Chapter XXXIX.—The Jews hate the Christians who believe this. How great the distinction is between both! “Now it is not surprising,” I continued, “that you hate us who hold these opinions, and convict you of a continual hardness of heart.284 For indeed Elijah, conversing with God concerning you, speaks thus: ‘Lord, they have slain Thy prophets, and digged down Thine altars: and I am left alone, and they seek my life.’ And He answers him: ‘I have still seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.’285 Therefore, just as God did not inflict His anger on account of those seven thousand men, even so He has now neither yet inflicted judgment, nor does inflict it, knowing that daily some [of you] are becoming disciples in the name of Christ, and quitting the path of error; who are also receiving gifts, each as he is worthy, illumined through the name of this Christ. For one receives the spirit of under- standing, another of counsel, another of strength, another of healing, another of foreknow- ledge, another of teaching, and another of the fear of God.” To this Trypho said to me, “I wish you knew that you are beside yourself, talking these sentiments.” And I said to him, “Listen, O friend,286 for I am not mad or beside myself; but it was prophesied that, after the ascent of Christ to heaven, He would deliver287 us from error and give us gifts. The words are these: ‘He ascended up on high; He led captivity captive; He gave gifts to men.’288 Accordingly, we who have received gifts from Christ, who has ascended up on high, prove from the words of prophecy that you, ‘the wise in yourselves, and the men of understanding in your own eyes,’289 are foolish, and honour God and His Christ by lip only. But we, who are instructed in the whole truth,290 honour Them both in acts, and in knowledge, and in heart, even unto death. But you hesitate to confess that He is Christ, as the Scriptures and the events witnessed and done in His name prove, perhaps for this reason, lest you be persecuted by the rulers, who, under the influence of the wicked and deceitful spirit, the serpent, will not cease putting to death and persecuting those who confess the name of Christ until He come again, and destroy them all, and render to each his deserts.” And Trypho replied, “Now, then, render us the proof that this man who you say was crucified and ascended into heaven is the Christ of God. For you have sufficiently proved 284 Literally, “of a hard-hearted opinion.” 285 1 Kings xix. 14, 18. 286 ὦ οὑτος. [Or, Look you, listen!] 287 Literally, “carry us captive.” 288 Ps. lxviii. 19. 289 Isa. v. 21. 290 Contrasting either Catholics with heretics, or Christians with Jews. [Note this word Catholic, as here used in its legitimate primitive sense.] Chapter XXXIX.—The Jews hate the Christians who believe this. How great the distinction is between both! 573 Chapter XXXIX.—The Jews hate the Christians who believe this. How great…