"An intellect faithful in the practice of the virtues is like St. Peter when he was taken captive by Herod(cf. Acts 12:3-18). The name 'Herod' means 'made of skins or leather', and so Herod signifies the law of leather, that is, the will of the flesh. St. Peter is guarded by two squads of soldiers and shut in by an iron gate. The two squads signify the attacks suffered by the intellect from the activity of the passions and from the mind's assent to the passions. When through the teaching of practical philosophy, as though with the help of an angel, the intellect has passed safely through these two squads or prisons, it comes to the iron gate which leads into the city. By this I mean the obdurate and stubborn attachment of the senses to sensible things."
The Philokalia vol. II, pp. 182

Any thoughts on this? Agreements, disagreements? All input is welcome.
Do you think that the law of leather is the law of nature?
By sensible things I think it's meant to rely on the material, the external influences,
or strictly on the rational mind.
5. 'So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.'
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%2012:3-18;&version=31;
Thank you.