You ask me for remedies against the temptations against the faith which are troubling you. You must deal with such temptations exactly as you would with those against purity. Dispute with them neither much nor little, but do as the children of Israel did with the bones of the paschal lamb, which they never attempted to break, but cast them into the fire. You must never answer nor seem to understand what the enemy says. Let him make as much noise as he pleases at the gate, never once say, Who goes there?

Very true, you will say to me; but he importunes me, and his noise is so loud, that those within cannot hear each other speak. Never mind; patience; they must speak by signs; you must prostrate yourself before God, and remain there at His feet; He will understand by this humble guise that you are on His side, and that you wish for His help, though you cannot speak. But above all, keep yourself fast within, and on no account open the door, either to see who knocks, or to drive away the troublesome applicant. He will at length weary of his noise, and leave you at peace.

Courage, then; provided he does not enter in, it matters nothing. It is, however, a very good sign that the enemy keeps knocking and storming at the gate; for it shews that he has not what he wants. If he had, he would not make any more noise, but enter in, and quietly remain there.  –St Francis de Sales ‘Practice of Piety’