Opening
Year 341. Consuls: Marcellinus and Probinus. Prefect: Longinus. Indiction: 14. Easter: April 19 (24 Pharmuthi). Year 57 of the Diocletian Era.
(For 341.) Coss. Marcellinus, Probinus; Præf. Longinus; Indict. xiv; Easter-day, xiii Kal. Maii, xxiv Pharmuthi; Æra Dioclet. 57.
Once again, my beloved brothers and sisters, I am ready to announce to you the saving feast, which will take place according to our yearly custom. Although the opponents of Christ have oppressed you along with us through afflictions and sorrows, God has comforted us through our shared faith. Now I write to you even from Rome. I am keeping the feast here with the brothers and sisters, yet I also keep it with you in will and spirit, for we send up prayers together to God, who has granted us not only to believe in him but also now to suffer for his sake. Though we are troubled because we are so far from you, he moves us to write so that through a letter we might comfort ourselves and encourage one another to good. Many afflictions and bitter persecutions directed against the Church have come against us. Heretics, corrupt in their minds and untested in the faith, rise against the truth and violently persecute the Church. Some of the brothers and sisters are beaten and others torn with whips, and hardest of all, their insults reach even to the bishops. Nevertheless, we should not neglect the feast on this account. Rather, we should especially remember it and not forget its commemoration from time to time. Unbelievers do not consider that there is a season for feasts, because they spend all their lives in revelry and foolishness. The feasts they keep are occasions of grief rather than joy. But to us in this present life, feasts are above all an uninterrupted passage to heaven—this is indeed our season. Such things as these serve for training and testing, so that having proved ourselves zealous and chosen servants of Christ, we may be fellow-heirs with the saints. As Job says, the whole world is a place of trial for people on earth. Nevertheless, people are tested in this world through afflictions, labors, and sorrows, so that each one may receive from God the reward that is fitting, as he says through the prophet, I am the Lord who tests the hearts and searches the innermost parts, to give to each one according to his ways.
Again, my beloved brethren, I am ready to notify to you the saving feast, which will take place according to annual custom. For although the opponents of Christ have oppressed you together with us with afflictions and sorrows; yet, God having comforted us by our mutual faith, behold, I write to you even from Rome. Keeping the feast here with the brethren, still I keep it with you also in will and in spirit, for we send up prayers in common to God, 'Who has granted us not only to believe in Him, but also now to suffer for His sake Philippians 1:29.' For troubled as we are, because we are so far from you, He moves us to write, that by a letter we might comfort ourselves, and provoke one another to good. For, indeed, numerous afflictions and bitter persecutions directed against the Church have been against us. For heretics, corrupt in their mind, untried in the faith, rising against the truth, violently persecute the Church, and of the brethren, some are scourged and others torn with stripes, and hardest of all, their insults reach even to the Bishops. Nevertheless, it is not becoming, on this account, that we should neglect the feast. But we should especially remember it, and not at all forget its commemoration from time to time. Now the unbelievers do not consider that there is a season for feasts, because they spend all their lives in revelling and follies; and the feasts which they keep are an occasion of grief rather than of joy. But to us in this present life they are above all an uninterrupted passage [to heaven] — it is indeed our season. For such things as these serve for exercise and trial, so that, having approved ourselves zealous and chosen servants of Christ, we may be fellow-heirs with the saints. For thus Job: 'The whole world is a place of trial to men upon the earth.' Nevertheless, they are proved in this world by afflictions, labours, and sorrows, to the end that each one may receive of God such reward as is meet for him, as He says by the prophet, 'I am the Lord, Who tries the hearts, and searches the reins, to give to every one according to his ways Jeremiah 17:10.'
Not that He first learns about a person's character by testing them (for He knows everything before it even happens), but because He is good and loves humanity, He gives to each person a fitting reward according to their actions, so that everyone may declare, "The judgment of God is righteous!" As the prophet says again, "The Lord tests the just, and discerns the reins." Again, for this reason He tests each one of us, either so that virtue may be revealed to those who do not know it through those who are tested, as was said concerning Job: "Do you think that I revealed myself to you for any other reason than that you should be shown righteous?" or so that when people become aware of their deeds, they may be able to know what kind of people they are, and so may either repent of their wickedness or remain confirmed in the faith. Now the blessed Paul, when troubled by afflictions, persecutions, hunger and thirst, "in everything was a conqueror, through Jesus Christ, Who loved us." Through suffering he was indeed weak in body, yet believing and hoping, he was made strong in spirit, and his strength was made perfect in weakness.
2. Not that He first knows the things of a man on his being proved (for He knows them all before they come to pass), but because He is good and philanthropic, He distributes to each a due reward according to his actions, so that every man may exclaim, Righteous is the judgment of God! As the prophet says again, 'The Lord tries the just, and discerns the reins.' Again, for this cause He tries each one of us, either that to those who know it not, virtue may be manifested by means of those who are proved, as was said respecting Job; 'Do you think that I was revealed to you for any other cause, than that you should be seen righteous?' or that, when men come to a sense of their deeds, they may be able to know of what manner they are, and so may either repent of their wickedness, or abide confirmed in the faith. Now the blessed Paul, when troubled by afflictions, and persecutions, and hunger and thirst, 'in everything was a conqueror, through Jesus Christ, Who loved us Romans 8:37.' Through suffering he was weak indeed in body, yet, believing and hoping, he was made strong in spirit, and his strength was made perfect in weakness 2 Corinthians 12:9.
The other saints who had similar confidence in God also accepted similar testing with gladness, as Job said, "Blessed be the name of the Lord." The Psalmist likewise said, "Search me, O Lord, and try me: prove my reins and my heart." When their strength was tested and proved genuine, it convinced the foolish. Those who underwent testing perceived the purification and benefit that came from the divine fire, so they were not discouraged by such trials. Instead, they actually delighted in them, suffering no harm at all from what happened to them. Rather, they were seen to shine more brightly, like gold refined by fire. One who was tested in this kind of school of discipline said, "You have tried my heart, You have visited me in the night-season; You have proved me, and have not found iniquity in me, so that my mouth shall not speak of the works of men." But those whose actions are not restrained by law, who know nothing beyond eating and drinking and dying, regard trials as danger. They quickly stumble when faced with them, and being untested in the faith, they are given over to a reprobate mind and do things that are not proper. Therefore the blessed Paul, when urging us to such exercises and having already measured himself by them, says, "Therefore I take pleasure in afflictions, in infirmities." And again, "Exercise yourself unto godliness." Since he knew about the persecutions that came upon those who chose to live in godliness, he wanted his disciples to think beforehand about the difficulties connected with godliness. That way, when trials came and affliction arose, they would be able to bear them easily, having already been trained in these things. Whatever a person has thought about and become familiar with in their mind, they usually experience a hidden joy in it. In this way, the blessed martyrs, having first become familiar with difficulties, were quickly perfected in Christ. They regarded the injury to the body as nothing while they contemplated the rest they expected.
3. The other saints also, who had a like confidence in God, accepted a like probation with gladness, as Job said, 'Blessed be the name of the Lord Job 1:21.' But the Psalmist, 'Search me, O Lord, and try me: prove my reins and my heart.' For since, when the strength is proved, it convinces the foolish, they perceiving the cleansing and the advantage resulting from the divine fire, were not discouraged in trials like these, but they rather delighted in them, suffering no injury at all from the things which happened, but being seen to shine more brightly, like gold from the fire, as he said, who was tried in such a school of discipline as this; 'You have tried my heart, You have visited me in the night-season; You have proved me, and hast not found iniquity in me, so that my mouth shall not speak of the works of men.' But those whose actions are not restrained by law, who know of nothing beyond eating and drinking and dying, account trials as danger. They soon stumble at them, so that, being untried in the faith, they are given over to a reprobate mind, and do those things which are not seemly. Romans 1:28 Therefore the blessed Paul, when urging us to such exercises as these, and having before measured himself by them, says, 'Therefore I take pleasure in afflictions, in infirmities.' And again, 'Exercise yourself unto godliness.' For since he knew the persecutions that befell those who chose to live in godliness, he wished his disciples to meditate beforehand on the difficulties connected with godliness; that when trials should come, and affliction arise, they might be able to bear them easily, as having been exercised in these things. For in those things wherewith a man has been conversant in mind, he ordinarily experiences a hidden joy. In this way, the blessed martyrs, becoming at first conversant with difficulties, were quickly perfected in Christ, regarding as nought the injury of the body, while they contemplated the expected rest.
However, all those who "call their lands by their own names" and have wood, hay, and stubble in their thoughts—people like these, since they are unfamiliar with hardships, become strangers to the kingdom of heaven. If they had understood that "tribulation produces patience, and patience experience, and experience hope, and hope does not disappoint," they would have trained themselves following Paul's example, who said, "I discipline my body and bring it under control, lest after preaching to others, I myself should be disqualified." They would have easily endured the afflictions that came upon them from time to time to test them, if they had listened to the prophetic warning: "It is good for a man to bear your yoke in his youth; he shall sit alone and be silent, because he has taken your yoke upon him. He will offer his cheek to the one who strikes him; he will be filled with reproaches. Because the Lord does not reject forever; for when He humbles, He shows mercy, according to the abundance of His compassion." For even if all these things come from enemies—beatings, insults, reproaches—they will accomplish nothing against the abundance of God's compassion. We will quickly recover from them since they are only temporary, but God is always merciful, pouring out His compassion on those who please Him. Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, we should not focus on these temporary things, but fix our attention on what is eternal. Though affliction may come, it will end; though insult and persecution come, they are nothing compared to the hope that is set before us. For all present matters are trivial compared with what is to come; the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the hope that awaits us. For what can be compared with the kingdom? Or what exists in comparison with eternal life? Or what could we give here that matches what we will inherit there? For we are "heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ." Therefore it is not right, my beloved, to dwell on afflictions and persecutions, but rather on the hopes that are stored up for us because of persecutions.
4. But all those who 'call their lands by their own names,' and have wood, and hay, and stubble 1 Corinthians 3:12 in their thoughts; such as these, since they are strangers to difficulties, become aliens from the kingdom of heaven. Had they however known that 'tribulation perfects patience, and patience experience, and experience hope, and hope makes not ashamed,' they would have exercised themselves, after the example of Paul, who said, 'I keep under my body and bring it into subjection, lest when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.' They would easily have borne the afflictions which were brought upon them to prove them from time to time, if the prophetic admonition Lamentations 3:27 had been listened to by them; 'It is good for a man to take up Your yoke in his youth; he shall sit alone and shall be silent, because he has taken Your yoke upon him. He will give his cheek to him who smites him; he will be filled with reproaches. Because the Lord does not cast away for ever; for when He abases, He is gracious, according to the multitude of His tender mercies.' For though all these things should proceed from the enemies, stripes, insults, reproaches, yet shall they avail nothing against the multitude of God's tender mercies; for we shall quickly recover from them since they are merely temporal, but God is always gracious, pouring out His tender mercies on those who please [Him]. Therefore, my beloved brethren, we should not look at these temporal things, but fix our attention on those which are eternal. Though affliction may come, it will have an end, though insult and persecution, yet are they nothing to the hope which is set [before us]. For all present matters are trifling compared with those which are future; the sufferings of this present time not being worthy to be compared with the hope that is to come. For what can be compared with the kingdom? Or what is there in comparison with life eternal? Or what is all we could give here, to that which we shall inherit yonder? For we are 'heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ Romans 8:17.' Therefore it is not right, my beloved, to consider afflictions and persecutions, but the hopes which are laid up for us because of persecutions.
Issachar, the patriarch, serves as an example that confirms this point. As Scripture says in Genesis 49:14, "Issachar desires what is good, resting between the heritages; and when he saw that the rest was good and the land fertile, he bowed his shoulder to labor and became a farmer." Consumed by divine love like the bride in the Song of Songs, he gathered abundantly from the holy Scriptures, for his mind was captivated not only by the old heritage but by both heritages. Therefore, as if spreading his wings, he looked far ahead to see the rest that is in heaven. And since this earthly land consists of such beautiful works, how much more truly must the heavenly country also consist of such things—for that other realm is ever new and does not grow old. This earthly land passes away, as the Lord said, but the place prepared to receive the saints is immortal. When Issachar, the patriarch, saw these things, he joyfully boasted of his afflictions and labors, bowing his shoulders to work. He did not fight back against those who struck him, nor was he disturbed by insults. Instead, like a strong man who triumphs all the more through these things, he tilled his land more earnestly and received profit from it. The Word scattered the seed, but he carefully cultivated it so that it produced fruit—even a hundredfold.
5. Now to this the example of Issachar, the patriarch, may persuade, as the Scripture Genesis 49:14 says, 'Issachar desires that which is good, resting between the heritages; and when he saw that the rest was good, and the land fertile, he bowed his shoulder to labour, and became a husbandman.' Being consumed by divine love, like the spouse in the Canticles, he gathered abundance from the holy Scriptures, for his mind was captivated not by the old alone, but by both the heritages. And hence as it were, spreading his wings, he beheld afar off 'the rest' which is in heaven, and –since this 'land' consists of such beautiful works — how much more truly the heavenly [country] must also [consist] of such; for the other is ever new, and grows not old. For this 'land' passes away, as the Lord said; but that which is ready to receive the saints is immortal. Now when Issachar, the patriarch, saw these things, he joyfully made his boast of afflictions and toils, bowing his shoulders that he might labour. And he did not contend with those who smote him, neither was he disturbed by insults; but like a strong man triumphing the more by these things, and the more earnestly tilling his land, he received profit from it. The Word scattered the seed, but he watchfully cultivated it, so that it brought forth fruit, even a hundred-fold.
Now what does this mean, my beloved, but that we also, when enemies are set against us, should glory in our afflictions, and when we are persecuted, we should not be discouraged but should instead press forward toward the crown of the high calling in Christ Jesus our Lord? And when we are insulted, we should not be disturbed but should offer our cheek to the one who strikes us and bow our shoulder? For the lovers of pleasure and the lovers of enmity are tested, as the blessed Apostle James says, "when they are drawn away by their own lusts and enticed." But let us, knowing that we suffer for the truth and that those who deny the Lord strike and persecute us, "count it all joy, my brothers," according to the words of James, "when we fall into trials of various temptations, knowing that the trial of our faith produces patience." Let us rejoice as we keep the feast, my brothers, knowing that our salvation is brought about in the time of affliction. For our Savior did not redeem us through inactivity but by suffering for us He abolished death. And concerning this, He warned us beforehand, saying, "In the world you shall have tribulation." But He did not say this to every person, but to those who diligently and faithfully perform good service to Him, knowing in advance that those who would live godly toward Him should be persecuted.
6. Now what does this mean, my beloved, but that we also, when the enemies are arrayed against us, should glory in afflictions Romans 5:3, and that when we are persecuted, we should not be discouraged, but should the rather press after the crown of the high calling in Christ Jesus our Lord? And that being insulted, we should not be disturbed, but should give our cheek to the smiter, and bow the shoulder? For the lovers of pleasure and the lovers of enmity are tried, as says the blessed Apostle James, 'when they are drawn away by their own lusts and enticed James 1:14.' But let us, knowing that we suffer for the truth, and that those who deny the Lord smite and persecute us, 'count it all joy, my brethren,' according to the words of James, 'when we fall into trials of various temptations, knowing that the trial of our faith works patience.' Let us rejoice as we keep the feast, my brethren, knowing that our salvation is ordered in the time of affliction. For our Saviour did not redeem us by inactivity, but by suffering for us He abolished death. And respecting this, He intimidated to us before, saying, 'In the world you shall have tribulation John 16:33.' But He did not say this to every man, but to those who diligently and faithfully perform good service to Him, knowing beforehand, that they should be persecuted who would live godly toward Him.
But evildoers and sorcerers will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. Therefore, just like those interpreters of dreams and false prophets who claimed to give signs, these ignorant men—drunk not with wine but with their own wickedness—make a false claim to priesthood and take pride in their threats. Do not believe them. Instead, since we are being tested, let us humble ourselves and not be led astray by them. For God warned His people through Moses, saying, "If there shall rise up among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and shall give signs and tokens, and the sign or the token shall come to pass which he spoke to you, saying, Let us go and serve strange gods, which you have not known; you shall not hearken unto the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the Lord your God tries you, that He may know whether you will love the Lord your God with all your heart." In the same way, when we are tested by these things, we will not separate ourselves from the love of God. But let us now keep the feast, my beloved—not as if we are introducing a day of suffering, but rather a day of joy in Christ, by Whom we are fed every day. Let us be mindful of Him Who was sacrificed in the days of the Passover, for we celebrate this because Christ the Passover was sacrificed. He Who once brought His people out of Egypt, and has now abolished death and him that had the power of death, that is the devil, will likewise now turn him to shame, and again grant aid to those who are troubled and cry unto God day and night.
7. 'But evil-doers and sorcerers will wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived 2 Timothy 3:13.' If therefore, like those expounders of dreams and false prophets who professed to give signs, these ignorant men being drunk, not with wine, but with their own wickedness, make a profession of priesthood, and glory in their threats, believe them not; but since we are tried, let us humble ourselves, not being drawn away by them. For so God warned His people by Moses, saying, 'If there shall rise up among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and shall give signs and tokens, and the sign or the token shall come to pass which he spoke to you, saying, Let us go and serve strange gods, which you have not known; you shall not hearken unto the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the Lord your God tries you, that He may know whether you will love the Lord your God with all your heart Deuteronomy 13:1-3.' So we, when we are tried by these things, will not separate ourselves from the love of God. But let us now keep the feast, my beloved, not as introducing a day of suffering, but of joy in Christ, by Whom we are fed every day. Let us be mindful of Him Who was sacrificed in the days of the Passover; for we celebrate this, because Christ the Passover was sacrificed. 1 Corinthians 5:7 He Who once brought His people out of Egypt, and has now abolished death, and him that had the power of death, that is the devil Hebrews 2:14, will likewise now turn him to shame, and again grant aid to those who are troubled, and cry unto God day and night Luke 18:7.
We begin the forty-day fast on the thirteenth of Phamenoth (March 9), and the holy week of Easter on the eighteenth of Pharmuthi (April 13). After resting on the seventh day, which is the twenty-third (April 18), and when the first day of the great week has dawned on the twenty-fourth of the same month Pharmuthi (April 19), let us count from that point until Pentecost. At all times let us sing praises, calling on Christ, having been delivered from our enemies by Christ Jesus our Lord, through whom glory and dominion belong to the Father forever and ever. Amen. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All those who are here with me greet you. I pray, my beloved brothers and sisters, that you may have health in the Lord.
8. We begin the fast of forty days on the thirteenth of Phamenoth (9 Mar.), and the holy week of Easter on the eighteenth of Pharmuthi (Apr. 13); and resting on the seventh day, being the twenty-third (Apr. 18), and the first of the great week having dawned on the twenty-fourth of the same month Pharmuthi (Apr. 19), let us reckon from it till Pentecost. And at all times let us sing praises, calling on Christ, being delivered from our enemies by Christ Jesus our Lord, through Whom to the Father be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All those who are here with me salute you. I pray, my beloved brethren, that you may have health in the Lord.
He also wrote this from Rome. Here ends the thirteenth Letter.
He wrote this also from Rome. Here ends the thirteenth Letter.