When one temptation or tribulation goeth away, another cometh; and we shall ever have something to suffer, because we are fallen from the state of our felicity.
Many seek to fly temptations, and fall more grievously into them.
By flight alone we cannot overcome, but by patience and true humility we become stronger than all our enemies.
He that only avoideth them outwardly, and doth not pluck them up by the roots, shall profit little; yea, temptations will the sooner return unto him, and will be more violent than before.
By little and little, and by the very beginning, unlearn evil habits, lest perhaps by little and little they draw thee to greater difficulty.
Oh! if thou didst but consider how much inward peace unto thyself, and joy unto others, thou wouldst procure by demeaning thyself well, I think that thou wouldst be more careful of thy spiritual progress.
Of the Profit of Adversity.—It is good that we have sometimes some troubles and crosses; for they often make a man enter into himself, and consider that he is here in banishment, and ought not to place his trust in any worldly thing.
It is good that we be sometimes contradicted, and that men think ill or inadequately; and this, although we do and intend well.
These things help often to the attaining of humility, and defend us from vain glory: for then we are more inclined to seek God for our inward witness, when outwardly we be contemned by men, and when there is no credit given unto us.
And therefore a man should settle himself so fully in God, that he needs not to seek many comforts of men.