175 (410). To Count Magnenianus
LETTERS
<leeds, it also may be able to set forth with light heart the record of its actions during life. In fact, if anyone keeps that day and hour before his eyes and always meditates upon his defense before the tribunal which cannot be deceived, such a one will sin either not at all or very seldom, because sin is committed by us through absence of the fear of God. And, to such as have present to their minds a vivid expectation of what is impending, the fear associated with it will give no opportunity of falling into ill-advised acts or thoughts.
Accordingly, be mindful of God and have the fear of Him in your heart, and invite all to a union with you in your prayers. For, great is the assistance of those who are able to move
God. And do not leave off doing these things. Indeed, while we are living in this flesh, prayer will be a goodly help for us, and, when we are departing hence, it will be sufficient provision for the future life. Moreover, just as solicitude is something good, so again despondency, despair, and loss of the hope of salvation are among the things which are injurious to the soul. Hope, then, in the goodness of God and await
His support, knowing that, if we tum to Him rightly and sincerely, not only will He not cast us aside forever, but, while we are stilI uttering the words of our prayer, He will say:
'Behold, I am here.'
175. To Count M agnenianus1 Recently, your Dignity sent me a letter about certain other matters, and also expressly enjoined that we should write concerning the faith. I do admire your zeal in this affair and I pray to God that you may adhere unyieldingly to your choice
1 This Magnenianus may be the one mentioned in Letter S25, but he is otherwise unknown. This letter was written about the year 374.