The exercise of a christian life. Written in Italian by the Reuerend Father Gaspar Loarte D. of Diuinitie, of the Societie of Iesus. And newly translated into Englishe. by I.S.

A PREAMBLE concerning the Remedies against particuler tenta∣tions.

¶ Cap. 18. (Book 18)

ALBEIT the particuler sinnes; as also the tentations which induce vs thereto, be very many; yet are they al reduced vnto seuen, which are commonly cal∣led Capital; as being the heads, rootes, * 1.1 and fountaines whence the others are deriued. With these seuen sinnes be there three enemies, that assault vs; the Fleshe, the World and the Deuil; according as is gathered out of that saying of S. Iohn a 1.2 the'uangelist: Euery thing that is in the world, is concupiscence of the fleshe, concupiscence of the eyes, and pride of life. The flesh doth tempt and induce vs to three sins; Lasciuiousnes, glut∣tony, and slouth: The world, to coue∣tousnes, and carke of temporal things

in it; The deuil doth suggest and al∣lure vs principally to pride, wrath, and enuye.

I shal therefore, according to this order, intreate of the wepons, which we are to weelde against these three sworne enemies of ours; and of the remedies we must vse to preserue vs from such sinnes as they induce vs to.

Of al other temptations, those of * 1.3 the fleshe be the most difficult and daungerous, as rising of a domestical and verye importunate aduersarye: And therefore doth it herein behoue vs to vse greatest diligence and cir∣cumspection.

Notes

• * 1.1

  7. Capital or deadlye sinnes.
• a 1.2

  1. Ioh. 2. c. The Flesh, the world, and the Deuil.
• * 1.3

  The temp∣tations of the fleshe moste dan∣gerous.