John Tauler · 35 of 121

Secondly, of the work and knowledge of grace. · 89.

It may be objected; if a man hath a right repentance of his sins God forgiveth them him, so that he immediately hath no more sins upon him? To this I say, this is done by a true repentance; but there are many men who guard themselves against sin, but yet have not all virtue. I say also that a true, downright avoiding of all sins is a true possession of all virtue. If also some men guard themselves against sin, yet by no means possess virtue, they only guard against it outwardly in their works, and they often do this on account of disgrace, as they are afraid of dishonour before the world; but they do it not for the sake of God, and do not inwardly avoid sin. If also they avoid mortal sins in their works and will, they do so from fear of hell; but they do not avoid venial sins, for they commit these very often; thus sin is not avoided in the right way. If these men, while guarding against sins, be they mortal or venial, do not at the same time possess all virtue, being aware of this, it must needs be that, though unconsciously, they commit many sins. Anil in this case this unconsciousness itself is a sin. And in sooth a man who wisheth to guard himself against sins must have all virtue; therefore the angel counselleth also to man virtue, that he may be free from vice. The more a man recognises virtue in himself the freer he seeth himself from vice, and he who cannot find any virtue in himself, let him know that he is full of vices.