1.4

I think there are three movements of the body. The first is the body’s natural movement, joined to it by nature. Yet it does not act or accomplish anything without the soul’s will; it is simply recognized as present in the body. There is also another movement that comes from feeding the body with much food and drink. The swelling of the blood caused by food attacks the body, stirring it through indulgence. Because of this the Apostle says, “Do not get drunk with wine, in which there is dissipation.” And the Lord says to His disciples in the Gospel, “Take care lest your hearts be weighed down by food and drink or by indulgence.” Especially those who seek the measure of sanctification ought to say, “I discipline my body and bring it into subjection.”

The third movement comes from evil spirits, who tempt through envy and want to weaken those who are striving to sanctify themselves. Yet if the soul holds firm in these three things by the testimonies through which the Spirit has instructed the mind, both soul and body will be sanctified from this threefold sickness. But if the mind abandons the testimonies that the Spirit bears to it, then evil spirits take their seat over the body’s mass and attack through that movement until the soul is exhausted and begins to ask where its help will come from. Then it turns back, takes hold of the Spirit’s testimonies, and is healed. It is also taught that its one rest must be sought from God, and in this way its peace comes.