prisoners. Nor is this the only occasion. But with Peter too, and Paul himself, as well as the
other disciples, one may see this occurring constantly; and in the midst of persecution, the
grace of God ever flourishing, and appearing by the side of the tribulations, and thus pro-
claiming His power. Wherefore He saith, “My grace is sufficient for thee, for My strength
is perfected in weakness.”
17. But to show that many would be too often ready to imagine things of them above
human nature, unless they saw them enduring such afflictions, hear how Paul was afraid
on this very point; “For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool, but now I forbear,
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lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of
me.”1028 But what is it that he means? I am able, he declares, to speak of far greater miracles;
but I am unwilling; lest the magnitude of the miracles should raise too high a notion of me
among men. For this reason Peter also, when they1029 had restored the lame man, and all
were wondering at them, in order to restrain the people, and persuade them that they had
exhibited nothing of this power of themselves, or from their native strength, says, “Why
look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man
to walk?”1030 And again at Lystra, the people were not only filled with astonishment, but
led forth bulls, after crowning them with garlands, and were preparing to offer sacrifice to
Paul and Barnabas. Observe the malice of the Devil. By those very same persons through
whom the Lord was at work, to purge out ungodliness from the world, by the same did that
enemy try to introduce it, again persuading them to take men for gods; which was what he
had done in former times. And this is especially that which introduced the principle and
root of idolatry. For many after having had success in wars, and set up trophies, and built
cities, and done divers other benefits of this kind to the people of those times, came to be
esteemed gods by the multitude, and were honoured with temples, and altars; and the whole
catalogue of the Grecian gods is made up of such men. That this, therefore, may not be done
towards the Saints,1031 God permitted them constantly to be banished,—to be scourged,—to
fall into diseases; that the abundance of bodily infirmity, and the multiplicity of those
1028 2 Cor. xii. 6.
1029 Or, “he,” referring to οἱ περὶ St. John, however, may be included.
1030 Acts iii. 12.
1031 The heathen altars, βωμοὶ must not be confounded with the Christian θυσιαστήρια raised over the relics
of saints to God. St. Aug. ser. 273, c. 7, in Nat. Mart. Fructuosi &c. de Sanctis, 1 (Ben. t. 5). “When didst thou
ever hear me, or any of my brethren and colleagues, say at the memorial of St. Theogenes, ‘I offer to thee, St.
Theogenes;’ or, ‘I offer to thee, Peter;’ or, ‘I offer to thee, Paul?’ and if it be said to you, ‘Do you worship (colis)
Peter?’ Answer,…‘I do not worship Peter, but I worship God, whom Peter also worships.’ Then doth Peter love
thee.” This passage of St. Chrysostom is, however, remarkable, as pointing out a tendency which has since been
carried to excess.
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Homily I