Sermons on Selected Lessons of the New Testament

⁶ This was spoken on account of that Pharisee who thought that he had either no sins, or but few. Now unless he had had some love, he would not have invited the Lord. But how little was it! He gave Him no kiss, not so much as water for His Feet, much less tears; he did not honour Him with any of those offices of respect, with which that woman did, who well knew what need she had of being cured, and by whom she might be cured. O Pharisee, therefore do you love but little, because you fondly think that but little is forgiven you; not because little really is forgiven you, but because you think that that which is forgiven is but little.

“What then?” he says; “Am I who have never committed murder, to be reckoned a murderer? Am I who have never been guilty of adultery, to be punished for adultery? Or are these things to be forgiven me, which I have never committed?” See: once more suppose two persons, and let us speak to them. One comes with supplication, a sinner covered over with thorns as a hedgehog, and timid exceedingly as a hare. But the rock is the hedgehog's and the hare's refuge. He comes then to the Rock, he finds refuge, he receives succour.

The other has not committed many sins; what shall we do for him that he may love much? What shall we persuade him? Shall we go against the words of the Lord, “To whom little is forgiven, the same loves little”? Yes, most truly so, to whom little is really forgiven. But O you who says that you have not committed many sins: why have you not? By whose guidance? God be thanked, that by your movement and voice you have made signs that you have understood me. Now then, as I think, the difficulty has been solved.

The one has committed many sins, and so is made a debtor for many; the other through God's guidance has committed but few. To Him to whom the one ascribes what He has forgiven, does the other also ascribe what he has not committed. You have not been an adulterer in that past life of yours, which was full of ignorance, when as yet you were not enlightened, as yet discerned not good and evil, as yet believed not on Him, who was guiding you though you did not know Him. Thus does your God speak to you: “I was guiding you for Myself, I was keeping you for Myself.

That you might not commit adultery, no enticers were near you; that no enticers were near you, was My doing. Place and time were wanting; that they were wanting again, was My doing. Or enticers were near you, and neither place nor time was wanting; that you might not consent, it was I who alarmed you. Acknowledge then His grace, to whom you also owe it, that you have not committed the sin. The other owes me what was done, and you have seen forgiven him; and you owe to me what you have not done.” For there is no sin which one man commits, which another man may not commit also, if He be wanting as a Director, by whom man was made.