Sententia Ad Corinthios Secundae

To the Corinthians, Second. I. That the children of Israel were unable to look upon the face of Moses, on account of the glory of his countenance. II. Likewise on the same subject. III. Because while we are in the body, we are absent from the Lord, etc. IV. Because indeed God is in Christ, reconciling the world to himself. V. He heard secret words which it is not lawful for a man to speak. (From a sermon for the Feast of the Chalice. Let us see the grace of our Redeemer compared to that of Moses and far surpassing it. For to compare the new with the old a little, the latter came to this people with veiled face, the former with hidden divinity; the latter was horned with sublimity, the former gentle with humility; the latter's face was luminous with rays and beauty, the former's to be defiled with spittle and slaughter; the latter's human face a fellow slave did not merit to see, the former's divine face a leper beheld. II. (From a sermon for the sixth day of Easter. When flesh (Wis. 9:15), not yet purified by the jaws of death, burdens the mind that thinks of many things, and hinders the sight that discerns few things, yet in some deeds the dignity of future things shines through, and the splendor of immortal secrets gleams even for mortal eyes in a rare revelation. But this only for those whom only flesh, not also carnality, holds, and whom purity of heart does not pollute by worldly cohabitation. As was once granted to the law-giving prophet a heavenly colloquy; and he was granted up to a certain point some glimpse of divine glory, until something horned on his smooth brow seemed to have been produced not by harshness, but by brightness.

III. (From a sermon on the creed. We read in a certain place that while we are in the body we are absent from the Lord (1 Cor. 5:6). For whatever is handed down concerning the heavenly mysteries, however much it may rest on indubitable truth, we must believe it because we cannot see it. For in this world, for us, to know is only to believe. For with a pure heart, since they themselves [will see] God (Matt. 5:8); it does not say they see, but they will laugh. Hence he who has had faith in the present will receive contemplation in the future. IV. (From the books Against the Phantom.) The Apostle understands and defines, etc., as in the letter (col. 206a), up to he would endure by the parental bond. (From a sermon on the sixth day of Easter.) It sounded in the ears of the apostle Paul that it is not permitted for a man to speak (2 Cor. 12:4), and that he would be allowed to say it, if we deserved to hear it. For if you have not been faithful in a small matter, who will believe you in a greater one (Luke 16:12)?