A permitted insofar as nature has allowed. But there are many journeys and vigils; endurance against heat and cold; struggles against opponents; dangers up to the point of death; and often, if it so happens, death itself—yet death that is glorious, along with honors and royal gifts. Life in wars is arduous, but splendid in times of peace. The reward of noble deeds and the crown for one who has lived well in upright actions is to be entrusted with a command, to be called a friend of the king, to stand near him, to receive a gracious welcome, to be honored by the king’s own hand, to preside over the subjects, and to intercede on behalf of those friends outside, whoever they may desire 44.
2. Come now, soldier of Christ, having taken small examples from human affairs, turn your thoughts to eternal goods. B Let a life without house, without city, and without possessions be set before you 45. Be unencumbered, released from all worldly cares; do not let the desire for a wife bind you, nor concern for a child. For this is impossible in the divine service. For the weapons of our service are not carnal, but mighty in God. The nature of the body does not conquer you, nor does it strangle you against your will; it does not make you a captive instead of a free man. Do not seek to leave children on earth, but to lead them up to heaven; do not be glued to bodily marriages, but desire spiritual ones, hold dominion over souls, and beget children spiritually. Imitate the heavenly Bridegroom; purge the assaults of invisible enemies; wage war against principalities and powers, expelling them first from your own soul, so that they may have no portion in you, and then from those who flee to you and set you up as a leader and champion for those kept safe through your word. C Subdue the reasonings that rise up against the faith of Christ; wage war through the word of godliness against the impious and wicked reasoning. For, he says, "casting down reasonings and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God." And above all, place your confidence in the hand of the great King, which terrifies and routs the opponents as soon as it appears; but when He also wishes you to become good through dangers, and when He decides to engage His own army with the opposing army, at that moment be invincible in your preparation for every toil, and unshaken in soul toward danger, and willingly move from land to land, and from sea to sea. "For when they persecute you," He says, "flee from city to city." And whenever it is necessary to be called to the judgment seat D
A to stand before magistrates, to endure the assaults of the populace, to look upon the fearful countenance of the executioner, to hear a harsh voice, to tolerate the severe sight of instruments destined for punishment, to suffer torments, and to contend until death—do not be dismayed at all these things. Keep before your eyes Christ, who on your account was subjected to these, and let it be certain to you that it is necessary for you to be involved in these for Christ’s sake, and that you will be victorious in them. For you follow a victorious King who wishes you to be a participant in His victory. For you were not defeated even though you died; rather, you then won the most complete victory, having preserved the truth unchangeable to the end for yourself, and having held fast an unshakable boldness in speaking for the truth.
3. And indeed, from destruction you shall journey to eternal life, and from the ignominy of men to the glory of God, and from the afflictions and punishments in the world to the eternal rest that is to be yours in common with the angels. B The earth did not receive you as a citizen, but heaven shall receive you; the world persecuted you, but the angels will bear you up to present you before Christ. Moreover, you shall be called a friend, and you shall hear that most desirable praise: "Well done, good and faithful servant, noble soldier, imitator of the Master, and follower of the King, I shall reward you with my gifts: I shall hear your words, since you also heard mine." You shall petition for the salvation of brothers who are oppressed, and you shall obtain from the King the communication of blessings for the companions of the faith and for the initiates of holy charity; furthermore, you shall dance the eternal dances, and you shall wear a crown among the angels, ruling over creatures under the King, and you shall live blessed for ever with the chorus of the blessed. But if He should wish to leave you still in the world after the struggles, in order that you may enter into more and various contests, C and that you may save many from both visible and invisible wars, your glory shall be great even on earth, and you shall be held in esteem among friends who have found in you a protector, a helper, and a good ambassador. These will nourish you as a strenuous soldier; these will honor you as a most brave and noble man; these will greet you kindly and courteously, and will receive you with joy as an angel of God, just as Paul says, even as Christ Jesus. These and others of the same kind are the examples of divine warfare. Nor does the discourse pertain to men alone. D For the female sex also serves as a soldier under Christ, being enrolled in the warfare by the courage of the soul, and not because of the