XIII. It is thus then and for these reasons
that I, who am small and of a country without repute, have come upon
you, and that not of my own accord, nor self-sent, like many of those
who now seize upon the chief places; but because I was invited, and
compelled, and have followed the scruples of my conscience and the Call
of the Spirit. If it be otherwise, may I continue to fight here
to no purpose, and deliver no one from his error, but may they obtain
their desire who seek the barrenness of my soul, if I lie. But
since I am come, and perchance with no contemptible power (if I may
boast myself a little of my folly), which of those who are insatiable
have I copied, what have I emulated of opportunism, although I have
such examples, even apart from which it is hard and rare not to be
bad? Concerning what churches or property have I disputed with
you; though you have more than enough of both, and the others too
little? What imperial edict have we rejected and emulated?
What rulers have we fawned upon against you? Whose boldness have
we denounced? And what has been done on the other side against
me? “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge,” even
then I said, for I remembered in season the words of Stephen, Acts vii. 59. and so I pray now. Being reviled, we
bless: being blasphemed we retreat. 1 Cor. iv. 12.