Letters & Polemics (CSEL) 64 part 2/15

For many deceivers have gone forth into this world, who do not confess that Jesus Christ our Lord has come in the flesh. These are deceivers and antichrists. III. AGAIN, CONCERNING THE HOLY SPIRIT, THAT HE IS THE FELLOW-WORKER OF THE FATHER AND THE SON, AND THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT IS OF ONE SUBSTANCE AND GODHEAD WITH THE FATHER AND THE SON. In Genesis: And the Spirit of God moved over the water. (Epistle chapter 3: For many antichrists have destroyed in this world. III. AGAIN, CONCERNING THE HOLY SPIRIT, THAT HE IS THE FELLOW-WORKER OF THE FATHER AND THE SON, AND THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT IS OF ONE SUBSTANCE AND GODHEAD WITH THE SON. In Genesis chapter 1: The Spirit of God was borne, Second Epistle chapter 3:)

For many seducers have gone out into the world, down to: this is the seducer and the antichrist. III. AGAIN, CONCERNING THE HOLY SPIRIT, THAT HE IS THE FELLOW-WORKER OF THE FATHER AND THE SON, AND THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT IS OF ONE SUBSTANCE AND GODHEAD WITH THE SON. In Genesis chapter 1. Likewise in Psalm 142: Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Your good Spirit shall lead me in the right way. Likewise in Psalm 32: By the word of the Lord the heavens were established, and by the breath of his mouth all their host. Likewise in Job: The divine Spirit that made me, and the inspiration of the Almighty that teaches me. Likewise in the prophet Isaiah:

And a rod shall come forth from the root of Jesse, and a flower shall ascend from the root, and the Spirit of God shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and piety. The Spirit of the fear of God shall fill him. Likewise there: Come near to me and hear these things: I have not spoken in secret from the beginning, nor in a dark place of the earth. When they came to be, I was there. And now the Lord has sent me and his Spirit. Likewise there: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, he has sent me to heal the contrite of heart. Likewise there: And they provoked the Holy Spirit, and the Lord was turned against them into enmity. Likewise there: Where is he who put the Holy Spirit in them?

He who led Moses out of the land by the arm of his glory? Likewise in the prophet Micah: The house of Jacob provoked the Spirit of the Lord. Likewise there: Because there will be no one to obey: if I do not fill up my strength with my Holy Spirit and with judgement and with power, that I may declare to this Jacob his iniquities and to this Israel his sins. Likewise in the prophet Joel: And it shall be after these things, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh, and their sons and daughters shall prophesy. Likewise in the prophet Haggai: And my Spirit stands in the midst of you. Likewise in the prophet Zechariah — (turned into enmity, the Lord. Likewise: Where is he who put the Holy Spirit? Who led you out of the land? Likewise in Micah chapter: The house of Jacob says: Is the Spirit of the Lord shortened?)

Likewise chapter: Because there is no answer of God; yet truly I am filled with strength, down to: and to Israel its sin. Likewise in Joel chapter: And it shall be after these things, I will pour out of my Spirit, down to: your sons and your daughters. In Haggai chapter: And my Spirit shall be in the midst — the prophet: And the words which the Lord almighty sent by his Spirit into the hands of the former prophets. Likewise in the prophet Ezekiel: And the Spirit took me up and led me into the land of the Chaldeans in captivity, in a vision of the Spirit of God. Likewise there: And the Spirit of God came upon me and took me up and lifted me and set me upon my feet, and I heard him speaking to me. And he said to me:

Son of man, come, I will send you to the house of Israel, who exasperate me according to the contempt of their fathers, even to this present day. Likewise in Daniel: And when Susanna was being led to death, the Lord raised up the Holy Spirit in the younger boy, whose name — (chapter: The Lord raised up the Holy Spirit in the younger boy whose name was Daniel. Likewise into Chaldea, down to: in the vision in the Spirit of God. Likewise there, chapter: And the Spirit entered into me after he had spoken to me, down to: my covenant, unto this day. In the vision of Daniel, 11: And while Susanna was being led to death, the Lord raised up the Holy Spirit of the younger boy. Likewise in the vision 5: was Daniel. Likewise there:)

For there is a man in your kingdom, in whom is the Holy Spirit of God. Likewise in the Gospel according to Matthew: And when Jesus had been baptized, he went up straightway from the water: and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit descending like a dove and coming upon him. Likewise there: When therefore they deliver you up, do not be anxious about what you shall speak: for it will be given you in that hour what you shall speak: for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. Likewise there: But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then surely the kingdom of God has come near. Likewise there: Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy — (Likewise chapter 12:)

Every sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven, down to: nor shall it be forgiven to men: but whoever blasphemes against the Spirit shall not be forgiven him. For whoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whoever shall speak against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this age nor in the age to come. Likewise according to John: Jesus answered Nicodemus and said to him: Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one be born again of water and the Holy Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven. For that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit, for God is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you: you must be born again.

The Spirit blows where it wills, and you hear its voice, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes. So is everyone who is born of water and the Spirit. Likewise there: If you love me, keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate, that he may be with you for ever, the Spirit of truth. Likewise there: These things I have spoken to you while remaining with you. But the advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things whatsoever I have said. Likewise there: When the comforter comes, whom I will send to you from my Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness of me: and you also will bear witness of me, because you have been with me from the beginning. Likewise there:

But because I have spoken these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. But I tell you the truth: it is expedient for you that I go away. For if I do not go, the advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. Likewise there: I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he himself will expound to you all truth. For he will not speak of himself, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will announce to you the things to come. He will glorify me, because he will receive of what is mine and will announce it to you. All things whatsoever my Father has are mine. Therefore I said that he will receive of what is mine and will announce it to you. Likewise according to Luke: But Mary said to the angel:

How shall this be, since I have not known a man? The angel answered and said to her: The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore also the holy one who is born of you shall be called the Son of God. Likewise there: Go now, teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Likewise to the Romans: For the love of God is poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Likewise there: But you are not in the flesh, but in the spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not his. The body indeed is dead because of sin, but the spirit is life because of justification.

And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in us, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies, because of his Spirit that dwells in you. Likewise there: For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God. Likewise there: For I would not dare to say anything of what Christ has not accomplished through me for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed and by his power, by signs and by the power of the Holy Spirit. Likewise to the Corinthians, First Epistle: For God has revealed it to us through his Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the things of a man, which are in him, except the spirit that is in him? So also the things that are in God no one has known except the Spirit of God:

But we have not received the spirit of this world, but the Spirit that is from God, that we may know the things that have been given to us by God. Which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but taught by the Spirit, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not perceive the things that are of the Spirit of God: for it is foolishness to him, and he cannot know it, because it is spiritually examined. But he who is spiritual examines all things, and he himself is judged by no one. Likewise there: Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking in the Spirit of God says anathema to Jesus: and no one can say Christ the Lord Jesus except in the Holy Spirit. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

And there are diversities of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of workings, but it is the same Lord who works all in all. But to each one of us is given the manifestation of the Spirit for profit. To one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom: to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit. To another faith in the same Spirit: to another the graces of healings in the one Spirit. To another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discerning of spirits, to another kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But all these one and the same Spirit works, distributing to each one as he wills. Likewise to the Corinthians, Second Epistle: For the Lord is the Spirit. And where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. Likewise to the Philippians:

For I know that this will turn out to my salvation through your prayer and the supply of the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ. Likewise to the Galatians: 'Because you are sons of God, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying: Abba, Father.' Likewise John in his First Epistle: 'It is the Spirit that bears witness, for the Spirit is truth.' Likewise there: 'There are three who bear witness in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Spirit; and these three are one.' Likewise in the Acts of the Apostles: 'You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart, you have always resisted the Holy Spirit.' Likewise there: 'The Holy Spirit said to me that I should go with them.' Likewise there: 'And the Holy Spirit said to me: Behold, men are seeking you.'

'but rise, go down, and go with them, doubting nothing, for I have sent them.' Likewise there: 'The Holy Spirit said: Set apart for me Barnabas and Paul for the work to which I have called them.' Likewise there: 'For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us.' Likewise there: 'They were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word of God at all in Asia.' 'The Spirit said to me: Behold, men are seeking me.' Likewise chapter thirty-five: 'The Holy Spirit said: Set apart for me Paul.' Likewise chapter forty-one: 'For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us.' Likewise chapter forty-three: 'They were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word of God at all in Asia.' Likewise there:

'Take heed therefore to yourselves and to the whole flock, over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you to be bishops, to feed the Church of Jesus Christ.' Likewise there: 'Thus says the Holy Spirit: The man whose belt this is, so shall the Jews bind him in Jerusalem.' IV. ON THE LOVE OF THE LORD. In Deuteronomy: 'Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words, whatsoever I command you this day, shall be in your heart and in your soul; and you shall show them to your sons, and shall speak of them sitting in your house, and when you go on a journey by the way, and in resting and in waking; and you shall bind them as a sign upon your hand.'

'And they shall be as things moving before your eyes; and you shall write them upon the doorposts of your house and on your gates.' Likewise there: 'And when you have eaten...' Likewise chapter fifty-five: 'Take heed to yourselves and to the whole flock, over which the Holy Spirit has set you as bishops.' Likewise chapter fifty-seven: 'Thus says the Holy Spirit: The man whose belt this is.' IV. ON THE LOVE OF THE LORD. In Deuteronomy chapter five: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord your God is one God,' down to 'and you shall write them on the doorpost and doors of your house.' Likewise in the same chapter: '...and when you have eaten and are satisfied, take heed to yourself that you do not forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall fear the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve, and to him shall you cleave, and by his name shall you swear.' Likewise there:

'You shall keep the precepts of the Lord your God, his testimonies and the ordinances which he has commanded you; and you shall do what is good and pleasing before the Lord your God, that it may be well with you.' Likewise there: 'And you shall keep in mind all the way by which the Lord your God has led you in the desert, that he might try you in all things and test you, and that your heart might be made known, whether you would truly keep his commandments or not. And therefore you experienced all these hardships: you hungered, and he gave you manna for food, which your fathers had not known, that he might make known to you that man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God man lives. Your garments are not worn out; your feet are not calloused; behold, these forty years.'

'And you shall know in your heart that, as a man teaches his son, so the Lord your God has instructed you. And you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God, to walk in his ways and to fear him.' Likewise there: 'And now, Israel, what else does the Lord your God require of you, but that you fear the Lord your God, and walk in all his ways, and love him, and serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul; to keep the precepts of the Lord your God and his ordinances, which I command you this day, that it may be well with you?' Likewise in Psalm ninety-six: 'You who love the Lord, hate evil.' Likewise in the Gospel according to John: 'If you love me, keep my commandments.' V. ON CONVERSION AND CONTEMPT OF THE WORLD. In Genesis, the Lord to Abraham:

'Go out from your land and from your kindred and from your father's house, and go into the land which I will show you; and I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you, and I will magnify your name, and you shall be blessed; and I will bless him who blesses you, and I will curse him who curses you.' [Likewise in Psalm forty-four: 'Hear, O daughter, and see, and incline your ear, and forget your people and your father's house, for the King has desired your beauty, for he is the Lord your God.'] Likewise there, to Lot, after they had cast them out, they said: 'Save, save your life, and do not look back, nor stay in all this region, but go into the mountain, and there you shall be saved.' Likewise in Numbers:

'In their land you shall possess nothing, and there shall be no portion for you among them, for I am your portion and your inheritance.' (Chapter eleven: 'And the Lord said to you.') Likewise in Deuteronomy: 'He who says to father and mother: I do not know you, and does not acknowledge his brothers, and does not recognize his sons, he has kept your words and will observe your covenant.' Likewise in Third Kings: 'And Elijah found Elisha the son of Shaphat, and he was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him. And when he came to him, he cast his mantle over him and covered him. And Elisha, leaving his oxen, ran after Elijah and said: I will kiss my father, and I will follow you. And Elijah said: Go and return, for I have done to you what was in my power. And he returned after him.'

'And he loosed the oxen from their yokes and slew them, and boiled them with the vessels, and gave to the people, and they ate. And he arose and went after Elijah, and ministered to him.' Likewise in Psalm six: 'For in death there is no one who is mindful of you; and in hell who shall confess to you?' Likewise in Psalm seven. (Chapter: 'Who say to mother or father,' down to 'and will observe your covenant.' In the book of Third Kings, chapter forty-eight: 'Setting out therefore from there, he found Elisha,' down to 'and ministered to him.' In Psalm six: 'For in death there is no one.' In seven.) Chapter eighty-five: 'Setting out therefore from there, he found Elisha,' down to 'and ministered to him.' In Psalm six: 'For in death there is no one.' In seven: 'Unless you turn back, he will brandish his sword,'

'he has bent his bow and made it ready; and upon it he has prepared the instruments of death.' Likewise in Psalm twenty-four: 'Make known your ways to me, O Lord, and teach me your paths.' Likewise in Psalm thirty-one: 'Do not become like the horse and the mule, which have no understanding: with bit and bridle bind fast the jaws of those who do not draw near to you.' Likewise in Psalm thirty-three: 'Draw near to the Lord and be enlightened, and your faces shall not be ashamed. Taste and see that the Lord is sweet: blessed is the man who hopes in him!' Likewise in the same psalm: 'Come, children, hear me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Who is the man who desires life and longs to see good days? Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips that they speak no guile.'

'Turn away from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears toward their prayers. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.' Likewise in Psalm thirty-six: 'Do not be envious among the malicious, nor be jealous of those who do iniquity: for like hay they shall quickly wither, and like the green herbs of the field they shall quickly fall. Hope in the Lord and do good, and dwell in the land, and you shall be fed in its riches. Delight in the Lord, and he will give you the petition of your heart. Reveal your way to the Lord and hope in him, and he himself will act. And he will bring forth your righteousness like the light, and your judgment like the noonday: be subject to the Lord and entreat him.'

'Do not be envious of him who prospers in his way, of the man who does iniquity. Do not be jealous so as to do evil, for those who do iniquity shall be exterminated, but those who wait upon the Lord shall possess the land. Yet a little while, and the sinner shall be no more; and you shall seek his place and shall not find it. But the meek shall possess the land and shall delight in abundance of peace. By the Lord the steps of a man are directed, and he shall greatly desire his way. Turn away from evil and do good, and dwell forever and ever. Guard innocence and behold equity, for there is a remnant for the man of peace.' Likewise in Psalm forty-five: 'Be still and see that I am the Lord.' Likewise in Psalm ninety-four: 'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.'

Likewise in Psalm one hundred and eighteen: 'By what does a young man correct his way? By keeping your words.' Likewise in Ecclesiasticus: 'Do not delay to turn to the Lord, and do not put it off from day to day: for his wrath comes suddenly, and in the time of vengeance he will destroy you.' Likewise there: 'God from the beginning established man and left him in the hand of his own counsel. He added his commandments and precepts, if you are willing to keep the commandments and to keep faith pleasing to him. He set before you water and fire: stretch out your hand to whichever you will. Before man are life and death, good and evil: whatever pleases him shall be given to him. He has commanded no one to act impiously, and has given no one licence to sin. For he does not desire a multitude of unfaithful and useless children.' Likewise there:

'Turn to the Lord and forsake your sins, and hate exceedingly what is abominable. Know the ordinances and judgments of the Lord. Stand firm in the lot appointed to you and in the prayer of the Most High. Go into the portion of the holy age with the righteous and with those who give confession. Do not linger in the error of the impious. From the dead, as from one who is not, confession ceases: while living and in health you shall confess and praise the Lord, and you shall glory in his mercies. How great is the mercy of the Lord, and his propitiation to those who turn to him!' Likewise there: 'Flee from sins as from the face of a serpent.'

'If you draw near to them, they will seize you like the teeth of a lion, killing in devouring as with a two-edged sword; the avenger of iniquities, of whose stroke there is no remedy.' Likewise in the prophet Isaiah: 'Seek the Lord: and as soon as you find him, call upon him. But immediately, when he draws near to you, let the impious forsake his ways, and the man of iniquity his counsels: and let them turn to the Lord, and they shall obtain mercy, for he will greatly forgive your sins.' Likewise there: 'When you begin to cry out, I will draw you forth from your distress.' Likewise there: 'When, being converted, you groan, then shall you be saved, and shall know where you were.' Likewise in the prophet Jeremiah: 'Stand in the ways of the Lord and see, and ask for the eternal paths of the Lord:

and see which is the good way, and walk in it, and you shall find sanctification for your souls.' Likewise there: 'Amend your ways and your devices: do not trust in yourselves in false words, for they will altogether profit you nothing.' Likewise there: 'Let us search out our ways, and let us turn to the Lord: let us cleanse our hearts with our hands, and let us look to the Lord, who dwells in the heavens.' Likewise in the prophet Micah: 'It has been declared to you, O man, what is good: or what else does the Lord require of you, but that you do equity,' (our ways, down to 'and let us look to the Lord who dwells in the heavens.' In Micah, chapter...):

'It has been declared to you, O man,' down to 'that you should walk with the Lord and love mercy, and be ready to walk with the Lord your God?' Likewise in the prophet Zephaniah: 'Come together and be gathered, O undisciplined people, before you become like a passing flower, before the day of the wrath of the Lord comes upon you. Seek the Lord, all you humble of the earth, work equity, and seek righteousness, and answer to it, that you may be protected in the day of the wrath of the Lord.' Likewise in Job: 'For if, being converted, you humble yourself before him and put away all injustice far from your way, then the Almighty shall be your helper and shall free you from your enemies, and shall restore you clean from all iniquity, and shall receive you as silver tried by fire:

and you shall have confidence before him, looking up to heaven with cheerfulness. And when you pray to him he will hear you with gladness, and will grant you to pay your vows, and in your ways there shall be splendor.' Likewise in Tobit: 'Turn therefore, you sinners, and do righteousness before him. For who knows whether he may will you, that he may show mercy to you?' Likewise in the prophet Ezekiel: 'And you, son of man, I have set you as a watchman for the house of Israel. And you shall hear the word from my mouth, that you may say to the sinner: You shall surely die.'

'And if you have not spoken to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require from your hand. But you, if you forewarn the impious of his way, that he turn from the way, and he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his impiety, but you have delivered your soul.' Likewise in the Gospel according to Matthew: 'And as Jesus was passing along by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting nets into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them: Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men. And immediately, leaving their nets, they followed him.' Likewise there: 'And therefore I say to you:

do not be anxious in your soul about what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor for your body about what you shall put on; for the soul is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Look at the birds of the air, which neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much better than they?' Likewise there: 'And which of you can add one cubit to his stature? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they do not labor nor spin, and yet they are not naked. But I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these.'

'But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is cast into the oven, how much more you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying: What shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or what shall we wear? For all these things the Gentiles seek. But your Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be given to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow: for tomorrow will be anxious for itself: sufficient for the day is its own evil.' Likewise there: 'Enter by the narrow gate: for wide and spacious is the way that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For narrow and strait is the way that leads to life, and few are those who find it.'

Likewise there: 'Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon you and learn, for I am meek and humble of heart, and you shall find rest for your souls: for my yoke is pleasant and my burden is light.' Likewise there: 'Then Peter answered and said to him: Behold, we have left all things and followed you; what then shall we have? And Jesus said to them: Amen I say to you, that you who have followed me, in the regeneration, when the Son of Man shall sit on the throne of his glory, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.'