Some Other Fragments of the Same Methodius.

 Some Other Fragments of the Same Methodius.

 Observe that the Lord was not wont from the beginning to speak with man but after that the soul was prepared, and exercised in many ways, and had asc

 Many have descended into the deep, not so as to walk on it, but so as to be by its bonds restrained. Jesus alone walked on the deep, where there are n

 Seest thou how, at the end of the contest, with a loud proclamation he declares the praises of the combatant, and discovers that which was in his affl

 But Methodius: The Holy Spirit, who of God is given to all men, and of whom Solomon said, “For Thine incorruptible Spirit is in all things,” He receiv

 I account it a greater good to be reproved than to reprove, inasmuch as it is more excellent to free oneself from evil than to free another.

 Human nature cannot clearly perceive pure justice in the soul, since, as to many of its thoughts, it is but dim-sighted.

 VIII. The Same Methodius.

 IX. The Same Methodius.

IV.6 Ex Nicetæ Catena on Job, cap. xxviii. p. 570.

Seest thou how, at the end of the contest, with a loud proclamation he declares the praises of the combatant, and discovers that which was in his afflictions hidden, in the words: “Thinkest thou that I had else answered thee, but that thou shouldest appear just?”7 Job xl. 3 (LXX.). This is the salve of his wounds, this the reward of his patience. For as to what followed, although he received double his former possessions, these may seem to have been given him by divine providence as small indeed, and for trifling causes, even though to some they may appear great.

Fragment, Uncertain.

Thou contendest with Me, and settest thyself against Me, and opposest those who combat for Me. But where wert thou when I made the world? What wert thou then? Hadst thou yet, says He, fallen from thy mother? for there was darkness, in the beginning of the world’s creation, He says, upon the face of the deep. Now this darkness was no created darkness, but one which of set purpose had place, by reason of the absence of light.