Chapter XXIII.--Be Humble, and Believe that Christ Will Come Again.
The all-merciful and beneficent Father has bowels [of compassion] towards those that fear Him, and kindly and lovingly bestows His favours upon those who come to Him with a simple mind. Wherefore let us not be double-minded; neither let our soul be lifted [4109] up on account of His exceedingly great and glorious gifts. Far from us be that which is written, "Wretched are they who are of a double mind, and of a doubting heart; who say, These things we have heard even in the times of our fathers; but, behold, we have grown old, and none of them has happened unto us;" [4110] Ye foolish ones! compare yourselves to a tree; take [for instance] the vine. First of all, it sheds its leaves, [4111] then it buds, next it puts forth leaves, and then it flowers; after that comes the sour grape, and then follows the ripened fruit. Ye perceive how in a little time the fruit of a tree comes to maturity. Of a truth, soon and suddenly shall His will be accomplished, as the Scripture also bears witness, saying, "Speedily will He come, and will not tarry;" [4112] and, "The Lord shall suddenly come to His temple, even the Holy One, for whom ye look." [4113]
[4109] Or, as some render, "neither let us have any doubt of."
[4110] Some regard these words as taken from an apocryphal book, others as derived from a fusion of James i. 8 and 2 Pet. iii. 3, 4.
[4111] I. omits.
[4112] Hab. ii. 3; Heb. x. 37.
[4113] Mal. iii. 1.
Chapter XXIV.--God Continually Shows Us in Nature that There Will Be a Resurrection.
Let us consider, beloved, how the Lord continually proves to us that there shall be a future resurrection, of which He has rendered the Lord Jesus Christ [4114] the first-fruits [4115] by raising Him from the dead. Let us contemplate, beloved, the resurrection which is at all times [4116] taking place. Day and night declare to us a resurrection. The night sinks to sleep, and the day arises; the day [again] departs, and the night comes on. Let us behold [4117] the fruits [of the earth], how the sowing of grain takes place. The sower [4118] goes forth, and casts it into the ground, [4119] and the seed being thus scattered, though dry and naked when it fell upon the earth, is gradually dissolved. Then out of its dissolution the mighty power of the providence of the Lord raises it up again, and from one seed many arise and bring forth fruit.
[4114] I. omits "Christ."
[4115] Comp. 1 Cor. xv. 20; Col. i. 18.
[4116] I. kata kairon (in due season).
[4117] I. labomen (let us take).
[4118] Comp. Luke viii. 5.
[4119] I. adds hekaston ton spermaton (the seeds severally.)
Chapter XXV.--The Phoenix an Emblem of Our Resurrection.
Let us consider that wonderful sign [of the resurrection] which takes place in eastern lands, that is, in Arabia and the countries round about. There is a certain bird which is called a phoenix. This is the only one of its kind, and lives five hundred years. And when the time of its dissolution draws near that it must die, it builds itself a nest of frankincense, and myrrh, and other spices, into which, when the time is fulfilled, it enters and dies. But as the flesh decays a certain kind of worm is produced, which, being nourished by the juices of the deed bird, brings forth feathers. Then, when it has acquired strength, it takes up that nest in which are the bones of its parent, and bearing these it passes [4120] from the land of Arabia into Egypt, to the city called Heliopolis. And, in open day, flying [4121] in the sight of all men, it places them on the altar of the sun, and having done this, hastens back to its former abode. The priests then inspect the registers of the dates, and find that it has returned exactly as the five hundredth year was completed. [4122]
[4120] I. dianuei (accomplishes its journey).
[4121] I. omits epiptas (on the wing, flying).
[4122] This fable respecting the phoenix is mentioned by Herodotus (ii. 73), and by Pliny (Nat. Hist., x. 2). and is used as above by Tertullian (De Resurr., § 13), and by others of the fathers.