3. Such has been the philosophy of few, both
nowadays and of old—for few are the men of God, though all are
His handiwork,—among lawgivers, generals, priests, Prophets,
Evangelists, Apostles, shepherds, teachers, and all the spiritual host
and band—and, among them all, of him whom now we praise.
And whom do I mean by these? Men like Enoch, Noah, Abraham,
Isaac, Jacob, the twelve Patriarchs, Moses, Aaron, Joshua, the Judges,
Samuel, David, to some extent Solomon, Elijah, Elisha, the Prophets
before the captivity, those after the captivity, and, though last in
order, first in truth, those who were concerned with Christ’s
Incarnation or taking of our nature, the lamp S. John i. 23; v. 35.
before the Light, the voice before the Word, the mediator before the
Mediator, the mediator between the old covenant and the new, the famous
John, the disciples of Christ, those after Christ, who were set over
the people, or illustrious in word, or conspicuous for miracles, or
made perfect through their blood.