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OF THE DEVIL'S DECEITS
103

snare. Be very careful not to allow, when in this state of trial, any desires or projects which you cannot at once carry into effect, and which on that account are likely to disturb you.

In this case resign yourself with all patience, humility, and resignation to the conviction that your desires may after all not have the effect which you supposed, inasmuch as you are weaker and more unstable than you thought yourself to be.

Or else think that perhaps God, in His secret counsels, or for your unworthiness, does not intend you to do this good work, but rather intends you to patiently humble and abase yourself under the loving and mighty hand of His Will.

In like manner, when your spiritual father hinders you, or some other cause, from such frequent attendance at your devotions, and especially the Holy Communion, as you would wish, do not allow yourself to be vexed and disturbed on that account, but give up entirely your own mind, and be clothed with the good pleasure of your Lord, and say—"If the eye of Divine Providence did not discover in me some ingratitude or defect, I should not now be debarred from receiving this most Holy Sacrament. I see that my Lord thus makes known to me my unworthiness, and therefore I will praise and bless His Name for ever. I am fully persuaded, O my Lord, that in Thy infinite Goodness Thou