But not to dwell upon ancient examples, let
us come to the most recent spiritual heroes."
Let us take the noble examples furnished in our
own generation. Through envy and jealousy,
the greatest and most righteous pillars [of the
Church] have been persecuted and put to
death. '^ Let us set before our eyes the illustri-
ous '3 apostles. Peter, through unrighteous envy,
endured not one or two, but numerous labours ;
and when he had at length suffered martyrdom,
departed to the place of glory due to him.
Owing to envy, Paul also obtained the reward of
patient endurance, after being seven times
thrown into captivity,''* compelled 's to flee, and
stoned. After preaching both in the east and
west, he gained the illustrious reputation due to
his faith, having taught righteousness to the
whole world, and come to the extreme hmit of
the west,'^ and suffered martyrdom under the
prefects. '7 Thus was he removed from the world,
and went into the holy place, having proved
himself a striking example of patience.