Page:Ninety-nine homilies of S. Thomas Aquinas upon the epistles and gospels for forty-nine Sundays of the Christian year (IA ninetyninehomili00thom).pdf/125



In this Epistle the Apostle exhorts us to two things— firstly, to the avoidance of evil, “ As ye have yielded your members,” &c.; secondly, to the love of good, “ even so now yield your members,” &c.

I. On the first head, the Apostle assigns in this Epistle four reasons through which sin should be avoided. (1) Because sin pollutes the mind “to uncleanness.” Hosea ix. 10, “Their abominations were according as they loved.” (2) Because by sin man ignominiousiy subjects himself to servitude, “ When ye were the servants of sin.” S. John viii. 34, “Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.” (3) Because great confusion flows from sin, “ What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed?” Jeremiah xvii. 13, “ O Lord, all that forsake Thee shall be ashamed.” (4) Because by sin man is led to eternal death, “ The wages of sin is death.” Psalm xxxiii. 22, Vulg., “ The death of the wicked is very evil.”

II. On the second head, it is to be noted, that likewise four reasons are given why good should be chosen. For men acquire four great things from the choice of that which is good. (1) Purity of the mind or sanctification, which is cleansing, S. Matt. v. 8, “ Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (2) Justice of the will “to righteousness.” For righteousness is aright will, S. Ansel., “ Justice is rectitude of the will preserved on its own account.” (3) Liberty of the spirit, “ Ye were free from righteousness.” 2 Cor. iii. 17, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty.” S. John viii. 3G, “ If the Son, therefore, shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (4) Man by doing good obtains eternal life, “ The gift of God is eternal life.” S. John v. 29, “And shall come forth they that have done good unto the resurrection of life.” S. Matt, xxv. 46, “Those shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal.”