Page:Ninety-nine homilies of S. Thomas Aquinas upon the epistles and gospels for forty-nine Sundays of the Christian year (IA ninetyninehomili00thom).pdf/50

 The cessation of temptation—Tob. iii. 22, “ After a storm Thou makest a calm.” Of these four—Ps. lxix. 23-29, “ I am come into deep waters” in the ship of holiness, behold the first; “The floods overflow me,” behold the second ; “ I am weary of my crying,” behold the third ; “ Thy salvation, O God, set me up on high” above my temptations, behold The fourth.

II. On the second head it is to be noted that the tempest in the sea arose from the winds. Holy Scripture speaks of four winds when temptation arises, and trouble to the saints. Firstly, from the infestation of demons: this is a cold wind —Ecclus. xliii. 22, “ The cold north wind bloweth, and the water congealeth into crystal.” Secondly, from the perverseness of heretics: this is a blasting wind—Gen. xli. 6, 7, “ Seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them,” and "devoured the seven rank and full ears.” Thirdly, from the cruelty of tyrants : this is a vehement wind—Job. i. 19, “Behold there came a great wind from the wilderness.” Fourthly, from the malignity of false Christians: this is a burning wind—Ecclus. xi. 4, “He that observeth the wind shall not sow.” Of these four, Dan. vii. 2—“ The four winds of heaven strove upon the great sea.”

III. On the third head it is to be noted that in the prayer of the Apostles there were three things which moved the Lord to help them. Firstly, because they besought Him instantly, “ they awoke Him.” Secondly, they asked humbly, “ Lord.” Thirdly, because they prayed for a useful thing, “Save us.” Of (1), Rom. xii. 12, “Continuing instant in prayer;” of (2), S. Luke xviii. 13, 14, “The prayer of the humble publican penetrated Heaven itself;” of (3), S. John xvi. 24, “ Ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” Of these three, S. Matt. vii. 7—“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” “Ask” humbly, and ye shall receive; “ seek” what is profitable, and “ye shall find;”“ knock” continually, and the Kingdom of Heaven shall be opened unto you. Unto which Kingdom may we be brought.