Expositions on the Book of Psalms 96
96.1 Psalm XCVI PL 36, 1237
1. My lord and brother Severus still defers the pleasure we shall feel in his discourse, which he oweth us; for he acknowledgeth, that he is held a debtor. For all the Churches through which he hath passed, by his tongue the lord hath gladdened: much more therefore ought that Church to be rejoiced, out of which the Lord hath propagated his preaching among the rest. But what shall we do, but obey his will? I said, however, brethren, that he deferred, not that he defrauded us. Therefore let us keep him as a debtor bound, and release him not until he hath paid. Attend therefore, beloved: as far as the Lord alloweth, let us say somewhat of this Psalm, which indeed you already know; for the fresh mention of truth is sweet. Possibly when its title was pronounced, some heard it with wonder. For the Psalm is inscribed: “When the house was being built after the Captivity.” This title having been prefixed, ye were perhaps expecting in the text of the Psalm to hear what stones were hewn from the mountains, what masses were drawn to the spot, what foundations were laid, what beams were placed on high, what columns raised. Its song is of nothing of this kind.…It is no such house that is in building; for behold where it is built, not in one spot, not in any particular region. For thus he beginneth:—
Magna spectacula Deus praebet cordi christiano, et quibus vere nihil possit jucundius inveniri; si tamen adsit palatum fidei, cui sapiat mel Dei. Credimus omnibus vobis, qui in Salvatorem nostrum toto corde credidistis, inesse Spiritum ejus, qui vos delectet cum leguntur prophetiae, ante tot annos prolatae ex ore sanctorum, et post tot annos impletae in fide gentium. Magnam enim jucunditatem tunc carpebant ipsi sancti Prophetae, cum ea videbant in spiritu, non jam impleta, sed adhuc futura. Erat eis magna delectatio: sed tamen et ipsi pro charitate qua in nos accensi erant, quos nondum videbant, et spiritu parturiebant; volebant, si fieri posset, in hoc tempore nobiscum vivere, et videre impleta quae in spiritu prophetabant. Inde Dominus discipulis suis, jam ista videre incipientibus, ait: «Multi justi et prophetae voluerunt videre quae videtis, et non viderunt; et audire quae auditis, et non audierunt» . Quamvis enim viderent ista in spiritu, tamen futura illis quodam modo formabantur: Apostolis autem jam praesentia reddebantur. Unde ille Simeon, justus quidam senex, multum exsultavit videns infantem Jesum, et agnoscens in parvo magnum, et in exigua carne cognoscens coeli et terrae Creatorem. Multum ergo exsultavit, quia responsum acceperat non se exiturum esse de hac vita, priusquam videret salutare Dei. Agnovit ergo illum, jucundatus est, exsultavit gaudio; et hoc ait: «Domine, nunc dimittis servum tuum in pace; quoniam viderunt oculi mei salutare tuum» . Magna est ergo ista jucunditas; et hanc facit charitas. Delectati sumus, cum psalmus iste cantaretur: et quaedam ibi ab omnibus intellecta sunt; quaedam vero, quantum arbitramur, aut a paucis, aut certe non ab omnibus. Simul ergo illum in isto sermone, in quo vobis servimus, consideremus; et videamus quanta dignatione nos Deus laetificare voluit, praesentando quae promisit, et nobis exhibens veritatem promissis suis.
96.2 PL 36, 1237
2. “O sing unto the Lord a new song; sing unto the Lord, all the earth” (ver. 1). If all the earth singeth a new song, it is thus building while it singeth: the very act of singing is building: but only, if it singeth not the old song. The lust of the flesh singeth the old song: the love of God singeth the new.…Hear why it is a new song: the Lord saith, “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another.” The whole earth then singeth a new song: there the house of God is built. All the earth is the house of God. If all the earth is the house of God, he who clingeth not to all the earth, is a ruin, not a house; that old ruin whose shadow that ancient temple represented. For there what was old was destroyed, that what was new might be built up.…The Apostle bindeth us together into this very structure, and fasteneth us when bound together in that unity, saying, “Forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Where there is this unity of Spirit, there is one stone; but one stone formed out of many. How one formed out of many? By forbearing one another in love. Therefore the house of the Lord our God is in building; it is this that is being wrought, for this are these words, for this these readings, for this the preaching of the Gospel over the whole world; as yet it is in building. This house hath increased greatly, and filled many nations: nevertheless, it hath not yet prevailed through all nations: by its increase it hath held many, and will prevail over all: and it is gainsaid by those who boast of their being of its household, and who say, it hath already lost ground. It still increaseth, still all those nations which have not yet believed are destined to believe; that no man may say, will that tongue believe? will the barbarians believe? what is the meaning of the Holy Spirit having appeared in the fiery tongues, except that there is no tongue so hard that it cannot be softened by that fire? For we know that many barbarous nations have already believed in Christ: Christ already possesseth regions where the Roman empire hath never yet reached; what is as yet closed to those who fight with the sword, is not closed to Him who fighteth with wood. For “the Lord hath reigned from the wood.” Who is it who fighteth with wood? Christ. With His cross He hath vanquished kings, and fixed upon their forehead, when vanquished, that very cross; and they glory in it, for in it is their salvation. This is the work which is being wrought, thus the house increaseth, thus it is building: and that ye may know, hear the following verses of the Psalm: see them labouring upon, and constructing the house. “O sing unto the Lord all the earth.”
[«vers.» 1.] Inscribitur Psalmus, «Ipsi David, cum terra ejus restituta est.» Totum ad Christum revocemus, si volumus iter rectae intelligentiae tenere: non recedamus a lapide angulari , ne intellectus noster ruinam faciat: in illo solidetur, quod instabili motu nutabat; in illo incumbat, quod per incerta pendebat. Quidquid dubitationis habet homo in animo auditis Scripturis Dei, a Christo non recedat; cum ei fuerit in illis verbis Christus revelatus, intelligat se intellexisse: antequam autem perveniat ad Christi intellectum, non se praesumat intellexisse. «Finis enim Legis Christus est, ad justitiam omni credenti» . Quid est ergo, et quomodo accipitur in Christo, «Cum terra ejus restituta est?» Nam quomodo David intelligatur Christus, facile est agnoscere. Christus enim ex Maria, et ex semine David; et quia ex semine ejus futurus erat, propterea nomine ejus in figura prophetabatur. Ergo David Christus: quia et interpretatio David Manu fortis est; et quis tam manu fortis, quam qui de cruce mundum vicit? Nam post resurrectionem et ascensionem ejus, accepto Spiritu sancto, loquentibus Apostolis variis linguis, commota multitudo eorum ipsorum qui eum crucifixerant, consilium quaesivit salutis; accepit, credidit; ignotum est, donatus est reatus sanguinis Christi, impertitus est potus sanguinis Christi; facti sunt fideles ejus cujus fuerant persecutores; crediderunt in eum quem crucifixerunt, et ante quem insultantes caput agitaverunt; eum ipsum caput habere voluerunt . Ita ergo «restituta est terra ejus,» quod habet titulus Psalmi. Terra enim ejus Judaea: et perierat omnis Judaea, quando crucifixerunt Dominum suum ignorantes, phrenetici saevientes in medicum, et salutem insania repellentes. Tanquam ergo perierat Judaea tota: quam tota? Ipsi etiam Apostoli trepidaverunt. Petrus qui audaci dilectione sequebatur, timida trepidatione ter negavit. Resurgens, in via quosdam loquentes secum de se, tales invenit ipse Dominus Jesus Christus, ut dicerent illi quaerenti unde colloquerentur: «Tu solus peregrinus es in Jerusalem, et non cognovisti quae facta sunt in illa his diebus? Quibus ille dixit: Quae? Et dixerunt: De Jesu Nazareno, qui fuit vir propheta potens in opere et sermone, coram Deo et omni populo; et quomodo eum tradiderunt summi sacerdotes et principes nostri in damnationem mortis, et crucifixerunt eum. Nos autem sperabamus quia ipse esset redempturus Israel» . Jam spem Christi perdiderant. Non enim dixerunt, Speramus eum redempturum; sed, «Sperabamus quod esset redempturus Israel.» Ipse cum eis erat, et spes illius in illis non erat. Ostendit se illis, manifestatus est etiam caeteris discipulis, visus, contrectatus, et inventus illis quibus jam perisse videbatur: revocata est fides eorum qui ceciderant; «restituta est terra ejus.» Deinde factis cum eis quadraginta diebus, ascendit in coelum ; et, sicut paulo ante commemoravi, misso Spiritu sancto fecit discipulos suos, idiotas homines, loqui omnium gentium linguis. Tunc illi pro quibus non frustra dixerat, «Pater, ignosce illis, quia nesciunt quid faciunt» , commoti, ut diximus, quaesierunt salutem, consilium acceperunt ut in eum crederent; crediderunt uno die tria millia, et rursus quinque millia ; coepit fervere per Judaeam Ecclesia Christi, ubi ferbuerat opprobrium Christi; et «restituta est terra ejus.» Sed quia dixerat ipse, «Habeo alias oves quae non sunt de hoc ovili; oportet me et eas adducere, ut sit unus grex et unus pastor» ; etiam ad Gentes, ad quas Prophetae missi non erant, Apostoli missi sunt. Quaesiti sunt qui non quaesierant, inventi sunt qui nihil exspectabant: quem non tenebant Deum pollicitatorem, invenerunt redemptorem. Jam enim Judaei tenebant Deum pollicitatorem, quia ibi Prophetae Christum praedicaverant, ibi Christum promiserant; sed quem promissum audierant, praesentem non cognoverant: illis autem promissum nihil erat; sed tamen in Prophetis etiam de fide ipsorum dictum erat. Non dictum erat ipsis, sed dictum erat de ipsis. Missum est et ad illos: et audistis ex dispensatione Dei; ipsa enim lectio modo vobis lecta est in Actibus Apostolorum, quomodo centurio Cornelius credidit. Cornelius enim centurio non erat de gente Judaeorum. Orabat, jejunabat, eleemosynas faciebat. Non illum deseruit Deus quamvis in Gentibus constitutum; et missus est ei angelus, qui illi nuntiaret quod eleemosynae et orationes ipsius acceptae fuerint apud Deum: credidit, advocato ad se Petro . Numquid non illum poterat docere angelus? Misit illum ad Petrum, ut magis per hominem illi fides fieret; quia homines dignatus erat Dominus visitare: nec dedignabatur docere per hominem, qui dignatus est esse homo. Sic ergo «restituta est terra ejus,» uno pariete veniente de Judaeis, altero pariete veniente de Gentibus; quibus duobus parietibus de diverso venientibus esset ipse lapis angularis, ubi ambo copularentur .
96.3 PL 36, 1239
3. “Sing unto the Lord, bless His Name: be telling good tidings of His salvation from day to day” (ver. 2). How doth the building increase? “Be telling,” he saith, “good tidings of His salvation from day to day.” Let it be preached from day to day; from day to day, he saith, let it be built; let My house, saith God, increase. And as if it were said by the workmen, Where dost Thou command it to be built? Where dost Thou will Thy house to increase? Choose for us some level, spacious spot, if Thou wish an ample house built Thee. Where dost Thou bid us be telling good tidings from day to day? He showeth the place: “Declare His honour unto the heathen:” His honour, not yours. O ye builders, “Declare His honour unto the heathen.” Should ye choose to declare your own honour, ye shall fall: if His, ye shall be built up, while ye are building. Therefore they who choose to declare their own honour, have refused to dwell in that house; and therefore they sing not a new song with all the earth. For they do not share it with the whole round world; and hence they are not building in the house, but have erected a whited wall. How sternly doth God threaten the whited wall? There are innumerable testimonies of the Prophets, whence He curseth the whited wall. What is the whited wall, save hypocrisy, that is, pretence? Without it is bright, within it is dirt.…A certain person, speaking of this whited wall, said thus: “as, if in a wall which standeth alone, and is not connected with any other walls, you make a door, whoever enters, is out of doors; so in that part which hath refused to sing the new song together with the house, but hath chosen to build a wall, and that a whited one, and not solid, what availeth it that it hath a door?” If thou enterest, thou art found to be without. For because they themselves did not enter by the door, their door also doth not admit them within. For the Lord saith, “I am the door: by Me they enter in.”…“Declare His honour unto the heathen.” What is, unto the heathen? Perhaps by nations but a few are meant: and that part which hath raised the whited wall hath still somewhat to say: why are not Getulia, Numidia, Mauritania, Byzacium, nations? Provinces are nations. Let the word of God take the word from hypocrisy, from the whited wall, building up the house over the whole world. It is not enough to say, “Declare His honour unto the heathen;” that thou mayest not think any nations excepted, he addeth, “and His wonders unto all people.”
Iterum quomodo accipimus, «Cum terra ejus restitueretur?» Cum caro ejus resuscitaretur. Alius enim intellectus, tamen a Christo non recedens, sic potest nobis occurrere: terra restituta, caro resuscitata. Post resurrectionem enim ipsius facta sunt ista omnia quae cantantur in Psalmo. Audiamus jam de terrae restitutione Psalmum plenum gaudio. Excitet nobis ipse Dominus Deus noster dignam tantae rei exspectationem et jucunditatem; ipse sermonem nostrum moderetur aptum cordibus vestris, ut quidquid hic exsultat cor nostrum in talibus spectaculis, perducat ad linguam, et inde in aures vestras, deinde in cor vestrum, inde in facta vestra.
96.4 PL 36, 1239
4. “For the Lord is great, and cannot worthily be praised” (ver. 4). What Lord, except Jesus Christ, “is great, and cannot worthily be praised”? Ye know surely that He appeared as a Man: ye know surely that He was conceived in a woman’s womb, ye know that He was born from the womb, that He was suckled, that He was carried in arms, circumcised, that a victim was offered for Him, that He grew; lastly, ye know that He was buffeted, spit upon, crowned with thorns, was crucified, died, was pierced with a spear; ye know that He suffered all these things: “He is great, and cannot worthily be praised.” Despise not what is little, understand what is great. He became little, because ye were such: let Him be acknowledged great, and in Him ye shall be great.…For what can a small tongue say towards the praise of the Great One? By saying, Beyond praise, he hath spoken, and hath given to imagination what it may conceive: as if saying, What I cannot utter, do thou reflect on; and when thou shalt have reflected, it will not be enough. What no man’s thought uttereth, doth any man’s tongue utter? “The Lord is great, and cannot worthily be praised.” Let Him be praised, and preached: His honour declared, and His house built.
«Dominus regnavit.» Ille qui stetit ante judicem, ille qui alapas accepit, ille qui flagellatus est, ille qui consputus est, ille qui spinis coronatus est, ille qui colaphis caesus est, ille qui in ligno suspensus est, ille cui pendenti in ligno insultatum est, ille qui in cruce mortuus est; ille qui lancea percussus est, ille qui sepultus est, ipse resurrexit. «Dominus regnavit.» Saeviant quantum possunt regna; quid sunt factura Regi regnorum, Domino omnium regum, Creatori omnium saeculorum? An ideo contemnitur, quia tam submissus, et tam humilis apparuit? Misericordia est, non impotentia: ille enim humilis apparuit, ut eum caperemus. Sed jam videamus: «Dominus regnavit; exsultet terra, jucundentur insulae multae.» Est quidem, quia verbum Dei non in sola continenti terra praedicatum est, sed etiam in insulis quae constitutae sunt in medio mari: et ipsae plenae christianis, plenae sunt servis Dei. Non enim separat mare eum qui fecit mare. Quo naves possunt accedere, verba Dei non possunt? Impletae sunt insulae. Verumtamen possunt et in figura recte accipi insulae, omnes Ecclesiae. Quare insulae? Quia circumlatrantur fluctibus omnium tentationum. Sed quomodo insula undique circumstrepentibus fluctibus tundi potest, frangi non potest, magisque ipsa frangit fluctus venientes, quam frangitur ab eis: sic et Ecclesiae Dei pullulantes per totum orbem terrarum, passae sunt persecutiones undique frementium infidelium, et ecce stant insulae, et jam placatum est mare. «Jucundentur insulae multae.»
96.5 PL 36, 1240
5. …For the spot where he wished to build the house, is itself woody, where it was said yesterday, “we found it in the wood.” For he was seeking that very house, when he said, “in the wood.” And why is that spot woody? Men used to worship images: it is not wonderful that they fed hogs. For that son who left his father, and spent his all on harlots, living as a prodigal, used to feed hogs, that is, to worship devils; and by this very superstition of the heathen, all the earth became a wood. But he who buildeth a house, rooteth up the wood; and for this reason it was said, “While the house was being built, after the captivity.” For men were held captive under the devil, and served devils; but they were redeemed from captivity. They could sell, but they could not redeem themselves. The Redeemer came, and gave a price; He poured forth His Blood, and bought the whole world. Ye ask what He bought? Ye see what He hath given; find out then what He bought. The Blood of Christ was the price. What is equal to this? What, but the whole world? What, but all nations? They are very ungrateful for their price, or very proud, who say that the price is so small that it bought the Africans only; or that they are so great, as that it was given for them alone. Let them not then exult, let them not be proud: He gave what He gave for the whole world. He knew what He bought, because He knew at what price He bought it. Thus because we are redeemed, the house is built after the captivity. And who are they who held us in captivity? Because they to whom it is said, “Declare His honour,” are the clearers of the wood: that they may root out the wood, free the earth from captivity, and build, and raise up, by declaring the greatness of the Lord’s house. How is the wood of devils cleared away, unless He who is above them all be preached? All nations then had devils for their gods: those whom they called gods, were devils, as the Apostle more openly saith, “The things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice unto devils, and not to God.” Since therefore they were in captivity, because they sacrificed to devils, and on that account the whole earth had remained woody; He is declared to be great, and above all worldly praise.
[«vers.» 2.] «Nubes et caligo in circuitu ejus; justitia et judicium directio sedis ejus.» Quibus «nubes et caligo in circuitu ejus?» Quibus «justitia et judicium directio sedis ejus?» Nubes et caligo impiis, qui eum non intellexerunt; justitia et judicium fidelibus, qui in eum crediderunt: illi enim per superbiam non viderunt, illi per humilitatem dirigi meruerunt. Audi nubes et nebulam, et audi justitiam et judicium. Ipse Dominus ait: «In judicium ego in hunc mundum veni, ut qui non vident videant, et qui vident caeci fiant» . Quid est, «qui vident caeci fiant?» Qui sibi videre videntur, qui se sapientes putant, qui non sibi arbitrantur necessariam medicinam, ipsi caeci fiant, ipsi non intelligant. Qui autem «non vident, videant:» qui caecitatem confitentur, illuminari mereantur. Sit ergo «in circuitu ejus nubes et caligo,» his qui eum non cognoverunt; confitentibus autem et humiliantibus se, «justitia et judicium directio sedis ejus.» Sedem ejus dicit eos ipsos qui in eum crediderunt: de ipsis enim sibi fecit sedem, quia in eis sedet Sapientia; Filius enim Dei, Sapientia Dei est . Audivimus autem ex alia Scriptura magnum hujus intelligentiae documentum. «Anima justi, sedes sapientiae.» Ergo quia isti facti sunt justi, qui in eum crediderunt; justificati ex fide, facti sunt sedes ipsius: sedet in ipsis, judicans ex ipsis, et dirigens eos. Quare? Quia mansuetos invenit, veluti jumenta mitia, non recalcitrantia, non collum superbum adversus jugum ejus excutientia, non flagellum ejus recusantia: facta sunt jumenta ejus bona, mansueta; et meruerunt quod dictum est in alio psalmo, «Diriget mites in judicio, docebit mansuetos vias suas» . Propterea ergo illis «nubes et caligo,» quia non sunt recti; mansuetis autem, «justitia et judicium directio sedis ejus.»
96.6 PL 36, 1240
6. …For when he had said, “He is more to be feared than all gods:” he added, “As for all the gods of the heathen, they are devils.”…Because “all the gods of the heathen are devils.” And is this all the praise of Him who cannot worthily be praised, that He is above all the gods of the heathen, which are devils? Wait, and hear what followeth: “It is the Lord that made the heavens.” Not above all gods only therefore, but above all the heavens which He made, is the Lord. If he were to say, “above all gods, for the gods of the heathen are devils,” and if the praise of our Lord stopped here, he had said less than we are accustomed to think of Christ; but when he said, “But it is the Lord that made the heavens;” see what difference there is between the heavens and devils: and what between the heavens and Him who made the heavens; behold how exalted is the Lord. He said not, But the Lord sitteth above the heavens; for perhaps some one else might be imagined to have made them, upon which He was enthroned: but, “It is the Lord that made the heavens.” If He made the heavens, He made the Angels also: Himself made the Angels, Himself made the Apostles. The devils yielded to the Apostles: but the Apostles themselves were heavens, who bore the Lord.…O heavens, which He made, declare His honour unto the heathen! Let His house be built throughout the earth, let all the earth sing a new song.
[«vers. 3.] Ignis ante eum praeibit, et inflammabit in circuitu inimicos ejus.» De quo igne dicit, fratres, «Ignis ante eum praeibit, et inflammabit in circuitu inimicos ejus?» Non arbitror de illo igne dici, in quem mittendi sunt impii illa ultima judicii sententia, quibus ad sinistram separatis, sicut in Evangelio lectum meminimus, dicturus est, «Ite in ignem aeternum, qui paratus est diabolo et angelis ejus» : non puto de illo igne dici. Unde hoc non puto? Quia de quodam igne dicit, qui praeibit ante illum, antequam veniat ad judicium. Dictum est enim praeire ignem et inflammare in circuitu, id est per totum orbem terrarum, inimicos ejus. Ille ignis post ejus adventum erit; iste autem ignis ante eum praeibit. Quis est ergo iste ignis? Possumus eum accipere in poenam malorum, possumus in salutem redemptorum. In poenam malorum, quomodo? Quia cum praedicaretur Christus, iratae sunt gentes, et commoverunt persecutionem: quae ira ignis fuit, magis consumens eos qui persequebantur, quam eos quos persequebantur. Cum enim videmus duos, unum irascentem, alterum patienter ferentem, quis eorum ardeat, vestrum est judicare. Potestis in genere humano tale spectaculum contueri. Ponite vobis ante oculos hominem iniquum, commotum animo, trucem vultu, flammantibus oculis, scintillantibus verbis, ferri in hominis necem, in depraedationem, in injurias, in contumelias, non se capere, non se tenere; alterum patienter excipientem verba, plagas, quidquid ille inferre voluerit, et percutienti maxillam, parantem et alteram: cum videris hinc furias, inde lenitatem; hinc iram, inde patientiam; hinc flammas, inde tolerantiam; dubitabis pronuntiare quis eorum ardeat poenamque patiatur? illene cujus corpus vexatur, an cujus animus vastatur? Propterea et Isaias propheta dixit: «Et nunc ignis adversarios comedet» . Quid est, «Et nunc?» Antequam veniat dies ille judicii magnus, jam furore suo ardent qui postea supplicio sempiterni illius ignis arsuri sunt. Nisi forte putatis, fratres mei, quia injustitia, quae procedit ex homine ad laedendum alterum hominem, illi ad quem procedit nocet, et illi de quo procedit non nocet. Unde fieri potest? Aliquando facula ardens apponitur ad lignum humidum et viride, et non illud incendit, ipsa tamen ardet; sic et inimicus tuus. Si quis forte existit injustus qui tibi moliatur insidias, vel praeparet aliquam molestiam, injustus est: tu si viride lignum fueris, id est, si succo spirituali vigens et virens, flammis inimicitiarum restiteris, orando pro illo qui te persequitur; ille ardet, tu manes integer; et injustitia illius illi nocet, tibi nihil nocet. Nisi forte putas quia nocet tibi, si corpori tuo aliquid fecerit, et anima patiens et incorrupta ad Deum coronanda pervenerit, sequens exemplum Domini sui, qui pati maluit a Judaeis, et qui poterat non mori, mortuus est, quia et qui poterat non nasci, natus est. Tu enim conditione natus es, ille voluntate; tu conditione moreris, ille misericordia. Quomodo ergo illi nihil nocuerunt Judaei; sic nec tibi quisquam persecutor inimicus, si tu elegeris esse membrum capitis illius.
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7. “Confession and beauty are before Him” (ver. 6). Dost thou love beauty? Wishest thou to be beautiful? Confess! He said not, beauty and confession, but confession and beauty. Thou wast foul; confess, that thou mayest be fair: thou wast a sinner; confess, that thou mayest be righteous. Thou couldest deform thyself: thou canst not make thyself beautiful. But of what sort is our Betrothed, who hath loved one deformed, that he might make her fair? How, saith some one, loved He one deformed? “I came not,” said He, “to call the righteous, but sinners.” Whom callest Thou? sinners, that they may remain sinners? No, saith He. And by what means will they cease to be sinners? “Confession and beauty are before Him.” They honour Him by confession of their sins, they vomit the evils which they had greedily devoured; they return not to their vomit, like the unclean dog; and there will then be confession and beauty: we love beauty; let us first choose confession, that beauty may follow. Again, there is one who loveth power and greatness: he wisheth to be great as the Angels are. There is a certain greatness in the Angels; and such power, that if the Angels exert it to the full, it cannot be withstood. And every man desireth the power of the Angels, but their righteousness every man loveth not. First love righteousness, and power shall follow thee. For what followeth here? “Holiness and greatness are in His sanctification.” Thou wast before seeking for greatness: first love righteousness: when thou art righteous, thou shall also be great. For if thou preposterously dost wish first to be great, thou fallest before thou canst rise: for thou dost not rise, thou art raised up. Thou risest better, if He raise thee who falleth not. For He who falleth not descendeth unto thee: thou hadst fallen: He descendeth, He hath stretched forth His hand unto thee; thou canst not rise by thy own strength, embrace the hand of Him who descendeth, that thou mayest be raised up by the Strong One.
Ecce intelleximus ignem ante eum praeeuntem, id est, hoc tempore intelligendum in poenam quamdam infidelium et iniquorum: intelligamus ignem, si possumus, et in salutem redemptorum; ita enim proposueramus. Idem ipse Dominus ait: «Ignem veni mittere in terram» . Sic ignem, quomodo gladium: nam et quodam loco ait non se venisse pacem mittere in terram, sed gladium . Gladium ad separationem, ignem ad ustionem: sed utrumque salubrem, quia et gladius verbi ipsius salubriter nos separavit a consuetudine mala. Gladium enim attulit, et separavit unumquemque fidelium aut a patre suo qui in Christum non crediderat, aut a matre similiter infideli; aut certe, si de parentibus christanis natus est, saltem a progenie sua priore. Nemo enim nostrum non aut avum, aut proavum, aut aliquam antiquam originem in Gentibus habuit, et in illa exsecrabili Deo infidelitate: separati sumus ab eo quod eramus; sed gladius intercessit secernens, non interficiens. Hoc modo et ignis: «Ignem veni mittere in terram.» Exarserunt homines credentes in cum, acceperunt flammam charitatis; propterea et ipse Spiritus sanctus cum missus esset Apostolis, sic apparuit: «Visae sunt illis,» inquit, «linguae divisae velut ignis, qui et insedit super unumquemque illorum» . Isto igne inflammati coeperunt ire per mundum, et inflammare, et incendere in circuitu inimicos ejus. Quos inimicos ejus? Qui deserto Deo a quo facti erant, adorabant simulacra quae fecerant. Ipsi incendebantur, si mali erant, ad consumptionem; si boni erant, ad reparationem: aut ipse incendebatur, qui nolebat credere, illo igne, audito verbo Dei factus pejor, invidia sua exustus atque consumptus; aut si converteretur et crederet, nec sic in illo nihil arsisset. Arserat enim fenum, ut purgaretur aurum. Aurum fides est, fenum carnalis concupiscentia est. «Omnis caro fenum,» Isaias dicit, «et omnis honor carnis ut flos feni» . Quidquid est ergo in homine carnali appetens vana et saecularia, fenum est. Quam multi forte, et fratres nostri icrunt ad theatrum? feno ducti sunt. Nonne optandus est illis iste ignis, ut fenum ardeat, et aurum purgetur? Quod enim illis inest fidei, feno premitur. Bonum est ergo eis ardere sancto igne, ut feno consumpto, splendeat pretiosum quod redemit Christus. Ergo, «Ignis ante eum praeibit, et inflammabit in circuitu inimicos ejus.» Sunt qui salubriter arserunt, hodie fideles ejus sunt; inimici ejus erant, et nunc jam fideles ejus sunt: quaeris inimicos, non sunt; consumpti sunt, arserunt; charitas consumpsit in eis quod persequebantur Christum, et purgavit in eis quod crederent in Christum: «Et inflammabit in circuitu inimicos ejus.»
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8. What then? If “confession and beauty are before Him: holiness and greatness in His sanctification” (ver. 7). This we declare, when we are building the house; behold, it is already declared unto the heathen; what ought the heathen to do, to whom those who have cleared away the wood have declared the Lord’s honour? He now saith to the heathen themselves, “Ascribe unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people: ascribe unto the Lord worship and honour.” Ascribe them not unto yourselves: because they also who have declared it unto you, have not declared their own, but His honour. Do ye then “ascribe unto the Lord worship and honour;” and say, “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us: but unto Thy Name give the praise.” Put not your trust in man. If each of you is baptized, let him say: He baptizeth me, of whom the friend of the Bridegroom said, “He baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.” For when ye say this, ye ascribe unto the Lord worship and honour: “Ascribe unto the Lord worship and honour.”
[«vers. 4.] Apparuerunt fulgura ejus orbi terrae.» Magna exsultatio. Nonne videmus? nonne manifestum est? Apparuerunt fulgura ejus universae terrae; inflammati sunt inimici, incensi sunt inimici. Arsit quidquid contradicebat, et «apparuerunt fulgura ejus orbi terrae.» Quomodo apparuerunt? Ut jam crederent. Unde fulgura? De nubibus. Quae sunt nubes Dei? Praedicatores veritatis. Vides autem nubem, in coelo nebulosam, obscuram, et habet intus nescio quid latens. Si coruscet de nube, emicat splendor: ex eo ipso quod contemnebas, inde exsilivit quod expavescas. Misit ergo Dominus noster Jesus Christus Apostolos suos, praedicatores suos, velut nubes: videbantur homines et contemnebantur; quomodo videntur nubes, et contemnuntur, antequam de eis exsiliat quod mireris. Erant enim illi primum homines carnem portantes, infirmi; deinde idiotae, indocti, ignobiles: sed erat in illis quod fulguraret, erat in illis quod coruscaret. Accedebat Petrus homo piscator, orabat, et surgebat mortuus . Forma humana nubes erat, splendor miraculi coruscatio erat. Sic in verbis, sic in factis, cum miranda dicunt, et miranda faciunt, «Apparuerunt fulgura ejus orbi terrae. Vidit et commota est terra.» Si enim non est verum? si non tota terra jam christiana clamat, Amen, commota fulguribus de illis nubibus erumpentibus? «Vidit, et commota est terra.»
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9. “Ascribe unto the Lord glory unto His Name” (ver. 8). Not unto the name of man, not unto your own name, but unto His ascribe worship.…Confession is a present unto God. O heathen, if ye will enter into His courts, enter not empty. “Bring presents.” What presents shall we bring with us? The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, “O God, shalt not Thou despise.” Enter with an humble heart into the house of God, and thou hast entered with a present. But if thou art proud, thou enterest empty. For whence wouldest thou be proud, if thou wert not empty? For if thou wast full, thou wouldest not be puffed up. How couldest thou be full? If thou wert to bring a present, which thou shouldest carry to the courts of the Lord. Let us not retain you much longer: let us run over what remaineth. Behold the house increasing: behold the edifice pervade the whole world. Rejoice, because ye have entered into the courts; rejoice, because ye are being built into the temple of God. For those who enter are themselves built up, they themselves are the house of God: He is the inhabitor, for whom the house is built over the whole world, and this “after the captivity.” “Bring presents, and come into His courts.”
[«vers. 5.] Montes fluxerunt sicut cera a facie Domini.» Qui sunt montes? Superbi. Omnis altitudo extollens se adversus Deum, factis Christi et Christianorum contremuit, succubuit, et quando dico quod dictum est, Fluxit, melius verbum inveniri non potest. «Montes fluxerunt velut cera a facie Domini.» Ubi est altitudo potestatum? ubi duritia infidelium? «Montes fluxerunt sicut cera a facie Domini.» Ignis eis fuit Dominus, illi ante faciem ejus sicut cera fluxerunt; tamdiu duri, donec ignis ille admoveretur. Complanata est omnis altitudo; modo blasphemare Christum non audet: et paganus non in eum credit, non eum tamen blasphemat; etsi nondum factus est vivus lapis, tamen victus est durus mons. «Montes fluxerunt sicut cera a facie Domini, a facie Domini omnis terrae:» non Judaeorum tantum, sed et Gentium, sicut dicit Apostolus ; non enim est Judaeorum tantum Deus, sed et Gentium. Dominus ergo universae terrae, Dominus Jesus Christus in Judaea natus, sed non Judaeae tantum natus: quia et antequam natus omnes fecit; et qui omnes fecit, omnes refecit. «A facie Domini omnis terrae.»
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10. “O worship the Lord in His holy court” (ver. 9): in the Catholic Church; this is His holy court. Let no man say, “Lo, here is Christ, or there. For there shall arise false prophets.” Say this unto them, “There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” Ye are calling me to the whited wall; I adore my God in His holy court. “Let the whole earth be moved before His face.”
[«vers. 6.] Annuntiaverunt coeli justitiam ejus, et viderunt omnes populi gloriam ejus.» Qui coeli annuntiaverunt? «Coeli enarrant gloriam Dei» . Qui sunt coeli? Qui facti sunt sedes ipsius. Quomodo enim in coelis sedet Deus, sic sedet in Apostolis, sic sedet in praedicatoribus Evangelii. Et tu si vis, coelum eris. Vis esse coelum? Purga de corde tuo terram. Si terrenas concupiscentias non habueris, et non frustra responderis sursum te habere cor, coelum eris. «Si resurrexistis cum Christo» (fidelibus Apostolus loquitur), «quae sursum sunt quaerite, ubi Christus est in dextera Dei sedens; quae sursum sunt sapite, non quae super terram» . Coepisti sapere quae sursum sunt, et non quae super terram sunt; nonne factus es coelum? Carnem portas, et corde jam coelum es: conversatio enim tua in coelis erit . Talis annuntias et tu Christum: quis enim fidelium tacet Christum? Intendat Charitas vestra: putatis quia nos soli stantes hic annuntiamus Christum, et vos non annuntiatis? Unde ad nos veniunt, christiani volentes esse, quos nunquam vidimus, quos non novimus, quibus nunquam praedicavimus? An forte crediderunt nullo annuntiante? Apostolus dicit: «Quomodo credent quem non audierunt, quomodo audient sine praedicante» ? Ergo tota Ecclesia praedicat Christum, et annuntiant coeli justitiam ipsius; quia omnes fideles quibus cura est lucrari Deo eos qui nondum crediderunt, et faciunt hoc ex charitate, coeli sunt. Intonat de illis Deus judicii sui terrorem; et tremit qui infidelis erat, et pavescit, et credit. Ostendite hominibus quid potuit Christus per totum orbem terrarum, loquendo eis, et adducendo eos ad amandum Christum. Quanti enim hodie adduxerunt amicos suos, aut ad pantomimum, aut ad choraulam? Quare, nisi amando illum? Et vos amate Christum. Tanta enim spectacula praebuit, in quo nemo potest dicere aliquid se reprehensionis invenire, ille qui vicit saeculum. Nam et aliquando quem amat quisque in theatro, vincitur in illo. Nemo vero vincitur in Christo: non est de quo erubescere. Arripite, adducite, attrahite quos potestis: securi estote, ad eum adducitis, qui non displicet vindetibus; et rogate illum ut illuminet eos, et bene spectent. «Annuntiaverunt coeli justitiam ejus, et viderunt omnes populi gloriam ejus.»
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11. “Tell it out among the nations, that the Lord reigneth from the wood: and that it is He who hath made the round world so fast that it cannot be moved” (ver. 10). What testimonies of the building of the house of God! The clouds of heaven thunder out throughout the world that God’s house is being built; and the frogs cry from the marsh, We alone are Christians. What testimonies do I bring forward? That of the Psalter. I bring forward what thou singest as one deaf: open thine ears; thou singest this; thou singest with me, and thou agreest not with me; thy tongue soundeth what mine doth, and yet thine heart disagreeth with mine. Dost thou not sing this? Behold the testimonies of the whole world: “Let the whole earth be moved before His face:” and dost thou say, that thou art not moved? “Tell it out among the heathen, that the Lord hath reigned from the wood.” Shall men perchance prevail here, and say they reign by wood, because they reign by means of the clubs of their bandits? Reign by the Cross of Christ, if thou art to reign by wood. For this wood of thine maketh thee wooden: the wood of Christ passeth thee across the sea. Thou hearest the Psalm saying, “He hath set aright the round world, that it cannot be moved;” and thou sayest it hath not only been moved since it was made fast, but hath also decreased. Dost thou speak the truth, and the Psalmist falsehood? Do the false prophets, when they cry out, “Lo, here is Christ, and there,” speak truth; and doth this Prophet lie? Brethren, against these most open words ye hear in the corners rumours like these; “such an one was a traditor,” and, “such an one was a traditor.” What dost thou say? Are thy words, or the words of God, to be heard? For, “it is He who hath set aright the round world, that it cannot be moved.” I show unto thee the round world built: bring thy present, and come into the courts of the Lord. Thou hast no presents: and on that account thou art not willing to enter. What is this? If God were to appoint unto thee a bull, goat, or ram, for a present, thou wouldest find one to bring: He hath appointed a humble heart, and thou wilt not enter; for thou findest not this in thyself, because thou art swollen with pride. “He hath set aright the round world, that it cannot be moved: and He shall judge the people righteously.” Then shall they mourn, who now refuse to love righteousness.
[«vers. 7.] Confundantur omnes qui adorant sculptilia.» Nonne factum est? Nonne confusi sunt? Nonne quotidie confunduntur? Sculptilia enim sunt manu facta idola. Quare jam confunduntur omnes qui adorant sculptilia? Quia viderunt omnes populi gloriam ejus. Jam omnes populi gloriam Christi confitentur: erubescant qui adorant lapides. Quia lapides illi mortui erant, nos vivum lapidem invenimus: imo lapides illi nunquam vixerunt, ut nec mortui dicantur; lapis autem noster vivus est, et semper vixit apud Patrem, et pro nobis mortuus revixit, et modo vivit, et mors ei ultra non dominabitur . Hanc gloriam ipsius cognoverunt populi; dimittunt templa, currunt ad ecclesias. «Confundantur omnes qui adorant sculptilia.» Adhuc quaerunt adorare sculptilia? Noluerunt deserere idola; deserti sunt ab idolis. «Confundantur omnes qui adorant sculptilia, qui gloriantur in simulacris suis.» Sed existit nescio quis disputator qui doctus sibi videbatur et ait: Non ego illum lapidem colo, nec illud simulacrum quod est sine sensu; non enim Propheta vester potuit nosse quia oculos habent et non vident , et ego nescio quia illud simulacrum nec animam habet, nec videt oculis, nec audit auribus: non ego illud colo; sed adoro quod video, et servio ei quem non video. Quis est iste? Numen quoddam, inquit, invisibile quod praesidet illi simulacro. Hoc modo reddendo rationem de simulacris suis, diserti sibi videntur, quia non colunt idola, et colunt daemonia. Etenim, fratres, sicut dicit Apostolus, «Quae immolant Gentes, daemoniis immolant, et non Deo. Nolo vos,» inquit, «socios fieri daemoniorum» : nam «scimus quia nihil est idolum» . Ipse hoc dixit Apostolus, «Scimus quia nihil est idolum, sed quae immolant Gentes, daemoniis immolant, et non Deo:» dixit, «Nolo vos fieri socios daemoniorum.» Non ergo hinc se excusent, quia quasi idolis insensatis dediti non sunt; daemoniis magis dediti sunt, quod est periculosius. Nam si tantum idola colerent, sicut eos non adjuvarent, ita illis nihil nocerent; si autem adores et servias daemonibus, erunt domini tui. Et qui erunt domini tui? Invidi tui: libertati tuae necesse est invideant, semper te velint possidere, semper talem facere, qualem possint secum trahere. Est enim insita malevolentia quaedam et pernicies nocendi istis malis spiritibus: gaudent de malo hominum; et de fallacia nostra, si nos fefellerint, pascuntur. Et quid quaerunt? Non quibus in aeternum dominentur, sed cum quibus in aeternum damnentur; quomodo solet malevolus latro nominare innocentem. Numquid si fuerit vivus incensus, minus ardet, si duo ardeant? minus moritur, si duo moriantur? Poena illi non minuitur, sed malevolentia pascitur. Mecum moriatur, non se minus moriturum dicens, sed solatium habet malum alterius. Talis est diabolus; seducere vult illos qui cum illo puniantur: et quia non potest fallere judicem Deum (non enim nominat apud illum innocentem), vera crimina volens habere quae objiciat, peccata persuadet. Ecce quales dominos sibi faciunt qui colunt idola et daemonia: «Quae» enim «immolant Gentes, daemoniis immolant, et non Deo: nolo vos socios fieri daemoniorum.»
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12. “Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad” (ver. 11). Let the heavens, which declare the glory of God, rejoice; let the heavens rejoice, which the Lord made; let the earth be glad, which the heavens rain upon. For the heavens are the preachers, the earth the listeners. “Let the sea be stirred up, and the fulness thereof.” What sea? The world. The sea hath been stirred up, and the fulness thereof: the whole world was roused up against the Church, while it was being extended and built over all the earth. Concerning this stirring up, ye have heard in the Gospel, “They shall deliver you up to councils.” “The sea was stirred up: but how should the sea ever conquer Him who made it?
Nos autem qualem Deum habemus? Audite quid sequatur. Cum enim dixisset, «Confundantur omnes qui adorant sculptilia», «qui gloriantur in simulacris suis:» ne existerent quasi reddentes rationem de simulacris, et dicerent, Non lapides, sed numina colimus; Quae numina colis? dic mihi, daemonia colis, an spiritus bonos, quales sunt Angeli? Sunt enim Angeli sancti, et sunt spiritus maligni. Ego dico quia in templis tuis non coluntur nisi spiritus maligni: qui sibi exigunt superbe sacrificium, et volunt se coli tanquam Deos, maligni sunt, superbi sunt. Tales sunt etiam homines non boni, qui suam gloriam quaerunt, et Dei gloriam contemnunt. Homines autem sanctos attendite, qui sunt similes Angelis. Cum inveneris hominem aliquem sanctum servum Dei, si volueris illum colere et adorare pro Deo, prohibet te: non vult sibi arrogare honorem Dei, non vult tibi esse pro Deo, sed tecum esse sub Deo. Fecerunt hoc apostoli sancti Paulus et Barnabas. Praedicabant verbum Dei in Lycaonia. Mirabilia cum fecissent Lycaoniae, cives ejusdem regionis adduxerunt victimas, et voluerunt illis sacrificare, dicentes Barnabam Jovem, et Paulum Mercurium: illi non sunt delectati. An forte ideo sibi immolari noluerunt, quia daemonibus se comparari exsecrati sunt? Non, sed quia honorem divinum exhiberi hominibus horruerunt. Verba ipsorum indicant, non suspicamur. Sequitur enim lectio libri ejusdem, et dicit quomodo moti sunt: «Tunc Paulus et Barnabas consciderunt vestimenta sua, et dixerunt, Viri» «fratres, quid facitis? Et nos homines sumus passibiles, similes vobis» . Intendite. Quomodo ergo homines boni prohibent eos qui illos voluerant colere tanquam deos, et volunt potius ut Deus unus colatur, Deus unus adoretur, Deo uni sacrificium offeratur, non sibi: sic et omnes sancti Angeli, illius gloriam quaerunt, quem diligunt; ad ejus cultum, ad ejus adorationem, ad ejus contemplationem omnes quos diligunt rapere et inflammare student; ipsum illis annuntiant, non se, quoniam Angeli sunt: et quia milites sunt, non norunt gloriam quaerere nisi Imperatoris sui; si autem suam gloriam quaesierint, ut tyranni damnantur. Talis exstitit diabolus et daemonia, id est angeli ejus: arrogavit sibi honorem divinum et omnibus daemoniis; et implevit templa Paganorum, et persuasit simulacra, et persuasit illa sacrificia offerri sibi. Nonne melius erat ut Angelos sanctos, quam ut daemones colerent? Respondent: Non colimus mala daemonia; Angelos quos dicitis, ipsos et nos colimus, virtutes Dei magni et ministeria Dei magni. Utinam ipsos colere velletis: facile ab ipsis disceretis non illos colere. Audite angelum doctorem. Docebat quemdam discipulum Christi, et ostendebat illi multa miracula in Apocalypsi Joannis: ille autem quodam sibi demonstrato miraculo visionis expavit, et misit se ad pedes Angeli; et ille angelus qui non quaerebat nisi gloriam Domini sui, «Surge, quid facis?» inquit, «illum adora; nam et ego conservus tuus sum, et fratrum tuorum» . Quid ergo, fratres mei? Nemo dicat: Timeo ne irascatur mihi angelus, si non illum colo pro deo meo. Tunc tibi irascitur, quando ipsum colere volueris: bonus est enim, et Deum amat. Quomodo daemones irascuntur, si non colantur; sic Angeli indignantur, si pro Deo colantur. Sed ne forte dicat sibi cor infirmum, cor trepidum: Ergo si irascuntur daemonia quia non coluntur, timeo offendere daemonia. Quid tibi facturus est vel princeps ipsorum diabolus? Si posset aliquid, nullus nostrum remaneret. Nonne quotidie tanta in illum dicuntur ore Christianorum, et crescit seges Christianorum? Quando irasceris nequissimo servo tuo, hoc nomen illi imponis: Satanas, diabole; hoc illi dicis. Fortasse in hoc erras, quia homini hoc dicis, et immoderata ira raperis ad conviciandam imaginem Dei: et tamen hoc eligis quod ei dicas, quod valde detestaris. Si posset ille, non se vindicaret? Sed non permittitur: et tantum facit, quantum permittitur. Nam et Job tentare voluit, et nonnisi potestatem quaesivit ; et nihil faceret, nisi potestatem accepisset. Quare non ergo securus Deum adoras, quo nolente nemo tibi nocet, et quo permittente emendaris, non everteris? Si enim placuerit Domino Deo tuo permittere ut aliquis homo tibi noceat, aut aliquis spiritus tibi noceat; emendabit te, ut clames ad eum: «Emendans emendavit me Dominus, sed morti non tradidit me» . Ergo, «Confundantur omnes qui adorant sculptilia, qui gloriantur in simulacris suis. Adorate» «eum omnes Angeli ejus.» Discant Pagani adorare Deum. Angelos volunt adorare; Angelos imitentur, et illum adorent qui ab Angelis adoratur. «Adorate eum omnes Angeli ejus.» Adoret angelus ille qui missus est ad Cornelium; nam eum adorans, Cornelium misit ad Petrum : adoret Christum Dominum Petri, et ipse conservus Petri. «Adorate eum omnes Angeli ejus.»
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13. “The plains shall be joyful, and all things that are in them” (ver. 12). All the meek, all the gentle, all the righteous, are the “plains” of God. “Then shall all the trees of the woods rejoice.” The trees of the woods are the heathen. Why do they rejoice? Because they were cut off from the wild olive, and engraffed into the good olive. “Then shall all the trees of the woods rejoice:” because huge cedars and cypresses have been cut down, and undecaying timbers have been bought for the building of the house. They were trees of the woods; but before they were sent to the building: they were trees of the woods, but before they produced the olive.
[«vers. 8.] Audivit, et jucundata est Sion.» Quid audivit Sion? Quia adorant eum omnes Angeli ejus. Quid audivit Sion? ecce quid audivit: «Annuntiaverunt coeli justitiam ejus, et viderunt omnes populi gloriam ejus: confundantur omnes qui adorant sculptilia, qui gloriantur in simulacris suis.» Etenim Ecclesia necdum erat in Gentibus; in Judaea crediderant ex Judaeis, et putabant ipsi Judaei qui crediderant solos se pertinere ad Christum: missi sunt Apostoli ad Gentes, praedicatum est Cornelio; credidit Cornelius, baptizatus est, baptizati sunt et illi qui cum Cornelio erant. Sed ut baptizarentur, quid factum est, scitis: non quidem huc usque pervenit Lector, sed tamen aliqui recordantur; et qui non recordantur, audiant a me breviter. Missus est angelus ad Cornelium, angelus Cornelium misit ad Petrum, Petrus venit ad Cornelium. Et quia de Gentibus erat Cornelius, et ipse et qui cum illo erant, non erant circumcisi: ne dubitarent ergo illi tradere Evangelium non circumcisis; antequam baptizaretur ipse Cornelius et illi qui cum illo erant, venit Spiritus sanctus, et implevit illos, et coeperunt loqui linguis. In nullum autem ceciderat Spiritus sanctus, nisi qui fuerat baptizatus: in istos autem ante Baptismum cecidit. Posset enim Petrus dubitare utrum incircumcisos baptizaret: venit Spiritus sanctus, coeperunt loqui linguis; donatum est donum invisibile, et tulit dubitationem de Sacramento visibili; baptizati sunt omnes. Et habes ibi scriptum: «Audierunt autem Apostoli, et qui erant in Judaea fratres, quoniam et Gentes receperunt verbum Dei, et benedicebant Deum.» Hoc est quod hic commemorat: «Audivit, et jucundata est Sion; et exsultaverunt filiae Judaeae» . Quid «audivit, et jucundata est Sion? Quia receperunt Gentes verbum Dei.» Unus paries venerat, sed angelus nondum erat. Sion ipsa Ecclesia quae erat in Judaea, proprie hic nominata est. «Audivit, et jucundata est Sion; et exsultaverunt filiae Judaeae.» Sic scriptum est: «Audierunt Apostoli, et qui erant in Judaea fratres.» Videte si non «exsultaverunt filiae Judaeae.» Quid audierunt? «Quia et Gentes receperunt verbum Dei.» Ubi illud dixit iste psalmus? «Annuntiaverunt coeli justitiam ejus, et viderunt omnes populi gloriam ejus.» Et quia Gentes crediderunt, a quibus colebantur idola; secutus ait: «Confundantur omnes qui adorant sculptilia, qui gloriantur in simulacris suis. Audivit, et jucundata est Sion; et exsultaverunt filiae Judaeae.» Postea quidam de circumcisis calumniari voluerunt Petro, et dixerunt illi: «Quare intrasti ad Gentiles incircumcisos, et manducasti cum eis?» Ille autem reddidit eis rationem, quomodo cum oraret demonstratus est illi discus pendens quatuor lineis. Discus ille qui habebat omnia animalia, significabat omnes Gentes. Ideo autem quatuor lineis pendebat, quia quatuor partes sunt orbis, unde futuri populi erant: et ideo quatuor Evangelia praedicant Christum, ut gratia ipsius ad omnes quatuor partes orbis pertinere intelligatur. Quia ergo tale visum demonstratum fuerat Petro, indicavit, aperuit illis omnia, quomodo credidit Cornelius, quia priusquam baptizaretur homo gentilis, venit super eum Spiritus sanctus. Haec cum audissent, tacuerunt, et magnificaverunt Deum, dicentes: «Utique et Gentibus Deus poenitentiam ad vitam dedit» . Ecce, «Audivit, et jucundata est Sion; et exsultaverunt filiae Judaeae, propter judicia tua, Domine.» Quae judicia? Quia non est personarum acceptor Deus. Namque ipse Petrus cum vidisset Cornelium centurionem, et eos qui cum illo erant, adimpletos Spiritu sancto, exclamavit, et ait, «In veritate comprehendo quia non est personarum acceptor Deus.» Ergo, «Exsultaverunt filiae Judaeae, propter judicia tua, Domine.» Quid est, «propter judicia tua?» Quia «in omni gente, et in omni populo, quicumque illi servierit, acceptus est illi» . Quia non Judaeorum Deus tantum, sed et Gentium .
96.14 PL 36, 1248
14. “Before the face of the Lord. For He cometh, for He cometh to judge the world” (ver. 13). He came at first, and will come again. He first came in His Church in clouds. What are the clouds which bore Him? The Apostles who preached, respecting whom ye have heard, when the Epistle was being read: “We are ambassadors,” he saith, “for Christ: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” These are the clouds in whom He cometh, excepting His last Advent, when He will come to judge the quick and the dead. He came first in the clouds. This was His first voice which sounded forth in the Gospel: “From this time shall they see the Son of Man coming in the clouds.” What is, “from this time”? Will not the Lord come in later times, when all the tribes of the earth shall mourn? He first came in His own preachers, and filled the whole round world. Let us not resist His first coming, that we may not tremble at His second. “But woe to them that are with child, and that give suck in those days!” Ye have heard but now in the Gospel: “Take ye heed, for ye know not at what hour He cometh.” This is said figuratively. Who are those with child, and who give suck? Those who are with child, are the souls whose hope is in the world: but those who have gained what they hoped for, are meant by “they who give suck.” For example: one wisheth to buy a country seat; he is with child, for his object is not gained as yet, the womb swelleth in hope: he buyeth it; he hath brought forth, he now giveth suck to what he hath bought. “Woe to them that are with child, and that give suck in those days!” Woe to those who put their hope in the world; woe to them that cling to those things which they brought forth through hope in the world. What then should the Christian do? He should use, not serve, the world. What is this? Those that have as those that have not.…He who is without carefulness, waiteth without fear for his Lord’s coming. For what sort of love is it of Christ, to fear lest He come? Brethren, are we not ashamed? We love Him, and yet we fear lest He come. Are we sure that we love Him? or do we love our sins more? Therefore let us hate our sins for their own sake, and love Him who will come to punish our sins. He will come, whether we like or not: for because He cometh not just now, it is no reason that He will not come at all. He will come, and when thou knowest not; and if He shall find thee ready, thy ignorance is no hurt to thee. “Then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the Lord; for He cometh:” at His first coming. And what afterwards? “For He cometh to judge the earth. And all the trees of the woods shall rejoice.” He came first: and later to judge the earth: He shall find those rejoicing who believed in His first coming, “for He cometh.”
[«vers.» 9.] Videte si non hoc est unde exsultaverunt filiae Judaeae. «Et exsultaverunt filiae Judaeae, propter judicia tua, Domine. Quoniam tu es Dominus altissimus super omnem terram.» Non super solam Judaeam, non super solam Jerusalem, non super solam Sion, sed «super omnem terram.» Huic universae terrae judicia Dei viguerunt, ut undique populos convocaret: quibus non communicant, qui se praeciderunt; nec audiunt praedictum, nec vident impletum, «Quoniam tu es Dominus altissimus super omnem terram. Nimis exaltatus es super omnes deos.» Quid est, «nimis?» Nam de Christo dicitur. Quid est ergo, «nimis,» nisi ut intelligaris aequalis Patri? Quid est, «super omnes deos?» qui sunt? Idola non habent sensum, non habent vitam: daemonia habent sensum, habent vitam; sed mala sunt. Quid magnum est quia exaltatus est Christus super idola? Exaltatus est super daemonia; sed nec hoc valde magnum est: daemonia quidem dii Gentium , sed ille nimis exaltatus est super omnes deos. Et homines dicti sunt dii, «Ego dixi, Dii estis, et filii Altissimi omnes:» item scriptum est, «Deus stetit in synagoga deorum; in medio autem deos discernens» . Super omnes exaltatus est Jesus Christus Dominus noster: nec tantum super idola, nec tantum super daemonia; sed super omnes homines justos. Et hoc parum est; super omnes etiam Angelos: nam unde est, «Adorate eum omnes Angeli ejus? Nimis exaltatus es super omnes deos.»
96.15 PL 36, 1248
15. “For with righteousness shall He judge the world:” not a part of it, for He bought not a part: He will judge the whole, for it was the whole of which He paid the price. Ye have heard the Gospel, where it saith, that when He cometh, “He shall gather together His elect from the four winds.” He gathereth all His elect from the four winds: therefore from the whole world. For Adam himself (this I had said before) signifieth in Greek the whole world; for there are four letters, A, D, A, and M. But as the Greeks speak, the four quarters of the world have these initial letters, ’Ανατολὴ, they call the East; Δύσις, the West; ῎Αρκτος, the North; Μεσημβρία, the South: thou hast the word Adam. Adam therefore hath been scattered over the whole world. He was in one place, and fell, and as in a manner broken small, he filled the whole world: but the mercy of God gathered together the fragments from every side, and forged them by the fire of love, and made one what was broken. That Artist knew how to do this; let no one despair: it is indeed a great thing, but reflect who that Artist was. He who made, restored: He who formed, reformed. What are righteousness and truth? He will gather together His elect with Him to the judgment, but the rest He will separate one from another; for He will place some on the right, others on the left hand. But what is more just, what more true, than that they shall not expect mercy from their Judge, who have refused to act mercifully, before their Judge come? But those who chose to act with mercy, with mercy shall be judged.…
[«vers.» 10.] Quid ergo facimus omnes qui ad illum convenimus, ad eum qui nimis exaltatus est super omnes deos? Breve praeceptum nobis dedit. «Qui diligitis Dominum, odite malignum.» Non est dignus Christus cum quo diligas avaritiam. Amas illum; debes odisse quod odit. Homo est inimicus tuus, hoc est quod tu; creati estis ab uno Creatore, in una conditione: et tamen si filius tuus loquatur inimico tuo, et veniat ad domum inimici tui, et assiduas collocutiones habeat cum illo, exhaeredare illum vis; quia loquitur cum inimico tuo. Et quomodo? Quia justam vocem videris tibi habere: Amicus es inimici mei, et quaeris aliquid de re mea! Ergo attende. Diligis Christum, inimica Christi est avaritia; quare cum illa loqueris? Non dico, loqueris cum illa; quare illi servis? Nam multa jubet Christus, et non facis; jubet ipsa, et facis. Jubet Christus ut vestias pauperem, et non facis; jubet avaritia ut facias fraudem, et hoc potius facis. Si haec ita sunt, si talis es, noli tibi multum promittere haereditatem Christi. Sed dicis: Diligo Christum. «Qui diligitis Dominum, odite malignum.» Hinc apparet te diligere quod bonum est, si inventus fueris odisse quod malum est: «Qui diligitis Dominum, odite malignum.»