HOMILY II.
ROM. I. 8.
"First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your
faith is spoken of throughout the whole world."
AN exordium worthy of this blessed spirit, and able to teach all men
to offer unto God the firstlings of their good deeds and words, and to
render thanks not only for their own, but also for others' well-doings:
which also maketh the soul pure from envy and grudging, and
draweth God in a greater measure towards the loving spirit of them
that so render thanks. Wherefore also elsewhere he says, "Blessed
be God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath blessed
us with all spiritual blessing." (Eph. i. 3.) And it is fitting
that we
render thanks not only when rich, but also when poor, not when in
health only, but also when sick, not when we thrive only, but also
when we have to bear the reverse. For when our affairs are borne
onward with a fair wind, to be thankful is not matter of wonder. But
when no small tempests be upon us, and the vessel veers about and
is in jeopardy, then is the great time for displaying patience and
goodness of heart. For this cause Job also gained a crown from
hence, and the shameless mouth of the devil did he stop, and show
clearly that not even when he saw good days was it through his
wealth that he was thankful, but through his much love toward God.