I Will Take Heed To My Ways

Fellow-Pilgrim, say not in your heart "I will go hither and thither and I shall not sin" for you are never so out of danger of sinning as to boast of your security. The road is very miry, it will be hard to pick your path so as not to soil your garments. This is a world of pitch, you will need to watch often if in handling it you are to keep your hands clean. There is a thief at every turn of the road to rob you of your jewels. There is a temptation in every mercy, a snare in every joy, and if you ever reach heaven it will be a miracle of divine grace to be ascribed entirely to your Father's power. Be on your guard.
When a man is carrying petrol he should be careful not to go near a naked flame, and you too should take care that you enter not into temptation. Even your common actions are edged tools, mind how you handle them. There is nothing in this world to foster a love to Christ but everything to destroy it. How anxious we should be to look up to God that He may keep us, our prayer should be "hold Thou me up and I shall be safe." Having prayed you must also watch, guarding every thought, word and action with holy jealousy. Do not I pray you expose yourself to temptation unnecessarily, but if you are called to go where the darts are flying never venture forth without your shield, for if once the devil finds you without your buckler he will rejoice that his hour of triumph is come and will soon make you fall down wounded by his arrows. Though slain you cannot be, sorely wounded you may be. "Be sober, be vigilant" danger may be in an hour when all seems secure to you. Therefore take heed unto thy ways and watch unto prayer. No man ever fell into error through being too watchful. May The Holy Spirit guide us in all our ways, so shall they always please The Lord.