The Epistle to Diogentus

He is the eternal one, who to-day[*](This suggests that the homily belongs to a feast of the Nativity. In the time of Hippolytus this was probably not separated from the Epiphany or feast of the Baptism (see article on Christmas in Hastings Dictionary of Religion and Ethics.)) is accounted a Son, through whom the Church is enriched, and grace is unfolded and multiplied among the saints, who confers understanding, manifests mysteries, announces seasons, rejoices in the faithful, is given to them that seek, that is, to those by whom the pledges of faith are

Then is the fear of the Law sung, and the grace of the Prophets known, the faith of the Gospels is established, and the tradition of apostles is guarded, and the grace of the Church exults.

And if you do not grieve this grace you will understand what the word says through the agents of his choice, when he will.

For in all things which we were moved by the will of him who commands us to speak with pain, we become sharers with you through love of the things revealed to us.

If you consider and listen with zeal to these truths you will know what things God bestows on those that love him rightly, who are become a Paradise of delight, raising up in themselves a fertile tree with all manner of fruits, and are adorned with divers fruits.

For in this garden has been planted the tree of knowledge and the tree of life, but the tree of knowledge does not kill, but disobedience kills.