over self;—on this all depends. That victory will be the more certain and speedy, the more resolutely you give your heart to those toils which in holiness and in war are the lot of beginners; and if you love the toil and hardship of the struggle, rather than the victory and the virtue, you shall the sooner gain all things.
CHAPTER XIII.
Of the way to resist the Sensual Impulses, and of the Acts to be performed by the Will, in order to acquire habits of Virtue.
WHENEVER the reasonable will is attracted by the will of the flesh on one side, and by the Divine Will on the other, each contending for the mastery, it will be necessary to exercise yourself in many ways, in order that the Divine Will may in all things prevail within you.
First, whenever you are assaulted and buffeted by the impulses of the lower nature, you must resist them manfully, so that the higher will may not consent.
Secondly, when the assaults have ceased, excite them again, so as to have an opportunity of overcoming them with greater force and energy. Then challenge them again a third
