CHAPTER XXXIV.
That Virtues are to be gained by degrees, by Erercising ourselves in their gradual formation, and that our Attention must first be given to one step, and then to another.
ALTHOUGH the true soldier of Christ, who aspires to the height of perfection, should not assign limits to his progress, still there are some forms of spiritual fervour which need to be checked with a certain discretion, lest, being ardently embraced at first, they should be soon exhausted, and thus desert us in the middle of our course. Therefore, besides what has been said about moderation in external exercises, we must also learn, that even interior virtues had better be acquired by degrees, and step by step; for in this way that which is small soon becomes great and abiding. Thus, for example, we should not as a rule practise patience in the high degree, which consists in rejoicing in afflictions and desiring them, before we have passed through the lower degrees of the virtue.
Neither do I advise you to endeavour to give your attention to all the virtues at once, but to one only, and afterwards to others; for thus the habit of virtue is more easily and firmly
