Chapter 9 of 48

4sign Thau upon the foreheads. Most of the Hebrew Rabbins, as also the Septuagint, likewise Aquila, and Symmachus translate THAU according to the signification of the Hebrew word, a sign: as if it were commanded only in general to set one sign or other, not any determinate certain sign or mark, on the foreheads of the men that mourn, and lament upon the abominations, that are done in Jerusalem. But as well some other Hebrew Rabbins, with the Chaldee Paraphrasis, as also Theodotion, and in manner all other ancient Latin Interpreters, whom S. Jerome followeth, translate as in the vulgate Edition, Signa Thau super frontes virorum gementium, &c. Sign Thau upon the foreheads of the men that mourn, &c. That is, mark their foreheads with THAU, the last Hebrew letter: which in the old Hebrew characters, used even to S. Jerome's time by the Samaritans, hath the similitude and form of a Cross. So expressing a particular determinate sign; as when the Angel slew the first-born of Egypt, the Israelites' houses were distinctly marked with blood, sprinkled on the posts of their doors: mystically signifying our B. Saviour's most sacred blood to be shed for Redemption of mankind: so also this letter THAU bearing the form of a Cross, formed in the foreheads of the mourners, signified the Cross, whereon Christ our Lord should die, and redeem us from sin. Which sign, as it was then prefigurative, and prophetical; so now it is representative, and commemorative of our Redemption made by our B. Saviour, on the holy Cross. That we may truly glory in Christ, and that with our great Apostle S. Paul, in CHRIST CRUCIFIED. With great reason therefore hath the whole Church of Christ singularly esteemed, and continually used this holy Sign of the Cross in all Divine Mysteries, and godly works, even from the Apostles' time. Witnesses hereof are the ancient Fathers: S. Dionyse Areopagite, Eccles. Hierarch. c. 2. reciting the sign of the Cross amongst other sacred Rites in administration of Baptism: who also c. 5. & 6. maketh like mention of the same sign in making Priests, and professing of Religious persons. Likewise S. Irenæus. li. 2. c. 42. describeth the form of the Cross. S. Justinus Martyr, Dialogo cum Tryphone, sheweth divers figures in the old Testament of the Cross. Tertullian, Adversus Marcionem, testifieth that the Apostles, and all the faithful of Christ were signed in their foreheads with the sign of THAU, the last of the Hebrew letters, bearing the form of a Cross: the same (saith he) with the Greek letter, TAU, and our Latin T. Who further both in that place, and li. de corona militis, & li. de resurrect. carnis, testifieth the most frequent use of this holy sign of the Cross. After him S. Cyprian witnesseth the same in his time, Epist. ad Tybaritanos. li. ad Demetrianum, & li. 1. ca. 8. Testimoniorum advers. Judæos. More especially, li. 2. c. 21. proveth by this place amongst other holy Scriptures, that in this sign of the Cross, is health to all that are signed therewith in the foreheads. S. Chrysostom. li. cont. Gentiles, Amongst other demonstrations, sheweth by the honour, and daily use of the Cross, that Christ is God; because none but God could make a thing, which before was so execrable, to be now every where so highly esteemed. And in his Homilies. 55. in Mat. 16. & 84. in Joan. 19. and other places, witnesseth that in Baptism, in the most holy Eucharist, in the Sacrament of holy Orders, and in all most excellent Mysteries, the Ensign of Victory, the sign of the Cross is ever present unto us: in all his discourse teaching, to glory not only in Christ crucified, but also to honour the sign of the Cross. And that whosoever despiseth the sign of the Cross, despiseth indeed Christ Crucified. To omit others, S. Augustine recordeth, li. 1. Confess. c. 11. that himself when he was a child, and dangerously sick, was by his mother's pious care, signed with the sign of the Cross: and li. de catechizandis rudibus. c. 20. teacheth that every one is to be signed in the forehead with the sign of the Cross, and that all Christians are so signed. Also Tract. 118. in Joan. What is the sign of Christ (saith he) which all know, but the Cross of Christ? Which sign unless it be adjoined, as well to the foreheads of them that believe in Christ, as to the water itself wherewith they are regenerate, and to the chrism oil, wherewith they are anointed, as also to the Sacrifice, wherewith they are nourished; none of these things is rightly performed. Or will you have him to speak more plainly, or more generally? Ser. 101. de tempore: With the sign of the Cross (saith he) our Lord's body is consecrated, and all things, whatsoever are sanctified, are consecrated with the invocation of Christ's name in this sign. Who pleaseth to see more testimonies of ancient Fathers, may also read S. Basil, li. de spiritu sancto. S. Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechesi. 4. & 13. S. Ambrose, Orat. funebri de obitu Theodosij. S. Gregory. Epist. 126. The apparition also of this sign to Constantine the great, with this inscription: IN HOC VINCES, is most famous; written by Eusebius Cæsariensis li. 1. c. 22: & 23. de vita Constantini, and many others. The same sign also appeared in Jerusalem in the time of his son Constantius, as S. Cyril of Jerusalem testifieth in his Epistle to the same Emperor. And Nicephorus. li. 10. c. 2. Hist. Eccles writeth that the forms of Crosses, fell with the dew upon the garments of Julian the Apostata, and of his followers. And many other histories, both ancient and modern make mention of the like apparitions. But above all others, the most principal is to come: The Sign of the Son of man; as our B. Saviour himself foretelleth, which shall appear in the heaven at his coming to judge the whole world: his most proper Ensign the Cross; by which he conquered the devil, sin, death, and all enemies of God and men. So all ancient Fathers undoubtedly understand his prediction. Mat. 24. Then will this sign appear to the great confusion of all unsigned miscreants, with other wicked enemies of the Cross, and Crucifix. For then shall all the world, both men, and Angels see, what infinite charity, our most blessed Redeemer hath used for man's salvation; and how justly those that either do not believe, or not regard his so unspeakable mercy, shall be adjudged to everlasting damnation in the pit and fire of hell. And on the other side, all those that are rightly signed in their foreheads, and have accordingly performed that, which in Baptism they promised, shall meet this saving Ensign, with incomparable comfort, joy, and gladness; who coming clothed in white robes, with palms of victory in their hands, shall then receive glorious crowns in eternal life.signe Thau vpon the foreheades. Most of the Hebrew Rabbins, as also the Septuagint, likewise Aquila, and Symmachus translate THAV according to the signification of the Hebrew word, a signe: as if it were commanded only in general to sette one signe or other, not anie determinate certaine signe or marke, on the foreheades of the men that mourne, and lament vpon the abominations, that are done in Ierusalem. But aswel some other Hebrew Rabbins, with the Chaldee Paraphrasis, as also Theodotion, and in maner al other ancient Latin Interpreters, whom S. Ierom foloweth, translate as in the vulgate Edition, Signa Thau super frontes virorū gementium, &c. Signe Thau vpon the foreheades of the men that mourne, &c. That is, marke their foreheades with THAV, the last Hebrew letter: which in the old Hebrew characters, vsed euen to S. Ieroms time by the Samaritanes, hath the similitude and forme of a Crosse. So expressing a particular determinat signe; as when the Angel slew the firstborne of Ægypt, the Israelits houses were distinctly marked with bloud, sprinkled on the postes of their dores: mystically signifying our B. Sauiours most sacred bloud to be shed for Redemption of mankind: so also this letter THAV bearing the forme of a Crosse, formed in the foreheades of the mourners, signified the Crosse, wheron Christ our Lord should dye, and redeme vs from sinne. Which signe, as it was then prefiguratiue, and prophetical; so now it is representatiue, and commemoratiue of our Redemption made by our B. Sauiour, on the holie Crosse. That we may truly glorie in Christ, and that with our great Apostle S. Paul, in CHRIST CRVCIFIED. Vvith great reason therfore hath the whole Church of Christ singularly esteemed, and continually vsed this holie Signe of the Crosse in al Diuine Mysteries, and godlie workes, euen from the Apostles time. Vvitnesses hereof are the ancient Fathers: S. Dionyse Ariopagite, Eccles. Hierarch. c. 2. reciting the signe of the Crosse amongst other sacred Rites in administration of Baptisme: who also c. 5. & 6. maketh like mention of the same signe in making Priestes, & professing of Religious persons. Likewise S. Irenæus. li. 2. c. 42. describeth the forme of the Crosse. S. Iustinus Martyr, Dialogo cum Tryphone, sheweth diuers figures in the old Testament of the Crosse. Tertullian, Aduersus Marcionem, testifieth that the Apostles, and al the faithful of Christ were signed in their foreheades with the signe of THAV, the last of the Hebrew letters, bearing the forme of a Crosse: the same (saith he) with the Greke letter, TAV, and our Latin T. Vvho further both in that place, and li. de corona militis, & li. de resurrect. carnis, testifieth the most frequent vse of this holie signe of the Crosse. After him S. Cyprian witnesseth the same in his time, Epist. ad Tybaritanos. li. ad Demetrianum, & li. 1. ca. 8. Testimoniorum aduers. Iudæos. More especially, li. 2. c. 21. proueth by this place amongst other holie Scriptures, that in this signe of the Crosse, is health to al that are signed therwith in the foreheades. S. Chrysostom. li. cont. Gentiles, Amongst other demonstrations, sheweth by the honour, and daylie vse of the Crosse, that Christ is God; because none but God could make a thing, which before was so execrable, to be now euery where so highly esteemed. And in his Homilies. 55. in Mat. 16. & 84. in Ioan. 19. and other places, witnesseth that in Baptisme, in the most holie Eucharist, in the Sacrament of holie Orders, & in al most excellent Mysteries, the Ensigne of Victorie, the signe of the Crosse is euer present vnto vs: in al his discourse teaching, to glorie not only in Christ crucified, but also to honour the signe of the Crosse. And that who soeuer despiseth the signe of the Crosse, despiseth in deede Christ Crucified. To omitte others, S. Augustin recordeth, li. 1. Confess. c. 11. that himself when he was a childe, and dangerously sicke, was by his mothers pious care, signed with the signe of the Crosse: & li. de catechizandis rudibus. c. 20. teacheth that euerie one is to be signed in the forehead with the signe of the Crosse, and that al Christians are so signed. Also Tract. 118. in Ioan. Vvhat is the signe of Christ (saith he) which al know, but the Crosse of Christ? Which signe vnles it be adioyned, as wel to the foreheades of them that beleue in Christ, as to the water it selfe wherewith they are regenerate, and to the chrisme oyle, wherewith they are anointed, as also to the Sacrifice, wherewith they are nourished; none of these thinges is rightly performed. Or wil you haue him to speake more plainly, or more generally? Ser. 101. de tempore: Vvith the signe of the Crosse (saith he) our Lords bodie is consecrated, & al thinges, whatsoeuer are sanctified, are consecrated with the inuocation of Christs name in this signe. Vvho pleaseth to see more testimonies of ancient Fathers, may also reade S. Basil, li. de spiritu sancto. S. Cyril of Ierusalem, Catechesi. 4. & 13. S. Ambrose, Orat. funebri de obitu Theodosij. S. Gregorie. Epist. 126. The apparition also of this signe to Constantin the great, with this inscription: IN HOC VINCES, is most famous; written by Eusebius Cæsariensis li. 1. c. 22: & 23. de vita Constantini, and manie others. The same signe also appeared in Ierusalem in the time of his sonne Constantius, as S. Cyril of Ierusalem testifieth in his Epistle to the same Emperour. And Nicephorus. li. 10. c. 2. Hist. Eccles writeth that the formes of Crosses, fel with the dew vpon the garments of Iulian the Apostata, and of his folowers. And manie other histories, both ancient and moderne make mention of the like apparitions. But aboue al others, the most principal is to come: The Signe of the Sonne of man; as our B. Sauiour himself fortelleth, which shal appeare in the heauen at his coming to iudge the whole world: his most proper Ensigne the Crosse; by which he conquered the diuel, sinne, death, and al enimies of God and men. So al ancient Fathers vndoubtedly vnderstand his prediction. Mat. 24. Then wil this signe appeare to the great confusion of al vnsigned miscreants, with other wicked enimies of the Crosse, and Crucifix. For then shal al the world, both men, and Angels see, what infinite charitie, our most blessed Redeemer hath vsed for mans saluation; and how iustly those that either doe not beleue, or not regard his so vnspeakable mercie, shal be adiudged to euerlasting damnation in the pitte and fire of hel. And on the other side, al those that are rightly signed in their foreheades, and haue accordingly performed that, which in Baptisme they promised, shal mete this sauing Ensigne, with incomparable comforth, ioy, and gladnes; who coming clothed in white robes, with palmes of victorie in their handes, shal then receiue glorious crownes in eternal life.