Page:Philochristus, Abbott, 1878.djvu/79

Rh rib of Adam, or that the world was made in six days, or that God talked with Moses in a thorn-bush, the letter of these Scriptures is indeed fable, but the spiritual meaning is truth and life." Then said I, "If the letter be fable, why retain the letter?" But he said, "And if the body be unspiritual, why retain the body? As well cast away the body because it is not soul, as cast away the letter because it is not spirit."

Then I asked, "But how shall I attain righteousness?" Philo replied, "All men have in them a certain spiritual nature, in virtue whereof they are allied with the Word of God. Whosoever recognizeth the sins wherewith he is defiled, hath the power (if he will use it) of rising above his passions, and conquering his lusts, so that in the end, by repentance and by constant struggling after righteousness, he can follow after the virtues of the Father in heaven who begat him." Then said I, "All this have I done; for I have now these many years observed not only the words of the Law, but also the Traditions of the Elders; yet have I not attained peace." But he said, "Thou puttest first that which should come second; first aim after the virtues that have to do with men; afterward shalt thou attain the virtue that hath to do with God." "It would seem therefore," said I, "that thou dost not advise thy disciples to withdraw themselves from the world, after the manner of hermits." "Yea, but I do advise them," said Philo; "only first men should attain to the lower step before aiming at the higher. For first, they should study truthfulness, striving to love their neighbors, and to be helpful and gentle to all; for man should be gentle, and not savage, being fitted by nature for fellowship and concord. But after that thou hast attained to this lower stage, my counsel is that thou forsake thy home and thy friends, and thy wealth, and all that thou hast, and that thou abstain from