2. These are the seven vices of the understanding, in which, if I examine myself, I shall find myself very culpable; and of that I am to accuse myself humbly before Almighty God, gathering hence what a state my poor soul is in if her understanding, which is that which guides her, be so miserable. For, as our Saviour Christ says, " If thy eye be evil thy whole body shall be darksome; "[1] and "If the blind lead the blind, both fall into the pit," [2] falling from the internal darkness into the eternal of hell. And therefore I should very carefully endeavour, partly by penance, partly by mortification, to purify myself of these seven vices, that my understanding may be like " silver" "refined" seven times, [3] beseeching the Holy Ghost, with His seven gifts, [4] to purify me from them.
Colloquy. — O most divine Spirit, illustrate my soul with the gift of " wisdom," against my ignorance and dulness! Give me the gift of " counsel," against my imprudence; the gift of " understanding," against my " rashness;" the gift of " knowledge," against the perverseness of my judgment; the gift of " fortitude," against my mutability; the gift of " godliness," against carnal prudence; and the gift of " fear," to oppose to my curiosity; that being free from these vices and illuminated with these gifts, I may begin a new [5] spiritual and perfect life, following Thy divine inspiration, without ever dividing myself from it! Amen.
POINT II.
1. The second point shall be to consider the sins that spring from my own will, and what injury I receive by following it, considering well,
i. That it is my own will; for this alone is sufficient to abhor it. My own will is that which tends only to the
