This page needs to be proofread.

man is yet furthest from true sanctity, when he thinketh himself to be nearest.

Moreover, let him look upon himself in the lives of the saints who now reign with Christ, or live yet in this mortal life, as in a looking-glass, to which of these he doth compare himself, he will see that he is no more than a dwarf in respect of a giant; which consideration will not a little suppress his pride.

A REMEDY FOR THE EIGHTH TEMPTATION.

Against the inordinate desire of study and learning, it is good to consider how far virtue exceedeth science, and how much the knowledge of God excelleth human wisdom. Hence a man may learn how necessary it is, to bestow more labor upon one, than upon the other. Moreover, the world hath all the excellence that can be desired, but cannot avoid this misery — that it must end with life. What, then, more miserable than to seek after that, with so much labor and expense, which so quickly perisheth? If all things in the world could be known, they are but as nothing; and, therefore, it is much better to exercise ourselves in the love of God, the fruit whereof remaineth for ever, and in whom we see and know all things. Last of all, in the day of judgment we shall not be asked what we have read, but what we have