Homily XXVII.

Hebrews xi. 28–31

“Through faith, he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the first-born should touch them. By faith they passed through the Red Sea, as by dry land; which the Egyptians assaying to do, were drowned.645   κατεποντίσθησαν is the reading adopted by Mr. Field, but κατεπόθησαν, “swallowed up,” seems to be the reading of his mss. See his annotation. By faith, the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about seven days. By faith, the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.”

[1.] Paul is wont to establish many things incidently, and is very full646   πυκνὸς of thoughts. For such is the grace of The Spirit. He does not comprehend a few ideas in a multitude of words, but includes great and manifold thought in brevity of expressions. Observe at least how, in the midst647   ἐ ν τάξει of exhortation, and when discoursing about faith, of what a type and mystery he reminds us, whereof we have the reality. “Through faith” (he says) “he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the first-born should touch them.”

But what is “the sprinkling of blood”?648   πρόσχυσις A lamb was slain in every household, and the blood was smeared on the door-posts, and this was a means of warding off the Egyptian destruction. If then the blood of a lamb preserved the Jews unhurt in the midst of the Egyptians, and under so great a destruction, much more will the blood of Christ save us, who have had it sprinkled649   ἐ πιχριομένους, “been anointed with it.” not on the door-posts, but in our souls. For even now also the Destroyer is going about in this depth of night: but let us be armed with that Sacrifice. (He calls the “sprinkling”650   πρόσχυσιν, the word used by St. Paul, which we translate “sprinkling.” anointing.) For God has brought us out from Egypt, from darkness, from idolatry.

Although what was done, was nothing, what was achieved was great. For what was done was blood; but was achieved, was salvation, and the stopping, and preventing of destruction. The angel feared the blood; for he knew of what it was a Type; he shuddered, thinking on the Lord’s death; therefore he did not touch the door-posts.

Moses said, Smear, and they smeared, and were confident. And you, having the Blood of the Lamb Himself, are ye not confident?

[2.] “By faith, they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land.” Again he compares one whole people with another, lest they should say, we cannot be as the saints.

“By faith” (he says) “they passed through the Red Sea, as by dry land, which the Egyptians assaying to do, were drowned.” Here he leads them also to a recollection of the sufferings in Egypt.

How, “by faith”? Because they had hoped to pass through the sea, and therefore they prayed: or rather it was Moses who prayed. Seest thou that everywhere Faith goes beyond human reasonings, and weakness and lowliness? Seest thou that at the same time they both believed, and feared punishment, both in the blood on the doors, and in the Red Sea?

And he made it clear that it was [really] water, through those that fell into it, and were choked; that it was not a mere appearance: but as in the case of the lions those who were devoured proved the reality of the facts, and in the case of the fiery furnace, those who were burnt; so here also thou seest that the same things become to the one a cause of salvation651   πρὸς σωτηρίας and glory, and to the other of destruction.

So great a good is Faith. And when we fall into perplexity, then are we delivered, even though we come to death itself, even though our condition be desperate. For what else was left [for them]? They were unarmed, compassed about by the Egyptians and the sea; and they must either be drowned if they fled, or fall into the hands of the Egyptians. But nevertheless [He] saved them from impossibilities. That which was spread under the one as land, overwhelmed the others as sea. In the former case it forgot its nature: in the latter it even armed itself against them. (Cf. Wisd. xix. 20.)

[3.] “By faith, the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days.” For assuredly the sound of trumpets is not able to throw down stones, though one blow for ten thousand years; but Faith can do all things.

Seest thou that in all cases it is not by natural sequence, nor yet by any law of nature that it was changed, but all is done contrary to expectation? Accordingly in this case also all is done contrary to expectation. For inasmuch as he had said again and again, that we ought to trust to the future hopes, he introduced all this argument with reason, showing that not now [only], but even from the beginning all the miracles have been accomplished and achieved by means of it.

“By faith, the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, having received the spies with peace.” It would then be disgraceful, if you should appear more faithless even than a harlot. Yet she [merely] heard what the men related, and forthwith believed. Whereupon the end also followed; for when all perished, she alone was preserved. She did not say to herself, I shall be with my many friends.652   μετ̓ ἐμῶν She did not say, Can I possibly be wiser than these judicious men who do not believe,—and shall I believe? She said no such thing, but believed what had taken place,653   τοῖς γενομένοις ; probably the destruction of the Egyptians and the Amorites, &c., Josh. ii. 10. The common texts have τοῖς λεγομένοις which it was likely that they would suffer.

[4.] ( Ver. 32 ) “And what shall I more say? For the time would fail me to tell.” After this he no longer puts down the names: but having ended with an harlot, and put them to shame by the quality of the person, he no longer enlarges on the histories, lest he should be thought tedious. However he does not set them aside, but runs over them, [doing] both very judiciously, avoiding satiety, and not spoiling the closeness of arrangement; he was neither altogether silent, nor did he speak so as to annoy; for he effects both points. For when a man is contending vehemently [in argument], if he persist in contending, he wearies out the hearer, annoying him when he is already persuaded, and gaining the reputation of vain ambitiousness. For he ought to accommodate himself to what is expedient.

“And what do I more say” (he says)? “For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthah, of David also and Samuel, and of the prophets.”

Some find fault with Paul, because he puts Barak, and Samson, and Jephthah in these places. What sayest thou? After having introduced the harlot, shall he not introduce these? For do not tell me of the rest of their life, but only whether they did not believe and shine in Faith.

“And the prophets,” he says, ( ver. 33 ) “who through faith subdued kingdoms.” Thou seest that he does not here testify to their life as being illustrious; for this was not the point in question: but the enquiry thus far was about their faith. For tell me whether they did not accomplish all by faith?

“By faith,” he says, “they subdued kingdoms;” those with Gideon. “Wrought righteousness;” who? The same. Plainly he means here, kindness.654   φιλανθρωπίαν

I think it is of David that he says “they obtained promises.” But of what sort were these? Those in which He said that his “seed should sit upon” his “throne.” ( Ps. cxxxii. 12.)

“Stopped the mouths of lions,” ( ver. 34 ) “quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword.” See how they were in death itself, Daniel encompassed by the lions, the three children abiding in the furnace, the Israelites,655   i.e. “when crossing the Red Sea.” Field. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, in divers temptations; and yet not even so did they despair. For this is Faith; when things are turning out adversely, then we ought to believe that nothing adverse is done, but all things in due order.

“Escaped the edge of the sword.” I think that he is again speaking of the three children.

“Out of656   ἀ πὸ, “from” or “after.” weakness were made strong.” Here he alludes to what took place at their return from Babylon. For “out of weakness,” is out of captivity. When the condition of the Jews had now become desperate, when they were no better than dead bones, who could have expected that they would return from Babylon, and not return only; but also “wax valiant” and “turn to flight armies of aliens”? ‘But to us,’ some one says,657   i.e. some Hebrew Christian. ‘no such thing has happened.’ But these are figures of “the things to come.” ( Ver. 35 ) “Women received their dead raised to life again.” He here speaks of what occurred in regard to the prophets, Elisha, [and] Elijah; for they raised the dead.

[5.] ( Ver. 35 ) “And others were tortured,658   ἀ ποτυμπανίσθησαν not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.” But we have not obtained a Resurrection. I am able however, he means, to show that they also were cut off, and did “not accept [deliverance], that they might obtain a better resurrection.” For why, tell me, when it was open to them to live, did they not choose it? Were they not evidently looking for a better life? And they who had raised up others, themselves chose to die; in order “to obtain a better resurrection,” not such as the children of those women.659   The children of the widow of Sarepta, and the Shunamite, had been brought back to continue this life of temptation and sorrow; it was a “better” kind of “Resurrection” which the prophets sought to obtain themselves.

Here I think he alludes both to John and to James. For beheading is called “torturing.”660   ἀ ποτυμπανισμός. For instances of this meaning of the word, see Mr. Field’s annot. It was in their power still to behold the sun. It was in their power to abstain from reproving661   ἐ λέγξαι, the word used of St. John Baptist reproving Herod, Luke iii. 19 [sinners], and yet they chose to die; even they who had raised others chose to die themselves, “that they might obtain a better resurrection.”

( Ver. 36 ) “And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea moreover of bonds and imprisonment.” He ends with these; with things that come nearer home. For these [ex amples] especially bring consolation, when the distress is from the same cause, since even if you mention something more extreme, yet unless it arise from the same cause, you have effected nothing. Therefore he concluded his discourse with this, mentioning “bonds, imprisonments, scourges, stonings,” alluding to the case of Stephen, also to that of Zacharias.

Wherefore he added, “They were slain with the sword.” What sayest thou? Some “escaped the edge of the sword,” and some “were slain by the sword.” ( Ver. 34.) What is this? Which dost thou praise? Which dost thou admire? The latter or the former? Nay, he says: the former indeed, is appropriate to you, and the latter, because Faith was strong even unto death itself, and it is a type of things to come. For the wonderful qualities of Faith are two, that it both accomplishes great things, and suffers great things, and counts itself to suffer nothing.

And thou canst not say (he says) that these were sinners and worthless. For even if you put the whole world against them, I find that they weigh down the beam and are of greater value.662   The common texts add the explanatory words, “For this cause also he said, ‘ Of whom the world was not worthy. ’” What then were they to receive in this life? Here he raises up their thoughts, teaching them not to be riveted to things present, but to mind663   φρονεῖν μείζω things greater than all that are in this present life, since the “world is not worthy” of them. What then dost thou wish to receive here? For it were an insult to thee, shouldst thou receive thy reward here.

[6.] Let us not then mind664   φρονῶμεν worldly things, nor seek our recompense here, nor be so beggarly. For if “the” whole “world is not worthy of” them, why dost thou seek after a part of it? And with good reason; for they are friends of God.

Now by “the world” does he mean here the people, or the creation itself? Both: for the Scripture is wont to use the word of both. If the whole creation, he would say, with the human beings that belong to it, were put in the balance, they yet would not be of equal value with these; and with reason. For as ten thousand measures of chaff and hay would not be of equal value to ten pearls, so neither they; for “better is one that doeth the will of the Lord, than ten thousand transgressors” ( Ecclus. xvi. 3 );665   See above, p. 475, note 3. meaning by “ten thousand” not [merely] many, but an infinite multitude.

Consider of how great value is the righteous man. Joshua the son of Nun said, “Let the sun stand still at Gibeon, the moon at the valley of Elom” ( Josh. x. 12 ), and it was so. Let then the whole world come, or rather two or three, or four, or ten, or twenty worlds, and let them say and do this; yet shall they not be able. But the friend of God commanded the creatures of his Friend, or rather he besought his Friend, and the servants yielded, and he below gave command to those above. Seest thou that these things are for service fulfilling their appointed course?

This was greater than the [miracles] of Moses. Why (I ask)? Because it is not a like thing to command the sea and the heavenly [bodies]. For that indeed was also a great thing, yea very great, nevertheless it was not at all equal [to the other].

Why was this? The name of Joshua [Jesus],666   [The two names being the same in Greek. Cf. Heb. iv. 8 , ̓ Ιησοῦς.—F.G.] was a type. For this reason then, and because of the very name, the creation reverenced him. What then! Was no other person called Jesus? [Yes]; but this man was on this account so called in type; for he used to be called Hoshea. Therefore the name was changed: for it was a prediction and a prophecy. He brought in the people into the promised land, as Jesus [does] into heaven; not the Law; since neither did Moses [bring them in], but remained without. The Law has not power to bring in, but grace. Seest thou the types which have been before sketched out from the beginning? He laid his commands on the creation, or rather, on the chief667   καιρίῳ part of the creation, on the very head itself as he stood below; that so when thou seest Jesus in the form of Man saying the same, thou mayest not be disturbed, nor think it strange. He, even while Moses was living, turned back wars. Thus, even while the Law is living, He directs668   διοικεῖ : so Tertullian in the well-known words: Adv. Prax. 16. all things; but not openly.

[7.] But let us consider how great is the virtue of the saints. If here they work such things, if here they do such things, as the angels do, what then above? How great is the splendor they have?

Perhaps each of you might wish to be such as to be able to command the sun and moon. (At this point what would they say who assert that the heaven is a sphere?669   See above, p. 314. For why did he not [merely] say, “Let the sun stand still,” but added “Let the sun stand still at the valley of Elom,” that is, he will make the day longer? This was done also in the time of Hezekiah. The sun went back. This again is more wonderful than the other, to go the contrary way, not having yet gone round his course.)

We shall attain to greater things than these if we will. For what has Christ promised us? Not that we shall make the sun stand still, or the moon, nor that the sun shall retrace his steps, but what? “I and the Father will come unto him,” He says, “and We will make our abode with him.” ( John xiv. 23.) What need have I of the sun and the moon, and of these wonders, when the Lord of all Himself comes down and abides with me? I need these not. For what need I any of these things? He Himself shall be to me for Sun and for Light. For, tell me, if thou hadst entered into a palace, which wouldst thou choose, to be able to rearrange some of the things which have been fixed there, or so to make the king a familiar friend, as to persuade him to take up his abode with thee? Much rather the latter than the former.

[8.] But what wonder is it, says some one, that what a man commands, Christ should also? But Christ (you say) needs not the Father, but acts of His own authority, you say. Well. Therefore first confess and say, that he needs not the Father, and acts of His own authority: and then I will ask thee, whether His prayer is not in the way of condescension and arrangement (for surely Christ was not inferior to Joshua the son of Nun), and that He might teach us? For as when thou hearest a teacher lisping,670   ψελλίζοντος and saying over the alphabet, thou dost not say that he is ignorant; and when he asks, Where is such a letter? thou knowest that he does not ask in ignorance, but because he wishes to lead on the scholar; in like manner Christ also did not make His prayer as needing prayer, but desiring to lead thee on, that thou mayest continually apply thyself to prayer, that thou mayest do it without ceasing, soberly, and with great watchfulness.

And by watching, I do not mean, merely the rising at night, but also the being sober671   νήφειν in our prayers during the day. For such an one is called watchful.672   ἄ γρυπνος Since it is possible both in praying by night to be asleep, and in praying by day to be awake, when the soul is stretched out towards God, when it considers with whom it holds converse, to whom its words are addressed, when it has in mind that angels stand by with fear and trembling, while he approaches gaping and scratching himself.

[9.] Prayer is a mighty weapon if it be made with suitable mind. And that thou mayest learn its strength, continued entreaty has overcome shamelessness, and injustice, and savage cruelty, and overbearing rashness. For He says, “Hear what the unjust judge saith.” ( Luke xviii. 6.) Again it has overcome sloth also, and what friendship did not effect, this continued entreaty did: and “although he will not give him because he is his friend” (He says), “yet because of his importunity he will rise and give to him.” ( Luke xi. 8 ) And continued assiduity made her worthy who was unworthy. “It is not meet” (He says) “to take the children’s bread and to cast it to the dogs. Yea! Lord!” she says, “for even the dogs eat [the crumbs] from their master’s table.” ( Matt. xv. 26, 27.) Let us apply ourselves to Prayer. It is a mighty weapon if it be offered with earnestness, if without vainglory, if with a sincere mind. It has turned back wars, it has benefited an entire nation though undeserving. “I have heard their groaning” (He says) “and am come down to deliver them.” ( Acts vii. 34.) It is itself a saving medicine, and has power to prevent sins, and to heal misdeeds. In this the desolate widow was assiduous. ( 1 Tim. v. 5.)

If then we pray with humility, smiting our breast as the publican, if we utter what he did, if we say, “Be merciful to me a sinner” ( Luke xviii. 13 ), we shall obtain all. For though we be not publicans, yet have we other sins not less than his.

For do not tell me, that thou hast gone wrong in some small matter [only], since the thing has the same nature. For as a man is equally called a homicide whether he has killed a child or a man, so also is he called overreaching whether he be overreaching in much or in little. Yea and to remember injuries too, is no small matter, but even a great sin. For it is said, “the ways of those who remember injuries [tend] to death.” ( Prov. xii. 28 , LXX.) And “He that is angry with his brother without a cause, shall be in danger of hell,” and he that “calleth his brother a fool” ( Matt. v. 22 ), and senseless, and numberless such things.

But we partake even of the tremendous mysteries unworthily, and we envy, and we revile. And some of us have even oftentimes been drunk. But each one of these things, even itself by itself, is enough to cast us out of the kingdom, and when they even come all together, what comfort shall we have? We need much penitence, beloved, much prayer, much endurance, much perseverance, that we may be enabled to attain the good things which have been promised to us.

[10.] Let us then say, even we, “Be merciful to me a sinner,” nay rather, let us not say it only, but let us also be thus minded; and should another call us so, let us not be angry. He heard the words, “I am not as this Publican” ( Luke xviii. 11 ), and was not provoked thereby, but filled with compunction. He accepted the reproach, and he put away the reproach. The other spoke of the wound, and he sought the medicine. Let us say then, “Be merciful to me a sinner” ( Luke xviii. 13 ); but even if another should so call us, let us not be indignant.

But if we say ten thousand evil things of ourselves, and are vexed when we hear them from others, then there is no longer humility, nor confession, but ostentation and vainglory. Is it ostentation (you say) to call one’s self a sinner? Yes; for we obtain the credit of humility, we are admired, we are commended; whereas if we say the contrary of ourselves, we are despised. So that we do this too for the sake of credit. But what is humility? It is when another reviles us, to bear it, to acknowledge our fault, to endure evil speakings. And yet even this would not be [a mark] of humility but of candor. But now we call ourselves sinners, unworthy, and ten thousand other such names, but if another apply one of them to us, we are vexed, we become savage. Seest thou that this is not confession, nor even candor? Thou saidst of thyself that thou art such an one: be not indignant if thou hearest it also said by others, and art reproved.

In this way thy sins are made lighter for thee, when others reproach thee: for they lay a burden on themselves indeed, but thee they lead onwards into philosophy. Hear what the blessed David says, when Shimei cursed him, “Let him alone” (he says) “the Lord hath bidden him, that He might look on my humiliation” (he says): “And the Lord will requite me good for his cursing on this day.” ( 2 Sam. xvi. 11, 12.)

But thou while saying evil things of thyself, even in excess, if thou hearest not from others the commendations that are due to the most righteous, art enraged. Seest thou that thou art trifling with things that are no subjects for trifling? For we even repudiate praises in our desire for other praises, that we may obtain yet higher panegyrics, that we may be more admired. So that when we decline to accept commendations, we do it that we may augment them. And all things are done by us for credit, not for truth. Therefore all things are hollow, all impracticable. Wherefore I beseech you now at any rate to withdraw from this mother of evils, vainglory, and to live according to what is approved by God, that so you may attain to the good things to come, in Christ Jesus our Lord, with whom to the Father be glory, together with His Holy and good Spirit, now and ever and world without end. Amen.

ΟΜΙΛΙΑ ΚΖʹ. Πίστει πεποίηκε τὸ Πάσχα καὶ τὴν πρόσχυσιν τοῦ αἵματος, ἵνα μὴ ὁ ὀλοθρεύων τὰ πρω τότοκα θίγῃ αὐτῶν. Πίστει διέβησαν τὴν Ἐρυ θρὰν θάλασσαν ὡς διὰ ξηρᾶς γῆς: ἧς πεῖραν λαβόντες οἱ Αἰγύπτιοι, κατεπόθησαν. Πίστει τὰ τείχη Ἱεριχὼ ἔπεσε, κυκλωθέντα ἐπὶ ἑπτὰ ἡμέρας. Πίστει Ῥαὰβ ἡ πόρνη οὐ συναπώλετο τοῖς ἀπειθήσασι, δεξαμένη τοὺς κατασκόπους μετ' εἰρήνης. αʹ. Πολλὰ μεταξὺ κατασκευάζειν ὁ Παῦλος εἴωθε, καὶ πυκνός ἐστι τοῖς νοήμασι. Τοιαύτη γὰρ ἡ τοῦ Πνεύματος χάρις: οὐκ ἐν πλήθει λόγων ὀλίγα περιέχει νοήματα, ἀλλὰ βραχύτητι ῥημάτων μεγάλην καὶ πολλὴν διάνοιαν ἐντίθησιν. Ὅρα γοῦν πῶς ἐν τάξει παρακλήσεως καὶ περὶ πίστεως διαλεγόμενος, οἵου ὑπομιμνήσκει τύπου καὶ μυστηρίου, οὗ τὴν ἀλήθειαν ἔχομεν. Πίστει, φησὶ, πεποίηκε τὸ Πάσχα καὶ τὴν πρόσχυσιν τοῦ αἵματος, ἵνα μὴ ὁ ὀλοθρεύων τὰ πρωτότοκα θίγῃ αὐτῶν. Τί δέ ἐστιν, Ἡ πρόσχυσις τοῦ αἵματος; Ἀρνίον ἐθύετο κατὰ οἰκίαν, καὶ τὸ αἷμα αὐτοῦ ἐπεχρίετο ταῖς φλιαῖς, καὶ τοῦτο ἦν ἀποτείχισις τῆς ἀπωλείας τῆς Αἰγυπτιακῆς. Εἰ τοίνυν αἷμα ἀρνίου ἐν μέσοις Αἰγυπτίοις καὶ ἐν ὀλέθρῳ τοσούτῳ ἀσινεῖς διεφύλαττε τοὺς Ἰουδαίους: πολλῷ μᾶλλον διασώσει ἡμᾶς, οὐκ ἐν ταῖς φλιαῖς, ἀλλ' ἐπὶ ταῖς ψυχαῖς τὸ αἷμα ἐπιχριόμενον τοῦ Χριστοῦ: καὶ γὰρ καὶ νῦν ὁ ὀλοθρεύων ἐν τῇ βαθείᾳ νυκτὶ ταύτῃ περιέρχεται. Ἀλλ' ὁπλιζώμεθα ἐκείνῃ τῇ θυσίᾳ. Πρόσχυσιν τὴν χρίσιν καλεῖ: ἀπὸ γὰρ Αἰγύπτου ἐξήγαγεν ἡμᾶς ὁ Θεὸς, ἀπὸ τοῦ σκότους, ἀπὸ τῆς εἰδωλολατρείας. Καίτοι τὸ γενόμενον οὐδὲν ἦν, τὸ δὲ κατορθούμενον μέγα: τὸ μὲν γὰρ γενόμενον αἷμα, τὸ δὲ κατορθούμενον σωτηρία καὶ ἔμφραξις καὶ κώλυμα ἀπωλείας. Ἐφοβήθη τὸ αἷμα ὁ ἄγγελος: ᾔδει γὰρ τίνος ἦν τύπος: ἔφριξε, τὸν Δεσποτικὸν θάνατον ἐννοήσας: διὰ τοῦτο οὐκ ἔθιγε τῶν φλιῶν. Εἶπε Μωϋσῆς, Χρίσατε: καὶ ἔχρισαν, καὶ ἐθάῤῥησαν χρίσαντες. Ὑμεῖς δὲ αὐτοῦ τοῦ ἀμνοῦ ἔχοντες τὸ αἷμα, οὐ θαρσεῖτε; Πίστει διέβησαν τὴν Ἐρυθρὰν θάλασσαν, ὡς διὰ ξηρᾶς γῆς. Πάλιν λαὸν ὁλόκληρον παραβάλλει λαῷ, ἵνα μὴ λέγωσιν, ὅτι Οὐ δυνάμεθα κατὰ τοὺς ἁγίους γενέσθαι. Πίστει, φησὶ, διέβησαν τὴν Ἐρυθρὰν θάλασσαν ὡς διὰ ξηρᾶς γῆς: ἧς πεῖραν λαβόντες οἱ Αἰγύπτιοι κατεπόθησαν. Ἐνταῦθα αὐτοὺς καὶ εἰς ὑπόμνησιν ἄγει τῶν παθημάτων τῶν ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ. Πῶς πίστει; Ὅτι ἤλπισαν διὰ τῆς θαλάσσης διαβήσεσθαι, καὶ διὰ τοῦτο ηὔχοντο: μᾶλλον δὲ Μωϋσῆς ἦν ὁ εὐχόμενος. Ὁρᾷς ὅτι πανταχοῦ ἡ πίστις τοὺς λογισμοὺς ὑπερβαίνει τοὺς ἀνθρωπίνους καὶ τὴν ἀσθένειαν καὶ τὴν ταπεινότητα; ὁρᾷς, ὁμοῦ καὶ ἐπίστευον, καὶ τὴν κόλασιν ἐδεδοίκεσαν ἔν τε τῷ αἵματι τῶν θυρῶν, ἔν τε τῇ Ἐρυθρᾷ θαλάττῃ; Καὶ τοῦτο ἐδήλου, ὅτι ὕδωρ ἦν, διὰ τῶν ἐμπεσόντων καὶ ἀποπνιγέντων, καὶ ὅτι οὐκ ἦν φαντασία, ἀλλ' ἀλήθεια. Ὥσπερ δὲ ἐπὶ τῶν λεόντων οἱ ἀναλωθέντες ἐδείκνυον τῶν πραγμάτων τὴν ἀλήθειαν, καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς καμίνου οἱ καέντες: οὕτω καὶ νῦν ὁρᾷς τὰ αὐτὰ πράγματα τοῖς μὲν πρὸς σωτηρίας καὶ εὐδοκιμήσεως, τοῖς δὲ πρὸς ἀπωλείας γινόμενα. Τοσοῦτόν ἐστιν ἡ πίστις ἀγαθόν: καὶ γὰρ ὅταν εἰς ἀμηχανίαν ἐμπέσωμεν, τότε ἀπαλλαττόμεθα, κἂν πρὸς αὐτὸν τὸν θάνατον ἔλθωμεν, κἂν ἀπογνωσθῇ τὰ καθ' ἡμᾶς. Τί γὰρ ἄλλο ἦν λοιπόν; Αἰγύπτιοι καὶ θάλασσα αὐτοὺς ἀόπλους ἐκύκλουν, καὶ ἢ ἀποπνιγῆναι ἐχρῆν φεύγοντας, ἢ εἰς τὰς Αἰγυπτιακὰς χεῖρας ἐμπεσεῖν. Ἀλλ' ὅμως ἀπὸ ἀμηχάνων αὐτοὺς διέσωσε: τὸ αὐτὸ ὕδωρ τοῖς μὲν ὑπεστρώννυτο καθάπερ γῆ, τοὺς δὲ κατεπόντιζε καθάπερ θάλαττα: ἐκεῖ μὲν τῆς φύσεως ἐπελανθάνετο, ἐνταῦθα δὲ καὶ ὡπλίζετο κατ' αὐτῶν Πίστει τὰ τείχη Ἱεριχὼ ἔπεσε, κυκλωθέντα ἐπὶ ἑπτὰ ἡμέρας. Οὐ γὰρ δὴ σαλπίγγων ἠχὴ λίθους οἵα τε καταβάλλειν ἐστὶ, κἂν μυρία τις ἔτη σαλπίζῃ, ἀλλ' ἡ πίστις πάντα δύναται. βʹ. Ὁρᾷς πανταχοῦ, οὐχὶ ἀκολουθίᾳ, οὐδὲ φύσεως νόμῳ μεταβαλλομένην αὐτὴν, ἀλλὰ παρὰ προσδοκίαν ἅπαντα γινόμενα; Οὐκοῦν καὶ ἐνταῦθα παρὰ προσδοκίαν ἅπαντα γίνεται. Ἐπειδὴ γὰρ ἄνω καὶ κάτω ἔλεγεν, ὅτι δεῖ πιστεύειν ταῖς ἐλπίσι ταῖς μελλούσαις, εἰκότως τοῦτον ἅπαντα τὸν λόγον ἐκίνησε, δεικνὺς ὅτι οὐ νῦν, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐξ ἀρχῆς πάντα τὰ θαύματα διὰ ταύτης ἤνυσται καὶ κατώρθωται. Πίστει Ῥαὰβ ἡ πόρνη οὐ συναπώλετο τοῖς ἀπειθήσασι, δεξαμένη κατασκόπους μετ' εἰρήνης. Οὐκοῦν αἰσχρὸν, εἰ καὶ πόρνης ἀπιστότεροι φανείητε: καίτοι γε ἐκείνη τῶν ἀνδρῶν ἤκουσεν ἀπαγγελλόντων, καὶ εὐθέως ἐπίστευσε. Τοιγαροῦν καὶ τὸ τέλος ἐπηκολούθησε: πάντων γὰρ ἀπολωλότων, μόνη διεσώθη. Οὐκ εἶπε πρὸς ἑαυτὴν, ὅτι Μετὰ πολλῶν ἔσομαι τῶν ἐμῶν: οὐκ εἶπεν, Ἐγὼ τοσούτων φρονιμωτέρα δύναμαι εἶναι ἀνδρῶν συνετῶν, οἵτινες ἀπιστοῦσι, καὶ ἐγὼ πιστεύσω; Οὐδὲν τοιοῦτον, ὅπερ εἰκὸς ἦν ἄλλον καὶ εἰπεῖν καὶ παθεῖν, ἀλλὰ τοῖς λεγομένοις ἐπίστευσε. Καὶ τί ἔτι λέγω; ἐπιλείψει γάρ με διηγούμενον ὁ χρόνος. Οὐκέτι λοιπὸν τὰ ὀνόματα τίθησιν, ἀλλὰ τελευτήσας εἰς τὴν πόρνην, καὶ ἐντρέψας διὰ τῆς τοῦ προσώπου ποιότητος, οὐκέτι πλατύνει τὰς ἱστορίας, ἵνα μὴ δόξῃ μακρηγορεῖν: οὐ μὴν αὐτὰς ἀφίησιν, ἀλλ' ἐπιτρέχει σφόδρα συνετῶς, τηρῶν ἀμφότερα, καὶ τὸν κόρον φεύγων, καὶ τὴν πυκνότητα οὐ λυμαινόμενος: οὔτε πάντῃ ἐσίγησεν, οὔτε λέγων ἠνώχλησεν, ἀλλ' ἀμφότερα ποιεῖ. Ὅταν γάρ τις ἰσχυρῶς ἀγωνίζηται, ἂν ἐπιμένῃ ἀγωνιζόμενος, ἀποκναίει τὸν ἀκροατὴν, πεπεισμένον λοιπὸν ἐνοχλῶν καὶ φιλοτιμίας λαμβάνων δόξαν: δεῖ γὰρ πρὸς τὸ λυσιτελὲς ἁρμόζεσθαι. Καὶ τί ἔτι λέγω, φησίν; ἐπιλείψει γάρ με διηγούμενον ὁ χρόνος περὶ Γεδεὼν Βαράκ τε καὶ Σαμψὼν καὶ Ἰεφθάε, Δαυΐδ τε, καὶ Σαμουὴλ, καὶ τῶν προφητῶν. Ἐγκαλοῦσι τῷ Παύλῳ τινὲς ὅτι τὸν Βαρὰκ καὶ τὸν Σαμψὼν καὶ τὸν Ἰεφθάε ἐν τούτοις τίθησι τοῖς τόποις. Τί λέγεις; ὁ τὴν πόρνην θεὶς, τούτους οὐ θήσει; Μὴ γάρ μοι τὸν ἄλλον αὐτῶν βίον εἴπῃς, ἀλλ' εἰ μὴ ἐπίστευσαν καὶ ἔλαμψαν ἐν τῇ πίστει. Καὶ τῶν προφητῶν, φησὶν, οἳ διὰ πίστεως κατηγωνίσαντο βασιλείας. Ὁρᾷς ὅτι οὐχὶ βίον ἐνταῦθα αὐτοῖς μαρτυρεῖ λαμπρόν: οὐδὲ γὰρ τοῦτο προηγουμένως ἦν τὸ ζητούμενον: ἀλλὰ πίστεως τέως ἐξέτασις ἦν. Εἰπὲ γάρ μοι εἰ μὴ πίστει τὸ πᾶν ἤνυσαν; Πῶς; Διὰ πίστεως, φησὶ, κατηγωνίσαντο βασιλείας οἱ περὶ τὸν Γεδεών. Εἰργάσαντο δικαιοσύνην. Τίνες; Αὐτοὶ οὗτοι: ἤτοι τὴν φιλανθρωπίαν ἐνταῦθα δικαιοσύνην εἶπεν. Ἐπέτυχον ἐπαγγελιῶν. Περὶ τοῦ Δαυῒδ οἶμαι αὐτὸν τοῦτο λέγειν. Ποίων δὲ τούτων ἔτυχεν ἐπαγγελιῶν; Ὧν ἔλεγεν, ὅτι τὸ σπέρμα αὐτοῦ καθίσει ἐπὶ τὸν θρόνον αὐτοῦ. Ἔφραξαν στόματα λεόντων, ἔσβεσαν δύναμιν πυρὸς, ἔφυγον στόματα μαχαίρας. Ὅρα πῶς ἐν αὐτῷ τῷ θανάτῳ ἦσαν, ὁ Δανιὴλ κυκλούμενος ὑπὸ τῶν λεόντων, οἱ παῖδες οἱ τρεῖς ἐν τῇ καμίνῳ διατρίβοντες, ὁ Ἀβραὰμ, ὁ Ἰσαὰκ, ὁ Ἰακὼβ ἐν διαφόροις πειρασμοῖς, καὶ οὐδὲ οὕτως ἀπέγνωσαν. Τοῦτο γὰρ πίστις: ὅταν τὰ πράγματα πρὸς τὸ ἐναντίον ἐκβαίνῃ, τότε δεῖ πιστεύειν ὅτι οὐδὲν ἐναντίον γέγονεν, ἀλλὰ πάντα ἀκόλουθα. Ἔφυγον στόματα μαχαίρας. Περὶ τῶν τριῶν πάλιν οἶμαι παίδων λέγειν αὐτόν. Ἐνεδυναμώθησαν ἀπὸ ἀσθενείας, ἐγενήθησαν ἰσχυροὶ ἐν πολέμῳ, παρεμβολὰς ἔκλιναν ἀλλοτρίων. Τὰ κατὰ τὴν ἐπάνοδον τὴν ἀπὸ Βαβυλῶνος ἐνταῦθα αἰνίττεται. Ἀπὸ ἀσθενείας, φησί: τουτέστιν, ἀπὸ αἰχμαλωσίας. Ὅτε ἤδη ἀπέγνωστο τὰ Ἰουδαϊκὰ, ὅτε ὀστῶν νεκρῶν οὐδὲν διενηνόχεσαν, τότε αὐτοῖς γέγονε τὰ τῆς ἐπανόδου. Τίς γὰρ ἂν ἤλπισεν ἀπὸ Βαβυλῶνος ἐπανήκειν αὐτοὺς, καὶ οὐκ ἐπανήκειν μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἰσχυροὺς γενήσεσθαι, καὶ κλῖναι παρεμβολὰς ἀλλοτρίων; Ἀλλ' ἡμῖν οὐδὲν τοιοῦτον συνέβη, φησίν. Ἀλλὰ ταῦτα τύποι τῶν μελλόντων εἰσίν. Ἔλαβον γυναῖκες ἐξ ἀναστάσεως τοὺς νεκροὺς αὐτῶν. Τὰ κατὰ τοὺς προφήτας ἐνταῦθα λέγει, τὸν Ἐλισσαῖον, τὸν Ἠλίαν: νεκροὺς γὰρ ἀνέστησαν οὗτοι. Ἄλλοι δὲ ἐτυμπανίσθησαν, οὐ προσδεξάμενοι τὴν ἀπολύτρωσιν, ἵνα κρείττονος ἀναστάσεως τύχωσιν. Ἀλλ' οὐχ ἡμεῖς ἀναστάσεως ἐτύχομεν. Ἀλλ' ἔχω δεῖξαι καὶ ἐκείνους, φησὶν, ἀποτμηθέντας, καὶ μὴ δεξαμένους, ἵνα κρείττονος ἀναστάσεως τύχωσι. Διὰ τί γὰρ, εἰπέ μοι, παρὸν ζῆσαι, οὐκ ἠβουλήθησαν; οὐκ ἄρα ὅτι κρείττονα προσεδόκων ζωήν; Καὶ οἱ τοὺς ἄλλους ἀναστήσαντες, αὐτοὶ εἵλοντο ἀποθανεῖν, ὥστε κρείττονος ἀναστάσεως τυχεῖν, οὐ τοιαύτης, οἵας τὰ παιδία τῶν γυναικῶν. Ἐνταῦθά μοι δοκεῖ καὶ τὸν Ἰωάννην αἰνίττεσθαι, καὶ τὸν Ἰάκωβον: ἀποτυμπανισμὸς γὰρ λέγεται ὁ ἀποκεφαλισμός. Ἐξῆν αὐτοῖς ὁρᾷν τὸν ἥλιον, ἐξῆν αὐτοῖς μὴ ἐλέγξαι, καὶ ὅμως εἵλοντο ἀποθανεῖν, καὶ οἱ ἀναστήσαντες ἄλλους, αὐτοὶ εἵλοντο ἀποθανεῖν ἵνα κρείττονος ἀναστάσεως τύχωσιν. Ἕτεροι δὲ ἐμπαιγμῶν καὶ μαστίγων πεῖραν ἔλαβον, ἔτι δὲ δεσμῶν καὶ φυλακῆς, ἐλιθάσθησαν, ἐπρίσθησαν, ἐπειράσθησαν. γʹ. Ἐν τούτοις τελευτᾷ, ἐν τοῖς οἰκειοτέροις. Μάλιστα γὰρ ταῦτα φέρει τὴν παράκλησιν, ὅταν τῆς αὐτῆς ὑποθέσεως ἡ λύπη ᾖ: ἐπεὶ κἂν σφοδρότερον εἴπῃς, μὴ ᾖ δὲ ἐκ τῆς αὐτῆς ὑποθέσεως τεχθεῖσα, οὐδὲν ἐποίησας. Διὰ τοῦτο εἰς τοῦτο τὸν λόγον συνέκλεισε, δεσμὰ λέγων, φυλακὰς, μάστιγας, λιθασμοὺς, τὰ κατὰ τὸν Στέφανον, τὰ κατὰ τὸν Ζαχαρίαν αἰνιττόμενος: διὸ ἐπήγαγεν, Ἐν φόνῳ μαχαίρας ἀπέθανον. Τί λέγεις; οἱ μὲν ἔφυγον στόματα μαχαίρας, οἱ δὲ ἐν φόνῳ μαχαίρας ἀπέθανον; τί ἐστι τοῦτο; ποῖον ἐπαινεῖς, ποῖον θαυμάζεις; τοῦτο, ἢ ἐκεῖνο; Ναὶ, φησὶ, καὶ τοῦτο κἀκεῖνο: τοῦτο μὲν, ὅτι ὑμῖν οἰκεῖον, ἐκεῖνο δὲ, ὅτι καὶ πρὸς αὐτὴν τὴν τελευτὴν ἴσχυσεν ἡ πίστις, καὶ τύπος τῶν μελλόντων ἐστί. Δύο γάρ ἐστι τὰ θαύματα τῆς πίστεως, ὅτι καὶ ἀνύει μεγάλα, καὶ πάσχει μεγάλα, καὶ ὅτι οὐδὲν ἡγεῖται πάσχειν. Καὶ οὐκ ἔχεις εἰπεῖν, φησὶν, ὅτι ἁρματωλοί τινες ἦσαν καὶ οὐδαμινοί: κἂν γὰρ τὸν κόσμον ἀντιστήσῃς ὅλον, ἐκείνους εὑρίσκω καθέλκοντας τὸν ζυγὸν, καὶ τιμιωτέρους ὄντας. Διὰ τοῦτο καὶ οὕτως εἶπεν Ὧν οὐκ ἦν ἄξιος ὁ κόσμος. Τί τοίνυν ἔμελλον ἐνταῦθα ἀπολαμβάνειν, ὧν οὐδὲν τῶν ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ ἦν ἄξιον; Ἐνταῦθα αὐτῶν διανίστησι τὴν διάνοιαν, παιδεύων μὴ προσηλοῦσθαι τοῖς παροῦσιν, ἀλλὰ πάντων μείζω φρονεῖν τῶν ἐν τῷ παρόντι βίῳ, εἴ γε ὁ πᾶς κόσμος οὐκ ἔστιν αὐτῶν ἄξιος. Τί τοίνυν βούλει ἐνταῦθα λαβεῖν; ὕβρις γάρ ἐστιν, ἐὰν ἐνταῦθα λάβῃς τὸν μισθόν. Μὴ τοίνυν κοσμικὰ φρονῶμεν, μηδὲ ἐνταῦθα ζητῶμεν τὴν ἀνταπόδοσιν, μηδὲ οὕτως ὦμεν πένητες: εἰ γὰρ ὁ πᾶς κόσμος οὐκ ἄξιος αὐτῶν, τί τὸ μέρος ἐπιζητεῖς; Καὶ εἰκότως: φίλοι γάρ εἰσι τοῦ Θεοῦ. Κόσμον δὲ ἐνταῦθα ἄρα τὸ πλῆθός φησιν, ἢ τὴν κτίσιν αὐτήν: ἀμφότερα γὰρ οἶδε λέγειν ἡ Γραφή. Εἰ πᾶσα ἡ κτίσις μετὰ τῶν ἀνθρώπων, φησὶ, στῇ τῶν αὐτῆς, οὐδέπω ἀντάξιοι φανοῦνται τούτων: καὶ εἰκότως. Ὥσπερ γὰρ μυρίοι σταθμοὶ ἀχύρου καὶ χόρτου δέκα μαργαριτῶν οὐκ ἂν εἶεν ἀντάξιοι: οὕτως οὐδὲ ἐκεῖνοι: Κρείσσων γὰρ εἷς ποιῶν θέλημα Κυρίου, ἢ μυρίοι παράνομοι: μυρίους οὐχὶ τοὺς πολλοὺς λέγει, ἀλλὰ τὸ πλῆθος τὸ ἄπειρον. Ἐννόησον ὅσον ἐστὶν ὁ δίκαιος. Εἶπεν Ἰησοῦς ὁ τοῦ Ναυῆ: Στήτω ὁ ἥλιος κατὰ Γαβαὼν, καὶ ἡ σελήνη κατὰ φάραγγα Ἐλὼμ, καὶ ἐγένετο. Ἡκέτω τοίνυν πᾶσα ἡ οἰκουμένη, μᾶλλον δὲ δύο, καὶ τρεῖς, καὶ τέσσαρες, καὶ δέκα, καὶ εἴκοσιν οἰκουμέναι, καὶ λεγέτωσαν, καὶ ποιείτωσαν τοῦτο: ἀλλὰ οὐ δυνήσονται. Ὁ δὲ τοῦ Θεοῦ φίλος τοῖς τοῦ φίλου κτίσμασιν ἐπέταττε, μᾶλλον δὲ τὸν φίλον παρεκάλει, καὶ εἶκε τὰ δοῦλα, καὶ ὁ κάτω τοῖς ἄνω προσέταττεν. Ὁρᾷς ὅτι εἰς δουλείαν ταῦτα γέγονε, τὸν δρόμον τὸν διατεταγμένον πληροῦντα; Τοῦτο τῶν Μωϋσέως μεῖζον. Τί δήποτε; Οὐ γάρ ἐστιν ἴσον θαλάττῃ ἐπιτάξαι, καὶ τοῖς κατ' οὐρανόν: μέγα μὲν γὰρ κἀκεῖνο, καὶ σφόδρα μέγα, πλὴν ἀλλ' οὐδὲν ἴσον. Ἄκουε δὲ καὶ πόθεν τοιοῦτος γέγονε. Τί δήποτε; Τύπος ἦν τοῦ Χριστοῦ τὸ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ ὄνομα. Διὰ τοῦτο τοίνυν, ἐπεὶ τὴν τοιαύτην κλῆσιν ἔσχεν ἐν τύπῳ, ἣν Ἰησοῦς, αὐτὴν τὴν προσηγορίαν ᾐδέσθη ἡ κτίσις. Τί οὖν; ἄλλος οὐκ ἐκλήθη Ἰησοῦς; Ἀλλ' οὗτος ἐπὶ τούτῳ ἐκλήθη ἐν τύπῳ: καὶ γὰρ καὶ Αὐσῆς ἐλέγετο: διὰ τοῦτο μετεβλήθη τὸ ὄνομα: πρόῤῥησις γὰρ ἦν καὶ προφητεία. Οὗτος εἰσήγαγε τὸν λαὸν εἰς τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν, ὥσπερ ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν, οὐχ ὁ νόμος, ὥσπερ οὐδὲ ὁ Μωϋσῆς, ἀλλ' ἔξω ἔμενεν: οὐκ ἰσχύει νόμος εἰσαγαγεῖν, ἀλλ' ἡ χάρις. Ὁρᾷς τοὺς τύπους ἄνωθεν προδιαγραφομένους; Ἐπέταξε τῇ κτίσει, μᾶλλον δὲ τῷ κυρίῳ τῆς κτίσεως μέρει, αὐτῇ τῇ κεφαλῇ κάτω ἑστώς: ἵνα, ὅταν ἴδῃς ἐν ἀνθρώπου σχήματι τὸν Ἰησοῦν τὰ αὐτὰ λέγοντα, μὴ θορυβηθῇς μηδὲ ξενισθῇς. Αὐτὸς, καὶ Μωϋσέως ζῶντος, ἐτροπώσατο τοὺς πολεμίους: οὗτος, καὶ τοῦ νόμου ζῶντος, τὰ πάντα διοικεῖ, ἀλλ' οὐ φανερῶς. Πλὴν ἴδωμεν ὅση ἡ ἀρετὴ τῶν ἁγίων. δʹ. Εἰ ἐνταῦθα τοιαῦτα ἐργάζονται, εἰ ἐνταῦθα τοιαῦτα ποιοῦσιν, ἅπερ οἱ ἄγγελοι, τί ἄρα ἐκεῖ; πόσην ἔχουσι τὴν λαμπρότητα; Τάχα τις ὑμῶν ἕκαστος ἐβούλετο εἶναι τοιοῦτος, ὥστε δύνασθαι ἐπιτάττειν τῷ ἡλίῳ καὶ τῇ σελήνῃ. Ἐνταῦθα οἱ λέγοντες τὸν οὐρανὸν σφαῖραν εἶναι, πρὸς τοῦτο τί ἂν εἴποιεν; Διὰ τί γὰρ μὴ εἶπε, Στήτω ὁ ἥλιος, ἀλλὰ προσέθηκε, Στήτω ὁ ἥλιος κατὰ Γαβαὼν, καὶ ἡ σελήνη κατὰ φάραγγα Ἐλώμ; Τουτέστι, Μείζονα τὴν ἡμέραν ἐργασάσθω. Τοῦτο καὶ ἐπὶ τοῦ Ἐζεκίου γέγονεν: ἀνεπόδισε γὰρ ὁ ἥλιος. Ἀλλὰ τοῦτο ἐκείνου θαυμαστότερον, τὸ τὴν ἐναντίαν ἐλθεῖν πάλιν ὁδὸν, μήπω περιελθόντα τὸν δρόμον. Ἀλλὰ τούτων ἡμεῖς μείζονα ἐπιτευξόμεθα, ἐὰν ἐθέλωμεν. Τίνα γὰρ ἡμῖν ἐπηγγείλατο ὁ Χριστός; Οὐχὶ ἥλιον στήσειν, οὐδὲ σελήνην, οὐδὲ ἀναποδισμὸν ἡλίου, ἀλλὰ τί; Ἐλευσόμεθα πρὸς αὐτὸν ἐγὼ καὶ ὁ Πατὴρ, φησὶ, καὶ μονὴν παρ' αὐτῷ ποιήσομεν. Τί μοι δεῖ ἡλίου καὶ σελήνης, καὶ τῶν θαυμάτων τούτων, αὐτοῦ τοῦ Δεσπότου πάντων παρ' ἐμοὶ καταγομένου καὶ ἐνιδρυμένου: οὐ δεῖ μοι τούτου. Τί γὰρ δεῖ μοί τινος τούτων; αὐτὸς ἔσται μοι εἰς ἥλιον καὶ σελήνην καὶ εἰς φῶς. Εἰπὲ γάρ μοι, τί ἐβούλου, εἰς βασίλεια εἰσελθὼν, δυνηθῆναί τι τῶν πεπηγότων μεταῤῥυθμίσαι, ἢ τὸν βασιλέα οὕτως οἰκειώσασθαι, ὡς πεῖσαι πρὸς σὲ καταχθῆναι; οὐ πολλῷ μᾶλλον τοῦτο, ἢ ἐκεῖνο; Τί δαί; οὐ θαυμαστὸν, εἴπερ ἄνθρωπος ἐπιτάττει ταῦτα ἃ καὶ ὁ Χριστός; Ἀλλ' ὁ Χριστὸς, φησὶν, οὐ δεῖται τοῦ Πατρὸς, ἀλλ' αὐθεντικῶς ποιεῖ. Καλῶς: οὐκοῦν ὁμολόγησον πρῶτον καὶ εἰπὲ, ὅτι οὐ δεῖται τοῦ Πατρὸς, καὶ αὐθεντικῶς ποιεῖ: καὶ τότε σε ἐρήσομαι πάλιν, μᾶλλον δὲ διδάξω περὶ τῆς εὐχῆς ἧς ποιεῖται, ὅτι συγκαταβάσεως καὶ οἰκονομίας ἦν (οὐ γὰρ δὴ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ τοῦ Ναυῆ ἐλάττων ἦν ὁ Χριστὸς), καὶ τοῦ δύνασθαι διδάσκειν ἡμᾶς χωρὶς εὐχῆς. Ὥσπερ γὰρ διδασκάλου ἀκούων ψελλίζοντος καὶ τὰ στοιχεῖα καταλέγοντος, οὐ φὴς αὐτὸν ἀγνοεῖν, καὶ ὅταν ἐρωτᾷ, ποῦ ἐστι τόδε τὸ στοιχεῖον, οἶδας ὅτι οὐκ ἀγνοῶν ἐρωτᾷ, ἀλλὰ τὸν μαθητευόμενον θέλων ἐναγαγεῖν: οὕτω καὶ ὁ Χριστὸς οὐ δεόμενος εὐχῆς ἐποιεῖτο τὴν εὐχὴν, ἀλλὰ σὲ θέλων ἐναγαγεῖν, ἵνα συνεχῶς προσέχῃς τῇ εὐχῇ, ἵνα ἀδιαλείπτως, ἵνα νηφόντως, καὶ μετὰ πολλῆς τῆς ἀγρυπνίας ταύτην ποιῇς. Ἀγρυπνεῖν δὲ οὐ τὸ νυκτὸς ἐγείρεσθαι λέγω μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ τὸ ἐν ἡμέρᾳ νήφειν ἐν ταῖς προσευχαῖς: ἄγρυπνος γὰρ καλεῖται ὁ τοιοῦτος. Ἐπεὶ ἔστι καὶ νυκτὸς εὐχόμενον καθεύδειν, καὶ ἐν ἡμέρᾳ μὴ εὐχόμενον ἀγρυπνεῖν, ὅταν ἡ ψυχὴ τεταμένη ᾖ πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν, ὅταν ἐννοῇ τίνι διαλέγεται, πρὸς τίνα ὁ λόγος αὐτῇ, ὅταν λάβῃ ἐν νῷ ὅτι ἄγγελοι παρεστήκασι μετὰ τρόμου καὶ φόβου, αὐτὸς δὲ προσίῃ χασμώμενος καὶ κνώμενος. Μέγα ὅπλον εὐχὴ, ἐὰν μετὰ τῆς προσηκούσης γίνηται διανοίας. Καὶ ἵνα μάθῃς αὐτῆς τὴν ἰσχὺν, σκόπει ἐντεῦθεν: Ἀναισχυντίας καὶ ἀδικίας καὶ ὠμότητος καὶ ἰταμότητος ἐκράτησεν ἡ συνεχὴς ἔντευξις: Ἀκούσατε γὰρ, φησὶ, τί ὁ κριτὴς λέγει τῆς ἀδικίας. Καὶ ὄκνου πάλιν ἐκράτησε: καὶ ὅπερ οὐκ ἐποίησε φιλία, τοῦτο ἐποίησεν ἔντευξις συνεχής: Καὶ εἰ μὴ διὰ τὸ φίλον αὐτοῦ εἶναι, φησὶ, δώσει αὐτῷ, ἀλλά γε διὰ τὴν ἀναίδειαν αὐτοῦ ἀναστὰς δώσει αὐτῷ. Καὶ ἀναξίαν οὖσαν ἀξίαν ἐποίησεν ἡ συνεχὴς προσεδρεία: Οὐκ ἔστι, φησι, καλὸν λαβεῖν τὸν ἄρτον τῶν τέκνων, καὶ βαλεῖν τοῖς κυναρίοις. Ἡ δὲ, Ναὶ, φησὶ, Κύριε: καὶ γὰρ τὰ κυνάρια ἐσθίει ἀπὸ τῆς τραπέζης τῶν κυρίων αὑτῶν. εʹ. Προσέχωμεν τοίνυν τῇ εὐχῇ: μέγα ὅπλον ἐστὶν ἐὰν μετὰ ἐκτενείας γίνηται, ἐὰν χωρὶς κενοδοξίας, ἐὰν μετὰ ψυχῆς εἰλικρινοῦς. Αὕτη πολεμίους ἐτροπώσατο, αὕτη ἔθνος ὁλόκληρον καὶ ἀνάξιον εὐηργέτησεν. Ἤκουσα, φησὶ, τοῦ στεναγμοῦ αὐτῶν, καὶ κατέβην τοῦ ἐξελέσθαι αὐτούς: αὕτη φάρμακόν ἐστι σωτήριον, καὶ κωλυτικὸν τῶν ἁμαρτημάτων, καὶ ἰατρεῖον τῶν πλημμελημάτων: ταύτῃ καὶ ἡ χήρα ἡ μεμονωμένη προσήδρευεν. Ἐὰν οὖν μετὰ ταπεινοφροσύνης εὐχώμεθα, ἐὰν τὸ στῆθος πλήττοντες ὡς ὁ τελώνης, ἐὰν ἐκεῖνα φθεγγώμεθα ἅπερ ἐκεῖνος, ἐὰν λέγωμεν, Ἱλάσθητί μοι τῷ ἁμαρτωλῷ, πάντων ἐπιτευξόμεθα. Εἰ γὰρ καὶ μὴ τελῶναί ἐσμεν, ἀλλ' ἕτερα ἔχομεν ἐκείνου οὐχ ἥττονα ἁμαρτήματα. Μὴ γάρ μοι εἴπῃς, ὅτι ἐν μικρῷ τινι διήμαρτες: τὴν γὰρ αὐτὴν ἔχει τὸ πρᾶγμα φύσιν. Καθάπερ γὰρ ὁμοίως ἀνδροφόνος λέγεται, ὅ τε παῖδα ἀνελὼν, ὅ τε ἄνδρα: οὕτω καὶ πλεονέκτης, καὶ ὁ πολλὰ καὶ ὁ μικρὰ πλεονεκτῶν. Καὶ ἡ μνησικακία δὲ οὐ μικρὸν, ἀλλὰ καὶ μέγα ἁμάρτημα: Μνησικάκων γὰρ, φησὶν, ὁδοὶ εἰς θάνατον: καί: Ὁ ὀργιζόμενος εἰκῆ τῷ ἀδελφῷ αὑτοῦ, ἔνοχος ἔσται τῇ γεέννῃ: καὶ ὁ καλῶν τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὑτοῦ μωρὸν καὶ ἀνόητον, καὶ ὅσα τοιαῦτα. Μεταλαμβάνομεν δὲ καὶ τῶν φρικτῶν μυστηρίων ἀναξίως, καὶ φθονοῦμεν καὶ λοιδοροῦμεν: τινὲς δὲ ἡμῶν καὶ ἐμεθύσθησαν πολλάκις. Τούτων δὲ ἕκαστον καὶ αὐτὸ καθ' ἑαυτὸ ἱκανὸν ἐκβαλεῖν τῆς βασιλείας: ὅταν δὲ καὶ ὁμοῦ συμφέρηται, τίνα ἕξομεν ἀπολογίαν; Πολλῆς ἡμῖν δεῖ τῆς μετανοίας, ἀγαπητοὶ, πολλῆς τῆς εὐχῆς, πολλῆς τῆς καρτερίας, πολλῆς τῆς προσεδρείας, ἵνα δυνηθῶμεν ἐπιτυχεῖν τῶν ἐπηγγελμένων ἡμῖν ἀγαθῶν. Εἴπωμεν οὖν καὶ ἡμεῖς: Ἱλάσθητί μοι τῷ ἁμαρτωλῷ: μᾶλλον δὲ μὴ εἴπωμεν μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ οὕτω φρονῶμεν: κἂν ἕτερός τις ἡμᾶς ἐγκαλέσῃ, μὴ ὀργιζώμεθα. Ἤκουσεν ἐκεῖνος, ὅτι Οὐκ εἰμὶ ὡς οὗτος ὁ τελώνης, καὶ οὐ παρωξύνθη, ἀλλὰ κατενύγη: ἐδέξατο τὸ νῖκος, καὶ ἀπέθετο τὸ ὄνειδος. Εἶπεν ἐκεῖνος τὸ τραῦμα, ἐζήτησεν οὗτος τὸ φάρμακον. Λέγωμεν τοίνυν: Ἱλάσθητί μοι τῷ ἁμαρτωλῷ: πλὴν κἂν ἕτερος εἴπῃ, μὴ ἀγανακτῶμεν. Ἐὰν δὲ αὐτοὶ μὲν λέγωμεν μυρία ἑαυτοὺς κακὰ, παρ' ἑτέρων δὲ ἀκούοντες δυσχεραίνωμεν, οὐκέτι τοῦτο ταπεινοφροσύνη ἐστὶν οὐδὲ ἐξομολόγησις, ἀλλ' ἐπίδειξις καὶ κενοδοξία. Ἐπίδειξίς ἐστι, φησὶν, ἑαυτὸν ἁμαρτωλὸν καλεῖν; Ναί: ταπεινοφροσύνης γὰρ λαμβάνομεν δόξαν, θαυμαζόμεθα, ἐγκωμιαζόμεθα: ἐὰν δὲ τοὐναντίον εἴπωμεν ἑαυτοὺς, καταφρονούμεθα. Ὥστε καὶ τοῦτο δόξης ἕνεκεν ποιοῦμεν. Τί δέ ἐστι ταπεινοφροσύνη; Τὸ ἑτέρου ὀνειδίζοντος φέρειν, τὸ ἐπιγινώσκειν τὸ ἁμάρτημα, τὸ φέρειν τὰς κακηγορίας. Καὶ οὐδὲ τοῦτο ταπεινοφροσύνης ἂν εἴη, ἀλλ' εὐγνωμοσύνης. Νῦν δὲ ἑαυτοὺς μὲν λέγομεν ἁμαρτωλοὺς, ἀναξίους, μυρία ὅσα: ἂν δὲ ἕτερός τις ἡμῖν ἓν τούτων προσενέγκῃ, χαλεπαίνομεν, ἀγριαινόμεθα. Ὁρᾷς ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν ἐξομολόγησις, οὐδὲ εὐγνωμοσύνη; Εἶπες σαυτὸν εἶναι τοιοῦτον: μὴ ἀγανάκτει καὶ παρ' ἑτέρων ἀκούων, καὶ ἐλεγχόμενος: οὕτω σοι τὰ ἁμαρτήματα κουφίζεται, ὅταν ἕτεροι ὀνειδίζωσιν: ἑαυτοῖς μὲν γὰρ βάρος ἐπιτιθέασι, σὲ δὲ εἰς φιλοσοφίαν ἐνάγουσιν. Ἄκουε τί φησιν ὁ μακάριος Δαυῒδ, ἡνίκα κατηρᾶτο αὐτῷ ὁ Σεμεεί. Ἄφες αὐτὸν, φησίν: ὁ Κύριος ἐνετείλατο αὐτῷ, ὅπως ἴδῃ τὴν ταπείνωσίν μου: καὶ ἀνταποδώσει μοι Κύριος ἀγαθὰ ἀντὶ τῆς κατάρας αὐτοῦ τῆς ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ταύτῃ. Σὺ δὲ περὶ σαυτοῦ λέγων καὶ ὑπερβολὴν κακῶν, ἐὰν μὴ τὰ τῶν μεγάλων δικαίων ἐγκώμια παρ' ἑτέρων ἀκούῃς, ἀγριαίνεις. Ὁρᾷς ὅτι παίζεις ἐν οὐ παικτοῖς πράγμασι; καὶ γὰρ τοὺς ἐπαίνους ἐπαίνων ἑτέρων ἐπιθυμίᾳ διακρουόμεθα, ἵνα μειζόνων πάλιν τύχωμεν ἐγκωμίων, ἵνα μᾶλλον θαυμασθῶμεν. Ὥστε, οὐ προσιέμενοι τὰ ἐγκώμια, ἵνα αὐξήσωμεν αὐτὰ, τοῦτο ποιοῦμεν: καὶ πάντα πρὸς δόξαν ἡμῖν γίνεται, οὐ πρὸς ἀλήθειαν. Διὰ τοῦτο πάντα κενὰ, πάντα ἄπορα. Διὸ παρακαλῶ νῦν γοῦν ἀποστῆναι τῆς μητρὸς τῶν κακῶν, τῆς κενοδοξίας, καὶ ζῆσαι κατὰ τὸ τῷ Θεῷ δοκοῦν: ὥστε καὶ τῶν μελλόντων ἐπιτυχεῖν ἀγαθῶν, ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ τῷ Κυρίῳ ἡμῶν.