66 THE TREATISES OF VYPRIAN. thy mouth, and will instructthee what thou shaltsay."1 Nor is itdifficultfor God to open the mouth of a man de voted to Himself,and to inspireconstancyand confidencein speech to His confessor; sincein the book of Numbers He made even a she-assto speak againstthe prophet Balaam. Wherefore in persecutionslet no one think what danger the devilis bringing in,but lethim indeed considerwhat help God affords; nor lethuman mischiefoverpower the mind, but letdivineprotectionstrengthenthe faith; since everyone,accordingtotheLord'spromisesand thedeservings of hisfaith,receivesso much from God's help as he thinks thathe receives.Nor isthereanythingwhich the Almighty isnot ableto grant,unlessthefailingfaithof the receiverbe deficientand give way. 11. That it was before predictedthat the world would hold us in abhorrence,and that it would stirup persecutionsagainstus, and that no new thing is happening tothe Christians,sincefrom thebeginning of theworldthegood have suffered,and therighteous have been oppressedand slainby the unrighteous. The Lord in the Gospel forewarnsand foretells,saying: " If the world hatesyou,know thatitfirsthated me. If ye were of the world,the world would lovewhat isitsown :but becauseye are not of the world,and I have chosen you out of the world,thereforethe world hatethyou. Remember the word thatI spoke unto you, The servantis not greaterthan hismaster. If they have persecutedme, they willpersecute you also."2 And again: " The hour willcome, that every one that killethyou willthink that he doeth God service; but they willdo thisbecausetheyhave not known theFather nor me. But thesethings have I toldyou, that when the hour shallcome ye may remember them, becauseI toldyou."* And again: " Verily,verily,I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament,but the world shallrejoice;ye shallbe sorrowful,but your sorrowshallbe turned intojoy."4 And again: " These thingshave I spoken unto you,thatin me ye 1 Ex.iv.11,12. 8 Johnxv.18-20. 3Johnxvi.2-4. 4Johnxvi.20.