719 S. JOANNIS CHRYSOSTOMI ARCHIEP. CONSTANTINOP. for she herself is more ardent. Since then these things are explored by you, grant us this grace frequently, that you may inform us of your health, and overwhelm us with a thousand letters that signify this. For if we are certain that you, who love us, are joyful, and are enjoying prosperous health and security, we shall receive no small relief in our sojourn in a foreign region, but shall indeed enjoy the greatest consolation, even though we live in extreme solitude. Considering, therefore, how great an occasion of festivity you will bring to us, do not begrudge us this joy, but as much as is allowed and opportunity is given, send us a continuous happy report concerning your health.
CXCII. To Onesicratia.
I too felt great pain in my soul when it was reported to us concerning the death of your blessed daughter. But since the wisdom of your mind and the sublimity of your judgment are well known to us, we are fully confident that you will rise above such billows. For that you should not be saddened at all is impossible; yet we exhort you to do so with moderation, since you know well how flowing and fleeting are human affairs, and these calamities are common to all, and are the common law of nature, and the decree of God, the Master of us all. For this is not death, but a change of place, and a transition from worse to better. Revolving all these things in your mind, therefore, bear with generosity what has happened, and give thanks to the benevolent God. For even if the blow inflicted is the more grievous because it followed closely upon the previous one, yet by that much more splendid to you will be the crown of patience, and greater rewards will be owed, if you bear this calamity with thanksgiving and praise. Do not, therefore, let us also grieve greatly, but that we may know clearly that our letters have profited you somewhat, do not be grudging to write this very thing to us, that you may indicate that the whole cloud of sorrow has been dispelled, and the ulcer of pain in great part healed. For if we learn these things, we shall not cease to send you a thousand letters, because we are not indifferently devoted to you, since we have always felt sincere and unfeigned honor, 720 reverence, and charity bestowed by your modesty. Remembering all these things perpetually, we preserve a flourishing and vigorous benevolence toward you, even though we are carried off to the very last ends of the earth.
CXCIII. To Paanius.
You have greatly uplifted me, and flooded me with the highest joy, in that, while reporting sad news, you added the word which must be sung over all things that happen, and said, "Let God be glorified in all things." This word inflicts a deadly wound upon the devil; this brings an occasion of security and pleasure in any danger. For as soon as someone has uttered it, the cloud of sorrow is immediately dispelled. Do not, therefore, cease to say this, and to teach others. For if the storm that has invaded you, even though it becomes harsher, shall be changed into tranquility; so they who are tossed by the storm shall receive a greater reward, and at the same time shall be delivered from evils. This crowned Job, this word put the devil to flight, and compelled him to retreat in confusion, this dispels every tumult. Proceed, therefore, to sing this over all things that occur. As for the place, let no one cause trouble for another. For although Cucusus is a deserted place, here we enjoy both quiet, and were able to heal not insignificantly the infirmity contracted from the journey, from the time we began to reside permanently at home. But if you wish to compel us again to change places, we shall be afflicted with the greatest evils, especially since winter is at the door. Let no one therefore be importunate or troublesome to anyone on this occasion. But write to us concerning your health, and concerning your sojourn there, and the fame and cheerfulness of your name. For we shall not derive common consolation, even while dwelling in such solitude, when such letters sent from your reverence are returned to us.
CXCIV. To Gemellus.
We inhabit a desert place, Cucusus, and the most deserted of this whole world of ours. Yet although we are relegated to the very ends of the earth, we can by no means forget your charity; but while we dwell in an external and deserted region, and still carry about the remnants of our illness, and are besieged by the fear of robbers (for the Isaurians do not depart, but block the roads, and fill all things with blood), we perpetually carry you about in our mind, and we fashion your fortitude, your freedom of speech, your sweet and sincere benevolence before us, and we delight ourselves in the memory of these thoughts. Do you, however, write frequently to us, master most to be looked up to, concerning the state of your health, and in what manner the use of the hot waters has succeeded for you, and what you are doing now: so that even when we are separated far from you we may be in no worse condition than those who are always with you, that we may be more certain of your affairs. For you know with how much zeal we desire to hear something of your health; because we love you vehemently, and are most tightly bound with your magnificence.
CXCV. To Claudianus.
What is this that I should say? Are you the one who were burning with love for us, and were in a way beside yourself, who experienced such charity in us, who were always bound with us, that you have not even deigned to favor us with letters in such a space of time, but could use such long silence? What then was the cause? Or did you cast us out of your heart after our departure, and have you become more sluggish