Of the neglect of every creature, that the Creator may be found
O Lord, I still need more grace, if I would arrive where neither man
nor any other creature may hinder me. For so long as anything keepeth
me back, I cannot freely fly unto Thee. He desired eagerly thus to fly,
who cried, saying, Oh that I had wings like a dove, for then would I
flee away and be at rest. What is more peaceful than the single eye?
And what more free than he that desireth nothing upon earth? Therefore
must a man rise above every creature, and perfectly forsake himself,
and with abstracted mind to stand and behold that Thou, the Creator of
all things, hast among Thy creatures nothing like unto Thyself. And
except a man be freed from all creatures, he will not be able to reach
freely after Divine things. Therefore few are found who give themselves
to contemplation, because few know how to separate themselves entirely
from perishing and created things.
2. For this much grace is necessary, which may lift up the soul and
raise it above itself. And except a man be lifted up in the spirit, and
freed from all creatures, and altogether united to God, whatsoever he
knoweth, whatsoever even he hath, it mattereth but little. He who
esteemeth anything great save the one only incomprehensible, eternal,
good, shall long time be little and lie low. For whatsoever is not God
is nothing, and ought to be counted for nothing. Great is the
difference between a godly man, illuminated with wisdom, and a scholar
learned in knowledge and given to books. Far nobler is that doctrine
which floweth down from the divine fulness above, than that which is
acquired laboriously by human study.
3. Many are found who desire contemplation, but they do not strive to
practice those things which are required thereunto. It is also a great
impediment, that much is made of symbols and external signs, and too
little of thorough mortification. I know not how it is, and by what
spirit we are led, and what we who would be deemed spiritual are aiming
at, that we give so great labour and so eager solicitude for transitory
and worthless things, and scarcely ever gather our senses together to
think at all of our inward condition.
4. Ah, me! Forthwith after a little recollection we rush out of doors,
and do not subject our actions to a strict examination. Where our
affections are set we take no heed, and we weep not that all things
belonging to us are so defiled. For because all flesh had corrupted
itself upon the earth, the great deluge came. Since therefore our
inmost affections are very corrupt, it followeth of necessity that our
actions also are corrupt, being the index of a deficient inward
strength. Out of a pure heart proceedeth the fruit of good living.
5. We demand, how much a man hath done; but from how much virtue he
acted, is not so narrowly considered. We ask if he be strong, rich,
handsome, clever, whether he is a good writer, good singer, good
workman; but how poor he may be in spirit, how patient and gentle, how
devout and meditative, on these things many are silent. Nature looketh
upon the outward appearance of a man, grace turneth its thought to the
heart. The former frequently judgeth amiss; the latter trusteth in God,
that it may not be deceived.