Page:Spiritualcombat.djvu/69

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54
OF THE CONFLICT WITH OUR PASSIONS

infinitely blessed in the everlasting enjoyment of our God.


CHAPTER XVII.

Of the Order to be observed in the Conflict with our Evil Passions.

IT is of the utmost importance that we should know what order to observe in this combat, lest—as is the case with too many, to their great loss—we fight in a casual or formal manner. The best order for proceeding in this battle against your enemies and your evil inclinations is as follows:—

Having diligently examined your heart, and searched into the different thoughts and affections which encompass it, and having discovered by what passion it is most of all possessed and governed; then against this first, direct your attack. If it happens that, meanwhile, you are assailed by other enemies, you must turn against the one which at the moment threatens you and most closely attacks you, and then return at once to the chief point of conflict.