Page:TheYoungMansGuide.djvu/28



HE young  man's  lot  is  to  go  out  into a hostile  life. What is  necessary  for him? Behold the  warrior,  as  he  goes  forth  to the  field  of  battle. Is he  not  amply  provided with' all needful  weapons? When you,  my dear  young  friend,  go  forth  into  the  world, you are  going  to  encounter  mighty  enemies, the enemies  of  your  soul. You must,  therefore, put  on  a  strong  suit  of  armor,  one  which is capable  of  protecting  you. And what  is this  suit  of  armor? The apostle  St.  Paul describes it  in  the  following  words:  "Put you  on  the  armor  of  God,  that  you  may  be able  to  stand  against  the  deceits  of  the  devil" (Eph. vi.  11).

The first  and  most  powerful  weapon  in this  suit  of  armor  is  the  shield  of  faith,  as  the same apostle  says:  "In  all  things  taking  the shield  of  faith,  wherewith  you  may  be  able to  extinguish  all  the  fiery  darts  of  the  most wicked  one"  (Eph.  vi.  16). And, indeed, faith is  an  impenetrable  shield  against  the fiery darts  of  the  devil. When the  latter strives to  lead  us  astray,  by  inciting  us  to voluptuousness,  faith  lays  bare  to  our  view the abyss  of  hell,  in  order  that  we  may  behold