§ 8. The Control of our Thoughts.

Keep thy thoughts and affections pure and innocent. When any bad thought, or evil image, or foolish mirth has come into thy mind, and thou feelest some impure affection arise in thy heart; be ashamed, and quickly and simply turn thyself away from it, bringing back the eyes of thy mind to God, or to some harmless subject, or making the holy and salutary sign of the cross.

Against the shameful inclinations and lusts of the flesh, it is of no little avail to reflect on the shortness and vileness of carnal pleasures, and on the corrupt nature of the flesh itself. For what is flesh, how soever fair and attractive it may appear, what is it but filth, and rottenness, and a noisome stench? If that delicate skin were taken off which displays such great beauty, the whole flesh would be hideous. We assuredly have to die, and after death the body will be come a most repulsive corpse.

The Angelical Salutation piously recited is of wonderful avail, and also the invocation of the Saints, and the fear and horror of losing the grace of God, and the diligent consideration of what it would be to be for ever separated from God and all His friends, and to be plunged into eternal torments with the devil in hell. But we most easily and happily overcome the evil suggestions of the malignant spirit, by despising them as though they were troublesome flies, rather than by answering them with much reasoning.