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Life of St Porphyry, Bishop of Gaza

Mark the Deacon, tr. Hill, 1913

Chapter 73

But the holy bishop said to them which spake thus: ‘There be also virtues which¹ come by chance unto men from circumstances. For even as a man who hath gotten a froward servant first admonisheth him by all means to behave himself wisely and to serve him with a simple heart, but when he findeth him nowise obedient unto his admonition, then thereafter of necessity he layeth upon him fear and blows and bonds and other such things, desiring not to destroy him but that he should be saved and acknowledge that which behoveth him; even such may ye suppose God to be, enduring our frowardness with long-suffering, and oftentimes persuading us for our profit both through the scriptures and through other holy men; but when we are not persuaded, desiring in all things like a good and merciful master to keep us and not to thrust us away, he layeth upon us his fear and his teaching, calling us of necessity to acknowledge that which behoveth us. Therefore the divine scripture saith:² “When he slew them, then they sought him, and they returned and inquired early after God.” And again³ it saith concerning them who behave themselves unruly and stiffen their necks against God: “With muzzle and bridle ye shall hold in their jaws lest they come nigh thee.” It is needful therefore, my children, that mankind be admonished by fear and threats and discipline. Therefore again⁴ it saith: “It is good for me that thou hast humbled me, that I may learn thy statutes.” These things have I said because of those who desire to come unto our holy faith. For even if they come doubting, time is able to soften their hearts, if Christ consent. But, that I may tell you yet another thing, even though they be not seen to be worthy of the faith, having been already in a state of evil, they that are born of them can be saved, by having converse with the good.’

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