He heard then, and He delayed to avenge : and after He had done what they
supposed
He was not able to do, then anger went up upon Israel.
Augustine - Exposition on the Psalms - v4
May know what ?
The commandments which He hath commanded.
How then should they still search out, whereas they have already learned them, save that by putting their hope in God, they do then search out His commandments, in order that by them, with His aid, they may be fulfilled ?
That they may not become, like their fathers, a generation crooked and embittering, a generation which hath not guided its heart.
And he saith why, by immediately subjoining, and its spirit hath not been trusted with God, that is, because it had no faith, which doth obtain what the Law doth enjoin.
For when the spirit of man doth work together with the Spirit of God working, then there is fulfilled that which God hath commanded : and this doth not come to pass, except by believing in Him that doth justify an ungodly man.
Which faith the generation6' crooked and embittering had not : and therefore concerning the same hath been said, The spirit thereof hath not been trusted with God.
For this hath been said much more exactly to point out the grace of God, which doth work not only remission of sins, but also doth make the spirit of man to work together therewith in the work of good deeds, as though he were saying, his spirit hath not believed in God.
For to have the spirit trusted with God, not to believe that his spirit able to do righteousness without God, but with God.
For this to believe in God which surely more than to believe God.
For ofttimes we must believe
'---
g
Rom. 4,
e 2
is
:
is,
is
is
52 Faith works with God. The bended how, purpose.
Psalm even a man, though in him we must not believe. To believe lAxviri. -n Qod tiierefore ;s ly1iS, iu believing to cleave unto God John 16, Who worketh good works, in order to work with Him well. For without Me, He saith, ye can do nothing. But what more
on this head could the Apostle have said than what he saith, 1 Cor. jjut lie fhaf rfeaveth to the Lord is one spirit ? Otherwise
that law is a testimony whereby
not one whereby he is acquitted.
nacing, to convict transgressors;
deliver and justify sinners. Therefore, that generation, the example whereof is to be shunned, was for this reason crooked and embittering, because the spirit thereof was not trusted with God: for although in some sort it believed God, yet it did not believe in God: by faith it did not cleave unto God, to the end that, being made whole by God, it might work well together with God working therein.
Rom. 9, Following after the law of righteousness, unto the law of righteousness they have not attained. Why? Because they were not of faith. For they were that generation whereof the spirit hath not been trusted with God : but they were, so to speak, of works : because they did not, as they bended and shot their bows, (which are outward actions, as of the
Rom. 1, works of the law,) so guide their heart also, wherein the just Gal. 6,6. man doth live by faith, which worketh by love; whereby vu\. 2, men cleave to God, Who worketh in man both to will and
work according to good will. For what else is bending the bow and shooting, and turning back in the day of war, but heeding and purposing in the day of hearing, and deserting in the day of temptation ; flourishing arms, so to speak, beforehand, and at the hour of the action refusing to fight? But whereas he saith, bending and shooting bows, when it would seem that he ought to have said, bending bows and shooting arrows, for the bow is not shot, but by the bow something is shot : it is either the same form of speech as that whereof we have treated above, where there was said,
v. 6. He hath raised up a testimony, because He hath raised up something by a testimony, so here too, shooting bows, because they have shot something with bows : or else the order of
1 1 reus. '
the party1 is condemned, For it is the letter me
not the Spirit giving aid, to
9. Lastly, (ver. 9. ) The sons of Ephrem bending
and shooting bows, have been turned back in the day of war.
The Church figured in the younger son preferred. 53
words is obscure, by the omission of a word, which though Ver. not expressed must be understood, so that the order is, sows ------ of Ephrem bending bows and shooting, and there is under
stood arrows, and the more full expression is, bending bows
and shooting arrows: for though he had said, bending and shooting arrows, we ought not certainly to understand thereby arrows bending: but having heard the expression bending, to understand rather a bow, though it might not have been said. Some Greek copies to be sure are said to have bending and shooting with bows, so that without doubt we ought to un derstand arrows. But whereas by the sons of Ephrem he hath willed that there be understood the whole of that em bittering generation, it is an expression signifying the whole by a part. And perhaps this part was chosen whereby to
signify the whole, because from these men especially some
good thing was tohave been expected ; because they were born
of him whom being his own grandson, although set at the left
hand by his father as being the younger, Jacob nevertheless Gen. 48, blessed with his right hand, and preferred him before his14- elder brother with a benediction of hidden meaning ; so that
while this tribe is so much censured in this place, and that
there hath not appeared therein what that blessing promised
is clearly shewn, we may well perceive that even then by the
words of the Patriarch Jacob something far different was
being figured than the wisdom of the flesh doth expect.
For there was being figured how they were to be last that Mat. 20, were first, and first were to be they that were last, through 16'
the Saviour's coming, concerning Whom hath been said, He John 1, that is coming after me was made before me. In like man-
ner righteous Abel was preferred before the elder brother;4;21, so to Ismael Isaac so to Esau, though born before him, his 29. ' twin brother Jacob so also Phares himself preceded even in
birth his twin brother, who had first thrust hand out of the womb, and had begun to be born so David was preferred Sam. before his elder brother and as the reason why all these parables and others like them preceded, not only of words
but also of deeds, in like manner to the people of the Jews
was preferred the Christian people, for redeeming the which Gen. as Abel by Cain, so by the Jews was slain Christ. This thing8,
was prefigured even when Jacob stretching out his hands
4,
; :
;
1 '
Q7e-n '4
:
a
54 Self-trusting pride fails in performance.
Psalm cross-wise, with his right hand touched Ephrem standing on
Genes' 14.
' an(^ set Defore Manasse standing on the right, 'whom he himself touched with the left hand. For after the flesh, the sons of Ephrem bending and shooting bows have
been turned back in the day of war.
10. But what that is which he saith, they have been turned
back in the day of war, the following words do teach, wherein he hath most clearly explained this: (ver. 10. ) they have not kept, he saith. the testament of God, and in His law they would not walk. Behold what is, they have been turned back in the day of war : they have not kept the testament of God. When they were bending and shooting bows, they did also utter the words of most forward promise, saying, " Whatsoever things the Lord our God hath spoken we will do, and we will hear. " They have been turned back in the day of war: because the promise of obedience not hearing but temptation doth prore. But he whose spirit hath been trusted with God, keepeth hold on God, Who is faithful, and doth not
Eiod. 19, 8-
i Cor.
10' 13' suffer him to be tempted above that which he is able; but
will make with the temptation a way of escape also, that he
may be able to endure, and may not be turned back in the 1 Cor. day of war. But he that glorieth in himself, not in God,
1,31-
EccIub. alSo the Spirit of God is not : and, as it is written, because 2' 13 ' he hath not believed, therefore he shall not be protected.
But inasmuch as when he had said, they have not kept the testament of God ; he hath added and saith, and in His law they would not walk, it is a repetition of the former sentence, with a sort of exposition of it. For he hath called that His law, which he had called above the testament of God: so that what hath been said in they have not kept, may be per ceived to be repeated in they would not walk. But seeing that it might have been expressed more briefly by, ' and in His law they have not walked,' it seemeth to me that he hath willed us to seek for some reason why he hath chosen to say, they would not walk, rather than, they have not walked. For the law of works might have been deemed sufficient for
justification, when the precepts which arc enjoined, are done
howsoever he may vaunt the promise of his virtue, as if bending and shooting bows, is turned back in the day of war. For because his spirit hath not been trusted with God, with him
Works avail not unless the heart be with them. 55 externally by men who would rather not have precepts en- Ver.
--
in hand, unlike in heart ; alike in operation, unlike in will. Therefore these men have been thus branded : a generation, v. 8. he saith, which hath not directed their heart. It hath
not been said, works, but heart. For when the heart is directed, the works are right; but when the heart is not directed, the works are not right, even though they seem to
be right. And how the crooked generation hath not directed
the heart, hath sufficiently been shewn, when he saith,
and the spirit thereof hath not been trusted with God. v. 8. For God is right: and therefore by cleaving to the right,
as to an immutable rule, the heart of a man can be made right,
which in itself was crooked. But in order that the heart may
be with Him and thereby may be able to become right, we
draw near to Him not with foot but with faith. Therefore
also there is said in the Epistle to the Hebrews concerning
that same generation crooked and embittering : The hearing Heb. *, of the word profited not them that were not tempered with*-
the faith of them that hearkened. The will therefore which
is in a right heart, is prepared by the Lord, faith preceding, whereby it draweth near to God, Who is right, in order that
the heart may be made right. The which faith, the mercy
of God preventing and inviting, is raised up through obedience;
and doth begin to apply the heart to God, in order that it
may be directed, and the more and more it is directed, so
much the more it seeth what it saw not, and can do what
it could not do. This thing Simon had not done, to whom
Peter the Apostle said, there is neither part nor lot to thee Acts 8, in this faith: for thy heart is not right with God. For21, there he is shewing how it cannot be right without God,
so that men may begin, not like slaves fearing to walk
uudcr the law, but in the law like willing sons, wherein
joined, the which they perform not from their hearts, and yet do perform them : and thereby they seem in a manner to walk in the law of God, but are unwilling to walk : for they do them not from the heart. But from the heart a thing can no wise be done which is done for fear of punishment, not for love of righteousness. For as far as regardeth acts which are done externally, both they that fear punishment and they that love righteousness do not steal ; and therefore they are alike
56 Obedience through love. Remembrance of God's works.
Psalm they willed not to walk, and under it remained guilty. For Rom'T tn's no* ^ear ^ove ^oth embrace, which is shed abroad 6. in the hearts of the faithful through the Holy Spirit. Unto EPh- 2, whom is said, By grace we have been saved through faith:
and this not of yourselves, but it is the gift of God ; not by works, lest perchance a man should be exalted. For of Him we are the workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, in good works, which God hath prepared, in order that we may walk therein. Not like those men, who willed not to walk in His
Ps. 37,6. law, either by believing in Him, or by discovering their way to Him, and by hoping in Him, in order that He might Himself do it.
1 1. Ver. 11. And they forgat His benefits, and the wonder ful works of Him which He shewed to them ; before their fathers the wonderful things which He did. What this
not a question to be negligently passed over. Concerning those very fathers he was speaking a little before, that they had been generation crooked and embittering. Lest they should become, he saith, like their fathers a generation crooked and embittering a generation that hath not directed their heart, and the like, which are yet said of that same gene ration, the imitation whereof he hath enjoined to be shunned
by another generation in this way, in order that they may put their hope in God, and may not forget the works of God, and may search out His commandments concerning which we have already discoursed as much as hath seemed sufficient. What meaneth he then, when he speaking of that same crooked generation, how that they forgot the benefits of God, and the wonderful things of Him which He shewed to them, by adding and saying, before their fathers the wonderful things which He did What fathers, inasmuch as these are the very fathers, whom he would not have posterity to be like? If we shall lake them to be those out of whom the others had derived their being, for example, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, by this time they had long since fallen asleep, when God shewed wonderful things in Egypt. For there followeth, in the land of Egypt, in the plain of Thanis where
said that God shewed to them wonderful things before their
fathers.
Were they perchance present in spirit For of the
Lukc20, same the Lord saith in the Gospel, for all do live to Him. 3<<,
?
:
it is
is,
?
is
:
;
:
a
is
Who may be understood to be named as ' Fathers. ' 57
Or do we more suitably understand thereby the fathers Moses Ver; and Aaron, and the other elders who are related in the same ---- Scripture also to have received the Spirit, of Which alsoii"TM;! Moses received, in order that they might aid him in ruling
and bearing the same people ? For why should they not
have been called fathers ? It is not in the same manner as
God is the One Father, Who doth regenerate with His Spirit
those whom He doth make sons for an everlasting inheritance;
but it is for the sake of honour, because of their age and kindly carefulness : just as Paul the elder saith, Not to con- \ Cor.
found you I am writing these things, but as my dearly beloved*' 14, sons I am admonishing you : though he knew of a truth
that it had been said by the Lord, Call ye no man your father Mat. 23, on earth, for One is your Father, even God. And this was9-
not said in order that this term of human honour should be erased from our usual way of speaking : but lest the grace of God whereby we are regenerated unto eternal life, should be ascribed either to the p/ower or even sanctity of any man.
have begotten you ; he first said, in Christ, and through the Gospel; lest that might be thought
to be of him, which is of God.
12. Therefore that generation, crooked and embittering,
have forgotten the benefits of God, and His wonderful works which He shewed to them before their fathers, (ver. 12. ) the wonderful works which He did in the land of Egypt, in the
plain of Thanis. And he beginneth to recount in his narrative the same wonderful works. Which if they are ' parables and propositions,' they must certainly be referred to some thing by comparison. Nor ought we to take off the eye of attention from that which the Psalm itself doth intend to shew ; how that this is the fruit of all things which are therein spoken of, and why we have been admonished to hear these words most attentively, God saying, Hearken ye, My people, unto My law, incline ye your ear unto the words of My mouth; in order that we may put our hope in God, and may not
forget the works of God, and may search out His command ments: lest we become, like those fathers, a generation crooked and embittering, a generation which guided not the heart, and the spirit thereof was not trusted with God. Unto this therefore all things must be referred ; and therefore what-
Therefore when he said,
v. I.
58 Egypt, the world. The Red sea, Holy Baptism.
Psalm soever these things do signify in a figurative action, so they Mi-mi. may come t0 pass spiritually in a man, either by the grace of God, if they are good things, or by the judgment of God, if they are evil things; just as the former good things were
done unto the Israelites, or evil things both unto themselves and unto their enemies. The which if we forget not, but put our hope in God, and are not ungrateful for His grace ; and fear Him, not with servile fear, wherewith corporal evil things alone are feared, but with chaste fear abiding for everlasting, which fear doth deem it great punishment to be deprived of the light of righteousness ; we shall not be made,
like those fathers, a generation crooked and embittering. Accordingly, the land of Egypt must be understood for a figure of this world. The plain of Thanis is the smooth surface of lowly commandment. For lowly commandment is the interpretation of Thanis. In this world therefore let us receive the commandment of humility, in order that in another world we may merit to receive the exaltation which He hath promised, Who for our sake here became lowly.
13. Ver. 13. For He that did burst asunder the sea and made them go through, did confine the waters as it were in bottles, in order that the water might stand up first as if it
were shut in, is able by His grace to restrain the flowing and ebbing tides of carnal desires, when we renounce this world, so that all sins having been thoroughly washed away, as if they were enemies, the people of the faithful may be made to pass through by means of the Sacrament of Baptism. He that led them home in the cloud ofthe day, and in the whole night in the illumination offire, is able also spiritually to direct
Ps. 119, goings if faith crieth to Him, Direct Thou my goings after Thy ProV. 4 word. Of Whom in another place is said, For Himself shall 27- make thy courses right, and shall prolong thy goings in peace*
through Jesus Christ our Lord, Whose Sacrament in this world, as it were in the day, is manifest in the flesh, as if in a cloud ; but in the Judgment, it will be manifest like as in a terror by night; for then there will be a great tribulation of the world like as it were fire, and it shall shine for the just and shall burn for the unjust. (Ver. 15. ) He that burst asunder the rock in the desert, and gave them water as in
J These words are part of an addition in the Scptuagint text.
The Spiritual Rock. Sin of tempting God. 59
vEr. and brought down waters like rivers, is surely able upon 16 20'
a great deep; {vex. 16. ) and brought out water from the rock,
thirsty faith to pour the gift of the Holy Spirit, (the which gift the performance of that thing did spiritually signify,) to pour, I say, from the Spiritual Rock that followed, which is Christ : Who did stand and cry, Ifany is athirst, let him come to Me: and, he that shall have drunk of the water
which
John 7, Jo'hn4,
'
I
belly. For this He spake, as is read in the Gospel, of the 39. Spirit, Which they were to receive that believed in Him, unto Whom like the rod drew near the wood of the Passion, in order that there might flow forth grace for believers.
shall give, rivers living water shall J/ow out of his of
14. And yet, (ver. 17. ) they, like a generation crooked and embittering, added yet to sin against Him : that is, not to believe. For this is the sin, whereof the Spirit doth convict
the world, as the Lord saith, " Of sin indeed because they Juhnis, have not believed on Me. " And they exasperated the Most 9- High in drought, which other copies have, in a place without
water, which is a more exact translation from the Greek, and doth signify no other thing than drought. Was it in that drought of the desert, or rather in their own ? For although they had drunk of the rock, they had not their bellies but their minds dry, freshening with no fruitfulness of righteousness. In that drought they ought the more faithfully to have been suppliant unto God, in order that Ho Who had given fulness unto their jaws, might give also equity to their manners. For unto Him the faithful soul doth cry,
17'
Let mine eyes see equity.
15. Ver. 18. And they tempted
God in their hearts, in order that they might seek morsels for their souls. It one thing to ask in believing, another thing in tempting. Lastly there followeth, (ver. 19. ) And they slandered God, and said, Shall God be able to prepare a table in the desert (ver. 20. ) For He smote the rock, and the watersflowed, and torrents will He be able to give bread also, or to
gushed forth
prepare table for His people Not believing therefore,
they sought morsels for their souls. Not so the Apostle James doth enjoin a morsel to be asked for the mind, but
doth admonish that be sought by believers, not by such as tempt and slander God. But any one ofyou, he saith, James
if
?
1,
it
a
:
?
is
2"'
60 God's wrath against the rebellious, how delayed.
Psalm doth lack wisdom, let him ash of God, Who doth give to all lxxvm. men abundantly, and doth not upbraid, and it shall be given to him : but let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. This faith had not that generation which 'had not directed their heart, and the spirit thereof had not been trusted with God. ' 16. Ver. 21. Wherefore the Lord heard, and He delayed, and fire was lighted in Jacob, and wrath went up into Israel. He hath explained what he hath called fire. He hath called anger fire : although in strict propriety fire did also burn up many men. What is therefore this that he saith, Tlie Lord heard, and He delayed ? Did He delay to conduct them into the land of promise, whither they were being led : which might have been done in the space of a
few days, but on account of sins they must needs be wasted in the desert, where also they were wasted during forty years ? And if this be so, He did then delay the people, not those very persons who tempted and slandered God : for they all perished in the desert, and their children journeyed into the land of promise. Or did He delay punishment, in order that He might first satisfy unbelieving concupiscence, lest He might be supposed to be angry, because they were asking of Him what He was not able to do ?
He heard then, and He delayed to avenge : and after He had done what they supposed He was not able to do, then anger went up upon Israel.
17. Lastly, when both these things have been briefly touched, afterwards he is evidently following out the order of the narrative. (Ver. 22. ) Because they believed not in God, nor hoped in His saving health. For when he had told why fire was lighted in Jacob, and anger went up upon Israel, that is to say, because they believed not in God, nor hoped in His saving health : immediately subjoining the evident blessings for which they were ungrateful, he saith, (ver. 23. ) and He commanded the clouds above, and opened the doors of Heaven.
(Ver. 24. ) And He rained upon them manna to eat, and gave them bread of Heaven. (Ver. 25. ) Dread of angels man did eat: dainties He sent them in abundance. (V er. 26. ) He brought over the South Wind from Heaven, and in His virtue He led in the South West Wind. (Ver. 27. ) And He rained upon them fleshes like dust, and wingedfowls like the sand of the sea. (Ver. 28. ) And they fell in the midst of their camp, around
Quails and manna types of earthly and Heavenly doctrine. 61
their tabernacles. (Ver. 29. ) And they ate and were filled Ver. exceedingly ; and their desire He brought to them : they 29- 30- were not deprived of their desire. Behold why He had delayed. But what He had delayed let us hear. (Ver. 30. )
Yet the morsel was in their ? nouths, and the anger of God
came down upon them. Behold what He had delayed. For before He ddayed: and afterwards, fire was lighted in Jacob
and anger went up upon Israel. He had delayed therefore in
order that He might first do what they had believed that He
could not do, and then might bring upon them what they deserved to suffer. For if they placed their hope in God,
not only would their desires of the flesh but also those of the
spirit have been fulfilled. For He that commanded the clouds
abo ve, and opened the doors of Heaven, and rained upon them manna to eat, and gave them the bread of Heaven, so that
man did eat Angels' food, He that sent dainties upon liiem
in abundance, that He might fill the unbelieving, is not without power to give to believers Himself the true Bread
from Heaven, which the manna did signify : which is indeed
the food of Angels, whom being incorruptible the Word of
God doth incorruptibly feed: the which in order that man
might eat, He became flesh, and dwelled in us. For Himself j0h? 1,
the Bread by means of the Evangelical clouds is being14- rained over the whole world, and, the hearts of preachers, like heavenly doors, being opened, is being preached not to
a murmuring and tempting synagogue, but to a Church believing and putting hope in Him. He that brought over the South West Wind, and led in His might the South Wind, and rained upon them fleshes like dust, and winged fowls lil(e the sand of the sea : and they fell in the midst of their camp, around their tabernacles: and they ate and were filled exceedingly, and their desire He brought to them, and they were deprived of their desire : i3 able also to feed the feeble faith of such as tempt not, but believe, with the signs of words uttered by the flesh and speeding through the air, as though it were fowls : not however with such as come from the north, where cold and mist do prevail, that is to say,
which is pleasing to this world, but by bringing over the South Wind from Heaven ; (whither, except to the earth ? In order that they who are feeble in faith, by hearing
eloquence
62 Preachers. ' South winds. ' Wrath in the fat ones. Psalm things earthly may be nourished up to receive things
/I
God; in order that he might be forbearing to those men
have told you heavenly. For if, He saith, of
things earthly, shall tell you of things heavenly ? For that one had been translated from Heaven in a manner, where in mind he had departed to
ineffable words, which on earth it was not lawful for him to speak by means of words that sound, like winged fowls ;) and by bringing in by His might the South West Wind, that is, by means of South Winds, the fervent and flowing spirits of preachers; and this by His virtue, lest the South Wind should ascribe unto itself that which it hath of God. But these winds of their own selves come unto men, and they bear unto them words divinely sent ; in order that in their own places and round about their tabernacles they may
j**^1,
12. ' and ye believe not ; how shall ye believe if
/ could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal. For there he had heard
1 Cor, unto whom he was saying,
3, l-
2 Cor. 12' 4-
Zephan. gather together fowls of such sort, and all the isles of the
2>> 1,'
nations may adore the Lord, each man from his place.
18. But as to unbelievers, being a crooked and embittering generation, as it were, while the morsel was yet in their mouths, (ver. 31. ) the anger of God went up upon them, and
it slew among the most of them : that is, the most of them, or as some copies have it, the fat ones of them, which however in the Greek copies which we had, we did not find. But if this be the truer reading, what else must be understood by the fat ones of them, than men mighty in pride, concerning
Ps. 73,7. whom is said, their iniquity shall come forth as if out of fat? And the elect of Israel He fettered. Even there there
were elect, with whose faith the generation crooked and em bittering was not mixed. But they were fettered, so that they might in no sort profit them for whom they desired that they might provide from a fatherly affection. For what is conferred by human mercy, on those with whom God is angry ? Or rather hath He willed it to be understood, how that even the elect were fettered at the same time with them, in order that they who were diverse both in mind and in life, might endure sufferings with them for an example not only of righteousness, but also of patience ? For we hare learned that holy men were even led captive with sinners for
The people, as one, amended, though some perished. 63
no other reason ; since in the Greek copies we read not Ver.
evnro'Sia-ev, which is fettered; but <rwsnilurtv, which is rather fettered together with.
19. But the generation crooked and embittering,
in all these things sinned yet more, and they believed not in
His wonderful works. (Ver. 33. ) And their days failed in vanity. Though they might, if they had believed, have had
days in truth without failing, with Him to Whom hath been
said, Thy years shall not fail. Therefore their days failed Ps. 102, in vanity, and their years with haste. For the whole life of2/ ' mortal men is hastening, and that which seemeth to be longer
is but a vapour of somewhat longer duration.
20. Nevertheless, when he slew them they sought Him:
not for the sake of eternal life, but fearing to end the vapour too soon. There sought Him then, not indeed those whom He had slain, but they that were afraid of being slain ac cording to the example of them. But the Scripture hath so spoken of them as if they sought God who were slain ; be cause they were one people, and it is spoken as if of one body : (ver. 34. ) and they returned, and at dawn they came to God. (Ver. 85. ) And they remembered that God is their Helper, and the High God is their Redeemer. But all this is for the sake of acquiring temporal good things, and for avoiding temporal evil things. For they that did seek God for the sake of temporal blessings, sought not God indeed, but things. Thus God is worshipped with slavish fear, not with those free love. Thus then God is not worshipped : for that thing is worshipped which is loved. Whence because God is found to be greater and better than all things, He must be loved more than all things, in order that He may be worshipped.
21. Lastly, here let us see the words following:
And they loved Him, he saith, in their mouth, and in their tongue they lied unto Him. (Ver. 37. ) But their heart was
not right with Him, and they were not counted faithful in
His Testament. One thing on their tongue, another thing
in their heart He found, unto Whom the secret things of men
are naked, and without any impediment He saw what they loved rather. Therefore the heart is right with God, when
it doth seek God for the sake of God. For one thing hePs. 27,4.
(ver. 32. )
(ver. 36. )
64 God to be sought for Himself. The safe way.
PsAt. M desired of the Lord, the same he will require, that he may '-dwell always in the House of the Lord, and may meditate
on the pleasantness of Him. Unto Whom saith the heart of
the faithful, I will be filled, not with the flesh-pots of the Exod. Egyptians, nor with melons and gourds, and garlick and
16' 3'
fer even to bread celestial, nor with visible manna, and those P*. 17. same winged fowls; but, / will be filled, when Thy glory shall ' be made manifest. For this is the inheritance of the New
Testament, wherein they were not counted faithful ; whereof however the faith even at that time, when it was veiled, was in the elect, and now, when it hath already been revealed, it is
Mat. 20, not in many that are called. For many have been called,
16'
but few are elect. Of such sort therefore was the generation crooked and embittering, even when they were seeming to seek God, loving in mouth, and in tongue lying; but in heart not right with God, while they loved rather those things, for the sake of which they required the help of God.
22. Ver. 38. But He is Himself merciful, and will become
onions, which a generation crooked and embittering did pre
to their sins, and He will not destroy them. And He will abound to turn away His anger, and He will not kindle all his anger. (Ver. 39. ) And he took it to heart that they are flesh, a breath going and not returning. By these words many men promise to themselves impunity for
their iniquity from the Divine Mercy, even if they shall have persevered in being such, as that generation is described, crooked and embittering ; which hath not directed their heart, and the spirit thereof hath not been trusted with God: with whom it is not profitable to agree. For to speak in their words, God will perchance not destroy no not even bad men, without doubt He will not destroy good men. Why then do we not rather choose that wherein there no doubt For they that lie to Him in their tongue, though their heart doth hold some other thing, do think indeed, and will, even God to be liar, when He dolh menace upon such men eternal punishment. But whilst they do not deceive Him with their lying, He doth not deceive them with speaking the truth. These words therefore of divine sayings, concerning which the
crooked generation doth cajole itself, let not make crooked like its own heart for even when made crooked, they
propitious
:
it
is it
is if,
a
?
How God in mercy forbears to destroy. Go
continue right. For at first they may be understood accord- Ver. ing to that which is written in the Gospel, that ye may be -
Hisit. ' ' sun to rise upon good men and evil men, and raineth upon
just men and unjust men. For who could not see, how
great is the long-suffering of mercy with which He is sparing
evil men ? But before the Judgment, He spared then that nation in such sort, that He kindled not1 all His anger, utterly > Many to root it up and bring it to an end: which thing in His*^"',001- words and in the intercession for their sins of His servant
Moses doth evidently appear, where God saith, Let Me blot Exod. them out, and make thee into a great nation : he interceded,32' 10' being more ready to be blotted out for them than that they should be ; knowing that he is doing this before One Merciful,
Who inasmuch as by no means He w ould blot out him, would even spare them for his sake. For let us see how greatly He spared, and doth still spare. For He led into the land of promise, and kept that nation, until by slaying Christ they bound themselves with the guilt greatest of all ; and in that He scattered them, rooted out from that kingdom, throughout all the kingdoms of the nations, still He did not blot them out: but there remaineth the same people preserved by a
succession of offspring, like Cain who received a mark, that Gen. 4, no one should slay him, that is, utterly destroy him. Behold 16- after what manner there is fulfilled that which hath been spoken, But He is Himself merciful, and will be propitious
to their sins, and will not destroy them : and will abound
to turn away His anger, and He will not kindle all His anger. For if all His anger, that as much as they deserve,
should be kindled against them, that nation would not be
left at all. Thus God, unto Whom sung mercy and judg- Ps. 101,
ment, and Who in this world through mercy maketh His sun \]atU to rise upon good men and evil men, in the end of the world
also through judgment doth punish evil men with eternal darkness, severed from His eternal light.
23. In the second place, that we may not seem to do violence to divine words, and lest in the place where there
was said, He will not destroy them, we should say, " But 38. hereafter He will destroy them concerning this very present Psalm let us turn to very common phrase of the Scripture,
VOL. IV.
like your Father Who is in the Heavens, Who maketh
F
:"
a
5
is, is
66 The nation still preserved in a remnant.
Psalm whereby this question may be more diligently and more truly lxxYm. goivgjL Certes speaking of these same persons a little lower down, when He had made mention of the things which the
Egyptians because of them had endured, making mention of v. M. the last plague, He saith, And He smote every first born thing in the land of Egypt, the first fruits of their labour in t. 62. the tabernacles of Cham. And He took away like sheep His people, and He led them through like a flock in the desert. And He led them forth in hope, and they feared not : and their enemies the sea overwhelmed. And He led them
63. v. 64.
y. 66.
unto the mount of His sanctification, the mount which His right hand won. And He cast out from their face the nations, and by lot distributed to them the land in the cord of dis tribution. If any one at these words should press a question upon us and should say, How doth he make mention of all these things as having been bestowed upon them, when the
same persons were not led into the land of promise, as were delivered from Egypt, inasmuch as they were dead ? What shall we reply but that they were spoken of, because they were the self-same people by means of a succession of sons ? So then when we hear, (especially because the words are of the future tense,) And He shall become propitious to their sins, and He shall not destroy them ; and He shall abound to turn away His anger, and He shall not kindle all His anger : let us perceive how in them was fulfilled that whereof the Apostle speaketh, So then even at this time a remnant
Bom. ll'6'
were saved through the election ofgrace. Whence also He Rom. saith, Hath God by any means rejected His people ? Far be
''
it. For I
tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews. Those men there fore the Scripture did foresee, who were to believe in Christ out of that people, and to receive the remission of sins, yea even unto that very greatest one, wherein frantic they slew the Physician Himself. Hence doubtless hath been said, But lie is Himself merciful, and He will be propitious to ti'ieir sins, and He will not destroy them; and He will abound to turn away His anger ; for He hath remitted even that sin, wherewith His only Son was slain : and He will not kindle all His anger; for a remnant have been saved.
also am an Israelite, of the stock Israel, the of of
Man unable ofhimself to return to God. 67
24. Ver. 39. And He remembered that they are flesh, a Ver.
spirit* going and not returning. Therefore calling them .
and pitying them through His grace, He called them back ' treaik' Himself, because of themselves they could not return. For
how doth flesh return, ' a spirit walking and not turning
back,' while a weight of evil deserts doth weigh it down unto
the lowest and far places of evil, save through the election of
grace ? The which is not rendered like a recompense to Rom. *, merits, but as a gift is given gratis: in order that the ungodly 4-
may be justified, and the lost sheep may return ; not however Luke16, in its own strength, but borne on the shoulders of the6' shepherd, which was able to lose itself while it was straying
of its own will, but was not able to find itself, nor ever had been found, if it had not been sought by the mercy of the Shepherd. For even that son cannot but be fitted to this sheep, who coming to himself said,
hidden, even he was sought and raised again, not except by
Him Who doth make alive all things : and he was found, by whom, save by Him Who went to save and to seek that which
had been lost ? For he had been dead and was alive again, ibid. v. had been lost and was found. For thus also is solved this24,
no unimportant question, how it is written in the Proverbs,
when the Scripture was speaking of the way of iniquity, all Prov. 2, they that walk in her shall not return. For it hath been so ,9- spoken as if all ungodly men were to be despaired of: but
the Scripture did only commend grace ; for of himself man
is able to walk in that way, but is not able of himself to
return, except when called back by grace.
25. I say then of these crooked and embittering persons,
(ver. 40. ) How often they exasperated Him in the desert, and provoked Him to wrath in the waterless place ? (Ver. 41. ) And they turned themselves and tempted God, and exaspe rated the Holy One of Israel. He is repeating that same
unbelief of theirs, of which He had made mention
But the reason of the repetition is, in order that there may be mentioned also the plagues, which He inflicted on the Egyp tians for their sakes : all which things they certainly ought to have remembered, and not to be ungrateful.
'---
g
Rom. 4,
e 2
is
:
is,
is
is
52 Faith works with God. The bended how, purpose.
Psalm even a man, though in him we must not believe. To believe lAxviri. -n Qod tiierefore ;s ly1iS, iu believing to cleave unto God John 16, Who worketh good works, in order to work with Him well. For without Me, He saith, ye can do nothing. But what more
on this head could the Apostle have said than what he saith, 1 Cor. jjut lie fhaf rfeaveth to the Lord is one spirit ? Otherwise
that law is a testimony whereby
not one whereby he is acquitted.
nacing, to convict transgressors;
deliver and justify sinners. Therefore, that generation, the example whereof is to be shunned, was for this reason crooked and embittering, because the spirit thereof was not trusted with God: for although in some sort it believed God, yet it did not believe in God: by faith it did not cleave unto God, to the end that, being made whole by God, it might work well together with God working therein.
Rom. 9, Following after the law of righteousness, unto the law of righteousness they have not attained. Why? Because they were not of faith. For they were that generation whereof the spirit hath not been trusted with God : but they were, so to speak, of works : because they did not, as they bended and shot their bows, (which are outward actions, as of the
Rom. 1, works of the law,) so guide their heart also, wherein the just Gal. 6,6. man doth live by faith, which worketh by love; whereby vu\. 2, men cleave to God, Who worketh in man both to will and
work according to good will. For what else is bending the bow and shooting, and turning back in the day of war, but heeding and purposing in the day of hearing, and deserting in the day of temptation ; flourishing arms, so to speak, beforehand, and at the hour of the action refusing to fight? But whereas he saith, bending and shooting bows, when it would seem that he ought to have said, bending bows and shooting arrows, for the bow is not shot, but by the bow something is shot : it is either the same form of speech as that whereof we have treated above, where there was said,
v. 6. He hath raised up a testimony, because He hath raised up something by a testimony, so here too, shooting bows, because they have shot something with bows : or else the order of
1 1 reus. '
the party1 is condemned, For it is the letter me
not the Spirit giving aid, to
9. Lastly, (ver. 9. ) The sons of Ephrem bending
and shooting bows, have been turned back in the day of war.
The Church figured in the younger son preferred. 53
words is obscure, by the omission of a word, which though Ver. not expressed must be understood, so that the order is, sows ------ of Ephrem bending bows and shooting, and there is under
stood arrows, and the more full expression is, bending bows
and shooting arrows: for though he had said, bending and shooting arrows, we ought not certainly to understand thereby arrows bending: but having heard the expression bending, to understand rather a bow, though it might not have been said. Some Greek copies to be sure are said to have bending and shooting with bows, so that without doubt we ought to un derstand arrows. But whereas by the sons of Ephrem he hath willed that there be understood the whole of that em bittering generation, it is an expression signifying the whole by a part. And perhaps this part was chosen whereby to
signify the whole, because from these men especially some
good thing was tohave been expected ; because they were born
of him whom being his own grandson, although set at the left
hand by his father as being the younger, Jacob nevertheless Gen. 48, blessed with his right hand, and preferred him before his14- elder brother with a benediction of hidden meaning ; so that
while this tribe is so much censured in this place, and that
there hath not appeared therein what that blessing promised
is clearly shewn, we may well perceive that even then by the
words of the Patriarch Jacob something far different was
being figured than the wisdom of the flesh doth expect.
For there was being figured how they were to be last that Mat. 20, were first, and first were to be they that were last, through 16'
the Saviour's coming, concerning Whom hath been said, He John 1, that is coming after me was made before me. In like man-
ner righteous Abel was preferred before the elder brother;4;21, so to Ismael Isaac so to Esau, though born before him, his 29. ' twin brother Jacob so also Phares himself preceded even in
birth his twin brother, who had first thrust hand out of the womb, and had begun to be born so David was preferred Sam. before his elder brother and as the reason why all these parables and others like them preceded, not only of words
but also of deeds, in like manner to the people of the Jews
was preferred the Christian people, for redeeming the which Gen. as Abel by Cain, so by the Jews was slain Christ. This thing8,
was prefigured even when Jacob stretching out his hands
4,
; :
;
1 '
Q7e-n '4
:
a
54 Self-trusting pride fails in performance.
Psalm cross-wise, with his right hand touched Ephrem standing on
Genes' 14.
' an(^ set Defore Manasse standing on the right, 'whom he himself touched with the left hand. For after the flesh, the sons of Ephrem bending and shooting bows have
been turned back in the day of war.
10. But what that is which he saith, they have been turned
back in the day of war, the following words do teach, wherein he hath most clearly explained this: (ver. 10. ) they have not kept, he saith. the testament of God, and in His law they would not walk. Behold what is, they have been turned back in the day of war : they have not kept the testament of God. When they were bending and shooting bows, they did also utter the words of most forward promise, saying, " Whatsoever things the Lord our God hath spoken we will do, and we will hear. " They have been turned back in the day of war: because the promise of obedience not hearing but temptation doth prore. But he whose spirit hath been trusted with God, keepeth hold on God, Who is faithful, and doth not
Eiod. 19, 8-
i Cor.
10' 13' suffer him to be tempted above that which he is able; but
will make with the temptation a way of escape also, that he
may be able to endure, and may not be turned back in the 1 Cor. day of war. But he that glorieth in himself, not in God,
1,31-
EccIub. alSo the Spirit of God is not : and, as it is written, because 2' 13 ' he hath not believed, therefore he shall not be protected.
But inasmuch as when he had said, they have not kept the testament of God ; he hath added and saith, and in His law they would not walk, it is a repetition of the former sentence, with a sort of exposition of it. For he hath called that His law, which he had called above the testament of God: so that what hath been said in they have not kept, may be per ceived to be repeated in they would not walk. But seeing that it might have been expressed more briefly by, ' and in His law they have not walked,' it seemeth to me that he hath willed us to seek for some reason why he hath chosen to say, they would not walk, rather than, they have not walked. For the law of works might have been deemed sufficient for
justification, when the precepts which arc enjoined, are done
howsoever he may vaunt the promise of his virtue, as if bending and shooting bows, is turned back in the day of war. For because his spirit hath not been trusted with God, with him
Works avail not unless the heart be with them. 55 externally by men who would rather not have precepts en- Ver.
--
in hand, unlike in heart ; alike in operation, unlike in will. Therefore these men have been thus branded : a generation, v. 8. he saith, which hath not directed their heart. It hath
not been said, works, but heart. For when the heart is directed, the works are right; but when the heart is not directed, the works are not right, even though they seem to
be right. And how the crooked generation hath not directed
the heart, hath sufficiently been shewn, when he saith,
and the spirit thereof hath not been trusted with God. v. 8. For God is right: and therefore by cleaving to the right,
as to an immutable rule, the heart of a man can be made right,
which in itself was crooked. But in order that the heart may
be with Him and thereby may be able to become right, we
draw near to Him not with foot but with faith. Therefore
also there is said in the Epistle to the Hebrews concerning
that same generation crooked and embittering : The hearing Heb. *, of the word profited not them that were not tempered with*-
the faith of them that hearkened. The will therefore which
is in a right heart, is prepared by the Lord, faith preceding, whereby it draweth near to God, Who is right, in order that
the heart may be made right. The which faith, the mercy
of God preventing and inviting, is raised up through obedience;
and doth begin to apply the heart to God, in order that it
may be directed, and the more and more it is directed, so
much the more it seeth what it saw not, and can do what
it could not do. This thing Simon had not done, to whom
Peter the Apostle said, there is neither part nor lot to thee Acts 8, in this faith: for thy heart is not right with God. For21, there he is shewing how it cannot be right without God,
so that men may begin, not like slaves fearing to walk
uudcr the law, but in the law like willing sons, wherein
joined, the which they perform not from their hearts, and yet do perform them : and thereby they seem in a manner to walk in the law of God, but are unwilling to walk : for they do them not from the heart. But from the heart a thing can no wise be done which is done for fear of punishment, not for love of righteousness. For as far as regardeth acts which are done externally, both they that fear punishment and they that love righteousness do not steal ; and therefore they are alike
56 Obedience through love. Remembrance of God's works.
Psalm they willed not to walk, and under it remained guilty. For Rom'T tn's no* ^ear ^ove ^oth embrace, which is shed abroad 6. in the hearts of the faithful through the Holy Spirit. Unto EPh- 2, whom is said, By grace we have been saved through faith:
and this not of yourselves, but it is the gift of God ; not by works, lest perchance a man should be exalted. For of Him we are the workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, in good works, which God hath prepared, in order that we may walk therein. Not like those men, who willed not to walk in His
Ps. 37,6. law, either by believing in Him, or by discovering their way to Him, and by hoping in Him, in order that He might Himself do it.
1 1. Ver. 11. And they forgat His benefits, and the wonder ful works of Him which He shewed to them ; before their fathers the wonderful things which He did. What this
not a question to be negligently passed over. Concerning those very fathers he was speaking a little before, that they had been generation crooked and embittering. Lest they should become, he saith, like their fathers a generation crooked and embittering a generation that hath not directed their heart, and the like, which are yet said of that same gene ration, the imitation whereof he hath enjoined to be shunned
by another generation in this way, in order that they may put their hope in God, and may not forget the works of God, and may search out His commandments concerning which we have already discoursed as much as hath seemed sufficient. What meaneth he then, when he speaking of that same crooked generation, how that they forgot the benefits of God, and the wonderful things of Him which He shewed to them, by adding and saying, before their fathers the wonderful things which He did What fathers, inasmuch as these are the very fathers, whom he would not have posterity to be like? If we shall lake them to be those out of whom the others had derived their being, for example, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, by this time they had long since fallen asleep, when God shewed wonderful things in Egypt. For there followeth, in the land of Egypt, in the plain of Thanis where
said that God shewed to them wonderful things before their
fathers.
Were they perchance present in spirit For of the
Lukc20, same the Lord saith in the Gospel, for all do live to Him. 3<<,
?
:
it is
is,
?
is
:
;
:
a
is
Who may be understood to be named as ' Fathers. ' 57
Or do we more suitably understand thereby the fathers Moses Ver; and Aaron, and the other elders who are related in the same ---- Scripture also to have received the Spirit, of Which alsoii"TM;! Moses received, in order that they might aid him in ruling
and bearing the same people ? For why should they not
have been called fathers ? It is not in the same manner as
God is the One Father, Who doth regenerate with His Spirit
those whom He doth make sons for an everlasting inheritance;
but it is for the sake of honour, because of their age and kindly carefulness : just as Paul the elder saith, Not to con- \ Cor.
found you I am writing these things, but as my dearly beloved*' 14, sons I am admonishing you : though he knew of a truth
that it had been said by the Lord, Call ye no man your father Mat. 23, on earth, for One is your Father, even God. And this was9-
not said in order that this term of human honour should be erased from our usual way of speaking : but lest the grace of God whereby we are regenerated unto eternal life, should be ascribed either to the p/ower or even sanctity of any man.
have begotten you ; he first said, in Christ, and through the Gospel; lest that might be thought
to be of him, which is of God.
12. Therefore that generation, crooked and embittering,
have forgotten the benefits of God, and His wonderful works which He shewed to them before their fathers, (ver. 12. ) the wonderful works which He did in the land of Egypt, in the
plain of Thanis. And he beginneth to recount in his narrative the same wonderful works. Which if they are ' parables and propositions,' they must certainly be referred to some thing by comparison. Nor ought we to take off the eye of attention from that which the Psalm itself doth intend to shew ; how that this is the fruit of all things which are therein spoken of, and why we have been admonished to hear these words most attentively, God saying, Hearken ye, My people, unto My law, incline ye your ear unto the words of My mouth; in order that we may put our hope in God, and may not
forget the works of God, and may search out His command ments: lest we become, like those fathers, a generation crooked and embittering, a generation which guided not the heart, and the spirit thereof was not trusted with God. Unto this therefore all things must be referred ; and therefore what-
Therefore when he said,
v. I.
58 Egypt, the world. The Red sea, Holy Baptism.
Psalm soever these things do signify in a figurative action, so they Mi-mi. may come t0 pass spiritually in a man, either by the grace of God, if they are good things, or by the judgment of God, if they are evil things; just as the former good things were
done unto the Israelites, or evil things both unto themselves and unto their enemies. The which if we forget not, but put our hope in God, and are not ungrateful for His grace ; and fear Him, not with servile fear, wherewith corporal evil things alone are feared, but with chaste fear abiding for everlasting, which fear doth deem it great punishment to be deprived of the light of righteousness ; we shall not be made,
like those fathers, a generation crooked and embittering. Accordingly, the land of Egypt must be understood for a figure of this world. The plain of Thanis is the smooth surface of lowly commandment. For lowly commandment is the interpretation of Thanis. In this world therefore let us receive the commandment of humility, in order that in another world we may merit to receive the exaltation which He hath promised, Who for our sake here became lowly.
13. Ver. 13. For He that did burst asunder the sea and made them go through, did confine the waters as it were in bottles, in order that the water might stand up first as if it
were shut in, is able by His grace to restrain the flowing and ebbing tides of carnal desires, when we renounce this world, so that all sins having been thoroughly washed away, as if they were enemies, the people of the faithful may be made to pass through by means of the Sacrament of Baptism. He that led them home in the cloud ofthe day, and in the whole night in the illumination offire, is able also spiritually to direct
Ps. 119, goings if faith crieth to Him, Direct Thou my goings after Thy ProV. 4 word. Of Whom in another place is said, For Himself shall 27- make thy courses right, and shall prolong thy goings in peace*
through Jesus Christ our Lord, Whose Sacrament in this world, as it were in the day, is manifest in the flesh, as if in a cloud ; but in the Judgment, it will be manifest like as in a terror by night; for then there will be a great tribulation of the world like as it were fire, and it shall shine for the just and shall burn for the unjust. (Ver. 15. ) He that burst asunder the rock in the desert, and gave them water as in
J These words are part of an addition in the Scptuagint text.
The Spiritual Rock. Sin of tempting God. 59
vEr. and brought down waters like rivers, is surely able upon 16 20'
a great deep; {vex. 16. ) and brought out water from the rock,
thirsty faith to pour the gift of the Holy Spirit, (the which gift the performance of that thing did spiritually signify,) to pour, I say, from the Spiritual Rock that followed, which is Christ : Who did stand and cry, Ifany is athirst, let him come to Me: and, he that shall have drunk of the water
which
John 7, Jo'hn4,
'
I
belly. For this He spake, as is read in the Gospel, of the 39. Spirit, Which they were to receive that believed in Him, unto Whom like the rod drew near the wood of the Passion, in order that there might flow forth grace for believers.
shall give, rivers living water shall J/ow out of his of
14. And yet, (ver. 17. ) they, like a generation crooked and embittering, added yet to sin against Him : that is, not to believe. For this is the sin, whereof the Spirit doth convict
the world, as the Lord saith, " Of sin indeed because they Juhnis, have not believed on Me. " And they exasperated the Most 9- High in drought, which other copies have, in a place without
water, which is a more exact translation from the Greek, and doth signify no other thing than drought. Was it in that drought of the desert, or rather in their own ? For although they had drunk of the rock, they had not their bellies but their minds dry, freshening with no fruitfulness of righteousness. In that drought they ought the more faithfully to have been suppliant unto God, in order that Ho Who had given fulness unto their jaws, might give also equity to their manners. For unto Him the faithful soul doth cry,
17'
Let mine eyes see equity.
15. Ver. 18. And they tempted
God in their hearts, in order that they might seek morsels for their souls. It one thing to ask in believing, another thing in tempting. Lastly there followeth, (ver. 19. ) And they slandered God, and said, Shall God be able to prepare a table in the desert (ver. 20. ) For He smote the rock, and the watersflowed, and torrents will He be able to give bread also, or to
gushed forth
prepare table for His people Not believing therefore,
they sought morsels for their souls. Not so the Apostle James doth enjoin a morsel to be asked for the mind, but
doth admonish that be sought by believers, not by such as tempt and slander God. But any one ofyou, he saith, James
if
?
1,
it
a
:
?
is
2"'
60 God's wrath against the rebellious, how delayed.
Psalm doth lack wisdom, let him ash of God, Who doth give to all lxxvm. men abundantly, and doth not upbraid, and it shall be given to him : but let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. This faith had not that generation which 'had not directed their heart, and the spirit thereof had not been trusted with God. ' 16. Ver. 21. Wherefore the Lord heard, and He delayed, and fire was lighted in Jacob, and wrath went up into Israel. He hath explained what he hath called fire. He hath called anger fire : although in strict propriety fire did also burn up many men. What is therefore this that he saith, Tlie Lord heard, and He delayed ? Did He delay to conduct them into the land of promise, whither they were being led : which might have been done in the space of a
few days, but on account of sins they must needs be wasted in the desert, where also they were wasted during forty years ? And if this be so, He did then delay the people, not those very persons who tempted and slandered God : for they all perished in the desert, and their children journeyed into the land of promise. Or did He delay punishment, in order that He might first satisfy unbelieving concupiscence, lest He might be supposed to be angry, because they were asking of Him what He was not able to do ?
He heard then, and He delayed to avenge : and after He had done what they supposed He was not able to do, then anger went up upon Israel.
17. Lastly, when both these things have been briefly touched, afterwards he is evidently following out the order of the narrative. (Ver. 22. ) Because they believed not in God, nor hoped in His saving health. For when he had told why fire was lighted in Jacob, and anger went up upon Israel, that is to say, because they believed not in God, nor hoped in His saving health : immediately subjoining the evident blessings for which they were ungrateful, he saith, (ver. 23. ) and He commanded the clouds above, and opened the doors of Heaven.
(Ver. 24. ) And He rained upon them manna to eat, and gave them bread of Heaven. (Ver. 25. ) Dread of angels man did eat: dainties He sent them in abundance. (V er. 26. ) He brought over the South Wind from Heaven, and in His virtue He led in the South West Wind. (Ver. 27. ) And He rained upon them fleshes like dust, and wingedfowls like the sand of the sea. (Ver. 28. ) And they fell in the midst of their camp, around
Quails and manna types of earthly and Heavenly doctrine. 61
their tabernacles. (Ver. 29. ) And they ate and were filled Ver. exceedingly ; and their desire He brought to them : they 29- 30- were not deprived of their desire. Behold why He had delayed. But what He had delayed let us hear. (Ver. 30. )
Yet the morsel was in their ? nouths, and the anger of God
came down upon them. Behold what He had delayed. For before He ddayed: and afterwards, fire was lighted in Jacob
and anger went up upon Israel. He had delayed therefore in
order that He might first do what they had believed that He
could not do, and then might bring upon them what they deserved to suffer. For if they placed their hope in God,
not only would their desires of the flesh but also those of the
spirit have been fulfilled. For He that commanded the clouds
abo ve, and opened the doors of Heaven, and rained upon them manna to eat, and gave them the bread of Heaven, so that
man did eat Angels' food, He that sent dainties upon liiem
in abundance, that He might fill the unbelieving, is not without power to give to believers Himself the true Bread
from Heaven, which the manna did signify : which is indeed
the food of Angels, whom being incorruptible the Word of
God doth incorruptibly feed: the which in order that man
might eat, He became flesh, and dwelled in us. For Himself j0h? 1,
the Bread by means of the Evangelical clouds is being14- rained over the whole world, and, the hearts of preachers, like heavenly doors, being opened, is being preached not to
a murmuring and tempting synagogue, but to a Church believing and putting hope in Him. He that brought over the South West Wind, and led in His might the South Wind, and rained upon them fleshes like dust, and winged fowls lil(e the sand of the sea : and they fell in the midst of their camp, around their tabernacles: and they ate and were filled exceedingly, and their desire He brought to them, and they were deprived of their desire : i3 able also to feed the feeble faith of such as tempt not, but believe, with the signs of words uttered by the flesh and speeding through the air, as though it were fowls : not however with such as come from the north, where cold and mist do prevail, that is to say,
which is pleasing to this world, but by bringing over the South Wind from Heaven ; (whither, except to the earth ? In order that they who are feeble in faith, by hearing
eloquence
62 Preachers. ' South winds. ' Wrath in the fat ones. Psalm things earthly may be nourished up to receive things
/I
God; in order that he might be forbearing to those men
have told you heavenly. For if, He saith, of
things earthly, shall tell you of things heavenly ? For that one had been translated from Heaven in a manner, where in mind he had departed to
ineffable words, which on earth it was not lawful for him to speak by means of words that sound, like winged fowls ;) and by bringing in by His might the South West Wind, that is, by means of South Winds, the fervent and flowing spirits of preachers; and this by His virtue, lest the South Wind should ascribe unto itself that which it hath of God. But these winds of their own selves come unto men, and they bear unto them words divinely sent ; in order that in their own places and round about their tabernacles they may
j**^1,
12. ' and ye believe not ; how shall ye believe if
/ could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal. For there he had heard
1 Cor, unto whom he was saying,
3, l-
2 Cor. 12' 4-
Zephan. gather together fowls of such sort, and all the isles of the
2>> 1,'
nations may adore the Lord, each man from his place.
18. But as to unbelievers, being a crooked and embittering generation, as it were, while the morsel was yet in their mouths, (ver. 31. ) the anger of God went up upon them, and
it slew among the most of them : that is, the most of them, or as some copies have it, the fat ones of them, which however in the Greek copies which we had, we did not find. But if this be the truer reading, what else must be understood by the fat ones of them, than men mighty in pride, concerning
Ps. 73,7. whom is said, their iniquity shall come forth as if out of fat? And the elect of Israel He fettered. Even there there
were elect, with whose faith the generation crooked and em bittering was not mixed. But they were fettered, so that they might in no sort profit them for whom they desired that they might provide from a fatherly affection. For what is conferred by human mercy, on those with whom God is angry ? Or rather hath He willed it to be understood, how that even the elect were fettered at the same time with them, in order that they who were diverse both in mind and in life, might endure sufferings with them for an example not only of righteousness, but also of patience ? For we hare learned that holy men were even led captive with sinners for
The people, as one, amended, though some perished. 63
no other reason ; since in the Greek copies we read not Ver.
evnro'Sia-ev, which is fettered; but <rwsnilurtv, which is rather fettered together with.
19. But the generation crooked and embittering,
in all these things sinned yet more, and they believed not in
His wonderful works. (Ver. 33. ) And their days failed in vanity. Though they might, if they had believed, have had
days in truth without failing, with Him to Whom hath been
said, Thy years shall not fail. Therefore their days failed Ps. 102, in vanity, and their years with haste. For the whole life of2/ ' mortal men is hastening, and that which seemeth to be longer
is but a vapour of somewhat longer duration.
20. Nevertheless, when he slew them they sought Him:
not for the sake of eternal life, but fearing to end the vapour too soon. There sought Him then, not indeed those whom He had slain, but they that were afraid of being slain ac cording to the example of them. But the Scripture hath so spoken of them as if they sought God who were slain ; be cause they were one people, and it is spoken as if of one body : (ver. 34. ) and they returned, and at dawn they came to God. (Ver. 85. ) And they remembered that God is their Helper, and the High God is their Redeemer. But all this is for the sake of acquiring temporal good things, and for avoiding temporal evil things. For they that did seek God for the sake of temporal blessings, sought not God indeed, but things. Thus God is worshipped with slavish fear, not with those free love. Thus then God is not worshipped : for that thing is worshipped which is loved. Whence because God is found to be greater and better than all things, He must be loved more than all things, in order that He may be worshipped.
21. Lastly, here let us see the words following:
And they loved Him, he saith, in their mouth, and in their tongue they lied unto Him. (Ver. 37. ) But their heart was
not right with Him, and they were not counted faithful in
His Testament. One thing on their tongue, another thing
in their heart He found, unto Whom the secret things of men
are naked, and without any impediment He saw what they loved rather. Therefore the heart is right with God, when
it doth seek God for the sake of God. For one thing hePs. 27,4.
(ver. 32. )
(ver. 36. )
64 God to be sought for Himself. The safe way.
PsAt. M desired of the Lord, the same he will require, that he may '-dwell always in the House of the Lord, and may meditate
on the pleasantness of Him. Unto Whom saith the heart of
the faithful, I will be filled, not with the flesh-pots of the Exod. Egyptians, nor with melons and gourds, and garlick and
16' 3'
fer even to bread celestial, nor with visible manna, and those P*. 17. same winged fowls; but, / will be filled, when Thy glory shall ' be made manifest. For this is the inheritance of the New
Testament, wherein they were not counted faithful ; whereof however the faith even at that time, when it was veiled, was in the elect, and now, when it hath already been revealed, it is
Mat. 20, not in many that are called. For many have been called,
16'
but few are elect. Of such sort therefore was the generation crooked and embittering, even when they were seeming to seek God, loving in mouth, and in tongue lying; but in heart not right with God, while they loved rather those things, for the sake of which they required the help of God.
22. Ver. 38. But He is Himself merciful, and will become
onions, which a generation crooked and embittering did pre
to their sins, and He will not destroy them. And He will abound to turn away His anger, and He will not kindle all his anger. (Ver. 39. ) And he took it to heart that they are flesh, a breath going and not returning. By these words many men promise to themselves impunity for
their iniquity from the Divine Mercy, even if they shall have persevered in being such, as that generation is described, crooked and embittering ; which hath not directed their heart, and the spirit thereof hath not been trusted with God: with whom it is not profitable to agree. For to speak in their words, God will perchance not destroy no not even bad men, without doubt He will not destroy good men. Why then do we not rather choose that wherein there no doubt For they that lie to Him in their tongue, though their heart doth hold some other thing, do think indeed, and will, even God to be liar, when He dolh menace upon such men eternal punishment. But whilst they do not deceive Him with their lying, He doth not deceive them with speaking the truth. These words therefore of divine sayings, concerning which the
crooked generation doth cajole itself, let not make crooked like its own heart for even when made crooked, they
propitious
:
it
is it
is if,
a
?
How God in mercy forbears to destroy. Go
continue right. For at first they may be understood accord- Ver. ing to that which is written in the Gospel, that ye may be -
Hisit. ' ' sun to rise upon good men and evil men, and raineth upon
just men and unjust men. For who could not see, how
great is the long-suffering of mercy with which He is sparing
evil men ? But before the Judgment, He spared then that nation in such sort, that He kindled not1 all His anger, utterly > Many to root it up and bring it to an end: which thing in His*^"',001- words and in the intercession for their sins of His servant
Moses doth evidently appear, where God saith, Let Me blot Exod. them out, and make thee into a great nation : he interceded,32' 10' being more ready to be blotted out for them than that they should be ; knowing that he is doing this before One Merciful,
Who inasmuch as by no means He w ould blot out him, would even spare them for his sake. For let us see how greatly He spared, and doth still spare. For He led into the land of promise, and kept that nation, until by slaying Christ they bound themselves with the guilt greatest of all ; and in that He scattered them, rooted out from that kingdom, throughout all the kingdoms of the nations, still He did not blot them out: but there remaineth the same people preserved by a
succession of offspring, like Cain who received a mark, that Gen. 4, no one should slay him, that is, utterly destroy him. Behold 16- after what manner there is fulfilled that which hath been spoken, But He is Himself merciful, and will be propitious
to their sins, and will not destroy them : and will abound
to turn away His anger, and He will not kindle all His anger. For if all His anger, that as much as they deserve,
should be kindled against them, that nation would not be
left at all. Thus God, unto Whom sung mercy and judg- Ps. 101,
ment, and Who in this world through mercy maketh His sun \]atU to rise upon good men and evil men, in the end of the world
also through judgment doth punish evil men with eternal darkness, severed from His eternal light.
23. In the second place, that we may not seem to do violence to divine words, and lest in the place where there
was said, He will not destroy them, we should say, " But 38. hereafter He will destroy them concerning this very present Psalm let us turn to very common phrase of the Scripture,
VOL. IV.
like your Father Who is in the Heavens, Who maketh
F
:"
a
5
is, is
66 The nation still preserved in a remnant.
Psalm whereby this question may be more diligently and more truly lxxYm. goivgjL Certes speaking of these same persons a little lower down, when He had made mention of the things which the
Egyptians because of them had endured, making mention of v. M. the last plague, He saith, And He smote every first born thing in the land of Egypt, the first fruits of their labour in t. 62. the tabernacles of Cham. And He took away like sheep His people, and He led them through like a flock in the desert. And He led them forth in hope, and they feared not : and their enemies the sea overwhelmed. And He led them
63. v. 64.
y. 66.
unto the mount of His sanctification, the mount which His right hand won. And He cast out from their face the nations, and by lot distributed to them the land in the cord of dis tribution. If any one at these words should press a question upon us and should say, How doth he make mention of all these things as having been bestowed upon them, when the
same persons were not led into the land of promise, as were delivered from Egypt, inasmuch as they were dead ? What shall we reply but that they were spoken of, because they were the self-same people by means of a succession of sons ? So then when we hear, (especially because the words are of the future tense,) And He shall become propitious to their sins, and He shall not destroy them ; and He shall abound to turn away His anger, and He shall not kindle all His anger : let us perceive how in them was fulfilled that whereof the Apostle speaketh, So then even at this time a remnant
Bom. ll'6'
were saved through the election ofgrace. Whence also He Rom. saith, Hath God by any means rejected His people ? Far be
''
it. For I
tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews. Those men there fore the Scripture did foresee, who were to believe in Christ out of that people, and to receive the remission of sins, yea even unto that very greatest one, wherein frantic they slew the Physician Himself. Hence doubtless hath been said, But lie is Himself merciful, and He will be propitious to ti'ieir sins, and He will not destroy them; and He will abound to turn away His anger ; for He hath remitted even that sin, wherewith His only Son was slain : and He will not kindle all His anger; for a remnant have been saved.
also am an Israelite, of the stock Israel, the of of
Man unable ofhimself to return to God. 67
24. Ver. 39. And He remembered that they are flesh, a Ver.
spirit* going and not returning. Therefore calling them .
and pitying them through His grace, He called them back ' treaik' Himself, because of themselves they could not return. For
how doth flesh return, ' a spirit walking and not turning
back,' while a weight of evil deserts doth weigh it down unto
the lowest and far places of evil, save through the election of
grace ? The which is not rendered like a recompense to Rom. *, merits, but as a gift is given gratis: in order that the ungodly 4-
may be justified, and the lost sheep may return ; not however Luke16, in its own strength, but borne on the shoulders of the6' shepherd, which was able to lose itself while it was straying
of its own will, but was not able to find itself, nor ever had been found, if it had not been sought by the mercy of the Shepherd. For even that son cannot but be fitted to this sheep, who coming to himself said,
hidden, even he was sought and raised again, not except by
Him Who doth make alive all things : and he was found, by whom, save by Him Who went to save and to seek that which
had been lost ? For he had been dead and was alive again, ibid. v. had been lost and was found. For thus also is solved this24,
no unimportant question, how it is written in the Proverbs,
when the Scripture was speaking of the way of iniquity, all Prov. 2, they that walk in her shall not return. For it hath been so ,9- spoken as if all ungodly men were to be despaired of: but
the Scripture did only commend grace ; for of himself man
is able to walk in that way, but is not able of himself to
return, except when called back by grace.
25. I say then of these crooked and embittering persons,
(ver. 40. ) How often they exasperated Him in the desert, and provoked Him to wrath in the waterless place ? (Ver. 41. ) And they turned themselves and tempted God, and exaspe rated the Holy One of Israel. He is repeating that same
unbelief of theirs, of which He had made mention
But the reason of the repetition is, in order that there may be mentioned also the plagues, which He inflicted on the Egyp tians for their sakes : all which things they certainly ought to have remembered, and not to be ungrateful.
