1. My occupations
are very numerous, and my mind is full of many anxious cares, but I
have never forgotten you, my dear friends, ever praying my God for your
constancy in the faith, wherein ye stand and have your boasting in the
hope of the glory of God. Truly nowadays it is hard to find, and
extraordinary to see, a Church pure, unharmed by the troubles of the
times, and preserving the apostolic doctrine in all its integrity and
completeness. Such is your Church shewn at this present time by
Him who in every generation makes manifest them that are worthy of His
calling. May the Lord grant to you the blessings of Jerusalem
which is above, in return for your flinging back at the heads of the
liars their slanders against me, and your refusal to allow them entry
into your hearts. I know, and am persuaded in the Lord, that
“your reward is great in heaven,”
Matt. v. 12. even on account of this very
conduct. For you have wisely concluded among yourselves, as
indeed is the truth, that the men who are “rewarding me evil
for good, and hatred for my love,”
Ps. cix. 5.
are accusing me now for the very same points which they are found to
have themselves confessed and subscribed.