Page:Spiritualcombat.djvu/46

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OF THE EXERCISE OF THE WILL
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accident, or some one's interference, presently he is troubled and vexed, and begins to murmur at this or at that, not to say, sometimes even against God Himself,—too clear a proof that he was not wholly seeking the Will of God, and that the motive was rotten and corrupt at its core.

For every soul which moves as God moves it, and aims at pleasing Him only, does not wish for this more than for that; nor to have any thing unless God wills to give it, nor to have it except in the way and for the time He appoints: such a soul is equally contented, whether having or not having it. For in either case it obtains its purpose, and its wish is fulfilled, which was nothing else but the good pleasure of God.

Therefore keep yourself habitually recollected, and be diligent in directing all your actions to this perfect end.

And if sometimes you are moved to do good, (according to the bent of your natural disposition) by fear of the pains of Hell or hope of the joys of Paradise, you may even through these motives look ultimately to the good pleasure and Will of God, Who delights not at your departure into Hell, but at your entrance into His Kingdom.

The dignity and power of this motive no man can fully comprehend; a single action—even the least and most insignificant—done with the view