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.

CERTAYNE other aduises and Remedies concerning the same mat∣ter of tentations.

¶ Cap. 26. (Book 26)

BESIDES these tentations * 1.1 spoken of in the former Chapters; wherwith the de∣uil doth most commonly tempt vs, there be diuers other meanes, wherby he vseth to molest and trouble vs; as by propounding other-whiles temp∣tations of infidelitie, doubtes against our beleefe and fayth; or suggestions of blasphemie; yea, some-times he bringeth vs into such a mase and per∣plexitie, as whether-soeuer we turne vs, or what-soeuer we say or doo, yet seeme we stil to be caught and intan∣gled; an-other time he indeuoreth to bring vs into desperation; and thus doth he with these and diuers other vexations disquiet, and greeuouslye assault vs.

Against al the which his craftes * 1.2 and subtilties, take this for a general rule; neuer to staye to dispute or talke with the deuil, of set purpose; for if thou doo, thou art like to be o∣uercom, as a 1.3 Eue was, for hauing done the same. It is therefore much more secure, not to stand reasoning, or list∣ning * 1.4 to that the deuil shal tel thee; but forth-with to flye the temptatiō in the very beginning, by thinking of some other matter quite contrary to that which he woulde haue thee. As for example, if he propounde thoughtes of infidelitie, saying: howe is it possible, that this mistery should be thus & thus? make none accompt to aunswere him, by shewing anye reason of that truth, which thou be∣leeuest; but saye: I beleeue, as our holy mo∣ther * 1.5 the Catholike Churche beleeueth, and this sufficeth me; neither discende to any o∣ther particularities. Thus like-wise must thou doo, if in case he molest

thee with temptations of blasphe∣mie, * 1.6 saying: Thy blasphemie be to thy perdi∣tion, for I 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and loue my Lorde God. With this, or some such like short speeche maiest thou set thy mind at rest, intending to some other busines, and different cogitations; neither let these his suggestions dismay or trou∣ble thee any whit, for al of them shal not make thee lose any one iote of grace and Gods fauour; yea, by doing as I tel thee, thou shalt greatlye in∣crease thy meede. If like-wise he goe at any time about to meshe thee in any perplexities, scruples, or other ob scurities, wherby thou wotest not, on which side wel to turne thee, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not of them; but conuert thy selfe wholly to God, saying: I wil, my Lord my * 1.7 God, both in this, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 other thing what thou wilt, neither doo I will, or yeeld consent to any thing that may displease thee. And thus maiest thou with this saying be at quiet, and in great securitie.

In like maner, if he induce thee to desperation, laying before thee the * 1.8 multitude and enormitie of thy sinnes; beholde Christe thy Iudge nayled vpon the Roode, in whom thou haste more goodnes without al comparison, then in thy selfe thou canst haue euils; and thus putting al thy confidence in him, maiest thou despise, and defye al the deuils. And not onely in this, but in al other thy * 1.9 tentations would I haue thee make Iesus Christe crucified a familier defence and buckler for thee; sith that, like as a 1.10 Moises gaue to the children of Is∣rael being stunge in the desert, or bit of venemous serpentes, that Serpent of brasse, raysed vpp on a high peece of wood; whereon who-so looked * 1.11 fixedlye, and with fayth, were cured of their griefs: in like maner, & much better, al such as with fayth beholde our Lord & Sauior Christ crucified,

and heaued vp on the wood of the holy crosse (whom the serpent of brasse did in figure represent) shal-be healed of al their bitinges and stings of trespasses & temptations. At such time therfore, as thou feelest the ser∣pent assault and bite thee with the * 1.12 sinne of pride, beholde Christ a 1.13 hum∣bled on the Crosse, and obedient, euē til death. If with couetousnes, behold that pouertie and nakednes, where∣with * 1.14 he hangeth on the roode, in such extreame distresse, as he hath not where to rest his b 1.15 head. If thou finde thy selfe assailed with the delites of lust, beholde his brused aud beaten * 1.16 flesh, fraught ful of extreme anguish; and how for thy sake he hangeth on * 1.17 the roode, al wounded from topp to toe, and afflicted with most greeuous tormentes. If thou feele thy self pro∣uoked to Gluttonie, looke vpon thy Lorde fastned to the roode; who be∣ing extremely pained with drought,

had a 1.18 gaule and vinegre geuen him to drinke. If thou perceane thy selfe * 1.19 stirred vp to anger, beholde that in∣umcible patience of our Sauiour Iesus Christ crucified, in abiding al those his moste villanous blasphemies, and incomprehensible tormentes. If thou be vexed with the venemous vice of * 1.20 malice, consider that moste feruent charitie, wherwith our Sauiour shedd his bloudd on the crosse for al; and praied euen for those his persecutors that b 1.21 crucified him. If slouth or idle∣nes cause thee to waxe colde in good works, fixe thine eye vpon those feet so cruelly nailed to the crosse; which were neuer weried with wandring and seeking for thy wel-fare. Finally; in this thy. Lorde and Sauiour thus crucified, if thou seek in time to him; thou shalt finde sufficient remedies against al kind of temptations, wher∣with in this life thou maiest be anye wayes assailed.

It resteth now, to admonishe thee of one only thing touching this mat∣ter; * 1.22 that whē at any time thou shoul∣dest, either with this, or any other of the fore-saide remedies repulse thine enemie, and resist his suggestions; yet must thou not thinke thy selfe se∣cure, as though the battel were en∣ded, and the fielde fully fought and wonne; sith this is the propertie of * 1.23 the diuel, when he is ouercome in one temptation, to arme him-selfe forth-with, and to make preparation for an-other; like as he did to our Sa∣uiour a 1.24 in the wildernes; whom, when he could not one wayes ouercome, he assailed and set vppon an-other waies. And therfore, albeit thou ween thy selfe to be at some rest, and fin∣dest the fiende to haue taken truce with thee, for a while after he is van∣quished; * 1.25 yet beware thou trust not too much to him; for when thou sus∣pectest least, then wil he returne to

make a fresh assault, & to molest thee with newe temptations; and if he thē happ to finde thee vnarmed, and vn∣prouided of meanes to encounter and withstand him, easily wil he sub∣due and conquere thee, and the ad∣uauntage which thou hadst before woon honorably, he wil then make thee lose dishonestlye. Take heede therfore thou neuer lay thy weapons aside, but alwayes be prouided, and in readines for the combat; neither be thou tired with his importunate in∣festations, wherby he for the moste part ouercommeth those that waxe wery to with-stand him; but like as he is importunate in tempting thee, a 1.26 be thou importunate and constant in resisting him; and by this meanes shal thy crowne be so much the more riche and pretious, as the temptati∣ons, which by Gods helpe thou o∣uercommest, be more irksome and importunate.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Temptati∣ons of Infi∣delitie, Plasphemy and despe ration.
• * 1.2

  A singuler doctrine a∣gainst the foresaide temptatiōs
• a 1.3

  Gen. 3. a.
• * 1.4

  The Diuel is not to be disputed withal.
• * 1.5

  A Remedy against In∣fidelitie.
• * 1.6

  Against Blasphemy.
• * 1.7

  A refuge in time of perplexitie
• * 1.8

  Against desperatiō
• * 1.9

  Christ cru∣cified ought to be our common refuge.
• a 1.10

  Nu. 21. b.
• * 1.11

  The brasen serpent fi∣gure of Christe crucified.
• * 1.12

  Against Pride.
• a 1.13

  Phil 2. a
• * 1.14

  Couetise.
• b 1.15

  Mat. 8. c
• * 1.16

  Carnal 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.17

  Gluttonie.
• a 1.18

  mat. 27 d
• * 1.19

  Anger.
• * 1.20

  Malice.
• b 1.21

  Luc. 23. e.
• * 1.22

  A necessa∣rye aduer∣tisement.
• * 1.23

  The ma∣lice of the fiende.
• a 1.24

  Mat. 4. a Mar. 1. b. Luc. 4. a
• * 1.25

  The fiendes truce is not to be trusted.
• a 1.26

  Ber. Ser. 67. de mo; ben. viu. De Tent.