Ante-Nicene Fathers/Volume IV/Commodianus/The Instructions of Commodianus/Chapter 54

LIII.&#8212;To the Soldiers of Christ.

When thou hast given thy name to the warfare, thou art held by a bridle.&#160; Therefore begin thou to put away thy former doings.&#160; Shun luxuries, since labour is threatening arms.&#160; With all thy virtue thou must obey the king&#8217;s command, if thou wishest to attain the last times in gladness.&#160; He is a good soldier, always wait for things to be enjoyed.&#160; Be unwilling to flatter thyself; absolutely put away sloth, that thou mayest daily be ready for what is set before thee.&#160; Be careful beforehand; in the morning revisit the standards.&#160; When thou seest the war, take the nearest contest.&#160; This is the king&#8217;s glory, to see the soldiery prepared.&#160; The king is present; desire that ye may fight beyond his hope.&#160; He makes ready gifts.&#160; He gladly looks for the victory, and assigns you to be a fit follower.&#160; Do thou be unwilling to spare thyself besides for Belial; be thou rather diligent, that he may give fame for your death.