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| To the Bishop Irenæus.
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XII. To the Bishop
Irenæus.1626
| 1626 Vide note on Letter III. |
Job, that famous tower of
adamant and noble champion of goodness, was not shaken even by blows of
continuous troubles of every sort and kind, but stood impregnable and
firm. At the end however of all his trials the righteous Law-giver
explained the reason of them in the words, “Dost thou think that
I answered thee for any other reason than that thou mightest appear
just?”1627
I think that these words are known
to your piety which is able to support the many and various attacks of
troubles and anxieties, and so far from shrinking from them, exhibits
the strength and stability of your administration. So the bountiful
Lord, seeing the bravery and holiness of your soul, has refused to keep
a worthy champion in concealment, and has brought him forth to the
contest to adorn your venerable head with a crown of victory, and give
your struggles as a high example of good service to the rest. So, my
dear friend, conquer in this battle too, and bear bravely the death of
your son-in-law, my own dear friend. Conquer in your wisdom the claims
of kinsmanship and the memory of a noble and generous character, a
memory which must always recall something beyond painter’s art or
rhetorician’s skill. Repel the assault of sorrow by the thought
of Him who wisely administers all the affairs of men, with perfect
knowledge of the future and right guidance of it for our good. Let us
join in the joy of him who has been delivered from this life’s
storms. Let us rather give thanks because, wafted by kindly winds, he
has cast anchor in the windless haven and has escaped the grievous
shipwrecks whereof this life is full. But need I say all this to one
who is a tried gladiator of goodness? Need I, as it were, anoint for
endurance one who is a trainer of other athletes? Still I write. It is
a comfort to myself to write as I do. I am really and truly grieved
when I remember an intimacy that I esteemed so highly. Once more I
praise the great Guide of all, Who both knows what would be good for us
and guides our life accordingly. I have dictated this after writing my
former communication, on one of my friends in Antioch telling me that
the end had come.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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