Homily II.
After Eutropius having been found outside the Church had been taken captive.
1. Delectable indeed are the meadow, and the garden, but far more delectable the study
of the divine writings. For there indeed are flowers which fade, but here are thoughts which
abide in full bloom; there is the breeze of the zephyr, but here the breath of the Spirit: there
is the hedge of thorns, but here is the guarding providence of God; there is the song of cicadæ,
but here the melody of the prophets: there is the pleasure which comes from sight, but here
the profit which comes from study. The garden is confined to one place, but the Scriptures
are in all parts of the world; the garden is subject to the necessities of the seasons, but the
Scriptures are rich in foliage, and laden with fruit alike in winter and in summer. Let us then
give diligent heed to the study of the Scriptures: for if thou doest this the Scripture will expel
thy despondency, and engender pleasure, extirpate vice, and make virtue take root, and in
the tumult of life it will save thee from suffering like those who are tossed by troubled waves.
The sea rages but thou sailest on with calm weather; for thou hast the study of the Scriptures
for thy pilot; for this is the cable which the trials of life do not break asunder. Now that I lie
not events themselves bear witness. A few days ago the Church was besieged: an army came,
and fire issued from their eyes, yet it did not scorch the olive tree; swords were unsheathed,
yet no one received a wound; the imperial gates were in distress, but the Church was in se-
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curity. And yet the tide of war flowed hither; for here the refugee was sought, and we with-
stood them, not fearing their rage. And wherefore prithee? because we held as a sure pledge
the saying “Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church: and the gates of hell
shall not prevail against it.”815 And when I say the Church I mean not only a place but also
a plan of life:816 I mean not the walls of the Church but the laws of the Church. When thou
takest refuge in a Church, do not seek shelter merely in the place but in the spirit of the
place. For the Church is not wall and roof but faith and life.
Do not tell me that the man having been surrendered was surrendered by the Church;
if he had not abandoned the Church he would not have been surrendered. Do not say that
he fled here for refuge and then was given up: the Church did not abandon him but he
abandoned the Church. He was not surrendered from within the Church but outside its
walls. Wherefore did he forsake the Church? Didst thou desire to save thyself? Thou shouldst
have held fast to the altar. There were no walls here, but there was the guarding providence
of God. Wast thou a sinner? God does not reject thee: for “He came not to call the righteous
but sinners to repentance.”817 The harlot was saved when she clung to His feet. Have ye
heard the passage read to-day? Now I say these things that thou mayest not hesitate to take
815 Matt. xvi. 18.
816 ὀυ τόπον μὀνον ‡λλὰ καὶ τρόπον.
817 Matt. ix. 13.
Homily II. After Eutropius having been found outside the Church had been taken captive.
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Homily II. After Eutropius having been found outside the Church had been…