Complete Works, Vol. XX

Whatever generation followed the law of concupiscence was considered useless: because the propagation of corporeal substance was from the first institution of the human race, which was instituted from heaven in paradise: and Christ took from this, John 3:31: He that cometh from above, is above all. Gloss on the height of human nature. Others following the law of concupiscence are cast out. Genesis 21:10: Cast out this bondwoman, and her son. Wisdom 4:3: But the multitude of the wicked shall not thrive, and base slips shall not take deep root, etc. On the contrary, regarding others following the first institution, it is said, Tobit 13:20: I shall be blessed if the remains of my seed shall be to see the brightness of Jerusalem. Wisdom 4:1: O how beautiful is the chaste generation with glory! Proverbs 5:19: Let her be as a most dear hind, and a most agreeable fawn. Aristotle says that the hind, when fleeing, receives the seed: signifying those who are chaste, fleeing concupiscence in the propagation of seed: whence it was said that the man was the property of the Patriarchs. Tobit 8:9: Thou knowest that not for fleshly lust do I take my sister to wife, but only for the love of posterity, in which thy name may be blessed for ever. Christ performed a third work in the Fathers by fulfilling promises and verifying oaths. Hebrews 6:13: God promising to Abraham, etc. Ibidem, v. 17 and 18: God meaning to show more abundantly to the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed an oath: that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have the strongest comfort, who have fled for refuge, etc. Luke 1:73: The oath, which he swore to Abraham our father, etc. Ibidem, v. 55: As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever. 2 Maccabees 1:2: May God do good to you, and may he remember his covenant that he spoke to Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, his faithful servants. Psalm 109:4: The Lord hath sworn, and he will not repent, etc.

Of all which things the time, order, number, disposition, or reason, which is necessary to faith, is God Christ.

Behold the end of the Gospel. And here he touches upon three things: namely, what things are for one end, and what the end is, and what the further intention is which is attained once the end is had. For the end of the work is one thing, and the end of the intention is another: just as for a carpenter, the end of the work is the house, but the end of the intention is defense from rains and heat, which those who inhabit the house enjoy. The things that are for the end are "of all things" which are written in the Gospel, the "order," namely, of the sacraments: because generation is before the sacrament of regeneration; and after, the victory against the devil; and after, the calling of the ministers; and after, illumination through the doctrine of things to be done, to be believed, and to be desired; and after, the healing of the sick and the comforting of the weak; and then, the institution of offices; and after these, the instruction of those things that pertain to the acts of the offices: and thus one comes to redemption and glorification. 1 Corinthians 14:40: Let all things... be done according to order, namely among you. Psalm 47:14: Distribute his houses, that it may be told, etc. 3 Kings 10:4 and 5: And the queen of Saba... seeing the orders of the ministers... had no longer any spirit in her. Judges 5:20: The stars remaining in their order and course fought against Sisara.
"Number" is of those things which are placed in order. Wisdom 11:21: Thou hast ordered all things in measure, and number, and weight. Psalm 146:4: Who telleth the number of the stars, and calleth them all by their names, that is, of the shimmering sacraments.
"Disposition" refers to the quality of the sacraments contained in the Gospel: for he does not propose them raw, but disposed with proper forms and materials and rite. Psalm 88:4: I have made a covenant with my elect, etc. Wisdom...