Prologue

IN this virtue, as in the third Cardo, the Gate of a rightly instituted life is turned, and therefore it is also Cardinal; if to this the anointing of the Spirit so accede that it is mobile to each of God's nods, and easily versatile, it will be counted among the seven Gifts: Hence Fortitude is Twofold; one a Virtue, the other a Gift. The first is moral, and is obtained sometimes by use, sometimes by infusion. The second always comes entirely from above, from the Father of lights, from whom is every perfect Gift. Of the first species of Fortitude I shall treat ex professo; of the other, however, I shall touch somewhat on this occasion: Further, this is the only virtue which, remaining unshaken amid the various and shifting vicissitudes of this age, emulates the stable lot of the Blessed; so that however much a strong man may be elevated in prosperity or depressed in adversity, he always clings to his origin with the utmost need, like the light which stands equally distant from the Sun, whether shining in shady valleys or resplendent on the highest mountains. It never allows itself to be puffed up by popular favor, being not unaware of itself, deeming itself to receive testimony from conscience alone: The incentive of this virtue, and at the same time its reward, is Love, at whose sense nothing looks insuperable, but all things it omens as favorable, and to be trodden with an easy foot; hence Fortitude is especially ascribed to love in the canticles: Strong as death is love; for death, insensible to so many and such great things by which we strive in vain to avert it, at last takes sense from all, and although livid with pale countenance, yet dominates the most powerful. Not otherwise does the strong man overcome whatever is aimed at him, and although with much humility of soul he grows cheap to the world, he never ceases to exercise that most absolute dominion; wherefore by St. Doctor tit.6. cap.7. he is compared to iron unconquerable, which so subdues the other metals that they obey its blow. Other splendid comparisons of Fortitude see with the Seraphic Doctor there.