627627 SPURIA. [...] one man was punished, while another was not, even though he had committed the same sins or even much graver ones. For if there is no hell, he will be able to offer no defense before those who accuse him. Therefore, I exhort you all to abstain from this satanic laughter and lock the mouths of those who contradict you on these matters. For of everything, even the smallest things, when it comes to sins or good deeds, a strict inquiry will be made: just as we shall render an account for wanton eyes, for an idle word, for immoderate laughter, for reckless insult, for a wicked thought, and for drunkenness; just as, conversely, among good things, we shall receive the reward for a cup of cold water, for a good word, and for a mere sigh. For "Give," he says, "a sign upon the foreheads of those who sigh and lament" (Ezech. 9:4). How, then, do you dare to say that God, who investigates our affairs with such diligence, 628 has threatened hell rashly and inconsiderately? Do not, I beg and implore you, do not go to perdition through such vain hope, deceiving yourselves and those who believe you. For if you do not have faith in our words, ask the Jews, the Gentiles, and all the heretics, and they will all answer as if with one mouth that there is to be a judgment and a retribution. But are humans not enough? Ask the demons themselves, and you will hear them saying, "Why have you come here before the time to torment us?" (Matt. 8:29). And having gathered all these things, persuade yourselves not to speak rashly, so that you do not come to know hell by experience, but, having become wiser from this, may be able to escape those torments and obtain the future goods, by the grace and kindness of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory and empire, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, to the ages of ages. Amen.
NOTICE CONCERNING THE FOLLOWING SERMON
We offer this inept little work after Savile, who took it from a certain Caesarean manuscript; and he would have done well if he had let it lie in darkness along with many others of the same stamp.INTERPRETATION OF THE PRAYER, THE LORD’S PRAYER (Matt. 6 and following)
"Our Father who art in heaven." Do you call God Father, O man? You speak rightly. He is indeed the Father of all. But apply yourself to works that are pleasing to your Father. If you do evil works, it is plain that you are calling the devil father: for he is the inspector of evil. Therefore, you should strive to flee him and please your good Father and Creator. "Hallowed be thy name." What then? Is God not holy? He is holy, of course; but this is what you say: "May thy name be hallowed in me, that men may see my good works and glorify my Father and Maker." "Thy kingdom come" (Matt. 6:10). What then? Is God not king, that his kingdom is to come? He is indeed the King of all; but just as a city besieged by enemies seeks for the king's power to arrive so that it might set itself free, so too, beset by contrary powers and, moreover, by our own sins and wicked thoughts, we ask for God's kingdom to come, that he may deliver us. In another way also, since the prophet says: "God has reigned over the nations," using the past tense for the future, we cry out: "Thy kingdom come, O Lord," that is, may your mercies come upon us. "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." This is how he speaks: "O Lord, just as your will has been done in heaven, and all the angels dwell in peace, and there is no one among them who strikes or is struck, but all dwell in deep peace, so too, let your will be done in us earthly men, that all nations with one mouth and one heart may render glory to our Creator and Savior." "Give us this day our supersubstantial bread." We ask to receive the supersubstantial bread. Now, the bread of the soul is the word of God, as one of the saints said: "Open, my son, your mouth to the word of God" (Prov. 11 [v. 9]). And therefore it would be good to remember God more frequently than to breathe. "And forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors." He speaks thus: "Forgive us our debts, that is, our sins and transgressions, just as we also forgive our brothers who have fallen and sinned against us, whether children, servants, or all who are under our authority." When you say these things, O man, unless you act accordingly, think how terrible it is to fall into the hands of the living God, and repent and turn to your Creator and Lord. "But deliver us from evil" (Luke 11:4). If Satan seeks to sift us like wheat, as he did the apostles—and [he] went away having failed, as was right—yet do not give him power against us, as you did not give it long ago against Job; rather, if a wicked man wishes to tempt or harm us, do not hand us over to his will, but protect us under the shadow of your wings. "For thine is the kingdom and the power." O Lord, because yours is the kingdom, do not let us fear any other kingdom, nor any other domination, even if we are worthy of punishment because of our sins. Chastise us as you will, and do not hand us over into the hands of men; but let us fall into your hands, because your mercy is equal to your magnificence, Almighty Father, to the ages. Amen.NOTICE CONCERNING THE HOMILY ON THE PRODIGAL SON
Everyone will immediately notice that this homily on the prodigal son is very far removed from Chrysostom’s style of speaking. The sequence is disordered and uncomposed. This writer passes from one topic to another as if abruptly. He is sometimes garrulous, mixing in better things occasionally. The style is truly leaden throughout. The speech is full of bumps, unrefined, and dry. Here, the Manichaeans, who plagued the East for many ages, are sometimes refuted.ON THE PRODIGAL SON, AND CONCERNING REPENTANCE, AND ON THE TREE OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL, AND ON THE THIEF
Early on, the great and god-befitting appearance of the Savior set before us a rich table, and having poured a cup of divine philosophy, he inebriated the whole people, or rather the whole world, so to speak; for he says, "They will be inebriated," the prophet says, "from the abundance of your house, and you will make them drink of the torrent of your delights." When Holy Scripture speaks of drunkenness, it does not mean wine that makes one drunk, but the word that gives wisdom.