if the devil had such great power as to cast thee down from that pinnacle and height of virtue
into the extremity of evil doing, much more will God be able to draw thee up again to thy
former confidence; and not only indeed to make you what you were before, but even much
happier. Only be not downcast, nor fling away good hopes, nor fall into the condition of
the ungodly. For it is not the multitude of sins which is wont to plunge men into despair,
but impiety of soul. Therefore Solomon did not make the unqualified statement “every one
who has entered into the den of the wicked, despiseth;” but only “he who is ungodly.”224
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For it is such persons only who are affected in this way when they have entered the den of
the wicked. And this it is which does not suffer them to look up, and re-ascend to the position
from which they fell. For this accursed thought pressing down like some yoke upon the neck
of the soul, and so forcing it to stoop, hinders it from looking up to the Master. Now it is
the part of a brave and excellent man to break this yoke in pieces, to shake off the tormentor
fastened upon him; and to utter the words of the prophet, “As the eyes of a maiden look
unto the hands of her mistress, even so our eyes look unto the Lord our God until He have
mercy upon us. Have pity upon us, O Lord, have pity upon us, for we have been utterly filled
with contempt.”225 Truly divine are these precepts, and decrees of the highest form of
spiritual wisdom. We have been filled, it is said, with contempt, and have undergone
countless distresses; nevertheless we shall not desist from looking up to God, neither shall
we cease praying to him until He has received our petition. For this is the mark of a noble
soul, not to be cast down, nor be dismayed at the multitude of the calamities which oppress
it, nor to withdraw, after praying many times without success, but to persevere, until He
have mercy upon us, even as the blessed David saith.
2. For the reason why the devil plunges us into thoughts of despair is that he may cut
off the hope which is towards God, the safe anchor, the foundation of our life, the guide of
the way which leads to heaven, the salvation of perishing souls. “For by hope” it is said, “we
are saved.”226 For this assuredly it is which, like some strong cord suspended from the
heavens, supports our souls, gradually drawing towards that world on high those who cling
firmly to it, and lifting them above the tempest of the evils of this life. If any one then becomes
enervated, and lets go this sacred anchor, straightway he falls down, and is suffocated, having
entered into the abyss of wickedness. And the Evil One knowing this, when he perceives
that we are ourselves oppressed by the consciousness of evil deeds, steps in himself and lays
upon us the additional burden, heavier than lead, of anxiety arising from despair; and if we
accept it, it follows of necessity that we are forthwith dragged down by the weight, and
having been parted from that cord, descend into the depth of misery where thou thyself art
224 Prov. xviii. 3. LXX.
225 Ps. cxxiii. 2, 3.
226 Rom. viii. 24.
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Letter I