INTRODUCTORY DISCOURSE. makes the sun to rise upon the evil and the good" (Matt. v. 45). "But the unbelievers," you say, " do not believe it." I say then, hereby shall they believe, if we do these works. If they see that we take pity on all, and are enrolled under Him for our Teacher, they will know that it is in imitation of Him that we so act. For, " mercy," it says, " and true faith." 1 He well said " true." For He willeth it not to be of rapine or fraud. For this were not "faith"; this were not " truth." For he that plundereth must lie and forswear himself. So do not thou, saith he, but have faith with thy mercy. Let us put on this ornament. Let us make a golden chain for our soul, of mercy I mean, while we are here. For if this age 2 pass, we can use it no longer. And why? THERE there are no poor, THERE there are no riches, no more want THERE. While we are children, let us not rob ourselves of this ornament. For as with children, if they become men, these are taken away, and they are advanced to other adorn ment ; so too is it with us. There will be no more alms by money, but other and far nobler.3 Let us not then deprive ourselves of this ! Let us make our soul appear beautiful ! Great is alms, beautiful, and honorable, great is that gift, but greater is goodness. If we learn to despise riches, we shall learn other things be sides. For behold how many good things spring from hence ! He that giveth alms, as he ought to give, learns to despise wealth. He that has learned to despise wealth has cut up the root of evils. So that he does not do a greater good than he receives, not merely in that there is a due recompense and a requital for alms, but also in that his soul becomes philosophic, and elevated, and rich. He that gives alms is in structed not to admire riches or gold. And this lesson once fixed in his mind, he has gotten a great step toward mounting to Heaven, and has cut away ten thousand occasions of strife,-and contention, and envy, and dejection. For ye know, ye too know, that all things are done for 1 The LXX. have " faith," probably in the sense of " truth," which Aquila has, and the Hebrew requires; "true" is added by St. Chrys. to mark this. 2 rjAiicia, which carries on the simile. [He means the age of childhood, when ornaments are a pleasure. J. A. 15.] 3 He probably refers to the benefits conferred by the Saints on those on earth. riches, and unnumbered wars are made for riches. But he that has learned to despise them, has placed himself in a quiet harbor, he no longer fears damage. For this hath alms taught him. He no longer desires what is his neighbor s ; for how should he, that parts with his own, and gives? He no longer envies the rich man ; for how should he, that is willing to become poor? He clears the eye of his soul. And these are but here. But hereafter it is not to be told what blessings he shall win. He shall not abide without with the foolish virgins, but shall enter in with those that were wise, together with the Bridegroom, having his lamps bright. And though they have endured hard ship in virginity, he that hath not so much as tasted these hardships shall be better than they. Such is the power of Mercy. 4 She brings in her nurslings with much boldness. For she is known to the porters in Heaven, that keep the gates of the Bride-Chamber, and not known only, but reverenced ; and thosewhom she knows to have honored her, she will bring in with much bold ness, and none will gainsay, but all make room. For if she brought God down to earth, and per suaded him to become man, much more shall she be able to raise a man to Heaven ; for great is her might. If then 5 from mercy and loving- kindness God became man, and He persuaded Himself to become a servant, much rather will He bring His servants into His own house. Her let us love, on her let us set our affection, not one day, nor two, but all our life long, that she may acknowledge us. If she acknowledge us, the Lord will acknowledge us too. If she dis own us, the Lord too will disown us, and will say, " I know you not." But may it not be ours to hear this voice, but that happy one instead, " Come, ye blessed ofmy Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the founda tion ofthe world." (Matt. xxv. 34.) Which may we all obtain, by His grace and lovingkindness, in Christ Jesus our Lord, with whom to the Father and the Holy Ghost, be glory, strength, honor, now and for ever, and world without end. Amen. 4 [The same Greek word that above is translated "alms." J.A.B.j 6 Such a repetition is common with Chrysostom, sometimes per haps from his own excitement. Here it seems rather meant to temper the warmth of his eloquence, and fix a sober thought.