st. john of damascus (676-749 - Cristo Raul

"
1 64 ST. JOHN OF DAMASCUS.
tossing waves.
As the body grows weak, the passions
furl their sails."
ON KEEPING WATCH OVER THE TONGUE.
Job xxvii., 4. -My lips shall not speak wickedness,
nor my tongue utter deceit.
St. James iii., 2. If any man offend not in word,
the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the
whole body.
(And twenty other passages.)
St. Gregory Nazianzen. "Ye know not what a
gift from God is silence. Yet speak, if thou hast
aught better than silence. But be content to hold
thy peace, where that is better than words."
I beseech thee, thy unbridled
Nilus." Refrain,
tongue. For a slip of the tongue
is more serious
than a slip of the foot."
ON THE CHURCH, AND HOUSE OF GOD.
Ps. xxvi., 8. Lord, I have loved the habitation of
Thy house, and the place where Thine honour
dwelleth.
Baruch iii., 24. How great is the house of
God ! and how large is the place of His possession
!
Great, and hath none end ; high, and immeasur
able.
(And twenty-five other passages.)
St. Chrysostom.
Like harbours at sea, God
established His churches in cities ;
that we might
flee to them from the tossing of life s commotions,
and find still water. If we put in there for refuge, we
need fear no surging of waves, no attack of pirates,