Page:King Alfred's West-Saxon Version of Gregory's Pastoral Care (2).djvu/451

442 the thorns of vain affection, he would have unprofitably planted in them the words of holy instruction. Therefore also St. Peter pulled down what he reconstructed. That was when he would not teach the Jews anything about what they ought to do, but rebuked them for their former doings, speaking thus: "The Saviour of Nazareth, a man approved among you by virtues, and miracles, and prognostications, which God wrought through him among you, ye betrayed by the hands of unrighteous men, and deliberately slew and hung, as God knew in the beginning, and yet suffered it; the same God aroused him afterwards to release the captives in hell." Peter reproached them with the deed, because he wished them, after perceiving their cruelty, to become contrite and humble, that they might hear the holy doctrine with more advantage, after previously desiring to hear it. Then the Jews answered him, saying: "What can we do in the matter now, brother Peter?" Peter answered, saying: "First repent, and then be baptized." They would soon have despised the renovation and doctrine, had they not previously perceived the fall and destruction of their cruelty through his reproaches. Very similar was the case of St. Paul, when the light came to him from heaven and terrified him: he was not yet told what was right for him to do in future, but he was told of the wrong he had formerly done. When he was terrified, and fell on the ground, and asked, saying: "What art thou, Lord?" he was very soon answered with: "I am the Saviour of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest." And then said he: "Lord, what dost thou bid me do?" Then the Lord answered him: "Arise, and go to yonder city; they will tell thee there what to do." Behold now, how the Lord spoke from heaven to his persecutor, and rebuked him for the works he had formerly done. Before he told him how he was to conduct himself in future, the pride of Paul had fallen, and all the works it made him perform. And soon after the fall of his pride, he began to construct humility. When he desired instruction from God, the terrible persecutor fell, that the more heavily he fell the more strongly he might rise. So those who have done no good are first to be cast down by reproof from the hardness of their wickedness, that they may after a time be raised, and stand firm with righteous works; for we cut down tall trees in the wood to erect them afterwards in the building,