I came across this in his Homily III on St. Matthew, as found
in Nicean and post-Nicean Fathers, vol. 10, p. 18.
He commences by warning against making a display of good works.
"Do not then mar thy labors, nor cast away from thee the fruits
of thy toils, neither run thou in vain, making frustrate
all thy labor after the many courses thou hast run.
Nay, for thy Lord knows thy good works better than thou dost.
Though thou give but a cup of cold water, not even this doth
He overlook; though thou contribute but a farthing, though
thou shouldest utter sigh only, He receives it all with great
favor and is mindful thereof, and assigns for it great rewards.
But wherefore dost thou search out thine own doings, and bring
them out before us continually? Knowest thou not, that if thou
praise thyself, God will no more praise thee? even as if thou
bewail thyself, He will not cease to proclaim thee before all.
For it is not at all His will that thy labors should be
disparaged. Why do I say disparaged? Nay, He is doing and
contriving all things, so that even for a little He may crown
thee; as He goes about seeking excuses, whereby thou mayest be
delivered from hell. For this cause, though thou shouldest
work but the eleventh hour of the day, He gives thy wages entire;
and though thou afford no ground of salvation, He
saith, "I do it for mine own sake, that my name be not
profaned:" (ed.refs Ezek 36:22)though thou shouldest
sign only, though thou shouldest only weep, all these things
he quickly catches hold of, for an occasion of saving thee.
.........Wherefore it is necessary to forget our good actions."
Seeking excuses, no less!!
Edmac
