2. However since I recognize herein the feelings of long friendship, and what is still more precious, the tenderness of your paternal regard, (for in length of attachment many may participate, but in paternal love they cannot;) since moreover you consider that I have already done what you ask satisfactorily, I will comply with what you desire, and that the more, as I am admonished and stimulated by my own example, an example not difficult for me to follow, since I shall imitate no great one, but myself only, thus returning to my own humble customs. 3. As to the plan pursued in my discourse, seeing that the image and character of the blessed life is delineated therein, I think I have so arranged the argument of it that it will not be disapproved by others, certainly not by yourself who are so partial to me, although it is more difficult to satisfy your judgment than theirs, only your affection softens its severity and renders it more indulgent to me. Sidenote: 1 Cor. vii. 23. 4. Now this Letter, written as it is in your absence, has for its subject the sentence of the Apostle Paul, who calls us from slavery into liberty, saying, _Ye are bought with a price, be not ye the servants of men_, shewing that our liberty lies in the knowledge of wisdom. This opinion has been bandied to and fro by philosophers in energetic discussions, while they assert that every wise man is free and every fool a slave. Sidenote: Ecclus. xxvii. 11. Sidenote: Eph. iv. 14. Sidenote: S. Matt. xiii. 43. 5. But this was said long before by the son of David, _The fool changeth as the moon_. The wise man on the other hand is not dispirited by fear, nor changed by power, nor exalted by prosperity, nor cast down by sadness; for where wisdom is, there also is strength of mind, constancy, and fortitude. Now the wise man remains the same in mind, neither depressed nor exalted by the vicissitudes of things, he is not _tossed to and fro as a child, and carried about with every wind of doctrine_, but continues perfect in Christ, grounded in charity, rooted in faith. Hence he is not conscious of failure, he knows not the various losses which befal the soul, but _shall shine forth as the Sun of righteousness Who shines in the kingdom of His Father_. Sidenote: Gen. ix. 25. 6. But let us now consider from what source Philosophy more fully derived this, from what discipline and wisdom of the Patriarchs. Did it not come first from Noah who, perceiving that his son Ham had foolishly derided the nakedness of his father, cursed him in these words, _Cursed be Ham[185], a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren_, and set his brethren as lords over him, seeing that they had wisely deemed their fathers old age worthy of honour? Sidenote: Gen. xxvii. 29.