Heretikes and other infidels doe persecute, when either by word or sword they impugne the truth.Behold the freewoman afflicted the handmaid, and the Apostle calleth it not persecution, the seruant playeth with the Master, and he calleth it persecution. Tract 12.This affliction is not called persecution, and that play is called persecution. Againe, he sayth of Sara, Illusionem vidit in illo lusu, animaduertit serui superbiam, displicuit illi, eiecit soras. She saw foule play in that play, she noted the seruants pride, it displeased her, she cast him forth of the dores. in 4. Gal.S. Hierom also teacheth that the spiritual neuer persecuteth the carnal: but spareth him as his rustical brother, knowing that he may in time be profitable.
CHAP. XXII.
Judith 8.
Heb. 11.The third prophecie in the Office before Masse on Easter eue. And the first on whitsun-eue.WHICH things being done, God ″ tempted Abraham, and said to him: Abraham, Abraham. But he answered: Here I am. 2He said to him: [1] Take thy only begotten sonne, whom thou louest, Isaac, and goe into the Land of vision: and there thou shalt offer him for an holocaust vpon one of the mountaines which I wil shew thee. 3Therfore Abraham rising vp in the night, sadled his asse: taking with him two yong men, and Isaac his sonne: and when he had cut wood for the holocaust, he went his way to the place which God had commanded him. 4And the third day, lifting vp his eyes, he saw the place a farre off: 5and he said to his yong men: Tarie you heer with the asse: I and the boy going with speed as farre as yonder, after we haue adored wil returne to you. 6He tooke also the wood of the holocaust, and laid it vpon Isaac his sonne: and himselfe caried in his hand fire and a sword. And as they went on together, 7Isaac said to his father: My father. And he answered: What wilt thou sonne? Behold, saith he, fire & wood; where is the victime of the holocaust? 8And Abraham said: God wil prouide vnto himselfe the victime of the holocaust, my sonne. They went on therfore together: 9and they came to the place which God had shewed him, wherin he builded an altar, and laid the wood in order vpon it: and when he had bound Isaac his sonne, he laid him on the altar vpon the pile of wood. 10And he stretched forth his hand, and caught the sword, for to sacrifice his sonne. 11And behold an Angel of our Lord from heauen cried, saying: Abraham, Abraham. Who answered: Here I am. 12And he said to him: Stretch not forth thy hand vpon the boy, neither doe thou any thing to him: now haue I knowen that thou fearest God, and hast not spared thine onlie begotten sonne for my sake. 13Abraham lifted vp his eyes, and saw behind his backe a ramme amongst the briers sticking fast by the hornes, which he tooke
- ↑ This historie is cleere, and a most notorious example of perfect obedience.
