And if there be any where tribulation and anguish, an evil conscience feels the most of it.
As iron put into the fire loses the rust, and becomes all fire; so a man that turns himself wholly to God puts off his sluggishness, and is changed into a new man.
4. When a man begins to grow lukewarm, he is afraid of a little labour, and willingly takes external comfort.
But when he begins perfectly to overcome himself, and to walk manfully in the way of God, then he makes less account of those things, which before he considered burthensome to him.
Chap. V.
Of the consideration of one's self.
1. We cannot trust much to ourselves, because we often want grace and understanding.
There is but little light in us, and this we quickly lose through negligence.
Many times also we perceive not that we are so blind interiorly.
We often do ill, and do worse in excusing it.