11. And to shew that I do not speak this in a way of flattery, but that it will certainly be
so, I will relate to you an ancient piece of history, that you may understand that no armies,
nor warlike weapons, nor money, nor multitude of subjects, nor any other such things are
wont to make sovereigns so illustrious, as wisdom of soul and gentleness. It is related of the
blessed Constantine, that on one occasion, when a statue of himself had been pelted with
stones, and many were instigating him to proceed against the perpetrators of the outrage;
saying, that they had disfigured his whole face by battering it with stones, he stroked his
face with his hand, and smiling gently, said, “I am quite unable to perceive any wound in-
flicted upon my face. The head appears sound, and the face also quite sound.” Thus these
persons, overwhelmed with shame, desisted from their unrighteous counsel.
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This saying, even to the present day, all repeat; and length of time hath neither weakened
nor extinguished the memory of such exalted wisdom. How much more illustrious is such
an action, than any number of warlike trophies! Many and great titles did he build, and
many barbarous tribes did he conquer; not one of which we now remember; but this saying
is repeated over and over again, to the present day; and those who follow us, as well as those
who come after them, will all hear of it. Nor indeed is this the only admirable thing; that
they will hear of it; but that when men speak of it, they do so with approbation and applause;
and those who hear of it, receive it with the like; and there is no one who, when he has heard
it, is able to remain silent, but each at once cries out, and applauds the man who uttered it,
and prays that innumerable blessings may be his lot even now deceased. But if amongst
men, this saying has gained him so much honour, how many crowns will he obtain with
the merciful God!
12. And why need I speak of Constantine, and other men’s examples, when it were fitting
that I should exhort you by considerations nearer home, and drawn from your own praise-
worthy actions. You remember how but lately, when this feast was near at hand, you sent
an epistle to every part of the world giving orders that the inmates of the prisons should be
set free, and their crimes be pardoned. And as if this were not sufficient to give proof of
your generosity, you said in your letters, “O that it were possible for me to recal and to restore
those who are dead, and to bring them back to their former state of life!” Remember now
these words. Behold the season of recalling and restoring the deceased, and bringing them
back to former life! For these are indeed already dead, even before the sentence hath been
pronounced; and the city hath now taken up its tabernacle at the very gates of Hades!
Therefore raise it up again, which you can do without money, without expense, without loss
of time or labour! It is sufficient merely for you to open your lips, and you will restore to
life the city which at present lieth in darkness. Grant now, that henceforth it may bear an
appellation derived from your philanthropy; for it will not be so much indebted to the
kindness of him who first founded it, as it will be to your sentence. And this is exceedingly
reasonable; for he but gave it its beginning, and departed; but you, when it had grown up
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Homily XXI