1 Samuel 13:6

When the men of Israel heard this, that they were positioned on high places, etc. When the faithful perceive the snares of the ancient enemy to be prepared to combat, either within themselves or in their neighbors by means of humility's walls, or perhaps even some of the weaker ones afflicted by their frequent incursions, it is necessary at once to resort to the bulwarks of spiritual readings, fasts, alms, prayers, and other virtues by which they may be defended and hidden from the contradiction of tongues; and the Father, who sees in secret, may have mercy and help.

12. We are indeed in a narrow place when we are tempted inwardly by unclean spirits and outwardly behold the examples of evil men. Against the internal temptation of evil spirits, therefore, it is well said: "The people were afflicted," and against the outward examples of ungodly men: "They hid themselves." Because the cunning adversary suggests to us pleasant and joyful things to be desired, and he is never better conquered than if, when tempted, we run to the laments of devout prayer. And we can more quickly avoid the examples of the wicked if we judge that they are not even to be looked upon. Therefore, for the saints to hide is to disdain to look upon reprobate things. And because they guard the five senses of the body from the imitation of the reprobate, five kinds of hiding places are also described: namely caves, hidden places, rocks, caverns, and cisterns. Caves are indeed the hidden recesses of mountains: because the hearts of the saints are truly lofty in heavenly desire, and are closed and inaccessible to malignant spirits. We enter caves, therefore, when we retreat to the secrets of our minds, lest with wandering eyes we see things to be desired outside. We are hidden in secret places when we keep the hidden silence of a closed mouth. We ascend rocks when we place the activity of the body in vigorous work. Whence also concerning these hiding places, it is said through the prophet under one designation: "He who closes his eyes lest he see evil, and stops his ears lest he hear of blood, and shakes his hands free from every bribe: he shall dwell on high, the fortifications of rocks shall be his lofty refuge" (Isa. 33:15). We enter caverns and cisterns when we guard both our sense of smell from the obscenities of the world and our ears from hearing vain talk. For cisterns of water are the words of the Holy Scriptures. We are therefore hidden in cisterns when we enter into the waters of sacred speech, so that through the service of our ears we may water the meadows of our minds. And rightly are hiding places mentioned in the type of Israel as the elect: because whoever does not protect the senses of the body from the defilement of carnal pleasures does not escape the sword of hidden enemies. Let him therefore proclaim the victory of that hidden encounter, let him say: "The people were afflicted." Let him openly proclaim the triumphs of the outward…