then, upon a stone? Far from it. But [the language is used] inasmuch as He laid his flesh [as a foundation] with power; for He says, "And He placed me as a firm rock."[1] And the prophet says again, "The stone which the builders rejected, the same has become the head of the corner."[2] And again he says, "This is the great and wonderful day which the Lord hath made."[3] I write the more simply unto you, that ye may understand. I am the offscouring of your love.[4] What, then, again says the prophet? "The assembly of the wicked surrounded me; they encompassed me as bees do a honeycomb,"[5] and "upon my garment they cast lots."[6] Since, therefore, He was about to be manifested and to suffer in the flesh. His suffering was foreshown. For the prophet speaks against Israel, "Woe to their soul, because they have counselled an evil counsel against themselves,[7] saying. Let us bind the just one, because he is displeasing to us."[8] And Moses also says to them,[9] "Behold these things, saith the Lord God: Enter into the good land which the Lord sware [to give] to Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and inherit ye it, a land flowing with milk and honey."[10] What, then, says Knowledge?[11] Learn: "Trust," she says, "in Him who is to be manifested to you in the flesh—that is, Jesus." For man is earth in a suffering state, for the formation of Adam was from the face of the earth. What, then, meaneth this: "into the good land, a land flowing with milk and honey?" Blessed be our Lord, who has placed in us wisdom and understanding of secret things. For the prophet says, "Who shall understand the parable of the Lord, except him who is
- ↑ Isa. l. 7.
- ↑ Ps. cxviii. 22.
- ↑ Ps. cxviii. 24.
- ↑ Comp. 1 Cor. iv. 13. The meaning is, "My love to you is so great, that I am ready to be or to do all things for you."
- ↑ Ps. xxii. 17, cxviii. 12.
- ↑ Ps. xxii. 19.
- ↑ Isa. iii. 9.
- ↑ Wisd. ii. 12. This apocryphal book is thus quoted as Scripture, and intertwined with it.
- ↑ Cod. Sin. reads, "What says the other prophet Moses unto them?"
- ↑ Ex. xxxiii. 1; Lev. xx. 24.
- ↑ The original word is "Gnosis," the knowledge peculiar to advanced Christians, by which they understand the mysteries of Scripture.
