are too quickly cast down and turn to human consolation. If we would endeavor like brave men to stand in the battle, surely we should behold above us the help of God from Heaven. For He Himself who gives us occasions to fight, is ready to aid those who strive and trust in His grace.
If we esteem our progress in religious life to consist only in some outward observances, our devotion will quickly have an end. But let us lay the axe to the root,† that being freed from passions we may possess our souls in peace.
If every year we would root out one vice, we should soon become perfect men. But how often we perceive it goes contrary, and that we were better and purer at the beginning of our entrance into the religious life than after many years of our profession. Our fervor and profiting should increase daily. But now it is accounted a great matter if a man can retain but some part of his first zeal.
If we would exercise some severe discipline at the beginning, then afterward we should be able to perform all things with ease and delight. It is a hard matter to leave off that to which we are accustomed, and even it is harder to go against our own wills. But if you do not overcome little and easy things, how will you overcome harder things? Resist the
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