{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/106/1060314.htm","path":"chr/ecf/106/1060314.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/106/1060314.htm","text":"On the words of the Gospel, John xvi. 24, \u201cHitherto have ye asked nothing in my name;\u201d and on the words of Luke x. 17, \u201cLord, even the demons are subject unto us in thy name.\u201d\n1. When the Holy Gospel was being read, we heard what in truth ought at once to put every earnest soul in motion to seek, not to faint. For whoso is not moved, is not changed. But there is a dangerous movement, of which it is written, \u201cSuffer not my feet to be moved.\u201d 4278 But there is another movement of him who seeketh, knocketh, asketh. What then has been read we have all heard; but I suppose we have not all understood. It makes mention of that which together with me ye should seek, with me ask, for the receiving of which ye should with me knock. For as I hope the grace of the Lord will be with us, that whereas I wish to minister to you, I too may be thought 4279 worthy to receive. What is it, I pray you, that we have just heard that the Lord said to His disciples? \u201cHitherto have ye asked nothing in My Name.\u201d 4280 Is He not speaking to those disciples, who, after He had sent them, having given them power to preach the Gospel, and to do mighty works, returned with joy, and said to Him, \u201cLord, even the devils are subject unto us through Thy Name\u201d? 4281 Ye recognise, ye recollect this which I have quoted from the Gospel, which in every passage and every sentence speaketh truth, nowhere false, nowhere deceiveth. How then is it true, \u201cHitherto have ye asked nothing in My Name\u201d? and, \u201cLord, even the devils are subject unto us through Thy name\u201d? Of a surety this puts the mind in motion to ascertain the secret of this difficulty. Therefore ask we, seek, knock. Be there in us faithful godliness, not a restlessness of the flesh, but a submission of the mind, that He who seeth us knocking may open unto us.\n2. What the Lord then may give to be ministered unto you, do ye with earnest attention, that is, with hunger, receive; and when I shall have spoken it, ye will doubtless with sound taste 4282 approve what is placed before you out of the Lord\u2019s store. The Lord Jesus knew whereby the soul of man, that is, the rational mind, made after the image of God, could be satisfied: only, that is, by Himself. This He knew, and knew that it was as yet without that fulness. He knew that He was manifest, and He knew that He was hidden. He knew what in Him was exhibited, what concealed. He knew all this. \u201cHow great,\u201d says the Psalm, \u201cis the multitude of Thy sweetness, O Lord, which Thou hast hidden to them that fear Thee; which Thou hast wrought for them that hope in Thee!\u201d 4283 \u201cThy sweetness\u201d both great and manifold \u201chast Thou hidden to them that fear Thee.\u201d If thou hidest it to them that fear Thee, to whom dost Thou open it? \u201cThou hast wrought it for them that hope in Thee.\u201d A twofold question has arisen, but either is solved by the other. If any one inquires after the other, what is this, \u201cThou hast hidden it to them that fear Thee; wrought it for them that hope in Thee\u201d? Are they that fear, and they that hope, different? Do not the very same who fear God, hope in God? Who hopeth on Him who doth not fear Him? Who in a godly sort feareth Him, and hath not hope in Him? Let this then first be solved. Somewhat would I say concerning those who hope and those who fear.\n3. The Law hath fear, Grace hope. But what difference is there between the Law and Grace, since the Giver both of the Law and Grace is One? The Law alarmeth him who relieth on himself, Grace assisteth him who trusteth in God. The Law, I say, alarmeth; do not make light of this because it is brief; weigh it well, and it is considerable. Look well at what I have said, take what we minister, prove wherefrom we take it. The Law alarmeth him who relieth on himself, Grace assisteth him who trusteth in God. What saith the Law? Many things: and who can enumerate them? I bring forward one small and short precept from it which the Apostle hath brought forward, a very small one; let us see who is sufficient 4284 for it. \u201cThou shalt not lust.\u201d 4285 What is this, Brethren? We have heard the Law; if there be no grace, thou hast heard thy punishment. Why dost thou boast to me whosoever thou art that hearing this dost rely upon thyself, why dost thou boast to me of innocence? Why dost thou flatter thyself thereupon? Thou canst say, \u201cI have not plundered the goods of others;\u201d I hear, I believe, perhaps I even see it, thou dost not plunder the goods of others. Thou hast heard, \u201cThou shalt not lust.\u201d \u201cI do not go in to another man\u2019s wife;\u201d this again I hear, believe, see. Thou hast heard, \u201cThou shalt not lust.\u201d Why dost thou inspect thyself all round without, and dost not inspect within? Look in, and thou wilt see p. 541 another law in thy members. Look in, why dost thou pass over thyself? Descend into thine own self. Thou wilt \u201csee another law in thy members resisting the law of thy mind, and bringing thee into captivity in the law of sin which is in thy members.\u201d 4286 With good reason then is the sweetness of God hidden to thee. The law placed in thy members, resisting the law of thy mind, bringeth thee into captivity. Of that sweetness which to thee is hidden, the holy Angels drink; thou canst not drink and taste that sweetness, captive as thou art. \u201cThou hadst not known concupiscence, unless the Law had said, Thou shalt not lust.\u201d Thou heardest, fearedst, didst try to fight, couldest not overcome. For \u201csin taking occasion by the commandment wrought death.\u201d Surely ye recognise them, they are the Apostle\u2019s words. \u201cSin taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence.\u201d 4287 Why didst thou vaunt thyself in thy pride? Lo, with thine own arms hath the enemy conquered thee. Thou verily, didst look for a commandment as a defence: and, lo, by the commandment the enemy hath found an occasion of entering in. \u201cFor sin taking occasion by the commandment,\u201d he saith, \u201cdeceived me, and by it slew me.\u201d 4288 What means what I said, \u201cWith thine own arms hath the enemy conquered thee\u201d? Hear the same Apostle going on, and saying; \u201cWherefore the Law indeed is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.\u201d 4289 Make answer now to the revilers 4290 of the Law: make answer on the Apostle\u2019s authority, \u201cThe commandment is holy, the Law holy, the commandment just and good. Was then that which is good, made death unto me? God forbid! But sin that it might appear sin, by that which is good wrought death in me.\u201d 4291 Why is this but because on receiving the commandment thou didst fear, not love? Thou fearedst punishment, thou didst not love righteousness. Whoso feareth punishment, wisheth, if it were possible, to do what pleaseth him, and not to have what he feareth. God forbiddeth adultery, thou hast coveted another\u2019s wife, thou dost not go in unto her, thou dost not do so, opportunity is given thee, thou hast time, a favourable place is open, witnesses are absent, yet thou dost not do it, wherefore? Because thou fearest the punishment. But no one will know it. Will not God know it? So it is clear, because God knoweth what thou art about to do, thou doest it not; but here thou fearest the threatenings of God, not lovest His commandments. Why dost thou not do it? Because if thou do, thou wilt be cast into hell fire. It is the fire thou fearest. O if thou didst love chastity, thou wouldest not do it, even though thou mightest be altogether unpunished. If God were to say to thee, \u201cLo, do it, I will not condemn thee, I will not condemn thee to hell fire, but I will withhold My Face from thee.\u201d If thou did it not because of this threat, it would be from the love of God that thou didst not do it, not from the fear of judgment. But thou wouldest do it, perhaps I mean thou wouldest do so; for it is not my place to judge. If thou do it not on this principle because thou abhorrest the contamination of adultery, because thou lovest His precepts, that thou mayest obtain 4292 His promises, and not because thou fearest His condemnation, it is the grace which maketh saints that aideth thee; it is all of grace, ascribe it not to thine own self, attribute it not to thine own strength. Thou actest from delight in it, well; thou actest in charity, well; I assent, I agree. Charity worketh by thee, when thou actest with thy will. At once dost thou taste sweetness, if thou hope on the Lord.\n4. But whence hast thou this charity, if yet thou hast it? for I am afraid lest even yet it is through fear thou doest it not, and lest thou seem great in thine own eyes. Now if it is through charity that thou doest it not, thou art truly great. Hast thou charity? \u201cI have,\u201d you say. Whence? \u201cFrom myself.\u201d Far art thou from sweetness, if thou hast it from thine own self. Thou wilt love thine own self, because thou wilt love that from which thou hast it. But I will convict thee that thou hast it not. For in that thou dost think that thou hast so great a thing from thine own self, by that very fact I do not believe thou hast it. For if thou hadst, thou wouldest know from whence thou hadst it. Hast thou charity from thyself, as if it were some light, some little thing? \u201cIf thou shouldest speak with the tongues of men and Angels, but have not charity, thou wouldest be a sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal. If thou shouldest know all mysteries, and have all knowledge, and all prophecy, and all faith so that thou couldest remove mountains, but not have charity,\u201d these things could not profit thee. \u201cIf thou shouldest distribute all thy goods to the poor, and deliver up thy body to be burned, but not have charity, thou wouldest be nothing.\u201d 4293 How great is this charity, which if it be wanting, all things profit nothing! Compare it not to thy faith, not to thy knowledge, not to thy gift of tongues, 4294 to lesser things, to the eye of thy body, the hand, the foot, the belly, to any one lowest member compare charity, are these least things to be in any way compared to charity? So then the eye and nose thou hast from God, and hast thou charity from thine own self? If thou hast given p. 542 thyself charity which surpasseth all things, thou hast made God of light account with thee. What more can God give thee? Whatever He may have given, is less. Charity which thou hast given thyself, surpasseth all things. But if thou hast it, thou hast not given it to thyself. \u201cFor what hast thou which thou hast not received?\u201d 4295 Who gave to me, who gave to thee? God. Acknowledge Him in His gifts, that thou feel not His condemnation. By believing the Scriptures, God hath given thee charity, a great boon, charity, which surpasseth all things. God gave it thee, \u201cbecause the charity of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts;\u201d by thine own self, perhaps? God forbid; \u201cby the Holy Ghost, who hath been given us.\u201d 4296\n5. Return with me to that captive, return with me to my proposition. \u201cThe Law alarmeth him that relieth on himself, grace assisteth him who trusteth in God.\u201d For look at that captive. \u201cHe seeth another law in his members resisting the law of his mind, and leading him captive in the law of sin, which is in his members.\u201d 4297 Lo, he is bound, lo, he is dragged along, lo, he is led captive, lo, he is subjected. What hath that profited him, \u201cThou shalt not lust\u201d? He hath heard, \u201cThou shalt not lust;\u201d that he might know his enemy, not that he might overcome him. \u201cFor he had not known concupiscence,\u201d that is, his enemy, \u201cunless the Law had said, Thou shalt not lust.\u201d 4298 Now thou hast seen the enemy, fight, deliver thyself, make good thy liberty, let the suggestions of pleasure be kept down, unlawful delight be utterly destroyed. Arm thyself, thou hast the Law, march on, conquer if thou canst. For what good is it that through the little portion of God\u2019s grace thou hast already, thou \u201cdelightest in the Law of God after the inward man? But thou seest another law in thy members resisting the law of thy mind;\u201d not \u201cresisting\u201d yet powerless for aught, but \u201cleading thee captive in the law of sin.\u201d Behold, whence to thee who fearest that \u201cplentifulness of sweetness is hidden!\u201d to him that feareth it \u201cis hidden,\u201d how is it\u201d wrought\u201d out for him that \u201ctrusteth\u201d? 4299 Cry out under thine enemy, for that thou hast an assailant, thou hast an Helper too, who looketh upon thee as thou fightest, who helpeth thee in difficulty; but only if He find thee \u201ctrusting;\u201d for the proud He hateth. What then wilt thou cry under this enemy? \u201cWretched man that I am!\u201d 4300 Ye see it already, for ye have cried out. Be this your cry, when haply thou art distressed under the enemy, say ye, in your inmost heart say, in sound faith say, \u201cWretched man that I am!\u201d Wretched that I am! \u201cTherefore wretched,\u201d because \u201cI.\u201d \u201cWretched man that I am,\u201d both because \u201cI,\u201d and because \u201cman.\u201d For \u201che is disquieted in vain.\u201d 4301 For though \u201cman walketh in the Image;\u201d 4302 yet, \u201cwretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death?\u201d Wilt thou thyself? where is thy strength, where is thy confidence? Of a surety thou both criest out, and art silent; silent, that is, from extolling thyself, not from calling upon God. Be silent, and cry out. For God Himself too is both silent, and crieth aloud; He is silent from judgment, He is not silent from precept; so be thou too silent from elation, not from invocation; lest God say to thee, \u201cI have been silent, shall I be silent always?\u201d 4303 Cry out therefore, \u201cO wretched man that I am!\u201d Acknowledge thyself conquered, put thine own strength to shame, and say, \u201cWretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death?\u201d What did I say above? The Law alarmeth him that relieth upon himself. Behold, man relied upon himself, he attempted to fight, he could not get the better, he was conquered, prostrated, subjugated, led captive. He learnt to rely upon God, and it remaineth that him whom the Law alarmed while he relied upon himself, grace should assist now that he trusteth in God. In this confidence he saith, \u201cWho shall deliver me from the body of this death? The grace of God by Jesus Christ our Lord.\u201d 4304 Now see the sweetness, taste it, relish it; hear the Psalm, \u201cTaste and see that the Lord is sweet.\u201d 4305 He hath become sweet to thee, for that He hath delivered thee. Thou wast bitter to thine own self, when thou didst rely upon thyself. Drink sweetness, receive the earnest of so great abundance.\n6. The disciples then of the Lord Jesus Christ while yet under the Law had to be cleansed still, to be nourished still, to be corrected still, to be directed still. For they still had concupiscence; whereas the Law saith, \u201cThou shalt not lust.\u201d 4306 Without offence to those holy rams, the leaders of the flock, without offence to them I would say it, for I say the truth: the Gospel relates, that they contended which of them should be the greatest, and whilst the Lord was yet on earth, they were agitated by a dissension about pre-eminence. 4307 Whence was this, but from the old leaven? whence, but from the law in the members, resisting the law of the mind? They sought for eminence; yea, they desired it; they thought which should be the greatest; therefore is their pride put to shame by a little child. 4308 Jesus calleth unto him the age of humility to tame the swelling desire. With good reason then when p. 543 they returned too, and said, \u201cLord, behold even the devils are subject unto us through Thy Name.\u201d (It was for a nothing that they rejoiced; of what importance was it compared to that which God promised?) The Lord, the Good Master, quieting fear, and building up a firm support, said to them, \u201cIn this rejoice not that the devils are subject unto you.\u201d Why so? Because \u201cmany will come in My Name, saying, Behold, in Thy Name we have cast out devils; and I will say to them, I know you not. In this rejoice not, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.\u201d 4309 Ye cannot yet be there, yet notwithstanding ye are already written there. Therefore \u201crejoice.\u201d So that place again, \u201cHitherto have ye asked nothing in My Name.\u201d 4310 For what ye have asked, in comparison with that which I am willing to give, is nothing. For what have ye asked in My Name? That the devils should be subject unto you? \u201cIn this rejoice not,\u201d that is, what ye have asked is nothing; for if it were anything, He would bid them rejoice. So then it was not absolutely nothing, but that it was little in comparison of that greatness of God\u2019s rewards. For the Apostle Paul was not really not anything; and yet in comparison of God, \u201cNeither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth.\u201d 4311 And so I say to you, and I say to myself, both to myself and you I say, when we ask in Christ\u2019s Name for these temporal things. For ye have asked undoubtedly. For who doth not ask? One asketh for health, if he is sick; another asketh for deliverance, if he is in prison; another asketh for the port, if he is tossed about at sea; another asketh for victory, if he is in conflict with an enemy; and in the Name of Christ he asketh all, and what he asketh is nothing. What then must be asked for? \u201cAsk in My Name.\u201d 4312 And He said not what, but by the very words we understand what we ought to ask. \u201cAsk, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. Ask, and ye shall receive, in My Name.\u201d But what? Not nothing; but what? \u201cThat your joy may be full;\u201d that is, ask what may suffice you. For when thou askest for temporal things, thou askest for nothing. \u201cWhoso shall drink of this water, shall thirst again.\u201d 4313 He letteth down the watering pot of desire into the well, he taketh up whereof to drink, only that he may thirst again. \u201cAsk, that your joy may be full;\u201d that is, that ye may be satisfied, not feel delight only for a time. Ask what may suffice you; speak Philip\u2019s language, \u201cLord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.\u201d 4314 The Lord saith to you, \u201cHave I been so long time with you, and have ye not known Me? Philip, he that seeth Me, seeth the Father also.\u201d 4315 Render then thanks to Christ, made weak for you that are weak, and make ready your desires 4316 for Christ\u2019s Divinity, to be satisfied therewith. Turn we to the Lord, etc.\nPs. 31.19, Sept. (xxxi. 19, English version).\n540:4284 540:4285 541:4286 541:4287 541:4288 541:4289 541:4290 541:4291 541:4292 541:4293\n1 Cor. xiii. 1. etc.\n541:4294 542:4295 542:4296 542:4297 542:4298 542:4299\nPs. 39.6 (xxxix. 6, English version).\n542:4302\ni.e. of God. Vid. Enarrat. in Ps. xxxviii.\n542:4303\nIsa. xlii. 14, Sept.\n542:4304 542:4305\nPs. xxxiv. 8, Vulgate.\n542:4306 542:4307 542:4308 543:4309 543:4310 543:4311 543:4312 543:4313 543:4314 543:4315\nJohn xiv. 9, Vulgate.\n543:4316","title":"Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Vol. VI: Sermons on Selec...","type":"page"}