to themselves a high degree of perfection; and thus becoming more and more puffed up, they judge others, while their own conversion (unless God vouchsafe to them a special need of grace) is well-nigh hopeless. For this reason the open sinner may be more easily converted and brought back, than he who is veiled and hidden from himself by the semblance of virtue. Thou seest, then, plainly enough, as I have now made plain to thee, that the essence of the Spiritual Life consisteth not in these things.