virtuous self-distrust, which is based on genuine humility and experimental self-knowledge, such as that we have spoken of.
This self-knowledge is clearly necessary for any one who seeks to have union with the supreme Light and uncreated Truth, and this the Divine Mercy teaches to the proud and to the presumptuous commonly through their falls; suffering them to fall into some sin, which they thought there was no chance of their doing, so that, gaining in this experimental way self-knowledge, they may learn to distrust themselves in every respect.
But the Lord has not recourse to so miserable a remedy as this, until milder means have been tried, and have failed to work all the good the Divine goodness had in view.
He permits a man to fall more or less in proportion to his pride and self-esteem; so that if there were no presumption, (as in the case of the Blessed Virgin Mary,) there would be no fall.
Therefore, when you happen to have a fall, betake yourself at once to the humble consideration of what you are, and earnestly seek from the Lord the true Light whereby you may know yourself, and entirely distrust yourself, if you do not want to fall again, and perhaps the next time into deeper sin.
