Homilies on Romans

But having a sample in what I have mentioned, you will have a notion of all the rest besides, the things about Christ, about the resurrection, about the life to come, about the resting, about punishment, about moral matters, all that concerns doctrines, and you will find the book filled with countless blessings. And if you fall into temptations, you will gain much comfort from hence. If you fall into sins even, you will find countless remedies stored up here, or if into poverty or tribulation, you will see many havens. And if you be righteous you will gain much security hence, and if a sinner much relief. For if you be just and art ill-treated, you will hear him say, “For Your sake are we killed all the day long, we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.” “All these things have come upon us, and yet have we not forgotten You.” And if your well-doings make you high, you will hear him say, “Enter not into judgment with Your servant, for in Your sight shall no man living be justified”, and you will be straightway made lowly. And if you be a sinner, and hast despaired of yourself, you will hear him continually singing, “Today, if you will hear His voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation” (ib. 95:7, 8), and you will be stayed up speedily. And if you have a crown even on your head, and art high-minded, you will learn that “a king is not saved by a great host, neither shall a giant be saved by the greatness of his might”: and you will find yourself able to be reasonable. If you be rich, and in reputation, again you will hear him singing, “Woe to them that trust in their own might, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches,” And, “As for man, his days are as grass”, And “His glory shall not go down with him, after him”: and you will not think any of the things upon the earth are great. For when what is more splendid than all, even glory and power, is so worthless, what else of things on earth is worth accounting of? But are you in despondency? Hear him saying, “Why are you so sorrowful, O my soul, and why do you so disturb me? Trust in God, for I will confess unto Him.” Or do you see men in honor who deserve it not? “Fret not yourself at them that do wickedly. For as the grass shall they be dried up, and as the green herb shall they soon fall away.” (ib. 37:1, 2) Do you see both righteous and sinners punished? Be told that the cause is not the same. For “many” he says, “are the plagues of sinners.” But in the case of the righteous, he does not say plagues, but, “Many are the troubles of the righteous, but the Lord delivers them out of them all.” And again, “The death of the sinner is evil.” And, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” These things do thou say continually: by these be instructed. For every single word of this has in it an indiscoverable ocean of meaning. For we have been just running over them only: but if you were minded to give these passages accurate investigation, you will see the riches to be great. But at present it is possible even by what I have given, to get cleared of the passions that lie on you. For since he forbids our envying, or being grieved, or despondent out of season, or thinking that riches are anything, or tribulation, or poverty, or fancying life itself to be anything, he frees you from all passions. So for this let us give thanks to God, and let us have our treasure always in hand, “that by patience and comfort of the Scriptures we may have hope”, and enjoy the good things to come. Which God grant that we may all attain, by the grace and love toward man of our Lord Jesus Christ. By Whom and with Whom, etc.