Chapter LXIV. Of the Assault of Despair, and of its Remedy

THE second assault, whereby the perverse demon strives to accomplish our overthrow, is the terror which he works in us by the remembrance of our sins, in order that we may cast ourselves headlong into the pit of despair.

In this danger, hold fast this certain rule, that the thoughts of your sins are the result of grace, and for your salvation, when they produce in you humility, sorrow for having offended God, and confidence in His Goodness. But when the thoughts disquiet you, and render you distrustful and faint-hearted, even though the things seem to you true and enough to lead you to persuade yourself that you are condemned, and that the day of salvation for you is past, convince yourself that they are merely the work of the deceiver; humble yourself the more, and trust the more in God, so that in this way you shall overcome the enemy with his own weapons, and bring glory to the Lord.

Mourn, indeed, over your offence against God, every time it comes to your memory, but yet seek pardon, trusting to His Passion.

And, further, I say to you, that if God Himself should seem to say that you are not of His sheep, yet you ought in nowise to let go your confidence in Him, but humbly say: "You have reason indeed, O my Lord, on account of my sins, to cast me away for ever, but I have greater reason on account of Thy mercy to hope for Thy pardon. Therefore, I ask of Thee the salvation of this miserable creature, condemned by its own sinfulness, but redeemed with the price of Thy blood. I wish Thee, my Redeemer, to save me for Thy own glory; and, with confidence in Thy infinite Mercy, I leave myself entirely in Thy Hands. Do with me as Thou pleasest, for Thou art my only Lord; even if Thou slay me, yet my hope will I keep alive in Thee."