Ye have need of one thing only, to bear with the delay, not that ye should fight again. Ye are at the very crown. Ye have borne all the combats, afflictions, trials, perhaps spoiling of goods, and what remains? Endure this only, the delay of the crown. For patience is shown not in two or three days, but by much time. This is that continued patience which the Lord requires, for He said, “He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.” The more part are wont at the beginning to be vehement, but afterwards to faint; therefore is the end required. For what is the use of seeds flourishing at first, but soon fading away?
Let your walk be worthy of the Lord, not once, but continually. As to walk is necessary for the body, so is it necessary for the soul to live rightly, always advancing, nowhere standing still. Strengthened with all might, according to His power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joy. Longsuffering towards one another, patience towards those without. For patience is toward those whom we cannot requite, and it is shown in persecutions, in afflictions which ye endure. This is to love God: to endure, and not to be troubled. Wait for Him with patience, even as He endured. Be prepared, for the ability lies not in our own strength alone, but in God’s gracious influence, a power we draw down by our own will. He gives patience and brings on a speedy release; He will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Yet neither must we put prayer without works, nor works without prayer. We need both our own part and God’s part, if we are to be duly saved. And after prayer thus intense, there is need of much almsgiving, for this gives strength to the medicine of repentance. Give alms, and all things shall be clean. But above all, let not the divine Scriptures be accounted a thing for monks only. Those who dwell in the world, who each day receive wounds, have most need of these medicines. All these things are written for our admonition, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. For patience produces hope, and hope patience, and both are brought about by the Scriptures.
Know ye not that the Body that was crucified, this is the answer to every assault, the weapon that breaks the enemy’s goads in pieces, the wall unshaken. And if ye have been freed from the ills more grievous by far, and freed by grace only, much more will ye be freed from the lesser, now ye have become friends and contribute your own share likewise. He that hath understood God’s love to man, having seen the Son delivered up, will have greater forwardness to walk worthily, bearing fruit in every good work, increasing in the knowledge of God. This is to know His will, not in word only, but to show forth knowledge in works; for he that knows without doing, is even in the way to punishment.
Endure, then, this one thing, the delay of the promise, and let your unspoken need be commended to Him who is faithful. He will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will Himself make the way of escape. And let this be your prayer, not only that ye may know His will, but that ye may walk in it continually, strengthened through the power of His glory, unto all patience and longsuffering with joy, giving thanks always, waiting for that crown which fadeth not away.