Lecture XIII
LECTURE XIII.
ON THE CRUCIFIXION AND BURIAL OF CHRIST.
IsataB iii. 1, 7.
Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? .... He ts brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, 8o
He openeth not His mouth.
1. Every deed of Christ is a boast of the Catholic Church, XII. but her boast of boasts is the Cross; and knowing this, Paul
Gal. 6, says, But God forbid that I should glory, save in the Cross of Lecr.
Christ.
For wondrous indeed it was, that he who was blind from his birth should recover his sight in Siloam; but what is this compared with the blind of the whole world?
It was a great thing, and passing nature, for Lazarus to rise again after four days; but this grace extended to him alone, and what was it compared with the dead in sin throughout the world?
. Marvellous was it, that five loaves should issue forth into food for the five thousand ; but what is that to those who are famishing in ignorance through all the world?
It was marvellous that she should have been loosed who had been bound by Satan eighteen years: yet what is this to all of us, erbgars.Who are fast bound in the chains of our sins? Now the glory of the Cross has led into light those who were blind through ignorance, has loosed all who were held fast by sin, and has ransomed the whole world of men.
2. And wonder not that the whole world was ransomed ; yuss. for it was no mere man, but the only-begotten Son of God, who died on its behalf.
And yet one man's sin, even Adam's, Boas 5, had power to bring death to the world; but ¢f by one man's offence death reigned over the world, how shall not life much
The Devils scared by the Sign of the Cross.
rather reign by the righteousness of One?
And if because of the tree of food they were thus cast out of paradise, shall not believers now because of the Tree of Jesus, much more easily enter into paradise?
If the first man formed out of the earth brought in universal death, shall not He who formed bim out of the earth bring in everlasting life, being Himself Life? Jobni4,
If Phinees, when he waxed zealous and slew the evil-doer, s stopped the wrath of God, sball not Jesus, who slew not another, but gave up Himeelf for a ransom, put away the1 Tim. wrath which is against men?
2S 3. Let us then not be ashamed of the Cross of our Saviour, (2.) but rather glory in it.
For the preaching of the Cross.is unto} Cor. i the Jews a stumbling-block, and unto the Greeks foolishness, }823but to us salvation: and to them that perish it is foolishness, but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
For it was not a mere man who died for us, as I said before, but the Son of God, God made man.
Further; if under Moses a lamb kept the destroyer at a distance, did not much rather the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world, deliver Jobn 1, us from our sins?
'The blood of a brute animal gave" salvation; and shall not the Blood of the Only-begotten much rather save?
If any disbelieve the power of the Crucified, let him inquire of the devils; if any believe not words, let him believe what he sees.
Many have been crucified throughout the world, but by none of these are the devils scared; but Christ having been crucified for us, when they see but the Sign of the Cross, they shudder.
For those died for their own sins, but Christ for the sins of others; for He did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth.
It isi Pet.a, not Peter who says this, for then might we suspect that he ree was partial to his Teacher; but it is Esaias who says it, not ' indeed present with Him in the flesh, but in the Spirit contemplating aforetime His coming in the flesh.
Yet why now bring the Prophet only as a witness? receive the witness of Pilate himself who gave sentence upon Him, saying, J jind Lukeas, no fault in this Man; and who, when he gave Him up,
" washed his hands, and said, J am innocent of the blood of Mat.a7, this just person.
There is yet another witness of the sinless- "" ness of Jesus,—the robber, the first man admitted into '8 paradise; who rebuked his fellow, and said, " We receive
93 4),
The wood of the Cross distributed about the world.
Lror. the due reward of our deeds; but this Man hath done nothing XM amiss; for we were present, both thou and I, at His judgment."
4. Jesus then really suffered for all men; for the Cross was Yonex. NO illusion, otherwise our redemption is an illusion also.
His death was not in appearance, for then is our salvation also a tale.
If His death was but in appearance, they were Mat.37, true who said, We remember that that deceiver said, while
%- 'He was yet alive, After three days Iwill rise again.
His passion then was real; for He was really crucified, and we are not ashamed thereat.
He was crucified, and we deny it not, nay, I will rather glory to speak of it.
For though I should now deny it, this Golgotba confutes me near which we vid.supr. are now assembled; the wood of the Cross confutes me, which Vat. iy), has from hence been distributed piecemeal to all the world.
I confess the Cross, because I know of the Resurrection; for if, after being crucified, He had remained as He was, I had not perchance confessed it, for I might have hidden it with my Master; but now that the Resurrection has followed the Cross, I am not ashamed to declare it.
(8.) 5. Being then in the flesh like others, He was crucified, but not for like sins.
For He was not led to death for covetousness, in that He was the Teacher of poverty; nor was He condemned for concupiscence, for He Himself says plainly,
Mat. 5, Whosoever shall look upon a woman to lust after her, hath already committed adultery with her; not for smiting or striking hastily, for He turned the other cheek also to the smiter; not for despising the Law, for He was the fulfiller of the Law; not for reviling a prophet, for it was Himself who was proclaimed by the Prophets; not for defrauding any of their hire, for He ministered without reward and freely.
He .
Et et 3,sinned not in words, or deeds, or thoughts, who did no sin, "" neither was guile found in His mouth; who when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; who came to His passion, not unwillingly, but willingly,
Mat.16, yea, should any dissuading Him say even now, Be tt far 22.28. from Thee, Lord, He will say again, Get thee behind Me,
Satan.
6. And wouldest thou be persuaded that He came to His passion willingly? others die without their own will, in that
The Cross a glory to Christ.
they know not of their death; but He spoke before of His passion.
Behold, the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified. Mat.26, But knowest thou wherefore this Friend of man shunned not * death?
It was lest the whole world should perish in its sins.
Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man shall be v. Mat. betrayed, and shall be crucified; and again,
He stedfasily set ase His face to go to Jerusalem.
And wouldest thou know cer-5!. tainly, that the Cross is a glory to Jesus?
Hear His own words, not mine.
Judas set about betraying Him, being ungrateful to the Master of the house.
Having but just now gone forth from His table, and drunk His cup of blessing, yet in return for that draught of salvation he sought to shed righteous blood.
He who did eat of His bread, lifted up his Ee: 41, heel against Him; his hands were but lately receiving the | blessed gifts', and within a little while for the wages of treason he was plotting His death. And being reproved, and having heard that word, Thou hast said, he again went out : Mat.26, then said Jesus, The hour is come, that the Son of man should yoni, be glorified.
Thou seest how He knew the Cross to be His25. proper glory.
Further, was Esaias when he was sawn asuney der not ashamed, and shall Christ be ashamed when dying Cat. ii. for the world? Now is the Son of man glorified. Not but\*,
that He had glory before: for He was glorified with the glory 31. which was before the foundation of the world.
He was gloriJoh!7; fied as God ever; but now He was glorified in bearing the Crown of His patience.
He gave not up His life by force, nor was He put to death violently, but of His own accord.
Hear what he says: I have power to lay down My life, and eae I have power to take it again: I yield it of My own choice
~ to My enemies; for unless I chose, this could not be.
He came therefore of His own set purpose to His passion, reis sgeajoicing in His noble deed, smiling at the crown, cheered by """ the salvation of men; not ashamed of the Cross, for it saved the world.
For it was no common man who suffered, but God in man's nature, striving for the prize of His patience.
_ 7. But the Jews contradict, ever ready, as they are, to (iv.) cavil, and backward to believe; so that for this cause the a Avylas.
The word has this signify consecrated bread, distinct from m = os Cuyyeostom and Cyril of at of the Eucharist.
Vid. Bingham Alazieatia also; afterwards it came to Antig. xv. 4. §. 3.
All things concerning Christ are in the Prophets.
Prophet in the text says, Lord, who hath believed our report?
Persians believe, and Hebrews believe not; they shall see, to whom He was not spoken of, and they that have not heard
LEcr.
II. oir dvayrec_ shall understand, while they who study these things, shall set bora. at nought what they study.
They speak against us, and say, " Does the Lord then suffer? what? had men's hands power
Rom.
16, 21. from Is.
52, 15. over His sovereignty ?" Read the Lamentations; for in those Lamentations, Jeremias, lamenting you, has written what is worthy of lamentations.
He saw your destruction, he beheld your downfall, he bewailed Jerusalem which then was; for that which now is shall not be lamented for; for that Jerusalem crucified Christ, bat that which now ts worships Him.
Lamenting then he says, The breath of our countenance, the Lord Christ was taken in our corruptions.
Aw I stating views of my own? Behold he testifies of the Lord Christ seized by men.
And what follows from this? Tell me, O Prophet.
He says, Of whom we said, Under His shadow we shall live among the heathen.
For he correctly signifies that the grace of lite shall no longer dwell in Israel, but among the heathen.
Gal, 4, Lam. 4, 20.Sept.
Tbid.
8. But since their gainsayings are many, come, let me, with the help of your prayers, (as the shortness of the time may allow,) set forth through the Lord's grace some few testimonies concerning the Passion.
For all things concerning Christ are put into writing, and nothing is doubtful, for nothing is without a text.
All things are inscribed on the monuments of the Prophets; clearly written not on tablets of stone, but by the hand of the Holy Ghost.
Since then thou hast heard the Gospel speaking concerning Judas, oughtest thou not to be furnished with the testimony to it?
Thou hast heard that He was pierced in the side by a spear; oughtest thou not to see whether this also is written?
Thou hast beard that He was crucified in a garden; oughtest thou not to see whether this also is written?
Thou hast heard that He was sold for thirty pieces of silver; oughtest thou not to learn what prophet spake this? Thou hast heard that He was given vinegar to drink; learn where this also is written.
Thou hast heard that His body was laid in a rock, and that a stone was set over it; oughtest thou not to receive this testimony also from the prophet? Thou hast heard that kuderveer.
We come to Scr.notto discover but to provewhat wehavebeentaught.147
He was crucified with robbers; oughtest thou not to see whether this also is written?
Thou hast heard that He was buried; oughtest thou not to see, whether the circumstances of His burial are any where undoubtedly written? Thou hast heard that He rose again; oughtest thou not to see whether we mock thee not, teaching these things?
For our spate |. ae and our preaching ts not with enticing words of man's wisdom.
We stir now no sophistical contrivances; for these are exposed ; we do not conquer words with words, for these come to an end; but we preach Christ Crucified, who has already been preached aforetime by the Prophets.
But thou, I pray, having received the testimonies, seal them in thine heart.
And, since they are many, and the rest of our time is narrowed into a short space, listen now to a few, (as many as is possible,) and those the chief ones; and having received these beginnings, be diligent and seek out the remainder.
Let not thine Vid.Eehand be only stretched out to receive, but let it be also ready 3). *, to work.
God bestows every thing. For tf any of you lack « Jam, 1, wisdom, let him ask of God who giveth, and he shall receive. =
May He through your prayer, grant speech to us who address you, and faith to you who hear.
9. Let us then seek the texts in proof of the Passion of (5.) Christ: for we are met together, not now to make an abstract Ser exposition of the Scriptures, but rather to be made assured of yaew. the things which we already believe. Now thou hast received from me, first the testimonies concerning the coming of Jesus ; and concerning His walking on the sea, (for Thy way ts in Ps. 77, the sea,) it is written, Who walketh on the sea, as on a paveJon 9.3. ment.
And concerning divers cures thou hast elsewhere Sept. received testimony.
Now therefore I begin from whence the Passion began. Judas was the traitor who came against Him, and stood, speaking words of peace, but plotting war.
The Psalmist then says concerning him, My friends and My a 88, neighbours drew near against Me, and stood.
And again, Py, 55 His words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords. 21.
Hail, Master, and he betrayed his Master to death; he was not moved with his warning, when He said, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? saying, as it were, this to him, Recollect thine own name; Judas means confession; thou hast come to terms, thou hast received the money, make
L2 ee
Prophecy of the Thirty Pieces of Silver.
Bae confession quickly. Hold not thy peace, O God of My praise; poor the mouth of the wicked, and the mouth of the decettful,
1s. a aite opened against Me; they have spoken against Me with a lying tongue, they have compassed Me about also with words of hatred.
But that some of the chief-priests also were present, and that the bonds were before the gate of the city, thou hast heard before, if thou rememberest" the exposition of the Psalmist, who has told the time and the place; how
Ps. 59, they returned at evening, and hungered like dogs, and t encompassed the city.
10. Attend also in respect to the thirty pieces of silver! veel And I will say to them, If it be good in your sight, give me
P' my price, or refuse, and the rest.
One price is owing to Me from you for My healing the blind and lame, and I receive another; for thanksgiving, dishonour, for worship, insult.
Ibid.
Beholdest thou how the Scripture foresaw these things?
And they appointed My price at thirty pieces of silver.
How exact the prophecy! how great and unerring is the wisdom of the Holy Ghost!
For he said, not ten, nor twenty, but thirty, exactly as many as there were.
Tell also what became of this value, O Prophet!
Does he who received it keep it? or does he restore it? and after it was restored, what becomes
Ib.v.13.0f it? The Prophet then says, 4nd I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them into the house of the Lord, into the refining house.
Compare the Gospel with the Prophecy : cis 27, Judas, it says, repented himself, and cast down the pieces o& silver in the temple, and departed.
(6.) 11. Butnow the exact solution of this seeming discrepancy shall be given.
For they who make light of the prophets, allege that the Prophet says on the one hand, And I cast them into the house of the Lord, into the refining house, but the Gospel on the other hand, And they gave them for the potters' field.
Listen then how they may be both true.
For those conscientious Jews forsooth, the high-priests of that time, seeing Judas repenting and saying, J have sinned, in that I have betrayed the innocent blood, reply, What is that to us, see thou to that.
Is it then nothing to you, the crucifiers? but shall he who received and restored the price of murder see to it, and shall ye the murderers not see to it? en they say 4 Alluding to some Homily distinct from these Lectures. Ed. Ben.
Prophecy of our Lord's seizure and trial,
among themselves, J¢ is not lateful to cast them into the treasury, because tt is the price of blood.
Out of your own moaths is your condemnation ; if the price is polluted, so is the deed polluted; but if thou art fulfilling righteousness in crucifying Christ, why receivest thou not the price of it?
But the point of enquiry is, how the two do not disagree, the Gospel saying, the potters' field, and the Prophet, the refining house.
But not only people who are goldsmiths, or xesesbrass-founders, have refining houses; but potfers also have *.%,,. them for their clay.
For when they have sifted off the fine and delicate and useful earth from the rubbish, and separated from it the mass of the refuse matter, they first mould up the clay with water, that they may work it with ease into the forms intended.
Why then wonderest thou that the Gospel says plainly the potters' yield, whereas the Prophet spoke his prophecy like an enigma, since prophecy is in many places enigmatical.
12. They bound Jesus, and led Him to the hall of the (7.) High-priest.
And wouldest thou know and be sure that this also is written?
Esaias says, Woe unto their soul, for they 1s. 3, 9. have taken evil counsel against themselves, saying, Let us'°-S¢Ptbind the Just, for He is troublesome to us.
And truly, Woe unto their soul! Letus see how.
Esaias was sawn asunder, yet after this the people was restored.
Jeremias was cast into the mire of the dungeon, yet was the wound of the Jews healed; for it was the less, in that it was a sin against man.
But when the Jews sinned, not against man, but against God in man's nature, Woe unto their soul! He says, Let us bind the Just; could He not then set Himself free? some one will say; He, who freed Lazarus from the bonds of death after four days, and loosed Peter from the iron bands of his prison?
Angels stood around ready, saying, Let us burst their bands in sunder; but they hold back, because their Lord was pleased to undergo it.
Again, He was led to the judgmentseat before the Elders; thou hast already the testimony to this, Zhe Lord will come into judgment with the ancients of1s.3,14.
His people, and the princes thered/.
18. And the High-priest having questioned Him, and heard the truth, is wroth; and the wicked minister of wicked men smites Him; and the countenance, which had shone as
Prophecy of indignities offered to our Lord.
Lecr. the sun, endured to be smitten with lawless hands.
Others XI. coming spat on the face of Him, who by His spittle had Deut. healed one who was blind from his birth.
Do ye thus requite 52,6. she Lord, O foolish people and unwise? And the Prophet 1s. 53,1. wondering, says, Lord, who hath believed our report? for the thing is incredible, that God, the Son of God, and the Arm of the Lord, should suffer such things.
But that they who are ceahen saved may not disbelieve, the Holy Ghost writes before, m aioe the person of Christ, who says, (for He who then spake these saved, things, was afterward an actor in them,) I gave My back to ald the scourges; for Pilate, having scourged Him, delivered Him
15. to be crucified; and My cheeks to smitings; and My face I sorcee 'turned not away from the shame Of spittings ; saying, as it were, "' Though knowing before that they will smite Me, I did not even turn My cheek aside; for how should 1 have nerved My disciples against death for truth's sake, had I John 12, Myself sunk under this?" I said, He who loveth his life shall lose tt: if I had loved My life, how could I have taught, not doing what I taught?
First then, being Himself God, He endured to suffer these things at the hands of men; that after this, we men, when we suffer such things at the hands of men for His sake, might not be ashamed.
Thon seest that the prophets have clearly written of these things also. Many however of the Scripture testimonies must be passed over, for want of time; for if one should exactly search out all, not one of the things concerning Christ would be left without witness.
14. And having been bound, He came from Caiaphas to eee -10, Pilate,—is this too written? yes; And having bound Him, they
(8) * led Him away as a present to the king of Jarim.
Here some hasty hearer will object, " Pilate was not a king," (to leave for a while the main part of the question,) "how then having bound
Him, led they Him to the king?" But read thou the Gospel; ee When Pilate heard that He was of Galilee, he sent Him to Herod; for Herod was then king, and was present at Jerusalem.
And now observe the exactness of the Prophet; for rakess: he says, that He was sent as a present; for the same day
= Pilate and Herod were made friends together, for before they were at enmity between themselves.
For it became Him who was on the eve of making peace in earth and heaven, to
Prophecy of mockeries undergone by our Lord.
make His very judges the first to be at peace between themselves; for the Lord was there present, who reconciles the Mo aller
Sept. hearts of the princes of the earth.
See the exactness and where it true testimony of the Prophet. means to alter, or 15. Look with awe then at the Lord while He was judged. prevent.
He endured to be led and carried by the soldiers.
Pilate sat in judgment, and He who sitteth on the right hand of the Father, stood and was judged.
The people whom He had redeemed from the land of Egypt, and ofttimes from other places, shouted against Him, day with Him, away with Him, crucify Him.
Wherefore, O ye Jews? because He has healed your blind? or because He has made your lame to walk, and bestowed His other benefits?
So that the Prophet in amazement speaks of this too, Against whom have 1s. 57, ye opened your mouth, and against whom have ye let loose eee
'your tongue? and the Lord Himself says in the Prophets, Mine heritage is unto Me as a lion in the forest ; it crieth out 4 er. 12, 'against Me; therefore have I hated it.
Ihave not refused * them, but they have refused Me; wherefore it follows that I say, I have forsaken My house. ver. 7, 16. When He was judged, He held His peace; so that Pilate was moved for Him, and said, Hearest Thou not what these witness against Thee? Not that he knew Him who was judged, but he feared his own wife's dream of which news had been sent to him. And Jesus held His peace.
The Psalmist says, J was asa man that heareth not; and in whose mouth Pee 38, are no reproofs; and again, But I as a deaf man heard not; \*. 13, and I was as a dwmb man that openeth not his mouth.
Thou hast before heard* concerning ae if thou rememberest it.
17. But the soldiers who surrounded Him, mock Him, and (9, their Lord becomes a sport to them, and their Master is turned into jest by them.
When they looked on Me, they shaked eS 109, their heads.
Yet there is the figure of kingly state; for" though they mock, yet do they bend the knee.
And the soldiers crucify Him, having first put on Him a purple robe, and they set a crown on His head; for what though it be of thorns?
Every king is proclaimed by soldiers; it became Jesus too ina figure to have been crowned by soldiers;
© Not in any extant work.
152 Correspondence between Christ's crucifixion and Adam's fall.
Lect. so that for this cause the Scripture says in the Caunticles, (o ane forth, O ye daughters of Zion, and behold King Solomon in i. the crown wherewith His mother crowned Him.
Aud the crown itself was a mystery; for it was a remissal of sins, a dismissal of the curse.
Gen.3, 18, Adam received the doom, Cursed ts the ground for thy 17-18: sake; thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee.
For this cause Jesus assumes the thorns, that He might cancel the doom; for this cause also was He buried in the earth, that the cursed earth might receive, instead of the curse, the blessing.
At the time of the sin, they clothed themselves with fig-leaves; for this cause Jesus also made the fig-tree the last of His signs.
For when about to go to His passion, He curses the fig-tree, not every fig-tree,
Mark bnt that one alone, for the sake of the figure; saying, No paste, more let man eat fruit of thee; be the doom cancelled.
<#, And because at the former time they clothed themselves with pasie, fig-leaves, He came at a season when food is not wont pitt to be found on the fig-tree.
Who knows not that in winteralia, time the fig-tree bears no fruit, but is clothed with leaves
Pye, only? Was Jesus ignorant of this, which all knew?
No, but rec.text. though He knew, yet He came as if seeking, not ignorant that He should not find, but extending the emblematical curse to the leaves only.
19. And having touched on things connected with Paradise, I am astonished truly at the truth of the types.
In Paradise was the Fall, and in a Garden was our Salvation.
Gen.3, From the Tree came sin, and until the Tree sin lasted. In the evening, when the Lord walked in the Garden, they hid themselves; and in the evening the robber is brought by the Lord
(10.) into Paradise.
But some one will say to me, '' These are views of thine own; shew me from some prophet the Wood of the Cross; except thou give me a testimony from a prophet, I will not be persuaded."
Hear now from Jeremias, Jer.11,and assure thyself; J am as a harmless lamb led to be
19.Sept. 'slaughtered; did I not know it? (for in this manner read it, Mat.26, as a question, as I have read it; for He who said, Ye know
: that after two days ts the feast of the passover, and the Son of Man is betrayed to be crucified, did He not know?) J am as a harmless lamb led to be slaughtered; did I not know it?
Prophetical types of the Cross,
(but what sort of lamb? let John the Baptist interpret it, when he says, Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away Jobn }, the sin of the world.) They have devised against Me a? wicked device, saying,—(He who knows the devices, knew He - Gu not the result of them?
And what said they?)—Come, and Ibid. let us place a beam upon His bread*—(and if the Lord reckon thee worthy, thou shalt hereafter know, that His body according to the Gospel bore the figure of bread ;)—Come now, ese and let us place a beam upon His bread, and destroy Him pan out of the land of the living ;— (Life admits not of destruction, why labour ye for nought?)—And His name shall be remembered no more,
Vain is your counsel; for before the sun His Ps. 72, Name abideth in the Church. And because it was Life, which FS hung on the Cross, Moses says, weeping, And thy Life shall Deut. hang before thine eyes; and thou shalt be afraid day and gene
° night, and thou shalt not trust thy life.
And so too, what was just now taken as the text, Lord, who hath believed our 4raymreport? a 20. This was wrought in figure by Moses, when he crucified the serpent, that whoso had been bitten by the living serpent, and looked to the brazen serpent, might be saved by believing.
Does then the brazen serpent save when crucified, and shall not the Son of God incarnate save when crucified also? =Throughout, life comes by means of wood.
In the time of Noe the preservation of life was by an ark of wood.
In the time of Moses the sea, beholding the emblematical rod, shrunk from him who smote it; is then Moses' rod mighty, and is the Cross of the Saviour powerless?
I pass by the greater part (11.) of the types, to keep within compass.
The wood in Moses' case sweetened the water; and from the side of Jesus the water flowed upon the wood.
21. The beginning of signs under Moses was blood and water; and the last of all Jesus' signs was the same.
Moses began by changing the river into blood; and Jesus at the end gave forth from His side water with blood.
This was perhaps on account of the two speeches, his who judged Him, and theirs who cried out against Him; or because of the * This interpretation is acknowledged pref. 3.) Theodoret (in loc.) &ce and by Tertullian, (in Jud. 10.in Mare. iii. im the Breviaries.
19. iv. 40.) 8. Ambrose (in Psalm 35.
Glory of the Cross communicated to its Sign.
Lecr. believers and the unbelievers.
For Pilate said, Jam innocent, XIU. and washed his hands in water; they who cried out against Him said, His blood be upon us: there came therefore these two out of His side; the water perhaps, for him who judged
Him; but for them that shouted against Him, the blood.
And again it is to be understood in another way.
The blood was for the Jews; the water for the Christians: for upon them as conspirators is the sentence of condemnation by the blood; but to thee who now believest, the salvation which is by water.
For nothing happened without a meaning.
Our fathers who have written comments have given another is Eieyreason of this matter.
For since in the Gospel the power of ae salutary Baptism is twofold, that namely bestowed by means oer iv. of water on the illuminated, and that to holy martyrs in """ persecutions through their own blood, there came out of that salutary Side blood and water, to ratify the gift to confession made for Christ, whether in illumination, or on occasions of ¢euviemartyrdom.
There is something besides meant by the Side. besten The woman, who was formed from the side, led the way to sin; but Jesus who came to bestow the grace of pardon on wen and women alike, was pierced in the side for women, that He might undo the sin.
22. And whoever will enquire, will find other reasons also ; but what has been said is enough, because the time is limited, and my hearers may be tired.
And yet one never can weary of hearing concerning our crowned Lord, and least of all in this most holy Golgotha.
For while others only hear, we have sight and touch too.
Let none be weary; take thine armour against the adversaries in the cause of the Cross itself; set up the faith of the Cross, as a trophy against the gainsayers.
For when thou art going to dispute with unbelievers concerning the Cross of Christ, first make with thy hand the Sign of Christ's Cross, and the gainsayer will be dumb.
Be not ashamed to confess the Cross; for Angels Mat.98, glory in it, saying, We know whom ye seek, Jesus the Crucified.
Canst thou not say, O Angel, "I know whom ye seek, my Master?"
No, but he says with boldness, " I know the Crucified."
For the Cross is a crown, not a dishonour.
(12.) 28. Now let us return to the proofs out of the Prophets which I spoke of.
The Lord was crucified; thou hast
Prophecies of events attending the Crucifixion.
received the testimonies.
Thon seest this spot of Golgotha !
_ Thou answerest with a shout of praise, as if assenting. Look to it lest thou recant it in time of persecution.
Rejoice not in the Cross in time of peace only, but hold fast the same faith in time of persecution also; not being a friend of Jesus in time of peace, and His foe in time of wars.
Thou receivest now the forgiveness of thy sins, and the gifts of the King's spiritual bounty; when war shall come, strive thou with high heart for thy King. Jesus, the Sinless, for thee was crucified; and wilt not thou be crucified for Him who was crucified for thee?
Thou art not bestowing a favour, for thou hast first teceived ; but thou art returning a favour, repaying thy debt to Him who in Golgotha was crucified for thee.
Now Golgotha is interpreted, " the place of a skull."
Who were they then, who prophetically named this Golgotha, in which Christ the true Head endured the Cross? As the Apostle says, Who is the Image of the Invisible God; and after g Col. 1, little, and He is the Head of the body, the Church.
And, jg. again, The Head of every man is Christ; and again, Who ts 1 Cor. the Head of all principality and power.
The Head suffered Ae a in " the place of the skull."
O wondrous prophetic adap10. tation! The very name almost reminds thee, saying, " 'Think not of the Crucified as of a mere man; He is the Head of all ie eoary. principality and power.
That Head which was crucified is the Head of all power, and has for His Head the Father; for the Head of the man is Christ, and the Head of Christ} | pe 1s God."
24. Christ then was crucified for us, s, having been judged in the night, when it was cold, and a fire of coals was laid. Jobni8,
He was crucified at the third hour; and from the sixth hour there was darkness until the ninth hour; but from the ninth hour there was light again.
Are these things then written?
Let us enquire.
Now the Prophet Zacharias says, And tt Zech.14, shall be in that day, that there shall not be light, and there sep. shall be cold and frost one duy; (it was cold, wherefore Peter warmed himself;) And that day shall be known unto the Lord; (what, knew He not the other days? days are many, but this is the day of the Lord's patience, which the Lord aoe made ;)—And that day shall be known unto the Lord, not © day, and not night; what is this dark saying which the
Prophecy of the darkness.
Lect. Prophet speaks? That day is neither day nor night? what XIII.
AA** then shall we name it? The Gospel interprets it, by relating the event.
It was not day; for the sun shone not uniformly from his rising to his setting, but from the sixth hour till the ninth hour, there was darkness at mid-day.
The darkness therefore was in the interval; but God called the darkness night.
Wherefore it was neither day nor night: for neither was it all light, that it should be day; nor was it all darkness, that it should be called night; but after the ninth hour the sun shone forth.
This also the Prophet foretels; for after saying, Not day, nor night, he added, And at eventng time it shail be light*.
Seest thou the exactness of the prophets?
Seest thou the truth of the things foretold ?
25. But seekest thou at what hour exactly the sun was darkened? was it the fifth hour, or the eighth, or the tenth?
Tell, O Prophet, the certainty thereof to the indocile Jews ; when shall the sun go down? The Prophet Amos answers, ae , And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord God, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon; (for there was darkness from the sixth hour;) and I will darken the earth an the clear day. What sort of season is this, O Prophet, and what sort of day? And I will turn your feasts into mourning; for this was done in the days of unleavened bread, and at the feast of the Passover: then afterwards he says, dnd J will make Him as the mourning of an Only Son, and those with Him as a day of anguish; for in the day of unleavened bread,
Sept. and at the feast, their women mourned and wept, and the Apostles who had hidden themselves were in anguish. Wonderful then is this prophecy.
(13.) 26. But, some one will say, " Give me yet another sign; what other plain sign is there in the matter?"
Jesus was crucified; and He had but one coat, and one cloak: now his cloak the soldiers shared among themselves, having rent it into four; but His coat was not rent, for when rent it would have been no longer of any use ; so about this lots were cast by the soldiers; thus the one they divide, but for the other they casts lots.
Is then this also written? They know, the diligent chanters of the Church, who imitate the Angel hosts,
* Theodoret (in loc.) gives tbe same plains it of the second advent. interpretation, S, Jerome (in loc.) ex-
Prophecy of Christ's passion.
and continually sing praises to God: who are thought worthy Ps. 22, to chant Psalms in this Golgotha, and to say, They parted 5, , 19
My raiment among them, and for My vesture they did cast'. lots.
The word "lots" expresses the very act of the soldiers. nit"
27. Again, when He had been judged before Pilate, He x4 was clothed in red; for there they put on Him a purple robe.
Is this also written?
Esaias saith, Who is this that cometh Is.63,1.
JSrom Edom? the redness of His garmenis is from Bosor seen (who is this who for a dishonour weareth purple? for Bosor hath in Hebrew this meaning'.) Why are Thy garments red, v. 2. and Thy raiment as from the trodden winepress?
But He ts.65,2. answers and says, All day long have I stretched forth Mine **Phands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people *.
28. He stretched out His hands on the Cross, that He might encompass the ends of the world; for this Golgotha is the very centre of the earth.
It is not my word, but it isa prophet who hath said, Thou hast wrought salvation in the Ps. 74, middle of the earth.
He stretched forth human hands, who by His spiritual hands had established the heaven; and they were fastened with nails, that His manhood which bore the sins of men, having been nailed to the tree, and having died, sin might die with it, and we might rise again in righteousRom. 5, ness.
For since by one man came death, by One Man also '- 17. came life; by One Man, the Saviour, dying of His own ae accord: for remember what He said, J have power to lay Johnio, down My life, and I have power to take tt again.
29. So He endured these things, having come for the (14.) salvation of all; but the people returned Him an evil recompense.
Jesus says, J thirst,—He who had brought forth the waters for them out of the flinty rock; and He asks fruit of the Vine which He had planted.
But what does the Vine?
This Vine, by nature indeed of the holy fathers, but of Sodom by sara purpose of heart ;— (for their Vine is of the vine of Sodom, gcse and of the fields of Gomorrah ;}—this Vine, when the Lord Deut. was athirst, having filled a sponge and put it on a reed, offers $2, $2.
Him vinegar.
They gave Me also gall for My meat, and in Pe. 69, se Be AU abacus' epcbl, a Cracitaton by OFigea, Jerome, Theo.
Pammach. vol. ii. p. 120. ed. 1684. It is doret, (all in loc.) &c. &c. not of course now considered to mean a fold for cattle, excluding its primary reference to God'a asin Mic.2,12,from I¥2 secuit,munivit. fatherly all-embracing love,
The penitent thief Lect. My thirst, they gave Me vinegar to drink.
Thou seest the adele ——— plainness of the Prophet's description.
But what sort of gall Mark put they into My mouth?
They gave Him, it says, wine 15,23. mingled with myrrh. Now myrth is of the taste of gall, and exceeding bitter.
Are these things what ye recompense unto the Lord? Offerest thou these things, O Vine, unto thy Master?
Rightly did the Prophet Esaias aforetime bewail you, saying, Is. 5,1. My well-beloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill; and y.2.
(not to recite the whole) he goes on, J watled that it should Sept. bring forth grapes; 1 thirsted that it should give wine; but ti brought forth thorns; for thou seest the crown, wherewith I y-6. amadorned.
What then shall I now decree? I till command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.
For the prophets, the clouds, were removed from them, and are for the 1Cor. future in the Church; as Paul says, Let the prophets speak
Erb 4, two or three, and let the others judge; and again, God gave ll. in the Church, some, Apostles, and some, Prophets.
Agabus, who bound his own feet and hands, was a prophet.
(15.) 30. And concerning the robbers who were crucified with o 53, Him, it was written, And He was numbered with the transgressors.
Both of them had been transgressors, but one was so no longer.
For the one was a transgressor to the end, stubborn against salvation ; whose hands indeed were fastened, but who through his blasphemies smote with his tongue.
When the Jews passing by wagged their heads, mocking the Ee 109, Crucified, and fulfilling what was written, When they looked oe don Me, they shaked their heads, he also reviled with them.
Luke23, But the other rebuked the reviler; and to him the end of life 40. &e. was the beginning of restoration; the surrender of his soul was a preventing others in salvation.
And after rebuking him, he says, Lord, remember me; for to Thee is my speech.
Leave this man, for the eyes of his understanding are blinded; but remember me.
I say not, remember my works, for of these I am afraid.
Every man has a feeling for his fellow-traveller; I am travelling with thee deathwards; remember me, Thy fellow-wayfarer.
I say not, Remember me now, but, when Thou comest into Thy kingdom.
_ $1. What power, O robber, enlightened thee? Who taught thee to worship that despised Man, thy companion on the Cross? O Eternal Light, which givest light to them that are
was saved by faith without works,
in darkness!
Therefore also he rightly heard the words, Be of good cheer; not that thy deeds are such as should make thee be of good cheer; but that the King is here, dispensing favours.
The request reached unto a distant time; but the grace is very speedy. Verily I say unto thee, This day shalt Lakers, thou be with Me in Paradise; because to-day thou hast } Ph
95, heard My voice, and hast not hardened thine heart.
Very" speedily I passed sentence upon Adam, very speedily I pardon thee.
To him it was said, In the day wherein thou Gen. 2, eatest, thou shalt surely die ; but thou to-day hast obeyed the ab faith, to-day is thy salvation.
Adam by the Tree fell; thou by the Tree art brought to Paradise.
Fear not the serpent; he shall not cast thee out; for he is fallen from heaven, Lvkel0,
And IJ say not unto thee, This day shalt thou depart, but, This day shalt thou be with Me. Be of good courage; thou shalt not be cast out.
Fear not the fiery sword; it shrinks from pe its Lord.
O mighty and ineffable grace!
The faithful 20° Pe 118 Abraham had not yet entered, but the robber enters! Moses *,9°- n. and the Prophets had not yet entered, and the lawless robber
— enters.
Paul also wondered at this before thee, saying, Where sin abounded, there grace did much more abound. seat, 5,
They who had borne the heat of the day had not yet" entered; and he of the eleventh hour entered.
Let none v. Matt. murmur against the goodman of the house, for he says, gc, Friend, I do thee no wrong; is it not lawful for Me to do what I will with Mine own.
The robber has a wish to work righteousness, but death prevents him; I wait not exclusively for work, I have accepted faith.
I am come who feed My Cant.6, sheep among the lilies, 1 am come to feed My sheep in the : gardens.
I have found a sheep, a lost one, but I lay it on Labels, My shoulders, for he believes, since he himself has said, ¢
I hace gone astray like a lost sheep: Lord, remember me Ps. 219; when Thou comest in Thy kingdom.
32. Of this garden I sang of old to My spouse in the (J6.) Canticles, and spake thus to her. Iam come into My garden, Cant. 6,
My sister, My spouse ; (now the place where He was crucified was a garden;) and what takest Thou thence?
J have Ibid. gathered My myrrh; having drunk wine mingled with myrrh, and vinegar.
And having received these, He said, It ¢ yobnio, finished.
For the mystery has been fulfilled; the things that 80
Christ died on the Cross instead of us sinners.
Lect. are written have been fulfilled; sins are forgiven. For Chrest nos being come an High-priest of good things to come, by a greater
11, &. and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that ts to say, not of this building, neither by the blood of gouts and calves, but by His own blood, He entered in once into the holy place, having obtuined eternal redemption for us; for if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying Gf the Heb.
10, flesh, how much more the blood of Christ? And again, Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enler into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that ts to say, His flesh.
And because His flesh, this veil, was dishonoured, the emblematical veil of the temple was rent through, as it is written,
Mat.27, And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent tn twain from the top to the bottom; for not a morsel of it was left; for ape since the Master said, Behold, your house ts left unto you
* desolate, the house has been rent into pieces. v.Col.1, 83. These things the Saviour endured, making peace through the Blood of His Cross, for things in heaven, and things in earth.
For we were enemies of God through sin, and God had appointed the sinner to die. There must needs therefore have happened one of two things; either that God, keeping
His words, should destroy ali men, or that in His lovingkindness, He should cancel the sentence.
But behold the wisdom of God; He preserved both to His sentence its truth, and to His loving-kindness its exercise.
Christ took our sins 1 Pet.2, in His body on the tree, that we being dead to sin, should live to righteousness.
Of no smail account was He who died for aleiner. uS; He was not a literal sheep; He was not a mere man;
¥asé.
He was more than an Angel; He was God made man.
The transgression of sinners was not so great, as the righteousness of Him who died for them; we have not committed as much sin as He has wrought righteousness who laid down His life for us,—who laid it down when He pleased, and took it again when He pleased. And wouldest thou have proof that He laid down His life not by violence, nor against His will
Luke23, yielded up the ghost? He cried to the Father, saying, Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit; 1 commend ft, that .27,] may take it again, And having said these things, He gave
Prophecy of the tomb.
up the ghost; but not for any long time, for He rose again from the dead speedily.
-84. The Sun was darkened, because of the Sun of righteousHe ness.
The rocks were rent, because of the spiritual Rock.g, © '
The tombs were opened, and the dead arose, because of Him -nré. who was free among the dead; He sent forth His prisoners Ps.88,5. out of the pit wherein ts no water.
Be not then ashamed of} ot 9. the Crucified, but be thyself bold to say, He beareth our Is.
58, 4. sins, and carrieth our sorrows, and with His stripes we are' healed.
Let us not be unthankful to our Benefactor.
And again ; for the transgression of my people was He stricken; ver.8.9. and He made His grave with the wicked, and with the rich tn His death.
'Therefore Paul says plainly, that Christ died | Cor.
_ for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He rose wae again the third day according to the Scriptures.
35. But we seek to be told plainly where He has been buried.
Is His tomb then made with hands? Is it, like the tombs of kings, raised above the ground?
Is the Sepulchre made of stones joined together?
And what is laid upon it?
Tell us, O Prophets, the exact truth concerning His tomb also, where it is placed, and where we shall seek it?
And they say, Look unio the solid rock which ye have hewn. 1s.51,1.
Look and behold.
Thou hast in the Gospel, In a sepulchre ee hewn in stone, which was hewn out of @ rock.
And what ysalas, happens next?
What kind of door has the sepulchre? ene Again another Prophet says, They cut off My life in the tons dungeon, and cast a stone upon Me.
1, who am the Chief iv.4. 0. corner-stone, elect, precious, lie for a little time within pe stone.
I who am a stone of stumbling to the Jews, but of Mark salvation to them who believe.
The Tree of Life, therefore, Tea 3 was planted in the earth, that the earth which had been 53. ve cursed might enjoy the blessing, and that the dead might be 1
1 Pets, released.
86. Let us not then be ashamed to confess the Crucified. (18.) Be the Cross our seal made with boldness by our fingers on vid. our brow, and in every thing; over the bread we eat, and the eel cups we drink ; in our comings in, and goings out; before Mil. 3. our sleep, when we lie down and when we awake; when we are in the way, and when we are still.
Great is that preservative; it is without price, for the poor's sake; without M eee ee —
The doctrine of the Cross the foundation.
Lxcr. toil, for the sick ; since also its grace is from God.
It is the ele -—— Sign of the faithful, and the dread of devils: for He has ee 2, triumphed over them in tt, having made a shew of them openly; for when they see the Cross, they are reminded
Ps.74, of the Crucified ; they are afraid of Him, who hath bruised yt the heads of the dragon.
Despise not the Seal, because of the freeness of the gift; but for this the rather honour thy
Benefactor.
$7. And if thou art ever led into disputation, and hast not the grounds of proof, yet let Faith remain firm in thee; or rather, become thou well learned, and then silence the Jews out of the prophets, and the Greeks out of their own fables.
They themselves worship men thunderstricken*: but the thunder when it comes from heaven, comes not at random.
If they are not ashamed to worship men thunderstricken and abhorred of God, art thou ashamed to worship the beloved
Son of God, who was crucified for thee?
I am ashamed to speak about their so-called Gods, and I leave them because of time; let those who know, speak.
And let all heretics Wanes. also be silenced.
If any say that the Cross is an illusion, turn away from him.
Abhor those who say that Christ was seca cTucified to our fancy only; for if so, and if salvation is from tober the Cross, then is salvation a fancy also.
If the Cross is 1Cor-15, fancy, the Resurrection is fancy also; but tf Christ be not "risen, we are yet in our sins.
If the Cross is fancy, the Ascension also is fancy ; and if the Ascension is fancy, then is the second coming also fancy, and every thing is henceawesforth unsubstantial. rts ) $8. Take therefore first, as an unassailable foundation, the Cross, and build upon it the rest of the faith.
Deny not the Crucified; for, if thou deny Him, thou hast many to arraign thee.
Judas the traitor will arraign thee first; for he who betrayed Him, knew that He was condemned to death by the chief-priests and elders.
The thirty pieces of silver bear witness ; Gethsemane bears witness, where the betrayal happened ; I speak not yet of the Mount of Olives, on which they were that night, praying.
'The moon in the night bears witness; the day bears witness, and the darkened sun ; for it endured not to look on the crime of the » Aesculapius.
Witnesses of the Crucifixion.
conspirators.
The fire remonstrates with thee, by which Peter stood and warmed himself; if thou deny the Cross, the eternal fire awaits thee.
I say what is severe, that thou may not have experience of it.
Remember the swords that came against Him in Gethsemane, that thou be not punished by the eternal sword.
The house of Caiaphas will arraign thee, shewing by its present desolation the power of Him who was erewhile judged there. Yea, Caiaphas himself will rise up against thee in the day of judgment; the very servant will rise up against thee, who smote Jesus with the palm of his hand; they also who bound Him, and they who led Him away.
Even Herod shall rise up against thee; and Pilate; as if saying, Why deniest thon Him who was
- slandered unto us by the Jews, whom we knew to have done no wrong? ForI Pilate then washed my hands.
The false witnesses shall rise up against thee, and the soldiers who put on Him the purple robe, and set on Him the crown of thorns, and crucified Him in Golgotha, and cast lots for His coat.
Simon the Cyrenian will cry out ce thee, who bore the Cross behind Jesus.
89. There will cry out upon thee, among the stars, the darkened Sun; among the things upon earth, the Wine mingled with myrrh; among reeds, the Reed; among herbs, the Hyssop; among the things of the sea, the Sponge; among trees, the Wood of the Cross;—the soldiers, too, as was said, who nailed Him, and cast lots for His vesture; the soldier who pierced His side with the spear; the women who then were present; the veil of the temple then rent asunder; the hall of Pilate, now laid waste by the power of Him who was then crucified; this holy Golgotha, rising on high, and shewing itself to this day, and displaying even yet how because of Christ the rocks were then riven'; the neighbouring sepulchre where He was laid; and the stone which was laid on the door, which lies to this day by the tomb*; the Angels who were then present; the women who worshipped Him after His resurrection; Peter and John, who ran to the sepulchre; and Thomas, who thrust his hand into His side, and his fingers into the print of the nails.
For it was for our sakes { The martyr Lucian (ap. Ruff. Hist. was Wate also Jerome, Ep. 27. ed. ix. 6.) says the same.
M 2
The Power of the Cross. that he so carefully handled Him; for what thou who wert not there present, wouldest have sought, he being present, by God's Providence, did seek.
Lgcr. sav ee vopslas.
40. Thou hast Twelve Apostles, witnesses of the Cross; and the whole earth, and the world of men who believe on Him who was upon it.
Let thy very presence here now persuade thee of the power of the Crucified.
For who has now brought thee to this assembly? what soldiers? With what bonds hast thou been forced?
What doom has driven thee here now?
No, but the salutary Trophy of Jesus, the Cross, has brought you all together.
This has enslaved the Persians, and tamed the Scythians; this, to the Egyptians, has given, for cats and dogs and their manifold errors, the knowledge of God; this, to this day heals diseases; this, to this day drives away devils, and overthrows the juggleries of drugs and charms. ormugeparen, 41. This shall appear again with Jesus from heaven'; for the trophy shall precede the king: that seeing Him whom they pierced, and by the Cross knowing Him who was dishonoured, the Jews may repent and mourn; (but they shall mourn tribe by tribe, when their season for repentance shall be no more;) and that we may glory, boasting of the Cross, worshipping the Lord who was sent, and crucified for us, and worshipping also God His Father who sent Him, with the Holy Ghost: To whom be glory for ever and ever.
Amen.
Zech.
12, 10. ver. 12.
Sept.
1 It is the common opinion of the Chrysostom and Jerome in Matt. xxiv, Fathers, that 'the sign of the Son of 80.
Men in heaven" will be the Cross. vid,