dwelt among us." For the Word of the Lord was granted to us, that we might hold to Him, that we might not pass away with the flower of grass; this I say, that He hath granted to us, that the Word should be made Flesh, taking flesh, not changed into flesh, abiding and assuming; abiding what He was, assuming what He was not; this I say that He hath granted to us, that pool also signifies.

I am speaking briefly. That water was the Jewish people; the five porches were the Law. For Moses wrote five books. Therefore was the water inclosed by five porches, as that people was held in by the Law. The troubling of the water is the Lord's Passion among that people. He who descended was healed, and only one; for this is unity. Whosoever are offended at the Passion of Christ are proud, they will not descend, they are not healed... To the proud the humiliation of the Lord seems unworthy of Him, therefore is saving health from such far off. Lift not thyself up; if thou wouldest be made whole, descend. Well might piety be alarmed, if Christ in the flesh subject to change were only spoken of. But now the truth sets forth to thee, Christ Unchangeable in His Nature as the Word. For, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God;" not a word to sound, and so pass away; for "the Word was God." So then thy God endureth unchangeably, O true piety; thy God endureth, fear not; He doth not perish, and through

Him thou too dost not perish.

He endureth, He is

born of a woman, but in the flesh. The Word made

I

even His Mother. He Who was before He was made, made her in whom He was to be made Himself. He was an Infant, but in the flesh. He sucked, He grew, He took nourishment, He ran through the several stages of life, He came to man's estate, but in the flesh. He was wearied, and He slept, but in the flesh. He suffered hunger and thirst, but in the flesh. He was apprehended, bound, scourged, assailed with railings, crucified finally, and killed, but in the flesh. Why art thou alarmed? "The Word of the Lord endureth for ever." Whoso rejecteth this humiliation of God, doth not wish for healing from the deadly swelling of pride.

So then by His flesh did the Lord Jesus Christ grant hope to our flesh. For He took on Him what we knew well in this earth, what aboundeth here, to be born and to die. To be born and die abounded here; to rise again and to live for ever was not here. Poor earthly merchandise found He here, He brought here strange and heavenly. If thou art alarmed at death, love the Resurrection. He hath given thee help out of tribulation; for vain thy health had ever been. Let us acknowledge therefore and love the saving health in this world strange, that is, health everlasting, and live we in this world as strangers. Let us think that we are but passing away, so shall we be sinning less. Let us rather give thanks to our Lord God, that He hath been pleased that the last day of this life should be both near and uncertain. From the earliest infancy even to decrepit old age, it is but a short span. If Adam

LOVE AND OBEDIENCE BETTER THAN MIRACLES. 115

had died to-day, what would it have profited him that he had lived so long? What "long time" is there in that in which there is an end? No one recalleth yesterday; to-day is pressed on by tomorrow, that it may pass away. In this little span let us live well, that we may go

pass away.

whence we may not

And now even as we are talking, we are indeed passing away. Our words run on, and the hours fly by; so does our age, so our actions, so our honours, so our misery, so our happiness here below. All passeth away, but let us not be alarmed; "the Word of God endureth for ever."

Sermons on the New Testament, lxxiv.

Third Monday in Lent.

LOVE AND OBEDIENCE BETTER THAN MIRACLES. S. CHRYSOSTOM.

THERE are indeed many things to bind us together. One table is set before all, One Father begat us; we are all the issue of the same throes, the same drink hath been given to all; or rather not only the same drink, but also to drink out of one Cup. For our Father desiring to lead us to a kindly affection,

hath desired this also, that we should drink out of one Cup, a thing which belongs to intense love.

"But there is no comparison between the Apostles and us!" I confess it too, and would never deny it. For I say not to themselves, but not even to their shadows are we comparable. But nevertheless let your part be done. This will have no tendency to disgrace you, but rather to profit you the more. For when even to unworthy persons ye shew so much love and obedience, then shall ye receive the greater reward.

We have partaken of a spiritual Table, let us be partakers also of spiritual love. For if robbers on partaking of salt, forget their character, what excuse shall we have, who are continually partaking of the Lord's Body, and do not imitate even their gentleness? And yet to many, not one table only, but even to be of one city, hath sufficed for friendship; but we, when we have the same City, and the same House, and Table, and Day, and Door, and Root, and Life, and Head, and the same Shepherd, and King, and Teacher, and Judge, and Maker and Father, and to whom all things are common; what indulgence can we deserve, if we be divided one from another?

But the miracles perhaps, are what ye seek after, such as they wrought when they entered in; the lepers cleansed, the devils driven out, and the dead raised? Nay but this is the great indication of your high birth, and of your love, that ye should believe God without pledges. And in fact this, and one

other thing, were the reasons why God made miracles to cease. I mean, that if when miracles are not performed, they that plume themselves on other advantages, for instance either on the word of wisdom, or on show of piety, grow vain-glorious, are puffed up, are separated one from another; did miracles also take place, how could there but be violent rendings? And that what I say is not mere conjecture, the Corinthians bear witness, who from this cause were divided into many parties.

Do not thou therefore seek signs, but the soul's health. Seek not to see one dead man raised; nay, for thou hast learnt that the whole world is arising. Seek not to see a blind man healed, but behold all now restored unto that better and more profitable sight; and do thou too learn to look chastely, and amend thine eye. For in truth, if we all lived as we ought, workers of miracles would not be admired so much as we by the children of the heathen. For as to the signs, they often carry with them either a notion of mere fancy, or another evil suspicion, although ours be not such. But a pure life cannot admit of any such reproach; yea, all men's mouths are stopped by the acquisition of virtue.

Let virtue then be our study; for abundant are her riches, and great the wonder wrought in her. She bestows the true freedom, and causes the same to be discerned even in slavery, not releasing from slavery, but while men continue slaves, exhibiting them more honourable than freemen; which is much more than giving them freedom; not making the