a manner such
comparisons, or to become their own tempters: Hom. 7, against envy, and
on alms, he says this is putting out money at interest for one hundred
fold from God, who is himself our security, and who herein considers not
the sum, but the will, as he did in St. Peter, who left for him only a
broken net, a line, and a hook. The promise of a hundred fold made to
him, is no less made to us.

The commentary On the First Epistle to the Corinthians, (t. 10,) in
forty-four homilies, was likewise the fruit of his zeal at Antioch, and
is one of the most elaborate and finished of his works. The interpreter
seems animated with the spirit of the great apostle whose sacred oracle
he expounds, so admirably does he penetrate the pious energy of the
least tittle. If St. Paul uses the words _My God_, he observes, that out
of the vehement ardor and tenderness of his love he makes Him his own,
who is the common God of all men; and that he names Him with a sentiment
of burning affection and profound adoration, because he had banished all
created things from his heart, and all his affections were placed in
God. He extols the merit and advantages of holy virginity, (Hom. 19,)
and Hom. 26, speaks on the duties of a married state, especially that of
mutual love and meekness in bearing each other's faults: this he bids
them learn from Socrates, a pagan, who chose a very shrew for his wife,
and being asked how he could bear with her, said: "I have a school of
virtue at home, in order to learn meekness and patience by the daily
practice." The saint adds, it was a great grief to him to see Christians
fall short of the virtue of a heathen, whereas they ought to be
imitators of the angels, nay, of God himself. Recommending the most
profound respect for the holy eucharist, and a dread of profaning it, he
says, Hom. 24, pp. 217, 218, "No one dares touch the king's garments
with dirty hands. When you see Him (_i.e._ Christ) exposed before you,
say to yourself: This body was pierced with nails; this body which was
scourged, death did not destroy; this body was nailed to a cross, at
which spectacle the sun withdrew its rays; this body the Magi
venerated," &c. The saint inveighs against several superstitious
practices of that age, Hom. 12. His discourses are animated and strong
on the characters of fraternal charity, and against avarice, envy, &c.

The thirty homilies, On the Second Epistle to the Corinthians, (t. 10,
p. 417,) were also preached