HOMILY XX.] HOMILIES ON EPHESIANS. there is nothing that so contributes to persuade a hearer to admit sincerely the things that are said, as to be assured that they are said with hearty affection. How then art thou to show that affection? By saying, "when it was in my power to take many to wife, both with better fortunes, and of noble family, I did not so choose, but I was enamoured of thee, and thy beautiful life, thy modesty, thy gentleness, and soberness of mind." Then immediately from these beginnings open the way to your dis course on true wisdom, and with some circum locution make a protest against riches. For if you direct your argument at once against riches, you will bear too heavily upon her ; but if you do it by taking an occasion, you will succeed entirely. For you will appear to be doing it in the way of an apology, not as a morose sort of person, and ungracious, and over-nice about trifles. But when you take occasion from what relates to herself, she will be even pleased. You will say then, (for I must now take up the discourse again,) that " whereas I might have married a rich woman, and with good fortune, I could not endure it. And why so? Not capriciously, and without reason ; but I was taught well and truly, that money is no real possession, but a most despi cable thing, a thing which moreover belongs as well to thieves, and to harlots, and to grave- robbers. So I gave up these things, and went on till I fell in with the excellence of thy soul, which I value above all gold. For a young damsel who is discreet and ingenuous, and whose heart is set on piety, is worth the whole world. For these reasons then, I courted thee, and I love thee, and prefer thee to my own soul. For the present life is nothing. And I pray, and beseech, and do all I can, that we may be counted worthy so to live this present life, as that we may be able also there in the world to come to be united to one another in perfect security. For our time here is brief and fleeting. . But ifwe shall be counted worthy by having pleased God to so exchange this life for that one, then shall we ever be both with Christ and with each other, with more abundant pleasure. I value thy affection above all things, and nothing is so bitter or so painful to ine, as ever to be at variance with thee. Yes, though it should be my lot to lose my all, and to be come poorer than Irus, 1 and undergo the ex- tremest hazards, and suffer any pain whatsoever, all will be tolerable and endurable, so long as thy feelings are true towards me. And then will my children be most dear to me, whilst thou art affectionately disposed towards me. 1 [The well-known beggar of Ithaca, the home of Ulysses. He was the messenger of the suitors of Penelope. See Odys. Bk. xviii. 1-125. Later, his name was used as an appellation, "an Irus, a beggar." Liban i. 568. Liddell and Scott. G. A.] But thou must do these duties too." Then mingle also with your discourse the Apostle s words, that " thus God would have our afiec- tions blended together ; for listen to the Scrip ture, which saith, For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife. Let us have no pretext for narrow- minded jealousy.2 Perish riches, and retinue of slaves, and all your outward pomps. To me this is more valuable than all." What weight of gold, what -amount of treasures, are so dear to a wife as these words? Never fear that because she is beloved she will ever rave against thee, but confess that thou lovest her. For courtezans indeed, who now attach themselves to one and now to another, would naturally enough feel contempt towards their lovers, should they hear such expressions as these ; but a free-born wife or a noble damsel would never be so affected with such words ; no, she will be so much the more subdued. Show her too, that you set a high value on her com pany, and that you are more desirous to be at home for her sake, than in the market-place. And esteem her before all your friends, and above the children that are born of her, and let these very children be beloved by thee for her sake. If she does any good act, praise and admire it ; if any foolish one, and such as girls may chance to do, advise her and remind her. Condemn out and out all riches and extrava gance, and gently point out the ornament that there is in neatness and in modesty ; and be continually teaching her the things that are profitable. Let your prayers be common. 3 Let each go to Church ; and let the husband ask his wife at home, and she again ask her husband, the ac count of the things which were said and read there. Ifany poverty should overtake you, cite the case of those holy men, Paul and Peter, who were more honored than any kings or rich men ; and yet how they spent their lives, in hunger and in thirst. Teach her that there is nothing in life that is to be feared, save only offending against God. If any marry thus, with these views, he will be but little inferior to monks ; the married but little below the un married. If thou hast a mind to give dinners, and to make entertainments, let there be nothing im modest, nothing disorderly. If thou shouldest find any poor saint able to bless your house, able only just by setting his foot in it to bring in the whole blessing of God, invite him. And shall I say moreover another thing? Let no one of you make it his endeavor to marry a rich - /Jlt<pOl//VYlCl. [For a picture of family life drawn bv Clement of Alexandria, and another drawn by Tertullian, see Schaff, Church History, \ ol. II., p. 364. G. A.]