"All heavenly things and all earthly things that belong to Heaven are
comprehended in these two judgments"
God deemeth us [looking] upon our Nature-Substance, which is ever
kept one in Him, whole and safe without end: and _this_ doom is
[because] of His rightfulness [in the which it is made and kept]. And
man judgeth [looking] upon our changeable Sense-soul, which seemeth
now one [thing], now other,--according as it taketh of the [higher or
lower] parts,--and [is that which] showeth outward. And _this_ wisdom
[of man's judgment] is _mingled_ [because of the diverse things it
beholdeth]. For sometimes it is good and easy, and sometimes it is hard
and grievous. And in as much as it is good and easy it belongeth to the
rightfulness; and in as much as it is hard and grievous [by reason of
the sin beheld, which sheweth in our Sense-soul,] our good Lord Jesus
reformeth it by [the working in our Sense-soul of] mercy and grace
through the virtue of His blessed Passion, and so bringeth it to the
rightfulness.
And though these two [judgments] be thus accorded and oned, yet both
shall be known in Heaven without end. The first doom, which is of
God's rightfulness, is [because] of His high endless life [in our
Substance]; and this is that fair sweet doom that was shewed in all the
fair Revelation, in which I saw Him assign to us no manner of blame.
But though this was sweet and delectable, yet in the beholding only of
this, I could not be fully eased: and that was because of the doom of
Holy Church, which I had afore understood and which was continually
in my sight. And therefore by _this_ doom methought I understood that
sinners are worthy sometime of blame and wrath; but these two could
I not see in God; and therefore my desire was more than I can or may
tell. For the higher doom was shewed by God Himself in that same time,
and therefore me behoved needs to take it; and the lower doom was
learned me afore in Holy Church, and therefore I might in no way leave
the lower doom. Then was this my desire: that I might see in God in
what manner that which the doom of Holy Church teacheth is true in His
sight, and how it belongeth to me verily to know it; whereby the two
dooms might both be saved, so as it were worshipful to God and right
way to me.
And to all this I had none other answer but a marvellous example of a
lord and of a servant, as I shall tell after: and that full mistily
shewed.[1] And yet I stand desiring, and will unto my end, that I might
by grace know these two dooms as it belongeth to me. For all heavenly,
and all earthly things that belong to Heaven, are comprehended in
these two dooms. And the more understanding, by the gracious leading
of the Holy Ghost, that we have of these two dooms, the more we shall
see and know our failings. And ever the more that we see them, the
more, of nature, by grace, we shall long to be fulfilled of endless joy
and bliss. For we are made thereto, and our Nature-Substance is now
blissful in God, and hath been since it was made, and shall be without
end.
[1] Chap. li.