I therefore did what belonged to me, as a man devoted to unity; adding this also, that where there is diversity of judgment, and wrath, and hatred, God does not dwell. To all them that repent, God grants forgiveness, if they with one consent return to the unity of Christ, and communion with the bishop.[1206] I trust to the grace of Jesus Christ, that He will free you from every bond of wickedness.[1207] I therefore exhort you that ye do nothing out of strife,[1208] but according to the doctrine of Christ. For I have heard some saying, If I do not find the gospel in the archives, I will not believe it. To such persons I say that my archives are Jesus Christ, to disobey whom is manifest destruction. My authentic archives are His cross, and death, and resurrection, and the faith which bears on these things, by which I desire, through your prayers, to be justified. He who disbelieves the gospel disbelieves everything along with it. For the archives ought not to be preferred to the Spirit.[1209] “It is hard to kick against the pricks;”[1210] it is hard to disbelieve Christ; it is hard to reject the preaching of the apostles. CHAP. IX.—_The Old Testament is good: the New Testament is better._ SHORTER. The priests[1211] indeed are good, but the High Priest is better; to whom the holy of holies has been committed, and who alone has been entrusted with the secrets of God. He is the door of the Father, by which enter in Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the prophets, and the apostles, and the church. All these have for their object the attaining to the unity of God. But the gospel possesses something transcendent [above the former dispensation], viz. the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ, His passion and resurrection. For the beloved prophets announced Him,[1212] but the gospel is the perfection of immortality.[1213] All these things are good together, if ye believe in love. LONGER.