210 We our own legislators. Self-judged, if we do what we wish not.

Homil. and that we need no external laws, nor teachers? For in the

XVII. ...

-' things we wish to receive, or not to receive from our neighbours, we legislate unto ourselves. So that if thou wouldest not receive a thing, yet doest it, or if thou wouldest receive it, yet doest it not, thou art become self-condemned, and art henceforth without any excuse, on the ground of ignorance and of not knowing what ought to be done. Wherefore, I beseech you, having set up this law in ourselves for ourselves, and reading this that is written so clearly and succinctly, let us become such to our neighbours, as we would have them be

1 Hi'mt to ourselves; that we may both enjoy present immunity1, and obtain the future good things, through the grace and love towards men of our Lord Jesus Christ, with Whom to the Father, together with the Holy Spirit, be glory, power, honour, now and for ever, and world without end. Amen.

Paul makes the givers forward, by praising the collectors. 211

HOMILY XVIII.

2 Com viii. IG.

But thanks be to God, Which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.

Again he praises Titus. For since he had discoursed of almsgiving, he afterwards discourseth also of those who are to receive the money from them, and to carry it away. For this was of aid1 towards this collection, and towards increasing' mthe forwardness of the contributors. For he that feels con-*3***'" fidence as to him that ministereth *, and suspects not those who are to be receivers, gives over and above with the fuller bountifulness. And that this might be the case then also, hear how he commends those that had come for this purpose, the first of whom was Titus. Wherefore also he saith, But thanks be to God, Which put3 the same earnest care into the* liteheart of Titus. What is the same? Which he had also inf^1/'.

gave

respect to the Thessalonians, or the same with me? And mark here wisdom. Shewing this to be the work of God, he also gives thanks to Him that gave, so as to incite by this also. 'For if God stirred him up, and sent him to you, He asks through Him. Think not therefore that what has happened is of men.' And whence is it manifest that God incited him?

Ver. 17. For indeed he accepted the exhortation, but being more forward, he went of his own accord.

Observe how he also represents him, as fulfilling his own part, and needing no prompting from others. And having mentioned the grace of God, he doth not leave the whole to be God's; again, that by this also he may win them unto greater * Or, ' in respect to that which is ministered,'

212 Titusfirst, by name, whom they knew: others less, as unknown.

HomiL.love, having said that he was stirred up from himself also.

'For, being more for ward, he went of his own accord,(he seized

at the thing, he rushed upon the treasure, he considered your service to be his own advantage; and because he loved you exceedingly, he wanted not the exhortation I gave; but though he was exhorted by me also, yet it was not by that he was stirred up; but from himself, and by the grace of God.'

Ver. 18. And we hare sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the Gospel throughout all the Churches.

And who is this brother? Some indeed say, Luke, because of the history which he wrote, but some, Barnabas; for he calls the unwritten preaching also, the Gospel. And for what cause does he not mention their names; whilst he both

'^j makes Titus known3 by name, and praises him for his

»ls° cooperation in the Gospel, (seeing that he was so useful, that 'by reason of his absence even Paul could do nothing great and

o. t, 13. noble; for, because I found not Titus my brother, I had no rest in my spirit,) and for his love towards them, (for, saith

c.7 16. he, his inward affection is more abundant towards you;) and for his zeal in this matter {for, he saith, of his own accord he went)? But these he neither equally commends, nor mentions by name? What then is one to say? Perhaps they did not know them; wherefore he does not dwell upon their praises, because as yet they had had no experience of them, but only says so much, as was sufficient for their commendation unto

> i.e. the them3, and to their escaping all evil suspicion. However, let

tMua us see on W^at score ^e eulogizes this man himself also. On what score then does he eulogize? First, praising him from his preaching; that he not only preached, but also as he ought, and with the befitting earnestness. For he said not,' he preaches and proclaims the Gospel,' but whose praise is in the Gospel. And that he may not seem to flatter him, he brings not one, or two, or three men, but whole Churches to testify to him, saying, throughout all the churches. Then he makes him respected also from the judgment of those that had chosen him. And this too is no light matter. Therefore after saying, Whose praise is in the Gospel throughout all the churches, he added,

Ver. IS). And not only so.

What is, and not only so? 'Not only on this account,' he 'TheBrother J who? Arts, Barnabas. Those chosen,above suspicion. 213

says,' is respect due to him, that he is approved as a preacher 2 Cor. and is praised by all.' 20

But he was also chosen of the churches along with us.

Whence it seems to me, that Barnabas is the person intimated. And he signifies his dignity to be great, for he shews also for what office he was chosen. For he saith,

To travel with us with this grace which is administered by us. Seest thou how great are these praises of him? He shone as a preacher of the Gospel, and he had all the churches testifying to this. He was chosen by us; and unto the same office with Paul, and every where was partner with him, both in his temptations and in his dangers, for this is implied in the word travel. But what is, with this grace which is administered by us? So as to proclaim the word, he means, and to preach the Gospel; or to minister also in respect of the money; yea, rather, he seems to me to speak in respect of both of these. Then he adds,

To the glory of the same Lord, and your ready mind. What he means is this: 'We thought good,' he says,' that he should be chosen with us, and be appointed unto this work, so as to become a dispenser and a minister of the sacred money.' Nor was this a little matter. For, Look ye out, it Acts 6, saith, from among you seven men of honest report; and he' was chosen by the churches, and there was a vote of the whole people taken. What is, to the glory of the same Lord, and your ready mind? 'That both God may be glorified, and ye may become the readier, they who are to receive this money being of proved character, and no one' able to engenderl or' noany false suspicion against them. Therefore we sought out thJ~g» such persons, and entrusted not the whole to one person only, that he might escape this suspicion also; but we sent both Titus, and another with him. Then to interpret this same expression, to the glory of the Lord and your ready mind: he added,

Ver. 20. Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us.

What can this be which is said? A thing worthy of the virtue of Paul; and shewing the greatness of his tender care and his condescension. 'For,' he says,' that none should suspect us, nor have the slightest cavil against us, as though we pur214 Not one, but more. He condescends to avoid appearance of evil.

Homii..loined aught of the money placed in our hands; therefore x ITI- we sent such persons, and not one only, but even two or three. Seest thou how he clears them of all suspicions? Not on account of the Gospel, nor of their having been chosen merely; but also, from persons of proved character, (and for this very reason,) having been chosen, that they might not be suspected. And he said not' that ye should not blame,' but 'that no other person should.' And yet it was on their account that he did this; and he implied as much in saying, to the glory of the same Lord, and your ready mind: however, he does not wish to wound them; and so expresses himself differently,

Avoiding to do this. And he is not satisfied with this either, but by what he adds, soothes again, saying,

In this abundance which is administered by us, and mingling his severity with praise. For that they might not feel hurt, and say,' Is he obliged then to regard us with suspicion, and are we so miserable as ever to have been suspected of these things?' Providing a correction against this too, he says,' the money sent by you is of large amount, and this abundance, that is, the large amount of the money, is enough to afford suspicion to the evil-minded had we not I Rb. A- offered that security1.'

"P*Xv" Ver. 21. For we provide for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

What can compare with Paul? For he said not,' Perdition and woe to him who chooses to suspect any thing of the kind. So long as my conscience does not condemn me, I waste not a thought on those who suspect me.' Rather, the weaker they were, the more he condescended. For it is meet not to be angry with, but help, him that is sick. And yet from what sin are we so removed, as he was from any such suspicion? For not even a devil could have suspected that blessed saint of this unfaithfulness. But still, although so far removed from that evil suspicion, he does every thing, a«.{«y. and resorts to every expedient', so as not to leave a shadow pmnii even to those who might be desirous in any way3 of suspecting 3 »«. something wrong; and he not only avoids accusations, but i"""" also blame, and the slightest censure, and bare suspicion. [2.] Ver. 22. And we have sent with them our brother.