Page:Spiritualcombat.djvu/216

Rh be assured that such spirits of temptation and filthy thoughts are better banished by a patient endurance of the pain, and by dexterous diversion of the mind, than by a too anxious resistance.

N the examination of conscience consider three things:—

The falls of that day;

The cause of them; and,

The energy and promptness which you maintain in making war against them, and in acquiring the contrary virtue.

As to the falls, you will do what I advised you in the chapter on "When we are wounded."

The cause of these falls you will be constrained to subdue and bring to the ground.

The will to do this, and to acquire virtues, must be fortified by distrust of self, by trust in God, by prayer, and by a multitude of acts of hatred of the vice, and of desire for the contrary virtue.

You should suspect the victories and good works you have accomplished.

Besides that, I do not advise you to think