Page:Ninety-nine homilies of S. Thomas Aquinas upon the epistles and gospels for forty-nine Sundays of the Christian year (IA ninetyninehomili00thom).pdf/71



The Apostle exhorts in this Epistle to five things. Firstly, that we should study to walk according to God: “ How ye ought to walk.” Secondly, that we may be pleasing to God: “ To please God.” Thirdly, as holy: “ Your sanctification.” Fourthly, that we should do no injury to our neighbour: “ That no man go beyond and defraud.” Fifthly, that we should avoid sins of sensuality: “ Ye should abstain from fornication.”

I. On the first head it is be noted, that the Apostle taught us twelve ways of walking; five of them will be mentioned here, and the rest in Homily V. for the Third Sunday in Lent—(1) In humility, lest inflated with pride we are not able to pass up the narrow way. (2) In patience, that we may bear cheerful the toils and the misfortunes of the way. (3) In meekness, that we may have companions on our way, and may not perturb them in the journey. (4) In charity, that we may communicate good words to our companions. (5) In compassion, that we may help the infirmities of the saints. Of these five, Eph. iv. 1, 2, “ That ye walk worthy of the vocation, with all lowliness,” behold the first; “ Long suffering,” behold the second; “ Meekness,” behold the third; "Forbearing one another,” behold the fourth; “In love,” behold the fifth.

II. On the second head it is to be noted, that five things are needful for us to please God. (1) That we should fear Him above all as omnipotent and just. (2) That we should hope in Him above all, as if in a liberator. Of these two, Ps. cxlvii. 11, “The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear Him,” behold the first; “ In those that hope in His mercy,” behold the second. (3) That we should love Him above all, as our highest good : Prov. viii. 17, “Hove them that love Me.” (4) That we shall sustain tribulations willingly for His sake : Judith viii. 23, “All that pleased God passed through many