strike his mouth; sanctify thy hand with the blow, and if any should accuse thee, and drag
thee to the place of justice, follow them thither; and when the judge on the bench calls thee
to account, say boldly that the man blasphemed the King of angels! For if it be necessary to
punish those who blaspheme an earthly king, much more so those who insult God. It is a
common crime, a public injury; and it is lawful for every one who is willing, to bring forward
an accusation. Let the Jews and Greeks learn, that the Christians are the saviours of the city;
that they are its guardians, its patrons, and its teachers. Let the dissolute and the perverse
also learn this; that they must fear the servants of God too; that if at any time they are inclined
to utter such a thing, they may look round every way at each other, and tremble even at
their own shadows, anxious lest perchance a Christian, having heard what they said, should
spring upon them and sharply chastise them. Have you not heard what John did? He saw
a man that was a tyrant overthrowing the laws of marriage; and with boldness, he proclaimed
in the midst of the forum, “It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother Philip’s wife.”1075
But I urge thee on, not against a prince or a judge; nor against the marriage ordinance out-
raged; nor in behalf of fellow-servants insulted. But I require thee to castigate an equal, for
insolence against the Lord. Truly, if I had said unto thee, punish and correct those kings or
judges who transgress the laws, would you not say that I was mad? But John forsooth acted
thus. So that even this is not too much for us. Now then, at least, correct a fellow-servant;
an equal; and although it should be necessary to die, do not shrink from chastising1076 a
brother. This is thy martyrdom, since John was also a martyr. And although he was not
commanded to sacrifice, nor to worship an idol, yet for the sacred laws that were despised,
he laid down his head. Do thou too then contend, even to the death, for the truth, and God
will fight for thee! And make me not this cold reply. “What matters it to me? I have nothing
in common with him.”1077 With the devil alone we have nothing in common, but with all
men we have many things in common; for they partake of the same nature with us; they
inhabit the same earth, and they are nourished with the same food; they have the same Lord;
they have received the same laws, and are invited to the same blessings with ourselves. Let
us not say then, that we have nothing in common with them; for this is a satanic speech; a
diabolical inhumanity. Therefore let us not give utterance to such words, but exhibit such
a tender care as becomes brethren!
1075 Mark vi. 18.
1076 σωφρονίζειν, which implies a kind intention.
1077 i.e., the blasphemer. Tr.
475
Homily I