reached that Kingdom by the road of thorns and crosses.
Fifthly, the chief thought upon which your mind should dwell in this, and in all other temptations, is the Will of your God, Who, for the love He has for you, takes unspeakable delight in every act of holiness and mortification which you, as His faithful and devoted soldier, perform in return for His love to you. And be thoroughly convinced of this, that the more unreasonable in itself the trouble is, and the more shameful on account of the person from whom it comes and therefore to you the more vexatious and difficult to be borne, so much the more pleasing will you be to the Lord, if, in things disordered in themselves and especially grievous to you, you can approve and love His Divine Will and Providence, by which every event—however irregular it may seem to be—is disposed after a most perfect rule and order.
CHAPTER XV.
Some Suggestions about the manner of Fighting; and especially against what Enemies, and with what Virtues, we should contend.
YOU have seen already, how you must fight if you would conquer self, and adorn yourself with virtues.
