H The First Similitude. That we have here no continuing City. If, therefore," which ye are prepare lands E said unto me, "Ye know that ye, who are the servants of God, dwell in a strange land, for your city is far off from this city. he said, "ye know the city in about to dwell, why do ye thus and costly array, and edifices and vain buildings? He, therefore, who prepareth these things for this city is not able to return to his own city. O foolish, doubting, and miserable man, perceivest thou not that all these things are foreign, and under the authority of another. For the lord of this city will say, 'I do not wish thee to dwell in my city; come out from this city, for thou dost not use my laws.' Thou, therefore, who hast fields, and houses, and many other possessions, what wilt thou do with thy fields, and thy houses, and thy other possessions which are many, when thou art cast out by him? For the lord of this F country saith unto thee justly, Either use my laws, or depart out of my country.' What then must thou do, who art under the law in thine own city, on account of thy lands, and the rest of thy possessions? Thou must altogether renounce the law of thine own city, and must walk by the law of this city. Take heed whether it be not inexpedient for thee to renounce thine own law; for if thou shalt wish to return to thy city thou wilt not be received, because thou hast renounced the law of thy city, and shalt be excluded from it. Take heed therefore, and, as though thou wert dwelling in a foreign land, prepare no more for thyself than a sufficient competence, and be thou ready, so that when the lord of the city cometh to cast thee out as resisting his law, thou mayest go out from his city, and come unto thine own city, and use thine own law modestly and joyously. Take heed therefore, O ye who serve the Lord, and who have Him in your heart, work the works of God, remembering His commandments, and the promises which He promised, and put your trust in Him, for He will perform them if His commandments are kept. Let each man therefore, according as he is able, purchase not lands, but souls that are afflicted, visit the widows and orphans, and neglect them not; and expend your wealth and your preparations on such lands and houses as ye have received from the Lord; for to this end did your Master make you rich that ye should fulfil these services for Him. Far better is it to purchase such fields and possessions and houses as thou shalt find in thy city, when thou shalt remove unto it. This lavish expenditure is honourable and sacred, bringing neither grief nor fear, but bringing joy. But the luxury of the Gentiles follow not, for it is inexpedient for you who are the servants of God, but follow after your own luxury, an expenditure which is your own, in which you can rejoice, and corrupt not one another; neither touch another man's property, nor lust after it, for it is an evil thing to desire the goods of another man; but do thine own work, and thou shalt be saved." |