6 But rather, having dispelled the mist arising from them, and being full of shame, shall by repentance have united both his soul and spirit in the obedience of reason; then, as Paul says, there is in us neither male nor female. REFERENCE TO THE SECOND EPISTLE THE CORINTHIANS. [Archbishop Wake is the translator of this Second Epistle, which he says was not of so great reputation among the primitive Fathers as the first. He defends it notwithstanding; and in answer to those who objected to Clement's First Epistle, that it did not duly honour the Trinity; the Archbishop refers to this as containing proof of the writer's fulness of belief on that point.] THE GENERAL EPISTLE OF BARNABAS. CHAPTER I. Preface to the Epistle. ALL happiness to you my sons and daughters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who loved us, in peace. 2 Having perceived abundance of knowledge of the great and excellent laws of God to be in you, I exceedingly rejoice in your blessed and admirable souls, because ye have so worthily received the grace which was grafted in you. 3 For which cause I am full of joy, hoping the rather to be saved; inasmuch as I truly see a spirit infused into you, from the pure fountain of God: 4 Having this persuasion, and being fully convinced thereof, because that since I have begun to speak unto you, I have had a more than ordinary good success in the way of the law of the Lord, which is in Christ, 5 For which cause brethren, I also think verily that I love you above my own soul; because that therein dwelleth the greatness of faith and charity, as also the hope of that life which is to come. 6 Wherefore considering this, that if I shall take care to communicate to you a part of what I have received, it shall turn to my reward, that I have served such good souls. I gave diligence to write in a few words unto you; that together with your faith, your knowledge also may be perfect. 7 There are therefore three things ordained by the Lord; the hope of life, the beginning, and the completion of it. 8 For the Lord hath both declared unto us, by the prophets, those things that are past; and opened to us the beginnings of those that are to come. 9 Wherefore, it will behove us, as he has spoken, to come more holily, and nearer to his altar. 10 I therefore, not as a teacher but as one of you, will endeavour to lay before you a few things by which you may, on many accounts, become the more joyful. CHAPTER II. That God has abolished the legal sacrifices, to introduce the spiritual righteousness of the Gospel. SEEING then the days are exceedingly evil, and the adversary has got the power of this present world we ought to give the more diligence to inquire into the righteous judgments of the Lord. 2 Now the assistants of our faith are fear and patience; our fellow-combatants, long suffering and continence.