Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 1.djvu/201

Rh But because you have exhibited so much ingratitude, you shall not receive the inheritance designed for you. It shall be given to your brother." And so it was done. (5)

My beloved, by this father, we are to understand our heavenly Father: by the two sons, the angelic and human nature. The human nature was united with a harlot,—that is, with humanity, when it ate the fatal apple, contrary to the Divine injunction. Wherefore, it was banished by the heavenly Father. The son of the harlot, is mankind, which had perished in its perverseness, but for the paternal regard. And it is described as sickly, because being the fruit of sin, it is placed in a valley of tears. As in Gen. iii.—"By the sweat of thy brow shalt thou eat bread." But he, by the passion of Christ is reconciled to God the Father, and fully established by the good offices and prayers of holy men, who daily pour forth their petitions to heaven, for all the world. So the Psalmist, "They ask that which they