At the time of the temptation to carnal indulgences I do not recommend you to meditate upon certain points—as many books suggest—as a remedy against this temptation; such, for instance, as the vileness of this vice, its insatiableness, the loathing and remorse which follow upon it, the peril and loss of goods, life, honour, and all such things. For this is so far from being a sovereign remedy against such temptations, that it may prove hurtful rather than otherwise; for if, on the one hand, the mind dispels these thoughts, on the other, it affords the opportunity and exposes us to the danger of taking pleasure in them, and consenting to the delight. Therefore the sure remedy is flight in all these cases, both from the thoughts themselves, and from everything—however contrary to them—which may bring them to the mind again.
Take, therefore, for your subject of meditation the Life and Passion of our Crucified Redeemer for this purpose. And if, during your meditation, the images of the same thoughts come before the mind's eye against your will, and molest you more than ever—as is frequently the case—do not therefore despond, nor leave off your meditation, neither turn your attention to these thoughts with a view to resisting them, but pursue it with all possible intenseness, taking no notice of these thoughts, which in no sense
