Letter 19: (This Epistle should be read in connection with the three addressed to Eusebius of Cæsarea, to which it refers. For the circumstances see General Prolegomena, § 1, p. 194.) It is a time for prudence and endurance, and that we should not let anyone appear to be of higher courage than ourselves, or let all our labours and toils be in an instant br...

This is a time for prudence and endurance. We can't afford to let anyone appear braver than we are, or let all our labor and suffering be undone in an instant. Why am I telling you this? Our Bishop Eusebius — very dear to God, as we must now think and speak of him — has become much more open to agreement and friendship with us. Time has softened him, the way fire softens iron. I believe a letter of invitation will come to you from him soon — he hinted as much to me, and several people close to him have confirmed it. Let's get ahead of him. Either go to him, or write to him — better yet, write first, then go — so that we're not put to shame later for being too stubborn when we had the chance to claim a victory by being graciously, philosophically defeated. So many people are asking this of us. Trust me and come. Both for this reason, and because of the dangerous times. A conspiracy of heretics is attacking the Church. Some are already here, causing trouble. Others, rumor says, are on the way. The Word of Truth could be swept away unless someone soon stirs up the spirit of a Bezaleel — that wise master builder of sacred arguments and doctrines. If you think I should come too, to travel and stay with you, I won't refuse even that.

(This Epistle should be read in connection with the three addressed to Eusebius of Cæsarea, to which it refers. For the circumstances see General Prolegomena, § 1, p. 194.) It is a time for prudence and endurance, and that we should not let anyone appear to be of higher courage than ourselves, or let all our labours and toils be in an instant brought to nothing. Why do I write this, and wherefore? Our Bishop Eusebius, very dear to God (for so we must for the future both think and write of him), is very much disposed to agreement and friendship with us; and as fire softens iron, so has time softened him; and I think a letter of appeal and invitation will come to you from him, as he intimated to me, and as many persons who are well acquainted with his affairs assure me. Let us be beforehand with him then, either by going to him, or by writing to him; or rather by first writing and then going; in order that we may not by and by be put to shame by being defeated when it was in our power to secure a victory by being honourably and philosophically beaten, which so many are asking from us. Be persuaded by me then, and come; both on this account and on account of the bad times; for a conspiracy of heretics is assailing the Church; some of them are here now, and are troubling us; and others, rumour says, are coming; and there is reason to fear lest the Word of Truth should be swept away, unless there be stirred up very soon the spirit of a Bezaleel, the wise Master builder of such arguments and dogmas. If you think I ought to go too, to stay with you and travel with you, I will not refuse to do even this. (We insert here the three letters to Eusebius, which are so closely connected with the above as not to seem out of place.)