That We Must Rid Ourselves of Evil Inclinations.
We still have, Philothea, certain natural inclinations which, having no source in our particular sins, are not properly sins, either mortal or venial, but are called only imperfections; and their acts, faults or failings. For example, Saint Paula, as Saint Jerome relates, had a great inclination to sadness and tears, to such a degree that, at the death of her husband and children, she nearly died of grief. This was an imperfection, and not a sin, since it was against her desire and will. Some dispositions are naturally flighty, others crabbed, others unable to yield to another’s opinion; some are inclined to anger, others to love of creatures; in short, there are few persons in whom one cannot observe some sort of imperfection. Now, although these imperfections seem peculiar and natural to each of us, it is nevertheless not impossible, with care and attention, to weaken and correct them, and even to rid ourselves of them entirely; and I tell you, Philothea, that this is what must be done. A way has indeed been found to change bitter almond trees into sweet almond trees, simply by piercing them at the foot, so that the sap may flow out; why, then, should we not also be able to draw out our evil inclinations, so as to become better? There is no disposition so good that it cannot become bad through vicious habits; and likewise there is none so evil that, first by the grace of God, and secondly by zeal and application, it cannot be subdued and overcome. I shall now therefore give you counsels, and propose remedies by means of which you may purge your soul of attachment to venial sin, of dangerous affections, and of imperfections, and thereby make your conscience all the more secure against every mortal sin. May God grant you the grace to put them well into practice!
We still have, Philothea, certain natural inclinations which, having no source in our particular sins, are not properly sins, either mortal or venial, but are called only imperfections; and their acts, faults or failings. For example, Saint Paula, as Saint Jerome relates, had a great inclination to sadness and tears, to such a degree that, at the death of her husband and children, she nearly died of grief. This was an imperfection, and not a sin, since it was against her desire and will. Some dispositions are naturally flighty, others crabbed, others unable to yield to another’s opinion; some are inclined to anger, others to love of creatures; in short, there are few persons in whom one cannot observe some sort of imperfection. Now, although these imperfections seem peculiar and natural to each of us, it is nevertheless not impossible, with care and attention, to weaken and correct them, and even to rid ourselves of them entirely; and I tell you, Philothea, that this is what must be done. A way has indeed been found to change bitter almond trees into sweet almond trees, simply by piercing them at the foot, so that the sap may flow out; why, then, should we not also be able to draw out our evil inclinations, so as to become better? There is no disposition so good that it cannot become bad through vicious habits; and likewise there is none so evil that, first by the grace of God, and secondly by zeal and application, it cannot be subdued and overcome. I shall now therefore give you counsels, and propose remedies by means of which you may purge your soul of attachment to venial sin, of dangerous affections, and of imperfections, and thereby make your conscience all the more secure against every mortal sin. May God grant you the grace to put them well into practice!
SECOND PART
CONTAINING VARIOUS COUNSELS FOR THE ELEVATION OF THE SOUL TO GOD BY PRAYER AND THE SACRAMENTS.
CONTAINING VARIOUS COUNSELS FOR THE ELEVATION OF THE SOUL TO GOD BY PRAYER AND THE SACRAMENTS.