Letter 297

297. To Eleuthera

Judging it altogether incumbent upon me—both because of the age of an old man and because of the genuineness of my spiritual affection—to visit your incomparable nobility even in bodily presence, and, when you are absent, not to fall away from you but to make up the lack by letters, now that I have found a suitable bearer of letters to your dignity, I greet you through her, urging you above all on to the work of the Lord, that the holy God, bringing you honourably through the days of your sojourning in all godliness and dignity, may render you worthy also of the good things to come.

And next I also commend to you the aforesaid daughter, that you may so receive her as my daughter and your own sister, and that, in whatever she shares with your seemly and pure soul, you may make it your own concern and take her part—so that, having first your reward from the Lord, you may then also give rest to us, who in the heart of Christ are filling up toward you the measure of love.