whilst it falls a prey to them.) It stands, therefore, in need of succour and assistance, not only in the time of trial, but beforehand; that so, being strengthened against itself, it may gain the victory, and, freed from the tyranny of the passions, give itself up wholly to God and to His good pleasure.
CHAPTER VIII.
How the Will of Man is greatly strengthened by overcoming the World.
SINCE our passions are stirred and fed by the world and the things of the world, when its greatness, riches, and delights are set before us, it evidently follows, that when the world and the things of the world are trodden under foot, the will of man begins to breathe freely and to turn elsewhere; for it cannot remain without an object to love and delight in.
The way to trample the world under foot is to penetrate into the real nature of its gifts and promises.
And in doing this, lest we should err, from being blinded, it may be, by some passion, we will take for our consideration and conclusion the words of the wisest of men, Solomon, who had had experience of all earthly greatness.
