ich passes through the steeps of the hills and the
ruggedness of rocks; but to them that have tried it, it is found far
safer and more to be desired. But on both sides there is labour, on both
sides danger, as he knew who said, _By the armour of righteousness on
the right hand and on the left_;[1086] so that we may rightly rejoice
with those that _went through fire and water and have been brought into
a wealthy place_.[1087] Do you wish to hear something about the _wealthy
place_? Would that another might speak to you of it. For as for me, that
which I have not tasted I cannot indite.

8. But I seem to hear Malachy saying to me to-day about this _wealthy
place_, _Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt
bountifully with thee: for he hath delivered my soul from death, [mine
eyes from tears, and my feet from falling]._[1088] And what I understand
to be expressed in those words hear in a few sentences; _for the day is
far spent_,[1089] and I have spoken at greater length than I intended,
because I am unwilling to tear myself away from the sweetness of the
father's name, and my tongue, dreading to be silent about Malachy, fears
to cease. The death of the soul,[1090] my brothers, is sin; unless you
have overlooked that which you have read in the prophet: _The soul that
sinneth, it shall die._[1091] Threefold, then, is the rejoicing of the
man, since he is delivered from all sin, and from labour, and from
danger. For from this time neither is _sin_ said to _dwell in
him_,[1092] nor is the sorrow of penitence enjoined, nor from henceforth
is he warned to guard himself _from_ any _falling_.[1093] _Elijah_[1094]
has laid aside his _mantle_;[1095] it was not that he feared, it was not
that he was afraid that it should be touched, still less _retained_, by
an adulteress.[1096] He went up into the _chariot_;[1097] he is not now
in terror of falling; he mounts delightfully; he labours not to fly by
his own power, but sits in a swift vehicle. To this _wealthy place_,
dearly beloved, _let us run_ with all eagerness of spirit, in _the
fragrance of the ointments_ of this our blessed father, who this day has
been seen to have stirred up our torpor to most fervent desire. Let us
run after him, I say, crying to him again and again, "_Draw us after
thee_";[1098] and, with earnest heart and advancing holiness of life,
returning devout thanks to the Almighty Pity, that He has willed that
His unworthy servants, who are without m