9. Eph. vi. 16.
312 ST. AUGUSTINE threateneth hell. Here must thou at once take to thee thy faith as a shield, whereby thou mayest be able to quench all the fiery darts of the enemy.
But one of these powers is plotting, and contriving evil designs against thee. Well: he is but sharpening the razor wherewith to shave the hair, but not to cut the head. Ye have just now heard this that I have said in the Psalm, Thou hast worked deceit like a sharp razor. ^^ Why did He compare the deceit of a wicked man in power to a razor? Because it does not reach, save to our superfluous parts. As hairs on our body seem as it were superfluous, and are shaven off without any loss of the flesh; so whatsover an angry man in power can take from thee, count only among thy superfluities. He takes away thy poverty; can he take away thy wealth? Thy poverty is thy wealth in thy heart. Thy superfluous things only hath he power to take away, these only hath he power to injure, even though he had license given him so far as to hurt the body. Yea even this life itself to those whose thoughts are of another life, this present life, I say, may be reckoned among the things superfluous. For so the Martyrs have despised it. They did not lose life, but they gained Life.
Be sure. Brethren, that enemies have no power against the faithful, except so far as it profiteth them to be tempted and proved. Of this be sure,
Brethren, let no one say aught against it. Cast all your care upon the Lord, throw yourselves wholly and entirely upon Him. He will not withdraw Himself that ye should fall. He Who created us, hath given us security touching our very
9. Eph. vi. 16.