For truly, but if the jangling of the imagination, that is to say,
the in-running of vain thoughts, be first refrained, without doubt
the lust of the sensuality may not be attempered. And therefore who
so will abstain him from fleshly and worldly lusts, him behoveth
first seldom or never think any vain thoughts.[72] And also never in
this life may a man perfectly despise the ease of the flesh, and not
dread the disease, but if he have before busily beholden the meeds
and the torments that are to come. But here it is to wete how that,
with these four sons of these two maidens, the city of our
conscience is kept wonderfully from all temptations. For all
temptation either it riseth within by thought, or else without by
some of our five wits. But within shall Dan deem and damn evil
thoughts by sight of pain; and without shall Gad put against[73]
false delights by use of abstinence. Dan waketh[74] within, and Gad
without; and also their other two brethren helpen them full much:
Naphtali maketh peace within with Dan, and Asher biddeth Gad have no
dread of his enemies. Dan feareth the heart with ugsomeness of hell,
and Naphtali cherisheth it with behighting[75] of heavenly bliss.
Also Asher helpeth his brother without, so that, through them both,
the wall of the city is not broken. Gad holdeth out ease, and Asher
pursueth disease. Asher soon deceiveth his enemy, when he bringeth
to mind the patience of his father[76] and the behighting of
Naphtali, and thus oft times ever the more enemies he hath, the more
matter he hath of overcoming. And therefore it is that, when he hath
overcome his enemies (that is to say, the adversities of this
world), soon he turneth him to his brother Gad to help to destroy
his enemies. And without fail, from that he be come, soon they turn
the back, and flee. The enemies of Gad are fleshly delights; but
truly, from the time that a man have patience in the pain of his
abstinence, false delights find no woning stead[77] in him.