Some who are wretchedly disposed, and yet long to be more vicious
than they are, go to physicians and apothecaries and enquire what
things may serve them to make them more lusty to their foul
fleshly delight. And would it then be any folly, on the other
hand, if he who feeleth himself against his will much moved unto
such uncleanness, should enquire of the physician what things,
without diminishing his health, would be suitable for the
diminishing of such foul fleshly motion?
Of spiritual counsel, the first is to be shriven, that the devil
have not the more power upon him by reason of his other sins.
VINCENT: I have heard some say, uncle, that when such folk have
been at shrift, their temptation hath been the more hot upon them
than it was before.
ANTHONY: That think I very well, but that is a special token that
shrift is wholesome for them, since the devil is most wroth with
it. You find, in some places in the gospel, that the devil did
most trouble the person whom he possessed when he saw that Christ
would cast him out. Otherwise, we must let the devil do what he
will, if we fear his anger, for with every good deed will he wax
angry.
Then is it in his shrift to be told him that he not only feareth
more than he needeth, but also feareth where he needeth not.
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