ACC ~ John 17 v12

PROPHECY OF PSALM 109 FULFILLED

AUGUSTINE: The betrayer of Christ was called the son of perdition, as foreordained to perdition, according to the Scripture, where it is specially prophesied of him in Psalm 109. [1] TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 107.7. [2]

[1] Ps 108 Vg.

[2] NPNF 1 7:404; CCL 36:615.

JUDAS BENT ON HIS OWN DESTRUCTION

LEO THE GREAT: But O ungodliest of people, “seed of Canaan and not of Judah,” [1] and no longer “a vessel of election” but “a son of perdition” and death! You thought the devil’s instigations would profit you better so that, inflamed with the torch of greed, you were ablaze to gain thirty pieces of silver without seeing the riches you would lose. For even if you did not think the Lord’s promises were to be believed, what reason was there for preferring so small a sum of money to what you had already received? You were allowed to command the evil spirits, to heal the sick, to receive honor with the rest of the apostles. And that you might satisfy your thirst for gain, you had the opportunity to steal from the box that was in your charge. But your mind, which lusted after forbidden things, was more strongly stimulated by what was less allowed. It was not the amount of the price that pleased you so much as the enormity of the sin. And so your wicked bargain is not so detestable merely because you valued the Lord so cheaply but because you sold him who was the redeemer, yes, even yours, and yet you asked for no pity for yourself. [2] And justly was your punishment put into your own hands because none could be found more cruelly bent on your destruction than yourself. SERMON 67.4. [3]

[1] Sus 56, said by Daniel to one of the two elders; see also Acts 9:15.

[2] Redemptorem etiam tuum ne tibi parceres, vendidisti. See also Sermon 58.3, 4; Sermon 62.4.

[3] NPNF 2 12:179**; CCL 138A:410-11.

WHY GOD GRANTS PERSEVERANCE TO SOME AND NOT OTHERS IS A MYSTERY

AUGUSTINE: Here, if I am asked why God should not have given them perseverance to whom he gave that love by which they might live in a Christian way, I answer that I do not know. I am not speaking arrogantly but rather with an acknowledgment of my own small capabilities when I hear the apostle saying, “O man, who are you that makes a reply against God?” [1] … Insofar as he condescends to make his judgments known to us, let us give thanks. However, insofar as he thinks it is fitting to conceal them, let us not murmur against his counsel. Rather, let us believe that this also is the most wholesome for us. But whoever of you are in opposition to his grace and ask [concerning this question of perseverance], what do you yourself say? It is well that you do not deny yourself to be a Christian and boast of being a catholic. If, therefore, you confess that to persevere to the end in good is God’s gift, I think that equally with me you are ignorant why one person should receive this gift and another should not receive it. And in this case we are both unable to penetrate the unsearchable judgments of God. ON REBUKE AND GRACE 17. [2]

[1] Rom 9:20; he also cites Rom 11:33.

[2] PL 44:925-26; NPNF 1 5:478**.

A SON OF PROMISE DOES NOT PERISH

AUGUSTINE: When, therefore, God’s children say of those who did not have perseverance, “They went out from us, but they were not of us,” and add, “Because if they had been of us, they would assuredly have continued with us,” [1] what else are they saying than that they were not children, even when they were called and professed to be children? It is not because they simulated righteousness but because they did not continue in it. For he does not say, “If they had been of us, they would assuredly have maintained a real and not a feigned righteousness with us.” Rather, he says, “If they had been of us, they would assuredly have continued with us.” Beyond a doubt, he wanted them to continue in goodness. Therefore they were in goodness. However, because they did not remain in it—that is, they did not persevere to the end—he says, “They were not of us, even when they were with us.” In other words, they were not of the number of children even when they were in the faith as children because those who are truly children are foreknown and predestined as conformed to the image of his Son. They are called according to his purpose so as to be elected, as is evident in the fact that the son of promise does not perish, but the son of perdition does. ON REBUKE AND GRACE 20. [2]

[1] 1 Jn 2:19.

[2] PL 44:928; NPNF 1 5:480**. See also Letter 159.4.

NO COMPULSION TO STAY

CHRYSOSTOM: In another place he says, “Of all that you gave me, I will surely lose nothing.” [1] Yet not only was [Judas] lost, but also many afterward were lost too. So how then can he say, “I will not lose any?” [He means], “At least for my part, I will not lose them.” So in another place, declaring the matter more clearly, he said, “I will not reject anyone who comes to me.” [2] In other words, [Jesus is saying], it is not through any fault on my part. They will not be lost at my instigation or because I abandon them. But if they start going away on their own, I will not force them back. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 81.2. [3]

[1] Jn 6:39.

[2] Jn 6:37.

[3] NPNF 1 14:301**.

Jn