Chapter III.—The true doctrine respecting Christ.
Mindful of him, do ye by all means know that Jesus the Lord was truly born of Mary,
being made of a woman; and was as truly crucified. For, says he, “God forbid that I should
glory, save in the cross of the Lord Jesus.”706 And He really suffered, and died, and rose
again. For says [Paul], “If Christ should become passible, and should be the first to rise again
from the dead.”707 And again, “In that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He liveth,
He liveth unto God.”708 Otherwise, what advantage would there be in [becoming subject
to] bonds, if Christ has not died? what advantage in patience? what advantage in [enduring]
stripes? And why such facts as the following: Peter was crucified; Paul and James were slain
with the sword; John was banished to Patmos; Stephen was stoned to death by the Jews who
killed the Lord? But, [in truth,] none of these sufferings were in vain; for the Lord was really
crucified by the ungodly.
706 Gal. vi. 14.
707 Acts xxvi. 23 (somewhat inaccurately rendered in English version).
708 Rom. vi. 10.
Chapter III.—The true doctrine respecting Christ.
283
Chapter III.—The true doctrine respecting Christ.