For, as our Saviour said, _"Inimici
hominis domestici eius."_
But in all manner of so diverse temptations, one marvellous
comfort is that, the more we be tempted, the gladder have we cause
to be. For, as St. James saith, "Esteem and take it, my brethren,
for a thing of all joy when you fall into diverse and sundry
manner of temptations." And no marvel, for there is in this world
set up (as it were) a game of wrestling, in which the people of
God come in on the one side, and on the other side come mighty
strong wrestlers and wily--that is, the devils, the cursed proud
damned spirits. For it is not our flesh alone that we must wrestle
with, but with the devil too. "Our wrestling is not here," saith
St. Paul, "against flesh and blood, but against the princes and
potentates of these dark regions, against the spiritual wicked
ghosts of the air."
But as God hath prepared a crown for those who on his side give
his adversary the fall, so he who will not wrestle shall have
none. For, as St. Paul saith, "There shall no man have the crown
but he who contendeth for it according to the law of the game."
And then, as holy St. Bernard saith, how couldst thou fight or
wrestle for it, if there were no challenger against thee who would
provoke thee thereto? And therefore may it be a great comfort, as
St.
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