Anf-03 iv.iv.ix Pg 8
See Matt. ii.
We know the mutual alliance of magic and astrology. The interpreters of the stars, then, were the first to announce Christ’s birth the first to present Him “gifts.” By this bond, [must] I imagine, they put Christ under obligation to themselves? What then? Shall therefore the religion of those Magi act as patron now also to astrologers? Astrology now-a-days, forsooth, treats of Christ—is the science of the stars of Christ; not of Saturn, or Mars, and whomsoever else out of the same class of the dead213 213 Because the names of the heathen divinities, which used to be given to the stars, were in many cases only names of dead men deified.
it pays observance to and preaches? But, however, that science has been allowed until the Gospel, in order that after Christ’s birth no one should thence forward interpret any one’s nativity by the heaven. For they therefore offered to the then infant Lord that frankincense and myrrh and gold, to be, as it were, the close of worldly214 214 Or, heathenish.
sacrifice and glory, which Christ was about to do away. What, then? The dream—sent, doubtless, of the will of God—suggested to the same Magi, namely, that they should go home, but by another way, not that by which they came. It means this: that they should not walk in their ancient path.215 215 Or, sect.
Not that Herod should not pursue them, who in fact did not pursue them; unwitting even that they had departed by another way, since he was withal unwitting by what way they came. Just so we ought to understand by it the right Way and Discipline. And so the precept was rather, that thence forward they should walk otherwise. So, too, that other species of magic which operates by miracles, emulous even in opposition to Moses,216 216
Anf-03 v.vii.ii Pg 12
Matt. ii. 1.
let them keep their gold to themselves.6957 6957
Anf-03 iv.ix.ix Pg 16
See Matt. ii. 1–12.
and the infant has received “the power of Damascus” without battle and arms. For, besides the fact that it is known to all that the “power”—for that is the “strength”—of the East is wont to abound in gold and odours, certain it is that the divine Scriptures regard “gold” as constituting the “power” also of all other nations; as it says1262 1262 Of course he ought to have said, “they say.”
through Zechariah: “And Judah keepeth guard at Jerusalem, and shall amass all the vigour of the surrounding peoples, gold and silver.”1263 1263
Npnf-201 iii.vi.viii Pg 6
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge, Chapter 2
VERSE (3) - Mt 8:29; 23:37 1Ki 18:17,18 Joh 11:47,48 Ac 4:2,24-27; 5:24-28
