But you have fully known my doctrine. Wherefore be strong; for thou were not merely present, but followed closely. Here he seems to imply that the period had been long, in that he says, You have followed up my doctrine; this refers to his discourse. Manner of life; this to his conduct. Purpose; this to his zeal, and the firmness of his soul. I did not say these things, he says, and not do them; nor was I a philosopher in words only. Faith, longsuffering. He means, how none of these things troubled me. Charity, which those men had not; patience, nor yet this. Towards the heretics, he means, I show much longsuffering; patience, that under persecution.
