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O comprehend, then, more particularly, how it is that temptations are sent us by God for our good, we must consider, that man, because of the evil inclinations of corrupt nature, is proud, ambitious, conceited, and always thinks himself to be more than he is. This self-esteem is so dangerous to true spiritual progress, that the very scent of it is enough to hinder the attainment of perfection. Therefore our most faithful God, in that loving Providence which He exercises over each one, and especially over those who have truly given themselves up to His service, takes care to place us in positions where we may escape so great a danger; so that we are as it were forced to come to a true knowledge of ourselves.

He acted thus with the Apostle St. Peter, permitting him to deny Him, that thus he might know himself, and no longer be self-confident; and with the Apostle St. Paul, who, after he had been caught up to the third heaven, and had heard Divine secrets, was visited with a troublesome temptation, to the end that, knowing his natural weakness, he might remain humble,