From the exposition of St. Cyprian, Bishop and Martyr, on the good of patience.

From the exposition of St. Cyprian, Bishop and Martyr, on the good of patience.

Sermone 3. initio.

In speaking of patience, beloved brethren, and in preaching on its benefits and advantages, how can I better begin than by pointing out the fact that now, just for you to listen to me, I see that patience is necessary, as you could not even do this, namely, listen and learn, without patience. For only then is the word of God and way of salvation effectively learned, if one listens with patience to what is being said. Dearly beloved brethren, there are diverse paths of heavenly wisdom, wherein we are invited to walk, if we would reach in the end the reward which God has prepared to crown hope and faith but I find no path more useful toward life, nor more sure toward glory than this, that while we humbly strive, in all fear, and in all godliness, to obey the commandments of the Lord, we should set our chief guard in an unceasing watch over our patience.

The philosophers also say that they take this path, but their patience is as much a sham as their wisdom is a cheat, for who can be wise or patient who knows nothing of God's wisdom or God's patience are the lives of servers and worshippers of God. Let it be ours, then, to show forth by spiritual watchfulness that patience which is a part of the teaching which we have learnt from heaven. Patience is one of His Own virtues whereby God has made us partakers with Him our Great Head is the Captain of the patient, and it is through patience that He hath crowned Himself with glory and honor. But as for us, dearly beloved brethren, we are the real philosophers, whose wisdom lies not in words but in deeds, and is manifested not in addresses but in the truth. We are they whose knowledge has the inward consciousness, not the idle boasting, of strength. We are not speakers of high-sounding words, but of lies. 

Yea, God is Himself the Source, the Fountain, and the Greatness of patience, and it becomes man to love what is beloved by God. That good thing which he loves is commended to him of God's Majesty. If God is our Lord and Father, let us follow after the example of our Lord and Father's patience, since it is the duty of servants to be obedient, and of sons to be home-minded.