10
" The Archdeacon gripped it (the chalice) more firmly, and, keeping his eyes on it, turned to face the others.
Something is going on, he said, almost harshly. I do not know what. It may be that God is dissolving it-but I think there is devilry. Make yourselves paths for the Will of God . . .”
“Pray,” the Archdeacon cried out, “pray, in the name of God. They are praying against him tonight. . . .”
“Against what shall we pray?” The Duke cried.
“Against nothing,” the Archdeacon said. “Pray that he who made the universe may sustain the universe, that in all things there may be delight in the justice of His will.”
. . . The tower was indeed a tower of defence, though it offered no aggression, and resisted whatever there was to be resisted merely by its own immovable calm. "
― Charles Williams , War in Heaven
12
" Go to church? Yes, if you like, I’m afraid”, she added, blushing rather more deeply as she looked at the stranger again, “that we don’t go as regularly as we should.”
“It is a means,” he answered, “one of the means. But perhaps the best for most, and for some almost the only one. I do not say that it matters greatly, but the means cannot both be and not be. If you do not use it, it is a pity to bother about it; if you do, it is a pity not to use it. "
― Charles Williams , War in Heaven
13
" . . . but something awaits him surely of ruin and of despair.”
“It may be,” the stranger said, “but perhaps a happy ruin and a fortunate despair. These things are not evil in themselves, and I think you fear them over much.”
“I fear all things,” Lionel answered, “and I do not understand how it is that men do not fear them more. In the town it is bad enough, but there one is deafened and blinded by people and things. But here everything is so still and meditative, and I am afraid of what those meditations are. . . . Can’t you see that when life is most pleasant one suspects it most? Unless one can drug oneself with the moment and forget.”
“I do not think you drug yourself much, the stranger said, smiling. “Are you sure you do not love your fears? "
― Charles Williams , War in Heaven