A Plea for Patience and Correction

Hear me, then, you master of the ship, possessor of virgin purity; and you, the church, who nurse those of tender and inexperienced age, guardian of truth and gentleness, from whose never-failing fountain the stream of salvation flows! And you too, my hearers, be patient with me, you who worship God sincerely and are for that reason the objects of his care. Pay attention not to the language but to the truth of what is said; not to the one who speaks but to the devout zeal that makes his speech holy. For what use are words when the real purpose of the speaker remains unknown? [a]

It may be that I am attempting great things. My plea for so bold an attempt is the love of God that stirs my soul, a love that overpowers my natural reserve. So I call on you who are best instructed in the mysteries of God: help me with your counsel, follow me with your thoughts, and correct whatever in my words smacks of error. Do not expect a display of perfect knowledge, but kindly accept the sincerity of my effort. And may the Spirit of the Father and of the Son give his mighty help while I speak the words he prompts in my speech and in my thoughts. For if anyone, whether in the practice of eloquence or in any other art, expects to produce a finished work without the help of God, both the worker and his work will be found equally imperfect. But the one who has once been blessed with the inspiration of heaven has no cause to fear and no room for discouragement. So, asking your patience for the length of this introduction, let us take up the subject in its full scope.