No man is so perfect and holy, but he hath sometimes temptations, and we cannot be altogether without them. Nevertheless temptations are often very profitable to us, though they be troublesome and grievous; for in them a man is humbled, purified, and instructed. All the Saints passed through man's tribulations and temptations, and profited thereby. And they that could not bear temptations, became reprobate, and fell away. There is no order so holy, nor place so secret, as that there be not temptations, or adversities in it. There is no man that is altogether free from temptations whilst he liveth on earth: for the root thereof is in ourselves, who are born with inclination to evil. When one temptation or tribulation goeth away, another cometh; and we shall ever have something to suffer, because we are fallen from the state of our felicity. Many seek to fly temptations, and fall more grievously into them. By flight alone we cannot overcome, but by patience and true humility we become stronger than all our enemies. He that only avoideth them outwardly, and doth not pluck them up by the roots, shall profit little; yea, temptations will the sooner return unto him, and will be more violent than before. By little and little, and by the very beginning, unlearn evil habits, lest perhaps by little and little they draw thee to greater difficulty. Oh! if thou didst but consider how much inward peace unto thyself, and joy unto others, thou wouldst procure by demeaning thyself well, I think that thou wouldst be more careful of thy spiritual progress. _Of the Profit of Adversity._--It is good that we have sometimes some troubles and crosses; for they often make a man enter into himself, and consider that he is here in banishment, and ought not to place his trust in any worldly thing. It is good that we be sometimes contradicted, and that men think ill or inadequately; and this, although we do and intend well. These things help often to the attaining of humility, and defend us from vain glory: for then we are more inclined to seek God for our inward witness, when outwardly we be contemned by men, and when there is no credit given unto us. And therefore a man should settle himself so fully in God, that he needs not to seek many comforts of men. When a good man is afflicted, tempted, or troubled with evil thoughts, then he understandeth better the great need he hath of God, without whom he perceiveth he can do nothing that is good. Then also he sorroweth, lamenteth, and prayeth, by reason of the miseries he suffereth. Then he is weary of living longer, and wisheth that death would come, that he might depart and be with Christ. Then also he well perceiveth, that perfect security and full peace cannot be had in this world.