There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.1 Cor. x. 13, 14.
To the question, Why can't I progress? I answer through my own experience,—First, because we wish to share a part of the harvest, where we have not bestowed any labor, — that is, we wish to reap where we have not sown. Second, we are trying to find thistles in the garden of our neighbor, when we have thistles growing in our own garden. Third, because we think we know the whole of Christian Science, when we have not yet fairly commenced, and have not proven it by our works in our daily lives and demonstrations over sin and sickness. Fourth, because we have too many goods that ought not to be in our storehouse; we read too many books and too much literature that fill our minds with worldly things, and keep the garden of our thought ready for the growth of weeds and thistles, rather than full of the rare plants of Truth. Where then is our progress in Truth? We must love our enemies as well as our friends, but we cannot take part in their error. Paul says, "But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience' sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof." I Cor. x. 28.
