But
the thing that maketh men so to say is that, of those who finally do
destroy themselves, there is much speech and much wondering, as it
is well worthy. But many a good man and woman hath sometime--yea,
for some years, once after another--continually been tempted to do
it, and yet hath, by grace and good counsel, well and virtuously
withstood that temptation, and been in conclusion clearly delivered
of it. And their tribulation is not known abroad and therefore not
talked of.
But surely, cousin, a horrible sore trouble it is to any man or
woman whom the devil tempteth with that temptation. Many have I
heard of, and with some have I talked myself, who have been sore
cumbered with it, and I have marked not a little the manner of
them.
VINCENT: I pray you, good uncle, show me somewhat of such things
as you perceive therein. For first, whereas you call the kind of
temptation the daughter of pusillanimity and thereby so near of
kin to the night's fear, methinketh on the other hand that it is
rather a thing that cometh of a great courage and boldness. For
they dare with their own hands to put themselves to death, from
which we see almost every man shrink and flee, and many of them we
know by good proof and plain experience for men of great heart and
excellent bold courage.
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