Page:Ninety-nine homilies of S. Thomas Aquinas upon the epistles and gospels for forty-nine Sundays of the Christian year (IA ninetyninehomili00thom).pdf/39



THE Apostle in these words exhorts us to three things, in which consists the entire perfection of man. Firstly, that the form of this world be relinquished "Be not conformed to this world." Secondly, that the form of the new life be assumed "but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind." Thirdly, that the will of God may be known " that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

I. On the first head it is to be noted, that the form or manner of existence, of this world is threefold. (1) In the lust of concupiscence. (2) In the desire of earthly goods. (3) In the pride of life. Of these three, 1 S. John ii. 16, "The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." It is to be