Part IV, Chapter VII

Remedies against Great Temptations

As soon as you perceive yourself tempted, follow the example of children when they see a wolf or a bear in the country; for they immediately run into the arms of their father or mother, or at least they call out to them for help or assistance. It is the remedy which our Lord has taught: “Pray that ye enter not into temptation.” (Matthew 26:41) If you find that the temptation, nevertheless, still continues, or even increases, run in spirit to embrace the holy cross, as if you saw our Saviour Jesus Christ crucified before you. Protest that you never will consent to the temptation, implore his assistance against it, and still refuse your consent as long as the temptation shall continue.

But, in making these protestations and refusals of consent, look not the temptation in the face, but look only on our Lord; for if you look at the temptation, especially while it is strong, it may shake your courage. Divert your thoughts to some good and pious reflections, for, when good thoughts occupy your heart, they will drive away every temptation and suggestion.

But the sovereign remedy against all temptations, whether great or small, is to lay open your heart, and communicate its suggestions, feelings, and affections to your director; for you must observe, that the first condition that the enemy of salvation makes with a soul which he desires to seduce is to keep silence; as those who intend to seduce maids, or married women, at the very first forbid them to communicate their proposals to their parents or husbands; whereas God, on the other hand, by his inspirations, requires that we should make them known to our superiors and directors.

If after all this, the temptation should still continue to harass and persecute us, we have nothing to do on our part but to continue as resolute in our protestations never to consent to it; for as maids can never be married as long as they answer no, so the soul, no matter how long the temptation may last, can never sin as long as she says no.

Never dispute with your enemy, nor make him any reply but that with which our Saviour confounded him: “Begone, Satan, for it is written: The Lord thy God shalt thou adore, and him only shalt thou serve.” For as a chaste wife should never answer the wicked wretch that makes her dishonorable proposal, but quit him abruptly, and at the same instant turn her heart towards her husband, and renew the promise of fidelity which she has made to him; so the devout soul, that sees herself assaulted by temptation, ought by no means to lose time in disputing, but with all simplicity turn herself towards Jesus Christ her Spouse, and renew her protestation of fidelity to him, and her resolution to remain solely and entirely his forever.

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