[Footnote 442: I Kings viii, 2, 6, 7.]
[Footnote 443: The Venice edition of 1609 reads Apostoli here.]
[Footnote 444: I Kings, viii.]
25. But the relics of saints are enclosed in a case together with three grains of frankincense, because we ought to retain in our recollection the examples of the saints, together with faith in the Trinity, that is, in the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. For we ought to believe one God, one faith, one baptism, because 'the just liveth by faith,' [Footnote 445] without which, as the Apostle hath said, 'It is impossible to please God.' [Footnote 446] There is placed upon and fitted to the sepulchre itself a certain board fortified by the sign of the cross made with chrism. [Footnote 447] For by chrism is understood the gift of the Holy Spirit, with which this board, that is charity, is anointed; because our heart is fortified by the grace of the Holy Spirit to observance of the heavenly mysteries. The board therefore fortified by this sign is placed over the relics, because by the example of the saints is inflamed charity, 'which covereth a multitude of sins,' [Footnote 448] just as also the board covereth the relics. Whence saith the Apostle, 'The love of God is spread abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us.' [Footnote 449] But this slab or stone containeth, or is called, the seal of the sepulchre; as saith Pope Alexander III.
[Footnote 445: Romans i, 17.]
[Footnote 446: Hebrews xi 6.]
[Footnote 447: See above, section 4, note 7.]
[Footnote 448: I S. Peter iv, 8.]
[Footnote 449: Romans v, 5.]
After this, however, the stone, which is called the table of the altar, is fitted to the top of the altar; by which we may understand the perfection and solidity of the knowledge of God; and it ought to be of stone, not because of the hardness, but the solidity of faith. Just as the Lord said unto Peter, 'Thou art Peter, and upon this rock'—that is, upon this firmness of faith—'I will build My Church.' [Footnote 450]
[Footnote 450: S Matthew xvi, 18.]
26. For as this table is the completion and finishing of the altar, so is the knowledge of God the confirmation and perfection of all good gifts. Whence in the book of Wisdom it is said unto the Lord, 'For to know Thee is perfect wisdom, and to know Thy justice and Thy virtue is the root of immortality.' [Footnote 451] The Lord saith by Jeremiah, 'Let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me.' [Footnote 452]
[Footnote 451: Wisdom xv, 3.]
[Footnote 452: Jeremiah ix, 24.]
27. Or, again, by this stone itself is understood Christ, of Whom the Apostle saith, 'Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner-stone.' [Footnote 453] By the stone indeed the humanity of Christ is denoted. Concerning which we read in Daniel that a stone was cut out of the rock without hands—because Christ was born of the Blessed Virgin (who for the excellency of her virtues is called a Mountain), without human agency—and, becoming a huge mountain, filled the whole earth. Concerning which it is said also by the Psalmist, 'The stone which the builders refused hath become the head stone of the corner:' [Footnote 454] since Christ—Whom the builders, that is the Jews, refused, saying, 'We will not have this man to reign over us' [Footnote 455] —hath been made the head of the corner. Because as saith the Apostle, 'God hath exalted Him, and given Him,' [Footnote 456] etc. Or else by this stone, which ought to be great and wide, charity is understood, as was stated before; since the command of charity is wide, extending even unto our enemies; according to that precept of our Lord, 'Love your enemies.' [Footnote 457]
[Footnote 453: Ephesians ii, 20.]
[Footnote 454: Psalm cxviii (Confitemini Domino), 22.]
[Footnote 455: S. Luke xix, 14.]
[Footnote 456: Philippians ii. 10.]
[Footnote 457: S. Matthew v, 44.]