Demonstrations 7.9–7.27

Translated by Claude from Jean Parisot's Latin translation (1894) of the Syriac; neither is shown

See, my beloved, how much better it is for a person to confess his iniquity and forsake it. For our God does not reject penitents. The Ninevites, after they had multiplied sins, received the preaching of Jonah, who announced turning to them; they repented, and God had mercy on them. To the children of Israel also, when their offences increased in number, he proclaimed repentance; but they refused. For he called them through Jeremiah and said: "Turn, repentant sons, and I will heal your turning." Again, crying in the ears of Jerusalem, he said: "Turn to me, repentant daughter." And he spoke further to the children of Israel: "Return and turn from your very evil ways and from the wickedness of your works." So too he said to the people: "If you turn to me, I will turn you, and you will stand before my face." And again, reproaching them, he said this: "I said, Return to me, inhabitant of Israel, with all your heart; and you did not return." Once more he took up a parable about them and recited to them what is written in the law, and he was willing to make the law false for the sake of their repentance. For he said: "When a man has taken a wife, and she departs from him and takes another husband; if the other who took her dies or sends her away, and she returns to her first husband, the first husband cannot take her back after she has been defiled; and if he does take her back, see, that land will have been defiled and polluted. But now I have taken you back, Jerusalem, and you have become mine, who had gone out from me and departed and committed fornication with stones and trees. Now therefore return to me, and I will receive you, and for the sake of your repentance I will set aside the law."

Translated by Claude from Jean Parisot's Latin translation (1894) of the Syriac; neither is shown

Do not be afraid, then, you penitents, that the hope sealed in the Scriptures may be cut off from you; for so it befits the Spirit of God to admonish, and he gave a fearful warning in Ezekiel the prophet when he said to him: "If a man does judgment and righteousness all his days and at the end of his life does iniquity, he will die in his sin. And when a man has done iniquity all his days and turns and does judgment and righteousness, his soul will live." So with this one word he warned the righteous beforehand not to sin and lose his course; and likewise he brought hope to the wicked, that he might withdraw from his iniquity and live, when again he said to Ezekiel: "Though I have taken hope from the wicked, rebuke him with admonition; and when I have encouraged the righteous, put fear into him, that he may be on guard. If, when I say to the wicked, You shall surely die, you do not warn him, the sinner will die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require from your hand, because you did not warn him. But if you warn the wicked, that sinner whom you warned will live, and you will deliver your soul. And when you say to the righteous, You shall surely live, and he trusts in this, you must warn him not to be exalted and sin; and so the one you warned will live, and you will deliver your soul." Attend again, you penitents, to the hand stretched out and calling you to repentance; for speaking also through Jeremiah the prophet he granted repentance. For he says: "If I speak against a nation and against a kingdom, to uproot and overthrow and destroy and lay waste, and that nation repents of its iniquity, then I too will turn from it the evil that I decreed against it. And if I speak concerning a nation and a kingdom, to build and to plant, and, trusting in this, it does evil in my sight, I too will turn from it the good that I promised it, and in its iniquity and its sins I will destroy it."

[11] Hear too, you who hold the keys of the gates of heaven, and open the doors to penitents; listen to what the blessed Apostle says: "If any of you is overtaken in a fault, you who are spiritual, restore him in a spirit of gentleness, and take care lest you too be tempted." For the Apostle was afraid when he admonished them; for he says of himself: "Lest, after I have preached to others, I myself become reprobate." So do not treat as an enemy the one among you who is overtaken in a fault, but encourage and admonish him as a brother; for if you separate him from you, he will be struck by Satan. And again he says: "We who are stronger ought to bear the weakness of the weak." And again: "Let the lame not be turned aside, but rather be healed."

Translated by Claude from Jean Parisot's Latin translation (1894) of the Syriac; neither is shown

I speak also to you, penitents: do not deny yourselves this art given for healing. For it says in Scripture: "Whoever confesses his sins and forsakes them will obtain mercy from God." See the son who had squandered his property: when he returned to his father, the father received him rejoicing over him, killed the fatted calf for him, and was glad at his return. He also called his friends to rejoice with him; and the father embraced his son and kissed him, saying: "This my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found"; and the father did not reproach him for the squandered property.

Translated by Claude from Jean Parisot's Latin translation (1894) of the Syriac; neither is shown

The Lord himself encouraged penitents when he said: "I came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance." He said further: "There will be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, more than over ninety-nine righteous who need no repentance." The shepherd cares for the sheep lost out of the whole flock more than for those that did not stray. For Christ died for sinners, not for the righteous, as he said through the prophet: "He bore the sins of many." And the Apostle says: "If, when we were sinners, God reconciled himself to us through the death of his Son, how much more now in his reconciliation shall we live by his life."

Translated by Claude from Jean Parisot's Latin translation (1894) of the Syriac; neither is shown

God forgives the one who confesses his fault. When David had sinned, Nathan the prophet came to him and told him his crime and the penalty he was to pay. Then David confessed and said: "I have sinned." The prophet answered him: "The Lord too has put away your sin, because you have confessed [it]." And when he prayed, he said: "Against you alone have I sinned and done evil before you." And again he asked God and said: "Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living will be justified in your sight." … [It is written that] Moses prayed before God and said: "You who forgive iniquity and sin, and in justifying do not acquit." Again, when he wished … the people … "[as] you have granted pardon from Egypt until this day." And the Lord said to him: "I forgive them according to your word."

Translated by Claude from Jean Parisot's Latin translation (1894) of the Syriac; neither is shown

You then who implore repentance, become like Aaron, the chief of the priests, who, when he had led [the people into sin with the calf], confessed his sin … David likewise, the greatest of the kings of Israel, confessed his sin and obtained pardon. And finally Simon, the chief of the disciples, when in denial he had said, "Christ never [knew] me," and had [sworn], "I do not know the man," was moved to repentance and shed a great flood of tears; and the Lord received him, made him the foundation, and called him the Rock, the building of the Church.

Translated by Claude from Jean Parisot's Latin translation (1894) of the Syriac; neither is shown

Do not become foolish like Adam, who was ashamed to confess his sin. Nor become like Cain, who, when he was rebuked for his brother's murder, answered: "I do not know where Abel is, for I am not his keeper." Nor be lifted up by swollen thoughts, like a perverse generation; and do not add crime to crime and multiply sins, declaring yourselves clean when you are guilty. Look to the fathers of old, who, even when they were righteous, gave themselves to humility. For Abraham said: "I am dust and ashes," lowering himself to the very bottom. And David says: "The days of man are like [a shadow that passes]." Solomon too instructs us in these words: "If the righteous will scarcely be saved, where will the sinner and the wicked be found?"

Translated by Claude from Jean Parisot's Latin translation (1894) of the Syriac; neither is shown

I implore you, then, my beloved, by the mercy of God: do not, because I have written to you that God does not reject penitents, slacken anything of your virtue, lest you too need repentance. For repentance is given only to those who need it. Take care that you have no need of repentance. The hand is held out to sinners; the righteous do not need it. Alms are given to the poor; the rich do not ask for them. Clothes are given to the man whom robbers have stripped, to cover his shameful nakedness. Do not lose what you hold, lest you labour to recover it, uncertain whether you will find it or not. And if you obtain the goods again, they are not like what was your own; for the one who has sinned and repents is not equal to one who is far from offence. Embrace the lofty part and keep apart from every baseness; show yourself very vigorous in your armour, lest you be struck in battle and have to seek a remedy and labour in going to the physician. For even if you are perfectly healed, those wounds will not remain unknown. Do not, then, out of too much confidence, look to the medicine and so bring disgrace on yourself; but surpass repentance by virtue. It is useful to mend a torn garment; but however skilfully it is restored, it is recognized by all. A broken hedge is rebuilt with great labour; but however well it is rebuilt, it will be called cracked. A man whose house thieves have dug through will be plundered within his walls, his loss will be published to all, and he will recover what he lost only with much labour. One who has cut down a fruit tree will wait long until it grows again and bears fruit once more. One who has let his spring run off into furrows will labour and sweat to stop it; and though he has stopped it well, he will be anxious lest the rising waters open a crack. One who has cut off a budding vine-shoot will be cheated of eating grapes. A thief's face is covered with a blush, and until his penalty is remitted he is worn with work and toil. One who has worked idly in the vineyard will receive his wages with his head bowed; he will not be able to ask for more. One who has trampled on the impulse of youth will rejoice with the Ancient of Days. And one who has not drunk stolen waters will be refreshed at the fountain of life.

Translated by Claude from Jean Parisot's Latin translation (1894) of the Syriac; neither is shown

O you who have been called to battle, hear the sound of the trumpet and take courage. But I also speak to you who carry the trumpets, priests, teachers, and wise men: cry out and say to all the people: "Whoever is afraid, let him leave the battle, lest he break his brothers' courage as he himself fails. If anyone has planted a vineyard, let him go back to tend it, lest while he thinks of it he give way in the fight. If anyone has betrothed a wife and wishes to marry her, let him go and rejoice with his wife. Whoever has built a house, let him return to it, lest it come into his mind and he not fight well." Battle suits the solitaries, who, looking to what is before them, do not think of what is behind. For their treasures have been sent ahead of them; the spoils they bring back will be kept intact for them, and they will gain the greatest profit. I urge you again who sound the trumpet, that when you have finished the exhortation you watch those who withdraw, inspect those who remain, and lead to the waters of testing those who have offered themselves for battle. Each vigorous one will be tested by the water; the sluggish will be separated from there.

Translated by Claude from Jean Parisot's Latin translation (1894) of the Syriac; neither is shown

Hear, my beloved, what a mystery Gideon foretold in figure. When men had been gathered by him for battle, the experts in the law gave the warning from the words of the law and the sayings I have recited above; then many people withdrew from the army, and only those chosen for war remained. And the Lord said to Gideon: "Bring them down to the water and test them there. Whoever laps the water with his tongue is ready and bold for the contest; but whoever bends down on his belly to drink the water is sluggish and fearful and cannot go into battle." Gideon prefigured a great mystery, my beloved, signifying baptism, the mystery of the contest, and the example of the solitaries. For he warned the people before they came to the testing of the water; and when they had been tested by the waters, only three hundred men out of ten thousand were chosen to join battle. This agrees with the word of the Lord who says: "Many are called, but few are chosen."

Translated by Claude from Jean Parisot's Latin translation (1894) of the Syriac; neither is shown

Therefore those who blow the trumpets, that is, the preachers of the church, must likewise call together the whole covenant of God and admonish them before baptism; and to those who of their own will devote themselves to virginity and holiness, young men and virgins and those who profess holiness, they must give this warning: "Whoever has given his mind to the work of marriage, let him marry before baptism, lest he fall in battle and be killed. Whoever fears this lot of battle, let him turn back, lest he break his brothers' courage, as he himself fails. Whoever loves possessions, let him leave the battle line, lest when the battle grows strong he be drawn away by the thought of his possessions; for if he withdraws from the fight he will incur disgrace." One who has not yet offered himself nor put on arms is not blamed if he flees; but a man who has devoted his soul and girded on his arms is handed over to ridicule if he withdraws from the battle. A man free of everything ought to fight, one to whom no thought of what he has left behind occurs, and who does not go back to it.

Translated by Claude from Jean Parisot's Latin translation (1894) of the Syriac; neither is shown

So when they have preached to the whole covenant of God, announced and given warnings, they will bid all who are chosen for battle to come to the waters of baptism, and they will test them. After baptism they will distinguish the vigorous from the unwarlike; they will increase the courage of the good, and openly turn the soft and fearful away from war, lest when battle overwhelms them they hide their arms, flee, and are overcome. For [God] said to Gideon: "Bring down to the waters those who have offered themselves." And when the people had gone down to the waters, the Lord said again to Gideon: "Whoever laps the water as a dog laps with its tongue, these will go with you to war. But those who lie down to drink the water will not go with you." Great too, my beloved, is the mystery whose sign [God] showed Gideon beforehand, saying: "Whoever laps the water like a dog must go into battle." For of all the animals created together with man, none is attached to its master like the dog, keeping watch day and night, and though often beaten by its master, never leaving him; and if it goes with its master hunting and he meets a strong lion, it meets death for its master. Such are the vigorous men who have been set apart at the waters. They follow their Lord like dogs, offer themselves to death for him, and fight his battle eagerly; they keep his watch day and night; they bark like dogs, as they meditate on the law day and night; and they love the Lord and lick his wounds, when, receiving his Body, they set it before their eyes and lick it with the tongue, as a dog licks its master. But those who do not meditate on the law are called mute dogs, unable to bark; and those who … dogs most greedy, not knowing how to be satisfied. But those who are eager in imploring mercy receive the children's bread, and to them …

Translated by Claude from Jean Parisot's Latin translation (1894) of the Syriac; neither is shown

Again the Lord said to Gideon: "Those who lie down to draw water will not go with you to battle," lest they fall in battle and be overcome. Those who drew water sluggishly prefigured in a mystery the one who falls. Therefore, my beloved, those who give way in the fight must not become like those fearful men, lest they withdraw from the contest and become a laughing-stock to all their companions.

Translated by Claude from Jean Parisot's Latin translation (1894) of the Syriac; neither is shown

But hear also this word, my friend: because I have shown you from the Scriptures that God does not reject penitents, do not trust yourself too much and sin boldly; nor likewise, because of what I have told you, should one who has been struck lose heart and fail to ask for repentance. Such a one ought to remain in mourning all the time of his life, not be proud and so become guilty. A servant who has offended before his master and wishes to return to his favour changes his clothing and comes to him morning and evening, seeking to be received. And when the master sees the man's constancy, he will forgive the offence and restore his favour to him. If he says to the master, "I have sinned against you," he will have mercy on him; but if the guilty one says to his master, "I have done no wrong," he will stir up his master's greater fury. Remember, my beloved, the son who, when he had squandered his property, received pardon from his father as soon as he confessed his fault to him. The sinful woman likewise, bound by many crimes, as soon as she came to the Lord, he forgave her many sins and showed mercy. Zacchaeus the tax collector was also a sinner; but he confessed his offences, and the Lord pardoned him. And the Savior says: "I came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance" … and his coming was not in vain. And again he says: "Christ died for us." For the sheep out of the whole flock … he found it and rejoiced over it. … who turns back from his iniquity … "For it is not the will of the heavenly Father that one of these little ones should perish", who have sinned and seek repentance. The Lord did not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. Whoever among us is sick, let us raise him from his sickness; and let us grieve for every person who is made to stumble.

Translated by Claude from Jean Parisot's Latin translation (1894) of the Syriac; neither is shown

For when [sickness] attacks some member, we suffer from its ulceration until it is healed. And if a member [is honoured, the whole body] … shines and is bright. But if sickness comes on one member, the whole body [is seized] by fever … [whoever causes one] of these little ones [to stumble, it would be better for him that] a donkey's millstone [be hung] on his neck … [whoever] rejoices at the evil of his neighbour will soon find his own ruin. Whoever strikes his brother with his foot will have no pardon. No remedy is given for the blows of the mocker, and the debts of the scoffer are not forgiven. Whoever opens a pit will fall into it; … will return. One who slips and falls should not say, "Everyone will be like me"; just as a rich man who has fallen into poverty cannot say, "All the rich will become like me"; for if his wish were granted, who would relieve his want?

Translated by Claude from Jean Parisot's Latin translation (1894) of the Syriac; neither is shown

I have written all this to you, my beloved, because in our time there are people who devote themselves to the solitary and religious life and to chastity. We are engaged in battle against the adversary, and the adversary himself contends with us to bring us back to the state from which we freely departed. Some of us are overcome and struck, and, so broken, they justify themselves; and although we know their deed, they harden themselves in obstinacy, refuse to come to repentance, and, wrongly ashamed, perish by the second death, not remembering him who searches consciences. And to some who confess their fault repentance is not granted. O steward of the house of Christ! grant repentance to your companion, and remember that your Lord does not reject penitents. Tares have been sown in the field, and the Lord of the sowing does not let his servants clear the wheat from the tares before the harvest. The net is cast into the sea, but the fish are not sorted before it is drawn in. The servants received money from their Lord, but the Lord will judge the lazy servant. Wheat and chaff are mixed together, but the Lord of the threshing floor will separate and cleanse them. Many are invited to the supper, but the one who has no garments the Lord will cast into darkness. The wise and the foolish [virgins] are gathered together, but the Bridegroom knows whom he will bring in.

Translated by Claude from Jean Parisot's Latin translation (1894) of the Syriac; neither is shown

O shepherds, disciples of the Lord! feed the flock and lead it well. Strengthen the weak, raise up the sick, heal the broken, restore the lame, and keep the fat ones for the Lord of the flock. Do not be like the foolish and senseless shepherd, who in his folly cannot feed the flock, whose arm is withered and whose eye is darkened, because he said: "What is dying, let it die; what is perishing, let it perish; and what remains, let them eat each other's flesh." When the Chief Shepherd comes, he will condemn the foolish and senseless shepherd who did not sustain his fellow servants well. But whoever has fed and ruled the flock well will be called a good and faithful servant, who led the flock entire to the Shepherd. O watchmen! keep careful watch and warn all the people of the sword, lest the sword come and take a soul. [If] it is taken, its blood [will be required] from your hands … O fat sheep! do not attack the weak, lest you be condemned in judgment by our great Shepherd when he comes.

Translated by Claude from Jean Parisot's Latin translation (1894) of the Syriac; neither is shown

Receive this exhortation, my beloved, … [that it may] instruct the righteous. In this world grace is shown, and until it comes to an end, room is found in it for repentance. But the time is near when grace will cease and justice will reign; then repentance … not … because grace prevailed in strength. When … after which is passed, no repentance will be found any more. Read then, my friend, … and each will receive his reward according to the measure of his labour.