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| Continuation of the Discourse on the Holy Ghost.
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Lecture
XVII.
Continuation of the Discourse on the
Holy Ghost.
1 Corinthians xii. 8
For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom,
&c.
1. In the preceding
Lecture, according to our ability we set before you, our beloved
hearers2095
| 2095 ταῖς τῆς
ὑμετέρας
ἀγάπης
ἀκοαῖς. Compare § 30,
below: συγγώμην
αἰτῶ παρὰ
τῆς ὑμετέρας
ἀγάπης. Ignat.
Philadelph. c. iv. (Long recension): θαρρῶν
γράφω τῇ
ἀξιοθέῳ
ἀγάπη
ὑμῶν. “Caritas” is
constantly used in the same manner. | , some small portion
of the testimonies concerning the Holy Ghost; and on the present
occasion, we will, if it be God’s pleasure, proceed to treat, as
far as may be, of those which remain out of the New Testament:
and as then to keep within due limit of your attention we restrained
our eagerness (for there is no satiety in discoursing concerning the
Holy Ghost), so now again we must say but a small part of what
remains. For now, as well as then, we candidly own that our
weakness is overwhelmed by the multitude of things written.
Neither to-day will we use the subtleties of men, for that is
unprofitable; but merely call to mind what comes from the divine
Scriptures; for this is the safest course, according to the blessed
Apostle Paul, who says, Which things also we speak, not in words
which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth,
comparing spiritual things with spiritual2096
. Thus we act like travellers or
voyagers, who having one goal to a very long journey, though hastening
on with eagerness, yet by reason of human weakness are wont to touch in
their way at divers cities or harbours.
2. Therefore though our discourses
concerning the Holy Ghost are divided, yet He Himself is undivided,
being one and the same. For as in speaking concerning the Father,
at one time we taught how He is the one only Cause2097
; and at another, how He is called
Father2098
, or
Almighty2099
; and at another,
how He is the Creator2100
of the universe;
and yet the division of the Lectures made no division of the Faith, in
that He, the Object of devotion, both was and is One;—and again,
as in discoursing concerning the Only-begotten Son of God we taught at
one time concerning His Godhead2101
, and at
another concerning His Manhood2102
, dividing into many
discourses the doctrines concerning our Lord Jesus Christ, yet
preaching undivided faith towards Him;—so now also though the
Lectures concerning the Holy Spirit are divided, yet we preach faith
undivided towards Him. For it is one and the Self-same Spirit who
divides His gifts to every man severally as He
will2103
, Himself the while
remaining undivided. For the Comforter is not different from the
Holy Ghost, but one and the self-same, called by various names; who
lives and subsists, and speaks, and works; and of all rational natures
made by God through Christ, both of Angels and of men, He is the
Sanctifier2104
| 2104 Compare Basil. de
Sp. Sancto, c. 38: “By the Father’s will the
ministering spirits subsist, and by the operation of the Son they are
brought into existence, and by the presence of the Holy Ghost are
perfected: and the perfection of Angels is sanctification and
continuance therein.” | .
3. But lest any from lack of learning,
should suppose from the different titles of the Holy Ghost that these
are divers spirits, and not one and the self-same, which alone there
is, therefore the Catholic Church guarding thee beforehand hath
delivered to thee in the profession of the faith, that thou
“believe in one Holy Ghost the Comforter, who
spake by the Prophets;” that thou mightest know, that
though His names be many, the Holy Spirit is but one;—of which
names, we will now rehearse to you a few out of many.
4. He is called the Spirit, according to the
Scripture just now read, For to one is given by the Spirit the word
of wisdom2105
. He is called
the Spirit of Truth, as the Saviour says, When He, the Spirit of
Truth, is come2106
. He is called
also the Comforter, as He said, For if I go not away, the Comforter
will not come unto you2107
.
But that He is one and the
same, though called by different titles, is shewn plainly from the
following. For that the Holy Spirit and the Comforter are the
same, is declared in those words, But the Comforter, which is the
Holy Ghost2108
; and that the
Comforter is the same as the Spirit of Truth, is declared, when it is
said, And I will give you another Comforter, that He may abide with
you for ever, even the Spirit of Truth2109
;
and again, But when the Comforter is come whom I will send unto you
from the Father, even the Spirit of Truth2110
. And He is called the Spirit of God,
according as it is written, And I saw the Spirit of God
descending2111
; and again, For
as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of
God2112
. He is called
also the Spirit of the Father, as the Saviour says, For it is not ye
that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in
you2113
; and again Paul
saith, For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father, and the
rest;…that He would grant you to be strengthened by His
Spirit2114
. He is also
called the Spirit of the Lord, according to that which Peter spake,
Why is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the
Lord2115
? He is called
also the Spirit of God and Christ, as Paul writes, But ye are not in
the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in
you. But if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of
His2116
. He is called
also the Spirit of the Son of God, as it is said, And because ye are
sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son2117
. He is called also the Spirit of
Christ, as it is written, Searching what or what manner of time the
Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify2118
; and again, Through your prayer, and the
supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ2119
.
5. Thou wilt find many other titles of the
Holy Ghost besides. Thus He is called the Spirit of Holiness, as
it is written, According to the Spirit of Holiness2120
. He is also called the Spirit of
adoption, as Paul saith, For ye received not the spirit of bondage
again unto fear, but ye received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we
cry, Abba, Father2121
. He is also
called the Spirit of revelation, as it is written, May give you the
Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him2122
. He is also called the Spirit of
promise, as the same Paul says, In whom ye also after that ye
believed, were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise2123
. He is also called the Spirit of
grace, as when he says again, And hath done despite to the Spirit of
grace2124
. And by many
other such-like titles is He named. And thou heardest plainly in
the foregoing Lecture, that in the Psalms He is called at one time
the good Spirit2125
, and at another the
princely Spirit2126
| 2126 ἡγεμονικῷ, Sept.
Ps. li. 12: R.V. Uphold me with a free spirit. | ; and in Esaias He
was styled the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, of counsel, and
might, of knowledge, and of godliness, and of the fear of
God2127
. By all which
Scriptures both those before and those now alleged, it is established,
that though the titles of the Holy Ghost be different, He is one and
the same; living and subsisting, and always present together with the
Father and the Son2128
| 2128 Origen, in the Catena
on St. John iii. 8: “This also shews that the Spirit is a
Being (οὐσίαν): for
He is not, as some suppose, an energy of God, having according to them
no individuality of subsistence. And the Apostle also, after
enumerating the gifts of the Spirit, immediately added, But all
these worketh the one and the same Spirit, dividing to each one
severally as He will. Now if He willeth and worketh and
divideth, He is surely an energizing Being, but not an energy”
(Suicer, Thesaurus, Πνευμα). | ; not uttered or
breathed from the mouth and lips of the Father or the Son, nor
dispersed into the air, but having a real substance2129
| 2129 ἐνυπόστατον.
Cf. Cat. xi. 10; xvi. 13, note 5. | , Himself speaking, and working, and
dispensing, and sanctifying; even as the Economy of salvation which is
to usward from the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost, is
inseparable and harmonious and one, as we have also said before.
For I wish you to keep in mind those things which were lately spoken,
and to know clearly that there is not one Spirit in the Law and the
Prophets, and another in the Gospels and Apostles; but that it is One
and the Self-same Holy Spirit, which both in the Old and in the New
Testament, spoke the divine Scriptures2130
| 2130 Cat. iv. 16; xvi.
4. | .
6. This is the Holy Ghost, who came upon the
Holy Virgin Mary; for since He who was conceived was Christ the
Only-begotten, the power of the Highest overshadowed her, and
the Holy Ghost came upon her2131
, and
sanctified her, that she might be able to receive Him, by whom all
things were made2132
. But I have
no need of many words to teach thee that generation was without
defilement or taint, for thou hast learned it. It is Gabriel who
says to her, I am the herald of what shall be done, but have no part in
the work. Though an Archangel, I know my place; and though I
joyfully bid thee All hail, yet how thou shalt bring forth, is not of
any grace of mine. The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and
the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee; therefore also that
Holy Thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of
God2133
.
7. This Holy Spirit wrought in Elisabeth;
for He recognises not virgins only, but matrons also, so that their
marriage be lawful. And Elisabeth was filled with the Holy
Ghost2134
, and
prophesied; and that noble hand-maiden says of her own Lord, And
whence is this to me, that the Mother of my Lord should come to
me2135
? For
Elisabeth counted herself blessed. Filled with this Holy Spirit,
Zacharias also, the father of John, prophesied2136
,
telling how many good things the Only-begotten should procure, and that
John should be His harbinger2137
through
baptism. By this Holy Ghost also it was revealed to just Symeon,
that he should not see death, till he had seen the Lord’s
Christ2138
; and he received
Him in his arms, and bore clear testimony in the Temple concerning
Him.
8. And John also, who had been filled with
the Holy Ghost from his mother’s womb2139
,
was for this cause sanctified, that he might baptize the Lord; not
giving the Spirit himself, but preaching glad tidings of Him who gives
the Spirit. For he says, I indeed baptize you with water unto
repentance, but He that cometh after me, and the rest; He shall
baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire2140
. But wherefore with fire?
Because the descent of the Holy Ghost was in fiery tongues; concerning
which the Lord says joyfully, I am come to send fire on the earth;
and what will I, if it be already kindled2141
?
9. This Holy Ghost came down when the Lord
was baptized, that the dignity of Him who was baptized might not be
hidden; as John says, But He which sent me to baptize with water,
the same said unto me, Upon whomsoever thou shalt see the Spirit
descending and remaining upon Him, the same is He which baptizeth with
the Holy Ghost2142
. But see what
saith the Gospel; the heavens were opened; they were opened
because of the dignity of Him who descended; for, lo, he says,
the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as
a dove, and lighting upon Him2143
: that
is, with voluntary motion in His descent. For it was fit, as some
have interpreted, that the primacy and first-fruits2144
| 2144 τὰς ἀπαρχὰς
καὶ τὰ
πρωτεῖα. The
order is inverted in the translation. Cf. Hermas, Sim.
viii. 7 ἔχοντες
ζῆλόν τινα ἐν
ἀλλήλοις
περὶ
πρωτείων. | of the Holy Spirit promised to the baptized
should be conferred upon the manhood of the Saviour, who is the giver
of such grace. But perhaps He came down in the form of a dove, as
some say, to exhibit a figure of that dove who is pure and innocent and
undefiled, and also helps the prayers for the children she has
begotten, and for forgiveness of sins2145
| 2145 The Benedictine Editor
adds the two last words τύπον
παραδηλοῦν
from mss. Roe. Casaub. as necessary to
the construction, and adds the following note. “The text
thus emended is capable of two senses. The first, that the Holy
Spirit came down in the form of a dove, a pure and harmless bird, to
shew that He is Himself as it were a mystic dove in His simplicity and
love of children, for whose new birth and remission of sins at Baptism
He unites His prayers with Christ’s, as Cyril teaches in Cat.
xvi. 20: and that Christ was for the like cause mystically
foreshown in Canticles as having eyes like a dove’s. The
other sense is, that the Spirit descended in the form of a dove on
Christ’s Humanity in order to shew this to be as it were a dove
in innocence, holiness, love of children, and concurrence with the Holy
Spirit in their regeneration.…Either sense is admissible, and
maintained by many of the Fathers: but I prefer the
former.” This interpretation is confirmed by Tertullian
(de Baptismo, c. viii.), who says that the Holy Spirit
glided down on the Lord “in the shape of a dove” in order
that the nature of the Holy Spirit might be declared by means of a
creature of simplicity and innocence.” | ;
even as it was emblematically foretold that Christ should be thus
manifested in the appearance of His eyes; for in the Canticles she
cries concerning the Bridegroom, and says, Thine eyes are as doves
by the rivers of water2146
.
10. Of this dove, the dove of Noe, according
to some, was in part a figure2147
| 2147 Tertullian,
ibid. “Just as after the waters of the deluge, by
which the old iniquity was purged—after the baptism, so to say,
of the world—a dove was the herald which announced to the earth
the assuagement of celestial wrath,.…so to our flesh, as it
emerges from the font after its old sins, flies the dove of the Holy
Spirit, bringing us the peace of God, sent out from heaven where the
Church is, the typified ark.” Compare also Hippolytus,
The Holy Theophany, §§ 8, 9, a treatise with which
Cyril has much in common. | . For as in
his time by means of wood and of water there came salvation to
themselves, and the beginning of a new generation, and the dove
returned to him towards evening with an olive branch; thus, say they,
the Holy Ghost also descended upon the true Noe, the Author of the
second birth, who draws together into one the wills of all nations, of
whom the various dispositions of the animals in the ark were a
figure:—Him at whose coming the spiritual wolves feed with the
lambs, in whose Church the calf, and the lion, and the ox, feed in the
same pasture, as we behold to this day the rulers of the world guided
and taught by Churchmen. The spiritual dove therefore, as some
interpret, came down at the season of His baptism, that He might shew
that it is He who by the wood of the Cross saves them who believe, He
who at eventide should grant salvation through His death.
11. And these things perhaps should be
otherwise explained; but now again we must hear the words of the
Saviour Himself concerning the Holy Ghost. For He says, Except
a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the
kingdom of God2148
. And that
this grace is from the Father, He thus states, How much more shall
your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask
him2149
. And that we
ought to worship God in the Spirit, He shews thus, But the hour
cometh and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father
in Spirit and in truth; for the Father also seeketh such to worship
Him. God is a Spirit; and they that worship Him must worship Him
in spirit and in truth2150
. And again,
But if I by the Spirit of God cast out devils2151
; and immediately afterwards,
Therefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be
forgiven unto men; but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not
be forgiven. And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of
man, it shall be forgiven him; but whosoever shall speak a word against
the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world,
neither in the world to come2152
. And
again He says, And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you
another Comforter, that He may be with you for ever, the Spirit of
Truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither
knoweth Him; but ye know Him, for He abideth with you, and shall be in
you2153
. And again He
says, These things have I spoken unto you being yet present with
you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father
will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring to your
remembrance all things that I said unto you2154
. And again He says, But when the
Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the
Spirit of Truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of
Me2155
. And again
the Saviour says, For if I go not away, the Comforter will not come
unto you2156
…..And when
He is come, He will convince the world of sin, of righteousness, and of
judgment2157
; and afterwards
again, I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear
them now. Howbeit, when He the Spirit of Truth is come, He will
declare unto you all the truth; for He shall not speak from Himself;
but whatsoever He shall hear that shall He speak, and He shall announce
unto you the things to come. He shall glorify Me, for He shall
take of Mine, and shall announce it unto you. All things that the
Father hath are mine; therefore said I, That He shall take of Mine, and
shall announce it unto you2158
. I have read
to thee now the utterances of the Only-begotten Himself, that thou
mayest not give heed to men’s words.
12. The fellowship of this Holy Spirit He
bestowed on the Apostles; for it is written, And when He had said
this, He breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy
Ghost: whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them;
and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained2159
. This was the second time He breathed
on man (His first breath2160
having been stifled
through wilful sins); that the Scripture might be fulfilled, He went
up breathing upon thy face, and delivering thee from
affliction2161
| 2161 Nahum ii. 1. The Septuagint, followed by
Cyril, differs widely from the Hebrew: (R.V.) He that dasheth in pieces is come up before thy
face. | . But whence
went He up? From Hades; for thus the Gospel relates, that then
after His resurrection He breathed on them. But though He
bestowed His grace then, He was to lavish it yet more bountifully; and
He says to them, “I am ready to give it even now, but the vessel
cannot yet hold it; for a while therefore receive ye as much grace as
ye can bear; and look forward for yet more; but tarry ye in the city
of Jerusalem, until ye be clothed with power from on high2162
. Receive it in part now; then,
ye shall wear it in its fulness. For he who receives, often
possesses the gift but in part; but he who is clothed, is completely
enfolded by his robe. “Fear not,” He says, “the
weapons and darts of the devil; for ye shall bear with you the power of
the Holy Ghost.” But remember what was lately said, that
the Holy Ghost is not divided, but only the grace which is given by
Him.
13. Jesus therefore went up into heaven, and
fulfilled the promise. For He said to them, I will pray the
Father, and He shall give you another Comforter2163
. So they were sitting, looking for the
coming of the Holy Ghost; and when the day of Pentecost was fully
come, here, in this city of Jerusalem,—(for this honour also
belongs to us2164
| 2164 Cat. iii. 7; xvi.
5. Bp. Pearson (Lectiones in Acta Apost. I. §
18): “Rightly said Cyril, Bishop of Jerusalem, ‘All
prerogatives are with us.’ And the Emperor Justin called
her ‘Mother of the Christian name.’ Jerome also
(Ep. 17, 3), said: ‘The whole mystery of our Faith
is native of that province and city.‘” | ; and we speak not
of the good things which have happened among others, but of those which
have been vouchsafed among ourselves,)—on the day of Pentecost, I
say, they were sitting, and the Comforter came down from heaven, the
Guardian and Sanctifier of the Church, the Ruler of souls, the Pilot of
the tempest-tossed, who leads the wanderers to the light, and presides
over the combatants, and crowns the victors.
14. But He came down to clothe the Apostles
with power, and to baptize them; for the Lord says, ye shall be
baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence2165
. This grace was not in part, but His
power was in full perfection; for as he who plunges into the waters and
is baptized is encompassed on all sides by the waters, so were they
also baptized completely by the Holy Ghost. The water however
flows round the outside only, but the Spirit baptizes also the soul
within, and that completely. And wherefore wonderest thou?
Take an example from matter; poor indeed and common, yet useful for the
simpler sort. If the fire passing in through the mass of the iron
makes the whole of it fire,
so that what was cold becomes burning and what was black is made
bright,—if fire which is a body thus penetrates and works without
hindrance in iron which is also a body, why wonder that the Holy Ghost
enters into the very inmost recesses of the soul?
15. And lest men should be ignorant of the
greatness of the mighty gift coming down to them, there sounded as it
were a heavenly trumpet, For suddenly there came from heaven a sound
as of the rushing of a mighty wind2166
,
signifying the presence of Him who was to grant power unto men to seize
with violence the kingdom of God; that both their eyes might see the
fiery tongues, and their ears hear the sound. And it filled
all the house where they were sitting; for the house became the
vessel of the spiritual water; as the disciples sat within, the whole
house was filled. Thus they were entirely baptized according to
the promise, and invested soul and body with a divine garment of
salvation. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as
of fire, and it sat upon each of them; and they were all filled with
the Holy Ghost. They partook of fire, not of burning but of
saving fire; of fire which consumes the thorns of sins, but gives
lustre to the soul. This is now coming upon you also, and that to
strip away and consume your sins which are like thorns, and to brighten
yet more that precious possession of your souls, and to give you grace;
for He gave it then to the Apostles. And He sat upon them in the
form of fiery tongues, that they might crown themselves with new and
spiritual diadems by fiery tongues upon their heads. A fiery
sword barred of old the gates of Paradise; a fiery tongue which brought
salvation restored the gift.
16. And they began to speak with other
tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance2167
. The Galilean Peter or Andrew spoke
Persian or Median. John and the rest of the Apostles spoke every
tongue to those of Gentile extraction; for not in our time have
multitudes of strangers first begun to assemble here from all quarters,
but they have done so since that time. What teacher can be found
so great as to teach men all at once things which they have not
learned? So many years are they in learning by grammar and other
arts to speak only Greek well; nor yet do all speak this equally well;
the Rhetorician perhaps succeeds in speaking well, and the Grammarian
sometimes not well, and the skilful Grammarian is ignorant of the
subjects of philosophy. But the Holy Spirit taught them many
languages at once, languages which in all their life they never
knew. This is in truth vast wisdom, this is power divine.
What a contrast of their long ignorance in time past to their sudden,
complete and varied and unaccustomed exercise of these
languages!
17. The multitude of the hearers was
confounded;—it was a second confusion, in the room of that first
evil one at Babylon. For in that confusion of tongues there was
division of purpose, because their thought was at enmity with God; but
here minds were restored and united, because the object of interest was
godly. The means of falling were the means of recovery.
Wherefore they marvelled, saying2168
, How hear
we them speaking? No marvel if ye be ignorant; for even
Nicodemus was ignorant of the coming of the Spirit, and to him it was
said, The Spirit breatheth where it listeth, and thou hearest the
voice thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it
goeth2169
; but if, even
though I hear His voice, I know not whence he cometh, how can I
explain, what He is Himself in substance?
18. But others mocking said, They are
full of new wine2170
, and they spoke
truly though in mockery. For in truth the wine was new, even the
grace of the New Testament; but this new wine was from a spiritual
Vine, which had oftentimes ere this borne fruit in Prophets, and had
budded in the New Testament. For as in things sensible, the vine
ever remains the same, but bears new fruits in its seasons, so also the
self-same Spirit continuing what He is, as He had often wrought in
Prophets, now manifested a new and marvellous work. For though
His grace had come before to the Fathers also, yet here it came
exuberantly; for formerly men only partook of the Holy Ghost, but now
they were baptized completely.
19. But Peter who had the Holy Ghost, and
who knew what he possessed, says, “Men of Israel, ye who
preach Joel, but know not the things which are written, these men
are not drunken as ye suppose2171
. Drunken
they are, not however as ye suppose, but according to that which is
written, They shall be drunken with the fatness of thy house; and
thou shalt make them drink of the torrents of thy pleasure2172
. They are drunken, with a sober
drunkenness, deadly to sin and life-giving to the heart, a drunkenness
contrary to that of the body; for this last causes forgetfulness even
of what was known, but that bestows the knowledge even of what was not
known. They are drunken, for they have drunk the wine of the
spiritual vine, which says, I am the vine and ye
are the branches2173
. But if ye are not persuaded by
me, understand what I tell you from the very time of the day; for it
is the third hour of the day2174
. For He
who, as Mark relates, was crucified at the third hour, now at the third
hour sent down His grace. For His grace is not other than the
Spirit’s grace, but He who was then crucified, who also gave the
promise, made good that which He promised. And if ye would
receive a testimony also, Listen, he says: “But
this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to
pass after this, saith God, I will pour forth of My Spirit2175
—(and this word, I will pour
forth, implied a rich gift; for God giveth not the Spirit by
measure, for the Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into
His hand2176
; and He has given
Him the power also of bestowing the grace of the All-holy Spirit on
whomsoever He will);—I will pour forth of My Spirit unto all
flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; and
afterwards, Yea, and on My servants and on My handmaidens I will
pour out in those days of My Spirit, and they shall
prophesy2177
.” The
Holy Ghost is no respecter of persons; for He seeks not dignities, but
piety of soul. Let neither the rich be puffed up, nor the poor
dejected, but only let each prepare himself for reception of the
Heavenly gift.
20. We have said much to-day, and perchance you
are weary of listening; yet more still remains. And in truth for
the doctrine of the Holy Ghost there were need of a third lecture; and
of many besides. But we must have your indulgence on both
points. For as the Holy Festival of Easter is now at hand we have
this day lengthened our discourse and yet we had not room to bring
before you all the testimonies from the New Testament which we
ought. For many passages are still to come from the Acts of the
Apostles in which the grace of the Holy Ghost wrought mightily in Peter
and in all the Apostles together; many also from the Catholic Epistles,
and the fourteen Epistles of Paul; out of all which we will now
endeavour to gather a few, like flowers from a large meadow, merely by
way of remembrance.
21. For in the power of the Holy Ghost, by
the will of Father and Son, Peter stood with the Eleven, and lifting up
his voice, (according to the text, Lift up thy voice with strength,
thou that bringest good tidings to Jerusalem2178
), captured in the spiritual net of his
words, about three thousand souls. So great was the grace
which wrought in all the Apostles together, that, out of the Jews,
those crucifiers of Christ, this great number believed, and were
baptized in the Name of Christ, and continued steadfastly in the
Apostles’ doctrine and in the prayers2179
. And again in the same power of the
Holy Ghost, Peter and John went up into the Temple at the hour of
prayer, which was the ninth hour2180
, and in the
Name of Jesus healed the man at the Beautiful gate, who had been lame
from his mother’s womb for forty years; that it might be
fulfilled which was spoken, Then shall the lame man leap as an
hart2181
. And thus, as
they captured in the spiritual net of their doctrine five thousand
believers at once, so they confuted the misguided rulers of the people
and chief priests, and that, not through their own wisdom, for they
were unlearned and ignorant men2182
, but through
the mighty power of the Holy Ghost; for it is written, Then Peter
filled with the Holy Ghost said to them2183
. So great also was the grace of the
Holy Ghost, which wrought by means of the Twelve Apostles in them who
believed, that they were of one heart and of one soul2184
, and their enjoyment of their goods was
common, the possessors piously offering the prices of their
possessions, and no one among them wanting aught; while Ananias and
Sapphira, who attempted to lie to the Holy Ghost, underwent their
befitting punishment.
22. And by the hands of the Apostles were
many signs and wonders wrought among the people2185
. And so great was the spiritual grace
shed around the Apostles, that gentle as they were, they were the
objects of dread; for of the rest durst no man join himself to them;
but the people magnified them; and multitudes were added of those who
believed on the Lord, both of men and women; and the streets were
filled with the sick on their beds and couches, that as Peter passed
by, at least his shadow might overshadow some of them. And
the multitude also of the cities round about came unto this holy
Jerusalem, bringing sick folk, and them that were vexed with unclean
spirits, and they were healed every one in this power of the Holy
Ghost2186
.
23. Again, after the Twelve Apostles had
been cast into prison by the chief priests for preaching Christ, and
had been marvellously delivered from it at night by an Angel, and were
brought before them in the judgment hall from the Temple, they
fearlessly rebuked them in their discourse to them concerning Christ,
and added this, that God hath also given His Holy Spirit to them
that obey Him2187
. And
when they had been scourged,
they went their way rejoicing, and ceased not to teach and preach
Jesus as the Christ2188
.
24. And it was not in the Twelve Apostles
only that the grace of the Holy Spirit wrought, but also in the
first-born children of this once barren Church, I mean the seven
Deacons; for these also were chosen, as it is written, being full of
the Holy Ghost and of wisdom2189
. Of whom
Stephen, rightly so named2190
, the first fruits
of the Martyrs, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, wrought
great wonders and miracles among the people, and vanquished those
who disputed with him; for they were not able to resist the wisdom
and the Spirit by which he spake2191
. But
when he was maliciously accused and brought to the judgment hall, he
was radiant with angelic brightness; for all they who sat in the
council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face, as it had been the
face of an Angel2192
. And having
by his wise defence confuted the Jews, those stiffnecked men,
uncircumcised in heart and ears, ever resisting the Holy
Ghost2193
, he beheld the
heavens opened, and saw the Son of Man standing on the right
hand of God. He saw Him, not by his own power, but, as the
Divine Scripture says, being full of the Holy Ghost, he looked up
steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing
on the right hand of God2194
.
25. In this power of the Holy Ghost, Philip
also in the Name of Christ at one time in the city of Samaria drove
away the unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice; and
healed the palsied and the lame, and brought to Christ great multitudes
of them that believe. To whom Peter and John came down, and with
prayer, and the laying on of hands, imparted the fellowship of the Holy
Ghost, from which Simon Magus alone was declared an alien, and that
justly. And at another time Philip was called by the Angel of the
Lord in the way, for the sake of that most godly Ethiopian, the Eunuch,
and heard distinctly the Spirit Himself saying, Go near, and join
thyself to this chariot2195
. He
instructed the Eunuch, and baptized him, and so having sent into
Ethiopia a herald of Christ, according as it is written, Ethiopia
shall soon stretch out her hand unto God2196
,
he was caught away by the Angel, and preached the Gospel in the cities
in succession.
26. With this Holy Spirit Paul also had been
filled after his calling by our Lord Jesus Christ. Let godly
Ananias come as a witness to what we say, he who in Damascus said to
him, The Lord, even Jesus who appeared to thee in the way which thou
camest, hath sent me, that thou mayest receive thy sight, and be filled
with the Holy Ghost2197
. And
straightway the Spirit’s mighty working changed the blindness of
Paul’s eyes into newness of sight; and having vouchsafed His seal
unto his soul, made him a chosen vessel to bear the Name
of the Lord who had appeared to him, before kings and the children
of Israel, and rendered the former persecutor an ambassador and
good servant,—one, who from Jerusalem, and even unto
Illyricum, fully preached the Gospel2198
,
and instructed even imperial Rome, and carried the earnestness of his
preaching as far as Spain, undergoing conflicts innumerable, and
performing signs and wonders. Of him for the present
enough.
27. In the power of the same Holy Spirit
Peter also, the chief of the Apostles and the bearer of the
keys2199
of the kingdom of heaven, healed Æneas
the paralytic in the Name of Christ at Lydda, which is now Diospolis,
and at Joppa raised from the dead Tabitha rich in good works. And
being on the housetop in a trance, he saw heaven opened, and by means
of the vessel let down as it were a sheet full of beasts of every shape
and sort, he learnt plainly to call no man common or unclean, though he
should be of the Greeks2200
. And when he
was sent for by Cornelius, he heard clearly the Holy Ghost Himself
saying, Behold, men seek thee; but arise and get thee down, and go
with them, nothing doubting; for I have sent them2201
. And that it might be plainly shewn
that those of the Gentiles also who believe are made partakers of the
grace of the Holy Ghost, when Peter was come to Cesarea, and was
teaching the things concerning Christ, the Scripture says concerning
Cornelius and them who were with him; While Peter yet spake these
words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word; so that
they of the circumcision also which came with Peter were astonished,
and when they understood it said that on the Gentiles also was poured
out the gift of the Holy Ghost2202
.
28. And in Antioch also, a most renowned
city of Syria, when the preaching of Christ took effect, Barnabas was
sent hence as far as Antioch to help on the good work, being a good
man, and full of the Holy Ghost, and of faith2203
; who seeing a great harvest of believers in
Christ, brought Paul from Tarsus to Antioch, as his
fellow-combatant. And when crowds had been instructed by them and
assembled in the Church, it came to pass that the disciples were
called Christians first in Antioch2204
;
the Holy Ghost, methinks, bestowing on the believers that new Name,
which had been promised before by the Lord. And the grace of
the Spirit being shed forth by God more abundantly in Antioch, there
were there prophets and teachers of whom Agabus was one2205
. And as they ministered to the Lord
and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate Me Barnabas and Saul for the
work whereunto I have called them. And after hands had been
laid on them, they were sent forth by the Holy Ghost2206
. Now it is manifest, that the Spirit
which speaks and sends, is a living Spirit, subsisting, and operating,
as we have said.
29. This Holy Spirit, who in unison with
Father and Son has established the New Covenant in the Church Catholic,
has set us free from the burdens of the law grievous to be
borne,—those I mean, concerning things common and unclean, and
meats, and sabbaths, and new moons, and circumcision, and sprinklings,
and sacrifices; which were given for a season, and had a shadow of
the good things to come2207
, but which, when
the truth had come, were rightly withdrawn. For when Paul and
Barnabas were sent to the Apostles, because of the question moved at
Antioch by them who said that it was necessary to be circumcised and to
keep the customs of Moses, the Apostles who were here at Jerusalem by a
written injunction set free the whole world from all the legal and
typical observances; yet they attributed not to themselves the full
authority in so great a matter, but send an injunction in writing, and
acknowledge this: For it hath seemed good unto the Holy Ghost
and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary
things; that ye abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from
blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication2208
| 2208 Acts xv. 28, 29. ἐπιστολή means a
message or injunction whether verbal or
written. | ; shewing evidently by what they wrote, that
though the writing was by the hands of human Apostles, yet the decree
is universal from the Holy Ghost: which decree Paul and Barnabas
took and confirmed unto all the world.
30. And now, having proceeded thus far in my
discourse, I ask indulgence from your love2209
| 2209 See note 1 on §
1, above. | ,
or rather from the Spirit who dwelt in Paul, if I should not be able to
rehearse everything, by reason of my own weakness, and your weariness
who listen. For when shall I in terms worthy of Himself declare
the marvellous deeds wrought by the operation of the Holy Ghost in the
Name of Christ? Those wrought in Cyprus upon Elymas the sorcerer,
and in Lystra at the healing of the cripple, and in Cilicia and Phrygia
and Galatia and Mysia and Macedonia? or those at Philippi (the
preaching, I mean, and the driving out of the spirit of divination in
the Name of Christ; and the salvation by baptism of the jailer with his
whole house at night after the earthquake); or the events at
Thessalonica; and the address at Areopagus in the midst of the
Athenians; or the instructions at Corinth, and in all Achaia? How
shall I worthily recount the mighty deeds which were wrought at Ephesus
through Paul, by the Holy Ghost2210
? Whom
they of that City knew not before, but came to know Him by the doctrine
of Paul; and when Paul had laid his hands on them, and the Holy Ghost
had come upon them, they spake with tongues, and
prophesied. And so great spiritual grace was upon him, that
not only his touch wrought cures, but even the handkerchiefs and
napkins2211
, brought from his
body, healed diseases, and scared away the evil spirits; and at last
they also who practised curious arts brought their books together,
and burned them before all men2212
.
31. I pass by the work wrought at Troas on
Eutychus, who being borne down by his sleep fell down from the third
loft, and was taken up dead; yet was saved alive by Paul2213
. I also pass by the prophecies
addressed to the Elders of Ephesus whom he called to him in Miletus, to
whom he openly said, That the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city,
saying2214
—and the rest;
for by saying, in every city, Paul made manifest that the
marvellous works done by him in each city, were from the operative
power of the Holy Ghost, by the will of God, and in the Name of Christ
who spoke in him. By the power of this Holy Ghost, the same Paul
was hastening to this holy city Jerusalem, and this, though Agabus by
the Spirit foretold what should befall him; and yet he spoke to the
people with confidence, declaring the things concerning Christ.
And when brought to Cesarea, and set amid tribunals of justice, at one
time before Felix, and at another before Festus the governor and King
Agrippa, Paul obtained of the Holy Ghost grace so great, and triumphant
in wisdom, that at last Agrippa himself the king of the Jews said,
Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian2215
| 2215 Ib. xxvi.
28. Cyril evidently
understood ἐν ὀλίγῳ to
mean “almost” (A.V.):
but the more correct rendering is, “In brief thou wouldest
persuade me to become a Christian.” | . This Holy Spirit granted to Paul,
when he was in the island of Melita also, to receive no harm when
bitten by the viper, and to effect divers cures on the diseased.
This Holy Spirit guided him, the persecutor of old, as a herald of
Christ, even as far as imperial Rome, and there he persuaded many of
the Jews to believe in Christ, and to them who gainsaid he said
plainly, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the Prophet, saying
unto your fathers, and the rest2216
.
32. And
that Paul was full of the Holy Ghost, and all his fellow Apostles, and
they who after them believed in Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, hear from
himself as he writes plainly in his Epistles; And my speech, he
says, and my preaching was not in persuasive words of man’s
wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power2217
. And again, But He who sealed us
for this very purpose is God, who gave us the earnest of the
Spirit2218
. And again,
He that raised up Jesus from the dead shall also quicken your mortal
bodies by His Spirit which dwelleth in you2219
. And again, writing to Timothy,
That good thing which was committed to thee guard through the Holy
Ghost which was given to us2220
.
33. And that the Holy Ghost subsists, and
lives, and speaks, and foretells, I have often said in what goes
before, and Paul writes it plainly to Timothy: Now the Spirit
speaketh expressly, that in later times some shall depart from the
faith2221
,—which we see
in the divisions not only of former times but also of our own; so
motley and diversified are the errors of the heretics. And again
the same Paul says, Which in other generations was not made known
unto the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed unto His Holy
Apostles and Prophets in the Spirit2222
. And again, Wherefore, as saith the
Holy Ghost2223
; and again, The
Holy Ghost also witnesseth to us2224
. And
again he calls unto the soldiers of righteousness, saying, And take
the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word
of God, with all prayer and supplication2225
. And again, Be not drunk with wine,
wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to
yourselves in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs2226
. And again, The grace of the Lord
Jesus, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with
you all2227
.
34. By all these proofs, and by more which
have been passed over, is the personal, and sanctifying, and effectual
power of the Holy Ghost established for those who can understand; for
the time would fail me in my discourse if I wished to quote what yet
remains concerning the Holy Ghost from the fourteen Epistles of Paul,
wherein he has taught with such variety, completeness, and
reverence. And to the power of the Holy Ghost Himself it must
belong, to grant to us forgiveness for what we have omitted because the
days are few, and upon you the hearers to impress more perfectly the
knowledge of what yet remains; while from the frequent reading of the
sacred Scriptures those of you who are diligent come to understand
these things, and by this time, both from these present Lectures, and
from what has before been told you, hold more steadfastly the Faith in
“One God the Father Almighty; and in our Lord
Jesus Christ, His Only-Begotten Son; and in the Holy Ghost the
Comforter.” Though the word itself and title of
Spirit is applied to Them in common in the sacred Scriptures,—for
it is said of the Father, God is a Spirit2228
, as it is written in the Gospel according to
John; and of the Son, A Spirit before our face, Christ the
Lord2229
, as Jeremias the
prophet says; and of the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, the Holy
Ghost2230
, as was
said;—yet the arrangement of articles in the Faith, if
religiously understood, disproves the error of Sabellius also2231
| 2231 The distinct mention
in the Creed of three Persons excludes the error of Sabellius in
confusing them. Cf. Cat. iv. 8; xvi. 14. | . Return we therefore in our discourse
to the point which now presses and is profitable to you.
35. Beware lest ever like Simon thou come to
the dispensers of Baptism in hypocrisy, thy heart the while not seeking
the truth. It is ours to protest, but it is thine to secure
thyself. If thou standest in faith2232
,
blessed art thou; if thou hast fallen in unbelief, from this day
forward cast away thine unbelief, and receive full assurance.
For, at the season of baptism, when thou art come before the Bishops,
or Presbyters, or Deacons2233
| 2233 Cf. Bingham,
Antiquities, II. xx. 9. “When Cyril directs his
Catechumens how they should behave themselves at the time of Baptism,
when they came either before a bishop, or presbyter, or deacon, in city
or village,—this may be presumed a fair intimation that then
deacons were ordinarily allowed to minister Baptism in country
places.” See further ‘Of the power granted anciently
to deacons to baptize,’ Bingham, Lay Baptism, I. i.
5. | ,—(for its
grace is everywhere, in villages and in cities, on them of low as on
them of high degree, on bondsmen and on freemen, for this grace is not
of men, but the gift is from God through men,)—approach the
Minister of Baptism, but approaching, think not of the face of him thou
seest, but remember this Holy Ghost of whom we are now speaking.
For He is present in readiness to seal thy soul, and He shall give thee
that Seal at which evil spirits tremble, a heavenly and sacred seal, as
also it is written, In whom also ye believed, and were sealed with
the Holy Spirit of promise2234
.
36. Yet He tries the soul. He casts not His
pearls before swine; if thou play the hypocrite, though men baptize
thee now, the Holy Spirit will not baptize thee2235
| 2235 Cf. Procat. §
4: “The water will receive, but the Spirit will not accept
thee.” | . But if thou approach with faith,
though men minister in what is seen, the Holy Ghost bestows that which
is unseen. Thou art coming to a great trial, to a great muster2236
| 2236 στρατολογία.
Cf. Cat. iii. 3, μέλλετε
στρατολογεῖσθαι. | ,
in that one hour, which if thou throw away, thy disaster is
irretrievable; but if thou be counted worthy of the grace, thy soul
will be enlightened, thou wilt receive a power which thou hadst not,
thou wilt receive weapons terrible to the evil spirits; and if thou
cast not away thine arms, but keep the Seal upon thy soul, no evil
spirit will approach thee; for he will be cowed; for verily by the
Spirit of God are the evil spirits cast out.
37. If thou believe, thou shalt not only
receive remission of sins, but also do things which pass man’s
power2237
. And mayest thou be worthy of the gift
of prophecy also! For thou shalt receive grace according to the
measure of thy capacity and not of my words; for I may possibly speak
of but small things, yet thou mayest receive greater; since faith is a
large affair2238
. All thy life
long will thy guardian the Comforter abide with thee; He will care for
thee, as for his own soldier; for thy goings out, and thy comings in,
and thy plotting foes. And He will give thee gifts of grace of
every kind, if thou grieve Him not by sin; for it is written, And
grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye were sealed unto the day
of redemption2239
. What then,
beloved, is it to preserve grace? Be ye ready to receive grace,
and when ye have received it, cast it not away.
38. And may the very God of All, who spake
by the Holy Ghost through the prophets, who sent Him forth upon the
Apostles on the day of Pentecost in this place, Himself send Him forth
at this time also upon you; and by Him keep us also, imparting His
benefit in common to us all, that we may ever render up the fruits of
the Holy Ghost, love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness,
goodness, faith, meekness, temperance2240
,
in Christ Jesus our Lord:—By whom and with whom, together with
the Holy Ghost, be glory to the Father, both now, and ever, and for
ever and ever. Amen.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
|
