680 GOSPEL ACCORDING TO CHAP. XTT. THEOPHYL. To allthisHe adds the hatredwhich theyshall Greg. meet with from allmen. GREG. But because of the hardutsup. thingsforetoldconcerning the afflictionof death,thereim mediately followsa consolation,concerning the joy of the resurrection,when it is said,But thereshallnot an hairof your head perish. As though He said to the martyrs,Why fearye forthe perishingof thatwhich when cut,pains,when that can not perishin you, which when cut givesno pain? BEDE. Or else,There shallnot perisha hairof the head of our Lord's Apostles,because not only the noble deeds and words of the Saints,but even the slightestthought shall meet with itsdeservingreward. Greg. GREG. He who preservespatiencein adversity,isthereby J1ig5' rendered proof againstallaffliction,and so by conquering himself,he gains the government of himself;as itfollows, In yourpatienceshallye possessyoursouls. For what isitto possessyour souls,but to liveperfectlyin allthings,and sittingas itwere upon the citadelof virtueto hold in sub- Greg. jectioneverymotion of the mind ? GREG. By patiencethen in°EY. we possessour souls,because when we are said to govern ourselves,we begin to possessthat very thing which we are. But forthisreason,the possessionof the soul is laidinthe virtueof patience,becausepatienceisthe root and guardian of allvirtues. Now patienceis to endure calmly the evils which are inflictedby others,and alsoto have no feelingof indignationagainsthim who inflictsthem. 20. And when ye shallsee Jerusalemcompassed with armies,then know thatthe desolationthereof isnigh. 21. Then letthem which are inJudaeafleetothe mountains; and letthem which areinthemidstofit departout; and letnotthem thatareinthe countries enterthereinto. 22. For thesebe the days of vengeance,thatall thingswhich arewrittenmay be fulfilled. 23. But woe unto them thatarewith child,andto them thatgivesuck,inthosedays! forthereshallbe greatdistressintheland,and wrathupon thispeople.