論得救的富人 第 1 章 第 3/3 段

He alone of all is able to make undone the things that have been done, blotting out former sins by the mercy that is from Himself and by the dew of the Spirit.

"For in whatever state I find you," He says, "in these I will also judge you." And at every point the end of all things cries aloud:

to one who has lived rightly throughout his life, but at the end has run aground upon wickedness, all the former labors are profitless, since at the catastrophe of the drama he has come off the loser; while for one who lived worse and carelessly before, it is possible, by repenting later, through the time after his repentance to overcome a long course of wicked living.

But much exactness is needed, just as bodies worn out by long illness require regimen and greater attention.

Thief, do you wish to receive forgiveness? Steal no more.

Adulterer, no longer burn with lust.

Fornicator, henceforth be chaste.

Robber, give back, and give back more besides.

False witness, practice truth.

Perjurer, swear no more.

And cut short the other passions also—anger, lust, grief, fear—so that you may be found, at the time of your departure, to have already settled accounts here with your adversary.

Now it is perhaps impossible all at once to cut off the passions that have grown up with us; but by the power of God, by human entreaty, by the help of the brethren, by sincere repentance, and by continual practice, it is set right.

Therefore you—the proud, the powerful, the rich—must by all means set over yourself some man of God as a trainer and a steersman.

Reverence at least one man, fear at least one, practice listening to at least one who speaks frankly and is at once both bracing and healing.

For it is not good even for the eyes to remain forever uncurbed, but to weep and smart at times for the sake of greater health.

So too, for the soul nothing is more destructive than continuous pleasure;

for it is blinded by the melting away, if it remains unmoved by the word of him who speaks frankly.

Fear this man when he is angry; grieve when he groans; show reverence when he ceases from anger; and forestall him when he seeks to avert punishment.

Let this man keep watch many nights for you, interceding for you to God and by his accustomed supplications enchanting the Father;

for the Father's heart of compassion does not hold out against His children when they entreat Him.

And he will pray purely, being honored by you as an angel of God, and grieved by you in nothing, but rather grieving on your behalf.

This is unfeigned repentance.

"God is not mocked," nor does He attend to empty words;

for He alone searches out the marrow and the reins of the heart, and hears those in the fire, and listens to those who supplicate in the belly of the sea-monster, and is near to all who believe, and far from the godless, unless they repent.

But that you may take courage—having thus truly repented—that there remains for you a trustworthy hope of salvation, hear a story that is no mere story, but a true account concerning John the Apostle, handed down and preserved in memory.

For when the tyrant had died, and John had removed from the island of Patmos to Ephesus, he used to go, when invited, also to the neighboring regions of the Gentiles—in some places to appoint bishops, in others to set whole churches in order, in others to ordain to the clergy some one person of those indicated by the Spirit.

So he came also to one of the cities not far off, whose name some also mention,

and after he had refreshed the brethren in other respects, at last, looking upon the bishop who had been appointed, and seeing a young man strong in body, handsome in appearance, and ardent in soul, he said: "This one I commit to you with all earnestness, in the presence of the church and of Christ as witness."

And when the bishop accepted and promised everything, John again charged and solemnly adjured him in the same terms.

Then John departed for Ephesus, while the presbyter took the young man committed to him home, reared him, kept him close, cherished him, and at last enlightened him;

and after this he relaxed his greater care and watchfulness, as having set over him the perfect safeguard, the seal of the Lord.

But when the youth had thus prematurely gained his freedom, certain idle young men of his own age, broken loose and habituated to evils, attached themselves to him for his ruin;

going out by night for robbery, they took him along with them, and then thought fit to have him join in some still greater deed.

And he, little by little, grew accustomed to it; and through the greatness of his nature, swerving aside like a hard-mouthed and vigorous horse from the straight road and taking the bit between his teeth, he was carried all the more violently down toward the abysses.

And having utterly despaired of salvation in God, he no longer planned any small thing, but, since he had once perished, he thought fit to do some great deed and to suffer the same fate as the rest.

Taking these very men and forming a band of robbers, he became a ready captain of brigands—most violent, most bloodthirsty, most cruel.

Time passed, and when some need arose, they summoned John.

And he, when he had settled the other matters for which he had come, said: "Come now, O bishop, give us back the deposit which I and Christ committed to you, in the presence of the church over which you preside, as witness." But the bishop at first was astounded, supposing himself to be falsely charged about money which he had not received, and could neither believe concerning what he did not possess, nor disbelieve John.

But when John said, "I demand back the young man, and the soul of the brother," the old man groaned from deep within and also shed some tears, and said, "He is dead."

"How, and by what death?" "He is dead to God," he said;

"for he turned out wicked and abandoned, and—in a word—a robber; and now, instead of the church, he has seized the mountain with a like band of soldiery." The apostle, rending his garment and with a great wail beating his head, said, "A fine guardian indeed of the brother's soul did I leave behind!

But let a horse now be brought to me, and let someone become my guide for the road." He rode off, just as he was, straight from the church.

And when he came to the place, he was seized by the robbers' outpost, neither fleeing nor begging off, but crying out:

"For this very thing have I come: lead me to your chief." Meanwhile the chief waited, armed as he was;

but when he recognized John approaching, he turned to flight in shame.

But John pursued him with all his might, forgetting his own age, crying out:

"Why do you flee from me, child—from your own father, an unarmed old man? Have pity on me, child; do not be afraid;

I will give account to Christ on your behalf;

if need be, I will willingly endure your death, as the Lord endured death for us;

on your behalf I will give my own life in exchange.

Christ has sent me." And he, on hearing this, first stood looking down, then threw away his weapons, then, trembling, wept bitterly;

and when the old man drew near, he embraced him, pleading with his lamentations as best he could, and baptized a second time in his tears, hiding only his right hand.

But John, pledging and swearing that forgiveness had been found for him from the Savior, beseeching him, falling on his knees, kissing that very right hand as now cleansed by repentance, led him back to the church; and interceding with abundant prayers, contending alongside him with continual fastings, and charming his mind with manifold strains of words, he did not depart, as they say, before he had restored him to the church—giving a great example of true repentance, a great token of regeneration, a trophy of a visible resurrection.

rejoicing with bright faces, singing hymns, opening the heavens.

But before all, the Savior Himself goes out to meet him, welcoming him, holding out a light that casts no shadow and never fails, guiding him into the bosom of the Father, into eternal life, into the kingdom of heaven.

Let one believe these things, both the disciples of God and God who is the surety—the prophecies, the Gospels, the apostolic words;

and living by these, lending his ears to them and exercising himself in the works, at his very departure he will behold the end and the demonstration of the teachings.

For he who here welcomes the angel of repentance will not repent then, when he leaves the body, nor will he be put to shame when he sees the Savior approaching with His own glory and host;

let him not blame [the fire], but [blame] his own soul, which perishes by its own will.

But to him who looks toward salvation, and longs for it, and asks for it with importunity and force, the good Father who is in the heavens will grant the true cleansing and the unchangeable life.

To whom, through the Child Jesus Christ, the Lord of the living and the dead, and through the Holy Spirit, be glory, honor, might, and eternal majesty, both now and unto generations of generations and unto the ages of the ages. Amen.