The Instructor

But there are myriads of injunctions to be found, whose aim is the attainment of what is good, and the avoidance of what is evil. “For there is no peace to the wicked, says the Lord.” Wherefore by Solomon He commands the children to beware: “My son, let not sinners deceive you, and go not after their ways; and go not, if they entice you, saying, Come with us, share with us in innocent blood, and let us hide unjustly the righteous man in the earth; let us put him out of sight, all alive as he is into Hades.” This is accordingly likewise a prediction concerning the Lord's passion.

And by Ezekiel, the life supplies commandments: “The soul that sins shall die; but he that does righteousness shall be righteous. He eats not upon the mountains, and has not set his eyes on the devices of the house of Israel, and will not defile his neighbour's wife, and will not approach to a woman in her separation, and will not oppress a man, and will restore the debtor's pledge, and will not take plunder: he will give his bread to the hungry, and clothe the naked. His money he will not give on usury, and will not take interest; and he will turn away his hand from wrong, and will execute righteous judgment between a man and his neighbour.

He has walked in my statutes, and kept my judgments to do them. This is a righteous man. He shall surely live, says the Lord.” These words contain a description of the conduct of Christians, a notable exhortation to the blessed life, which is the reward of a life of goodness— everlasting life.