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 39

88. For my own warfare, however, I am at a loss what course to pursue, what alliance, what word of wisdom, what grace to devise, with what panoply to arm myself, against the wiles of the wicked one. [2804] What Moses is to conquer him by stretching out his hands upon the mount, [2805] in order that the cross, thus typified and prefigured, may prevail? What Joshua, as his successor, arrayed alongside the Captain of the Lord's hosts? [2806] What David, either by harping, or fighting with his sling, [2807] and girded by God with strength unto the battle, [2808] and with his fingers trained to war? [2809] What Samuel, praying [2810] and sacrificing for the people, and anointing as king one who can gain the victory? What Jeremiah, by writing lamentations for Israel, is fitly to lament these things?

89. Who will cry aloud, Spare Thy People, O Lord, and give not Thine heritage to reproach, that the nations should rule over them? [2811] What Noah, and Job, [2812] and Daniel, who are reckoned together as men of prayer, will pray for us, that we may have a slight respite from warfare, and recover ourselves, and recognize one another for a while, and no longer, instead of united Israel, be Judah [2813] and Israel, Rehoboam and Jeroboam, Jerusalem and Samaria, in turn delivered up because of our sins, and in turn lamented.

90. For I own that I am too weak for this warfare, and therefore turned my back, hiding my face in the rout, and sat solitary, [2814] because I was filled with bitterness [2815] and sought to be silent, understanding that it is an evil time, [2816] that the beloved had kicked, [2817] that we were become backsliding children, [2818] who are the luxuriant vine, [2819] the true vine, all fruitful, all beautiful, [2820] springing up splendidly with showers from on high. [2821] For the diadem of beauty, [2822] the signet of glory, [2823] the crown of magnificence [2824] has been changed for me into shame; and if anyone, in face of these things, is daring and courageous, he has my blessing on his daring and courage.

[2804] Eph. vi. 11.

[2805] Exod. xvii. 11.

[2806] Josh. v. 14.

[2807] 1 Sam. xvi. 16; xvii. 49.

[2808] Ps. xviii. 39.

[2809] Ib. cxliv. 1.

[2810] 1 Sam. vii. 5.

[2811] Joel ii. 17.

[2812] Ezek. xiv. 14, 20.

[2813] Judah, etc., cf. Orat. vi. 7; xxxii. 4.

[2814] Lam. iii. 28.

[2815] Ib. iii. 19.

[2816] Mic. ii. 3.

[2817] Deut. xxxii. 15.

[2818] Jer. iii. 14.

[2819] Hos. x. 1.

[2820] Jer. ii. 21; x. 16.

[2821] Ps. lxv. 10.

[2822] Isai. lxii. 3.

[2823] Ezek. xxviii. 12.

[2824] Ib. xxiii. 42.

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