st. john of damascus (676-749 - Cristo Raul
st. john of damascus (676-749 - Cristo Raul
st. john of damascus (676-749 - Cristo Raul
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SERMONS. 1 1 1<br />
lutely to the encounter. Not again<strong>st</strong> men, indeed,<br />
are they drawn up in battle array, nor do they beat<br />
the air ; they bring not plough-oxen under the yoke,<br />
to cleave earth s furrows with them, nor sail over the<br />
briny sea. It is again<strong>st</strong> principalities, again<strong>st</strong> powers,<br />
again<strong>st</strong> the rulers <strong>of</strong> the darkness <strong>of</strong> this world, that<br />
they have to <strong>st</strong>rive. In being beaten they rejoice ;<br />
nakedness they count as riches. To the surging<br />
billows <strong>of</strong> the world, and to the spirits <strong>of</strong> wickedness<br />
that rouse them, they oppose the rudder <strong>of</strong> the cross.<br />
These latter they drive away in the might <strong>of</strong> the Holy<br />
Spirit, like roaring and ravening bea<strong>st</strong>s <strong>of</strong> prey while<br />
;<br />
in men s hearts, as in so many furrows, they sow the<br />
word <strong>of</strong> godliness, and reap a manifold return for the<br />
Lord <strong>of</strong> the harve<strong>st</strong> (c. xiv. ).<br />
On Peter s wish, Let us make here three tabernacles,<br />
&c., and the refusal <strong>of</strong> the it, preacher thus com<br />
ments If :<br />
ye had remained on Mount Tabor, the<br />
promise made to thee, Peter, would not have had its<br />
fulfilment. For thou would<strong>st</strong> not have been made<br />
keeper <strong>of</strong> the keys <strong>of</strong> the Kingdom ; paradise would<br />
not have been opened to the robber the<br />
; arrogant<br />
usurpation <strong>of</strong> death would not have been de<strong>st</strong>royed ;<br />
the palaces <strong>of</strong> Hades would not have been given for<br />
a prey ; patriarchs and prophets and ju<strong>st</strong> men would<br />
not have been released from the depths <strong>of</strong> hell our<br />
;<br />
nature would not have put on incorruption. If<br />
Adam had not sought to be as God before the time,<br />
he would have attained his desire. Seek not then<br />
what is<br />
good before the time, Peter. The days will<br />
come when thou wilt enjoy this vision unceasingly.<br />
Not tabernacles, but the world-wide church, did the