Chapter 14

How much we ought to fly from the vain confidence of obtaining victory against this enemy, by our own only industry, and labour; and that we must understand it, to be the gift of God; of whom, it is to be humbly asked; by the intercession of the Saints; and in particular of the Virgin, our Blessed Lady.

ALL that which hath been said, and more which might be said, are means for the obtaining, and keeping of this precious purity. But it happeneth oftentimes, that as, although we bring, both stone and wood, and all other necessary materials, for the making of a house, yet we do not fall upon the building of it; so also doth it come to pass, that using all these remedies, we yet obtain not the chastity which we so much desire. Nay there are many, who, after having had lively desires thereof, and taken much pains for the obtaining of it, do yet see themselves miserably fallen, or violently at least, tormented in their flesh; & with much sorrow they say, We have laboured all night, and yet we have taken nothing. And it seemeth to them, that in themselves, that is fulfilled, which the Wiseman said, The¹ more I sought it, the further off, it fled away.

This² useth oftentimes to happen, by reason of a secret confidence, which these proud labourers, have in themselves; imagining, that chastity, was a fruit which grew from their only endeavour; and not, that it was a gift, imparted by the hand of God. And for not knowing of whom it was to be asked, they justly were deprived of it. For³ it had been of more prejudice to them, to have kept it; (since withal, they would be proud, and ungrateful to God) then to be without it, yet withal, to be full of sorrow, and humility, and so to be forgiven by penance. It is no small part of wisdom, to know by whom chastity is given; and he is gone a good piece of the way, towards the obtaining of it; who indeed believeth, that it comes not from the strength of man; but that it is the gift of our Lord. This doth he teach us, in his holy Gospel, saying, All are not capable of this word, but they to whom it is given, by God. And although the remedies already pointed out, for the obtaining of this happiness, be full of profit; and⁴ that we must employ ourselves thereupon; yet must that be with this condition, that we place not our confidence in them; but let us devoutly pray to God, which David did both practice, and advice, by saying; I did cast up mine eyes to the mountains, from whence my succour shall descend, my succour is of our Lord, who made heaven and earth.

A good witness of this, may the glorious S. Hierome be; who relates of himself such extreme afflictions, by temptation of the flesh, as reduced him to so great extremity, that neither great fasting, nor large watching, nor sleeping upon the ground, nor that his body was even half dead, could deliver him from the same But then, as a man deprived entirely of all succour, and finding no remedy in any remedy; he cast himself at the feet of Jesus Christ our Lord; and made him⁵ a bath of his tears; and wiped them with the hair of his devout thoughts. Yea, and sometimes it happened, that he spent whole days, and whole nights in crying out after Christ. In⁶ the end, he was heard; & God gave him the desire of his hart, with so great serenity, and spiritual consolation; that it seemed to him, as if he were assisting, among the quires of Angels. In this sort, doth God relieve such as call upon him with entire affection, and who remain faithful in the war, till he send them secure.

And⁷ not only must we invoke God to favour us, but the Saints also; who are signified by the Mountains spoken of here by David; & especially must the most pure Virgin be called more upon, than any of them. Importuning her with services and prayers, that she will obtain this blessing for us. And these services, she will receive, and these prayers will she gladly hear; as a true lover of that, which we desire by her means. I have, in most particular manner, seen great favours obtained, through the means of this ●lessed Lady, by persons troubled with the temptations of sense; with⁸ having offered some prayers to her, in memory of that purity, wherein she was conceived without original sin; and of that virginal chastity, wherewith she did conceive the Son of God. Take therefore this B. Lady, for thy particular advocate; to the end, that, by her prayers, she may obtain and conserve purity in thee. And consider, that if among the women of this world, we find some, who are such friends to honesly; as that, to the uttermost of their power, they assist and protect any creature, that will forsake the baseness of the contrary vice, and walk on by the purity of chastity; how much more, incomparably, is it to be hoped, of this most pure Virgin of Virgins, that she will cast her eyes, and her ears upon the services, and prayers, of such as desire to preserve chastity, which she so cordially love's? Be therefore sure, that thou abound in desire of this blessing. Fail not of confidence in Christ, nor of earnest prayer, nor other endeavours, as hath been said. For neither in his Saints, will there be wanting any love or care to pray for us; nor mercy from heaven, for the granting of this gift, which God only gives. And his pleasure is, that every one who receiveth it, should know, that of him they have it; and they are to give him glory for the same, since, in all reason, it is so due to him.

Footnotes

1. Eccl. 7. ↩

2. Take heed of trusting to thyself. ↩

3. God showeth mercy sometime even in suffering us to shall into ●●nne. ↩

4. We must both work & pray, for neither of them both alone, will serve the turn. ↩

5. He alludeth to S. Mary Magdalen. ↩

6. God is a liberal rewarder of his servants, if indeed they be his servants. ↩

7. The invocation of Saints, is very useful, & especially of the immaculate Mother of God. ↩

8. The devotion to the sacred, and immaculate conception of the Mother of God, is much, & most worthily recommended by this Holy Author. ↩