11. The course of divine Scripture relates
that Elisha, when surrounded by the army of the Syrians, told his
servant, who was afraid, not to fear; “for,” said he,
“they that be for us are more than those against
us;” 2 [4] Kings
vi. 16. and in order to
prove this, he prayed that the eyes of Gehazi might be opened, and when
they were opened, he saw that numberless hosts of angels were
present. And we, though we cannot see them, yet feel their
presence. Our eyes were shut, so long as the bodies of the saints
lay hidden. The Lord opened our eyes, and we saw the aids
wherewith we have been often protected. We used not to see them,
but yet we had them. And so, as though the Lord had said to us
when trembling, “See what great martyrs I have given you,”
so we with opened eyes behold the glory of the Lord, which is passed in
the passion of the martyrs, and present in their working. We have
escaped, brethren, no slight lead of shame; we had patrons and knew it
not. We have found this one thing, in which we seem to excel
those who have gone before us. That knowledge of the martyrs,
which they lost, we have regained.