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Translated by Ch. Browne and J. Swallow.
Gregory Theologian Bilingual Anthology, Resources Online and in Print
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16 Pages
Page 3
3. Fairer in my eyes, is the beauty which we can gaze upon than that which is painted in words: of more value the wealth which our hands can hold, than that which is imagined in our dreams; and more real the wisdom of which we are convinced by deeds, than that which is set forth in splendid language. For "a good understanding," he saith, "have all they that do thereafter," [3058] not they who proclaim it. Time is the best touchstone of this wisdom, and "the hoary head is a crown of glory." [3059] For if, as it seems to me as well as to Solomon, we must "judge none blessed before his death," [3060] and it is uncertain "what a day may bring forth," [3061] since our life here below has many turnings, and the body of our humiliation [3062] is ever rising, falling and changing; surely he, who without fault has almost drained the cup of life, and nearly reached the haven of the common sea of existence is more secure, and therefore more enviable, than one who has yet a long voyage before him.
4. Do not thou, therefore, restrain a tongue whose noble utterances and fruits have been many, which has begotten many children of righteousness—yea, lift up thine eyes round about and see, [3063] how many are its sons, and what are its treasures; even this whole people, whom thou hast begotten in Christ through the Gospel. [3064] Grudge not to us those words which are excellent rather than many, and do not yet give us a foretaste of our impending loss. [3065] Speak in words which, if few, are dear and most sweet to me, which, if scarcely audible, are perceived from their spiritual cry, as God heard the silence of Moses, and said to him when interceding mentally, "Why criest thou unto Me?" [3066] Comfort this people, I pray thee, I, who was thy nursling, and have since been made Pastor, and now even Chief Pastor. Give a lesson, to me in the Pastor's art, to this people of obedience. Discourse awhile on our present heavy blow, about the just judgments of God, whether we grasp their meaning, or are ignorant of their great deep. [3067] How again "mercy is put in the balance," [3068] as holy Isaiah declares, for goodness is not without discernment, as the first labourers in the vineyard [3069] fancied, because they could not perceive any distinction between those who were paid alike: and how anger, which is called "the cup in the hand of the Lord," [3070] and "the cup of falling which is drained," [3071] is in proportion to transgressions, even though He abates to all somewhat of what is their due, and dilutes with compassion the unmixed draught of His wrath. For He inclines from severity to indulgence towards those who accept chastisement with fear, and who after a slight affliction conceive and are in pain with conversion, and bring forth [3072] the perfect spirit of salvation; but nevertheless he reserves the dregs, [3073] the last drop of His anger, that He may pour it out entire upon those who, instead of being healed by His kindness, grow obdurate, like the hard-hearted Pharaoh, [3074] that bitter taskmaster, who is set forth as an example of the power [3075] of God over the ungodly.
[3058] Ps. cxi. 10.
[3059] Prov. xvi. 31.
[3060] Eccles. xi. 28.
[3061] Prov. xxvii. 1.
[3062] Phil. iii. 21.
[3063] Isai. xlix. 18.
[3064] 1 Cor. iv. 15.
[3065] Loss, i.e., the death of his father, which, from his age, could not be long delayed.
[3066] Exod. xiv. 15.
[3067] Ps. xxxvi. 6.
[3068] Is. xxviii. 17. (LXX.).
[3069] S. Matt. xx. 12.
[3070] Ps. lxxv. 9.
[3071] Isai. li. 17 (LXX.).
[3072] Ib. xxvi. 18.
[3073] Ps. lxxv. 10.
[3074] Exod. v. 6; vii. 22.
[3075] Rom. ix. 17.
Reference address : https://www.elpenor.org/gregory-nazianzen/plague-hail.asp?pg=3
