Chapter LX. Of the Examination of Conscience

IN the examination of conscience consider three things:—

The falls of that day;

The cause of them; and,

The energy and promptness which you maintain in making war against them, and in acquiring the contrary virtue.

As to the falls, you will do what I advised you in the chapter on "When we are wounded."

The cause of these falls you will be constrained to subdue and bring to the ground.

The will to do this, and to acquire virtues, must be fortified by distrust of self, by trust in God, by prayer, and by a multitude of acts of hatred of the vice, and of desire for the contrary virtue.

You should suspect the victories and good works you have accomplished.

Besides that, I do not advise you to think much about them, because of the risk, almost inevitable, of at least some hidden motive of vain-glory and pride.

Then leave all that is behind, whatever it may be, to the mercy of God, and consider how much yet remains for you to do.

Then, in a strain of thankfulness for the gifts and favours which the Lord has bestowed on you during that day, acknowledge Him as the Doer of all good, and return thanks to Him for having rescued you from so many open enemies, and from so many more hidden ones; for having given you good thoughts, and occasions of virtue, and for all other benefits which you may not have known though you received them.