To Uranius, Bishop of Emesa

To Uranius, bishop of Emesa. [a]

I have been greatly delighted that we who correspond in character should also have corresponded by letter. But I do not quite see what you mean by saying, “Are these not my words?” If it was said only by way of greeting, I am not annoyed by it. But if it is meant to remind me of the advice that urged silence, and of the so-called discretion, I am very much obliged to you, but I do not accept the suggestion. For the divine apostle tells us to take exactly the opposite course: “Be ready in season and out of season.” And the Lord says to this very spokesman, “Do not be afraid, but speak”; and to Isaiah, “Cry aloud, do not spare”; and to Moses, “Go down, warn the people”; and to Ezekiel, “I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel,” and it will be, “if you do not warn the wicked,” and so on. I think it needless to write at length to one who knows. So we are not only not distressed at having spoken freely; we even rejoice and are glad, and we praise him who has counted us worthy of these sufferings. Yes, and I call on my friends to face the same dangers. [c]

If they know that we do not keep the apostolic rule of faith, but swerve to the right or to the left, let them hate us. Let them join the other side. Let them take their place among those who are at war with us. But if they bear witness that we hold the right teaching of the gospel message, we greet them with the cry, “You too, ‘stand with your waist belted with truth, and your feet shod with the readiness of the gospel of peace,’” and so on. For it is said that virtue is made up not only of self-control, justice and good judgment, but also of courage, and that by courage the other parts of virtue are kept safe. Justice needs courage as its ally in its war against wrong, and self-control overcomes lack of self-control with the help of courage. That is why the God of all said to the prophet, “The righteous will live by his faith, and if anyone shrinks back, my soul will have no pleasure in him.” Shrinking back is his name for cowardice. So hold fast, my dear friend, to the apostolic doctrines. For “he who is coming will come, and will not delay,” and “he will repay each person according to his deeds.” For “the form of this world is passing away,” and the truth will be made plain. [e]