17. (11). But further afield also, none the less, he very frequently traversed country parts and towns with that holy band of disciples, who never left his side. He went and bestowed even on _the unthankful[333] their portion of_ the heavenly _meat_.[334] Nor did he ride on a horse, but went afoot, in this also proving himself an apostolic man. Good Jesus, _how great things_ thy warrior _suffered for Thy name's sake_[335] from _crime-stained children_.[336] How great things he endured for Thee from those very men to whom, and on whose behalf, he spoke good things. Who can worthily express with how great vexations he was harassed, with what insults he was assailed, with what unrighteous acts provoked,[337] how often he was faint with hunger, how often afflicted _with cold and nakedness_?[338] Yet _with them that hated peace he was a peacemaker,[339] instant_, nevertheless, _in season, out of season_.[340] _Being defamed he intreated_;[341] when he was dealt with unrighteously he defended himself with the shield of patience and _overcame evil with good_.[342] Why should he not overcome? _He continued knocking_,[343] and according to the promise, at length, sometimes, _to him that knocked it was opened_.[344] How could that not follow which _the Truth_[345] had declared beforehand should follow? _The right hand of the Lord brought mighty things to pass_,[346] because the _mouth of the Lord spoke_[347] the truth. Hardness vanished, barbarity ceased; the _rebellious house_[348] began gradually to be appeased, gradually to admit reproof, _to receive discipline_.[349] Barbarous laws disappear, Roman laws are introduced; everywhere the ecclesiastical customs are received, their opposites are rejected; churches[350] are rebuilt, a clergy is appointed in them; the solemnities of the sacraments are duly celebrated; confessions are made; congregations[351] come to the church; the celebration of marriage graces those who live together.[352] In fine, all things are so changed for the better that to-day the word which the Lord speaks by the prophet is applicable to that nation; _those who_ before _were not my people are now my people_.[353] [Sidenote: 1127]