A Source Book for Ancient Church History - Mirrors

190 A Source Book for Ancient Church History[171]to be sent and to become the son of man, that He might makeus the sons of God. He humbled Himself that He might raiseup the people who before were prostrate; He was wounded thatHe might heal our wounds; He served that He might draw toliberty those who were in bondage; He underwent death, that Hemight set forth immortality to mortals. These are many and greatboons of compassion. But, moreover, what a providence, andhow great the clemency, that by a plan of salvation it is providedfor us that more abundant care should be taken for preservingman who has been redeemed! For when the Lord, coming to us,had cured those wounds which Adam had borne, and had healedthe old poisons of the serpent, He gave a law to the sound man,and bade him sin no more lest a worse thing should befall thesinner. We had been limited and shut up in a narrow space bythe commandment of innocence. Nor should the infirmity andweakness of human frailty have anything it might do, unless thedivine mercy, coming again in aid, should open some way ofsecuring salvation by pointing out works of justice and mercy,so that by almsgiving we may wash away whatever foulness wesubsequently contract.Ch. 2. The Holy Spirit speaks in the sacred Scriptures saying,“By almsgiving and faith sins are purged” [Prov. 16:6]. Not,of course, those sins which had been previously contracted, forthese are purged by the blood and sanctification of Christ. Moreover,He says again, “As water extinguishes fire, so almsgivingquencheth sin” [Eccles. 3:30]. Here, also, is shown and provedthat as by the laver of the saving water the fire of Gehenna isextinguished, so, also, by almsgiving and works of righteousnessthe flame of sin is subdued. And because in baptism remissionof sins is granted once and for all, constant and ceaseless labor,following the likeness of baptism, once again bestows themercy of God.… The Lord also teaches this in the Gospel.…The Merciful One teaches and warns that works of mercy beperformed; because He seeks to save those who at great cost