l the while, had we known ourselves,
we should have seen that the real wonder is that we are ever able at
all to resist him successfully.

Nor must we be surprised if there seem to rise up out of our own hearts
foul and humiliating temptations. We are not to forget that we are
made from the dust of the earth that can, of itself, bring forth naught
but thorns and thistles. The material of temptation is everywhere,
within and without, the soul "having the worst temptation within itself
in its own temptibility."[12]

Nor will he who understands himself and his own weakness grow impatient
with the long {104} continuance of the battle. He will recognize that
if he had his just deserts he would long since have been cast out from
God rather than permitted to wear the King's uniform, and fight battles
for the honour of His Name. He who knows himself will go softly all
the days of his life, knowing that only by so great a salvation as that
wrought on Calvary has he been preserved from the power of the enemy.
So "by little and little, and by patience with long suffering through
God's help thou shalt better overcome, than by hardness and thine own
pertinacity."[13]

VII. _The Practice of Diligence_

There remains to be considered the spirit of diligence that must
characterize the soldier of Christ. Keep yourself always busy with the
things of God. Keep the whole mental faculty engaged; keep it under
the command of the Holy Ghost, for just as in all else that belongs to
man, if God does not direct it, Satan will. There is a deep spiritual
truth in the old proverb, "An idle brain is the devil's workshop."

Not only will this course superinduce such habits of thought and
character as will strengthen us mightily, but, the human mind being
what it {105} is, will render it often impossible for Satan to find
lodgment in it for his temptation.

The mind can only be engaged with a limited number of things at any one
time. This varies with various persons, according to their mental
training and development, but even the most highly developed mind can
compass but few things at the same moment. Our common mental processes
consist of one thought, or group of thoughts, thrusting out others, and
taking their place until in their turn they are displaced. Since this
is the case, one's safety from evil thoughts lies in diligently keeping
the mind filled with good and holy thoughts. Keep the will at work
calling up a continuous