we charge against
it that it dared to assail Malachy, a faithful _member_, it is true, _of
Christ_,[1036] when it also rushed madly upon the very _head_ of[1037]
Malachy and of all the elect as well? It rushed, assuredly, upon One
whom it could not hurt; but it did not rush away unhurt. Death hurled
itself against life, and life shut up death within itself, and _death_
was _swallowed up of life_.[1038] Gulping down the hook to its hurt, it
began to be held by Him whom it seemed to have held.[1039]

4. But perhaps some one may say, How does it appear that death has been
overcome by the Head, if it still rages with so great liberty against
the members? If death is dead, how did it kill Malachy? If it is
conquered how has it still power over all, and _there is no man that
liveth and shall not see death_?[1040] Death is clearly conquered--_the
work of the devil_[1041] and the penalty of sin: sin is conquered, the
cause of death; and _the wicked one_ himself is _conquered_,[1042] the
author both of sin and death. And not only are these things conquered,
they are, moreover, already judged and condemned. The sentence is
determined, but not yet published. In fact, _the fire is prepared for
the devil_,[1043] though he is not yet cast into the fire, though still
for _a short time_[1044] he is allowed to work wickedness. He is become,
as it were, the hammer of the Heavenly Workman, _the hammer of the whole
earth_.[1045] He crushes the elect _for_ their _profit_,[1046] he
crushes to powder the reprobate for their damnation. As is the _master
of the house_, so are _they of his household_,[1047] that is, sin and
death. For _sin_, though it is not to be doubted that it was _nailed_
with Christ _to His cross_,[1048] was yet allowed still for a time,
_not_ indeed to _reign_,[1049] but to dwell even in the Apostle himself
while he lived. I lie if he does not himself say, _It is no more I that
do it, but sin dwelleth in me._[1050] So also death itself is by no
means, indeed, yet compelled not to be present, but it is compelled not
to be present to men's hurt. But there will come a time when it is said,
_O death, where is thy victory?_[1051] For death also is _the last
enemy that shall be destroyed_.[1052] But now, since He rules _who has
the power_ of life and _death_[1053] and confines the very sea within
the fixed limits of its shores, death itself to the beloved of the Lord
is a sleep of refreshment. The prophet bears witness who says,