9. If they suspect this, let
them examine carefully the copies1681
of our
enemies the
Jews. There let
them read those things of which we have made mention, foretold
concerning
Christ in Whom we believe, and the
Church whom we
discern from the toilsome beginning of
faith even unto the
eternal
blessedness of the
kingdom. But, whilst they read, let them not
wonder that they, whose are the books, understand not by reason of
the
darkness of enmity. For that they would not understand was
foretold beforehand by the same
Prophets; which it behoved should
be fulfilled in like manner as the
rest, and that by the
secret and
just
judgment of
God due
punishment should be rendered to their
deserts. He indeed, Whom they crucified, and unto Whom they gave
gall and
vinegar, although when hanging upon the
Tree, by reason of
those whom He had been about to lead forth from
darkness into
light, He said unto the
Father, “
Forgive them, for they know not
what they do;”
1682
yet by reason of those whom
through more hidden causes He had been about to
desert, by the
Prophet so long before foretold, “They gave Me
gall for My
meat,
and in My
thirst they gave Me
vinegar to drink; let their
table
become a
snare before them, and a recompense, and a
stumbling-block: let their
eyes be darkened that they see not, and
ever bow Thou down their back.”
1683
Thus, having with them the
clearest
testimonies of our cause, they
walk round about with
eyes
darkened, that by their means those
testimonies may be
proved,
wherein they themselves are disapproved. Therefore was it brought
to pass, that they should not be so
blotted out, as that this same
sect should altogether exist not: but it was scattered abroad upon
the
earth, in order that, carrying with it the
prophecies of the
grace conferred upon us, more surely to convince
unbelievers, it
might every where
profit us. And this very thing which I assert,
receive ye after what manner it was prophesied of: “
Slay them
not,” saith He, “lest at any time they
forget Thy
law, but
scatter them abroad in Thy might.”
1684
Therefore they were not slain, in
that they
forgot not those things which were read and heard among
them. For if they were altogether to
forget, albeit they understand
not, the Holy Scriptures, they would be slain in the
Jewish ritual
itself; because, when the
Jews should know nothing of the
Law and
of the
Prophets, they would be unable to
profit us. Therefore they
were not slain, but scattered abroad; in order that, although they
should not have in faith, whence they might be saved; yet they
should retain in their memory, whence we might be helped; in their
books our supporters, in their hearts our enemies, in their copies
our witnesses.
E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
