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Hospitality. Sharing of danger with the Saints. 479

ROM.

Ver. 4. Who for my life have laid down their own necks. You see they are thoroughly furnished martyrs. For in 16, 4. 5. Nero's time it is probable that there were thousands of dangers, at the time as he even commanded all Jews to be Acts 18, removed from Rome. 2.(Clau

Unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the Churches of the Gentiles.

dius)

Here he hints at their hospitality, and pecuniary assistance, holding them in admiration because they had both poured forth their blood, and had made their whole property open to all. You see these were noble women, hindered no way by their sex in the course of virtue. And this is as might be expected. For in Christ Jesus there is neither Gen. 3, male nor female. And what he had said of the former, that 28. he said also of this.

For of her also he had said, she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also. So too of this woman not only I give thanks, but also all the Churches of the Gentiles. Now that in this he might not seem to be a flatterer, he also adduces a good many more witnesses to these women.

Ver. 5. Likewise greet the Church that is in their house.

19.

For they had been so estimable as even to make their house a Church, both by making all in it believers, and because they opened it to all strangers. For he was not in the habit of calling any houses Churches, save where there was much piety, and much fear of God deeply rooted in them. And on this ground he said to the Corinthians also, Salute Aquila and Priscilla, with the Church that is in their 1Cor.16, house. And when writing about Onesimus he says, Paul Phil. 1, unto Philemon, and to the beloved Apphia, and to the 1. Church that is in their house. For it is possible for a man even in the married state to be worthy of being looked up to, and noble. See then how these were in that state and became very honourable, and yet their occupation was far from being honourable; for they were tent makers. Still their virtue covered all this, and made them more conspicuous than the sun. And neither their trade nor their marriage was any hurt to them, but the love which Christ required of them, that they exhibited. For greater love hath no man John15, than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

13.

480

These were liberal though living by labour.

XXXI.

HOMII. And that which is a proof of being a disciple, they achieve, since they took up the Cross and followed Him. For they Mar. who did this for Paul, did1 much rather display their fortitude in Christ's behalf.

and Ms.

would

Sav.

est.

3

Let rich and poor both hear all this. For if they who lived from their labour, aud were managers of a workshop, exhibited such a profuseness as to be of service to many Churches; what pardon can they expect, who are rich, and yet neglect the poor? For they were not sparing even of their blood for the sake of God's will, but thou art sparing even of scanty sums, 2 so Ms. and many times sparest not thine own soul. But in regard to neglect-the teacher were they so, and not so with regard to the disciples? Nay even this cannot be said. For the Churches of the Gentiles, he says, thank them. And yet they were six of the Jews. But still they had such a clear3 faith, as to minister unto them also with all willingness. Such ought women to be, not adorning themselves with broidered hair, or gold, or costly array, but in these good deeds. For what empress, pray, was so conspicuous or so celebrated as this wife of the tentmaker? she is in every body's mouth, not for ten or twenty years, but until the coming of Christ, and all proclaim her fame for things such as adorn far more than any royal diadem. For what is greater or so great, as to have been a succourer of Paul? at her own peril to have saved the teacher of the world? And consider how many empresses there are that no one speaks of. But the wife of mean- the tentmaker is every where reported of with the tentmaker'; ing per- and the width that the sun sees over, is no more of the world haps St.

1 Tim.

2, 9.

Paul

than what the glory of this woman runneth unto. Persians, and Scythians, and Thracians, and they too who dwell in the uttermost parts of the earth, sing of the Christian spirit of this woman, and bless it. How much wealth, how many diadems and purples would you not be glad to venture upon obtaining such a testimony? For no one can say either, that in dangers they were of this character, and lavish with their money, and yet neglected the preaching. For he calls them fellow-workers and helpers on this ground. And this chosen vessel does not feel ashamed to call a woman his Acts 9, helper, but even finds an honour in doing so. For it is 5 póru not the sex that he minds, but the will is what he honours.

15.

How we may entertain St. Paul, nay, Christ Himself. 481

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ROM.

16, 4.

dress

19, 10.

What is equal to this ornament? Where now is wealth overflowing on every side? and where the adorning of the person? and where is vain glory? Learn that the dress of woman is not that put about the body, but that which decorates the soul, which is never put off, which does not lie in a chest, but is laid up in the heavens. Look at their labour for the Gospel, the crown in martyrdom, the munificence in money, the love of Paul, the charm' they found in › qía-gov Christ. Compare with this thine own estate, thy anxiety about money, thy vying with harlots, thy emulating of the grass', and i. e. in then thou wilt see who they were and who thou art. Or rather do not compare only, but vie with this woman, and after laying aside the burdens of grass 3, (for this is what thy costly 3 xaóns dressing is,) take thou the dress from heaven, and learn whence Priscilla became such as she was. How then did they become so? For two years they entertained Paul as a Probaguest; and what is there that these two years may not have by Acts done for their souls? What am I to do then, you will say, because I have not Paul? If thou be minded, thou mayest have him in a truer sense than they? For even with them the sight of Paul was not what made them of such a character, but the words of Paul. And so, if thou be so minded, thou shalt have both Paul, and Peter, and John, and the whole choir of the Prophets, with the Apostles, associating with thee continually. For take the books of these blessed ones, and hold a continual intercourse with their writings, and they will be able to make thee like the tentmaker's wife. And why speak I of Paul? For if thou wilt, thou mayest have Paul's Master Himself. For through Paul's tongue even He will discourse with thee. another way again thou wilt be able to receive this Person, when thou receivest the saints, when thou tendest those that believe on Him. And so even after their departure thou wilt have many memorials of piety. For even the table at which a holy man ate, and a seat on which he sat, and the couch on which he lay, knoweth how to pierce him that received him; even after his departure. How then, think you, was that Shunamite pierced at entering the upper

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k xarava, see p. 340. and p. 252.

482 Local Memorials of Saints. Sarah's humility.

HOMIL. chamber where Elisha abode, and saw the table, the couch XXX. on which the holy man slept; and what religiousness must

of &c.

she have felt come from it'? For had this not been so, she would not have cast the child there when dead, nor even Iso Ms. have gone in', if she had not reaped great benefit from thence. For if so long time after upon entering in where Paul abode, where he was bound, where he sat and discoursed, we are elevated, and find ourselves starting off from Ms.om. the places to the recollection of that day2; when the circumstances were still fresher, what must those have been likely to feel, who had religiously entertained him? Knowing all this then, let us receive the Saints, that the house may shine, that it may be freed from [choking] thorns, that the small abode may become a haven. And let us receive them, and wash their feet. Thou art not better than Sarah, nor more noble, nor more wealthy, though thou be an empress. Now she had three hundred and eighteen home-born servants, at a time when to have two servants even was to be wealthy. And why do I mention the three hundred and eighteen servants? She had become possessed of the whole world in Is. 41,8. her seed and in the promises, she had the friend of God James 2, for her husband, God Himself as a Patron, a thing greater than any kingdom. And yet, though she was in so illustrious and honourable estate, this woman kneaded the flour, and did all the other servants' offices, and stood by them as they banquetted too in the rank of a servant. Thou art not of nobler birth than Abraham, who yet did the part of domestics after his exploits, after his victories, after the honour paid him by the king of Egypt, after driving out the kings of the Persians, and raising the glorious trophies. And look not to this; that in appearance the Saints that lodge with thee are but a poor thing, and as beggars and in rags many times, Mat.25, but be mindful of that voice which says, Inasmuch as ye have done it to the least of these, ye have done it unto Me. 18, 10. And, Despise not one of these little ones, because their angels 3 Ms.pov do always behold the face of my3 Father which is in heaven.

23.

40.

1 See the use made of such recollections at the close of the 32d Homily.

m He seems to have some place at

Antioch in his mind, but we do not know that St. Paul was ever bound there.

Simple habits of holy women of old.

483

16, 5.

12. 13.

4, 27.

Receive them then with readiness of mind, bringing as they ROM. do ten thousand blessings to thee, through the greetings of peace. And after Sarah, reflect upon Rebecca also, who Mat.10, both drew water and gave to drink, and called the stranger in, trampling down all haughtiness. However, through this, great were the rewards of hospitality she received! And thou, if thou be so minded, wilt receive even greater than those. For it will not be the fruit of the ground only that God will give thee, but the heaven, and the blessings there, and a freedom from hell, and a remission of sins. For great, yea, Lukell, very great, is the fruit of hospitality. Thus too Jethro, and 41. Dan. that though he was a foreigner, gained for a relation him who Ex. 3, 1. Num. 8, with so great power commanded the sea. For his daughters 29. too drew into his net this honourable prey. Setting then thy thoughts upon these things, and reflecting upon the manly and heroic" temper of those women, trample upon the gorgeousness of this day, the adornments of dress, the costly golden jewelry, the anointing with perfumes. And have done with those wanton" and delicate airs, and that mincing walk, and turn all this attentiveness unto the soul, and kindle up in thy mind a longing for the heavens. For should but this love take hold of thee, thou wilt discern the mire and the clay, and ridicule the things now so admired. For it is not even possible for a woman adorned with spiritual attainments to be seeking after this ridiculousness. Having then cast this aside, which wives of the lewder sort of men, and actresses, and singers, have so much ambition in, clad thee with the love of wisdom, with hospitality, with the succouring of the Saints, with compunction, with continual prayer. These be better than cloth of gold, these more stately than jewels and than necklaces, these both make thee of good repute among men, and bring thee great reward with God. This is the dress of the Church, that of the playhouses. This is worthy of the heaven, that, of horses and mules; that is put even round dead corpses, this shineth in a good soul alone

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