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 and the chiefest over himself in mortification, the other in prayer, seeing the one cannot be attained unto without the other.

As it is not lawful to desire consolations and spiritual comforts, to that end that in them we should set up our rest, but only as they assist us in our spiritual progress, much less is it lawful to wish for visions, revelations, and the like; which to those who are not well grounded in humility, may be a great cause of their utter ruin. Neither is there any reason to fear that those who refuse or reject them, should be disobedient to God; because when it shall please God to reveal anything, he will do it after such a fashion that he to whom such things shall be revealed shall be so certain of them, that he will have no reason either to fear or doubt, though he should himself never so much strive against them.

We must have a special care not to speak to others of those sensible consolations, which Almighty God hath been pleased to recreate us withal: except it be to our spiritual director. Hence it is, that that mellifluous Doctor was wont to advise every one to have these words written in great letters in his chamber: My secret to myself: my secret to myself.

Moreover we must always take good heed to deal with God, with much humility and re-