robbers break through, but lay up for yourselves
in the heavens, where neither moth nor rust doth
corrupt. For what is a man profited if he
shall gain the whole world but destroy his soul? or
what shall he give in exchange for it? Lay
up, therefore, in the heavens, where neither moth
nor rust doth corrupt.’ And, ’Be ye
kind and merciful as your Father also is kind
and merciful, and maketh His sun to rise on sinners,
and just and evil. But be not careful what ye
shall eat and what ye shall put on. Are ye
not better than the birds and the beasts? and
God feedeth them. Therefore be not careful what
ye shall eat or what ye shall put on, for your
heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of these
things; but seek ye the kingdom of the heavens,
and all these things shall be added unto you, for where
the treasure is there is also the mind of the
man. And ’Do not these things to be
seen of men, otherwise ye have no reward of your Father
which is in heaven.’ And regarding our
being patient under injuries, and ready to help
all, and free from anger, this is what He said:
’Unto him striking thy cheek offer the other
also; and him who carrieth off thy cloak, or thy
coat, do not thou prevent. But whosoever
shall be angry is in danger of the fire. But every
one who compelleth thee to go a mile, follow twain.
And let your good works shine before men, so that,
perceiving, they may adore your Father, which
is in heaven.’ ... And regarding our not
swearing at all, but ever speaking the truth,
He thus taught: ’Ye may not swear at all,
but let your yea be yea, and your nay nay, for
what is more than these is of the evil one.’”
* * * * *
“’For not those who merely make profession, but those who do the work,’ as He said, ‘shall be saved.’ For He spake thus: ’Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall (enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father, which is in heaven). For whosoever heareth me, and doeth what I say, heareth Him that sent me. But many will say to me, Lord, Lord, have we not eaten and drunk in Thy name, and done wonders? And then will I say unto them, ‘Depart from me, workers of iniquity.’ There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when indeed the righteous shall shine as the sun, but the wicked are sent into everlasting fire. For many shall arrive in My name, outwardly, indeed, clothed in sheep-skins, but inwardly being ravening wolves. Ye shall know them from their works, and every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire.”
* * * * *
“As Christ declared,
saying, ’To whom God has given more, of him
shall more also be demanded
again.’”
The ordinary reader, remembering that Justin was writing for the heathen, would suppose, after reading the above, that Justin reproduced from SS. Matthew and Luke the moral precepts of Christ, or rather those which suited his purpose, and his purpose was to show to the heathen Emperor that Christianity would make the best members of a community.