On the Priesthood

I HAD many genuine and true friends who knew the laws of friendship and strictly observed them. There was, however, one 1 of this numerous band who surpassed them all in his friendship to myself, and who strove to leave…

I — Chrysostom's chiq friend was Bast1. (¶1)

HOWBEIT the unceasing entreaties of my mother 2 hindered me from granting him this favour-or rather from receiving it at his hands. As soon as she saw that this was my intention, she took my hand and led me to her own…

II — Chrysostom's mother begs him not to enter monastt'c life. (¶2)

WHILE we were thus situated, he constantly entreating and I not assenting, we were both suddenly disquieted by a rumour which reached us. The rumour was that we were to be promoted to the dignity of bishops. 1 25.

III — His decez't to avoid consecration, and Basil's complaint. (¶3)

WHEN at last he had a slight abatement of his agitation of mind, he said :-" Even if you despise my interests and have no regard for me (and I know not wherefore this should be) you should at least have considered your…

IV — Basil's bitter reproaches against Chrysostom. (¶4)

Deceit is often justifiable. Chrysostom. "Be of good cheer; I am ready to submit to be questioned not only about this, but will endeavour myself also to explain, as best I may, those matters wherein you have not…

V — Chrysostom's reply. (¶5)

"I COULD have explained at greater length that it is possible to use the power of deception for a good end, or rather that it is not right to call such an act deception at all, but a kind of good management of an…

I — Chrysostom's deceit caused Basil lo serve Christ. (¶1)

"THOSE exercises which I just mentioned might well be performed by many even of those who are under authority, and not by men only but even by women ; but when it is needful to rule the Church and to be entrusted with…

II — Tlee difficulty of feeding Ckrisfs sleeep. (¶2)

"How, then, may the remedy be applied to a disease when its character is obscure and its very existence cannot be perfectly seen ? But even when its existence is evident the difficulty it causes is greater than in the…

III — The skepherd must use gentle remedies. (¶3)

Chrysostom's inability to undertake the work. "WHAT then can be done? For if you apply too mild a treatment to one who needs severe measures, and do not make a deep incision in one who requires it, you cut away part of…

IV — The-treatment must be adapted to the individual. (¶4)

Chrysostom. "I will turn then to the evidence, and will do what I threatened, and show that you wish to disparage yourself rather than to speak the truth.

VI — An anecdote to show Basil's c!tan·ty. (¶5)

"I MYSELF also," I said," am hastening to this point. Now that I have unfolded my defence towards yourself, I shall turn gladly to this portion also of my defence.

VII — Ckrysostom by his ,t/i"gltt saved the electors from blame. (¶6)

Chrysostom. "Such then is the reply I should give in answer to the charge of insulting those who would have promoted me, and to prove that, in refusing this dignity, I had no wish to bring disgrace on them.

I — Chrysostom's withdrawal was not due to arrogance. (¶1)

"IF they say that my action is caused by ambition, they will be convicted by their own words and be manifestly fighting against themselves.

II — He was not actuated by ambitz'on. (¶2)

Basil. "But those who know the truth will admire your action." Chrysostom. "And yet you said that they were accusing me of vainglory and pride. From whom is it possible to expect praise? From the many?

III — His unworthiness of so high an office. (¶3)

17 5. "Although the priestly office is discharged upon earth, it ranks among celestial ordinances. And this is natural; for no man, no angel, no archangel, no other created power, but the Comforter Himself appointed…

IV — The majesty of the Christian Priest at the Euclzanst. (¶4)

18 r. " IF any one should consider how great is the marvel for a human being, still compounded of flesh and blood, to be able to approach that blessed and spotless nature, then he will see clearly/ how great is the…

V — Th power of absolution raises th Pn'est beyond kings. (¶5)

"THE priests 1 of the Jews had authority to cure leprosy of the body, or rather not to cure it but only to examine those who have been cured.

VI — The power of a Priest greater than that of a father. (¶6)

" No one loved Christ more than Paul ; no one showed greater zeal than he, no one was thought worthy of higher grace. Still, in spite of all these advantages, he fears and trembles on behalf of this government and those…

VII — St. Paul's view of tlte Priestly <!lfice. (¶7)

"THEN when the loss concerns money and the danger is bod,ly death, no one will accuse me for using much forethought. But where the shipwrecked are destined to be plunged not into this sea, but into the abyss of fire,…

VIII — The Pnest comfared lo a navigator, (¶8)

" FIRST of all there is that most terrible rock of vainglory, more dangerous than the Sirens' rock of whose marvels the poets 1 sing. For many were able to pass that rock and escape unscathed ; but to me this rock is so…

IX — The dangerous rocks, and the savage beasts upon them. (¶9)

" NOR do I venture to blame the priestly office for these evils. God forbid that I should be so mad. Wise men do not blame the steel for murder, nor wine for drunkenness, nor strength for outrage, nor courage for…

X — Tke office must not be blamed for its unworthy members. (¶10)

avoid ambittim. " I THINK it right to repel this longing with all possible earnestness, and not for a moment to suffer our soul to be overcome by it, to the end that we may have freedom to do what we will.

XI — The Bishop must not fear deposih'on, and must (¶11)

"BUT, as it is, there is another motive, no less than the former. What is this? A priest must be sob~r and clear-sighted and possess a thousand eyes in every direction, for he lives, not for himself alone, but for a…

XII — Tile Biskop skould ltave a grasp of detail. (¶12)

'' MARVEL not if, in connection with such endurance, I require another test of bravery of the soul. We see that indifference to food and drink and a soft couch, is no bard matter to many, and especially to such as are…

XIII — Selj-mbf'tijication is less important tkan self-repression. (¶13)

25 I. "NOTHING bedims the purity of the mind and clearness of vision so much as undisciplined and impetuous anger. "This," says a writer, 1 "destroys even the prudent." For the soul's eye is darkened, as in a battle by…

XIV — The danger of a passionate temper. (¶14)

H Do you wish me to show you still another form that this contest assumes, and one fraught with 1 i. e. the text or passage. countless dangers ?

XV — The care needful in making promotions. (¶15)

"CONSIDER then the character needful for him who is to oppose so terrible a tempest, and to direct aright such obstacles to the common welfare.

XVI — Tlte clzarge of widows and management of finance. (¶16)

" IN the matter of the care of virgins 1 the anxiety is all the greater in proportion as the treasure is more valuable, and this group is more princely than the others.

XVII — Tlte charge of virgins. (¶17)

"THE settlement of disputes 1 involves countless burdens and much expenditure of time, and greater discontent than even those incur who sit to try secular cases.

XVIII — The settlement of disputes and need for personal tact. (¶18)

and those thrust into it. BASIL heard this, and after a short pause he said:-" Well, if you had been personally ambitious to obtain this office, your anxiety would have been reasonable.

I — Misgovernment is punished alike in those wlw seek office (¶1)

36 5. Chrysostom. "Do not, I beg and entreat you, deject yourself so far. There is, there is, a path of safety. To us who are weak this path is to refrain from entering upon these duties ; to you who are strong it is…

II — Hence tlte need for careful examination. (¶2)

"PRAY, are you ignorant that that Body is subject to more diseases and attacks than this flesh of ours, and is marred more quickly and cured more slowly?

III — Tlte i"mportance of preacmng. (¶3)

"WHEREFORE we must show great zeal that the word of Christ may dwell richly in us. 1 Our preparation for battle is not against a single attack.

IV — The need to refute heresies. (¶4)

"WHY need I mention the contentions of our own people? These contentions are not fewer than the attacks from without, while they cause the teacher even greater trouble.

V — The need to check idle speculation. (¶5)

Basil. "Why then was Paul not eager to attain perfection in this quality? He is not ashamed of his poverty of speech, but expressly confesses that he is rude 1 in it, and he says this in writing to the Corinthians who…

VI — SI. Paul did not underrate the value of preaching. (¶6)

42 5. "TELL me, how did he confound 1 the Jews dwelling in Damascus, when he had not yet begun his miracles? How did he overthrow the Grecians 2 ? Why was he sent forth to Tarsus?

VII — Instances of St. Paul's eloquence. (¶7)

"HEAR also the charges which he gives to his disciple:-" Give heed to reading, to exhortation, to teaching." 2 And he adds the fruit which proceeds from this :-" For in doing this," he says," thou shalt save both…

VIII — St. Paul's advice to Timothy on preaching. (¶8)

" HIS holy life might help us in no small degree to keep the commandments, and yet even in his case I would not state that example alone could accomplish everything; but when conflict arises on matter of doctrine, and…

IX — The Bt''shop must lead the Church against attack. (¶9)

" I HAVE given sufficient proof of the experience needed by the teacher in contending for the truth. I have one further matter to add to this which is a cause of untold dangers ; or rather I will not blame the thing…

I — Tlte tlanger of regarding tke service as a performance. (¶1)

45 5. "IF either quality be lacking the remaining one is rendered useless through separation from the other. If a preacher despise praise, yet do not produce doctrine which is "with grace,1 seasoned with salt," he is…

II — Tlte dtJngcr of either love of or contempt far prat"se. (¶2)

"THE perfect ruler must then be strong in both points lest the one should be nullified by the other. If, when he stands in the midst of the congregation and utters words which might have stung the careless, he then…

III — Tlte need far fluent utterance. (¶3)

"WHAT else then must he despise? Slander and envy. 46o. Unseasonable abuse however (for the Bishop must needs endure groundless blame) should neither create in him excessive fear and dread, nor meet with entire…

IV — The Bishop should be indifferent to slander. (¶4)

"FOR though a man may have great gifts of language (and this you will rarely find) still he is not excused perpetual effort, Since preaching is not a natural but acquired power, though a man reach a high standard, even…

V — More is expected of the gifted preacher, (¶5)

"You see, my excellent friend, that he who has the greatest powers of speech needs more careful study, and in addition to his study he needs greater forbearance, than any of those whom I have already mentioned.

VI — Cn'ti'cism by the unlearned should be ignored. (¶6)

"LET the best craftsman judge his own handiwork, and let us mark his productions as beautiful or inferior when the mind which conceived them votes them such.

VII — The preacher should aim at pleasing God. (¶7)

"IF he be unwittingly overtaken by the desire for unmerited praise, neither his careful study nor his readiness of speech avail him any more ; for his soul, unable to bear the senseless criticisms of the multitude,…

VIII — The dangers ef seeking applause. (¶8)

"So much then for the present world ; but in the world to come how shall we endure our lot, when we are compelled to render account for what has been committed to our charge?

I — Tlie Bishop is accountable for the st"ns of ltis flock. (¶1)

"FORBEAR then to thrust me into such certain punishment. For our argument deals not with a generalship or a kingdom, but with a task that requires angelic virtue.

II — Tlte dangers of sensual temptations. (¶2)

n BEFORE now some men who have escaped these nets have been caught in others far different from these. Even a neglected appearance, unkempt hair, squalid raiment, an unadorned person, simple behaviour, unaffected…

III — These are ef van'ous kinds. (¶3)

"BUT most of those who are subject to the Bishop are enchained by worldly cares, and this makes them slower in the discharge of spiritual things.

IV — · The need far pun·ty in reference to the Euchan"st. (¶4)

"GREAT is the conflict of the monks, and severe their labour. Yet if their toils were compared with the Bishop's office when well administered, the difference would be found to be as great as that between a private…

V — The difference between a Biskop and a recluse. (¶5)

"As jugglers require many implements, and wheels, and ropes, and daggers, while the philosopher has the whole of his art residing in his soul, and has no need of external aid; 535.

VI — The Bishop t's not so dependent on ltt's surroundings. (¶6)

"WE need not then give undue or excessive admiration to the monk because, keeping to himself, he is not disturbed in spirit, and avoids committing many serious faults ; for he has nothing to irritate and to excite his…

VII — The life of the monk unjits him far government. (¶7)

Basz'l. "What ! Are we to take men of the world, whose minds are set on worldly business, I53 who are adepts in warfare and abuse, who are versed in countless artifices; and are accustomed to a life of luxury, and to…

VIII — Bisltops trained as monks are liable to special temptations. (¶8)

56o. "WHY mention the harm incurred by a Bishop through grief, the insults, the abuse, the criticism from high and low, from wise and foolish? 56r.

IX — Tiu Bishop must be beyond suspicion. (¶9)

Basil. "But as it is, have you no need of toil, and have you no anxieties, since you are living a private life?" Ckrysostom. " I have them even now.

X — It is better to avoid oj/ic1 tluvi to fail in it. (¶10)

A Bishop t"s punished more severely than a !qyman. "THIS was the reason why He accused the Israelites more severely, and showed that they were worthy of greater punishment, because they sinned after receiving the honour…

XI (¶11)

" Do you think that my fear is reasonable? In addition to all that I have said, if, in my present condition, I need great toil that I may not be utterly overthrown by my passions, yet I endure the toil and I shun not…

XII — Two stories illustrate Cltrysostom's withdrawal. (¶12)

"Do not believe that I am exaggerating, nor think that, because we are shut up in this body as in some prison-house, and can see nothing of the invisible world, that what I say is overstated.

XIII — The severity o/ tke devi'l's warfare. (¶13)