Chapter XIV
Of the way of light; being a summary of what
a Christian is to do, that he maybe happy for ever.
AND thus I trust, I have
declared to you as much, and
with as great simplicity as I
could, those, things which provide
for your salvation, so as not to
have omitted any thing that might
be requisite thereunto.
2 For should I speak farther of
the things that now are, and of
those that are to come, you would
not yet understand them, seeing
they lie in parables. This therefore
shall suffice as to these things.
3 Let us now go on to the other
kind of knowledge and doctrine.
There are two ways of doctrine
and power; the one of light, the
other of darkness.
4 But there is a great deal of
difference between these two ways
for over one are appointed the
angels of God, the leaders of
the way of light; over the other,
the angels of Satan. And the one
is the Lord from everlasting to
everlasting; the other is the
prince of the time of
unrighteousness.
5 Now the way of light is this:
If any one desires to attain to the
place that is appointed for him,
and will hasten thither by his
works. And the knowledge that
has been given to us for walking
in it, to this effect: Thou shalt
love him that made thee: thou
shalt glorify him that hath
redeemed thee from death.
6 Thou shalt be simple in heart,
and rich in the spirit. Thou shalt
not cleave to those that walk in
the way of death. Thou shalt hate
to do anything that is not pleasing
unto God. Thou shalt abhor all
dissimulation. Thou shalt not
neglect any of the commands of
the Lord.
7 Thou shalt not exalt thyself,
but shalt be humble. Then shalt
not take honour to thyself. Thou
shalt not enter into any wicked
counsel against thy neighbour.
Thou shalt not be over confident
in thy heart.
8 Thou shaft not commit
fornication, nor adultery.
Neither shalt thou corrupt
thyself with mankind. Thou
shalt not make use of the
word of God, to any impurity,
9 Thou shalt not except any
man’s person, when thou reprovest
any one’s faults. Thou shalt be
gentle. Thou shalt be quiet.
Thou shalt tremble at the words
which thou hast heard. Thou
shalt not keep any hatred in thy
heart against thy brother. Thou
shalt not entertain any doubt
whether it shall be or not.
10 Thou shalt not take the name
of the Lord in vain. Thou shalt
love thy neighbour above thy own
soul,
11 Thou shalt not destroy thy
conceptions, before they are
brought forth; nor kill them
after they are born.
12 Thou shalt not withdraw thy
hand from thy son, or from thy
daughter; but shall teach them
from their youth the fear of the
Lord.
13 Thou shalt not covet thy
neighbour’s goods; neither shalt
thou be an extortioner. Neither
shall thy heart be joined to proud
men; but thou shalt be numbered
among the righteous and the
lowly. Whatever events shall
happen unto thee, thou shalt
receive them as good.
14 Thou shalt not be double-
minded or double-tongued; for a
double tongue is the snare of death.
Thou shalt be subject unto the
Lord and to inferior masters as to
the representatives of God, in fear
and reverence.
15 Thou shalt not be bitter in
thy commands towards any of thy
servants that trust in God; lest
thou chance not to fear him who
is over both; because he came not
to call any with respect of persons,
but whomsoever the spirit had
prepared.
16 Thou shalt communicate to
thy neighbour of all thou hast;
thou shalt not call anything
thine own: for if ye partake of
such things as are incorruptible,
how much more should you do it
in those that are corruptible?
17 Thou shalt not be forward to
speak; for the mouth is the snare
of death. Strive for thy soul with
all thy might. Reach not out
thine hand to receive, and
withhold it not when thou
shouldest give.
18 Thou shalt love, as the apple
of thine eye, everyone that speaketh
unto thee the Word of the Lord.
Call to thy remembrance, day and
night, the future judgment.
19 Thou shalt seek out every
day, the persons of the righteous;
and both consider and go about to
exhort others by the word, and
meditate how thou mayest save a
soul.
20 Thou shaft also labour with
thy hands to give to the poor,
that thy sins may be forgiven thee,
Thou shalt not deliberate whether
thou shouldst give; nor having
given, murmur at it.
21 Give to everyone that asks
so shalt thou know who is the good
rewarder of thy gifts.
22 Keep what thou hast received;
thou shalt neither add to it nor
take from it.
23 Let the wicked be always
thy aversion. Thou shalt judge
with righteous judgment. Thou
shalt never cause divisions; but
shalt make peace between those
that are at variance, and bring
them together.
24 Thou shalt confess thy sins;
and not come to thy prayer with
an evil conscience.
25 This is the way of light.