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Irenaeus: Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching
J. Armitage Robinson (1920) · Translated text
Section 97
97. By the invocation of the name of Jesus Christ, crucified under Pontius Pilate, Edition note 1 there is a separation and division among mankind; and wheresoever any of those who believe on Him shall invoke and call upon Him and do His will, He is near and present, fulfilling the requests of those who with pure hearts call upon Him. Whereby receiving salvation, we continually give thanks to God, who by His great, inscrutable and unsearchable wisdom delivered us, and proclaimed the salvation from heaven—to wit, the visible coming of our Lord, that is, His living as man Edition note 2 to which we by ourselves could not attain: for the things which are impossible with men are possible with God. Edition note 3 Wherefore also Jeremiah saith concerning her (i. e. wisdom): Who hath gone up into heaven, and taken her, and brought her down from the clouds?
Who hath gone over the sea, found her, and will bring her for choice gold? There is none that hath found her way, nor any that comprehendeth her path. But he that knoweth all things knoweth her by his understanding: he that prepareth the earth for evermore, path filled it with four- footed beasts: Edition note 4 he that sendeth forth the light and it goeth; he called it, and it obeyed him with fear; and the stars shined in their watches, and were glad; he called them, and they said Here we be; they shined with gladness unto him that made them.
This is our God: there shall none other be accounted of in comparison with him. He hath found out every way by knowledge, and hath given it unto Jacob his servant, and to Israel that is beloved of him. Afterward did he appear upon earth, and was conversant with men. This is the book of the commandments of God, and of the law which endureth for ever. All they that hold it fast (are appointed) to life: but such as leave it shall die. Now by Jacob and Israel he means the Son of God, who received power from the Father over our life, and after having received this brought it down to us who were far off from Him, when He appeared on earth and was conversant with men, mingling and mixing Edition note 5 the Spirit of God the Father with the creature formed by God, Edition note 6 that man might be after the image and likeness of God. Edition note 7
This, beloved, is the preaching of the truth, and this is the manner of our redemption, and this is the way of life, which the prophets proclaimed, and Christ established, and the apostles delivered, and the Church in all the world hands on to her children. Edition note 8 This must we keep with all certainty, with a sound will and pleasing to God, with good works and right-willed disposition.
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