31. He cleansed the temple of those who made
merchandise of God, and trafficked in the things of Christ, imitating
Christ S. John ii. 15. in this also; only
it was with persuasive words, not with a twisted scourge that this was
wrought. He reconciled also those who were at variance, both with
one another and with him, without the aid of any coadjutor. Those
who had been wronged he set free from oppression, making no distinction
as to whether they were of his own or of the opposite party. He
restored too the teaching which had been overthrown: the Trinity
was once more boldly spoken of, and set upon the lampstand, flashing
with the brilliant light of the One Godhead into the souls of
all. He legislated again for the whole world, and brought all
minds under his influence, by letters to some, by invitations to
others, instructing some, who visited him uninvited, and proposing as
the single law to all—Good will. τὸ
βούλεσθαι, lit.
“to will”—i.e. be willing to listen to, and
understand the interests for which others were contending, in a
conciliatory spirit—for the sake of truth, not of victory. For this alone was able to conduct
them to the true issue. In brief, he exemplified the virtues of
two celebrated stones—for to those who assailed him he was
adamant, and to those at variance a magnet, which by some secret
natural power draws iron to itself, and influences the hardest of
substances.