Communicate
with this Church.
Augustine - Exposition on the Psalms - v6
Dost thou doubt what is meant by ' the seed of Abraham?
' When the Apostle hath spoken, I think thou wilt not doubt; or if thou doubtest about the Apostle too,
Jer. 6, wherefore peace, peace, when there is no peace ? What
Gal. 3, saitri the Apostle? To Abraham and his seed were the
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promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. Lo, hun dreds of years before it was said to Abraham, In thy seed shall all nations be blessed. What was said hundreds of years before, and believed by one man, that we now see fulfilled. Here we read here we see it, and dost thou come athwart and refuse it? What wilt thou say? Believe not. Believe not whom The Spirit of God God speaking to Abraham And whom am to believe Thee
say not this, thou wilt say. What then dost thou say to me? This man and that have handed down. Dost thou quote this from the Gospel, from the Apostle, from the Prophets? Examine all the Scriptures: read me this from what believe for thee believe not. From whence wilt thou read This, my father, saith he, told me this, my grandfather this, my brother this, my bishop. Yes but this God said to Abraham, In thy seed shall all nations be blessed. One man heareth this, and believeth, and happeneth in many cases after many ages. When
said, believed when fulfilled, doubted This then Moses said let the Prophets speak also. Behold the barter of our purchasing. Christ hangeth on the wood behold the Price at which He bought, and so shalt thou
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see what He bought. He is about to buy somewhat: what
that somewhat is as yet thou knowest not. Behold, behold -- the Price, and thou shalt see the thing. His own Blood
He shed; with His own Blood He bought; with the Blood
of the immaculate Lamb He bought ; with the Blood of the only-begotten Son of God He bought. What was bought
with the Blood of the only-begotten Son of God ? Look
still what the Price was. The Prophet said long before it
took place, They pierced My Hands and My Feet, they p>>. 22, counted all My Bones. I behold, O Christ, a mighty Price; 16.
let me see what Thou hast purchased. All the borders ofPa. 22, the earth shall remember themselves, and be turned unto2^' the Lord. In one and the same Psalm I see the Purchaser,
and the Price, and the Purchase. The Purchaser, is Christ ;
the Price, His Blood ; the Purchase, the world. Let us hear the very words of prophecy contradicting heretical
Behold the Purchase of my Lord. Wilt thou
that I read it in the Psalm ? All the borders of the earth
shall remember themselves, and be turned unto the Lord,
and all the countries of the Gentiles shall worship before
Him. Behold Him too contending, behold Him defending
the right : for the Kingdom is His, and He shall rule over pa. 22, the Gentiles. Yes, He Who bought, even Christ, not he28, who apostatised, Donatus. They shall worship. Rightly
shall all the countries of the Gentiles worship before Him. Wherefore rightly ? Because the Kingdom is the Lord's,
and He shall rule over the Gentiles. So spake Moses, so
the Prophets, and thousands of other things have they said too. Who can count the testimonies to the Church scattered throughout the whole world? Who can count them ? there are not as many heresies against the Church, as there are testimonies of the Law for the Church. What
soundeth not thus ? what verse speaketh not this ?
All cry out for the Lord's unity, because He hath made the borders of Jerusalem peace. Dost thou, O heretic, bark
against this ? Therefore is it rightly said in reference to
that city, as it is written in the Apocalypse, without are dogs. Rev. 22, Thou barkest against this. Where hast thou passed j udgment 15-
on the whole world, as I said at the beginning? on what
tribunal? Why, on the arrogance of thine own heart.
questioners.
spake
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398 The witness of Moses and the Prophets should suffice : Psalm A lofty tribunal, but one that shall fall. Thus spake Moses,
CxlVI1'
Jam. 2,
thus spake the Prophets, and yet they believe not, who would be thought Christians.
17. A certain rich man was tormented in hell, and longed for a drop of water from the finger of the poor man who had lain despised before his gate, because he was burned in the flames. And when this was not granted to him, because there shall be judgment without mercy to him that hath shewed no mercy; when, I say, this was not granted to him, he said to Abraham, Father Abraham, I have five brethren ; send Lazarus to tell them what 1 am suffering
Lukeie, here, that they come not also into this place of torment. And what said Abraham to him ? They have there Moses and the Prophets. And ho said, Myfather Abraham, but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. Then said Abraham, If they hear not Moses and the Pro phets, neither will they believe though one went unto them
from the dead. Of whom said he, they have there Moses and the Prophets? Surely of those who were yet alive, who had yet abundant time of amendment, who had not yet come into those regions of torments. They have there, he saith, those whom they may hear, Moses and the Pro phets. They believe not these, but if one went unto them from the dead they will believe. If they hear not Moses and the Prophets, neither will they believe though one went unto them from the dead. This is Abraham's statement. Abraham's statement where and whence ? From some place on high, and full of rest and happiness, which he who was being tormented in the flame lifted up his eyes and saw ;
when in his bosom, that is in his secret place, he saw the poor man in happiness and exaltation, thence was that statement made. There God dwelleth, for God dwelleth
Phil, l, in His saints. Wherefore the Apostle wisheth and saith, To
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be dissolved and to be with Christ is far better. So to the Luke23, thief it is said, To-day shall thou be with Me in paradise. The Lord then, dwelling with Abraham and in Abraham,
uttered that statement, They have there Moses and the
Prophets; if they hear not them, neither, though one rose from the dead, will they believe him. Ye have here, O ye heretics, Moses and the Prophets; as yet ye are alive, as
but we have also One risen from the dead.
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yet ye can hear, as yet ye can amend, as yet it is allowed Ver. you to bridle your violence, to hold the truth : consider 18' , with yourselves whether it be right to listen to Moses and
the Prophets, who have given so great proofs of their credibility, when we see the affairs of men running in the
course which they foretold. Why do ye still hesitate to believe Moses and the Prophets? Why do ye hesitate
to listen ? Do ye perchance seek one rising from the dead, whether He too can tell you about His Church ? This is what the rich man in hell sought; he was blamed because he sought this ; Moses and the Prophets ought to have been enough for his brethren. For this cause did he ask in vain, that ye now, being warned by his example, might not ask in vain and too late, and be tormented like
What said the Gen. 22,
Hear Moses and the Prophets. What said Moses ?
him.
In thy seed shall all nations be blessed.
All the borders
themselves, and be turned unto the Lord. Wilt thou still 27. say to me, * Let one rise from the dead; I believe not, unless one come from thence and tell me ? ' O Lord, thanks
Thy mercy : Thou didst will to die, that one might rise from
the dead ; and that one, not any body, but the Truth, Who
rose from the dead. He Who could have spoken the truth concerning the place of the dead1, though He went not thither, 1 de in- yet on account of what foolish and wicked men say, lo, He fer"' died, lo, He rose from the dead* . What sayest thou, O heretic, << ab in- what sayest thou ? Now let me hear thee ; all thy excuses are
at an end; though thou wast to speak the words of the rich
man in hell, Christ hath risen from the dead : deignest thou
to listen even to Him ? Behold, what thou alive longedst
for, like the rich man when dead : He is risen from the
grave: it is not thy father nor thy grandfather that have risen : it is not they, who have discredited some with the name of traditoresd. ' But suppose they have not discredited them, but have spoken the truth : wilt thou know how little it is to me ? Let us hear at the same time what He said, Who hath risen from the grave. Why should I delay longer? Let us hear, let the Gospel now be opened, let what was done be read as if it were being done : let things which
d The Donatists called the Catholics given up their copies of the Scripture* ' traditores,' accusing them of having in times of persecution.
Prophets ?
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the earth shall remember
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400 Proofs given by our Lord of His Resurrection.
Psalm have been done be set before our eyes, that we may avoid cilvn. what are to come. Behold, Christ rising from the dead, shewed Himself to His disciples. This was His bridal: He is the Bridegroom ; the Church, His Spouse. Behold
the Bridegroom, Who was said to be dead, destroyed, at an end; behold, He hath risen whole as before; behold, He is shewn to the eyes of His disciples ; behold, He is offered to the handling of their hands ; behold, they touched the scars, which were despaired of as wounds. He manifested Him self for their eyes to see, for their hands to handle ; they think Him a spirit, for they despaired of His safety. He encourageth them, He strengtheneth them in the faith ;
Lnke24, Handle Me and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones,
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as ye see Me have. They touch, they rejoice, they tremble: and while they yet trembled for joy : thus thou hast#it written. Things which are exceedingly joyful, though they are sure, yet are they not believed. A certain doubt, as though a man were slow to believe, hides the feelings of him who has what he sought. A man must needs rejoice the more, when what he despaired of has come to him. So to season and increase their joy, He willed not to be at once known. He held the sight of His disciples, specially of those two whom He found conversing by the way,
Lute24, already in despair, and saying, But we trusted that it had been He which should have redeemed Israel. This they had thought, but now thought no longer. Hope was no longer with them, yet Christ was with them: but He Who gave them back Himself, gave them back hope too. Afterwards then, after that they had recognised Him in the breaking of bread, when He shewed Himself to the other disciples, and they thought that He was a spirit, He said,
Luke24, Handle me and see, for a spirit hath not Jlesh and bones, as
JJ' ye see Me have. And while they yet trembled for joy,
Luke24, He saith unto them, Have ye here any meat ? He took,
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He blessed, He ate, He gave to them. The truth of His Body was set forth, all suspicion of deceit was removed. What then ? Knew ye not that all things must be fulfilled which are written in the Law of Moses and in the Prophets and in the Psalms concerning Me? And because they believed Moses and the Prophets, (for that was true which Abraham said, Ifthey hear not Moses and the
All evidence against the Donalists. 401
Prophets, neither will they believe though one rose from the v"r. dead:) because, I say, they believed Moses and the Prophets, -- and were not of the number of those whom Abraham found
fault with, they heard what the Lord said, Knew ye not
that all things must he fulfilled which are written in the
Law of Moses and in the Prophets and in the Psalms con cerning Me? Behold them who believed Moses and the Prophets, see how on their testimony they believe Him Who
rose from the dead. Then opened He their understanding Lule24, that they should understand the Scriptures ; and said unto45- 46*
them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise again from the dead the third day.
18. Here thou hast the Bridegroom of the Church. And about Him Moses was not silent, the Prophets were not silent, that Christ should rise from the dead on the third day ; that He should suffer, and then rise. The Bridegroom is described to us, that we may make no mistake. But certain persons come forward, and, because we are not wrong in the Bridegroom, they themselves too seem to believe the same as we do about the Bridegroom, that they may draw us away from the members of the Bridegroom ; they say to us, ' Yes, He is the Bridegroom, Whom ye believe, and we
believe Him too, but the Bride is not the Church, whom ye hold to be. ' What then is? 'The party of Donatus. ' And this what thou sayest: dost thou say this, or the Bridegroom ? Dost thou say or God by Moses Behold,
through Moses hold the Church thy seed shall all nations be blessed. the Spirit of God by the Prophets Prophets hold the Church
said by Moses, In Dost thou say or Behold, through the
said by the Prophet, All the borders of the earth shall remember themselves, and be turned to the Lord. Behold, already hold the
testimony of the Law and the testimony of the Prophets: let us hear moreover Him Who rose from the dead. He sheweth Himself as the Bridegroom we hold Him. He confirmed this by proof, by exhibiting testimonies. For this Moses and the Prophets said, that behoved Christ to
suffer, and to rise again the third day. Now then since we both hold the Bridegroom from these words, and think that thou now art beginning with me to believe both
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402 Christ Himself bears witness to the Catholic Church.
Psalm these words of Moses and the Prophets, let us believe Him
cxlvi^ also Wh0 rose from the dead. Let Him go on, and say,
' O Lord, I see now Christ the Bridegroom : it is done ; let
none separate me from the members of Thy Bride, and so
Thou be not to me the Head, if I be not among her
members. Tell me somewhat about the Church too, for I
no longer doubt about her Bridegroom. ' Hear about the
Luke24, Church too : He goeth on and saith, that in His Name
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should be preached repentance and remission of sins. Nothing could be truer: that in His Name should be preached repentance and remission of sins. But where ? For some say, lo here, others say, lo there. And what Mat. 24, saith He Himself? Believe them not, for there shall arise 23. 24. yalge Christs and false Prophets, and shall say, lo here, and, lo there. For they say not of the Head Himself, lo here,
am
and, lo there; for it is well known that Christ is in heaven ;
but of the Church, where Christ is, Who saith, Lo, I with you always, even unto the end of the world. But the Lord saith, Believe them not. He who saith, lo here, and lo there, pointeth lo parts : I have bought the whole. Let the Gospel tell me this: let Him Himself tell this from the Gospel; for Thou hast risen from the dead, that they may believe Thee, who believe Moses and the Prophets: do Thou tell me this. 1 hear, It behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise again the third day : and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His Name throughout all
nations, beginning at Jerusalem. What is heretic Certainly, when was quoting Moses and the Prophets, thou didst wait for Him Who should rise from the dead: lo, He hath risen lo, He hath spoken as truly there no doubt of the Church of Christ, and the Spouse of Christ, as there was none of the Body of Christ, when shewn to the eyes and handled by the hands of the disciples. Lo, He Who rose from the dead sheweth both He sheweth the Head, He sheweth the members: He sheweth the Bride groom, He sheweth the Bride either believe both with me, or else thou believest what thou dost to thy condemnation. For why believest thou that He rose from the dead, that He rose in the same Body 'On good grounds because He shewed the scars of His wounds: because, as He was
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TheCatholicity oftheChurchprefiguredin thegiftoftongues. 403 crucified and buried, so was He restored and proved. ' Ver.
Thou believest quite right. Now hear Him in Whom thou believest, speaking : That repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His Name. Where ? Throughout the broad earth. If I chose to say this, now struggling against heretics, now fighting, now having a contest with them on so important a question, I should not say it. against present heretics as strongly as He said what He did say against future ones. What wouldest thou have more ? Remission of sins is preached in Christ's Name. Where ? Throughout all nations. Whence ? Beginning at Jerusalem.
Communicate with this Church. Wherefore do we contend ? For this Church began from the earthly Jerusalem, that from thence it may rejoice unto God in the other, the heavenly Jerusalem. From this it beginneth, in that it endeth. In that the Church will be entire, from this it
took the beginning of its faith.
19. Read the Acts of the Apostles, and see whether I lie,
how there the disciples were gathered together, when the Holy Ghost came ; that that which the Lord said may be proved to thee, beginning from Jerusalem ; how they on
whom the Spirit came, spake in the tongues of all men. Wherefore wilt thou not speak in the tongues of all men ? Lo, there were heard the sounds of all tongues. Wherefore doth not he, to whom the Holy Ghost is given, now speak in the tongues of all men ? For this was then the token of the Holy Ghost coming upon men, that they spake in the tongues of all men. What wilt thou say now, O heretic ?
I say not where it is given; but is it not given? If it is not given, what is it that ye do, preaching, baptizing, blessing ? What is it
that the Holy Ghost is not given ?
that ye do ? These are empty celebrations. He is then
given. If He is given, wherefore do not they to whom He
is given speak in the tongues of all men? Hath the gift of
God failed, or is the fruit thereof less ? The tares grew,
but the wheat grew also. Let both grow together till the Mat. 13, time of the harvest. He said not, ' Let the tares grow, let
the wheat decrease ;' both grew. Wherefore doth not the Holy Ghost now manifest Himself in the tongues of all men ? Yea rather, He doth manifest Himself in all tongues:
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Psalm for then the Church was not spread throughout the world, ^xlvii. ^ ^e n1enlbers of Christ should speak in all tongues. Then was fulfilled in one what was foretold in all. Now
the whole Body of Christ speaketh in the tongues of all, and in whatsoever it speaketh not, it will speak. For the Church shall increase till it filleth every tongue. That which ye have abandoned, how great hath it grown ! Ad vance with us whithersoever it hath approached, that with us ye may reach places whither it hath not yet approached. I dare to say to thee, I speak in the tongues of all men : 1 am in the Body of Christ, in the Church of Christ: if the Body of Christ now speaketh in the tongues of all men, I also am in all tongues : mine is the Greek, mine the Syrian, mine the Hebrew, mine the tongues of all nations, because I am in the unity of all nations.
20. So then, brethren, the Church began from Jerusalem, and spread through all nations. What is more clear than this testimony of the Law, the Prophets, and of the Lord Himself? The voices of the Apostles sound every where, giving testimony of our hope in the unity of the Body of Christ. Rejoice over the wheat, tolerate the tares, groan in the threshing, sigh for the garner. The time will come when we shall rejoice, when the bars of the gates of Jeru salem are made strong. Let him enter, who is to enter. He who shall enter there manifested, here entereth not disguised. But he who entereth here disguised, is really without. He is without, and knows it not: the fan will
the bars will prove it. He who now truly and truthfully within, there will be finally within: he who now
within by enduring, there will be within in rejoicing. For the borders of Jerusalem are peace; for he saith, He hath set peace for thy borders. Now we long for peace, which here we have but in hope. For as yet in ourselves
Gal. what sort of peace there The Jlesh lusteth against the
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spirit, and the spirit against the flesh. Where full peace even in one man When there shall be full peace in one man, then shall there be full peace in all the citizens of
prove
iCor. 15, Jerusalem. When will there be full peace? When this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality then will be full peace,
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then will be firm peace: then nothing contendeth against Ver. the soul in man, not itself against itself, being wounded in ------ one part; not frailty of flesh, not want of body, not hunger,
not thirst, not cold, not weariness, not any need, no pro vocation of strife, certainly not the anxious care at once to
avoid and to love one's enemy. All these things, brethren, contend against us, not yet is there full and perfect peace.
What ye cried out awhile ago at the very mention of peace,
ye cried from longing : your cry was from thirst, not from fulness; for there will be perfect righteousness where will
be perfect peace. Now we hunger and thirst after righteous
ness. Blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after Matt. 5, righteousness, for they shall be filled. How shall they be 6-
filled ? When we have arrived at peace. Therefore when
he had said, Who hath set peace for thy borders, because there is fulness and no want, he added at once, and filleth
thee with the fat of wheat.
21. Brethren, since this peace whereof we speak is not
yet entirely in us, that is, entire in each one of us, it de- lighteth perhaps your spirits to go on yet to listen : but if there be nothing in the body which resists and rebels, let us finish the Psalm. I never find you weary, yet I fear, God knoweth, lest 1 be a burden to you, or to some of the brethren : and I see how zealously many of you demand of me this toil and effort, which I believe will not be unfruitful in the Lord. I rejoice that ye find such pleasure in the
truth of the Word of God, that your good zeal in what is good and concerning what is good, surpasses the zeal of the
madmen who are in the amphitheatre. Would they still be at their show, if they had to stand so long? Therefore, brethren, let us hear the rest, since so ye will. May the Lord be with us, may He be with our strength and our understandings. Who hath set peace for thy borders, he saith to the Jerusalem that is to be, and satisfieth thee with the fat of wheat. Hunger and thirst after righteousness
pass away, plenty succecdeth. What will then be the fat
of wheat, save that Bread which came down from heaven John 6, to us ! In our true country how will He satisfy us, Who in41"
our pilgrimage hath thus fed us !
22. Now he is about to speak of this our pilgrimage,
406 The wondrous swiftness
Psalm whereby we come to that Jerusalem, where we shall praise
c*IAn"
ver. 15.
in unison the Lord; where we shall praise the Lord our God, ourselves Jerusalem, ourselves Sion ; when the bars of our gates shall be made strong. For He Who then will satisfy us with the fat of wheat, what doeth He in this our pilgrimage? Who sendeth forth His Word to the earth. Behold, on earth we toil, weary, fainting, sluggish, cold : when should we be raised up to the fat of wheat that satisfieth, did not He send His Word to the earth, whereby we were weighed down, to the earth, whereby we were hindered from returning? He sent His Word, He deserted us not even in the wilderness, He rained manna from heaven. Who sendeth forth His Word to the earth ; and to earth His Word came. How? or what is His Word? Even unto swiftness His Word runneth. He said not, ' His Word is swift,' but, His Word runneth even unto
Let us understand, my brethren : He could not have chosen a better word. He who is hot grows hot by heat, he who is cold grows cold by cold, he who is swift becometh swift by swiftness. What is hotter than heat itself, whereby whatever is hot groweth hot ? what is colder than cold itself, whereby whatever is cold groweth cold ? What then is swifter than swiftness itself, whereby whatever runneth swiftly is made swift ? Many things may be called swift, some more, some less ; and in that degree is each thing swift, in which it is partaker of swiftness. This thing is in a greater degree partaker of swiftness, therefore it is swifter : this thing is in a less degree partaker of swiftness, therefore it is less swift. Than swiftness itself then, what is swifter ? To what degree then doth it run ? Even to swiftness. Increase as much as you will the swiftness of the Word, and say, It is as swift as this or that, as birds, as
the winds, as the Angels ; is any of these as great as swift ness itself, even unto swiftness? What is swiftness itself, brethren? It is every where; it is not in part. This belongeth to the Word of God, not to be in part, to be every where by Himself the Word, whereby He is the
swiftness.
I Cor. l, Power of God and the Wisdom of God, before He had II taken flesh upon Him. If we think of God in the Form of God, the Word equal to the Father, this is the Wisdom
and power of God's Word. 407
of God, of Which is said, reacheth from one end to the Ver. other mightily. What mighty speed ! // reacheth from one end "' to the other mightily. But perhaps it reacheth without being 1. moveable. If without being moveable it filleth any space
like some mass of stone, it is said to reach from one end to
the other of the same space, yet not by motion. What
say we then ? Hath then that Word no motion, and
is that Wisdom senseless r Where is then that which is
said of the Spirit of Wisdom ? After much else, it is called quick, full of motion, plain, undefiled. Thus then theWisd. 7, Wisdom of God is evidently endowed with motion.
If then it be endowed with motion, when it toucheth this, doth
it not also touch that ? Where then is swiftness ? Swift
ness maketh it to be every where always, yet no where to
be imprisoned and detained. But these things are beyond
our thoughts : we are too sluggish for them. Who can think
on these things ? And in truth, brethren, I have spoken as
I could, (if indeed I could, if indeed I understood,) and ye
have understood as ye were able. But what saith the Apostle ? Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding Eph. 3, abundantly above all that we ask or think. What meaneth 20'
he here ? That however often we have understood, we have
not understood Him as He is. Wherefore is this ? Because Wisd. 9, the corruptible body presseth down the soul. Therefore on 15- earth are we cold, for swiftness is hot ; and all that is hot is
swift, all that is cold, slow. We are slow, therefore we are
cold. But Wisdom runneth even unto swiftness. Therefore
it is exceeding hot, and there is nothing that can hide itselfPs. 19,6.
from the heat thereof.
23. We then are burdened by the sluggishness of this
cold body, and the bonds of this earthly and corruptible life; have we no hope of receiving the Word, Which runneth even un to swiftness? or hath He abandoned us, though by the body we are depressed to the lowest depths ? Did not He predestinate us, before we were born in this mortal and sluggish body? He then, Who predestinated us, gave snow to the earth, even ourselves. For now let us come to those somewhat obscure verses of the Psalm, let those entangle ments begin to be unrolled : since the Word of God findeth you the more eager, the more it is uttered to you by us. Behold, we are sluggish on this earth, and are as it were
Psalm
ver. 16.
408 The ' wool,' Christians, who are the robe of Christ.
frozen here. And just as happens to the flakes of snow, for they freeze above, then fall down ; so as love groweth cold, human nature falleth down to this earth, and involved in a sluggish body becometh like snow. But in that snow are predestined sons of God. For, He giveth snow like wool. What is, like wool? It meaneth, of the snow which He hath given, of these, who are as yet slow in spirit and cold, whom He hath predestinated, He is about to make some what. For wool is the material of a garment: when we see wool, we look on it as a sort of preparation for a garment. Therefore since He hath predestinated these, who at present are cold and creep on earth, and as yet glow not with the spirit of love, (for as yet He speaketh of predestination,) God hath given these as a sort of wool: He is about to
Mat. 17, make of them a garment. Rightly did the raiment of Christ
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shine on the mountain, like snow. The raiment of Christ did shine like snow, as though of that snow a garment had already been made : of which wool, that of the snow which He gave like wool, they being as yet predestined, were sluggish but wait, see what followeth. Since He gave them as wool, garment made of them. For as the Church called the Body of Christ, so the Church also called the garment of Christ hence cometh that which said by the Apostle, that He might present to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle. Let Him then present unto Himself glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle; let Him make Himself garment of that wool, which He had predestinated in the snow. While men are yet unbelieving, and cold, and sluggish, let Him make garment of this wool. That may be washed from spots, let be cleansed by faith that may have no wrinkle, let
be stretched out upon the cross. Who giveth snow like wool.
24. Now they are predestined, they are to be called. For whom He predestined, them He also called. Now how are they called from the sickness of the body, to become sound How are they called Hear the Gospel came
not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. That snow then beginneth at once in predestination to acknow ledge its sluggishness, to accuse its sins beginneth, being called, to come to repentance. Rightly then
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The 'mist' of ignorance scattered by ' ashes' of repentance. 409
said, Who giveth snow like wool, on account of the com- Ver. pletion of the garment that is to be ; and also on account lb- - of the calling to repentance, He scattereth mist like ashes.
He scattereth, saith the Psalmist, mist like ashes. Who?
He Who giveth snow like wool. For whom He predestined,
He calleth to repentance; for whom He predestined, them
He also called. But ashes are connected with repentance.
Hear Him calling to repentance, when He upbraided certain
cities, saying, Woe unto thee, Chorazin ! woe unto thee, Hat. 11, Bethsaidal for if the mighty works which have been done21'
in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they had long ago repented in dust and ashes. Therefore, He scattereth mist like ashes. What He scattereth mist like ashes When
man called to learn about God, and said to him, Receive the Truth he beginneth to wish to receive the
Truth, but not able he seeth that He under sort of darkness, which before he saw not. For this purpose then is that mist, that thou mayest know that thou knowest nothing, and that thou mayest know what thou oughtest to know, and mayest see that thou art too weak to know what ought to be known. For while in this mist thou pre- sumest that thou knowest, thou shalt hear from the Apostle,
He who thinketh he knoweth anything, knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. Therefore as yet thou hast not2' comprehended, as yet thou art under mist. But He hath not abandoned thee, Who lit up for thee the lamp of His Flesh. Wander not the mist, follow in faith. But foras much as thou endeavourest to see and art not able, repent of thy sins, for mist scattered like ashes. Repent thee now of having been obstinate against God, repent of having
followed thine own evil ways. Thou hast come into this state where difficult for thee to see the vision of bliss, and the mist will be healthful to thee, which God scattereth like ashes. Thou thyself art as yet mist, but like ashes. For they that are penitent, as yet roll themselves in ashes,
my brethren, testifying, as were, that they are like
saying unto God, am ashes. ' For certain Scripture saith, have despised myself, and wasted away, have j? b 30, reckoned myself earth and ashes. This the humility ofy^g the penitent. When Abraham speaketh to his God, and
Cor. 8,
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GeD 18 27.
Jer. 6, wherefore peace, peace, when there is no peace ? What
Gal. 3, saitri the Apostle? To Abraham and his seed were the
16.
promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. Lo, hun dreds of years before it was said to Abraham, In thy seed shall all nations be blessed. What was said hundreds of years before, and believed by one man, that we now see fulfilled. Here we read here we see it, and dost thou come athwart and refuse it? What wilt thou say? Believe not. Believe not whom The Spirit of God God speaking to Abraham And whom am to believe Thee
say not this, thou wilt say. What then dost thou say to me? This man and that have handed down. Dost thou quote this from the Gospel, from the Apostle, from the Prophets? Examine all the Scriptures: read me this from what believe for thee believe not. From whence wilt thou read This, my father, saith he, told me this, my grandfather this, my brother this, my bishop. Yes but this God said to Abraham, In thy seed shall all nations be blessed. One man heareth this, and believeth, and happeneth in many cases after many ages. When
said, believed when fulfilled, doubted This then Moses said let the Prophets speak also. Behold the barter of our purchasing. Christ hangeth on the wood behold the Price at which He bought, and so shalt thou
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who narrow the pale of Salvation. 397
see what He bought. He is about to buy somewhat: what
that somewhat is as yet thou knowest not. Behold, behold -- the Price, and thou shalt see the thing. His own Blood
He shed; with His own Blood He bought; with the Blood
of the immaculate Lamb He bought ; with the Blood of the only-begotten Son of God He bought. What was bought
with the Blood of the only-begotten Son of God ? Look
still what the Price was. The Prophet said long before it
took place, They pierced My Hands and My Feet, they p>>. 22, counted all My Bones. I behold, O Christ, a mighty Price; 16.
let me see what Thou hast purchased. All the borders ofPa. 22, the earth shall remember themselves, and be turned unto2^' the Lord. In one and the same Psalm I see the Purchaser,
and the Price, and the Purchase. The Purchaser, is Christ ;
the Price, His Blood ; the Purchase, the world. Let us hear the very words of prophecy contradicting heretical
Behold the Purchase of my Lord. Wilt thou
that I read it in the Psalm ? All the borders of the earth
shall remember themselves, and be turned unto the Lord,
and all the countries of the Gentiles shall worship before
Him. Behold Him too contending, behold Him defending
the right : for the Kingdom is His, and He shall rule over pa. 22, the Gentiles. Yes, He Who bought, even Christ, not he28, who apostatised, Donatus. They shall worship. Rightly
shall all the countries of the Gentiles worship before Him. Wherefore rightly ? Because the Kingdom is the Lord's,
and He shall rule over the Gentiles. So spake Moses, so
the Prophets, and thousands of other things have they said too. Who can count the testimonies to the Church scattered throughout the whole world? Who can count them ? there are not as many heresies against the Church, as there are testimonies of the Law for the Church. What
soundeth not thus ? what verse speaketh not this ?
All cry out for the Lord's unity, because He hath made the borders of Jerusalem peace. Dost thou, O heretic, bark
against this ? Therefore is it rightly said in reference to
that city, as it is written in the Apocalypse, without are dogs. Rev. 22, Thou barkest against this. Where hast thou passed j udgment 15-
on the whole world, as I said at the beginning? on what
tribunal? Why, on the arrogance of thine own heart.
questioners.
spake
page
Ver.
398 The witness of Moses and the Prophets should suffice : Psalm A lofty tribunal, but one that shall fall. Thus spake Moses,
CxlVI1'
Jam. 2,
thus spake the Prophets, and yet they believe not, who would be thought Christians.
17. A certain rich man was tormented in hell, and longed for a drop of water from the finger of the poor man who had lain despised before his gate, because he was burned in the flames. And when this was not granted to him, because there shall be judgment without mercy to him that hath shewed no mercy; when, I say, this was not granted to him, he said to Abraham, Father Abraham, I have five brethren ; send Lazarus to tell them what 1 am suffering
Lukeie, here, that they come not also into this place of torment. And what said Abraham to him ? They have there Moses and the Prophets. And ho said, Myfather Abraham, but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. Then said Abraham, If they hear not Moses and the Pro phets, neither will they believe though one went unto them
from the dead. Of whom said he, they have there Moses and the Prophets? Surely of those who were yet alive, who had yet abundant time of amendment, who had not yet come into those regions of torments. They have there, he saith, those whom they may hear, Moses and the Pro phets. They believe not these, but if one went unto them from the dead they will believe. If they hear not Moses and the Prophets, neither will they believe though one went unto them from the dead. This is Abraham's statement. Abraham's statement where and whence ? From some place on high, and full of rest and happiness, which he who was being tormented in the flame lifted up his eyes and saw ;
when in his bosom, that is in his secret place, he saw the poor man in happiness and exaltation, thence was that statement made. There God dwelleth, for God dwelleth
Phil, l, in His saints. Wherefore the Apostle wisheth and saith, To
2
be dissolved and to be with Christ is far better. So to the Luke23, thief it is said, To-day shall thou be with Me in paradise. The Lord then, dwelling with Abraham and in Abraham,
uttered that statement, They have there Moses and the
Prophets; if they hear not them, neither, though one rose from the dead, will they believe him. Ye have here, O ye heretics, Moses and the Prophets; as yet ye are alive, as
but we have also One risen from the dead.
399
yet ye can hear, as yet ye can amend, as yet it is allowed Ver. you to bridle your violence, to hold the truth : consider 18' , with yourselves whether it be right to listen to Moses and
the Prophets, who have given so great proofs of their credibility, when we see the affairs of men running in the
course which they foretold. Why do ye still hesitate to believe Moses and the Prophets? Why do ye hesitate
to listen ? Do ye perchance seek one rising from the dead, whether He too can tell you about His Church ? This is what the rich man in hell sought; he was blamed because he sought this ; Moses and the Prophets ought to have been enough for his brethren. For this cause did he ask in vain, that ye now, being warned by his example, might not ask in vain and too late, and be tormented like
What said the Gen. 22,
Hear Moses and the Prophets. What said Moses ?
him.
In thy seed shall all nations be blessed.
All the borders
themselves, and be turned unto the Lord. Wilt thou still 27. say to me, * Let one rise from the dead; I believe not, unless one come from thence and tell me ? ' O Lord, thanks
Thy mercy : Thou didst will to die, that one might rise from
the dead ; and that one, not any body, but the Truth, Who
rose from the dead. He Who could have spoken the truth concerning the place of the dead1, though He went not thither, 1 de in- yet on account of what foolish and wicked men say, lo, He fer"' died, lo, He rose from the dead* . What sayest thou, O heretic, << ab in- what sayest thou ? Now let me hear thee ; all thy excuses are
at an end; though thou wast to speak the words of the rich
man in hell, Christ hath risen from the dead : deignest thou
to listen even to Him ? Behold, what thou alive longedst
for, like the rich man when dead : He is risen from the
grave: it is not thy father nor thy grandfather that have risen : it is not they, who have discredited some with the name of traditoresd. ' But suppose they have not discredited them, but have spoken the truth : wilt thou know how little it is to me ? Let us hear at the same time what He said, Who hath risen from the grave. Why should I delay longer? Let us hear, let the Gospel now be opened, let what was done be read as if it were being done : let things which
d The Donatists called the Catholics given up their copies of the Scripture* ' traditores,' accusing them of having in times of persecution.
Prophets ?
of
the earth shall remember
pg- 23
to
400 Proofs given by our Lord of His Resurrection.
Psalm have been done be set before our eyes, that we may avoid cilvn. what are to come. Behold, Christ rising from the dead, shewed Himself to His disciples. This was His bridal: He is the Bridegroom ; the Church, His Spouse. Behold
the Bridegroom, Who was said to be dead, destroyed, at an end; behold, He hath risen whole as before; behold, He is shewn to the eyes of His disciples ; behold, He is offered to the handling of their hands ; behold, they touched the scars, which were despaired of as wounds. He manifested Him self for their eyes to see, for their hands to handle ; they think Him a spirit, for they despaired of His safety. He encourageth them, He strengtheneth them in the faith ;
Lnke24, Handle Me and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones,
39* * "
as ye see Me have. They touch, they rejoice, they tremble: and while they yet trembled for joy : thus thou hast#it written. Things which are exceedingly joyful, though they are sure, yet are they not believed. A certain doubt, as though a man were slow to believe, hides the feelings of him who has what he sought. A man must needs rejoice the more, when what he despaired of has come to him. So to season and increase their joy, He willed not to be at once known. He held the sight of His disciples, specially of those two whom He found conversing by the way,
Lute24, already in despair, and saying, But we trusted that it had been He which should have redeemed Israel. This they had thought, but now thought no longer. Hope was no longer with them, yet Christ was with them: but He Who gave them back Himself, gave them back hope too. Afterwards then, after that they had recognised Him in the breaking of bread, when He shewed Himself to the other disciples, and they thought that He was a spirit, He said,
Luke24, Handle me and see, for a spirit hath not Jlesh and bones, as
JJ' ye see Me have. And while they yet trembled for joy,
Luke24, He saith unto them, Have ye here any meat ? He took,
41,
He blessed, He ate, He gave to them. The truth of His Body was set forth, all suspicion of deceit was removed. What then ? Knew ye not that all things must be fulfilled which are written in the Law of Moses and in the Prophets and in the Psalms concerning Me? And because they believed Moses and the Prophets, (for that was true which Abraham said, Ifthey hear not Moses and the
All evidence against the Donalists. 401
Prophets, neither will they believe though one rose from the v"r. dead:) because, I say, they believed Moses and the Prophets, -- and were not of the number of those whom Abraham found
fault with, they heard what the Lord said, Knew ye not
that all things must he fulfilled which are written in the
Law of Moses and in the Prophets and in the Psalms con cerning Me? Behold them who believed Moses and the Prophets, see how on their testimony they believe Him Who
rose from the dead. Then opened He their understanding Lule24, that they should understand the Scriptures ; and said unto45- 46*
them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise again from the dead the third day.
18. Here thou hast the Bridegroom of the Church. And about Him Moses was not silent, the Prophets were not silent, that Christ should rise from the dead on the third day ; that He should suffer, and then rise. The Bridegroom is described to us, that we may make no mistake. But certain persons come forward, and, because we are not wrong in the Bridegroom, they themselves too seem to believe the same as we do about the Bridegroom, that they may draw us away from the members of the Bridegroom ; they say to us, ' Yes, He is the Bridegroom, Whom ye believe, and we
believe Him too, but the Bride is not the Church, whom ye hold to be. ' What then is? 'The party of Donatus. ' And this what thou sayest: dost thou say this, or the Bridegroom ? Dost thou say or God by Moses Behold,
through Moses hold the Church thy seed shall all nations be blessed. the Spirit of God by the Prophets Prophets hold the Church
said by Moses, In Dost thou say or Behold, through the
said by the Prophet, All the borders of the earth shall remember themselves, and be turned to the Lord. Behold, already hold the
testimony of the Law and the testimony of the Prophets: let us hear moreover Him Who rose from the dead. He sheweth Himself as the Bridegroom we hold Him. He confirmed this by proof, by exhibiting testimonies. For this Moses and the Prophets said, that behoved Christ to
suffer, and to rise again the third day. Now then since we both hold the Bridegroom from these words, and think that thou now art beginning with me to believe both
vol. VI. r1
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402 Christ Himself bears witness to the Catholic Church.
Psalm these words of Moses and the Prophets, let us believe Him
cxlvi^ also Wh0 rose from the dead. Let Him go on, and say,
' O Lord, I see now Christ the Bridegroom : it is done ; let
none separate me from the members of Thy Bride, and so
Thou be not to me the Head, if I be not among her
members. Tell me somewhat about the Church too, for I
no longer doubt about her Bridegroom. ' Hear about the
Luke24, Church too : He goeth on and saith, that in His Name
4'-
should be preached repentance and remission of sins. Nothing could be truer: that in His Name should be preached repentance and remission of sins. But where ? For some say, lo here, others say, lo there. And what Mat. 24, saith He Himself? Believe them not, for there shall arise 23. 24. yalge Christs and false Prophets, and shall say, lo here, and, lo there. For they say not of the Head Himself, lo here,
am
and, lo there; for it is well known that Christ is in heaven ;
but of the Church, where Christ is, Who saith, Lo, I with you always, even unto the end of the world. But the Lord saith, Believe them not. He who saith, lo here, and lo there, pointeth lo parts : I have bought the whole. Let the Gospel tell me this: let Him Himself tell this from the Gospel; for Thou hast risen from the dead, that they may believe Thee, who believe Moses and the Prophets: do Thou tell me this. 1 hear, It behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise again the third day : and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His Name throughout all
nations, beginning at Jerusalem. What is heretic Certainly, when was quoting Moses and the Prophets, thou didst wait for Him Who should rise from the dead: lo, He hath risen lo, He hath spoken as truly there no doubt of the Church of Christ, and the Spouse of Christ, as there was none of the Body of Christ, when shewn to the eyes and handled by the hands of the disciples. Lo, He Who rose from the dead sheweth both He sheweth the Head, He sheweth the members: He sheweth the Bride groom, He sheweth the Bride either believe both with me, or else thou believest what thou dost to thy condemnation. For why believest thou that He rose from the dead, that He rose in the same Body 'On good grounds because He shewed the scars of His wounds: because, as He was
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O is
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TheCatholicity oftheChurchprefiguredin thegiftoftongues. 403 crucified and buried, so was He restored and proved. ' Ver.
Thou believest quite right. Now hear Him in Whom thou believest, speaking : That repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His Name. Where ? Throughout the broad earth. If I chose to say this, now struggling against heretics, now fighting, now having a contest with them on so important a question, I should not say it. against present heretics as strongly as He said what He did say against future ones. What wouldest thou have more ? Remission of sins is preached in Christ's Name. Where ? Throughout all nations. Whence ? Beginning at Jerusalem.
Communicate with this Church. Wherefore do we contend ? For this Church began from the earthly Jerusalem, that from thence it may rejoice unto God in the other, the heavenly Jerusalem. From this it beginneth, in that it endeth. In that the Church will be entire, from this it
took the beginning of its faith.
19. Read the Acts of the Apostles, and see whether I lie,
how there the disciples were gathered together, when the Holy Ghost came ; that that which the Lord said may be proved to thee, beginning from Jerusalem ; how they on
whom the Spirit came, spake in the tongues of all men. Wherefore wilt thou not speak in the tongues of all men ? Lo, there were heard the sounds of all tongues. Wherefore doth not he, to whom the Holy Ghost is given, now speak in the tongues of all men ? For this was then the token of the Holy Ghost coming upon men, that they spake in the tongues of all men. What wilt thou say now, O heretic ?
I say not where it is given; but is it not given? If it is not given, what is it that ye do, preaching, baptizing, blessing ? What is it
that the Holy Ghost is not given ?
that ye do ? These are empty celebrations. He is then
given. If He is given, wherefore do not they to whom He
is given speak in the tongues of all men? Hath the gift of
God failed, or is the fruit thereof less ? The tares grew,
but the wheat grew also. Let both grow together till the Mat. 13, time of the harvest. He said not, ' Let the tares grow, let
the wheat decrease ;' both grew. Wherefore doth not the Holy Ghost now manifest Himself in the tongues of all men ? Yea rather, He doth manifest Himself in all tongues:
nd2
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404 ff'e must be in Jerusalem now, if we
Psalm for then the Church was not spread throughout the world, ^xlvii. ^ ^e n1enlbers of Christ should speak in all tongues. Then was fulfilled in one what was foretold in all. Now
the whole Body of Christ speaketh in the tongues of all, and in whatsoever it speaketh not, it will speak. For the Church shall increase till it filleth every tongue. That which ye have abandoned, how great hath it grown ! Ad vance with us whithersoever it hath approached, that with us ye may reach places whither it hath not yet approached. I dare to say to thee, I speak in the tongues of all men : 1 am in the Body of Christ, in the Church of Christ: if the Body of Christ now speaketh in the tongues of all men, I also am in all tongues : mine is the Greek, mine the Syrian, mine the Hebrew, mine the tongues of all nations, because I am in the unity of all nations.
20. So then, brethren, the Church began from Jerusalem, and spread through all nations. What is more clear than this testimony of the Law, the Prophets, and of the Lord Himself? The voices of the Apostles sound every where, giving testimony of our hope in the unity of the Body of Christ. Rejoice over the wheat, tolerate the tares, groan in the threshing, sigh for the garner. The time will come when we shall rejoice, when the bars of the gates of Jeru salem are made strong. Let him enter, who is to enter. He who shall enter there manifested, here entereth not disguised. But he who entereth here disguised, is really without. He is without, and knows it not: the fan will
the bars will prove it. He who now truly and truthfully within, there will be finally within: he who now
within by enduring, there will be within in rejoicing. For the borders of Jerusalem are peace; for he saith, He hath set peace for thy borders. Now we long for peace, which here we have but in hope. For as yet in ourselves
Gal. what sort of peace there The Jlesh lusteth against the
17-
spirit, and the spirit against the flesh. Where full peace even in one man When there shall be full peace in one man, then shall there be full peace in all the citizens of
prove
iCor. 15, Jerusalem. When will there be full peace? When this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality then will be full peace,
;
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is
is
is
5,
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is
it,
would enjoy the peace and bliss of it hereafter. 405
then will be firm peace: then nothing contendeth against Ver. the soul in man, not itself against itself, being wounded in ------ one part; not frailty of flesh, not want of body, not hunger,
not thirst, not cold, not weariness, not any need, no pro vocation of strife, certainly not the anxious care at once to
avoid and to love one's enemy. All these things, brethren, contend against us, not yet is there full and perfect peace.
What ye cried out awhile ago at the very mention of peace,
ye cried from longing : your cry was from thirst, not from fulness; for there will be perfect righteousness where will
be perfect peace. Now we hunger and thirst after righteous
ness. Blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after Matt. 5, righteousness, for they shall be filled. How shall they be 6-
filled ? When we have arrived at peace. Therefore when
he had said, Who hath set peace for thy borders, because there is fulness and no want, he added at once, and filleth
thee with the fat of wheat.
21. Brethren, since this peace whereof we speak is not
yet entirely in us, that is, entire in each one of us, it de- lighteth perhaps your spirits to go on yet to listen : but if there be nothing in the body which resists and rebels, let us finish the Psalm. I never find you weary, yet I fear, God knoweth, lest 1 be a burden to you, or to some of the brethren : and I see how zealously many of you demand of me this toil and effort, which I believe will not be unfruitful in the Lord. I rejoice that ye find such pleasure in the
truth of the Word of God, that your good zeal in what is good and concerning what is good, surpasses the zeal of the
madmen who are in the amphitheatre. Would they still be at their show, if they had to stand so long? Therefore, brethren, let us hear the rest, since so ye will. May the Lord be with us, may He be with our strength and our understandings. Who hath set peace for thy borders, he saith to the Jerusalem that is to be, and satisfieth thee with the fat of wheat. Hunger and thirst after righteousness
pass away, plenty succecdeth. What will then be the fat
of wheat, save that Bread which came down from heaven John 6, to us ! In our true country how will He satisfy us, Who in41"
our pilgrimage hath thus fed us !
22. Now he is about to speak of this our pilgrimage,
406 The wondrous swiftness
Psalm whereby we come to that Jerusalem, where we shall praise
c*IAn"
ver. 15.
in unison the Lord; where we shall praise the Lord our God, ourselves Jerusalem, ourselves Sion ; when the bars of our gates shall be made strong. For He Who then will satisfy us with the fat of wheat, what doeth He in this our pilgrimage? Who sendeth forth His Word to the earth. Behold, on earth we toil, weary, fainting, sluggish, cold : when should we be raised up to the fat of wheat that satisfieth, did not He send His Word to the earth, whereby we were weighed down, to the earth, whereby we were hindered from returning? He sent His Word, He deserted us not even in the wilderness, He rained manna from heaven. Who sendeth forth His Word to the earth ; and to earth His Word came. How? or what is His Word? Even unto swiftness His Word runneth. He said not, ' His Word is swift,' but, His Word runneth even unto
Let us understand, my brethren : He could not have chosen a better word. He who is hot grows hot by heat, he who is cold grows cold by cold, he who is swift becometh swift by swiftness. What is hotter than heat itself, whereby whatever is hot groweth hot ? what is colder than cold itself, whereby whatever is cold groweth cold ? What then is swifter than swiftness itself, whereby whatever runneth swiftly is made swift ? Many things may be called swift, some more, some less ; and in that degree is each thing swift, in which it is partaker of swiftness. This thing is in a greater degree partaker of swiftness, therefore it is swifter : this thing is in a less degree partaker of swiftness, therefore it is less swift. Than swiftness itself then, what is swifter ? To what degree then doth it run ? Even to swiftness. Increase as much as you will the swiftness of the Word, and say, It is as swift as this or that, as birds, as
the winds, as the Angels ; is any of these as great as swift ness itself, even unto swiftness? What is swiftness itself, brethren? It is every where; it is not in part. This belongeth to the Word of God, not to be in part, to be every where by Himself the Word, whereby He is the
swiftness.
I Cor. l, Power of God and the Wisdom of God, before He had II taken flesh upon Him. If we think of God in the Form of God, the Word equal to the Father, this is the Wisdom
and power of God's Word. 407
of God, of Which is said, reacheth from one end to the Ver. other mightily. What mighty speed ! // reacheth from one end "' to the other mightily. But perhaps it reacheth without being 1. moveable. If without being moveable it filleth any space
like some mass of stone, it is said to reach from one end to
the other of the same space, yet not by motion. What
say we then ? Hath then that Word no motion, and
is that Wisdom senseless r Where is then that which is
said of the Spirit of Wisdom ? After much else, it is called quick, full of motion, plain, undefiled. Thus then theWisd. 7, Wisdom of God is evidently endowed with motion.
If then it be endowed with motion, when it toucheth this, doth
it not also touch that ? Where then is swiftness ? Swift
ness maketh it to be every where always, yet no where to
be imprisoned and detained. But these things are beyond
our thoughts : we are too sluggish for them. Who can think
on these things ? And in truth, brethren, I have spoken as
I could, (if indeed I could, if indeed I understood,) and ye
have understood as ye were able. But what saith the Apostle ? Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding Eph. 3, abundantly above all that we ask or think. What meaneth 20'
he here ? That however often we have understood, we have
not understood Him as He is. Wherefore is this ? Because Wisd. 9, the corruptible body presseth down the soul. Therefore on 15- earth are we cold, for swiftness is hot ; and all that is hot is
swift, all that is cold, slow. We are slow, therefore we are
cold. But Wisdom runneth even unto swiftness. Therefore
it is exceeding hot, and there is nothing that can hide itselfPs. 19,6.
from the heat thereof.
23. We then are burdened by the sluggishness of this
cold body, and the bonds of this earthly and corruptible life; have we no hope of receiving the Word, Which runneth even un to swiftness? or hath He abandoned us, though by the body we are depressed to the lowest depths ? Did not He predestinate us, before we were born in this mortal and sluggish body? He then, Who predestinated us, gave snow to the earth, even ourselves. For now let us come to those somewhat obscure verses of the Psalm, let those entangle ments begin to be unrolled : since the Word of God findeth you the more eager, the more it is uttered to you by us. Behold, we are sluggish on this earth, and are as it were
Psalm
ver. 16.
408 The ' wool,' Christians, who are the robe of Christ.
frozen here. And just as happens to the flakes of snow, for they freeze above, then fall down ; so as love groweth cold, human nature falleth down to this earth, and involved in a sluggish body becometh like snow. But in that snow are predestined sons of God. For, He giveth snow like wool. What is, like wool? It meaneth, of the snow which He hath given, of these, who are as yet slow in spirit and cold, whom He hath predestinated, He is about to make some what. For wool is the material of a garment: when we see wool, we look on it as a sort of preparation for a garment. Therefore since He hath predestinated these, who at present are cold and creep on earth, and as yet glow not with the spirit of love, (for as yet He speaketh of predestination,) God hath given these as a sort of wool: He is about to
Mat. 17, make of them a garment. Rightly did the raiment of Christ
2'
Eph. "''
shine on the mountain, like snow. The raiment of Christ did shine like snow, as though of that snow a garment had already been made : of which wool, that of the snow which He gave like wool, they being as yet predestined, were sluggish but wait, see what followeth. Since He gave them as wool, garment made of them. For as the Church called the Body of Christ, so the Church also called the garment of Christ hence cometh that which said by the Apostle, that He might present to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle. Let Him then present unto Himself glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle; let Him make Himself garment of that wool, which He had predestinated in the snow. While men are yet unbelieving, and cold, and sluggish, let Him make garment of this wool. That may be washed from spots, let be cleansed by faith that may have no wrinkle, let
be stretched out upon the cross. Who giveth snow like wool.
24. Now they are predestined, they are to be called. For whom He predestined, them He also called. Now how are they called from the sickness of the body, to become sound How are they called Hear the Gospel came
not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. That snow then beginneth at once in predestination to acknow ledge its sluggishness, to accuse its sins beginneth, being called, to come to repentance. Rightly then
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The 'mist' of ignorance scattered by ' ashes' of repentance. 409
said, Who giveth snow like wool, on account of the com- Ver. pletion of the garment that is to be ; and also on account lb- - of the calling to repentance, He scattereth mist like ashes.
He scattereth, saith the Psalmist, mist like ashes. Who?
He Who giveth snow like wool. For whom He predestined,
He calleth to repentance; for whom He predestined, them
He also called. But ashes are connected with repentance.
Hear Him calling to repentance, when He upbraided certain
cities, saying, Woe unto thee, Chorazin ! woe unto thee, Hat. 11, Bethsaidal for if the mighty works which have been done21'
in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they had long ago repented in dust and ashes. Therefore, He scattereth mist like ashes. What He scattereth mist like ashes When
man called to learn about God, and said to him, Receive the Truth he beginneth to wish to receive the
Truth, but not able he seeth that He under sort of darkness, which before he saw not. For this purpose then is that mist, that thou mayest know that thou knowest nothing, and that thou mayest know what thou oughtest to know, and mayest see that thou art too weak to know what ought to be known. For while in this mist thou pre- sumest that thou knowest, thou shalt hear from the Apostle,
He who thinketh he knoweth anything, knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. Therefore as yet thou hast not2' comprehended, as yet thou art under mist. But He hath not abandoned thee, Who lit up for thee the lamp of His Flesh. Wander not the mist, follow in faith. But foras much as thou endeavourest to see and art not able, repent of thy sins, for mist scattered like ashes. Repent thee now of having been obstinate against God, repent of having
followed thine own evil ways. Thou hast come into this state where difficult for thee to see the vision of bliss, and the mist will be healthful to thee, which God scattereth like ashes. Thou thyself art as yet mist, but like ashes. For they that are penitent, as yet roll themselves in ashes,
my brethren, testifying, as were, that they are like
saying unto God, am ashes. ' For certain Scripture saith, have despised myself, and wasted away, have j? b 30, reckoned myself earth and ashes. This the humility ofy^g the penitent. When Abraham speaketh to his God, and
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Psalm
GeD 18 27.
