And because they presumptuously undertook greater things than were pleasing to God, therefore they quickly lost his grace.
They became needy, and were left in a wretched condition, who had built themselves a nest in heaven; to the end, that being thus humbled and impoverished, they may learn not to trust to their own wings, but to hide themselves under mine.
Those who are as yet but novices and unexperienced in the way of the Lord, if they will not govern themselves by the counsel of the discreet, will easily be deceived and overthrown.
3. And if they will rather follow their own judgment than believe others that have more experience, they will be in danger of coming off ill if they continue to refuse to lay down their own conceits.
They that are wise in their own eyes seldom humbly suffer themselves to be ruled by others.
It is better to have little knowledge with humility, and a weak understanding, than greater treasures of learning with a vain self-complacence.
It is better for thee to have less than much, which may puff thee up with pride.
He is not so discreet as he ought, who gives himself up wholly to joy, forgetting his former poverty, and the chaste fear of God, which apprehends the losing of that grace which is offered.
Neither is he so virtuously wise, who in the time of adversity, or any tribulation whatsoever, carries himself in a desponding way, and conceives and feels less confidence in me than he ought.