{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/203/2030677.htm","path":"chr/ecf/203/2030677.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/203/2030677.htm","text":"38. 2888 Now, as to the expression which he uses, \u201cSome persons say,\u201d I think it has been made clear by what I have previously said, that, when he says \u201csome persons say\u201d or \u201cAnother says,\u201d and does not controvert the opinions which are thus introduced, it is he himself who is this \u2018certain\u2019 or \u2018other\u2019 person. And this is proved by the numerous cases which I have pointed out in which he expresses opinions agreeing with these without the introduction of any such person. We must consider therefore in each case whether he expresses any dissent from the \u2018other.\u2019 For instance, an opinion is put forward that the stars and the other things that are in heaven are reasonable beings and capable of sinning. We must see, therefore, what his own opinion is on this point. Turn to his note, in this book, 2889 upon the passage \u201cHe must reign till he hath put all his enemies under his feet.\u201d 2890 You will find, some way down, the words:\n\u201cIt may be observed that no one is without sin, that Even the stars are not clean in his sight, 2891 and Every creature trembles at the coming of the Creator. Hence it is not only things on earth but also things in heaven which are said to have been cleansed by our Saviour\u2019s cross.\u201d\nAgain, as to the opinion that it is because of their being in this body of humiliation or body of death that men are called children of wrath, he says, in commenting on the words 2892 \u2018We were the children of wrath, even as others.\u2019 (Comm. on Ephes. on this verse, some way down.)\n\u201cWe must hold that men are by nature children of wrath because of this 2893 \u2018body of humiliation\u2019 and 2894 \u2018body of death,\u2019 and because 2895 \u2018the heart of man is disposed to evil from his youth.\u2019\u201d\nAgain, on the opinion that there is first a creation of the soul and afterwards a fashioning of the body he says (at the same passage, a long way down)\n\u201cAnd observe carefully that he does not say, \u2018We are his forming and fashioning, but 2896 \u2018We are his making.\u2019 For \u2018fashioning\u2019 implies the fact of man\u2019s origin from the slime of the earth: but \u2018making\u2019 from his origin according to the image and similitude of God. And this distinction is confirmed by the words of the 118th Psalm 2897 \u201cThy hands have made me and fashioned me.\u201d \u2018Making\u2019 has the first place, \u2018fashioning\u2019 comes after.\u2019\nAre there any other things which he wishes us to condemn? He has only to mention them, and we can draw them out from his own books, or rather from the bottom of his own heart. For instance. We are to condemn as a pestilent assertion that the nature of human souls and of angels is the same. But let us see what his own opinion is on this point as given in the books which he specially puts before us as containing the pattern of his profession and his rule of faith. Turn to the passage, 2898 \u201cHe came and preached peace to them which were afar off and to them that were nigh.\u201d His comment on this first expounds the words of Jews and Gentiles, and then goes on:\n\u201cThis has been said in accordance with the Vulgate 2899 translation. But, if a man reads the words of the Apostle when he says of Christ, 2900 \u201cMaking peace through the blood of his cross for those that are in earth and for those that are in heaven\u201d and the rest that is said in that place, he will not consider that it is we who are called the spiritual Israel are intended by \u2018those afar off,\u2019 and that the Jews, who are merely called \u2018Israel after the flesh\u2019 are \u2018those who are nigh.\u2019 He will modify the whole meaning of the passage, and apply it to the angels and the heavenly powers and to human souls, and as implying that Christ by his blood joined together things in earth and things in heaven which before were at variance, who brought back the sheep which had grown sickly upon the mountains to be with the rest, and put back the last piece of money among those which had before been safe.\u201d\nThere is no chapter numbered 37.\n455:2889\nComm. on Eph. i. 22.\n455:2890 455:2891 455:2892 455:2893 455:2894 455:2895 455:2896\nWorkmanship Eng. Ver. Eph. ii. 10\n455:2897\nWith us Ps. cxix. 73\n455:2898 455:2899\nThat is, the old Latin Version, then commonly used, or Vulgata. It was superseded by Jerome\u2019s Version, which in its turn became the Vulgate.\n455:2900\nCol. i. 20, slightly altered.","title":"Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Ser. II, Vol. III: Life a...","type":"page"}