measure the wrath which is removed, and experience the very thing which Christ declared
concerning the devils. For He says, that “when the unclean spirit is gone out, and afterwards
findeth the house void and swept, he taketh seven other spirits more wicked than himself,
and entereth into the soul, and the last state of that man is worse than the first.”1754 Therefore
let us also fear, lest now we are liberated from our former evils, we afterwards by our listless-
ness draw upon us those which are greater! I know that ye yourselves1755 are free from this
folly; but ye should restrain, punish, and sober those who walk disorderly, that ye may always
rejoice even as Paul commanded, that both for our own good works, and for our forethought
for others, we may enjoy both here and in the life to come an abundant recompense; through
the grace and lovingkindness of our Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom, and with Whom, to the
Father, with the Holy Ghost, be glory, honour, and adoration, now and ever, and world
without end. Amen.
1754 Luke xi. 24, 26.
1755 That is, those present.
685
Homily XVIII