Chap. XII Of Learning Patience, and of Fighting Against Concupiscence
1. O Lord God, patience, as I perceive, is very necessary for me; this life is exposed to many adversities:
For howsoever I propose for my peace, my life cannot be without war and sorrow.
2. So It is, Son; but I would not have thee seek for such a peace as to be without temptations, or to meet with no adversities.
But even then to think thou hast found peace, when thou shalt be exercised with divers tribulations, and tried in many adversities.
If thou shalt say, thou art not able to suffer so much, how then wilt thou endure the fire of purgatory?
Of two evils one ought always to choose the least.
That thou mayest therefore escape the everlasting punishments to come, labour to endure present evils with patience for God’s sake.
Dost thou think the men of the world suffer little or nothing? Thou shalt not find it so, though thou seek out for the most delicate.
5. But, thou wilt say they have many delights, and follow their own wills; and therefore make small account of their tribulations.
4. Suppose it to be so, that they have all they desire: how long dost thou think this will last?
Behold, they shall vanish away like smoke that abound in this world, and there shall be no remembrance of their past joys.
Nay, even whilst they are living, they rest not in them, without bitterness, irksomeness, and fear.
For the very same thing, in which they conceive a delight, doth often bring upon them the punishment of sorrow.
It is just it should be so with them, that since they inordinately seek and follow their pleasures, they should not satisfy them without confusion and uneasiness.
Oh! how short, how deceitful, how inordinate and filthy, are all these pleasures!
Yet through sottishness and blindness men understand this not; but like brute beasts, for a small pleasure in this mortal life, they incur the eternal death of their souls.
But thou, my son, Go not after thy concupiscences, but turn away from thy own will. Ecclesiastes xviii.
[USCCB: Sirach xviii. 30.]
Delight in the Lord, and he will give thee the requests of thy heart. Psalms xxxvi.
[USCCB: Psalms xxxvii. 4.]
5. For if thou wilt be delighted in truth, and receive more abundant consolation from me, behold it is in the contempt of all worldly things: and the renouncing all those mean pleasures shall be thy blessing, and an exceeding great comfort to thy soul.
And the more thou withdrawest thyself from all comfort from things created, the more sweet and the more powerful consolation shalt thou find in me.
But thou shalt not at first attain to these without some sorrow and labor in the conflict.
The old custom will stand in thy way, but by a better custom it shall be overcome.
The flesh will complain, but by the fervour of the spirit it shall be kept under.
The old serpent will tempt thee and give thee trouble; but by prayer he shall be put to flight: moreover, by keeping thyself always employed in some useful labour, his access to thee shall be in a great measure stopt up.