#226 The Homeland of Peace

"It is one thing from a wooded summit to catch a glimpse of the homeland of peace and not to find a way to it, but vainly to attempt a journey along an impracticable route surrounded by the ambushes and assaults of fugitive deserters with their chief, 'the lion and the dragon' (Ps. 90:13). It is another thing to hold on to the way that leads there, defended by the protection of the heavenly emperor. There no deserters from the heavenly army lie waiting to attack. For this way they hate like a torture."

-- Augustine, Confessions, Book VII xxi (27)