desire in his mind. For when he once getteth it, he then hath the
first comfort--and, without doubt, if it be well considered, a
comfort marvellously great. His friends who thus counsel him must
also, to the attaining thereof, help to pray for him themselves,
and cause him to desire good folk to help him to pray for it. And
then, if these ways be taken to get it, I doubt not but the
goodness of God shall give it.


VI

VINCENT: Verily methinketh, good uncle, that this counsel is very
good. For unless a person have first a desire to be comforted by
God, I cannot see what it can avail to give him any further counsel
of any spiritual comfort.

Howbeit, what if the man have this desire of God's comfort: that
is, that it may please God to comfort him in his tribulation by
taking that tribulation from him--is not this a good desire of
God's comfort, and a desire sufficient for him who is in
tribulation?

ANTHONY: No, cousin, that it is not. I touched before upon this
point and passed it over, because I thought it would fall in our
way again, and so know I well that it will, oftener than once. And
now am I glad that you yourself move it to me here.

A man may many times, well and without sin, desire of God that the
tribulation be taken from him. But neither may we desire that in
every case, nor yet very well in any case (except very few) save