They are ashamed of the cross ; they mock at the passion ; they make a jest of the resurrection. They are the offspring of that spirit who is the author of all evil, who led Adam,^ by means of his wife, to transgress the commandment, who slew Abel by the hands of Cain, who fought against Job, who was the accuser of Joshua ^ the son of Josedech, who sought to " sift the faith " '° of the aposdes, who stirred up the multitude of the Jews against tlie Lord, who also now "worketh in the children of dis- obedience ; " '^ from whom the Lord Jesus Christ will de- liver us, who prayed that the faith of the apostles might not fail,"-* not because He was not able of Himself to pre- serve it, but because He rejoiced in the pre-eminence of the Father. It is fitting, therefore, that ye should keep aloof from such persons, and neither in private nor in public to talk with '5 them ; but to give heed to the law, and the prophets, and to those who have preached to you the word of salvation. But flee from all abominable here- sies, and those that cause schisms, as the beginning of evils.