συνή. 48 Mercy rooted in our nature. Oil its type. PHIL. is naturally regardless of his reputation, no one is naturally 1, 30. above emulation, but pity lies deep in every one's nature, however fierce and ungentle he be. And what wonder is there, if we shew this toward men? for we pity even beasts, such a superabundance of pity lies deep in us. If we see a lion's whelp, we are somewhat affected; much more when we see one of our own race. How many maimed are there! often do we say, knowing that this is sufficient to lead us to pity. in Nothing so much pleases God as mercy'. Wherefore with this the priests were anointed, and the kings, and the prophets, for they had, in oil, a type of God's love to man; and they 2 ixío further learnt, that rulers should have a greater share of mercy. It shewed that the Spirit is to come to men through mercy, since God pities and is kind to man. For, Thou hast mercy Wisd. upon all, it is written, for Thou canst do all things. For this cause they were anointed with oil": and indeed it was from mercy He appointed the priesthood. And the kings were anointed with oil; and would one praise a ruler, he can make mention of nothing so becoming him as mercy. For pity is peculiar to power. Consider that the world was The mercy established by pity, and then imitate thy Lord. of man is toward his neighbour, but the mercy of the Lord is Ecclus. upon all flesh. How over all flesh? Whether you mean 18, 13. sinners, or just men, we all need the mercy of God; we all 1, 13. 15, 10. enjoy it, be it Paul, be it Peter, or be it John. Listen to their own words, for there is no need of mine. For what says this 1 Tim. blessed one? But I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly. What then, was there afterwards no need of mercy? 1 Cor. Hear what he says again; But I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with Phil. 2, me. And of Epaphroditus he says, For indeed he was sick, nigh unto death; but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 2 Cor.1, And again he says, We were pressed out of measure above 8. 9. 10. strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life. But we 27. had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God, who delivered us from such Mercy of God to Saints, and to all Creation. 49 IV. 2 Tim. death, yea, and will deliver. And again, And I was delivered Hoм. out of the mouth of the lion; and the Lord shall deliver me. And every where we shall find him boasting of this, that by 4,17.18. mercy he was saved. Peter too became so great, because (5) mercy was shewn him. Peter, Peter, Satan hath desired to Luke22, sift thee as wheat; and I have prayed for thee, that thy faith 31. 32. fail not. John too became so great through mercy, and in short all the Apostles. For listen to Christ when He hints But if these men 16. at this, and says, Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen John15, you. For we all have need of the mercy of God, as it is written, The mercy of God is over all flesh. needed the mercy of God, what should one For why, tell me, doth He make the sun to rise on the evil and the good? Did He withhold the rain for one year, would He not destroy all? And what if He caused overwhelming rain? what if He rained down fire? what if He sent flies? But why mention I these things? if He were to make darkness at once, would He not destroy all? if He were to shake the earth, would not all perish? It is now seasonable to say, What is man, that Thou art mindful of him? Were Ps. 8, 4. He only to threaten the earth, all men would become one tomb. As a drop of water from the bucket, it is written, Is. 40, so are the nations in His sight, they shall be counted as very small dust, as the turning of the balance. It were as easy for Him to destroy all things, and to make them again, as for us to turn the balance. He then who has such power over us, and sees us sinning, and yet punishes us not, how is it but by mercy He is restrained? Learn how beasts too exist and are preserved by mercy: Thou, Lord, shalt save both Ps. 36, man and beast. He looked upon the earth, and filled it with living things. And wherefore? For thy sake! And wherefore did he make thee? Was it not through His goodness? 15. 16. There nothing better than oil! It is the cause of light both here and there. Then shall thy light break forth Is. 58, as the morning, saith the Prophet, if thou shewest pity upon thy neighbour. And rightly so. For as natural oil affords 9 Sav. deaths, B. death. Ecclus. 18, 13. as above. pare Ps. 145, 9. and Job 4, 18. • So B. and Sav. mar. t B. Com 'than mercy, O Beloved!' which may be right, but it seems better to keep the allusion to what has gone before. 8. E 50 The merciful man shall obtain Mercy. 1, 30. 10. 1 Cor. 16, 4. 14. Tit. 3, 8. Tob. 12, 9. 3. 2. Prov. 20, 6. LXX. And again, merciful, yea rather the chaDost thou see, how strong is PHIL. light to seafaring men, thus here doth mercy grant us a great, a marvellous light on earth. Much mention doth Paul too Gal. 2, make of this mercy". In one place hear him say, Only that we should remember the poor. And in another, If it be meet that I go also. And in every place, turn where you will, ye see him anxious about this very thing. And again, Tit. 3, And let ours also learn to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. the words of a certain one which saith, Alms do deliver from death; and another, If Thou takest away pity, Lord, Lord, Ps. 130, who shall stand; and it is written, If Thou enterest into judgPs. 143, ment with thy servant; another saith, A great thing is man, and an honourable thing is a merciful man. For this is the true character of man, to be racter of God, to shew mercy. the mercy of God? This made all things, this formed the world, this made the angels, it was through mere goodness. For this cause too He threatened hell, that we may attain unto the kingdom, and through mercy we do attain unto the kingdom. For wherefore, tell me, did God, being alone, create all things? was it not through goodness? was it not through love to men? If you ask why such and such things are, you will always find your answer in Goodness. Wherefore let us shew mercy to our neighbours, that mercy may be shewn to us. These acts of mercy we shew not so much to them, as lay up for ourselves against That Day. When the flame of fire shall be great, this mercy is that which will quench the fire, and bring light to us. Thus by this means shall we be freed from the fire of hell. For whence will God be compassionate and shew mercy? Does not mercy come of love? Nothing incenses God so much as to be pitiless. "A man was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents, and he was moved with compassion, and forgave him. And there were owing to that man from his fellow servant a a 14, 13. Hom. xxv. Tr. p. 425. note g; and on Matt. 25. Hom. lxxviii. init. also Hom. on Stat. vi. Tr. p. 130. note c. He may mean here to distinguish the several fire of Hell, from which we may be freed, from that which is to rage, but to be quenched. al. This oil; see note; and on Rom. b So B. Sav. om. God.' 1 God neither avenges nor forgives the revengeful. 51 IV. hundred pence, and he caught him by the throat. Therefore Hoм. the Lord delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay what was due." Let us on hearing this be merciful to those who are our debtors in money or in sins. Let no one remember evils, except he wishes to punish himself. For if you forgive him not, you act unjustly not so much toward him as yourself. If thou takest vengeance on him, God will not avenge; if thou lettest him go, He will either avenge thee, or remit thy sins. And how, if thou forgivest not thy neighbour, dost thou seek that kingdom? Lest this should happen to us, let us forgive all, (for it is ourselves that we pardon,) that God may forgive us our trespasses, and so we may obtain the good things which are in store, through the grace and lovingkindness, &c. So B. Sav. you annoy him not so much as you injure yourself. HOMILY V. χεται PHIL. ii. 1-4. If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory: but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 2 (1) THERE is nothing better, there is nothing more affectionate, agig than a spiritual teacher; such an one surpasses' the kindness of any natural father. For consider, how this holy one entreats the Philippians concerning the things which were to their own advantage. What says he, in exhorting them concerning concord, that cause of all good things? See how earnestly, how vehemently, with how much sympathy he speaks, If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, that 2 B. one is, if ye have any comfort in Christ, as if he had said, If thou makest any account of me, if thou hast any care of if thou hast ever received good at my hands, do this. This mode of earnestness we use when we claim a matter which we prefer to every thing else. For if we did not prefer it to every thing, we should not wish to receive in it our recompense, and acknowledge that by it all affection is shewn. We indeed remind men of our carnal claims; for example, if a father were to say to his son, If thou hast any reverence for thy me, |