{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/112/1120028.htm","path":"chr/ecf/112/1120028.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/112/1120028.htm","text":"There hath no temptation taken you, but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it.\nThus, because he terrified them greatly, relating the ancient examples, and threw them into an agony, saying, \u201cLet him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall; \u201cthough they had borne many temptations, and had exercised themselves many times therein; for \u201cI was with you,\u201d saith he, \u201cin weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling:\u201d (1 Cor. ii. 3.) lest they should say, \u201cWhy terrify and alarm us? we are not unexercised in these troubles, for we have been both driven and persecuted, and many and continual dangers have we endured:\u201d repressing again their pride, he says, \u201cthere hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear,\u201d i.e., small, brief, moderate. For he uses the expression \u201cman can bear 116 ,\u201d in respect of what is small; as when he says, \u201cI speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh.\u201d (Rom. vi. 19.) \u201cThink not then great things,\u201d saith he, \u201cas though ye had overcome the storm. For never have ye seen a danger threatening death nor a temptation intending slaughter:\u201d which also he said to the Hebrews, \u201cye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.\u201d (Heb. xii. 4.)\nThen, because he terrified them, see how again he raises them up, at the same time recommending moderation; in the words, \u201cGod is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able.\u201d There are therefore temptations which we are not able to bear. And what are these? All, so to speak. For the ability lies in God\u2019s gracious influence; a power which we draw down by our own will. Wherefore that thou mayest know and see that not only those which exceed our power, but not even these which are \u201ccommon to man\u201d is it possible without assistance from God easily to bear, he added,\n\u201cBut will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it.\u201d\nFor, saith he, not even those moderate temptations, as I was remarking, may we bear by our p. 139 own power: but even in them we require aid from Him in our warfare that we may pass through them, and until we have passed, bear them. For He gives patience and brings on a speedy release; so that in this way also the temptation becomes bearable. This he covertly intimates, saying, \u201cwill also make the way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it:\u201d and all things he refers to Him.\n[2.] 1 Cor. 10.14. \u201cWherefore, my brethren 117 , flee from idolatry.\u201d\nAgain he courts them by the name of kindred, and urges them to be rid of this sin with all speed. For he did not say, simply, depart, but \u201cflee;\u201d and he calls the matter \u201cidolatry,\u201d and no longer bids them quit it merely on account of the injury to their neighbor, but signifies that the very thing of itself is sufficient to bring a great destruction.\n1 Cor. 10.15. \u201cI speak as to wise men: judge ye what I say.\u201d\nBecause he hath cried out aloud and heightened the accusation, calling it idolatry; that he might not seem to exasperate them and to make his speech disgusting, in what follows he refers the decision to them, and sets his judges down on their tribunal with an encomium. \u201cFor I speak as to wise men,\u201d saith he: which is the mark of one very confident of his own rights, that he should make the accused himself the judge of his allegations.\nThus also he more elevates the hearer, when he discourses not as commanding nor as laying down the law, but as advising with them and as actually pleading before them. For with the Jews, as more foolishly and childishly disposed, God did not so discourse, nor did He in every instance acquaint them with the reasons of the commands, but merely enjoined them; but here, because we have the privilege of great liberty, we are even admitted to be counsellors. And he discourses as with friends, and says, \u201cI need no other judges, do ye yourselves pass this sentence upon me, I take you for arbiters.\u201d\n[3.] 1 Cor. 10.16. \u201cThe cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a communion of the Blood of Christ?\u201d\nWhat sayest thou, O blessed Paul? When thou wouldest appeal to the hearer\u2019s reverence, when thou art making mention of awful mysteries, dost thou give the title of \u201ccup of blessing\u201d to that fearful and most tremendous cup? \u201cYea,\u201d saith he; \u201cand no mean title is that which was spoken. For when I call it \u2018blessing,\u2019 I mean thanksgiving, and when I call it thanksgiving I unfold all the treasure of God\u2019s goodness, and call to mind those mighty gifts.\u201d Since we too, recounting over the cup the unspeakable mercies of God and all that we have been made partakers of, so draw near to Him, and communicate; giving Him thanks that He hath delivered from error the whole race of mankind 118 ; that being afar off, He made them nigh; that when they had no hope and were without God in the world, He constituted them His own brethren and fellow-heirs. For these and all such things, giving thanks, thus we approach. \u201cHow then are not your doings inconsistent,\u201d saith he, \u201cO ye Corinthians; blessing God for delivering you from idols, yet running again to their tables?\u201d\n\u201cThe cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a communion of the Blood of Christ?\u201d Very persuasively spake he, and awfully. For what he says is this: \u201cThis which is in the cup is that which flowed from His side, and of that do we partake.\u201d But he called it a cup of blessing, because holding it in our hands, we so exalt Him in our hymn, wondering, astonished at His unspeakable gift, blessing Him, among other things, for the pouring out of this self-same draught that we might not abide in error: and not only for the pouring it out, but also for the imparting thereof to us all. \u201cWherefore if thou desire blood,\u201d saith He, \u201credden not the altar of idols with the slaughter of brute beasts, but My altar with My blood.\u201d Tell me, What can be more tremendous than this? What more tenderly kind? This also lovers do. When they see those whom they love desiring what belongs to strangers and despising their own, they give what belongs to themselves, and so persuade them to withdraw themselves from the gifts of those others. Lovers, however, display this liberality in goods and money and garments, but in blood none ever did so. Whereas Christ even herein exhibited His care and fervent love for us. And in the old covenant, because they were in an imperfect state, the blood which they used to offer to idols He Himself submitted to receive, that He might separate them from those idols; which very thing again was a proof of His unspeakable affection: but here He transferred the service to that which is far more awful and glorious, changing the very sacrifice itself, and instead of the slaughter of irrational creatures, commanding to offer up Himself.\n[4.] \u201cThe bread which we break, is it not a communion of the Body of Christ?\u201d Wherefore said he not, the participation? Because he intended to express something more and to p. 140 point out how close was the union: in that we communicate not only by participating and partaking, but also by being united. For as that body is united to Christ, so also are we united to him by this bread.\nBut why adds he also, \u201cwhich we break?\u201d For although in the Eucharist one may see this done, yet on the cross not so, but the very contrary. For, \u201cA bone of Him,\u201d saith one, \u201cshall not be broken.\u201d But that which He suffered not on the cross, this He suffers in the oblation for thy sake, and submits to be broken, that he may fill all men.\nFurther, because he said, \u201ca communion of the Body,\u201d and that which communicates is another thing from that whereof it communicates; even this which seemeth to be but a small difference, he took away. For having said, \u201ca communion of the Body,\u201d he sought again to express something nearer. Wherefore also he added,\n1 Cor. 10.17. \u201cFor we, who are many, are one bread, one body.\u201d \u201cFor why speak I of communion?\u201d saith he, \u201cwe are that self-same body.\u201d For what is the bread? The Body of Christ. And what do they become who partake of it? The Body of Christ: not many bodies, but one body. For as the bread consisting of many grains is made one, so that the grains no where appear; they exist indeed, but their difference is not seen by reason of their conjunction; so are we conjoined both with each other and with Christ: there not being one body for thee, and another for thy neighbor to be nourished by, but the very same for all. Wherefore also he adds,\n\u201cFor we all partake of the one bread.\u201d Now if we are all nourished of the same and all become the same, why do we not also show forth the same love, and become also in this respect one? For this was the old way too in the time of our forefathers: \u201cfor the multitude of them that believed,\u201d saith the text, \u201cwere of one heart and soul.\u201d (Acts iv. 32.) Not so, however, now, but altogether the reverse. Many and various are the contests betwixt all, and worse than wild beasts are we affected towards each other\u2019s members. And Christ indeed made thee so far remote, one with himself: but thou dost not deign to be united even to thy brother with due exactness, but separatest thyself, having had the privilege of so great love and life from the Lord. For he gave not simply even His own body; but because the former nature of the flesh which was framed out of earth, had first become deadened by sin and destitute of life; He brought in, as one may say, another sort of dough and leaven, His own flesh, by nature indeed the same, but free from sin and full of life; and gave to all to partake thereof, that being nourished by this and laying aside the old dead material, we might be blended together unto that which is living and eternal, by means of this table.\n[5.] 1 Cor. 10.18. \u201cBehold Israel after the flesh: have not they which eat the sacrifices communion with the altar?\u201d\nAgain, from the old covenant he leads them unto this point also. For because they were far beneath the greatness of the things which had been spoken, he persuades them both from former things and from those to which they were accustomed. And he says well, \u201caccording to the flesh,\u201d as though they themselves were according to the Spirit. And what he says is of this nature: \u201ceven from persons of the grosser sort ye may be instructed that they who eat the sacrifices, have communion with the altar.\u201d Dost thou see how he intimates that they who seemed to be perfect have not perfect knowledge, if they know not even this, that the result of these sacrifices to many oftentimes is a certain communion and friendship with devils, the practice drawing them on by degrees? For if among men the fellowship of salt 119 and the table becomes an occasion and token of friendship, it is possible that this may happen also in the case of devils.\nBut do thou, I pray, consider, how with regard to the Jews he said not, \u201cthey are par-takers with God,\u201d but, \u201cthey have communion with the altar;\u201d for what was placed thereon was burnt: but in respect to the Body of Christ, not so. But how? It is \u201ca Communion of the Lord\u2019s Body.\u201d For not with the altar, but with Christ Himself, do we have communion.\nBut having said that they have \u201ccommunion with the altar,\u201d afterwards fearing lest he should seem to discourse as if the idols had any power and could do some injury, see again how he overthrows them, saying,\n1 Cor. 10.19. \u201cWhat say I then? That an idol is any thing? or that a thing sacrificed to idols is any thing?\u201d\nAs if he had said, \u201cNow these things I affirm, and try to withdraw you from the idols, not as though they could do any injury or had any power: for an idol is nothing; but I wish you to despise them.\u201d \u201cAnd if thou wilt have us despise them,\u201d saith one, \u201cwherefore dost thou carefully withdraw us from them?\u201d Because they are not offered to thy Lord.\n1 Cor. 10.20. 120 \u201cFor that which the Gentiles sacrifice,\u201d saith he, \u201cthey sacrifice to demons, and not to God.\u201d\np. 141 Do not then run to the contrary things. For neither if thou wert a king\u2019s son, and having the privilege of thy father\u2019s table, shouldest leave it and choose to partake of the table of the condemned and the prisoners in the dungeon, would thy father permit it, but with great vehemence he would withdraw thee; not as though the table could harm thee, but because it disgraces thy nobility and the royal table. For verily these too are servants who have offended; dishonored, condemned, prisoners reserved for intolerable punishment, accountable for ten thousand crimes. How then art thou not ashamed to imitate the gluttonous and vulgar crew, in that when these condemned persons set out a table, thou runnest thither and partakest of the viands? Here is the cause why I seek to withdraw thee. For the intention of the sacrificers, and the person of the receivers, maketh the things set before thee unclean.\n\u201cAnd I would not that ye should have communion with demon.\u201d Perceivest thou the kindness of a careful father? Perceivest thou also the very word, what force it hath to express his feeling? \u201cFor it is my wish,\u201d saith he, \u201cthat you have nothing in common with them.\u201d\n[6.] Next, because he brought in the saying by way of exhortation, lest any of the grosser sort should make light of it as having license, because he said, \u201cI would not,\u201d and, \u201cjudge ye;\u201d he positively affirms in what follows and lays down the law, saying,\n1 Cor. 10.21. \u201cYe cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons: ye cannot partake of the Lord\u2019s table, and of the table of demons.\u201d\nAnd he contents himself with the mere terms, for the purpose of keeping them away. Then, speaking also to their sense of shame,\n1 Cor. 10.22. \u201cDo we provoke the Lord to jealousy? 121 are we stronger than He?\u201d i.e., \u201cAre we tempting Him, whether He is able to punish us, and irritating Him by going over to the adversaries and taking our stand with His enemies?\u201d And this he said, reminding them of an ancient history and of their fathers\u2019 transgression. Wherefore also he makes use of this expression, which Moses likewise of old used against the Jews, accusing them of idolatry in the person of God. \u201cFor they,\u201d saith He, \u201cmoved Me to jealousy 122 with that which is not God; they provoked Me to anger with their idols.\u201d (Deut. xxxii. 21.)\n\u201cAre we stronger than He?\u201d Dost thou see how terribly, how awfully he rebukes them, thoroughly shaking their very nerves, and by his way of reducing them to an absurdity, touching them to the quick and bringing down their pride? \u201cWell, but why,\u201d some one will say, \u201cdid he not set down these things at first, which would be most effectual to withdraw them?\u201d Because it is his custom to prove his point by many particulars, and to place the strongest last, and to prevail by proving more than was necessary. On this account then, he began from the lesser topics, and so made his way to that which is the sum of all evils: since thus that last point also became more easily admitted, their mind having been smoothed down by the things said before.\n1 Cor. 10:23, 24. \u201cAll things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Let no man seek his own, but each his neighbor\u2019s good.\u201d\nSeest thou his exact wisdom? Because it was likely that they might say, \u201cI am perfect and master of myself, and it does me no harm to partake of what is set before me;\u201d \u201cEven so,\u201d saith he, \u201cperfect thou art and master of thyself; do not however look to this, but whether the result involve not injury, nay subversion.\u201d For both these he mentioned, saying, \u201cAll things are not expedient, all things edify not;\u201d and using the former with reference to one\u2019s self, the latter, to one\u2019s brother: since the clause, \u201care not expedient,\u201d is a covert intimation of the ruin of the person to whom he speaks; but the clause, \u201cedify not,\u201d of the stumbling block to the brother.\nWherefore also he adds, \u201cLet no man seek his own;\u201d which he every where through the whole Epistle insists upon and in that to the Romans; when he says, \u201cFor even Christ pleased not Himself:\u201d (Rom. xv. 3.) and again, \u201cEven as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit.\u201d (1 Cor. x. 33.) And again in this place; he does not, however, fully work it out here. That is, since in what had gone before he had established it at length, and shown that he no where \u201cseeks his own,\u201d but both \u201cto the Jews became as a Jew and to them that are without law as without law,\u201d and used not his own \u201cliberty\u201d and \u201cright\u201d at random, but to the profit of all, serving all; he here broke off, content with a few words, by these few guiding them to the remembrance of all which had been said.\n[7.] These things therefore knowing, let us also, beloved, consult for the good of the brethren and preserve unity with them. For to this that fearful and tremendous sacrifice leads us, warning us above all things to approach it with one mind and fervent love, and thereby becoming eagles, so to mount up to the very heaven, nay, even beyond the heaven. \u201cFor wheresoever the carcase is,\u201d saith He, \u201cthere also will be the eagles,\u201d (St. Matt. xxiv. 28.) calling His p. 142 body a carcase by reason of His death. For unless He had fallen, we should not have risen again. But He calls us eagles, implying that he who draws nigh to this Body must be on high and have nothing common with the earth, nor wind himself downwards and creep along; but must ever be soaring heavenwards, and look on the Sun of Righteousness, and have the eye of his mind quick-sighted. For eagles, not daws, have a right to this table. 123 Those also shall then meet Him descending from heaven, who now worthily have this privilege, even as they who do so unworthily, shall suffer the extremest torments.\nFor if one would not inconsiderately receive a king\u2014(why say I a king? nay were it but a royal robe, one would not inconsiderately touch it with unclean hands;)\u2014though he should be in solitude, though alone, though no man were at hand: and yet the robe is nought but certain threads spun by worms: and if thou admirest the dye, this too is the blood of a dead fish; nevertheless, one would not choose to venture on it with polluted hands: I say now, if even a man\u2019s garment be what one would not venture inconsiderately to touch, what shall we say of the Body of Him Who is God over all, spotless, pure, associate with the Divine Nature, the Body whereby we are, and live; whereby the gates of hell were broken down and the sanctuaries 124 of heaven opened? how shall we receive this with so great insolence? Let us not, I pray you, let us not slay ourselves by our irreverence, but with all awfulness and purity draw nigh to It; and when thou seest It set before thee, say thou to thyself, \u201cBecause of this Body am I no longer earth and ashes, no longer a prisoner, but free: because of this I hope for heaven, and to receive the good things therein, immortal life, the portion of angels, converse with Christ; this Body, nailed and scourged, was more than death could stand against; this Body the very sun saw sacrificed, and turned aside his beams; for this both the veil was rent in that moment, and rocks were burst asunder, and all the earth was shaken. This is even that Body, the blood-stained, the pierced, and that out of which gushed the saving fountains, the one of blood, the other of water, for all the world.\u201d\nWouldest thou from another source also learn its power? Ask of her diseased with an issue of blood, who laid hold not of Itself, but of the garment with which It was clad; nay not of the whole of this, but of the hem: ask of the sea, which bare It on its back: ask even of the Devil himself, and say, \u201cWhence hast thou that incurable stroke? whence hast thou no longer any power? Whence art thou captive? By whom hast thou been seized in thy flight?\u201d And he will give no other answer than this, \u201cThe Body that was crucified.\u201d By this were his goads broken in pieces; by this was his head crushed; by this were the powers and the principalities made a show of. \u201cFor,\u201d saith he, \u201chaving put off from himself principalities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.\u201d (Col. ii. 15.)\nAsk also Death, and say, \u201cwhence is it that thy sting hath been taken away? thy victory abolished? thy sinews cut out? and thou become the laughing-stock of girls and children, who wast before a terror even to kings and to all righteous men?\u201d And he will ascribe it to this Body. For when this was crucified, then were the dead raised up, then was that prison burst, and the gates of brass were broken, and the dead were loosed, 125 and the keepers of hell-gate all cowered in fear. And yet, had He been one of the many, death on the contrary should have become more mighty; but it was not so. For He was not one of the many. Therefore was death dissolved. And as they who take food which they are unable to retain, on account of that vomit up also what was before lodged in them; so also it happened unto death. That Body, which he could not digest, he received: and therefore had to cast forth that which he had within him. Yea, he travailed in pain, whilst he held Him, and was straitened until He vomited Him up. Wherefore saith the Apostle, \u201cHaving loosed the pains of death.\u201d (Acts xi. 24.) For never woman labouring of child was so full of anguish as he was torn and racked in sunder, while he held the Body of the Lord. And that which happened to the Babylonian dragon, when, having taken the food it burst asunder in the midst, 126 p. 143 this also happened unto him. For Christ came not forth again by the mouth of death, but having burst asunder and ripped up in the very midst, the belly of the dragon, thus from His secret chambers (Ps. xix. 5.) right gloriously He issued forth and flung abroad His beams not to this heaven alone, but to the very throne most high. For even thither did He carry it up.\nThis Body hath He given to us both to hold and to eat; a thing appropriate to intense love. For those whom we kiss vehemently, we oft-times even bite with our teeth. Wherefore also Job, indicating the love of his servants towards him, said, that they ofttimes, out of their great affection towards him, said, \u201cOh! that we were filled with his flesh!\u201d (Job xxxi. 31.) Even so Christ hath given to us to be filled with His flesh, drawing us on to greater love.\n[8.] Let us draw nigh to Him then with fervency and with inflamed love, that we may not have to endure punishment. For in proportion to the greatness of the benefits bestowed on us, so much the more exceedingly are we chastised when we show ourselves unworthy of the bountifulness. This Body, even lying in a manger, Magi reverenced. Yea, men profane and barbarous, leaving their country and their home, both set out on a long journey, and when they came, with fear and great trembling worshipped Him. Let us, then, at least imitate those Barbarians, we who are citizens of heaven. For they indeed when they saw Him but in a manger, and in a hut, and no such thing was in sight as thou beholdest now, drew nigh with great awe; but thou beholdest Him not in the manger but on the altar, not a woman holding Him in her arms, but the priest standing by, and the Spirit with exceeding bounty hovering over the gifts set before us. Thou dost not see merely this Body itself as they did, but thou knowest also Its power, and the whole economy, and art ignorant of none of the holy things which are brought to pass by It, having been exactly initiated into all.\nLet us therefore rouse ourselves up and be filled with horror, and let us show forth a reverence far beyond that of those Barbarians; that we may not by random and careless approaches heap fire upon our own heads. But these things I say, not to keep us from approaching, but to keep us from approaching without consideration. For as the approaching at random is dangerous, so the not communicating in those mystical suppers is famine and death. For this Table is the sinews of our soul, the bond of our mind, the foundation of our confidence, our hope, our salvation, our light, our life. When with this sacrifice we depart into the outer world, with much confidence we shall tread the sacred threshold, fenced round on every side as with a kind of golden armor.\nAnd why speak I of the world to come? Since here this mystery makes earth become to thee a heaven. Open only for once the gates of heaven and look in; nay, rather not of heaven, but of the heaven of heavens; and then thou wilt behold what I have been speaking of. For what is there most precious of all, this will I show thee lying upon the earth. For as in royal palaces, what is most glorious of all is not walls, nor golden roofs, but the person of the king sitting on the throne; so likewise in heaven the Body of the King. But this, thou art now permitted to see upon earth. For it is not angels, nor archangels, nor heavens and heavens of heavens, that I show thee, but the very Lord and Owner of these. Perceivest thou how that which is more precious than all things is seen by thee on earth; and not seen only, but also touched; and not only touched, but likewise eaten; and after receiving It thou goest home?\nMake thy soul clean then, prepare thy mind for the reception of these mysteries. For if thou wert entrusted to carry a king\u2019s child with the robes, the purple, and the diadem, thou wouldest cast away all things which are upon the earth. But now that it is no child of man how royal soever, but the only-begotten Son of God Himself, Whom thou receivedst; dost thou not thrill with awe, tell me, and cast away all the love of all worldly things, and have no bravery but that wherewith to adorn thyself? or dost thou still look towards earth, and love money, and pant after gold? What pardon then canst thou have? what excuse? Knowest thou not that all this worldly luxury is loathsome to thy Lord? Was it not for this that on His birth He was laid in a manger, and took to Himself a mother of low estate? Did He not for this say to him that was looking after gain, \u201cBut the Son of Man hath not where to lay His head?\u201d (St. Matt. viii. 20.)\nAnd what did the disciples? Did they not observe the same law, being taken to houses of the poor and lodged, one with a tanner, another with a tent-maker, and with the seller of purple? For they inquired not after the splendor of the house, but for the virtues of men\u2019s souls.\nThese therefore let us also emulate, hastening by the beauty of pillars and of marbles, and seeking the mansions which are above; and let us tread under foot all the pride here below with all love of money, and acquire a lofty mind. For if we be sober-minded, not even this whole world is worthy of us, much less porticoes and arcades. Wherefore, I beseech you, let us adorn our souls, let us fit up this house which we are also to have with us when we depart; that we may attain even to the eternal blessings, through the grace and mercy, &c.\n\u1f00\u03b4\u03b5\u03bb\u03c6\u03bf\u1f76, rec. text \u1f00\u03b3\u03b1\u03c0\u03b7\u03c4\u03bf\u03af, [which is well sustained. C.]\n139:118\n\u201cWhen we had fallen away, Thou didst raise us again, and didst not cease doing all things, until Thou hadst brought us up to Heaven, and given unto us freely Thy future Kingdom.\u201d Liturgy of St. Chrysostom. Ed. Savile. vi. 996. \u201cWhen we had fallen from our eternal life and were exiles from the Paradise of delight: Thou didst not cast us off to the end, but did, visit us continually,\u201d &c. Lit. of St. Basil, t. ii. 677: and so in all the old Liturgies, vid. Brett\u2019s Collection.\n140:119\nCf. Lev. 2:13, Num. 18:19, 2 Chr. 13:5. Theodoret on the latter place says, \u201cBy a covenant of salt for ever, he expresses the stability of the Kingdom, since even Barbarians oftentimes upon eating with their enemies keep the peace entire, remembering the salt thereof.\u201d\n140:120\n\u1f41 \u03b3\u1f70\u03c1 \u03b8\u03cd\u03b5\u03b9. rec. text \u1f00\u03bb\u03bb \u1f45\u03c4\u03b9 \u1f03 \u03b8\u03cd\u03b5\u03b9. [which is correct. C.]\n141:121 141:122 142:123\n\u201cThis Table is not, saith Chrysostom, for chattering jays, but for eagles, who fly thither where the dead body lieth.\u201d Hom. Of the worthy receiving of the Sacrament, &c. This interpretation seems to be generally recognised by the Fathers, See S. Iren. iv. 14; Orig. on S. Matt. \u00a7. 47; S. Ambr. on S. Luke xvii. 7. \u201cThe souls of the righteous are compared unto eagles, because they seek what is on high, leave the low places, are accounted to lead a long life. Wherefore also David saith to his own soul, Thy youth shall be renewed as of an eagle. [Ps. ciii. 5.] If then we have come to know what the eagles are, we can no longer doubt about the Body; especially if we recollect that Body which Joseph once received from Pilate. Seem they not unto thee as eagles around a Body, I mean Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdelene and Mary the Mother of the Lord, and the gathering of the Apostles around the Lord\u2019s entombing? Doth it not seem to thee as eagles around a body, when the Son of Man shall come with the mystical clouds, and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him?\n\u201cThere is also the Body concerning which it was said, My Flesh is meat indeed, and My Blood is drink indeed. Around this Body are certain eagles, which hover over It with spiritual wings. They are also eagles round the Body, which believe the Jesus is come in the Flesh: since every spirit which confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is of God. Wheresoever then faith is, there is the Sacrament, there the resting place of holiness. Again, this Body is the Church, wherein by the grace of Baptism we are renovated in spirit, and whatever tends to decay through old age is refreshed, for ages of new life.\u201d\nComp. also Theodoret on Providence Orat. 5. t. iv. 550. Ed. Schultze; S. Jerome, Ep. xlvi. 11; S. Aug. Qu\u00e6st. Evangel. 1. 42.\n142:124\n\u1f01\u03c8\u03af\u03b4\u03b5\u03c2; originally \u201carches,\u201d afterwards \u201cthe vaults of the sanctuary or choir in a church.\u201d\n142:125\n\u1f00\u03c6\u03b5\u03af\u03b8\u03b7\u03c3\u03b1\u03bd, ms. Reg. Bened. \u1f00\u03bd\u03af\u03c3\u03c4\u03b7\u03c3\u03b1\u03bd.\n142:126","title":"Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Vol. XII: Homilies on First Corinthians.: Homily XXIV","type":"page"}