0200-0258, Cyprianus Carthaginensis, The Unity of the Chatolic Church, En

7/27/2019 0200-0258, Cyprianus Carthaginensis, The Unity of the Chatolic Church, En

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THE UNITY OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

Chapter 1Sine the Lord warns us in these words: 'Ye are the sat o! the earth"' and sin#e He $ids us to $e si%pe unto

har%essness" and &et to $e prudent with our si%pi#it&" what ese" %ost $eoed $rethren" $e!its us than to hae!oresi(ht and wat#hin( with an an)ious heart ai*e to per#eie the snares o! the #ra!t& ene%& and to $eware est we"

who hae put on Christ the wisdo% o! +od the Father" see% to $e ess wise in (uardin( our saation, For perse#utionaone is not to $e !eared" nor the adan#es whi#h are %ade in open atta#* to oerwhe% and #ast down the serants o!

+od, To $e #autious is easier when the o$-e#t o! !ear is %ani!est" and the sou is prepared !or the #ontest $e!orehand"when the adersar& de#ares hi%se!, The ene%& is %ore to $e !eared and (uarded a(ainst when he #reeps up se#ret&"

when de#eiin( us under the appearan#e o! pea#e he steas !orward $& hidden approa#hes" !ro% whi#h too he re#eiesthe na%e o! serpent .#reeper" #rawer" steaer/, This is awa&s his #unnin(0 this is his $ind and dar* de#eit !or

#ir#u%entin( %en, Thus !ro% the er& $e(innin( o! the word did he de#eie and" !atterin( with &in( words" %iseadthe ine)perien#ed sou with its re#*ess in#reduit&, Thus tr&in( to te%pt the Lord hi%se!" as i! he woud #reep up

a(ain and de#eie" he approa#hes se#ret&, Yet he was understood and drien $a#* and so #ast down" $e#ause he wasdis#oered and un%as*ed,

Chapter In this an e)a%pe has $een (ien us to !ee the wa& o! the od %an0 to wa* in the !ootsteps o! the #on2uerin(

Christ" that we %a& not heedess& $e turned $a#* a(ain unto the snare o! death" $ut that" on (uard a(ainst the dan(er"

we %a& re#eie and possess i%%ortait&, 3ut how #an we possess i%%ortait&" uness we *eep those #o%%and%ents o!Christ $& whi#h death is oer#o%e and #on2uered" He Hi%se!, warnin( us in these words: 'I! thou wit enter into i!e"

*eep the #o%%and%ents"' and a(ain: 'I! &ou do what I

#o%%and &ou" I no on(er #a &ou serant $ut !riends,' These" !ina&" He #as stron( and stead!ast" these(rounded upon a ro#* o! !ir% !oundation" these !ir%& esta$ished a(ainst a the te%pests and stor%s o! the word with

an un%oea$e and unsha*en !ir%ness, 'He who hears %& words"' He sa&s" 'and does the%" I sha i*en hi% to a wise%an who $uit his house upon a ro#*, The rain des#ended and the !oods #a%e" the winds $ew and $eat upon that

house" $ut it did not !a" !or it was !ounded upon a ro#*,' There!ore" we ou(ht to stand !ir% upon His words" and toearn and do whateer He tau(ht and did, 3ut how does he sa& that he $eiees in Christ who does not do what Christ

ordered hi% to do4 Or" when#e sha he attain the reward o! !aith" who does not *eep the !aith o! the #o%%and%ent4He wi ne#essari& waer and wander" and #au(ht up $& the $reath o! error wi $e $own as the dust whi#h the wind

stirs up" nor wi he %a*e an& adan#e in his wa* toward saation" who does not hod to the truth o! the sain( wa&,Chapter 5

3ut not on& %ust we (uard a(ainst thin(s whi#h are open and %ani!est $ut aso a(ainst those whi#h de#eiewith the su$tet& o! #eer !raud, Now what is %ore #eer" or what %ore su$te than that the ene%&" dete#ted and #ast

down $& the #o%in( o! Christ" a!ter i(ht had #o%e to the +enties" and the sain( spendor had shone !orth !or the preseration o! %an" that the dea! %i(ht re#eie the hearin( o! spiritua (ra#e" the $ind open their e&es to the Lord" the

wea* (row stron( with eterna heath" the a%e run to the #hur#h" the du%$ suppi#ate with #ear oi#es and pra&ers"seein( the idos a$andoned and his shrines and te%pes deserted $e#ause o! the (reat popua#e o! $eieers" deise a

new !raud" under the er& tite o! Christian na%e to de#eie the in#autious4 He inented heresies and s#his%s withwhi#h to oerthrow the !aith" to #orrupt the truth" to diide unit&, Those who% he #annot hod in the $indness o! the

od wa&" he #ir#u%ents and de#eies $& the error o! a new wa&, He snat#hes %en !ro% the Chur#h itse!" and" whie

the& see% to the%sees to hae aread& approa#hed the i(ht and to hae es#aped the ni(ht o! the word" he a(ain pours !orth other shadows upon the unsuspe#tin(" so that" athou(h the& do not stand with the +ospe o! Christ and with

the o$seration o! Hi% and with the aw" the& #a the%sees Christians" and" athou(h the& wa* in dar*ness" the&

thin* that the& hae i(ht" whie the adersar& #a-oes and de#eies" who" as the Aposte sa&s" trans!or%s hi%se! into

an an(e o! i(ht" and adorns his %inisters as those o! -usti#e who o!!er ni(ht !or da&" death !or saation" despair underthe o!!er o! hope" per!id& under the prete)t o! !aith" anti#hrist under the na%e o! Christ" so that whie the& te pausi$eies" the& !rustrate the truth $& their su$tet&, This happens" %ost $eoed $rethren" $e#ause there is no return to the

sour#e o! truth" and the Head is not sou(ht" and the do#trine o! the heaen& 6aster is not *ept,Chapter 7

I! an&one #onsiders and e)a%ines these thin(s" there is no need o! a en(th& dis#ussion and ar(u%ents, 8roo!!or !aith is eas& in a $rie! state%ent o! the truth, The Lord spea*s to 8eter: 'I sa& to thee"' He sa&s" 'thou art 8eter" and

upon this ro#* I wi $uid %& #hur#h" and the (ates o! he sha not preai a(ainst it, And I wi (ie thee the *e&s o!the *in(do% o! heaen0 and whateer thou shat $ind on earth sha $e $ound aso in heaen" and whateer thou shat

oose on earth sha $e oosed aso in heaen,' Upon hi%" $ein( one" He $uids His Chur#h" and athou(h a!ter Hisresurre#tion He $estows e2ua power upon a the Apostes" and sa&s: 'As the Father has sent %e" I aso send &ou,

Re#eie &e the Ho& Spirit: i! &ou !or(ie the sins o! an&one" the& wi $e !or(ien hi%0 i! &ou retain the sins o! an&one"the& wi $e retained"'

&et that He %i(ht dispa& unit&" He esta$ished $& His authorit& the ori(in o! the sa%e unit& as $e(innin( !ro%one, Sure& the rest o! the Apostes aso were that whi#h 8eter was" endowed with an e2ua partnership o! o!!i#e and o!



power" $ut the $e(innin( pro#eeds !ro% unit&" that the Chur#h o! Christ %a& $e shown to $e one, This one Chur#h"

aso" the Ho& Spirit in the Canti#e o! Canti#es desi(nates in the person o! the Lord and sa&s: 'One is %& doe" %&

per!e#t one is $ut one" she is the on& one o! her %other" the #hosen one o! her that $ore her,' 9oes he who does nothod this unit& thin* that he hods the !aith4 9oes he who stries a(ainst the Chur#h and resists her thin* that he is in

the Chur#h" when too the $essed Aposte 8au tea#hes this sa%e thin( and sets !orth the sa#ra%ent o! unit& sa&in(:'One $od& and one Spirit" one hope o! &our #ain(" one Lord" one !aith" one $aptis%" one +od'4

Chapter This unit& we ou(ht to hod !ir%& and de!end" espe#ia& we $ishops who wat#h oer the Chur#h" that we %a&

proe that aso the epis#opate itse! is one and undiided, Let no one de#eie the $rotherhood $& &in(0 et no one#orrupt the !aith $& a per!idious preari#ation o! the truth, The epis#opate is one" the parts o! whi#h are hed to(ether

$& the indiidua $ishops, The Chur#h is one whi#h with in#reasin( !e#undit& e)tend !ar and wide into the %utitude" -ust as the ra&s o! the sun are %an& $ut the i(ht is one" and the $ran#hes o! the tree are %an& $ut the stren(th is one

!ounded in its tena#ious root" and" when %an& strea%s !ow !ro% one sour#e" athou(h a %utipi#it& o! waters see%s tohae $een di!!used !ro% the a$undan#e o! the oer!owin( supp& neertheess unit& is presered in their ori(in, Ta*e

awa& a ra& o! i(ht !ro% the $od& o! the sun" its unit& does not ta*e on an& diision o! its i(ht0 $rea* a $ran#h !ro% atree" the $ran#h thus $ro*en wi not $e a$e to $ud0 #ut o!! a strea% !ro% its sour#e" the strea% thus #ut o!! dries up,

Thus too the Chur#h $athed in the i(ht o! the Lord pro-e#ts its ra&s oer the whoe word" &et there is one i(ht whi#his di!!used eer&where" and the unit& o! the $od& is not separated, She e)tends her $ran#hes oer the whoe earth in

!ruit!u a$undan#e0 she e)tends her ri#h& !owin( strea%s !ar and wide0 &et her head is one" and her sour#e is one" and

she is the one %other #opious in the resuts o! her !ruit!uness, 3& her wo%$ we are $orn0 $& her %i* we arenourished0 $& her spirit we are ani%ated,

Chapter ;

The spouse o! Christ #annot $e de!ied0 she is un#orrupted and #haste, She *nows one ho%e" with #haste%odest& she (uards the san#tit& o! one #ou#h,

She *eeps us !or +od0 she assi(ns the #hidren who% she has #reated to the *in(do%, <hoeer is separated!ro% the Chur#h and is -oined with an aduteress is separated !ro% the pro%ises o! the Chur#h" nor wi he who has

a$andoned the Chur#h arrie at the rewards o! Christ, He is a stran(er0 he is pro!ane0 he is an ene%&, He #annot hae+od as a !ather who does not hae the Chur#h as a %other, I! whoeer was outside the ar* o! Noe was a$e to es#ape"

he too who is outside, the Chur#h es#apes, The Lord warns" sa&in(: 'He who is not with %e is a(ainst %e" and who doesnot (ather with %e" s#atters,' He who $rea*s the pea#e and #on#ord o! Christ a#ts a(ainst Christ0 he who (athers

so%ewhere outside the Chur#h s#atters the Chur#h o! Christ, The Lord sa&s: 'I and the Father are one,' And a(ain o! theFather and Son and the Ho& Spirit it is written: 'And these three are one,' 9oes an&one $eiee that this unit& whi#h

#o%es !ro% diine stren(th" whi#h is #ose& #onne#ted with the diine sa#ra%ents" #an $e $ro*en asunder in theChur#h and $e separated $& the diisions o! #oidin( wis4 He who does not hod this unit&" does not hod the aw o!

+od" does not hod the !aith o! the Father and the Son" does not hod i!e and saation,Chapter =

This sa#ra%ent o! unit&" this $ond o! #on#ord insepara$& #onne#ted is shown" when in the +ospe the tuni# o!the Lord >esus Christ is not at a diided and is not torn" $ut $& those who #ast ots !or the (ar%ent o! Christ" who

rather %i(ht hae put on Christ" a sound (ar%ent is re#eied" and an unda%a(ed and undiided tuni# is possessed,9iine S#ripture spea*s and sa&s: 'Now o! the tuni#" sin#e it was woen throu(hout !ro% the upper part without sea%"

the& said to one another: ?Let us not tear it" $ut et us #ast ots !or it" whose it sha $e,? ' He $ore the unit& that #a%e

down !ro% the upper part" that is" that #a%e down !ro% heaen and the Father" whi#h #oud not a $e torn $& hi% whore#eied and possessed it" $ut he o$tained it whoe on#e !or a and a !ir%ness insepara$& soid, He #annot possess the

(ar%ent o! Christ who tears and diides the Chur#h o! Christ, Then on the other hand when at the death o! Soo%on his

*in(do% and peope were torn asunder" Ahias the prophet %et @in( >ero$oa% in the !ied and tore his (ar%ent into

twee pie#es" sa&in(: 'Ta*e to thee ten pie#es" !or thus saith the Lord: ?3ehod I rend the *in(do% out o! the hand o!Soo%on" and wi (ie thee ten s#epters" $ut two s#epters sha re%ain to hi% !or the sa*e o! %& serant 9aid and !orthe sa*e o! >erusae% the #it& whi#h I hae #hosen" that I %a& pa#e %& na%e there,?

<hen the twee tri$es o! Israe were torn asunder" the prophet Ahias rent his (ar%ent, 3ut $e#ause the peope o! Christ #annot $e torn asunder" His tuni# woen and united throu(hout was not diided $& those who

possessed it, Undiided" -oined" #onne#ted it shows the #oherent #on#ord o! us who hae put on Christ, 3& thesa#ra%ent and si(n o! His (ar%ent" He has de#ared the unit& o! the Chur#h,

Chapter <ho then is so pro!ane and a#*in( in !aith" who so insane $& the !ur& o! dis#ord as either to $eiee that the

unit& o! +od" the (ar%ent o! the Lord" the Chur#h o! Christ" #an $e torn asunder or to dare to do so4 He Hi%se! warnsus in His +ospe" and tea#hes sa&in(: 'And there sha $e one !o#* and one shepherd,' And does an&one thin* that there

#an $e either %an& shepherds or %an& !o#*s in one pa#e4 Li*ewise the Aposte 8au insinuatin( this sa%e unit& uponus $esee#hes and ur(es us in these words: 'I $esee#h &ou" $rethren"' he sa&s" '$& the na%e o! our Lord >esus Christ" that

&ou a sa& the sa%e thin(" and that there $e no dissensions a%on( &ou: $ut that &ou $e per!e#t& united in the sa%e%ind and in the sa%e -ud(%ent,' And a(ain he sa&s: '3earin( with one another in oe" #are!u to presere the unit& o!



the Spirit" in the $ond o! pea#e,' 9o &ou thin* that &ou #an stand and ie" withdrawin( !ro% the Chur#h" and $uidin(

!or &ourse! other a$odes and di!!erent dwein(s" when it was said to Rhaa$" in who% the Chur#h was pre!i(ured: 'You

sha (ather &our !ather and &our %other and &our $rethren and the entire house o! &our !ather to &our own se! in &ourhouse" and it wi $e that eer&one who (oes out o! the door o! &our house sha $e his own a##user'0 i*ewise" when the

sa#ra%ent o! the 8assoer #ontains nothin( ese in the aw o! the E)odus than that the a%$ whi#h is sain in the !i(ureo! Christ $e eaten in one house4 +od spea*s" sa&in(: 'In one house it sha $e eaten" &ou sha not #arr& the !esh outside

o! the house,' The !esh o! Christ and the ho& o! the Lord #annot $e #arried outside" and there is no other house !or $eieers e)#ept the one Chur#h, This house" this hospi#e o! unani%it& the Ho& Spirit desi(nates and pro#ai%s" when

He sa&s: '+od who %a*es those o! one %ind to dwe in his house,' In the house o! +od" in the Chur#h o! Christ" thoseo! one %ind dwe0 the& perseere in #on#ord and si%pi#it&,

Chapter BSo the Ho& Spirit #a%e in a doe, It is a si%pe and happ& ani%a" not $itter with (a" not #rue with its $ites"

not ioent with a#eratin( #aws0 it oes the hospitaities o! %en0 when the& (ie $irth the& $rin( !orth their o!!sprin(to(ether0 when the& (o and #o%e the& #in( to(ether0 the& spend their ies in %utua inter#ourse0 the& re#o(nie the

#on#ord o! pea#e $& the *iss o! the $ea*0 the& !u!i the aw o! unani%it& in a thin(s, This is the si%pi#it& whi#hou(ht to $e *nown in the Chur#h0 this the #harit& to $e attained" that the oe o! the $rethren i%itate the does" that

their (enteness and tenderness e2ua that o! the a%$s and the sheep, <hat is the saa(er& o! woes doin( in the $reast o! a Christian" and the %adness o! do(s and the etha poison o! sna*es and the $ood& #rueties o! $easts4

Con(ratuations are due" when su#h as these are separated !ro% the Chur#h" est the& pre& upon the does and sheep

with their #rue and eno%ous #onta(ion, 3itterness #annot #in( and -oin with sweetness" dar*ness with i(ht" rainswith #ear weather" !i(htin( with pea#e" steriit& with !e#undit&" drou(ht with runnin( waters" stor% with #a%, Let no

one thin* that the (ood #an depart !ro% the Chur#h0 the wind does not raa(e the wheat" nor does the stor% oerturn

the tree stron(& and soid& rooted0 the i(ht straws are tossed a$out $& the te%pest0 the !ee$e trees are thrown down $& the onrush o! the whirwind,

The Aposte 8au e)e#rates and stri*es at these" when he sa&s: 'The& hae (one !orth !ro% us" $ut the& werenot o! us, For i! the& had $een o! us" the& woud hae #ontinued with us,'

Chapter 1DHen#e heresies hae $oth !re2uent& arisen and are arisin(" whie the pererse %ind has no pea#e" whie

dis#ordant per!id& does not %aintain unit&, Indeed the Lord per%its and su!!ers these thin(s to happen" whie the #hoi#eo! one's own i$ert& re%ains" so that" whie the nor% o! truth e)a%ines our hearts and %inds" the sound !aith o! those

who are approed %a& $e#o%e %ani!est in a #ear i(ht, Throu(h the Aposte the Ho& Spirit !orewarns and sa&s: 'Forthere %ust $e !ra#tions so that those who are approed a%on( &ou %a& $e %ade %ani!est,' Thus the !aith!u are

approed0 thus the per!idious are dis#osed0 thus aso $e!ore the da& o! -ud(%ent" aread& here too the sous o! the -ustand the un-ust are diided and the #ha!! is separated !ro% the wheat, Fro% these are those who o! their own a##ord set

the%sees oer darin( stran(ers without diine appoint%ent" who esta$ish the%sees as preates without an& aw o!ordination" who assu%e the na%e o! $ishop !or the%sees" athou(h no one (ies the% the epis#opa#&0 who% the Ho&

Spirit in the psa%s desi(nates as sittin( in the #hair o! pestien#e" the pa(ue and disease o! the !aith" de#eiin( with aserpent's ton(ue and %asters in #orruptin( truth" o%itin( etha poisons !ro% their pestientia ton(ues" whose spee#h

#reeps a$out i*e #an#er" whose dis#ussions in-e#t a dead& irus within the $reast and heart o! eer&one,Chapter 11

A(ainst su#h peope the Lord #ries out0 !ro% these He restrains and re#as His wanderin( peope sa&in(:

'Hear*en not to the words o! !ase prophets" sin#e the isions o! their hearts !rustrate the%, The& spea*" $ut not !ro% the%outh o! the Lord, The& sa& to the% who re-e#t the word o! +od: 8ea#e sha $e to &ou and to a who wa* in their

own desires, To eer&one who wa*s in the errors o! his own heart .the& sa&/: 'Ei sha not #o%e upon &ou,' I hae not

spo*en to the%" &et the& hae prophesied,

I! the& had stood in %& #ounse and had heard %& words" and i! the& had tau(ht %& peope" I woud haeturned the% !ro% their ei thou(hts,'

These sa%e peope does the Lord a(ain desi(nate and point out" when He sa&s: 'The& hae a$andoned %e to

the !ountain o! iin( water" and hae du( !or the%sees $ro*en #isterns whi#h #annot hod water,' Athou(h there#annot $e another $aptis% than the one" the& thin* that the& $aptie0 athou(h the !ountain o! i!e has $een deserted"

the& pro%ise the (ra#e o! the i!e(iin( and sain( water, There %en are not washed $ut rather are %ade !ou" nor aretheir sins pur(ed $ut on the #ontrar& pied hi(h, That natiit& (enerates sons not !or +od $ut !or the dei, 3ein( $orn

throu(h a ie the& do not o$tain the pro%ises o! truth0 $e(otten o! per!id& the& ose the (ra#e o! !aith, The& #annotarrie at the reward o! pea#e who hae $ro*en the pea#e o! the Lord $& the %adness o! dis#ord,

Chapter 1Let not #ertain ones de#eie the%sees $& an e%pt& interpretation o! what the Lord has said: '<heneer two

or three hae (athered to(ether in %& na%e" I a% with the%,' Corrupters and !ase interpreters o! the +ospe 2uote theast words and pass oer earier ones" $ein( %ind!u o! part and #ra!ti& suppressin( part, As the& the%sees hae $een

#ut o!! !ro% the Chur#h" so the& #ut o!! a senten#e o! one #hapter, For when the Lord ur(ed unani%it& and pea#e uponHis dis#ipes" He said: 'I sa& to &ou that i!,



two o! &ou a(ree upon earth #on#ernin( an&thin( whatsoeer that &ou sha as*" it sha $e (ranted &ou $& %&

Father who is in heaen, For whereer two or three hae (athered to(ether in %& na%e" I a% with the%"' showin( that

the %ost is (ranted not to the %utitude $ut to the unani%it& o! those that pra&, 'I! two o! &ou"' He sa&s" 'a(ree uponearth'0 He pa#ed unani%it&, !irst0 He set the #on#ord o! pea#e !irst0 He tau(ht that we shoud a(ree !aith!u& and

!ir%&, 3ut how #an he a(ree with an&one" who does not a(ree with the $od& o! the Chur#h herse! and with theuniersa $rotherhood4 How #an two or three $e (athered in the na%e o! Christ" who it is #ear are separated !ro%

Christ and His (ospe4 For we did not withdraw !ro% the%" $ut the& !ro% us" and when therea!ter heresies and s#his%sarose" whie the& were esta$ishin( dierse %eetin( pa#es !or the%sees" the& a$andoned the sour#e and ori(in o!

truth, The Lord" %oreoer" is spea*in( o! His Chur#h" and He is spea*in( to those who are in the Chur#h" that i! the&are in a(ree%ent" i!" a##ordin( to what He has #o%%anded and ad%onished" athou(h two or three are (athered

to(ether" the& pra& with unani%it&" athou(h the& are two or three" the& #an o$tain !ro% the %a-est& o! +od" what the&de%and, '<hereer two or three hae (athered" I"' He said" 'a% with the%"' na%e&" with the si%pe and the pea#e!u"

with those who !ear +od and *eep the #o%%and%ents o! +od, He said that He was with these athou(h two or three" -ust as aso He was with the three #hidren in the !ier& !urna#e" and" $e#ause the& re%ained si%pe toward +od and in

unani%it& a%on( the%sees" He ani%ated the% in the %idst o! !a%es with the $reath o! dew0 -ust as he was presentwith the two apostes shut up in prison" $e#ause the& were si%pe" $e#ause the& were o! one %ind" He opened the doors

o! the prison and returned the% a(ain to the %ar*etpa#e that the& %i(ht pass on the word to the %utitude whi#h the&were !aith!u& prea#hin(, <hen then He a&s it down in His #o%%and%ents and sa&s: '<here there are two or three" I

a% with the%"' He who esta$ished and %ade the Chur#h did not separate %en !ro% the Chur#h" $ut re$u*in( the

!aithess !or their dis#ord and #o%%andin( pea#e to the !aith!u $& His word" He shows that He is with two or threewho pra& with one %ind rather than with a (reat %an& who are in disa(ree%ent" and that %ore #an $e o$tained $& the

har%onious pra&er o! a !ew than $& the dis#ordant suppi#ation o! %an&,

Chapter 15So too when He (ae the aw o! pra&er" He added" sa&in(: 'And when &ou stand up to pra&" !or(ie whateer

&ou hae a(ainst an&one" that &our Father aso who is in heaen %a& !or(ie &ou &our o!!enses,' And He #as $a#*!ro% the atar one who #o%es to the sa#ri!i#e with dissension" and He orders Hi% !irst to $e re#on#ied with his $rother

and then return with pea#e and o!!er his (i!t to +od" $e#ause +od did not oo* with !aor upon the (i!ts o! Cain0 !or he#oud not hae +od at pea#e with hi%" who throu(h enious dis#ord did not hae pea#e with his $rother, <hat pea#e

then do the ene%ies o! the $rethren pro%ise the%sees4 <hat sa#ri!i#es do the i%itators o! priests $eiee that the&#ee$rate4 9o the& who are (athered to(ether outside the Chur#h o! Christ thin* that Christ is with the% when the&

hae $een (athered to(ether4Chapter 17

Een i! su#h %en are sain in #on!ession o! the Na%e that stain is not washed awa& $& $ood0 the ine)pia$eand ine)pia$e and serious !aut o! dis#ord is pur(ed not een $& %art&rdo%, He #annot $e a %art&r who is not in the

Chur#h, He wi not $e a$e to arrie in the *in(do% who deserted her who is to rue, Christ (ae us pea#e0 He orderedus to $e in a(ree%ent and o! one %ind0 He #o%%anded us to *eep the $onds o! oe and #harit& un#orrupted and

inioate, He #annot dispa& hi%se! a %art&r who has not %aintained !raterna #harit&, The Aposte 8au tea#hes and $ears witness to this when he sa&s: 'I! I hae !aith so that I re%oe %ountains" $ut not so that I hae #harit&" I a%

nothin(0 and i! I distri$ute a %& (oods !or !ood" and i! I hand oer %& $od& so that I a% $urned" $ut not so that Ihae #harit&" I a##o%pish nothin(, Charit& is no$e" #harit& is *ind" #harit& enieth not" is not pu!!ed up" is not

proo*ed0 does not a#t pererse&" thin*s no ei" oes a thin(s" $eiees a thin(s" hopes a thin(s" $ears a thin(s,

Charit& neer wi !a awa&,' 'Neer"' he sa&s" 'wi #harit& !a awa&,' For she wi awa&s $e in the *in(do% and wiendure !oreer in the unit& o! the $rotherhood #in(in( to it,

9is#ord #annot #o%e to the *in(do% o! heaen0 to the rewards o! Christ who said: 'This is %& #o%%and%ent

that &ou oe one another" een as I hae oed &ou,' He wi not $e a$e to attain it who has ioated the oe o! Christ

$& per!idious dissension, He who does not hae #harit& does not hae +od, The words o! the $essed Aposte >ohn are:'+od"' he sa&s" 'is oe" and he who a$ides in oe" a$ides in +od and +od a$ides in hi%,'

The& #annot a$ide with +od who hae $een unwiin( to $e o! one %ind in +od's Chur#h, Athou(h the& $urn

when (ien oer to !a%es and !ire" or a& down their ies when thrown to the $easts" that #rown o! !aith wi not $etheirs" $ut the punish%ent o! per!id&" and no (orious endin( o! rei(ious aor $ut the destru#tion o! desperation, Su#h

a %an #an $e sain0 he #annot $e #rowned, Thus he pro!esses hi%se! to $e a Christian" -ust as the dei o!ten !ase&de#ares hi%se! to $e een Christ" athou(h the Lord !orewarned o! this sa&in(: '6an& wi #o%e in %& na%e sa&in(:

?I a% the Christ"? and wi de#eie %an&,' >ust as He is not Christ" athou(h he de#eies in His na%e" so he #annot see%a Christian who does not a$ide in His +ospe and in the true !aith,

Chapter 1For $oth to prophes& and to drie out de%ons" and to per!or% (reat %ira#es on earth is #ertain& a su$i%e

and ad%ira$e thin(" &et whoeer is !ound in a this does not attain the *in(do% o! heaen uness he wa* in theo$seran#e o! the ri(ht and -ust wa&, The Lord (ies warnin( and sa&s: '6an& wi sa& to %e in that da&: ?Lord" Lord"

hae we not prophesied in Th& na%e and #ast out deis in th& na%e and wor*ed (reat %ira#es in th& na%e4? And thenI wi sa& to the%: ?I neer *new &ou,



9epart !ro% %e &e wor*ers o! ini2uit&,? 'There is need o! ri(hteousness that one %a& desere we o! +od as

-ud(e0 His pre#epts and ad%onitions %ust $e o$e&ed that our %erits %a& re#eie their reward, The Lord in the +ospe"

when he was dire#tin( the wa& o! our hope and !aith" in a $rie! su%%ar& said: 'The Lord th& +od is one Lord"' and'Thou shat oe the Lord th& +od with th& whoe heart" and with th& whoe sou and with th& whoe stren(th, This is

the !irst" and the se#ond is i*e unto it: Thou shat oe th& nei(h$or as th&se!, On these two #o%%and%ents dependthe whoe aw and the prophets,' He tau(ht at the sa%e ti%e unit& and oe $& the authorit& o! His tea#hin(0 He

in#uded a the prophets and the aw in two #o%%and%ents, 3ut what unit& does he presere" what oe does he (uardor #onsider" who %ad with the !ur& o! dis#ord spits the Chur#h" destro&s the !aith" distur$s the pea#e" dissipates

#harit&" pro!anes the sa#ra%ent4Chapter 1;

This ei" %ost !aith!u $rethren" $e(an on( a(o" $ut now the dan(erous destru#tion o! the sa%e ei hasin#reased" and the eno%ous pa(ue o! hereti#a perersit& and s#his%s has $e(un to rise and to spread %ore" $e#ause

een so it was to $e at the de#ine o! the word" !or the Ho& Spirit pro#ai%ed it to us and !orewarned us throu(h theAposte: 'In the ast da&s"' he sa&s" 'dan(erous ti%es wi #o%e" %en wi $e oers o! se!" hau(ht&" proud" #oetous"

$asphe%ous" diso$edient to parents" un(rate!u" i%pious" without a!!e#tion" without aw" sanderers" in#ontinent"%er#iess" not oin( the (ood" trea#herous" stu$$orn" pu!!ed up with pride" oin( peasure %ore than +od" hain( a

se%$an#e o! piet&" $ut den&in( its power, O! su#h are the& who %a*e their wa& into houses and #aptiate si& wo%enwho are sinaden and ed awa& $& arious usts0 eer earnin(" &et neer attainin( *nowed(e o! the truth, >ust as

>annes and 6a%$res resisted 6oses" so these resist the truth, 3ut the& wi %a*e no !urther pro(ress" !or their !o& wi

$e o$ious to a" as was that o! those others,' <hateer thin(s were !oretod are $ein( !u!ied and" as the end o! theword now approa#hes" hae #o%e with the testin( o! %en and the ti%es ai*e, 6ore and %ore" as the adersar& raes"

error de#eies" stupidit& raises its head" en& in!a%es" #oetousness $inds" i%piet& depraes" pride pu!!s up" dis#ord

e)asperates" an(er rushes headon(,Chapter 1=

Yet et not the e)tre%e and pre#ipitous per!id& o! %an& %oe or distur$ us" $ut rather et it stren(then our !aith $& the truth o! thin(s !oretod, As #ertain ones $e(in to $e su#h" $e#ause these thin(s were predi#ted $e!orehand" thus

et other $rethren $eware o! %atters o! a si%iar sort" $e#ause these aso were predi#ted" as the Lord instru#ted ussa&in(: '3e on &our (uard there!ore0 $ehod I hae tod &ou a thin(s $e!orehand,' I $esee#h &ou" aoid %en o! this

sort" and ward o!! !ro% &our side and !ro% &our hearin( their perni#ious #onersation as the #onta(ion o! death" as it iswritten: 'Hed(e in th& ears with thorns" and hear not a wi#*ed ton(ue,' And a(ain: 'Ei #o%%uni#ations #orrupt (ood

%anners,' The Lord tea#hes and ad%onishes that we %ust withdraw !ro% su#h, 'The& are $ind (uides"' He sa&s" 'o! the $ind, 3ut i! a $ind %an (uide a $ind %an" $oth sha !a into a pit,' Su#h a one is to $e turned awa& !ro%" and

whoeer has separated hi%se! !ro% the Chur#h is to $e shunned, Su#h a %an is pererted and sins and is #onde%ned $& his er& se!, 9oes he see% to hi%se! to $e with Christ" who a#ts #ontrar& to the priests o! Christ" who separates

hi%se! !ro% asso#iation with His #er(& and His peope4That %an $ears ar%s a(ainst the Chur#h0 he !i(hts a(ainst +od's pan, An ene%& o! the atar" a re$e a(ainst

the sa#ri!i#e o! Christ" !or the !aith !aithess" !or rei(ion sa#rie(ious" a diso$edient serant" an i%pious son" a hostie $rother" despisin( the $ishops and a$andonin( the priests o! +od" he dares to set up another atar" to #o%pose another

pra&er with unauthoried words" to pro!ane the truth o! the Lord's o!!erin( $& !ase sa#ri!i#es" and not to *now that hewho stru((es a(ainst +od's pan on a##ount o! his rash darin( is punished $& diine #ensure,

Chapter 1

Thus Core" 9athan" and A$iron" who tried to assu%e !or the%sees in opposition to 6oses and Aaron the!reedo% to sa#ri!i#e" i%%ediate& paid the penat& !or their e!!orts, The earth" $rea*in( its $onds" opened up into a deep

#has%" and the openin( o! the re#edin( (round swaowed up the standin( and the iin(" and not on& did the an(er o!

the indi(nant +od stri*e those who had $een the authors .o! the reot/" $ut !ire that went out !ro% the Lord in speed&

reen(e aso #onsu%ed two hundred and !i!t& others" parti#ipants and sharers in the sa%e %adness" who had $een -oined to(ether with the% in the darin(" #ear& warnin( and showin( that whateer the wi#*ed atte%pt $& hu%an wito destro& +od's pan is done a(ainst +od, Thus Oias the *in( aso" when" #arr&in( the #enser and ioent& assu%in(

to hi%se! the ri(ht to sa#ri!i#e #ontrar& to the aw o! +od" athou(h Aarias" the priest" resisted hi%" he was unwiin(to (ie wa& and o$e&" was #on!ounded $& the diine indi(nation and was pouted on his !orehead $& the spot o!

epros&" $ein( %ar*ed !or his o!!ense a(ainst the Lord where the& are si(ned who %erited we o! the Lord, And thesons o! Aaron" who pa#e a stran(e !ire on the atar" whi#h the Lord had not ordered" were i%%ediate& e)tin(uished in

the si(ht o! the aen(in( Lord,Chapter 1B

These" #ertain&" the& i%itate and !oow" who despise +od's tradition and see* a!ter stran(e do#trines andintrodu#e tea#hin(s o! hu%an disposition,

These the Lord re$u*es and reproes in His +ospe when He sa&s: 'You re-e#t the #o%%and%ent o! +od that&ou %a& esta$ish &our own tradition,'

This #ri%e is worse than that whi#h the apsed see% to hae #o%%itted" who whie esta$ished in penan#e !ortheir #ri%e $esee#h +od with !u satis!a#tions, Here the Chur#h is sou(ht and entreated" there the Chur#h is resisted0



here there #an hae $een ne#essit&" there the wi is hed in wi#*edness0 here he who apsed har%ed on& hi%se!" there

he who tried to #ause a heres& or s#his% de#eied %an& $& dra((in( the% with hi%0 here there is the oss o! one sou"

there dan(er to a (reat %an&, Certain& this one *nows that he has sinned and $ewais and a%ents0 that one swein( inhis sin and ta*in( peasure in his er& #ri%es separates #hidren !ro% their 6other" enti#es sheep !ro% their shepherd"

and distur$s the sa#ra%ents o! +od, And whereas the apsed has sinned on#e" the !or%er sins dai&, Fina&" the apsedater" a!ter a#hiein( %art&rdo%" #an re#eie the pro%ises o! the *in(do%0 the !or%er" i! he is *ied outside the

Chur#h" #annot arrie at the rewards o! the Chur#h,Chapter D

Let no one %are" %ost $eoed $rethren" that een #ertain o! the #on!essors pro#eed to these en(ths" thatso%e aso sin so wi#*ed& and so (rieous&, For neither does #on!ession .o! Christ/ %a*e one i%%une !ro% the snares

o! the dei" nor does it de!end hi% who is sti pa#ed in the word" with a perpetua se#urit& a(ainst word&te%ptations and dan(ers and onsets and atta#*s0 otherwise neer %i(ht we hae seen a!terwards a%on( the #on!essors

the de#eptions and de$au#heries and aduteries whi#h now with (roanin( and sorrow we see a%on( so%e, <hoeerthat #on!essor is" he is not (reater or $etter or dearer to +od than Soo%on" who" howeer" as on( as he wa*ed in the

wa&s o! the Lord" so on( retained the (ra#e whi#h he had re#eied !ro% the Lord0 a!ter he had a$andoned the wa& o!the Lord" he ost aso the (ra#e o! the Lord, And so it is written: 'Hod what &ou hae" est another re#eie th& #rown,'

Sure& the Lord woud not %a*e this threat" that the #rown o! ri(hteousness #an $e ta*en awa&" uness" whenri(hteousness departs" the #rown aso %ust depart,

Chapter 1

Con!ession is the $e(innin( o! (or&" not aread& the %erit o! the #rown0 nor does it a#hiee praise" $ut itinitiates di(nit&" and" sin#e it is written0 'He that sha perseere to end" he sha $e saed"' whateer has ta*en pa#e

$e!ore the end is a step $& whi#h the as#ent is %ade to the su%%it o! saation" not the end $& whi#h the top%ost point

is hed se#ure, He is a #on!essor" $ut a!ter the #on!ession the dan(er is (reater" $e#ause the adersar& is the %ore proo*ed, He IS a #on!essor0 !or this reason he ou(ht to stand with the +ospe o! the Lord" !or $& the +ospe he has

o$tained (or& !ro% the Lord, 'To who% %u#h is (ien" o! hi% %u#h is re2uired'0 and to who% the %ore di(nit& isaotted" !ro% hi% the %ore seri#e is de%anded, Let no one perish throu(h the e)a%pe o! a #on!essor" et no one earn

in-usti#e" no one insoen#e" no one per!id& !ro% the ha$its o! a #on!essor, He is a #on!essor0 et hi% $e hu%$e and2uiet" in his a#tions et hi% $e %odest with dis#ipine" so that he who is #aed a #on!essor o! Christ %a& i%itate the

Christ who% he #on!esses, For sin#e he sa&s: 'Eer&one that e)ats hi%se! sha $e hu%$ed" and eer&one thathu%$es hi%se! sha $e e)ated"' and sin#e he hi%se! has $een e)ated $& the Father" $e#ause He" the <ord and the

8ower and the <isdo% o! +od the Father hu%$ed Hi%se! on earth" how #an He oe pride who een $& His awen-oined hu%iit& upon us and Hi%se! re#eied !ro% the Father the hi(hest na%e as the reward o! hu%iit&4 He is a

#on!essor o! Christ" $ut on& i! a!terwards the %a-est& and di(nit& o! Christ $e not $asphe%ed $& hi%, Let not theton(ue whi#h has #on!essed Christ $e a$usie nor $oisterous0 et it not $e heard resoundin( with insuts and

#ontentions0 et it not a!ter words o! praise shoot !orth a serpent's poisons a(ainst the $rethren and priests o! +od, 3ut i!he ater $e#o%e $a%eworth& and a$o%ina$e" i! he dissipates his #on!ession $& ei #onersation" i! he poutes his i!e

with unsee%& !ouness" i!" !ina&" a$andonin( the Chur#h where he $e#a%e a #on!essor and $rea*in( the #on#ord o!its unit&" he #han(e his !irst !aith !or a ater !aithessness" he #annot !atter hi%se! $& reason o! his #on!ession as i!

ee#ted to the reward o! (or&" when $& this er& !a#t the %erits o! punish%ent hae (rown the %ore,Chapter

For the Lord #hose een >udas a%on( the Apostes" and &et ater >udas $etra&ed the Lord, Neertheess" the

!ir%ness and !aith o! the Apostes did not on this a##ount !a" $e#ause the traitor >udas de!e#ted !ro% their !eowship,So aso in this #ase the san#tit& and di(nit& o! the #on!essors was not i%%ediate& di%inished" $e#ause the !aith o!

so%e o! the% was $ro*en, The $essed Aposte spea*s in his etter sa&in(: 'For what i! so%e o! the% hae !aen awa&

!ro% the !aith4 Has their in!ideit& %ade o! no e!!e#t the !aith o! +od4 +od !or$id, For +od is true" $ut eer& %an a

iar,' The (reater and $etter part o! the #on!essors stand !ir% in the stren(th o! their !aith and in the truth o! the Lord'saw and tea#hin(" neither do the& depart !ro% the pea#e o! the Chur#h" who re%e%$er that the& hae o$tained (ra#e inthe Chur#h !ro% +od's estee%" and $& this er& !a#t do the& o$tain (reater praise !or their !aith" that the& separated

the%sees !ro% the per!id& o! those who had $een -oined with the% in the !eowship o! #on!ession" and withdrew!ro% the #onta(ion o! their #ri%e, 6oreoer" iu%ined $& the i(ht o! the +ospe" shinin( with the pure white i(ht o!

the Lord" the& are as praiseworth& in preserin( the pea#e o! Christ as the& were i#torious in their en#ounter with thedei,

Chapter 5Indeed" I desire" %ost $eoed $rethren" and I i*ewise adise and entreat" that" i! it #an $e done" no one o! the

$rethren perish" and that our re-oi#in( 6other en#ose in her $oso% one $od& o! peope in a(ree%ent,I!" howeer" sain( #ounse #annot re#a #ertain eaders o! s#his%s and authors o! dissensions who persist in

their $ind and o$stinate %adness to the wa& o! saation" &et the rest o! &ou either ta*en $& &our si%pi#it&" or indu#ed $& error" or de#eied $& so%e #ra!tiness o! %iseadin( #unnin(" !ree &oursees !ro% the snare o! de#eit" i$erate &our

wanderin( steps !ro% errors" re#o(nie the ri(ht wa& o! the heaen& road, The words o! the Aposte (iin( testi%on&are: '<e #har(e &ou in the na%e o! the Lord >esus Christ that &ou withdraw !ro% a $rethren who wa* disorder& and



not a##ordin( to the tradition whi#h the& re#eied !ro% us,' And a(ain he sa&s: 'Let no one de#eie &ou with ain

words0 !or $e#ause o! these thin(s #o%es the wrath o! +od upon the #hidren o! diso$edien#e, 3e &e not" there!ore"

parta*ers with the%,' <e %ust withdraw" rather !ee !ro% those who !a awa&" est" whie one is -oined with the% asthe& wa* wi#*ed&" and passes oer the paths o! error and #ri%e" wanderin( apart !ro% the wa& o! the true road" he

hi%se! aso $e #au(ht in a i*e #ri%e, +od is one and Christ one and His Chur#h one and the !aith one and the peopeone -oined to(ether $& the tie o! #on#ord into a soid unit& o! $od&, The unit& #annot $e torn asunder" nor #an the one

$od& $e separated $& a diision o! its stru#ture" nor torn into $its $& the wren#hin( asunder o! its entrais $& a#eration,<hateer departs !ro% the parentste% wi not $e a$e to $reathe and ie apart0 it oses the su$stan#e o! heath,

Chapter 7The Ho& Spirit warns us" sa&in(: '<ho is the %an that desireth i!e0 who oeth to see the $est da&s4 @eep th&

ton(ue !ro% ei" and th& ips !ro% spea*in( (uie, Turn awa& !ro% ei and do (ood0 see* a!ter pea#e" and pursue it,'The son o! pea#e ou(ht to see* and !oow pea#e0 he who *nows and oes the $ond o! #harit& ou(ht to restrain his

ton(ue !ro% the ei o! dissension, A%on( his diine #o%%ands and sautar& instru#tions the Lord now er& near His passion added the !oowin(: '8ea#e I eae &ou" %& pea#e I (ie &ou,' This inheritan#e He (ae us" a the (i!ts and

rewards o! His pro%ise He assured us in the #onseration o! pea#e, I! we are heirs o! Christ" et us re%ain in the pea#eo! Christ0 i! we are sons o! +od" we ou(ht to $e pea#e%a*ers, '3essed"' He said" 'are the pea#e%a*ers" !or the& sha

$e #aed the sons o! +od,' The sons o! +od shoud $e pea#e%a*ers" (ente in heart" si%pe in spee#h" har%onious ina!!e#tion" #in(in( to one another !aith!u& in the $onds o! unani%it&,

Chapter

This unani%it& e)isted o! od a%on( the Apostes0 thus the new asse%$& o! $eieers" (uardin( the#o%%and%ents o! the Lord" %aintained their #harit&, S#ripture proes this in the !oowin( words: '3ut the %utitude

o! those who $eieed a#ted with one sou and one %ind,' And a(ain" 'And a were perseerin( with one %ind in pra&er

with the wo%en and 6ar& the %other o! >esus and His $rethren,' Thus the& pra&ed with e!!i#a#ious pra&ers0 thus the&were a$e with #on!iden#e to o$tain whateer the& as*ed o! +od's %er#&,

Chapter ;3ut with us unani%it& has $een so di%inished that een the i$erait& o! our (ood wor*s has $een essened,

Then the& sod their ho%es and estates" and" a&in( up treasures !or the%sees in heaen" the& o!!ered to the Apostesthe pro#eeds to $e distri$uted !or use a%on( the poor, 3ut now we do not een (ie a tenth o! our patri%on&" and"

athou(h the Lord orders us to se" we rather $u& and in#rease, So has the i(or o! !aith withered in us0 so has thestren(th o! $eieers an(uished, And there!ore the Lord" oo*in( upon our ti%es" sa&s in His +ospe: '<hen the Son o!

%an #o%es" do &ou thin* that He wi !ind !aith on the earth4' <e see that what he !oretod is #o%in( to pass, There isno !aith in the !ear o! +od" in the aw o! -usti#e" in oe" in wor*s, No one #onsiders !ear o! the !uture0 no one thin*s o!

the da& o! the Lord and the an(er o! +od and the punish%ents to #o%e upon un$eieers and the eterna tor%entsde#reed !or the !aithess, <hateer our #ons#ien#e woud !ear" i! it $eieed" $e#ause it does not $eiee" it does not !ear

at a, 3ut i! it did $eiee" it woud aso $e on (uard0 i! it were on (uard" it woud aso es#ape,Chapter =

Let us rouse oursees in so !ar as we #an" %ost $eoed $rethren" and" $rea*in( the seep o! od inertia et usawa*e to the o$serin( and *eepin( o! the Lord's pre#epts, Let us $e su#h as He Hi%se! ordered us to $e when He

said: 'Let &our oins $e (irt" and &our a%ps $ri(ht& $urnin(" and &ou &ourse! i*e to %en waitin( !or their Lord" whenHe sha #o%e !ro% the weddin(" that when He #o%es and *no#*s" the& %a& open to Hi%,

3essed are those serants who% the Lord" when He #o%es" sha !ind wat#hin(,' <e ou(ht to $e (irt" est"

when the da& o! departure #o%e" it !inds us $urdened and entan(ed, Let our i(ht shine !orth in (ood wor*s and (ow"so that it %a& ead us !ro% the ni(ht o! this word to the i(ht o! eterna $ri(htness, Let us awa&s with soi#itude and

#aution await the sudden #o%in( o! the Lord" so that" when He *no#*s" our !aith %a& $e i(iant" read& to re#eie !ro%

the Lord the reward o! its i(ian#e, I! these %andates are *ept" i! these warnin(s and pre#epts are %aintained" we

#annot $e oerta*en whie seepin( $& the de#eit o! the dei0 we wi rei(n as i(iant serants with Christ as our Lord,1

Documents

0200-0258, Cyprianus Carthaginensis, The Unity of the Chatolic Church, En