Page:MeditationsOnTheMysteriesOfOurHolyV1.djvu/157

 mitted through his persuasion, by consenting to his temptations. And moreover he will add false accusations from his own suspicions, as well because he knows not the intentions as also because his anger and malice doth blind him, making him hold as true that which is false. Therefore, O my soul, resist always the devil and admit nothing of his, that when he comes to judgment against thee he may find nothing of his for which to lay hold on thee, nor any sin of which truly to accuse thee.

ii. The second accuser will be every man's own conscience, which will likewise be a witness, and stand for a thousand; for its thoughts shall beat against us, and they (as the apostle says) shall in that hour accuse or defend us. And as in confession I myself, of my own will, am the guilty, the accuser, and the witness against myself, that the priest may absolve me; so then also I shall be such perforce, that God may judge and condemn me for that of which here I obtained not pardon,

iii. Finally, the angel-guardian himself shall be the third witness, and in a manner accuser against me for my rebellions to his inspirations and counsels. From this I may gather how much it imports me always to consent to the good inspirations and dictates of these two faithful companions, my conscience and my angel, and to yield myself to them when in this life they accuse or reprehend me, that afterwards, in the other, they may not condemn me; following the counsel of our Saviour Christ, who says, " Be at agreement with thine adversary betimes, whilst thou art in the way with him," and " goest" to appear before the prince; for if thou then compoundest not with him, he will " deliver thee to the judge, and the judge" to the officer, who will "cast thee into prison" from whence "thou shalt not go out until thou repay the last farthing."