52 THE TREATISES OF CTPPJAX. TREATISE XL EXHORTATION TO MARTYRDOM, ADDRESSED TO FORTUXATUS. PREFACE. 1. You have desired,beloved Fortnnatus,that,sincethe burden of persecutionsand afflictionsis lying heavy upon us,and in the ending and completionof the world thehate ful time of Antichristis alreadybeginning to draw near,I would collectfrom the sacred Scripturessome exhortations forpreparingand strengtheningthe minds of the brethren, whereby I might animate the soldiersof Christforthehea venly and spiritualcontest. I have been constrainedtoobey your so needfulwish,so thatas much as my limitedpowers, instructedby the aidof divineinspiration,aresufficient,some arms,as itwere,and defencesmight be brought forthfrom the Lord's preceptsfor the brethrenwho are abouttofight. For itislittleto arouseGod's peopleby the trumpet callof our voice,unlesswe confirmthe faithof believers,and their valourdedicatedand devotedto God, by the divinereadings. 2. But what more fitlyor more fullyagreeswith my own care and solicitude,than to prepare the people divinelyen trusted to me, and an army establishedin the heavenly camp, by assiduousexhortationsagainstthedartsand weapons of the devil? For he cannot be a soldierfittedforthewar who has not firstbeen exercisedin the field; nor willhe who seeks to gain the crown of contestbe rewarded on the racecourse,unlesshe firstconsidersthe use and skilfulness of his powers. It isan ancientadversaryand an oldenemy with whom we wage our battle: sixthousand years arenow nearlycompletedsincethedevilfirstattackedman. Allkinds of temptation,and arts,and snaresfor hisoverthrow,he has learnedby theverypracticeoflongyears. Ifhe findsChrist's soldierunprepared,if unskilled,if not carefuland watching with his whole heart; he circumventshim if ignorant,he deceiveshim incautious,he cheatshim inexperienced.But ifa man, keepingthe Lord's precepts,and bravelyadhering