Commodian — Instructiones 52 (soldiers of Christ)
When you have given the name of military service, you are held by a bit. Begin then therefore to dismiss former deeds; avoid luxuries, since labor hangs over the arms; the King’s command must be obeyed with every virtue, if you wish to reach the last glad times. Always expect those things to be enjoyed as a good soldier; do not flatter yourself; omit sloth altogether; so that you may be present daily before your purpose, be anxious, revisit the standards early.
Latin
52 MILITIBUS CHRISTI. Militiae nomen cum dederis, freno teneris. Incipe tunc ergo dimitte<re> pristina gesta, Luxurias uita, quoniam labor inminet armis; Imperio Regis omni uirtute parendum, Tempora postrema si uis pertingere laeta. Illa bonus milis semper expecta fruenda, Blandire noli tibi, desidias omnino omitte; Ut tuo proposito cottidie praesto sis ante, Sollicitus esto, matutinus signa reuise. Cum uideris bellum, agonia sume propinquus; Haec gloria Regis, militem uidere paratum. Rex adest optato; propter spem dimicat uestram; Ille parat dona, ille pro uictoria lectos Suscipit et proprium satellem dedicat esse. Tu tibi praeterea in datis parcere noli, Impiger esto magis, ut reddat famam pro morte.