e, or be successful in war? In my opinion, this is impossible; but
perhaps some will say, that what is holy, and what is righteous, is
indeed on our side, but that the Arabians are either more courageous or
more numerous than we are. Now, as to this, in the first place, it is
not fit for us to say so, for with whom is what is righteous, with them
is God himself; now where God is, there is both multitude and courage.
But to examine our own circumstances a little, we were conquerors in the
first battle; and when we fought again, they were not able to oppose us,
but ran away, and could not endure our attacks or our courage; but
when we had conquered them, then came Athenion, and made war against us
without declaring it; and pray, is this an instance of their manhood? or
is it not a second instance of their wickedness and treachery? Why are
we therefore of less courage, on account of that which ought to inspire
us with stronger hopes? and why are we terrified at these, who, when
they fight upon the level, are continually beaten, and when they seem
to be conquerors, they gain it by wickedness? and if we suppose that any
one should deem them to be men of real courage, will not he be excited
by that very consideration to do his utmost against them? for true valor
is not shown by fighting against weak persons, but in being able to
overcome the most hardy. But then if the distresses we are ourselves
under, and the miseries that have come by the earthquake, hath
aftrighted any one, let him consider, in the first place, that this
very thing will deceive the Arabians, by their supposal that what hath
befallen us is greater than it really is. Moreover, it is not right that
the same thing that emboldens them should discourage us; for these men,
you see, do not derive their alacrity from any advantageous virtue of
their own, but from their hope, as to us, that we are quite cast down
by our misfortunes; but when we boldly march against them, we shall soon
pull down their insolent conceit of themselves, and shall gain this by
attacking them, that they will not be so insolent when we come to the
battle; for our distresses are not so great, nor is what hath happened
all indication of the anger of God against us, as some imagine; for such
things are accidental, and adversities that come in the usual course of
things; and if we allow that this was done by the will of God, we must
allow that it is now over by his will also, and that he is satis