The spiritual conflict writen in Italian by a deuout seruant of God ; and lately translated into English out of the same language.

How the diuell by way of purpo∣ses seekes to hinder some∣times the obtaining of vertue.

Chap. 17. (Book 17)

VVIth another false baite also the diuel assaieth to deceiue vs, and that is with desires and purposes which wee make against those ene∣mies, which be a farre off, and more stronger: leauing to fight against those which are neare vnto vs: with the which it is needfull for vs actually to fight for to ouercome our selues.

Hence arise greate losses, because wee are continually wounded, and we care not for

the hurt, and esteeming such purposes as if they were facts, vainely we become prowde; whereupon at that very time, when we will not so much as beare one crosse word: we spend forsooth, long medita∣tions, in purposing to sustaine for the loue of God, euen the paines of purgatorie.

And because in this the in∣ferior part feeleth no repug∣nance, (as of a thing a far off:) therefore we poore wretches, perswade our selues, to be in the degree of those that paci∣ently, and actually sustaine great things. Thou therefore to auoide this deceit, purpose and fight with those enemies, that are at hand, and really make warre against thee: for

by this thou shalt plainly per∣ceiue, if thy purposes be true or false, strong or weake: but against those enemies which are not wont to trouble thee; I counsell thee not to wage bat∣tell, except thou probably perceiue, that within a shorte time after they are for to as∣saile thee: for that thou maist find thy selfe more strong at that time, it is lawfull to pur∣pose before: but for all that, do not iudge thy purposes, as facts, if for some time indeede thou hast not bin exercised in the workes of that vertue. For in this case although we can∣not ouercome some little de∣fects which at sometimes (for the humble acknowledging of our selues) our Sauior lea∣ueth

vnto vs, vet then it is law∣full notwithstanding to make purposes of more high de∣grees of perfection. But when in smal things we are carelesse, not vsing any force to ouer∣come our selues in the same, the purposes of greater things is no other, but vanitie, and presumption, and deceit of the deuill.