Then
say I thus unto you, cousin: Since tribulation is not only such
pangs as pain the body, but every trouble also that grieveth the
mind, many good men have many tribulations that every man marketh
not, and consequently their wealth is interrupted when other men
are not aware. For think you, cousin, that the temptations of the
devil, the world, and the flesh, soliciting the mind of a good man
unto sin, are not a great inward trouble and grief to his heart? To
such wretches as care not for their conscience, but like
unreasonable beasts follow their foul affections, many of these
temptations are no trouble at all, but matter of their bodily
pleasure. But unto him, cousin, that standeth in dread of God, the
tribulation of temptation is so painful that, to be rid of it or to
be sure of the victory, he would gladly give more than half his
substance, be it never so great. Now if he who careth not for God
think that this trouble is but a trifle, and that with such
tribulation prosperity is not interrupted, let him cast in his mind
if he himself come upon a fervent longing for something which he
cannot get (as a good man will not), as perchance his pleasure of
some certain good woman who will not be caught. And then let him
tell me whether the ruffle of his desire shall not so torment his
mind that all the pleasures that he can take beside shall, for lack
of that one, not please him a pin! And I dare be bold to warrant
him that the pain in resisting, and the great fear of falling, that
many a good man hath in his temptation, is an anguish and a grief
every deal as great as this.
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