Chapter LXVI. Of the Assault of Illusions and False Appearances at the point of Death

IF our obstinate enemy, who is never tired of troubling us, assails you by false appearances, by transformations of himself into an angel of light, stand firm and unshaken in the knowledge of your own nothingness, and say to him daringly: "Return, unhappy one, into your darkness, for I am unworthy of visions, nor have I need of anything but the Mercy of my Jesus, and the prayers of the Virgin Mary, of St. Joseph, and of the other Saints."

And if, nevertheless, it appears to you that these things come from Heaven, by many almost convincing signs, yet refuse them, and drive them as far as possible from you. Fear not lest this resistance, founded on your own unworthiness, be displeasing to the Lord; since if the thing be from Him, He knows how to make it clear to you, and you will lose nothing; because He Who gives grace to the humble, does not withdraw it for acts which are done through humility.

These are the weapons which the enemy most commonly employs against us in our last journey.

He tempts each one according to his particular bent,—in that to which he knows him to be most inclined. Therefore, before the hour of the great conflict approaches, we ought to arm ourselves well, and fight valiantly against our strongest passions, and against those which have the greatest mastery over us; so that the victory may be easier in that time, which will leave us no other time for action afterwards.

"Fight against them, until they be consumed." 1 Sam. xv. 18.