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Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching

St Irenaeus of Lyons, tr. Robinson, 1920

Chapter 96

Wherefore also we need not the Law as a tutor. Behold, with the Father we speak, and in His presence we stand, being children in malice,¹² and grown strong in all righteousness and soberness. For no longer shall the Law say, Do not³ commit adultery, to him who has no desire at all for another’s wife; and Thou shalt not kill, to him who has put away from himself all anger and enmity; (and) Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour s field or ox or ass, to those who have no care at all for earthly things, but store up the heavenly fruits: nor An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth, to⁴ him who counts no man his enemy, but all men his neighbours, and therefore cannot stretch out his hand at all for vengeance. It will not require tithes of him who consecrates all his possessions to God,⁵ leaving father and mother and all his kindred, and following the Word of God. And there will be no command to remain idle for one day of rest, to him who perpetually keeps sabbath,⁶ that is to say, who in the temple of God, which is man’s body, does service to God, and in every hour works righteousness. For I desire mercy, He saith, and⁷ not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. But the wicked that sacrificeth to me⁸ a calf is as if he should kill a dog; and that offereth fine flour, as though (he offered] swine’s blood. But whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall⁹ be saved. And there is none other name of the¹⁰ Lord given under heaven whereby men are saved, save that of God, which is Jesus Christ the Son of God, to which also the demons are subject and evil spirits and all apostate energies.

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