5. Forasmuch then as our house is there, there let us store up all, and
leave nothing here, unless we lose it. For here, though you put a lock
on it, and doors, and bars, and set thousands of servants to watch it;
though you get the better of all the crafty ones, though you escape
the eyes of the envious, the worms, the wasting that comes of time;
which is impossible;--death at any rate you will never escape, but
will be deprived of all those things in one moment of time; and not
deprived of them only, but will have to transfer them into the hands
often of your very enemies. Whereas if you would transfer them into
that house, you will be far above all. For there is no need to apply
either key, or doors, or bars; such is the virtue [527] of that city,
so inviolable is this place, and by nature inaccessible to corruption
and all wickedness.
How then is it not of the utmost folly, where destruction and waste is
the lot of all that is stored, there to heap up all, but where things
abide untouched and increase, there not to lay up even the least
portion; and this, when we are to live there forever? For this cause
the very heathens [528] disbelieve the things that we say, since our
doings, not our sayings, are the demonstration which they are willing
to receive from us; and when they see us building ourselves fine
houses, and laying out gardens and baths, and buying fields, they are
not willing to believe that we are preparing for another sort of
residence away from our city.
"For if this were so," say they, "they would turn to money all they
have here, and lay them up beforehand there;" and this they divine from
the things that are done in this world. For so we see those who are
very rich getting themselves houses and fields and all the rest,
chiefly in those cities in which they are to stay. But we do the
contrary; and with all earnest zeal we get possession of the earth,
which we are soon after to leave; giving up not money only, but even
our very blood for a few acres and tenements: while for the purchase of
Heaven we do not endure to give even what is beyond our wants, and this
though we are to purchase it at a small price, and to possess it
forever, provided we had once purchased it.
Therefore I say we shall suffer the utmost punishment, departing
there naked and poor; or rather it will not be for our own poverty
that we shall undergo these irremediable calamities, but also for our
making others to be such as ourselves. For when heathens see them that
have partaken of so great mysteries earnest about these matters, much
more will they cling themselves to the things heaping much fire upon
our head. For when we, who ought to teach them to despise all things
that appear, do ourselves most of all urge them to the lust of these
things; when shall it be possible for us to be saved, having to give
account for the perdition of others? Hear you not Christ say, that
He left us to be for salt and for lights in this world, in order that
we may both brace up [529] those that are melting in luxury, and
enlighten them that are darkened by the care of wealth? When therefore
we even cast them into more thorough darkness, and make them more
dissolute, what hope shall we have of salvation? There is none at all;
but wailing and gnashing our teeth, and bound hand and foot, we shall
depart into the fire of hell, after being full well worn down by the
cares of riches.
Considering then all these things, let us loose the bands of such
deceit, that we may not at all fall into those things which deliver us
over to the unquenchable fire. For he that is a slave to money, the
chains both here and there will have him continually liable to them;
but he that is rid of this desire will attain to freedom from both.
Unto which that we also may attain, let us break in pieces the grievous
yoke of avarice, and make ourselves wings toward Heaven; by the grace
and love towards man of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory and
might forever and ever. Amen.
Be still and know that I am God!
May you be blessed.
+William
Web Page;
Live Radio call in show;
For Monk Michael's videos; http://www.youtube.com/user/HieroMonkMichael
Monk Michael's 'Spiritual Christianity for Today! on Kindle; http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009ZCIF4M
Monk Michael's 'Spiritual Christianity for Today! paperback; http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&field-author=Rev.%20Fr.%20Michael%20Valentine%20Sweet&page=1&rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3ARev.%20Fr.%20Michael%20Valentine%20Sweet
No comments:
Post a Comment