Page:Ninety-nine homilies of S. Thomas Aquinas upon the epistles and gospels for forty-nine Sundays of the Christian year (IA ninetyninehomili00thom).pdf/137

 most glowing fire and perpetual burning—Isai. lxvi. 24, “ For their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched.” “Are they not therefore foolish who, for momentary delights, bind themselves to so many perpetual evils?” (S. Greg.)

III. On the third head—the eternity of the adversity—it is a momentary thing which delights : it is an eternal thing which crucifies.

Three things are to be noted in these words. Firstly, the great bountifulness of God—“ By the grace of God,” &c. Secondly, the utility of the grace—“ His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain.” Thirdly, the weakness of the free-will—“ Yet not I.”

I. On the first head, it is to be noted, that in three ways appears the great goodness of God to sinners, which appeared in S. Paul. (1) In the calling of so great sinners —“ Because I persecuted the Church of God.” 1 S. Tim. i. 15, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of which I am chief.” (2) In the bestowing of abundant grace—Rom. v. 20, “ Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” This is expressed in the words, “ By the grace of God I am what I am;” as a great Apostle, such an one, and so great. (3) In the exhibition of spiritual friendship —Job xxii. 23, “ If thou return to the Almighty thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles;” v. 26, “For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face unto God.”

II. On the second head, it is to be noted, that there is here a manifold utility of grace. (1) Because it cleanses from