168 WORKS OF ST. CHRYSOSTOM. [HOMILY XXIV. I am an ambassador in chains, that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak." As the word of God has power to do all things, so also has he who has the spiritual gift. " For the word of God," saith he, "is living, and active and sharper than any two-edged sword." (Heb. iv. 12.) Now mark the wisdom of this blessed Apostle. He hath armed them with all security. What then is necessary after that? To call upon the King, that He may stretch forth His hand. " With all prayer, and suppli cation, praying at all seasons in the Spirit " ; for it is possible " to pray " not " in the Spirit," when one " uses vain repetitions " (Matt. vi. 7) ; "and watching thereunto," he adds, that is, keeping sober ; for such ought the armed war rior, he that stands at the King s side, to be ; wakeful and temperate : "in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints ; and on my behalf that utterance may be given unto me in opening my mouth." What sayest thou, blessed Paul ? Hast thou, then, need of thy disciples ? And well does he say, " in opening my mouth." He did not then study what he used to say, but according to what Christ said, " When they de liver you up, be not anxious how or what ye shall speak : for it shall be given you in that hour what ye shall speak" (Matt. x. 19) : so truly did he do everything by faith, everything by grace. "With boldness," he proceeds, " to make known the mystery of the Gospel" ; that is, that I may- answer for myself in its defense, as I ought. And art thou bound in thy chain, and still need- est the aid of others? Yea, saith he, for so was Peter also bound in his chain, and yet neverthe less " was prayer made earnestly for him." (Acts xii. 5.) "For which I am an ambassador in chains, that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak " ; that is, that I may answer with con fidence, with courage, with great prudence. Ver. 21. " But that ye also 1 may know my affairs, how I do, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things." As soon as he had mentioned his chains, he leaves something for Tychicus also to relate to them of his own accord. For whatever topics there were of doctrine and of exhortation, all these he explained by his letter : but what were matters of bare recital, these he entrusted to the bearer of the letter. " That ye may know my affairs," that is, may be informed of them. This manifests both the love which he enter tained towards them, and their love towards him. Ver. 22. "Whom I have sent unto you," saith he, " for this very purpose, that ye mayknow our state, and that he may comfort your hearts." 1 [" Ye also," as well as the Colossians (Col. iy. 8, 9). Meyer s Introd. sec. x. The KO.L, on supposition of priority of Colossians, admits of an easy and natural explanation. Kllicott. G. A.] This language he employs, not without a pur pose, but in consequence of what he had been saying previously; "having girded your loins, having on the breastplate," &c., which are a token of a constant and unceasing advance ; for hear what the Prophet saith, " Let it be unto him as the raiment wherewith he covereth himself, and for the girdle wherewith he is girded con tinually" (Ps. cix. 19) ; and the Prophet Isaiah again saith, that God hath " put on righteousness as a breastplate" (Isa. lix. 17) ; by these ex pressions instructing us that these are things which we must have, not for a short time only, but continually, inasmuch as there is continual need of warfare. " For it is said the righteous are bold as a lion." (Prov. xxviii. i.) For he that is armed with such a breastplate, it cannot be that he should fear the array that is against him, but he will leap into the midst of the enemy. And again Isaiah saith, " How beauti ful are the feet of him that bringeth good tid ings." (Isa. Hi. 7.) Who would not run, who would not serve in such a cause ; to publish the good tidings of peace, peace between God and man, peace, where men have toiled not, but where God hath wrought all? Butwhat is the " preparation of the Gospel " ? 2 Let us hearken to what John saith, " Make ye ready the way of the Lord, make His paths straight." (Matt. iii. 3.) But again there is need also of another " preparation " after bap tism, so that we may do nothing unworthy of " peace." And then, since the feet are usually a token of the way of life, hence he is constantly exhorting in this language, " Look, therefore, carefully how ye walk." (Eph. v. 15.) On this account, he would say, let us exhibit a practice and example worthy of the Gospel ; that is, make our life and conduct pure. The good tidings of peace have been proclaimed to you, give to these good tidings a ready way ; since if ye again become enemies, there is no more " preparation of peace." Be ready, be not back ward to embrace this peace. As ye were ready and disposed for peace and faith, so also con tinue. The shield is that which first receives the assaults of the adversary, and preserves the armor uninjured. So long then as faith be right and the life be right, the armor remains un injured. He discourses, however, much concerning faith, but most especially in writing to the Hebrews, as he does also concerning hope. Believe, saith he, in the good things to come, and none of this armor shall be injured. In dangers, in toils, by holding out thy hope and thy faith to protect thee, thou wilt preserve thy armor uninjured. " He that cometh to God 1 [After having treated this part of the chapter, our author now returns to it, and supplements what he has already said. G. A.J