The Lives of the Saints Volume 1 - St. Patrick's Basilica

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through the streets after fugitives and slaves, that hate and fly from
her as the {265} basest of prostitutes. Those she seeks to have for
witnesses and applauders, or rather she herself, act the part of
robbers, and rifle treasures laid up even in heaven in a place of
safety. The devil sees them inaccessible to his arts, therefore employs
this worm to devour them. When you bestow an alms, shut your door; let
him alone to whom you give it be witness, nor even him if possible; of
others see you they will proclaim your vain-glory, and be published by
God himself. (Hom. 71.) Speaking on alms, (Hom. 66,) he says, that the
Church of Antioch was then possessed only of the revenue of one rich and
of one poor man, yet maintained three thousand virgins and widows,
besides hospitals &c. What then is not one rich man able to do? But they
have children. The saint replies, that the best fortune they can leave
is a treasure laid up in heaven. Every one is bound at least to count
the poor among his children, and allot to them one half, a third, or at
least a tenth part. He declares (Hom. 88.) that he will never cease
preaching on the obligation, efficacy, and advantages of alms. He
asserts, (Hom. 85,) that in the church of Antioch were contained one
hundred thousand souls; besides whom as many Jews and idolaters dwelt in
that city. (Hom. in St. Ignat. t. 2, p. 591.) He applauds the constancy
and virtue of a famous actress, (Hom. 67,) who being converted to God,
would not be compelled by the threats of the governor or any punishment,
to appear again upon the stage. In Hom. 68 and 69, he gives an amiable
and edifying account of the lives of the monks of Syria: and (Hom. 47,
80, 81, 90, &c.) commends a state of voluntary poverty, and preaches on
the contempt of the world. On visiting the tombs of martyrs, to obtain
health of body and every spiritual advantage, see Hom. 37, 424. On the
sign of the cross he says, (Hom. 54, p. 551,) "Let us carry about the
cross of Christ as a crown, and let no one blush at the ensign of
salvation. By it is every thing in religion done: the cross is employed
if a person is regenerated, or fed with the mystical food, or ordained;
whatever else is to be done, this ensign of victory is ever present;
therefore we have it in our houses, paint it on our walls and windows,
make it on our foreheads, and always carry it devoutly in our hearts. We
must not content ourselves with forming it with our fingers, but must do
it with great sentiments of faith and devotion. If you thus form it on
your face, no unclean spirit will be able to stand against you when he
beholds the instrument which has given him the mortal stab. If we
tremble at the sight of the place where criminals are executed, think
what the devils must suffer when they see that weapon by which Christ
stripped them of their power, and cut off the head of their leader. Be
not ashamed of so great a good which has been bestowed on you, lest
Christ should be ashamed of you when he shall appear in glory, and this
standard be borne before him brighter than the rays of the sun; for then
the cross shall appear speaking as it were with a loud voice. This sign,
both in the time of our forefathers and in our own, has opened gates,