Sermon VI

regarding the theme, where it says: Under the princes, etc. Where therefore four princes have the rule in the kingdom of the conscience of the empress, Reason, namely justice, temperance, fortitude, and prudence. Justice for Herod, temperance for Pilate, fortitude for Philip, prudence for Lysanias; then the kingdom stands in peace.

Seek the sermon on the Nativity at the end. Sunday within the octave of the Nativity. Sermon six.

Luke 2:33 They were admiring the things that were being said about him. We see with our own eyes that when some things are seen and narrated that have been heard or seen more extensively, then men are accustomed to admire, according to the word of the wise man: The eye sees, the ear hears, the intellect admires. But because one cannot believe everything, according to the word of the Apostle: Do not believe every spirit. Likewise, if the persons are worthy, then one can believe them more truly. Whence the Apostle: I know and I know whom I have believed. Likewise, if these things can later be looked upon with one's own eyes and handled with hands, then they can well say that which is written: It is manifest and we cannot deny it. And these are clear in the Gospel about the boy Jesus: novelty, to narrate great things, to approve by testimony, to reveal through the Holy Spirit, and to announce those things through the prophet.

Joseph and Mary the mother of Jesus were admiring the things that were being said about him.

And Simeon blessed them. Behold, this one is set, this boy has been given, for the ruin of the evil and the unbelieving, and for the resurrection of the joy of the many believing in Israel. And he will be a sign to which all ought to be gathered. Of whom the prophet Isaiah: The Lord will lift up a sign and will gather the dispersed. And in that wood, Christ, whom the Father placed in this world to be contradicted by the evil Jews and the evil Christians. And a sword will pierce your own soul, i.e., of sorrow, so that the thoughts may be revealed from many hearts. Because many prophets were preaching that Christ would come and would suffer, which was infused into their hearts through the Holy Spirit. And these things would then be revealed and manifest. And Anna the prophetess, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, was there. She had advanced in many days, for she was elderly, and she was with her husband in marriage for eight years, her virginity having been handed over to herself, and this one was a widow up to 84 years, who did not depart from the temple, serving God day and night with fasts and prayers. And she, supervening at this very hour with Simeon, she preached as has been said above. She was speaking about him to all who were awaiting the redemption of Israel. And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee into their city, Nazareth, because they were.