Chapter LXI. How in this Battle we have need of continuing the Struggle even unto Death

AMONGST other things which are in request in this combat, one is the perseverance with which we ought to mortify incessantly our passions, which are never dead in this life; but, on the contrary, like evil weeds, spring up hourly.

And this is a battle which only ends when life ends, so that there is no escape for us from it; for he who does not fight in it, is of necessity either taken captive or killed.

Besides, we have to do with enemies who bear us an unceasing hatred, therefore we can never hope for peace from them, nor for a truce, inasmuch as they slay those most cruelly who most seek to make friends of them.

You have no need, on that account, to fear their power and number, since in this battle no one can be a loser except he wills to be. And the whole strength of our enemies is held in the Hand of our Captain, for Whose honour we have to contend.

He not only will not suffer you to be overborne, but He will even take up arms for you, and, being more powerful than all your adversaries, He will give the victory into your hand; if only you will fight manfully together with Him, and not trust in yourself, but in His Power and Goodness.

And if the Lord does not so quickly grant you the victory, do not lose heart, but be the more certain (and this will help you to fight confidently) that every thing which happens to you—even those which seem most unlikely to lead to, nay, which seem opposed to, victory (of whatever kind they may be)—He will overrule to your good and advantage, if you will only conduct yourself as a faithful and generous warrior.

You then, beloved, following your Heavenly Captain, Who for you has overcome the world, and has willed to die Himself, give yourself with a courageous heart to this battle, and to the utter destruction of all your foes; for if you leave but one alive, he will be as a beam in your eye and a thorn in your side, which will retard you in the course of so glorious a victory.