mee, and in accomplishing whatsoeuer hee purpo∣seth to doe for my good. I am to reprehend myselfe (as Cassianus saieth) saying to myselfe:
art thou hee that this morning didst purpose such greate matters, and offeredst thyselfe to suffer very terrible iniuries? then how comes it that so light an occasion hath ouerthrowne thee? Thou didst purpose to kill all the enemyes of God, and hast thou renderd thyselfe to the leaste of them? Bee ashamed of thy cowadize, humble thyselfe before God, and turne a newe to determine, trusting with more viuacitie in his mer∣cie, that it may ayde thy greate weakenesse. I will likewise examine the cause, and occasion of hauiug failed, to auoyde it, or to preuent it, wholely resol∣uing vpon amendement the rest of the daye.
2. I may likewise at this time remember, that Christe our Lord was crucified at midday, and per∣seuered a greate parte of the euening, suffering most grieuous paines vpon the crosse with greate constan∣cie vntill hee gaue vp the ghost. And in thankefull∣nesse for this benefit, I am to purpose to bee very constant in not yeilding to the lust of my fleshe, nor to my owne will in that vice, that it may dye in mee, or I may dye fighting against it, vntill I vanquish it. Sometimes againe I may call to minde, that Christ our Lord likewise at midday ascended aboue all the heauens to enioy the fruite of his labours. And with this cōsideratiō I may animate myselfe to fight a newe against my passions: and with both conside∣rations I may saye vnto him that of the Canticles: O thou beloued of my soule,
showe vnto mee with thy celestiall light the place where at midday thou reposest, and feedest thy sheepe, that I may there fixe my hearte, and my desires, and not goe wandring any more to seeke after vices.