Book 11

I commanded you, said he, in the first commandment to keep faith and fear and continence. Yes, sir, said I. But now I wish, said he, to explain also their qualities that you may understand what is the quality of each and its working, for their working is of two sorts. They relate, then, to the righteous and to the unrighteous:

do you therefore believe the righteous, but do not believe the unrighteous. For that which is righteous has a straight path, but that which is unrighteous a crooked path. But do you walk in the straight path, but leave the crooked path alone.

For the crooked path has no road, but rough ground and many stumbling-blocks, and is steep and thorny. It is therefore harmful to those who walk in it.

But those who go in the straight path walk smoothly and without stumbling, for it is neither rough nor thorny. You see, then, that it is better to walk in this path.

It pleases me, sir, said I, to walk in this path. You shall do so, said he, and whoever turns to the Lord with all his heart, shall walk in it.

Hear now, said he, concerning faith. There are two angels with man, one of righteousness and one of wickedness.

How then, sir, said I, shall I know their workings, because both angels dwell with me?

Listen, said he, and understand them. The angel of righteousness is delicate and modest and meek and gentle. When, then, he comes into your heart he at once speaks with you of righteousness, of purity, of reverence, of self-control, of every righteous deed, and of all glorious virtue. When all these things come into your heart, know that the angel of righteousness is with you. These things, then, are the deeds of the angel of righteousness. Therefore believe him and his works.

Now see also the works of the angel of wickedness. First of all, he is ill tempered, and bitter, and foolish, and his deeds are evil, casting down the servants of God. Whenever therefore he comes into your heart, know him from his works.

I do not understand, sir, said I, how to perceive him. Listen, said he. When ill temper or bitterness come upon you, know that he is in you. Next the desire of many deeds and the luxury of much eating and drinking, and many feasts, and various and unnecessary foods, and the desire of women, and covetousness and haughtiness, and pride, and whatsoever things are akin and like to these,— when, therefore, these things come into your heart, know that the angel of wickedness is with you.

When, therefore, you know his deeds, keep from him, and do not trust him, because his deeds are evil and unprofitable for the servants of God. You have, therefore, the workings of both the angels. Understand them and believe the angel of righteousness, but keep from the angel of wickedness because his teaching is evil in every act. For though a man be faithful, if the thought of that angel rise in his heart, it must be that that man or woman commit some sin.

But again, though a man or woman be very evil, if there rise in his heart the deeds of the angel of righteousness, it must needs be that he do some good act.

You see, therefore, said he, that it is good to follow the angel of righteousness, but to keep away from the angel of wickedness.

This commandment makes plain the things of the faith, that you may believe the works of the angel of righteousness, and by doing them live to God. But believe that the works of the angel of wickedness are bad: by not doing them, therefore, you shall live to God.