Gregory Thaumaturgus

“ For then it was that I was brought over first to the word of salvation and truth, in what manner I cannot tell, by constraint rather than by voluntary choice. For what power of decision had I then, who was but fourteen years of age? Yet from this very time this sacred Word began somehow to visit me, just at the period when the reason common to all men attained its full function in me ”

“ Thus all things moved me thither,—my sense of duty [14] to my sister, my own studies, and over and above these, the soldier (for it is right also to mention this) , who had with him a larger supply of public vehicles than the case demanded, and more cheques [15] than could be required for our sister alone. These were the apparent reasons for our journey; but the secret and yet truer reasons were these,—our opportunity of fellowship with this man, our instruction through that man’s means [16] in the truth [17] concerning the Word, and the profit of our soul for its salvation. ”

“ Wherefore it was not that soldier, but a certain divine companion and beneficent conductor and guardian, ever leading us in safety through the whole of this present life, as through a long journey, that carried us past other places, and Berytus in especial, which city at that time we seemed most bent on reaching, and brought us hither and settled us here, disposing and directing all things, until by any means he might bind us in a connection with this man who was to be the author of the greater part of our blessings. ”