Epithalamion protreptikon

Venerable gray hair scatters your head on all sides
Now with snow: and now you are to be counted among the Elders.
The Temples of the PETRINE flock committed to you: in which
You sound the nourishing dogmas of God with a wholesome voice.
You unfold the noble path of Virtue and the path of Christ,
Lovable for saving the unworthy.
And you condemn the crime of those who consult Orcus Hell/the underworld:
In whose hearts there is no living faith.
They feign to be Christians: but they live like Bacchanals:
And they do not fear to continue wickedness with wickedness.
God flies much in their mouth: but He breathes in no act:
As is the case today with many, everywhere.
You strike these with the Word: you soothe the rest with consolation:
And you study to feed the entrusted sheep faithfully.
You possess great gravity: and there are sharp, witty
Remarks in your speech: a polished grace in your easy mouth.
And Wisdom has placed her fixed seat in your
Breast: you are a man of wonderful cunning.
You touch every sly Vice with a laughing friend:
And you show the perceived crimes with a sweet hand.
You bear others, although they provoke you with foolish speech:
And do not wish to favor you in every part.
And they blacken your fame with wicked sarcasm:
Just as we often see the same done to mules.
Indeed, in these ways you repel hostile spittle:
In these ways you live victoriously: and you continue to flourish.
"For it conquers, victorious patience conquers all things:
"Which devours many black things for deaf ears.

There was once great reverence for a gray head.

The two duties of pious Ministers of the Word are primarily: To teach the Gospel, and the Law: that is, to commend faith in Christ: and to invite men to the newness of life: and to deter those doing otherwise with legal threats. He warns of our time. Matt. 24. 2 Tim. 3. Faith blushes when deeds are lacking, James 2.

The most excellent art of conquering evil cannot be avoided. It is a good and certain power: it is approved.