Homily VIII.

Acts III. 1

“Now Peter and John went up together into the temple, at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.”

Everywhere we find these two Apostles in great harmony together. “To him Simon Peter beckoned.” (John xiii. 24.) These two also “came together to the sepulchre. (Ib. xx. 3et seq.) And concerning John, Peter said unto Christ, “And what shall this man do?” (Ib. xxi. 21.) Now as for the other miracles, the writer of this book omits them; but he mentions the miracle by which they were all195    Œcumen. has preserved the true reading: ἀφ᾽ οὗ πάντες ἐκινήθησαν. Mss. and Cat. ἐκίνησεν. (N. in the margin, by a later hand, ἐνίκησε.) E. and Edd. ὃ δὲ τολλὴν εἶχε τὴν ἔκπληξιν καὶ πάντας ἐξένισε, τοῦτο λέγει. put in commotion. Observe again that they do not come to them purposely; so clear were they of ambition, so closely did they imitate their Master. Why now did they go up to the temple? Did they still live as Jews? No, but for expediency (χρησίμως).196    There is no evidence that Peter and John attended upon the Jewish worship simply “for expediency.” There is much to the contrary. The early Christians had no idea of ceasing to be Jews. Peter at this time supposed it to be necessary for the Gentile converts to be circumcised (Gal. ii.). It was incident to the gradual separation of Christianity from Judaism that those who had been zealous adherents of the latter should suppose that its forms were still to be the moulds of the new system. They were not for this reason less honestly and genuinely Christian, but had not yet apprehended the principle of Christian liberty as Paul afterward expounded it. The point of difficulty was not so much the entrance of the Gentiles into the Kingdom of God as the question whether they should enter through the gate of Judaism.—G.B.S. A miraculous sign again takes place, which both confirms the converts, and draws over the rest; and such, as they were a sign for having wrought.197    καὶ οἷον σημεῖον ἦσαν ποιήσαντες. E. “And a miracle such as they had not yet wrought.” So Edd. The disease was in the nature of the man, and baffled the art of medicine. He had been forty years lame (ch. iv. 20), as the writer says afterwards, and no one during all that time had cured him. And the most obstinate diseases are those which are born with men. It was a great calamity, insomuch that even to provide for himself his necessary sustenance was impossible for him. The man was conspicuous both from the place, and from his malady. Hear how the matter is related. “And a certain man, lame from his mother’s womb, was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple.” (v. 2.) He sought to receive alms, and he did not know who the men were. “Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him, with John, said, Look on us.” (v. 3, 4.) Yet, not even so were the man’s thoughts elevated, but he persisted in his importunity. For such is poverty; upon a refusal, it compels people still to persist. Let this put us to shame who fall back in our prayers. But observe, I pray you, Peter’s gentleness: for he said, “Look on us.” So truly did their very bearing, of itself, betoken their character. “And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have I give thee.” (v. 5, 6.) He did not say, I give thee something much better than silver or gold: but what? “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up.” (v. 7.) Such was also the way of Christ. Often He healed by word, often by an act, often also He stretched forth the hand, where men were somewhat weak in faith, that the cure might not appear to be spontaneous. “And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up.” This act made manifest the Resurrection, for it was an image of the Resurrection. “And immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked.” (v. 8.) Perhaps it was by way of trying himself that he put it thus to further proof, whether perchance the thing done might not be to no purpose. His feet were weak; it was not that he had lost them. Some say that he did not even know how to walk.198    Œcumen. “That he leaped was either because he was incredulous of what had happened, or, by way of trying his power of stepping more surely and firmly, or, the man did not know how to walk.” “And entered with them into the temple.” Of a truth it was marvellous. The Apostles do not urge him; but of his own accord he follows, by the act of following pointing out his benefactors. “And leaping and praising God;” not admiring them, but God that wrought by them. The man was grateful.

[“Now199    E. and Edd. “But let us look over again what has been said. ‘They went up,’ he says, ‘at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.’ Perhaps just at that time they carried and laid the lame man, when people,” etc. In the old text the clause αὐτὸν βαστάζοντες ἀπήνεγκαν (which should be οἱ βαστ. αὐτὸν) seems meant to explain καθ᾽ ἡμέραν: they bore him daily, and the same persons carried him away. Peter and John went up together into the temple,” etc.] You observe how they continued in prayer. “The ninth hour:” there they prayed together. [“And a certain man,” etc.] The man was in the act of being carried at that instant. [“Whom they laid daily:”] (his bearers carried him away:) [“at the gate,” etc.] just when people went into the temple. And that you may not suppose that they carried him for some other purpose, but that it was in order that he might receive alms, hear what the writer says: “so that he might receive alms of those entering into the temple.” (Recapitulation of vv. 1–8.) And this is the reason why he also makes mention of the places, to give evidence of what he relates. “And how was it,” you may ask, “that they did not present him to Christ?” Perhaps they were certain unbelieving men, that haunted the temple, as in fact neither did they present him to the Apostles, when they saw them entering, after having done such great miracles. “He asked,” it is written, “to receive an alms.” (v. 3.) Their bearing marked them as certain devout and righteous men. [“And Peter fastening his eyes upon him, with John, said,” etc.] (v. 4, 5.) And observe how John is everywhere silent, while Peter makes excuse for him also; “Silver and gold,” he says, “have I none.” (v. 6.) He does not say, I have none here, as we are wont to speak, but absolutely, I have none. “What then?” he might say, “do you take no notice of me, your suppliant?” Not so, but of what I have, receive thou. Do you remark how unassuming Peter is, how he makes no display even to the object of his beneficence? [“In the name,” etc. “And he took him by the hand,” etc.] (v. 7.) And the mouth and the hand did all. Such200    E. and Edd. τοιοῦτοί τινες ἦσαν καὶ ᾽Ιουδαῖοι (for οἱ ᾽Ι.) χωλεύοντες…οἱ δὲ (for αὐτοὶ) μᾶλλον χρήματα αἰτοῦσι…οἳ καὶ διὰ τοῦτο…“Such sort of people were also [the] Jews, being lame (i e. like many beggars among ourselves): even when they have only to ask for health, yet they rather ask for money…who even for this reason beset the temple,” etc. But the meaning seems rather to be: “See here an emblem of the Jews. Lame, and needing but,” etc. sort of persons were the Jews; lame, and the right thing being to ask for health, these same ask for money, grovelling on the ground: for this it was that they beset the temple—to get money. What then does Peter? He did not despise him; he did not look about for some rich subject; he did not say, If the miracle is not done to some great one (εἰς ἐκεἵνον), nothing great is done: he did not look for some honor from him, no, nor heal him in the presence of people; for the man was at the entrance, not where the multitude were, that is, within. But Peter sought no such object; nor upon entering did he proclaim the matter: no, it was by his bearing that he attracted the lame man to ask. And the wonder is, that he believed so readily. For those who are set free from diseases of long standing, hardly believe their very eyesight. Once healed, he remains with the Apostles, giving thanks to God. “And he entered,” it is said, “with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.” (v. 8.) Observe how restless he is, in the eagerness of his delight, at the same time shutting the mouths of the Jews. Also, that he leaped, was to prevent the suspicion of hypocrisy; for after all, this was beyond the possibility of deception. For if previously he was totally unable to walk, even when hunger pressed hard (and indeed he would not have chosen to share with his bearers the proceeds of his begging, if he had been able to manage for himself), this holds still more in the present case. And how should he have feigned in behalf of those who had given him no alms? But the man was grateful, even after his recovery. And thus on either side his faith is shown, both by his thankfulness, and by the recent event.

He was so201    οὕτω πᾶσι γνωριμὸς ἦν ὅτι ἐπεγίνωσκον, A. B. C. D. F. Sav. Morel. Ben. But Commelin. and Ed. Par. Ben. 2. after Erasm. adopt the reading of E. οὐ μὴν πᾶσι γνώριμος ἦν ὅθεν καὶ: because of the following comment on ἐπεγίνωσκον. But the meaning is: They were all acquainted with him (it could not be otherwise): but seeing him walking and leaping, they found it difficult to believe that it was he, and yet they could not doubt it. This is well denoted by ἐπεγίνωσκον: for we use this word, ἐπὶ τῶν μόλις γνωριζομένων: strange as it was, they were satisfied that it was he, the man whom they all knew so well. well known to all, that “they recognized him. And all the people,” it says, “saw him walking and praising God; and they recognized (ἐπεγίνωσκον) that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple.” (v. 9.) It is well said, “they recognized,” inasmuch as he was one unknown now by reason of what had happened: for we use this term with regard to objects, which we find a difficulty in recognizing. [“And they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.”] Needs must it be believed that202    ῎Εδει πιστευθῆναι διότι, B. C. δί ὅτι A. This seems to be the comment on the remaining clause of v. 10, which we have supplied: but the meaning is obscure. The modern text has ἔδει γοὖν π. ὅτι. the name of Christ remits sins, seeing it produces even such effects as this. (“And as he held Peter and John, all the people came together at the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering.” (v. 11.) From his good feelings and love towards the Apostles, the lame man would not leave them; perhaps he was thanking them openly, and praising them. “And all the people,” it is said, “ran together unto them. And when Peter saw them, he answered.” (v. 12.) Again it is he who acts, and addresses the people.

And in the former instance, it was the circumstance of the tongues that aroused them to hearing, now it was this miracle; then, he took occasion to speak from their accusations now, from their supposition. Let us then consider, in what this address differs from the former, and in what it agrees with that. The former was held in a house, before any one has come over, and before they themselves have wrought anything; this, when all are wondering, and the healed man is standing by; when none doubt, as in the other case where some said “These men are full of new wine.” (Acts xii. 13.) At the one, he was surrounded by all the Apostles as he spoke; but at this, he has John alone; for by this time he is bold, and become more energetic. Such is the nature of virtue; once started, it advances, and never stops. Observe also how it was divinely ordered, that the miracle should take place in the temple, that others also might wax bold, while the Apostles work not in holes (εἰς καταδύσεις) and corners, and in secret: though not in the interior of the temple either, where the greater number were. How then, I pray you, was it believed? The man himself who was healed proclaimed the benefit. For there was no reason why he should lie, nor why he should have joined a different set of people.203    οὐδὲ γὰρ ἂν ἐψεύσατο, οὐδ᾽ ἂν ἐπ᾽ ἄλλους τινὰς ἦλθεν. It is not clear who are the ἄλλοι τινὲς: and something is wanting. In fact, this part of the Homily is very defective. The next sentence seems to refer to the mention of the porch called Solomon’s, but evidently supposes something preceding: e.g. “The miracle was performed at the Beautiful Gate, beside which was the Porch called Solomon’s.” Either then it was because of the spaciousness of the place, that he there wrought the miracle, or because the spot was retired. And observe the event. They went up for one object, and they accomplished another. Thus also did Cornelius: he prayed and fasted204    E. and Edd. Κορνήλιος ἄλλα νηστεύων ηὔχετο, καὶ ἄλλα ὁρᾷ. “Cornelius prayed with fasting, for one object: and sees a vision of something other than he thought for.” * * *. But hitherto they always call Him, “of Nazareth.” “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,” said Peter, walk. For in the first instance, the thing required was, that He should be believed in.

Let us not, I pray you, give over at the beginning of the story:205    It can hardly be imagined that St. Chrysostom’s meaning is correctly reported here. ᾽Εν ἀρχῇ τοῦ διηγματος, can only mean, In the beginning of the narrative (of this miracle). It seems that the case of this man, who at first lies at the gate of the temple, unable to stir, and in the end, enters with the Apostles walking and leaping and praising God, furnished the theme for the ethical part of the discourse. “There is the like cure for our souls: let us not give over for want of success in the first attempt, but begin again after every failure.” and if one has named some particular achievement of virtue, and then has dropped it for awhile, let us begin over again. If we get into the right mood (ἐν ἕξει), we shall soon arrive at the end, soon reach the summit. For earnestness, it is said, begets earnestness, and dulness begets dulness. He who has effected some little reformation, thereby receives encouragement to approach greater things, and thence again to go on something more than that; and just as it is with fire, the more wood it lays hold on, the more vehement it becomes, so likewise zeal, the more pious reflections it kindles, the more effectually is it armed against their opposites. As, for example: There are set in us, like so many thorns, perjury, falsehood hypocrisy, deceit, dishonesty, abusiveness, scoffing, buffoonery, indecency, scurrility; again under another head, covetousness, rapacity, injustice, calumny, insidiousness; again, wicked lust, uncleanness, lewdness, fornication, adultery; again, envy, emulation, anger, wrath, rancor, revenge, blasphemy, and numberless others. If we effect a reformation in the first instances, not only in them will the success have been achieved, but through them in the following cases also. For reason has then gained more strength to overthrow those other vices. For instance, if he, who has frequently sworn, once extirpates that satanic habit, he has not only gained this point, but a habit of piety in other respects will have been brought in. For no one, I suppose, averse to swearing would easily consent to do any other wicked act; he will feel a reverence for the virtue already acquired. Just as the man who wears a beautiful robe, will blush to roll himself in the mire; so is it also here. From this beginning he will come to learn not to be angry, not to strike, not to insult. For if once he has come right in little matters, the whole affair is done. Often, however, something of this sort takes place, that a person has once reformed, and then again through carelessness falls back into the old sins but too readily, so that the case becomes irremediable. For instance, we have made it a law to ourselves not to swear; we have got on well, for some three, or even four days; after that being hard put to it, we scattered away the whole of our collected gain; we then fall into indolence and recklessness. Still it is not right to give over; one must set to work zealously again. For it is said, he that has built up a house, and then sees his building pulled down, will have less spirit for building again. Yes, but for all this, one must not be dispirited, but must once more set to work zealously.

Let us then lay down daily laws for ourselves. For a time let us begin with the easier. Let us retrench all that superfluity of paths, and put a bridle on our tongues; let no one swear by God. Here is no outlay, here is no fatigue, here is no cost of time. It is sufficient to will, and all is done. It is a matter of habit. I beseech and entreat you, let us contribute thus much of zeal. Tell me, if I had bid you contribute your money, would not each one of you readily cast in according to his ability? If you saw me in extreme danger, would you not, if it had been possible, have cut off your own flesh to give me? Well, I am in danger now, and in great danger, such indeed that, were I withal confined to a dungeon, or had I received ten thousand stripes, or were a convict in the mines, I could not suffer more. Reach me then the hand. Consider how great is the danger, that I should not have been able to reform this which is least: I say “least” in regard to the labor required. What shall I have to say hereafter, when thus called to account? “Why did you not remonstrate? why did you not enjoin? why did you not lay the law before them? why did you not check the disobedient?” It will not be enough for me to say, that I did admonish. It will be answered, “You ought to have used more vehement rebuke; since Eli also admonished.” (1 Sam. ii. 24.) But God forbid I should compare you with Eli’s sons. Indeed, he did admonish them and say, “Nay, my sons, do not so; evil is the report that I hear of you.” (1 Sam. iii. 13.) But subsequently the Scripture saith, that he did not admonish his sons: since he did not admonish them severely, or with threats. For is it not strange indeed, that in the synagogues of the Jews the laws are in such force, and whatever the teacher enjoins is performed; while here we are thus despised and rejected? It is not my own glory that I care for (my glory is your good report), but it is for your salvation. Every day we lift up our voice, and shout in your ears. But there is none to hear. Still we take no strong measures. I fear we shall have to give an account at the coming Day of this excessive and unseasonable leniency.

Wherefore, with a loud and clear voice, I proclaim to all and testify, that those who are notorious for this transgression, who utter words which come “of the evil one,” (Matt. v. 37.) (for such is swearing,) shall not step over the threshold of the Church. Let this present month be the time allowed you for reforming in this matter. Talk not to me, “Necessity of business compels me to use oaths, else people do not believe me.” To begin with this, retrench those oaths which come merely of habit. I know many will laugh, but it is better to be laughed at now, than wept for hereafter. They will laugh, who are mad. For who, I ask, in his right mind would laugh at the keeping of the commandment? But suppose they do; why, it will not be at us, but at Christ, that such men will laugh. You shudder at the word! I knew you would. Now if this law were of my making, at me would be the laughing; but if Another be the Lawgiver, the jeering passes over to Him. Yes, and Christ was once spit upon, and smitten with the palm, smitten upon the face. Now also He bears with this, and it is no wonder (οὐδὲν ἀπεικὸς)! For this, hell is prepared; for this, the worm that dieth not. Behold, again I say and testify; let him laugh that will, let him scoff that listeth. Hereunto are we set, to be laughed at and mocked, to suffer all things. We are “the offscouring” (1 Cor. iv. 13) or the world, as blessed Paul says. If any man refuse to conform to this order, that man I, by my word, as with a trumpet’s blast, do prohibit to set foot over the Church’s threshold, be he prince, be he even the crowned head. Either depose me from this station, or if I am to remain, expose me not to danger. I cannot bear to ascend this throne, without effecting some great reformation. For if this be impossible, it is better to stand below. Nothing more wretched than a ruler who does his people no good. Do exert yourselves, and attend to this, I entreat you; and let us strive, and of a surety more will come of it. Fast, entreat God (and we will do the same with you) that this pernicious habit may be eradicated. It is no great matter,206    Οὐδὲν μέγα ἐστὶ γεν. διδασκ. τῆς οἰκ. Οὐ μικρὸν κ. τ. λ. The passage is manifestly corrupt, and the mss. lend no assistance. Ben. conjecturally, Nihil majus est quam esse doctores orbis: nec parum, etc. Ed. Par. Ben. 2. Fortasse, οὐκοῦν μέγα. But it is more likely that something is wanting, e.g. “It is no great matter [to be free from the vice of swearing. But to set an example to others would be a great thing], to be teachers herein of the whole world,” etc. to become teachers to the world; no small honor to have it said everywhere, that really in this city there is not a man that swears. If this come to pass, you will receive the reward not only of your own good works; indeed what I am to you, this you will become to the world. Assuredly others also will emulate you; assuredly you will be a candle set upon a candlestick.

And is this, you will say, the whole matter? No, this is not all, but this is a beginning of other virtues. He who swears not, will certainly attain unto piety in other respects, whether he will or not, by dint of self-respect and awe. But you will urge that most men do not keep to it, but fall away. Well, better one man that doeth the will of the Lord, than ten thousand transgressors. In fact, hereby is everything subverted, everything turned upside down, I mean, because after the fashion of the Theatre we desire numbers not a select number. For what indeed will a multitude be able to profit? Would you learn that it is the saints, not the numbers, which make the multitude? Lead out to war ten hundred thousand men, and one saint, and let us see who achieves the most? Joshua the son of Nun went out to war, and alone achieved all; the rest were of no use.207    ᾽Αλλα ποῦ θέλεις ἰδεῖν. ἀγαπητὲ, ὅτι ὁ πολὺς ὄχλος κ. τ. λ. The modern text, ῾Ο πολὺς ὄχλος, ἀγαπητὲ, κ. τ. λ. Wouldest thou see, beloved, that the great multitude, when it does not the will of God, is no better than a thing of naught? I wish indeed, and desire, and with pleasure would be torn in pieces, to adorn the Church with a multitude, yea, but a select multitude; yet if this be impossible, that the few should be select, is my desire. Do you not see, that it is better to possess one precious stone, than ten thousand farthing pieces? Do you not see that it is better to have the eye sound, than to be loaded with flesh, and yet deprived of sight? Do you not see that it is better to have one healthy sheep, than ten thousand with the murrain; that fine children, though few, are better than many children diseased withal; that in the Kingdom there will be few, but in hell many? What have I to do with a multitude? what profit therein? None. Rather they are a plague to the rest. It is as if one who had the option of ten healthy persons or ten thousand sick folks, should take to himself the latter in addition to the ten. The many who do nothing well, will avail us only for punishment hereafter, and disgrace for the time being. For no one will urge it as a point in our favor that we are many; we shall be blamed for being unprofitable. In fact, this is what men always tell us, when we say, We are many; “aye, but bad,” they answer.

Behold again: I give warning, and proclaim with a loud voice, let no one think it a laughing matter: I will exclude and prohibit the disobedient; and as long as I sit on this throne, I will give up not one of its rights. If any one depose me from it, then I am no longer responsible; as long as I am responsible, I cannot disregard them; on account not of my own punishment, but of your salvation. For I do exceedingly long for your salvation. To advance it, I endure pain and vexation. But yield your obedience, that both here and hereafter you may receive a plentiful reward, and that we may in common reap eternal blessings; through the grace and mercy of the only-begotten Son of God; to Whom with the Father and the Holy Ghost be glory, power, and honor, now and ever, world without end. Amen.

ΟΜΙΛΙΑ Ηʹ. Ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ δὲ Πέτρος καὶ Ἰωάννης ἀνέβαι νον εἰς τὸ ἱερὸν, ἐπὶ τὴν ὥραν τῆς προσευχῆς τὴν ἐννάτην. αʹ. Πανταχοῦ φαίνονται οὗτοι πολλὴν ἔχοντες πρὸς ἀλλήλους ὁμόνοιαν. Τούτῳ νεύει ὁ Πέτρος: ὁμοῦ εἰς τὸν τάφον ἔρχονται οὗτοι: περὶ αὐτοῦ φησι τῷ Χριστῷ, Οὗτος δὲ τί; Τὰ μὲν οὖν ἄλλα σημεῖα παρεῖδεν ὁ τὸ βιβλίον συγγράφων: ὃ δὲ πολλὴν εἶχε τὴν ἔκπληξιν καὶ πάντας ἐξένιζε, λέγει. Καὶ ὅρα πάλιν αὐτοὺς οὐ προηγουμένως ἐπ' αὐτὸ ἐρχομένους: οὕτω φιλοτιμίας ἦσαν καθαροὶ, καὶ τὸν διδάσκαλον ἐμιμοῦντο τὸν αὐτῶν. Τί δαὶ ἀνῄεσαν εἰς τὸ ἱερόν; ἆρα ἔτι Ἰουδαϊκῶς ἔζων; Οὐχί: ἀλλὰ χρησίμως τοῦτο ποιοῦσι. Γίνεται γὰρ σημεῖον πάλιν ἐκείνους τε βεβαιοῦν καὶ τοὺς ἄλλους ἐφελκόμενον: καὶ σημεῖον, οἷον οὔπω ἦσαν ποιήσαντες. Φυσικὸν τὸ πάθος ἦν, καὶ κρεῖττον τέχνης ἰατρικῆς. Μᾶλλον δὲ τεσσαράκοντα ἔτη ἦν πεποιηκὼς ἐν τῇ χωλείᾳ, καθὼς προϊών φησι, καὶ οὐδεὶς αὐτὸν ἐν παντὶ τῷ χρόνῳ ἐθεράπευσεν. Ἴστε δὲ, ὅτι ταῦτα μάλιστα δυσκολώτερα, ἅπερ ἂν ἐκ γενετῆς εἴη. Τοσοῦτον ἦν τὸ δεινὸν, ὅτι οὐδὲ τὴν ἀναγκαίαν τροφὴν πορίζεσθαι δυνατὸς ἦν ἑαυτῷ. Καὶ ἐπίσημος δὲ ὑπῆρχεν ἀπό τε τοῦ τόπου, ἀπό τε τοῦ πάθους: καὶ πῶς, ἄκουε. Καί τις ἀνὴρ χωλὸς, φησὶν, ἐκ κοιλίας μητρὸς αὐτοῦ ὑπάρχων ἐβαστάζετο, ὃν ἐτίθουν καθ' ἡμέραν εἰς τὴν θύραν τοῦ ἱεροῦ τὴν λεγομένην Ὡραίαν, τοῦ αἰτεῖν ἐλεημοσύνην παρὰ τῶν εἰσπορευομένων εἰς τὸ ἱερόν. Ἐλεημοσύνην λαβεῖν ἄρα ἐζήτει, καὶ οὐκ ᾔδει, τίνες ἦσαν οἱ ἄνδρες Ὃς ἰδὼν Πέτρον καὶ Ἰωάννην μέλλοντας εἰσιέναι εἰς τὸ ἱερὸν, ἠρώτα ἐλεημοσύνην λαβεῖν. Ἀτενίσας δὲ Πέτρος εἰς αὐτὸν σὺν τῷ Ἰωάννῃ, εἶπεν: Βλέψον εἰς ἡμᾶς. Τοῦτο ἀκούει: ὁ δὲ οὐδὲ οὕτως ἀνίσταται, ἀλλ' ἔτι μένει διενοχλῶν. Τοιοῦτον γὰρ ἡ πενία, καὶ δοῦναι ἀπαγορεύοντας ἐπιμένει καὶ ἀναγκάζει. Αἰσχυνθῶμεν οἱ ἐν ταῖς εὐχαῖς ἀποπηδῶντες. Ὅρα δέ μοι τὴν ἐπιείκειαν πῶς ἔδειξε Πέτρος εὐθὺς εἰπὼν, Βλέψον εἰς ἡμᾶς. Οὕτως αὐτῶν τὸ σχῆμα αὐτόθεν ἐδείκνυ τὸν τρόπον. Ὁ δὲ ἐπεῖχεν αὐτοῖς, προσδοκῶν τι παρ' αὐτῶν λαβεῖν. Εἶπε δὲ Πέτρος: Ἀργύριον καὶ χρυσίον οὐχ ὑπάρχει μοι: ὃ δὲ ἔχω, τοῦτό σοι δίδωμι. Οὐκ εἶπεν, ὅτι Τοῦ ἀργυρίου πολλῷ βέλτιόν σοι δίδωμι: ἀλλὰ τί; Ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ τοῦ Ναζωραίου ἔγειραι καὶ περιπάτει. Καὶ πιάσας αὐτὸν τῆς δεξιᾶς χειρὸς, ἤγειρεν. Οὕτω καὶ ὁ Χριστὸς ἐποίησε. Πολλάκις λόγῳ ἐθεράπευσε, πολλάκις ἔργω, πολλάκις καὶ τὴν χεῖρα προσήγαγεν, ὅπου ἦσαν ἀσθενέστεροι κατὰ τὴν πίστιν, ἵνα μὴ δόξῃ ἀπὸ ταὐτομάτου γίνεσθαι. Καὶ πιάσας αὐτὸν τῆς δεξιᾶς χειρὸς, ἤγειρε. Τοῦτο ἐποίησε δήλην τὴν ἀνάστασιν: ἀναστάσεως γὰρ ἦν εἰκών. Καὶ παραχρῆμα ἐστερεώθησαν αὐτοῦ αἱ βάσεις καὶ τὰ σφυρά. Καὶ ἐξαλλόμενος ἔστη, καὶ περιεπάτει. Πειράζων ἴσως ἑαυτὸν καὶ πλείονα τὴν βάσανον ἐποιεῖτο, μὴ ἄρα ἁπλῶς ἐστι τὸ γεγονός. Ἀσθενεῖς ἦσαν αὐτῷ οἱ πόδες, οὐ κεκομμένοι. Τινὲς δέ φασιν, ὅτι καὶ ἠγνόει περιπατεῖν. Καὶ εἰσῆλθε σὺν αὐτοῖς περιπατῶν εἰς τὸ ἱερόν. Ὄντως θαύματος ἄξιον. Οὐκ αὐτοὶ αὐτὸν ἐπάγονται, ἀλλ' αὐτὸς ἀκολουθεῖ, διὰ τῆς ἀκολουθήσεως τοὺς εὐεργέτας δεικνὺς, καὶ διὰ τοῦ μετὰ τὸ ἅλλεσθαι αἰνεῖν τὸν Θεὸν, οὐκ ἐκείνους θαυμάζων, ἀλλὰ τὸν Θεὸν τὸν δι' ἐκείνων ἐνεργήσαντα. Οὕτως εὐχάριστος ἦν ὁ ἀνήρ. Ἀλλ' ἴδωμεν ἄνωθεν τὰ εἰρημένα. Ἀνέβαινον, φησὶν, ἐπὶ τὴν ὥραν τῆς προσευχῆς τὴν ἐννάτην. Τάχα κατὰ τὸν καιρὸν τοῦτον βαστάζοντες τὸν χωλὸν ἐτίθουν, ὅτε μάλιστα εἰσῄεσαν οἱ ἄνθρωποι εἰς τὸ ἱερόν. Ἵνα δὲ μὴ νομίσῃ τις, ὅτι δι' ἕτερόν τι αὐτὸν ἐβάσταζον, καὶ οὐχὶ διὰ τὸ λαβεῖν, ὅρα, πῶς τοῦτο σαφῶς παρέστησε δι' ὧν λέγει: Ἐτίθουν αὐτὸν ὥστε ἐλεημοσύνην λαβεῖν παρὰ τῶν εἰσπορευομένων εἰς τὸ ἱερόν. Διὰ τοῦτο καὶ τόπων μέμνηται, ἔλεγχον διδοὺς ὧν γράφει. Καὶ πῶς, φησὶν, αὐτὸν οὐ προσήγαγον τῷ Χριστῷ; Ἴσως ἦσαν ἄπιστοι οἱ τῷ ἱερῷ προσεδρεύοντες, ὅπου γε οὐδὲ τοῖς ἀποστόλοις αὐτὸν προσήγαγον, ἰδόντες αὐτοὺς εἰσιόντας, καὶ θαύματα πεποιηκότας τοιαῦτα. Ἠρώτα, φησὶν, ἐλεημοσύνην λαβεῖν: ὥσπερ τινὰς εὐλαβεῖς ἄνδρας ἀπὸ τοῦ σχήματος αὐτοὺς τάχα κατενόησε: διὰ τοῦτο καὶ ἐπεῖχεν αὐτοῖς. Ὅρα δὲ, πῶς ὁ Ἰωάννης πανταχοῦ σιγᾷ, ὁ δὲ Πέτρος καὶ ὑπὲρ αὐτοῦ ἀπολογεῖται: Ἀργύριον, φησὶ, καὶ χρυσίον οὐχ ὑπάρχει μοι. Οὐκ εἶπεν, Οὐκ ἔχω ἐνταῦθα, οἷα ἡμεῖς λέγομεν: ἀλλ' ὅλως, Οὐκ ἔχω. Τί οὖν ὁ χωλός; Καὶ παρορᾷς με τὸν ἱκέτην; Οὒ, φησὶν, ἀλλ' ἐξ ὧν ἔχω λάβε. Ὁρᾷς, πῶς ἄτυφος ὁ Πέτρος, καὶ οὐκ ἐπιδεικτιῶν οὐδὲ πρὸς αὐτὸν τὸν εὐεργετούμενον; Τὸ στόμα τοίνυν καὶ ἡ χεὶρ τὸ πᾶν εἰργάσατο. Τοιοῦτοί τινες ἦσαν καὶ Ἰουδαῖοι χωλεύοντες: καὶ δέον αἰτῆσαι ὑγείαν, οἱ δὲ μᾶλλον χρήματα αἰτοῦσι χαμαὶ κείμενοι: οἳ καὶ διὰ τοῦτο τῷ ἱερῷ προσήδρευον, ἵνα χρηματίζωνται. Τί οὖν ὁ Πέτρος; Οὐχ ὑπερεῖδεν αὐτὸν, οὐ πλουτοῦντά τινα ἐζήτησεν, οὐδὲ εἶπεν, Ἂν μὴ εἰς ἐκεῖνον γένηται τὸ θαῦμα, οὐδὲν μέγα ἐστίν: οὐ τιμήν τινα προσεδόκησε παρ' αὐτοῦ, οὐδὲ παρόντων τινῶν ἐθεράπευσεν αὐτόν: ἐν γὰρ τῇ εἰσόδῳ ἦν ὁ ἀνὴρ, οὐκ ἔνθα τὸ πλῆθος ἦν ἔνδον. Ἀλλ' οὐδὲν τούτων ἐζήτησεν ὁ Πέτρος, οὐδὲ εἰσελθὼν ἐκήρυξεν, ἀλλ' ἀπὸ μόνου τοῦ σχήματος τὸν χωλὸν ἐπεσπάσατο πρὸς τὴν αἴτησιν. Καὶ τὸ θαυμαστὸν, ὅτι ταχέως ἐπίστευσεν. Οἱ γὰρ χρονίων ἀπαλλαγέντες παθῶν, μόλις πιστεύουσι καὶ αὐτῇ τῇ ὄψει. Καὶ θεραπευθεὶς λοιπὸν σὺν τοῖς ἀποστόλοις ἦν, εὐχαριστῶν τῷ Θεῷ. Καὶ εἰσῆλθε, φησὶ, σὺν αὐτοῖς περιπατῶν εἰς τὸ ἱερὸν, ἁλλόμενος καὶ αἰνῶν τὸν Θεόν. βʹ. Ὅρα, πῶς οὐκ ἠρεμεῖ, τοῦτο μὲν ὑπὸ τῆς ἡδονῆς, τοῦτο δὲ ἐμφράττων αὐτῶν τὰ στόματα. Ἐμοὶ δὲ δοκεῖ καὶ ἵνα μὴ νομισθῇ τις ὑπόκρισις, διὰ τοῦτο ἅλλεσθαι αὐτόν: τοῦτο γὰρ λοιπὸν οὐκ ἦν ὑποκρίσεως. Εἰ γὰρ μηδὲ ἁπλῶς ἐπιβῆναι δυνατὸν ἦν αὐτῷ τὸ πρότερον, καὶ ταῦτα τοῦ λιμοῦ καταναγκάζοντος (οὐ γὰρ ἂν εἵλετο πρὸς τοὺς βαστάζοντας διανέμεσθαι τὰ τῆς ἐλεημοσύνης, ἑαυτῷ δυνάμενος ἀρκεῖν), πολλῷ μᾶλλον τότε. Πῶς δὲ καὶ ὑπεκρίνατο ἂν ὑπὲρ τῶν μὴ δεδωκότων ἐλεημοσύνην; Ἀλλ' εὐχάριστος ἦν ὁ ἀνὴρ καὶ μετὰ τὴν ὑγείαν. Ἑκατέρωθεν οὖν πιστὸς δείκνυται, ἀπό τε τῆς εὐχαριστίας, ἀπό τε τοῦ συμβεβηκότος. Οὐ μὴν πᾶσι γνώριμος ἦν, ὅθεν καὶ ἐπεγίνωσκον αὐτόν. Καὶ εἶδον αὐτὸν, φησὶ, πᾶς ὁ λαὸς περιπατοῦντα καὶ αἰνοῦντα τὸν Θεὸν, ἐπεγίνωσκόν τε αὐτὸν, ὅτι οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ πρὸς τὴν ἐλεημοσύνην καθήμενος ἐπὶ τῇ Ὡραίᾳ πύλῃ τοῦ ἱεροῦ. Καὶ καλῶς εἶπεν, Ἐπεγίνωσκον: ὡς καὶ ἀγνοουμένου λοιπὸν ἀπὸ τοῦ πράγματος. Ταύτῃ γὰρ τῇ λέξει κεχρήμεθα ἐπὶ τῶν μόλις γνωριζομένων. Ἔδει γοῦν πιστευθῆναι, ὅτι ἀφίησι τὰ ἁμαρτήματα τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ Χριστοῦ, ὅπου γε καὶ τοιαῦτα ἐργάζεται. Κρατοῦντος δὲ τοῦ ἰαθέντος τὸν Πέτρον καὶ τὸν Ἰωάννην, συνῆλθε πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ἐπὶ τῇ στοᾷ τῇ καλουμένῃ Σολομῶντος ἔκθαμβοι. Ἀπὸ τῆς εὐνοίας τῆς εἰς αὐτοὺς καὶ τῆς φιλίας οὐκ ἐχωρίζετο αὐτῶν: ἴσως δὲ καὶ εὐχαριστῶν αὐτοῖς καὶ ἐπαινῶν. Καὶ συνέδραμε, φησὶ, πᾶς ὁ λαός. Ἰδὼν δὲ αὐτοὺς ὁ Πέτρος, ἀπεκρίνατο. Πάλιν αὐτὸς καὶ ἐργάζεται καὶ δημηγορεῖ. Τότε μὲν οὖν αὐτοὺς εἰς τὴν ἀκρόασιν διήγειρε τὸ πρᾶγμα τὸ περὶ τὰς γλώσσας, νυνὶ δὲ τοῦτο: καὶ τότε μὲν ἀρχὴν ἔλαβεν ἀπὸ τῶν ἐγκλημάτων, νῦν δὲ ἀπὸ τῆς ὑπονοίας. Ἴδωμεν οὖν, τί διενήνοχεν αὕτη ἡ δημηγορία ἐκείνης, καὶ κατὰ τί κοινωνεῖ. Ἐκείνη μὲν οὖν ἐν τῇ οἰκίᾳ γίνεται, οὐδέπω προσελθόντος οὐδενὸς, οὐδὲ αὐτῶν τι ἐργασαμένων: αὕτη δὲ πάντων θαυμαζόντων, τοῦ θεραπευθέντος πλησίον ἑστῶτος: οὐδενὸς ἀμφιβάλλοντος, καθάπερ τότε, ὅτε ἔλεγον, ὅτι Γλεύκους μεμεστωμένοι εἰσί. Καὶ τότε μετὰ τῶν ἀποστόλων πάντων ὢν διελέγετο: νῦν δὲ μετὰ τοῦ Ἰωάννου μόνου: λοιπὸν γὰρ θαῤῥεῖ καὶ σφοδρότερος γίνεται. Τοιοῦτον γὰρ ἡ ἀρετὴ, ἀρχὴν λαβοῦσα πρόεισι, καὶ οὐδαμοῦ ἵσταται. Ὅρα δὲ καὶ πῶς ᾠκονομήθη ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ γενέσθαι τὸ σημεῖον, ἵνα καὶ ἄλλοι θαῤῥήσωσιν. Οὐκ ἐν παραβύστῳ γὰρ αὐτό που ἐργάζονται, ἢ καὶ λανθανόντως: ἀλλ' οὔτε ἔνδον ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ, ἔνθα τὸ πολὺ πλῆθος ἦν. Πῶς οὖν ἐπιστεύθη, φησίν; Ὅτι αὐτὸς ὁ θεραπευθεὶς ἐκήρυττε τὴν εὐεργεσίαν. Οὐδὲ γὰρ ἂν ἐψεύσατο, οὐδ' ἂν ἐπ' ἄλλους τινὰς ἦλθεν. Ἤτοι οὖν, ὡς εὐρυχωρίας οὔσης, ἐκεῖ τὸ σημεῖον εἰργάσαντο, ἢ ὡς κεχωρισμένου τοῦ τόπου. Καὶ ὅρα τὸ γενόμενον. Ἐφ' ἑτέραν ἀνῆλθον πρόφασιν, καὶ ἕτερα ἐργάζονται. Οὕτω καὶ Κορνήλιος ἄλλα νηστεύων ηὔχετο, καὶ ἄλλα ὁρᾷ. Μέχρι δὲ τότε πανταχοῦ τὸν Χριστὸν Ναζωραῖον ὀνομάζουσιν. Ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ τοῦ Ναζωραίου, φησὶν, ἔγειραι καὶ περιπάτει. Τέως γὰρ τοῦτο ἦν τὸ ζητούμενον, τὸ πιστευθῆναι αὐτόν. Μὴ δὴ πρὸς τὴν ἀρχὴν ἀποκάμωμεν τοῦ διηγήματος: ἀλλ' εἰ καὶ κατόρθωμά τις εἰπὼν διαλίπῃ, πάλιν ἀναλάβωμεν τὴν ἀρχήν. Ἂν ἐν ἕξει γενώμεθα, ταχέως πρὸς τὸ τέλος ἥξομεν: ταχέως πρὸς τὴν κορυφὴν στησόμεθα. Σπουδὴ γὰρ, φησὶ, σπουδὴν γεννᾷ, καὶ ῥᾳθυμία ῥᾳθυμίαν. Ὁ μικρόν τι κατωρθωκὼς ἔλαβε παράκλησιν ἐπὶ τὸ μεῖζον ἐλθεῖν, καὶ μᾶλλον ἐξ ἐκείνου περαιτέρω χωρῆσαι. Καὶ καθάπερ τὸ πῦρ ὅσα ἂν περιλάβῃ ξύλα, τοσούτῳ σφοδρότερον γίνεται: οὕτω καὶ προθυμία, ὅσους ἂν διεγείρῃ λογισμοὺς εὐσεβεῖς, τοσούτῳ μᾶλλον κατὰ τῶν ἄλλων ὁπλίζεται. Οἷόν τι λέγω: Ἑστήκασιν ἐν ἡμῖν καθάπερ ἄκανθαι ἐπιορκία, ψεῦδος, ὑπόκρισις, δόλος, κακουργία, λοιδορία, σκώμματα, γελωτοποιίαι, αἰσχρολογίαι, εὐτραπελίαι: πάλιν ἐν ἄλλῳ μέρει πλεονεξία, ἁρπαγὴ, ἀδικία, συκοφαντία, ἐπιβουλαί: πάλιν ἐπιθυμία πονηρὰ, ἀκαθαρσία, ἀσέλγεια, πορνεία, μοιχεία: πάλιν φθόνος, ζηλοτυπία, ὀργὴ, θυμὸς, μνησικακία, ἀνταπόδοσις, βλασφημία. μυρία τοιαῦτα: ἂν τὰ πρότερα κατορθώσωμεν, οὐκ ἐκεῖνα μόνον κατώρθωται, ἀλλὰ δι' ἐκείνων καὶ τὰ μετὰ ταῦτα. Ἰσχυρότερος γὰρ γίνεται λοιπὸν ὁ λογισμὸς πρὸς τὴν ἐκείνων ἀνατροπήν. Οἶον, ὁ πολλὰ ὀμνὺς ἂν περιέλῃ τὸ σατανικὸν ἔθος τοῦτο, οὐ τοῦτο μόνον αὐτῷ κατώρθωται, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἑτέρα εὐλάβεια ἐπεισῆκται. Οὐδεὶς γὰρ, οἶμαι, τῶν οὐκ ὀμνυόντων εὐκόλως θελήσει ἄλλο τι πρᾶξαι πονηρὸν, ἀλλὰ τὴν ἤδη κατορθωθεῖσαν ἀρετὴν αἰσχυνθήσεται. Καθάπερ γὰρ ὁ φορῶν ἱμάτιον καλὸν αἰσχύνεται βορβόρῳ ἐγκυλίσαι ἑαυτόν: οὕτω δὴ καὶ οὗτος. Ἀπὸ δὲ τούτου ἥξει εἰς τὸ μὴ ὀργίζεσθαι, μηδὲ τύπτειν, μηδὲ ὑβρίζειν. Ἂν γὰρ ἅπαξ τὰ μικρὰ κατορθώσῃ, τὸ πᾶν ἤνυσται. Συμβαίνει δὲ πολλάκις καὶ τὸ ἐναντίον, ἅπαξ κατορθώσαντάς τι πάλιν ἀπὸ ῥᾳθυμίας τοῖς αὐτοῖς περιπεσεῖν, ὡς ἐκ τούτου καὶ εἰς ἀδύνατον περιστῆναι λοιπὸν τὸ πρᾶγμα. Οἷον, ἐθήκαμεν ἑαυτοῖς νόμον μὴ ὀμνύναι, κατωρθώσαμεν ἡμέρας τρεῖς ἢ καὶ τέσσαρας: μετ' ἐκείνας εἰς ἀνάγκην περιπεσόντες, τὸ συλλεχθὲν κέρδος ἅπαν ἐσκορπίσαμεν: εἰς ῥᾳθυμίαν λοιπὸν ἐμπίπτομεν καὶ ἀπόγνωσιν, ὡς μηδὲ τῶν αὐτῶν ἅψασθαι βουληθῆναι πάλιν: καὶ εἰκότως. Ὁ γάρ τι οἰκοδομήσας ἑαυτῷ, εἶτα ἰδὼν καθῃρημένον τὸ οἰκοδόμημα, ῥᾳθυμότερος ἔσται περὶ τὸ πάλιν οἰκοδομεῖν. Ἀλλ' οὐ δεῖ ῥᾳθυμεῖν οὐδὲ οὕτως: ἀλλὰ πάλιν ἔχεσθαι τῆς σπουδῆς. γʹ. Θῶμεν τοίνυν ἑαυτοῖς νόμους καθημερινούς: τέως ἀπὸ τῶν εὐκόλων ἀρξώμεθα: περικόψωμεν ἡμῶν τὴν πολυορκίαν τοῦ στόματος, χαλινὸν ἐπιθῶμεν τῇ γλώττῃ, μηδεὶς ὀμνύτω τὸν Θεόν. Οὐκ ἔστιν ἐνταῦθα δαπάνη, οὐκ ἔστιν ἐνταῦθα κάματος, οὐκ ἔστιν ἐνταῦθα χρόνου μελέτη: ἀρκεῖ θελῆσαι, καὶ τὸ πᾶν γέγονε: συνηθείας γὰρ τὸ πρᾶγμά ἐστι. Ναὶ παρακαλῶ καὶ δέομαι, σπουδὴν τοιαύτην εἰσενέγκωμεν. Εἰπὲ δή μοι, εἰ χρήματα ἐκέλευσα εἰσενεγκεῖν, οὐκ ἂν προθύμως ἕκαστος τὰ κατὰ δύναμιν συνεβάλεσθε; εἴ με ἐν κινδύνοις ἑωρᾶτε τοῖς ἐσχάτοις, οὐκ ἂν καὶ ἀπὸ τῆς σαρκὸς, εἴ γε οἷόν τε ἦν, ἀποτεμόντες ἔδοτε ἄν; Ἐν κινδύνῳ καὶ νῦν εἰμι καὶ πολλῷ, καὶ ὡς ἂν εἰ καὶ μετὰ τούτου καὶ δεσμωτήριον ᾤκουν, ἢ μυρίας ἔλαβον πληγὰς, ἢ εἰς μέταλλα ἐτύγχανον, οὐκ ἂν τούτου πλέον ἤλγησα. Χεῖρα τοίνυν ὀρέξατε. Ἐννοήσατε γὰρ, ὅσος κίνδυνος, μηδὲ τὸ μικρότατον τοῦτο (μικρότατον δὲ λέγω, ὅσον εἰς πόνον ἥκει) δυνηθῆναι κατορθῶσαι. Τί ἐρῶ τότε ἐγκαλούμενος; διατί μὴ διηλέγχθης; διατί μὴ ἐπέταξας; διατί μὴ νόμον ἔθηκας; διατί τοὺς μὴ πειθομένους οὐκ ἐκώλυσας; Οὐκ ἀρκεῖ μοι εἰπεῖν, ὅτι ἐνουθέτησα. Ἀλλὰ καὶ σφοδροτέρας, φησὶν, ἐπιτιμήσεως ἔδει: ἐπεὶ καὶ ὁ Ἠλεὶ ἐνουθέτει. Ἀλλὰ μὴ γένοιτο ὑμᾶς ἐκείνοις παραβαλεῖν τοῖς παισί. Κἀκεῖνος ἐνουθέτει, καὶ ἔλεγε: Μὴ τέκνα, μὴ ποιεῖτε οὕτω: πονηρὰ ἡ ἀκοὴ, ἣν ἐγὼ ἀκούω περὶ ὑμῶν. Ἀλλὰ προϊοῦσα ἡ Γραφή φησιν, ὅτι οὐκ ἐνουθέτει τοὺς υἱοὺς αὐτοῦ. Τοῦτο δὲ λέγει, ἐπειδὴ οὐ σφοδρῶς, οὐδὲ μετ' ἐπιπλήξεως τοῦτο ἐποίει. Πῶς γὰρ οὐκ ἄτοπον, ἐν μὲν ταῖς συναγωγαῖς τῶν Ἰουδαίων οὕτως ἰσχυροὺς εἶναι τοὺς νόμους, κἂν ὁ διδάσκων ἐπιτάξῃ πάντα γίνεσθαι: ἐνταῦθα δὲ οὕτως ἡμᾶς καταπεφρονῆσθαι καὶ ἀπεῤῥῖφθαι; Οὐ τῆς ἐμαυτοῦ δόξης μοι μέλει (δόξα γὰρ ἐμὴ, ἡ ὑμετέρα εὐδοκίμησις), ἀλλὰ τῆς ὑμετέρας σωτηρίας. Καθ' ἑκάστην ἡμέραν βοῶμεν, ἐνηχοῦμεν ὑμῶν ταῖς ἀκοαῖς: ὁ δὲ ἀκούων οὐδείς: καὶ οὐδὲν σφοδρὸν ἐπιδεικνύμεθα. Φοβοῦμαι, μὴ τῆς ἀκαίρου ταύτης καὶ πολλῆς φιλανθρωπίας λόγον κατὰ τὴν μέλλουσαν ἡμέραν ὑπόσχωμεν. Διὸ μεγάλῃ καὶ λαμπρᾷ τῇ φωνῇ κηρύττω πᾶσι, καὶ διαμαρτύρομαι, ὥστε τοὺς τὴν παράβασιν ταύτην ἐπιδεικνυμένους, τοὺς τὰ ἐκ τοῦ πονηροῦ φθεγγομένους (τοῦτο γάρ ἐστιν ὁ ὅρκος), τῶν οὐδῶν μὴ ἐπιβαίνειν τῶν ἐκκλησιαστικῶν. Προθεσμία δὲ ὑμῖν ἔστω ὁ μὴν ὁ παρὼν, ὥστε κατορθῶσαι. Μὴ γάρ μοι εἴπῃς, ὅτι Μὲ ἡ τῶν πραγμάτων ἀνάγκη κατεπείγει, ὅτι ἀπιστοῦμαι. Τέως τοὺς ἀπὸ τῆς συνηθείας περίκοπτε. Οἶδα, ὅτι πολλοὶ γελάσονται ἡμᾶς, ἀλλὰ βέλτιον ἡμᾶς γελᾶσθαι νῦν, ἢ κλαίεσθαι τότε: γελάσονται δὲ ὅσοι μαίνονται. Τίς γὰρ, εἰπέ μοι, νοῦν ἔχων φυλαττομένης ἐντολῆς γελάσεται; Εἰ δὲ ἄρα γελάσονται, ἀλλ' οὐχ ἡμᾶς, ἀλλὰ τὸν Χριστὸν οἱ τοιοῦτοι γελάσονται. Ἐφρίξατε τὸ εἰρημένον; Οἶδα κἀγώ. Εἰ μὲν οὖν ἐγὼ τὸν νόμον τοῦτον εἰσήγαγον, ἐμὸς ἂν εἴη καὶ ὁ γέλως: εἰ δὲ ὁ νομοθέτης ἕτερός ἐστιν, ἐκεῖ διαβαίνει ἡ χλευασία. Καὶ ἐνεπτύσθη ποτὲ ὁ Χριστὸς, καὶ ἐπὶ κόῤῥης ἐπλήγη καὶ ἐῤῥαπίσθη. Ἀνέχεται καὶ νῦν ταῦτα, καὶ οὐδὲν ἀπεικός. Διὰ τοῦτο γέεννα ἡτοίμασται, διὰ τοῦτο σκώληξ ἀτελεύτητος. Ἰδοὺ πάλιν λέγω καὶ διαμαρτύρομαι: Ὁ βουλόμενος γελάτω, ὁ βουλόμενος χλευαζέτω: εἰς τοῦτο κείμεθα, εἰς τὸ γελᾶσθαι καὶ χλευάζεσθαι, εἰς τὸ πάντα παθεῖν. Περικαθάρματα τοῦ κόσμου ἐσμὲν, κατὰ τὸν μακάριον Παῦλον. Εἴ τις μὴ βούλεται κατορθῶσαι τοῦτο τὸ ἐπίταγμα, ὥσπερ σάλπιγγί τινι διὰ τοῦ λόγου ἀπαγορεύω τῶν οὐδῶν μὴ ἐπιβαίνειν τῶν ἐκκλησιαστικῶν τῷ τοιούτῳ, κἂν ἄρχων ᾖ, κἂν αὐτὸς ὁ τὸ διάδημα περικείμενος. Ἢ καθέλετέ με ταυτησὶ τῆς ἀρχῆς, ἢ μένοντα μὴ περιβάλλετε κινδύνοις. Οὐκ ἀνέχομαι ἐπὶ τὸν θρόνον τοῦτον ἀναβαίνειν μὴ μεγάλα κατορθῶν. Εἰ γὰρ μὴ τοῦτο δυνατὸν, βέλτιον ἑστάναι κάτω. Ἄρχοντος γὰρ μηδὲν τοὺς ἀρχομένους ὠφελοῦντος οὐδὲν ἀθλιώτερον. Ἔτι συντείνατε ἑαυτοὺς, καὶ προσέχετε, παρακαλῶ: ἢ μᾶλλον εἰπεῖν, συντείνωμεν ἑαυτοὺς, καὶ πάντως ἔσται τι πλέον. Νηστεύσατε, παρακαλέσατε τὸν Θεὸν, καὶ ἡμεῖς μεθ' ὑμῶν, ὥστε τὴν ὀλέθριον ταύτην ἐξελεῖν συνήθειαν. Οὐδὲν μέγα ἐστὶ γενέσθαι διδασκάλους τῆς οἰκουμένης: οὐ μικρὸν ἀκουσθῆναι πανταχοῦ, ὅτι δὴ ἐν τῇδε τῇ πόλει οὐδείς ἐστιν ὁ ὀμνύς. Ἐὰν τοῦτο γένηται, οὐ τῶν οἰκείων κατορθωμάτων λήψεσθε μόνον τὸν μισθὸν, ἀλλὰ καὶ τῆς ὑπὲρ τῶν ἀδελφῶν σπουδῆς: ὅπερ γὰρ ὑμῖν εἰμι ἐγὼ, τοῦτο ὑμεῖς τῇ οἰκουμένῃ γενήσεσθε. Πάντως καὶ ἕτεροι ζηλώσουσιν ὑμᾶς: πάντως ἔσεσθε λύχνος ἐπὶ λυχνίας κείμενος. Καὶ τοῦτό ἐστι, φησὶ, τὸ πᾶν; Οὐ τοῦτό ἐστι τὸ πᾶν, ἀλλὰ τοῦτο ἀρχὴ τῶν ἄλλων. Ὁ μὴ ὀμνὺς, πάντως ἐπὶ εὐλάβειαν ἥξει καὶ ἑτέραν, καὶ ἑκὼν καὶ ἄκων, καὶ αἰσχυνόμενος καὶ φοβούμενος. Ἀλλ' οὐκ ἀνέχονται πολλοὶ, φησὶν, ἀλλ' ἀποπηδῶσιν. Ἀλλὰ βέλτιον εἷς ποιῶν τὸ θέλημα Κυρίου, ἢ μυρίοι παράνομοι. Ἀπὸ γοῦν τούτου πάντα ἀνατέτραπται, πάντα ἄνω καὶ κάτω γέγονεν, ὅτι καθάπερ ἐν τοῖς θεάτροις πλήθους ἐφιέμεθα, οὐ πλήθους δοκίμου. Τί γὰρ ὄχλος, εἰπέ μοι, δυνήσεται ὀνῆσαι; Βούλει μαθεῖν, ὅτι ὄχλος οἱ ἅγιοί εἰσιν, οὐχ οἱ πολλοί; Ἐξαγάγετε εἰς πόλεμον ἑκατὸν μυριάδας καὶ ἕνα ἅγιον: ἴδωμεν τίς πλείονα κατορθοῖ. Ἐξῆλθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς ὁ τοῦ Ναυὴ εἰς τὸν πόλεμον, καὶ μόνος ἅπαντα κατώρθωσεν, ὥστε οἱ ἄλλοι οὐδὲν ὤνησαν. Ὁ πολὺς ὄχλος, ἀγαπητὲ, ὅταν θέλημα τοῦ Θεοῦ μὴ ποιῇ, οὐδὲν διενήνοχε τῶν οὐκ ὄντων. Εὔχομαι μὲν οὖν, καὶ βούλομαι, καὶ ἡδέως ἂν καὶ κατεκόπην: ὥστε κοσμῆσαι πλήθει τὴν Ἐκκλησίαν, ἀλλὰ πλήθει δοκίμῳ: εἰ δὲ τοῦτο οὐχ οἷόν τε, τοὺς ὀλίγους αὐτοὺς δοκίμους εἶναι βούλομαι. Οὐχ ὁρᾶτε, ὅτι βέλτιον ἕνα λίθον τίμιον ἔχειν, ἢ μυρίους ὀβολούς; οὐχ ὁρᾶτε, ὅτι βέλτιον τὸν ὀφθαλμὸν ὑγιαίνοντα ἔχειν, ἢ τούτου πεπηρωμένου πολυσαρκίᾳ βαρύνεσθαι; οὐχ ὁρᾶτε, ὅτι βέλτιον πρόβατον ἓν ὑγιαῖνον ἔχειν, ἢ μυρία ψώρας ἐμπεπλησμένα; οὐχ ὁρᾶτε, ὅτι εὐτεκνία μετὰ ὀλιγοτεκνίας βελτίων, ἢ πολυπαιδία μετὰ κακοπαιδίας; οὐχ ὁρᾶτε, ὅτι ἐν μὲν τῇ βασιλείᾳ ὀλίγοι, ἐν δὲ τῇ γεέννῃ πολλοί; Τί ἐμοὶ καὶ τῷ πλήθει; τί τὸ ὄφελος; Οὐδέν: ἀλλὰ μᾶλλον τοῖς ἄλλοις λύμη. Ταὐτὸν γάρ ἐστιν, οἷον ἂν εἴ τις ἐξὸν δέκα ὑγιαίνοντας ἔχειν ἢ μυρίους νοσοῦντας, ἐπεισάγοι τοῖς δέκα τοὺς μυρίους. Οἱ πολλοὶ μηδὲν κατορθοῦντες, οὐδὲν ἕτερον ἡμῖν προξενήσουσιν, ἀλλ' ἢ κόλασιν τότε, καὶ κατὰ τὸ παρὸν ἀδοξίαν. Οὐδεὶς γὰρ ὅτι πολλοί ἐσμεν ἐρεῖ, ἀλλ' ὅτι ἄχρηστοι, μέμφεται. Τοῦτο γοῦν ἡμῖν ἀεὶ λέγουσιν, ὅταν εἴπωμεν, ὅτι Πολλοί ἐσμεν: Ἀλλὰ κακοὶ, φησίν. Ἰδοὺ πάλιν ἀπαγορεύω καὶ λαμπρᾷ βοῶ τῇ φωνῇ, μηδεὶς νομιζέτω γέλωτα εἶναι: Ἀπείρξω καὶ κωλύσω τοὺς μὴ πειθομένους: καὶ ἕως ἂν ἐν τῷ θρόνῳ καθέζωμαι τούτῳ, οὐδὲν προήσομαι τῶν αὐτοῦ δικαιωμάτων. Ἂν μέ τις καταβιβάσῃ, λοιπὸν ἀνεύθυνός εἰμι: ἕως δ' ἂν ὑπεύθυνος ὦ, οὐ δύναμαι παριδεῖν, οὐ διὰ τὴν ἐμὴν κόλασιν, ἀλλὰ διὰ τὴν ὑμετέραν σωτηρίαν: σφόδρα γὰρ ὑμῶν ἐρῶ τῆς σωτηρίας. Ὑπὲρ τούτου δάκνομαι καὶ ἀλγῶ. Ἀλλὰ πείσθητε, ἵνα καὶ ἐνταῦθα καὶ ἐν τῷ μέλλοντι πολὺν λάβητε τὸν μισθὸν, καὶ κοινῇ τῶν αἰωνίων ἀπολαύσωμεν ἀγαθῶν, χάριτι καὶ φιλανθρωπίᾳ τοῦ μονογενοῦς αὐτοῦ Υἱοῦ, μεθ' οὗ τῷ Πατρὶ ἅμα τῷ ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι, δόξα, κράτος, τιμὴ, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ, καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.