to the body, for mere necessity's sake: but that their whole
leisure should be rather given to the soul, and should seek her
profit, that she may not be drawn down by the pleasures of the body,
but rather the body be led captive by her. For this (he said) was
what was spoken by the Saviour, "Be not anxious for your soul, what
ye shall eat; nor for your body, what ye shall put on. And seek not
what ye shall eat, nor what ye shall drink, neither let your minds
be in suspense: for after all these things the nations of the world
seek: but your Father knoweth that ye need all these things.
Rather seek first his kingdom; and all these things shall be added
unto you."

After these things, the persecution which happened under the
Maximinus of that time, {49} laid hold of the Church; and when the
holy martyrs were brought to Alexandria, Antony too followed,
leaving his cell, and saying, "Let us depart too, that we may
wrestle if we be called, or see them wrestling." And he longed to
be a martyr himself, but, not choosing to give himself up, he
ministered to the confessors in the mines, and in the prisons. And
he was very earnest in the judgment-hall to excite the readiness of
those who were called upon to wrestle; and to receive and bring on
their way, till they were perfected, those of them who went to
martyrdom. At last the judge, seeing the fearlessness and
earnestness of him and those who were with him, commanded that none
of the monks should appear in the judgment-hall, or haunt at all in
the city. So all the rest thought good to hide themselves that day;
but Antony cared so much for the order, that he all the rather
washed his cloak, and stood next day upon a high place, and appeared
to the General in shining white. Therefore, when all the rest
wondered, and the General saw him, and passed by with his array, he