is, in what spaces of time, that he might not 4x Thess, ii. 9; 2 Thess. 1ii. 8. 5 Rom. xv. 19.
OF THE WORK OF MONKS. 511 ce say, "'If it was bodily work that the Apostle wrought, whereby to sustain this life, what was that same work, and when did he find time for it, both to work and to preach the Gospel?'' To whom I answer: Suppose I do not know; nevertheless that he did bodily work, and thereby lived in the flesh, and did not use the power which the Lord had given to the Apostles, that preaching the Gospel he should live by the Gospel, those things above-said do without all doubt bear witness. For it is not either in one place or briefly said, that it should be possible for any most astute arguer with all his tergiversation to traduce and pervert it to another meaning. Since then so great an authority, with' so mighty and so frequent blows mauling the gainsayers, doth break in pieces their concan make out? Though, truly, that he wrought at hours of both day and night himself hath not left untold.4 Yet these men truly, who as though very full of business and occupation inquire about the time of working, what do they? Have they from Jerusalem round about even to IIlyricum filled the lands with the Gospel ?5 or whatever of barbarian nations hath remained yet to be gone unto, and to be filled of the peace of the Church, have they undertaken? We know them into a certain holy society most leisurely gathered together. A marvellous thing did the Apostle, that in very deed amid his so great care of all the Churches, both planted and to be planted, to his care and labor appertaining, he did also with his hands work: yet on that account, when he was with the Corinthians, and wanted, was burdensome to no man of those among whom he was, but altogether that which was lacking to him the brethren which came from Macedonia suptrariness, why ask they of me either what sort of work he did, or when he did it? One thing I know, that he neither did steal, nor was a housebreaker or highwayman, nor chariotdriver or hunter or player, nor given to filthy lucre: but innocently and honestly wrought things which are fitted for the uses of men; such as are the works of carpenters, builders, shoemakers, peasants, and such like, For honesty itself reprehends not what their pride doth reprehend, who love to be called, but plied.°®
16. For he himself also, with an eye to the like necessities of saints, who, although they obey his precepts, 'that with silence they work and eat their own bread," may yet from many causes stand in need of somewhat by way of supplement to the like sustenance, therefore, after he had thus said, teaching and premonishing, *' Now them which are such we command and beseech in our Lord Jesus Christ, that with silence they work and eat their own bread;''" yet, lest they which had whereof they might supply the needs of the servants of God, should hence take occasion to wax lazy, providing against this he hath straightway added, '' But ye, brethren, become not weak in showing beneficence.'' And when he was writing to Titus, saying, love not to be, honest. The Apostle then would not disdain either to take in hand any work of peasants, or to be employed in the labor of craftsmen. For he who saith, '' Be ye without offense to Jews and to Greeks and to the Church of God,''? before what men he could possibly stand abashed, I know not. If they shall say, the Jews; the Patriarchs fed cattle: if the Greeks, whom we call also Pagans; they have had philosophers, held in high honor, who were shoemakers: if the Church of God; that just man, elect to the testimony of a conjugal and ever-during virginity, to whom was betrothed the Virgin Mary who bore Christ, was a carpenter.? Whatever therefore of these with innocence and without fraud men do work, is good.
Zenas the lawyer and Apollos do thou diligently send forward, that nothing may be wanting to them;''° that he might show from what quarter nothing ought to be wanting to them, he straightway subjoined, '* But let ours also learn to maintain good works" for necessary use, that they be not unfruitful.'' In the case of Timothy also," whom he calls his own most true * son, because he knew him weak of body, (as he shows, in advising him not to drink water, but to use a little wine for his stomach's sake and his often infirmities, ) lest then haply, because in bodily work he could not labor, he being unwilling to stand in need of daily food at their hands, unto
For the Apostle himself takes precaution of this, that no man through necessity of sustaining life should turn aside to evil works.
him that stole,'' saith he, "'steal no more; but rather let him labor good with his hands, that he may have to impart to him that needeth.''3 This then is enough to know, that also in the very work of the body the Apostle did work that which is good.
15. But when he might use to work, that is, in what spaces of time, that he might not be hindered from preaching the Gospel, who
4x Thess, ii. 9; 2 Thess. 1ii. 8. 5 Rom. xv. 19. 6 2 Cor. xi. 9. 72 Thess, iii. 12, 13. 8 Infirmari benefacientes. 9 Tit. iii. 13, 14. : 10 Bonts operibus praeesse, kadav épywv mpoiatagba. E. V. in margin, '' profess honest trades."
117 Tim, i. 2. 12* Cermanissimum." 1 Tim, v. 23.
3 Eph. iv. 28. tx Cor. x. 32. 2 Matt. xiii. 55.