WORKS OF ST. CHRYSOSTOM. [HOMILY XIV. but from intense watchfulness and fasting, or the like causes ; and hence it is easily removed, for it is sufficient for its removal to abate the severity of these exercises. Tell me then, you will say, whether any one could wash the Saints feet in the Church? Whether such are to be found among us ? Yes : undoubtedly they are such. Let us not, how ever, when the life of these saints is described, despise those that are in the Churches. There are many such often among us, though they are in secret. Nor let us despise them, because they go from house to house, or go into the forum, or stand forth in public. 1 God hath even com manded such services, saying, " Judge the father less, plead for the widow." (Isa. i. 17.) Many are the ways of being virtuous, as there are many varieties of jewels, 2 though all are called jewels; one is bright and round on all sides, another has some different beauty. And how is this? As coral has, by a kind of art, its line extended, and its angles shaped off, and another color more delicious than white, and the prasius above every green, another has the rich color of blood, an other an azure surpassing the sea, another is more brilliant than the purple, and thus rivaling in their varieties all the colors of flowers or of the sun. Yet all are called jewels. So it is with the Saints. Some discipline 3 themselves, some the Churches. Paul therefore has well said, " If she have washed the Saints feet, if she have relieved the afflicted." For he speaks thus, that he may excite us all to imitation. Let us hasten then to perform such actions, that we may be able hereafter to boast that we have washed the Saints feet. For ifwe ought to wash their feet, much more ought we to give them our money with our own hands, and at the same time study to be concealed. " Let not thy left hand know," He says, " what thy right hand doeth." (Matt. vi- 3-) Why takest thou so many witnesses? Let not thy servant know it, nor, if possible, thy wife. Many are the impediments of the deceitful one. TpOlffT -tap-ya/ n. " Stand forth in behalf of another." v, pearls. Often she who never before interfered, will im pede such works, either from vainglory, or some other motive. Even Abraham, who had an ad mirable wife, when he was about to offer up his son, concealed it from her, though he knew not what was to happen, but was fully persuaded that he must slaughter his son. What then, would any one that was but an ordinary man have said ? Would it not be, " Who is this that perpetrates such acts? " Would he not have ac cused him of cruelty and brutality? His wife was not even allowed to see her son, to receive his last words, to witness his dying struggles. But he led him away like a captive. That just man though not of any such thing, inebriated as he was with zeal,4 so that he looked only how to fulfill that which was commanded. No servant, no wife was present, nay, he himself knew not what would be the issue. But intent upon offer ing up a pure victim, he would not defile it with tears, or with any opposition. Mark too with what gentleness Isaac asks, " Behold the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?": and what was the father s answer? " My son, God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering." (Gen. xxii. 7, 8.) In this he uttered a prophecy that God would provide Himself a burnt offering in His Son, and it also came true at the time. But why did he conceal it from him who was to be sacrificed ? Because he feared lest he should be astounded,5 lest he should prove unworthy. With such care and prudence did he act throughout this affair ! Well then hath the Scripture said, " Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth." If we have one dear to us as one of our own members, let us not be anxious to show to him our chari table works, unless it be necessary. For many evils may arise from it. A man is excited to vainglory, and impediments are often raised. For this reason let us conceal it, if possible, from our own selves, that we may attain the blessings promised, through the grace and lovingkindness of Jesus Christ our Lord, with whom, &c. * jro0u>. Love of God, or desire to do His will.