And
besides that, he is sorry for a thing for which, unless he will
willingly turn his good into his harm, he hath more cause to be
glad.
First, if he have cause to fear, yet feareth he more than he
needeth. For there is no devil so diligent to destroy him as God
is to preserve him; nor no devil so near him to do him harm as God
is to do him good. Nor are all the devils in hell so strong to
invade and assault him as God is to defend him if he distrust him
not but faithfully put his trust in him.
He feareth also where he needeth not. For he dreadeth that he were
out of God's favour, because such horrible thoughts fall into his
mind, but he must understand that while they fall into his mind
against his will they are not imputed unto him.
He is, finally, sad of that of which he may be glad. For since he
taketh such thoughts displeasantly, and striveth and fighteth
against them, he hath thereby a good token that he is in God's
favour, and that God assisteth him and helpeth him. And he may
make himself sure that so will God never cease to do, unless he
himself fail and fall from him first. And beside that, this
conflict that he hath against the temptation shall, if he will not
fall where he need not, be an occasion of his merit and of a right
great reward in heaven.
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