registers of the dates, and find that it has returned exactly as the five hundredth year was completed.[1]
Chap. xxvi.—We shall rise again, then, as the Scripture also testifies.
Do we then deem it any great and wonderful thing for the Maker of all things to raise up again those that have piously served Him in the assurance of a good faith, when even by a bird He shows us the mightiness of His power to fulfil His promise?[2] For [the Scripture] saith in a certain place, "Thou shalt raise me up, and I shall confess unto Thee;"[3] and again, "I laid me down, and slept; I awaked, because Thou art with me;"[4] and again. Job says, "Thou shalt raise up this flesh of mine, which has suffered all these things."[5]
Chap. xxvii.—In the hope of the resurrection, let us cleave to the omnipotent and omniscient God.
Having then this hope, let our souls be bound to Him who is faithful in His promises, and just in His judgments. He who has commanded us not to lie, shall much more Himself not lie; for nothing is impossible with God, except to lie.[6] Let His faith therefore be stirred up again within us, and let us consider that all things are nigh unto Him. By the word of His might[7] He established all things, and by His word He can overthrow them. "Who shall say unto Him, What hast thou done? or, Who shall resist the power of His strength?"[8] When and as He pleases He will do all things, and none of the things determined by Him shall pass away.[9]
- ↑ This fable respecting the phœnix is mentioned by Herodotus (ii. 73), and by Pliny (Nat. Hist. x. 2), and is used as above by Tertullian (De Resurr. § 13), and by others of the fathers.
- ↑ Literally, "the mightiness of His promise."
- ↑ Ps. xxviii. 7, or from some apocryphal book.
- ↑ Comp. Ps. iii. 6.
- ↑ Job xix. 25, 26.
- ↑ Comp. Tit. i. 2; Heb. vi. 18.
- ↑ Or "majesty."
- ↑ Wisd. xii. 12, xi. 22.
- ↑ Comp. Matt. xxiv. 35.
