It is no such house that is in building; for behold where it is built, not in one spot, not in any
particular
region.
Augustine - Exposition on the Psalms - v4
- 1I8,
'
392 Temptations given in measure for our good.
'
Psalm made the two one: not as the heretics, who made two of one. XCV .
14.
'
For the Apostle saith this same of our Lord Christ: For He is our peace, Who hath made both one. Let us therefore shout for joy in Him. Why? Because the I^rd will not cast off His people. Again : Why ? For in His hand are all the corners of the earth : and the heights of the kills are His also. The heights of the hills meaneth the high places of the earth. Sometimes these high places, that is, earthly
powers, are adverse to the Church ; they have promulgated laws against the Church, and endeavoured to blot out the name of Christian from off the earth: but after the fulfir-
Ps. 72, ment of the prophecy, All the kings of the earth shall fall
u-
Cor. 10' l3-
down before Him, what is here said happened, the heights of the hills are His also.
Ver. 5. But perhaps thou art busied with temptations, and hence that, though placed in so great grace of God's promises, thou art disturbed by the world's stumbling-blocks? But those very stumbling-blocks do not really auy thing to thee since they have received their measure from God For the sea His. For the sea this world, but God made also the sea: nor 'can the waves rage save only so far as to the shore, where Ho hath marked their bounds. There therefore no temptation, that hath not received its measure from the Lord. Let there be therefore temptations, let there be tribulations thou art perfected, not consumed by them.
Consider whether those very temptations be not useful. Hear the Apostle God faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted abor. e that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. He saith not, He will not suffer you to be tempted at all for thou wert to refuse temptation, thou wouldest also refuse reformation. Thou art therefore re formed and thou art reformed, thou art in His hands Who formed thee. He taketh something from thee He chasteneth thee in some way, He levelleth somewhat, He cleanseth somewhat in thee: He worketh with certain tools of His own: these are the stumbling-blocks of this world: do thou only be careful not to fall out of thy Maker's hands. No temptation beyond thy strength will approach thee. This God alloweth for thy benefit, whence thou mayest
?
:
:
if ;
; ;
if
is
1
is :
is
it is
is
;
I),
Fear not to come to God, even for sin. 893 profit. Lastly, bear the Apostle himself adding this : But Ver.
will with lite temptation also make a way to escape, that ye
may be able to bear it. Perhaps then the sea was a subject
of fear to thee ? Fear not. For the sea is His, and He
made it. Fearest thou stumbling-blocks from the heathen ?
He made the heathen also Himself; He will not permit
them to rage beyond the measure which He knoweth, -whence thou mayest profit. Saith not another Psalm, All Ps. 86,9. nations whom Thou hast made shall come and worship
before Thee, 0 Lord! if all the nations which Thou hast made, it is clear that He also created the nations: therefore, The sea is His, and He made it: and His hands prepared
the dry land. Be thou the dry land : thirst for the grace of God : that as a sweet shower it may come upon thee, may find in thee fruit. He alloweth not the waves to cover what He hath sown. And His hands prepared the dry land. Hence also therefore let us shout unto the Lord.
10. Since then these things are thus: since we have ex pounded so great things pertaining unto the praise of God, . return ye to where he commenced : (ver. 6. ) 0 come, let us
worship, and fall down to Him ; and mourn before the Lord our Maker. Let us rejoice, because He made this and that. He hath enumerated many things, and he now repeateth his exhortation, O come, let us worship, and fall down to Him : let us mourn before the Lord our Maker. Now that I have mentioned the praises of God, be not slothful, and stand not afar in life and habits. O come, let us worship, and fall down to Him. But possibly ye are anxious on account of your sins, which have made you afar
from God; let us do as followeth : And mourn before the Lord our Maker. Perhaps thou art burning with the con sciousness of a fault ; blot out with tears the flame of thy sin : mourn before the Lord : fearlessly mourn before the Lord, Who made thee ; for He despiseth not the work of His own hands in thee. Think not thou canst be restored by thyself. By thyself thou mayest fall off, thou canst not restore thyself: He Who made thee restoreth thee. Let us mourn before the Lord our Maker : weep before Him, con
fess unto Him, prevent His face in confession. For who art thou who mournest before Him, and confessest unto
6'
394 God's people the ' sheep of His hand;' and why 'shorn. "
Psalm Him, but one whom He created r The thing created hath X C V '- no slight confidence in Him Who created and that in no indifferent fashion, but according to His own image and
likeness. O come, let us worship, and fall down to Him and mourn before the Lord our Maker.
11. Ver. 7. For He is the Lord our God. But that we may without fear fall down and kneel before Him, what are we We are the people qf His pasture, and the sheep His hand. See how elegantly he hath trans posed the order of the words, and as were not given its own attribute to each word that we may understand these very same to be the sheep, who are also the people. He said not, the sheep of His pasture, and the people of His hand; which might be thought more congruous, since
the sheep belong to the pasture but He said, the people His pasture. The people are therefore sheep, since he saith, the people of His pasture: the people themselves are
sheep. But again, since we have sheep which we buy, not which we create and he had said above, Let us fall down before our Maker rightly said, the sheep of His hand. No man maketh for himself sheep, he may buy them, they may be given, he may find them, he may collect them, lastly, he may steal them make them he cannot. But our Lord made us therefore the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand, are the very sheep which He hath
deigned by His grace to create unto Himself. He praiseth these sheep also in the Song of Solomon, speaking of some perfect ones as the teeth of His Spouse the Holy Church
Sonf? of Thy teeth are like a flock sheep that are even shorn, g? g4'2; which come up from the washing; whereof every one
beareth twins, and there none barren. What meaneth, Thy teeth? These by whom thou speakest: for the teeth of the Church are those through whom she speaketh. Of what sort are thy teeth? Like a flock of sheep that are shorn. Why, that are shorn Because they have laid aside the burdens of the world. Were not those sheep, of which
was little before speaking, shorn, whom the bidding Mat. 19, of God had shorn, when He saith, Go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor; and thou shall find treasure in
heaven: and come and follow Me? They performed this
I a
of
?
is ;
is
of
;
:
;
;
; ;
it
;
it
it,
of ?
Why 'washed? and fruitful. Warningfrom Jews" example. 395
bidding: shorn they came. And because those who believe Ver. in Christ are baptized, what is there said? which come up
the washing; that is, come up from the cleansing. Whereof every one beareth twins. What twins ? Those two Mat. 22
commandments, wherefrom hangall the Lawand the Prophets. 40- IVe, therefore, are the people of His pasture, and the sheep
ofHis hand.
12. Ver. 8. Therefore, To-day if ye will hear His voice.
O my people, the people of God ! God addresses His people:
not only the people of His which He shall not cast off, but
also all His people. For He speaketh in the corner-stone to Ephes. each wall : that is, prophecy speaketh in Christ, both to the 2' 20' people of the Jews, and the people of the Gentiles. To-day
if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts. For some
time ye heard His voice through Moses, and hardened your hearts. He then, when you hardened your hearts, spoke through a herald ; He now speaketh by Himself, let your hearts soften. He who used to send heralds before Him,
hath now deigned to come Himself; He here speaketh by
His own mouth, He Who used to speak by the mouths of the Prophets. To-day, therefore, ifye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.
13. Ver. 9. Why hath he said, Harden not your hearts ? Because ye remember what your fathers used to do. Harden
not your hearts, as in the provocation, and in the day of temptation in the wilderness. Ye surely remember, brethren,
that that people tempted God, received chastening, and was Exod. governed in the desert as it were by an excellent rider, with
the curb of laws, the curb of commandments and was not forsaken by God even when unsubdued, not only in His present blessings, but in the rod of correction that never ceased. Therefore harden not your hearts, as in the pro vocation, in the day of temptation in the desert -- where your fathers --proved me. Let such be no more your fathers: imitate them not. They were your fathers, but ye do not imitate them, they shall not be your fathers yet as ye were born of them, they were your fathers. And the heathen who came from the ends of the earth, in the words of
Jeremias, The Gentiles shall come unto Thee from the ends jei. 16, of the earth, and shall say, Surely our forefathers have 19,
from
: if
;
if
17'
396 The forty years a type of this world's duration.
Psalm inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is nv profit : Lif the heathen forsook their idols, to come to the God of
E*-
lb. 16, through the Red Sea, wherein He overwhelmed their pur- 13--36. suing foes; whom He led out into the wilderness, fed
Israel ; ought Israel whom their own God led from Egypt
with manna, never took His rod from correcting them, never deprived them of the blessings of His mercy ; ought
to desert their own God, when the heathen have come unto Him ? When your fathers tempted Me, proved Me, and saw My works. For forty years they saw My works, for forty years they provoked Me : before them I repeatedly wrought miracles by the hand of Moses, and yet they more and more hardened their heaIrts.
they
14. Ver. 10. Forty years long was
generation. What doth very near mean ?
present in signs and good workIs : not on one day, not on
very near unto this gene ration, and said, It is a people that do always err in their hearts; for they have not known My ways. The forty years have the same meaning as the word always. For that number forty indicates the fulness of ages, as if the ages were perfected in this number. Hence our Lord fasted Matt. 4, forty days, forty days He was tempted in the desert, and ^Tj, V forty days He was with His disciples after His resurrection.
3. On the first forty days He shewed us temptation, on the latter forty days consolation : since beyond doubt when we are tempted we are consoled. For His body, that is, the Church, must needs suffer temptations in this world : but
20'
very near unto this
two ; but forty years long was
Mat. 28, that Comforter, Who said, Lo, I I
unto the end of the world, is not wanting. And
It is a people that do always err in their hearts.
was I with them forty years, to shew such a race of men, which alway provoketh Me, even unto the end of the world: because by those forty years He meant to signify the whole of this world's duration.
15. Ver. 4. What then ? In their stead shall there not be others to enter into God's rest? Those whom God's mercy displeased are rejected, they who resisted God with a hard ened heart; they being rejected, hath God lost His people?
Matt. 3, It will not then be true, that God is able out of these stones
a
I made Myself
am with you even alway,
*
said. For this
God's oath to punish, as sure as His promise. 397
to raise up children unto Abraham. Therefore, Isaid, It is Ver. a people that do ahcay err in theirIhearts, and they have ---- not known My ways; unto whom sware in My wrath,
that they should not enter into My rest: this is an awful
threat. We began with exulting joy I: but this Psalm hath
ended with great fear : Unto whom
that they should not enter into My rest. It is a great thing
for God to speak : how much greater for Him to swear ?
Thou shouldest fear a man when he sweareth, lest he do somewhat on account of his oath against his will : how much
more shouldest thou fear God, when He sweareth, seeing He
can swear nought rashly ? He chose the act of swearing
for a confirmation. And by whom doth God swear? By Himself: for He hath no greater by whom to swear. By Heb. 6, Himself He confinneth His promises: by Himself He con-13'
firmeth His threats. Let no man say in his heart, His promise is true; His threat is false: as His promise is true,
so is His threat sure. Thou oughtest to be equally assured
of rest, of happiness, of eternity, of immortality, if thou
hast executed His commandments ; as of destruction, of the burning of eternal fire, of damnation with the devil, if thou
hast despised His commandments. He therefore swore unto
them in His anger, that they should not enter into His rest :
and yet some must enter into His rest ; for it will not be Heb. 4, given to none. They therefore being reprobate, we shall 6- enter: for although some of the boughs have been broken Rom. l1,
for their want of resemblance and infidelity, we shall be19,20- engrafted on account of our faith and humility. Let us therefore enter into His rest. But by what means did they
who entered enter, those who were chosen, who resisted not
with an hardened heart ? Because it is true, that God will not cast off His people.
PSALM XCVL' LAT.
My
we shall feel in his discourse, which he oweth us ; for he
xcv.
lord and brother Severus1" still defers the pleasure
? Delivered perhaps in the year 406, b Bishop of Milevis, mentioned in when the Donatists prevailed through the discourse of the preceding day on the violence of the Circumcelliones. Ps. 132. Ben.
sware in My wrath,
898 What is meant by the building of God's House.
Psalm acknowledged, that he is held a debtor. For all the XCVI' Churches through which he hath passed, by his tongue the Lord hath gladdened : much more therefore ought that
Church to be rejoiced, out of which the Lord hath propa
his preaching among the rest. But what shall we do, but obey his will ? I said, however, brethren, that he deferred, not that he defrauded us. Therefore let us keep him as a debtor bound, and release him not until he hath paid. Attend therefore, beloved: as far as the Lord alloweth, let us say somewhat of this Psalm, which indeed you already know ; for the fresh mention of truth is sweet. Possibly when its title was pronounced, some heard it with wonder. For the Psalm is inscribed : When the house was being built after the Captivity. This title having been prefixed, ye were perhaps expecting in the text of the Psalm to hear
what stones were hewn from the mountains, what masses
were drawn to the spot, what foundations were laid, what . beams were placed on high, what columns raised. Its song is of nothing of this kind: and if its song be of another
sort, doth then the Psalm not agree with its title, but beareth one thing in its title, another in its words ? It doth nothing of the sort, but only seeketh those who can under stand it. For it speaketh of the building of the house. Let
all the stones of that house know what they have sung. For the house is built unto God, not in the place where Solomon built. For he built a temple: and ye have just heard what the Lord said of that very temple. When His
disciples were admiring the stones and vast masses of the temple, they discovered their admiration and wonderIunto
Mat. 24, the Lord; and He said unto them, Verily, verily,
unto you, there shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
It is no such house that is in building; for behold where it is built, not in one spot, not in any particular region. For thus he commenceth.
gated
ictiron. '
say
o. Ver. 1. 0 sing unto the Lord a new song ; sing unto the Lord, all the earth. If all the earth singeth a new song, it is* thus building while it singeth : the very act of singing is building: but only, if it singeth not the old song. The lust of the flesh singeth the old song : the love of God singeth the new. Whatever thou singest of lust, thou art
Singing and building. Error of Rebuptizing. 399
singing lhe old song ; although the words of the new song Ver. sound in the mouth, yet praise is not seemly in the mouth ---- of a sinner. It is better for thee to he new and silent, than Ecclus. to be old and sing; for if thou art new, and art silent, it15'9' soundeth not but in the ears of men ; for thy heart is not
silent of the new song, which reacheth the ears of God, Who
made thee a new man. Thou lovest, and art silent: thy
very love is a voice unto God, and that very love is a new
song. Hear whIy it is a new song: the Lord saith, A new John 16,
l2'
commandment
The whole earth then singeth a new song : there the house
of God is built. All the earth is the house of God. If all
the earth is the house of God, he who clingeth not to all the Dona- earth, is a ruin, not a house ; that old ruin whose shadow tl9ts' that ancient temple represented. For there what was old
was destroyed, that what was new mIight be built up. And
how was the old destroyed ? Note
there shall not be lefl here one stone upon another, that shall
not be thrown down. The stone is Christ : but the Apostle
saith, For as many ofyou as have been baptized into Christ, Gal. 3,
give unto you, that ye love one another.
have put on Christ. If whosoever is baptized in Christ,27' putteth on Christ, who placeth stone upon stone, except heRebap-
who layeth baptism upon Baptism ? But be not terrified :
there shall not be left one that shall not be thrown down. Ps. 40. For the stones are gathered together in such a manner for
the new fabric, which is built after the captivity, and love
so bindeth together in unity, that it is not stoue upon stone, but all the stones are one stone. Wonder not : the
new song, that is, the altered law of love, hath done this.
The Apostle bindeth us together into this very structure,
and fasteneth us when bound together in that unity, saying, Forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep ///eEphes. unity of the Spirit in the bond ofpeace. Where there is this ' unity of Spirit, there is one stone ; but one stone formed out
of many. How one formed out of many? By forbearing one another in love. Therefore the house of the Lord our God
is in building ; it is this that is being wrought, for tins are these words, for this these readings, for this the preaching of
the Gospel over the whole world ; as yet it is in building. This house hath increased greatly, and filled many nations :
say unto you, He saith,
400 Christ conquers by the Cross. Place of His House.
Psalm neverlheless, it hath not yet prevailed through all nations: by 'its increase it hath held many, and will prevail over all: and it is gainsaid by those who boast of their being of its
household, and who say, it hath already lost ground. It still increaseth, still all those nations which have not yet believed are destined to believe; that no man may say, will that tongue believe ? will the barbarians believe ? what is the
Act>> 2, meaning of the Holy Spirit having appeared in the fiery
3'
tongues, except that there is no tongue so hard that it cannot be softened by that fire ? For we know that many barbarous nations have already believed in Christ : Christ already possesseth regions where the Roman empire hath never yet reached ; what is as yet closed to those who fight with the sword, is not closed to Him Who fighteth with wood. For
11. the Lord hath reigned from the wood? . Who is it who fighteth with wood ? Christ. With His cross He hath vanquished kings, and fixed upon their forehead, when vanquished, that very cross; and they glory in it, for in it is their salvation. This is the work which is being wrought, thus the house increaseth, thus it is building : and that ye may know, hear the following verses of the Psalm : see them
labouring upon, and constructing the house. O sing unto the Lord a new song, sing unto the Lord all the earth.
3. Ver. 2, 3. Sing unto the Lord, bless His Name : be telling good tidings ofHis salvation from day to day. How doth the building increase? Be telling, he saith, good tidings of His salvation from day to day. Let it be preached from day to day ; from day to day, he saith, let it be built; let My house, saith God, increase. And as if it were said by the workmen, Where dost Thou command it to
be built ? Where dost Thou will Thy house to increase ? Choose for us some level, spacious spot, if Thou wish an ample house built Thee. Where dost Thou bid us be telling good tidings from day to day? He sheweth the place: Declare His honour unto the heathen : His honour, not yours. O ye builders, Declare His honour unto the heathen. Should ye choose to declare your own honour, ye shall fall : if His, ye shall be built up, while ye are building. There-
? Quoted as from thia Psalm by cum Tryph. ? . 73. he accuses the Jews Justin Martyr, Apol. i. 41. ia Dial, of expungiog the words dvb toC {? aov.
They who separate, build a ' whited wall. ' 401
fore they who choose to declare their own honour, have Ver.
refused to dwell in that house ; and therefore they sing not. : 2"! ' Dona-
a new song with all the earth. For they do not share ittists. with the whole round world ; and hence they are not building in the house, but have erected a whited wall. HowEzek. sternly doth God threaten the whited wall ? There are in- 10-
&<. ', numerable testimonies of the Prophets, whence He curseth
the whited wall. What is the whited wall, save hypocrisy, that pretence Without bright, within dirt. What am about to say, hath already been said but since
hath been said through that Spirit, Which the Lord hath deigned to confer even upon us, we have declared and whatever we now say by the same Spirit, those who were before
us have said. It not therefore to be passed by
declared, since by God's gift hath been spoken.
person speaking of this whited wall, said thus
wall which standeth alone, and not connected with any m(uIv? ! other walls, you make door, whoever enters, out of doors ;? n pon. so in that part which hath refused to sing the new songb. us. together with the house, but hath chosen to build wall,0-
and that whited one, and not solid, what availeth that
hath door If thou enterest, thou art found to be without. g"a*"^ For because they themselves did not enter by the door, their
door also doth not admit them within. For the Lord saith,
am the door: Me they enter in. Who are they who Johnio, enter by the door They who seek the Lord's glory, not
their own. Who enter by the door They who do as
said, Declare His honour unto the heathen. He that entereth ib. 2. in by the door, the shepherd of the sheep, saith the Lord
but he who cUmbeth up some other way, the same is a thiefib. I. and a robber. He who entereth by the door, humble: he
who climbeth up another way, proud for that reason He spoke of one as entering in, of the other as climbing up. But the one by entering received, the other by climbing
thrown down. Declare His honour unto the heathen. What unto the heathen Perhaps by nations but few are meant and that part which hath raised the whited wall hath still somewhat to say: why are not Getulia, Numidia, Mauritania, By zacinm, nations Provinces are nations. Let the word of God take the word from hypocrisy, from the
VOL. iv.
but to be
A certain
as, if in a1 s. Op-
(quoted
D d
? it is
it is
?
is
is /
it
aI
is, ', is,
:a ? '
:
is
is
:
is
?
? by is? a
it a
a ;is
it ; is
it
jo.
'
is
'::
it it
402 The Lord, Christ, great beyond all praise.
Psai m whited wall, building up the house over the whole world. "X C V I : It is not enough to say, Declare His honour unto the heathen ; that thou mayest not think any nations excepted,
he addeth, and His wonders unto all people.
4. Ver. 4. For the Lord is great, and cannot worthily be
praised. What Lord, except Jesus Christ, is great, and cannot worthily be praised ? Ye know surely that He ap peared as a Man : ye know surely that He was conceived in a woman's womb, ye know that He was born from the womb, that He was suckled, that He was carried in arms, circumcised, that a victim was offered for Him, that He grew ; lastly, ye know that He was buffeted, spit upon, crowned with thorns, was crucified, died, was pierced with a spear; ye know that He suffered all these things: He is great, and cannot worthily be praised. Despise not what is
little, understand what is great. He became little, because ye were such : let Him be acknowledged great, and in Him ye shall be great. For thus the house is built, thus in the house itself are the constructions raised : the stones which are brought to the building increase. Increase, therefore; acknowledge Christ to be great : and He Who was little, is great, great beyond praise. He hath finished his words : he wished to say how great ; even though throughout the
whole day he should say, Great, Great, yet what would he say ? Saying all the day, Great, he would at length stop ; because day ceascth : His greatness is before days, beyond days, without day. What then should he say ? For God is great, and cannot worthily be praised. For what can a small tongue say towards the praise of the Great One ? By
'Lauda- saying, Beyond praise1, he hath spoken, and hath given to m' imagination what it may conceive : as if saying, What I cannot utter, do thou reflect on ; and when thou shalt have reflected, it will not be enough. What no man's thought uttereth, doth any man's tongue utter? The Lord is great,
and cannot worthily be praised. Let Him be praised, and preached : His honour declared, and His house built.
5. He is more to be feared than all gods. Are there then gods, than whom He is more to be feared ? Let us see whom he is speaking of, and we shall see why he speaketh. Meanwhile before we speak, most beloved, attend. He
Chrkt redeemed all from heathen captivity. 403
Who appeared as it were frightened among men, is more to Ver.
--
22'
Crucify, crucify Him ! as if He could be frightened by thatMat. 27, roar, Who is more to be feared not than all men, but than all 23' gods ? For the spot where he wished to build the house, is
itself woody, where it was said yesterday, we found it in the P*. 132, woodb. For he was seeking that very house, when he said,
' in the wood. ' And why is that spot woody ? Men used to worship images : it is not wonderful that they fed hogs.
For that son who left his father, and spent his all on harlots,
living as a prodigal, use to feed hogs, that is, to worship Luke16, devils ; and by this very superstition of the heathen, all the 12-- 16, earth became a wood. But he who buildeth a house, rooteth up the wood ; and for this reason it was said, While Title of the house was being built, after the captivity. For men Ps' were held captive under the devil, and served devils; but
be feared than all gods. Did not the heathen rage? Have
not the people imagined vain things against the Lord, and against His Anointed ? Did not those fat bulls close Him in Ps. 2, 1.
on every side ? Did not that roaring lion gape upon Him, and entering into the hearts of the raging crowd exclaim,
they were redeemed from captivity. They could sell, but they could not redeem themselves. The Redeemer came, and gave a price ; He poured forth His Blood, and bought the whole world. Ye ask what He bought? Ye see what He hath given ; find out then what He bought. The Blood of Christ was the price. What is equal to this? What, but the whole world ? What, but all nations ?
They are very ungrateful for their price, or very proud, who say that the price is so small that it bought the Africans only;
or that they are so great, as that it was given for them alone. Let them not then exult, let them not be proud : He gave what He gave for the whole world. He knew what He bought, because He knew at what price He bought it. Thus because we are redeemed, the house is built after the captivity. And who are they who held us in cap tivity? Because they to whom it is said, Declare His honour, are the clearers of the wood : that they may root out the wood, free the earth from captivity, and build, and raise up, by declaring the greatness of the b Hence it appears that Ps. 132. was expounded the day before.
dd2
404 Christ above Heavens as well as above heathen gods.
Psaim Lord's house. How is the wood of devils cleared away, xcvr- .
unless He Who is above them all be preached ? All nations
then had devils for their gods : those whom they called loC20' ? o(^s' were devils, as ihe Apostle more openly saith, Tlie
'
things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice unto devils, and not to God. Since therefore they were in captivity, because they sacrificed to devils, and on that account the whole earth had remained woody ; He is declared to be great, and above all worldly praise.
6. Ver. 5. And how is His greatness shewn, that He may root out all superstitions, captive beneath which the people was held, whom He Who is more to be feared than all gods came to redeem ? As if the Psalmist were asked, Why hast thou said, above all gods ? Are these then gods ? He addeth, As for all the gods of the heathen, they are devils. Attend, beloved. He was speaking of something great but just before : Hie Lord is great ; and as if he failed in His praises, he addeth, and cannot worthily be praised. Did I not say this, that He left it to thee to imagine what he could not express in words ? But when he was expressing it in words, what great praise did he utter concerning our Lord
Jesus Christ ? That He is above all devils ?
'
392 Temptations given in measure for our good.
'
Psalm made the two one: not as the heretics, who made two of one. XCV .
14.
'
For the Apostle saith this same of our Lord Christ: For He is our peace, Who hath made both one. Let us therefore shout for joy in Him. Why? Because the I^rd will not cast off His people. Again : Why ? For in His hand are all the corners of the earth : and the heights of the kills are His also. The heights of the hills meaneth the high places of the earth. Sometimes these high places, that is, earthly
powers, are adverse to the Church ; they have promulgated laws against the Church, and endeavoured to blot out the name of Christian from off the earth: but after the fulfir-
Ps. 72, ment of the prophecy, All the kings of the earth shall fall
u-
Cor. 10' l3-
down before Him, what is here said happened, the heights of the hills are His also.
Ver. 5. But perhaps thou art busied with temptations, and hence that, though placed in so great grace of God's promises, thou art disturbed by the world's stumbling-blocks? But those very stumbling-blocks do not really auy thing to thee since they have received their measure from God For the sea His. For the sea this world, but God made also the sea: nor 'can the waves rage save only so far as to the shore, where Ho hath marked their bounds. There therefore no temptation, that hath not received its measure from the Lord. Let there be therefore temptations, let there be tribulations thou art perfected, not consumed by them.
Consider whether those very temptations be not useful. Hear the Apostle God faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted abor. e that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. He saith not, He will not suffer you to be tempted at all for thou wert to refuse temptation, thou wouldest also refuse reformation. Thou art therefore re formed and thou art reformed, thou art in His hands Who formed thee. He taketh something from thee He chasteneth thee in some way, He levelleth somewhat, He cleanseth somewhat in thee: He worketh with certain tools of His own: these are the stumbling-blocks of this world: do thou only be careful not to fall out of thy Maker's hands. No temptation beyond thy strength will approach thee. This God alloweth for thy benefit, whence thou mayest
?
:
:
if ;
; ;
if
is
1
is :
is
it is
is
;
I),
Fear not to come to God, even for sin. 893 profit. Lastly, bear the Apostle himself adding this : But Ver.
will with lite temptation also make a way to escape, that ye
may be able to bear it. Perhaps then the sea was a subject
of fear to thee ? Fear not. For the sea is His, and He
made it. Fearest thou stumbling-blocks from the heathen ?
He made the heathen also Himself; He will not permit
them to rage beyond the measure which He knoweth, -whence thou mayest profit. Saith not another Psalm, All Ps. 86,9. nations whom Thou hast made shall come and worship
before Thee, 0 Lord! if all the nations which Thou hast made, it is clear that He also created the nations: therefore, The sea is His, and He made it: and His hands prepared
the dry land. Be thou the dry land : thirst for the grace of God : that as a sweet shower it may come upon thee, may find in thee fruit. He alloweth not the waves to cover what He hath sown. And His hands prepared the dry land. Hence also therefore let us shout unto the Lord.
10. Since then these things are thus: since we have ex pounded so great things pertaining unto the praise of God, . return ye to where he commenced : (ver. 6. ) 0 come, let us
worship, and fall down to Him ; and mourn before the Lord our Maker. Let us rejoice, because He made this and that. He hath enumerated many things, and he now repeateth his exhortation, O come, let us worship, and fall down to Him : let us mourn before the Lord our Maker. Now that I have mentioned the praises of God, be not slothful, and stand not afar in life and habits. O come, let us worship, and fall down to Him. But possibly ye are anxious on account of your sins, which have made you afar
from God; let us do as followeth : And mourn before the Lord our Maker. Perhaps thou art burning with the con sciousness of a fault ; blot out with tears the flame of thy sin : mourn before the Lord : fearlessly mourn before the Lord, Who made thee ; for He despiseth not the work of His own hands in thee. Think not thou canst be restored by thyself. By thyself thou mayest fall off, thou canst not restore thyself: He Who made thee restoreth thee. Let us mourn before the Lord our Maker : weep before Him, con
fess unto Him, prevent His face in confession. For who art thou who mournest before Him, and confessest unto
6'
394 God's people the ' sheep of His hand;' and why 'shorn. "
Psalm Him, but one whom He created r The thing created hath X C V '- no slight confidence in Him Who created and that in no indifferent fashion, but according to His own image and
likeness. O come, let us worship, and fall down to Him and mourn before the Lord our Maker.
11. Ver. 7. For He is the Lord our God. But that we may without fear fall down and kneel before Him, what are we We are the people qf His pasture, and the sheep His hand. See how elegantly he hath trans posed the order of the words, and as were not given its own attribute to each word that we may understand these very same to be the sheep, who are also the people. He said not, the sheep of His pasture, and the people of His hand; which might be thought more congruous, since
the sheep belong to the pasture but He said, the people His pasture. The people are therefore sheep, since he saith, the people of His pasture: the people themselves are
sheep. But again, since we have sheep which we buy, not which we create and he had said above, Let us fall down before our Maker rightly said, the sheep of His hand. No man maketh for himself sheep, he may buy them, they may be given, he may find them, he may collect them, lastly, he may steal them make them he cannot. But our Lord made us therefore the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand, are the very sheep which He hath
deigned by His grace to create unto Himself. He praiseth these sheep also in the Song of Solomon, speaking of some perfect ones as the teeth of His Spouse the Holy Church
Sonf? of Thy teeth are like a flock sheep that are even shorn, g? g4'2; which come up from the washing; whereof every one
beareth twins, and there none barren. What meaneth, Thy teeth? These by whom thou speakest: for the teeth of the Church are those through whom she speaketh. Of what sort are thy teeth? Like a flock of sheep that are shorn. Why, that are shorn Because they have laid aside the burdens of the world. Were not those sheep, of which
was little before speaking, shorn, whom the bidding Mat. 19, of God had shorn, when He saith, Go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor; and thou shall find treasure in
heaven: and come and follow Me? They performed this
I a
of
?
is ;
is
of
;
:
;
;
; ;
it
;
it
it,
of ?
Why 'washed? and fruitful. Warningfrom Jews" example. 395
bidding: shorn they came. And because those who believe Ver. in Christ are baptized, what is there said? which come up
the washing; that is, come up from the cleansing. Whereof every one beareth twins. What twins ? Those two Mat. 22
commandments, wherefrom hangall the Lawand the Prophets. 40- IVe, therefore, are the people of His pasture, and the sheep
ofHis hand.
12. Ver. 8. Therefore, To-day if ye will hear His voice.
O my people, the people of God ! God addresses His people:
not only the people of His which He shall not cast off, but
also all His people. For He speaketh in the corner-stone to Ephes. each wall : that is, prophecy speaketh in Christ, both to the 2' 20' people of the Jews, and the people of the Gentiles. To-day
if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts. For some
time ye heard His voice through Moses, and hardened your hearts. He then, when you hardened your hearts, spoke through a herald ; He now speaketh by Himself, let your hearts soften. He who used to send heralds before Him,
hath now deigned to come Himself; He here speaketh by
His own mouth, He Who used to speak by the mouths of the Prophets. To-day, therefore, ifye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.
13. Ver. 9. Why hath he said, Harden not your hearts ? Because ye remember what your fathers used to do. Harden
not your hearts, as in the provocation, and in the day of temptation in the wilderness. Ye surely remember, brethren,
that that people tempted God, received chastening, and was Exod. governed in the desert as it were by an excellent rider, with
the curb of laws, the curb of commandments and was not forsaken by God even when unsubdued, not only in His present blessings, but in the rod of correction that never ceased. Therefore harden not your hearts, as in the pro vocation, in the day of temptation in the desert -- where your fathers --proved me. Let such be no more your fathers: imitate them not. They were your fathers, but ye do not imitate them, they shall not be your fathers yet as ye were born of them, they were your fathers. And the heathen who came from the ends of the earth, in the words of
Jeremias, The Gentiles shall come unto Thee from the ends jei. 16, of the earth, and shall say, Surely our forefathers have 19,
from
: if
;
if
17'
396 The forty years a type of this world's duration.
Psalm inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is nv profit : Lif the heathen forsook their idols, to come to the God of
E*-
lb. 16, through the Red Sea, wherein He overwhelmed their pur- 13--36. suing foes; whom He led out into the wilderness, fed
Israel ; ought Israel whom their own God led from Egypt
with manna, never took His rod from correcting them, never deprived them of the blessings of His mercy ; ought
to desert their own God, when the heathen have come unto Him ? When your fathers tempted Me, proved Me, and saw My works. For forty years they saw My works, for forty years they provoked Me : before them I repeatedly wrought miracles by the hand of Moses, and yet they more and more hardened their heaIrts.
they
14. Ver. 10. Forty years long was
generation. What doth very near mean ?
present in signs and good workIs : not on one day, not on
very near unto this gene ration, and said, It is a people that do always err in their hearts; for they have not known My ways. The forty years have the same meaning as the word always. For that number forty indicates the fulness of ages, as if the ages were perfected in this number. Hence our Lord fasted Matt. 4, forty days, forty days He was tempted in the desert, and ^Tj, V forty days He was with His disciples after His resurrection.
3. On the first forty days He shewed us temptation, on the latter forty days consolation : since beyond doubt when we are tempted we are consoled. For His body, that is, the Church, must needs suffer temptations in this world : but
20'
very near unto this
two ; but forty years long was
Mat. 28, that Comforter, Who said, Lo, I I
unto the end of the world, is not wanting. And
It is a people that do always err in their hearts.
was I with them forty years, to shew such a race of men, which alway provoketh Me, even unto the end of the world: because by those forty years He meant to signify the whole of this world's duration.
15. Ver. 4. What then ? In their stead shall there not be others to enter into God's rest? Those whom God's mercy displeased are rejected, they who resisted God with a hard ened heart; they being rejected, hath God lost His people?
Matt. 3, It will not then be true, that God is able out of these stones
a
I made Myself
am with you even alway,
*
said. For this
God's oath to punish, as sure as His promise. 397
to raise up children unto Abraham. Therefore, Isaid, It is Ver. a people that do ahcay err in theirIhearts, and they have ---- not known My ways; unto whom sware in My wrath,
that they should not enter into My rest: this is an awful
threat. We began with exulting joy I: but this Psalm hath
ended with great fear : Unto whom
that they should not enter into My rest. It is a great thing
for God to speak : how much greater for Him to swear ?
Thou shouldest fear a man when he sweareth, lest he do somewhat on account of his oath against his will : how much
more shouldest thou fear God, when He sweareth, seeing He
can swear nought rashly ? He chose the act of swearing
for a confirmation. And by whom doth God swear? By Himself: for He hath no greater by whom to swear. By Heb. 6, Himself He confinneth His promises: by Himself He con-13'
firmeth His threats. Let no man say in his heart, His promise is true; His threat is false: as His promise is true,
so is His threat sure. Thou oughtest to be equally assured
of rest, of happiness, of eternity, of immortality, if thou
hast executed His commandments ; as of destruction, of the burning of eternal fire, of damnation with the devil, if thou
hast despised His commandments. He therefore swore unto
them in His anger, that they should not enter into His rest :
and yet some must enter into His rest ; for it will not be Heb. 4, given to none. They therefore being reprobate, we shall 6- enter: for although some of the boughs have been broken Rom. l1,
for their want of resemblance and infidelity, we shall be19,20- engrafted on account of our faith and humility. Let us therefore enter into His rest. But by what means did they
who entered enter, those who were chosen, who resisted not
with an hardened heart ? Because it is true, that God will not cast off His people.
PSALM XCVL' LAT.
My
we shall feel in his discourse, which he oweth us ; for he
xcv.
lord and brother Severus1" still defers the pleasure
? Delivered perhaps in the year 406, b Bishop of Milevis, mentioned in when the Donatists prevailed through the discourse of the preceding day on the violence of the Circumcelliones. Ps. 132. Ben.
sware in My wrath,
898 What is meant by the building of God's House.
Psalm acknowledged, that he is held a debtor. For all the XCVI' Churches through which he hath passed, by his tongue the Lord hath gladdened : much more therefore ought that
Church to be rejoiced, out of which the Lord hath propa
his preaching among the rest. But what shall we do, but obey his will ? I said, however, brethren, that he deferred, not that he defrauded us. Therefore let us keep him as a debtor bound, and release him not until he hath paid. Attend therefore, beloved: as far as the Lord alloweth, let us say somewhat of this Psalm, which indeed you already know ; for the fresh mention of truth is sweet. Possibly when its title was pronounced, some heard it with wonder. For the Psalm is inscribed : When the house was being built after the Captivity. This title having been prefixed, ye were perhaps expecting in the text of the Psalm to hear
what stones were hewn from the mountains, what masses
were drawn to the spot, what foundations were laid, what . beams were placed on high, what columns raised. Its song is of nothing of this kind: and if its song be of another
sort, doth then the Psalm not agree with its title, but beareth one thing in its title, another in its words ? It doth nothing of the sort, but only seeketh those who can under stand it. For it speaketh of the building of the house. Let
all the stones of that house know what they have sung. For the house is built unto God, not in the place where Solomon built. For he built a temple: and ye have just heard what the Lord said of that very temple. When His
disciples were admiring the stones and vast masses of the temple, they discovered their admiration and wonderIunto
Mat. 24, the Lord; and He said unto them, Verily, verily,
unto you, there shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
It is no such house that is in building; for behold where it is built, not in one spot, not in any particular region. For thus he commenceth.
gated
ictiron. '
say
o. Ver. 1. 0 sing unto the Lord a new song ; sing unto the Lord, all the earth. If all the earth singeth a new song, it is* thus building while it singeth : the very act of singing is building: but only, if it singeth not the old song. The lust of the flesh singeth the old song : the love of God singeth the new. Whatever thou singest of lust, thou art
Singing and building. Error of Rebuptizing. 399
singing lhe old song ; although the words of the new song Ver. sound in the mouth, yet praise is not seemly in the mouth ---- of a sinner. It is better for thee to he new and silent, than Ecclus. to be old and sing; for if thou art new, and art silent, it15'9' soundeth not but in the ears of men ; for thy heart is not
silent of the new song, which reacheth the ears of God, Who
made thee a new man. Thou lovest, and art silent: thy
very love is a voice unto God, and that very love is a new
song. Hear whIy it is a new song: the Lord saith, A new John 16,
l2'
commandment
The whole earth then singeth a new song : there the house
of God is built. All the earth is the house of God. If all
the earth is the house of God, he who clingeth not to all the Dona- earth, is a ruin, not a house ; that old ruin whose shadow tl9ts' that ancient temple represented. For there what was old
was destroyed, that what was new mIight be built up. And
how was the old destroyed ? Note
there shall not be lefl here one stone upon another, that shall
not be thrown down. The stone is Christ : but the Apostle
saith, For as many ofyou as have been baptized into Christ, Gal. 3,
give unto you, that ye love one another.
have put on Christ. If whosoever is baptized in Christ,27' putteth on Christ, who placeth stone upon stone, except heRebap-
who layeth baptism upon Baptism ? But be not terrified :
there shall not be left one that shall not be thrown down. Ps. 40. For the stones are gathered together in such a manner for
the new fabric, which is built after the captivity, and love
so bindeth together in unity, that it is not stoue upon stone, but all the stones are one stone. Wonder not : the
new song, that is, the altered law of love, hath done this.
The Apostle bindeth us together into this very structure,
and fasteneth us when bound together in that unity, saying, Forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep ///eEphes. unity of the Spirit in the bond ofpeace. Where there is this ' unity of Spirit, there is one stone ; but one stone formed out
of many. How one formed out of many? By forbearing one another in love. Therefore the house of the Lord our God
is in building ; it is this that is being wrought, for tins are these words, for this these readings, for this the preaching of
the Gospel over the whole world ; as yet it is in building. This house hath increased greatly, and filled many nations :
say unto you, He saith,
400 Christ conquers by the Cross. Place of His House.
Psalm neverlheless, it hath not yet prevailed through all nations: by 'its increase it hath held many, and will prevail over all: and it is gainsaid by those who boast of their being of its
household, and who say, it hath already lost ground. It still increaseth, still all those nations which have not yet believed are destined to believe; that no man may say, will that tongue believe ? will the barbarians believe ? what is the
Act>> 2, meaning of the Holy Spirit having appeared in the fiery
3'
tongues, except that there is no tongue so hard that it cannot be softened by that fire ? For we know that many barbarous nations have already believed in Christ : Christ already possesseth regions where the Roman empire hath never yet reached ; what is as yet closed to those who fight with the sword, is not closed to Him Who fighteth with wood. For
11. the Lord hath reigned from the wood? . Who is it who fighteth with wood ? Christ. With His cross He hath vanquished kings, and fixed upon their forehead, when vanquished, that very cross; and they glory in it, for in it is their salvation. This is the work which is being wrought, thus the house increaseth, thus it is building : and that ye may know, hear the following verses of the Psalm : see them
labouring upon, and constructing the house. O sing unto the Lord a new song, sing unto the Lord all the earth.
3. Ver. 2, 3. Sing unto the Lord, bless His Name : be telling good tidings ofHis salvation from day to day. How doth the building increase? Be telling, he saith, good tidings of His salvation from day to day. Let it be preached from day to day ; from day to day, he saith, let it be built; let My house, saith God, increase. And as if it were said by the workmen, Where dost Thou command it to
be built ? Where dost Thou will Thy house to increase ? Choose for us some level, spacious spot, if Thou wish an ample house built Thee. Where dost Thou bid us be telling good tidings from day to day? He sheweth the place: Declare His honour unto the heathen : His honour, not yours. O ye builders, Declare His honour unto the heathen. Should ye choose to declare your own honour, ye shall fall : if His, ye shall be built up, while ye are building. There-
? Quoted as from thia Psalm by cum Tryph. ? . 73. he accuses the Jews Justin Martyr, Apol. i. 41. ia Dial, of expungiog the words dvb toC {? aov.
They who separate, build a ' whited wall. ' 401
fore they who choose to declare their own honour, have Ver.
refused to dwell in that house ; and therefore they sing not. : 2"! ' Dona-
a new song with all the earth. For they do not share ittists. with the whole round world ; and hence they are not building in the house, but have erected a whited wall. HowEzek. sternly doth God threaten the whited wall ? There are in- 10-
&<. ', numerable testimonies of the Prophets, whence He curseth
the whited wall. What is the whited wall, save hypocrisy, that pretence Without bright, within dirt. What am about to say, hath already been said but since
hath been said through that Spirit, Which the Lord hath deigned to confer even upon us, we have declared and whatever we now say by the same Spirit, those who were before
us have said. It not therefore to be passed by
declared, since by God's gift hath been spoken.
person speaking of this whited wall, said thus
wall which standeth alone, and not connected with any m(uIv? ! other walls, you make door, whoever enters, out of doors ;? n pon. so in that part which hath refused to sing the new songb. us. together with the house, but hath chosen to build wall,0-
and that whited one, and not solid, what availeth that
hath door If thou enterest, thou art found to be without. g"a*"^ For because they themselves did not enter by the door, their
door also doth not admit them within. For the Lord saith,
am the door: Me they enter in. Who are they who Johnio, enter by the door They who seek the Lord's glory, not
their own. Who enter by the door They who do as
said, Declare His honour unto the heathen. He that entereth ib. 2. in by the door, the shepherd of the sheep, saith the Lord
but he who cUmbeth up some other way, the same is a thiefib. I. and a robber. He who entereth by the door, humble: he
who climbeth up another way, proud for that reason He spoke of one as entering in, of the other as climbing up. But the one by entering received, the other by climbing
thrown down. Declare His honour unto the heathen. What unto the heathen Perhaps by nations but few are meant and that part which hath raised the whited wall hath still somewhat to say: why are not Getulia, Numidia, Mauritania, By zacinm, nations Provinces are nations. Let the word of God take the word from hypocrisy, from the
VOL. iv.
but to be
A certain
as, if in a1 s. Op-
(quoted
D d
? it is
it is
?
is
is /
it
aI
is, ', is,
:a ? '
:
is
is
:
is
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? by is? a
it a
a ;is
it ; is
it
jo.
'
is
'::
it it
402 The Lord, Christ, great beyond all praise.
Psai m whited wall, building up the house over the whole world. "X C V I : It is not enough to say, Declare His honour unto the heathen ; that thou mayest not think any nations excepted,
he addeth, and His wonders unto all people.
4. Ver. 4. For the Lord is great, and cannot worthily be
praised. What Lord, except Jesus Christ, is great, and cannot worthily be praised ? Ye know surely that He ap peared as a Man : ye know surely that He was conceived in a woman's womb, ye know that He was born from the womb, that He was suckled, that He was carried in arms, circumcised, that a victim was offered for Him, that He grew ; lastly, ye know that He was buffeted, spit upon, crowned with thorns, was crucified, died, was pierced with a spear; ye know that He suffered all these things: He is great, and cannot worthily be praised. Despise not what is
little, understand what is great. He became little, because ye were such : let Him be acknowledged great, and in Him ye shall be great. For thus the house is built, thus in the house itself are the constructions raised : the stones which are brought to the building increase. Increase, therefore; acknowledge Christ to be great : and He Who was little, is great, great beyond praise. He hath finished his words : he wished to say how great ; even though throughout the
whole day he should say, Great, Great, yet what would he say ? Saying all the day, Great, he would at length stop ; because day ceascth : His greatness is before days, beyond days, without day. What then should he say ? For God is great, and cannot worthily be praised. For what can a small tongue say towards the praise of the Great One ? By
'Lauda- saying, Beyond praise1, he hath spoken, and hath given to m' imagination what it may conceive : as if saying, What I cannot utter, do thou reflect on ; and when thou shalt have reflected, it will not be enough. What no man's thought uttereth, doth any man's tongue utter? The Lord is great,
and cannot worthily be praised. Let Him be praised, and preached : His honour declared, and His house built.
5. He is more to be feared than all gods. Are there then gods, than whom He is more to be feared ? Let us see whom he is speaking of, and we shall see why he speaketh. Meanwhile before we speak, most beloved, attend. He
Chrkt redeemed all from heathen captivity. 403
Who appeared as it were frightened among men, is more to Ver.
--
22'
Crucify, crucify Him ! as if He could be frightened by thatMat. 27, roar, Who is more to be feared not than all men, but than all 23' gods ? For the spot where he wished to build the house, is
itself woody, where it was said yesterday, we found it in the P*. 132, woodb. For he was seeking that very house, when he said,
' in the wood. ' And why is that spot woody ? Men used to worship images : it is not wonderful that they fed hogs.
For that son who left his father, and spent his all on harlots,
living as a prodigal, use to feed hogs, that is, to worship Luke16, devils ; and by this very superstition of the heathen, all the 12-- 16, earth became a wood. But he who buildeth a house, rooteth up the wood ; and for this reason it was said, While Title of the house was being built, after the captivity. For men Ps' were held captive under the devil, and served devils; but
be feared than all gods. Did not the heathen rage? Have
not the people imagined vain things against the Lord, and against His Anointed ? Did not those fat bulls close Him in Ps. 2, 1.
on every side ? Did not that roaring lion gape upon Him, and entering into the hearts of the raging crowd exclaim,
they were redeemed from captivity. They could sell, but they could not redeem themselves. The Redeemer came, and gave a price ; He poured forth His Blood, and bought the whole world. Ye ask what He bought? Ye see what He hath given ; find out then what He bought. The Blood of Christ was the price. What is equal to this? What, but the whole world ? What, but all nations ?
They are very ungrateful for their price, or very proud, who say that the price is so small that it bought the Africans only;
or that they are so great, as that it was given for them alone. Let them not then exult, let them not be proud : He gave what He gave for the whole world. He knew what He bought, because He knew at what price He bought it. Thus because we are redeemed, the house is built after the captivity. And who are they who held us in cap tivity? Because they to whom it is said, Declare His honour, are the clearers of the wood : that they may root out the wood, free the earth from captivity, and build, and raise up, by declaring the greatness of the b Hence it appears that Ps. 132. was expounded the day before.
dd2
404 Christ above Heavens as well as above heathen gods.
Psaim Lord's house. How is the wood of devils cleared away, xcvr- .
unless He Who is above them all be preached ? All nations
then had devils for their gods : those whom they called loC20' ? o(^s' were devils, as ihe Apostle more openly saith, Tlie
'
things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice unto devils, and not to God. Since therefore they were in captivity, because they sacrificed to devils, and on that account the whole earth had remained woody ; He is declared to be great, and above all worldly praise.
6. Ver. 5. And how is His greatness shewn, that He may root out all superstitions, captive beneath which the people was held, whom He Who is more to be feared than all gods came to redeem ? As if the Psalmist were asked, Why hast thou said, above all gods ? Are these then gods ? He addeth, As for all the gods of the heathen, they are devils. Attend, beloved. He was speaking of something great but just before : Hie Lord is great ; and as if he failed in His praises, he addeth, and cannot worthily be praised. Did I not say this, that He left it to thee to imagine what he could not express in words ? But when he was expressing it in words, what great praise did he utter concerning our Lord
Jesus Christ ? That He is above all devils ?
