01 March 2009

Patristic Quote of the Day

For since the Lord Himself, in that form of a servant by which He united Himself as Mediator to the Church, was not glorified except by the glory of His resurrection (whence it is said, The Spirit was not yet given, because Christ was not yet glorified John 7:39), how shall His Church be described as glorious, before its resurrection? He cleanses it, therefore, now by the laver of the water in the word, Ephesians 5:26 washing away its past sins, and driving off from it the dominion of wicked angels; but then by bringing all its healthy powers to perfection, He makes it meet for that glorious state, where it shall shine without a spot or wrinkle. -- St. Augustine, On Man's Perfection in Righteousness, par. 35

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