S. CHRYSOSTOM, G.C.-I wish to speak openly, (of the mysteries) but I dare not, on account of those who are not initiated. These persons render explanation more difficult for us, by obliging us either to speak in obscure terms, or to unveil the things which are secret; yet, I shall endeavour, as far as possible, to explain myself in disguised terms."[1] Hom. xl. in 1 Cor. T. x. p. 451. Paris. 1636.
S. GAUDENTIUS, L. C.-Speaking to the Neophytes, on their return from baptism, he says, “ In the lesson, which you have just heard from Exodus, I shall choose such parts, as cannot be explained in the presence of Catechumens, but which it is necessary to disclose to Neophytes.”—“The splendid night of Easter,” he says, “requires him to conform less to the order of the text, than to the wants of the occasion; so that the Neophytes may learn the established rule for eating the Paschal sacrifice, and the faithful, who are instructed, may recognise it.” Tract. v. in Exod. Bibl. PP. T. v. p. 946.
CENT. IV.
S. AMBROSE, L. C.-" Every mystery should remain concealed, and covered by faithful silence, lest it should be rashly divulged to profane ears.” De Abraham. L. 1.c v. T. 1, p. 110. Coloniæ, 1616.—“The time admonishes us to treat of the mysteries, and to explain the meaning of the sacraments. If before your baptism and initiation we had thought of speaking to you on these subjects, we should have appeared rather to betray, than explain them.” De Mystr. T. iv. c. i. p. 162. Ibid.
- ↑ "Is there any one,” says the Protestant Casaubon, so much a stranger to the reading of the Fathers, as to be ignorant of the usual form of expression which they adopt, when speaking of the Sacraments, the initiated know what I mean? It occurs, at least, fifty times in the writings of Chrysostom alone, and as often in those of Augustin.”
