ON THE GLORY OF MARTYRDOM. 247 iton account of theirdeserving,to othersHe gave iton accountof His mercy. We have assuredlyseenvery many distinguishedby theirfaith,come to claim this illustrious name, that death might ennoble the obedience of their devotion. Moreover, also,we have frequentlybeheld others stand undismayed, that they might redeem theirsinscom mitted,and be regarded as washed in theirgore by [His] blood; and so being slainthey might liveagain,who when alivewere counted slain. Death assuredlymakes lifemore complete,death findsthe glorythatwas lost. For inthisthe hope once lostis regained,in thisallsalvationisrestored. Thus, when the seed-timesshallfailon the witheringplains, and the earth shallbe parched with itsdying grass,the riverhas delightedto springforthfrom the slopinghills,and to soothe the thirstyfieldswith itsgushing streams,so that the vanquishedpovertyof the land might be dissolvedinto fruitfulwheat-stems,and the corn-fieldmight bristleup the thickerforthe counterfeitedshowersof rain. 24. What then,beloved brethren,shallI chieflyrelate,or what shallI say1 When alldignifiedtitlesthus combine in one, the mind is confused,the perceptionismisled; and in the very attempt to speak with brilliancy,my unworthy discoursevanishesaway. For what isthereto be saidwhich can be sufficient,when, if you should expressthe power of eternalsalvation,itsattendinggloriescome inyour way; ifyou would speak of itssurroundings,itsgreatnesspreventsyou ? The thingsat the same time are both in agreement and in opposition,and there is nothing which appears worthy to be uttered. Thus the instancesof martyrdom have held in check the impulsesof daring speech,as if entangled and ensnared by an opponent. What voice,what lungs, what strength,can undertake to sustainthe form of such a dignity? At the confessionof one voice,adversethingsgive way, joyous things appear,kingdoms are opened, empires are prepared,sufferingis overcome,death issubdued,lifeis preferred,and the resistingweapons of a mischievousenemy are broken up. If thereissin,itperishes; ifthereiscrime, itis left behind. Wherefore I beseech you, weigh thisin