Sermons 184

Of how great merit, dearest brethren, blessed Cyprian was, and of how great glory, both his venerable martyrdom and his doctrine, known to all, bear witness. For he does not need praises from outsiders, whom the magnificence of his own speech makes illustrious among all men. In short, that so great a man might reach even our age, his monuments of admirable eloquence have brought it about; for while, a wonted master, he instructed the peoples entrusted to him in the observance of the heavenly commandments, he transmitted his life and faith to posterity. That this is so, every studious man recognizes with me, since in his books one perceives how great was in him the purity of chastity, the holiness of goodness, the greatness of faith.

For while he chastises the vices of sinners with severe rebuke, while he follows up the merits of the saints with worthy praise, he reveals the heavenly discipline that dwells in his heart. Whence this man without doubt is of those brethren of whom it is said through the prophet: Their sound went out into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world (Psalm 19:4). Assuredly the sound of the most blessed Cyprian went out into all the earth, since under the whole heaven both the glory of his passion became known, and the trumpet of his most illustrious tongue resounded.

And truly the blast of the trumpet of his speech pealed forth, when he kindled the Church of God, contending in spiritual battle against the threats and terrors of the pagans, with the sound of heavenly eloquence; and lest he should seem to arm the people of God unto contempt of the present life more by being eloquent than by being brave, he trampled death—which by preaching he had taught was not to be feared—having undertaken suffering for the name of Christ; and thus it came about that he provoked every faithful one to undergo torments for religion not only by the exhortation of holy words, but by the most brave example of his own blood. Truly this man is to be venerated by all and by the whole world, who both asserted and fulfilled the work of divine virtue with all perfection. Here we subjoin a fragment of another sermon of Saint Maximus on Saint

which is found published by Muratori after the third sermon on Saint Lawrence, Anecdota, vol. IV, page 65. He kept the peace, he counselled peace by his words, he preserved peace in his heart, and rejected all vices with his holy mouth, condemned them with a holier mind; so with the sharpest blade of his tongue did he cut down the springing brambles of diverse crimes, that he pruned them the more by the integrity of his blameless life. He was also, like a truly spiritual master, bitter to vices, gentle to virtues, and he seasoned the tranquillity of the sinner with the medicine of a sharper remedy, so that those whom the clemency of his goodness by no means restrained, the censure of his rebuking tongue might terrify.

So did he soften his sharpness with the sweetness of mingled gentleness, as a too-hot wave is often wont to be tempered by a drop of cold water. Some indeed, harder in mind, he wounded with the saving darts of his armed mouth, so that to those whom a gentle care could not profit, spiritual wounds might bring aid. And this after the manner of a most skilled physician, who, when he has found deadly ulcers to have settled more deeply in a man's body, though he is good and most kind, as though taking on cruelty, attacks with the knife to cut away the harmful rottenness of dead flesh, and does not spare the highest art of healing, that he may spare; he grows angry, that he may succour, and displays savagery according to the need of his sick one, that he may heal; for the most wise Solomon also says:

More gentle are the wounds of a friend than the willing kisses of an enemy (Proverbs 27:6). This life, this spirit, both advanced the most blessed Cyprian to the priesthood and consecrated him by martyrdom. This perfection of mind and speech rendered him renowned to the world, and glorious to heaven. Precious, it says, in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints (Psalm 116:15). Rightly, brethren, was the death of venerable Cyprian made precious, which he purchased for himself from the Lord his God at the manifold price of his virtues. Truly precious is his death, by whose commerce he bought for himself the inheritance of heaven and the eternal kingdom.

And therefore, dearly beloved, let us celebrate this so magnificent martyrdom of his with all devotion and reverence, because a wealthy life, a most rich tongue, and a precious death exalt him to all that glory in Christ Jesus our Lord, who with, etc.