Homily XIV.

1 Cor. iv. 17

For this cause have I sent unto you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, who shall put you in remembrance of my ways which be in Christ Jesus.71    ̓Ιησοῦ om. in rec. text, [but retained it Rev. Vers.]

Consider here also, I entreat, the noble soul, the soul more glowing and keener than fire: how he was indeed especially desirous to be present himself with the Corinthians, thus distempered and broken into parties. For he knew well what a help to the disciples his presence was and what a mischief his absence. And the former he declared in the Epistle to the Philippians, saying, (Phil. ii. 12. καὶ[] om. in rec. text.) “Not as in my presence only, but also now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” The latter he signifies in this Epistle, saying, (ver. 18.) “Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you; but I will come.” He was urgent, it seems, and desirous to be present himself. But as this was not possible for a time, he corrects them by the promise of his appearance; and not this only, but also by the sending of his disciple. “For this,” he saith, “I have sent unto you Timothy.” “For this cause:” how is that? “Because I care for you as for children, and as having begotten you.” And the message is accompanied with a recommendation of his person:  “Who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord.” Now this he said, both to shew his love of him, and to prepare them to look on him with respect. And not simply “faithful,” but, “in the Lord;” that is, in the things pertaining to the Lord.  Now if in worldly things it is high praise for a man to be faithful, much more in things spiritual.

If then he was his “beloved child,” consider how great was Paul’s love, in choosing to be separated from him for the Corinthian’s sake, And if “faithful” also, he will be unexceptionable in his ministering to their affairs.

“Who shall put you in remembrance.” He said not, “shall teach,” lest they should take it ill, as being used to learn from himself. Wherefore also towards the end he saith, (1 Cor. xvi. 10, 11.) “For he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do. Let no man therefore despise him.” For there was no envy among the Apostles, but they had an eye unto one thing, the edification of the Church. And if he that was employed was their inferior, they did as it were support (συνεκρότουν) him with all earnestness. Wherefore neither was he contented with saying, “He shall put you in remembrance;” but purposing to cut out their envy more completely,—for Timothy was young,—with this view, I say, he adds, “my ways;” not “his,” but “mine;” that is, his methods, (τὰς οἰκονομίας.) his dangers, his customs, his laws, his ordinances, his Apostolical Canons, and all the rest. For since he had said, “We are naked, and are buffered, and have no certain dwelling place: all these things,” saith he, “he will remind you of;” and also of the laws of Christ; for destroying all heresies. Then, carrying his argument higher, he adds, “which be in Christ;” ascribing all, as was his wont, unto the Lord, and on that ground establishing the credibility of what is to follow. Wherefore he subjoins, “Even as I teach every where in every church.” “Nothing new have I spoken unto you: of these my proceedings all the other Churches are cognizant as well as you.” Further: he calls them “ways in Christ,” to shew that they have in them nothing human, and that with the aid from that source he doth all things well.

[2.] And having said these things and so soothed them, and being just about to enter on his charge against the unclean person, he again utters words full of anger; not that in himself he felt so but in order to correct them: and giving over the fornicator, he directs his discourse to the rest, as not deeming him worthy even of words from himself; just as we act in regard to our servants when they have given us great offence.

Next, after that he had said, “I send Timothy, lest they should thereupon take things too easily, mark what he saith:

Ver. 18. “Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming unto you.” For there he glances both at them and at certain others, casting down their highmindedness: since the love of preeminence is in fault, when men abuse the absence of their teacher for their own self-will. For when he addresses himself unto the people, observe how he does it by way of appeal to their sense of shame; when unto the originators of the mischief, his manner is more vehement. Thus unto the former he saith, “We are the offscouring of all:” and soothing them he saith, “Not to shame you I write these things;” but to the latter, “Now as though I were not coming to you, some are puffed up;” shewing that their self-will argued a childish turn of mind. For so boys in the absence of their master wax more negligent.

This then is one thing here indicated; and another is that his presence was sufficient for their correction. For as the presence of a lion makes all living creatures shrink away, so also does that of Paul the corrupters of the Church.

Ver. 19. And therefore he goes on, “But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will.” Now to say this only would seem to be mere threatening. But to promise himself and demand from them the requisite proof by actions also; this was a course for a truly high spirit. Accordingly he added this too, saying,

“And I will know, not the word of them which are puffed up, but the power.” For not from any excellencies of their own but from their teacher’s absence, this self-will arose. Which again itself was a mark of a scornful mind towards him. And this is why, having said, “I have sent Timothy,” he did not at once add, “I will come;” but waited until he had brought his charge against them of being “puffed up:” after that he saith, “I will come.” Since, had he put it before the charge, it would rather have been an apology for himself as not having been deficient, instead of a threat; nor even so (οὕτως so the King’s ms. οὖτος the rec. text.) would the statement have been convincing. But as it is, placing it after the accusation, he rendered himself such as they would both believe and fear.

Mark also how solid and secure he makes his ground: for he saith not simply, “I will come:” but, “If the Lord will:” and he appoints no set time. For since he might perhaps be tardy in coming, by that uncertainty he would fain keep them anxiously engaged. And, lest they should hereupon fall back again, he added, “shortly,”

[3.] “And I will know, not the word of them that are puffed up, but the power.” He said not, “I will know not the wisdom, nor the signs,” but what? “not the word:” by the term he employs at the same time depressing the one and exalting the other. And for a while he is setting himself against the generality of them who were countenancing the fornicator. For if he were speaking of him, he would not say, “the power;” but, “the works,” the corrupt works which he did.

Now why seekest thou not after “the word?” “Not because I am wanting in word but because all our doings are ‘in power.’” As therefore in war success is not for those who talk much but those who effect much; so also in this case, not speakers, but doers have the victory. “Thou,” saith he, “art proud of this fine speaking. Well, if it were a contest and a time for orators, thou mightest reasonably be elated thereat: but if of Apostles preaching truth, and by signs confirming the same, why art thou puffed up for a thing superfluous and unreal, and to the present purpose utterly inefficient? For what could a display of words avail towards raising the dead, or expelling evil spirits, or working any other such deed of wonder?  But these are what we want now, and by these our cause stands.” Whereupon also he adds,

Ver. 20. “For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.” By signs, saith he, not by fine speaking, we have prevailed: and that our teaching is divine and really announces the Kingdom of Heaven we give the greater proof, namely, our signs which we work by the power of the Spirit. If those who are now puffed up desire to be some great ones; as soon as I am come, let them shew whether they have any such power. And let me not find them sheltering themselves behind a pomp of words: for that kind of art is nothing to us.

[4.] Ver. 21. “What will ye? Shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of meekness?”

There is much both of terror and of gentleness in this saying. For to say, “I will know,” was the language of one as yet withholding himself: but to say, “What will ye?  Must I come unto you with a rod?” are the words of one thenceforth ascending the teacher’s seat, and from thence holding discourses with them and taking upon him all his authority.

What means, “with a rod?” With punishment, with vengeance: that is, I will destroy; I will strike with blindness: the kind of thing which Peter did in the case of Sapphira, and himself in the case of Elymas the sorcerer. For henceforth he no longer speaks as bringing himself into a close comparison with the other teachers, but with authority. And in the second Epistle too he appears to say the same, when he writes, “Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me.”

“Shall I come with a rod, or in love?” What then? to come with a rod, was it not an instance of love? Of love it was surely72    St. Augustin, cont. Parmen, iii. 3. “Are we to suppose that “the rod” at all excludes “love,” because he has given this turn to his sentence, ‘Shall I come unto you with a rod,’ or ‘in love?’ Nay, the following clause, ‘And in a spirit of meekness,’ hints what was passing in his mind—that the rod also has in it love. But love in severity is one thing, love in meekness another thing. The love is the same, but it works diversely in divers cases.”. But because through his great love he shrinks back in punishing, therefore he so expresses himself.

Further; when he spoke about punishment, he said not, “in a spirit of meekness,” but, [simply,] “with a rod:” and yet of that too the Spirit was author. For there is a spirit of meekness, and a spirit of severity. He doth not, however, choose so to call it, but from its milder aspect (ἀπὸ τῶν χρηστοτέρων.) And for a like reason also, God, although avenging Himself, has it often affirmed of Him that He is “gracious and long-suffering, and rich in mercy and pity:” but that He is apt to punish, once perhaps or twice, and sparingly, and that upon some urgent cause.

[5.] Consider then the wisdom of Paul; holding the authority in his own hands, he leaves both his and that in the power of others, saying, “What will ye?” “The matter is at your disposal.”

For we too have depending on us both sides of the alternative; both falling into hell, and obtaining the kingdom:  since God hath so willed it. For, “behold,” saith he, “fire and water: whichever way thou wilt, thou mayest stretch forth thine hand” (Ecclus. xv. 16.) And, “If ye be willing, and will hearken unto me, ye shall eat the good of the land; (Is. i. 19,) but if ye be not willing, the sword shall devour you.”

But perhaps one will say, “I am willing; (and no one is so void of understanding as not to be willing;) but to will is not sufficient for me.” Nay, but it is sufficient, if thou be duly willing, and do the deeds of one that is willing. But as it is, thou art not greatly willing.

And let us try this in other things, if it seem good. For tell me, he that would marry a wife, is he content with wishing? By no means; but he looks out for women to advance his suit, and request friends to keep watch with him, and gets together money. Again, the merchant is not content with sitting at home and wishing, but he first hires a vessel, then selects sailors and rowers, then takes up money on interest, and is inquisitive about a market and the price of merchandise. Is it not then strange for men to shew themselves so much in earnest about earthly things, but that when they are to make a venture for heaven, they should be content with wishing only? rather I should say, not even in this do they shew themselves properly in earnest. For he that wills a thing as he ought, puts also his hand unto the means which lead to the object of his desire. Thus, when hunger compels thee to take nourishment, thou waitest not for the viands to come unto thee of their own accord, but omittest nothing to gather victuals together. So in thirst, and cold and all other such things, thou art industrious and duly prepared to take care of the body. Now do this in respect of God’s kingdom also, and surely thou shalt obtain it.

For to this end God made thee a free agent, that thou mightest not afterwards accuse God, as though some necessity had bound thee: but thou, in regard of those very things wherein thou hast been honored, dost murmur.

For in fact I have often heard people say, “But why did He then make my goodness depend on me?” Nay, but how was He to bring thee, slumbering and sleeping, and in love with all iniquity, and living delicately, and pampering thyself; how was He to bring thee up to heaven? If He had, thou wouldest not have abstained from vice. For if now, even in the face of threatening, thou dost not turn aside from thy wickedness; had he added no less than heaven as the end of thy race, when wouldest thou have ceased waxing more careless and worse by far? (χείρων πολλῷ. πολλῶν Bened.)

Neither again wilt thou be able to allege, He hath shewed me indeed what things were good but gave no help, for abundant also is His promise to thee of aid.

[6.] “But,” say you, “Virtue is burdensome and distasteful; while with vice great pleasure is blended; and the one is wide and broad, but the other strait and narrow.”

Tell me then, are they respectively such throughout, or only from the beginning? For in fact what thou here sayest, thou sayest, not intending it, in behalf of virtue; so potent a thing is truth. For suppose there were two roads, the one leading to a furnace, and the other to a Paradise; and that the one unto the furnace were broad, the other unto Paradise, narrow; which road wouldest thou take in preference? For although you may now gainsay for contradiction’s sake, yet things which are plainly allowed on all hands, however shameless, you will not be able to gainsay. Now that that way is rather to be chosen which hath its beginning difficult but not its end, I will endeavor to teach you from what is quite obvious. And, if you please, let us first take in hand the arts. For these have their beginning full of toil, but the end gainful. “But,” say you, “no one applies himself to an art without some one to compel him; for,” you add, “so long as the boy is his own master, he will choose rather to take his ease at first, and in the end to endure the evil, how great soever, than to live hardly at the outset, and afterwards reap the fruit of those labors.” Well then, to make such a choice comes of a mind left to itself, (ὀρφανικῆς διανοίας) and of childish idleness: but the contrary choice, of sense and manliness. And so it is with us: were we not children in mind, we should not be like the child aforesaid, forsaken (ὀρφάνῳ) as he is and thoughtless, but like him that hath a father. We must cast out then our own childish mind, and not find fault with the things themselves; and we must set a charioteer over our conscience, who will not allow us to indulge our appetite, but make us run and strive mightily. For what else but absurdity is it to inure our children with pains at first unto pursuits which have laborious beginnings, but their end good and pleasant; while we ourselves in spiritual things take just the contrary turn?

And yet even in those earthly things it is not quite plain that the end will be good and pleasant: since before now untimely death, or poverty, or false accusation, or reverse of fortune, or other such things, of which there are many, have caused men after their long toil to be deprived of all its fruits. What is more, those who have such pursuits, though they succeed, it is no great gain which they will reap. For with the present life all those things are dissolved. But here, not for such fruitless and perishable things is our race, neither have we fears about the end; but greater and more secure is our hope after our departure hence. What pardon then can there be, what excuse for those who will not strip themselves for the evils to be endured for virtue’s sake?

And do they yet ask, “Wherefore is the way narrow?” Why, thou dost not deem it right that any fornicator or lewd or drunken (και τῶν μεθυόντων inserted from the King’s ms.) person should enter into the courts of earthly kings; and claimest thou for men to be let into heaven itself with licentiousness, and luxury, and drunkenness, and covetousness, and all manner of iniquity? And how can these things be pardonable?

[7.]  “Nay,” you reply, “I say not that, but why has not virtue a “broad way?” In good truth if we be willing, its way is very easy. For whether is easier, tell me; to dig through a wall and take other men’s goods and so be cast into prison; or to be content with what you have and freed from all fear? I have not however said all. For whether is easier, tell me; to steal all men’s goods and revel in few of them for a short time, and then to be racked and scourged eternally; or having lived in righteous poverty for a short time, to live ever after in delights? (For let us not enquire as yet which is the more profitable, but for the present, which is the more easy.) Whether again is it pleasanter, to see a good dream and to be punished in reality; or after having had a disagreeable dream to be really in enjoyment? Of course the latter. Tell me then, In what sense dost thou call virtue harsh? I grant, it is harsh, tried by comparison with our carelessness. However, that it is really easy and smooth, hear what Christ saith, (St. Matt. xi. 30.) “My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” But if thou perceivest not the lightness, plainly it is for want of courageous zeal; since where that is, even heavy things are light; and by the same rule where it is not, even light things are heavy. For tell me, what could be sweeter and more easily obtained than the banquet of manna? Yet the Jews were discontented, though enjoying such delightful fare. What more bitter than hunger and all the other hardships which Paul endured? Yet he leaped up, and rejoiced, and said, (Col. i. 24.) “Now I rejoice in my sufferings.” What then is the cause? The difference of the mind. If then you frame this as it ought to be, you will see the easiness of virtue.

“What then,” say you, “does she only become such through the mind of those who pursue her?” She is such, not from their mind alone, but by nature as well. Which I thus prove: If the one had been throughout a thing painful, the other throughout of the contrary sort, then with some plausibility might some fallen persons have said that the latter was easier than the former. But if they have their beginnings, the one in hardship, the other in pleasure, but their respective ends again just opposite to these; and if those ends be both infinite, in the one the pleasure, in the other the burthen; tell me, which is the more easy to choose?

“Why then do many not choose that which is easy?” Because some disbelieve; and others, who believe, have their judgment corrupt, and would prefer pleasure for a season to that which is everlasting. “Is not this then easy?” Not so: but this cometh of a sick soul. And as the reason why persons in a fever long after cool drink is not upon calculation that the momentary luxury is pleasanter than being burned up from beginning to end, but because they cannot restrain their inordinate desire; so also these. Since if one brought them to their punishment at the very moment of their pleasure, assuredly they never would have chosen it. Thus you see in what sense vice is not an easy thing.

[8.] But if you will, let us try this same point over again by an example in the proper subject matter. Tell me, for instance, which is pleasanter and easier? (only let us not take again the desire of the many for our rule in the matter; since one ought to decide, not by the sick, but by the whole; just as you might show me ten thousand men in a fever, seeking things unwholesome upon choice to suffer for it afterwards; but I should not allow such choice;) which, I repeat, brings more ease, tell me; to desire much wealth, or to be above that desire? For I, for my part, think the latter. If thou disbelieve it, let the argument be brought to the facts themselves.

Let us then suppose one man desiring much, another nothing. Which now is the better state, tell me, and which the more respectable? However, let that pass. For this is agreed upon, that the latter is a finer character than the former. And we are making no enquiry about this at present, but which lives the easier and pleasanter life? Well then: the lover of money will not enjoy even what he has: for that which he loves he cannot choose to spend; but would gladly even carve (κατακόψειε) himself out, and part with his flesh rather than with his gold. But he that despises wealth, gains this the while, that he enjoys what he has quietly and with great security, and that he values himself more than it. Which then is the pleasanter; to enjoy what one has with freedom, or to live under a master, namely wealth, and not dare to touch a single thing even of one’s own? Why, it seemeth to me to be much the same as if any two men, having wives and loving them exceedingly, were not upon the same terms with them; but the one were allowed the presence and intercourse of his wife, the other not even permitted to come near his.

There is another thing which I wish to mention, indicating the pleasure of the one and the discomfort of the other. He that is greedy of gain will never be stayed in that desire, not only because it is impossible, for him to obtain all men’s goods, but also because whatever he may have compassed, he counts himself to have nothing. But the despiser of riches will deem it all superfluous, and will not have to punish his soul with endless desires. I say, punish; for nothing so completely answers the definition of punishment as desire deprived of gratification; a thing too which especially marks his perverse mind. Look at it in this way. He that lusts after riches and hath increased his store, he is the sort of person to feel as if he had nothing. I ask then, what more complicated than this disease? And the strange thing is not this only, but that although having, he thinks he has not the very things which are in his hold, and as though he had them not he bewails himself. If he even get all men’s goods, his pain is but greater. And should he gain an hundred talents, he is vexed that he hath not received a thousand: and if he received a thousand; he is stung to the quick that it is not ten thousand: and if he receive ten thousand, he utterly bemoans himself (κατακόπτεται) because it is not ten times as much. And the acquisition of more to him becomes so much more poverty; for the more he receives so much the more he desires. So then, the more he receives, the more he becomes poor: since whoso desires more, is more truly poor. When then he hath an hundred talents, is he not very poor?73    Savile reads this interrogatively, [as does also Dr. Field. C.] for he desires a thousand. When he hath got a thousand, then he becomes yet poorer. For it is no longer a thousand as before, but ten thousand that he professes himself to want. Now if you say that to wish and not to obtain is pleasure, you seem to me to be very ignorant of the nature of pleasure.

[9.] To shew that this sort of thing is not pleasure but punishment, take another case, and so let us search it out. When we are thirsty, do we not therefore feel pleasure in drinking because we quench our thirst; and is it not therefore a pleasure to drink because it relieves us from a great torment, the desire, I mean, of drinking? Every one, I suppose, can tell. But were we always to remain in such a state of desire, we should be as badly off as the rich man in the parable of Lazarus for the matter of punishment; for his punishment was just this that vehemently desiring one little drop, he obtained it not. And this very thing all covetous persons seem to me continually to suffer, and to resemble him where he begs that he may obtain that drop, and obtains it not. For their soul is more on fire than his.

Well indeed hath one74    Crescit indulgens sibi dirus Hydrops, Nec sitim pellit, nisi causa morbi Fugerit venis, et aquosus albo corpore languor. Hor. Carm. ii. 2. said, that all lovers of money are in a sort of dropsy; for as they, bearing much water in their bodies, are the more burnt up: so also the covetous, bearing about with them great wealth, are greedy of more. The reason is that neither do the one keep the water in the parts of the body where it should be, nor the other their desire in the limits of becoming thought.

Let us then flee this strange and craving (ξένην καὶ κενὴν: a play on the sound of the words,) disease; let us flee the root of all evils; let us flee that which is present hell; for it is a hell, the desire of these things. Only just lay open the soul of each, of him who despises wealth and of him who does not so; and you will see that the one is like the distracted, choosing neither to hear nor see any thing: the other, like a harbor free from waves:  and he is the friend of all, as the other is the enemy. For whether one take any thing of his, it gives him no annoyance; or if whether, on the contrary, one give him aught, it puffs him not up; but there is a certain freedom about him with entire security. The one is forced to flatter and feign before all; the other, to no man.

If now to be fond of money is to be both poor and timid and a dissembler and a hypocrite and to be full of fears and great penal anguish and chastisement: while he that despises wealth has all the contrary enjoyments: is it not quite plain that virtue is the more pleasant?

Now we might have gone through all the other evils also whereby it is shewn that there is no vice which hath pleasure in it, had we not spoken before so much at large.

Wherefore knowing these things, let us choose virtue; to the end that we may both enjoy such pleasure as is here, and may attain unto the blessings which are to come, through the grace and loving-kindness, &c. &c.

ΟΜΙΛΙΑ ΙΔʹ. Διὰ τοῦτο ἔπεμψα ὑμῖν Τιμόθεον, ὅς ἐστί μου τέκνον ἀγαπητὸν καὶ πιστὸν ἐν Κυρίῳ, ὃς ὑμᾶς ἀναμνήσει τὰς ὁδούς μου τὰς ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰη σοῦ. αʹ. Σκόπει μοι κἀνταῦθα τὴν γενναίαν ψυχὴν, τὴν πυρὸς θερμοτέραν καὶ γοργοτέραν. Ἐβούλετο μὲν γὰρ αὐτὸς παραγενέσθαι μάλιστα νοσοῦσιν οὕτω καὶ στασιάζουσι Κορινθίοις. Καὶ γὰρ ᾔδει σαφῶς ἡλίκα τε ὠφέλει τοὺς μαθητὰς ἡ παρουσία αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἡλίκα ἔβλαπτεν ἡ ἀπουσία. Καὶ τὸ μὲν ἐδήλωσεν ἐν τῇ πρὸς Φιλιππησίους, εἰπών: Μὴ ὡς ἐν τῇ παρουσίᾳ μου μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ νῦν πολλῷ μᾶλλον ἐν τῇ ἀπουσίᾳ μου, μετὰ φόβου καὶ τρόμου τὴν ἑαυτῶν σωτηρίαν κατεργάζεσθε: τὸ δὲ δείκνυσιν ἐν τῇ Ἐπιστολῇ ταύτῃ. λέγων: Ὡς μὴ ἐρχομένου δέ μου πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἐφυσιώθησάν τινες, ἐλεύσομαι δέ. Ἠπείγετο μὲν οὖν καὶ ἐπεθύμει παραγενέσθαι αὐτός: ἐπειδὴ δὲ τοῦτο τέως οὐκ ἐνῆν, τῇ ἐπαγγελίᾳ τῆς παρουσίας αὐτοὺς διορθοῦται: καὶ οὐ τοῦτο μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ τῇ τοῦ μαθητοῦ ἀποστολῇ. Διὰ τοῦτο γὰρ, φησὶν, ἔπεμψα ὑμῖν Τιμόθεον. Διὰ τοῦτο: ποῖον; Ἐπειδὴ ὡς παίδων κήδομαι, καὶ ὡς γεγεννηκώς. Καὶ μετὰ τῆς συστάσεως τοῦ προσώπου, ἡ Ἐπιστολή: Ὅς ἐστί μου τέκνον ἀγαπητὸν καὶ πιστὸν ἐν Κυρίῳ. Τοῦτο δὲ εἶπε, τήν τε αὐτοῦ ἀγάπην ἐμφαίνων, κἀκείνους παρασκευάζων αἰδεσίμως αὐτὸν ἰδεῖν. Καὶ οὐχ ἁπλῶς πιστὸν, ἀλλ' Ἐν Κυρίῳ, τουτέστιν, ἐν τοῖς κατὰ Κύριον πράγμασιν. Εἰ δὲ τὸ ἐν τοῖς βιωτικοῖς εἶναί τινα πιστὸν, ἐγκώμιον, πολλῷ μᾶλλον ἐν τοῖς πνευματικοῖς. Εἰ τοίνυν ἀγαπητὸν αὐτοῦ τέκνον, ἐννόησον πόση τοῦ Παύλου ἡ ἀγάπη, ὅτι εἵλετο αὐτοῦ χωρισθῆναι διὰ Κορινθίους. Εἰ δὲ καὶ πιστὸν, ἀλήπτως διακονήσει τοῖς πράγμασιν. Ὃς ὑμᾶς ἀναμνήσει. Οὐκ εἶπε, Διδάξει, ἵνα μὴ δυσανασχετῶσιν, ὡς παρ' αὐτοῦ μανθάνοντες. Διὰ τοῦτο καὶ πρὸς τῷ τέλει φησί: Τὸ γὰρ ἔργον Κυρίου ἐργάζεται, καθὼς καὶ ἐγώ: μή τις οὖν αὐτὸν ἐξουθενήσῃ. Οὐδεὶς γὰρ ἦν ἐν ἀποστόλοις φθόνος, ἀλλὰ πρὸς ἓν ἑώρων, τῆς Ἐκκλησίας τὴν οἰκοδομήν: καὶ εἰ ἐλάττων ἦν ὁ ἐργαζόμενος, συνεκρότουν αὐτὸν μετὰ σπουδῆς ἁπάσης. Διὰ τοῦτο οὐδὲ ἠρκέσθη τῷ εἰπεῖν, Ἀναμνήσει, ἀλλ' ἐπὶ πλέον ἄγει τὸν λόγον, ὑποτέμνεσθαι βουλόμενος αὐτῶν τὸν φθόνον (καὶ γὰρ ἦν νέος ὁ Τιμόθεος): διὸ ἐπήγαγε: Τὰς ὁδούς μου. Οὐ τὰς αὐτοῦ, ἀλλὰ τὰς ἐμὰς, τουτέστι, τὰς οἰκονομίας, τοὺς κινδύνους, τὰ ἔθη, τοὺς νόμους, τοὺς θεσμοὺς, τοὺς κανόνας τοὺς ἀποστολικοὺς, τὰ ἄλλα πάντα. Ἐπειδὴ γὰρ εἶπε, Γυμνητεύομεν καὶ κολαφιζόμεθα καὶ ἀστατοῦμεν, καὶ ταῦτα, φησὶ, πάντα ὑμᾶς ἀναμνήσει καὶ τοὺς νόμους τοὺς τοῦ Χριστοῦ, ὥστε τὰς αἱρέσεις ἀνελεῖν. Εἶτα ἀνωτέρω τὸν λόγον ἀναγαγὼν ἐπήγαγε: Τὰ ἐν Χριστῷ: πάντα, ὡς εἴωθεν, ἀνατιθεὶς τῷ Δεσπότῃ, καὶ τὸ ἀξιόπιστον τῶν ἑξῆς ἐντεῦθεν κατασκευάζων: διὸ καὶ ἐπάγει: Καθὼς πανταχοῦ ἐν πάσῃ Ἐκκλησίᾳ διδάσκω. Οὐδὲν πρὸς ὑμᾶς καινὸν εἶπον: ταῦτά μοι συνίσασι καὶ αἱ λοιπαὶ Ἐκκλησίαι πᾶσαι. Ὁδοὺς δὲ αὐτὰς ἐν Χριστῷ φησι, δεικνὺς ὅτι οὐδὲν ἔχουσιν ἀνθρώπινον, καὶ ὅτι μετὰ τῆς ἐκεῖθεν βοηθείας τὰ πάντα κατορθοῖ. Εἰπὼν δὲ ταῦτα καὶ θεραπεύσας ἐκείνους, καὶ μέλλων ἐμβάλλειν εἰς τὴν κατηγορίαν τοῦ πεπορνευκότος, πάλιν θυμοῦ γέμοντας λόγους ἀφίησιν, οὐκ αὐτὸς ταῦτα πάσχων, ἀλλ' ἐκείνους διορθούμενος: καὶ τὸν πεπορνευκότα ἀφεὶς, τοῖς ἄλλοις διαλέγεται, οὐκ ἀξιῶν ἐκεῖνον οὔτε τῶν παρ' αὐτοῦ λόγων: ὅπερ ἐπὶ τῶν οἰκετῶν τῶν σφόδρα προσκεκρουκότων ποιοῦμεν. Καὶ ἐπειδὴ εἶπεν, ὅτι Τιμόθεον πέμπω, ἵνα μὴ τούτῳ ῥᾳθυμότεροι γένωνται, ὅρα τί φησιν: Ὡς μὴ ἐρχομένου δέ μου πρὸς ὑμᾶς, ἐφυσιώθησάν τινες. Ἐνταῦθα γὰρ καὶ ἐκείνων καθάπτεται καὶ ἑτέρων τινῶν, κατασείων αὐτῶν τὸ φρόνημα. Φιλαρχίας γὰρ τὸ ἔγκλημα, τῇ ἐρημίᾳ τοῦ διδασκάλου εἰς ἀπόνοιαν κεχρῆσθαι. Ὅταν μὲν οὖν πρὸς τοὺς πολλοὺς διαλέγηται, σκόπει πῶς ἐντρεπτικῶς αὐτὸ ποιεῖ: ὅταν δὲ πρὸς τοὺς αἰτίους, καταφορικώτερον. Ἐκείνοις μὲν γὰρ λέγει, Πάντων περίψημα, καὶ θεραπεύων αὐτούς φησιν: Οὐκ ἐντρέπων ὑμᾶς, γράφω ταῦτα: τούτοις δὲ, Ὡς μὴ ἐρχομένου δέ μου πρὸς ὑμᾶς, ἐφυσιώθησάν τινες, δεικνὺς ὅτι παιδικῆς διανοίας ἡ ἀπόνοια: καὶ γὰρ οἱ παῖδες τῇ ἀπουσίᾳ τοῦ διδασκάλου ῥᾳθυμότεροι γίνονται. Τοῦτο δὲ οὖν ἐνδείκνυται, καὶ ὅτι ἀρκεῖ πρὸς διόρθωσιν ἡ παρουσία. βʹ. Καθάπερ γὰρ λέοντος παρουσία ἅπαντα ποιεῖ κατεπτηχέναι τὰ ζῶα: οὕτω καὶ ἡ Παύλου τοὺς διαφθείραντας τὴν Ἐκκλησίαν. Διὸ καὶ ἐπάγει: Ἐλεύσομαι δὲ ταχέως πρὸς ὑμᾶς, ἐὰν ὁ Κύριος θελήσῃ. Ἀλλὰ τὸ μὲν τοῦτο εἰπεῖν μόνον, ἐδόκει ἀπειλῆς εἶναι: τὸ δὲ καὶ τὴν ἀπὸ τῶν ἔργων ἀπόδειξιν καὶ αὐτὸν ἐπαγγείλασθαι, κἀκείνους ἀπαιτεῖν, τοῦτο ἦν μεγαλόφρονος διανοίας. Διόπερ καὶ προσέθηκε τοῦτο, εἰπών: Καὶ γνώσομαι οὐ τὸν λόγον τῶν πεφυσιωμένων, ἀλλὰ τὴν δύναμιν. Οὐδὲ γὰρ ἀπὸ κατορθωμάτων οἰκείων, ἀλλ' ἀπὸ τῆς τοῦ διδασκάλου ἀπουσίας ἡ ἀπόνοια ἦν: ὅπερ καὶ αὐτὸ γνώμης ἦν καταφρονητικῆς. Διὰ τοῦτο εἰπὼν, Ἔπεμψα Τιμόθεον, οὐκ εὐθέως εἶπεν, Ἐλεύσομαι, ἀλλὰ πρότερον αὐτῶν κατηγορήσας, ὅτι ἐφυσιώθησαν, τότε φησίν: Ἐλεύσομαι. Εἰ μὲν γὰρ πρὸ τῆς κατηγορίας αὐτὸ τέθεικεν, ἀπολογία μᾶλλον ἐγένετο αὐτοῦ ὡς οὐκ ἀπολειφθέντος, καὶ οὐκ ἀπειλὴ, καὶ οὐδὲ οὗτος πιστὸς ὁ λόγος ἦν: νυνὶ δὲ μετὰ τὴν κατηγορίαν θεὶς, καὶ ἀξιόπιστον αὐτὸν καὶ φοβερὸν ἐποίησε. Καὶ ὅρα αὐτοῦ τὸ βέβαιον καὶ ἀσφαλές. Οὐ γὰρ ἁπλῶς εἶπεν, Ἐλεύσομαι, ἀλλ', Ἐὰν ὁ Κύριος θελήσῃ: καὶ οὐ τίθησι χρόνον ὡρισμένον. Ἐπειδὴ γὰρ συνέβαινεν αὐτὸν βραδέως παραγενέσθαι, τῇ ἀδηλίᾳ βούλεται αὐτοὺς ἐναγωνίους ποιῆσαι. Καὶ ἵνα μὴ διὰ τοῦτο πάλιν ἀναπέσωσι, προσέθηκε: Ταχέως. Καὶ γνώσομαι, οὐ τὸν λόγον τῶν πεφυσιωμένων, ἀλλὰ τὴν δύναμιν. Οὐκ εἶπεν, ὅτι Γνώσομαι τὴν σοφίαν, οὐδὲ τὰ σημεῖα, ἀλλὰ τί; Οὐ τὸν λόγον: κἀκεῖνο τῷ ὀνόματι καταφέρων, καὶ τοῦτο ἐπαίρων. Καὶ τέως πρὸς τοὺς ἄλλους ἀποτείνεται τοὺς συγκροτοῦντας τὸν πεπορνευκότα. Εἰ γὰρ πρὸς ἐκεῖνον ἔλεγεν, οὐκ ἂν εἶπε τὴν δύναμιν, ἀλλὰ τὰ ἔργα, ἅπερ ἦν αὐτῷ διεφθαρμένα. Καὶ διὰ τί οὐ ζητεῖς τὸν λόγον; Οὐκ ἐπειδὴ ἀπορῶ λόγου, ἀλλ' ἐπειδὴ ἐν δυνάμει τὰ ἡμέτερα. Καθάπερ οὖν ἐν πολέμῳ οὐ τῶν πολλὰ φθεγγομένων τὸ κατορθοῦν, ἀλλὰ τῶν πολλὰ ἐργαζομένων: οὕτω δὴ καὶ ἐνταῦθα, οὐ τῶν λαλούντων, ἀλλὰ τῶν ποιούντων ἡ νίκη. Μέγα φρονεῖς ἐπὶ εὐγλωττίᾳ, φησίν: ἀλλ' εἰ μὲν ῥητόρων ὁ ἀγὼν καὶ ὁ καιρὸς, καλῶς ἐντεῦθεν ἐφρόνεις: εἰ δὲ ἀποστόλων ἀλήθειαν καταγγελλόντων, καὶ σημείοις ταύτην βεβαιούντων, τί πεφύσησαι ἐπὶ πράγματι περιττῷ καὶ οὐδὲν ὄντι, οὐδὲ εἰς τὰ παρόντα τι συντελέσαι δυναμένῳ; Τί γὰρ λόγων ἐπίδειξις δύναιτ' ἂν πρὸς τὸ νεκρὸν ἀναστῆσαι, ἢ δαίμονας ἐλάσαι, ἢ ἄλλην τινὰ τοιαύτην ἐργάσασθαι θαυματουργίαν; Τούτων δὲ χρεία νῦν, καὶ διὰ τούτων τὰ ἡμέτερα συνίσταται. Διὸ καὶ ἐπήγαγεν: Οὐ γὰρ ἐν λόγῳ ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἀλλ' ἐν δυνάμει. Διὰ σημείων, φησὶν, οὐ δι' εὐγλωττίας ἐκρατήσαμεν, καὶ τοῦ θείαν εἶναι τὴν διδασκαλίαν ἡμῶν, καὶ βασιλείαν καταγγέλλειν οὐρανῶν, μεγίστην ἀπόδειξιν παρεχόμενοι τὰ σημεῖα, ἅπερ ποιοῦμεν τῇ δυνάμει τοῦ Πνεύματος. Εἰ τοίνυν μεγάλοι τινὲς εἶναι βούλονται οἱ πεφυσιωμένοι νῦν, ἐπειδὰν παραγένωμαι, δειξάτωσαν, εἴ τινα δύναμιν τοιαύτην ἔχουσι: καὶ μή μοι ῥημάτων προβαλλέσθωσαν κόμπους: οὐδὲν γὰρ ἐκείνη πρὸς ἡμᾶς ἡ τέχνη. Τί θέλετε; ἐν ῥάβδῳ ἔλθω πρὸς ὑμᾶς, ἢ ἐν ἀγάπῃ πνεύματί τε πραότητος; Πολὺ καὶ τὸ φοβερὸν ἔχει καὶ τὸ προσηνὲς ὁ λόγος οὗτος. Τὸ μὲν γὰρ εἰπεῖν, ὅτι Γνώσομαι, ἔτι ὑπεσταλμένου ἦν: τὸ δὲ εἰπεῖν, Τί θέλετε; ἐν ῥάβδῳ ἔλθω πρὸς ὑμᾶς; ἐπὶ τὸν διδασκαλικὸν λοιπὸν ἀναβαίνοντος θρόνον κἀκεῖθεν αὐτοῖς διαλεγομένου, καὶ τὴν ἐξουσίαν ἀναλαβόντος πᾶσαν. Τί ἐστιν, Ἐν ῥάβδῳ; Ἐν κολάσει, ἐν τιμωρίᾳ, τουτέστιν, Ἀνελῶ, πηρώσω: ὅπερ ἐπὶ τῆς Σαπφείρας ὁ Πέτρος ἐποίησεν ὅπερ αὐτὸς ἐπὶ Ἐλύμα τοῦ μάγου. Οὐκέτι γὰρ λοιπὸν ὡς παρεξετάζων ἐκείνοις ἑαυτὸν λέγει, ἀλλ' αὐθεντικῶς. Καὶ ἐν τῇ δευτέρᾳ δὲ Ἐπιστολῇ τὸ αὐτὸ τοῦτο φαίνεται λέγων, ὅταν λέγῃ: Ἐπεὶ δοκιμὴν ζητεῖτε τοῦ ἐν ἐμοὶ λαλοῦντος Χριστοῦ. Ἐν ῥάβδῳ ἔλθω, ἢ ἐν ἀγάπῃ; τί γὰρ, ἐν ῥάβδῳ ἐλθεῖν, οὐκ ἦν ἀγάπης; Ἀγάπης μὲν ἦν: ἀλλ' ἐπειδὴ σφόδρα ἀγαπῶν ἀναδύεται πρὸς τιμωρίαν, διὰ τοῦτο οὕτω φησίν. Ὅτε μὲν οὖν περὶ τιμωρίας ἔλεγεν, οὐκ εἶπε, Πνεύματί τε πραότητος, ἀλλὰ Ῥάβδῳ. Καίτοι κἀκεῖνο Πνεύματι ἐγίνετο: ἔστι γὰρ πνεῦμα πραότητος, καὶ πνεῦμα αὐστηρότητος: ἀλλ' οὐ βούλεται οὕτως αὐτὸ καλεῖν, ἀλλ' ἀπὸ τῶν χρηστοτέρων. Διὰ τοῦτο καὶ ὁ Θεὸς καίτοι γε τιμωρούμενος, ὅτι μὲν ἐλεήμων ἐστὶ καὶ μακρόθυμος καὶ πλούσιος ἐν ἐλέει καὶ οἰκτιρμοῖς, πολλαχοῦ λέγεται: ὅτι δὲ κολαστικὸς, ἅπαξ που καὶ δεύτερον καὶ σπανιάκις, καὶ ταῦτα τῆς αἰτίας κατεπειγούσης. Καὶ σκόπει σοφίαν Παύλου. Τὴν ἐξουσίαν αὐτὸς ἔχων, καὶ τούτου κἀκείνου ἑτέρους ποιεῖ κυρίους λέγων, Τί θέλετε; ἐν ὑμῖν τὸ πρᾶγμα κεῖται. Καὶ γὰρ ἡμεῖς ἐσμεν καὶ τούτου κἀκείνου κύριοι, καὶ τοῦ εἰς γέενναν ἐμπεσεῖν, καὶ τοῦ βασιλείας ἐπιτυχεῖν: ἐπειδὴ ὁ Θεὸς οὕτως ἠθέλησεν. Ἰδοὺ γὰρ, φησὶ, πῦρ καὶ ὕδωρ: οὗ ἐὰν θέλῃς, ἐκτενεῖς τὴν χεῖρά σου: καὶ, Ἐὰν θέλητε, καὶ εἰσακούσητέ μου, τὰ ἀγαθὰ τῆς γῆς φάγεσθε. γʹ. Ἀλλ' ἴσως ἐρεῖ τις, ὅτι Θέλω. Καὶ οὐδεὶς οὕτως ἀνόητος, ὥστε μὴ θέλειν: ἀλλ' οὐκ ἀρκεῖ μοι τὸ θέλειν. Καὶ μὴν ἀρκεῖ, ἐὰν ὡς χρὴ θέλῃς, καὶ τὰ τοῦ θέλοντος ποιῇς: νυνὶ δὲ οὐ σφόδρα θέλεις. Καὶ τοῦτο ἐπὶ τῶν ἄλλων γυμνάσωμεν, εἰ δοκεῖ. Εἰπὲ γάρ μοι, ὁ βουλόμενος γυναῖκα ἀγαγέσθαι, ἀρκεῖται τῷ θέλειν; Οὐδαμῶς, ἀλλὰ καὶ προμνηστρίας ἐπιζητεῖ, καὶ φίλους ἀξιοῖ συναγρυπνῆσαι, καὶ χρήματα συνάγει. Πάλιν ὁ ἔμπορος οὐκ οἴκοι καθήμενος ἀρκεῖται τῷ θελῆσαι, ἀλλὰ καὶ πλοῖον μισθοῦται, καὶ ναύτας καὶ κωπηλάτας καταλέγει, καὶ ἀργύριον δανείζεται, καὶ χώραν περιεργάζεται καὶ ὠνίων τιμάς. Πῶς οὖν οὐκ ἄτοπον εἰς μὲν τὰ τῆς γῆς τοσαύτην σπουδὴν ἐπιδείκνυσθαι, τὸν δὲ οὐρανὸν ἐμπορεύεσθαι μέλλοντας τῷ θέλειν ἀρκεῖσθαι μόνον; μᾶλλον δὲ μηδὲ τοῦτο μετὰ τῆς προσηκούσης ἐπιδείκνυσθαι σπουδῆς; Ὁ γὰρ θέλων ὡς δεῖ, καὶ τῶν πραγμάτων ἅπτεται τῶν ἐπὶ τοῦτο ἀγόντων ὃ θέλει Καὶ γὰρ ἐπειδὰν τὸ πεινῆσαι καταναγκάζῃ τραφῆναι, οὐ περιμένεις αὐτόματα τὰ σιτία πρὸς σὲ ἐλθεῖν, ἀλλὰ πάντα ποιεῖς ὑπὲρ τοῦ τὴν τροφὴν συναγαγεῖν: καὶ ἐπὶ τοῦ διψῇν καὶ ἐπὶ τοῦ ῥιγοῦν καὶ ἐπὶ τῶν ἄλλων ἁπάντων ὁμοίως ἐνεργὸς εἶ καὶ παρατεταγμένος πρὸς τὴν τοῦ σώματος ἐπιμέλειαν. Τοῦτο τοίνυν καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς βασιλείας ποίει, καὶ πάντως αὐτῆς ἐπιτεύξῃ. Διὰ τοῦτο γάρ σε αὐτεξούσιον ἐποίησεν ὁ Θεὸς, ἵνα μὴ ὕστερον ἐγκαλῇς τῷ Θεῷ ὡς ἀνάγκῃ δεθείς. Σὺ δὲ ὑπὲρ ὧν τιμῆς ἀπέλαυσας, ὑπὲρ τούτων ἀγανακτεῖς; Καὶ γὰρ πολλῶν ἤκουσα λεγόντων: Διὰ τί γάρ με κύριον ἐποίησεν ἀρετῆς; Ἀλλὰ πῶς ἔδει κοιμώμενον καὶ νυστάζοντα καὶ τῆς κακίας ἐφιέμενον καὶ τρυφῶντα καὶ γαστριζόμενον ἐπὶ τὸν οὐρανὸν ἀναγαγεῖν; Ἀλλ' οὐκ ἂν ἀπέστης κακίας. Εἰ γὰρ νῦν, ἀπειλῆς κειμένης, οὐδὲ οὕτως ἀφίστασαι τῆς πονηρίας: εἰ καὶ τὸν οὐρανόν σοι προσέθηκεν ἔπαθλον, πότε ἂν ἐπαύσω γενόμενος ῥᾳθυμότερος καὶ χείρων πολλῷ; Οὐδὲ γὰρ ἐκεῖνο ἕξεις εἰπεῖν, ὅτι Ἔδειξε μὲν τὰ ἀγαθὰ, οὐκ ἐβοήθησε δέ: καὶ γὰρ πολλὴν ὑπισχνεῖταί σοι τὴν συμμαχίαν. Ἀλλ' ἡ μὲν ἀρετὴ, φησὶν, ἐπαχθὴς καὶ φορτικὴ, τῇ δὲ κακίᾳ ἡδονὴ συγκέκραται πολλή: καὶ ἡ μὲν ἔστι πλατεῖα καὶ εὐρύχωρος, ἡ δὲ στενὴ καὶ τεθλιμμένη. Ἆρα διόλου, εἰπέ μοι, ἢ ἀπὸ τῆς ἀρχῆς ἀμφότεραι τοιαῦται; Καὶ γὰρ καὶ ἄκων ὑπὲρ τῆς ἀρετῆς λέγεις ταῦτα ἃ λέγεις: οὕτως ἰσχυρὸν ἡ ἀλήθεια. Καὶ γὰρ εἰ δύο ἦσαν ὁδοὶ, ἡ μὲν ἐπὶ κάμινον, ἡ δὲ ἐπὶ παράδεισον φέρουσα, καὶ ἡ μὲν ἦν πλατεῖα ἡ ἐπὶ τὴν κάμινον, ἡ δὲ στενὴ ἡ ἐπὶ τὸν παράδεισον, ποίαν ἂν εἵλου μᾶλλον ὁδόν; Κἂν γὰρ νῦν φιλονεικῶν ἀντείπῃς, ἀλλὰ τοῖς σφόδρα ὡμολογημένοις, κἂν σφόδρα ἀναισχυντῇς, ἀντειπεῖν οὐ δυνήσῃ. Ὅτι μὲν γὰρ αὕτη μᾶλλόν ἐστιν αἱρετὴ ἡ τὴν ἀρχὴν ἔχουσα χαλεπὴν, ἀλλὰ μὴ τὸ τέλος, ἀπὸ τῶν ἐν χερσὶν ὑμᾶς διδάξαι πειράσομαι. Καὶ, εἰ βούλεσθε, τὰς τέχνας μεταχειρίσωμεν πρῶτον: αὗται γὰρ τὴν μὲν ἀρχὴν πόνου γέμουσαν ἔχουσι, τὸ δὲ τέλος ἐπικερδές. Ἀλλ' οὐδεὶς, φησὶν, ἥψατο τέχνης μὴ τὸν ἀναγκάζοντα ἔχων. Ἐπειδὰν γὰρ ᾖ κύριος ἑαυτοῦ, φησὶν, ὁ νέος, μᾶλλον αἱρήσεται τρυφᾷν ἐν ἀρχῇ, καὶ πρὸς τῷ τέλει μυρία παθεῖν τὰ κακὰ, ἢ ταλαιπωρεῖσθαι ἐν προοιμίοις, καὶ καρποῦσθαι μετὰ ταῦτα ἐκ τῶν πόνων ἐκείνων. Οὐκοῦν τὸ τοιαῦτα αἱρεῖσθαι, ὀρφανικῆς ἐστι διανοίας καὶ παιδικῆς ῥᾳθυμίας: τὸ δὲ, τὰ ἐναντία, συνέσεως καὶ ἀνδρείας. Οὕτω τοίνυν καὶ ἡμεῖς, εἰ μὴ ἦμεν παῖδες τὸν νοῦν, οὐκ ἂν ἐκείνῳ τῷ ὀρφανῷ καὶ ἀνοήτῳ, ἀλλὰ τῷ πατέρα ἔχοντι ἐξωμοιώθημεν ἄν. Δεῖ τοίνυν τὴν παιδικὴν ἐκβαλεῖν διάνοιαν, ἀλλὰ μὴ τὰ πράγματα αἰτιᾶσθαι: καὶ τὸν ἡνίοχον ἐπιστῆσαι τῇ συνειδήσει, ὃς οὐκ ἐάσει γαστρίζεσθαι, ἀλλὰ τρέχειν καὶ ἀγωνίζεσθαι. Πῶς γὰρ οὐκ ἄτοπον, τοὺς μὲν παῖδας μετὰ ταλαιπωρίας ἄγειν τὴν ἀρχὴν ἐπὶ πράγματα προοίμια μὲν ἔχοντα ἐπίμοχθα, τὸ δὲ τέλος χρηστόν: ἡμᾶς δὲ αὐτοὺς ἀπεναντίας ἐπὶ τῶν πνευματικῶν διακεῖσθαι πραγμάτων; καίτοι γε οὐδὲ ἐπὶ τῶν βιωτικῶν πάντως δῆλον ὅτι χρηστὸν ἔσται τὸ τέλος. Καὶ γὰρ ἄωρος θάνατος καὶ πενία καὶ συκοφαντία καὶ μεταβολὴ πραγμάτων, καὶ πολλὰ ἕτερα τοιαῦτα, μετὰ τοὺς πολλοὺς πόνους τῶν καρπῶν ἀποστερηθῆναι ἐποίησε. Κἂν ἐπιτύχωσι δὲ οἱ μετιόντες, οὐδὲν μέγα καρπώσονται: τῷ γὰρ παρόντι βίῳ πάντα συγκαταλύεται ἐκεῖνα. Ἐνταῦθα δὲ οὐδὲ ὑπὲρ τοιούτων τρέχομεν ψυχρῶν καὶ ἐπικήρων, οὔτε δεδοίκαμεν ὑπὲρ τοῦ τέλους, ἀλλὰ καὶ μείζων καὶ ἀσφαλεστέρα ἡ ἐλπὶς μετὰ τὴν ἐντεῦθεν ἀποδημίαν. Τίς οὖν ἔσται συγγνώμη; τίς δὲ ἀπολογία μὴ βουλομένοις ἀποδύεσθαι πρὸς τοὺς ὑπὲρ ἀρετῆς πόνους; Ἀλλ' ἐρωτῶσιν ἔτι: Διὰ τί στενὴ ἡ ὁδός; Καὶ εἰς μὲν βασίλεια τὰ ἐπίγεια τῶν πόρνων καὶ τῶν μεθυόντων καὶ τῶν λάγνων οὐκ ἀξιοῖς εἰσιέναι τινά: εἰς δὲ τὸν οὐρανὸν αὐτὸν μετὰ ἀδείας καὶ τρυφῆς καὶ μέθης καὶ πλεονεξίας καὶ κακίας ἁπάσης τοὺς ἀνθρώπους εἰσάγεσθαι ἀξιοῖς; καὶ ποῦ ταῦτα συγγνώμης ἄξια; δʹ. Ἀλλ' οὐ τοῦτο, φησὶ, λέγω, ἀλλὰ διὰ τί μὴ εὐρύχωρος ἦν ἡ ἀρετή. Καὶ μὴν ἐὰν θέλωμεν, καὶ σφόδρα ἐστὶν εὔκολος: Τί γὰρ εὐκολώτερον, εἰπέ μοι, τὸ διορύξαι τοῖχον, καὶ λαβόντα τὰ ἑτέρων ὕστερον εἰς δεσμωτήριον ἐμπεσεῖν, ἢ τοῖς οὖσιν ἀρκούμενον παντὸς ἀπηλλάχθαι φόβου; Καίτοι γε οὐ τὸ πᾶν εἶπον. Τί γὰρ εὐκολώτερον, εἰπέ μοι, τὰ πάντων ὑφελόμενον καὶ ὀλίγοις ἐντρυφήσαντα χρόνον βραχὺν, στρεβλοῦσθαι καὶ μαστίζεσθαι ἀθάνατα, ἢ ἐν πενίᾳ ζήσαντα δικαίᾳ βραχὺν καιρὸν, διηνεκῶς τρυφᾷν ὕστερον; μήπω γὰρ τί λυσιτελέστερον ἐξετάσωμεν, ἀλλὰ τέως τί εὐκολώτερον. Τί δὲ ἥδιον, ὄναρ ἰδεῖν χρηστὸν καὶ ἐν ἀληθείᾳ κολάζεσθαι, ἢ χαλεπὸν ὄναρ ἰδόντα ἐν ἀληθείᾳ τρυφᾷν; οὐκ εὔδηλον ὅτι τοῦτο; Πῶς οὖν, εἰπέ μοι, τραχεῖαν καλεῖς τὴν ἀρετήν; Τραχεῖα γάρ ἐστι πρὸς τὴν ὀλιγωρίαν ἐξεταζομένη τὴν ἡμετέραν: ἐπεὶ ὅτι γε ῥᾳδία καὶ εὔκολος, ἄκουσον τί φησιν ὁ Χριστός: Ὁ ζυγός μου χρηστὸς, καὶ τὸ φορτίον μου ἐλαφρόν. Εἰ δὲ οὐκ αἰσθάνῃ τῆς κουφότητος, δῆλον ὅτι προθυμίαν ἐῤῥωμένην οὐκ ἔχεις. Ὥσπερ γὰρ ταύτης οὔσης καὶ τὰ βαρέα κοῦφα, οὕτως οὐκ οὔσης καὶ τὰ κοῦφα βαρέα. Τί γὰρ, εἰπέ μοι, τῆς τοῦ μάννα τραπέζης ἥδιον καὶ ἀπονώτερον; Ἀλλ' ἐδυσχέραινον οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι τοιαύτης ἀπολαύοντες τρυφῆς. Τί λιμοῦ πικρότερον, καὶ τῶν ἄλλων τῶν ἐπιμόχθων ὧν ὑπέμεινε Παῦλος; Ἀλλ' ἐσκίρτα καὶ ἔχαιρε καὶ ἔλεγε: Νῦν χαίρω ἐν τοῖς παθήμασί μου. Τί οὖν τὸ αἴτιον; Ἡ τῆς γνώμης διαφορά. Ἂν τοίνυν ταύτην, οἵαν εἶναι χρὴ, κατασκευάσῃς, ὄψει τὴν εὐκολίαν τῆς ἀρετῆς. Τί οὖν, ἀπὸ τῆς γνώμης τῶν μετιόντων τοιαύτη γίνεται, φησίν; Οὐκ ἀπὸ τῆς γνώμης μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ φύσει τοιαύτη τίς ἐστι. Καὶ γὰρ εἰ μὲν διόλου ἐπίπονος ἦν ἐκείνη, καὶ αὕτη διόλου τὸ ἐναντίον, εἰκότως ἄν τις τῶν ἀναπεπτωκότων εἶπε ταύτην εὐκολωτέραν ἐκείνης: εἰ δὲ ἀρχὴν ἔχουσιν ἡ μὲν χαλεπὴν, ἡ δὲ ἡδεῖαν, τὰ δὲ τέλη πάλιν ἀπεναντίας αὐταῖς, ἄπειρα δὲ τὰ τέλη, τῆς μὲν τὸ ἡδὺ, τῆς δὲ τὸ βαρὺ, ποίαν, εἰπέ μοι, εὐκολώτερον ἑλέσθαι; Τί οὖν οὐχ αἱροῦνται πολλοὶ τὸ εὔκολον; Ὅτι οἱ μὲν ἀπιστοῦσιν, οἱ δὲ καὶ πιστεύοντες, διεφθαρμένην τὴν γνώμην ἔχουσι, καὶ ἕλοιντ' ἂν τὴν πρόσκαιρον ἡδονὴν ἀντὶ τῆς αἰωνίας. Οὐκοῦν τοῦτο εὔκολον; Οὐκ εὔκολον, ἀλλ' ἀσθενοῦς ψυχῆς τοῦτο. Καὶ καθάπερ οἱ πυρέττοντες, οὐκ ἐπειδὴ ἥδιον τὸ πρὸς βραχὺ τρυφᾷν τοῦ διόλου καίεσθαι, διὰ τοῦτο ψυχροποσίας ἐρῶσιν, ἀλλ' ἐπειδὴ κατασχεῖν οὐκ ἀνέχονται τῆς ἐπιθυμίας τῆς ἀτόπου: οὕτω καὶ οὗτοι: ὡς εἴ γε ἐπὶ τὴν κόλασίν τις αὐτοὺς ἔφερεν ὁμοῦ μετὰ τῆς ἡδονῆς, οὐκ ἄν ποτε ταύτην εἵλοντο. Εἶδες πῶς οὐκ εὔκολον ἡ κακία; Εἰ δὲ βούλει, καὶ ἐπ' αὐτῶν τῶν πραγμάτων ἐξετάσωμεν τὸ αὐτὸ τοῦτο πάλιν. Τί γὰρ ἥδιον, εἰπέ μοι, καὶ εὐκολώτερον; Ἀλλὰ μὴ πάλιν ἀπὸ τῆς ἐπιθυμίας τῶν πολλῶν τὰ πράγματα κρίνωμεν: οὐδὲ γὰρ ἀπὸ τῶν νοσούντων, ἀλλ' ἀπὸ τῶν ὑγιαινόντων ψηφίζεσθαι χρή. Οὐδὲ γὰρ, ἂν μυρίους μοι δείξῃς πυρέττοντας καὶ τὰ ἐναντία τῇ ὑγείᾳ ζητοῦντας, καὶ αἱρουμένους μετὰ ταῦτα κολάζεσθαι, ἀποδέξομαι τὴν αἵρεσιν ταύτην. Τί τοίνυν εὐκολώτερον, εἰπέ μοι, ἐφίεσθαι πολλῶν χρημάτων, ἢ μείζονα εἶναι τῆς ἐπιθυμίας ταύτης; Ἐμοὶ μὲν γὰρ τοῦτο δοκεῖ: εἰ δὲ αὐτὸς ἀπιστεῖς, ἐπ' αὐτὰ τὰ πράγματα τὸν λόγον ἀγάγωμεν. Καὶ ἔστω ὁ μὲν πολλῶν ἐφιέμενος, ὁ δὲ μηδενός: τί τοίνυν κρεῖττον, εἰπέ μοι, καὶ τί σεμνότερον; εʹ. Ἀλλὰ τοῦτο μὲν παρείσθω: τοῦτο γὰρ ὡμολόγηται, ὅτι οὗτος ἐκείνου σεμνότερος: καὶ οὐδὲν περὶ τούτου ζητοῦμεν νῦν, ἀλλὰ τίς εὐκολώτερον ζῇ βίον καὶ ἥδιον. Ὁ μὲν γὰρ φιλάργυρος οὐδὲ τῶν ὄντων ἀπολαύσεται: ὃ γὰρ φιλεῖ, οὐκ ἂν ἕλοιτο δαπανῆσαι, ἀλλ' ἡδέως ἑαυτὸν ἂν κατακόψειε καὶ τὰ σάρκας πρόοιτο, ἢ τὸ χρυσίον: ὁ δὲ καταφρονῶν χρημάτων τοῦτο τέως ἐκέρδανε, τὸ τῶν ὄντων ἀπολαύειν ἁπλῶς καὶ μετὰ ἀδείας πολλῆς, καὶ ἑαυτὸν προτιθέναι ἐκείνων. Τί οὖν ἥδιον, μετὰ ἀδείας ἀπολαύειν τῶν ὄντων, ἢ ὑπὸ δεσπότῃ ζῶντα τῷ πλούτῳ, μηδενὸς τολμᾷν ἅπτεσθαι τῶν ἑαυτοῦ; Ὅμοιον γὰρ εἶναί μοι δοκεῖ, ὥσπερ ἂν εἴ τινες ἄνδρες δύο γυναῖκας ἔχοντες, καὶ σφόδρα αὐτῶν ἐρῶντες, μὴ ὁμοίως αὐταῖς χρῷντο: ἀλλὰ τῷ μὲν ἐξῇ καὶ ἅπτεσθαι καὶ ὁμιλεῖν τῇ γυναικὶ, ἐκείνῳ δὲ μηδὲ ἐγγὺς γενέσθαι. Εἴπω καὶ ἕτερον, τοῦ μὲν τὴν ἡδονὴν, τοῦ δὲ ἀθυμίαν ἐνδεικνύμενος. Ὁ φιλάργυρος οὐδέποτε στήσεται τῆς ἐπιθυμίας ταύτης, οὐ τῷ μὴ δύνασθαι τὰ πάντων λαβεῖν μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ τῷ, ὅσα ἂν περιβάληται, μηδὲν ἡγεῖσθαι ἔχειν: ὁ δὲ χρημάτων καταφρονῶν, περιττὰ πάντα ἡγήσεται, καὶ οὐ κολάσει τὴν ψυχὴν ἀπεράντοις ἐπιθυμίαις. Οὐδὲν γὰρ οὕτως εἰς κολάσεως λόγον ἐστὶν, ὡς ἐπιθυμία ἀπολαύσεως ἐστερημένη, ὃ μάλιστα καὶ τὴν διεστραμμένην δείκνυσι γνώμην. Σκόπει δέ: ὁ ἐπιθυμῶν χρημάτων καὶ κτησάμενος πλείονα, ὡς οὐδὲν ἔχων διάκειται ὁ τοιοῦτος: ἆρα τῆς νόσου ταύτης πολυπλοκώτερόν τι γένοιτ' ἄν; Καὶ οὐ τοῦτο μόνον ἐστὶ τὸ δεινὸν, ἀλλ' ὅτι καὶ ἔχων, οὐκ ἔχειν δοκεῖ αὐτὰ ἃ κατέχει, καὶ ὡς οὐκ ἔχων κόπτεται: κἂν τὰ πάντων λάβῃ, μᾶλλον ἀνιᾶται: κἂν κτήσηται ἑκατὸν τάλαντα, ὅτι μὴ χίλια ἔλαβεν, ἀλγεῖ κἂν χίλια λάβῃ, ὅτι μὴ μύρια, δάκνεται: κἂν μύρια λάβῃ, ὅτι μὴ δεκάκις τοσαῦτα, κατακόπτεται: καὶ ἡ πλείων κτῆσις αὐτῷ προσθήκη γίνεται πενίας: ὅσῳ γὰρ ἂν λάβῃ πλείονα, τοσούτῳ πλειόνων ἐπιθυμεῖ. Οὐκοῦν ὅσῳ ἂν πλείονα λάβῃ, τοσούτῳ μᾶλλον γίνεται πένης: ὁ γὰρ πλειόνων ἐπιθυμῶν, μᾶλλον πένης ἐστίν. Ὅταν μὲν οὖν ἑκατὸν ἔχῃ τάλαντα, οὐ σφόδρα πτωχεύει: χιλίων γὰρ ἐπιθυμεῖ: ὅταν χίλια λάβῃ, τότε μᾶλλον γίνεται πένης: οὐκέτι γὰρ χιλίων ὡς πρότερον, ἀλλὰ μυρίων αὐτὸν ἐν χρείᾳ φησὶν εἶναι. Εἰ δὲ τὸ ἐπιθυμεῖν, καὶ μὴ ἐπιτυγχάνειν, ἡδονὴν εἶναι λέγεις, ἀγνοεῖν μοι σφόδρα δοκεῖς τῆς ἡδονῆς τὴν φύσιν. Ὅτι γὰρ οὐχ ἡδονὴ, ἀλλὰ κόλασις τὸ τοιοῦτον, ἐφ' ἕτερον αὐτὸ πάλιν ἀγαγόντες, ἐξετάσωμεν. Ὅταν διψῶμεν, οὐ διὰ τοῦτο ἡδόμεθα πίνοντες, ὅτι τὸ δίψος παύομεν, καὶ διὰ τοῦτο ἡδονὴ τὸ πίνειν, ὅτι μεγάλης ἡμᾶς ἀπαλλάττει βασάνου, τῆς ἐπιθυμίας λέγω τοῦ πίνειν; παντί που δῆλον. Εἰ δὲ μέλλοιμεν ἐν ἐπιθυμίᾳ ἀεὶ διατρίβειν τοιαύτῃ, οὐδὲν ἔλαττον ἕξομεν τοῦ πλουσίου τοῦ ἐπὶ τοῦ Λαζάρου εἰς κολάσεως λόγον: ἐπεὶ καὶ ἐκείνῳ κόλασις τοῦτο ἦν, τὸ ἐπιθυμοῦντα σφοδρῶς σταγόνος μικρᾶς, μὴ ἔχειν τὸν ταύτην παρέχοντα: ὅπερ καὶ οἱ φιλάργυροι πάσχειν μοι δοκοῦσι διηνεκῶς, καὶ κατ' ἐκεῖνον εἶναι τὸν ἀξιοῦντα ταύτης ἀπολαῦσαι, καὶ μὴ ἐπιτυγχάνοντα: μᾶλλον γὰρ αὐτῶν ἡ ψυχὴ τῆς ἐκείνου καίεται. Καὶ καλῶς τις εἶπεν ὑδερικούς τινας εἶναι τοὺς φιλαργύρους. Καθάπερ γὰρ ἐκεῖνοι πολὺ φέροντες ὕδωρ ἐν τῷ σώματι μᾶλλον ἐκκαίονται: οὕτω καὶ οἱ φιλάργυροι πολλὰ περιφέροντες χρήματα πλειόνων ἐπιθυμοῦσι. Τὸ δὲ αἴτιον, ὅτι οὔτε ἐκεῖνοι ἐν τοῖς προσήκουσι τόποις τὸ ὕδωρ ἔχουσιν, οὐδὲ οὗτοι ἐν τοῖς προσήκουσι λογισμοῖς τὴν ἐπιθυμίαν. Φεύγωμεν οὖν τὴν ξένην ταύτην καὶ κενὴν νόσον, φεύγωμεν τὴν ῥίζαν τῶν κακῶν, φεύγωμεν τὴν παροῦσαν γέενναν: γέεννα γὰρ ἡ τούτων ἐπιθυμία. Ἀνάπτυξον γοῦν τὴν ψυχὴν ἑκάστου, καὶ τοῦ καταφρονοῦντος χρημάτων καὶ τοῦ μὴ καταφρονοῦντος: καὶ ὄψει ὅτι ὁ μὲν τοῖς μαινομένοις ἔοικεν, οὐδὲν οὔτε ἰδεῖν οὔτε ἀκοῦσαι βουλόμενος: ὁ δὲ λιμένι προσέοικε κυμάτων ἀπηλλαγμένῳ, καὶ πάντων ἐστὶ φίλος, ὥσπερ ἐκεῖνος ἐχθρός. Ἄν τε γὰρ λάβῃ τις, οὐκ ἐλύπησεν, ἄν τε δῷ πάλιν τις αὐτῷ, οὐκ ἐφύσησεν, ἀλλά τίς ἐστιν ἐλευθερία παρ' αὐτῷ πᾶσαν ἄδειαν ἔχουσα: καὶ ὁ μὲν πάντας καὶ κολακεύειν καὶ ὑποκρίνεσθαι ἀναγκάζεται, οὗτος δὲ οὐδένα. Εἰ τοίνυν καὶ πένης ἐστὶν ὁ φιλάργυρος καὶ δειλὸς καὶ εἴρων καὶ ὑποκριτὴς, καὶ φόβων γέμει καὶ τιμωρίας πολλῆς καὶ κολάσεως, ὁ δὲ καταφρονῶν χρημάτων, τῶν ἐναντίων ἀπολαύει πάντων, οὐκ εὔδηλον ὅτι ἡδίων ἡ ἀρετή; Καὶ τοῖς λοιποῖς δὲ ἂν ἐπεξήλθομεν κακοῖς, δι' ὧν δείκνυται ὅτι οὐδέν ἐστι κακὸν ἡδονὴν ἔχον, εἰ μὴ πολλὰ ἡμῖν ἔμπροσθεν εἴρητο. Ταῦτ' οὖν εἰδότες, ἑλώμεθα τὴν ἀρετὴν, ἵνα καὶ τῆς ἐνταῦθα ἡδονῆς ἀπολαύσωμεν, καὶ τῶν μελλόντων ἀγαθῶν ἐπιτύχωμεν, χάριτι καὶ φιλανθρωπίᾳ, καὶ τὰ ἑξῆς.