Such are they who trample on the Word of God as on the seed on the way-side,
or they who rejoice for an hour, and when tribulation cometh, wither, as by the sun's heat; or they who stifle what had begun to germinate in them, by the anxieties and cares of this world, as it were by the thorns of avarice.
or they who rejoice for an hour, and when tribulation cometh, wither, as by the sun's heat; or they who stifle what had begun to germinate in them, by the anxieties and cares of this world, as it were by the thorns of avarice.
Augustine - Exposition on the Psalms - v6
Had not then Peter and John and James, and the other Apostles, fathers upon earth ?
Mat. 23, And yet what saith He unto them? Call no man your father upon earth: for One is your Father, Who is in Heaven. What, therefore, He taught His disciples in the case of their father, this He Himself shewed them in that of His mother. For our Lord's will is that we prefer God to our earthly connections. Respect thy father, because he is thy father : reverence God, because He is God. Thy father begot thee by lending his flesh ; God created thee by an exertion of His Power. Let not the father be angry when God is preferred to him : let him rather rejoice that so much respect is paid him, that He alone is found to be preferred to him. What then thall I say ? What saith the Lord ? , Who is My mother ?
and who are My brethren ? And he stretched forth His hand toward His disciples, and said, Behold My mother and My brethren. They were His brethren ; how were they His
Mat. 12, mother ? He added ; For whosoever shall do the will ojf Mu
'& Father Which is in heaven, the same is My brother, and
sister, and mother. Brother, perhaps, on account of the male sex whom the Church hath: sister, on account of the women whom Christ hath here in His members. How mother, save that Christ Himself is in those Christians, whom the Church daily bringeth forth Christians through baptism ? In those therefore in whom thou understandest the wife, in them thou understandest the mother, in them the children.
13. Let us therefore say what should the character of
these children be. Peacemakers they should be.
Matt. 5, peacemakers ? Because, Blessed are the peacemakers, for ? Qxf. they shall be called the children of God. Since therefore in
4s
the olive is the fruit of peace: for oil signifieth peace,
Msa.
without' because it signifieth love; without' love there is no peace :
Why
All blessings are from God, not all out. of Sion. 45
and it is clear that they who have rent asunder peace, will Ver. not have love. Ihave already explained to you, beloved, -- - on this principle, why the dove carried the leaves with fruit 8, unto the ark : to signify that they also who have been ^en- baptized without, as those branches were baptized without
the ark, if they have not leaves alone, that is, words only,
but have fruit also, which is love, are borne by the dove to
the ark, and come unto unity*. Such children ought there
fore to be around the Lord's table, like olive-branches. Ter" 3- A complete Vine it is, a great bliss : who would now refuse to be there ? When thou seest any blasphemer have
a wife, children, grandchildren, and thyself perchance with out them, envy them not; discern that the promise hath been fulfilled in thee also, but spiritually. Perchance thou art not in His members? If thou art not there, lament that thou art neither here nor there. But if thou be there, be secure; for although thy reward be there and not here, it is a more fruitful one there than here.
14. Ver. 4. If therefore we have, why have we ? Because we fear the Lord. Lo, thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord. He is the man, who is also the men ;
and the men are one man ; because many are one, because Christ is One.
15. Ver. 5, 6. The Lord from out of Sion bless thee. For thou hadst begun to heed the words, Lo, thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord: already per chance thine eyes were ranging through those who fear not the Lord, and saw there fruitful wives, children in abun
dance around their father's table : I know not whither thou wast going : The Lord from out of Sion bless thee. Seek not those blessings which are not out of Sion. Hath not the Lord blessed such, my brethren ? This is the Lord's blessing : or if it be not from the Lord, who will marry a wife, if the Lord be unwilling? who can be in sound health, if the Lord deny him ? or who can be rich, if the Lord refuse ? He giveth these things : but seest thou not that He hath also given them to cattle ? This blessing is not therefore from Sion. The Lord from out of Sion bless thee: and mayest thou see the good things that are ofJerusalem.
t Sermon vi. on St. John ii. 19.
40 The good things of Jerusalem are what truly are.
Psalm For these good things are not those of Jerusalem. Dost CxxVII I -, thou wish to see that they are not the good things of Jeru- Gen. l, salem ? Even to the birds was it said, Be fruitful arid 22" multiply. Dost thou wish to hold as a great blessing what
was given unto birds? Who can be ignorant, that it was given indeed by the voice of God ? But use these goods, if thou receive them ; and rather think how thou mayest nourish those who have been born, than that others may be born. For it is not happiness to have children, but to have good ones. Labour in the task of nourishing them, if they be born ; but if they be not born, give thanks unto God. Perchance thou wilt be less anxious, and yet thou hast not remained barren in that Mother. Perhaps through thee are spiritually born of that Mother, they who are as olive branches around the Lord's table. May the Lord therefore console thee, that thou mayest see the goods of Jerusalem. For these goods indeed are. Why are they ? Because they are everlasting. Why are they ? Because the King is
Exod. 3, there, I am That I am. But these goods are and are not :
14'
for they stand not; they slip away, they flow. Thy children are infants : thou dost caress the infants : the infants caress thee : do they abide thus ? But thou wishest they may grow, thou wishest that their age may increase. But consider that when one age cometh, another dieth. When boyhood cometh, infancy dieth ; when youth cometh, boyhood dieth : when manhood cometh, youth dieth ; when old age cometh, manhood dieth : when death cometh, all age dieth. As many successions of ages as thou wishest for, so many deaths of ages dost thou wish for. These things therefore are not. Finally, are children born unto thee to share life with thee on earth, or rather to shut thee out and to succeed thee ? Rejoicest thou in those born to exclude thee ? "Boys when born speak somewhat like this to their parents: Now then, begin to think of removing hence, let us too play our parts on the stage. " For the whole life of temptation in
Ps. 39,5. the human race is a stage play ; for it is said, Every man living is altogether vanity. Nevertheless, if we rejoice in children who will succeed us ; how much must we rejoice in children with whom we shall remain, and in that Father for Whom we are born, Who will not die, but that we may
We may see them all our life long. 47
evermore live with Him? These are the good things of vs>>. Jerusalem : for they are. The Lord from out of Sion bless ------ thee: and mayest thou see the good things that are of Jerusalem. For thou seest as one blind those goods, which
thou heedest. Mayest thou see : but those goods which are seen by the heart. And how long shall 1 see the good things of Jerusalem ? All thy life long. If thy life be for ever, thou wilt see the good things of Jerusalem for ever more. But my brethren, these goods are, yet thou seest them not all the days of thy life for thou diest not, when
thou goest forth from the body. Thy life continueth thy body dieth, but the life of the spirit continueth. The eyes see not, for he who saw through the eyes hath departed. Wheresoever he be, who saw through the eyes, he seeth
something. For the rich man, who when on earth M7a<<Lukel6, ? 19 23.
clothed with purple and fine linen, was not dead; he was dead, he would not have been tormented in hell. It would have been desirable for him to die, but he lived in hell to his hurt. For he was tormented, and saw not those goods which he had left on earth behold, such was his life, and he saw not those goods. Do thou therefore desire such goods as thou mayest see all thy life long, that is, that thou mayest live with these goods for evermore.
16. Consider therefore, brethren, what those goods are. Can these be called goods Is gold silver
pleasant estate walls of marble fretted ceilings God forbid The poor have these goods more abundantly than the rich in this life for more to poor man to see the starry heaven, than to rich man to see gilded ceiling. What then, brethren, that good, whereby we are inflamed, for which we sigh, whereby we are kindled, for the attainment of which good we endure so many toils, as ye have heard when the Apostle was read, that all that will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution For doth not follow that, because the devil rageth not through kings, Christians do not at this hour suffer persecution. If the devil be dead, our persecutions are dead but he our adversary liveth, whence doth he not suggest temptations
Whence doth he not rage whence doth he not procure threats or offences thou wouldest begin to live godly,
Tim,
?
is it
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;
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if? a ; is
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? it ? a '2
is a it is
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48 Death the last enemy. The goud we seek is Peace.
15C? 9 ' '
1 Cor. 2, hear it? That indeed, Neither ear hath heard, nor hath it entered into man's heart: only let us love, only let us grow in grace : ye see, then, that battles are not wanting, and that we fight with our lusts. We fight outwardly with unbelieving and disobedient men ; we fight inwardly with carnal sug gestions and perturbations: we every where as yet fight,
Wisd. 9, because the corruptible body weigheth down the soul; we fight as yet, since if the spirit be life, yet is the body dead Rom. 8, through sin. But what will be the issue ? But ifthe Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwelleth in you,
He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you. When therefore our mortal members shall have been quick ened, nothing will then resist our spirit. There will be no hunger, no thirst, because these arise from the corruption of the body. Thou refreshest thyself, because something departeth from thee. The lusts of carnal delights fight against us. We carry with us death in the infirmity of the body: but when death itself shall have been changed into
lCor. 15, that unchangeableness, and this corruptible shall hare put 55. 26. on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immor
tality, --what will then be said unto death ? O death, where is thy sting? O death, where is thy sting? Perchance, he dieth, and it will be said, do any enemies remain ? No ; death is the last enemy. When this shall have been destroyed, immortality will succeed. If there shall be no enemy, as 'tJie last' will death be destroyed. Our good, for which we sigh, will be peace. Behold, brethren, peace is called a good, a great good. Ye were seeking what was called a good : whether it were gold, or silver, or an estate, or raiment? It is peace: not such a peace as the unstable,
treacherous, mutable, uncertain peace which prevails among men; nor such peace as the individual hath with himself.
Psalm thou wilt see that every one who will live godly in Christ PxxVIII "
'Jesus, shall suffer persecution. For the sake of what, then, ^o We su^er so great persecutions? For, ifin this life only, saith the Apostle, we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. For what reason were the Martyrs con demned to beasts ? What is that good ? Can it be declared ? by what means, or what tongue can tell it ? or what ears can
Children, good works; Children's Children their reward. 49
For I have said that a man contendeth also with himself; Ver. until he subdue all his lusts, he still fighteth. What sort of -- peace then is this? One that the eye hath not seen, nor the
ear heard of. What sort of peace? One from Jerusalem,
for Jerusalem is interpreted, A vision of Peace. Thus then the Lord from out of Sion bless thee: and may est thou see the good things that are of Jerusalem, and that, all thy life long--and mayest thou see, not only thy children, but, thy children's children. What meaneth, Thy children ? Thy works which thou here dost. Who are thy children's children? The fruits of thy works. Thou givest alms: these are thy children : for the sake of thine alms thou receivest everlasting life, these are thy children's children.
Mayest thou see thy children's children ; and there shall be peace upon Israel, the last words of the Psalm. This peace is preached unto you by us: it is loved by us, we wish that it may be loved by you. Unto this peace they come who have been here also peacemakers. They who are peacemakers there, are here such also; who stand around the Lord's table like olive branches, so that the tree is not barren as was that fig-tree, where the Lord when hungry found no
fruit. Ye see what happened unto it. It had leaves only, Mat. 31, it had not fruit: thus are they who have words, and have 1B' 1J" not deeds. The Lord when He came unto it hungry found
not there what to eat; for the Lord hungereth for faith and
for good works on our part. Let us feed Him by living well, and He will feed us for evermore by giving us ever lasting life.
PSALM CXXIX. EXPOSITION.
A Sermon to the people.
rx^,V
1. The Psalm which we have sung is short: but as it is written in the Gospel of Zacchasus that he was little o/"Lul;ei9, stature, but mighty in works; as it is written of that widow
who cast two mites into the treasury, little was the money, Marki2, but great was her charity; thus also this Psalm, if thou42'44'
vol. VI. E
50 How we should heir the Songs ofthe Spirit.
Psai. m count the words, is short; if thou weigh the sentiments, is CXX1X. ' great. It will not therefore detain us long unto weariness.
Wherefore ? Let your wisdom attend, and let Christian zeal aid you : let the word of God sound to you whether willing or unwilling, in season or out of season1'. It hath found itself a place, it hath found hearts where it may rest, it hath found a soil where it may blossom and bear fruit. For it is clear that there are many evil and godless men whom the Church boareth even unto the end ; and there are they to whom God's Word is superfluous : and it either falleth
among them, as the seed by the way-side is trodden under foot, and gathered up by the birds ; or as the seed on rocky places, where it hath not much earth, and withereth under the hot sun as soon as the blade is above ground, because it hath no root; or as the seed that falleth among thorns, which although it sprout and endeavour to rise into the air, is stifled by the multitude of thorns.
Such are they who trample on the Word of God as on the seed on the way-side,
or they who rejoice for an hour, and when tribulation cometh, wither, as by the sun's heat; or they who stifle what had begun to germinate in them, by the anxieties and cares of this world, as it were by the thorns of avarice. But
there is also good earth, where when the seed falleth it Mat. 13, Dearetn fruit, some thirty-fold, other sixty-fold, some a hundred-fold ; whether little or much, all shall be in the barn. Such therefore are these : and for their sakes we speak. On account of these the Scripture speaketh, on account of these the Gospel is not silent. But let those
too hear, if haply they may be one thing to-day, another to-morrow : if haply they may be changed by hearing, or plough up the way, or clear away the stones, or pluck up the thorns. Let the Spirit of God speak, let It speak to us, let It sing to us; whether we wish or wish not to dance, let
11 sing. For as he who danceth, moveth his limbs to the time ; so they who dance according to the commandment of God, in their works obey the sound. What therefore saith the Lord in the Gospel to those who refused to do
Mat,ll,tnis? \ye yive pipd unt0 y0u, and ye hare not danced : we hir e mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. Let
h al. ' in season to the willing, out of season to the unwilling. '
77ie Church has ever had trouble from the wicked. 51
Him therefore sing; we trust in God's mercy, for there will Ver. be those by whom He consoleth us. For they who are *~3' obstinate, continuing in wickedness, although they hear the
Word of God, by their offences daily disturb the Church.
She endureth : and as if it were asked, " Is it now ? " The Church is of ancient birth : since saints have been so called,
the Church hath been on earth. At one time the Church
was in Abel only, and he was fought against by his wicked Gen. 4, and lost brother Cain. At one time the Church was in
Enoch alone : and he was translated from the unrighteous. Gen. 5, At one time the Church was in the house of Noah alone, and 24 endured all who perished by the flood, and the ark alone Genesis swam upon the waves, and escaped to shore. At one time T1--Tm- the Church was in Abraham alone, and we know what he endured from the wicked. The Church was in his brother's
son, Lot, alone, and in his house, in Sodom, and he endured Genesis the iniquities and perversities of Sodom, until God freed
him from amidst them. The Church also began to exist in
the people of Israel: She endured Pharaoh and the Egyp
Of such this Psalm speaketh ; for thus it commenceth ;
2. Ver. 1 -- 3. Many a time have they fought against me from my youth up. The Church speaketh of those whom
tians. The number of the saints began to be also in the Church, that is, in the people of Israel ; Moses and the rest of the saints endured the wicked Jews, the people of Israel. We come unto our Lord Jesus Chr/ist : the Gospel was preached, as it was said in the Psalms :
have preachedPsA0,5. and have spoken: they have been multiplied above number.
What meaneth, above number? Not only have they believed
who belong to the number of the saints, but some have entered above number: many righteous, but also more un righteous ; and the righteous have endured the unrighteous. When ? In the Church. Is it now only, since he counteth, since he mentioneth them ? For this reason, lest the Church wonder now, or lest any one wonder in the Church, who wisheth to be a good member of the Church, let him hear the Church herself his Mother saying to him, Marvel not at these things, my son : Many a time have theyfought against me from my youth up.
3. There is great feeling in this commencement of the E2
52 The wicked vex the Church for condemning
their ways.
Psaim Psalm: Manila time hare they vexed me from my youth
---- up. She now seemeth to be speaking of herself : for she seemed not to have commenced herself, but to have answered.
But to whom hath she replied ? To them that think and
How great evils do we endure, how great are the scandals that every day thicken, as the wicked enter into the Church, and we have to endure them ? But let the Church reply through some, that is, through the voice of the stronger, let her reply to the complaints of the weak, and let the stable confirm the unstable, and the full grown the infant,
and let the Church say, Many a time have they fought against me from my youth up. Now may Israel say, (ver. 2. )
Many a time have they vexed me from my youth up. Let the Church say this: let her not fear it. For what is the meaning of this addition, From my youth up, after the words, Many a time have they fought against me? At present the old age of the Church is assailed : but let her not fear : let her say, Many a time have they fought against me from my
say,
Hath she then failed to arrive at old age, because they have not ceased to fight against her from her youth up? have they been able to blot her out? Now may Israel say; and let Israel comfort herself, let the Church console herself with past examples, and say, Many a time have they fought
against me from my youth up.
4. Why have they fought against me? For they could
not prevail against me. (Ver. 3. ) Upon my back have sinners built; they have done their iniquity afar off. Why have they fought against me? Because they could not prevail upon me. What is this ? They could not build upon me. 1 consented not with them unto sin. For every wicked man persecuteth the good on this account, because the good man consenteth not with him to evil. Suppose he do some evil, and the Bishop censure him not, the Bishop is a good man: suppose the Bishop censure him, the Bishop is a bad man.
Suppose he carry off any thing, let the man robbed be silent, he is a good man: let him only speak and rebuke, even though he doth not reclaim his goods, he is every thing bad. He is bad then who blameth the robber, and he is good who
<< ' Am- robbeth ! Let him go on ', Let us eat and drink,for to-morrow
ne sn? H die. On the contrary the Apostle saith, Evil com
li! . 38 13.
youth up.
Men hate God's Word, and blame those who speak it. 53
,
munications corrupt good manners. Be ye sober, righteous, Ver. and sin not. The word soundetb, the discourse soundeth . -- --
' Lot. that gainsayeth lust: but he, the lover of his own lust, and 15,32--
the enemy of the discourse that gainsayeth his mistress, is34' hostile, and hateth the word of God. Lust is become his beloved, God his enemy. For God opposeth avarice, and wisheth nothing to be possessed by avarice. Let Me be possessed, He saith. Why wishest thou to be possessed by avarice? It commandeth hard things, I command light Mat-",
is hard, Mine is gentle. Wish not to be possessed by avarice.
things: its load is heavy, My burden is light; its yoke
Avarice commands thee to cross the sea, and thou obeyest : it commands thee to trust thyself to the winds and waves ; I command thee to give before thy door out of what thou hast to the poor: thou art slothful in doing a good work before thy door, and thou art strenuous to pass over the sea. Because avarice commands, thou obeyest : because God commands, thou hatest. And why? When he beginneth to hate, he be- ginneth to wish to accuse those from whom he heareth good precepts, and to wish to seek out charges against the servants of God through his suspicions. Do not those who tell us these things, do such things themselves ? These things, whether done or undone, are said to be done : and what are done well, are said to be done ill: and what we endure, are ascribed to us as a fault. What do we answer ? Heed not
me : heed this word : it speaketh to thee through any channel; thou art its enemy. Agree with thine adversary, Matt. 5, while thou art with him in the way: thou hast made the25, word of God thine adversary. Heed not that such an one speaketh to thee: it is a wicked man through whom It speaketh to thee; but the word of God, that speaketh to thee,
is not wicked'. Accuse God: accuse Him, if thou canst!
5. Do ye believe, brethren, that they of whom it is said, Many a time have they fought against me from my youth up, reached such a pitch as even not to hesitate to accuse God ? Thou accusest a man of avarice, and he accuseth God on the ground that He made gold. Be not covetous.
i Oxf. Mss. "Heed not through to thee. He is evil through whom it whom It speaketh to thee, but take speaketh to thee, but the Word of God, heed that it is That, which speaketh That speaketh to thee, is not evil. "
54 Sins are not God's works: ah things else praise Him.
Psalm And God, thou repliest, should not make gold. This now -- 'rcmaineth, because thou canst not restrain thine evil deeds, thou accusest the good works of God : the Creator and
Architect of the world displeaseth thee. He ought not to make the sun either; for many contend concerning the lights of their windows, and drag each other before courts of law. 0 if we could restrain our vices! for all things are good, because a good God made all things : and His works praise Him, when their goodness is considered by him who hath the spirit of considering them, the spirit of piety and wisdom. God is on every side praised by His works. How do His works praise Him through the mouth of the Three Children?
Song of What is passed over? The heavens praise Him, the Angels
praise Him, the stars, the sun and moon, praise Him, the dren, days and the nights praise Him, whatever blossoms on earth &c. ' 35' praises Him, whatever swims upon the sea praises Him, what
ever flies in the air praises Him, all the mountains and hills praise Him, the cold and the heat praise Him; and all things else that God hath made, ye have heard, praise God: heard ye there that avarice praiseth God, that luxury praiseth God ? These things praise Him not, for He made them not. There, men praise God : God is man's creator. Avarice is the work of a wicked man : man himself is the work of God. And what doth God wish ? To kill in thee what thou
hast thyself made, and to save what He hath Himself made. 6. Lend not money at interest. Thou accusest Scripture Ps 15,5. which saith, He that hath not given his money upon usury.
1 wrote not this: it went not forth first from my mouth: hear God. He replieth : let not the clergy lend upon usury. Perchance he who speaketh to thee, lendeth not at interest:
but if he do so lend; suppose that he doth so lend; doth He Who speaketh through him lend at interest? If he doth what he enjoineth thee, and thou dost it not; thou wilt go into the flame, he into the kingdom. If he doth not what he enjoineth thee, and equally with thee doth evil deeds, and preaches duties which he doth not; ye will both equally go into the flames. The hay will burn ; but
Ia. 40,8. the word of the Lord abideth for evermore. Doth the word which hath spoken to thee through him burn ? Either Moses speaketh to thee, that is, a good and righteous
Chil*
The Church must endure many whose deeds are evil. 55 servant of God; or a Pharisee sitting in the seat of Moses, ver.
Ye have heard
bid you observe, that observe and do: but do not ye after iJ^* their works. Thou hast no means whereby lo excuse thyself,
when the word of God speaketh unto thee. Because thou couldest not slay the word of God, thou seekest to accuse
those through whom the word of God speaketh unto thee.
Seek as far as thou wilt, speak as far as thou wilt, blaspheme
as far as thou wilt. Many a time have they fought against
me from my youth up, now may Israel say, many a time
have they fought against me from my youth up. Usurers
even dare to say : 1 have no other means of livelihood.
This a robber might also say, when caught in a hollow way;
this a housebreaker might say, caught about another man's
wall ; this a pander might tell me, in the act of buying girls
for prostitution ; this an enchanter uttering curses, and sell
ing his iniquity, might say: whatsoever of this sort we should endeavour to prohibit, all might answer that they
had no other means of life, and that they lived on this resource ; as if this very thing were not a chief cause for punishment in them, that they chose a wicked trade to support their life by, and that they choose to feed them
selves by means offensive to Him by Whom all are fed.
concerning these too: all whatsoever then
3-
7. But when thou hast cried and spoken thus, they answer, If it be thus, we come not hither; if it be thus, we enter not into the Church. Let them come, let them enter, let them hear. Many a time have they fought against me
from my youth up. But they could not prevail against me. upon my back have sinners built; that is, they could not prevail upon me to consent; they have given me somewhat to bear. How admirably is it said, how excellently hath he signified this: They could not prevail against me; upon my back have the sinners built. They endeavour to pre vail with us, first to consent unto them to do evil deeds : if we consent not, sutler us, they say. Since therefore thou
hast not prevailed against me, mount upon my back : I can carry thee until the end come: for thus it is commanded me, to bring forth fruit with patience. I chasten thee not, I suffer thee: or perchance, when 1 suffer thee, thou chast- enest thyself. If thou chastenest not thyself unto the end,
8
f:ulie
56 The doings of sinners arc far from the Church.
Psalm I suffer thee unto the end ; and unto the end thou shalt be CXX1X. Upon my hack, evcn to the time. Wilt thou ever be upon my back? No: one will come who will shake thee off: harvest season will come, the end of the world will come ; God will send in the reapers. The reapers are the angels: they separate the wicked from the midst of the righteous, as the tares from the wheat ; they will store the corn in the barn,
but the chaff they will burn with unquenchable fire. I have carried as far as I could, now with joy do I pass into the Lord's barn, and securely sing, Many a time have they
fought against me from my youth up.
8. What could they do unto me, in that they have fought
against me from my youth up ? They have exercised me, they have not crushed me. They have been to me what fire is to gold, not what fire is to hay. For fire when it approacheth gold, removeth dross: when it approacheth
turneth it into ashes. For they could not prevail against me; for I consented not, for they have not made me what they are themselves. The sinners have built upon my back; they hare made their iniquity afar off. They have given me what to endure, and have not prevailed upon me to consent to them. Their injustice therefore is afar from me. The evil are mingled with the good, not only in
the world, but within the Church herself the evil are mingled with the good. Ye know, and ye have proved this : and ye will still further prove it, if ye are good. For
Mat. 13, when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit,
~h'
then appeared the tares also. There seem to be none evil in the Church, save unto the good man. Ye know therefore that they are mingled, and always and every where Scripture saith they shall not be separated, except in the end. Thus, as they are mingled, they are afar from one another. Lest then any man should suppose, that because evil are mingled among good men, therefore wickedness is near unto righ teousness, he saith, They could not prevail against me ;
hay,
Is. 22, that is, they said, and wickedly said, Let us eat and drink,
for to-mmrow we shall die. Evil communications corrupted 15, 32. not good manners : in that which 1 heard from God, I have not yielded to the discourses of men. Sinners have given me what to carry, not what I must mingle with, and their
\3Cor
Likeness of character is the real neighbourhood. 57
iniquity Lath been made afar from me. For what is so Ver. near, as two men in one Church ? what is so distant, as ------ iniquity from righteousness ? For where there is consent
there is neighbourhood. Two men are handcuffed together,
and brought before a judge ; one is a robber, one is merely in bonds: the one wicked, the other innocent, bound with one chain, and far from one another. How far are they from one another? As far as wickedness is from innocence. Behold these are far from one another. One robber per petrates his crimes in Spain, his next neighbour is the robber who doth the same in Africa. How near ? As near as crime and crime are joined, as near as robbery is to robbery. Let no man fear therefore evil men mingled with him in the body. Let him be afar from them in heart, and he beareth safely what he feareth not : They have made
their iniquity afar off.
9. What is the result? They who reign unjustly flourish,
and, to use the vulgar phrase, the unrighteous thunder,
and are puffed up unto vain airs and calumnies.
Mat. 23, And yet what saith He unto them? Call no man your father upon earth: for One is your Father, Who is in Heaven. What, therefore, He taught His disciples in the case of their father, this He Himself shewed them in that of His mother. For our Lord's will is that we prefer God to our earthly connections. Respect thy father, because he is thy father : reverence God, because He is God. Thy father begot thee by lending his flesh ; God created thee by an exertion of His Power. Let not the father be angry when God is preferred to him : let him rather rejoice that so much respect is paid him, that He alone is found to be preferred to him. What then thall I say ? What saith the Lord ? , Who is My mother ?
and who are My brethren ? And he stretched forth His hand toward His disciples, and said, Behold My mother and My brethren. They were His brethren ; how were they His
Mat. 12, mother ? He added ; For whosoever shall do the will ojf Mu
'& Father Which is in heaven, the same is My brother, and
sister, and mother. Brother, perhaps, on account of the male sex whom the Church hath: sister, on account of the women whom Christ hath here in His members. How mother, save that Christ Himself is in those Christians, whom the Church daily bringeth forth Christians through baptism ? In those therefore in whom thou understandest the wife, in them thou understandest the mother, in them the children.
13. Let us therefore say what should the character of
these children be. Peacemakers they should be.
Matt. 5, peacemakers ? Because, Blessed are the peacemakers, for ? Qxf. they shall be called the children of God. Since therefore in
4s
the olive is the fruit of peace: for oil signifieth peace,
Msa.
without' because it signifieth love; without' love there is no peace :
Why
All blessings are from God, not all out. of Sion. 45
and it is clear that they who have rent asunder peace, will Ver. not have love. Ihave already explained to you, beloved, -- - on this principle, why the dove carried the leaves with fruit 8, unto the ark : to signify that they also who have been ^en- baptized without, as those branches were baptized without
the ark, if they have not leaves alone, that is, words only,
but have fruit also, which is love, are borne by the dove to
the ark, and come unto unity*. Such children ought there
fore to be around the Lord's table, like olive-branches. Ter" 3- A complete Vine it is, a great bliss : who would now refuse to be there ? When thou seest any blasphemer have
a wife, children, grandchildren, and thyself perchance with out them, envy them not; discern that the promise hath been fulfilled in thee also, but spiritually. Perchance thou art not in His members? If thou art not there, lament that thou art neither here nor there. But if thou be there, be secure; for although thy reward be there and not here, it is a more fruitful one there than here.
14. Ver. 4. If therefore we have, why have we ? Because we fear the Lord. Lo, thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord. He is the man, who is also the men ;
and the men are one man ; because many are one, because Christ is One.
15. Ver. 5, 6. The Lord from out of Sion bless thee. For thou hadst begun to heed the words, Lo, thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord: already per chance thine eyes were ranging through those who fear not the Lord, and saw there fruitful wives, children in abun
dance around their father's table : I know not whither thou wast going : The Lord from out of Sion bless thee. Seek not those blessings which are not out of Sion. Hath not the Lord blessed such, my brethren ? This is the Lord's blessing : or if it be not from the Lord, who will marry a wife, if the Lord be unwilling? who can be in sound health, if the Lord deny him ? or who can be rich, if the Lord refuse ? He giveth these things : but seest thou not that He hath also given them to cattle ? This blessing is not therefore from Sion. The Lord from out of Sion bless thee: and mayest thou see the good things that are ofJerusalem.
t Sermon vi. on St. John ii. 19.
40 The good things of Jerusalem are what truly are.
Psalm For these good things are not those of Jerusalem. Dost CxxVII I -, thou wish to see that they are not the good things of Jeru- Gen. l, salem ? Even to the birds was it said, Be fruitful arid 22" multiply. Dost thou wish to hold as a great blessing what
was given unto birds? Who can be ignorant, that it was given indeed by the voice of God ? But use these goods, if thou receive them ; and rather think how thou mayest nourish those who have been born, than that others may be born. For it is not happiness to have children, but to have good ones. Labour in the task of nourishing them, if they be born ; but if they be not born, give thanks unto God. Perchance thou wilt be less anxious, and yet thou hast not remained barren in that Mother. Perhaps through thee are spiritually born of that Mother, they who are as olive branches around the Lord's table. May the Lord therefore console thee, that thou mayest see the goods of Jerusalem. For these goods indeed are. Why are they ? Because they are everlasting. Why are they ? Because the King is
Exod. 3, there, I am That I am. But these goods are and are not :
14'
for they stand not; they slip away, they flow. Thy children are infants : thou dost caress the infants : the infants caress thee : do they abide thus ? But thou wishest they may grow, thou wishest that their age may increase. But consider that when one age cometh, another dieth. When boyhood cometh, infancy dieth ; when youth cometh, boyhood dieth : when manhood cometh, youth dieth ; when old age cometh, manhood dieth : when death cometh, all age dieth. As many successions of ages as thou wishest for, so many deaths of ages dost thou wish for. These things therefore are not. Finally, are children born unto thee to share life with thee on earth, or rather to shut thee out and to succeed thee ? Rejoicest thou in those born to exclude thee ? "Boys when born speak somewhat like this to their parents: Now then, begin to think of removing hence, let us too play our parts on the stage. " For the whole life of temptation in
Ps. 39,5. the human race is a stage play ; for it is said, Every man living is altogether vanity. Nevertheless, if we rejoice in children who will succeed us ; how much must we rejoice in children with whom we shall remain, and in that Father for Whom we are born, Who will not die, but that we may
We may see them all our life long. 47
evermore live with Him? These are the good things of vs>>. Jerusalem : for they are. The Lord from out of Sion bless ------ thee: and mayest thou see the good things that are of Jerusalem. For thou seest as one blind those goods, which
thou heedest. Mayest thou see : but those goods which are seen by the heart. And how long shall 1 see the good things of Jerusalem ? All thy life long. If thy life be for ever, thou wilt see the good things of Jerusalem for ever more. But my brethren, these goods are, yet thou seest them not all the days of thy life for thou diest not, when
thou goest forth from the body. Thy life continueth thy body dieth, but the life of the spirit continueth. The eyes see not, for he who saw through the eyes hath departed. Wheresoever he be, who saw through the eyes, he seeth
something. For the rich man, who when on earth M7a<<Lukel6, ? 19 23.
clothed with purple and fine linen, was not dead; he was dead, he would not have been tormented in hell. It would have been desirable for him to die, but he lived in hell to his hurt. For he was tormented, and saw not those goods which he had left on earth behold, such was his life, and he saw not those goods. Do thou therefore desire such goods as thou mayest see all thy life long, that is, that thou mayest live with these goods for evermore.
16. Consider therefore, brethren, what those goods are. Can these be called goods Is gold silver
pleasant estate walls of marble fretted ceilings God forbid The poor have these goods more abundantly than the rich in this life for more to poor man to see the starry heaven, than to rich man to see gilded ceiling. What then, brethren, that good, whereby we are inflamed, for which we sigh, whereby we are kindled, for the attainment of which good we endure so many toils, as ye have heard when the Apostle was read, that all that will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution For doth not follow that, because the devil rageth not through kings, Christians do not at this hour suffer persecution. If the devil be dead, our persecutions are dead but he our adversary liveth, whence doth he not suggest temptations
Whence doth he not rage whence doth he not procure threats or offences thou wouldest begin to live godly,
Tim,
?
is it
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;
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if? a ; is
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? it ? a '2
is a it is
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48 Death the last enemy. The goud we seek is Peace.
15C? 9 ' '
1 Cor. 2, hear it? That indeed, Neither ear hath heard, nor hath it entered into man's heart: only let us love, only let us grow in grace : ye see, then, that battles are not wanting, and that we fight with our lusts. We fight outwardly with unbelieving and disobedient men ; we fight inwardly with carnal sug gestions and perturbations: we every where as yet fight,
Wisd. 9, because the corruptible body weigheth down the soul; we fight as yet, since if the spirit be life, yet is the body dead Rom. 8, through sin. But what will be the issue ? But ifthe Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwelleth in you,
He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you. When therefore our mortal members shall have been quick ened, nothing will then resist our spirit. There will be no hunger, no thirst, because these arise from the corruption of the body. Thou refreshest thyself, because something departeth from thee. The lusts of carnal delights fight against us. We carry with us death in the infirmity of the body: but when death itself shall have been changed into
lCor. 15, that unchangeableness, and this corruptible shall hare put 55. 26. on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immor
tality, --what will then be said unto death ? O death, where is thy sting? O death, where is thy sting? Perchance, he dieth, and it will be said, do any enemies remain ? No ; death is the last enemy. When this shall have been destroyed, immortality will succeed. If there shall be no enemy, as 'tJie last' will death be destroyed. Our good, for which we sigh, will be peace. Behold, brethren, peace is called a good, a great good. Ye were seeking what was called a good : whether it were gold, or silver, or an estate, or raiment? It is peace: not such a peace as the unstable,
treacherous, mutable, uncertain peace which prevails among men; nor such peace as the individual hath with himself.
Psalm thou wilt see that every one who will live godly in Christ PxxVIII "
'Jesus, shall suffer persecution. For the sake of what, then, ^o We su^er so great persecutions? For, ifin this life only, saith the Apostle, we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. For what reason were the Martyrs con demned to beasts ? What is that good ? Can it be declared ? by what means, or what tongue can tell it ? or what ears can
Children, good works; Children's Children their reward. 49
For I have said that a man contendeth also with himself; Ver. until he subdue all his lusts, he still fighteth. What sort of -- peace then is this? One that the eye hath not seen, nor the
ear heard of. What sort of peace? One from Jerusalem,
for Jerusalem is interpreted, A vision of Peace. Thus then the Lord from out of Sion bless thee: and may est thou see the good things that are of Jerusalem, and that, all thy life long--and mayest thou see, not only thy children, but, thy children's children. What meaneth, Thy children ? Thy works which thou here dost. Who are thy children's children? The fruits of thy works. Thou givest alms: these are thy children : for the sake of thine alms thou receivest everlasting life, these are thy children's children.
Mayest thou see thy children's children ; and there shall be peace upon Israel, the last words of the Psalm. This peace is preached unto you by us: it is loved by us, we wish that it may be loved by you. Unto this peace they come who have been here also peacemakers. They who are peacemakers there, are here such also; who stand around the Lord's table like olive branches, so that the tree is not barren as was that fig-tree, where the Lord when hungry found no
fruit. Ye see what happened unto it. It had leaves only, Mat. 31, it had not fruit: thus are they who have words, and have 1B' 1J" not deeds. The Lord when He came unto it hungry found
not there what to eat; for the Lord hungereth for faith and
for good works on our part. Let us feed Him by living well, and He will feed us for evermore by giving us ever lasting life.
PSALM CXXIX. EXPOSITION.
A Sermon to the people.
rx^,V
1. The Psalm which we have sung is short: but as it is written in the Gospel of Zacchasus that he was little o/"Lul;ei9, stature, but mighty in works; as it is written of that widow
who cast two mites into the treasury, little was the money, Marki2, but great was her charity; thus also this Psalm, if thou42'44'
vol. VI. E
50 How we should heir the Songs ofthe Spirit.
Psai. m count the words, is short; if thou weigh the sentiments, is CXX1X. ' great. It will not therefore detain us long unto weariness.
Wherefore ? Let your wisdom attend, and let Christian zeal aid you : let the word of God sound to you whether willing or unwilling, in season or out of season1'. It hath found itself a place, it hath found hearts where it may rest, it hath found a soil where it may blossom and bear fruit. For it is clear that there are many evil and godless men whom the Church boareth even unto the end ; and there are they to whom God's Word is superfluous : and it either falleth
among them, as the seed by the way-side is trodden under foot, and gathered up by the birds ; or as the seed on rocky places, where it hath not much earth, and withereth under the hot sun as soon as the blade is above ground, because it hath no root; or as the seed that falleth among thorns, which although it sprout and endeavour to rise into the air, is stifled by the multitude of thorns.
Such are they who trample on the Word of God as on the seed on the way-side,
or they who rejoice for an hour, and when tribulation cometh, wither, as by the sun's heat; or they who stifle what had begun to germinate in them, by the anxieties and cares of this world, as it were by the thorns of avarice. But
there is also good earth, where when the seed falleth it Mat. 13, Dearetn fruit, some thirty-fold, other sixty-fold, some a hundred-fold ; whether little or much, all shall be in the barn. Such therefore are these : and for their sakes we speak. On account of these the Scripture speaketh, on account of these the Gospel is not silent. But let those
too hear, if haply they may be one thing to-day, another to-morrow : if haply they may be changed by hearing, or plough up the way, or clear away the stones, or pluck up the thorns. Let the Spirit of God speak, let It speak to us, let It sing to us; whether we wish or wish not to dance, let
11 sing. For as he who danceth, moveth his limbs to the time ; so they who dance according to the commandment of God, in their works obey the sound. What therefore saith the Lord in the Gospel to those who refused to do
Mat,ll,tnis? \ye yive pipd unt0 y0u, and ye hare not danced : we hir e mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. Let
h al. ' in season to the willing, out of season to the unwilling. '
77ie Church has ever had trouble from the wicked. 51
Him therefore sing; we trust in God's mercy, for there will Ver. be those by whom He consoleth us. For they who are *~3' obstinate, continuing in wickedness, although they hear the
Word of God, by their offences daily disturb the Church.
She endureth : and as if it were asked, " Is it now ? " The Church is of ancient birth : since saints have been so called,
the Church hath been on earth. At one time the Church
was in Abel only, and he was fought against by his wicked Gen. 4, and lost brother Cain. At one time the Church was in
Enoch alone : and he was translated from the unrighteous. Gen. 5, At one time the Church was in the house of Noah alone, and 24 endured all who perished by the flood, and the ark alone Genesis swam upon the waves, and escaped to shore. At one time T1--Tm- the Church was in Abraham alone, and we know what he endured from the wicked. The Church was in his brother's
son, Lot, alone, and in his house, in Sodom, and he endured Genesis the iniquities and perversities of Sodom, until God freed
him from amidst them. The Church also began to exist in
the people of Israel: She endured Pharaoh and the Egyp
Of such this Psalm speaketh ; for thus it commenceth ;
2. Ver. 1 -- 3. Many a time have they fought against me from my youth up. The Church speaketh of those whom
tians. The number of the saints began to be also in the Church, that is, in the people of Israel ; Moses and the rest of the saints endured the wicked Jews, the people of Israel. We come unto our Lord Jesus Chr/ist : the Gospel was preached, as it was said in the Psalms :
have preachedPsA0,5. and have spoken: they have been multiplied above number.
What meaneth, above number? Not only have they believed
who belong to the number of the saints, but some have entered above number: many righteous, but also more un righteous ; and the righteous have endured the unrighteous. When ? In the Church. Is it now only, since he counteth, since he mentioneth them ? For this reason, lest the Church wonder now, or lest any one wonder in the Church, who wisheth to be a good member of the Church, let him hear the Church herself his Mother saying to him, Marvel not at these things, my son : Many a time have theyfought against me from my youth up.
3. There is great feeling in this commencement of the E2
52 The wicked vex the Church for condemning
their ways.
Psaim Psalm: Manila time hare they vexed me from my youth
---- up. She now seemeth to be speaking of herself : for she seemed not to have commenced herself, but to have answered.
But to whom hath she replied ? To them that think and
How great evils do we endure, how great are the scandals that every day thicken, as the wicked enter into the Church, and we have to endure them ? But let the Church reply through some, that is, through the voice of the stronger, let her reply to the complaints of the weak, and let the stable confirm the unstable, and the full grown the infant,
and let the Church say, Many a time have they fought against me from my youth up. Now may Israel say, (ver. 2. )
Many a time have they vexed me from my youth up. Let the Church say this: let her not fear it. For what is the meaning of this addition, From my youth up, after the words, Many a time have they fought against me? At present the old age of the Church is assailed : but let her not fear : let her say, Many a time have they fought against me from my
say,
Hath she then failed to arrive at old age, because they have not ceased to fight against her from her youth up? have they been able to blot her out? Now may Israel say; and let Israel comfort herself, let the Church console herself with past examples, and say, Many a time have they fought
against me from my youth up.
4. Why have they fought against me? For they could
not prevail against me. (Ver. 3. ) Upon my back have sinners built; they have done their iniquity afar off. Why have they fought against me? Because they could not prevail upon me. What is this ? They could not build upon me. 1 consented not with them unto sin. For every wicked man persecuteth the good on this account, because the good man consenteth not with him to evil. Suppose he do some evil, and the Bishop censure him not, the Bishop is a good man: suppose the Bishop censure him, the Bishop is a bad man.
Suppose he carry off any thing, let the man robbed be silent, he is a good man: let him only speak and rebuke, even though he doth not reclaim his goods, he is every thing bad. He is bad then who blameth the robber, and he is good who
<< ' Am- robbeth ! Let him go on ', Let us eat and drink,for to-morrow
ne sn? H die. On the contrary the Apostle saith, Evil com
li! . 38 13.
youth up.
Men hate God's Word, and blame those who speak it. 53
,
munications corrupt good manners. Be ye sober, righteous, Ver. and sin not. The word soundetb, the discourse soundeth . -- --
' Lot. that gainsayeth lust: but he, the lover of his own lust, and 15,32--
the enemy of the discourse that gainsayeth his mistress, is34' hostile, and hateth the word of God. Lust is become his beloved, God his enemy. For God opposeth avarice, and wisheth nothing to be possessed by avarice. Let Me be possessed, He saith. Why wishest thou to be possessed by avarice? It commandeth hard things, I command light Mat-",
is hard, Mine is gentle. Wish not to be possessed by avarice.
things: its load is heavy, My burden is light; its yoke
Avarice commands thee to cross the sea, and thou obeyest : it commands thee to trust thyself to the winds and waves ; I command thee to give before thy door out of what thou hast to the poor: thou art slothful in doing a good work before thy door, and thou art strenuous to pass over the sea. Because avarice commands, thou obeyest : because God commands, thou hatest. And why? When he beginneth to hate, he be- ginneth to wish to accuse those from whom he heareth good precepts, and to wish to seek out charges against the servants of God through his suspicions. Do not those who tell us these things, do such things themselves ? These things, whether done or undone, are said to be done : and what are done well, are said to be done ill: and what we endure, are ascribed to us as a fault. What do we answer ? Heed not
me : heed this word : it speaketh to thee through any channel; thou art its enemy. Agree with thine adversary, Matt. 5, while thou art with him in the way: thou hast made the25, word of God thine adversary. Heed not that such an one speaketh to thee: it is a wicked man through whom It speaketh to thee; but the word of God, that speaketh to thee,
is not wicked'. Accuse God: accuse Him, if thou canst!
5. Do ye believe, brethren, that they of whom it is said, Many a time have they fought against me from my youth up, reached such a pitch as even not to hesitate to accuse God ? Thou accusest a man of avarice, and he accuseth God on the ground that He made gold. Be not covetous.
i Oxf. Mss. "Heed not through to thee. He is evil through whom it whom It speaketh to thee, but take speaketh to thee, but the Word of God, heed that it is That, which speaketh That speaketh to thee, is not evil. "
54 Sins are not God's works: ah things else praise Him.
Psalm And God, thou repliest, should not make gold. This now -- 'rcmaineth, because thou canst not restrain thine evil deeds, thou accusest the good works of God : the Creator and
Architect of the world displeaseth thee. He ought not to make the sun either; for many contend concerning the lights of their windows, and drag each other before courts of law. 0 if we could restrain our vices! for all things are good, because a good God made all things : and His works praise Him, when their goodness is considered by him who hath the spirit of considering them, the spirit of piety and wisdom. God is on every side praised by His works. How do His works praise Him through the mouth of the Three Children?
Song of What is passed over? The heavens praise Him, the Angels
praise Him, the stars, the sun and moon, praise Him, the dren, days and the nights praise Him, whatever blossoms on earth &c. ' 35' praises Him, whatever swims upon the sea praises Him, what
ever flies in the air praises Him, all the mountains and hills praise Him, the cold and the heat praise Him; and all things else that God hath made, ye have heard, praise God: heard ye there that avarice praiseth God, that luxury praiseth God ? These things praise Him not, for He made them not. There, men praise God : God is man's creator. Avarice is the work of a wicked man : man himself is the work of God. And what doth God wish ? To kill in thee what thou
hast thyself made, and to save what He hath Himself made. 6. Lend not money at interest. Thou accusest Scripture Ps 15,5. which saith, He that hath not given his money upon usury.
1 wrote not this: it went not forth first from my mouth: hear God. He replieth : let not the clergy lend upon usury. Perchance he who speaketh to thee, lendeth not at interest:
but if he do so lend; suppose that he doth so lend; doth He Who speaketh through him lend at interest? If he doth what he enjoineth thee, and thou dost it not; thou wilt go into the flame, he into the kingdom. If he doth not what he enjoineth thee, and equally with thee doth evil deeds, and preaches duties which he doth not; ye will both equally go into the flames. The hay will burn ; but
Ia. 40,8. the word of the Lord abideth for evermore. Doth the word which hath spoken to thee through him burn ? Either Moses speaketh to thee, that is, a good and righteous
Chil*
The Church must endure many whose deeds are evil. 55 servant of God; or a Pharisee sitting in the seat of Moses, ver.
Ye have heard
bid you observe, that observe and do: but do not ye after iJ^* their works. Thou hast no means whereby lo excuse thyself,
when the word of God speaketh unto thee. Because thou couldest not slay the word of God, thou seekest to accuse
those through whom the word of God speaketh unto thee.
Seek as far as thou wilt, speak as far as thou wilt, blaspheme
as far as thou wilt. Many a time have they fought against
me from my youth up, now may Israel say, many a time
have they fought against me from my youth up. Usurers
even dare to say : 1 have no other means of livelihood.
This a robber might also say, when caught in a hollow way;
this a housebreaker might say, caught about another man's
wall ; this a pander might tell me, in the act of buying girls
for prostitution ; this an enchanter uttering curses, and sell
ing his iniquity, might say: whatsoever of this sort we should endeavour to prohibit, all might answer that they
had no other means of life, and that they lived on this resource ; as if this very thing were not a chief cause for punishment in them, that they chose a wicked trade to support their life by, and that they choose to feed them
selves by means offensive to Him by Whom all are fed.
concerning these too: all whatsoever then
3-
7. But when thou hast cried and spoken thus, they answer, If it be thus, we come not hither; if it be thus, we enter not into the Church. Let them come, let them enter, let them hear. Many a time have they fought against me
from my youth up. But they could not prevail against me. upon my back have sinners built; that is, they could not prevail upon me to consent; they have given me somewhat to bear. How admirably is it said, how excellently hath he signified this: They could not prevail against me; upon my back have the sinners built. They endeavour to pre vail with us, first to consent unto them to do evil deeds : if we consent not, sutler us, they say. Since therefore thou
hast not prevailed against me, mount upon my back : I can carry thee until the end come: for thus it is commanded me, to bring forth fruit with patience. I chasten thee not, I suffer thee: or perchance, when 1 suffer thee, thou chast- enest thyself. If thou chastenest not thyself unto the end,
8
f:ulie
56 The doings of sinners arc far from the Church.
Psalm I suffer thee unto the end ; and unto the end thou shalt be CXX1X. Upon my hack, evcn to the time. Wilt thou ever be upon my back? No: one will come who will shake thee off: harvest season will come, the end of the world will come ; God will send in the reapers. The reapers are the angels: they separate the wicked from the midst of the righteous, as the tares from the wheat ; they will store the corn in the barn,
but the chaff they will burn with unquenchable fire. I have carried as far as I could, now with joy do I pass into the Lord's barn, and securely sing, Many a time have they
fought against me from my youth up.
8. What could they do unto me, in that they have fought
against me from my youth up ? They have exercised me, they have not crushed me. They have been to me what fire is to gold, not what fire is to hay. For fire when it approacheth gold, removeth dross: when it approacheth
turneth it into ashes. For they could not prevail against me; for I consented not, for they have not made me what they are themselves. The sinners have built upon my back; they hare made their iniquity afar off. They have given me what to endure, and have not prevailed upon me to consent to them. Their injustice therefore is afar from me. The evil are mingled with the good, not only in
the world, but within the Church herself the evil are mingled with the good. Ye know, and ye have proved this : and ye will still further prove it, if ye are good. For
Mat. 13, when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit,
~h'
then appeared the tares also. There seem to be none evil in the Church, save unto the good man. Ye know therefore that they are mingled, and always and every where Scripture saith they shall not be separated, except in the end. Thus, as they are mingled, they are afar from one another. Lest then any man should suppose, that because evil are mingled among good men, therefore wickedness is near unto righ teousness, he saith, They could not prevail against me ;
hay,
Is. 22, that is, they said, and wickedly said, Let us eat and drink,
for to-mmrow we shall die. Evil communications corrupted 15, 32. not good manners : in that which 1 heard from God, I have not yielded to the discourses of men. Sinners have given me what to carry, not what I must mingle with, and their
\3Cor
Likeness of character is the real neighbourhood. 57
iniquity Lath been made afar from me. For what is so Ver. near, as two men in one Church ? what is so distant, as ------ iniquity from righteousness ? For where there is consent
there is neighbourhood. Two men are handcuffed together,
and brought before a judge ; one is a robber, one is merely in bonds: the one wicked, the other innocent, bound with one chain, and far from one another. How far are they from one another? As far as wickedness is from innocence. Behold these are far from one another. One robber per petrates his crimes in Spain, his next neighbour is the robber who doth the same in Africa. How near ? As near as crime and crime are joined, as near as robbery is to robbery. Let no man fear therefore evil men mingled with him in the body. Let him be afar from them in heart, and he beareth safely what he feareth not : They have made
their iniquity afar off.
9. What is the result? They who reign unjustly flourish,
and, to use the vulgar phrase, the unrighteous thunder,
and are puffed up unto vain airs and calumnies.
