§10TIMENDAS NON ESSE INIVRIAS ET POENAS PERSECVTIONVM QVIA MAIOR SIT DOMINVS AD PROTEGENDVM QVAM DIABOLVS AD INPVGNANDVM.
Iohannes in epistula sua probat dicens: maior est qui in uobis est quam qui in isto mundo. item in psalmo CXVII: non metuam quid mihi faciat homo: Dominus mihi auxiliator est. et iterum: isti in curribus et isti in equis, nos uero in nomine Dei nostri magnificabimur.
¦ ¦ THAT THE INJURIES AND PUNISHMENTS OF PERSECUTIONS ARE NOT TO BE FEARED, BECAUSE THE LORD IS GREATER TO PROTECT THAN THE DEVIL TO ATTACK. ¦ ¦ John in his epistle proves, saying: "Greater is He who is in you than he who is in this world." Likewise in Psalm 117: "I will not fear what man can do to me; the Lord is my helper." And again: "Some in chariots and some in horses, but we shall be magnified in the name of our God.
illi copulati sunt pedes et ceciderunt, nos autem exsurreximus et erecti sumus. et adhuc fortius docens et ostendens Spiritus sanctus castra diaboli non timenda et si bellum nobis hostis indixerit, in ipso magis bello spem nostram consistere et congressionem illam iustorum ad diuinae sedis et salutis aeternae praemium peruenire in psalmo XXVI ponit et dicit: si directa fuerint in me castra, non timebit cor meum: et si exsurrexerit super me bellum, in illud ego spero.
Their feet are bound and they have fallen, but we have risen and stand upright." And teaching still more powerfully and showing that the camp of the devil is not to be feared, and that if the enemy declares war against us, our hope consists rather in that very war, and that that clash of the righteous reaches the reward of the divine seat and of eternal salvation, the Holy Spirit lays down in Psalm 26 and says: "If a camp should be set against me, my heart shall not fear; and if war should rise up against me, in that I hope.
unum petii a Domino, hoc exquiram, ut habitem in domo Domini per omnes dies uitae meae. item in Exodo declarat scriptura diuina pressuris multiplicari nos potius et augeri dicens: quantoque eos deprimebant, tanto plures fiebant et inualescebant magis. et in Apocalypsi protectio diuina promittitur in passionibus nostris. nihil, inquit, eorum timeas quae passurus es. nec alius securitatem nobis et protectionem pollicetur quam qui et per Esaiam prophetam loquitur dicens: noli timere, quia te redemi et uocaui te nomine tuo: meus es tu.
One thing I have asked of the Lord, this I will seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life." Likewise in Exodus the divine Scripture declares that we are rather multiplied and increased by pressures, saying: "And the more they oppressed them, the more they became and increased all the more." And in the Revelation divine protection is promised in our sufferings: "Fear none of those things," He says, "which you are about to suffer." Nor does anyone else promise us security and protection than He who also speaks through the prophet Isaiah, saying: "Do not fear, because I have redeemed you, and called you by your name: you are mine.
et si transieris per aquam, tecum sum et flumina te non inundabunt.
And if you pass through water, I am with you, and rivers shall not overflow you.
et si transieris per ignem, non conbureris, flamma te non conburet, quoniam ego Dominus Deus tuus sanctus Israel qui te saluum facio. qui et in euangelio promittit auxilium diuinum Dei seruis in persecutionibus non defuturum dicens: cum autem uos tradiderint, nolite cogitare quomodo aut quid loquamini.
And if you pass through fire, you shall not be burned, the flame shall not burn you, because I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, who makes you safe." Who also in the Gospel promises that divine help will not be lacking to the servants of God in persecutions, saying: "But when they deliver you up, do not think how or what you should speak.
dabitur enim uobis in illa hora quid loquamini.
For it shall be given to you in that hour what you should speak.
non enim uos estis qui loquimini, sed spiritus patris uestri qui loquitur in uobis. et iterum: ponite in cordibus uestris non praemeditari excusare.
For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you." And again: "Settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand how to answer.
ego enim dabo uobis os et sapientiam, cui non possint resistere [aduersarii uestri]. sicut in Exodo ad Moysen cunctantem et ad populum ire trepidantem [Deus] loquitur dicens: quis dedit os homini et quis fecit mogilalum et surdum et uidentem et caecum? nonne ego Dominus Deus? et nunc perge, et ego aperiam os tuum et instruam te quid loquaris. nec difficile est Deo aperire os hominis deuoti sibi et confessori suo inspirare constantiam et fiduciam loquendi qui in Numeris aduersus Balaam prophetam etiam asinam fecerit loqui.
For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which your adversaries shall not be able to resist." Just as in Exodus God speaks to Moses as he hesitates and trembles to go to the people, saying: "Who gave a mouth to man, and who made the dumb, and the deaf, the seeing, and the blind? Was it not I, the Lord God? And now go, and I will open your mouth, and instruct you what you shall speak." Nor is it difficult for God to open the mouth of a man devoted to Him, and to inspire constancy and confidence of speaking in His confessor, He who in Numbers made even a donkey speak against Balaam the prophet.
quare in persecutionibus nemo cogitet quod periculum diabolus inportet, sed immo consideret quod auxilium Deus praestet, nec mentem labefactet humana infestatio, sed corroboret fidem diuina protectio, quando unusquisque secundum dominica promissa et fidei suae merita tantum accipiat de Dei ope quantum se credat accipere, nec sit quod omnipotens praestare non possit, nisi si accipientis fides caduca defecerit.
Therefore in persecutions let no one think what danger the devil brings in, but rather let him consider what help God provides; and let not human infestation weaken the mind, but let divine protection strengthen faith, since each one according to the Lord's promises and the merits of his faith receives as much of God's help as he believes he will receive, nor is there anything that the Almighty cannot provide, unless the recipient's failing faith should falter.