763 discourse ii: the freely accepted bonds [H]is blood, much more shall we be saved by [H]im from the wrath of God” (Rom 5:8-9). 6. What further remains then, except that I exhort you with the prophet? “Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool” (Is 1:16-18) — washed in the bloody bath of the sweat of the Son of God. Although one drop is sufficient for us all, Now we ask for one drop: Do not refuse, merciful Christ! Many baths lay hidden in one drop of sweat, The whole world in this will be washed — only give (it). DISCOURSE II The Freely Accepted Bonds So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews seized Jesus and bound [H]im. (Jn 18:12) The most holy Bishop Paulinus of Nola8 handed himself over to be sold [as ransom] for a poor widow’s son who had been kidnapped by the Vandals, so that he might restore him to liberty and to his mother. Of his own accord, he went to Africa; he voluntarily offered himself to chains and to slavery. What fervent love of neighbor blazed within that episcopal heart! Yet, the far greater and almost infinite love of the Son of God for the human 8 Cf. Celletti, Maria Chiara, Paolino, Ponzio Meropio Anicio, vescovo di Nola, s. († 1419).
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