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Of the first temptation, and the remedie therof.
* 1.1TO him that wanteth spirituall cōsola∣tions, this is the remedie, that therfore he omitteth not his customarie exercises of prayer, although they seeme vnsauourie and of no fruite, but let him set him selfe in the presence of God, cominge before him as guilty of many greeuious sins, let him search diligently, the corners of his owne conscience, and consider whether or no through his owne default, he hath lost this grace, if so, let him beseech God almighty to pardon him for this sinne, admiringe the inestimable riches of his diuine patien∣ce in toleratinge vs so longe.
By this meanes he will reape no small fruite from his aridity of spirit, takinge from thence occasion of profounder hu∣militie when he considereth his owne ma∣lice and peruersnes in heapinge vp of sin, or of more ardent affection when he seeth God almighties goodnes in pardoninge the same. And although he enioyeth no pleasure at all in his exercises, let him not therfore absteine from the continuation of them, for it is not alwayes necessary, that it should be sweet and sauoury to the pre∣sent