does he become daily in himself, and the stronger the enemy against him.

6. Some suffer great temptations in the beginning of their conversion; others in the end.

Others again are much troubled almost through the whole of their life.

Some are but slightly tempted, according to the Divine wisdom and equity, which weigheth the states and deserts of man, and ordaineth all things for the welfare of His chosen ones.

7. We ought not therefore to despair when we are tempted, but so much the more fervently to pray unto God that He will vouchsafe to help us in all tribulations; for He will surely, according to the words of St Paul, make with the temptation a way to escape, that we may be able to bear it.

Let us therefore humble our souls under the hand of God in all temptations and tribulations, for He will save and exalt the humble.

8. In temptations and afflictions a man is proved, how much he hath profited; and his reward is thereby the greater, and his graces do more eminently shine.

Neither is it any such great thing if a man be devout and fervent, when he feeleth no affliction; but if in time of adversity he bear himself patiently, there is hope then of great growth in grace.

Some are kept from great temptations, and in small ones which do daily occur are often overcome; to the end that, being humbled, they may never presume on themselves in great matters.

CHAPTER XIV.

OF AVOIDING RASH JUDGMENT.

URN thine eyes unto thyself, and beware thou judge not the deeds of others. In judging of others a man laboureth in vain, often erreth, and easily sinneth; but in judging and examining himself, he always

laboureth fruitfully.

We often judge of things according as we fancy them; for private affection bereaves us easily of a right judgment.

If God were always the pure object of our desire, we should not be so easily troubled, through the repugnance of our carnal mind.

2. But oftentimes something lurketh within, or else occurreth from without, which draweth us after it.

Many secretly seek themselves in what they do, and know it not.

They seem also to live in good peace of mind, when things are done according to their will and opinion; but if things happen otherwise than they desire, they are straightway moved and much vexed.

Diversities of judgments and opinions cause oftentimes dissensions between friends, and between religious and devout persons.

3. An old custom is hardly broken, and no man is willing to be led farther than himself can see.

If thou dost rely more upon thine own reason or industry than upon that power which brings thee under the obedience of JESUS Christ, it will be long before thou

become illuminated; for God will have us perfectly subject unto Him, that, being inflamed with His love, we may transcend the narrow limits of human reason.

CHAPTER XV.

OF WORKS OF CHARITY.

OR no worldly thing, nor for the love of any man, is any evil to be done; but, yet, for the welfare of one that standeth in need, a good work is sometimes to be intermitted without any scruple, or even to be

changed for a better.

For by doing this, a good work is not lost, but changed into a better.

Without charity the outward work profiteth nothing; but whatsoever is done of charity, be it never so little and contemptible in the sight of the world, it becomes wholly fruitful.

For God weigheth more with how much love a man worketh, than how much he doeth. He doeth much that loveth much.

2. He doeth much that doeth a thing well. He doeth well that serveth the common good, rather than his own will.

Oftentimes a work seemeth to be of charity, but it is a work of the flesh, if natural inclination, self-will, hope of reward, and desire of our own interest are not absent.

3. He that hath true and perfect charity, seeketh himself in nothing but only desireth in all things that the glory of God should be exalted.

He also envieth none, because he seeketh no private

good; neither doth he rejoice in himself, but wisheth above all things to be made happy in the enjoyment of God.

He attributeth nothing that is good to any man, but wholly referreth it unto God, from Whom as from their fountain all things proceed; in Whom finally all the Saints do rest as in their highest fruition.

He that hath but one spark of true charity, will certainly discern that all earthly things are full of vanity.

CHAPTER XVI.

OF BEARING WITH THE DEFECTS OF OTHERS.

HOSE things that a man cannot amend in himself or in others, he ought to suffer patiently, until God order otherwise.

Think that perhaps it is better so for thy

trial and patience, without which all our

good deeds are not much to be esteemed.

Thou oughtest to pray notwithstanding when thou hast such impediments, that God would vouchsafe to help thee, and that thou mayest be able to bear them.

2. If one that is once or twice warned will not give over, contend not with him: but commit all to God, that His will may be done, and His name honoured in all His servants, Who knoweth well how to turn evil into good.

Endeavour to be patient in bearing with the defects and infirmities of others, of what sort soever they be; for that thyself also hast many failings which must be borne with by others.

If thou canst not make thyself such an one as thou

wouldest, how canst thou expect to have another in all things to thy liking?

We are desirous to have others perfect, and yet we amend not our own faults.

3. We will have others severely corrected, and will not be corrected ourselves.

The large liberty of others displeaseth us; and yet we will not have our own desires denied us.

We will have others kept under by strict laws; but in no sort will we ourselves be restrained.

And thus it appeareth, how seldom we weigh our neighbour in the same balance with ourselves.

If all men were perfect, what should we have to suffer of our neighbour for God?

4. But now God hath thus ordered it, that we may learn to bear one another's burdens; for no man is without fault; no man but hath his burden; no man is sufficient of himself; no man is wise enough of himself; but we ought to bear with one another, comfort one another, help, instruct, and admonish one another.

Occasions of adversity soonest discover how great virtue or strength each one hath.

For occasions do not make a man frail, but they shew what he is.