Allegory of the Throne and Footstool

Thinking this, they were saved from their evils. Regarding Psalm 98:5bc, it says that the footstool is to worship the universal authority that was then appearing, which holds not only the ruled race but all. The whole inhabited earth is allegorically called a footstool, holding all things in one name, just as Israel is called authority. The throne, being above authority, is allegorically related to the intimacy of God toward the ruled, especially toward the heavenly things, and already toward those on earth.

Similarly, according to Isaiah, the throne is allegorically the heaven, and Jerusalem is also a throne because of the saints in it, in the manner of heaven; this is the evidence that the heaven is not called a throne bodily, nor the earth a footstool bodily, since we call Jerusalem a throne, a small part of the earth, but we call the existing earth a footstool to those exercising authority. Just as the intimacy existing toward the heavenly ones as saints is said to be a throne of God in heaven, being called by the same name as the throne of God in heaven, so also the Lord calls those who received the good seed of the kingdom 'good seed' by the same name, so that he commands those perceiving it in the works to worship not the subordinate earth but the authority over it.

And the Holy One brings forth those who do not run after the false gods of the unholy; and the proper rejection of the unholy from the kingdom is evidenced, so that they may become receptive to holiness. Regarding Psalm 98:9, not only is the authoritative aspect of God to be worshipped, but the sanctifying aspect is already more urgently exhorted, giving the symbol of this through the worship on the ruled mountain.

Regarding Psalm 100:8, the first part indicates the diligent, just as God sends the prophets with diligence, as he says 'Rising, he sends'. And the removal of the evil ones is lawful: 'Remove the evil from among you' (Psalm 100:8). And this has not ceased concerning us, even if it happens in a punitive manner.

For the wicked are separated, and unless it be by death, they remain so until repentance. This is similar in power to what is said of Solomon's prayer, praying regarding the coming tribulation of the people, so that they might be heard while entreating in it (Ps 101:3); except that the speaker, speaking in his own person, says all things and that Israel might not be seen by God, which it risked suffering because of its own wickedness, and also the long-term affliction.

God's servants' entreaty and God's pity make the time; no other cause exists such as those destined through the ages in Greece. This is what he himself says through Isaiah: 'In an acceptable time I heard you' (Isa 65:24); and Paul also writes about the fulfillment of the time when the Savior arrived, asserting: 'Behold, now is the acceptable time' (2 Cor 6:2). For chiefly the descent of the Savior happened through the culmination of the ages.

Since the Savior has come to take away the sin of the world, it was not fitting for the one who is far-off to come and suffer for a few sinners. When the time was divided according to which it is said, 'All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God' (Rom 3:23), and there was no longer a righteous man on earth understanding and seeking God, the one who enjoys the grace of God above all of them, tasting death on behalf of all, came.

These things could also be said: it was necessary for the God who provides for their salvation to prevent the turning of the human race toward wickedness. And indeed this happened through many mechanisms. Through the sending of patriarchs who were able to benefit the life of men by their own polity, but as they were turning toward wickedness and despising the law given by Moses, and despite the sending of prophets and the appearance of angels to them, God did not cease providing for their salvation. And yet, nothing happened more than they were being ground down for the increase of wickedness. Since therefore every medicine and help was being brought in through the only-begotten [...]