WORKS OF ST. CHRYSOSTOM. [HOMILY III. see these 1 soldiers, who though no war disturbs them, but it is profound peace, brightening up their arms, and going forth with the teachers who teach them tactics, into the broad and level plains, I may say, every day, keep up with the greatest strictness the exercises of war? Of our spiritual soldiers, who has done this? No one. For this reason we become in war weak and ignoble, and easily led captive by any. But what stupidity is this, not to think the present a season of war, when Paul is crying out, "Yea, and all that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Tim. hi. 12); and Christ says, "In the world ye shall have tribulation." (John xvi. 33.) And again the blessed Paul with a loud voice cries out, saying, " Our wrestling is not against flesh and blood," and again, " Stand therefore, hav ing girded your loins with truth." (Eph. vi. 12 and 14.) Why dost thou arm us, tell me, when it is not war? Why dost thou give us trouble to no purpose ? Thou puttest breast plates on the soldiers, when it is allowed them to rest and revive. But he would have said, Certainly, however, though it were not war, it would be right to attend to the concerns of war. For he who in peace considers the business of battle, will be formidable in the season of battle ; but he who is without experience in the things of war, will be more troubled even in peace. Why so? Because he will weep for the things which he possesses, and not being able to fight for them, will be in anguish. For the posses sions of the cowardly and inexperienced and ignoble in war, are the property of all who are brave and warlike. So that on this account first I arm you. But then also the whole time of our life is the season of war. How and in what respect? The devil is ever at hand. Hear what it says, " As a roaring lion, he walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." (i Pet. v. 8.) Numberless bodily affections assail us, which it is necessary to enumerate, that we may not vainly deceive ourselves. For tell me, what does not war against us ? Riches, beauty, pleas ure, power, authority, envy, glory, pride? For not only does our own glory war against us, for bidding us to descend to humility ; but the glory of others also, leading us to envy and ill-nature. But what do their opposites, poverty, dishonor, the being despised, rejected, the having no power? These things indeed are in us. But from men proceed wickedness, plots, deceits, slanders, assaults innumerable. In like manner on the part of the demons, " principalities, pow ers, the world-rulers of this darkness, spiritual hosts of wickedness." Some of us are rejoicing, others grieving, both are deviations from the right course. But health and sickness (war 1 i.e. earthly. against us). From what quarter will not man be falling into sin? Would you that I should tell you from the beginning, commencing even immediately from Adam? What took captive the first created ? Pleasure, and eating, and the love of dominion. What the son whc came next after him? Grudging and envy. What those in the time of Noah? Fleshly pleasures, and the evils issuing from them. What his son ? Insolence and irreverence. What the Sodom ites? Insolence, wantonness, and fullness of bread. But often even poverty has this effect. On this account a certain wise man said, " Give me neither poverty nor riches." (Prov. xxx. 8.) However it is neither poverty nor riches, but the will that cannot use either of them. " Ac knowledge," he says, " that thou passest through the midst of snares." (Ecclus. ix. 13.) The blessed Paul has admirably said, " Here unto we are appointed." He has not said merely, that we are tempted, but that " here unto we are appointed," as if he had said, For this were we born. This is our business, this our life, and dost thou seek rest? The execu tioner does not stand over us, lacerating our sides, and compelling us to sacrifice ; but the desire of riches, and of possessing more, is in stant, tearing out our eyes. No soldier has kindled a pile, nor placed us on a gridiron, 2 but more than this, the flames of the flesh set fire on our souls. No king is present promising numberless bounties, and putting us out of countenance. But there is present a rage for glory, tickling us worse than he. A great war, truly, exceedingly great, ifwe would watch. And the present season too has its crowns. Hear Paul saying, " Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the righteous Judge shall give me . . . and not only to me, but also to all them that have loved His appearing." (2 Tim. iv. 8.) When thou hast lost a beloved and only son, whom thou wert bringing up in much wealth, displaying good hopes, himself being the only one to succeed to thine inheritance ; do not complain, but give thanks to God, and glorify Him who has taken him, and in this respect thou wilt not be worse thanAbraham. For as he gave him to God, when he commanded it, so thou hast not complained, when He has taken him. Hast thou fallen into a severe sickness, and do many come, constrain ing thee, some with charms, some with amulets, and others with other things, to remedy the evil? and hast thou borne it firmly and unflinch ingly from the fear of God, and wouldst thou have chosen to suffer all things rather than sub mit to do any of those idolatrous practices? - eiri KpaTi <cAt)s. From the Latin " Craticula." Such was the " Catasta" in the martyrdom of St. Laurence. Prud. Peristeph. H. ii. 399. An iron seat is mentioned as thus used at Vienne. Euseb.