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That it might not be supposed that a promise so strongly expressed and
confirmed was fulfilled in Solomon, as if he hoped for, yet did not
find it, he says, "But Thou hast cast off, and hast brought to
nothing, O Lord." This truly was done concerning the kingdom of
Solomon among his posterity, even to the overthrow of the earthly
Jerusalem itself, which was the seat of the kingdom, and especially
the destruction of the very temple which had been built by Solomon.
But lest on this account God should be thought to have done contrary
to His promise, immediately he adds, "Thou hast delayed Thy
Christ." Therefore he is not Solomon, nor yet David himself, if
the Christ of the Lord is delayed. For while all the kings are
called His christs, who were consecrated with that mystical chrism,
not only from king David downwards, but even from that Saul who first
was anointed king of that same people, David himself indeed calling
him the Lord's christ, yet there was one true Christ, whose figure
they bore by the prophetic unction, who, according to the opinion of
men, who thought he was to be understood as come in David or in
Solomon, was long delayed, but who, according as God had disposed,
was to come in His own time. The following part of this psalm goes on
to say what in the meantime, while He was delayed, was to become of
the kingdom of the earthly Jerusalem, where it was hoped He would
certainly reign: "Thou hast overthrown the covenant of Thy servant;
Thou hast profaned in the earth his sanctuary. Thou hast broken down
all his walls; Thou hast put his strong-holds in fear. All that
pass by the way spoil him; he is made a reproach to his neighbors.
Thou hast set up the right hand of his enemies; Thou hast made all
his enemies to rejoice. Thou hast turned aside the help of his sword,
and hast not helped him in war. Thou hast destroyed him from
cleansing; Thou hast dashed down his seat to the ground. Thou hast
shortened the days of his seat; Thou hast poured confusion over
him." All these things came upon Jerusalem the bond woman, in which
some also reigned who were children of the free woman, holding that
kingdom in temporary stewardship, but holding the kingdom of the
heavenly Jerusalem, whose children they were, in true faith, and
hoping in the true Christ. But how these things came upon that
kingdom, the history of its affairs points out if it is read.
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