ON THE ADVANTAGE OF PATIENCE. 23 greatly pleasingthemselves,and, for the very reason that they pleasethemselves,displeasingGod — itis evident that the patienceis not realamong them where thereisthe inso lentaudacityof an affectedliberty,and the immodest boast- fulnessof an exposedand half-nakedbosom. 3. But forns,belovedbrethren,who are philosophers,not in words, but in deeds,and do not put forward our wisdom in our garb,but intruth— who are betteracquaintedwith the consciousness,than with the boast,of virtues— who do not speak great things,but livethem,— letus, as servantsand worshippers of God, show, in our spiritualobedience,the patiencewhich we learn from heavenly teachings. For we have thisvirtuein common with God. From Him patience begins ; from Him itsgloryand itsdignitytake theirrise. The originand greatnessof patienceproceed from God as its author. Man ought to love the thingwhich is dear to God ; the good which theDivine Majesty loves,It commends. If God isour Lord and Father,letus imitatethe patienceof our Lord as wellas our Father ; because itbehoves servants to be obedient,no lessthan itbecomes sons not to be dege nerate, 4. But what and how great is the patiencein God, that, most patientlyenduring the profanetemplesand the images of earth,and the sacrilegiousritesinstitutedby men, in con tempt of His majesty and honour, He makes the day to begin and the lightof the sun to arisealikeupon the good and the evil; and while He waters the earthwith showers, no one isexcludedfrom His benefits,but upon the righteous equallywith the unrighteousHe bestowsHis undiscriminat- ing rains! We see that with undistinguishing1equalityof patience,at God's behest,the seasonsministerto the guilty and the guiltless,the religiousand the impious— thosewho give thanks and the unthankful; thatthe elementswait on them ; the winds blow,the fountainsflow,the abundance of the harvestsincreases,the fruitsof the vineyardsripen,2the 1 " Inseparabili." 2 The originalhereisreadvariously" maturescere" and "mites- cere."