CHAPTER III Great ability to speak is required of a priest
CHAPTER III
Great ability to speak is required of a priest
392. Know you not that this body (the Church) is subject to even more diseases and attacks than our body of flesh, becomes more rapidly corrupt, and is more slowly healed?
393. For they who heal men’s bodies have invented divers remedies, a varied apparatus of instruments, and diet adapted to the sick; while the condition of the atmosphere alone is often sufficient for the restoration of an invalid; and there are cases in which an opportune falling asleep has freed the physician from all trouble.
394. But here, none of these things are to be thought of. After works (or example) there is vouchsafed but one plan and method of cure,—verbal instruction: this is the instrument, this is the diet, this is the most genial climate: this stands for physic, for cautery, and for the knife. If there must be cautery and incision, one must perforce use this. If this avail not, everything else goes for nothing. By this we arouse the dejected soul, and reduce the inflamed, and amputate excrescences, and supply defects, and do all that contributes to the health of the soul.
395. The life of another man may indeed produce an equal zeal for the best regulation of life; but when the soul is sick through spurious doctrines, there is in this case much need of discourse, not only for security at home, but against external conflicts.
396. For if any one should have such a sword of the Spirit and shield of faith that he could work wonders, and by miracles stop the mouths of the shameless, he would require no help from discourse; or rather not even then would it be useless, but even very needful.
397. For the blessed Paul also employed it, although wondered at everywhere for his miracles. And another of the same company, exhorts us to be mindful of this influence; saying: “Be ready to give an answer to every man who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you.” And all together at that time entrusted to those who accompanied Stephen, the management of the widows, for no other reason, than that they themselves might have leisure for the ministry of the word.
398. Nevertheless, we should not so greatly require it, if we had the power of miracles. But if no trace of this power remains, and many enemies constantly assail us on every side, it remains that we must fortify ourselves with this, that we may not be smitten by the arrows of the enemies, and that we may smite them.
399. Wherefore we must be greatly concerned, that the word of Christ may dwell in us richly.