CHAP. VI. Abstain from all the heathen books; for what hast thou to do with such foreign discourses, or laws, or false prophets, which subvert the faith of the unstable? For what defect dost thou find in the law of God, that thou shouldest have recourse to those heathenish fables? for if thou hast a mind to read history, thou hast the Books of the Kings; if books of wisdom or poetry, thou hast those of the prophets, of Job, and the Proverbs; in which thou wilt find greater depth of sagacity than in all the heathen poets and sophisters, because these are the words of the Lord, the only wise God. If thou desirest something to sing, thou hast the Psalms; or if the origin of things, thou hast Genesis; if laws and statutes, thou hast the glorious law of the Lord God. Do thou therefore utterly abstain from all strange and diabolical books. Nay, when thou readest the law, think not thyself bound to observe the additional precepts; though not all of them, yet some of them. Read those barely for the sake of history, in order to the knowledge of them, and to glorify God that he has delivered thee from such great and so many bonds. Propose to thyself to distinguish what rules were from the law of nature, and what were added afterwards, or were such additional rules as were introduced and given to the Israelites after the making of the calf for the law contains those precepts which were spoken by the Lord God before the people fell into idolatry, and made a calf like the Egyptian Apis, that is, the Ten Commandments. But as to those bonds which were farther laid upon them after they had sinned, do not thou draw them upon thyself; for our Saviour came for no other reason but that he might deliver those that were obnoxious thereto from that wrath which was reserved for them; that he might fulfil the law and the prophets; and that he might abrogate or change those secondary bonds, which were superadded to the rest of the law. For therefore does he call to us, and say, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden; and I will give you rest." therefore thou hast read the law, which is agreeable to the gospel and to the prophets, read also the Books of the Kings, that thou mayst thereby learn which of the kings were righteous, and how they were prospered by God, and how the promise of eternal life continued with them from him. But those kings which went a whoring from God did soon perish in their apostacy, by the righteous judgment of God, and were deprived of his life, inheriting, instead of rest, eternal punishment. Wherefore by reading these books thou wilt be mightily strengthened in the faith, and edified in Christ, whose body and member thou art. Moreover, when thou walkest abroad in public, and hast a mind to bathe, make use of that bath which is appropriated to men, lest by discovering thy body in an unseemly manner to women, or by seeing a sight not seemly for men, either thou beest ensnared, or thou ensnarest and enticest to thyself those women who easily yield to such temptations. Take care, therefore, and avoid such things, lest thou admit a snare upon thy own soul.

When

CHAP. VII. For let us learn what the sacred word says in the Book of Wisdom, "My son, keep my words, and hide my com

mandments with thee: say unto Wisdom, Thou art my sister, and make Understanding familiar with thee, that she may keep thee from the strange and wicked woman, in case such an one accost thee with sweet words. For from the window of her house she looks into the street, to see if she can espy some young man among the foolish children, without understanding, walking in the marketplace, in the meeting of the street, near her house, and talking in the dusk of the evening, or in the silence and darkness of the night. A woman meets him in the appearance of an harlot, who steals away the hearts of young persons. She rambles about, and is dissolute: her feet abide not in her house. Sometimes she is without, sometimes in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner. Then she catches him, and kisses him, and with an impudent face says unto him, I have peace-offerings with me, this day do I pay my vows; therefore came I forth to meet thee. Earnestly I have desired thy face, and I have found thee; I have decked my bed with coverings, with tapestry from Egypt have I adorned it. I have perfumed my bed with saffron, and my house with cinnamon. Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: come, let us solace ourselves with love, &c." To which he adds-" With much discourse she seduced him; with snares from her lips she forced him. He goes after her like a silly bird." And again : "Do not hearken to a wicked woman; for though the lips of an harlot are like drops from an honeycomb, which for a while is smooth in thy throat, yet afterwards thou wilt find her more bitter than gall, and sharper than any two-edged sword." And again: "But get away quickly, and tarry not; fix not thine eyes upon her, for she has thrown down many wounded, yea, innumerable multitudes have been slain by her. If not," says he, "yet thou wilt repent at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed; and wilt say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart has avoided the reproofs of the righteous! I have not hearkened to the voice of my instructor, nor inclined mine ear to my teacher. I have almost been in all evil." But we will make no more quotations; and if we have omitted any, be so prudent as to select the most valuable out of the holy Scriptures, and confirm yourselves with them, rejecting all things that are evil, that so you may be found holy with God in eternal life.

CHAP. VIII. Let the wife be obedient to her own proper husband, because "the husband is the head of the wife." But Christ is the head of that husband who walks in the way of righteousness, and "the head of Christ is God, even his Father."

Therefore, O wife, next after the Almighty, our God and Father, the Lord of the present world, and of the world to come, the Maker of every thing that breathes, and of every power; and after his beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ (through whom glory be to God), do thou fear thy husband, and reverence him, pleasing him alone, rendering thyself acceptable to him in the several affairs of life; that so on thy account thy husband may be called blessed, according to the Wisdom of Solomon, which thus speaks-"Who can find a virtuous woman? for such an one is more precious than

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costly stones. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that she shall have no need of spoil, for she does good to her husband all the days of her life. She buyeth wool and flax, and worketh profitable things with her hands. She is like the merchant's ships, she bringeth her food from far. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and food to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She tasteth that it is good to labour; her candle goeth not out all the whole night. She stretcheth out her arms for useful work, and layeth her hands to the spindle. She openeth her hands to the needy; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the poor. Her husband takes no care of the affairs of the house, for all that are with her are clothed with double garments. She maketh coats for her husband, clothings of silk and purple. Her husband is eminent in the gates, when he sitteth with the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it to the Phenicians, and girdles to the Canaanites. She is clothed with glory and beauty, and she rejoices in the last days. She openeth her mouth with wisdom and discretion, and puts her words in order. The ways of her household are strict; she eateth not the bread of idleness. She will open her mouth with wisdom and caution, and upon her tongue are the laws of mercy. Her children arise up, and praise her for her riches, and her husband joins in her praises. Many daughters have obtained wealth, and done worthily; but thou surpassest and excellest them all. May lying flatteries and the vain beauty of a wife be far from thee; for a religious wife is blessed. Let her praise the fear of the Lord. Give her of the fruits of her lips, and let her husband be praised in the gates." And again: "A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband." And again: "Many wives have built an house." You have learned what great commendations a prudent and loving wife receives from the Lord God. If thou desirest to be one of the faithful, and to please the Lord, O wife, do not superadd ornaments to thy beauty in order to please other men, neither affect to wear fine broidering, garments, or shoes, to entice those who are allured by such things; for although thou dost not these wicked things with design of sinning thyself, but only for the sake of ornament and beauty, yet wilt thou not so escape future punishment ; as having compelled another to look so hard at thee as to lust after thee, and as not having taken care both to avoid sin thyself, and the affording scandal to others. But if thou yield thyself up, and commit the crime, thou art both guilty of thy own sin, and the cause of the ruin of the other's soul also. Besides, when thou hast committed lewdness with one man, and beginnest to despair, thou wilt again turn away from thy duty, and follow others, and grow past feeling: as says the sacred word, "When a wicked man comes into the depth of evil, he becomes a scorner; and then disgrace and reproach come upon him." For such a woman afterward being wounded, ensnares without restraint the souls of the foolish. Let us learn, therefore, how the sacred word plainly de

scribes and condemns such women, saying, "I hated a woman who is a snare and net to the hearts of men, worse than death: her hands are fetters." And in another passage, "As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is beauty in a wicked woman." And again, "As a worm in wood, so does a wicked woman destroy her husband." And again, "It is better to dwell in the corner of the house-top than with a contentious and an angry woman." You therefore who are Christian women, do not imitate such as these. But thou who designest to be faithful to thine own husband, take care to please him alone. And when thou art in the streets, cover thy head; for by such a covering thou wilt avoid being viewed of idle persons. Do not paint thy face, which is God's workmanship; for there is no part of thee which wants ornament, inasmuch as all things which God has made are very good. But the lascivious additional adorning of what is already good is an affront to the bounty of the workman. Look downward when thou walkest abroad, veiling thyself as becomes women.

CHAP. IX. Avoid also that disorderly practice of bathing in the same place with men, for many are the nets of the evil one; and let not a Christian woman bathe with an hermaphrodite, for if she is to veil her face, and conceal it with modesty from strange men, how can she bear to enter naked into the bath together with men ? But if the bath be appropriated to women, let her bathe orderly, modestly, and moderately; but let her not bathe without occasion, nor much, nor often, nor in the middle of the day, nor, if possible, every day; and let the tenth hour of the day be the set time for such seasonable bathing, for it is convenient that thou who art a Christian woman shouldest ever constantly avoid useless recreation, especially when it is in the eye of the world.

CHAP. X. But as to a spirit of contention, be sure to curb it as to all men, but principally as to thine husband, lest, if he be an unbeliever, or an heathen, he may have an occasion of scandal, or of blaspheming God, and thou be partaker of a woe from God; for, says he, "Woe to him by whom my name is blasphemed among the Gentiles ;" and lest, if thy husband be a Christian, he be forced from his knowledge of the Scriptures to say that which is written in the Book of Wisdom, "It is better to dwell in the wilderness than with a contentious and an angry woman." You wives, therefore, demonstrate your piety by your modesty and meekness to all without the church, whether they be women or men, in order to their conversion and improvement in the faith. And since we have warned you, and instructed you briefly, whom we do esteem our sisters, daughters, and members, as being wise yourselves, persevere all your lives in an unblameable course of life. Seek to know such kinds of learning whereby you may arrive at the kingdom of our Lord, and please him, and so rest for ever and ever. Amen,

BOOK I I.

OF BISHOPS, PRESBYTERS, AND DEACONS.

CHAP. I. But concerning bishops, we have heard from our Lord that a pastor who is to be ordained a bishop for the churches in every parish must be unblameable, unreproveable, free from all kinds of wickedness common among men, not under fifty years of age: for such an one is in good part past youthful disorders, and the slanders of the heathen, as well as the reproaches which are sometimes cast upon many persons by some false brethren, who do not consider the word of God in the gospel : "Whosoever speaketh an idle word, shall give an account thereof to the Lord in the day of judgment." And again: "By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." Let him therefore be instructed and skilful in the word, and of competent age. But if in a small parish one advanced in years is not to be found, let some younger person who has a good report among his neighbours, and is esteemed by them worthy of the office of a bishop, who has carried himself from his youth with meekness and regularity like a much elder person, after examination, and a general good report, be ordained in peace; for Solomon, at twelve years of age, was king of Israel; and Josiah, at eight years of age, reigned righteously:" and in a like manner Joash governed the people at seven years of age. Wherefore, although the person be young, let him be meek, gentle, and quiet. For the Lord God says by Esaias, "Upon whom will I look but upon him who is humble and quiet, and always trembles at my words?" In like manner it is in the gospel also, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." Let him also be merciful; for it is said, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." Let him also be one of good conscience, purified from all evil, and wickedness, and unrighteousness; for it is said again, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."

CHAP. II. Let him therefore be sober, prudent, decent, firm, stable; not given to wine; no striker, but gentle; not a brawler, not covetous; "not a novice, lest, being puffed up with pride, he fall into condemnation, and the snare of the devil." "For every one that exalteth himself shall be abased." Such an one a bishop ought to be, who has been the "husband of one wife," who also has herself had no other husband; "ruling well his own house." In this manner let examination be made, when he is to receive ordination and to be placed in his bishopric, whether he be grave, faithful, decent; whether he hath a grave and faithful wife, or has formerly had such a one; whether he hath educated his children piously, and has “ brought them up in the nurture and admonition