Chapter VII.—Let us stand aloof from such heretics.

They abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer,^10161016    Theodoret, in quoting this passage, reads προσφοράς, “offering.” because they confess not the Eucharist to be the flesh of our Saviour Jesus Christ, which suffered for our sins, and which the Father, of His goodness, raised up again. Those, therefore, who speak against this gift of God, incur death^10171017    Literally, “die disputing.” in the midst of their disputes. But it were better for them to treat it with respect,^10181018    Literally, “to love.” Some think there is a reference to the agapæ, or love-feasts. that they also might rise again. It is fitting, therefore, that ye should keep aloof from such persons, and not to speak of^10191019    The reading is περί in the one case, and μετά in the other, though the latter meaning seems preferable. Most of the mss. of the longer recension read περί, as in the shorter. them either in private or in public, but to give heed to the prophets, and above all, to the Gospel, in which the passion [of Christ] has been revealed to us, and the resurrection has been fully proved.^10201020    Literally, “perfected.” But avoid all divisions, as the beginning of evils.

They are ashamed of the cross; they mock at the passion; they make a jest of the resurrection. They are the offspring of that spirit who is the author of all evil, who led Adam,^10211021    Literally, “drove Adam out of.” by means of his wife, to transgress the commandment, who slew Abel by the hands of Cain, who fought against Job, who was the accuser of Joshua^10221022    Zech. iii. 1. the son of Josedech, who sought to “sift the faith”^10231023    Luke xxii. 31. of the apostles, who stirred up the multitude of the Jews against the Lord, who also now “worketh in the children of disobedience;^10241024    Eph. ii. 2. from whom the Lord Jesus Christ will deliver us, who prayed that the faith of the apostles might not fail,^10251025    Luke xxii. 32. not because He was not able of Himself to preserve it, but because He rejoiced in the pre-eminence of the Father. It is fitting, therefore, that ye should keep aloof from such persons, and neither in private nor in public to talk with^10261026    The reading is περί in the one case, and μετά in the other, though the latter meaning seems preferable. Most of the mss. of the longer recension read περί, as in the shorter. them; but to give heed to the law, and the prophets, and to those who have preached to you the word of salvation. But flee from all abominable heresies, and those that cause schisms, as the beginning of evils.