Letter 183

183. To the magistrates of Samosata

When I consider that the trial has now been poured out over the whole inhabited world, and that the greatest of the cities of Syria have made trial of sufferings equal to your own, but that nowhere is the council of magistrates so well approved and so distinguished for good works as yours is now famed to be for its zeal in good works, I am near to being grateful for what has been ordained. For had this affliction not come about, your worth would never have been made manifest. So it seems that what the furnace is to gold, this is the affliction endured for the hope set on God to those who lay claim to any virtue.

Come then, admirable men, see that to the labours already accomplished you add a sequel worthy of them, and that you may be seen to set upon a great foundation a still more notable summit; gather around the shepherd of the church, whenever the Lord grants him to appear once more upon his own throne, each of you relating some one of the things you have done as citizens on behalf of the Church of God; and on the great day of the Lord may each of you receive from the bountiful God a recompense in proportion to your labours. And by remembering us and writing whenever it is possible, you will both do what is just in repaying us in kind, and at the same time will gladden us not a little, sending us through your letters clear tokens of your voice, which is most sweet to us.