Chapter VII: Book III (4)

18. This _grace_ is a supernatural light, and a certain special gift of God, and the proper mark of the elect, and pledge of eternal salvation, which elevates a man from the things of the earth to the love of heavenly things, and of carnal makes him spiritual:

By how much therefore the more _nature_ is kept down and subdued, with so much the greater abundance _grace_ is infused; and the inward man, by new visitations, is daily more reformed according to the image of God.

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Chap. LV.--_Of the corruption of nature,
and of the efficacy of divine grace._

1. O Lord, my God, who hast created me to thy own image and likeness, grant me this _grace_, which thou hast declared to be so great, and so necessary to salvation; that I may overcome my wicked _nature_, which draws to sin and perdition:

For I perceive in my flesh the law of sin contradicting the law of my mind, and leading me captive to obey sensuality in many things; neither can I resist the passions thereof, unless thy most holy _grace_ assist me, infused ardently into my heart.

2. I stand in need of thy _grace_, and of a great _grace_ to overcome _nature_, which is always prone to evil from her youth;

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For she having fallen in Adam, the first man, and having been corrupted by sin, the penalty of this stain has descended upon all mankind: so that _nature_ itself, which by thee was created good and right, is now put for the vice and infirmity of corrupt nature; because the motion thereof, left to itself, draws to evil, and to things below;

For the little strength which remains, is but like a spark hidden in the ashes.

This is our _natural reason_, which is surrounded with a great mist, having yet the judgment of good and evil, and of the distance of truth and falsehood; though it be unable to fulfil all that it approves; neither does it now enjoy the full light of truth, nor the former integrity of its affections.

3. Hence it is, O my God, that according to the inward man I am delighted with thy law, knowing thy command to be good, just, and holy, and reproving all evil and sin, as what ought to be shunned:

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And yet in the flesh I serve the law of sin, whilst I rather obey sensuality than reason.

Hence it is, that _to will good is present with me, but how to accomplish it I do not find_. Romans vii.

Hence I often make many good purposes; but because I want grace to help my weakness, through a slight resistance, I recoil and fall off.

Hence it comes to pass, that I know the way to perfection, and see clearly enough what it is I ought to do;

But being pressed down with the weight of my own corruption, I rise not to those things which are more perfect.

4. O how exceedingly necessary is thy _grace_ for me, O Lord, to begin that which is good, to go forward with it, and to accomplish it? For without it I can do nothing: but I can do all things in thee, when thy grace strengthens me.

O truly heavenly grace, without which we have no merits of our own, neither are any of the gifts of nature to be valued!

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No arts, no riches, no beauty or strength, no wit or eloquence, are of any worth with thee, O Lord, without grace;

For the gifts of nature are common to the good and bad: but grace or divine love is the proper gift of the elect, which they that are adorned with are esteemed worthy of eternal life.

This grace is so excellent, that neither the gift of prophecy, nor the working of miracles, nor any speculation, how sublime soever, is of any value without it.

Nor even faith, nor hope, nor any other virtues, are acceptable to thee, without charity and grace.

5. O most blessed grace, which makest the poor in spirit rich in virtues, and renderest him that is rich in many good things humble of heart;

Come, descend upon me, replenish me betimes with consolation, lest my soul faint through weariness and dryness of mind.

I beg of thee, O Lord, that I may find _grace_ in thy sight; for thy _grace_ is enough for me, though I obtain none of those things which nature desires.

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If I be tempted and afflicted with many tribulations, I will fear no evil, whilst thy _grace_ is with me;

She is my strength; she gives counsel and help;

She is more mighty than all my enemies, and wiser than all the wise.

6. She is the mistress of truth, the teacher of discipline, the light of the heart, the comfort in affliction, the banisher of sorrow, the expeller of fear, the nurse of devotion, the producer of tears.

What am I without her but a piece of dry wood, and an unprofitable stock, fit for nothing but to be cast away!

Let thy grace therefore, O Lord, always both go before me and follow me, and make me ever intent upon good works, through Jesus Christ, thy Son. _Amen_.

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Chap. LVI.--_That we ought to deny
ourselves, and to imitate Christ by the
cross_.

1. Son, as much as thou canst go out of thyself, so much wilt thou be able to enter into me.

As the desiring of nothing abroad brings peace at home, so the relinquishing ourselves interiorly joins us to God.

I will have thee learn the perfect renouncing of thyself in my will, without contradiction or complaint.

Follow me, _I am the way, the truth and the life_. John xiv. Without the _way_ there is no going; without the _truth_ there is no knowing; without the _life_ there is no living.

I am _the way_ which thou must follow; _the truth_, which thou must believe; _the life_, which thou must hope for.

I am _the way_ inviolable, _the truth_ infallible, and _the life_ that has no end.

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I am the straitest _way_, the sovereign _truth_, the true _life_, a blessed _life_, an uncreated _life_.

If thou abide in my _way_, thou shalt know the _truth_, and the _truth_ shall deliver thee, and thou shalt attain to _life_ everlasting.

2. _If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments_. Luke ix.

[USCCB: Matthew xix. 17. "If you wish to
enter into life, keep the commandments."]

If thou wilt know the _truth_, believe me: _If thou wilt be perfect, sell all:_

It thou wilt be my disciple, deny thyself:

If thou wilt possess a blessed life, despise this present life:

If thou wilt be exalted in heaven, humble thyself in this world:

If thou wilt reign with me, bear the cross with me:

For none but the servants of the cross find the way of bliss and of true light.

3. Lord Jesus, forasmuch as thy way is narrow, and despised by the world; grant that I may follow thee, and be despised by the world:

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For the servant is not greater than his Lord, neither is the disciple above his master. _Matthew_ vi.

[USCCB: Matthew x. 24. "No disciple is
above his teacher, no slave above his
master." ]

Let thy servant meditate on thy life, for there is my salvation and true holiness:

Whatever I read, or hear besides, does not recreate nor fully delight me.

4. Son, thou knowest these things, and hast read them all, happy shalt thou be if thou fulfil them.

_He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me; and I will love him, and I will manifest myself unto him,_ (John xiv.); _and I will make him to sit with me in the kingdom of my Father_. Apoc. iii.

5. Lord Jesus, as thou hast said and hast promised, so may it be indeed; and may it be my lot to merit it:

I have received the cross, I have received it from thy hand; and I will bear it, and bear it till death, as thou hast laid it upon me. Indeed the life of a good religious man is a cross, but it is a cross that conducts him to Paradise:

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We have now begun, it is not lawful to go back, nor may we leave off.

6. Take courage, my brethren, let us go forward together, Jesus will be with us:

For Jesus's sake we took up this cross; for Jesus's sake let us persevere in it.

He will be our helper, who is our captain and our leader.

Behold our king marches before us, who will fight for us.

Let us follow him like men of courage; let no one shrink through fear; let us be ready valiantly to die in battle, and not to suffer our glory to be blemished by flying from the standard of the cross.

Chap. LVII.--_That a man should not be
too much dejected when he falls into some
defects_.

1. Son, patience and humility in adversity are more pleasing to me, than much consolation and devotion in prosperity.

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Why art thou disturbed at a little thing said against thee?

If it had been more, thou oughtest not to be moved.

But now let it pass, it is not the first, or any thing new, nor will it be the last, if thou live long.

Thou art valiant enough, as long as no adversary or opposition comes in thy way:

Thou canst also give good advice, and encourage others with thy words: but when any unexpected trouble comes to knock at thy door, then thy counsel and thy courage fails thee.

Consider thy great frailty, which thou often experiencest in small difficulties. Yet it is done for thy good, as often as these or such like things befal thee.

2. Put it out of thy heart the best thou canst; and if it had touched thee, yet let it not cast thee down, nor keep thee a long time entangled.

At least bear it patiently, if thou canst not receive it with joy.

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And though thou be not willing to hear it, and perceivest an indignation arising within thyself, yet repress thyself, and suffer no inordinate word to come out of thy mouth which may scandalize the weak.

The commotion which is stirred up in thee will quickly be allayed, and thy inward pain will be sweetened by the return of grace.

I am still living, saith the Lord, ready to help thee, and comfort thee more than before, if thou put thy trust in me, and devoutly call upon me.

3. Keep thy mind calm and even, and prepare thyself for bearing still more.

All is not lost, if thou feel thyself often afflicted or grievously tempted:

Thou art man and not God, thou art flesh and not an angel.

How canst thou look to continue ever in the same state of virtue, when this was not found in the angels in heaven, nor in the first man in Paradise?

I am he that raises up, and saves them that mourn; and them that know their own infirmity I advance to my divinity.

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4. O Lord, blessed be this thy word, it is more sweet to my mouth than honey, and the honey-comb.

What shall I do in my so great tribulations and anguishes, didst thou not encourage me with thy holy words?

What matter is it how much or what I suffer, so I come but at length to the haven of salvation.

Grant me a good end, grant me a happy passage out of this world:

Be ever mindful of me, O my God, and direct me by this strait road to thy kingdom. _Amen_.

Chap. LVIII.--_Of not searching into
high matters, nor into the secret
judgments of God_.

1. Son, see thou dispute not of high matters, nor of the hidden judgments of God; why this man is left thus, and this other is raised to so great grace; or why this person is so much afflicted, and that other so highly exalted.

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These things are above the reach of man, neither can any reason or discourse be able to penetrate into the judgments of God.

When therefore the enemy suggests to thee such things as these, or thou hearest curious men inquiring into them, answer that of the prophet, _Thou art just, O Lord, and thy judgment is right_. Psalms cxviii.

[USCCB: Psalms cxix. 137. "You are
righteous, LORD, and just are your
edicts."]

And again: _The judgments of the Lord are true, justified in themselves._ Psalms xviii.

[USCCB: Psalms xix. 8, 9. "The law of the
LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The
decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving
wisdom to the simple. The precepts of the
LORD are right, rejoicing the heart. The
command of the LORD is clear, enlightening
the eye."]

My judgments are to be feared, not to be searched into, for they are incomprehensible to human understanding.

2. In like manner do not inquire nor dispute of the merits of the saints, which of them is more holy than the other, or which greater in the kingdom of heaven.

These things oftentimes breed strife and unprofitable contentions, and nourish pride and vain-glory; from whence arise envy and dissensions, whilst this man proudly seeks to prefer this saint, and another man is for preferring another.

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Now to desire to know and to search into such things as these, is of no profit, but rather displeaseth the saints; for _I am not the God of dissensions, but of peace_ (1 Corinthians xiv.), which peace consists more in true humility than in exalting one's self.

3. Some are carried by a zeal of love towards these, or those, with greater affection; but this affection is rather human than divine.

I am he who made all the saints; I gave them grace, I have brought them to glory.

I know the merits of every one of them, I prevented them by the blessings of my sweetness.

I foreknew my beloved ones before the creation: I chose them out of the world, they were not before-hand with me to chuse me;

I called them by my grace, and drew them to me by my mercy. I led them safe through many temptations, I imparted to them extraordinary comforts, I gave them perseverance, I have crowned their patience.

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4. I know the first and the last, I embrace them all with an inestimable love.

I am to be praised in all my saints, I am to be blessed above all things, and to be honoured in every one of them whom I have thus gloriously magnified, and eternally chosen without any foregoing merits of their own.

He therefore that despises one of the least of my saints, honours not the greatest, for both little and great I have made:

And he that derogates from any one of the saints, derogates also from me, and from all the rest of them in the kingdom of heaven.

They are all one through the band of love; they have the same sentiment, the same will, and all mutually love one another.

5. And yet (which is much higher) they all love me more than themselves and their own merit.

For being elevated above themselves, and drawn out of the love of themselves, they are wholly absorpt in the love of me, in whom also they rest by an eternal enjoyment.

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Nor is there any thing which can divert them from me, or depress them; for being full of the eternal truth, they burn with the fire of a charity that cannot be extinguished.

Therefore let carnal and sensual men (who know not how to affect any thing but their private satisfactions) forbear to dispute of the state of the saints: they add and take away according to their own inclination, and not according to what is pleasing to the everlasting truth.

6. In many there is ignorance, especially in such as being but little enlightened seldom know how to love any one with a perfect spiritual love.

They are as yet much inclined to such or such by a natural affection and human friendship; and as they are affected with regard to things below, they conceive the like imaginations of the things of heaven.

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But there is an incomparable distance between what the imperfect imagine, and what enlightened men contemplate by revelation from above.

7. Take heed, therefore, my Son, that thou treat not curiously of those things which exceed thy knowledge, but rather make it thy business and thy aim, that thou mayest be found, though it were the least, in the kingdom of God.

And if any one should know who were more holy or greater in the kingdom of heaven, what would the knowledge profit him, unless he would take occasion from knowing this to humble himself in my sight, and to praise my name with greater fervour?

It is much more acceptable to God for a man to think of the greatness of his own sins, and how little he is in virtues, and at how great a distance he is from the perfection of the saints, than to dispute which of them is greater or less.

It is better to invocate the saints with devout prayers and tears, and to implore their glorious suffrages with an humble mind, than by a vain inquiry to search into their secrets.

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8. They are well and perfectly contented, if men would be but contented, and refrain from their vain discourses.

They glory not of their own merits, for they ascribe nothing of goodness to themselves, but all to me; because I bestowed all upon them out of my infinite charity.

They are filled with so great a love of the Deity, and such overflowing joy, that there is nothing wanting to their glory, nor can any happiness be wanting to them.

All the saints by how much they are the higher in glory, by so much are they the more humble in themselves, and nearer to me, and better beloved by me.

And therefore thou hast it written, that _they cast down their crowns before God, and fell upon their faces before the lamb, and adored him that lives for ever and ever._ Apoc. iv.

9. Many examine who is greatest in the kingdom of God, who know not whether they shall be worthy to be numbered amongst the least.

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It is a great matter to be even the least in heaven, where all are great; because all shall be called the children of God:

The least shall be as a thousand, and a sinner of an hundred years shall die.

For when the disciples asked, _Who was the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?_ (Matthew xviii.) they received this answer:

_Unless you be converted and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little one, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven._

10. Woe to them who disdain to humble themselves willingly with little children; for the low gate of the heavenly kingdom will not suffer them to enter thither.

Woe also to the rich who have their comforts here, for when the poor shall go into the kingdom of God, they stand lamenting without.

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Rejoice you humble, and be glad you that are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God; yet so, if you walk in the truth.

Chap. LIX.--_That all hope and confidence
is to be fixed in God alone_.

1. Lord, what is my confidence which I have in this life? or what is my greatest comfort amongst all things that appear under heaven?

Is it not thou, my Lord God, whose mercies are without number?

Where was it ever well with me without thee? or when could it be ill with me when thou wast present?

I had rather be poor for thee, than rich without thee.

I chuse rather to sojourn on earth with thee, than to possess heaven without thee. Where thou art, there is heaven: and there is death and hell, where thou art not.

After thee I have a longing desire, and therefore I must needs sigh after thee, and cry and pray.

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In fine, I cannot fully trust in any one to bring me seasonable help in my necessities, save only in thee, my God.

Thou art my hope, thou art my confidence, thou art my comforter, and most faithful above all.

2. All seek their own interest; thou aimest only at my salvation and profit, and turnest all things to my good.

And although thou expose me to various temptations and adversities, yet all this thou ordainest for my good, who art wont to prove thy beloved servants a thousand ways:

Under which proofs, thou oughtest no less to be loved and praised, than if thou wert to fill me with heavenly comforts.

3. In thee, therefore, O Lord God, I put all my hope and refuge; in thee I place all my tribulation and anguish; for I find all to be infirm and unstable whatever I behold out of thee.

For neither will a multitude of friends be of any service to me, nor can strong auxiliaries bring me any succours, nor wise counsellors give me a profitable answer, nor the books of the learned comfort me, nor any wealth deliver me, nor any secret and pleasant place secure me, if thou thyself do not assist; help, strengthen, comfort, instruct and defend me.

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4. For all things which seem to be for our peace and for our happiness, when thou art absent, are nothing, and in truth contribute nothing to our felicity.

Thou therefore art the fountain of all good, and the height of life, and the depth of wisdom; and to trust in thee above all things is the strongest comfort of thy servants.

To thee I lift up mine eyes; in thee, O my God; the Father of mercies, I put my trust:

Bless and sanctify my soul with thy heavenly blessing, that it may be made thy holy habitation, and the seat of thy eternal glory; and let nothing be found in the temple of thy dignity that may offend the eyes of thy Majesty.

According to the greatness of thy goodness, and the multitude of thy tender mercies, look down upon me, and give ear to the prayer of thy poor servant, who is in banishment afar off from thee in the region of the shade of death.

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Protect and defend the soul of thy servant amidst so many of this corruptible life; and direct him in the company of thy grace, through the way of peace to the country of everlasting light. _Amen_.

End Of Book III.

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The

_Following Of Christ._