Chapter VII. That the Human Will stands in need of Succour

OUR will, thus under the influence of the passions, is very weak in resisting and overcoming them, and making them submissive to God, and to His obedience. (As experience well shows, for even when it desires and proposes to mortify itself, yet is it often stifled by its passions, and all its purposes and resolutions vanish, whilst it falls a prey to them.) It stands, therefore, in need of succour and assistance, not only in the time of trial, but beforehand; that so, being strengthened against itself, it may gain the victory, and, freed from the tyranny of the passions, give itself up wholly to God and to His good pleasure.