The deception of those who fancy that they walk
the path of perfection.
Though we may have overcome the enemy in the first and second assault
and in the deception of which I spoke above, the evil one has recourse
to a third. This consists in allowing us to forget those enemies that
currently do battle against us and harm us, so that we occupy ourselves
in desires and resolutions of a high level of perfection.
The result is that we are constantly wounded, and do not tend our
wounds. Esteeming such resolutions as though they were already fact, we
grow prideful in a different way. Unwilling to endure a trifle
or a tiny word to the contrary, we meditate a long time on our
resolutions of suffering great punishments for the love
of God, even the punishments of purgatory. Since our lower nature does
not feel repugnance to this, as if it were a distant thing, as
sorrowful creatures we convince ourselves that we have attained the
level of those who patiently suffer great things.
In order to escape this deception, you must place before yourself those
nearby enemies that truly make war on you, and
you must fight them. This way, you
will see clearly whether your propositions are true or false, strong or
weak. You will walk towards virtue and perfection along that royal road
well-trod by others. But against those enemies by whom you are not
usually tormented, I do not advise you to take up battle. The exception
is if you do foresee that they could attack you at any moment. To
remain prepared and strong, you will find it useful to make resolutions.