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

In what sort our aduersarie en∣deuoureth with al his force, that the vertues which we haue obtained, may be an occasion of our ruine.

Chap. 19. (Book 19)

THe craftie and malignant serpent dooth not faile to tempt vs also in the vertues which we haue obtained, that they may be the occasions of our ruine, whilest we delight∣ing in them, come to be lifted vp on high, to fall afterwardes into the vice of pride. But to auoyde this danger, fight al∣wayes, sitting in the plaine and sure field of a tru & profound

knowledge of thy selfe, that thou art nothing, knowest no thing, thou canst do nothing, and thou hast no other thing of thy selfe, but eternall dam∣nation.

And be alwayes watchfull, and vigilant that thou keep a∣loofe off, euery thought that bringeth thee from this know ledge; for the same being thy enemy, if it cannot kill thee, at least it will leaue thee woun∣ded: and that thou mayest the better comprehend the trueth of this, marke wel this case fo∣lowing. As oft as thou shalt turne thee to the considerati∣on of thy selfe, alwayes consi∣der thy selfe with that which is thine, and not with that that is of God, and of his grace, and

esteeme thy selfe such, as with thine thou doest finde thee to be.

If thou consider the time, before thou wast, thou shalt see, that in all that eternitie, thou wast a meere nothing, & that thou didst not worke, or couldest woorke any thing to deserue thy being. In this time after sithence that by the only goodnesse of God, thou hast thy being, leauing to god that which is his: (that is, the con∣tinuall gouernement, with the which he ruleth & preserueth thee) with that which thou hast of thy selfe, what other thing art thou, but in like ma∣ner a nothing? It is therefore euident, that in this thy first naturall being, standing with

thine owne, thou hast not in any respect reason to esteeme thy selfe, or to desire to be e∣steemed of others.

Nowe as concerning thy good estate of grace, and abi∣litie to doe good things; thy nature spoyled of Gods di∣uine help, what good thing could it euer doe of it selfe? where also considering thy many euills past, and more then that, the multitude of o∣ther euill; which euen vntill this time thou hadst continu∣ed to worke, if God of his great mercie had not stayed thee: thou shalt find, that thy iniquities, not onely by the multiplication of daies, and yeares, but also by the number of thy actions, and of thy euill

inclinations, should haue bin multiplied infinitly, insomuch that thou wouldst haue be∣come like another infernall Lucifer: whereupon if thou be not willing to steale that to thy selfe, which is due vnto God, but rather chusing to rest within the compasse of thine owne, thou oughtest to account thy selfe euery daye worse then other.

But note well that this iudgement of thine, be ac∣companied with iustice, for otherwise it would be no smal losse vnto thee: for if in this knowledge thou doe excell some other (who through his blindnesse doth account him∣self somewhat worth, and desi∣reth so to be reputed of others)

thou notwithstanding doest loose very much, and dost make thy selfe worse then he: if notwithstanding thy know∣ledge thou wilt be had in esti∣matiō of men, & vsed for such as thou knowest thou art not; if therefore thou wilt that the aknowledging of thy basenes, & wickednes be true, and that it may make thee beloued of God, it is needefull that thou not only acknowledge thy self wicked and vile, but as such a one to vse thy selfe and wil, in like manner to be also vsed of others.

And if it happen at anye time for some good, that God vouchsafe to worke by thee, that thou be loued as good, or be praysed of others, abide

in thy selfe well collected, and moue not one whit from the aforesayd veritie and iustice, and turne thy selfe first vnto God, saying this in thy heart: let it not please thee (O Lord) that I steale from thy good∣nesse. And afterwards turning thy thoughts to him that prai∣sed thee, say within thy selfe: whence doth it proceede that this man thinketh me good, if my God be only truly good? and if thou do thus, and giue vnto God that which is his, he will no doubt dispose thee vnto greater grace.