Gregory Nazianzen the Theologian On His Father's Silence, Because of the Plague of Hail (Oration XVI), Complete

Translated by Ch. Browne and J. Swallow.

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16 Pages

Page 16

20. Join with us, thou divine and sacred person, in considering these questions, with the store of experience, that source of wisdom, which thou hast gathered in thy long life. Herewith instruct thy people. Teach them to break their bread to the hungry, to gather together the poor that have no shelter, to cover their nakedness and not neglect those of the same blood, [3177] and now especially that we may gain a benefit from our need instead of from abundance, a result which pleases God more than plentiful offerings and large gifts. After this, nay before it, show thyself, I pray, a Moses, [3178] or Phinehas [3179] to-day. Stand on our behalf and make atonement, and let the plague be stayed, either by the spiritual sacrifice, [3180] or by prayer and reasonable intercession. [3181] Restrain the anger of the Lord by thy mediation: avert any succeeding blows of the scourge. He knoweth to respect the hoar hairs of a father interceding for his children. Intreat for our past wickedness: be our surety for the future. Present a people purified by suffering and fear. Beg for bodily sustenance, but beg rather for the angels' food that cometh down from heaven. So doing, thou wilt make God to be our God, wilt conciliate heaven, wilt restore the former and latter rain: [3182] the Lord shall show loving-kindness [3183] and our land shall yield her fruit; [3184] our earthly land its fruit which lasts for the day, and our frame, which is but dust, the fruit which is eternal, which we shall store up in the heavenly winepresses by thy hands, who presentest both us and ours in Christ Jesus our Lord, to whom be glory for evermore. Amen.

[3177] Isai. lviii. 7.

[3178] Exod. xxxii. 11.

[3179] Ps. cvi. 23, 30.

[3180] 1 Pet. ii. 5.

[3181] Rom. xii. 1.

[3182] Joel ii. 23.

[3183] Ps. lxxxv. 13.

[3184] Ib. lxvii. 6.



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