522 WORKS OF ST. CHRYSOSTOM. [HOMILY I. brethren, because they were born by the same faith ; children, because it was by his hands. By mentioning the common faith, therefore, he intimates their brotherhood. Ver. 4. " Grace and peace from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ our Sav iour." Because he had called him his son, he adds, from God the Father," to elevate his mind by showing whose son he was, and by not only naming the common faith, but by adding " our Father," he implies that he has this honor equally with himself. MORAL. Observe also how he offers the same prayers for the Teacher, as for the disciples and the multitude. For indeed he needs such prayers as much, or rather more than they, by how much he has greater enmities to encounter, and is more exposed to the neces sity of offending God. For the higher is the dignity, the greater are the dangers of the priestly office. For one good act in his epis copal office is sufficient to raise him to heaven, and one error to sink him to hell itself. For, to pass over all other cases of daily occurrence, if he happens, either from friendship or any other cause, to have advanced an unworthy per son to a Bishopric, and have committed to him the rule of a great city, see to how great a flame he renders himself obnoxious. For not only will he have to account for the souls that are lost, for they are lost through the man s irre- ligion, but for all that is done amiss by the other. For he that is irreligious in a private station will be much more so when he is raised to power. It is much indeed, if a pious man continue such after his elevation to rule. For he is then more strongly assailed by vainglory, and the love of wealth, and self-will, when office gives him the power ; and by offenses, insults, and reproaches, and numberless other evils. If therefore any one be irreligious, he will become more so when raised to office ; and he who appoints such a ruler will be answerable for all the offenses com mitted by him, and for the whole people. But if it is said of him who gives offense to one soul, " It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he weredrowned in the depth of the sea " (Matt, xviii. 6) ; what will he have to suffer who offends so many souls, whole cities and populations, and multitudes of families, 1 men, women, children, citizens, and husbandmen, the inhabitants of the city itself, and of all places subject to it? To say thrice as much more is to say nothing, so severe is the vengeance and the punishment to which he will be obnoxious. So that a Bishop especially needs the grace and peace of God. For if without these he governs the people, all is ruined and 1 So Sav. mar. Edd. " souls." lost, for want of those helms. And though he be skilled in the art of steering, he will sink the vessel and those that sail in it, if he has not these helms, "the grace and peace of God." Hence I am struck with astonishment at those who desire so great a burden. Wretched and unhappy man, seest thou what it is thou desir- est ? If thou art by thyself, unknown and un distinguished, though thou committest ten thou sand faults, thou hast only one soul for which to give an account, and for it alone wilt thou be answerable. But when thou art raised to this office, consider for how many persons thou art obnoxious to punishment. Hear what Paul says, " Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves : for they watch for your souls as they that must give account." (Heb. xiii. 17.) But dost thou desire honor and power? But what pleasure is there in this honor ? I confess, I see not. For to be a ruler indeed is not possible, since it depends upon those under thy rule to obey or not. And to any one who considers the matter closely, it will appear that a Bishop does not so much come to rule, as to serve a multitude of masters, who are of opposite desires and sentiments. For what one commends, another blames ; what this man censures, that admires. To whom there fore shall he listen, with whom shall he comply? It is impossible ! And the slave that is bought with money complains if his master s commands are contrary to each other. But shouldest thou grieve, when so many masters give the contrary orders, thou art condemned even for this, and all mouths are opened against thee. Tell me then, is this honor, is this rule, is this power? One who holds the Episcopal office has re quired a contribution of money. He who is un willing to contribute not only withholds it, but that he may not seem to withhold it from indif ference, he accuses his Bishop. He is a thief, he says, a robber, he engulfs the goods of the poor, he devours the rights of the needy. Cease thy calumnies ! How long wilt thou say these things? Wilt thou not contribute? No one compels thee, there is no constraint. Why dost thou revile him who counsels and advises thee? Is any one reduced to need, and he from in ability, or some other hindrance, has not lent a hand ? No allowance is made for him, the re proaches in this case are worse than in the other. This then is government ! And he cannot avenge himself. For they are his own bowels, and as though the bowels be swollen, and though they give pain to the head and the rest of the body, we venture not on revenge, we cannot take a sword and pierce them ; so if one of those under our rule be of such sort, and create trouble and disorder by these accusations, we dare not avenge ourselves, for this would be far from the