Of avoiding vain hope and pride
Chapter
avoiding vain hope
If a man be not yet perfectly dead to self, he is soon tempted and overcome, and that even in petty and paltry matters.
He that is weak in spirit, and as yet somewhat carnal and inclined to things of sense, cannot without difficulty sever himself wholly from earthly desires.
And therefore he is often sad when he does withdraw himself; moreover, he is easily moved to anger if anyone thwarts him.
2. And, if he have achieved his desire, forthwith he is burdened with remorse of conscience for having gone after his passion; which does not help him at all to the peace he looked for.
It is by resisting the passions, and not by serving them, that true peace of heart is to be found.
There is no peace, therefore, in the heart of the carnal man, nor in the man who is devoted to outward things; but only in the fervent and spiritual man.
CHAPTER 7
OF AVOIDING VAIN HOPE AND PRIDE
He is foolish that puts his hope in man, or in things created.
Be not ashamed to serve other men for the love of Jesus Christ, and to be looked upon as poor in this world.
Do not rely upon yourself, but put your trust in God.
Do what you are able to do, and God will assist your good will.
Put your trust neither in your own knowledge, nor in the cleverness of any man living, but rather in the grace of God, who helps the humble and humbles the presumptuous.
2. Glory not in riches, if you have them, nor in friends, because they are powerful, but in God who gives all things and above all desires to give you Himself.
Boast not of your stature, or of the beauty of your body, which a little sickness can spoil and disfigure.
Be not proud of your abilities or your talents, lest you offend God, to whom you owe whatever natural gifts you possess.
3. Do not think yourself better than others, lest perhaps you be accounted worse by God, who knows what is in man.^ Be not proud of your good works; for the judgements of God are other than the judgements of men, and often what pleases men displeases Him. iJohn ii, 25.