proving Martyrs in will.  Now, that one should hand down to
memory the prowess and virtuous deeds of these, both of them that
were made perfect by blood, and of them that by self-denial did
emulate the conversation of Angels, and should deliver to the
generations that follow a pattern of virtue, this hath the Church
of Christ received as a tradition from the inspired Apostles, and
the blessed Fathers, who did thus enact for the salvation of our
race.  For the pathway to virtue is rough and steep, especially
for such as have not yet wholly turned unto the Lord, but are
still at warfare, through the tyranny of their passions.  For
this reason also we need many encouragements thereto, whether it
be exhortations, or the record of the lives of them that have
travelled on the road before us; which latter draweth us towards
it the less painfully, and doth accustom us not to despair on
account of the difficulty of the journey.  For even as with a man
that would tread a hard and difficult path; by exhortation and
encouragement one may scarce win him to essay it, but rather by
pointing to the many who have already completed the course, and
at the last have arrived safely.  So I too, "walking by this
rule," and heedful of the danger hanging over that servant who,