nay, and the place too, and the exercises. But this temptation is to be overcome by renouncing his own judgment, and by defpifing all other inftructions that are not approv'd by the Director. CHAP. IX.

From an irkfomeness and regret occafion'd the Novice by the oppofition of his Director, he is turn'd the quite contrary way, by another temptation which is the fifth in order; and he that before feem'd wholly given up to divine things, talks now of nothing but of worldly affairs and fecular matters; and therein feeks confolation and delight. But he must be call'd off by his Director from those matters and confolations, which are a great hindrance to divine comforts; and be employ'd in prayer, and va riety of devout exercises, left he pafs away his time idly and unprofitably: It would be a mighty furtherance alfo of his fpiritual growth, to converfe much with such perfons as fequefter and apply themselves to the like study of perfection. CHAP. X.

III. A defire to overcome his Paffions.

He that continues thus engaged in worldly affairs, and intermeddles in other people's concerns, under prerence of an ho

neft

neft zeal for the fpiritual good of others, poftpones the care of himfelf, and goes backward in the Chriftian Life. This is the cafe of many religious perfons, who were more holy and fervent at the beginning of their converfion, than after many years profeffion of a religious life. Wherefore he that would proceed in the Spiritual Life, muft not fit down contented with external obfervances only, but must use his utmost endeavours perfectly to overcome his paffions, and defire to advance daily in virtue and felf-denial. CHAP. XI.

Against the man, that feems heartily to purfue virtue and proficience, many enemies foon rife up, conceiving a finifter opinion of him; which is not only useful to him, but even neceffary: For he becomes thereby more humble and diligent in removing occafions of offence and reproach; and is under a fort of neceffity of having more frequent recourse to GOD. CHAP. XII.

Nor do Men only vex us, but the Devil alfo torments and perfecutes us with conti nual temptations, which are hugely beneficial to the Novice; for by these he is humbled, purify'd, and inftructed, to the end, that through many tribulations and temptations he may enter into the Kingdom

of

of God, as many Saints have enter'd; fome of which were tempted at the beginning of their converfion, others at the end; fome again all their life long; fome more fiercely, others more lightly; fome having furmounted great temptations, have been foiled by flight ones; that being thus humbled, they might never prefume upon their own ftrength, but manfully refift the beginning of a temptation, not by flight only, or by a fevere and boisterous treatment of themfelves, but by patience, and perfeverance, together with the divine aid, and the counfel of their Director, who will not deal roughly with him that is tempted, but gently and kindly, and as he would with to be treated himself, if he were in the like circumstances. CHAP. XIII.

The greatest and commoneft of thefe temptations, is the depending upon our own judgment; and the refufing to fubmit to the judgment and will of another. CHAP. XIV.

IV. A refolution not to commit any the leaft fin, upon any confideration what foever.

Yet we must fo truft the judgment of another, as not out of compliance to com

mit any fin, tho' never fo light and venial; tho' good works may fometimes be omitted for a good end, or rather exchanged for better. Therefore he that truly and earneftly defires to vanquish his paffions, muft take up a firm refolution upon no account to commit a fin, whether mortal, or venial. CHAP. XV.

What fhall he do therefore, if he difcerns in himself, or in another, fome evil which he is not able to conquer in himfelf, nor to amend in the other, after once or twice admonishing? He ought to bear it patiently, till GOD fee fit to order it otherwife. CHAP. XVI.

And to live as a ftranger and pilgrim upon earth, and to become a fool for the fake of Chrift. CHAP. XVII.

As all the Saints lived, whofe lives and converfations he ought diligently to call to mind, and to imitate their examples; which confift principally in three things. CHAP. XVIII.

First, That the foul acquiefce not in the bare external appearance of virtue, but that a man ftudy the exercise and practice of all virtues, by beginning anew every day, and frequently examining his Life. CHAP. XIX.

Secondly,

Secondly, That he feek times to retire, and converfe with himfelf; that he fly unnecessary conversation, idle gadding about, news and reports, and give himself to meditation, and the reading of pious Books. CHAP. XX.

V. The Fear of God, and Compunction of Heart.

Thirdly, That he preferve the fear of GOD upon his mind, by flying human mirth, and feeking compunction of heart: Which is acquired by four confiderations. CHAP. XXI.

First, That of human mifery, and of the fins that we have committed. CHAP. XXII. Secondly, Of death. CHAP. XXIII. Thirdly, By the confideration of the final Judgment, and of the pains of Hell CHAP. XXIV.

Fourthly, By confidering the ultimate end of a Chriftian; and above all other things the confideration of the life and paffion of Chrift, will be most helpful; nor need a man look out for any more effectual. CHAP. XXV.'

In the Latin: The pains of Hell, as well as thofe of Purgatory.

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