COLLATION V.
First collation on the gift of fortitude.
Summary.
Introduction, 1.
Exposition of the text: The Virgin Mary is commended for three things, 2. - First, for fortitude, 3.
Fortitude is a gift of God: threefold division of the argument, 4.
Part I. On the gift of fortitude on the part of the giver. It is given by God according to a threefold reason: by God protecting, redeeming, indwelling, 5-7.
Figure of this in Samson, 8.
Part II. On it on the part of the recipient. Threefold disposition, 9.
First, the soul is disposed through the unconquerable shield of faith, 10.
Second, through the imperturbable solace of hope, 11.
Third, through the inextinguishable fire of charity, 12.
Part III. On it on the part of the consequent work. It is given for three things: first, for accomplishing manly deeds, 13.
Second, for overthrowing the aerial powers, 14.
Third, for enduring worldly tribulations, 15.
1. Who shall find a valiant woman? Far and from the uttermost coasts is the price of her. She hath sought wool and flax, and hath wrought by the counsel of her hands.
Thy neck is as the tower of David, which is built with bulwarks: a thousand bucklers hang upon it, all the armor of valiant men. The last word is written in the Song of Songs and was said to the bride or mother Church, whose neck is like the tower of David: a thousand bucklers etc. It is called the neck, whence the doctrine of truth goes forth. The neck serves us for two things, namely, for receiving food and for expressing words. Thus mother Church is called the neck, because from her the doctrine of truth goes forth: whence it says: a thousand bucklers hang upon it. Likewise, from her proceeds the universality of words for strengthening souls: whence it says: all the armor of valiant men. There is nothing that avails for having spiritual fortitude that sacred Scripture does not set forth.
We must speak of the fourth gift of the Holy Spirit, namely, of the gift of fortitude. Let us ask the Lord at the beginning, etc.
2. Who shall find a valiant woman etc. This word is written in Proverbs: without doubt it was said in commendation of mother Church, and specially in commendation of the glorious Virgin. In which word she is commended for three things: first, for the strengthening of spiritual fortitude; second, for the fruitfulness of supernatural conception; and third, for the discretion of salutary counsel. The first is noted when it says: Who shall find a valiant woman etc. The second, when it says: Far and from the uttermost coasts is the price of her. The third it adds: She hath sought wool and flax etc.
Of the gift of fortitude we shall speak now: of the privilege of fruitfulness tomorrow in the morning, and of the gift of counsel tomorrow in the evening.
3. First, I say, she is commended for the strength of spiritual fortitude, when he says: Who shall find a valiant woman? He asks not in despair, but in confidence. Who then shall find her? Certainly he who reaches from end to end ; he himself shall find her and sent to her a bridesman, that is, Gabriel the Archangel. Gabriel is interpreted as the strength of God, and he himself was sent to find the valiant woman. Without doubt Solomon wished to rest in her as in a secure place; but this could not be unless she were strong, because it is said in the Canticle that sixty valiant ones surround the bed of Solomon. Solomon is interpreted as the desirable king: sixty valiant ones surround his bed. - The number sixty is perfect and arises from the multiplication of the number six by ten, and thus through it is signified the universality of works; or it arises from the multiplication of the number ten by the number six, and through it is signified the universality of the ten precepts of the decalogue. Insofar as one is strong and ready according to the dictates of the laws and precepts of the decalogue, then one is strong, such that one cannot be harmed from without. Whence in Proverbs: Strength and beauty are her clothing. Just as the body is adorned by its garment, so the soul is adorned by fortitude; therefore it is called the clothing of the soul; nor is fortitude only the clothing of the soul, or of the glorious Virgin, but indeed of Mother Church. Whence Isaiah: Arise, arise, O daughter of Sion; put on the garments of thy glory.
4. The discourse concerns the habit of fortitude, how we may be clothed with it. If we wish to describe fortitude rightly, we must note that it is from heaven. Whence in the book of Machabees: The victory of war is not in the multitude of the army, but strength is from heaven. The Psalm: God is wonderful in his saints; the God of Israel, he himself shall give power and strength to his people. Therefore fortitude is a gift of God. And that we may better know the gift of fortitude, we wish to say three things about this gift. First, I wish to describe it on the part of the giver; second, on the part of the receiver; and third, on the part of the consequent work.
5. First, I say, I wish to describe it on the part of the giver; and I say that it is given by God protecting, by God redeeming, and by God indwelling.
First, I say, the gift of fortitude is given by God protecting. For God protects us according to hierarchical ordering, fortifying us within and without. It is written in Proverbs: The name of the Lord is a most strong tower; the just man runs to it and shall be exalted: and in the same: The substance of the rich man is a city of strength and like a strong wall surrounding him. Fortitude is, as from a solid, sublime, and strong principle, from God; and the eternal God is the origin of fortitude in all things, because nothing is powerful nor strong except through the fortitude of the first principle. Therefore this fortitude descends from God protecting us as from the first principle according to hierarchical dispositions; which fortitude renders every man rich and secure and powerful and confident.
6. Second, this fortitude is from God redeeming through the incarnation of the divine Word. Whence Isaiah: The Lord is my strength and my praise, and he has become my salvation; you shall draw waters with joy from the fountains of the Savior. These are the waters in which the soul is strengthened, purified, redeemed, sanctified, and snatched from the power of demons. By what is the soul redeemed? It is said in Habakkuk: His splendor shall be as the light; horns are in his hands; there his fortitude is hidden. Likewise it is written: When a strong man armed guards his court, those things which he possesses are in peace; but if a stronger one than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he will take away all his armor in which he trusted, and will distribute his spoils. This stronger one is God, because the weakness of God is stronger than men. The Son of God was made weak for our sake.