of Sabaoth,--that is, a Lord over the hosts. So also,
_Dominus potens in praelio_--the Lord mighty in battle.

And thereby He shows how powerful He is, that He permits His people
to be exposed in the conflict and rush upon the points (of the
javelins). Yet so that while the trumpets are ever sounding He is
ever observant, (saying) beware here, beware there; thrust here,
strike there. Besides, it is a lasting conflict, in which you are to
do all that you can, so that you may strike down the devil by the
word of God. We must therefore ever make resistance, and call on God
for help, and despond of all human powers.--Now follows further:

V. 12. _And lead an honest life, that those who have slandered you,
as evil-doers, may see your good works and praise God._ Mark now what
an excellent order St. Peter has observed. He has already taught us
what we should do in order to subdue the flesh with all its lusts.
Now he teaches us again why this should be. Why should I subdue my
flesh? that I may be saved? No, but that I may lead an honest life
before the world. For this honest life does not justify us, but we
must first be justified and believe before we attempt to lead an
honest (pious) life. But as to outward conduct, this I am not to
direct to my own profit, but that the unbelieving may thereby be
reformed and attracted, that they through us may come to Christ;
which is a true mark of love, though they slander and asperse us, and
hold us as the worst wretches. Therefore we should exhibit such an
excellent course of action, that men shall be compelled to say,
Certainly they cannot be blamed.

We read that when the emperors reigned, and persecuted the
Christians, no fault could be found with the latter, except that they
called on Christ and considered Him as God. So Pliny writes in his
letter to Trajan, the Emperor, that he knew of no wrong that the
Christians did, except that they came together every morning, early,
and sang songs of praise in order that they might honor their Christ
and receive the sacrament; besides this, none could bring any charge
against them. Therefore St. Peter says: Ye must endure to have men
asperse you as evil-doers, and for this reason you are to lead such a
life that you shall do no man injury, and in this manner you shall
bring about their reformation. _Till that day arrive;_ that is, ye
must endure it as long as men reproach you, till all shall be set
forth and revealed, so that it shall be