14. But you are perhaps longing for me to give an
exposition of the faith, in so far as I am able. For I shall
myself be sanctified by the effort of memory, and the people also will
be benefited, by its special delight in such discussions, and you will
fully acknowledge it—unless we are the objects of groundless
envy, as the rivals, in the manifestation of the truth, of those whom
we do not excel. For as, of deep waters, some in the depths are
utterly hidden, some foam against any obstruction, and hesitate a while
before breaking (as they promise to our ears), some do actually break;
so also, of those who are professors of the Divine
philosophy—setting aside the utterly misguided—some keep
their piety entirely secret and hidden within themselves, some are not
far from the birth pangs, avoiding impiety, yet not speaking out their
piety, either from cautious reserve in their teaching, or under
pressure of fear, being themselves sound, as they say, in mind, but not
making sound their people, as if they had been entrusted with the
government of their own souls, but not of those of others; while there
are some who make public their treasure, unable to restrain themselves
from giving birth to their piety, and not considering that to be
salvation which saves themselves alone, without bestowing upon others
the overflow of their blessings. Among these would I range
myself, and all who by my side have nobly dared to confess the
truth.