He
declareth
plainly, faithfully He declareth : because even before they came to pass He predicted that they would be, He, all Whose works are in faith.
Augustine - Exposition on the Psalms - v1
Let not the great time of Mercy pass, Brethren, let it not pass away from us.
There will come a judgment, and then also there will be repentance, but then without fruit, then
wisd. 5, they repenting and groaning for anguish of spirit, shall say within themselves, (is it not written in the book of Wisdom? ) What hath pride profited us ? or what good hath riches with our vaunting brought us ? All these things are passed away
like a shadow. Let us now say, All these things are passing away like a shadow. Let us now say to our profit, They are passing away ; lest then we say without avail, They are passed away. This then is the time of Mercy, there will
come also the time of Judgment.
11. But think not, Brethren, that these two can in any
wise be separated, the one from the other, in God. They do indeed seem somewhat contrary to each other ; as if one who is Merciful could not observe Judgment; and one who is
God keeps both. How man may do the like. 319 tenacious of Judgment, would forget Mercy. But God is Ver.
'. --
Omnipotent; neither in Mercy loseth He Judgment, nor in Judgment, Mercy. For He hath compassion, He considereth His Own Image, our frailty, our wandering, our blindness, and He calleth ; and to those converted unto Him He for- giveth sins, to the unconverted He forgiveth not. Is He Merciful to the unrighteous ? Has He therefore lost Judg ment, or ought He not to judge between the converted and the unconverted ? Seemeth it just to you, that the converted and the unconverted be treated equally; that the same regard be paid to one confessing and one lying, to the humble and the proud ? Therefore hath He Judgment, yea even in Mercy. Again, in The Judgment will He have Mercy, namely,
/ was an hungered, and Mat25, ye gave Me meat. For in a certain Apostolic Epistle it is
upon those unto whom He shall say,
said, For he shall have Judgment without Mercy, that hath James
shewed no Mercy. Blessed (saith He) are the merciful : mm. 5, for they shall obtain Mercy. Therefore in The Judgment7.
shall there be also Mercy, but not without Judgment. For
if not every one, but he shall have Mercy, who hath before shewn Mercy; even Mercy itself will be just, because it will
not be indiscriminate. Mercy it surely is, that sins should Lake 6, be forgiven, Mercy it that life eternal should be bestowed;
see then also Judgment, Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven
give, and shall be given unto you. Surely this, It shall be Matt. given unto you, and, ye shall be forgiven, Mercy but Judgment had departed therefrom, He would not say, Wi'/AMatt. what measure ye mete, shall be measured to you again.
12. Thou hast heard how God sheweth Mercy and Judg
ment, do thou also shew Mercy and Judgment. Do these
things perhaps belong unto God do they not belong unto
man If they belonged not unto man, the Lord would not
have said to the Pharisees, Ye have omitted the weightier Mat. 23,
'
matters of the Law, Judgment and Mercy. Therefore unto Thee belong Mercy and Judgment. Think not that Mercy belongeth unto thee, but Judgment belongeth not unto thee. It may be thou hearest cause between two, of whom one rich, and the other poor; and may happen that the poor man hath bad, the rich good cause. Now thou art not instructed in the Kingdom of God, thou seemest to thyself to do well, as pitying the poor man, thou hide and conceal
if,
a it
a a
it ;
is,
if
it
is
if
6,
;
?
7,
is
;
320 No mercy in favouring the poor against justice.
Psalm his iniquity, and strive to justify him, so that he may seem Exp. ll. to have a good cause; and if thou shouldest be blamed
Ex. 23,
against a poor man, who had not wherewithal to pay, or if he had, could not, after that he had paid, find wherewithal to live ? Thy God saith unto thee, Neither shall thou coun tenance a poor man in his cause. It is an easy thing that we should be warned not to accept the person of the rich ; this every man knoweth, and would that every man so did. That is where one is deceived ; where one would please God, by accepting the person of the poor in judgment, and saying unto God, I have shewn favour unto the poor. Nay, but thou shouldest hold fast both, even both Mercy and Judg ment. First, what sort of mercy hast thou shewed towards him, whose iniquity thou hast favoured ? Lo, his purse thou hast spared, his heart thou hast wounded : that poor man hath remained in his iniquity, and is so much the more in iniquity, as he hath seen thee, as if a righteous man, favour his iniquity. From thee hath he departed, unjustly succoured ; by God he remaineth justly to be condemned. What sort of mercy hast thou shewn to him, whom thou hast made un righteous? Lo, thou art found more cruel than merciful.
What then, sayest thou, should I do ? Thou shouldest judge first according to the cause. Thou shouldest con
vict the poor, prevail on the rich man. There is one time for judgment, another for supplication. When the rich man saw that thou hadst held justice, hadst not lifted up the head of the wicked because he was poor, but according to the merits of his sin hadst justly punished him ; would not he be prevailed on to mercy at thy supplication, who had been made glad by thy judgment ? My Brethren, though there remaineth indeed more of the Psalm, yet must we now
spare our strength, both of mind and body, by reason of the variety of hearers : for also when we are taking food from the same wheat, many new tastes as it were are made for us, so as to do away loathing: may this suffice you.
-- because thou hast judged ill, thou answerest as concerning Mercy, It is true, and I too know it; but he was poor, Mercy was due unto him. How hast thou kept Mercy, and lost Judgment? And how, sayest thou, if I should keep Judg ment should I not lose Mercy ? Should I pronounce
God isfaithful both in Mercy and in Justice. 321
DISCOURSE THE SECOND.
On the Second Part of the Psalm.
1. Both in preaching and hearing the Word of Truth is Ver. labour; and this labour, my Brethren, we bear with patience, JldL- if we remember the Lord's sentence, and our condition. For
from the very first beginning of our race hath man heard,
and that not from man that deceiveth, nor from the devil
that seduceth, but from Truth Itself out of the mouth of God,
In the sweat of thy Jace shall thou eat thy bread. There- Gen. 3, fore if our bread is the Word of God, let us sweat in hearing,19.
le6t we die in lasting. A few verses of the first part of this
Psalm, at the solemnity of the vigil lately past*, were handled:
let us hear what remaineth.
2. Now thus begins the part which remaineth, which but now we sang, (ver. 5. ) The earth is full of the Mercy of the Lord. (Ver. 6. ) By the Word of the Lord were the Heavens made firm. For it is the same thing, By the voice of the Lord were the Heavens established. He had said above, Sing skilfully unto Him with jubilation, that is, Sing inef fably : (ver. 4. ) For the Word of the Lord is right, and all His works are in faith. He promiseth nothing which He payeth not : He that is Faithful is made a debtor, be thou a covetous exacter. Then when he had said, All His works are done in faith ; he added wherefore : (ver. 5. ) He loveth Mercy and Judgment. He then, Who loveth Mercy, pitieth. But He Who pitieth, can He promise and not give, Who
could give though He promised not ? Therefore because He loveth Mercy, it behoveth Him to afford that which He pro
miseth : and because He loveth Judgment, it behoveth Him
to exact what He gave. Wherefore said the Lord Himself
to a certain servant; Wherefore gaveIst thou not the money Lukel9, into the bank, that at My coming
might have required Mine own with usury? Which therefore we mention, that we may understand what we have but now heard. For the
same Lord saith in another place, in the Gospel, / judge no John 8,
>> In the Church of St. Cyprian. Ben. Seep. 311.
'
4S'
322 Mercy freely offerIed, man answerable for the offer.
have spoken, the same shall judge "E. xv. ll. him at the last day. Nor let him excuse himself, who will SEiBiTM' not hear lest haply there be ought which may be required of
Psalm man ; the Word that
> male,
him. For that very thing is required of him, that he would not receive, when it was given. For it is one thing not to be able to receive, another not to be willing; there is the excuse of necessity, here the guilt of wilfulness. Therefore all His works are done in faith : He loveth Mercy and Judgment. Receive ye Mercy, and fear Judg ment; lest He, when He cometh to require of you, so require as to send you empty away. For He requireth an account ; the account rendered, He giveth Eternity. Receive ye
therefore Mercy. Brethren; let us all receive it. Let none of us slumber in receiving, lest he be wakened untimely1 to give account. Receive ye Mercy ; so God crieth unto us, as in time of famine it would be said, Receive corn. Which when thou heardest in time of famine, truly by the very
spur of necessity goaded thou wouldest run, turning thee this way and that way ; thou wouldest ask whence thou couldest receive that of which it was said, Receive ye ; and when thou hadst found, how wouldest thou contain thyself? what delay wouldest thou interpose ? So even now it is said, Receive ye Mercy, for He loveth Mercy and Judgment. When thou hast received, use it well, that thou mayest give a good account, when His Judgment cometh, Who now
sheweth unto thee Mercy beforehand in this famine.
3. I would not then that thou shouldest say unto me,
? Whither go I
Whence receive I
hast sung, The earth is full of the Mercy of the Lord. Where is not the Gospel now preached? Where is the Word of the Lord silent ? Where doth Salvation not work ? It needs but that thou be willing to receive: the barns are full. This very fulness and abundance waited not for thee coming, but unto thee sleeping came of themselves. It was not said, Let the nations arise, and come into one place, but the same were preached unto the nations where they
were, that thenceforward the prophecy might be fulfilled
Zeph. 2 whid1 saith, And men shall worship Him, every one from his
1?
place.
4. The earth is full of the Mercy of the Lord. What of
? Remember what Thou
The Heavens madefirm by the Son ind by the Spirit. 323
the Heavens ? Hear what of the Heavens. For they want Ver. not Mercy, where is no misery. On earth aboundeth the ---- misery of man, more aboundeth the mercy of the Lord.
With the misery of man the earth is full, and with the Mercy
of the Lord the earth is full. The Heavens, then, in which is no misery, because they want not mercy, do they not want the Lord ? All things want the Lord, both the miserable, and the happy. Without Him is not the miserable man lifted up, without Him is not the happy governed. There fore, lest haply thou shouldest ask concerning the Heavens, when thou hast heard, The earth is full of the Mercy of the Lord, hear how the Heavens also want the Lord, (ver. 6. ) By the Word of the Lord were the Heavens made firm ; for neither of themselves were the Heavens a support unto them selves, nor did they of themselves bestow on themselves their own firmness. By the word of the Lord were the Heavens made firm, and all the strength* of them by the Breath of
His Mouth. It was not that They had somewhat from themselves, and received as it were a supplement from the Lord. For by the Breath of His Mouth, was made not a part, but all the strength of them.
5. See now, my Brethren, the works of the Son and of the Holy Spirit are the same. For it ought not to be negli gently passed over, by reason of certain unrighteous dis- cerners, and troublesome confounders. For out of both cometh evil. They confound, by ill discerning, the creature with the Creator ; and when the Spirit of God is the Creator, reckon Him among the creatures. Again they discern, and yet confound : may they be so confounded that they may be converted. Hear now how the work of the Son and of the Spirit is one. The Word is certainly the Son of God, and the Breath of His Mouth His Holy Spirit. By the Word of the Lord were the Heavens made firm. But what is to be made firm, but to have a sure and firm strength And all the strength of them the Breath of His Mouth. It
might have been said thus, " By the Breath of His Mouth were the Heavens made firm, and, By the Word of the Lord, all the strength of them. " For what all the strength of them,' that 'were made firm? ' This then doth the Son
Virtus, elsewhere power, and so host. y2
is, b
is'
by
?
it,
324 Spiritual Heavens, as the literal, God's work.
Is it without the Father ? Who then Ex? II. acteth by His Word, and His Spirit, but He Whose is the Serm. Word, and Whose is the Spirit. This Trinity then is One
-- God. Him worshippeth he who knoweth how to worship, Him hath he every where who hath converted himself. For He is not sought by them that are averted from Him; but averted, Himself calleth them, that converted He may fill
them.
6. Now, my Brethren, excepting those superior Heavens,
unknown to us on earth, labouring and seeking after them
Psalm ami the Holy Spirit.
then those Heavens, concerning which, how they be one above another,
as we may by human conjectures; excepting
and how many they be, or in what manner they be distin guished, with what inhabitants they be filled, with what order they be ruled, how therein one hymn unfailing chanted in concert by all glorifieth God, it is much for us to find out, yet do we toil to arrive thither. For there is our country, which perhaps through our long travel we have forgotten.
Ps. 120, For our voice is in that Psalm, Woe is me, that my travel is
Ps. 19, ~'
Concerning those Heavens then it is both for me difficult, if not impossible, to discourse, and for you to
Whoever in these things in understanding pre vented! me, let him enjoy that whither he hath first arrived, and pray for me that I may follow. Meanwhile, excepting those Heavens, I have whereon now to discourse, as best I may, those Heavens that are the nearest to us, the sacred Apostles of God, the preachers of the Word of Truth; by which Heavens we are watered, that so through the whole world the wheat of the Church may spring up ; although with the tares now drinking one common rain, but not to have one common garner.
7. When then it had been said, The earth is full of the Mercy of the Lord; as if thou hadst asked, Whence is the earth made full of the Mercy of the Lord ? First were the Heavens sent to scatter the Mercy of the Lord over the earth, ancFthat too over the whole earth. For see what is elsewhere said concerning the Heavens themselves, The Heavens declare the glory of God, and the Firmament sheweth His handy-work. What are the Heavens, that is the Firmament, Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
prolonged.
understand.
They, the Apostles, filted Earth with tidings of Mercy. 325 There is no cessation, no silence. But where have they Ver.
',--
pi. eached, and how far have they preached ? There is no speech
nor language, where their voice is not heard, but this relateth
to that, that they spake in the tongues of all men in one place. Acts 2, Speaking in the tongues of all men, they fulfilled that which
was said, There is no speech nor language where their voice
is not heard. But I ask, that same voice in the tongues of
all men, how far hath it reached ? what places hath it filled ?
Hear then what follows, Their sound is gone out through all
the earth, and their words to the end of the world. Of whom but of those Heavens that declare the glory of God ? If then their sound hath gone out into all the earth, and their words to the end of the world, what they have preached to us let Him declare Who sent them.
He declareth plainly, faithfully He declareth : because even before they came to pass He predicted that they would be, He, all Whose works are in faith. For He rose again from the dead, and after handling of his limbs, being recognised of His disciples, He said, It behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise again the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name. Whence, and how far ? Among all nations, (saith He,) beginning at Jerusalem. But what Mercy do we all expect, my Brethren, more abundant from the Lord, than that our sins be forgiven ? Since then that is the great Mercy of the Lord, the remission of sins, this remission of sins also hath the Lord predicted should be preached among all nations. The earth is full of the Mercy of the Lord. Wherewith is the earth full ? With the Mercy of the Lord ? Wherefore ? Because every where God forgiveth
sins, because He hath sent the Heavens to water the earth. 8. And how dared those same Heavens to go with con
fidence, of weak men to be made Heavens, except that by the Word of the Lord were the Heavens made firm. Whence could sheep among wolves have such strength, except that by the Breath of His Mouth were all the strength of them.
r. uke24,
Behold, saith He, /
as sheep in the midst o/"Mat. lO, wolves. O Lord most merciful ! Surely Thou dost this, that 16.
the earth may be full of Thy Mercy. If then Thou art so Merciful, as to fill the earth with Thy Mercy; see whom Thou sendest, see whither Thou sendest. Whither, I say,
send you forth
326 Sheep in the midst of wolves victorious through Mercy.
Psalm Thou sendest, and whom Thou sendest. Sheep into the EJpIL midst of wolves. If one wolf be sent into the midst of innu- Serm. merable sheep, who resisteth him ? What doth he not over
throw, unless it happen that he is soon satisfied ? For he could devour all. Sendest Thou the weak among the savage ? I send them, saith He, because they are become Heavens to water the earth. Whence can weak men be Heavens. But all the strength of them by the Breath of His Mouth. Be hold the wolves shall take you, and deliver, and give you up to powers for My Name's sake. Now arm ye yourselves.
Mat 10, With your own strength ? Far be it. Take no thought how 19. 20. or wliai ye shall speak : for it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. For all the
2 Tim.
strength of them by the Breath of His Mouth.
9. These things were done. The Apostles were sent;
they endured pressures. Do we now bear as great to hear this Word, as they to sow it? No. Will then, Brethren, our labour be unfruitful ? No. I see your thronging toge- ther, but ye also see my sweat. If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him. Behold those things are come to pass. From those sheep sent into the midst of wolves, we cele brate also the Martyrs' memories. This very place, when
'
'
1St. Cy-the body of a blessed 'Martyr was smitten, was then full of
priaD.
Trea. tises.
wolves. So many wolves were overcome by one sheep cap- Pref. tured, and the place was filled with sheep by one sheep slain.
Then raged the sea with great waves of persecutors. Into a dry larKl and thirsty went the Heaven of God. But now, through those things which they suffered, who broke the enemy's line, is the Name of Christ glorified. Walking over the heads of swelling waters, it hath occupied even powers themselves. And because those things are come to pass, they also who now see, not yet believing, our conventicles, our celebrations, our solemnities, the praises now openly, now publicly offered to our God; think ye that they grieve not, think ye that they do not rave ? But now is fulfilled
Ps. U2, that which is written of them, The wicked shall see it, and shall be enraged. What then, though he be enraged. Fear not the wolf, O sheep. Fear not now their threats and raving. He is enraged, but what followeth ? He shall
gnash with his teeth, and melt away.
Bitterness of wicked confined. The Righteous still tried. 327
10. Because then the salt sea-water, which hath remained, Vrr. dares not now to rage against Christians, but grinds1 to U-- itself a secret murmur, and within the mortal skin roars the al. rug'it. confined saltness; see what follows, (ver. 7. ) He gathereth
the waters of the sea together as into a bottle. Since then before, the sea having its waves free raged, but now being confined within mortal breasts is bitter, He, who in those
Saints was victorious, who then set bounds to the sea, He
hath caused that its waves returning into themselves should
be abated. He hath gathered as into a bottle the waters of
the sea: the mortal skin covereth bitter thought. For fear
ing for their own skin, men keep within, that which they
dare not to utter. For their bitterness is the same : they
hate as much, they detest as much. But what then raged openly, now rageth secretly. What else can I say, than that which is spoken, He shall gnash with his teeth and melt away? Let the Church then go on, let it walk for ward. The way is made, our highway is paved for us by the Emperor. Let us be fervent in our journeys of good work, for this it is for us to walk on. And if ever arise pressures of temptations, whence we expected them not, the waters of the sea being now gathered together as into a bottle, let us understand that the Lord doth this for discipline, that He may shake out of us too confident a security in temporal
things, and direct us to His kingdom with composed desire. Which desire by tribulations buffeting on this side and on that is lengthened out, so that we become tuneful to the
Ears of the Lord like ductile trumpets. For this also is
said in the Psalms, that we should praise God on ductile Ps. 98,6. trumpets. A ductile trumpet is enlarged by the hammer, so
the Christian heart by the blows of pressures is enlarged towards God.
11. Let us remember then, Brethren, now at this time, in which the water of the sea has been gathered as into a bottle, that there is not wanting to God, whence He may bring forth somewhat, wherewith to amend us, when we
have need of amendment. For therefore it follows, He layeth up the deep in storehouses. The secrets of God he calleth God's storehouses. He knoweth the hearts of all, what to bring forth at any time, whence to bring it forth, what
328 God hath in store means of correction. Fear Him alone.
Psai. m power to bestow upon the evil over the good, to judge indeed Exp. II. the evil, but to instruct the good. He knoweth how to do Sbrm. these things, Who layeth up the deep in storehouses. Let that then come to pass which followeth, (ver. 8. ) Lei all the earth fear the Lord. Let not proud rejoicing glory with
rash exultation, saying, Now is the water of the sea gathered
as into a bottle; who can do any thing to me? Who will dare to hurt me? Knowest thou not that He hath laid up the deep in storehouses ; knowest thou not whence He bringeth forth what is needful to scourge thee, Who is thy Father? He indeed for thy discipline keepeth the treasures of the deep, wherewith He may instruct thee unto the treasures of the Heavens. Therefore return thou unto fear, who wast going but now into security. Let the earth rejoice, but let it also fear. Let it rejoice ; Wherefore? Because the earth is full of the mercy of the Lord. Let it fear; Wherefore? Because He hath so gathered into a bottle the waters of the sea, as to lay up the deep in store houses. In it then come these things to pass, both of which
Ps. 2,ii. elsewhere are briefly spoken of, Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
12. Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the iniui- bitanis of the world stand in awe of Him. Let them not fear another instead of Him. Of Him let all the inha bitants of the world stand in awe. Doth a wild beast rage ? Fear God. Doth a serpent lie in wait? Fear God. Doth
man hate thee ? Fear God. Doth the devil fight against thee? Fear God. For the whole creation is under Him Whom thou art commanded to fear. (Ver. 9. ) For He spake, and they were made: He commanded, and they were created. This followeth in the Psalm. For when he had said, Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him, lest man should betake himself to fearing any thing else, and being averse to the fear of God, should fear some creature instead of Him, and worship that which was made, leaving Him Who made he confirmed us in the fear of God, as were speaking to us, and addressing us. Why wilt Thou fear aught in Heaven, aught in earth, aught in the
sea? He spake, and they were made: commanded, and they were created. When He, Who spake, and they were made
together
;
it
it,
The enemy has no power to hurt but at God's will. 329
Who commanded, and they were created; when He bids, Ver.
--! ---- they move; when He bids, they rest. The malice of men 9 10
can have the desire of injuring for its own ; but the power,
if He giveth not, hath it not. For there is no power but o/Rom. 13,
God. It is the definitive sentence of an Apostle. He said ' not, There is no desire but of God; for there is an evil desire which is not of God: but because that evil desire hurteth none, if He permit not; There is no power, saith he, but of God. Wherefore God as Man standing before a man, said, Thou couldest hare no power at all against
Me,^? ^Dl9, except it were given thee from above. The one judged, the
other taught: when He was being judged, He taught; that
He might judge those whom He had taught. Thou couldest
have, said He, no power at all against Me, except it were
given thee from above. What is this ? Hath man only no power, except when he hath received it from above? What? Dared even the devil himself to take one sheep from holy
Job, without first saying, Put forth Thine Hand now; thatJobli11, is, Give me power? He was willing; but He suffered not:
when He permitted, he had the power. Therefore had not
he the power, but He who permitted him. Therefore Job himself also, being well instructed, said not, as I have already often observed unto you, The Lord gave, and the
devil hath taken away, but, The Lord gave, and the Z,o;rfJ? bl, hath taken away: whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did
He; not whatsoever the devil pleased. See then, my Bre thren, who with such labour eat wholesome and useful bread, see that ye fear not any one but the Lord. Beside
Him, that Thou fear no other, Scripture commandeth thee. Therefore let all the earth fear the Lord, who layeth up the depth in storehouses. Of Him let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe. For He spake, and they were made; He commanded, and they were created.
19. But now have evil kings ceased, they are made good : they too have believed ; the sign of Christ's Cross now bear they in their forehead, a sign more precious than any jewel of a diadem: they who raged, are destroyed. But who hath done this? Haply thou, that thou mayest extol thyself?
(Ver. 10. ) The Lord bringeth the counsel of the Hen Ihen to
330 The Church's Victory is of God. His Counsels, and man's.
Psalm nought; He maketh the devices of the people of none effect; Kip. II. iwrf reproveth the counsels of princes. While they said, Skem. Let us away with them from off the earth, the Christian name will no longer be, if we do this: thus be they slain,
thus tortured; be such and such things inflicted on them: these things were said, and amid these, did the Church grow. He maketh the devices of the people of none effect, and reproveth the counsels of princes.
14. Ver. II. The Counsel of the Lord standeth for ever; the Thoughts of His Heart to all generations. It is a repe tition of the same sentence. What before he called, The Counsel, that he calleth afterwards, The Thoughts of His Heart. And whereas above he saith, standeth for ever, so afterwards he saith, to all generations. Repetition is con firmation. But think not, Brethren, because he said, The Thoughts of His Heart, that God as it were sitteth down
and thinketh what He should do, and taketh counsel to do
any thing, or not to do any thing. To thee, O Man, belongs Ps. \47, such tardiness. His Word runneth very swiftly. When
lo-
can there be delay of thought, in that Word, Which is One, and embraceth all things? But the Thoughts of God are spoken of, that thou mayest understand ; that according to what is in thee, thou mayest dare to lift up thy heart even to words suited to thine infirmity : because the thing itself is too much for thee. The Thoughts of His Heart to all
What are the Thoughts of His Heart, and what is the counsel of the Lord which standeth for ever ? Ps. 2,1. Against which counsel, Why do the Heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
wisd. 5, they repenting and groaning for anguish of spirit, shall say within themselves, (is it not written in the book of Wisdom? ) What hath pride profited us ? or what good hath riches with our vaunting brought us ? All these things are passed away
like a shadow. Let us now say, All these things are passing away like a shadow. Let us now say to our profit, They are passing away ; lest then we say without avail, They are passed away. This then is the time of Mercy, there will
come also the time of Judgment.
11. But think not, Brethren, that these two can in any
wise be separated, the one from the other, in God. They do indeed seem somewhat contrary to each other ; as if one who is Merciful could not observe Judgment; and one who is
God keeps both. How man may do the like. 319 tenacious of Judgment, would forget Mercy. But God is Ver.
'. --
Omnipotent; neither in Mercy loseth He Judgment, nor in Judgment, Mercy. For He hath compassion, He considereth His Own Image, our frailty, our wandering, our blindness, and He calleth ; and to those converted unto Him He for- giveth sins, to the unconverted He forgiveth not. Is He Merciful to the unrighteous ? Has He therefore lost Judg ment, or ought He not to judge between the converted and the unconverted ? Seemeth it just to you, that the converted and the unconverted be treated equally; that the same regard be paid to one confessing and one lying, to the humble and the proud ? Therefore hath He Judgment, yea even in Mercy. Again, in The Judgment will He have Mercy, namely,
/ was an hungered, and Mat25, ye gave Me meat. For in a certain Apostolic Epistle it is
upon those unto whom He shall say,
said, For he shall have Judgment without Mercy, that hath James
shewed no Mercy. Blessed (saith He) are the merciful : mm. 5, for they shall obtain Mercy. Therefore in The Judgment7.
shall there be also Mercy, but not without Judgment. For
if not every one, but he shall have Mercy, who hath before shewn Mercy; even Mercy itself will be just, because it will
not be indiscriminate. Mercy it surely is, that sins should Lake 6, be forgiven, Mercy it that life eternal should be bestowed;
see then also Judgment, Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven
give, and shall be given unto you. Surely this, It shall be Matt. given unto you, and, ye shall be forgiven, Mercy but Judgment had departed therefrom, He would not say, Wi'/AMatt. what measure ye mete, shall be measured to you again.
12. Thou hast heard how God sheweth Mercy and Judg
ment, do thou also shew Mercy and Judgment. Do these
things perhaps belong unto God do they not belong unto
man If they belonged not unto man, the Lord would not
have said to the Pharisees, Ye have omitted the weightier Mat. 23,
'
matters of the Law, Judgment and Mercy. Therefore unto Thee belong Mercy and Judgment. Think not that Mercy belongeth unto thee, but Judgment belongeth not unto thee. It may be thou hearest cause between two, of whom one rich, and the other poor; and may happen that the poor man hath bad, the rich good cause. Now thou art not instructed in the Kingdom of God, thou seemest to thyself to do well, as pitying the poor man, thou hide and conceal
if,
a it
a a
it ;
is,
if
it
is
if
6,
;
?
7,
is
;
320 No mercy in favouring the poor against justice.
Psalm his iniquity, and strive to justify him, so that he may seem Exp. ll. to have a good cause; and if thou shouldest be blamed
Ex. 23,
against a poor man, who had not wherewithal to pay, or if he had, could not, after that he had paid, find wherewithal to live ? Thy God saith unto thee, Neither shall thou coun tenance a poor man in his cause. It is an easy thing that we should be warned not to accept the person of the rich ; this every man knoweth, and would that every man so did. That is where one is deceived ; where one would please God, by accepting the person of the poor in judgment, and saying unto God, I have shewn favour unto the poor. Nay, but thou shouldest hold fast both, even both Mercy and Judg ment. First, what sort of mercy hast thou shewed towards him, whose iniquity thou hast favoured ? Lo, his purse thou hast spared, his heart thou hast wounded : that poor man hath remained in his iniquity, and is so much the more in iniquity, as he hath seen thee, as if a righteous man, favour his iniquity. From thee hath he departed, unjustly succoured ; by God he remaineth justly to be condemned. What sort of mercy hast thou shewn to him, whom thou hast made un righteous? Lo, thou art found more cruel than merciful.
What then, sayest thou, should I do ? Thou shouldest judge first according to the cause. Thou shouldest con
vict the poor, prevail on the rich man. There is one time for judgment, another for supplication. When the rich man saw that thou hadst held justice, hadst not lifted up the head of the wicked because he was poor, but according to the merits of his sin hadst justly punished him ; would not he be prevailed on to mercy at thy supplication, who had been made glad by thy judgment ? My Brethren, though there remaineth indeed more of the Psalm, yet must we now
spare our strength, both of mind and body, by reason of the variety of hearers : for also when we are taking food from the same wheat, many new tastes as it were are made for us, so as to do away loathing: may this suffice you.
-- because thou hast judged ill, thou answerest as concerning Mercy, It is true, and I too know it; but he was poor, Mercy was due unto him. How hast thou kept Mercy, and lost Judgment? And how, sayest thou, if I should keep Judg ment should I not lose Mercy ? Should I pronounce
God isfaithful both in Mercy and in Justice. 321
DISCOURSE THE SECOND.
On the Second Part of the Psalm.
1. Both in preaching and hearing the Word of Truth is Ver. labour; and this labour, my Brethren, we bear with patience, JldL- if we remember the Lord's sentence, and our condition. For
from the very first beginning of our race hath man heard,
and that not from man that deceiveth, nor from the devil
that seduceth, but from Truth Itself out of the mouth of God,
In the sweat of thy Jace shall thou eat thy bread. There- Gen. 3, fore if our bread is the Word of God, let us sweat in hearing,19.
le6t we die in lasting. A few verses of the first part of this
Psalm, at the solemnity of the vigil lately past*, were handled:
let us hear what remaineth.
2. Now thus begins the part which remaineth, which but now we sang, (ver. 5. ) The earth is full of the Mercy of the Lord. (Ver. 6. ) By the Word of the Lord were the Heavens made firm. For it is the same thing, By the voice of the Lord were the Heavens established. He had said above, Sing skilfully unto Him with jubilation, that is, Sing inef fably : (ver. 4. ) For the Word of the Lord is right, and all His works are in faith. He promiseth nothing which He payeth not : He that is Faithful is made a debtor, be thou a covetous exacter. Then when he had said, All His works are done in faith ; he added wherefore : (ver. 5. ) He loveth Mercy and Judgment. He then, Who loveth Mercy, pitieth. But He Who pitieth, can He promise and not give, Who
could give though He promised not ? Therefore because He loveth Mercy, it behoveth Him to afford that which He pro
miseth : and because He loveth Judgment, it behoveth Him
to exact what He gave. Wherefore said the Lord Himself
to a certain servant; Wherefore gaveIst thou not the money Lukel9, into the bank, that at My coming
might have required Mine own with usury? Which therefore we mention, that we may understand what we have but now heard. For the
same Lord saith in another place, in the Gospel, / judge no John 8,
>> In the Church of St. Cyprian. Ben. Seep. 311.
'
4S'
322 Mercy freely offerIed, man answerable for the offer.
have spoken, the same shall judge "E. xv. ll. him at the last day. Nor let him excuse himself, who will SEiBiTM' not hear lest haply there be ought which may be required of
Psalm man ; the Word that
> male,
him. For that very thing is required of him, that he would not receive, when it was given. For it is one thing not to be able to receive, another not to be willing; there is the excuse of necessity, here the guilt of wilfulness. Therefore all His works are done in faith : He loveth Mercy and Judgment. Receive ye Mercy, and fear Judg ment; lest He, when He cometh to require of you, so require as to send you empty away. For He requireth an account ; the account rendered, He giveth Eternity. Receive ye
therefore Mercy. Brethren; let us all receive it. Let none of us slumber in receiving, lest he be wakened untimely1 to give account. Receive ye Mercy ; so God crieth unto us, as in time of famine it would be said, Receive corn. Which when thou heardest in time of famine, truly by the very
spur of necessity goaded thou wouldest run, turning thee this way and that way ; thou wouldest ask whence thou couldest receive that of which it was said, Receive ye ; and when thou hadst found, how wouldest thou contain thyself? what delay wouldest thou interpose ? So even now it is said, Receive ye Mercy, for He loveth Mercy and Judgment. When thou hast received, use it well, that thou mayest give a good account, when His Judgment cometh, Who now
sheweth unto thee Mercy beforehand in this famine.
3. I would not then that thou shouldest say unto me,
? Whither go I
Whence receive I
hast sung, The earth is full of the Mercy of the Lord. Where is not the Gospel now preached? Where is the Word of the Lord silent ? Where doth Salvation not work ? It needs but that thou be willing to receive: the barns are full. This very fulness and abundance waited not for thee coming, but unto thee sleeping came of themselves. It was not said, Let the nations arise, and come into one place, but the same were preached unto the nations where they
were, that thenceforward the prophecy might be fulfilled
Zeph. 2 whid1 saith, And men shall worship Him, every one from his
1?
place.
4. The earth is full of the Mercy of the Lord. What of
? Remember what Thou
The Heavens madefirm by the Son ind by the Spirit. 323
the Heavens ? Hear what of the Heavens. For they want Ver. not Mercy, where is no misery. On earth aboundeth the ---- misery of man, more aboundeth the mercy of the Lord.
With the misery of man the earth is full, and with the Mercy
of the Lord the earth is full. The Heavens, then, in which is no misery, because they want not mercy, do they not want the Lord ? All things want the Lord, both the miserable, and the happy. Without Him is not the miserable man lifted up, without Him is not the happy governed. There fore, lest haply thou shouldest ask concerning the Heavens, when thou hast heard, The earth is full of the Mercy of the Lord, hear how the Heavens also want the Lord, (ver. 6. ) By the Word of the Lord were the Heavens made firm ; for neither of themselves were the Heavens a support unto them selves, nor did they of themselves bestow on themselves their own firmness. By the word of the Lord were the Heavens made firm, and all the strength* of them by the Breath of
His Mouth. It was not that They had somewhat from themselves, and received as it were a supplement from the Lord. For by the Breath of His Mouth, was made not a part, but all the strength of them.
5. See now, my Brethren, the works of the Son and of the Holy Spirit are the same. For it ought not to be negli gently passed over, by reason of certain unrighteous dis- cerners, and troublesome confounders. For out of both cometh evil. They confound, by ill discerning, the creature with the Creator ; and when the Spirit of God is the Creator, reckon Him among the creatures. Again they discern, and yet confound : may they be so confounded that they may be converted. Hear now how the work of the Son and of the Spirit is one. The Word is certainly the Son of God, and the Breath of His Mouth His Holy Spirit. By the Word of the Lord were the Heavens made firm. But what is to be made firm, but to have a sure and firm strength And all the strength of them the Breath of His Mouth. It
might have been said thus, " By the Breath of His Mouth were the Heavens made firm, and, By the Word of the Lord, all the strength of them. " For what all the strength of them,' that 'were made firm? ' This then doth the Son
Virtus, elsewhere power, and so host. y2
is, b
is'
by
?
it,
324 Spiritual Heavens, as the literal, God's work.
Is it without the Father ? Who then Ex? II. acteth by His Word, and His Spirit, but He Whose is the Serm. Word, and Whose is the Spirit. This Trinity then is One
-- God. Him worshippeth he who knoweth how to worship, Him hath he every where who hath converted himself. For He is not sought by them that are averted from Him; but averted, Himself calleth them, that converted He may fill
them.
6. Now, my Brethren, excepting those superior Heavens,
unknown to us on earth, labouring and seeking after them
Psalm ami the Holy Spirit.
then those Heavens, concerning which, how they be one above another,
as we may by human conjectures; excepting
and how many they be, or in what manner they be distin guished, with what inhabitants they be filled, with what order they be ruled, how therein one hymn unfailing chanted in concert by all glorifieth God, it is much for us to find out, yet do we toil to arrive thither. For there is our country, which perhaps through our long travel we have forgotten.
Ps. 120, For our voice is in that Psalm, Woe is me, that my travel is
Ps. 19, ~'
Concerning those Heavens then it is both for me difficult, if not impossible, to discourse, and for you to
Whoever in these things in understanding pre vented! me, let him enjoy that whither he hath first arrived, and pray for me that I may follow. Meanwhile, excepting those Heavens, I have whereon now to discourse, as best I may, those Heavens that are the nearest to us, the sacred Apostles of God, the preachers of the Word of Truth; by which Heavens we are watered, that so through the whole world the wheat of the Church may spring up ; although with the tares now drinking one common rain, but not to have one common garner.
7. When then it had been said, The earth is full of the Mercy of the Lord; as if thou hadst asked, Whence is the earth made full of the Mercy of the Lord ? First were the Heavens sent to scatter the Mercy of the Lord over the earth, ancFthat too over the whole earth. For see what is elsewhere said concerning the Heavens themselves, The Heavens declare the glory of God, and the Firmament sheweth His handy-work. What are the Heavens, that is the Firmament, Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
prolonged.
understand.
They, the Apostles, filted Earth with tidings of Mercy. 325 There is no cessation, no silence. But where have they Ver.
',--
pi. eached, and how far have they preached ? There is no speech
nor language, where their voice is not heard, but this relateth
to that, that they spake in the tongues of all men in one place. Acts 2, Speaking in the tongues of all men, they fulfilled that which
was said, There is no speech nor language where their voice
is not heard. But I ask, that same voice in the tongues of
all men, how far hath it reached ? what places hath it filled ?
Hear then what follows, Their sound is gone out through all
the earth, and their words to the end of the world. Of whom but of those Heavens that declare the glory of God ? If then their sound hath gone out into all the earth, and their words to the end of the world, what they have preached to us let Him declare Who sent them.
He declareth plainly, faithfully He declareth : because even before they came to pass He predicted that they would be, He, all Whose works are in faith. For He rose again from the dead, and after handling of his limbs, being recognised of His disciples, He said, It behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise again the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name. Whence, and how far ? Among all nations, (saith He,) beginning at Jerusalem. But what Mercy do we all expect, my Brethren, more abundant from the Lord, than that our sins be forgiven ? Since then that is the great Mercy of the Lord, the remission of sins, this remission of sins also hath the Lord predicted should be preached among all nations. The earth is full of the Mercy of the Lord. Wherewith is the earth full ? With the Mercy of the Lord ? Wherefore ? Because every where God forgiveth
sins, because He hath sent the Heavens to water the earth. 8. And how dared those same Heavens to go with con
fidence, of weak men to be made Heavens, except that by the Word of the Lord were the Heavens made firm. Whence could sheep among wolves have such strength, except that by the Breath of His Mouth were all the strength of them.
r. uke24,
Behold, saith He, /
as sheep in the midst o/"Mat. lO, wolves. O Lord most merciful ! Surely Thou dost this, that 16.
the earth may be full of Thy Mercy. If then Thou art so Merciful, as to fill the earth with Thy Mercy; see whom Thou sendest, see whither Thou sendest. Whither, I say,
send you forth
326 Sheep in the midst of wolves victorious through Mercy.
Psalm Thou sendest, and whom Thou sendest. Sheep into the EJpIL midst of wolves. If one wolf be sent into the midst of innu- Serm. merable sheep, who resisteth him ? What doth he not over
throw, unless it happen that he is soon satisfied ? For he could devour all. Sendest Thou the weak among the savage ? I send them, saith He, because they are become Heavens to water the earth. Whence can weak men be Heavens. But all the strength of them by the Breath of His Mouth. Be hold the wolves shall take you, and deliver, and give you up to powers for My Name's sake. Now arm ye yourselves.
Mat 10, With your own strength ? Far be it. Take no thought how 19. 20. or wliai ye shall speak : for it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. For all the
2 Tim.
strength of them by the Breath of His Mouth.
9. These things were done. The Apostles were sent;
they endured pressures. Do we now bear as great to hear this Word, as they to sow it? No. Will then, Brethren, our labour be unfruitful ? No. I see your thronging toge- ther, but ye also see my sweat. If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him. Behold those things are come to pass. From those sheep sent into the midst of wolves, we cele brate also the Martyrs' memories. This very place, when
'
'
1St. Cy-the body of a blessed 'Martyr was smitten, was then full of
priaD.
Trea. tises.
wolves. So many wolves were overcome by one sheep cap- Pref. tured, and the place was filled with sheep by one sheep slain.
Then raged the sea with great waves of persecutors. Into a dry larKl and thirsty went the Heaven of God. But now, through those things which they suffered, who broke the enemy's line, is the Name of Christ glorified. Walking over the heads of swelling waters, it hath occupied even powers themselves. And because those things are come to pass, they also who now see, not yet believing, our conventicles, our celebrations, our solemnities, the praises now openly, now publicly offered to our God; think ye that they grieve not, think ye that they do not rave ? But now is fulfilled
Ps. U2, that which is written of them, The wicked shall see it, and shall be enraged. What then, though he be enraged. Fear not the wolf, O sheep. Fear not now their threats and raving. He is enraged, but what followeth ? He shall
gnash with his teeth, and melt away.
Bitterness of wicked confined. The Righteous still tried. 327
10. Because then the salt sea-water, which hath remained, Vrr. dares not now to rage against Christians, but grinds1 to U-- itself a secret murmur, and within the mortal skin roars the al. rug'it. confined saltness; see what follows, (ver. 7. ) He gathereth
the waters of the sea together as into a bottle. Since then before, the sea having its waves free raged, but now being confined within mortal breasts is bitter, He, who in those
Saints was victorious, who then set bounds to the sea, He
hath caused that its waves returning into themselves should
be abated. He hath gathered as into a bottle the waters of
the sea: the mortal skin covereth bitter thought. For fear
ing for their own skin, men keep within, that which they
dare not to utter. For their bitterness is the same : they
hate as much, they detest as much. But what then raged openly, now rageth secretly. What else can I say, than that which is spoken, He shall gnash with his teeth and melt away? Let the Church then go on, let it walk for ward. The way is made, our highway is paved for us by the Emperor. Let us be fervent in our journeys of good work, for this it is for us to walk on. And if ever arise pressures of temptations, whence we expected them not, the waters of the sea being now gathered together as into a bottle, let us understand that the Lord doth this for discipline, that He may shake out of us too confident a security in temporal
things, and direct us to His kingdom with composed desire. Which desire by tribulations buffeting on this side and on that is lengthened out, so that we become tuneful to the
Ears of the Lord like ductile trumpets. For this also is
said in the Psalms, that we should praise God on ductile Ps. 98,6. trumpets. A ductile trumpet is enlarged by the hammer, so
the Christian heart by the blows of pressures is enlarged towards God.
11. Let us remember then, Brethren, now at this time, in which the water of the sea has been gathered as into a bottle, that there is not wanting to God, whence He may bring forth somewhat, wherewith to amend us, when we
have need of amendment. For therefore it follows, He layeth up the deep in storehouses. The secrets of God he calleth God's storehouses. He knoweth the hearts of all, what to bring forth at any time, whence to bring it forth, what
328 God hath in store means of correction. Fear Him alone.
Psai. m power to bestow upon the evil over the good, to judge indeed Exp. II. the evil, but to instruct the good. He knoweth how to do Sbrm. these things, Who layeth up the deep in storehouses. Let that then come to pass which followeth, (ver. 8. ) Lei all the earth fear the Lord. Let not proud rejoicing glory with
rash exultation, saying, Now is the water of the sea gathered
as into a bottle; who can do any thing to me? Who will dare to hurt me? Knowest thou not that He hath laid up the deep in storehouses ; knowest thou not whence He bringeth forth what is needful to scourge thee, Who is thy Father? He indeed for thy discipline keepeth the treasures of the deep, wherewith He may instruct thee unto the treasures of the Heavens. Therefore return thou unto fear, who wast going but now into security. Let the earth rejoice, but let it also fear. Let it rejoice ; Wherefore? Because the earth is full of the mercy of the Lord. Let it fear; Wherefore? Because He hath so gathered into a bottle the waters of the sea, as to lay up the deep in store houses. In it then come these things to pass, both of which
Ps. 2,ii. elsewhere are briefly spoken of, Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
12. Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the iniui- bitanis of the world stand in awe of Him. Let them not fear another instead of Him. Of Him let all the inha bitants of the world stand in awe. Doth a wild beast rage ? Fear God. Doth a serpent lie in wait? Fear God. Doth
man hate thee ? Fear God. Doth the devil fight against thee? Fear God. For the whole creation is under Him Whom thou art commanded to fear. (Ver. 9. ) For He spake, and they were made: He commanded, and they were created. This followeth in the Psalm. For when he had said, Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him, lest man should betake himself to fearing any thing else, and being averse to the fear of God, should fear some creature instead of Him, and worship that which was made, leaving Him Who made he confirmed us in the fear of God, as were speaking to us, and addressing us. Why wilt Thou fear aught in Heaven, aught in earth, aught in the
sea? He spake, and they were made: commanded, and they were created. When He, Who spake, and they were made
together
;
it
it,
The enemy has no power to hurt but at God's will. 329
Who commanded, and they were created; when He bids, Ver.
--! ---- they move; when He bids, they rest. The malice of men 9 10
can have the desire of injuring for its own ; but the power,
if He giveth not, hath it not. For there is no power but o/Rom. 13,
God. It is the definitive sentence of an Apostle. He said ' not, There is no desire but of God; for there is an evil desire which is not of God: but because that evil desire hurteth none, if He permit not; There is no power, saith he, but of God. Wherefore God as Man standing before a man, said, Thou couldest hare no power at all against
Me,^? ^Dl9, except it were given thee from above. The one judged, the
other taught: when He was being judged, He taught; that
He might judge those whom He had taught. Thou couldest
have, said He, no power at all against Me, except it were
given thee from above. What is this ? Hath man only no power, except when he hath received it from above? What? Dared even the devil himself to take one sheep from holy
Job, without first saying, Put forth Thine Hand now; thatJobli11, is, Give me power? He was willing; but He suffered not:
when He permitted, he had the power. Therefore had not
he the power, but He who permitted him. Therefore Job himself also, being well instructed, said not, as I have already often observed unto you, The Lord gave, and the
devil hath taken away, but, The Lord gave, and the Z,o;rfJ? bl, hath taken away: whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did
He; not whatsoever the devil pleased. See then, my Bre thren, who with such labour eat wholesome and useful bread, see that ye fear not any one but the Lord. Beside
Him, that Thou fear no other, Scripture commandeth thee. Therefore let all the earth fear the Lord, who layeth up the depth in storehouses. Of Him let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe. For He spake, and they were made; He commanded, and they were created.
19. But now have evil kings ceased, they are made good : they too have believed ; the sign of Christ's Cross now bear they in their forehead, a sign more precious than any jewel of a diadem: they who raged, are destroyed. But who hath done this? Haply thou, that thou mayest extol thyself?
(Ver. 10. ) The Lord bringeth the counsel of the Hen Ihen to
330 The Church's Victory is of God. His Counsels, and man's.
Psalm nought; He maketh the devices of the people of none effect; Kip. II. iwrf reproveth the counsels of princes. While they said, Skem. Let us away with them from off the earth, the Christian name will no longer be, if we do this: thus be they slain,
thus tortured; be such and such things inflicted on them: these things were said, and amid these, did the Church grow. He maketh the devices of the people of none effect, and reproveth the counsels of princes.
14. Ver. II. The Counsel of the Lord standeth for ever; the Thoughts of His Heart to all generations. It is a repe tition of the same sentence. What before he called, The Counsel, that he calleth afterwards, The Thoughts of His Heart. And whereas above he saith, standeth for ever, so afterwards he saith, to all generations. Repetition is con firmation. But think not, Brethren, because he said, The Thoughts of His Heart, that God as it were sitteth down
and thinketh what He should do, and taketh counsel to do
any thing, or not to do any thing. To thee, O Man, belongs Ps. \47, such tardiness. His Word runneth very swiftly. When
lo-
can there be delay of thought, in that Word, Which is One, and embraceth all things? But the Thoughts of God are spoken of, that thou mayest understand ; that according to what is in thee, thou mayest dare to lift up thy heart even to words suited to thine infirmity : because the thing itself is too much for thee. The Thoughts of His Heart to all
What are the Thoughts of His Heart, and what is the counsel of the Lord which standeth for ever ? Ps. 2,1. Against which counsel, Why do the Heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
