more than this, heavy misfortunes, which befal not only ourselves but others too, are often
of great advantage to us; and we who ourselves suffered nothing, yet beholding others en-
during punishment, have been no less sobered by it than they.
12. And with respect to right deeds, any one may see that this happens; for as when the
bad are punished others become better, so whenever the good achieve any thing right, many
are urged onward to a similar zeal: a thing which hath also taken place with respect to the
avoiding of oaths. For many persons, observing that others had laid aside the evil practice
of oaths, took a pattern from their diligence, and got the better of the sin; wherefore we are
the more disposed to touch again on the subject of this admonition. For let no one tell me
that “many” have accomplished this; this is not what is desired, but that “all” should do so;
and until I see this I cannot take breath.1569 That Shepherd had a hundred sheep, and yet
when one of them had wandered away, he took no account of the safety of the ninety and
nine, until he found the one that was lost, and restored it again to the flock.1570 Seest thou
not that this also happens with respect to the body; for if by striking against any obstacle,
we have only turned back a nail, the whole body sympathizes with the member. Say not this;
that only a certain few have failed; but consider this point, that these few being unreformed,
will corrupt many others. Although there was but one who had committed fornication
among the Corinthians, yet Paul so groaned as if the whole city were lost. And very reason-
ably, for he knew that if that member were not chastened, the disease progressing onward
would at length attack all the rest. I saw, but lately, in the court of justice, those distinguished
men bound and conducted through the forum; and while some were wondering at this ex-
traordinary degradation, others said there was nothing to wonder at; for that, where there
is matter of treason,1571 rank must go for nothing. Is it not then much more true that rank
must be of no avail where is impiety?
13. Thinking therefore of these things, let us arouse ourselves; for if ye bring not your
own endeavours to the task, every thing on our part is to no purpose. And why so? Because
it is not with the office of teaching, as it is with other arts. For the silversmith, when he has
fabricated a vessel of any kind, and laid it aside, will find it on the morrow just as he left it.
And the worker in brass, and the stone-cutter, and every other artificer, will each again take
his own work in hand, whatever it is, just in the state he quitted it. But it is not so with us,
but altogether the reverse; for we have not lifeless vessels to forge, but reasonable souls.
Therefore we do not find you such as we leave you, but when we have taken you, and with
manifold labour moulded, reformed you and increased your ardour on your departing from
this place, the urgency of business, besetting you on every side, again perverts you, and
1569 i.e., “to stop this exhortation;” an allusion to the exercise of running.
1570 Matt. xviii. 12, 13.
1571 καθοσίωσις, so called as being against the sacred person of the Emperor. See Ducange.
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Homily XIII