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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Page 8

10. What are we to do now, my brethren, when crushed, cast down, and drunken but not with strong drink nor with wine, [3105] which excites and obfuscates but for a while, but with the blow which the Lord has inflicted upon us, Who says, And thou, O heart, be stirred and shaken, [3106] and gives to the despisers the spirit of sorrow and deep sleep to drink: [3107] to whom He also says, See, ye despisers, behold, and wonder and perish? [3108] How shall we bear His convictions; or what reply shall we make, when He reproaches us not only with the multitude of the benefits for which we have continued ungrateful, but also with His chastisements, and reckons up the remedies with which we have refused to be healed? Calling us His children [3109] indeed, but unworthy children, and His sons, but strange sons [3110] who have stumbled from lameness out of their paths, in the trackless and rough ground. How and by what means could I have instructed you, and I have not done so? By gentler measures? I have applied them. I passed by the blood drunk in Egypt from the wells and rivers and all reservoirs of water [3111] in the first plague: I passed over the next scourges, the frogs, lice, and flies. I began with the flocks and the cattle and the sheep, the fifth plague, and, sparing as yet the rational creatures, I struck the animals. You made light of the stroke, and treated me with less reason and attention than the beasts who were struck. I withheld from you the rain; one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered, [3112] and ye said "We will brave it." [3113] I brought the hail upon you, chastising you with the opposite kind of blow, I uprooted your vineyards and shrubberies, and crops, but I failed to shatter your wickedness.

[3105] Isai. xxix. 9.

[3106] Hab. ii. 16.

[3107] Ps. lx. 2, 3; Isai. xxix. 10.

[3108] Hab. i. 5; Acts xiii. 41.

[3109] Deut. xxxii. 5.

[3110] Ps. xviii. 46.

[3111] Exod. vii. 19.

[3112] Amos iv. 7.

[3113] Jer. xviii. 12 (LXX.).

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