refrain his desires, and for to say to him what manner was convenable to live, for to go in the way of God in which that other went. For all that was done displeased him save the sweetness of God and the beauty of the house of God, which he loved. And Simplician began to exhort him, and S. Augustin exhorted himself and said: ’How many children and maidens serve in the church of God to our Lord: and mayst not thou do that they do in their God and not in themselves? Wherefore tarryest thou? Cast thyself on him and he shall receive thee and reward thee.' And among these words Victorin came to his mind. Then Simplician was much glad, and told to him how Victorin was yet a paynim, and deserved to have a great image to his likeness in the market of Rome, and how he offtimes said that he was a christian man. To whom Simplician said: 'I shall not believe it but if I see thee in the church.' And he answered merrily: 'The walls make not a man christian.' At the last, when he came into the church, he brought to him secretly a book wherein the Credo of the mass was, and bade him read. And he ascended upon high, and with voice on high pronounced it; whereof Rome marvelled and the church was joyful, and all cried suddenly: ’Victorin! Victorin!' And anon they held their peace for joy.
And after that there came from Africa a friend of Augustin which was name Poncian, and recounted to him the life and miracles of the great Anthony, that had died lately under Constantine the emperor. And by the ensamples Austin enforced him strongly, so that he assailed his fellow Alipius as well with
