Testimony of Truth
A discourse against the corruption of the law, against false martyrdom, and against the leaven of the Pharisees that hath entered the Church.
1I shall speak unto them that know to hear, not with the ears of the flesh, but with the ears of the mind. There came forth many that sought after the truth; but they could not find her, because the leaven of the Pharisees and the scribes had taken hold of them.
2Now the leaven is the desire which leadeth astray, of the angels and the demons, and the stars. As for the Pharisees and the scribes, they are them that belong to the rulers; that have authority over them.
3For no one which is under the law is able to look up unto the truth. For they shall not be able to serve two masters. The defilement of the law is manifest; but the undefiledness belongeth unto the light.
4The law commandeth: Take a husband; take a wife; multiply as the sand of the sea. But the passion which is sweet unto them is fettered; the children of the passion are unable to abandon it. They have been made attached unto these by the rulers.
5Now the Son of Man came forth from the imperishability, and was a stranger unto defilement. He came unto the world by the Jordan river. And straightway the Jordan turned back. And John bare witness of the descent of Jesus.
6For he it is that beheld the power that came down upon the Jordan river. For he knew that the dominion of carnal procreation had come to an end. The Jordan river is the power of the body — even the senses of pleasures. The water of the Jordan is the desire for sexual intercourse. John is the archon of the womb.
7Now the Saviour, when He had come, ended the dominion of the Jordan; and He led them through the Red Sea. And He gave them the bread which cometh down from heaven; and He filled them with the Spirit.
8Foolish are they that say: God hath created members for our use, that we should grow in the defilement, that we should rejoice ourselves. They cause God to be a partner with them in deeds of this kind. They are not steadfast on the earth; nor shall they reach the heaven.
9But thou: be sober. Be a stranger to all the world. Be poor of the world. Have no possessions in the world; have no place in the world. Be a stranger; have no friend in the world. He that hath the world as his friend hath the Father as his enemy.
10Now also concerning martyrdom — there are some that are saying: We shall be saved if we present ourselves to die for the Name. But they speak amiss. They are unwitting of the way which they shall go. They have not learned of the Son of Man.
11He that confesseth in martyrdom only with his mouth — he is unprepared. The true martyr is he that knoweth himself; that hath laid hold of the Father; and that hath received the Spirit. The blood of the body availeth not, save the soul testify also.
12Many shall claim the Name; few shall walk in the way. Many shall preach the Saviour; few shall live as His disciples. Many shall sing the songs; few shall keep the commandments.
13Therefore, take heed unto yourselves. Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. He that knoweth, and doeth not, hath received judgement. He that knoweth, and doeth, the same shall enter the kingdom of God.
14Bear ye one another's burdens; love ye one another. Keep yourselves unspotted from the world. Watch and pray, for ye know not when the Master cometh. Be ye ready; for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of Man cometh.
15Glory be unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Spirit. Glory be unto the truth, that hath set us free. Forever and ever. Amen.
