Oration XXXIV. On the Arrival of the Egyptians.

 I.  I will address myself as is right to those who have come from Egypt for they have come here eagerly, having overcome illwill by zeal, from that E

 II.  For from you hath sounded forth the Word to all men healthfully believed and preached and you are the best bringers of fruit of all men, specia

 III.  Such was Joseph your Superintendent of corn measures, whom I may call ours also who by his surpassing wisdom was able both to foresee the famin

 IV.  Of these great men and doctors and soldiers of the truth and victors, you are the nurslings and offspring of these neither times nor tyrants, re

 V.  Once thou didst praise me thy Mendesian Goats, and thy Memphite Apis, a fatted and fleshy calf, and the rites of Isis, and the mutilations of Osir

 VI.  Wherefore I embrace and salute thee, O noblest of peoples and most Christian, and of warmest piety, and worthy of thy leaders for I can find not

 VII.  But, O people of God and mine, beautiful also was your yesterday’s assembly, which you held upon the sea, and pleasant, if any sight ever was, t

 VIII.  I find two highest differences in things that exist, viz.:—Rule, and Service not such as among us either tyranny has cut or poverty has severe

 IX.  This being so, if any be on the Lord’s side let him come with us, and let us adore the One Godhead in the Three not ascribing any name of humili

 X.  What must we say of the Father, Whom by common consent all who have been preoccupied with natural conceptions share, although He hath endured the

 XI.  For my part I revere also the Titles of the Word, which are so many, and so high and great, which even the demons respect.  And I revere also the

 XII.  I dare to utter something, O Trinity and may pardon be granted to my folly, for the risk is to my soul.  I too am an Image of God, of the Heave

 XIII.  To sum up my discourse:—Glorify Him with the Cherubim, who unite the Three Holies into One Lord, and so far indicate the Primal Substance as th

 XIV.  With Luke be inspired as you study the Acts of the Apostles.  Why do you range yourself with Ananias and Sapphira, those vain embezzlers (if ind

 XV.  Speak of God with Paul, who was caught up to the third Heaven, and who sometimes counts up the Three Persons, and that in varied order, not keepi

I.  I will address myself as is right to those who have come from Egypt; for they have come here eagerly, having overcome illwill by zeal, from that Egypt which is enriched by the River, raining out of the earth, and like the sea in its season,—if I too may follow in my small measure those who have so eloquently spoken of these matters; and which is also enriched by Christ my Lord, Who once was a fugitive into Egypt, and now is supplied by Egypt; the first, when He fled from Herod’s massacre of the children;1    Matt. ii. 13. and now by the love of the fathers for their children, by Christ the new Food of those who hunger after good;2    John vi. 33. the greatest alms of corn of which history speaks and men believe; the Bread which came down from heaven and giveth life to the world, that life which is indestructible and indissoluble, concerning Whom I now seem to hear the Father saying, Out of Egypt have I called My Son.3    Hos. xi. 1.

Αʹ. Τοὺς ἀπ' Αἰγύπτου προσφθέγξομαι, δίκαιον γάρ: ἐπειδὴ καὶ προθύμως συνεληλύθασι, τῷ ζήλῳ τὸν φθόνον νικήσαντες, Αἰγύπτου ταύτης, ἣν πλουτίζει μὲν ποταμὸς ἐκ γῆς ὕων, καὶ πελαγίζων ὥρια ἵνα καὶ αὐτὸς μικρόν τι μιμήσωμαι τοὺς περὶ ταῦτα κομψούς: πλουτίζει δὲ Χριστὸς ὁ ἐμὸς, πρότερον μὲν εἰς Αἴγυπτον φυγαδευόμενος, νυνὶ δὲ ἀπ' Αἰγύπτου χορηγούμενος: τότε μὲν, ἐκ τῆς Ἡρώδου παιδοφονίας, νῦν δὲ, ἐκ τῆς τῶν πατέρων φιλοτεκνίας: Χριστὸς, ἡ καινὴ τροφὴ τῶν καλῶς πεινώντων, ἡ μείζων σιτοδοσία πάσης τῆς ἱστορουμένης τε καὶ πιστευομένης: ὁ ἅρτος, ὁ ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καταβαίνων, καὶ ζωὴν διδοὺς τῷ κόσμῳ, τὴν ἀνόλεθρόν τε καὶ ἀκατάλυτον, περὶ οὗ καὶ νῦν ἀκούειν δοκῶ μοι λέγοντος τοῦ Πατρός: Ἐξ Αἰγύπτου ἐκάλεσα τὸν Υἱόν μου.