"going forth out of that fountain, by perpetual renewal of its heavenly washing, they keep their state of unsullied purity, and unceasing happiness." Compare Jude 6, and Matthew iii. 16. … See also Damiani, in our Preface, p. 1.
Vv. 37–39. There is a great variety in the reading of the first of these lines. That of all the editions, except those of Leyden and Paris, scarcely gives any sense,—quid nescire nequeunt. By reading qui, and taking the three lines together, we elicit that "those who know Him who knoweth all things, and, therefore, are ignorant themselves of nothing, who read the secrets of each other's hearts, have the same will, and are perfectly unanimous always." Our disagreement is owing to our ignorance; if we knew more, there would be less difference of opinion; if we knew all things, there would be none at all. 1 Cor. iv. 5. V. 40. All editions have mertium. The Paris MS. præmium, which makes the sense clearer. The passage beautifully reconciles the idea of diversity of rewards with that of equal happiness for all.
V. 43. The fathers in general understand, and Matt. xxiv. 28, and Luke xvii. 37, of the gathering of the faithful to the Lord's coming. So Chrysostom, Homil. in M. LXXVI.:—Λέγει δὲ καὶ ἕτερον σημεῖον· ὅπου τὸ πτῶμα, ἐκεῖ καὶ οἱ ἀετοί· τὸ πλῆθος τῶν ἀγγέλων, τῶν μαρτύρων, τῶν ἁγίων ἁπάντων δηλῶν. The notion of the Roman eagles may be the more classical, but this is infinitely more Scriptural, more beautiful, and more to the purpose of the context. Damiani, taking the text from Luke, where it is σῶμα, not πτῶμα,—body, not carcase,—understands it of the Lord's Body, to which, as to a heavenly feast, the Church should be guided, at His coming, with an instinct as unerring, and a flight as soaring and as strong as that of eagles. Exodus xix. 4. V. 53. (Tr.) Rev. xv. 3. "And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; true and just are thy ways, thou King of saints."
THE END.
R. CLAY, PRINTER, BREAD STREET HILL.
