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OF THE tentations which ordinari∣lye offer them-selues to suche as haue begonne to walke in spiritual waye.
HAVING hitherto intrea∣ted * 1.1 of the most necessary ex∣ercises that euery Christian man (minding sincerely to dedicate him-self to diuine seruice, and to liue spiritually) ought to vse and spende his time in; it remaineth that I nowe
speake of the incumbrances & temp∣tations, which ordinarily offer them selues in this spiritual life; and of the remedies we are to vse to ouercome and vanquishe them withal. For this must needes be presupposed, that our life (as Iob sayeth) is a continual warfare a 1.2 vpon earth, the which doth growe so * 1.3 much the greater, as a man draweth neerer to Gods seruice; and meaneth to abandon this worldly life; especi∣allye in the beginning, til suche time, * 1.4 as he haue somewhat dompted the passions of the fleshe; according to that the wise man doth forewarne vs, saying: My sonne, drawing neere to the seruice of God, stande in ighteousnes, and feare, and dispose thy selfe to temptation. For looke how much a man groweth stronger, b 1.5 and gaineth more spiritual treasure, by leaning to God, and leauing the world; and so much more doth our ghostly enemies the deuils malitious rage increase, and with more violence
doo they force them-selues by sun∣drye tentations to afflict vs; yet are not we to trouble our selues thereat, nor to growe faint hearted, or geue ouer the race we haue so haplye be∣gonne; yea, rather ought we to fight valiantly; and to be ioyful; conside∣ring that al the temptations and per∣secutions, * 1.6 wherwith our aduersaryes may any waies afflict vs, if we force our selues to fight, and manfullye to withstand them, shal occasionate our greater gaine. For by meanes of these temptations our soule is a 1.7 proued and purified; & the pride of man repres∣sed from growing b 1.8 insolent through Gods giftes, or his own good works, (wrought through Gods grace) whi∣les by these temptations, he seeth his owne weaknes and miserable frailtie. They make vs also more wary and diligent to exercise prayer, and other good deedes, that so it maye please God continually to defend and keep
vs. Finally they be occasion of diuers and sundry great benefites: And for this cause is it, that our Lord suffreth vs to be thus tempted, and yet a 1.9 not aboue that our strength maye wel beare. Let vs thinke therefore (as b 1.10 S. Iames saith) that then is great matter of reicysing offred vnto vs, when diuers tentations doo assault vs. as-wel for the meede and spiritual fruit we may reape therby, as also for the apparant c 1.11 testimonie it geueth vs, that we are not in slauerie and bondage to the deuil; who vex∣eth not, ne striueth in this wise with those he hath already vnder his do∣minion; but with such as be deuided from him, and folow the foresteppes of Iesus Christe our souerain Lord & captaine. In consideration wherof, we read of diuers Saints, that being gre∣uously & long time tempted, would neither pray thē-selues, nor suffer any other to pray to God for their deli∣uerance, and the taking away of these
temptations; but verye willinglye to geue them ayde and strength coura∣giously to withstande them.
NOWE therfore (good brother) if, * 1.12 hauing begonne to folowe this thy Captaine his steppes, thou feele thy selfe afflicted with diuers temptati∣ons and crosse ouerthwartes; be not dismaide therwith; but plucke me vp a good heart; not beleuing for al this, but that thou walkest rightly and in our Lordes way. Thinke how in like maner the same happed to him; he vouchsafing to be tempted for our example and consolation; whom if thou imitate rightly, in resisting and fighting manfully against them, thou shalt afterwardes by trial finde that true which is written a 1.13 Happy is the man that susteineth temptation. Who being by this meanes proued, shal receaue the crown of life, which is not geuen, but to those that coragiously do fight the
Thus being both counsailed and in∣couraged by this good consideration, take vp such wepons, and brandishe them before hande, wherewith thou must fight and resist thine enemies, at al times when any neede shal re∣quire and vrge thee.
And for-so-much as the temptati∣ons and assaultes, which assaile vs in this life, be manifold, and much dif∣ferent, like as our enemies be mani∣folde and much different; I shal firste appoint thee certain wepons and re∣medies, generally to withstande and redresse al what so-euer; and after∣wardes shal I set thee downe others that are particuler, according to the particuler kinde and qualitie of eche tentation. * 1.14
Howbeit, first wil I here, before I go any further, aduertise thee of one thing, that albeit temptations be so profitable to our soules, as is afore∣saide, and that they maye yeeld thee
matter of so great profite, when God permitteth them to come vpon thee; yet art not thou for al that to craue, seeke, or intrude thy selfe into them; sith this shoulde be a farre greater temptation; and then might it wel happen vnto thee aceording as is a 1.15 written, that who so loueth peril, shal perishe in it.
The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 most excellent me∣thode.
Iob. 7. a
Our life is a continual warfare
The Diuel affiscteth is most in the begin∣ning of our con∣uersion.
Eccle. 2. a
Temptuti∣ons profi∣table.
Iob. 13. c.
2. Cor, 12. b
1. Cor. 10 c
Iac. 1. a Iudith. 8. c
1 Pet. 5. e
A sweets exhortatiō and encou∣ragement.
Iac. 1. b. 2. Tim. 2. a. 4. b. Apoc. 2. b c. g. Iob. 3. d.
Temptati∣ons, albeit they be pro fitable, yet are they in no wise to be sought for.
Eccle. 3. d