LETTER LXXXI.
IN this letter S. Ambrose seeks to comfort some of his clergy, who were in despondency on account of their labours and difficulties, and sets before their eyes both the reward they may expect, and also the ready aid they will receive from Christ. He then presses upon them passages of Scripture applicable to their case, and exhorts them not to suffer themselves to be separated from Jesus their Saviour.
AMBROSE TO CERTAIN OF THE CLERGY.
1. IT is a fault which frequently besets the human mind, that, if things do not at once fall out according to their wishes, they lightly take offence, and desist from their duty. In other classes of men this is tolerable, but in those who are devoted to the Divine service it is a frequent cause of sorrow.
2. There are certain persons in the clerical function, into whose minds the Enemy, if he cannot otherwise deceive them, thus seeks to creep, that he may instil evil thoughts of the following kind; ‘What does it avail me to remain among the clergy, to suffer injuries, to bear toil, as if my own farm could not support me, or, if I have no farm, as if I could not otherwise obtain support?’ It is by such thoughts as these that even good dispositions are withdrawn from their duty, as if provision for his own sustenance was the only function of a cleric, and not rather to purchase for himself the Divine assistance after death. Whereas he only shall be rich after death, who on earth has had strength to contend unharmed against the wiles of his numerous adversaries.
3. It is said therefore in Ecclesiastes, Eccles. iv. 9. Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labour, For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow. Where are the two that are better than one, but where Christ is, and he whom Christ defends? For if he who is with the Lord Jesus falls, Jesus raises him up.
4. But in what sense is it said, for their labour? Is Christ then weary[294]? Yes truly, for He says, Ps. lxix. 3. I am weary of crying. He labours, but it is on us. Moreover after His toil S. John iv. 6. He sat down wearied on the well; but what is the mode of His labours? The Apostle by his own humbler example has taught us in the words, 2 Cor. xi. 29. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Our Lord Himself has also taught us in the words, S. Matt. xxv. 43. I was sick, and ye visited Me not, naked and ye clothed Me not. He labours, in order to raise me in my falls.
5. Hence in Elisha also our Lord is prefigured, 2 Kings iv. 34. for he stretched himself upon the dead child that he might raise him to life, and in this we have a symbol that Christ died with us, that He might rise for us. Thus Christ placed Himself on the level even of our frailty, that He might raise us again. He did not fall, but of His own will cast Himself down, and in rising raised up His fellow. For He has taken us into fellowship with Himself, being anointed, as it is written, Ps. xlv. 8. with the oil of gladness above His fellows.
6. Well says the Preacher, If they fall, the One, not being Himself lifted up, will lift up his fellow; for Christ needed not the assistance and aid of another to raise Him, but rose by His own power. Again, S. John ii. 19. Destroy, He says, this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. But this He said of the Temple of His Body. And it is well that he who has not fallen should not be raised by another, for he who has been so raised must have fallen, and he who has fallen needs assistance that he may be raised. This is taught also by the words of Scripture which follows, Eccles. iv. 10, 11. Woe to him that is alone when he falleth, for he hath not another to lift him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat. For Rom. vi. 8. we are dead with Christ, and therefore we also live with Him. And Christ has thus died that He might give us warmth, as He has said, S. Luke xii. 49. I am come to send fire upon the earth.