Page:Ante-Nicene Christian Library Vol 5.djvu/18

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xii
CONTENTS.
CHAP. PAGE
11. The old prophets and righteous men knew beforehand of the advent of Christ, and earnestly desired to see and hear Him, He revealing Himself in the Scriptures by the Holy Ghost, and without any change in Himself, enriching men day by day with benefits, but conferring them in greater abimdance on later than on former generations, 405
12. It clearly appears that there was but one author of both the old and the new law, from the fact that Christ condemned traditions and customs repugnant to the former, while He confirmed its most important precepts, and taught that He was Himself the end of the Mosaic law, 408
13. Christ did not abrogate the natural precepts of the law, but rather fulfilled and extended them. He removed the yoke and bondage of the old law, so that mankind, being now set free, might serve God with that trustful piety which becometh sons, 412
14. If God demands obedience from man, if He formed man, called him and placed him under laws, it was merely for man's welfare; not that God stood in need of man, but that He graciously conferred upon man His favours in every possible manner, 416
15. At first God deemed it sufficient to inscribe the natural law, or the Decalogue, upon the hearts of men; but afterwards He found it necessary to bridle with the yoke of the Mosaic law the desires of the Jews, who were abusing their liberty; and even after that, to add some special commands, because of the hardness of their hearts, 419
16. Perfect righteousness was conferred neither by circumcision nor by any other legal ceremonies. The Decalogue, however, was not cancelled by Christ, but is always in force: men were never released from its commandments, 421
17. Proof that God did not appoint the Levitical dispensation for His own sake, or as requiring such service; for He does, in fact, need nothing from men, 425
18. Concerning sacrifices and oblations, and those who truly offer them, 431