Letters, 1-91

Letters to Laymen

LEITERS TO LAYMEN 63. Ambrose to Alypius1 nHE HONORABLE Antiochus2 delivered to me your Excellency's letter, and I have not been remiss in sending a reply. I dispatched a letter to you by my own messengers, and, unless I am mistaken, sent another when a second opportunity arose.3 Feeling as I do that we are to amass rather than carefully weigh out tokens of friendship , it became my duty to make some return of correspondence , especially since our friend upon returning put me under obligation by mentioning your letters. Only thus might I stand clear with each of you, and he with you, for he was bound to bring back to you what he had received from you. Farewell, and love those who love you. 64. Ambrose to Antonius1 You are never unmentioned by me, nor shall I ever complain of being passed over in silence, for I know that I am not 1 Undated; the addressee is undoubtedly Faltonius Probus Alypius. pre· feet of the city in 391. 2 Antiochus was proconsul of Achaia in 395. He and Alypius are also both mentioned in the correspondence of Symmachus. 3 Internal evidem;e of other letters of Ambrose to Alypius. Undated. to Claudius Antonius. consul in 382 (?). 399 400 SAINT AMBROSE absent from your heart. But, since you are concerned over what is precious, how can you refuse to give what others often receive, not as a token of love but as an exchange of civility?2 Indeed, from my own feelings I can in turn judge yours, believing I am never far from you nor you from me, so closely are we united in our souls. I should never feel I need your letters or you mine, for I talk with you each day, turning toward you my gaze, my attention, and all my respects. Rivalry with you in acts like these gives me pleasure, forto speak openly with one who is inseparable from my heartyour letters put me to shame. I beg you, then, cease expressing your gratitude, for my respects to you have their full reward if I know I have not failed in my duty toward you. Farewell, and love us, because I also love you. 65. Ambrose to Atticus1 You sent a letter by my friend Priscus. He delivered it to me and I am doing the same to him. Continue to love Priscus as you do, and even more than you do; this I advise because I esteem my friend Priscus very highly. I feel toward him that pristine love of ours which from childhood on has grown with our years. But it was a long while since I had seen him, so that not only by his name but by the long interval of time he came to me as truly 'pristine.' Farewell, and love us who cherish you, for we love you. 2 Viz., a letter. 1 Undated; it is probable that Atticus was the consul of 397. LETTERS TO LAYMEN 401 66. Ambrose to Bellicius, greetingsl You tell me that while you lay very ill you believed in the Lord Jesus and soon began to grow better. This sickness was intended for your health and brought you more pain than peril, since you were long postponing the fulfillment of your promise.2 This is the meaning of the words: 'I will strike, and I will heal.'3 He struck you with illness; He healed you with faith. He saw the inward desire of your soul, not void of pious longing, but troubled by delays, and He chose to admonish you in such a way as not to harm your health and yet to incite your devotion. How could He harm your health, He who is wont to say, as we read in the Gospel: 'I will come and cure him'?4 In the same way, undoubtedly, when invited by your friends to visit your home, He said: 'I will come and cure him.' Although, perhaps, you did not hear Him, He as God spoke imperceptibly, and if you did not see Him, there is no possible doubt that He visited you though without a body. You saw Him, for you believed in Him; you saw Him, for you received Him into the dwelling of your mind; you saw Him in spirit; you saw with inner eyes. Hold fast your new Guest, long awaited, but lately received, in...