86. How much need, therefore, is there of the pure and single eye, in order that the way of wisdom may be found, against which there is the clamour of so great deceptions and errors on the part of wicked and perverse men, to escape from all of which is indeed to arrive at the most certain peace, and the immoveable stability of wisdom! For it is greatly to be feared, lest, by eagerness in quarrelling and controversy, one should not see what can be seen by few, that small is the disturbance of gainsayers, unless one also disturbs himself. And in this direction, too, runs that statement of the apostle: “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle480 unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that think differently;481 if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.”482 “Blessed,” therefore, “are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”483 63 87. Hence we must take special notice how terribly the conclusion of the whole sermon is introduced: “Therefore, whosoever heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them, is like484 unto a wise man, which built his house upon the rock.” For no one confirms what he hears or understands, unless by doing. And if Christ is the rock, as many Scripture testi- monies proclaim485 that man builds in Christ who does what he hears from Him. “The rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat486 upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.” Such an one, therefore, is not afraid of any gloomy superstitions (for what else is understood by rain, when it is put in the sense of anything bad?), or of turnouts of men, which I think are compared to winds; or of the river of this life, as it were flowing over the earth in carnal lusts. For it is the man who is seduced by the prosperity that is broken down by the adversities arising from these three things; none of which is feared by him who has his house founded upon a rock, i.e. who not only hears, but also does, the Lord’s commands. And the man who hears and does them not is in dangerous proximity to all these, for he has no stable foundation; but by hearing and not doing, he builds a ruin. For He goes on to say: “And every one that heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them not, shall be like unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 487 and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat488 upon that 480 Mitem…diversa sentientes; Vulgate, mansuetum…resistunt veritati. 481 Mitem…diversa sentientes; Vulgate, mansuetum…resistunt veritati. 482 2 Tim. ii. 24, 25. 483 Matt. v. 9. 484 Similis est…; Vulgate, assimilabitur. Meyer, Tholuck, etc, refer this to the future judgment, “I will make him like,” etc., when Christ will establish those who keep His sayings for ever (opposed by Alford etc.). 485 1 Cor. x. 4. So Alford, who thinks this signification too plain to be overlooked. 486 Offenderunt; Vulgate, irruerunt. 487 The transitory teachings and institutions of men as opposed to Christ’s own word. 488 Offenderunt; Vulgate, irruerunt. 151 Chapter XXV