CHAPTER V.

REMEDIES FOR PUSILLANIMITY IN THE CONVERTED SINNER.

IF the devil persecutes thee, if he afflicts thy spirit with his defilements, if thou art now forced against thy will to suffer what thou didst once willingly admit, let it not disturb thee. Whatsoever thou bearest against thy will, will not ruin thee, nor make thee 12offend God. For sin must be voluntary; what is not voluntary, is not sin. Resist, struggle, keep thy will free from consent, and then permit the devil and the flesh to rage. Although there may sometimes arise in the inferior animal powers of thy soul either a criminal delight in prosperity, or an inordinate sadness in adversity; although thou mayest feel in thyself an impulse of vainglory, anger, or any other vice; although thou mayest find thyself indisposed to obey; this interferes not at all with thy spiritual progress, nor mars the uprightness of thy life, provided that thou remainest quiet and undisturbed in the superior powers of thy mind, and clingest to God, without ever consenting to the absurd motions of the affections and passions.

Those things which belong to faith, do thou believe to be more certain than those which are discerned by the eyes. But, if thou shouldst begin against thy will to waver or to doubt, fly to God, and humbly exclaim, “I believe, Lord, help my unbelief.”

Contemn Satan, the suggester of impious or unclean thoughts. Oppose to him the salutary sign of the cross of our Lord; and, turning away thy thoughts from his pestilent suggestions, occupy thyself with some pious meditation. Esteem him who thus barks at thee unworthy to be answered. But, if thou desirest to speak, say this or something similar; “Be silent, impudent tongue; begone, wicked one, with thy impiety and uncleanness. I hear thee not; thou art nothing to me, wretched one.” And say to God. “O Lord, help me; 1 would rather a thousand times undergo 13death than consent to iniquity; I would rather cease to live, than live having offended thee and lost thy grace.”

If the cunning serpent entices thee to vainglory, recall to mind the multitude and the enormity of thy sins. If he persuades thee to fail in confidence, bring to mind the abyss of the mercies of God, and his singular love and pity for thee. If he whispers some foolish thoughts on predestination or the other counsels and judgments of the Holy Trinity into which we ought not to enquire: do thou, despising the barking of that unclean dog, turn to God, and commit all things to His merciful dispensation; being fully persuaded that He is most desirous of thy salvation. They fall into a dangerous snare who dare rashly to scrutinise the judgments of God. Certain it is that every thing is just which the Lord does, which He ordains, which He permits: do thou believe this and rest upon it, seeking nothing farther.

If thou shouldst suffer in thy sleep any defilement, be not cast down; for it will not be imputed to thee, provided that on awaking and recovering consciousness, thou dost detest whatever is impure. It will not, I say, be imputed to thee, although thou mayest seem to have given occasion for what thou now sufferest by the impurity of thy former life. For thou hast already laid down the burden of thy past sins, by salutary confession; thou hast already repented of thy former conversation, and thou strivest to amend it. Therefore let nothing of this kind cast thee down from the stability of holy confidence.