2. However, even though a less effective result of the ministry followed, He would nevertheless justly have had regard to Malachy and his works, He to whom purity is a friend and single-mindedness one of his household, to whose righteousness it belongs to weigh the work in accordance with its purpose, from the character of _the eye_ to measure the state of _the whole body_.[1120] But now _the works of the Lord are great, sought out according to all_ the _desires_[1121] and efforts of Malachy; they are great and many and _very good_,[1122] though better in proportion to the good origin of the pure purpose. What work of piety escaped the attention of Malachy? He was poor as regards himself, but rich to the poor. He was a _father of the fatherless_, a husband _of the widows_,[1123] a protector of the oppressed. _A cheerful giver_,[1124] seldom making petitions, modest in receiving gifts. He was specially solicitous, and had much success, in restoring peace between those who were at variance. Who was as tender as he in sharing the sufferings of others? who as ready to help? who as free in rebuke? For he was zealous, and yet not wanting in knowledge, the restrainer of zeal. And, indeed, _to the weak_ he was _weak_,[1125] but none the less strong to the strong: he _resisted the proud_,[1126] he lashed the tyrants, a teacher of kings and princes. It was he who by prayer deprived a king of sight when he worked wickedness, and restored it when he was humbled.[1127] It was he, when certain men broke a peace which he had made, who gave them up to _the spirit of error_,[1128] and foiled them in the evil which they devised to do; and who compelled them to accept peace a second time, confounded and stunned by that which had happened to them. It was he[1129] to whom a river most opportunely lent its aid against the others, who were equally _transgressors of a covenant_.[1130] In wonderful fashion, by throwing itself before them, it made void the efforts of the ungodly. There had been no rains, no floods of waters, no gathering of clouds, no melting of snows, when suddenly the mere rivulet was converted into a great river; and it rushed along[1131] and swelling up overflowed the banks, and utterly denied passage to those who wished to do wickedly.[1132]