Chapter VII. That to some it seems easy for man's will to obey the Divine Voice

And lo again a Voice out of the Clouds saying, Thou hast sinned, Peace. And what is said, is to this purpose. Now the sink overflowing, fills the House with an intolerable stench, and whilst as yet the ordures are continually flowing in, in vain doest thou go about to pump them out, to do pennance whilst thou doest not leave off to sin. For who can approve of their Fasts, who fast for strife and contention, and impiously smite with the fist, yea their own wills and pleasures are found in them? Such is not the Fast which I have chosen, says the Lord, Isa. 58. Shut the windows of death, stop up diligently all the holes and passages, and so at length no new ordure entring in, thou wilt be able to purge out the old. And the poor ignorant man, unexperienced in spiritual exercises, thinks what is now commanded is easily fulfilled; for what should hinder me, says he, that I should not be able to command the members of my own body? Instantly then he lays a command of fasting upon his gluttonous appetite, forbids excess in drinking, charges his ears to be stopt against hearing of blood, turns away his eyes lest they should see vanity; he stretches out his hands not to covetousness, but rather to giving of Alms: of which also perhaps he will require labour, prohibiting them theft, as it is written, He that stole, now let him not steal; but rather labour with his hands that which is good, that he may have to give to him that is in necessity, Eph. 4. But whilst he is thus promulgating Laws, and proposing Decrees to all his members, on the sudden they interrupt his commanding Voice, and unanimously exclaim: Whence this new Religion? You command to do as best likes you. But there shall be one found that will oppose your new Decrees, that will contradict your new Laws. But who's that, say you? And 'tis answered; to wit, she the Paralytick that lies sick at home, and is sadly tormented. For she it is (if you have not forgotten) whom you have long siince ordered us to serve, to wit, to obey her concupiscences. Miserable creature, at this Voice he waxed pale, and with confusion held his peace. For his Spirit was troubled at it. But the members of his body forthwith address themselves to their unhappy Mistress, that they may accuse their cruel Master, and complain of his too severe commands. Gluttony complains that she's commanded the mean of a spare diet, and prohibited the pleasure of surfeiting and drunkenness. The eyes complain a charge is laid upon them to weep, and all wanton looks forbidden them. The several members going on in these and such like complaints, the will is awakened, and vehemently exasperated, exclaims: what, is this a Dream or a Fable that you tell me? But then the tongue having gotten a fit opportunity for its complaint: in very deed, says it, so it is as you have heard. For I also am commanded to abstain from fables and lies, and must henceforth speak nothing but what's serious and absolutely necessary.