As he spake these things, many believed on him.

THE FREEDOM OF THE SOUL.

Jesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed him, “If ye abide in my word, then are ye truly my disciples; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

They answered unto him, “We are Abraham’s seed, and have never yet been in bondage to any man; how sayest thou, ’Ye shall be made free’?”

Jesus answered them, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Every one that committeth sin is the bondservant of sin.  And the bondservant abideth not in the house for ever:  the son abideth for ever.  If therefore the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.  I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; yet ye seek to kill me, because my word hath not free course in you.  I speak the things which I have seen with my Father:  and ye also do the things which ye heard from your father.”

They answered and said unto him, “Our father is Abraham.”

Jesus saith unto them, “If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.  But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I heard from God:  this did not Abraham.  Ye do the works of your father.”

They said unto him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.”

Jesus said unto them, “If God were your Father, ye would love me:  for I came forth and am come from God; for neither have I come of myself, but he sent me.  Why do ye not understand my speech?  Even because ye cannot hear my word.  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father it is your will to do.  He was a murderer from the beginning, and standeth not in the truth, because there is no truth in him.  When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own:  for he is a liar, and the father thereof.  But because I say the truth, ye believe me not.  Which of you convicteth me of sin?  If I say truth, why do ye not believe me?  He that is of God heareth the words of God:  for this cause ye hear them not, because ye are not of God.”

The Jews answered and said unto him, “Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a demon?”

Jesus answered, “I have not a demon:  but I honor my Father, and ye dishonor me.  But I seek not mine own glory:  there is one that seeketh and judgeth.  Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my word, he shall never see death.”

The Jews said unto him, “Now we know that thou hast a demon.  Abraham died, and the prophets; and thou sayest, ’If a man keep my word, he shall never taste of death.’  Art thou greater than our father Abraham, who died? and the prophets died:  whom makest thou thyself?”

Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing:  it is my Father that glorifieth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God; and ye have not known him:  but I know him; and if I should say, ’I know him not,’ I shall be like unto you, a liar; but I know him, and keep his word.  Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day; and he saw it, and was glad.”