CHAPTER XII.
OF THE GROWTH OF PATIENCE IN THE SOUL, AND OF STRIVING AGAINST CONCUPISCENCE.
LORD my God patience is very necessary for me, for many things in this life do not happen as we would.
For whatsoever plans I shall devise for my own peace, my life cannot be without war and affliction.
It is so, my son. But My will is, that thou seek not that peace which is void of temptations, or which suffereth nothing contrary: But rather think that thou hast found peace, when thou art exercised with sundry tribulations, and tried in many adversities.
2. If thou say, that thou art not able to suffer much, how then wilt thou endure the fire hereafter?
Of two evils the less is always to be chosen. That thou mayest therefore avoid the everlasting punishment, endeavour to endure present evils patiently for God's sake.
Dost thou think that the men of this world suffer nothing or but little? Ask even those who live most at their ease, and thou shalt find it otherwise.
But thou wilt say, they have many delights, and follow their own wills, and therefore they do not much weigh their own afflictions.
Be it so, that they have whatsoever they will; but how long dost thou think that it will last?
