Page:Spiritualcombat.djvu/23

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
8
OF DISTRUST OF OURSELVES

Christian lies, and that to obtain it you must enter upon a constant and sharp warfare against self; you must provide yourself with four very safe and highly necessary weapons, that you may win the palm, and be finally a conqueror in this spiritual conflict—these are,

Distrust of self I.
Trust in God II.
Spiritual Exercises III.
Prayer IV.

Concerning all these, with God's help, we intend plainly and briefly to treat.


CHAPTER II.

Of Distrust of Ourselves.

DISTRUST of yourself is so necessary in the spiritual combat, that without it you may be assured that you will neither gain the desired victory, nor be able to overcome even the weakest of your passions. You must be firmly convinced in your mind that this is the case, for we are too prone through our natural corruption to make a false estimate of ourselves; so that, though we are absolutely nothing, we persuade ourselves that we are something, and presume without the slightest foundation on our own strength.