Page:Ninety-nine homilies of S. Thomas Aquinas upon the epistles and gospels for forty-nine Sundays of the Christian year (IA ninetyninehomili00thom).pdf/172

 his dwelling-place : “Nevertheless through envy of the devil came death into the world, and they that do hold of his side do find it,” Wis. ii. 24. (4) Because he is an accuser, ever accusing those who receive him: “ The accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accuseth them before our God day and night,” Rev. xii. 10. (5) Because he is a thief stealing the gifts of grace from those in whom he dwells: “ Then cometh the devil and taketh the word out of their heart lest they should believe and be saved,” S. Luke viii. 12. (6) Because he is a homicide, entangling those who receive him in perpetual death: “ Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him,” S. John viii. 44. (7) Because he who gives place to the devil, will share a place with him in hell: “Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels,” S. Matt. xxv. 44. It is manifest, therefore, that in many ways they are very foolish who give place to the devil in their souls, for they receive a serpent, a lion, a thief, and a murderer.

II. On the second head it is to be noted, that the Apostle bids us abstain chiefly from seven sins which make a place for the devil in the heart of man. (1) From theft: “Let him that stole steal no more.” (2) From every evil word: “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth.” (3) From sadness and bitterness : “Let all bitterness be put away from you.” (4) From wrath: “And wrath.” (5) From anger: “And anger.” (6) From clamour: “And clamour.” (7) From blasphemy or evil speaking: “And evil speaking.” S. Augustine says that blasphemy consists in those things which are falsely spoken of God, and therefore blasphemy is worse than to sin by swearing falsely, because that in swearing falsely witnesses are brought forward, but in blasphemy false things are spoken of God Himself. For this reason evil speaking or blasphemy is joined “ with all malice.”

III. On the third head it is to be noted, that the Apostle likewise exhorts us in this Epistle to seven virtues, by which the devil is driven from the soul. (1) To renovation of mind: “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind.” We ought to be renewed in five ways. Firstly, as an eagle, laying down the beak of an evil tongue: “ Wherefore, putting