Chap I.--_Of interior conversation_.
1. _The kingdom of God is within you_,
saith the Lord. _Luke_ vii.
Convert thyself with thy whole heart to the
Lord: and quit this miserable world, and thy
soul shall find rest.
Learn to despise exterior things, and give
thyself to the interior, and thou shalt see
the kingdom of God will come into thee.
For the kingdom of God is peace and joy in
the Holy Ghost, which is not given to the
wicked.
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Christ will come to thee, discovering to thee
his consolation, if thou wilt prepare him a
fit dwelling within thee.
All his glory and beauty is in the interior,
and there he pleaseth himself.
Many a visit doth he make to the _internal
man_, sweet is his communication with him,
delightful his consolation, much peace, and a
familiarity exceedingly to be admired.
2. O faithful soul, prepare thy heart for
this thy Spouse, that he may vouchsafe to
come to thee, and dwell in thee.
For so he saith: _If any man love me, he
will keep my word, and we will come to him,
and we will make our abode with him_. John
xiv.
Make room then for Christ within thee, and
deny entrance to all others.
When thou hast Christ, thou art rich, and he
is sufficient for thee: he will provide for
thee, and will be thy faithful
_Procurator_ in all things, so that thou
needest not trust to men.
For men quickly change, and presently fail:
but Christ remainis forever, and stands by us
firmly to the end.
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3. There is no great confidence to be put in
a frail mortal man, though he be profitable
and beloved: nor much grief to be taken, if
sometimes he be against thee and cross thee.
They that are with thee to-day, maybe against
thee to-morrow: and on the other hand often
change like the wind.
Place thy whole confidence in God, and let
him be thy fear and thy love; he will answer
for thee, and do for thee what is for the
best.
Thou hast not here a lasting city: and
wherever thou art, thou art a stranger and a
pilgrim: nor wilt thou ever have rest, unless
thou be interiorly united to Christ.
4. Why dost thou stand looking about thee
here, since this is not thy resting place?
Thy dwelling must be in heaven: and all
things of the earth are only to be looked
upon as passing by.
All things pass away, and thou along with
them.
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See that thou cleave not to them, lest thou
be ensnared and lost.
Let thy thought be with the Most High, and
thy prayer directed to Christ without
intermission.
If thou knowest not how to meditate on high
and heavenly things, rest on the passion of
Christ, and willingly dwell in his secret
wounds.
For if thou fly devoutly to the wounds and
precious stigmas of Jesus, thou shalt feel
great comfort in tribulation; neither wilt
thou much regard the being despised by men,
but wilt easily bear up against detracting
tongues.
5. Christ was also in this world despised by
men: and in his greatest necessity forsaken
by his acquaintance and friends in the midst
of reproaches.
Christ would suffer and be despised, and dost
thou dare to complain of any one?
Christ had adversaries and backbiters, and
wouldst thou have all to be thy friends and
benefactors?
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Whence shall thy patience be crowned, if thou
meet with no adversity?
If thou wilt suffer no opposition, how wilt
thou be a friend of Christ?
Suffer with Christ and for Christ, if thou
desirest to reign with Christ.
6. If thou hadst once perfectly entered into
the interior of Jesus, and experienced a
little of his burning love, then wouldst thou
not care at all for thy own convenience or
inconvenience, but wouldst rather rejoice at
reproach, because the love of Jesus makes a
man despise himself.
A love of Jesus and of _truth_, and a
true internal man, that is free from
inordinate affections, can freely turn
himself to God, and in spirit elevate himself
above himself, and rest in enjoyment.
7. He to whom all things relish as they are,
_viz_. in God, who is the very truth,
not as they are said or esteemed to be, he is
wise indeed, and taught rather by God than
men.
He who knows how to walk internally, and to
make little account of external things, is
not at a loss for proper places or times for
performing devout exercises.
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An internal man quickly recollects himself,
because he never pours forth his whole self
upon outward things.
Exterior labour is no prejudice to him, nor
any employment which for a time is necessary;
but as things fall out, he so accommodates
himself to them.
He that is well disposed and orderly in his
interior, heeds not the strange and perverse
carriages of men.
As much as a man draws things to himself, so
much is he hindered and distracted by them.
8. If thou hadst a right spirit within thee,
and wert purified from earthly affections,
all things would turn to thy good and to thy
profit.
For this reason do many things displease
thee, and often trouble thee; because thou
art not as yet perfectly dead to thyself, nor
separated from all earthly things.
Nothing so defiles and entangles the heart of
man, as impure love to created things.
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If thou reject exterior comfort, thou wilt be
able to contemplate heavenly things, and
frequently to feel excessive joy interiorly.
Chap. II.--_Of humble submission_.
1. Make no great account who is for thee, or
against thee; but let it be thy business and
thy care, that God may be with thee in every
thing thou dost.
Have a good conscience, and God will
sufficiently defend thee.
For he whom God will help, no man's malice
can hurt.
If thou canst but hold thy peace and suffer,
thou shalt see without doubt that the Lord
will help thee.
He knows the time and manner of delivering
thee, and therefore thou must resign thyself
to him.
It belongs to God to help and to deliver us
from all confusion.
Oftentimes it is very profitable for the
keeping us in greater humility, that others
know and reprehend our faults.
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2. When a man humbles himself for his
defects, he then easily appeases others, and
quickly satisfies those that are angry with
him.
The humble man, God protects and delivers:
the humble he loves and comforts: to the
humble he inclines himself: to the humble he
gives grace: and after he has been depressed,
raises him to glory.
To the humble he reveals his secrets, and
sweetly draws and invites him to himself.
The humble man having received reproach,
maintains himself well enough in peace:
because he is fixed in God, and not in the
world.
Never think thou hast made any progress, till
thou look upon thyself inferior to all.
Chap. III.--_Of a good peaceable man_.
1. Keep thyself first in peace, and then thou
wilt be able to bring others to peace.
A peaceable man does more good, than one that
is very learned.
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A passionate man turns every good into evil,
and easily believes evil.
A good peaceable man turns all things to
good.
He that is in perfect peace, suspects no man:
but he that is discontented and disturbed, is
tossed about with various suspicions: he is
neither easy himself, nor does he suffer
others to be easy.
He often says that which he should not say:
and omit that which would be better for him
to do.
He considers what others are obliged to do:
and neglects that to which he himself is
obliged.
Have therefore a zeal in the first place over
thyself, and then thou mayest justly exercise
thy zeal towards thy neighbour.
2. Thou knowest well enough how to excuse and
colour thy own doings, and thou wilt not take
the excuses of others.
It were more just that thou shouldst accuse
thyself, and excuse thy brother.
If thou wilt be borne withal, bear also with
another.
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See how far thou art yet from true charity
and humility, which knows not how to be angry
with any one, or to have indignation against
any one but one's self.
It is no great thing to be able to converse
with them that are good and meek: for this is
naturally pleasing to all.
And every one would willingly have peace, and
love those best that agree with them.
But to live peaceably with those that are
harsh and perverse, or disorderly, or such as
oppose us, is a great grace, and a highly
commendable and manly exploit.
3. Some there are that keep themselves in
peace, and have peace also with others.
And there are some that are neither at peace
within themselves, nor suffer others to be in
peace: they are troublesome to others, but
always more troublesome to themselves.
And some there are who keep themselves in
peace, and study to restore peace to others.
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Yet all our peace in this miserable life is
rather to be placed in humble suffering, than
in not feeling adversities.
He who knows how to suffer, will enjoy much
peace.
Such a one is conqueror of himself, and Lord
of the world, a friend of Christ and heir of
heaven.
Chap. IV.--_Of a pure mind and simple
intention_.
1. With two wings a man is lifted up above
earthly things; that is, with
_simplicity_ and _purity_.
_Simplicity_ must be in the intention,
_purity_ in the affection.
_Simplicity_ aims at God, _purity_
takes hold of him, and tastes him.
No good action will hinder thee, if thou be
free from inordinate affection.
If thou intendest and seekest nothing else
but the will of God, and the profit of thy
neighbour, thou shalt enjoy internal liberty.
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If thy heart were right, then every creature
would be to thee a looking-glass of life, and
a book of holy doctrine.
There is no creature so little and
contemptible as not to manifest the goodness
of God.
2. If thou wert good and pure within, then
wouldst thou discern all things without
impediment, and understand them right.
A pure heart penetrates heaven and hell.
According as every one is interiorly, so he
judgeth exteriorly.
If there be joy in the world, certainly the
man whose heart is pure enjoys it.
And if there be any where tribulation and
anguish, an evil conscience feels the most of
it.
As iron put into the fire loses the rust, and
becomes all fire; so a man that turns himself
wholly to God puts off his sluggishness, and
is changed into a new man.
4. When a man begins to grow lukewarm, he is
afraid of a little labour, and willingly
takes external comfort.
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But when he begins perfectly to overcome
himself, and to walk manfully in the way of
God, then he makes less account of those
things, which before he considered
burthensome to him.
Chap. V.--_Of the consideration of one's
self_.
1. We cannot trust much to ourselves, because
we often want grace and understanding.
There is but little light in us, and this we
quickly lose through negligence.
Many times also we perceive not that we are
so blind interiorly.
We often do ill, and do worse in excusing it.
We are sometimes moved with passion, and we
mistake it for zeal.
We blame little things in others, and pass
over great things in ourselves.
We are quick enough at perceiving and
weighing what we suffer from others: but we
mind not what others suffer from us.
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He that would well and duly weigh his own
deeds, would have no room to judge hard of
others.
2. An internal man prefers the care of
himself before all other cares: and he that
diligently attends to himself is easily
silent with regard to others.
Thou wilt never be internal and devout,
unless thou pass over in silence other men's
concerns, and particularly look to thyself.
If thou attend wholly to thyself, and to God,
thou wilt be little moved with what thou
perceivest without thee.
Where art thou, when thou art not present to
thyself?
And when thou hast run over all things, what
profit will it be to thee, if thou hast
neglected thyself?
If thou desirest to have peace and true
union, thou must set all the rest aside, and
turn thy eyes upon thyself alone.
3. Thou wilt then make great progress, if
thou keep thyself free from all temporal
care.
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But if thou set a value upon any thing
temporal, thou wilt fail exceedingly.
Let nothing be great in thy eyes, nothing
high, nothing pleasant, nothing agreeable to
thee, except it be purely God, or of God.
Look upon as vain, all the comfort which thou
meetest with from any creature.
A soul that loveth God despiseth all things
that are less than God.
None but God eternal and incomprehensible,
who fills all things, is the comfort of the
soul, and the true joy of the heart.
Chap. VI.--Of the joy of a good conscience.
1. The glory of a good man, is the testimony
of a good conscience. Keep a good conscience,
and thou shall always have joy.
A good conscience can bear very much, and is
very joyful in the midst of adversity.
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A bad conscience is always fearful and
uneasy.
Sweetly wilt thou take thy rest, if thy heart
reprehend thee not.
Never rejoice but when thou hast done well.
The wicked never have true joy, neither do
they feel internal peace; because, _There
is no peace to the wicked_, saith the
Lord. _Isaiah_ xlviii.
And if they shall say, we are in peace, evils
will not come upon us, and who shall dare to
hurt us, believe them not; for the wrath of
God shall rise on a sudden, and their deeds
will be brought to nothing, and their
projects shall perish.
2. To glory in tribulation is not hard to him
that loves: for so to glory is to glory in
the cross of our Lord.
That glory is short lived, which is given and
taken by men.
The glory of this world is always accompanied
with sorrow.
The glory of good men is in their own
consciences, not in the mouths of others.
The joy of the just is from God, and in God:
and they rejoice in the _truth_.
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He that desires true and everlasting glory,
values not that which is temporal.
And he that seeks after temporal glory, or
does not heartily despise it, shews himself
to have little love for that which is
heavenly.
That man has great tranquillity of heart, who
neither cares for praises nor dispraises.
3. He will easily be content, and in peace,
whose conscience is clean.
Thou art not more holy, if thou art praised:
nor any thing the worse, if thou art
dispraised.
What thou art, that thou art: nor canst thou
be said to be greater than God sees thee to
be.
If thou considerest well what thou art within
thyself, thou wilt not care what men say of
thee.
Man beholds the face; but God looks upon the
heart.
Man considers the actions; but God weighs the
intentions.
To do always well, and to hold one's self in
small account, is a mark of an humble soul.
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To refuse a comfort from any created thing,
is a sign of great purity and interior
confidence.
4. He that seeks no outward testimony for
himself, shews plainly, that he has committed
himself wholly to God.
_For not he that commendeth himself_,
saith St. Paul, _is approved, but he whom
God commendeth_. 2 Corinthians x.
To walk with God _within_, and not to be
held by any affection _without_, is the
state of an _internal_ man.
Chap. VII.--_Of the love of Jesus above
all things_.
1. Blessed is he who knows what it is to love
Jesus, and to despise himself for the sake of
Jesus.
We must quit what we love for _this_
Beloved, because Jesus will be loved alone
above all things.
The love of things created is deceitful and
inconstant: the love of Jesus is faithful and
perseverant.
He that cleaveth to creatures shall fall with
them.
He that embraceth Jesus shall stand firm for
ever.
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Love him, and keep him for thy friend; who,
when all go away, will not leave thee, nor
suffer thee to perish in the end.
Thou must at last be separated from all
things else, whether thou wilt or not.
2. Keep thyself with Jesus both in life and
death, and commit thyself to his trust who
alone can help thee, when all others fail.
Thy beloved is of such a nature, that he will
admit of no other: but will have thy heart to
himself, and sit there like a king on his own
throne.
If thou couldst but purge thyself well from
affection to creatures, Jesus would willingly
dwell with thee.
Thou wilt find all that in a manner loss,
which thou hast placed in men out of Jesus.
Do not trust nor rely upon a windy reed:
_For all flesh is grass, and all the glory
thereof shall fade like the flower of the
grass_. Isaiah xl.
3. Thou wilt soon be deceived, if thou only
regard the outward shew of men.
For if thou seek thy comfort and thy gain in
others, thou wilt often meet with loss.
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If in all thou seek Jesus, doubtless thou
wilt find Jesus.
But if thou seek thyself, thou wilt indeed
find thyself, but to thy own ruin.
For a man does himself more harm if he seek
not Jesus, than the whole world and all his
enemies could do him.
Chap. VIII.--_Of familiar friendship with
Jesus._
1. When Jesus is present, all goes well, and
nothing seems difficult: but when Jesus is
absent every thing is hard.
When Jesus speaks not within, our comfort is
worth nothing: but if Jesus speak but one
word, we feel a great consolation.
Did not Mary Magdalen arise presently from
the place where she wept, when Martha said to
her: _The Master is here and calls for
thee_. John xiii.
Happy hour, when Jesus calls from tears, to
joy of spirit!
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How dry and hard art thou without Jesus! How
foolish and vain if thou desire any thing out
of Jesus! Is not this a greater damage than
if thou wert to lose the whole world?
2. What can the world profit thee without
Jesus?
To be without Jesus is a grievous hell, and
to be with Jesus a sweet paradise.
If Jesus be with thee, no enemy can hurt
thee.
Whoever finds Jesus, finds a good treasure,
yea good above all goods.
And he that loseth Jesus, loseth exceeding
much, and more than if he lost the whole
world.
He is wretchedly poor, who lives without
Jesus: and he is exceedingly rich, who is
well with Jesus.
3. It is a great art to know how to converse
with Jesus: and to know how to keep Jesus is
great wisdom.
Be humble and peaceable, and Jesus will be
with thee.
Be devout and quiet, and Jesus will stay with
thee.
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Thou mayest quickly drive away Jesus and lose
his grace, if thou decline after outward
things.
And if thou drive him from thee, and lose
him, to whom wilt thou fly, and whom then
wilt thou seek for thy friend?
Without a friend thou canst not well live;
and if Jesus be not thy friend above all,
thou wilt be exceeding sad and desolate.
Thou actest then foolishly, if thou puttest
thy trust or rejoiceth in any other.
We ought rather to chuse to have the whole
world against us, than to offend Jesus.
Of all therefore that are dear to thee, let
Jesus always be thy special beloved.
4. Let all be loved for Jesus's sake, but
Jesus for himself.
Jesus Christ alone is singularly to be loved,
who alone is found good and faithful above
all friends.
For him, and in him, let both friends and
enemies be dear to thee: and for all these
must thou pray to him, that all may know and
love him.
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Neither desire to be singularly praised or
beloved: for this belongs to God alone, who
hath none like to himself.
Neither desire that any one's heart should be
set on thee: nor do thou let thyself be taken
up with the love of any one: but let Jesus be
in thee, and in every good man.
5. Be pure and free interiorly, without being
entangled by any creature.
Thou must be naked and carry a pure heart to
God, if thou wilt attend at leisure, and see
how sweet is the Lord.
And indeed thou wilt never attain to this,
unless thou be prevented and drawn in by his
grace: that so thou mayest all _alone_
be united to him _alone_, having cast
out and dismissed all others.
For when the grace of God comes to a man,
then he is strong and powerful for all
things: and when it departs, then he is poor
and weak, left as it were only to stripes.
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In these he must not be dejected nor despair;
but stand with an even mind, resigned to the
will of God, and bear, for the glory of Jesus
Christ, whatever shall befal him: because
after winter, comes summer; after night the
day returns; after a storm there follows a
great calm.
Chap. IX.--_Of the want of all
comfort_.
1. It is not hard to despise all human
comfort, when we have divine.
But it is much, and very much, to be able to
want all comfort, both human and divine: and
to be willing to bear this interior
banishment for God's honour, and to seek
one's self in nothing, nor to think of one's
own merit.
What great thing is it, if thou be cheerful
and devout when grace comes? This hour is
desirable to all.
He rides at ease, that is carried by the
grace of God.
And what wonder, if he feels no weight, who
is carried by the Almighty, and led on by the
sovereign guide?
2. We willingly would have something to
comfort us: and it is with difficulty that a
man can put off himself.
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The holy martyr, Lawrence, overcame the
world, with his prelate; because he despised
whatever seemed delightful in this world; and
for the love of Christ he also suffered the
High Priest of God, _Sixtus_, whom he
exceedingly loved, to be taken away from him.
He overcame therefore the love of man by the
love of the Creator: and instead of the
comfort he had in man, he made choice rather
of God's pleasure.
So do thou also learn to part with a
necessary and beloved friend for the love of
God.
And take it not to heart when thou art
forsaken by a friend: knowing that one time
or other we must all part.
3. A man must go through a long and great
conflict in himself, before he can learn
fully to overcome himself, and to draw his
whole affection towards God.
When a man stands upon himself, he easily
declines after human comforts.
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But a true lover of Christ, and a diligent
pursuer of virtues, does not hunt after
comforts, nor seek such sensible sweetnesses:
but is rather willing to bear strong trials
and hard labours for Christ.
4. Therefore when God gives spiritual
comfort, receive it with thanksgiving; but
know that it is the bounty of God, not thy
merit.
Be not puffed up, be not overjoyed, nor
vainly presume: but rather be the more humble
for this gift, and the more cautious and
fearful in all thy actions: for this hour
will pass away, and temptation will follow.
When comfort shall be taken away from thee,
do not presently despair; but wait with
humility and patience for the heavenly visit:
for God is able to restore thee a greater
consolation.
This is no new thing, nor strange to those
who have experienced the ways of God: for in
the great saints and ancient prophets there
has often been this kind of variety.
5. Hence one said: at the time when grace was
with him: _I said in my abundance, I shall
not be moved for ever_. Psalms xxix.
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But when grace was retired, he immediately
tells us what he experienced in himself:
_Thou hast turned away thy face from me,
and I became troubled_.
Yet, in the mean time he despairs not, but
more earnestly prays to our Lord, and says:
_To thee, O Lord, will I cry, and I will
pray to my God_.
Lastly, he receives the fruit of his prayer:
and witnesses that he was heard, saying:
_The Lord hath heard me, and hath had mercy
on me: The Lord is become my helper_.
But in what manner? _Thou hast turned, says
he, my mourning into joy to me, and thou hast
encompassed me with gladness_.
If it has been thus with great saints, we
that are weak and poor must not be
discouraged, if we are sometimes in fervour,
sometimes cold: because the Spirit comes and
goes according to his own good pleasure.
Wherefore holy Job says: _Thou dost visit
him early in the morning, and on a sudden
thou triest him_. Job vii.
6. Wherein then can I hope, or in what must I
put my trust, but in God's great mercy alone,
and in the hope of heavenly grace!
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For whether I have with me good men, or
devout brethren, or faithful friends, or holy
books, or fine treatises, or sweet singing
and hymns: all these help little, and give me
but little relish, when I am forsaken by
grace, and left in my own poverty.
At such a time there is no better remedy than
patience, and leaving myself to God's will.
7. I never found any one so religious and
devout, as not to have sometimes a
subtraction of grace, or feel a diminution of
fervour.
No saint was ever so highly wrapt and
illuminated, as not to be tempted at first or
at last.
For he is not worthy of the high
contemplation of God, who has not, for God's
sake, been exercised with some tribulation.
For temptation going before, is usually a
sign of ensuing consolation.
For heavenly comfort is promised to such has
have been proved by temptations.
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_To him that shall overcome_, saith our
Lord, _I will give to eat of the tree of
life_. Apoc. ii. [USCCB: Revelation ii. 7]
8. Now divine consolation is given that a man
may be better able to support adversities.
And temptation follows, that he may not be
proud of good.
The devil never sleeps, neither is the flesh
yet dead: therefore thou must not cease to
prepare thyself for battle, for on the right
hand, and on the left, are enemies that never
rest.
Chap. X.--_Of gratitude for the grace of
God_.
1. Why seekest thou rest, since thou art born
to labour?
Dispose thyself to patience, rather than
consolation: and to bear the cross, rather
than to rejoice.
For who is there amongst worldly people, that
would not willingly receive comfort and
spiritual joy, if he could always have it?
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For spiritual consolations exceed all the
delight of the world, and pleasures of the
flesh.
For all worldly delights are either vain or
filthy: but spiritual delights alone are
pleasant and honest, springing from virtue,
and infused by God into pure minds.
But these divine consolations no man can
always enjoy when he will: because the time
of temptation is not long away.
2. But what very much opposes these heavenly
visits, is a false liberty of mind, and a
great confidence in one's self.
God does well in giving the grace of
consolation: but man does ill in not
returning it all to God with thanksgiving.
And this is the reason why the gifts of grace
cannot flow in us: because we are ungrateful
to the Giver: nor do we return all to the
fountain's head.
For grace is ever due to him that duly
returns thanks: and what is wont to be given
to the humble, will be taken away from the
proud.
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3. I would not have any such consolation as
should rob me of compunction: nor do I wish
to have such contemplation as leads to pride.
For all that is high, is not holy; nor all
that is pleasant, good: nor every desire,
pure; nor is every thing that is dear to us,
pleasing to God.
I willingly accept of that grace, which makes
me always more humble and fearful, and more
ready to forsake myself.
He that has been taught by the gift of grace,
and instructed by the scourge of the
withdrawing of it, will not dare to attribute
any thing of good to himself; but will rather
confess himself to be poor and naked.
Give to God what is his, and take to thyself
what is thine: that is, give thanks to God
for his grace; but as to thyself be sensible
that nothing is to be attributed to thee, but
sin, and the punishment due to sin.
4. Put thyself always in the lowest place,
and the highest shall be given thee: for the
highest stands not without the lowest.
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The saints that are highest in the sight of
God, are the least in their own eyes: and the
more glorious they are, the more humble they
are in themselves.
Being full of the truth and heavenly glory,
they are not desirous of vain glory.
They that are grounded and established in
God, can by no means be proud.
And they that attribute to God all whatsoever
good they have received, seek not glory from
one another, but that glory which is from God
alone: and desire above all things that God
may be praised in themselves, and in all the
saints, and to this same they always tend.
5. Be grateful then for the least, and thou
shalt be worthy to receive greater things.
Let the least be to thee as something very
great, and the most contemptible as a special
favour.
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If thou considerest the dignity of the Giver,
no gift will seem to thee little which is
given by so great a God.
Yea, though he gives punishment and stripes,
it ought to be acceptable: for whatever he
suffers to befal us, he always does it for
our salvation.
He that desires to retain the grace of God,
let him be thankful for grace when it is
given, and patient when it is withdrawn.
Let him pray, that it may return: let him be
cautious and humble, lest he lose it.
Chap. XI.--_Of the small number of the
lovers of the Cross of Jesus_.
1. Jesus has now many lovers of his heavenly
kingdom: but few that are willing to bear the
cross.
He has many that are desirous of comfort, but
few of tribulation.
He finds many companions of his table, but
few of his abstinence.
All desire to rejoice with him: few are
willing to suffer for him.
Many follow Jesus to the breaking of bread;
but few to the drinking the chalice of his
passion.
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Many reverence his miracles; but few follow
the ignominy of his cross.
Many love Jesus as long as they meet with no
adversity; many praise him and bless him as
long as they receive consolations from him.
But if Jesus hide himself and leave them for
a little while; they either fall into
complaints, or excessive dejection.
2. But they that love Jesus for Jesus's sake,
and not for any comfort of their own, bless
him no less in tribulation and anguish of
heart, than in the greatest consolation.
And if he should never give them his comfort,
yet would they always praise him, and always
give him thanks.
3. O! how much is the pure love of Jesus able
to do, when it is not mixed with any
self-interest or self-love!
Are not all those to be called hirelings, who
are always seeking consolations!
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Are they not convinced to be rather lovers of
themselves than of Christ, who are always
thinking of their own profit and gain?
Where shall we find a man that is willing to
serve God _gratis?_
4. Seldom do we find any one so spiritual, as
to be stripped of all things.
For who shall be able to find the man that is
truly poor in spirit, and naked of all things
created? His value is (as of things that is
brought) _from afar and from the remotest
coasts_, Proverbs xxxi.
If a man gives his whole substance, it is yet
nothing.
And if he do great penance, it is yet little.
And if he attain to all knowledge, he is far
off still.
And if he have great virtue, and exceeding
fervent devotion, there is still much wanting
to him; to wit, one thing, which is chiefly
necessary for him.
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And what is that? That having left all things
else, he leave also himself and wholly get
out of himself, and retain nothing of
self-love.
And when he shall have done all things which
he knows should be done, let him think that
he has done nothing.
5. Let him not make great account of that
which may appear much to be esteemed: but let
him in _truth_ acknowledge himself to be
an unprofitable servant: as truth itself has
said, _When ye shall have done all that is
commanded you, say, We are unprofitable
servants_. Luke xvii.
Then may he be truly poor and naked in
spirit, and may say with the prophet, _I am
all alone, and poor_. Psalms xxiv.
[USCCB: Psalms xxv, 16.]
Yet no one is indeed richer than such a man,
none more powerful, none more free; who knows
how to leave himself and all things, and
place himself in the very lowest place.
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Chap. XII.--_Of the king's highway of the
holy cross_.
1. To many this seems a hard saying: _Deny
thyself, take up thy cross and follow
Jesus_. Matthew xvi.
But it will be much harder to hear that last
word: _Depart from me you cursed into
everlasting fire_. Matthew xxv.
For they that at present willingly hear and
follow the word of the cross, shall not then
be afraid of eternal condemnation.
The sign of the cross will be in heaven, when
the Lord shall come to judge.
Then all the servants of the cross, who in
their life time have conformed themselves to
him that was crucified, shall come to Christ
their judge with great confidence.
2. Why then art thou afraid to take up thy
cross, which leads to a kingdom?
In the cross is salvation: in the cross is
life: in the cross is protection from thy
enemies.
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In the cross is infusion of heavenly
sweetness: in the cross is strength of mind:
in the cross is joy of spirit.
In the cross is the height of virtue: in the
cross is the perfection of sanctity.
There is no health of the soul, nor hope of
eternal life, but in the cross.
Take up therefore thy cross and follow Jesus,
and thou shalt go into life everlasting.
He is gone before thee, carrying his cross:
and he died for thee upon the cross: that
thou mayest also bear thy cross, and love to
die on the cross.
Because, if thou die with him, thou shalt
also live with him; and if thou art his
companion in buffering, thou shalt also
partake in his glory.
3. Behold the cross is all, and in dying [to
thyself] all consists: and there is no other
way to life, and to true internal peace, but
the way of the holy cross, and of daily
mortification.
Go where thou wilt, seek what thou wilt, and
thou shalt not find a higher way above, nor a
safer way below, than the way of the holy
cross.
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Dispose and order all things according as
thou wilt; and as seems best to thee; and
thou shalt still find something to suffer,
either willingly or unwillingly, and so thou
shalt still find the cross.
For either thou shalt feel pain in the body,
or sustain in thy soul tribulation of spirit.
4. Sometimes thou shalt be left by God, other
times thou shalt be afflicted by thy
neighbour: and what is more, thou shalt often
be a trouble to thyself.
Neither canst thou be delivered or eased by
any remedy or comfort, but as long as it
shall please God, thou must bear it.
For God would have thee learn to suffer
tribulation without comfort, and wholly to
submit thyself to him, and to become more
humble by tribulation.
No man hath so lively a feeling of the
passion of Christ, as he who hath happened to
suffer such like things.
The cross therefore is always ready, and
every where waits for thee.
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Thou canst not escape it, whithersoever thou
runnest: for whithersoever thou goest, thou
carriest thyself with thee, and shall always
find thyself.
Turn thyself upwards, or turn thyself
downwards: turn thyself without, or turn
thyself within thee: and every where thou
shalt find the cross.
And every where thou must of necessity have
patience if thou desirest inward peace, and
wouldst merit an eternal crown.
5. If thou carry the cross willingly, it will
carry thee, and bring thee to thy desired
end; to wit, to that place where there will
be an end of suffering, tho' here there will
be none.
If thou carry it unwillingly, thou makest it
a burden to thee, and loadest thyself the
more: and nevertheless thou must bear it.
If thou fling away one cross, without doubt
thou wilt find another, and perhaps a
heavier.
6. Dost thou think to escape that which no
mortal could ever avoid? What saint was there
ever in the world without his cross and
affliction?
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Our Lord Jesus Christ himself was not one
hour of his life without suffering: _It
behoved_, saith he, _that Christ should
suffer, and rise from the dead, and so enter
into his glory_. Luke xxiv.
And how dost thou pretend to seek another way
than the royal way, which is the way of the
holy cross.
7. The whole life of Christ was a cross, and
a martyrdom: and dost thou seek rest and joy?
Thou errest, thou errest, if thou seekest any
other thing than to suffer tribulations: for
this whole mortal life is full of miseries,
and beset on all sides with crosses.
And the higher a person is advanced in
spirit, the heavier crosses shall he often
meet with: because the pain of his banishment
increases in proportion to his love.
8. Yet this man, thus many ways afflicted, is
not without some allay of comfort for his
ease: because he is sensible of the great
profit which he reaps by bearing the cross.
For whilst he willingly resigns himself to
it, all the burden of tribulation is
converted into an assured hope of comfort
from God.
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And the more the flesh is brought down by
affliction, the more the spirit is
strengthened by inward grace.
And sometimes gains such force through
affection to tribulation and adversity, by
reason of loving to be conformable to the
cross of Christ, as not to be willing to be
without suffering and affliction: because
such a one believes himself by so much the
more acceptable to God, as he shall be able
to bear more and greater things for him.
This is not man's power, but the grace of
Christ, which can and does effect such great
things in frail flesh, that what it naturally
abhors and flies, even this through fervour
of spirit it now embraces and loves.
9. It is not according to man's natural
inclination to bear the cross, to love the
cross, to chastise the body, and bring it
under subjection; to fly honours, to be
willing to suffer reproaches, to despise
one's self, and wish to be despised; to bear
all adversities and losses, and to desire no
prosperity in this world.
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If thou lookest upon thyself, thou canst do
nothing of this of thyself.
But if thou confidest in the Lord, strength
will be given thee from heaven, and the world
and flesh shall be made subject to thee.
Neither shalt thou fear thine enemy the
devil, if thou art armed with faith and
signed with the cross of Christ.
10. Set thyself then like a good and faithful
servant of Christ to bear manfully the cross
of thy Lord, crucified for the love of thee.
Prepare thyself to suffer many adversities,
and divers evils in this miserable life; for
so it will be with thee, wherever thou art:
and so indeed wilt thou find it, wheresoever
thou hide thyself.
It must be so, and there is no remedy against
tribulation and sorrow, but to bear them
patiently.
Drink of the Chalice of the Lord lovingly, if
thou desirest to be his friend, and to have
part with him.
Leave consolations to God, to do with them as
best pleaseth him.
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But set thou thyself to bear tribulations,
and account them the greatest consolations:
for the sufferings of this life bear no
proportion with the glory to come, although
thou alone couldst suffer them all.
11. When thou shalt arrive thus far, that
tribulation becomes sweet and savory to thee
for the love of Christ: then think that it is
well with thee, for thou hast found a
paradise upon earth.
As long as suffering seems grievous to thee,
and thou seekest to fly from if, so long will
it be ill with thee, and the tribulation from
which thou fliest will every where follow
thee.
12. If thou set thyself to what thou
oughtest; that is, to suffer and to die [to
thyself], it will quickly be better with
thee, and thou shalt find peace.
Although thou shouldst have been wrapped up
to the third heaven with St. Paul, thou art
not thereby secured that thou shalt suffer no
adversity. _I_ (said Jesus) _will shew
him how great things he must suffer for my
name_. Acts ix.
To suffer, therefore, is what waits for thee,
if thou wilt love Jesus, and constantly serve
him.
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13. Would to God thou wert worthy to suffer
something for the name of Jesus! how great a
glory would be laid up for thee, how great
joy would it be to all the saints of God, and
how great edification to thy neighbour!
All recommend patience; but, alas! how few
are there that desire to suffer!
With good reason oughtest thou willingly to
suffer a little for Christ, since many suffer
greater things for the world.
14. Know for certain that thou must lead a
dying life; and the more a man dies to
himself, the more he begins to live to God.
No man is fit to comprehend heavenly things,
who has not resigned himself to suffer
adversities for Christ.
Nothing is more acceptable to God, nothing
more wholesome for thee in this world, than
to suffer willingly for Christ.
And if thou wert to chuse, thou oughtest to
wish rather to suffer adversities for Christ,
than to be delighted with many comforts:
because thus wouldst thou be more like to
Christ, and more conformable to all the
saints.
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For our merit and the advancement of our
state, consists not in having many gusts and
consolations: but rather in bearing great
afflictions and tribulations.
15. If, indeed, there had been any thing
better, and more beneficial to man's
salvation, than suffering, Christ certainly
would have shewed it by word and example.
For he manifestly exhorts both his disciples
that followed him, and all that desire to
follow him, to bear the cross, saying: _If
any one will come after me, let him deny
himself, and take up his cross, and follow
me_. Luke ix. So that when we have read
and searched all, let this be the final
conclusion, that _through many tribulations
we must enter into the kingdom of God_.
Acts xix.
[USCCB: Acts xiv. 22.]
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_The Following Of Christ_