Motives to holy living, or, Heads for meditation divided into consideratins, counsels, duties : together with some forms of devotion in litanies, collects, doxologies, &c.

§. 27

13. Resist∣ing, first and small, Temp∣tations.

1. Resisting not only great, and violent, but temptations small, and of less moment; which, besides that they lead us unto higher, are so many, and so often returning, that, unrepelled, they may bring a great guilt upon the Soul. Maxima pendent ex minimis. Qui modica spernit, paulatim decidit. Blessed is the man that feareth always, Prov. 28.4. Now, the sooner we begin to resist, the less strength we need to do it.

2. In the access of a temptation.

1. Removing it presently from you; or you flying from it; not disputing with it (for what is kept in dispute is kept still in mind, and so tempts still). Flying from it; either by hindering the presentment of it, or by diverting the senses, or at least the mind, to some other thing. The surest remedy (but requiring at first some valour and

force to it) especially for intemperance, lust, enamour'd∣ness, anger, strife, or any high passion concerning secular disturbances; Alla guerra del senso vincon I poltroni Nella guerrad amor chi fugge vince. 'Tis a wonder to see how easily by this practice of running away, the Devil is con∣quered, but by other ways of standing out in fight, not without much trouble. In some Temptations it is ne∣cessary for conquering them not only to divert the mind to something else, but to do the quite contrary: As Temp∣tations to Avarice are cured by giving much Alms: Fear∣fulness by putting our selves on what we dread: And Vain∣glory, by some eminent act of Self-contempt and secular Disgrace.

2. Turning and retiring your self presently to discourse with God, (the best, holiest, and readiest way where ever you are, in company, or alone, of diverting the mind;) Discoursing with him either by praying (in your mind) against the present Temptation, by which you may hope for aid from him. Or (since praying against a thing retains still the memory of it) by using some other more general, and accustomed, devotions: As reciting in your mind the Lord's Prayer, some Psalm which you have by heart, and can easily repeat. By which the mind (not capable of intending two things at once) will soon let hold go of its former object; And you shall happily change a Sin into an act of Religion; and the Devil be a very great looser by his Temptation.

3. Meditating on our Saviour's Passion, or on some one of the Quatuor Novissima, especially that of your death, or that of future joys opposed to the promised present pleasure of sin. Which future joys also may be advan∣tagiously represented to the Soul, as in the same kind of pleasure that the Temptation is. Fallitur etiam dum sen∣tit se falli.

4. 1 Using some Corporeal act, that puts you to some

pain, which presently calls off the mind to it; or some Act tending to Humiliation and Contrition. As Crossing your self: Beating your Breast: Kissing the Ground: Contem∣plating a Crucifix, or some devout Picture.

4. ¹ Reflecting your thoughts on the like former actions of sin, and considering what after-joys, or inconveniencies, displeasures, and anxities followed them. For hence your experience will quickly instruct you to choose the good, and abhor the evil.

5. Considering, That God and his Angels look upon you now as in a Fight, ready to applaud and crown your Victo∣ry, and Satan your Enemy ready to triumph in your Fall: and that all your actions are registred in God's Book, and seem to pass away; (yet without passing away;) and these once done (good, or bad) follow you for ever.

6. If nothing else will cure you, delaying the execution: for most sins prevail by importunity and prevention of the acts of jadgment, when there is great plenty of reason on the other side. But by delay, if no external accidents also (as they do many times) do intervene, yet reason gathers forces; And the passions, naturally violent, are as little permanent; and such as time destroys without any o∣ther enemy. Omnis cupiditas relanguescit. He that can de∣fer is safe.

7. Confessing your temptation presently to another, which is enough many times to chase them away, by your, as it were, shaming the Devil, whose works hate light, and are not able to abide the examining; and, by the good Counsel, which a friend at that time is better able, than your self, to give you; or also by your own reflections upon them, whilst you are performing this Action.