If the king of Israel is, let him come down from the cross... If this generation seeks a sign, no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah: not the sign of coming down, but the sign of resurrection. He who did not come down from the cross has emerged from the sealed tomb. So we, who follow our head, should not cease to bear our cross, let us persevere as he persevered, until the Spirit tells us to rest from our labors. Let us not listen to anyone, brothers, neither flesh nor blood, nor any spirit that persuades us to come down from the cross. Let us persevere on the cross, let us die on the cross, even if we are taken down by the hands of others, let it not be our own easing.
(Bernard of Clairvaux, O.Cist. /1090–1153/, sermon On the Resurrection of the Lord)
