with God we are at peace. And again it is no gain to us, if all men approve, and the Lord be
offended; neither is there any danger, though all shun and hate us, if with God we have ac-
ceptance and love. For that which is verily grace, and verily peace, cometh of God, since he
who finds grace in God’s sight, though he suffer ten thousand horrors, feareth no one; I say
not only, no man, but not even the devil himself; but he that hath offended God suspects
all men, though he seem to be in security. For human nature is unstable, and not friends
only and brethren, but fathers also, before now, have been altogether changed and often for
a little thing he whom they begat, the branch of their planting, hath been to them, more
than all foes, an object of persecution. Children, too, have cast off their fathers. Thus, if ye
will mark it, David was in favor with God, Absalom was in favor with men. What was the
end of each, and which of them gained most honor, ye know. Abraham was in favor with
God, Pharaoh with men; for to gratify him they gave up the just man’s wife. (See St. Chrys.
on Gen. xii. 17.) Which then of the two was the more illustrious, and the happy man? every
one knows. And why speak I of righteous men; The Israelites were in favor with God, but
they were hated by men, the Egyptians; but nevertheless they prevailed against their haters
and vanquished them, with how great triumph, is well known to you all.
For this, therefore, let all of us labor earnestly; whether one be a slave, let him pray for
this, that he may find grace with God rather than with his master; or a wife, let her seek
grace from God her Saviour rather than from her husband; or a soldier, in preference to his
king and commander let him seek that favor which cometh from above. For thus among
men also wilt thou be an object of love.
[4.] But how shall a man find grace with God? How else, except by lowliness of mind?
“For God, “saith one, (St. Jas. iv. 6.) “resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble;
and, (Ps. li. 17. τεταπεινωμένην.) the sacrifice of God is a broken spirit, and a heart that is
brought low God will not despise.” For if with men humility is so lovely, much more with
God. Thus both they of the Gentiles found grace and the Jews no other way fell from grace;
(Rom. x. 13.) “for they were not subject unto the righteousness of God.” The lowly man of
whom I am speaking, is pleasing and delightful to all men, and dwells in continual peace,
and hath in him no ground for contentions. For though you insult him, though you abuse
him, whatsoever you say, he will be silent and will bear it meekly, and will have so great
peace towards all men as one cannot even describe. Yea, and with God also. For the com-
mandments of God are to be at peace with men: and thus our whole life is made prosperous,
through peace one with another. For no man can injure God: His nature is imperishable,
and above all suffering. Nothing makes the Christian so admirable as lowliness of mind.
Hear, for instance, Abraham saying, (Gen. xviii. 27.) “But I am but dust and ashes;” and
again, God [saying] of Moses, that (Numb. xii. 3.) “he was the meekest of all men.” For
nothing was ever more humble than he; who, being leader of so great a people, and having
overwhelmed in the sea the king and the host of all the Egyptians, as if they had been flies;
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Homily I