Note 650 — Lecture X. THE INFLUENCE OF THE MYSTERIES UPON CHRISTIAN USAGES.
Reading edition
The earlier offerings were those of Irenæus, 4. 17. 5, where he speaks of Christ “suis discipulis dans consilium, primitias Deo offerre ex suis creaturis;” and again the Church offers “primitias suorum munerum in Novo Testamento ei qui alimenta nobis præstat.” The table in the heathen temple was important; upon it were placed the offerings: Th. Homolle in Bulletin de Corresp. Hellén. 1881, p. 118. For the Eucharist itself as a mystery, cf. φρικωδεστάτη τελετὴ, Chrys. de sacerdot. 3. 4, vol. i. 382. He argues for silence on the ground that they are mysteries, de bapt. Christ. 4. ii. 375. Cf. Greg. Naz. Orat. 44, p. 713; Conc. Laod. 7, Bruns, p. 74.