November 20

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.—Colossians 3:16.

HAVING exhorted them to be thankful, he shows also the way. And what is this? That of which I have lately discoursed, that is, by a due observance of all the rules of piety and benevolence. And what saith he? Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; or rather not this way alone, but another also. For I indeed said that we ought to reckon up those who have suffered things more terrible, and those who have undergone sufferings more grievous than ours, and to give thanks that such have not fallen to our lot; and what saith he? Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; that is, the teaching, the doctrines, the exhortation, wherein he says, that the present life is nothing, nor yet its good things. Let it dwell in you, he saith, richly, not simply dwell, but with great abundance. Hearken ye, as many as are worldly, and have the charge of wife and children; how to you too he commits the reading of the Scriptures; and that not to be done lightly, nor in any sort of way, but with much earnestness. For as the rich in money can bear fine and damages, so he that is rich in the doctrines of celestial wisdom will bear not poverty only, but all other calamities also easily, yea, more easily than the other. For as for him, by discharging the fine, the man who is rich must needs be impoverished, and must be in process of being found wanting, and if he should often suffer in that way, will no longer be able to bear it, but in this case it is not so; for we spend not to waste our wholesome thoughts when it is necessary for us to bear aught we would not choose, but they abide with us continually. And mark the wisdom of this blessed man. He said not, Let the word of Christ be in you, simply, but what? dwell in you and richly.

In all wisdom. Virtue he calls wisdom, reasonably, for lowliness of mind, and almsgiving, and other such like things, are wisdom, just as the contraries are folly, for cruelty too cometh of folly. Whence in many places it calleth the whole of sin folly. The fool, saith one, hath said in his heart, There is no God; and again, My wounds stink and are corrupt from the face of my foolishness. For what is more foolish, tell me, than one who wrappeth himself indeed about in garments, but regardeth not his own brethren that are naked; who feedeth dogs, and careth not that the image of God is famishing; who is persuaded generally that human things are naught, and yet is wedded to them as if immortal. As then nothing is more foolish than such an one, so is nothing wiser than one that achieveth virtue. For mark; doth any say, how is he wise? He imparteth of his substance, he is pitiful, he is loving to men, he hath well considered that he beareth a common nature with them; he hath well considered the use of wealth, that it is worthy of no estimation; that one ought to be sparing of bodies that are his kin, rather than of wealth. Wherefore, he is a despiser of glory, and a wise man, for he knoweth human affairs; and the knowledge of things divine and human, is the true wisdom. So then he knoweth what things are divine, and what are human, and from the one he keeps himself, on the other he bestows his pains. He knows how to give thanks to God in all things, he considers the present life as nothing; therefore he is neither delighted with prosperity, nor grieved with the opposite condition.

And tarry not for another to teach thee, for thou hast the oracles of God. No man teacheth thee as they; for he indeed oft concealeth much for the sake of envy and vainglory. Hearken, I entreat you, all ye that are careful for this life, and procure books that will be medicines for the soul. Take the sacred Scriptures for your constant teachers. If grief befall thee, dive into them as into a chest of medicines; take thence comfort of thy trouble, be it loss, or death, or bereavement of relations; or rather dive not into them merely, but take them wholly to thee; keep them in thy mind.

"When quiet in my house I sit, Thy book be my companion still; My joy thy sayings to repeat,— Talk o'er the records of thy will, And search the oracles divine, Till every heartfelt word be mine.

"O may the gracious words divine, Subject of all my converse be; So will the Lord his foll'wer join, And walk and talk himself with me: So shall my heart his presence prove, And burn with everlasting love."