Section 444
The text on this page is estimated to be only 28.31% accurate
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 413 necessary, for the building of that temple* appointed and selected as the builder of that edifice of a temple of celestial types, a temple given in symbols and figures. Thus, also, he has framed and fashioned the whole Christ complete, the word, the wisdom, the light, and bearing in his own soul the image of the same, it is impossible to tell with what joy and gladness, with what an abundant and liberal mind, and with what emulation among all of you, and what magnanimity among the contributors, ambi tiously striving that none should be behind him in executing the same purpose, he has framed and finished this magnificent and noble temple of God, so similar in its character to the copy of that better temple, the visible of the invisible. And what also deserves first of all to be mentioned, he did not overlook this place, which had been covered with filth and rubbish, by the ar tifices of our enemies ; but could not think of giving way to the wickedness of those who were the authors of it, though he was at liberty to go to another place, there being innumerable others in the city ; and thus to find a diminution of his labour, and to be relieved from trouble. First, he prepared himself for the work. Then, also, after strengthening and animating the people, and forming all into one great body, he performed this, the first of his labours.f Thinking that the church which had been most assailed by the enemy, she that had first laboured in trials, and that had sustained the same persecutions with us and before us — this church, like a mother bereft of her children, should also enjoy with us the mercies and privileges of the all-gracious Giver. For when the great Shepherd had driven away the wild beasts, the wolves, and every fierce and savage race, and, in the lan guage of Scripture, had broken the jaws of the lions, he again condescended to collect her children, and in the most righteous manner he raised the fold of her flock, " to shame the enemy and the avenger :" and to present a refutation against the impious audacity of those that were fighting against God. And now Our author calls the tabernacle here, by a metonymy, the temple. f The original is $xov «y