16 THE TREATISES OF CYPRIAN. little.And fearnot when thou doestalms ; forthou layest up a good reward for thyselfagainstthe day of necessity, because thatalms do deliverfrom death,and sufferethnot to come intoGehenna. Alms isa good giftto allthatgive it,in the sightof the most high God." 1 21. What sortof giftisit,belovedbrethren,whose setting forthiscelebratedin the sightof God ? If,in a giftof the Gentiles,it seems a great and gloriousthing to have pro consulsor emperors present,and the preparationand display is the greater among the givers,in order that they may please the higher classes;how much more illustriousand greateristhe gloryto have God and Christas the spectators of the gift! How much more sumptuous the preparation and more liberalthe expenseto be set forthin that case, when the powers of heaven assembleto the spectacle,when allthe angelscome together!— where itisnot a four-horsed chariotor a consulshipthat is sought forthe giver,but life eternalis bestowed; nor is the empty and fleetingfavour of the rabble grasped at,but the perpetualreward of the kingdom of heaven isreceived! 22. And thatthe indolentand the barren,and those,who by theircovetousnessformoney do nothingin respectof the fruitof theirsalvation,may be themore ashamed, and that the blush of dishonour and disgracemay the more strike upon theirsordidconscience,let each one place beforehis eyes the devilwith his servants,that is,with the people of perditionand death,springingforthintothe midst,and pro voking the people of Christwith the trialof comparison— ChristHimself being present,and judging— in thesewords : " I, for those whom thou seestwith me, neitherreceived buffets,nor bore scourgings,nor endured the cross,nor shed my blood,nor redeemed my familyat the priceof my suffer ing and blood; but neitherdo I promise them a celestial kingdom, nor do I recallthem to paradise,having again re storedto them immortality. But they prepare forme gifts how precious! how large! with how excessiveand tediousa labourprocured! and that,with the most sumptuous devices, iTob.iv.5-11.