33. Wisd. iii. 6.
182 ST. AUGUSTINE them, contend against the barbarians, their visible enemies. Would that one faith existed in all, for then there would be less weary struggling, and the devil with his angels would be more easily conquered; but since it is necessary in this life that the citizens of the kingdom of heaven should be subjected to temptations among erring and impious men, that they may be exercised, and "tried as gold in the furnace," ^^ we ought not before the appointed time to desire to hve with those alone who are holy and righteous, so that, by patience, we may deserve to receive this blessedness in its proper time.
Think, then, of this first of all, when you are arming for the battle, that even your bodily strength is a gift of God; for, considering this, you will not employ the gift of God against God. For, when faith is pledged, it is to be kept even with the enemy against whom the war is waged, how much more with the friend for whom the battle is fought! Peace should be the object of your desire; war should be waged only as a necessity, and waged only that God may by it deliver men from the necessity and preserve them in peace. For peace is not sought in order to the kindling of war, but war is waged in order that peace may be obtained. Therefore, even in waging war, cherish the spirit of a peace-maker, that, by conquering those whom you attack, you may lead them back to the advantage of peace; for our Lord says: "Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God." ^* If, however, peace among men be so sweet as procuring temporal safety, how much sweeter is that peace
33. Wisd. iii. 6. 34. Matt. V. 9.