Philochristus: Memoirs of a Disciple of the LordAbbott, Edwin Abbott
Religion
Philochristus: Memoirs of a Disciple of the Lord
Abbott, Edwin Abbott
Christian fiction; Jesus Christ -- Fiction
All this the Lord Jesus spake more clearly afterwards, when he perceived
the will of the Father that only a few should be chosen, though many were
called: but at this time (perchance because it had been but newly revealed
to him) he spake more darkly and with a greater bitterness of sorrow.
Howbeit when he had lifted up his head and perceived that we also were
weighed down with his affliction, then straightway he made himself to be
of a cheerful countenance, and comforted us, saying, “Unto you it is given
to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God; but unto them that are
without, all things are done in parables.” Then he bade us take heed that
we taught others even as he had taught us; for, said he, “with what
measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you.” He said also, “Take heed
how ye hear; for whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and whosoever hath
not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.” These latter words
we understood not then; but, as I take it, the meaning of Jesus was
twofold; first, that whoso had not faith nor honesty would receive damage
(even as Judas received damage, and not advantage) from the doctrine of
Jesus; but, secondly, he seemed to mean that the doctrine was, as it were,
lent to each of the disciples, as money upon usury; each being bound to
traffic with the doctrine in the commerce of his own thoughts, so as to
add thereto. In the same way he told us, at another time, that we were to
bring forth out of our treasuries things new as well as old; and he also
bade us to “be trustworthy bankers.”(7) For of all things Jesus misliked
that we should repeat his words by rote; nor did he even bid us copy his
actions exactly (but he even said that a time should come when we should
do greater works than he had done); and the like also of his words. For
this cause perchance, Jesus spake afterwards to us also, even to us his
disciples, sometimes in dark sayings; to the intent that we might ponder,
and ask and know the truth. For albeit we often feared to ask him
questions (because of our folly and our want of faith), yet did he ever
desire us to question him; teaching us that only to them that knock, is
the door opened; and only to them that hunger, is given of the bread of
Life.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account