the Cross, but in the flesh. There was the meanness,2686 which the Jews despised; there the
dearness,2687 by which the Jews were delivered. For for them was it said, “Father, forgive
them, for they know not what they do.”2688 And that voice was not in vain. He died, was
buried, rose again, having passed forty days with His disciples, He ascended into heaven,
He sent the Holy Ghost on them, who waited for the promise. They were filled with the
Holy Ghost, whom they had received, and began to speak with the tongues of all nations.
Then the Jews who were present, amazed that unlearned and ignorant men, whom they had
known as brought up among them with one tongue, should in the Name of Christ speak in
all tongues, were in astonishment, and learnt from Peter’s words whence this gift came. He
gave it, who hung upon the tree. He gave it, who was derided as He hung upon the tree, that
from His seat in heaven He might give the Holy Spirit. They of whom He had said, “Father,
forgive them, for they know not what they do,” heard, believed. They believed, were baptized,
and their conversion was effected. What conversion? In faith they drank the Blood of Christ,
which in fury they had shed.
6. Therefore, to finish this discourse with that with which we began it, let us pray, and
let us rely on God; let us live as He enjoineth; and when we totter in this life, let us call upon
Him as the disciples called, saying, “Lord, increase our faith.”2689 Peter both put his trust
in Him, and tottered; but notwithstanding he was not disregarded and left to sink, but was
lifted up and raised. For his trust whence was it? Not from anything of his own; but from
what was the Lord’s. How? “Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water.” For
on the water was the Lord walking. “If it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water.”
For I know that if it be Thou, Thou biddest, and it is done. “And He saith, Come.” He went
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down at His bidding, but in his own weakness he was afraid. Nevertheless when he was
afraid, he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Then the Lord took him by the hand, and said, “O
thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”2690 He first invited him, He delivered him,
as he tottered, and stumbled; that it might be fulfilled which was said in the Psalm, “If I said
my foot hath slipped, Thy mercy, O Lord, aided me.”2691
7. There are then two kinds of blessings, temporal and eternal. Temporal blessings are
health, substance, honour, friends, a home, children, a wife, and the other things of this life
in which we are sojourners. Put we up then in the hostelry of this life as travellers passing
on, and not as owners intending to remain. But eternal blessings are, first, eternal life itself,
2686 Vilitas.
2687 Caritas.
2688 Luke xxiii. 34.
2689 Luke xvii. 5.
2690 Matt. xiv. 28, etc.
2691 Ps. xciv. 18.
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On the words of the Gospel, Matt. xvii. 19, ‘Why could not we cast it out’?…