LXXIII.—That Sons are Not to Be Bewailed.

Although the death of sons leaves grief for the heart, yet it is not right either to go forth in black garments, or to bewail them.  The Lord prudently says that ye must grieve with the mind, not with outward show, which is finished in the week.  In the book of Solomon the promises of the Lord concerning the resurrection are forgotten if thou wouldest make thy sons martyrs, and thus with thy voice will bewail them.  Art thou not ashamed without restraint to lament thy sons, like the Gentiles?  Thou tearest thy face, thou beatest thy breast, thou takest off thy garments; and dost thou not fear the Lord, whose kingdom thou desirest to behold?  Mourn as it is right, but do not do wrong on their behalf.  Ye therefore are such.  What less than Gentiles are ye?  Ye do as the crowds that are descended from the diabolical stock.  Ye cry that they are extinct.  With what advantage, O false one, thou hast perished!  The father has not led his son with grief to be slain at the altar, nor has the prophet mourned over a deceased son with grief, nor even has a weeping parent.  But one devoted to God was hastily dying.

LXXIII.---FILIOS NON LUGENDOS.

Filiorum casus licet et dolium cordis relinquat, In nigris exire tamen nec plangere fas est. Lex prudenter ait, animo nec pompa, dolere, In Salomoniaco libro septimana finita. Oblita Dominum de resurrectione promissa, Si martyras feceris filios, sic voce deflebis? 0256B Non pudet infrenem gentiliter plangere natos? Os laceras, tundis pectus, vestimenta deducis, Nec metuis Dominum cujus optas regnum videre? Luge quod fas est: noli tamen errare pro illis. Vos ideo tales, quod minus quam gentes estis: Germine zabolico facitis ut turbae pronatae; Extinctos clamatis: qua gratia? false, peristi. Nec dolore duxit pater filium mactandum ad aram; Dolore nec vates filium luxit defunctum: 0257A Omnipotentis enim nec flens deducebat alumnum, Sed Deo devotus festinanter funus agebat.