Gregory Nazianzen the Theologian In Defence of His Flight to Pontus and His Return, After His Ordination to the Priesthood, with an Exposition of the Character of the Priestly Office (Oration II), Complete

Translated by Ch. Browne and J. Swallow.

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Page 25

55. He glories in his infirmities and distresses. He takes pleasure in the dying of Jesus, [2693] as if it were a kind of ornament. He is lofty in carnal things, [2694] he rejoices in things spiritual; he is not rude in knowledge, [2695] and claims to see in a mirror, darkly. [2696] He is bold in spirit, and buffets his body, [2697] throwing it as an antagonist. What is the lesson and instruction he would thus impress upon us? Not to be proud of earthly things, or puffed up by knowledge, or excite the flesh against the spirit. He fights for all, prays for all, is jealous for all, is kindled on behalf of all, whether without law, or under the law; a preacher of the Gentiles, [2698] a patron of the Jews. He even was exceedingly bold on behalf of his brethren according to the flesh, [2699] if I may myself be bold enough to say so, in his loving prayer that they might in his stead be brought to Christ. What magnanimity! what fervor of spirit! He imitates Christ, who became a curse for us, [2700] who took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses; [2701] or, to use more measured terms, he is ready, next to Christ, to suffer anything, even as one of the ungodly, for them, if only they be saved.

[2693] 2 Cor. iv. 10; xii. 9, 10.

[2694] Rom. v. 3; Phil. iii. 4.

[2695] 2 Cor. xi. 6.

[2696] 1 Cor. xiii. 12.

[2697] Ib. ix. 27.

[2698] 2 Tim. i. 11.

[2699] Rom. ix. 3.

[2700] Gal. iii. 13.

[2701] S. Matt. viii. 17.

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