A citation from the library
Origen, on Josh 15:63
Origen · c. A.D. 184–253
Josh 15:63 · Douay-Rheims
“But the children of Juda could not destroy the Jebusite that dwelt in Jerusalem: and the Jebusite dwelt with the children of Juda in Jerusalem until this present day.”
On this verse:
“But let us understand these verses spiritually, claiming the parable of the Gospel, which says concerning the weeds, "Let them grow up together, lest perhaps when you wish to pluck up the weeds, you also pluck up the wheat with them." Therefore, as the weeds are permitted in the Gospel to grow up together with the wheat, in the same manner even here in Jerusalem—that is, in the church—there are certain Jebusites who lead an ignoble and degenerate life, and who are perverse not only in their faith but in their actions and in every manner of living. For while the church is on earth, it is not possible to cleanse it to such purity that neither an ungodly person nor any sinner seems to reside in it, where everyone is holy and blessed and no blot of sin is found in them. But just as it is said concerning the weeds, "lest perhaps plucking up the weeds, at the same time you may also pluck up the wheat with them," so it can also be said of those in whom there are either doubtful or secret sins. For we are not saying that those who are clearly and plainly sinful should not be expelled from the church.”
Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.