82.  Nor indeed is there any distinction between the state of the people and that of the priesthood:  but it seems to me to be a simple fulfilment of the ancient curse, “As with the people so with the priest.” Isai. xxiv. 2; Hos. iv. 9.  Nor again are the great and eminent men affected otherwise than the majority; nay, they are openly at war with the priests, and their piety is an aid to their powers of persuasion.  And indeed, provided that it be on behalf of the faith, and of the highest and most important questions, let them be thus disposed, and I blame them not; nay, to say the truth, I go so far as to praise and congratulate them.  Yea! would that I were one of those who contend and incur hatred for the truth’s sake:  or rather, I can boast of being one of them.  For better is a laudable war than a peace which severs a man from God:  and therefore it is that the Spirit arms the gentle warrior, as one who is able to wage war in a good cause.