He addressed unto those who wanted to learn,
whether they be few who are saved: and to whom the Savior answered,
"Strive to enter in by the strait door." Now this reply may seem
perhaps, to wander from the scope of the question. For the man wanted to learn,
whether they be few who are saved: but He described unto him the way whereby he
might be saved himself, saying, "Strive to enter in by the strait
door." What reply then do we make to this objection? We answer as follows;
that it was the custom of our common Savior Christ to meet His questioners, not
of course according to what might seem good to them, but as having regard to
what was useful and necessary for His hearers. And this He especially did when
any one wanted to learn what was superfluous and un-edifying. For what good was
there in wishing to learn, whether there be many or few that be saved? What
benefit resulted from it to the hearers? On the contrary it was a necessary and
valuable thing to know in what way a man may attain to salvation. He is
purposely silent therefore with respect to the useless question which had been
asked Him, but proceeds to speak of what was essential, namely, of the
knowledge necessary for the performance of those duties by which men can enter
in at the strait and narrow door. For this He has also taught us in another
place, saying; "Enter in at the strait door: for wide is the door, and
broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are they that go in
thereby. For strait is the door, and narrow is the way that leads unto life,
and few are they that find it."
Now I consider it my duty to mention why the door
is narrow, through which a man goes unto life. Whosoever then would enter must
of necessity first before everything else possess an upright and uncorrupted
faith: and, secondly, a spotless morality, in which is no possibility of blame,
according to the measure of human righteousness. For so the prophet David also
somewhere says, very excellently framing his supplications unto God, "
Judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness; and according to my innocence
requite me." For the innocence and righteousness of the holy angels, being
in proportion to their nature and glory, is entirely distinct from that which
belongs to the inhabitants of earth: for theirs is of |462 a lower kind, and
inferior in every respect, just as they are inferior to them also in nature.
Nevertheless, those who wish to live holily cannot do so without labor: for
constantly, so to speak, the pathway that leads unto virtue is rugged and steep,
and for most men too difficult to walk upon. For labors spring up before us and
we have need altogether of fortitude and patience, and nobleness of conduct:
yes, moreover, and of a mind that cannot be prevailed upon dissolutely to take
part in base pleasures, or to be led by irrational impulses into carnal lust.
He who has attained unto this in mind and spiritual fortitude will enter easily
by the strait door, and run along the narrow way. For it is written, that
"by labors a man labors for himself, and violently gains the mastery over
his destruction." You hear how the prophet plainly says, that he gains the
mastery over his destruction by violence; for as the Lord himself again said,
"The kingdom of heaven is gained by violence, and the violent seize it."
"For wide is the door, and broad the way that
brings down many to destruction." And what are we to understand by its
broadness? It means an unrestrained tendency to carnal lust; a base and
pleasure loving life; luxurious feastings, and reveling and banqueting, and
unresisted inclinations unto every thing which is condemned by the law, and
displeasing to God: a stiff-necked mind that will not bow to the yoke of the
law: a life accursed, and relaxed in all dissoluteness, thrusting from it the
divine law, and utterly unmindful of the sacred commandments: wealth and the
vices that spring from it, scorn and pride, and the vain imagining of
transitory boastings. From all such things must those withdraw who would enter
in by the strait door, and be with Christ, and keep festival with Him.
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