Sermons on Selected Lessons of the New Testament

[CXXIX. Ben.]

On the words of the Gospel, John 5:39 , “You search the Scriptures, because ye think that in them you have eternal life,” etc. Against the Donatists.

1. Give heed, Beloved, to the lesson of the Gospel which has just sounded in our ears, while I speak a few words as God shall vouchsafe to me. The Lord Jesus was speaking to the Jews, and said to them, “Search the Scriptures, in which you think you have eternal life, they testify of me.” Then a little after He said, “I have come in My Father's Name, and you have not received Me; if another shall come in his own name, him you will receive.” Then a little after; “How can you believe, who look for glory one from another, and seek not the glory which is of God only?” At last He says, “I do not accuse you to the Father; there is one that accuses you, Moses, in whom you trust. For had ye believed Moses, you would haply believe Me also, for he wrote of Me. But seeing ye believe not his words, how can you believe Me?” At these sayings which have been set before us from divine inspiration, out of the reader's mouth, but by the Saviour's ministry, give ear to a few words, not to be estimated by their number, but to be duly weighed.