16. O remarkable and wonderful
disaster! O injury more noble than security! O prophecy,
“He hath smitten, and He will bind us up, and revive us, and
after three days He will raise us up,” Hos. vi. 1, 2.
portending indeed, as it did, a greater and more sublime event, yet no
less applicable to Gorgonia’s sufferings! This then,
notorious to all, even to those afar off, for the wonder spread to all,
and the lesson was stored up in the tongues and ears of all, with the
other wonderful works and powers of God. But the following
incident, hitherto unknown and concealed from most men by the Christian
principle I spoke of, and her pious shrinking from vanity and display,
dost thou bid me tell, O best O best,
&c. Faustinus, bishop of Iconium, must have been present,
and S. Gregory, having asked his permission to relate the incident,
looks towards him awaiting some sign of his assent. and most perfect of
shepherds, pastor of this holy sheep, and dost thou further give thy
assent to it, since to us alone has this secret been entrusted, and we
were mutual witnesses of the marvel, or are we still to keep our faith
to her who is gone? Yet I do think, that as that was the time to
be silent, this is the time to manifest it, not only for the glory of
God, but also for the consolation of those in affliction.