as he liveth,
because we have the root of temptation within ourselves, in that we are
born in concupiscence. One temptation or sorrow passeth, and another
cometh; and always we shall have somewhat to suffer, for we have
fallen from perfect happiness. Many who seek to fly from temptations
fall yet more deeply into them. By flight alone we cannot overcome,
but by endurance and true humility we are made stronger than all our
enemies.
4. He who only resisteth outwardly and pulleth not up by the root, shall
profit little; nay, rather temptations will return to him the more quickly,
and will be the more terrible. Little by little, through patience and
longsuffering, thou shalt conquer by the help of God, rather than by
violence and thine own strength of will. In the midst of temptation
often seek counsel; and deal not hardly with one who is tempted, but
comfort and strengthen him as thou wouldest have done unto thyself.
5. The beginning of all temptations to evil is instability of temper and
want of trust in God; for even as a ship without a helm is tossed about
by the waves, so is a man who is careless and infirm of purpose
tempted, now on this side, now on that. As fire testeth iron, so doth
temptation the upright man. Oftentimes we know not what strength we
have; but temptation revealeth to us what we are. Nevertheless, we
must watch, especially in the beginnings of temptation; for then is the
foe the more easily mastered, when he is not suffered to enter within
the mind, but is met outside the door as soon as he hath knocked.
Wherefore one saith,
Check the beginnings; once thou might'st have cured, But now 'tis past
thy skill, too long hath it endured.
For first cometh to the mind the simple suggestion, then the strong
imagination, afterwards pleasure, evil affection, assent. And so little by
little the enemy entereth in altogether, because he was not resisted at
the beginning. And the longer a man delayeth his resistance, the weaker
he groweth, and the stronger groweth the enemy against him.
6. Some men suffer their most grievous temptations in the beginning of
their conversion, some at the end. Some are sorely tried their whole life
long. Some there are who are tempted but lightly, according to the
wisdom and justice of the ordering of God, who knoweth the character
and circumstances of men, and ordereth all things for the welfare of His
elect.
7. Therefore we ought not to despair when we are tempted, but the
more fervently should cry unto God, that He will vouchsafe to help us
in all our tribulation; and that He will, as St. Paul saith, with the
temptation make a way to escape that we may be able to bear it.(2) Let
us therefore humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God in all
temptation and trouble, for He will save and exalt such as are of an
humble spirit.
8. In temptations and troubles a man is proved, what progress he hath
made, and therein is his reward the greater, and his virtue doth the more
appear. Nor is it a great thing if a man be devout and zealous so long as
he suffereth no affliction; but if he behave himself patiently in the time
of adversity, then is there hope of great progress. Some are kept safe
from great temptations, but are overtaken in those which are little and
common, that the humiliation may teach them not to trust to themselves
in great things, being weak in small things.
(1) Job vii. 1 (Vulg.). (2) 1 Corinthians x. 13.
CHAPTER XIV
On avoiding rash judgment
Look well unto thyself, and beware that thou judge not the doings of
others. In judging others a man laboureth in vain; he often erreth, and
easily falleth into sin; but in judging and examining himself he always
laboureth to good purpose. According as a matter toucheth our fancy,
so oftentimes do we judge of it; for easily do we fail of true judgment
because of our own personal feeling. If God were always the sole
object of our desire, we should the less easily be troubled by the erring
judgment of our fancy.
2. But often some secret thought lurking within us, or even some
outward circumstance, turneth us aside. Many are secretly seeking their
own ends in what they do, yet know it not. They seem to live in good
peace of mind so long as things go well with them, and according to
their desires, but if their desires be frustrated and broken, immediately
they are shaken and displeased. Diversity of feelings and opinions very
often brings about dissensions between friends, between countrymen,
between religious
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