asked by the faithful to combat such great evils; and _putting his life
in his hand_[1073] he advanced to the attack with vigour, he undertook
the archbishopric, exposing himself to evident danger, that he might put
an end to so great a crime. Surrounded by perils he ruled the church;
when the perils were passed, immediately he canonically ordained another
as his successor. For he had undertaken the office on this condition,
that when the fury of persecution had ceased and it thus became possible
that another should safely be appointed, he should be allowed to return
to his own see.[1074] And there, without ecclesiastical or secular
revenues he lived in the religious communities which he himself had
formed, dwelling among them up to this time as one of themselves, and
abjuring all personal property.[1075] So the fire of _affliction
tried_[1076] the man of God, but did not consume[1077] him; for he was
gold. So neither did pleasure hold him captive or destroy him, nor did
he stand a curious spectator on the way, forgetful of his own
pilgrimage.

7. Which of you, brothers, would not earnestly desire to imitate his
holiness, if he dared even to hope for such an attainment? I believe,
therefore, you will gladly hear, if I perchance can tell it, what made
Malachy holy. But lest our testimony should seem not easy to be
received, hear what the Scripture says: _He made him holy in his faith
and meekness._[1078] By faith he trampled on the world, as John bears
witness when he says, _This is the victory that overcometh the world,
even our faith._[1079] For _in the spirit of meekness_[1080] he endured
all things whatsoever that were hard and contrary with _good
cheer_.[1081] On the one hand, indeed, after the example of Christ, by
faith he trampled on the seas,[1082] lest he should be entangled in
pleasures; on the other, _in his patience he possessed his soul_,[1083]
lest he should be crushed by troubles. For concerning these two things
you have the saying in the Psalm, _A thousand shall fall at thy side,
and ten thousand at thy right hand_;[1084] for many more are cast down
by the deceitfulness of prosperity than by the lashes of adversity.
Therefore, dearly beloved, let none of us, allured by the level surface
of the easier way, suppose that road of the sea to be more convenient
for himself. This plain[1085] has great mountains, invisible indeed, but
for that very reason more dangerous. That way perhaps seems more
laborious wh