5. Now if, according to your admonition, there is any savour of ancient writings in our letters, not only do our minds seem to be united by this progress in true doctrine, but also the form and fashion of a more intimate converse seems to be set forth, in that the discussion which is thus entered upon by mutual inquiry and reply appears to place in presence of each other those friends who in this manner challenge and engage one another. Sidenote: 1 Cor. v. 3. 6. And why need I produce the example of our ancestors, who by their letters have instilled faith into the minds of the people, and have written to whole nations together, and have shewn themselves to be present although writing from a distance, according to the words of the Apostle, that he was _absent in body, but present in spirit_, not only in writing but also in judging. Again, he condemned them while absent by epistle, and also absolved them by epistle; for the epistle of Paul was a certain image of his presence and form of his work. Sidenote: 2 Cor. x. 10. Sidenote: Ib. 11. 7. For the epistles of the Apostles were not, like those of others, _weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence weak, and his speech contemptible_, but his letter was of that kind that such as was the substance of his work such also was the form of his precept; for _such_, says he, _as we are in word by letters when absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present_. He imprinted the image of his presence on his letters, he declared its fruit and testimony in his work. Farewell; love me, as indeed you do, for I love you. LETTER XLVIII. S. AMBROSE in this letter begs Sabinus to examine the books which he sends to him carefully, and to criticise them freely, as a proof of true friendship, and at the same time adding to the value of the works. AMBROSE TO SABINUS. 1. YOU have sent me back my volumes, and I shall hold them in greater esteem owing to your judgment. I have therefore sent you others, not so much because I was delighted at wishing for your favourable judgment, as of that truth which I have asked and you have promised to declare to me; for should any thing strike you I would rather it had the correction of your judgment before it goes abroad beyond the power of recal, than that you should praise what is blamed by others. It is on this account that I have requested to have your opinion of those things which you asked me to write, for I have not so much desired that what I publish from time to time should be read by you, as that they should be submitted to the account which your judgment shall take of them. And this judgment, as one said of old, will not require[232] a long sitting and delay. For surely it is easy for you to judge of my writings.