12. Who opened her house to those who live
according to God with a more graceful and bountiful welcome? And,
which is greater than this, who bade them welcome with such modesty and
godly greetings? Further, who showed a mind more unmoved in
sufferings? Whose soul was more sympathetic to those in
trouble? Whose hand more liberal to those in want? I should
not hesitate to honour her with the words of Job: Her door was
opened to all comers; the stranger did not lodge in the street.
She was eyes to the blind, feet to the lame, a mother to the
orphan. Job xxix. 15; xxxi. 32. Why should I
say more of her compassion to widows, than that its fruit which she
obtained was, never to be called a widow herself? Her house was a
common abode to all the needy of her family; and her goods no less
common to all in need than their own belonged to each. She hath
dispersed abroad and given to the poor, Ps. cxii. 9.
and according to the infallible truth of the Gospel, she laid up much
store in the wine-presses above, and oftentimes entertained Christ in
the person of those whose benefactress she was. And, best of all,
there was in her no unreal profession, but in secret she cultivated
piety before Him who seeth secret things. Everything she rescued
from the ruler of this world, everything she transferred to the safe
garners. Nothing did she leave behind to earth, save her
body. She bartered everything for the hopes above: the sole
wealth she left to her children was the imitation of her example, and
emulation of her merits.