then, are three : 9 the hope of life, the beginning and the completion of it. For the Lord hath made known to us by the prophets both the things which are past and present, giving us also the first-fruits of the knowledge ■" of things to come, which things as we see accomplished, one by one, we ought with the greater richness of faith " and elevation of spirit to draw near to Him with reverence.'^ I then, not as your teacher, but as one of yourselves, will set forth a few things by which in present circumstances ye may be rendered the more joyful.