Page:Ninety-nine homilies of S. Thomas Aquinas upon the epistles and gospels for forty-nine Sundays of the Christian year (IA ninetyninehomili00thom).pdf/101

 is chiefly to be followed for three reasons—(1) Because it places man in many joys: Ps. xix. 8, “The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart.” (2) Because it liberates man from perpetual death: Prov. xi. 4, “ But righteousness,” i.e., the works of righteousness, “ delivereth from death,” i.e., eternal. Prov. xxi.25, “He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life.” (3) Because it leads man to eternal joys: S. Matt. xxv. 46, “ The righteous into life eternal.”

III. On the third head it is to be noted, that the future judgment is to be feared for three reasons—(1) On account of the equity of the Judge: Ps. vii. 12, Vulg., “ God is a just Judge, strong and patient: is He angry every day?” (2) Because of the severity of the Judge : Judith xvi. 20, 21, “ In the Day of Judgment He will visit them, for He will give fire and worms into their flesh.” (3) Because of the irrevocability of the sentence: S. Matt. xxv. 41, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the Devil and his angels.” It is called “everlasting fire” because it has no end; from which may we be delivered, &c.

“If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.”—S. Jas. i. 26.

S. James in these words exhorts us to the bridling of the tongue, and there are three reasons which move us so to do. Firstly, because he who does not bridle his tongue, falls into many sins. Secondly, because he incurs many bad punishments. Thirdly, because he who bridles his tongue, acquires many good things. Of the first: Prov. x. If), “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin.” Of the second: Ecclus. xx. 8, “ He that useth many words shall hurt his own soul.” Of the third : Prov. xviii. 13, “ He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.”

I. On the first head it is to be noted, that Scripture treats of many tongues, by which are signified those different sins which are committed by the tongue; and such tongues are to be bridled—(1) The deceitful tongue, which is in double dealings and betrayals : Ps. cxx. 2, “ Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips and from a deceitful tongue.” Jer. ix. 8,