And When He Again Bringeth In The First-Begotten Into The World, He Saith, And Let All The Angels Of God Worship Him. An
HOMILY III
HEB. 1:6–8.
AND WHEN HE AGAIN BRINGETH IN THE FIRST-BEGOTTEN INTO THE WORLD, HE SAITH, AND LET ALL THE ANGELS OF GOD WORSHIP HIM. AND OF THE ANGELS HE SAITH, WHO MAKETH HIS ANGELS SPIRITS, AND HIS MINISTERS A FLAME OF FIRE. BUT UNTO THE SON HE SAITH. THY THRONE, O GOD, IS FOR EVER AND EVER.
[1.] OUR Lord Jesus Christ calls His coming in the flesh, an [exodus or] going out: as for instance when He saith, The sower went out to sow. And again, I went out from the Father, and am come. And in many places one may see this. But Paul calls it an [eisodus or] coming in, saying, And when again He bringeth in the First-Begotten into the world, meaning by this Bringing in, His taking on Him our flesh.
Now why have they ordered their expressions thus? The things signified [thereby] are manifest, and in what respect it is [thus] said. For Christ on His part calls it a Going out, and justly; for we were out from God. For just as in royal palaces, prisoners and those who have offended the king, stand without, and he who desires to reconcile them, does not bring them in, but himself going out discourses with them, until having made them meet for the king’s presence, he may bring them in, so also Christ hath done. Having come out to us, that is, having taken flesh, and having discoursed to us of the King’s messages, so He brought us in, having cleansed us from our sins, and reconciled us. For this cause he calls it a Going out.
But Paul names it a Coming in, from the metaphor of those who come to an inheritance and receive any portion or possession. For his saying, but when again He bringeth in the First-Begotten into the world, means this, ‘when he putteth the world into His hand.’ For He then obtained possession of the whole thereof, when also He was made known. He saith not these things concerning God The Word, but concerning that which is according to the flesh. For if according to John, He was in the world, and the world was made by Him: how is He brought in, otherwise than in the flesh?
And, saith he, let all the angels of God worship Him. Whereas he is about to say something great and lofty, he prepares it beforehand, and makes it acceptable, in that he represents the Father as bringing in the Son. He had said above, that He spake to us not by prophets but by His Son; that the Son is superior to angels; yea and he establishes this from the name [SON]. And here, in what follows, from another fact also. What then may this be? From worship. And he shews how much greater He is, as much as is a Master than a slave; just as any person introducing another into a house straightway commands those who have the care thereof to do him reverence; [so] saying in regard to that which is after the Flesh, And let all the Angels of God worship Him.
Is it then Angels only? No; for hear what follows next: And of His Angels He saith, Which maketh His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire: but of the Son, Thy Throne, O God, is for ever and ever.
Behold, the very greatest difference! that they are created, but He uncreated. While of His angels He saith, Who maketh; wherefore of the Son did he not say “Who maketh?”
And if you mark it, he might have expressed the difference as follows: Of His Angels He saith, Who maketh His Angels Spirits, but of the Son, ‘The Lord created Me:’ ‘God hath made Him Lord and Christ.’ But neither was that first word spoken concerning the Son, nor this latter concerning God The Word, but concerning that which is after the flesh. For when he desired to express the true difference, he no longer included angels only, but the whole ministering power which is above. Seest thou how he distinguishes, and with how great clearness, between creatures and Creator, ministers and Lord, the Heir and true Son, and slaves?
[2.] But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever. Behold a symbol of Regal Dominion. A sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of Thy kingdom. Behold again another symbol of Royalty.
Then again with respect to His human nature (ver. 9) Thou hast loved righteousness and hated unrighteousness, wherefore God, even Thy God, hath anointed Thee.
What is, Thy God? Why, after that he hath uttered a great word, he again qualifieth it. Here both Jews, and the followers of Paul of Samosata, and the Arians, and Marcellus, and Sabellius, and Marcion receive a blow from him. How? The Jews, by his indicating two Persons and God and Man; the other Jews, I mean the followers of Paul of Samosata, by thus discoursing concerning His eternal existence, and uncreated essence: for by way of distinction, against the word, He made, he set, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever. Against the Arians there is both this same again, and also that He is not a slave; but if a creature, He is a slave. And against Marcellus and the others, that these are two Persons, distinguished in reference to their subsistence. And against the Marcionites, that the Godhead is not anointed, but only the Manhood.
Next he saith, Above Thy fellows. But who are these His fellows other than men? that is Christ received not the Spirit by measure. Seest thou how with the doctrine concerning His uncreated nature he always joins also that of the Economy? what can be clearer than this? Didst thou see how that what is created and what is begotten are not the same? For otherwise he would not have made the distinction, nor in contrast to the word, He made [&c], have added, But of the Son He said, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever. Nor would he have called the name, Son, a more excellent Name, if it is a sign of the same thing. For where is the excellence? for if that which is created, and that which is begotten be the same, and they [the Angels] were made, what is there [in Him] more excellent?
Lo! again ὁ Θεὸς, God, with the Article.
[3.] And again he saith: (ver. 10–12) Thou Lord in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the works of Thine hands. They shall perish, but Thou shalt endure, and they all shall wax old as a garment, and as a vesture shalt Thou fold them up, and they shall be changed; but Thou art the same and Thy years shall not fail.
Lest when thou hearest the words, and when He bringeth in the First-Begotten into the world; thou shouldest think it to be as it were a Gift afterwards super-added to Him; this he both corrected above by anticipation, and again further corrects, saying, in the beginning: not now, but from the very first.
See again he inflicts a mortal wound both on Paul of Samosata and also on Arius, in applying to the Son the things which relate to the Father. And withal he has also intimated another thing by the way, greater even than this. For surely it is the transfiguration of the world which he hath incidentally pointed out, saying, they shall wax old as a garment, and as a vesture Thou shalt fold them up and they shall be changed. Which thing also he saith in the Epistle to the Romans, that He shall transfigure the world. And shewing the facility thereof, he adds, as if a man should fold up a garment so shall He both fold up and change it. But if He with so much ease works the transfiguration and the creation to what is better and more perfect, needed He another for the inferior creation? How far doth your shamelessness go? At the same time too this is a very great consolation, to know that things will not be as they are, but they all shall receive change, and all shall be altered, but He Himself remaineth ever existing, and living infinitely: and Thy years, he saith, shall not fail.
[4.] ver. 13. But to which of the Angels said He at any time, Sit thou on My right hand until I shall have made thine enemies thy footstool? Behold, again he encourages them, inasmuch as their enemies were to be worsted, and their enemies are the same also with Christ’s.
This again belongs to Sovereignty, to Equal Dignity, to Honour and not weakness, that the Father should be angry for the things done to the Son. This belongs to His great Love, and honour towards the Son, as of a father towards a son. For He that is angry in His behalf how is He a stranger to Him? Which very thing he saith also in the second Psalm, He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh them to scorn, and the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall He speak unto them in His wrath, and vex them in His sore displeasure. And again He Himself saith, Those that would not that I should reign over them, bring hither before Me, and slay them. For that they are His own words, hear also what He saith in another place, How often would I have gathered thy children together, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left desolate. And again, The kingdom shall be taken from you, and shall be given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And again, He that falleth upon that stone shall be broken, but on whomsoever It shall fall, It will grind him to powder. And besides, He who is to be their Judge in that world, much more did He Himself repay them in this. So that the words Till I make thine enemies thy footstool are expressive of nothing but honour towards the SON.
ver. 14. Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? What marvel (saith he) if they minister to the SON, when they minister even to our salvation? See how he lifts up their minds, and shews that the honour which God has for us is great, inasmuch as He has assigned to Angels who are above us this ministration on our behalf. As if one should say, for this purpose (saith he) He employs them; this is the office of Angels, to minister to God for our salvation. This therefore is an angelical work, to do all for the salvation of the brethren: or rather it is the work of Christ Himself, for He indeed saves as Lord, but they as servants. And we though servants are yet Angels’ fellow-servants. Why gaze ye so earnestly on the Angels (saith he)? they are servants of the Son of God, and are sent many ways for our sakes, and minister to our salvation. And so they are partners in service with us.
Consider ye how he ascribes no great difference to the kinds of creatures. And yet the space between angels and men is great; nevertheless he brings them down near to us, all but saying. For us they labour, for our sake they run to and fro: on us, as one might say, they wait. This is their ministry, for our sake to be sent every way.
And of these examples as the Old [Testament] is full, so also is the New. For when Angels bring glad tidings to the shepherds, or to Mary, or to Joseph; when they sit at the sepulchre, when they are sent to say to the disciples, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven, when they release Peter out of the prison, when they discourse with Philip, consider how great the honour is; when God sends His Angels for ministers as to friends, when to Cornelius [an Angel] appears, when [an Angel] brings forth all the apostles from the prison, and says, Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people the words of this life; and to Paul himself also an Angel appears. Dost thou see that they minister to us on God’s behalf, and that they minister to us in the greatest matters? wherefore Paul saith, All things are yours, whether life or death, or the world, or things present, or things to come.
Well then the SON also was sent, but not as a minister, nor as one discharging a task, but as a Son, Only-Begotten, and having the same will with the Father. Rather indeed, He was not sent: for He did not pass from place to place, but took on Him flesh: whereas these change their places, and leaving those in which they were before, come thereafter to others in which they were not.
And by this again he incidentally encourages them, saying, What fear ye? to us Angels are ministering.
[5.] And now having spoken concerning the SON, both what related to the Economy, and to His power as Creator, and to His sovereignty, and having pointed out His co-equal dignity, and that as absolute Master He ruleth not men only but also the powers above, he next gives them exhortation, having made out his argument, that we ought to give heed to the things which have been heard, ch. 2:1. Wherefore we ought to give more earnest heed to the things which we have heard. Why more earnest? Here he meant more earnest than to the Law: but he suppressed the actual expression of it, and yet makes it plain in the course of reasoning, not in the way of counsel, nor of exhortation. For so it was better.
ver. 2, 3. For if the word spoken by Angels (saith he) was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation, which at the first began to be spoken to us by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him?
Why ought we to give more earnest heed to the things which we have heard? were not those former things of God, as well as these? Either then he meaneth more earnest than [to] the Law, or very earnest; not making comparison, God forbid. For since, on account of the long space of time, they had a great opinion of the Old Covenant, but these things had been despised as yet new, he proves (more than his argument required) that we ought to give attention to these rather. How? By saying in effect, Both these and those are of God, but not in a like manner. And this he shews us afterwards: but for the present, he treats it somewhat superficially, but afterwards more clearly, saying; For if that first covenant had been faultless, and many other such things: for that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away. But as yet he ventures not to say any such thing in the beginning of his discourse, nor until he shall have first occupied and possessed his hearer by his fuller [arguments.]
Why then ought we to give more earnest heed? Lest at any time, saith he, we should leak away—that is, lest at any time we should perish, lest we should fall off. And here he points out the grievousness of this falling off, in that it is a difficult thing for that which hath leaked out to return again, inasmuch as it hath happened through wilful negligence. And he took this form of speech from the Proverbs. For, saith he, my son [take heed] lest thou leak away, shewing both the easiness of the fall, and the grievousness of the ruin. That is, our disobedience is not without danger. And while by his mode of reasoning he points out that the chastisement is greater, yet again he leaves it in the form of a question, and not in his conclusion. For indeed this is to make one’s discourse inoffensive, when one does not in every case of one’s own self infer the judgment, but leaves it in the power of the hearer to give his own sentence: and this would render them more open to conviction. And both the prophet Nathan doth it in the Old [Testament], and in Matthew Christ, saying, What will He do to the husbandmen of that vineyard? so compelling them to give out their sentence themselves: for this is the most complete victory.
Next, when he had said, For if the word which was spoken by Angels was stedfast—he did not add, much more that by Christ: but letting this pass, he said what is less, How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation? And see how he makes the comparison. For if the word which was spoken by Angels, saith he. There, by Angels, here, by the Lord—and there a word, but here, salvation.
Then lest any man should say, Thy sayings, O Paul, are they Christ’s? he proves their credibility, both from his having heard it all of Him, and from its being now spoken by God; since not merely a voice is wafted, as in the case of Moses, but signs are done, and facts bear witness.
[6.] But what is this, For if the word spoken by Angels was stedfast? For in the Epistle to the Galatians also he saith to this effect, Being ordained by angels in the hand of a Mediator. And again, Ye received a law by the disposition of Angels, and have not kept it. And in every place, he saith it was given by angels. Some indeed say that Moses is signified; but it is not reasonable. For here he says Angels in the plural: and the Angels too which here he speaks of, are those in Heaven. What then is it? Either he means the Decalogue only (for there Moses spake, and God answered him),—or that angels were present, God disposing them in order,—or that he speaks thus in regard of all things said and done in the old Covenant, as if Angels had been partakers in them. But how is it said in another place, The Law was given by Moses and here by Angels? For it is said, And God came down in thick darkness.
For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast. What is was stedfast? True, as one may say; and faithful in its proper season; and all the things which had been spoken came to pass. Either this is his meaning, or that they prevailed, and the threatenings were coming to be accomplished. Or by the word he means injunctions. For apart from the Law, Angels sent from God enjoined many things: for instance at Bochim, in the Judges, in [the history of] Sampson. For this is the cause why he said not “the Law” but the word. And he seems to me haply rather to mean this, viz., those things which are committed to the management of angels. What shall we say then? The angels who were entrusted with the charge of the nation were then present, and they themselves made the trumpets, and the other things, the fire, the thick darkness.
And every transgression and disobedience, saith he. Not this one and that one, but every one. Nothing (saith he) remained unavenged, but received a just recompence of reward, i. e. punishment. Why now spake he thus? Such is the manner of Paul, not to make much account of his phrases, but indifferently to put down words of evil sound, even in matters of good meaning. As also in another place he saith, Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. And again he hath put the recompence for punishment, as here he calleth punishment reward. If it be a righteous thing, saith he, with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you, and to you who are troubled rest. That is, justice was in no degree violated, but God went forth in its behalf, and caused the penalty to come round on them that had sinned, though not all their sins are made manifest, but only where the express ordinances were trangressed.
How then shall we, saith he, escape if we neglect so great salvation! Hereby he signified, that that other salvation was no great thing. Well too did he add the word So great. For not from wars (saith he) will He now rescue us, nor bestow on us the earth and the good things that are in the earth, but it will be the dissolution of death, the destruction of the Devil, the kingdom of Heaven, everlasting life. For all these things he hath briefly expressed, by saying, if we neglect so great salvation.
[7.] Then he subjoins what makes it all credible. Which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord: that is, had its beginning from the very fountain itself. It was not a man who brought it over into the earth, nor any created power, but the Only-Begotten Himself.
And was confirmed unto us by them that heard [Him]. What is confirmed? It was believed, or, it came to pass. For (saith he) we have the earnest; that is, it hath not been extinguished, it hath not ceased, but it is strong and prevaileth. And the cause is, the Divine power works therein. It means they who heard from the Lord, themselves confirmed us. This is a great thing and trustworthy: which also Luke saith in the beginning of his Gospel, As they delivered unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the Word.
How then was it confirmed? what if those that heard were forgers? saith some one. This objection then he overthrows, and shews that the grace was not human. If they had been forgers, God would not have borne witness to them; for he subjoined (ver. 4.) God also bearing witness with them. They indeed also bear witness, and God beareth witness too. How doth He bear witness? not by word or by voice (though this also would have been worthy of belief): but how? By signs, and wonders, and divers miracles. (Well said he, divers miracles, declaring the abundance of the gifts: which was not so in the former dispensation, neither so great signs and so various.) That is, we did not believe them simply, but through signs and wonders: wherefore we believe not them, but God Himself.
And by portionings of the Holy Ghost, according to His own will.
What then, if wizards also do signs, and the Jews said that He cast out devils through Beelzebub? But they do not such kind of signs: therefore said he divers miracles: for those others were not miracles, [or powers], but weakness and fancy, and things altogether vain. Wherefore he said, by portionings of the Holy Ghost according to His own will.
[8.] Here he seems to me to intimate another thing also. For it is likely there were not many there who had gifts, but that these had failed, upon their becoming rather slothful. In order then that herein also he might comfort them, and not leave them utterly to fall, he referred all to the will of God. He knows (he says) what is expedient, and for whom, and apportions His grace accordingly. Which kind of thing also he does in the Epistle to the Corinthians, saying, God hath placed every one of us, as He willed. And again, The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
According to His will. He intimates that the gift is according to the will of the Father. But oftentimes on account of their unclean and slothful life many have not received a gift, and sometimes also those whose life is good and pure have not received one. Why, I pray you? Lest they might be made haughty, that they might not be puffed up, that they might not grow more negligent, that they might not be more excited. For if even without any gift, the mere consciousness of a pure life be sufficient to lift a man up, much more when the grace is added also. Wherefore to the humble, to the simple, it was rather given, and especially to the simple: for it is said, in simplicity and gladness of heart. Yea, and hereby also he rather urged them on, and gave them a spur, if they were growing negligent. Inasmuch as the humble man, and he who imagines no great things concerning himself, becomes more earnest when he has received a gift, in that he has obtained what is beyond his deserts, and thinks that he is not worthy thereof. But he who thinks he hath done anything very well, reckoning the matter to be his due, is even puffed up. Wherefore God dispenseth this for [men’s] good: which one may see taking place also in the Church: for one man hath the word of teaching, another hath not power so much as to open his mouth. Let not this man (he says) be grieved because of this. For to every man the manifestation of the Spirit is given to profit withal. For if a man that is an householder knoweth what he will entrust, and to whom, much more God, who is acquainted with the mind of men, who knoweth all things or ever they come into being. One thing only is worthy to be grieved for, Sin: there is nothing else.
Say not thou, Wherefore have I not riches? or, If I had, I would give to the poor. Thou knowest not, if thou hadst them, whether thou wouldest not be more covetous. For now indeed thou sayest these things, but being put to the trial thou wouldest be different. Since also when we have satisfied ourselves, we think that we are able to fast; but when we have gone without a little space, other thoughts come into us. Again, when we are out of the way of drunkenness we think ourselves able to master our appetite, but no longer so, when we are caught by it.
Say not thou, Wherefore had I not the gift of teaching? or, If I had had it, I should have edified innumerable souls. Thou knowest not, if thou hadst it, whether it would not be to thy condemnation,—whether envy, whether indolence would not have disposed thee to hide thy talent. Well then, thou art now free from all these, and though thou give not the portion of meat, thou art not called to account: but then, thou wouldest have been responsible for souls innumerable.
[9.] And besides, neither now art thou without God’s gift. Shew thou in that which is little, what manner of person thou wouldst have been, if thou hadst had the other. For if (saith he) ye prove not faithful in that which is little, how shalt any one give you that which is great? Give such proof as did the widow; she had two farthings, and she cast in all, whatsoever she was possessed of.
Dost thou seek riches? shew that thou art above minding the few things, that I may trust thee also concerning the many things. But if thou art not even above these, much less wilt thou be above the other.
Again, in speech, shew that thou canst use as may be requisite exhortation and counsel. Thou hast not external eloquence, thou hast not store of thoughts: but nevertheless these common things thou knowest. Thou hast a child, thou hast a neighbour, thou hast a friend, thou hast a brother, thou hast kinsmen. And though publickly before the Church, thou art not able to draw out a long discourse, to these thou canst give exhortation in private. Here, there is no need of rhetoric, nor of discourses long drawn out: shew thou in these, that if thou hadst skill of speech, thou wouldest not have neglected it. But if in the small matter thou art not in earnest, how shall I trust thee concerning the great?
For, to prove that this is what every man can do, hear what Paul saith, how even to lay people he hath committed this charge; Edify, saith he, each one of you the other, as also ye do. And, Comfort ye one another with these words. God knoweth how He should distribute to every man. Art thou better than Moses? hear how he shrinks from the hardship. Am I, saith he, able to bear them? for Thou saidst to me, Take them up, as a nursing-father would take up the sucking-child. What then did God? He took of his spirit and gave unto the others, shewing that neither when he bare them was the gift his own, but of the Spirit. If thou hadst had the gift, thou wouldst perchance have been lifted up, perchance wouldst thou have been turned out of the way. Thou knowest not thyself as God knoweth thee. Let us not say, To what end is that? on what account is this? When God dispenseth, let us not call Him to account: for this [is] of the uttermost impiety and folly. We are slaves, and slaves far apart from our Master, knowing not even the things which are before us.
[10.] Let us not then busy ourselves about the counsel of God, but whatsoever He hath given, this let us guard, though it be small, though the very last, and we shall be altogether approved. Or rather, none of the gifts of God is small: art thou grieved because thou hast not the gift of teaching? Then tell me, whether, thinkest thou, is the greater, to have the gift of teaching, or the gift of driving away diseases? doubtless this latter. But what? tell me; doth it not seem to thee a greater thing to give eyes to the blind than even to drive away diseases? But what? tell me; doth it not seem to thee a greater thing to raise the dead than to give eyes to the blind? What again, tell me; doth it not seem to thee a greater thing to effect this by shadows and napkins, than to do it by a word? Tell me then, which wouldst thou? raise the dead with shadows and napkins, or have the gift of teaching? Doubtless thou wilt say the former, to raise the dead with shadows and napkins.
If then I should shew to thee, that there is another gift far greater than this, and that thou dost not receive it when it is in thy power to receive it, art not thou justly deprived of those others? Yea and this gift not one or two, but all may have. I know that ye open wide your mouths and are amazed, at being to hear that it is in your power to have a greater gift than raising the dead, and giving eyes to the blind, doing the same things which were done in the time of the Apostles. And haply it appears to you even past belief.
What then is this gift? charity. Nay, believe me; for the word is not mine, but Christ’s, speaking by Paul. For what saith he? Covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. What is this, yet more excellent? What he meaneth is of this kind. Some Corinthians were inclined to have high thoughts about their gifts, and they who had tongues, the least gift, were puffed up against the rest. He saith therefore, Do ye by all means desire gifts? I shew unto you a way of gifts not merely excelling but far more excellent. Then he saith, Though I speak with the tongues of Angels, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I have faith so as to remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
Hast thou seen the gift? Covet earnestly this gift. This is greater than raising the dead. This is far better than all the rest together. And that it is so, hear what Christ Himself saith, discoursing with His disciples, Hereby shall all men know that ye are My disciples. And shewing in what respect, He mentioned not the miracles, but what? If ye have lone one with another. And again He saith to the Father, Hereby shall they know that Thou hast sent Me, if they be one. And He said Himself to His disciples, A new commandment I give to you, that ye love one another. Such an one therefore is more venerable and glorious than those who raise the dead; with reason. For that indeed is wholly of God’s grace, but this, of thine own earnestness also. This is of one who is a Christian indeed: this shews the disciple of Christ, the crucified, the man that hath nothing common with earth. Without this, not even martyrdom can be of any avail.
And as a proof, see this plainly. The blessed Paul took two of the topmost virtues, or rather three; namely those which consist in miracles, those in knowledge, those in life. And without this those, he said, are nothing. And how these are nothing, I will say. Though I give my goods to feed the poor, saith he, and have not charity, I am nothing. For it is possible not to be charitable even when one feeds the poor and exhausts one’s means.
[11.] And indeed these things have been sufficiently declared by us, in the place concerning Charity: and thither we refer the readers. Meanwhile, as I was saying, let us zealously seek the Gift, let us love one another: and we shall need nothing else for the perfect acquisition of virtue, but all will be easy to us without violent labours and we shall do all perfectly with much diligence.
‘But see, even now,’ it is said, ‘we love one another. For one man hath two friends, and another three.’ But this is not to love for God’s sake, but for the sake of being beloved. But to love for God’s sake hath not this as its principle of Love; but such an one will be disposed towards all men as towards brethren; loving those that are of the same faith as being genuine brothers; Heretics and Heathen and Jews, brothers indeed by nature, but vile and unprofitable, pitying and wearing himself out for them and shedding tears. Herein we shall be like unto God if we love all men, even our enemies; not, if we work miracles. For even God we regard with admiration when He worketh wonders, yet much more, when He sheweth love towards man, when He is long-suffering. If then even in God that Love is worthy of much admiration, much more in men is it evident that this rendereth us admirable.
This then let us zealously seek after: and though we may be not able to drive away a fever, we shall be no way inferior to Paul and Peter and those who have raised innumerable dead. But without this Love, though we should work greater miracles even than the Apostles themselves, though we should expose ourselves for the faith to dangers innumerable: there will be to us no profit from any. And these things not I say, but he, the very nursling of Charity, knoweth these things. To him then let us be obedient; for thus we shall be able to attain to the good things promised, of which may we all be made partakers, by the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, with whom to the Father and also to the Holy Ghost, be the glory, now and for ever and world without end. Amen.