OF THE DISCIPLINE AND ADVANTAGE OF CHASTITY. DO not conceivethat I have exceeded any portionsof my duty,in alwaysstrivingasmuch as possible,by dailydiscussionsof the Gospels, to affordto you from time to time the means of growth,by the Lord'shelp,in faithand knowledge. For what elsecan be effectedin the Lord's church with greater advantage,what can be found more suitableto the officeof a bishop,than that,by the teachingof the divinewords, recommended and commented on by Him, believersshould be enabled to attainto the promised kingdom of heaven? This assuredly,as the desiredresultday by day of my work as well as of my office,I endeavour, notwithstandingmy absence, to accomplish; and by my lettersI try to make myself presentto you, addressingyou in faith,in my usual manner, by the exhortationsthatI send you. I callupon you, therefore,to be establishedin the power of the rootof the gospel,and to standalwaysarmed againstalltheassaults of the devil. I shallnot believemyself to be absentfrom you, if I shallbe sure of you. Nevertheless,everything which is advantageouslyset forth,and which eitherdefines or promises the conditionof eternallifeto thosewho are investigatingit,is then only profitable,if it be aided in attainingthe reward of the effortby the power of the divine mercy. We not only set forthwords which come from the sacredfountainsof the Scriptures,but with theseverywords we associateprayersto the Lord, and wishes,that,as wellto 253