ABSTRACT
For a long time I had wanted to commit to posterity certain miracles of St John which I saw personally, or I knew had been proven by truthful witnesses, profoundly wishing that the marks of honour of the miracles of so great and so blessed a father be made public everywhere; that they should not lie hidden concealed under a bushel, 1 or should become completely unforgotten through the lapse of time. Indeed, fearing lest I should be accused of presumption if, in the presence of wiser men, I should accede to the task of a wise man like any old scribe, I have withheld my hand for a long time from the task for which I yearned. There are very many people who damage the deeds of sincere men with a dart of criticism and, being corrupted by the odium of poisonous slander, strive to detract from the praiseworthy deeds of others; sufficiently diligent to attack the life of anyone they please, but nevertheless lazy at censuring themselves; quick to the affront of blasphemy; ready to withhold praise on the writings of anyone else: my soul will not enter their council, and my honour will not join their assembly. 2 Although I may not, in truth, possess the words of eloquence with which to record the worthy deeds of so great a father in Tullian 3 style, on one side being obliged to compliance by a debt of servitude, on the other being unwilling to disobey the command of mutual love, I submit as a suppliant to the decrees of your benevolence. Moreover, I believe that the sweetness of brotherly love will be most helpful to me in the execution of this little work, seeing that you compel one less learned to write from the sole inspiration of love; you discern my inadequacy to take up the burden, which will assuredly be supported more firmly by your wisdom, and advanced by your skilful eloquence.
