Instructions.

47

but victorious faith, and an honest holy life; sobriety, and temperance, and chastity, jus­tice and charity, piety and devotion.

These doubts are not always sinful, nor always from themselves, but frequently ow­ing to the temptations of the devil, and in­dustriously scattered by him, with wicked artifice and malicious design. Be not there­fore too anxious upon these occasions. Trouble not thyself to argue nicely, nor em­ploy thy thoughts upon the matter, nor hold thyself concerned to be able to answer every cavil, which he puts into thy head: but keep close to Scripture, and do thy duty; and the enemy will soon retreat when he finds thee neglect his attempts.

Think not these inward distractions a sign that thou art forsaken of God. They are rather, on the contrary, a mark of grace. GOD suffers them, to exercise thy patience, to try thy constancy, to promote thy spiritual advantage. Proceed then in thy Christian course with resolution and patience, and still frequent the Sacrament with stedfast faith, and humble reverence.

Whatever thou findest to exceed thy un derstanding, put it to God's account: and leave him to make it good, though thou canst not conceive how it should be done. He will not deceive thee; but they who rely upon their own understanding, are sure to deceive themselves. For,