ON THE ADVANTAGE OF PATIENCE. 21 world, slackenour conrseby no desireof thislifeand of this world. If the day shallfind us,whether it be the day of reward 1 or of persecution,furnished,if swift,ifrunning in thiscontestof charity,the Lord willnever failof givinga reward for our merits: in peace He willgiveto us who con quer a white crown forour labours; in persecution,He will accompany itwith a purpleone forour passion. TEEATISE IX. ON THE ADVANTAGE OF PATIENCE. AuGTTHENT. — Cyprian himselfbrieflysetsforth theoccasion of thistreatiseat theconclusionof hisEpistletoJubaianus asfollows:" Charityof spirit,thehonour of our college, thebond offaith,and priestlyconcord,aremaintained by us withpatienceand gentleness.For thisreason,more over,we have,withthebestofour poor abilities,by theper missionand inspirationof theLord, writtena pamphlet ' On theBenefitof Patience,'which,for the sake of our mutual love,we have transmittedtoyou." Having, there fore,at theoutsetdistinguishedtruepatiencefrom thefalse patienceof philosophers,he commends Christianpatience by thepatienceof God, of Christ,and of allrighteous men. He furtherproves,as well by Scriptureas by rea son,and,moreover,by the instancesof Job and Tobias, thatnotonlyispatienceuseful,but thatitisneedfulalso; and in orderthattheexcellenceofpatiencemay shineforth tliemore by contrastxoiththe viceopposed to it,he sets forthwhat istheevilof impatience.Finally,he reproves tliedesireof vengeance,and teachesthat revengeought, accordingtoScripture,tobe leftto God ratherthan to be arrogatedto ourselves.If in any writingCyprian is an imitatorof Tertullian,assuredlyin thishe imitatestltat writerstreatise" On Patience." 1. As I am about to speak,belovedbrethren,of patience, and to declareitsadvantagesand benefits,from what point 1A moreancientreadingseemstobe," ofreturn" (soil."reditionU").