Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Ephesians 6:10-11
Victor of Marseilles (3rd century)
Soldiered On
Victor, a soldier in the Roman army at Marseilles in the 3rd century, urged Christians to stand firm in their faith as the region prepared for a visit by the persecuting Emperor Maximian. As a result of this he was brought before the emperor and convicted of treachery.
Victor was dragged through the streets, put on the rack and imprisoned, but he still refused to worship pagan gods, saying, “I despise your deities, and confess Jesus Christ; inflict upon me what torments you please.” Three prison guards with whom he had shared his faith converted to Christianity. But when this was discovered they were beheaded, while Victor was subjected to further torture. The soldier refused to offer incense to the god Jupiter, so he was crushed in a millstone and had his head cut from his body.
It is not armour as armour, but as armour of God, that makes the soul impregnable.
William Gurnall (1617-79)