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98 is the source of this delusion and blindness—hinders us from discovering this. The light which discloses the evil and the medicine which cures it, both come from the goodness of God, Who suffers us to fall that He may lead us from trust in self to trust in Him Alone, and from pride to self-knowledge.

Your resolutions, therefore, to be effectual, must be firmly made; and this they cannot be, unless they are freed from all trust in self, and are humbly based upon trust in God.

The second reason is, that when we make our resolutions, we dwell on the beauty and value of virtue, and these draw out our will, frail and slack as it is; but when we come to face the difficulties which must be surmounted before the virtue can be attained, our will, being weak and inexperienced, fails, and shrinks back from the effort.

Accustom yourself, therefore, to love the difficulties which accompany the attainment of virtues, even more than the virtues themselves; and use these difficulties, now a little and now much, so as to strengthen your will, if you really desire to acquire these virtues. Know also, that the more generously you embrace and value these difficulties, the more speedy and complete shall be your victory over yourself and your enemies.