51. Cf. Ps 1 17.22. 52. Cf. Mt 11.11.
208 ST. AUGUSTINE is hewn from a mountain; it is a stone which the builders rejected and it became the cornerstone.^' From what mountain is it hewn except from the kingdom of the Jews from which our Lord, Jesus Christ, was born according to the flesh? And it is hewn without hands, without human work, because he was born of a virgin without marital embrace.
(2) That mountain from which it was hewn had not filled the whole face of the earth; for the kingdom of the Jews had not gained control over all the nations. But truly we see that the kingdom of Christ is taking possession of the whole world.
16. Now to the sixth era belongs John the Baptist than whom no greater man has arisen among those born of women,^^ about whom it was said, "One greater than a prophet." How does he, too, show that Christ was sent to all the nations?
(2) When the Jews came to him to be baptized, that also they might not be puffed up from the name of Abraham, he said, "Brood of vipers, who has shown you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of penance." That is, be humble; for he was speaking to proud men. But of what were they proud? Of the ancestry of [their] flesh, not of the fruit of imitation of father Abraham. What did he say to them? "Do not say, 'We have Abraham for our father.' For God is able out of these stones to raise up children to Abraham." Calling all the nations stones, not because of strength as he was called a stone which the builders rejected, but because of the obtuseness and callosity of [their] stupidity, because they had become like those whom they were adoring; for they were adoring unfeeling statues, [and they were] equally unfeeling.
Why unfeeling? Because it is said in the Psalm, "Let them that make them become like unto them, and everyone that trusts in them."^^ (3) And thus when men begin to adore God, what do they hear? "That you may be children of your Father who is in heaven, who makes his sun to rise on the good and the evil.
51. Cf. Ps 1 17.22. 53. Cf. Mt 1 1.9; Lk 7.26. 55. Cf. Mt 3.9.
52. Cf. Mt 11.11. 54. Cf. Mt. 3.7-8. 56. Cf. Ps 115.8.