Chapter XXX. Of the Delusion of those who imagine that they are going on to Perfection

OUR Enemy, when he is repulsed in his first and second assault and stratagem, has in his malice recourse to a third, which is, to keep our eyes fixed on some higher degree of perfection, making us aspire to and aim after it, and thus rendering us forgetful of the enemies who are close at hand and are actually assaulting and injuring us.

Hence we are continually wounded, but pay no regard to our wounds; and, estimating our intentions as if they were fulfilled, we are filled with various feelings of pride.

Thus, while we will not brook the least contradiction of word or deed, we spend our time in making long meditations and resolutions about bearing sufferings sharper than those which shall be hereafter, for the love of God. And because our lower nature, in the case of pains which are so far off, feels no repugnance to them, therefore do we poor creatures flatter ourselves, that we are already to be classed with those who endure agonies patiently.

To avoid this snare, resolve to fight against those enemies who are close at hand, and are really attacking you. You will in this way discover whether your resolutions are true or deceptive, strong or frail; and you will travel on towards virtue and perfection, by the well-beaten and royal road.

But with regard to enemies who are not now wont to harass you, unless you foresee that they are likely at some time hence to do so, I do not advise you to offer battle; you may, however, make resolutions beforehand, that you may then be found prepared and strong.

Let not your resolutions be estimated by their effects, even though you should have long and rightly exercised yourself in virtue, but be humble as to them, and distrust yourself and your own weakness; and, putting your trust in God, with frequent prayers, fly to Him for succour and protection from dangers, and especially from the danger of the very least presumption and self-confidence.

But in the case of slight defects, which sometimes the Lord permits to remain unconquered in order to increase our self-knowledge or to guard some other good in us, it is notwithstanding allowable to form resolutions of attaining to some higher degree of perfection.