[373] Origenes in Joan. ix. &c. Theophylac. ibid.
[376] Bereseith Rabbæ. c. 22. Vide Menasse de Resurrect. Mort.
[377] "Parete precanti Non in Tartareo latitantem poscimus antro, Assuetamque diù tenebris; modò luce fugatâ Descendentem animam primo pallentis hiatu Hæret adhuc orci." _Lucan, Pharsal._ 16.
[378] Porphyr. de Abstin. lib. ii. art. 47.
[380] Gruter, p. lxiii. Mauric. Hist. de Metz, preface, p. 15.
[381] Homer, Odyss. sub finem. Horat. lib. i. satyr. 8. Aug. de Civit. Dei, lib. vii. c. 35. Clem. Alex. Pædag. lib. ii. c. 1. Prudent. lib. iv. contra Symmach. Tertull. de Anim. Lactantius, lib. iii.
"Proptereà jacet exanimum tibi corpus amici, Heu nescis! totamque incestat funere classem. Sedibus hunc refer ante suis et conde sepulcre."
[383] "Animamque sepulchro Condimus, et magnâ supremum voce ciemus."
[384] "Romulus ut tumulo fraternas condidit umbras, Et malè veloci justa soluta Remo."
[385] "Hæc omnis, quam cernis, inops inhumataque turba est. Centum errant annos, volitantque hæc littora circum."
[387] Stolust. lib. ii. de Bella Persico, sub fin.
[388] "Sequar atris ignibus absens; Et cum frigida mors animæ subduxerit artus, Omnibus umbra lecis adero: dubis, improbe, poenas."
[391] "Infelix simulacrum etque ipsius umbra Creüsæ Visa mihi ante oculos, et notâ major imago." _Virgil, Æneid_ I.
EXAMINATION OF WHAT IS REQUIRED OR REVEALED TO THE LIVING BY THE DEAD WHO RETURN TO EARTH.
The apparitions which are seen are those of good angels, or of demons, or the spirits of the dead, or of living persons to others still living.
Good angels usually bring only good news, and announce nothing but what is fortunate; or if they do announce any future misfortunes, it is to persuade men to prevent them, or turn them aside by repentance, or to profit by the evils which God sends them by exercising their patience, and showing submission to his orders.
Bad angels generally foretell only misfortune; wars, the effect of the wrath of God on nations; and often even they execute the evils, and direct the wars and public calamities which desolate kingdoms, provinces, cities, and families. The spectres whose appearance to Brutus, Cassius, and Julian the Apostate we have related, are only bearers of the fatal orders of the wrath of God. If they sometimes promise any prosperity to those to whom they appear, it is only for the present time, never for eternity, nor for the glory of God, nor for the eternal salvation of those to whom they speak. It only extends to a temporal fortune, always of short duration, and very often deceitful.