Homily XXIV.

Hebrews xi. 13–16

“These all died in faith,586   κατὰ πίστινnot having received the promises, but having seen them afar off,587   [The words of the A.V. “and were persuaded of them,” καὶ πεισθέντες, are not in St. Chrysostom’s text or in that of any critical edition. In the R.V. they are omitted.—F.G.]and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things, declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly; wherefore God is not ashamed588   lit. “ashamed of them, to be,” &c.to be called their God, for He hath prepared for them a city.”

[1.] The first virtue, yea the whole of virtue, is to be a stranger to this world, and a sojourner, and to have nothing in common with things here, but to hang loose from them, as from things strange to us; As those blessed disciples did, of whom he says, “They wandered about in sheepskins, and in goat-skins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented:589   “ill-treated.” of whom the world was not worthy.” ( c. xi. 37, 38.)

They called themselves therefore “strangers”; but Paul said somewhat much beyond this: for not merely did he call himself a stranger, but said that he was dead to the world, and that the world was dead to him. “For the world” (he says) “has been crucified to me and I to the world.” ( Gal. vi. 14.) But we, both citizens590   πολῖτας and quite alive, busy ourselves about everything here as citizens. And what righteous men were to the world, “strangers” and “dead,” that we are to Heaven. And what they were to Heaven, alive and acting as citizens, that we are to the world. Wherefore we are dead, because we have refused that which is truly life, and have chosen this which is but for a time. Wherefore we have provoked God to wrath, because when the enjoyments of Heaven have been set before us, we are not willing to be separated from things on earth, but, like worms, we turn about from the earth to the earth, and again from this to that;591   from this piece of earth to that. and in short are not willing to look up even for a little while, nor to withdraw ourselves from human affairs, but as if drowned in torpor and sleep and drunkenness, we are stupefied with imaginations.

[2.] And as those who are under the power of sweet sleep lie on their bed not only during the night, but even when the morning has over-taken them, and bright day has come, and are not ashamed to indulge in pleasure, and to make the season of business and activity a time of slumber and indolence, so truly we also, when the day is drawing near, when the night is far spent, or rather the day; for “work” (it is said) “while it is day” ( John ix. 4 ); when it is day we practice all that belongs to the night, sleeping, dreaming, indulging in luxurious fancies; and the eyes of our understanding are closed as well as those of our body; we speak amiss, we talk absurdly; even if a person inflict a deep wound upon us, if he carry off all our substance, if he set the very house on fire, we are not so much as conscious of it.

Or rather, we do not even wait for others to do this, but we do it ourselves, piercing and wounding ourselves every day, lying in unseemly fashion, and stripped bare of all credit, all honor, neither ourselves concealing our shameful deeds, nor permitting others to do so, but lying exposed to public shame, to the ridicule, the numberless jests of spectators and passers-by.

[3.] Do ye not suppose that the wicked themselves laugh at those who are of like characters to themselves, and condemn them? For since God has placed within us a tribunal which cannot be bribed nor ever utterly destroyed, even though we come to the very lowest depth of vice; therefore even the wicked themselves give sentence against themselves, and if one call them that which they are, they are ashamed, they are angry, they say that it is an insult. Thus they condemn what they do, even if not by their deeds, yet by their words, by their conscience, nay rather even by their deeds. For when they carry on their practices out of sight and secretly, they give the strongest proof of the opinion they hold concerning the thing itself. For wickedness is so manifest, that all men are its accusers, even those who follow after it, while such is the quality of virtue, that it is admired even by those who do not emulate it. For even the fornicator will praise chastity, and the covetous will condemn injustice, and the passionate will admire patience, and blame quarrelsomeness, and the wanton [will blame] wantonness.

How then (you say) does he pursue these things? From excessive indolence, not because he judges it good; otherwise he would not have been ashamed of the thing itself, nor would he have denied it when another accused him. Nay many when caught, not enduring the shame, have even hanged themselves. So strong is the witness within us in behalf of what is good and becoming. Thus what is good is brighter than the sun, and the contrary more unsightly than anything.

[4.] The saints were “strangers and sojourners.” How and in what way? And where does Abraham confess himself “a stranger and a sojourner”? Probably indeed he even himself confessed it:592   See Gen. xxiii. 4 but David both confessed “I am a stranger” and what? “As all my fathers were.” ( Ps. xxxix. 12.) For they who dwell in tents, they who purchase even burial places for money, evidently were in some sense strangers, as they had not even where to bury their dead.

What then? Did they mean that they were “strangers” from the land that is in Palestine? By no means: but in respect of the whole world: and with reason; for they saw therein none of the things which they wished for, but everything foreign and strange. They indeed wished to practice virtue: but here there was much wickedness, and things were quite foreign to them. They had no friend, no familiar acquaintance, save only some few.

But how were they “strangers”? They had no care for things here. And this they showed not by words, but by their deeds. In what way?

He said to Abraham, “Leave that which seems thy country and come to one that is foreign”: And he did not cleave to his kindred, but gave it up as unconcernedly as if he were about to leave a foreign land. He said to him, “Offer up thy son,” and he offered him up as if he had no son; as if he had divested himself of his nature, so he offered him up. The wealth which he had acquired was common to all passers-by, and this he accounted as nothing. He yielded the first places to others: he threw himself into dangers; he suffered troubles innumerable. He built no splendid houses, he enjoyed no luxuries, he had no care about dress, which all are things of this world; but lived in all respects as belonging to the City yonder; he showed hospitality, brotherly love, mercifulness, forbearance, contempt for wealth and for present glory, and for all else.

And his son too was such as himself: when he was driven away, when war was made on him, he yielded and gave way, as being in a foreign land. For foreigners, whatever they suffer, endure it, as not being in their own country. Even when his wife was taken from him, he endured this also as being in a strange land: and lived in all respects as one whose home was above, showing sobermindedness and a well-ordered life.593   σωφροσύνην κοσμιότητα For after he had begotten a son, he had no more commerce with his wife, and it was when the flower of his youth had passed that he married her, showing that he did it not from passion, but in subservience to the promise of God.

And what did Jacob? Did he not seek bread only and raiment, which are asked for by those who are truly strangers; by those that have come to great poverty? When he was driven out, did he not as a stranger give place? Did he not serve for hire? Did he not suffer afflictions innumerable, everywhere, as a stranger?

[5.] And these things (he says) they said, “seeking” their “own country.” Ah! how great is the difference! They indeed were in travail-pains each day, wishing to be released from this world, and to return to their country. But we, on the contrary, if a fever attack us, neglecting everything, weeping like little children, are frightened at death.

Not without reason we are thus affected. For since we do not live here like strangers, nor as if hastening to our country, but are like persons that are going away to punishment, therefore we grieve, because we have not used circumstances as we ought, but have turned order upside down. Hence we grieve when we ought to rejoice: hence we shudder, like murderers or robber chiefs, when they are going to be brought before the judgment-seat, and are thinking over all the things they have done, and therefore are fearful and trembling.

They, however, were not such, but pressed on. And Paul even groaned; “And we” (he says) “that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened.” ( 2 Cor. v. 4.) Such were they who were with Abraham; “strangers,” he says, they were in respect of the whole world, and “they sought a country.”

What sort of “country” was this? Was it that which they had left? By no means. For what hindered them if they wished, from returning again, and becoming citizens? but they sought that which is in Heaven? Thus they desired their departure hence, and so they pleased God; for “God was not ashamed to be called their God.”

[6.] Ah! how great a dignity! He vouch-safed “to be called their God.” What dost thou say? He is called the God of the earth, and the God of Heaven, and hast thou set it down as a great thing that “He is not ashamed to be called their God”? Great and truly great this is, and a proof of exceeding blessedness. How? Because He is called God of earth and of heaven as also of the Gentiles: in that He created and formed them: but [God] of those holy men, not in this sense, but as some true friend.

And I will make it plain to you by an example; as in the case of [slaves] in large households, when any of those placed over the household are very highly esteemed, and manage everything themselves, and can use great freedom towards their masters, the Master is called after them, and one may find many so called. But what do I say? As we might say the God, not of the Gentiles but of the world, so we might say “the God of Abraham.” But you do not know how great a dignity this is, because we do not attain to it. For as now He is called the Lord of all Christians, and yet the name goes beyond our deserts: consider the greatness if He were called the God of one [person]! He who is called the God of the whole world is “not ashamed to be called” the God of three men: and with good reason: for the saints would turn the scale, I do not say against the world594   See on ver. 36, pp. 488 sqq. but against ten thousand such. “For one man who doeth the will of the Lord,595   Mr. Field observes that St. Chrys. repeatedly cites Ecclus. xvi. 3 , thus; and that while the Greek is simply, “or one is better than a thousand,” the Syriac seems to have read ὅ τι κρείσσων εἱς ποιῶν θέλημα, &c. So the English version has “for one that is just. ” is better than ten thousand transgressors.” ( Ecclus. xvi. 3.)

Now that they called themselves “strangers” in this sense is manifest. But supposing that they said they were “strangers” on account of the strange land, why did David also [call himself a stranger]? Was not he a king? Was not he a prophet? Did he not spend his life in his own country? Why then does he say, “I am a stranger and a sojourner”? ( Ps. xxxix. 12.) How art thou a stranger? “As” (he says) “all my fathers were.” Seest thou that they too were strangers? We have a country, he means, but not really our country. But how art thou thyself a stranger? As to the earth. Therefore they also [were strangers] in respect of the earth: For “as they were,” he says, so also am I; and as he, so they too.

[7.] Let us even now become strangers; that God may “not be ashamed of us to be called our God.” For it is a shame to Him, when He is called the God of the wicked, and He also is ashamed of them; as He is glorified when He is [called the God] of the good and the kind, and of them that cultivate virtue. For if “we” decline to be called the masters of our wicked slaves, and give them up; and should any one come to us and say, ‘such a one does innumerable bad things, he is your slave, is he not?’ We immediately say, “by no means,” to get rid of the disgrace: for a slave has a close relation to his master, and the discredit passes from the one to the other.596   The sentence is left incomplete: The common editions add, “much more does God.” —But they were so illustrious, so full of confidence, that not only was He “not ashamed to be called” from them, but He even Himself says, “I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” ( Ex. iii. 6.)

Let us also, my beloved, become “strangers”; that God may “not be ashamed of us”; that He may not be ashamed, and deliver us up to Hell. Such were they who said, “Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy Name, and in Thy Name have done many wonderful works!” ( Matt. vii. 22.) But see what Christ says to them: “I know you not:” the very thing which masters would do, when wicked slaves run to them, wishing to be rid of the disgrace. “I know you not,” He says. How then dost Thou punish those whom Thou knowest not? I said, “I know not,” in a different sense: that is, “I deny you, and renounce you.” But God forbid that we should hear this fatal and terrible utterance. For if they who cast out demons and prophesied, were denied, because their life was not suitable thereto; how much more we!

[8.] And how (you ask) is it possible that they should be denied, who have shown prophetic powers, and wrought miracles, and cast out demons? Is it probable they were afterwards changed, and became wicked; and therefore were nothing benefited, even by their former virtue. For not only ought we to have our beginnings splendid, but the end also more splendid still.

For tell me, does not the Orator take pains to make the end of his speech splendid, that he may retire with applause? Does not the public officer make the most splendid display at the close of his administration? The wrestler, if he do not make a more splendid display and conquer unto the end, and if after vanquishing all he be vanquished by the last, is not all unprofitable to him? Should the pilot have crossed the whole ocean, yet if he wreck his vessel at the port, has he not lost all his former labor? And what [of] the Physician? If, after he has freed the sick man from his disease, when he is on the point of discharging him cured, he should then destroy him, has he not destroyed everything? So too in respect of Virtue, as many as have not added an end suitable to the beginning, and in unison and harmony with it, are ruined, and undone. Such are they who have sprung forth from the starting place bright and exulting, and afterwards have become faint and feeble. Therefore they are both deprived of the prize, and are not acknowledged by their master.

Let us listen to these things, those of us who are in love of wealth: for this is the greatest iniquity. “For the love of money is the root of all evil.” ( 1 Tim. vi. 10.) Let us listen, those of us who wish to make our present possessions greater, let us listen and sometime cease from our covetousness, that we may not hear the same things as they [will hear]. Let us listen to them now, and be on our guard, that we may not hear them then. Let us listen now with fear, that we may not then listen with vengeance: “Depart from Me” (He says); “I never knew you” ( Matt. vii. 23 ), no not even then (He means) when ye made a display of prophesyings, and were casting out demons.

It is probable that He also here hints at something else, that even then they were wicked; and from the beginning, grace wrought even by the unworthy. For if it wrought through Balaam, much more through the unworthy, for the sake of those who shall profit [by it].

But if even signs and wonders did not avail to deliver from punishment; much more, if a man happen to be in the priestly dignity:597   ἀ ξιώματι ἱερατικῷ even if he reach the highest honor, even if grace work in him to ordination, even if unto all the other things, for the sake of those who need his leadership,598   τῆς προστασίας he also shall hear, “I never knew thee,” no, not even then when grace wrought in thee.

[9.] O! how strict shall the search be there as to purity of life! How does that, of itself, suffice to introduce us into the kingdom? While the absence of it gives up the man [to destruction], though he have ten thousand miracles and signs to show. For nothing is so pleasing to God as an excellent course of life. “If ye love Me” ( John xiv. 15 ), He declares; He did not say, “work miracles,” but what? “Keep My commandments.” And again, “I call you friends” ( John xv. 14 ), not when ye cast out demons, but “if ye keep My words.” For those things come of the gift of God: but these after the gift of God, of our own diligence also. Let us strive to become friends of God, and not remain enemies to Him.

These things we are ever saying, these exhortations we are ever giving, both to ourselves and to you: but nothing more is gained. Wherefore also I am afraid. And I would have wished indeed to be silent, so as not to increase your danger. For when a person often hears, and even so does not act, this is to provoke the Lord to anger. But I fear also myself that other danger, that of silence, if when I am ap pointed to the ministering of the word, I should hold my peace.

What shall we then do that we may be saved? Let us begin [the practice of] virtue, as we have opportunity: let us portion out the virtues to ourselves, as laborers do their husbandry; in this month let us master evil-speaking, injuriousness, unjust anger; and let us lay down a law for ourselves, and say, To-day let us set this right. Again, in this month let us school ourselves in forbearance, and in another, in some other virtue: And when we have got into the habit of this virtue let us go to another, just as in the things we learn at school, guarding what is already gained, and acquiring others.

After this let us proceed to contempt for riches. First let us restrain our hands from grasping, and then let us give alms. Let us not simply confound everything, with the same hands both slaying and showing mercy forsooth. After this, let us go to some other virtue, and from that, to another. “Filthiness and foolish talking and jesting, let it not be even named among you.” ( Eph. v. 4, 3.) Let us be thus far in the right way.

There is no need of spending money, there is no need of labor, none of sweat, it is enough to have only the will, and all is done. There is no need to travel a long way, nor to cross a boundless ocean, but to be in earnest and of ready mind, and to put a bridle on the tongue. Unseasonable reproaches, anger, disorderly lusts, luxuriousness, expensiveness, let us cast off; and the desire of wealth also from our soul, perjury and habitual oaths.

If we thus cultivate ourselves, plucking out the former thorns, and casting in the heavenly seed, we shall be able to attain the good things promised. For the Husbandman will come and will lay us up in His Garner, and we shall attain to all good things, which may we all attain, by the grace and lovingkindness of our Lord Jesus Christ, with whom to the Father together with the Holy Ghost, be glory, power, honor, now and for ever, and world without end. Amen.

ΟΜΙΛΙΑ ΚΔʹ. Κατὰ πίστιν ἀπέθανον οὗτοι πάντες, μὴ λαβόν τες τὰς ἐπαγγελίας, ἀλλὰ πόῤῥωθεν αὐτὰς ἰδόντες καὶ ἀσπασάμενοι, καὶ ὁμολογήσαντες ὅτι ξένοι καὶ παρεπίδημοί εἰσιν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς. Οἱ γὰρ τοιαῦτα λέγοντες ἐμφανίζουσιν ὅτι πατρίδα ἐπιζητοῦσι. Καὶ εἰ μὲν ἐκείνης ἐμνη μόνευον, ἀφ' ἧς ἐξῆλθον, εἶχον ἂν καιρὸν ἀνακάμψαι: νῦν δὲ κρείττονος ὀρέγονται, τουτέστιν, ἐπουρανίου. Διὰ τοῦτο οὐκ ἐπαι σχύνεται αὐτοὺς ὁ Θεὸς, Θεὸς ἐπικαλεῖσθαι αὐτῶν: ἡτοίμασε γὰρ αὐτοῖς πόλιν. αʹ. Ἡ πρώτη ἀρετὴ, καὶ ἡ πᾶσα ἀρετὴ τὸ ξένον εἶναι τοῦ κόσμου τούτου καὶ παρεπίδημον, καὶ μηδὲν κοινὸν ἔχειν πρὸς τὰ ἐνταῦθα πράγματα, ἀλλὰ ἀπηρτῆσθαι αὐτῶν ὥσπερ ξένων, καθάπερ οἱ μακάριοι μαθηταὶ ἐκεῖνοι, περὶ ὧν φησι: Περιῆλθον ἐν μηλωταῖς, ἐν αἰγείοις δέρμασιν, ὑστερούμενοι, θλιβόμενοι, κακουχούμενοι, ὧν οὐκ ἦν ἄξιος ὁ κόσμος. Ἐκεῖνοι μὲν οὖν ξένους ἔλεγον εἶναι ἑαυτούς: ὁ δὲ Παῦλος καὶ πολλῷ τι πλέον εἶπεν. Οὐ γὰρ ξένον ἑαυτὸν ἁπλῶς εἶπεν, ἀλλὰ νεκρὸν εἶπε τῷ κόσμῳ, καὶ τὸν κόσμον αὐτῷ νεκρόν. Ἐμοὶ γὰρ, φησὶν, ὁ κόσμος ἐσταύρωται, κἀγὼ τῷ κόσμῳ. Ἀλλ' ἡμεῖς ὡς καὶ πολῖται, καὶ σφόδρα ζῶντες ὡς πολῖται, οὕτω πάντα ἐνταῦθα πραγματευόμεθα: καὶ ὅπερ ἦσαν τῷ κόσμῳ οἱ δίκαιοι, ξένοι καὶ νεκροὶ, τοῦτο ἡμεῖς ἐσμεν τῷ οὐρανῷ: ὅπερ δὲ ἦσαν ἐκεῖνοι τῷ οὐρανῷ, ζῶντες καὶ πολιτευόμενοι, τοῦτο ἡμεῖς ἐσμεν τῷ κόσμῳ. Διὰ τοῦτο τεθνήκαμεν, ὅτι τὴν ὄντως ζωὴν ἠρνησάμεθα, καὶ τὴν πρόσκαιρον ταύτην εἱλόμεθα: διὰ τοῦτο παροξύνομεν τὸν Θεὸν, ὅτι προκειμένης ἡμῖν τῆς ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς ἀπολαύσεως, οὐδὲ οὕτω τῶν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἀποστῆναι βουλόμεθα, ἀλλὰ, καθάπερ τινὲς σκώληκες, ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς εἰς τὴν γῆν, καὶ πάλιν ἀπὸ ταύτης εἰς ταύτην περιστρεφόμεθα, καὶ ὅλως οὐδὲ μικρὸν ἀνακύψαι βουλόμεθα, οὐδὲ ἀποστῆσαι ἑαυτοὺς τῶν ἀνθρωπίνων πραγμάτων, ἀλλ' ὥσπερ ὑπό τινος κάρου καὶ ὕπνου καὶ μέθης καταβαπτισθέντες, καταπεπλήγμεθα φανταζόμενοι. Καὶ καθάπερ οἱ γλυκεῖ κατεχόμενοι ὕπνῳ, οὐ μόνον ἐν νυκτὶ, ἀλλὰ καὶ αὐτοῦ τοῦ ὄρθρου καταλαβόντος, καὶ λαμπρᾶς γενομένης ἡμέρας κεῖνται ἐπὶ κλίνης, καὶ οὐκ αἰσχύνονται τῇ ἡδονῇ χαριζόμενοι, καὶ τὸν καιρὸν τῆς ἐργασίας καὶ τῆς σπουδῆς, τοῦτον καιρὸν ποιούμενοι ὕπνου καὶ νωθείας: οὕτω δὴ καὶ ἡμεῖς, τῆς ἡμέρας ἐγγιζούσης, τῆς νυκτὸς προκοπτούσης, μᾶλλον δὲ τῆς ἡμέρας: Ἐργάζεσθε γὰρ, φησὶν, ἕως ἐστὶν ἡμέρα: ἡμέρας οὔσης, τὰ τῆς νυκτὸς πράττομεν ἅπαντα, καθεύδοντες, ὀνείρατα βλέποντες, φαντασίαις ἐντρυφῶντες: καὶ μεμύκασιν ἡμῖν οἱ τῆς διανοίας ὀφθαλμοὶ καὶ οἱ τοῦ σώματος, παραφθεγγόμεθα, παραλαλοῦμεν: κἂν βαθεῖαν ἡμᾶς πλήξῃ τις πληγὴν, οὐδὲ αἰσθανόμεθα, κἂν πᾶσαν ἡμῶν διαρπάσῃ τὴν οὐσίαν, κἂν αὐτὴν ἐμπρήσῃ τὴν οἰκίαν: μᾶλλον δὲ οὐδὲ ἀναμένομεν ἑτέρους τοῦτο ποιεῖν, ἀλλ' αὐτοὶ τοῦτο πράττομεν κεντοῦντες ἑαυτοὺς καθ' ἑκάστην ἡμέραν καὶ πλήττοντες, ἀσχημόνως κείμενοι, καὶ γεγυμνωμένοι πάσης εὐδοξίας, πάσης τιμῆς, καὶ τὰ αἰσχρὰ ἡμῶν ἔργα οὔτε αὐτοὶ συγκαλύπτοντες, οὔτε ἑτέροις ἐπιτρέποντες τοῦτο ποιεῖν, ἀλλ' εἰς μέσην ἀσχημοσύνην τοῖς ὁρῶσι καὶ παριοῦσι προκείμενοι εἰς γέλωτα, εἰς σκώμματα μυρία. Οὐκ οἴεσθε καὶ αὐτοὺς τοὺς πονηροὺς καταγελᾷν τῶν ὁμοτρόπων, καὶ καταγινώσκειν αὐτῶν; Ἐπειδὴ γὰρ ἡμῖν ἐντέθεικεν ὁ Θεὸς δικαστήριον ἀδέκαστον, οὐδέποτε διαφθειρόμενον, κἂν εἰς αὐτὸν τῆς κακίας ἔλθωμεν τὸν πυθμένα: τούτου χάριν καὶ αὐτοὶ οἱ πονηροὶ καταδικάζουσιν ἑαυτοὺς, κἂν αὐτοὺς καλέσῃ τις τοῦτο, ὅπερ εἰσὶν, αἰσχύνονται, ὀργίζονται, ὕβριν τὸ πρᾶγμά φασιν. Οὕτως εἰ καὶ μὴ δι' ἔργων, ἀλλὰ διὰ λόγων καταδικάζουσιν ἅπερ πράττουσι, διὰ τοῦ συνειδότος, μᾶλλον δὲ καὶ διὰ τῶν ἔργων. Ὅταν γὰρ λανθάνοντες καὶ κρυπτόμενοι πράττωσι, μέγιστον ἐκφέρουσι δεῖγμα γνώμης, ἣν περὶ τοῦ πράγματος ἔχουσιν. Οὕτω γὰρ δήλη ἐστὶν ἡ κακία, ὡς πάντας αὐτῆς εἶναι κατηγόρους, καὶ τοὺς μετιόντας αὐτήν: τοιοῦτον δέ ἐστιν ἡ ἀρετὴ, ὡς καὶ παρ' ἐκείνων θαυμάζεσθαι τῶν μὴ ζηλούντων αὐτήν. Καὶ γὰρ καὶ ὁ πόρνος ἐπαινέσεται τὴν σωφροσύνην, καὶ ὁ πλεονέκτης καταγνώσεται τῆς ἀδικίας, καὶ ὁ ὀργίλος τὴν ἀνεξικακίαν θαυμάσεται, καὶ τὴν μικροψυχίαν μέμψεται, καὶ τὴν ἀσέλγειαν ὁ ἀσελγής. Πῶς οὖν αὐτὰ μέτεισι, φησίν; Ἀπὸ ῥᾳθυμίας πολλῆς, οὐ κρίνας εἶναι καλόν: ἐπεὶ οὐδ' ἂν ᾐσχύνθη τῷ πράγματι, οὐδ' ἂν ἠρνήσατο κατηγοροῦντος ἑτέρου. Πολλοὶ δὲ καὶ προληφθέντες, τὴν αἰσχύνην οὐ φέροντες, καὶ ἀπήγξαντο: τοσαύτη τοῦ καλοῦ καὶ πρέποντος ἔνεστιν ἡμῖν ἡ μαρτυρία: οὕτως ἡλίου λαμπρότερα τὰ καλὰ, καὶ πάντων δυσειδέστερα τὰ ἐναντία. βʹ. Ξένοι καὶ παρεπίδημοι ἦσαν οἱ ἅγιοι. Πῶς καὶ τίνι τρόπῳ; ποῦ δὲ ὁμολογεῖ ὁ Ἀβραὰμ ξένος εἶναι καὶ παρεπίδημος; Ἴσως μὲν καὶ αὐτὸς ὡμολόγησεν: ὁ δὲ Δαυῒδ ὅτι ὡμολόγησε, παντί που δῆλον: καὶ ἄκουε αὐτοῦ λέγοντος, ὅτι Ξένος εἰμὶ καὶ παρεπίδημος, καθὼς πάντες οἱ πατέρες μου. Οἱ γὰρ ἐν σκηναῖς κατοικοῦντες, οἱ ἀργυρίου καὶ τάφους ὠνούμενοι δῆλον ὅτι ξένοι τινὲς οὕτως ἦσαν, ὥστε μηδὲ ὅπου θάψωσι τοὺς νεκροὺς ἑαυτῶν ἔχειν. Τί οὖν; ἆρα τῆς γῆς ἐκείνης μόνον ἔλεγον εἶναι ξένοι τῆς ἐν Παλαιστίνῃ; Οὐδαμῶς, ἀλλὰ τῆς οἰκουμένης πάσης, καὶ εἰκότως: οὐδὲν γὰρ ἐθεώρουν ἐν αὐτῇ τούτων ὧν ἐβούλοντο, ἀλλὰ πάντα ξένα καὶ ἀλλότρια. Αὐτοὶ μὲν οὖν τὴν ἀρετὴν ἀσκεῖν ἠβούλοντο: ἐνταῦθα δὲ, ἔνθα ἦν κακία πολλὴ, καὶ ἀπεξένωτο πρὸς αὐτοὺς τὰ πράγματα: οὐδένα φίλον, οὐδένα οἰκεῖον εἶχον, πλὴν ὀλίγων τινῶν. Πῶς δὲ ξένοι ἦσαν; Οὐκ ἐπιμελούμενοι τῶν ἐνταῦθα καὶ τοῦτο οὐ διὰ ῥημάτων, ἀλλὰ καὶ διὰ πραγμάτων αὐτῶν ἐδείκνυον. Πῶς καὶ τίνι τρόπῳ; Εἶπε τῷ Ἀβραάμ: Ἄφες τὴν πατρίδα τὴν δοκοῦσαν, καὶ ἐλθὲ ἐπὶ τὴν ἀλλοτρίαν: καὶ οὐκ ἀντέσχετο τῶν οἰκείων, ἀλλ' ὡς ξένην μέλλων ἀφιέναι, οὕτως ἀπροσπαθῶς αὐτὴν εἴασεν. Εἶπεν αὐτῷ: Ἀνένεγκε τὸν υἱόν σου: καὶ ὡς οὐκ ἔχων υἱὸν, οὕτως αὐτὸν ἀνήνεγκεν, ὡς οὐκ ἐνδεδυμένος τὴν φύσιν, οὕτως αὐτὸν ἀνήνεγκε Τὰ χρήματα κοινὰ ἐκέκτητο τοῖς παριοῦσιν ἅπασι, καὶ οὐδὲν τὸ πρᾶγμα ἡγεῖτο: τῶν πρωτείων ἑτέροις παρεχώρει, εἰς κινδύνους ἑαυτὸν ἐνέβαλλε, μυρία ἔπασχε δεινά: οὐκ οἰκίας ᾠκοδόμει λαμπρὰς, οὐδὲ ἐτρύφα, οὐχ ἱματίων ἐπεμελεῖτο, οὐκ ἄλλου οὐδενὸς, ἃ τῶν ἐνταῦθά ἐστιν: ἀλλὰ πάντα τὰ τῆς ἐκεῖ πόλεως ἐπολιτεύετο, φιλοξενίαν ἐπεδείκνυτο, φιλαδελφίαν, ἐλεημοσύνην, ἀνεξικακίαν, ὑπεροψίαν χρημάτων καὶ τῆς παρούσης δόξης καὶ τῶν ἄλλων ἁπάντων. Καὶ ὁ τούτου δὲ παῖς τοιοῦτος ἦν: ἐλαυνόμενος, πολεμούμενος εἶκε καὶ παρεχώρει, ἅτε ἐν ξένῃ ὤν: οἱ γὰρ ξένοι, ὅσα ἂν πάθωσι, φέρουσιν, ἅτε οὐκ ὄντες ἐν πατρίδι. Καὶ τῆς γυναικὸς ἀφαιρουμένης, καὶ τοῦτο ἔφερεν, ἅτε ξένος: τὰ δὲ ἄνω πάντα ἐπολιτεύετο, σωφροσύνην, κοσμιότητα ἐπιδεικνύμενος πᾶσαν. Καὶ γὰρ μετὰ τὸ παιδοποιῆσαι, οὐκέτι ὡμίλησε τῇ γυναικί: καὶ παρελθούσης δὲ τῆς ἀκμῆς τῆς νεότητος, τότε αὐτὴν ἠγάγετο, δεικνὺς ὅτι οὐ πάθους ἕνεκεν τοῦτο ἐποίει, ἀλλὰ ὑπηρετούμενος τῇ ἐπαγγελίᾳ τοῦ Θεοῦ. Τί δὲ ὁ Ἰακώβ; οὐχὶ ἄρτον ἐζήτει μόνον καὶ ἱμάτιον, ἃ ξένων ἐστὶν ὄντως αἰτήματα τῶν εἰς πενίαν ἐλθόντων πολλήν; οὐχὶ ἐλαυνόμενος ἀνεχώρει, καθάπερ ξένος; οὐχὶ ἐθήτευεν; οὐχὶ μυρία ἔπασχε δεινὰ, περιιὼν πανταχοῦ καθάπερ ξένος; Ταῦτα δὲ πάσχοντες ἔφερον, δεικνύντες ὅτι πατρίδα ἐπιζητοῦσιν ἑτέραν: Βαβαὶ, πόση διαφορά! ἐκεῖνοι μὲν ὤδινον καθ' ἑκάστην ἡμέραν, ἀπαλλαγῆναι βουλόμενοι ἐντεῦθεν, καὶ πρὸς τὴν αὑτῶν πατρίδα ἐπανελθεῖν: ἡμεῖς δὲ τοὐναντίον: ἂν γὰρ πυρετὸς ἐμπέσῃ, πάντα ἀφέντες, καθάπερ τὰ παιδία τὰ μικρὰ, τὰ κλαυθμυριζόμενα, τὸν θάνατον δεδοίκαμεν: καὶ εἰκότως τοῦτο πάσχομεν. Ἐπειδὴ γὰρ οὐχ ὡς ξένοι διάγομεν ἐνταῦθα, οὐδὲ ὡς ἐπὶ πατρίδα σπεύδομεν, ἀλλ' ὡς ἐπὶ κόλασιν ἀπιόντες ἐσμὲν, διὰ τοῦτο ἀλγοῦμεν, ὅτι τοῖς πράγμασιν οὐκ ἐχρησάμεθα εἰς δέον, ἀλλὰ τὴν τάξιν ἀντεστρέψαμεν: διὰ τοῦτο ὀδυρόμεθα, ὅτε χαίρειν ἐχρῆν, διὰ τοῦτο φρίττομεν, καθάπερ τινὲς ἀνδροφόνοι καὶ λῄσταρχοι, μέλλοντες δικαστηρίῳ παρίστασθαι, καὶ πάντα λογιζόμενοι ἅπερ ἔπραξαν, καὶ διὰ τοῦτο δεδοικότες καὶ τρέμοντες. Ἀλλ' οὐκ ἐκεῖνοι τοιοῦτοι, ἀλλ' ἠπείγοντο: ὁ δὲ Παῦλος καὶ ἐστέναξε. Καὶ ἄκουε αὐτοῦ λέγοντος, Καὶ αὐτοὶ οἱ ἐν τῷ σκήνει ὄντες, στενάζομεν βαρούμενοι. Τοιοῦτοι ἦσαν οἱ περὶ τὸν Ἀβραάμ: ξένοι, φησὶν, ἦσαν τῆς οἰκουμένης ἁπάσης, καὶ πατρίδα ἐζήτουν. Ποίαν δὴ ταύτην; ἆρα ἣν εἴασαν; Οὐδαμῶς: τί γὰρ ἐκώλυεν αὐτοὺς, εἴ γε ἐβούλοντο, ὑποστρέψαι πάλιν, καὶ γενέσθαι πολῖται; ἀλλ' ἐκείνην ἐζήτουν τὴν ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς. Οὕτω πρὸς τὴν ἀποδημίαν τὴν ἐνθένδε ἔσπευδον, καὶ οὕτως ἤρεσκον Θεῷ: διὸ οὐκ ἐπαισχύνεται αὐτοὺς ὁ Θεὸς Θεὸς καλεῖσθαι αὐτῶν. Βαβαὶ, ὅσον ἀξίωμα! Θεὸς καλεῖσθαι αὐτῶν κατεδέξατο. Τί λέγεις; Θεὸς τῆς γῆς καλεῖται, καὶ Θεὸς τοῦ οὐρανοῦ, καὶ ὡς μέγα τι τέθεικας τὸ οὐκ ἐπαισχύνεσθαι Θεὸς καλεῖσθαι αὐτῶν; Μέγα, καὶ ὄντως μέγα, καὶ πολλῆς μακαριότητος τοῦτο τεκμήριον. Πῶς; Ὅτι γῆς μὲν καὶ οὐρανοῦ οὕτω καλεῖται Θεὸς, ὡς καὶ Ἑλλήνων, καὶ οὐρανοῦ μὲν καὶ γῆς Θεὸς, ᾗ ἔκτισε καὶ ἐδημιούργησεν αὐτά: τῶν δὲ ἁγίων ἐκείνων οὐχ οὕτως, ἀλλ' ὡς φίλος τις γνήσιος. Ἐπὶ δὲ ὑποδείγματος ὑμῖν αὐτὸ ποιήσω φανερόν. Οἷον ἐπὶ τῶν ἐν ταῖς μεγάλαις οἰκίαις, ὅταν τινὲς εὐδοκιμῶσι τῶν προεστηκότων τῆς οἰκίας, καὶ σφόδρα εὐδοκιμῶσι, καὶ πάντα αὐτοὶ διέπωσι, καὶ πρὸς τοὺς δεσπότας πολλὴν τὴν παῤῥησίαν ἔχωσιν, ἀπ' αὐτῶν ὁ δεσπότης καλεῖται: καὶ πολλοὺς ἄν τις εὕροι οὕτω καλουμένους. Τί δὲ λέγω; ὥσπερ ἦν εἰπεῖν, Ὁ Θεὸς, οὐχ ὁ τῶν ἐθνῶν, ἀλλ' ὁ τῆς οἰκουμένης: οὕτως ἦν εἰπεῖν Ὁ Θεὸς Ἀβραάμ. Ἀλλ' οὐκ ἴστε ὅσον ἐστὶ τὸ ἀξίωμα τοῦτο, ἐπεὶ μηδὲ τυγχάνομεν αὐτοῦ. Ὥσπερ γὰρ νῦν ὁ Κύριος τῶν Χριστιανῶν ἁπάντων λέγεται Θεὸς, καὶ ὅμως ὑπερβαίνει τὸ ὄνομα τὴν ἡμετέραν ἀξίαν: εἰ δὲ ἑνὸς κληθείη Θεὸς, ἐννόησον ὅσον τὸ μέγεθος. Ὁ τῆς οἰκουμένης Θεὸς οὐκ ἐπαισχύνεται τριῶν καλεῖσθαι Θεὸς, εἰκότως: οὐ γὰρ τῆς οἰκουμένης, ἀλλὰ μυρίων τοιούτων εἰσὶν ἀντίῤῥοποι οἱ ἅγιοι. Κρείττω γὰρ εἷς ποιῶν τὸ θέλημα Κυρίου, ἢ μυρίοι παράνομοι. Ὅτι δὲ οὕτως ἑαυτοὺς ξένους ἐκάλουν, δῆλον. Ἔστω δὲ, οὗτοι διὰ τὴν ξένην ἔλεγον εἶναι ξένοι: τί δαὶ καὶ ὁ Δαυΐδ; οὐχὶ βασιλεὺς ἦν; οὐχὶ προφήτης; οὐχὶ ἐν τῇ οἰκείᾳ πατρίδι διέτριβε; τίνος οὖν ἕνεκέν φησι, Ξένος καὶ παρεπίδημός εἰμι; Πῶς εἶ ξένος; Καθὼς, φησὶ, πάντες οἱ πατέρες μου. Ὁρᾷς ὅτι κἀκεῖνοι ξένοι ἦσαν; Ἔχομεν πατρίδα, φησὶν, ἀλλ' οὐ τὴν ὄντως πατρίδα. Πῶς δὲ σὺ ξένος; Τῆς γῆς. Οὐκοῦν κἀκεῖνοι τῆς γῆς: καθὼς γὰρ ἐκεῖνοι, οὕτω καὶ οὗτος, καὶ καθὼς οὗτος, οὕτω κἀκεῖνοι. γʹ. Γενώμεθα τοίνυν ξένοι κἂν νῦν καὶ ἡμεῖς, ἵνα μὴ ἐπαισχυνθῇ ἡμᾶς ὁ Θεὸς, Θεὸς ἐπικαλεῖσθαι ἡμῶν. Αἰσχύνη γὰρ αὐτῷ, ὅταν ἀνδρῶν πονηρῶν καλῆται Θεὸς, καὶ ἐπαισχύνεται αὐτοὺς καὶ αὐτὸς, ὡσπεροῦν δοξάζεται, ὅταν ἀγαθῶν ᾖ καὶ χρηστῶν καὶ ἀσκούντων ἀρετήν. Εἰ γὰρ ἡμεῖς παραιτούμεθα καλεῖσθαι δεσπόται πονηρῶν ἡμῶν δούλων, καὶ ἀφίεμεν αὐτούς: κἂν εἴπῃ τις προσελθὼν, Ὁ δεῖνα μυρία ἐργάζεται κακὰ, ἆρα σὸς δοῦλός ἐστιν; εὐθέως φαμὲν, ὅτι οὐδαμῶς, ἀποτριβόμενοι τὸ ὄνειδος: σχέσις γάρ ἐστι τῷ δούλῳ πρὸς τὸν δεσπότην, καὶ διαβαίνει ἡ ἀδοξία καὶ εἰς τοῦτον ἀπ' ἐκείνου: πολλῷ μᾶλλον ὁ Θεός. Ἀλλ' ἐκεῖνοι οὕτως ἦσαν λαμπροὶ, οὕτω παῤῥησίας μεστοὶ, ὡς μὴ μόνον αὐτὸν μὴ ἐπαισχύνεσθαι παρ' ἐκείνων καλούμενον, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἑαυτὸν λέγειν, ὅτι Ἐγὼ ὁ Θεὸς Ἀβραὰμ, καὶ ὁ Θεὸς Ἰσαὰκ, καὶ ὁ Θεὸς Ἰακώβ. Γενώμεθα καὶ ἡμεῖς, ἀγαπητοὶ, ξένοι, ἵνα μὴ ἐπαισχυνθῇ ἡμᾶς ὁ Θεὸς, ἵνα μὴ ἐπαισχυνθῇ, καὶ τῇ γεέννῃ παραδῷ. Τοιοῦτοι ἦσαν ἐκεῖνοι οἱ λέγοντες, Κύριε, οὐ τῷ σῷ ὀνόματι προεφητεύσαμεν, καὶ τῷ σῷ ὀνόματι δυνάμεις πολλὰς ἐποιήσαμεν; Ἀλλ' ὁρᾶτε τί φθέγγεται πρὸς αὐτοὺς ὁ Χριστός: Οὐκ οἶδα ὑμᾶς: ὅπερ ἂν ποιήσειαν δεσπόται οἰκετῶν πονηρῶν προστρεχόντων αὐτοῖς, βουλόμενοι τὸ ὄνειδος ἀποτρίψασθαι. Οὐκ οἶδα ὑμᾶς, φησί. Πῶς οὖν κολάζεις, οὓς οὐκ οἶδας; Οὐκ οἶδα, ἑτέρως εἶπον, τουτέστι, Ἀρνοῦμαι ὑμᾶς καὶ παραιτοῦμαι. Ἀλλὰ μὴ γένοιτο ταύτην ἡμᾶς ἀκοῦσαι τὴν φωνὴν τὴν ὀλεθρίαν καὶ φρικώδη. Εἰ γὰρ οἱ δαίμονας ἐκβαλόντες, καὶ προφητείας ἐργασάμενοι, ἐπειδὴ βίον οὐκ ἔσχον συμβαίνοντα τοῖς λόγοις, ἠρνήθησαν: πόσῳ μᾶλλον ἡμεῖς; Καὶ πῶς, φησὶν, ἔνι προφητείας ἐπιδειξαμένους, καὶ σημεῖα πεποιηκότας, καὶ δαιμόνια ἐκβαλόντας, ἀρνηθῆναι; Εἰκὸς αὐτοὺς ὕστερον μεταβεβλῆσθαι, καὶ γεγενῆσθαι πονηρούς: ὅθεν οὐδὲν ἀπώναντο οὐδὲ τῆς προτέρας ἀρετῆς. Οὐ γὰρ τὰ προοίμια δεῖ μόνον ἔχειν λαμπρὰ, ἀλλὰ καὶ τὸ τέλος λαμπρότερον. Εἰπὲ γάρ μοι, ὁ ῥήτωρ οὐχὶ τὰ ἐν τῷ τέλει τοῦ λόγου σπουδάζει ποιεῖν λαμπρὰ, ὥστε μετὰ κρότων ἀναχωρεῖν; ὁ δὲ λειτουργῶν πόλει, οὐχὶ τὰ ἐπ' ἐξόδῳ τῆς λειτουργίας λαμπρότερα ἐπιδείκνυται; Ὁ ἀθλητὴς ἐὰν μὴ ἐκεῖνα δείξῃ λαμπρότερα, καὶ μέχρι τέλους νικήσῃ, κἂν πάντας νικήσας νικηθῇ ὑπὸ τοῦ τελευταίου, οὐχὶ πάντα αὐτῷ ἀνόνητα; ὁ κυβερνήτης ἂν ἅπαν τὸ πέλαγος διαβαλὼν, πρὸς τῷ λιμένι καταῤῥάξῃ τὸ σκάφος, οὐχὶ πάντα ἀπώλεσε τὸν ἔμπροσθεν πόνον; Τί δὲ ὁ ἰατρός; Ἐὰν ἀπαλλάξας τῆς νόσου τὸν κάμνοντα, ὅταν μέλλῃ τέλεον ἀπαλλάττειν, τότε διαφθείρῃ, οὐχὶ τὸ πᾶν διέφθειρεν; Οὕτω καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς ἀρετῆς, ὅσοι μὴ τῇ ἀρχῇ ἀκόλουθον τὸ τέλος ἐπέθηκαν καὶ σύμφωνον καὶ συνῳδὸν, ἀπώλοντο καὶ διεφθάρησαν. Τοιοῦτοί εἰσιν οἱ ἀπὸ μὲν τῶν βαλβίδων αὐτῶν λαμπροὶ καὶ γαῦροι προπηδήσαντες, μετὰ ταῦτα δὲ ἐκλυθέντες, καὶ χαῦνοι γενόμενοι: διὸ καὶ τοῦ βραβείου ἀπεστερήθησαν, καὶ παρὰ τοῦ Δεσπότου οὐκ ἐπεγνώσθησαν. Ἀκούσωμεν ταῦτα οἱ χρημάτων ἐρῶντες: ἡ γὰρ μεγίστη ἀνομία αὕτη τυγχάνει: Ῥίζα γάρ ἐστι πάντων, φησὶ, τῶν κακῶν ἡ φιλαργυρία. Ἀκούσωμεν οἱ βουλόμενοι μείζονα τὴν ὑπάρχουσαν οὐσίαν ποιεῖν: ἀκούσωμεν, καὶ παυσώμεθα τῆς πλεονεξίας ποτὲ, ἵνα μὴ ταῦτα ἀκούσωμεν ἅπερ κἀκεῖνοι. Νῦν αὐτὰ ἀκούσωμεν καὶ φυλαξώμεθα, ἵνα μὴ τότε ἀκούσωμεν: νῦν ἀκούσωμεν μετὰ φόβου, ἵνα μὴ τότε ἀκούσωμεν μετὰ τιμωρίας, Ἀπέλθετε ἀπ' ἐμοῦ, φησὶν, οὐδέποτε ἔγνων ὑμᾶς, οὐδὲ τότε, φησὶν, ὅτε τὰς προφητείας ἐπεδείκνυσθε, καὶ τοὺς δαίμονας ἐξεβάλλετε. Εἰκὸς αὐτὸν ἐνταῦθα καὶ ἕτερόν τι αἰνίττεσθαι, ὅτι καὶ τότε βίου ἦσαν πονηροῦ: παρὰ δὲ τὴν ἀρχὴν καὶ δι' ἀναξίων ἐνήργει ἡ χάρις. Εἰ γὰρ καὶ διὰ Βαλαὰμ ἐνήργησε, πολλῷ μᾶλλον δι' ἀναξίων, καὶ τοῦτο διὰ τοὺς μέλλοντας κερδαίνειν. Εἰ δὲ καὶ σημεῖα καὶ τέρατα οὐκ ἴσχυσε κολάσεως ἀπαλλάξαι, πολλῷ μᾶλλον, κἂν ἐν ἀξιώματι ἱερατικῷ τις ὢν τυγχάνῃ, κἂν εἰς τὴν ἀνωτάτω τιμὴν φθάσῃ, κἂν εἰς τὴν χειροτονίαν ἐνεργήσῃ ἡ χάρις, κἂν εἰς τὰ ἄλλα πάντα διὰ τοὺς τῆς προστασίας δεομένους, ἀκούσεται καὶ αὐτὸς, Οὐδέποτέ σε ἔγνων, οὐδὲ τότε, ὅτε ἐνήργησεν ἐν σοὶ ἡ χάρις. Βαβαὶ, πόση τῆς τοῦ βίου καθαρότητος ἡ ζήτησις ἐκεῖ! πῶς αὐτὴ καὶ καθ' ἑαυτὴν ἀρκεῖ εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν ἡμᾶς εἰσαγαγεῖν! πῶς δὲ ἀποῦσα προδίδωσι τὸν ἄνδρα, κἂν μυρία ἔχῃ τέρατα καὶ σημεῖα ἐπιδείκνυσθαι! Οὐδὲν γὰρ οὕτως εὐφραίνει τὸν Θεὸν, ὡς πολιτεία ἀρίστη. Ἐὰν ἀγαπᾶτέ με, φησὶν, οὐκ εἶπε, Σημεῖα ποιήσατε, ἀλλὰ τί; Τὰς ἐντολάς μου τηρήσατε. Καὶ πάλιν: Φίλους ὑμᾶς λέγω, οὐχ ὅταν δαιμόνια ἐκβάλητε, ἀλλ' Ἐὰν τηρήσητε τοὺς λόγους τοὺς ἐμούς. Ἐκεῖνα μὲν γὰρ τῆς τοῦ Θεοῦ δωρεᾶς ἐστι: ταῦτα δὲ μετὰ τὴν τοῦ Θεοῦ δωρεὰν καὶ τῆς ἡμετέρας σπουδῆς. Σπουδάσωμεν γενέσθαι φίλοι τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ μὴ μένωμεν ἐχθροί. Ἀεὶ ταῦτα λέγομεν, ἀεὶ ταῦτα παραινοῦμεν καὶ ἡμῖν αὐτοῖς καὶ ὑμῖν, πλέον δὲ οὐδὲν γίνεται: διὸ καὶ δέδοικα. Καὶ ἐβουλόμην μὲν σιγῆσαι, ὥστε μὴ τὸν κίνδυνον ὑμῖν αὐξῆσαι: τὸ γὰρ πολλάκις ἀκούοντα μηδὲ οὕτω ποιεῖν, παροξῦναι τὸν Δεσπότην ἐστίν: ἀλλὰ δέδοικα καὶ αὐτὸς τὸν ἕτερον κίνδυνον τὸν τῆς σιγῆς, εἴ γε εἰς λόγου διακονίαν τεταγμένος, μέλλοιμι σιγᾷν. Τί οὖν ποιήσομεν, φησὶν, ἵνα σωθῶμεν; Ἀρξώμεθα τῆς ἀρετῆς, ἕως καιρὸν ἔχομεν: διανείμωμεν ἑαυτοῖς τὰς ἀρετὰς, καθάπερ τὴν γεωργίαν οἱ γηπόνοι: ἐν τῷ μηνὶ τούτῳ κρατήσωμεν λοιδορίας, ὕβρεως, ὀργῆς ἀδίκου, καὶ θῶμεν ἑαυτοῖς νόμον, καὶ εἴπωμεν, Σήμερον τόδε κατορθώσωμεν: καὶ ἐν τῷ μηνὶ τῷ ἄλλῳ τὴν ἀνεξικακίαν ἑαυτοὺς παιδεύσωμεν, καὶ ἐν ἑτέρῳ ἄλλην ἀρετήν: καὶ ὅταν ἐν ἕξει ταύτης γενώμεθα τῆς ἀρετῆς, ἐφ' ἑτέραν ἔλθωμεν, καθάπερ ἐπὶ τῶν μαθημάτων, τά τε ἤδη κτηθέντα φυλάττοντες, καὶ ἕτερα προσλαμβάνοντες. Μετ' ἐκείνην ἔλθωμεν ἐπὶ τὴν τῶν χρημάτων ὑπεροψίαν: πρῶτον κατάσχωμεν τὰς χεῖρας ἀπὸ πλεονεξίας, καὶ τότε ποιήσωμεν ἐλεημοσύνην: μὴ πάντα ἁπλῶς συγχέωμεν, ταῖς αὐταῖς χερσὶ καὶ ἁρπάζοντες, καὶ ἐλεοῦντες δῆθεν: μετὰ τοῦτο ἐπ' ἄλλην ἀρετὴν, καὶ μετ' ἐκείνην ἐπ' ἄλλην. Αἰσχρότης, φησὶ, καὶ μωρολογία καὶ εὐτραπελία μηδὲ ὀνομαζέσθω παρ' ὑμῖν. Ταῦτα τέως κατορθώσωμεν. Οὐκ ἔστι χρεία δαπάνης, οὐκ ἔστι πόνων, οὐκ ἔστιν ἱδρώτων: ἀρκεῖ θελῆσαι μόνον, καὶ πάντα ἤνυσται. Οὐ δεῖ μακρὰν ὁδὸν βαδίσαι, οὐδὲ πέλαγος διαβαλεῖν ἄπειρον, ἀλλὰ σπουδάσαι καὶ προθυμηθῆναι, καὶ χαλινὸν ἐπιθεῖναι τῇ γλώττῃ πρὸς τὰς ὕβρεις τὰς ἀκαίρους. Τὰς ὀργὰς, τὰς ἐπιθυμίας τὰς ἀτόπους, τὴν τρυφὴν, τὴν πολυτέλειαν ἐκβάλωμεν, τὴν ἐπιθυμίαν τῶν χρημάτων, ἀπὸ τῆς ψυχῆς τῆς ἡμετέρας, τὰς ἐπιορκίας, τοὺς ὅρκους τοὺς συνεχεῖς. Ἂν οὕτως ἑαυτοὺς γεωργῶμεν, τὰς πρότερον ἀκάνθας ἐκτίλλοντες, καὶ τὸν οὐράνιον σπόρον ἐμβάλλοντες, δυνησόμεθα τυχεῖν τῶν ἐπηγγελμένων ἀγαθῶν. Ἥξει γὰρ ὁ γεωργὸς, καὶ ἀποθήσεται ἡμᾶς εἰς τὴν ἀποθήκην, καὶ ἐπιτευξόμεθα πάντων τῶν ἀγαθῶν: ὧν γένοιτο πάντας ἡμᾶς ἐπιτυχεῖν, χάριτι καὶ φιλανθρωπίᾳ τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, μεθ' οὗ τῷ Πατρὶ ἅμα τῷ ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι δόξα, κράτος, τιμὴ καὶ προσκύνησις, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ, καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.