CHAPTER XIII.

ON SCRUPULOUS CONFESSIONS AND FAINT-HEARTEDNESS.

DO thou repel inordinate sadness, hurtful dejection of mind, superfluous scruples of conscience, untimely and confused repetitions of confessions once made, and other similar disquietudes of mind. It is not pleasing to God that we should be uneasy when we commit trifling offences, as ii it were over with our salvation; and as if He were ready to ensnare and ruin us, because, through inattention, we had forgotten and omitted such and such a circumstance in our confession.

He wishes us to give reasonable attention, that we may recollect what we have done amiss; and to declare before the Priest all that we remember, openly, simply, and without dissimulation. It is most useful frequently to confess our sins in this manner: lest, if the sacramental relation of them be long delayed, our sins should be forgotten; and, moreover, great benefits of grace result from frequent and humble confession.

For those who wish to lead a spiritual life, and especially 33for new beginners, the devil is accustomed with great assiduity to lay the snares of timidity, sadness, mistrust, and sloth; which thou wilt not escape but by pious confidence in God, and spiritual alacrity and promptitude, seeking also the divine assistance, Great timidity and excessive fear bring with them many evils; he who is possessed by them is involved in many errors, and fancies all that he does to be sinful; whence it happens that, being in perpetual anguish and disturbance of mind, he torments himself miserably without cause. Such persons are to be treated with great commiseration; but if they will promptly and boldly acquiesce in the counsels of a prudent guide, rather than in their own judgment, they will easily be cured.

When thou art wavering, when thou art anxious and doubtful, when arduous and difficult matters arise, do thou instantly fly to God, consult God, and with, all thy heart, with steadfast confidence, commit the whole affair to Him. Trust not to thine own industry, nor to thine own powers, but to the mercy of God; acknowledging thyself to be unable to conduct things rightly. And thus all things will end prosperously. For God will never neglect what thou hast humbly committed to Him; but will arrange, direct, and complete every affair, as He sees best for the good of thyself and others.