I. I will address
myself as is right to those who have come from Egypt; for they have
come here eagerly, having overcome illwill by zeal, from that Egypt
which is enriched by the River, raining out of the earth, and like the
sea in its season,—if I too may follow in my small measure those
who have so eloquently spoken of these matters; and which is also
enriched by Christ my Lord, Who once was a fugitive into Egypt, and now
is supplied by Egypt; the first, when He fled from Herod’s
massacre of the children; Matt. ii. 13. and now by the love
of the fathers for their children, by Christ the new Food of those who
hunger after good; John vi. 33. the greatest alms
of corn of which history speaks and men believe; the Bread which came
down from heaven and giveth life to the world, that life which is
indestructible and indissoluble, concerning Whom I now seem to hear the
Father saying, Out of Egypt have I called My Son. Hos. xi. 1.