The City of God, Volume IIAugustine, of Hippo, Saint
ReligionChristian
The City of God, Volume II
Augustine, of Hippo, Saint
Apologetics -- Early works to 1800; Kingdom of God -- Early works to 1800
might be men pertaining to the spiritual Jerusalem who have lived
according to God and have pleased Him. And it is not to be supposed
that this was granted to any one, unless the one Mediator between God
and men, the Man Christ Jesus,[589] was divinely revealed to him; who
was pre-announced to the saints of old as yet to come in the flesh,
even as He is announced to us as having come, that the selfsame faith
through Him may lead all to God who are predestinated to be the city of
God, the house of God, and the temple of God. But whatever prophecies
concerning the grace of God through Christ Jesus are quoted, they
may be thought to have been forged by the Christians. So that there
is nothing of more weight for confuting all sorts of aliens, if they
contend about this matter, and for supporting our friends, if they are
truly wise, than to quote those divine predictions about Christ which
are written in the books of the Jews, who have been torn from their
native abode and dispersed over the whole world in order to bear this
testimony, so that the Church of Christ has everywhere increased.
48. _That Haggai's prophecy, in which he said that the glory of
the house of God would be greater than that of the first had
been,_[590] _was really fulfilled, not in the rebuilding of the
temple, but in the Church of Christ._
This house of God is more glorious than that first one which was
constructed of wood and stone, metals, and other precious things.
Therefore the prophecy of Haggai was not fulfilled in the rebuilding
of that temple. For it can never be shown to have had so much glory
after it was rebuilt as it had in the time of Solomon; yea, rather,
the glory of that house is shown to have been diminished, first by the
ceasing of prophecy, and then by the nation itself suffering so great
calamities, even to the final destruction made by the Romans, as the
things above-mentioned prove. But this house which pertains to the new
testament is just as much more glorious as the living stones, even
believing, renewed men, of which it is constructed are better. But it
was typified by the rebuilding of that temple for this reason, because
the very renovation of that edifice typifies in the prophetic oracle
another testament which is called the new. When, therefore, God said
by the prophet just named, "And I will give peace in this place,"[591]
He is to be understood who is typified by that typical place; for since
by that rebuilt place is typified the Church which was to be built by
Christ, nothing else can be accepted as the meaning of the saying, "I
will give peace in this place," except I will give peace in the place
which that place signifies. For all typical things seem in some way to
personate those whom they typify, as it is said by the apostle, "That
Rock was Christ."[592] Therefore the glory of this new testament house
is greater than the glory of the old testament house; and it will show
itself as greater when it shall be dedicated.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account