to enjoy those from you that signify the state of your health, we receive great gladness; grant this favor to us. For we shall receive no common consolation, even while dwelling in a foreign land, if we receive such letters from your wondrous self.
ON THE FIVE FOLLOWING EPISTLES OF CONSTANTIUS THE PRESBYTER
In the Morel edition, the first of the five following epistles is inscribed thus: *To Constantius the presbyter, to his mother*; and so it is read also in the Royal Codex, which reading Fronto Ducaeus, in his notes, strives to assert was excerpted from a certain Antwerp Codex; and in this way he wishes the title to be understood: that Chrysostom, to whom Constantius was closely attached, dictated these epistles to be sent to the mother and sister of Constantius himself and to his friends; and truly, adds Fronto, the style savors of Chrysostom. But Savilius, using the Bongarsian exemplar, placed this title: *Certain Epistles of Constantius the Presbyter. I. To his mother.* The Vatican Codex chimes in with this, having *Of Constantius the presbyter, to his mother*: for the fact that [the scribe] erroneously placed *Constantinus* for *Constantius* causes no trouble: for this exchange of names is very frequent in manuscripts. The style, certainly, contrary to what the learned man Fronto Ducaeus opines, [differs] from the manner of Chrysostom’s speaking.
A B C CXCXXXVII. CONSTANTIUS THE PRESBYTER TO HIS MOTHER.
This is the task of a loving mother, who is fond of her children: namely, whenever there is need of any necessary things, to admonish her child, and to urge him forward from home, and to bear his departure with composure, and to show him great thanks for his pilgrimage. You broke the tyranny of nature itself, commanding us to exchange the desert for the city, and fear of the Isaurians for safety, and our separation from your company, so that we were forced to do nothing that was not proper. For these things we owe you many thanks, not because you gave birth, but because you raised us in this way, even in this becoming a mother as one ought to be. For those who are softened by emotion and seek the presence of their children before it is expedient are not mothers, but might justly be called slayers of children. But just as in this you became brave, and firmer than iron, storing up for yourself an ineffable reward before the benevolent God through this determination, so we entreat and beg you, in all other things likewise, to show the same philosophy, and to know that there is one calamity, sin alone, but all other things—powers, and glories, and honors from men—are a fable. And this road, which leads to heaven, is most particularly that which is through tribulations: *For through many tribulations*, he says, *we must enter into the kingdom of God*. And all the saints, both those in the Old and those in the New [Testament], traveled this road, being constantly conspired against, driven out, becoming fugitives and wanderers, cityless, homeless, enduring deaths, and from those from whom it was least of all fitting. For what is more painful, tell me, or more grievous than to be struck down by a brotherly right hand, and to endure an untimely and violent end, after crowns and such great approbation? And what is more painful, and in extreme old age, commanded to be slaughtered by a father’s hand, and the one who begat [the son] to become the minister of such a slaughter? For do not tell me this, that he received him back safe and sound afterward. For that righteous man knew nothing of these things, but, believing that he would utterly slay him, he so led him up to the mountain, and built the altar, and placed the wood, and snatched up the knife, and drove home the sword—for he did indeed drive it home, so far as his own intent went; wherefore he is celebrated everywhere in the habitable world. But if I speak of his grandson, you will see him too, through brotherly envy, again becoming a fugitive and cityless, and a slave, and serving in a foreign land, and fearing the terror of the final dread. But if I speak of Joseph, who was sold, who was [in] slavery