neither would the sick man care, if those about whom he has expressed so much sorrow for their fatigue on his behalf, had incurred the same amount of labour and hurt in waiting upon some one else. This is a clear proof that the root of such men's sorrow is not their concern for others, or for any thing else, but their dislike to have their own will thwarted.
Therefore, in order to escape this and other errors, bear with patience every trouble and sorrow, as I have told you, from whatever cause it may spring.
CHAPTER XXXII.
Of the last above-named Assault and Stratagem, whereby the Devil tries to make the Virtues we have acquired the Occasions of our Ruin.
THE crafty and malicious serpent fails not to tempt us by his subtle devices through the virtues we have acquired. With these he would work our ruin, by inducing us to think too much of them or of ourselves, and thus would lead us to lift up ourselves on high, and thereby to fall into the sin of pride and vain-glory.
To protect yourself from this danger, always fight your own battle, placing yourself on the safe and level ground of a true and deep convic-
