64. Listen to the teaching of the Apostle
and see in it a faith instructed not by the understanding of the flesh
but by the gift of the Spirit. The Greeks seek after wisdom,
he says, and the Jews ask for a sign; but we preach Christ crucified,
to the Jews a stumbling block, and unto Gentiles foolishness; but unto
them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ Jesus, the power of
God, God 1 Cor. i. 23, 24.. Is Christ
divided here so that Jesus the crucified is one, and Christ, the power
and wisdom of God, another? This is to the Jews a stumbling-block
and unto the Gentiles foolishness; but to us Christ Jesus is the power
of God, and the wisdom of God: wisdom, however, not known of the world, nor
understood by a secular philosophy. Hear the same blessed Apostle
when he declares that it has not been understood, We speak the
wisdom of God, which hath been hidden in a mystery, which God
foreordained before the world for our glory: which none of the
rulers of this world has known: for had they known it, they would
not have crucified the Lord of Glory 1 Cor. ii. 7, 8.. Does not the Apostle know that this
wisdom of God is hidden in a mystery, and cannot be known of the rulers
of this world? Does he divide Christ into a Lord of Glory and a
crucified Jesus? Nay, rather, he contradicts this most foolish
and impious idea with the words, For I determined to know nothing
among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified Ib.
2..