Orations

¹⁶ O remarkable and wonderful disaster! O injury more noble than security! O prophecy, “He has smitten, and He will bind us up, and revive us, and after three days He will raise us up,” portending indeed, as it did, a greater and more sublime event, yet no less applicable to Gorgonia's sufferings! This then, notorious to all, even to those afar off, for the wonder spread to all, and the lesson was stored up in the tongues and ears of all, with the other wonderful works and powers of God. But the following incident, hitherto unknown and concealed from most men by the Christian principle I spoke of, and her pious shrinking from vanity and display, do you bid me tell, O best and most perfect of shepherds, pastor of this holy sheep, and do you further give your assent to it, since to us alone has this secret been entrusted, and we were mutual witnesses of the marvel, or are we still to keep our faith to her who is gone? Yet I do think, that as that was the time to be silent, this is the time to manifest it, not only for the glory of God, but also for the consolation of those in affliction.