n the top of a house always apprehends the
danger of falling, and on this account is careful how he stands: so
ought we much more to fear, how much soever we may be advanced in
virtue. The principal means always to entertain in our souls this saving
fear, is to have God always before our eyes, who is everywhere present,
hears and sees all things, and penetrates the most secret foldings of
our hearts. Whether you eat, go to sleep, sit at dainty tables, are
inclined to anger, or any other passion, or whatever else you do,
remember always," says he, "that God is present, and you will never fall
into dissolute mirth, or be provoked to anger; but will watch over
yourselves in continual fear." With great elegance he shows (Hom. 10, p.
279,) that precious stones serve for no use, are not so good even as
common stones, and that all their value is imaginary, and consists
barely in the mad opinion of men; and he boldly censures the insatiable
rapaciousness and unbounded prodigality of the rich, in their sumptuous
palaces, marble pillars, and splendid clothes and equipages. Houses are
only intended to defend us from the weather, and raiment to cover our
nakedness. All vanities he shows to be contrary to the designs of
nature, which is ever content with little. In Hom. 12, we have an
excellent instruction on that important maxim in a spiritual life, That
we must never think how far we have run, but what remains of our course,
as in a race a man thinks only on what is before him. It will avail
nothing to have begun, unless we finish well our course. In Hom. 13, he
excellently explains the mystery of the cross, which we bear if we study
continually to crucify ourselves by self-denial. We must in all places
arm ourselves with the sign of the cross.

The Exposition of the epistle to the Colossians, in twelve homilies, (t.
11) was made at Constantinople in the year 399. In the second homily (p.
333) he says, that a most powerful means to maintain in ourselves a deep
sense of gratitude to God, and to increase the flame of his love in our
hearts, is to bear always in mind his numberless benefits to us, and the
infinite evils from which he has mercifully delivered us. In Hom. 8, p.
319, he teaches, that no disposition of our souls contributes more
effectually to our sanctification, than that of returning thanks to God
under the severest trials of adversity, a virtue little inferior to
martyrdom. A mother who, without entertaining the least