Vol 01 - HOMILY 10: Concerning the treasure of Christians, that is, CHRIST and the Holy Spir...

HOMILY 10: Concerning the treasure of Christians, that is, CHRIST and the Holy Spirit, variously exercising them towards perfection
1. IF any one in this world is possessed of a treasure, with that treasure he purchases whatever he has a mind to. Whatsoever he is desirous of he compasses with ease, and readily procures all possessions that suit his inclinations. So also they who have found the heavenly treasure of the Spirit, the Lord shining in their hearts, fulfill that entire extent of goodness there is in the commandments of the Lord, from that treasure that is within them, CHRIST; and by means of that do they amass together a large store of heavenly wealth. For by means of the heavenly treasure do they work every virtue in the -whole circle of righteousness, and every commandment of the Lord, by the help of the invisible riches of the grace within them.
2. Whoever therefore possesses within himself this heavenly treasure of the Spirit, he fulfils in this spirit all the righteousuess of the commandments, and the complete practice of the virtues, without blame, and in purity; moreover without compulsion or difficulty. Then let us beseech GOD, and seek diligently unto him, and pour out our supplications before him, that he would freely grant unto us the treasure of his Spirit, that we may be enabled to walk in all his commandments without reproof, and without blemish, and fulfill all the righteousness of the Spirit in purity and perfection.
3. For he that is poor, and naked, and a beggar, can purchase nothing in the world: but he that has a treasure at command, without trouble, is master of what possession he pleases. So the soul that is naked, and destitute of GOD, cannot, would it ever so fain, produce any of the fruits of the Spirit of righteousness in truth and reality, before it actually partakes of the Spirit itself.
4. It behooves every one therefore to oblige himself by force to petition the Lord, that he may receive the heavenly treasure of the Spirit, so as without difficulty to be able to perform all the commandments of the Lord, blameless and in purity; which before, even with violence, he could never do. ror being poor and destitute of the communication of the Spirit, how should he come by such spiritual possessions But the soul which, by faith and much patience, has. found the Lord, the true treasure, produceth the fruits of the Spirit, and performs all the righteousness and commandments of the Lord, which the Spirit has commanded, in and by it, with purity, and free from blame.
5. We ought therefore to beg of GOD with earnestness of heart, that he would grant unto us his riches, the true treasure of CHRIST, in our hearts, in the power and efficacy of the Spirit. And thus. having found first within-ourselves salvation and eternal life, we shall then profit others also, producing from that treasure of CHRIST within us, all the goodness of spiritual discourses, and declaring heavenly mysteries. For so it pleases the good will of the Father, that he should dwell with every one that believeth. --He that loves me, (says CHRIST,) shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." And again, " We will come unto him, I and my Father, and make our abode with him." Thus did the infinite kindness of the Father's will: Thus was the inconceivable love of CHRIST pleased. And thus did the unspeakable goodness of the Spirit promise. Glory be to the tender mercies of the Holy Trinity; which surpass all expression!
6. Let us illustrate in some measure by examples the methods of the Spirit in the soul. At a certain time then are they elated, as at a royal banquet, and rejoice with joy and gladness not to be expressed. At another season are they as the bride, thatin communion with the bridegroom enjoys Divine pleasures. At other times they are as the angels, which are not clogged with this earthly tabernacle.
7. At other times, they are in grief and lamentation for all mankind, and interceding for the whole stock of Adam. They take up a wailing and a weeping for it; the love of the Spirit.for the human nature kindling and flaming out within them. At other times the joy and love of the Spirit inflames them to that degree, that were it possible, they would snatch up every man into their own bowels, not making the least distinction of the bad from the good.
8. At other times they are humbled so far below every other person in the self-abasement of the Spirit, as to think themselves inferior to, and less than all. At other times they are like a strong man, that, having put on the royal armor, and coming down in battle upon his enemies, fights valiantly against them, and overcomes them. For in like manner, he too that is spiritual takesthe heavenly weapons of the Spirit, and comes upon his enemies and fights them, and treads them under his feet. At other times does the soul rest in great silence, and calmness and peace, being given up to spiritual pleasure, and rest unspeakable. At other times it is instructed by grace in a sort of understanding and wisdom not to be described, and a knowledge of the Spirit that is past finding out, in such things as it is impossible for the tongue to utter. So very various is the way of grace in them, and such variety is there in the manner after which it conducts the soul, refreshing it according to the will and pleasure of God. And with equal variety does it exercise her, thereby to restore her perfect and blameless, and pure to our heavenly Father.
9. These several refreshments of grace are expressed indeed very differently. However, there is no intermission of their influence; but one operation continually succeeds another. For when the soul is thoroughly.tlcansed from all its corrupt affections, and is united, by an ineffable communion, to the Spirit, the Comforter, and is thoroughly mixed with the Spirit, and is become spirit itself: then is it all light, all eye, all spirit, all joy, all rest, all gladness, all love,. all bowels, all goodness, and clemency. As a stone in the bottom of the sea is every way surrounded with water; so are these every way drenched with the Holy Spirit, and made like to CHRIST himself, possessing unalterably within themselves the virtues of the power of the Spirit, being blameless within and without, and spotless, and pure. For being brought to perfection by the Spirit, how is it possible they should outwardly produce the fruits of sin But at all times, and in every instance, do the fruits of the Spirit shine brightly out in their whole deportment.
10. And therefore let us also beseech GOD, and believe in love, and abundant hope, that the self-same Spirit may govern and lead us into all the will of GOD; and may refresh us with all the variety of the rest he gives that by the means of such an administration, and the exercise of grace, and spiritual improvement, we may come to the perfection of the fullness of CHRIST, as the apostle expresses it, « That ye might be filled with all the fullness of God." And again, "Till we all come unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of CHRIST." The Lord has promised to all that believe in him, and ask in truth, that he will, give to them the mysteries of the ineffable communion of the Spirit; and therefore let us, having entirely devoted ourselves to the Lord, make haste to attain the good things we have before-mentioned, being consecrated both in soul and body, and nailed to the cross of CHRIST, and giving glory to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, unto ages. Amen.