With Ephrem, the fourth-century author Aphrahat is a shining light in early Syriac literature. His discourses on various themes, known as Demonstrations, have long been appreciated for their imagery, spirituality, and exegesis. This volume reproduces translations of Aphrahat’s 2nd and 7th Demonstrations into English, from the Journal for the Society of Oriental Research, nos. 14 and 16 (1930, 1932). In Demonstration 2, On Love, Aphrahat discusses law over against love and the relationship between Law and Gospel; he discusses Jesus’ commandments on love and forgiveness and he relates how Jesus exemplified the love he commands. The discussion of Law and Gospel gives Aphrahat the opportunity to trace salvation history. Demonstration 7, On Penitents, is one of the earliest and most thorough discussions of penance or repentance in any language. Aphrahat offers an extended picture of Jesus as physician to sinners, and he points out numerous examples of penitents from the Bible and God’s acceptance of them. Finally, with a heartfelt sense of pastoral care, he calls on pastors to follow Jesus’ example as they encourage and welcome those who repent. Aphrahat’s thorough acquaintance with the Bible comes across in almost every line.