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.For this reason he named the swine, as much as to say, Thoushalt not join thyself to men who resemble swine. For when they live inpleasure, they forget their Lord; but when they come to want, theyacknowledge the Lord.And [in like manner] the swine, when it has eaten,does not recognize its master; but when hungry it cries out, and onreceiving food is quiet again. Neither shalt thou eat, says he the eagle,nor the hawk, nor the kite, nor the raven. Thou shalt not join thyself, he means, to such men as know not how to procure food for themselvesby labor and sweat, but seize on that of others in their iniquity, andalthough wearing an aspect of simplicity, are on the watch to plunderothers. So these birds, while they sit idle, inquire how they may devourthe flesh of others, proving themselves pests [to all] by their wickedness. And thou shalt not eat, he says, the lamprey, or the polypus, or thecuttlefish. He means, Thou shalt not join thyself or be like to such menas are ungodly to the end, and are condemned to death. In like manner asthose fishes, above accursed, float in the deep, not swimming [on thesurface] like the rest, but make their abode in the mud which lies at thebottom.Moreover, Thou shalt not, he says, eat the hare. Wherefore? Thou shalt not be a corrupter of boys, nor like unto such. Because thehare multiplies, year by year, the places of its conception; for as manyyears as it lives so many it has.Moreover, Thou shalt not eat the hyena. He means, Thou shalt not be an adulterer, nor a corrupter, nor be like tothem that are such. Wherefore? Because that animal annually changes itssex, and is at one time male, and at another female.Moreover, he hasrightly detested the weasel.For he means, Thou shalt not be like to thosewhom we hear of as committing wickedness with the mouth, on account of 267their uncleanness; nor shalt thou be joined to those impure women whocommit iniquity with the mouth.For this animal conceives by the mouth. Moses then issued three doctrines concerning meats with a spiritualsignificance; but they received them according to fleshly desire, as if he hadmerely spoken of [literal] meats.David, however, comprehends theknowledge of the three doctrines, and speaks in like manner: Blessed isthe man who hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, even as thefishes [referred to] go in darkness to the depths [of the sea]; and hath notstood in the way of sinners, even as those who profess to fear the Lord,but go astray like swine; and hath not sat in the seat of scorners, even asthose birds that lie in wait for prey.Take a full and firm grasp of thisspiritual knowledge.But Moses says still further, Ye shall eat everyanimal that is cloven-footed and ruminant. What does he mean? [Theruminant animal denotes him] who, on receiving food, recognizes Him thatnourishes him, and being satisfied by Him, is visibly made glad.Well spake[Moses], having respect to the commandment.What, then, does he mean?That we ought to join ourselves to those that fear the Lord, those whomeditate in their heart on the commandment which they have received,those who both utter the judgments of the Lord and observe them, thosewho know that meditation is a work of gladness, and who ruminate uponthe word of the Lord.But what means the cloven-footed? That therighteous man also walks in this world, yet looks forward to the holy state[to come].Behold how well Moses legislated.But how was it possible forthem to understand or comprehend these things? We then, rightlyunderstanding his commandments, explain them as the Lord intended.Forthis purpose He circumcised our ears and our hearts, that we mightunderstand these things.CHAPTER 11BAPTISM AND THE CROSS PREFIGUREDIN THE OLD TESTAMENTLet us further inquire whether the Lord took any care to foreshadow thewater [of baptism] and the cross.Concerning the water, indeed, it iswritten, in reference to the Israelites, that they should not receive that 268baptism which leads to the remission of sins, but should procure anotherfor themselves.The prophet therefore declares, Be astonished, O heaven,and let the earth tremble at this, because this people hath committed twogreat evils: they have forsaken Me, a living fountain, and have hewn outfor themselves broken cisterns.Is my holy hill Zion a desolate rock? Forye shall be as the fledglings of a bird, which fly away when the nest isremoved. And again saith the prophet, I will go before thee and makelevel the mountains, and will break the brazen gates, and bruise in piecesthe iron bars; and I will give thee the secret hidden, invisible treasures, thatthey may know that I am the Lord God. And He shall dwell in a loftycave of the strong rock. Furthermore, what saith He in reference to theSon? His water is sure; ye shall see the King in His glory, and your soulshall meditate on the fear of the Lord. And again He saith in anotherprophet, The man who doeth these things shall be like a tree planted bythe courses of waters, which shall yield its fruit in due season; and his leafshall not fade, and all that he doeth shall prosper.Not so are the ungodly,not so, but even as chaff, which the wind sweeps away from the face ofthe earth.Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in judgment, nor sinners inthe counsel of the just; for the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous, butthe way of the ungodly shall perish. Mark how He has described at onceboth the water and the cross.For these words imply, Blessed are theywho, placing their trust in the cross, have gone down into the water; for,says He, they shall receive their reward in due time: then He declares, Iwill recompense them.But now He saith, Their leaves shall not fade. This meaneth, that every word which proceedeth out of your mouth infaith and love shall tend to bring conversion and hope to many.Again,another prophet saith, And the land of Jacob shall be extolled aboveevery land. This meaneth the vessel of His Spirit, which He shall glorify.Further, what says He? And there was a river flowing on the right, andfrom it arose beautiful trees; and whosoever shall eat of them shall live forever. This meaneth, that we indeed descend into the water full of sins anddefilement, but come up, bearing fruit in our heart, having the fear [of God]and trust in Jesus in our spirit. And whosoever shall eat of these shall livefor ever, This meaneth: Whosoever, He declares, shall hear thee speaking,and believe, shall live for ever
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