Corpus Scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum Latinorum, Vol. LIV: Augustini Epistulae Pars I

Perhaps he will propose riches and glory, but it will be said to him: "Those who desire to become rich fall into a mousetrap and temptations," cf. 1 Timothy 6:9 and: "All my glorying is in Christ." cf. Romans 15:17, Galatians 6:14 He will shake his limbs, worn out by fasts, with debilitating sickness, but he will be repelled by the eloquence of the apostle: "When I am weak, then I am strong," cf. 2 Corinthians 12:10 and: "Power is perfected in weakness." cf. 2 Corinthians 12:9 He will threaten death, but he will hear: "I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ." cf. Philippians 1:23 He will hurl fiery darts, but they will be caught by the shield of faith. cf. Ephesians 6:16 And, not to say too much, Satan will attack, but Christ will protect. Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus, that in your day I have someone who can pray to you on my behalf. You yourself know—for the chests of individuals are open to you, you who search the secrets of the heart, you who see the prophet enclosed in the belly of such a beast in the deep—how he and I grew up together from tender infancy to the flowering of youth, how the same bosoms of nurses and the same embraces of caretakers nurtured us, and how, after our Roman studies, when we enjoyed the same food and equal hospitality on the semi-barbaric banks of the Rhine, I was the first to begin to wish to worship you. Remember, I pray, that this soldier of yours was once a novice with me. I have the promise of your majesty: "Whoever has taught and not practiced, he will be called the least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever has practiced and taught, he will be called great in the kingdom of heaven." cf. Matthew 5:19