and by the consideration of dangers escaped, avert those which might come afterwards. Suspect all those desires which, according to the general opinion of good people, cannot come to effect: such as the desires of a certain Christian perfection which can be imagined but not practised, in which many take lessons, but which no one realizes in action. Know that the virtue of patience is the one which most assures us of perfection; and if we must have patience with others, so we must with ourselves.