A treatise of adhering to God; written by Albert the Great, Bishop of Ratisbon. Put into English by Sir Kenelme Digby, Kt. Also a conference with a lady about choyce of religion.

CHAP. XI. In what manner we are to resist temptati∣ons, and to beare tribulations.

THere is no man who commeth to God with a true and entire hart, but he is tryed with sundry vexations and temptations; in which I can give you this comfort, that though you be troubled by feeling them, yet you will receive no prejudice by them, as long as you yeeld no consent unto them, but beare them with humility, patience, and equality of mind. And if you should be assaulted with temptations of blasphemy, oruncleane represen∣tations; the best you can doe in that case is to neglect them, and account them as nothing.

For be they in themselves never so foule, or wicked, or horrid; yet as long as they go no further than your fantasie, and range there a∣gainst your will, they are not to be imputed to you, nor doe they require that you should trouble your conscience with them. The ene∣my will certainely fly, and leave you in peace, if you contemne him and his attempts. For he is proud, and cannot endure to be neglected and scorned. And therefore your best remedy is to regard them no more, then as if they were but flyes buzzing before your face against your will. And consider how unseemly it were for the servant of Jesus Christ to be made to loose sight of his master, by the importunity of a contemptible flye, and fall into indignation, murmuring and complaints at so triviall a matter, as a slight temptation of suspicion (for example) a sadnesse, or detraction, or insuffici∣ency, or any other such small adversity; all which (like flyes chaced away with the mov∣ing of ones hand) are put to flight by an act of the will elevated up to God, and by love set∣led in him. For such a will bringeth a man to be the particular possession of God (who will have a care of what is particularly his owne) and to have the Angels his guardians and pro∣tectours. And therefore is peace promised to men of good will. Neither can any thing of

greater value be offered to God, then a good will. For such a one is the origine of all good∣nesse in the soule, and the mother of all vertues. And whosoever hath it, hath compleately all that is requisite for him to be happy. And therefore if any obstacle happen to hinder the good which such a will desireth, God supply∣eth, and giveth the recompence, as if the effects had succeeded to his desire: whereupon by an immutable decree he hath entayled merit and demerit upon the will: according to which he proportioneth our reward in heaven, or pu∣nishment in hell. And the merit of the will is nothing else but love: that is, a great earnest∣nesse to serve God; a sweet affection in plea∣sing God, and a most fervent desire of enjoying God. But to conclude the subject of this chap∣ter: let this trust comfort you in all temptati∣ons, that to be tempted is no sin, but an occa∣sion for you to exercise vertue, and a Schoole to profit exceedingly in. And indeed, the whole life of man is but a temptation upon earth.