19. Death was struck with dismay on
beholding a new visitant descend into Hades, not bound by the chains of
that place. Wherefore, O porters of Hades, were ye scared at
sight of Him? What was the unwonted fear that possessed
you? Death fled, and his flight betrayed his cowardice. The
holy prophets ran unto Him, and Moses the Lawgiver, and Abraham, and
Isaac, and Jacob; David also, and Samuel, and Esaias, and John the
Baptist, who bore witness when he asked, Art Thou He that should
come, or look we for another Ib. xi.
3.? All the
Just were ransomed, whom death had swallowed; for it behoved the King
whom they had proclaimed, to become the redeemer of His noble
heralds. Then each of the Just said, O death, where is thy
victory? O grave, where is thy sting 1 Cor. xv. 55. On the opinion that the
Patriarchs, Prophets, and Righteous men were redeemed by Christ in
Hades, compare Irenæus (Hær. I. xxvii. § 3; IV.
xxvii. §2), Clem. Alex. (Stromat. vi. c. 6), Origen
(In Genes. Hom. xv. § 5).? For the Conqueror hath redeemed
us.