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Of this perfect mind then there is an excellent figure drawn in the
case of the centurion in the gospel; whose virtue and consistency, owing to
which he was not led away by the rush of thoughts, but in accordance with
his own judgment either admitted such as were good, or easily drove away
those of the opposite character, are described in this tropical form: "For
I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to
this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my
servant, Do this, and he doeth it." If then we too strive manfully
against disturbances and sins and can bring them under our own control and
discretion, and fight and destroy the passions in our flesh, and bring
under the sway of reason the swarm of our thoughts, and drive back from our
breast the terrible hosts of the powers opposed to us by the life-giving
standard of the Lord's cross, we shall in reward for such triumphs be
promoted to the rank of that centurion spiritually understood, who, as we
read in Exodus, was mystically pointed to by Moses: "Appoint for thee
rulers of thousands, and of hundreds, and of fifties and of tens." And
so we too when raised to the height of this dignity shall have the same
right and power to command, so that we shall not be carried away by
thoughts against our will, but shall be able to continue in and cling to
those which spiritually delight us, commanding the evil suggestions to
depart, and they will depart, while to good ones we shall say "Come," and
they will come: and to our servant also, i.e., the body we shall in like
manner enjoin what belongs to chastity and continence, and it will serve us
without any gainsaying, no longer arousing in us the hostile incitements of
concupiscence, but showing all subservience to the spirit. And what is the
character of the arms of this centurion, and for what use in battle they
are, hear the blessed Apostle declaring: "The arms," he says "of our
warfare are not carnal, but mighty to God." He tells us their character;
viz., that they are not carnal or weak, but spiritual and mighty to God.
Then he next suggests in what struggles they are to be used: "Unto the
pulling down of fortifications, purging the thoughts, and every height that
exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity
every understanding unto the obedience of Christ, and having in readiness
to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience shall be first
fulfilled." And since though useful, it yet belongs to another time to
run through these one by one, I only want you to see the different sorts of
these arms and their characteristics, as we also ought always to walk with
them girt upon us if we mean to fight the Lord's battles and to serve among
the centurions of the gospel. "Take," he says "the shield of faith,
wherewith ye may be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one."
Faith then is that which intercepts the flaming darts of lust, and destroys
them by the fear of future judgment, and belief in the heavenly kingdom.
"And the breastplate," he says, "of charity." This indeed is that which
going round the vital parts of the breast and protecting what is exposed to
the deadly wounds of swelling thoughts, keeps off the blows opposed to it,
and does not allow the darts of the devil to penetrate to our inner man.
For it "endureth all things, suffereth all things, beareth all things."
"And for an helmet the hope of salvation." The helmet is what protects
the head. As then Christ is our head, we ought always in all temptations
and persecutions to protect it with the hope of future good things to come,
and especially to keep faith in Him whole and undefiled. For it is possible
for one who has lost other parts of the body, weak as he may be, still to
survive: but even a short time of living is extended to no one without a
head. "And the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God." For it is
"sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of
soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the
thoughts and intents of the heart:" as it divides and cuts off whatever
carnal and earthly things it may find in us. And whosoever is protected by
these arms will ever be defended from the weapons and ravages of his foes,
and will not be led away bound in the chains of his spoilers, a captive and
a prisoner, to the hostile land of vain thoughts, nor hear the words of the
prophet: "Why art thou grown old in a strange country?" But he will
stand like a triumphant conqueror in the land of thoughts which he has
chosen. Would you understand too the strength and courage of this
centurion, by which he bears these arms of which we spoke before as not
carnal but mighty to God? Hear of the selection by which the King himself
marks and approves brave men when he summons them to the spiritual combat.
"Let," says He, "the weak say that I am strong;" and: "Let him who is the
sufferer become a warrior." You see then that none but sufferers and
weak people can fight the Lord's battles, weak indeed with that weakness,
rounded on which that centurion of ours in the gospel said with confidence:
"For when I am weak, then am I strong," and again, "for strength is made
perfect in weakness." Of which weakness one of the prophets says: "And
he that is weak among them shall be as the house of David. For the
patient sufferer shall fight these wars, with that patience of which it is
said "patience is necessary for you that doing the will of God you may
receive the reward."
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