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him who by a word brought forth so many bodies, such bulk, such greatness? Do not fall down, stand nobly; nothing prevents your trophy from standing glorious. Knowing these things, therefore, beloved, let us be sober, let us strive, let us not sleep, but having polished our weapons, and strengthened our zeal, let us continually strike the enemy, so that having achieved a brilliant victory, we may with much glory enjoy the kingdom of heaven; which may we all attain, by the grace and loving-kindness of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

ON THE 124TH PSALM. They that trust in the Lord, as mount Zion.

1. What does the addition of Zion mean? For why did he not say simply, As a mountain, but mentions that mountain? To teach us not to be humbled in misfortunes, nor to be submerged, but hanging on the hope in God, to bear all things nobly, both wars, and battles, and disturbances. For since this mountain, once having become desolate and stripped of its inhabitants, returned again to its former prosperity, having received its ancient good fortune, by the return of its own people, by the displays of miracles; so also the noble man, even if he should suffer a thousand terrible things, will not be overturned. Therefore, do not seek a life without danger, 55.357 and without trouble, and without hardship, but one not carried away by dangers. For it is not the same to sit in a harbor and to display one's skill while being tossed on the open sea. For the one becomes sluggish, and flabby, and weak; but the other, having endured many reefs, and many ledges, and many violent winds, and the other terrible things from the sea, and having excelled in all these, makes his soul stronger. For you were brought into this present life for this reason, not that you might be idle, nor that you might be reclining, nor that you might suffer nothing terrible, but that by suffering you might become more glorious. Let us not then seek rest, nor a life full of luxury. For this is the desire not of a noble man, but of a worm, of a creature without reason rather than one with reason. But pray above all not to fall into temptation; but if you ever should enter into it. do not be vexed, do not be disturbed, nor troubled, but do all things so that you may become more glorious. Do you not see how the bravest of soldiers, when the trumpet calls, look to the trophies, to the victories, to the crowns, to the successful deeds of their ancestors? And so you, when the spiritual trumpet sounds, stand becoming more fierce than a lion; enter in, whether it be fire, or iron. The elements too know how to respect the truly brave. The wild beasts too know how to fear those who are so noble. And though it is wild from hunger, or from its very nature, it forgets all things when it sees a righteous man, and controls its passion. Therefore, fortify yourself with these weapons, and you will not fear even fire, even if you see the flame rising to heaven. You have a noble general, who is able to do all things, and who by a nod alone resolves terrible things. All things are his, both heaven, and earth, and sea, and wild beasts, and fire; all things are easy for him both to alter and to change for the better. From where then do you fear? Tell me. From nowhere else, but from sluggishness and your own indolence. Is not death the culmination of evils? But this too is the debt of nature. Why do you not trade on the debt? For if it is necessary to go this way both willingly and unwillingly, why not with profit? But with torments not temporary, but providing a pleasure greater than the pain. But if these things seem hard to you, consider those without reward