part of their soul; and with the "wind" and "dew" of heaven they quench the heat of the flesh, exciting them to glorify God, for the victory He has given them against it. And therefore, when I shall see myself assaulted with these temptations, I am to call to them, saying:
Colloquy. — O ye glorious angels, guardians of virgins, protectors of the chaste, friends and companions of men that are pure, come and favour me, that the fire that encircleth me may not burn me. Disperse the flame that burneth within my flesh, that it may neither touch nor hurt my spirit; and purchase for me the gentle wind of God's spirit, that it may cool and refresh the heats of my flesh!
ii. The second favour is, that God Himself, by a partieular protection, comes to guard such as are chaste, who by their purity make themselves like not only angels, but even the Lord of angels Himself, the fountain of all purity, who is delighted to converse familiarly with the chaste, and to admit them to His friendship. [1]
O eternal God, who feedest " among the lilies," [2] for it is Thy food and Thy pleasure to converse with chaste souls, endue mine with chastity, that Thou mayest deign to inhabit and to converse with it! Amen. [3]
From these two favours I am to gather a most effectual means to vanquish temptations when they assail me on a sudden and alone, by instantly lifting up the eyes of my soul to the angel who is present, but much more to the presence of God Himself — shaming to do before them what I would not do before men; [4] and with this consideration I shall answer the temptations as chaste Susanna
