st. john of damascus (676-749 - Cristo Raul

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COMMENTARIES ON HOLY SCRIPTURE.
l6>I
has entirely effaced the traces of division into books ;
while in a kind of postscript to the preface (p. 1044),
it is stated that extracts from Philo and Josephus
will be found among the illustrations. Indeed, in the
long list of authors quoted, we may find the names of
most of the classical writers of Greece. The circum
stance of the author s first
design having been so
greatly changed, may be taken as a testimony to
the
practical usefulness of the work. Its fate has simply
been that of any manual, or work of reference, which
has passed through many editions.
For the sake of completeness, a few extracts are
here given as an illustration of the mode of treatment
employed. It would be superfluous to pursue the
subject to any length, because, as the passages cited
are taken from other authors, they do not affect our
estimate of Damascene, otherwise than as they may
make us think more or less highly of his skill and
judgment in the selection. A few subjects have been
taken, almost at random, and a portion only of the
parallel passages given.
ON THE SAINTS OF GOD.
Ps. xciv., I2. 1 Blessed is the man whom Thou
chastenest, O Lord, and teachest him in Thy law.
1
The passages from Scripture are taken in regular order in
the Sacra Parallela." The earliest quoted under this head is
Levit. xxvi. 2, which I have passed over, owing to the render
ing of the English version making it :
inappropriate Yc shall
reverence my sanctuary (instead of my saints}. This is a
difficulty that often arises. Thus in Ps. Ixviii. 35, holy places
is again our rendering for the saints of the Septuagint and
Vulgate. In Jerem. xxxi. 12, for the soul of the saints shall
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