23. We know then for certain that the Lord
was to be born of a Virgin, but we have to shew of what family the
Virgin was. The Lord sware in truth unto David, and will not
set it aside. Of the fruit of body will I set upon thy
throne Ps. cxxxii. 11.: and
again, seed will I establish for ever, and his throne as the days of
heaven Ib. lxxxix.
22.. And
afterwards, Once have I sworn by My holiness that I will not lie unto
David. His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun
before Me, and as the moon established for ever vv.
35–37.. Thou seest that the discourse is of
Christ, not of Solomon. For Solomon’s throne endured not as
the sun. But if any deny this, because Christ sat not on
David’s throne of wood, we will bring forward that saying, The
Scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat Matt. xxiii. 2.: for it signifies not his wooden seat,
but the authority of his teaching. In like manner then I would
have you seek for David’s throne not the throne of wood, but the
kingdom itself. Take, too, as my witnesses the children who cried
aloud,Hosanna to the Son of David Ib. xxi.
9.,
blessed is the King of Israel John xii. 13.. And the
blind men also say, Son of David, have mercy on us Matt. xx. 30.. Gabriel too testifies plainly to
Mary, saying, And the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His
father David Luke i. 32.. Paul also
saith, Remember Jesus Christ raised from the dead, of the seed of
David, according to my Gospel 2 Tim. ii. 8.: and in
the beginning of the Epistle to the Romans he saith, Which was made
of the seed of David according to the flesh Rom. i. 3.. Receive thou therefore Him that was
born of David, believing the prophecy which saith, And in that day
there shall be a root of Jesse, and He that shall rise to rule over the
Gentiles: in Him shall the Gentiles trust Is. xi. 10; Rom. xv. 12..