Read the orations of Synesius,[78] bishop of Cyrene, _On
Providence_,[79] _On the Kingdom_, and some other subjects. His
style is lofty and dignified,[80] but somewhat inclined to be
over-poetical.
Also read various letters of his, distilling grace and charm, at the
same time vigorous and full of closely-packed[81] ideas.
He originally belonged to a heathen school of philosophy, but was
favourably disposed to the inspired truths of Christianity and ready
to accept all its doctrines except that of the Resurrection. Although
this was his attitude, he was admitted into our Church and even
raised to the episcopate, by reason of his goodness and purity and in
the conviction that a man of such holiness of life could not fail to
be illuminated by the light of the Resurrection. Nor were these hopes
disappointed. For as soon as he became bishop he readily assented to
that doctrine. Synesius was an ornament to Cyrene at the time when
Theophilus was patriarch of Alexandria.[82]