means conquer and subdue the powers of Hell: The lion of the tribe of Juda hath prevailed. [Apoc. 5:5] David says that the will to save us and to free us from death is a part and property of God's Divine nature. Our God is the God of salvation: And of the Lord, of the Lord are the issues from death. [Ps. 67:21] On which passage Bellarmine makes this commentary: "This is proper to Him, this is His very nature; our God is a saving God, and of our God are the issues of death---that is, the delivery from death." Are we indeed weak? Let us put our trust in Jesus Christ, and we shall be capable of all things: I can do all things in Him Who strengtheneth me, said the Apostle. [Phil. 4;13] I am able for all things, not by my own strength, but by the strength which my Redeemer has obtained for me through His merits: Have confidence, I have overcome the world. [John 16:33] Take courage, my children, Jesus Christ says to us; if you are unable to resist your enemies, I have overcome the world, and know that I have overcome it for you. My conquest was to give you the spoils; avail yourselves now of the arms which I leave you to defend yourselves, for you are sure to triumph.
What are the arms which Jesus Christ has left us? They are two, the use of the Sacraments and prayer.
Everybody knows that by means of the Sacraments, especially of penance and the Holy Eucharist, are imparted to us the graces which our Saviour has merited for us; and experience shows us every day that those who frequent the Sacraments easily keep themselves in the grace of God. And, especially, how is he that often
