of that which constitutes individuality.  In the degree of exaltation to which he had attained, the ideal surpassed everything to such an extent that the body counted for nothing.  We are one when we love one another, when we live in dependence on each other; it was thus that he and his disciples were one.[4] His disciples adopted the same language.  Those who for years had lived with him, had seen him constantly take the bread and the cup “between his holy and venerable hands,"[5] and thus offer himself to them.  It was he whom they ate and drank; he became the true passover, the former one having been abrogated by his blood.  It is impossible to translate into our essentially determined idiom, in which a rigorous distinction between the material and the metaphorical must always be observed, habits of style the essential character of which is to attribute to metaphor, or rather to the idea it represents, a complete reality.

[Footnote 1:  Acts ii. 42, 46.]

[Footnote 2:  1 Cor. xi. 20, and following.]

[Footnote 3:  Matt. xviii. 20.]

[Footnote 4:  John xii. entirely.]

[Footnote 5:  Canon of the Greek Masses and the Latin Mass (very ancient).]

CHAPTER XIX.

INCREASING PROGRESSION OF ENTHUSIASM AND OF EXALTATION.

It is clear that such a religious society, founded solely on the expectation of the kingdom of God, must be in itself very incomplete.  The first Christian generation lived almost entirely upon expectations and dreams.  On the eve of seeing the world come to an end, they regarded as useless everything which only served to prolong it.  Possession of property was interdicted.[1] Everything which attaches man to earth, everything which draws him aside from heaven, was to be avoided.  Although several of the disciples were married, there was to be no more marriage on becoming a member of the sect.[2] The celibate was greatly preferred; even in marriage continence was recommended.[3] At one time the master seems to approve of those who should mutilate themselves in prospect of the kingdom of God.[4] In this he was consistent with his principle—­“If thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee; it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.  And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee; it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell-fire."[5] The cessation of generation was often considered as the sign and condition of the kingdom of God.[6]

[Footnote 1:  Luke xiv. 33; Acts iv. 32, and following, v. 1-11.]

[Footnote 2:  Matt. xix. 10, and following; Luke xviii. 29, and following.]

[Footnote 3:  This is the constant doctrine of Paul.  Comp. Rev. xiv. 4.]