6.
[2758] 1 Cor. iv. 9, 11, 12, 13.
[2759] [ii. 5. Compare Cicero's Rep., iii. 17.]
[2760] 1 Cor. xiii. 7.
[2761] For somatos read oterias.
[2762] 1 Cor. xiii. 13. [Not without allusion to the grand Triad, however. p. 101, this volume.]
[2763] 1 Cor. x. 23.
[2764] 1 Cor. x. 24.
[2765] 1 Cor. x. 26, 28, 29, 30, 31.
[2766] 2 Cor. x. 3, 4, 5.
[2767] Col. iii. 12, 14, 15.