Page:Ninety-nine homilies of S. Thomas Aquinas upon the epistles and gospels for forty-nine Sundays of the Christian year (IA ninetyninehomili00thom).pdf/106



The very kind way in which the “Advent Homilies” of the great Schoolman have been received, has induced the Translator to issue another portion of that, which he one day hopes may be formed into a complete work. It has been the wish of some that the outlines of S. Thomas might be expanded for them, and so be made ready for their use. To do this would be not only to tamper with what ought to be preserved entire with all care, but it would destroy the great merit and value of these suggestive skeletons, which, opening so many different trains of thought, leave it to the preacher’s own judgment to enlarge upon them, according to his learning, ability, and peculiar cast of mind. It will very often be found that a third portion of one Homily will afford quite sufficient material for the formation of such a sermon as is suitable to our times. The thorough investigation of the three divisions of one section, often leads to more telling and satisfactory results than can be obtained from the partial development of each of the leading heads. Where the theological wealth is so great, it seems almost invidious to draw comparisons ; but for their power and fulness we recommend specially to the reader’s attention Homilies IV., XIV., XVIII., and XXI.