約伯倫理 第 1353 章

17. 'The divinity in the flesh, like a hook in the bait, transfixed Satan.' For Leviathan is called 'their addition.' Whose, indeed, but men's? On whom he once inflicted the guilt of transgression, and extends it daily unto eternal death by his most wicked suggestions. For while he multiplies their guilt by the usury of sin, he without doubt heaps up their punishments without ceasing. Leviathan can also be called so by way of mockery. For to the first man he promised by crafty persuasion that he would add divinity, but he took away immortality (Gen. 3:5). Therefore he can be called 'the addition of men' by way of mockery, in that, while he promised to add to them what they were not, he also by deceiving withdrew what they were.

But this Leviathan was caught by the hook, because in our Redeemer, while through his satellites he bit the bait of the body, the sting of the divinity pierced him through. For like a hook it held fast the jaws of the devourer, while in Him both the bait of the flesh lay open, which the devourer would seek after, and the divinity lay hidden at the time of the passion, which would slay him. For in this abyss of waters, that is, in this vastness of the human race, this whale was borne here and there with open mouth, gaping after the death of all, devouring the life of well-nigh all; but for the death of this whale a hook was, by a marvelous disposition, suspended in this dark depth of waters. The line of this hook is that succession of the ancient fathers recorded through the Gospel. For when it is said:

'Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob' (Matt. 1:2); and when the other successors, with the name of Joseph interposed, are described down to the Virgin Mary who was betrothed, a certain line, as it were, is twisted, at the extreme end of which the incarnate Lord, that is, this hook, was tied, whom, hanging in these waters of the human race, this whale sought after with open mouth; but, having bitten Him through the savagery of his satellites, he had no longer the power of biting. Therefore, God, revealing to His faithful servant the incarnation of the Only-begotten Son, says: 'Canst thou draw out Leviathan with a hook?' (Job 40:20/41:1).

Understand: as I do, who for the death of the ravisher send the incarnate Only-begotten Son, in whom, while mortal flesh is beheld and the power of immortality is not seen, He, like a certain hook, slays the devourer from that very place whence He hides the point of the power by which He may transfix him. There follows: