THE GOSPEL. Luc. 7. V. 11.
Jesus went unto the City Naim and there wet with him his disciples, and a great multitude of people. And when he came nigh to the gates of the City, Behold a dead body was a carrying out to be buried, the only Son of his Mother, and she a widow : and a great company of the City with her. Whom when our Lord saw, being moved with pity over her, he said unto her : Do not weep, and he went and touched the Coffin, and those that carried the corpse, stood still. And he Said: Young man, I say to thee arise, and he sat up that was dead, and began to speak, & he gave him to his Mother. And all the company were stricken with fear and magnified God. Saying; That a great Prophet was risen amongst them, & that God did visit his people.
TUESDAY.
His widow was much to be pitied and comforted because she was a widow, becauſe ſhe haſt loſt her son, becauſe ſhe had no more to comfort, and succor her in her old age.
Christ was moved at it with pity at his heart, and being moved with pity, as the Text sayth, he did comfort her firſt with sweet & comfortable words, saying: Do not weep, as if he had said he came to raise her son from death, and then he did comfort her in fact or deed, raising him from death, and giving him to her again, as Lord and Master of lob r. life and death; that as Job v.21. said when God had taken away his wealth and children: The Lord (or Master) of all things gave them me, and the Lord, or Master, hath taken them away again, our Lord be blessed.
So this widow might fay, with a great deal of comfort, Our Lord or Master took my son from me, and our Lord or Master hath given him me again; our Lords name, be blessed for ever. Hereby we are inſtructed to comfort the afflicted, by pity & compassion of heart, by fair and ſweet words, & real works, as Chriſt did here join all three together: fair words and compassion of heart comfort much, if we be not able in deeds.
If we be able in deeds & do it not, but only give fair words, it doth rather discomfort then comfort them, if they know we be able, thinking we diſſemble or delude. them.
If brother or a sister (sayth S.lames) he mean a brother or Sister in Christianity, want clothes or food, and a man that hath where- withal say unto them, Go in peace, be ye warmed, or fed good words) and do not give them necessaries, what doth it profit ? If good words without deed do not profit, what do ill words with- out deeds, or letting the poor ſtand crying and calling at our gates, without alms, or answer?
Fr. Thomas Hill 1637
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