Page:Spiritualcombat.djvu/42

Rh

N addition to this exercise which you must apply to the understanding, you must also discipline your will, so that it may not be left to follow its own desires, but be in all things conformed to the good pleasure of God.

And remember, that it is not enough that you should will and do those things which are most pleasing to God; but, beyond this, you must will and do them, as being moved by Him, and with the motive of simply pleasing Him.

In this, even more than in the matter we have been considering in the previous chapter, lies the struggle with our nature, which seeks itself and its own pleasure in all things, and most of all in good and spiritual things; in these nature delights itself, revelling in them, as it suspects no harm from such food.

As soon then as they are presented to us, we gaze longingly upon them, and crave for them; not because we are moved to do the Will of God and wish only to please Him, but from a desire for that satisfaction and rest which we