be able to fulfil Thy words, and to work out mine own salvation.

A Prayer against evil thoughts.

3. O LORD, my God, be not Thou far from me; my God, make haste to help me: for there have risen up against me sundry thoughts, and great fears, afflicting my soul.

How shall I pass through unhurt? how shall I break them to pieces ?

"I will go before thee and will humble the great ones of the earth; I will open the doors of the prison, and reveal unto thee hidden secrets."

Do, O Lord, as Thou sayest, and let all evil thoughts fly from before Thy{face.

This is my hope, my one only consolation, to flee unto Thee in every tribulation, to trust in Thee, to call upon Thee from my inmost heart, and to wait patiently for Thy consolation.

A Prayer for Mental Ellumination.

4. O merciful JESUS, enlighten Thou me with the clearness of Thine inward light, and take away all darkness from the habitation of my heart.

Repress Thou my many wandering thoughts, and break in pieces those temptations, which so violently assault me.

Fight Thou strongly for me, and vanquish the alluring desires of the flesh; that so peace may be obtained by Thy power, and that Thine abundant praise may resound in a holy temple, that is, in a pure conscience.

Command the winds and tempests; say unto the sea, be still; say to the north wind, blow not; and there shall be a great calm.

5. Send out Thy light and Thy truth, that they may shine

upon the earth; for until Thou enlighten me, I am but as earth without form and void.

Pour forth Thy grace from above, wash my heart in Thy heavenly dew, supply fresh streams of devotion to water the face of the earth, that it may bring forth fruit good and excellent.

Lift Thou up my mind which is pressed down by a load of sin, and draw up my whole desire to things heavenly; that having tasted the sweetness of celestial happiness, it may be irksome to me even to think of earthly things.

6. Do Thou pluck me away, and deliver me from all the unlasting comfort of this world; for no created thing can fully comfort and quiet my desires.

Join Thou me to Thyself with an inseparable band of love; for Thou, even Thou alone, dost satisfy him that loveth Thee, and without Thee all things are vain.

CHAPTER XXIV.

OF AVOIDING CURIOUS ENQUIRY INTO THE
LIVES OF OTHER MEN.

E not curious, my son, nor trouble thyself with idle cares.

What is this or that to thee? follow thou Me.

For what is it to thee, whether that man be such or such, or whether this man do or

speak this or that?

Thou shalt not need to answer for others, but shalt give account for thyself; why therefore dost thou entangle thyself?

Behold, I know every one, and do see all things that are done under the sun; also I understand how it is with every one, what he thinks, what he wishes, and what his intentions

are.

Unto Me therefore all things are to be committed; but do thou keep thyself in peace, and leave the unquiet to be as unquiet as they will.

Whatsoever they shall have done or said, shall come upon themselves, for Me they cannot deceive.

2. Be not careful for the shadow of a great name, or for the familiar friendship of many, or for the particular affection of men.

For these things both distract the heart, and greatly darken it.

Willingly would I speak My word, and reveal My secrets unto thee, if thou wouldst diligently observe My coming, and open unto Me the door of thine heart.

Be thou circumspect, and watchful in prayer, and in all things humble thyself.

CHAPTER XXV.

WHEREIN FIRM PEACE OF HEART AND TRUE SPIRITUAL PROGRESS CONSISTETH.

Y son, I have said: "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the worl giveth, give I unto you."

Peace is what all desire, but all do not care

for the things that pertain unto true peace. My peace is with the humble and gentle of heart; in much patience shall thy peace be.

If thou wilt hear Me and follow My voice, thou shalt be able to enjoy much peace.

WHAT then shall I do, Lord?

IN every matter look to thyself, what thou doest and sayest; and direct thy whole attention into this, to please Me alone, and neither to desire nor to seek any thing besides Me.

But of the words and deeds of others judge nothing rashly: neither do thou entangle thyself with things not entrusted unto thee, that thus thou mayest be little or seldom disturbed.

2. But never to feel any disturbance at all, nor to suffer any trouble of mind or body, belongs not to this life, but to the state of eternal rest.

Think not therefore that thou hast found true peace, if thou feel no heaviness; nor that all is well, if thou art vexed with no adversary; nor that all is perfect, if all things are done according to thy desire.

Do not thou think highly of thyself, nor account thyself to

be specially beloved, if thou be in a state of great devotion and sweetness; for it is not by these things that a true lover of virtue is known, nor doth the spiritual progress and perfection of a man consist in these things.

3. WHEREIN, then, O Lord, doth it consist?

IN giving thyself up with all thy heart to the divine will, not seeking thine own interest, either in great matters or in small, either in time or in eternity.

So shalt thou keep one and the same countenance, always giving thanks both in prosperity and adversity, weighing all things equally.

Be thou so full of courage, and so patient in hope, that when inward comfort is withdrawn, thou mayest prepare thy heart to suffer greater things; and do not justify thyself, as though thou oughtest not to suffer so great afflictions, but justify Me in whatever I appoint, and praise My holy name without ceasing.

Then thou walkest in the true way of peace, and thou shalt have a sure hope to see My face again with great delight.

Now, if thou attain to the full contempt of thyself, know that thou shalt then enjoy abundance of peace, as great as this thy state of sojourning is capable of.