If any man's works burn, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as by fire. (1 Cor. iii. 15.)” Com. in c. ix. Isai. T. 1. p. 554.— And the light of Israel shall be for a fire. (Isai. x. 17.) The operative powers of fire are chiefly two; it enlightens, and it burns. The first is cheerful and pleasant: the second bitter and afflicting. The prophet adds: And he shall sanctify him in a holy fire, and consume the glory of his forest as grass. He here shews the nature of fire. It enlightens and purifies. But how does this fire purify, if it consumes ? Truly, since our God is called a consuming fire, he will consume the wood, and what vices arise from matter, which adhere to the soul, in the flesh, not in the spirit. And when the fire shall have consumed all the wood of sin, as it does grass, then that matter being destroyed which was fuel to the chastising fire, the Prophet says: The burnt mountains shall repose, and the hills, and the thick forests, and the consuming fire shall cease, that fed upon them.” Ibid. in c. x. p.563, 564.
St. EPHREM OF EDESSA, G.C. In a work entitled his Testament, this pious and learned Deacon thus speaks: My brethren, come to me, and prepare me for my departure, for my strength is wholly gone. Go along with me in psalms and in your prayers; and please constantly to make oblations for me. When the thirtieth day shall be completed, then remember me: for the dead are helped by the offerings of the living. —Now listen with patience to what I shall mention from the Scriptures. Moses bestowed blessings on Reuben after the third generation. (Deut. xxxij. 6.) But if the dead are not aided; why was he blessed? Again, if they be insensible; hear what the Apos-
