Unum necessarium, or, The great duty of a Christian: in two tracts : the one, Of adhering to God, written in Latin, by Albertus Magnus, the other, Of the love of God, written in high- Dutch, by John Staupitz / both faithfully translated into English for the promoting of primitive Christianity.

CHAP. XI. How we are to resist Temptations, and to bear Tribulations.

THere is no man that draws near to God with a true and sincere heart, but he must expect to be tried, and pro∣ved with manifold Vexations, and Temptations. Now in all Temptations let this Precept be observed; that when∣ever thou feelest any Temptation, that thou do not assent to it, and that thou bear it patiently, and quietly, with hu∣mility, and long sufferance. And if they chance to be Blasphemous and Fil∣thy injections, take it for a certain Rule, that there is no way better to overcome and be rid of them, than by despising them, though they be never so horrible, filthy, and abominable Blasphemies; let this be thy sole Armour of defence a∣gainst them, to neglect them, account them as nothing, and despise them, without imputing them to thy self, or charging thy Conscience therewith. For thou wilt find this a sure way, to put

the Enemy to flight, if thou treat him, and his endeavours with the greatest scorn and contempt; for he is exceeding proud, and cannot endure to be despis'd, and set at naught. Wherefore be sure to make use of this, as the best and surest Remedy against all such injections, ne∣ver to mind them, or be troubled at them, any more than thou art at flies, that buzz about thee against thy will. Wherefore let the Servant of Jesus Christ take care not to run so easily from the face of the Lord, by being angry, murmuring and vexing himself about the buzzing of a silly Flie; I mean for some slight temptation, suspicion, sorrow, de∣traction, weakness, or any other kind of Adversity; seeing that by the hand only of Good Will lift up to God, all these, and a thousand such like, may be easily chased away, and put to flight. For by Good Will, Man has God to be his Possessor, and Owner, the Holy An∣gels his Guardians and Protectors; and moreover by the same, all Temptations are as easily overcome, as a Flie is cha∣sed away with the least motion of the hand. Peace therefore is the portion of

the Men of Good Will; neither can any more worthy present be offer'd to God than it; for as much as Good Will in the Soul, is the Original of all good, and the Mother of all Virtues; which, whosoever begins to be possessed of, he hath without care whatsoever is necessary to a good and happy Life; wherefore if thou willest that which is good, without, being able to perform it, God will make up from himself, what is wanting in thee, and accept the will for the deed; for an Eternal Law has unchangeably decreed and establisht that all Merit should con∣sist and be in the Will alone, as reward, or punishment, are in happiness, or mi∣sery. For Love is a strong will to serve God, a sweet affection of pleasing God, and a most burning desire of enjoying God. Besides, it is no Sin to be tempt∣ed, but rather an occasion of exercising ones Virtues; for certain it is, that we get much good by Temptation, seeing that our whole Life here upon Earth, is but one long continual Temptation.