Chapter III.—The Duty of Confessing Christ.

Since, then, He has displayed so great mercy towards us, and especially in this respect, that we who are living should not offer sacrifices to gods that are dead, or pay them worship,^43444344    I. omits. but should attain through Him to 252the knowledge of the true Father,^43454345    I. τῆς ἀληθείας (of truth). whereby shall we show that we do indeed know Him,^43464346    Literally, “what is the knowledge which is towards Him.” but by not denying Him through whom this knowledge has been attained?  For He himself declares, “Whosoever shall confess me before men, him will I confess before my Father.”^43474347    Matt. x. 32.  This, then, is our reward if we shall confess Him by whom we have been saved.  But in what way shall we confess Him?  By doing what He says, and not transgressing His commandments, and by honouring Him not with our lips only, but with all our heart and all our mind.^43484348    Comp. Matt. xxii. 37.  For He says in Isaiah, “This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.”^43494349    Isa. xxix. 13.