Irenaeus of Lyons
XXIII.
Fragments from the Lost Writings of Irenaeus — translated by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson / ANF editors
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¶1
“And he mounted upon his ass.” The ass was the type of the body of Christ, upon whom all men, resting from their labours, are borne as in a chariot. For the Saviour has taken up the burden of our sins. Now the angel who appeared to Balaam was the Word Himself; and in His hand He held a sword, to indicate the power which He had from above.
Translated by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson / ANF editors. Edition opa.patristics.irenaeus-of-lyons.fragments-from-lost-writings.en.