715and has endeavored to live in piety, and possesses great courage, the difficulties of the times demonstrate. Which also happened to you, and as much as was in your power, all things succeeded well, and no part of your duty has been lacking. But since those who raised—and continue to raise—troubles have progressed to such a degree of madness that they are neither ashamed of their former deeds nor refrain from attempting worse, I exhort all of you to apply the strongest zeal of soul, and not to slacken in the least from such great effort, but rather to increase it further, even if countless difficulties arise. For whoever brings to pass some great and generous feat with many sweats and labors will receive a fuller reward than those who did the same easily and without any trouble. For, "Each one," says the blessed Paul, "will receive his own reward, according to his own labor" (1 Cor. 3:8). Do not, therefore, lose heart because you have had to endure many labors, but let this very thing excite you more. For by as much as there is a greater addition of afflictions, by so much the more are the crowns increased, and the prizes that are stored up for you for these glorious contests are multiplied.
CLXXXIII. To Hesychius, Bishop of Salona.
A Though we are separated from your reverence by a great interval of distance and have been relegated to the very ends of the earth, yet, using the light wing of love which makes such journeys easy, we are both near you and abide with you, and render the due salutation by letter, and exhort you to apply suitable zeal to aid the Churches of the East. For you know how great a reward is prepared for one who stretches out a hand to Churches that are being vexed, and converts so great a storm into tranquility, and extinguishes so grave a war. And we exhort you to these things, not as if you were in need of our admonition; for even before you received our letters, you performed what was your duty; but because the evils have not yet been removed, but are still alive and pressing, we pray you not to lose heart nor to yield to evils, but as long as the sores remain by which the body of the Church is being afflicted, apply your remedies. For the more laboriously things are accomplished, the more ample will be the reward established for you.CLXXXIV. To Gaudentius, Bishop of Brixia.
B Nothing of your affairs escapes us, but we know your zeal, vigilance, cares, and the labors you have undertaken for the truth as clearly as if we were present, and we render you abundant thanks. And in such great solitude we draw no small consolation from the ardor and sincerity of your love, the integrity of which we recognized when we made trial of it here, nor has it been weakened in any way by the duration of time or the length of the journey. For this reason we give you much thanks, and exhort you to continue in your purpose and always display the same zeal. For you are not ignorant of how great the salvation of so many Churches is now at stake, and how excellent this work will be. Thinking on these things, therefore, my most reverend and religious lord, deign to persevere in the same study; for thus it will come to pass that, having endured small labors, you will store up immortal rewards for yourselves in heaven for these glorious contests.CLXXXV. To Pentadia the Deaconess.
C You have used a long period of silence, though there were many who were traveling from there to us. What, then, was the cause? Was it a disturbance of events? Far from it; I would never say that of you: for I know indeed your great and noble soul, which—even in many storms—can navigate most successfully, and enjoy great tranquility in the midst of the waves. You have demonstrated this in the very events themselves, and the fame of your good deeds has reached even to the very ends of the earth, and you are praised by the mouth of all, because, though you are established in one place, you stimulate those who are far removed through your piety and make them more eager. What, then, is the cause of your silence? I can by no means say. But I pray your kindness that, through the one who will place the letter into the hands of your piety, you make us more certain regarding your health, the tranquility of your soul, and the security of both yourself and your whole house: so that, even if we are separated from you by such an interval and are living in such a troublesome solitude, we may derive much consolation from such a letter.CLXXXVI. To Alypius.
D You indeed were afraid that, because you wrote to us first, you might incur a reproach of precipitation—for I will use your very own words; but I am so far from intending to accuse you of this, that I even accuse you of negligence on account of your delay, and I would have praised you more if you had sent the letter to us first. And I say this, using your own opinion to confirm it: for you said that this especially pertains to a more affectionate friendship, that we should call upon even those who are silent by letter. Since, therefore, the fear of your precipitation and rashness, by which you were groundlessly seized, has been removed, and this very thing has been shown to be an indication of greater love, send hereafter a great store of letters to us. For it does not escape you with what heart we were and are affected toward your kindness. For although we have been relegated to this most deserted place, although to the very ends of the earth, we cannot forget your sincere and unfeigned love, but we do not cease to turn it over in our mind every day, and to fashion for ourselves the virtues of your soul in our recollection. And we would indeed desire to write to you more frequently, but since this is difficult for us, who are so separated from you, while for you it is very easy, we exhort you to send frequent letters to us concerning the health of yourself and of your whole house. Thus, indeed,