Miscellanies 4.16.101

And the divine apostle sets forth the rule of the one who knows in these words. On the one hand he writes: “For I have learned in whatever state I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound; in everything and in all things I have been initiated, both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need; I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” On the other hand, speaking to others to shame them, he does not hesitate to say: “But remember the former days, in which, after you were enlightened, you endured a great contest of sufferings, partly being made a spectacle by reproaches and afflictions, and partly becoming sharers with those so treated. For you sympathized with my bonds, and accepted joyfully the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you have for yourselves a better and lasting possession. Do not throw away, then, your boldness, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that having done the will of God you may receive the promise. For yet a very little while, and the one who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith; and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him. But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith for the preservation of the soul.”