CHAPTER XI.

OF OBTAINING PEACE, AND OF ZEAL FOR
GROWTH IN GRACE.

E might enjoy much peace, if we would not busy ourselves with the words and deeds of others, and things which appertain nothing to our charge.

How can he abide long in peace, who thrusteth himself into the cares of others, who seeketh occasions abroad, who little or seldom cometh to himself?

Blessed are the single-hearted; for they shall enjoy much peace.

2. Why were some of the Saints so perfect and contemplative? Because they laboured to mortify themselves wholly to all earthly desires; and therefore they could with their whole heart fix themselves upon God, and be free for holy retirement.

We are too much led by our passions, and too solicitous for transitory things.

We also seldom perfectly overcome any one vice, and are not inflamed with a fervent desire to grow better every day; therefore we remain cold and lukewarm.

3. If we were perfectly intent upon our own hearts, and not entangled with outward things, then should we be able to relish divine things, and to have some experience of heavenly contemplation.

The greatest, and indeed the whole impediment is that we are not free from passions and lusts, neither do we endeavour to walk in the perfect way of the Saints; and when but a

B

small adversity befalleth us, we are too quickly dejected, and turn ourselves to human consolations.

4. If we would endeavour like brave men to stand in the battle, surely we should feel the assistance from Heaven.

For He Who giveth us occasion to fight, to the end we may get the victory, is ready to succour those that fight, and that trust in His grace.

If we esteem our progress in religious life to consist only in outward observances, our devotion will quickly be at an end. But let us lay the axe to the root, that being free from passions, we may find rest to our souls.

5. If every year we could root out one vice, we should sooner become perfect men.

On the contrary, we now oftentimes perceive that we were better and purer at the beginning of our conversion, than after many years of our profession.

Our fervour and profiting should increase daily but now it is accounted a great matter, if a man can retain but some part of his first zeal.

If we would do but a litttle violence to ourselves at the beginning, then should we be able to perform all things afterwards with ease and delight.

6. It is a hard matter to forego that to which we are accustomed, but it is harder to go against our own will.

But if we overcome not small and easy things, when shall we overcome harder things?

Resist thy inclination in the very beginning, and unlearn evil habits, lest perhaps by little and little they draw thee to greater difficulty.

O if thou didst but consider how much inward peace unto thyself, and joy unto others, thou wouldest procure by demeaning thyself well, I think that thou wouldest be more careful of thy spiritual progress.

CHAPTER XII.

OF THE PROFIT OF ADVERSITY.

T is good that we have sometimes troubles and crosses; for they often make a man enter into himself, and consider that he is here in banishment, and ought not to place his trust in any worldly thing.

It is good that we be sometimes contradicted, and this, although we do and intend well.

These things help often to the attaining of humility, and defend us from vain glory: for then we are more inclined to seek God for our inward witness.

2. And therefore a man should settle himself so fully in God, that he need not seek many comforts of men.

When a good man is afflicted, tempted, or troubled with evil thoughts; then he understandeth better the great need he hath of God, without Whom he perceiveth he can do no good thing.

Then also he sorroweth, lamenteth, and prayeth, by reason of the miseries he suffereth.

Then he is weary of living longer, and wisheth that death would come, that he might depart and be with Christ.

Then also he well perceiveth, that perfect security and full peace cannot be had in this world.

CHAPTER XIII.

OF RESISTING TEMPTATION.

O long as we live in this world we cannot be without tribulation and temptation.

Hence it is written in Job, "The life of man upon earth is a life of temptation."

Every one therefore ought to be careful about his temptations, and to watch in prayer, lest the devil find an advantage to deceive him; for he never sleepeth, but goeth about seeking whom he may devour.

No man is so perfect and holy, but he hath some temptations, and we cannot be altogether without them.

2. Nevertheless temptations are often profitable though they be troublesome and grievous; for in them a man is humbled, purified, and instructed.

All the Saints passed through man's tribulations and temptations, and profited thereby.

And they that could not bear temptations, became reprobate, and fell away.

There is no order so holy, nor place so secret, but there are temptations, or adversities in it.

3. There is no man that is altogether free from temptations: for the root thereof is in ourselves, who are born with inclination to evil.

When one temptation or tribulation goeth away, another cometh ; and we shall ever have something to suffer, because we are fallen from the state of our felicity.

Many seek to fly temptations, and fall more grievously into them.

By flight alone we cannot overcome, but by patience and true humility we become stronger than all our enemies.

4. He that only avoideth them outwardly, and doth not pluck them up by the roots, shall profit little; yea temptations will the sooner return unto him, and will be more violent than before.

By little and little, and by patience with long-suffering through God's help, thou shalt more easily overcome, than by violence and thine own disquietude.

Often take counsel in temptations, and deal not roughly with him that is tempted; but give him comfort, as thou wouldest wish to be done to thyself.

5. The beginning of all evil temptations is inconstancy of mind, and small confidence in God.

For as a ship without a helm is tossed to and fro by the waves; so the man who is careless and forsaketh his purpose, is many ways tempted.

Fire trieth iron, and temptation a just man.

We know not oftentimes what we are able to do, but temptation shows us what we are.

Yet we must be watchful, especially in the beginning of the temptation; for the enemy is then more easily overcome, if he be not suffered to enter the door of our hearts, but be resisted at the very gate, on his first knocking.

Wherefore one said, "Withstand the beginnings; the remedy comes often too late, when the evil has grown strong through delay."

For first there cometh to the mind a bare thought of evil, then a strong imagination thereof, afterwards delight, and evil motion, and then consent.

And so by little and little our wicked enemy getteth complete entrance, for that he is not resisted in the beginning. And the longer a man is negligent in resisting, the weaker