That the Grace of God doth not join itself to those who mind earthly
things
“My Son, precious is My grace, it suffereth not itself to be joined
with outward things, nor with earthly consolations. Therefore thou
oughtest to cast away all things which hinder grace, if thou longest to
receive the inpouring thereof. Seek a secret place for thyself, love to
dwell alone with thyself, desire the conversation of no one; but rather
pour out thy devout prayer to God, that thou mayest possess a contrite
mind and a pure conscience. Count the whole world as nought; seek to be
alone with God before all outward things. For thou canst not be alone
with Me, and at the same time be delighted with transitory things. Thou
oughtest to be separated from thy acquaintances and dear friends, and
keep thy mind free from all worldly comfort. So the blessed Apostle
Peter beseecheth, that Christ’s faithful ones bear themselves in this
world as strangers and pilgrims.(1)
2. “Oh how great a confidence shall there be to the dying man whom no
affection to anything detaineth in the world? But to have a heart so
separated from all things, a sickly soul doth not yet comprehend, nor
doth the carnal man know the liberty of the spiritual man. But if
indeed he desire to be spiritually minded, he must renounce both those
who are far off, and those who are near, and to beware of no man more
than himself. If thou perfectly conquer thyself, very easily shalt thou
subdue all things besides. Perfect victory is the triumph over oneself.
For whoso keepeth himself in subjection, in such manner that the
sensual affections obey the reason, and the reason in all things
obeyeth Me, he truly is conqueror of himself, and lord of the world.
3. “If thou desire to climb to this height, thou oughtest to start
bravely, and to lay the axe to the root, to the end that thou mayest
pull up and destroy the hidden inordinate inclination towards thyself,
and towards all selfish and earthly good. From this sin, that a man
loveth himself too inordinately, almost everything hangeth which
needeth to be utterly overcome: when that evil is conquered and put
under foot, there shall be great peace and tranquillity continually.
But because few strive earnestly to die perfectly to themselves, and do
not heartily go forth from themselves, therefore do they remain
entangled in themselves, and cannot be raised in spirit above
themselves. But he who desireth to walk at liberty with Me, must of
necessity mortify all his evil and inordinate affections, and must
cling to no creature with selfish love.”
(1) 1 Peter ii. 11.