2. And as soon as a stranger shewed, that he was in the communion of the church, he was received with open arms: for which end the Christians who travelled, took letters of their bishop, declaring the condition of the bearer: whether he was a _catechumen_, a _penitent_, or one of the _faithful_: beside which, there were recommendatory letters, to distinguish priests, deacons, confessors, and those who stood in need of any particular assistance. 3. Not that their hospitality was confined to their brethren. It extended to all, Heathens as well as Christians. Of which we have a remarkable instance in the case of St. _Pacomius_, a young _Roman_ captain, who being upon his march with his men, and taking up his quarters in a city they came to, was amazed to find the inhabitants receive them with as much affection, as if they had been their old friends. He enquired who they were? And was answered, they were a people of a particular religion, called _Christians_. He desired to be informed, what the grounds of this religion were? And this was the beginning of his conversion. *4. But their care and tenderness toward the sick, was yet more observable. No difficulty, no danger, no discouragements could prevent their ministring to these. When _Alexandria_ was dreadfully afflicted with the plague, in the time of the Emperor _Valerian_, they confirmed their love even to their persecutors, by assisting such as were infected, though many of them died with them. And the priests constantly visited the sick Christians, administered the holy eucharist, prayed with them and for them, exhorted, comforted, and commended their souls to God. They did not fear, but desire death, as only the gate of eternity. And even when their relations went before them, they less grieved for their own present loss, than they rejoiced for their happy deliverance, and in a stedfast hope of meeting them again in paradise.