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AND when men remain in this condition, there is no doubt that this
quiet and secure state of humility will follow, so that considering
ourselves inferior to every one else we shall bear everything offered to
us, even if it is hurtful, and saddening, and damaging-- with the utmost
patience, as if it came from those who are our superiors. And these things
we shall not only bear with the greatest ease, but we shall consider them
trifling and mere nothings, if we constantly bear in mind the passion of
our Lord and of all His Saints: considering that the injuries by which we
are tried are so much less than theirs, as we are so far behind their
merits and their lives: remembering also that we shall shortly depart out
of this world, and soon by a speedy end to our life here become sharers of
their lot. For considerations such as these are a sure end not only to
pride but to all kinds of sins. Then, next after this we must keep a firm
grasp of this same humility towards God: which we must so secure as not
only to acknowledge that we cannot possibly perform anything connected with
the attainment of perfect virtue without His assistance and grace, but also
truly to believe that this very fact that we can understand this, is His
own gift.
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