Sermon IX. On the Conversion of Blessed Paul, Opening

SERMON IX.

ON THE CONVERSION OF BLESSED PAUL.

He is a vessel of election for me, that he may carry my name before gentiles, and kings, and the sons of Israel. Acts 9:15.

Two things chiefly are to be noted here:

I. Why Blessed Paul is called by the Lord a vessel of election? II. What is figured by Gentiles, and Kings, and the sons of Israel?

I.

On the first, note that Blessed Paul is called a vessel of election by the Lord for this reason, because he is very choice-worthy and commendable for six causes.

I. For he is commended from the dignity of the material. II. From the nobility of adornment. III. From capacious depth. IV. From constant purity. V. From solid firmness. VI. From manifold usefulness.

I. Therefore Blessed Paul is called a vessel of election because of the dignity of the material. And certainly gold surpasses every metal in dignity. But he was a golden vessel. Hence it is read in Ecclesiasticus 50:1 and 10: Simon the great priest..., as a solid vessel of gold, adorned with every precious stone. Simon is interpreted obedient, and very well signifies Blessed Paul, who in the first instant of his visitation was made obedient to Jesus Christ. Hence when he was lying prostrate on the earth, he said to the Lord: Lord, what do you wish me to do ¹? The Gloss: "Indicate your will, and I shall obey."

The great Priest is also fittingly applied to him, because as soon as he was visited by the Lord, he offered to Christ not some beast outside himself, but his very self. For during the whole three days of his conversion he neither ate nor drank, but prayed. Therefore he offered his body to the Lord by abstaining from foods and drinks; but he sacrificed his soul to Christ by persisting in prayers. Hence it is read, Acts 9:9 and 11: He was three days not seeing, and he did not eat nor drink. The Lord also said to Ananias: Arise and go into the street which is called Straight, and seek in the house of Judas Saul by name, of Tarsus: for behold, he prays.

Therefore Blessed Paul was the obedient Priest of the Lord, as a solid vessel of gold. For he who before had been as iron, that is, cruel and impious, afterward, changed by divine operation into another man, was made as golden, that is, meek and good. For gold is more tempered and nobler than every metal, and for this reason it designates meekness and goodness, which is connatural to God. For the nature of God is goodness: for it is God's own proper thing always to have mercy and to spare.

But that Paul was iron, that is, cruel and impious, is shown in Acts 9:13 and 14, where Ananias says to the Lord: Lord, I have heard from many of this man, how many evils he has done to your saints in Jerusalem: and here he has power from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name. But that he was changed into gold, that is, was made meek and good, is plainly evident through this, that Ananias says to him: Saul, brother, the Lord Jesus has sent me, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, so that you may see and be filled with the Holy Spirit ². Through this, that he is called brother and is said to be about to be filled with the Holy Spirit, it is manifestly proved that he was already meek and good, as a brother filled with the Holy Spirit: for golden goodness and kindness are attributed to the Holy Spirit, as is said at Galatians 5:22.

Therefore the Apostle Paul was golden through meek goodness, whence it is said in 2 Corinthians 8:21: We provide good things not only before God, but also before all men. He himself also invites us to this, that we may be good, at Romans 12:9 and 17: Hating evil, adhering to good... providing good things not only before God, but also before all men. Providing, that is, acting providently. But in what chief goodness consists, he shows in the same place ³, saying thus: Bless those who persecute you: bless and do not curse... If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he thirsts, give him drink. Note, he says twice: Bless. As if he were saying: Bless in heart, and bless in mouth. Behold in what chief goodness consists, namely that we bless our enemies in heart and mouth, and provide and give to them food and drink when they are in need.

II. That vessel is commended from the nobility of adornment. For it was adorned with every precious stone. Therefore, so that we may be silent about many other precious stones, it was adorned with at least twice six precious stones, with which also once in the law the rational of the High Priest existed adorned, as is read in Exodus 38:17 and following. Therefore the first stone was Jasper. The second, Sapphire. The third, Sardius. The fourth, Topaz. The fifth, Carbuncle. The sixth, Chrysolite. The seventh, Emerald. The eighth, Amethyst. The ninth, Ligure. The tenth, Beryl. The eleventh, Agate. The twelfth, Onyx. By Jasper the strength of faith is noted. By Sapphire the height of hope. By Sardius the memory of the Lord's Passion. By Topazion conformity of good preservation. By Carbuncle the brightness of wisdom. By Chrysolite truth of heart and tongue. By Emerald green humility. By Amethyst honorable sobriety. By Ligure sweet consolation. By Beryl burning rebuke. By Agate strong obedience. By Onyx joyful perseverance.

1. Therefore the first precious stone with which this vessel of election was adorned was Jasper, by which strength of faith is understood. For it is read of Jasper that it makes a man safe, fear having been put away; it also resists all evil arts and incantations. So also the faithful who believe in Christ do not perish, but will have eternal life. Faith is also as a certain noble shield, which extinguishes all the darts of the most wicked enemy, as is said at Ephesians 6:16.

Therefore Saint Paul was adorned with faith: hence he says to the Galatians 2:16 and 20: Knowing that man is not justified..., except through the faith of Jesus Christ... But that I now live in the flesh, I live in the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and handed himself over for me.

He also exhorts us, that we should stand strongly in faith against the devil. On account of which he says, 1 Corinthians 16:13 and 14: Watch, stand in faith, act manfully, and be strengthened in the Lord: let all your things be done in charity. He also says at Hebrews 11:6: Without faith it is impossible to please God. And because it is impossible that anyone please God without faith, therefore he writes, 2 Corinthians 13:5: If you are in the faith, prove yourselves.

2. The second stone belonging to the adornment of that vessel was Sapphire, by which the height of hope is noted. For just as Sapphire has a color similar to heaven, and just as in it a certain star shines red, through which its power is known; besides this, Sapphire enlivens the limbs of a man and cools interior heat: so also hope desires those things which are above in heaven, and illustrates the heart with a certain sweet and bright affection; hope also lightens weak limbs for labor, and cools every inward heat of tribulations.

But that Blessed Paul was adorned with the gem of hope, he testifies at Romans 5:2: We glory, he says, in the hope of the glory of the sons of God. Likewise he says, 1 Corinthians 15:19: If in this life only we are hoping in Christ, we are more miserable than all men. Likewise he says, 1 Timothy 6:17: Command the rich of this age not to be high-minded, nor to hope in the uncertainty of riches, but in the living God, who grants us all things abundantly for enjoyment.

3. The third stone in the adornment of that vessel was Sardius, by which the memory of the Lord's Passion is expressed. For Sardius has a red color: so in the Passion our Lord Jesus Christ was made red. Hence when he was ascending into heaven, certain Angels meeting him said to him, as Isaiah 63:2 and 3 says: Why is your garment red, and your garments like those of men treading in a winepress? To whom the Lord answered: I have trodden the winepress alone. There the Gloss says: "I suffered the Cross and all torments, in which I was pressed as in a press, so that even blood was poured out." Besides, in the presence of Sardius, onyx cannot do harm: that stone, as is said, multiplies quarrels and advances men toward disputes. So also the Passion of the Lord, effectively brought back to memory, dissolves all quarrels and restrains men from disputes: for the Lord in the Passion, like a meek lamb, was silent before the one shearing him, and did not open his mouth ⁴.

But that Blessed Paul was always mindful, indeed an imitator, of the Lord's Passion, he indicates at Galatians 2:19 and 20: I am fixed with Christ to the cross. But I live, now not I: truly Christ lives in me. Likewise, at Galatians 6:14 and 17: But far be it from me to glory, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world has been crucified to me and I to the world... For I bear the marks of the Lord Jesus in my body.

He also exhorts us to suffer with Christ and for Christ. Hence he says at Philippians 1:29: Because it has been given to you for Christ, that you should not only believe in him, but also suffer for him. He also says to the Philippians: Feel this in yourselves, which was also in Christ Jesus..., who humbled himself, made obedient even unto death, even the death of the cross ⁵.

4. The fourth precious stone in the ornament of this vessel was Topaz, by which conformity of good preservation is signified. For Topaz, as the Gloss says on Exodus, "is a most precious stone, and is of all colors, and especially of golden color"; hence Topaz is called as if topadion, that is, of all colors. It is also said to be of much value to those suffering a flow of blood.

So also Blessed Paul by conformity of good life conformed himself to all, so that he might gain all and free them from the uncleanness of the bloody flow, that is, of crimes. Hence he says, 1 Corinthians 9:19, 20 and 22: Since I was free from all, I made myself the servant of all, that I might gain more. And I became to the Jews as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews... I became weak to the weak, that I might gain the weak. I became all things to all, that I might make all saved.

He himself also admonishes us that, in imitation of himself, we should conform ourselves to any man through good preservation: for he says, 1 Corinthians 10:32 and 33: Be without offense to Jews, and Gentiles, and the Church of God. As I also please all men in all things, not seeking what is useful to me, but what is useful to many, that they may be saved. Gloss: "This is to please all through all things without scandal, to do something for each one for the advancement of others, so that it may be useful both to them and to this one."

5. The fifth stone with which that excellent vessel was adorned was Carbuncle, by which brightness of wisdom is figured. For just as Carbuncle shines in darkness and illuminates the things existing around itself, so also Blessed Paul, through wisdom divinely inspired into him, illuminated the darkness of this world. Hence also it is sung of him: "O glorious light of all Churches, more splendid than the sun, O truly Apostolic star of the Most High, Saint Paul, who pours the splendid sun of the Church among the Gentiles." It is also read in the Collect: "O God, who taught the whole world by the preaching of Blessed Paul the Apostle."

But that he was marked with marvelous wisdom, he testifies about himself, 1 Corinthians 2:6 and 7: We speak wisdom among the perfect: but wisdom not of this age, nor of the princes of this age, who are destroyed; but we speak the wisdom of God. But Paul had received his wisdom from above, whence he says at Galatians 1:11 and 12: I make known to you, brothers, the Gospel which was evangelized by me, that it is not according to man: for neither did I receive it from man, nor did I learn it, but through the revelation of Jesus Christ.

He also invites us, fleeing the wisdom of the flesh, to imitate the prudence of the spirit. Hence he says at Romans 8:5 and following: Those who are according to the flesh savor the things that are of the flesh; but those who are according to the Spirit feel the things that are of the Spirit. For the prudence of the flesh is death; but the prudence of the Spirit is life and peace. Because the wisdom of the flesh is hostile to God... Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. He also says at Romans 16:19: I wish you to be wise in good and simple in evil. Likewise, at Colossians 4:5 and 6: Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be in grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

6. The sixth stone adorning that glorious vessel was Chrysolite, by which truth of heart and tongue is figured. For Chrysolite, as is read, is similar to gold in color; whoever carries it fixed in gold upon himself, it renders him safe from nightly fear. Since therefore by gold, which is the best metal, God himself is understood, who is not doubted to be best: without doubt truth through all things exists similar to God, because God is true, as the Apostle says at Romans 3:4. The Son of God himself asserts himself to be the truth, John 14:6: I am truth. As also Chrysolite fixed in gold renders the one carrying it safe from nightly fear, so also the truth of a man persevering immovably in the Lord protects and guards that same man from demons walking about in darkness. Hence it is said in Psalm 90:5: His truth will surround you with a shield: you will not fear from nightly fear.

But that Blessed Paul was adorned with truth, he testifies in 2 Corinthians 11:10: The truth of Christ is in me, because this glorying will not be broken in me in the regions of Achaia. Likewise, 2 Corinthians 7:14: We have spoken all things to you in truth. Likewise he writes, 1 Timothy 2:7: I am a preacher and Apostle (I speak the truth, I do not lie), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

He also admonishes us that we should always speak truth, at Ephesians 4:25: Putting away lying, speak truth each one with his neighbor, because we are members one of another. As if he were saying: Speak truth, because it is very unfitting that one member deceive another through falsehood.

7. The seventh stone pertaining to the adornment of that vessel was Emerald, by which green humility is signified. For Emerald holds the chief place of all green gems; it is also reported to heal falling sicknesses wonderfully. So also a humble man is like a tree which is transplanted over waters, whose leaf will be green, and in time of drought it will not be anxious, nor will it ever cease to make fruit, as is said in Jeremiah 17:8. Humility also heals against the falling sickness, that is, the plague of pride. Everyone who exalts himself in the present will be humbled, that is, will fall; and he who humbles himself will be exalted in the future ⁶.

But that Blessed Paul was humble, his very name declares. For Paulus in Hebrew sounds in Latin as small. Hence he himself, indicating his humility, writes, 1 Corinthians 15:9: I am the least of the Apostles, who am not worthy to be called an Apostle, because I persecuted the Church of God. He also says, 1 Timothy 1:15: A faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance: That Christ Jesus came into this world to make sinners saved, of whom I am first. Gloss, that is, worse.

He also invites us to humility at Philippians 2:3: Do nothing, he says, through contention, nor through vain glory: but in humility judging one another superior to yourselves. Augustine: "Let us truly think that there can be something hidden in another, by which he may be superior to us: even if our good, by which we seem to be superior to him, is not hidden."

8. The eighth stone adorning this noble vessel was Amethyst, by which honorable sobriety is very well figured. For Amethyst is read to be contrary to drunkenness; besides, it can easily be carved. So also sobriety strikes down drunkenness. The sober man is also still apt to receive carving, that is, teaching.

But that Paul was adorned with sobriety, 2 Timothy 1:7 shows: God gave us a spirit of sobriety. He also says in Acts 26:25: I speak words of truth and sobriety. He also admonishes us that we be sober, 1 Thessalonians 5:6, 7 and 8: Let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night; and those who are drunk, are drunk at night. But we, who are of the day, let us be sober. He also says, 1 Corinthians 5:11: He who is drunk... with such a one do not even take food. Or 1 Corinthians 6:10: The drunkards will not possess the kingdom of God.

9. The ninth stone in the adornment of this vessel was Ligure, by which sweet consolation is demonstrated. For it is read that Ligure restores color to the discolored and wonderfully mitigates all pains of the stomach. So also sweet and pious consolation restores the color of beauty to those discolored through despair, and softens and mitigates all painful disturbances of the heart. Hence it is that Luke says of Paul, Acts 27:20, 22 and following: With neither sun nor stars appearing for many days, and no slight tempest threatening, every hope of our salvation had already been taken away, etc. Paul, standing in their midst, said: I advise you to be of good courage: for there will be loss of no one's soul among you, except of the ship... On account of which I ask you to take food for your health: because a hair of the head of none of you will perish. And when he had said these things, taking bread, he gave thanks to God in the sight of all; and when he had broken it, he began to eat. But all, having become more composed, also took food ⁷. More composed, Gloss, "by the word of exhortation and by the example of the work."

Therefore Blessed Paul was adorned with the gem of pious consolation, passive and active. Hence he says, 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4 and 5: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ..., who consoles us in all our tribulation, so that we ourselves also may be able to console those who are in every distress... Since as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so also through Christ our consolation abounds. Likewise, 2 Corinthians 6:4: I have been filled with consolation; I abound exceedingly with joy in all our tribulation.

He also admonishes us that we console one another, 1 Thessalonians 4:13 and 14: We do not wish you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who sleep, so that you may not be saddened like the rest who do not have hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also God will bring with him those who have slept through Jesus. And below: Therefore console one another in these words ⁸. Likewise he invites Prelates to the consolation of subjects, 1 Thessalonians 5:14: We ask you, brothers, Gloss: "Prelates": Rebuke the restless, console the faint-hearted, receive the weak, be patient toward all. Hence also it is said, Acts 15:32: They consoled the brothers and confirmed them. The same Paul shows in 1 Thessalonians 2:11 and 12 how paternally he consoled those believing in Christ. Hence he says: You know how each one of you (as a father his own sons), begging you and consoling you, we testified that you should walk worthily of God, who has called you into his kingdom and glory.

10. The tenth stone existing in the adornment of this vessel was Beryl, by which burning rebuke can be figured. For Beryl burns the right hand of the one holding it, if it is rubbed. The water also in which it has lain is narrated to help the eyes effectively. So also rebuke burning with holy zeal kindles the cold and sluggish, and illuminates eyes dulled by the blindness of ignorance.