Contemplating Retirement

Ambrosius Severo Episcopo. Ex ultimo Persidis profectus sinu Jacobus frater et compersbyter noster, Campaniae sibi ad requiescendum littora, et vestras elegit amoenitates. Advertis quibus in locis quasi ab huius mundi vacuam tempestatibus suppetere sibi posse praesumpserit securitatem, ubi post diuuturnos labores reliquum vitae exigat. Remota enim vestri ora littoris non solum a periculis, sed etiam ab omni strepitu tranquillitatem infundit sensibus, et traducit animos a terribilibus, et seavis curarum aestibus ad honestam quietem; ut illud commune omnium specialiter vobis videatur congruere et convenire, quod ait David de santca Ecclesia: Ipse super maria fundavit eam, et super flumina praeparabit eam. Etenim liber animus a barbarorum incursibus, et praeliorum acerbitatibus, vacat orationibus, inservit Deo, curat ea quae sunt Domini, fovet illa quae pacis sunt et tranquillitatis. Nos autem objecti barbaricis motibus, et bellorum procellis, in medio versamur omnium molestairum freto, et pro his laboribus et periculis graviora colligimus futurae vitae pericula. Unde de nobis propheticum illud concinere videtur: Pro laboribus vidi tabernacula Aethiopum. Etenim in istius mundi tenebris, quibus obumbratur veritas furturae perfectionis; cum annum tertium et quinquagesimum iam perduxerim in hoc corpore situs, in quo tam graves iamdudum sustinemus gemitus, quomodo non in tabernaculis Aethiopum tendimus, et habitamus cum habitantibus Madian? Qui propter tenebrosi operis conscientiam diiudicari etiam ab homine mortali reformidant: Spiritalis enim diiudicat omnia, ipse autem a nemine diiudicatur. Vale, frater, et nos dilige, ut facis; quia nos te diligmus. Sanctus Ambrosius Mediolanensis, Epistola LIX Source: Migne PL 16.1182b-1183a

Ambrose to the Bishop Severus. From farthest Persia James, our brother and fellow-presbyter, has attained our embrace, and for his rest he has chosen the shores of Campania and your pleasant abodes. You see in what place he has presumed for himself leisurely safety from the storms of this world, and where, after long labor, he may finish the rest of his life? Your shores, far not only from danger, but from all tumult, imbues the senses with tranquility, and draws souls from the worry and raging billows of care to a noble quiet; thus those words common to all, yet appearing especially fitting and appropriate to yourselves, which David spoke concerning the holy Church: 'For He has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the rivers.' 1 Indeed a soul free from barbarian incursions and the terrors of war, has time for prayer, serves God, cares for the things of the Lord, and favours the things of peace and tranquility. We, however, confronted with the movements of barbarians and the storms of war, in the midst of troubles are turned about, and from these toils and dangers can only gather that our future life will be still more grievous. Whence concerning us it seems the prophet sang: 'I saw the tents of Ethiopia in affliction.' 2 In this world of shadows wherein the truth of future perfection is obscured, I have now lived in the body fifty and three years and have already endured such heavy afflictions that am I not dwelling in the tents of Ethiopia, and do I not reside among the dwellers of Midian? These, owing to their consciousness of their dark works, fear being judged even by mortal men; 1 but he that is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is judged by none. 4 Farewell, my brother, and love us, as indeed you do, for I love you. Saint Ambrose, Letter 59 1 Ps 23.2 2 Habac 3.7 3 Ps 119.5 4 1 Cor 2.15