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EARLY CHRISTIANITY

But the foundation of our faith is Jesus Christ, the Rock upon which the whole is built, as said the prophets (§2). First a man believes, then loves, then hopes, then is justified and perfected, and he becomes a Temple for the Messiah to dwell in, as Jeremiah said: The Temple of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord—ye are the Temple of the Lord, if ye will make fair your ways and your works^[1], and as said our Lord Himself Ye are in Me, and I am in you (§3). The man who has Faith will study to make himself worthy of being a dwelling-place of the Spirit of the Messiah. There must be Fasting, Prayer, Love, Alms, Humility, Virginity, Continence, Wisdom, Hospitality, Simplicity, Patience, Gentleness, Sadness^[2], Purity: Faith asks for all these ornaments (§4). Christ is both the foundation and the inhabitant of the House of Faith: Jeremiah says men are the Temples of God and the Apostle said The Spirit of Christ dwelleth in you. This comes to the same thing, for the Lord said:

↑ Jer vii 4, 5 (Pesh).
↑ The technical term for the monastic life.

[1] Jer vii 4, 5 (Pesh).

[2] The technical term for the monastic life.

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[2]