Chapter III.—Pray rather that I may...

Chapter III.—Pray rather that I may attain to martyrdom.

Ye have never envied any one; ye have taught others. Now I desire that those things may be confirmed [by your conduct], which in your instructions ye enjoin [on others]. Only request in my behalf both inward and outward strength, that I may not only speak, but [truly] will; and that I may not merely be called a Christian, but really be found to be one. For if I be truly found [a Christian], I may also be called one, and be then deemed faithful, when I shall no longer appear to the world. Nothing visible is eternal. ⁸³⁸ “For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” ⁸³⁹ For our God, Jesus Christ, now that He is with ⁸⁴⁰ the Father, is all the more revealed [in p. 75 His glory]. Christianity is not a thing ⁸⁴¹ of silence only, but also of [manifest] greatness.

Ye have never envied any one; ye have taught others. Now I desire that those things may be confirmed [by your conduct], which in your instructions ye enjoin [on others]. Only request in my behalf both inward and outward strength, that I may not only speak, but [truly] will, so that I may not merely be called a Christian, but really found to be one. For if I be truly found [a Christian], I may also be called one, and be then deemed faithful, when I shall no longer appear to the world. Nothing visible is eternal. “For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” ⁸⁴² The Christian is not the result ⁸⁴³ of persuasion, but of power. ⁸⁴⁴ When he is hated by the world, he is beloved of God. For says [the Scripture], “If ye were of this world, the world would love its own; but now ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it: continue in fellowship with me.” ⁸⁴⁵

Footnotes

74:838

Some read, “good.”

74:839

2 Cor. iv. 18. This quotation is not found in the old Latin version of the shorter recension.

74:840

Or, “in.”

75:841

Literally, “work.”

75:842

2 Cor. iv. 18. This quotation is not found in the old Latin version of the shorter recension.

75:843

Literally, “work.”

75:844

The meaning is here doubtful.

75:845

John xv. 19.