190 Yet stricter. Riders better chosen. Discourses of higher things.

Homil. yea, rather, not of all these even, but of such as can be fully

,—,.r' proved; and ofttimes, moreover, even in these dealeth treacherously '; but this court instructeth those that enter it, that

Heb. 4, He that judgeth in our case, will bring forward all things naked and opened before the common theatre of the world, and that to be hidden will be impossible. So that Christianity keeps

* i%uin together this our life far more than temporal * laws. For if, to tremble about secret sins makes a man safer, than to fear for such as are open; and if to call him to account even for those offences which be less, doth rather excite him unto virtue, than to punish the graver only; then it is easily

3«.y*{»-seen that this rule, more than all others, welds3 our life

T"~ together.

[6.] But, if thou wilt, let us consider also the mode of electing the rulers; for here too thou shalt behold the difference to be great. For it is not possible to gain this authority by giving money, but by having displayed a highly virtuous character; and not as unto glory with men, and ease unto himself, but as unto toils and labours, and the welfare of the many, thus, (I say,) is he that hath been appointed inducted unto this rule. Wherefore also abundant is the assistance he enjoys from the Spirit. And in that case indeed the rule can go no further, than to declare merely what is to be done; but in this it addeth besides, the help derived from prayers and from the Spirit. But further; in that case indeed is not a word about philosophy, nor doth any sit to teach what a soul is, and what at all the world, and what we are to be hereafter, and unto what things we shall depart hence, and how we shall achieve virtue. Howbeit, of contracts, and bonds, and money, there is much speech, but of those things not a thought; whereas in the Church one may see that these are the subjects of every discourse. Wherefore also with justice may one call it by all these names, a court of justice, and a hospital, and a school of philosophy, and a nursery of the soul, and a training course for that race that leadeth unto heaven. Further, that this rule is also the mildest of all, even though requiring greater strictness, is plain from hence. For the temporal ruler, if he catch an adulterer, straightway punishes him. And yet Civil rule cuts off, this cures, a sinner. Effects on the world. 191

what is the advantage of this? For this is not to destroy the 2 Cor.

passion, but to send away the soul with its wound upon it ''—:

But this ruler, when he hath detected, considers not how he shall avenge, but how extirpate the passion. For thou indeed dost the same thing, as if, when there was a disease of the head, thou shouldest not stay the disease, but cut off the head. But I do not thus: but I cut off the disease. And I exclude him indeed from mysteries, and hallowed precincts; but when I have restored him, I receive him back again, at once delivered from that viciousness, and amended by his repentance. 'And how is it possible,' saith one, ' to extirpate adultery?' It is possible, yea, very possible, if a man comes under these laws. For the Church is a spiritual bath, which wipeth away not filth of body, but stains of soul, by its many methods of repentance. For thou, indeed, both if thou let a man go unpunished, hast made him worse, and if thou punish, hast sent him away uncured: but I neither let him go unpunished, nor punish him, as thou, but both exact a satisfaction which becomes me, and set that right which hath been done. Wilt thou learn in yet another way, how that thou indeed, though baring swords and displaying flames to them that offend, workest not any considerable cure; whilst I, without these things, have conducted them to perfect health? But no need have I of arguments, or words, but I bring forth earth and sea, and human nature itself, (for witnesses.] And inquire, before this court held its sittings, what was the condition of human affairs; how, not even the names of the good works, which now are done, were ever heard of. For who braved death? who despised money? who was indifferent to glory? who, fleeing from the turmoils of life', bade wel-> \, pi,* come to mountains and solitude, the mother of heavenly wisdom? where was at all the name of virginity? For all these things, and more than these, were the good work of this judgment-court, the doings of this rule. Knowing these things then, and well understanding, that from this proceedeth every benefit of our life, and the reformation of the world, come frequently unto the hearing of the Divine words, and our assemblies here, and the prayers. For if ye thus order

192 God's promises to a holy conversation.

Homil. yourselves, ye will be able, having displayed a conversation

— worthy of heaven, to obtain the promised good things; which

may all we obtain, through the grace and love toward men of our Lord Jesus Christ, to Whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Paul joyed for Titus' joy, not on his account,but theirs. 193

HOMILY XVI.

2 Cor. vii. 13.

And in your comfort, exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.

See again how he exalts their praises, and sheweth their love. For having said, ' I was pleased that my Epistle wrought so much, and that ye gained so much,' for I rejoice, he saith, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance; and having shewn his own love, for he saith, Though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you might appear to you: again he mentioneth another sign of their good will, which bringeth them great praise, and sheweth the genuineness of their affection. For, in your comfort, he saith, exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus. And yet this is no sign of one that loveth them exceedingly; rejoicing rather for Titus than for them. 'Yes,' he replies, 'it is, for I joyed not so much for his cause as for yours.' Therefore also he subjoins the reason, saying, because his bowels were refreshed by you all. He said not, 'he,' but his bowels; that is, ' his love for you.' And how were they refreshed? By all. For this too is a very great praise.

Ver. 14. For if I have boasted any thing to him of you.

It is high praise when the teacher boasteth, for he saith, I am not ashamed. I was therefore rejoiced, because ye shewed yourselves to be amended, and proved my words by your deeds. So that the honour accruing to me was

* In the B. T. the words " Id your comfort" are connected with what precedes, not what follows them.

O

194 Titus' love for them. Grounded'on theirfear and love ofhim.

Homil.twofold; first, in that ye had made progress; next, in that

- I was not found to fall short of the truth.

Ver. 14. But as we spake always to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth.

Here he alludes to something further. As we spake all

things among you in truth, (for it is probable that he had

also spoken to them much in praise of this man',) so also,

what we said of you to Titus, has been proved true.

»Gr. Ver. 15. And his inward affection3 is more abundant to

bowels.

ward you.

What follows is in commendation of him, as exceedingly burnt up with love, and attached to them. And he said not 'his love.' Then that he may not appear to be flattering, he every where mentions the causes of his affection; in order that he may, as I said, both escape the imputation of flattery, and may the more encourage them by making the praise redound unto them, and by shewing that it was they who had infused into him the beginning and ground of this so great love. For having said, his inward affection is more abundant toward you; he added,

Whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all. Now this both shews that Titus was grateful to his benefactors, seeing he had returned, having them all in his heart, and continually remembereth them, and beareth them on his lips and in his mind; and also is a greater distinction to the Corinthians, seeing that they sent him away so vanquished. Then he mentions their obedience also, magnifying their zeal: wherefore also he addeth these words,

How with fear and trembling ye received him. Not with love only, but also with excessive honour. Seest thou how he bears witness to a twofold virtue in them, both that they loved him as a father, and had feared him as a ruler, neither for fear dimming love, nor for love relaxing fear. He exv. n. pressed this also above, That ye sorrowed after a godly sort, how great carefulness it wrought in you; yea whatfear, yea what vehement desire.

Ver. 16.7 rejoice therefore, that I have confidence in you in all things. Seest thou that he rejoiceth more on their account; 'because,' he saith, 'ye have in no particular shamed your teacher, nor shew yourselves unworthy of my testimony.' So