On Holy Baptism, Oration #40
Sow in good season,
and gather together,
and open your barns
when it is the time
to do so; plant in
season, and let the
clusters be cut when
they are ripe, and launch
boldly in spring, and draw
your ship on shore again
at the beginning of winter,
when the sea begins to rage.
And let there be to you also
a time for war and a time for
peace; a time to marry, and a
time to abstain from marrying;
a time for friendship and a time
for discord, if this be needed;
and in short a time for
everything, if you will follow
Solomon's / Qohelet's advice.
And it is best to do so, for the
advice is profitable. But the
work of your salvation is one
upon which you should be engaged
at all times; and let every time be to
you the definite one for baptism.
If you are always passing over
today and waiting for tomorrow, by
your little procrastinations you
will be cheated without knowing it
by the evil one (Satan), as his
manner is. Give to me, he says,
the present, and to God, the future;
to me your youth, and to God old
age; to me your pleasures, and to
him your uselessness. How great
is the danger that surrounds you!
How many the unexpected mischances.
War has expended you, or the sea
swallowed you up. Or a wild beast
carried you off, or a sickness killed
you, or a crumb going the wrong way.
cited for Ancient Christian
Commentary on Scripture (vol. IX)
page 219, edited by J. Robert Wright.
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