to establish a claim on his behalf for kindness and fair assistance in return for our letters. For thus the exchange will result in his obtaining the benefit, and me in being honored by that through which he also has enjoyed its benefit. B
CLXXVIII. To Euthalia. (Cucusus, year 405.)
Your letter, full of genuinely sincere and fervent love, is colored by a disposition that is honest and guileless. For this very reason we offer many thanks, both for your writing and for the fact that you show the greatest proof of your genuine friendship toward us. May God grant you the reward for such a disposition both here and in the life to come, and may He wall you about, guard you, and establish you in all security and joy. For you yourself know, my most honorable lady, that it brings us no small gladness—even while sitting in this desert—to hear constantly that things are going according to your intent. Continue therefore to make this clear to us, and do not cease to bring us news of your health, so that even though we are sitting in the desert, we may reap much comfort from it. C
CLXXIX. To Adolia. (Cucusus, year 405.)
To arrive here would perhaps be difficult on account of bodily infirmity—for there is no other obstacle, as the business with the brigands has completely ceased—but what toil is there in writing? For you cannot resort to that excuse here as well. I say this because, having dispatched this sixth letter, as I suppose, I have received only two from your nobility. Nevertheless, whether you write or remain silent, we do not cease to do what is our part. For we shall not be able to forget that ancient and genuine friendship of yours, but we keep it ever blooming, and whenever it is possible, we write. Since we are very anxious about your affairs, we are very desirous also of receiving letters from you, bringing us tidings of your health. Do not, therefore, deprive us of this comfort; but knowing how much you grant, even if writing is burdensome to you, endure this labor for the sake of those who love you dearly; and make clear to us the state of your health, for we are filled with the greatest desire to learn of it every day. D
CLXXX. To Hypatius the Presbyter. (Cucusus, year 405.)
I shall not cease to praise your honor for the patience, the courage, and the great endurance which you have shown and continue to show in these trials. I also indicated this by my previous letter, that a twofold and threefold reward is laid up for you for these things, both because you yourself show such steadfastness, and because you lead others into the same zeal, displaying such great eagerness for the persecuted people, situated in such deep old age. I desired to write to your honor constantly, but since this is not easy, by reason of the winter season, the fear of brigands, and the solitude of the place in which we sit, whenever it is possible, we greet your reverence, and we ask that you write to us constantly and give us news of your health; for we are most desirous of learning of it. We also praise the most honorable deacons, Eusebius and Lamprotatus, who have shared with you in your persecutions. For you know how great are the crowns that are laid up for them, and how great is the reward and the recompense. Knowing this, therefore, remain steadfast and immovable; for God will render you an abundant reward for your patience, and He will quickly release you from the present tribulations. Write to us constantly, bringing us news of your health, for it is a matter of great concern to us to learn of it.
CLXXXI. To the Bishops. (Year, it is supposed, 406.)
The disturbance that has overtaken the Churches in the East is most vehement and manifold, and the zeal that your reverence has contributed to its correction is both great and abundant. If nothing more has yet come of it, we do not cease to deem you blessed and to admire you, for though it has been such a long time and matters have remained uncorrected, you have not grown weary, nor have you become indifferent, but you continue to press on, contributing your own assistance with still-flourishing zeal—to the condemnation of those who are unwilling to endure you, but to the gaining of crowns and many rewards for your own diligence. For this reason both we and all who dwell in the inhabited world proclaim and crown you, because even though seated at such a distance, neither the length of the journey nor the passage of time made you more remiss, but as if you were near to the events and were seeing the lawless deeds with your own eyes, you were thus eager to contribute your own part with most vigorous zeal. But if those who brought these evils to birth from the beginning do not yet wish to end their untoward contentiousness and irrational war, let none of this disturb you, nor cause you to grow weary; for to the extent that greater toil comes to you, by that much greater shall be the crown, as God appoints for you those unspeakable and ineffable rewards which transcend all speech.
CLXXXII. To Venerius, Bishop of Mediolanum (Milan). (Year 406.)
Everyone knew even before now of your courage, your boldness, and your freedom of speech on behalf of the truth; but the present time has shown more accurately your brotherly love, your charity, your reverence, and your great compassion and care for the Churches. For as the storm most of all reveals the pilot of the sea, and severe bodily diseases reveal the best physician; so...