Page:Ecclesiastical History of Eusebius Pamphilus, 1842.djvu/52

20 devoted to  the  worship  of  God— to  these,  therefore,  as  to  a  multitude  still  affected  by  former  corrupt  practices,  he  imparted, through Moses,  images  and  signs  of  a  certain  mystical  Sabbath  and circumcision, and  instructions  in  other  spiritual  principles,  but  did not yet  grant  the  privilege  of  an  immediate  initiation. But when their law  obtained  celebrity,  and  like  a  fragrant  odour  was  spread abroad among  all  men ;  and  by  means  of  this  law,  the  dispositions of men,  even  among  most  of  the  gentiles,  were  improved  by  legislators and  philosophers  every  where,  who  softened  their  wild  and savage ferocity,  so  as  to  enjoy  settled  peace,  friendship,  and  mutual intercourse;  then  it  was,  when  men  at  length  throughout  the whole world,  and  in  all  nations  had  been,  as  it  were,  previously  prepared and  fitted  for  the  reception  of  the  knowledge  of  the  Father, that he  himself  again  appeared,  the  master  of  virtue,  the  minister of the  Father  in  all  goodness ;  the  divine  and  celestial  word  of  God. He appeared  in  a  human  body,  in  substance  not  differing  from  our own nature,  at  the  commencement  of  the  Roman  empire;  performed and  suffered  such  things  as  were  to  follow,  according  to prophecy,  viz. that man  and  God,  the  author  of  miraculous  works, would dwell  in  the  world,  and  would  be  exhibited  to  all  the  nations as  the  teacher  of  that  piety  which  the  Father  will  approve. In these  prophecies,  also,  were  foretold  the  extraordinary  fact  of his  birth,  his  new  doctrine,  and  his  wonderful  works ;  as  also  the manner of  his  death,  his  resurrection  from  the  dead,  and  finally his divine  return  to  the  heavens. The prophet  Daniel,  under  the influence of  the  divine  Spirit,  foreseeing  his  kingdom  in  the  end, was inspired  thus  to  write  and  describe  his  vision,  in  adaptation  to human  capacity,  in  the  following  language:  "I  beheld,"  said  he, " until  the  thrones  were  placed ;  and  the  Ancient  of  Days  sat,  and his  garment  was  white  as  snow,  and  the  hair  of  his  head  was  as pure  wool ;  his  throne  was  a  flame  of  fire,  his  wheels  burning  fire ; a  river  of  fire  rolled  before  him;  thousand  thousands  ministered unto  him,  and  ten  thousand  thousands  stood  near  him.  He  appointed judgment,  and  the  books  were  opened." " And  next,  I  beheld," says  he,  "  and  lo !  one  coming  with  the  clouds  as  the  Son  of Man,  and  he  advanced  as  far  as  the  Ancient  of  Days,  and  he  was brought  into  his  presence.     And  to  him  was  given  the  dominion,