ON THE ADVANTAGE OF PATIENCE. 81 same apostleinstructsthe righteousand the doers of good works,and them who layup forthemselvestreasuresin heaven with the increaseof the divineusury,that they alsoshould be patient; and teachesthem, saying," Therefore,whilewe have time,letus labourin thatwhich is good unto allmen, but especiallytothem who areof thehouseholdof faith.But letus not faintin well-doing,forin itsseasonwe shallreap."1 He admonishes that no man should impatientlyfaintin his labour,thatnone should be eithercalledoffor overcome by temptationsand desistin the midst of the praiseand in the way of glory; and the things thatarepastperish,while thosewhich have begun ceaseto be perfect; as itiswritten, " The righteousnessof the righteousshallnot deliverhim in whatever day he shalltransgress;"2 and again," Hold that which thou hast,thatanothertake not thy crown."8 Which word exhortsus to perseverewith patienceand courage,so that he who strivestowards the crown with the praisenow near at hand,may be crowned by thecontinuanceof patience. 14. But patience,beloved brethren,not only keeps watch overwhat isgood,but italsorepelswhat isevil. In harmony with the Holy Spirit,and associatedwith what is heavenly and divine,it struggleswith the defence of its strength againstthe deeds of the fleshand the body,wherewith the soul is assaultedand taken. Let us look briefly[intoa few thingsout of many, thatfrom a few the restalso may be understood. Adultery, fraud,manslaughter,are mortal crimes. Let patiencebe strong and stedfastin the heart; and neitheristhe sanctifiedbody and templeof God polluted by adultery,nor is the innocencededicatedto righteousness stainedwith the contagionof fraud; nor,afterthe Eucharist carriedin it,4isthe hand spottedwith the sword and blood. 15. Charityisthe bond of brotherhood,the foundationof peace,the holdfastand securityof unity,which is greater than both hope and faith,which excelsboth good works and martyrdoms, which willabide with us always,eternalwith 1Gal.vi.10,9. * Ezek.xxxiii.12. 8 Rev.iii.11. *The oldereditionshave" guatatam,""tasted,"insteadof "gesta- tam,"" carried,"asabove.