the mystical temple of god 610 Counsel teaches: what is to be done, in what place, at what time, by what means and to what end; how evil things are to be guarded against; by what means the virtues are to be acquired and retained; and by what way one is to climb to Heaven. Fortitude has its place in undertaking difficult tasks out of love for God, and with perseverance completing them, in overcoming temptations, in enduring adversities with a joyful spirit, and enjoying prosperity with moderation and not arrogantly, as indicated by that known saying of the Poet: “Remember to keep an undisturbed mind in adversity, just so refrain from arrogant joy in the possession of goods.”97 Piety pertains to the worship of God, to religion and the honor and love that should always be shown to one’s parents and ancestors. Finally, fear of the Lord diverts one from evil. All of these are to be observed together in the Martyrs. Did they embrace the evangelical rather than philosophical teachings?This was due to knowledge. Did they adhere to Christ the despised and crucified? This was due to wisdom. Did they prefer everlasting goods to fleeting ones? This was due to understanding. Did they put their lives in danger and sometimes avoid [danger] for reason of a greater good? This was due to counsel. Did they take upon themselves all kind of tortures for Christ with a willing magnanimity? This was due to fortitude. Did they keep the faith promised to God continuously to the end? This was due to piety. Did they prefer to undergo temporary death rather than suffer the loss of the grace of God? This was due to fear of the Lord. “In order that the gift of the Spirit” (I am completing my lampstand with Gregory) “may govern the mind against every single trial, it rules it in the seven virtues: that against foolish97 Horace, Odes, Bk. II, Ode 3, 1, in: The Poetry of Quintus Horatius Flaccus, Ed. G. Schimmelpfeng, Leipzig Berlin 1919, p. 37 — we may notice a different English translation of the words quoted here: “With a mind undisturbed take life’s good and life’s evil, temper grief from despair, temper joy from vainglory.” (Collection of British Authors, Tauchnitz Edition, vol. 1056: The Odes and Epodes of Horace by Lord Lytton, I, 154)
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