Chapter VIII.—Examples of a Similar Kind from the New.

We produce, too, our remaining (evidences).  For we now hasten to modern proofs.  On the threshold of the Gospel,57    See Luke ii. 36–38.  See de Monog., c. viii. Anna the prophetess, daughter of Phanuel, “who both recognised the infant Lord, and preached many things about Him to such as were expecting the redemption of Israel,” after the pre-eminent distinction of long-continued and single-husbanded widowhood, is additionally graced with the testimony of “fastings” also; pointing out, as she does, what the duties are which should characterize attendants of the Church, and (pointing out, too, the fact) that Christ is understood by none more than by the once married and often fasting.

By and by the Lord Himself consecrated His own baptism (and, in His own, that of all) by fasts;58    Matt. iv. 12; Luke iv. 1, 2; comp. de Bapt., c. xx. having (the power) to make “loaves out of stones,”59    See Matt. iv. 3; Luke iv. 3. say, to make Jordan flow with wine perchance, if He had been such a “glutton and toper.”60    See c. ii.  Nay, rather, by the virtue of contemning food He was initiating “the new man” into “a severe handling” of “the old,”61    Comp. Eph. iv. 22, 23; and, for the meaning of sugillationem (“severe handling”), comp. 1 Cor. ix. 27, where St. Paul’s word ὑπωπιάζω (="I smite under the eye,” Eng. ver. “I keep under”) is perhaps exactly equivalent in meaning. that He might show that (new man) to the devil, again seeking to tempt him by means of food, (to be) too strong for the whole power of hunger.

Thereafter He prescribed to fasts a law—that they are to be performed “without sadness:”62    Matt. vi. 16–18.  for why should what is salutary be sad?  He taught likewise that fasts are to be the weapons for battling with the more direful demons:63    See Matt. xvii. 21; Mark ix. 29.  for what wonder if the same operation is the instrument of the iniquitous spirit’s egress as of the Holy Spirit’s ingress?  Finally, granting that upon the centurion Cornelius, even before baptism, the honourable gift of the Holy Spirit, together with the gift of prophecy besides, had hastened to descend, we see that his fasts had been heard,64    See Acts x. 44–46, 1–4, 30. I think, moreover, that the apostle too, in the Second of Corinthians, among his labours, and perils, and hardships, after “hunger and thirst,” enumerates “fasts” also “very many.”65    2 Cor. xi. 27.

CAPUT VIII.

Reddimus et caetera , ad nova enim nunc documenta properamus: in limine Evangelii (Luc. II, 37), 0963C Anna prophetis filia Phanuelis, quae infantem Dominum et agnovit, et multa super eo praedicavit exspectantibus redemptionem Israelis, post egregium titulum veteris univirae viduitatis, jejuniorum quoque testimonio augetur, ostendens in quibus officiis assideri Ecclesiae debeat, et a nullis magis intelligi Christum, quam semel nuptis, saepe jejunis. Ipse mox Dominus baptisma suum, et in suo omnium, jejuniis dedicavit, habens efficere panes ex lapidibus, etiam Jordanem vino fortasse manare, si ita vorator et potator fuisset. Imo novum hominem in veteris suggillationem virtute fastidiendi cibi initiabat. ut eum diabolo rursus 0964A per escam tentare quaerenti, fortiorem fame tota ostentaret. Praestituit exinde jejuniis legem sine tristitia transigendis. Cur enim triste quod salutare? Docuit etiam adversus diriora daemonia jejuniis praeliandum. Quid enim mirum, si eadem operatione spiritus iniquus educitur, qua sanctus inducitur? Denique, ut in centurionem Cornelium, necdum tinctum, dignatio Spiritus sancti cum charismate insuper prophetiae festinasset, jejunia ejus legimus exaudita. Puto autem, et Apostolus in secunda Corinthiorum inter labores suos et pericula et incommoda post famem ac sitim, jejunia quoque plurima enumerat (II Cor. XI, 27).