Sermons on Selected Lessons of the New Testament

[LXVIII. Ben.]

Again on the words of the Gospel, Matthew 11:25 , “I thank you, O Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth,” etc.

1. We have heard the Son of God saying, “I confess to You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth.” What does he confess to Him? Wherein does he praise Him? “Because You have hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.” Who are the “wise and prudent”? Who the “babes”? What has He hid from the wise and prudent, and revealed unto babes? By the “wise and prudent,” He signifies those of whom St. Paul speaks; “Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?” Yet perhaps you still ask who they are. They are they perhaps who in their much disputation concerning God, have spoken falsely of Him; who, puffed up by their own doctrines, could in no wise find out and know God, and who for the God whose substance is incomprehensible and invisible, have thought the air and sky to be God, or the sun to be God, or anything which holds high place among the creatures to be God. For observing the grandeur and beauty and powers of the creatures, they rested in them, and found not the Creator.