ERRATA. Page x. note z. for Athen. read Athan. 18. for Josh. 11, 11. read Josh. 2, 11. 31. for Ps. 73, 74, 14. read Ps. 74, 14. 42. line 10. for you read thee 70, and 76. heading, for Manichism read Manicheism 192. note f, 1. 2. for defect read defeat ib. line 23. for nerve read nerves 213. for ποστάδας read παστάδας 234. heading, for Apastles read Apostles 246. line 23. after Law dele comma ib. line 24. after disbelieve insert semicolon 272. for Ps. 25, 5. read Ps. 23, 5. CATECHETICAL LECTURES OF S. CYRIL, ARCHBISHOP OF JERUSALEM. ADDRESSED TO CANDIDATES FOR BAPTISM. INTRODUCTORY LECTURE. μένοι. 1. ALREADY is there on you the savour of blessedness, O (1.) ye who are soon to be enlightened: already are you gathering préspiritual flowers, to weave heavenly crowns withal: already hath the fragrance of the Holy Ghost refreshed you: already are you at the entrance hall of the King's house: may you be brought into it by the King! For now the blossoms of the trees have budded; may but the fruit likewise be perfected! Thus far, your names have been given in, and the roll-call made for service; there are the torches of the bridal train, and the longings after heavenly citizenship, and a good purpose, and a hope attendant; for He cannot lie who hath said, To them that love God, all things work together for good. Rom. 8, God is indeed lavish in His benefits: yet He looks for each προαίρε man's honest resolve: so the Apostle subjoins, To those who n are called according to their purpose. Honesty of purpose makes thee called: for though the body be here, yet if the mind be away, it avails nothing. 28. σιν. 13. 2. Even Simon Magus once came to the Laver of Baptism, Acts 8, he was baptized, but not enlightened. His body he dipped in water, but admitted not the Spirit to illuminate his heart. 2 S. Austin considers Simon Magus demnation. Vid. in Ps. 103. i. 9. to be born again, but to a greater con B 2 Baptism is offered to all, but to the unprepared is a curse. INTROD. His body went down and came up; but his soul was not LECT. buried together with Christ, nor with Him raised. I mention (2.) such instances of falls, that thou mayest not fail; for these 1 Cor. things happened to them for ensamples, and they are written 10, 11. for the admonition of those, who up to this day are ever 15. coming. Let no one of you be found tempting grace: let no Heb. 12, root of bitterness spring up, and trouble you: let not any of you enter, saying, Come, let us see what the faithful do: I will go in and see, that I may learn what is done. Expectest thou to see, and not to be seen: and thinkest thou to busy thee with what is doing, and God not be busy with thine heart the while? Mat. 22, 12. 3. A certain man in the Gospels busily pried into the marriage feast: he took an unbecoming garment, came in, sat down, and ate; for the bridegroom permitted thus far; whereas, when he saw the white robes of all, he ought himself likewise to have taken such another; yet he shared like meats with them, being unlike them in fashion and in purpose. But the bridegroom, though bountiful, was not undiscerning; and, as he went round to each of the guests and viewed them, (not that he was careful how they feasted, but how they behaved,) seeing a stranger, not having a wedding-garment on, he said to him, Friend, how camest thou in hither? With what stained raiments? with what a conscience? What, though the porter stopped thee not, because of the bountifulness of the entertainer? what, though thou wert ignorant in what fashion thou shouldest enter into the banquet? yet thou camest in, thou didst see the glistering fashion of the guests. Shouldest thou not have learned at least from what thou sawest? Shouldest sions, thou not have made a seasonable retreat, that thou mightest according to have a seasonable return? but now hast thou turned in unseaCasausonably, that unseasonably thou mightest be thrust out. bon's So emenda- he commands his servants, Bind his feet, which have daringly intruded, bind his hands, which were not skilled to robe him in the bright garment; and cast him into the outer darkness; for he is unworthy of the wedding torches. Thou hast seen how he fared then; take heed to thyself. tion. (3.) 4. For we, the ministers of Christ, have admitted every man, and holding as it were the place of door-keepers, have left the door unfastened. Thou hast been free then to enter with a Let then If avarice Those who come lightly, must not go back, but become serious. 3 matter. σίαν. 5. Perhaps thou comest on another ground. A man may (4.) be wishing to pay court to a woman, and on that account come hither: and the same applies to women likewise: again, a slave often wishes thus to please his master, or one friend another. I avail myself of this angler's bait, and receive thee, as one who has come indeed with an unsound purpose, but art to be saved by a good hope. Thou knewest not perchance whither thou wast coming, nor what net was taking thee. Thou art within the Church's nets, submit to be taken; flee not, for Jesus would secure thee, not to make thee die, but by death to make thee live. For thou must die and rise again; thou hast heard the Apostle saying, Dead indeed to Rom. 6, sin, but alive unto righteousness. Die then to thy sins, and live to righteousness: yea, from this day forth, live. 6. Look, I beseech thee, how great dignity Jesus presents to thee. Thou wert called a Catechumen, which means, hearing with the ears, hearing hope, and not perceiving; b In some Churches this period was of thirty days; in other twenty; in the Churches of Italy it seems to have been 1 Pet. 2, 24. |