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6. He that only avoideth them outwardly, and doth not pluck them up by the roots, shall profit little; yea, temptations will soon return unto him, and he shall feel them worse than before.

By patience (through God's help) thou shalt more easily overcome, than by harsh and disquieting efforts in thy own strength.

Often take counsel in temptations; and deal not roughly with him that is tempted.

7. The beginning of temptation is inconstancy of mind, and little confidence in God. For as a ship without a rudder is tossed to and fro with the waves; so, the man that is negligent is many ways tempted. Fire trieth iron, and temptation a just man.

We know not often what we are able to do: but temptations show us what we are.

We must be watching, especially in the beginning of the temptation; for an enemy is then more easily overcome, if he be not suffered to enter the door of our hearts, but be resisted without the gate at his first knock.

Wherefore, one said, "Withstand the beginning; for an after-remedy comes too late.”

First there occurreth to the mind a simple evil thought; then, a strong imagination; afterwards, delight; and lastly, consent.

And so by little and little our malicious enemy getteth entrance, when he is not resisted in the beginning.

And the longer one is slack in resisting, the weaker he becomes daily, and the enemy stronger against him.

8. Some suffer the greatest temptation in the beginning of their conversion; others, in the latter end. Others again are much troubled, almost throughout their life.

Some are but slightly tempted, according to the Wisdom which weigheth the states of men, and ordereth all things for the good of his people.

9. We ought therefore, when we are tempted, so much the more fervently to pray unto God, who surely will make with the temptation a way to escape, that we may be able to bear it. Let us, therefore, humble ourselves under the hand of God, in all temptations and tribulations; for he will exalt the humble in spirit.

10. In temptations and afflictions man is proved how much he hath profited. Neither is it any such great thing, if a man be devout and fervent, when he feeleth no affliction; but if, in time of adversity, he bears himself patiently, there is hope then of great proficiency.

Some are kept from great temptations; that being humbled, they may never trust themselves in great matters, who are baffled in so many things.

CHAPTER XI.

Of avoiding Rash Judgments.

TURN thine ear unto thyself, and beware thou judge not the deeds of other men.

In judging of others, a man laboureth in vain, often erreth, and easily sinneth; but in judging and examining himself, he labours faithfully.

We often judge of things according as we fancy them; for affection bereaves us easily of a right judgment.

If God were always our desire, we should not be so much troubled when our inclinations are opposed. 2. But oftentimes something lurks within, which draweth us after it.

Many secretly seek themselves in their actions, but know it not.

They live in peace of mind, when things are done according to their will; but if things succeed otherwise than their desire, they are straightway troubled.

Diversity of inclinations and opinions often cause dissensions between religious persons, between friends and countrymen.

3. And old custom is hardly broken, and no man is willing to be led farther than himself can see.

If thou dost more rely upon thine own reason, than upon Jesus Christ, late, if ever, shalt thou be illuminated.

CHAPTER XII.

Of Works done out of Charity.

THE outward work, without charity, profiteth nothing; but whatsoever is done out of charity, be it ever so little or contemptible in the sight of the world, is wholly fruitful.

For God weigheth more with how much love one worketh, than how much he doeth.

2. He doeth much, that loveth much.

He doeth much, that doeth a thing well.

He doeth well that serveth his neighbour, and not his own will. Often it seemeth to be charity, when it is rather carnality; because natural inclination, self-will, hope of reward, the desire of our own interest, are motives that men are rarely free from.

3. He that hath pure and perfect charity seeketh himself in nothing; but only desireth in all things that God should be exalted. He envieth none, because he seeketh not his own satisfaction; neither rejoiceth in himself, but chooseth God only for his portion.

He attributeth nothing that is good to any man, but wholly referreth it unto God; from whom, as from the fountain, all things proceeded; and in whom finally all the saints rest.

O that he had but one spark of true charity! Then he would certainly discern that all earthly things are full of vanity.

CHAPTER XIII.

Of bearing with the Defects of others.

THOSE things that a man cannot amend in himself or in others, he ought to suffer patiently, until God orders things otherwise.

Think, that perhaps it is better so, for thy trial and patience.

2. If one that is once or twice warned will not give over, contend not with him; but commit all to God, that his will may be done, and his name hon

cured in all his servants, who well knoweth how to turn evil into good.

Study to be patient in bearing with the defects and infirmities of others, of what sort soever they may be, for that thou thyself also hast many, which must be suffered by others.

If thou canst not make thyself such a one as thou wouldest, how canst thou expect to have another in all things to thy liking?

We would willingly have others perfect, and yet we amend not our own faults.

We would have others exactly corrected, and yet we will not be corrected ourselves.

The liberty of others displeaseth us, and yet we will not have our own desires denied.

Thus it appears, how seldom we weigh our neighbour in the same balance with ourselves.

3. If all men were perfect, what should we have to suffer of our neighbour for God?

But now God hath thus ordered it, that we may learn to bear one another's burdens; for no man is without fault: no man but hath his burden; no man is self-sufficient; no man hath wisdom enough for himself; but we ought to bear with one another; comfort, help, instruct, and admonish one another. Occasions of adversity best discover how great virtue each one hath.

For occasions make not a man frail, but show what he is.

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