Homilies on the Gospel of Matthew 17 part 2/2

But if you plead custom to me, then for this very reason above all I declare that the accomplishment is easy.

For if you establish yourself in a different custom, you have accomplished the whole matter.

Consider then that among the Greeks many who lisped, by much practice corrected their faltering tongue;

and others who kept raising and moving their shoulders disorderly and continually, by setting a sword above them broke themselves of the habit.

For since you are not persuaded from the Scriptures, I am compelled to shame you from things without.

This also God did toward the Jews, saying:

'Pass over to the isles of Chittim, and send unto Kedar, and consider whether the nations will change their gods;'

And to the irrational creatures also He often sends men, speaking thus:

'Go to the ant, O sluggard, and emulate its ways, and go to the bee.'

This therefore I too now say to you:

consider the philosophers of the Greeks, and then you shall know how great a punishment we deserve, who disobey the divine laws;

when they for the sake of human decorum have undergone countless labors, but you display not even for heavenly things the same diligence.

But if even after this you should say that custom is a dreadful thing, able to beguile even those who are exceedingly earnest, I too confess this;

yet along with this I say also that as it is dreadful to deceive, so also is it easy to be corrected.

For if you set over yourself in your house many guardians, such as your servant, your wife, your friend, being easily pressed and driven on by all, you will withdraw from the evil custom.

And if you set it right for only ten days, you will need no further time thereafter, but the whole matter will lie secure for you, rooted again by the firmness of the fairest custom.

When therefore you begin to correct this, even if once, even if a second time you transgress the law, even if a third, even if a twentieth, do not despair;

but rise again, and lay hold of the same earnestness, and you will assuredly prevail.

For perjury is no ordinary evil.

But if swearing is of the evil one, how great a penalty shall perjury bring? Did you approve what has been said? But I have no need of applause, nor of tumult, nor of noise.

One thing only I desire: that hearing with quietness and understanding, you do the things spoken.

This is my applause, this my encomium.

But if you praise what is said, yet do not the things you praise, greater is the punishment, and greater

the accusation, and to us it is shame and derision.

For the present gathering is no theater, nor do you sit now beholding tragic actors, that you should applaud only.

What is here is a spiritual school.

Wherefore the one thing to be earnestly sought is this: to accomplish the things spoken, and through works to demonstrate obedience.

For then shall we have received the whole reward;

whereas as it is now, we have well-nigh despaired for the rest.

For indeed with those who meet me privately I have not ceased from these exhortations, and I discourse to you in common, and I see nothing at all further accomplished, but you still cleaving to your former rudiments;

which is enough to instill much reluctance in the teacher.

See then Paul also on this account displeased, because his hearers spent a long time in the former lessons.

'For when for the time you ought to be teachers,' he says, 'you again have need that one teach you what are the first principles of the oracles of God.'

Wherefore we also lament and mourn.

And if I see you persisting, I shall henceforth forbid you to set foot upon these sacred thresholds, and to partake of the immortal mysteries, even as those who commit fornication and adultery, and are charged with murders.

For indeed it is better with two or three who keep the laws of God to offer the accustomed prayers, than to draw along a multitude of transgressors who corrupt the rest also.

Let no rich man, let no man of power here puff himself up against me, and raise his eyebrows.

All these things are to me a fable and a shadow and a dream.

For none of those who are now rich will stand up for me there, when I am arraigned and accused, as not having vindicated the laws of God with the fitting vehemence.

For this, this it was that destroyed that admirable old man,

although he exhibited a blameless life;

yet nevertheless, since he overlooked the laws of God being trampled underfoot, he was punished together with his children, and paid the grievous penalty.

But if where nature's tyranny was so great, he who did not deal with his own sons with the fitting manliness gave so grievous a satisfaction, what pardon shall we have, who are both freed from that tyranny, and ruin everything by flattery? In order therefore that you may not destroy both us and your own selves, be persuaded, I beseech you, and setting up over yourselves countless examiners and accountants, be rid of the custom of oaths, so that advancing henceforth along the way, you may accomplish the rest of virtue also with all ease, and enjoy the good things to come;

which may it be granted to us all to attain, by the grace and love toward mankind of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory and might, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.