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41 I said unto him; seeing I have thee present, it is necessary
that I should seek it of thee, and ask thee; for thou shewest all
things unto me, and speakest to me when thou art present.
42 But if I should see or hear these things when thou wert not
present, I would then ask the Lord that he would chew them unto me.
43 And he replied, I said a little before that thou wert subtle
and bold, in that thou asketh the meaning of these similitudes.
44 But because thou still persistest, I will unfold to thee this parable
which then desirest, that thou mayest make it known unto all men.
45 Hear, therefore, said he, and understand. The farm before
mentioned denotes the whole earth. The Lord of the farm is he, who
created and finished all things; and gave virtue unto them.
46 His son is the Holy Spirit; the servant is the Son of God: the
vineyard is the people whom he saves. The stakes are the messengers
which are set oven them by the Lord, to support his people. The weeds
that are plucked up out of the vineyard, are the sins which
the servants of God had committed.
47 The food which he sent him from his supper, are the commands
which he gave to his people by his Son. The friends whom he called
to counsel with him, are the holy angels whom he first created. The
absence of the master of the household, is the time that remains unto
his coming. 48 I said unto him, Sir, all
these things are very excellent, and wonderful, and good. But,
continued I, could I or any other man besides, though never so wise,
have understood these things? 49 Wherefore now, sir, tell me,
what I ask. He replied, ask me what thou wilt. Why, said I, is
the Son of God in this parable, put in the place of a servant.
50 Hearken, he said: the Son of God is not put in the condition
of a servant, but in great power and authority. I said unto him,
how, sir? I understand it not. 51 Because, said he, the Son set
his messengers over those whom the Father delivered unto him, to
keep every one of them; but he himself laboured very much, and
suffered much, that he might blot out their offences.
52 For no vineyard can be digged without much labour and pains.
Wherefore having blotted out the sins of his people, he showed to
them the paths of life, giving them the law which he had
received of the Father. 53 You see, said he, that he is
the Lord of his people, having received all power from his Father.
But why the lord did take his son into counsel, about dividing
the inheritance, and the good angels, hear now.
54 That Holy Spirit, which was created first of all, he placed in the
body in which God should dwell; namely, in a chosen body, as it
seemed good to him. This body therefore into which the Holy
Spirit was brought, served that Spirit, walking rightly and purely
in modesty; nor ever defiled that Spirit.
55 Seeing therefore the body at all times obeyed the Holy Spirit,
and laboured rightly and chastely with him, nor faltered at anytime;
that body being wearied conversed indeed servilely, but being
mightily approved to God with the Holy Spirit, was accepted by
him. 56 For such a stout course
pleased God, because he was not defiled in the earth, keeping the
Holy Spirit. He called therefore to counsel his Son, and the good
angels, that there might be some place of standing given to this
body which had served the Holy Spirit without blame; lest it
should seem to have lost the reward of its service.
57 For every pure body shall receive its reward; that is found
without spot, in which the Holy Spirit has been appointed to dwell.
And thus you have now the exposition of this parable also.
58 Sir, said I, I now understand your meaning, since I have heard
this exposition. Hearken farther, said he: keep this thy body clean
and pure, that the Spirit which shall dwell in it may bear witness
unto it, and be judged to have been with thee.
59 Also take heed that it be not instilled into thy mind that this
body perishes, and thou abuse it to any ***. For if thou shalt
defile thy body, thou shalt also at the same time defile the Holy
Spirit; and if thou shalt defile the Holy Spirit, thou shall not
live. 60 And I said, What if through
ignorance this should have been already committed, before a man
heard these words; How can he attain into salvation, who has thus
defiled his body?