The works of Nathaniel Lardner - The Christian Researcher - Home

Methodius. A. D. 290. 199
divisions of tlie scriptures before aiul after the coming of
Cliribt : lie' quotes these books by way of proof of what lie
says. lie'' afiinns, that ' there is no contradiction or absurdity
in the divine Mords.' The gospels are cited by him
after this manner: 'The' Lord declares in the gospels.'
Again: ' As'" also our Lord Jesus Christ directs and commands
ill the gospels: " Let your lights shine and your
loins be girded about, and be ye yourselves like men that
wait for their lord :" ' Luke xii. 35—38. < " For"^ ye are
the salt of the earth," said the Lord to the apostles :' see
Matt. V. 13. ' Where," according- to the true oracles of the
Lord, they neither marry nor are given in marriage :' see
3Iatth. xxii. 30. He quotes St. Paul after this manner
saysi' the blessed Paul; 'i the most wise Paul; 'Paul, a wise
man, and most spiritual, or full of the Holy Ghost. He^
recommends the study and meditation of the scriptures.
XH. In the remains of Methodius there are many interpretations
of texts of scripture ; but, in my opinion, for the
most part, such as do little honour to the author's judgment
I shall put down two or three, which are somewhat remark-
able.
1. He understands* the words of Christ in John v. 39, to
be a command to " search the scriptures ;" not a declaration
M'hat was then the practice of the Jews : accordingly, he
makes use of this text as an argument to search even the
most abstruse and difficult parts of scripture, and as an
encouragement to explain them so far as we are able.
2. St. Paul M rites : " I knew a man in Christ,— such an
one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a
man,— how that he was caught up into paradise:" 2 Cor.
xii. 2—4. Methodius is" clearly of opinion that the apostle
' OvSe yap a/taprupoc o Xoyog ypa