Chapter IX.--The Old Testament is good: the New Testament is better.
The priests [954] indeed are good, but the High Priest is better; to whom the holy of holies has been committed, and who alone has been trusted with the secrets of God. He is the door of the Father, by which enter in Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the prophets, and the apostles, and the Church. All these have for their object the attaining to the unity of God. But the Gospel possesses something transcendent [above the former dispensation], viz., the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ, His passion and resurrection. For the beloved prophets announced Him, [955] but the Gospel is the perfection of immortality. [956] All these things are good together, if ye believe in love.
The priests [957] indeed, and the ministers of the word, are good; but the High Priest is better, to whom the holy of holies has been committed, and who alone has been entrusted with the secrets of God. The ministering powers of God are good. The Comforter is holy, and the Word is holy, the Son of the Father, by whom He made all things, and exercises a providence over them all. This is the Way [958] which leads to the Father, the Rock, [959] the Defence, [960] the Key, the Shepherd, [961] the Sacrifice, the Door [962] of knowledge, through which have entered Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, Moses and all the company of the prophets, and these pillars of the world, the apostles, and the spouse of Christ, on whose account He poured out His own blood, as her marriage portion, that He might redeem her. All these things tend towards the unity of the one and only true God. But the Gospel possesses something transcendent [above the former dispensation], viz. the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, His passion, and the resurrection itself. For those things which the prophets announced, saying, "Until He come for whom it is reserved, and He shall be the expectation of the Gentiles," [963] have been fulfilled in the Gospel, [our Lord saying,] "Go ye and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." [964] All then are good together, the law, the prophets, the apostles, the whole company [of others] that have believed through them: only if we love one another.
[954] i.e., the Jewish priests.
[955] Literally, "proclaimed as to him."
[956] The meaning is doubtful. Comp. 2 Tim. i. 10.
[957] i.e., the Jewish priests.
[958] John xiv. 6.
[959] 1 Cor. x. 4.
[960] Literally, "the hedge."
[961] John x. 11.
[962] John x. 9.
[963] Gen. xlix. 10.
[964] Matt. xxviii. 19.
Chapter X.--Congratulate the inhabitants of Antioch on the close of the persecution.
Since, according to your prayers, and the compassion which ye feel in Christ Jesus, it is reported to me that the Church which is at Antioch in Syria possesses peace, it will become you, as a Church of God, to elect a deacon to act as the ambassador of God [for you] to [the brethren there], that he may rejoice along with them when they are met together, and glorify the name [of God]. Blessed is he in Jesus Christ, who shall be deemed worthy of such a ministry; and ye too shall be glorified. And if ye are willing, it is not beyond your power to do this, for the sake [965] of God; as also the nearest Churches have sent, in some cases bishops, and in others presbyters and deacons.
Since, according to your prayers, and the compassion which ye feel in Christ Jesus, it is reported to me that the Church which is at Antioch in Syria possesses peace, it will become you, as a Church of God, to elect a bishop to act as the ambassador of God [for you] to [the brethren] there, that it may be granted them to meet together, and to glorify the name of God. Blessed is he in Christ Jesus, who shall be deemed worthy of such a ministry; and if ye be zealous [in this matter], ye shall receive glory in Christ. And if ye are willing, it is not altogether beyond your power to do this, for the sake of [966] God; as also the nearest Churches have sent, in some cases bishops, and in others presbyters and deacons.
[965] Literally, "for the name of."
[966] Literally, "for the name of."