John Tauler · 34 of 121

Secondly, of the work and knowledge of grace. · 88.

Some one might now say, If a man feeleth remorse at his sins God forgiveth him, so that he hath no more sins upon him, and yet he doth not possess all virtues. To this I answer, that a true repentance includes in itself the forgiveness of sins and the gaining of all virtues. And if virtue be lacking to the man in fact, yet must he have it at least in the will, and if sin is not to find any place in him he must carry out his will in works, as far as this is possible. And through the firm will that man hath, no more to sin and to obtain all virtue, God forgiveth him his sins. But he must overcome every crime by a special virtue, for the root of sins must be extirpated by virtues. But if the man be empty of virtues and of good works, then within him there still abide the roots and the impulse to sin, and if he be attacked he falleth easily. Just as the tree that hath not deep roots falleth easily if the wind sweeps violently against it; so man, if he wish to stand firm and not to fall, must let the virtues strike deep roots in his heart. He must therefore have all virtues if he will not fall. Virtue guardeth a man from sin; if he is empty of virtues he hath also no support, and crime taketh up a place in him.