If thou canst now endure so little how wilt thou be able to bear everlasting torments?
If a little suffering now makes thee so impatient, what will hell fire do hereafter?
Surely thou canst not have thy pleasure in this world, and afterwards reign with Christ.
7. If to this day thou hadst always lived in honours and pleasures: what would it avail thee, if thou wert now in a moment to die?
All then is vanity, but to love God, and to serve him alone!
For he that loves God with his whole heart, neither fears death, nor punishment, nor judgment, nor hell: because perfect love gives secure access to God.
But he that is yet delighted with sin, no wonder if he be afraid of death and judgment.
It is good, however, that if love, as yet, reclaim thee not from evil, at least the fear of hell restrain thee.
But he that lays aside the fear of God, will not be able to continue long in good, but will quickly fall into the snares of the devil.
1. Be vigilant, and delight in God's service, and often think with thyself, to what end thou camest hither, and why thou didst leave the world: was it not that thou mightest live to God, and become a spiritual man?
Be fervent therefore in thy spiritual progress, for thou shalt shortly receive the reward of thy labours: and then grief and fear shall no more come near thee.
Thou shalt labour now a little, and thou shalt find great rest: yea, everlasting joy.
If thou continue faithful and fervent in working, God will doubtless be faithful and liberal in rewarding.
Thou must preserve a good and firm hope of coming to the crown: but must not think thyself secure, lest thou grow negligent or proud.
2. When a certain person in anxiety of mind was often wavering between hope and fear; and on a time being overwhelmed with grief, had prostrated himself in prayer in the church before a certain altar, he revolved these things within himself, saying: If I did but know that I should still persevere: and presently he heard within himself an answer from God: And if thou didst know this, what wouldst thou do? Do now what thou wouldst then do, and thou shalt be very secure.
And immediately being comforted and strengthened, he committed himself to the divine will, and his anxious wavering ceased.
Neither had he a mind any more to search curiously, to know what should befal him hereafter; but rather studied to enquire what was the will of God, well pleasing and perfect, for the beginning and accomplishing every good work.
Hope in the Lord, and do good, saith the prophet, and inhabit the land, and thou shalt be fed with the riches thereof. Psalms xxxi.
There is one thing which keeps many back from spiritual progress and fervent amendment of life, and that is, the apprehension of difficulty, or the labour which must be gone through in the conflict.
And they indeed advance most of all others in virtue, who strive manfully to overcome those things which they find more troublesome or contrary to them.
For there a man makes greater progress, and merits greater grace, where he overcomes himself more, and mortifies himself in spirit.
4. But all men have not alike to overcome and mortify.
Yet he that is diligent and zealous, although he have more passions to fight against, will be able to make a greater progress than another who has fewer passions, but is withal less fervent in the pursuit of virtues.
Two things particularly conduce to a great amendment: these are forcibly to withdraw one's self from that to which nature is viciously inclined, and earnestly to labour for that good which one wants the most.
Study likewise to fly more carefully, and to overcome those faults which most frequently displease thee in others.
5. Turn all occasions to thy spiritual profit: so that if thou seest or hearest any good examples, thou mayest be spurred on to imitate them.
But if thou observe any thing that is blame-worthy, take heed thou commit not the same: or if thou at any time hast done it, labour to amend it out of hand.
As thine eye observeth others: so art thou also observed by others.
O how sweet and comfortable it is to see brethren fervent and devout, regular and well disciplined!
How sad a thing, and how afflicting, to see such walk disorderly, and who practise nothing of what they are called to.
How hurtful it is to neglect the intent of our vocation, and to turn our minds to things that are not our business.
6. Be mindful of the resolution thou hast taken, and set before thee the image of the crucifix.
Well mayest thou be ashamed, if thou looked upon the life of Jesus Christ, that thou hast not yet studied to conform thyself more to his pattern, although thou hast been long in the way of God.
A religious man, who exercises himself seriously and devoutly in the most holy life and passion of our Lord, shall find there abundantly all things profitable and necessary for him: nor need he seek for any thing better out of Jesus.
O if our crucified Jesus did but come into our heart, how quickly and sufficiently learned should we be!
7. A fervent religious man bears and takes all things well that are commanded him.
A negligent and lukewarm religious man has trouble upon trouble, and on every side suffers anguish: because he has no comfort within, and is hindered from seeking any without.
A religious man that lives not in discipline, lies open to dreadful ruin.
He that seeks to be more loose and remiss will always be uneasy: for one thing or other will always displease him.
8. How do so many other religious do, who live under strict monastic discipline?
They seldom go abroad; they live very retired; their diet is very poor; their habit coarse; they labour much; they speak little; they watch long; they rise early; they spend much time in prayer; they read often; and keep themselves in all kind of discipline.
Consider the Carthusians, the Cistercians, and the monks and nuns of divers orders: how every night they rise to sing psalms to the Lord.
It would therefore be a shame for thee to be sluggish at so holy a time, when such multitudes of religious begin with joy to give praises to God.
9. O that we had nothing else to do but to praise the Lord our God with our whole heart and mouth!
O that thou didst never want to eat, nor drink, nor sleep, but couldst always praise God, and be employed solely in spiritual exercises!
Thou wouldst then be much more happy than now, whilst thou art under the necessity of serving the flesh.
Would to God there were no such necessities, but only the spiritual refreshments of the soul, which, alas, we taste too seldom!
10. When a man is come to this, that he seeks his comfort from nothing created, then he begins perfectly to relish God; then likewise will he be well content, however matters happen to him.
Then will he neither rejoice for much, nor be sorrowful for little: but will commit himself wholly and confidently to God, who is to him all in all; to whom nothing perishes or dies, but all things live to him, and serve him at a beck without delay.
11. Always remember thy end, and that time once lost never returns.
Without care and diligence thou shalt never acquire virtues.
If thou beginnest to grow lukewarm, thou wilt begin to be uneasy.
But if thou givest thyself to fervour, thou shalt find great peace: and the grace of God, and love of virtue will make thee feel less labour.
A fervent and diligent man is ready for all things.
It is a greater labour to resist vices and passions, than to toil at bodily labours.
He that does not shun small defects, by little and little falls into greater.
Thou wilt always rejoice in the evening, if thou spend the day profitably.
Watch over thyself, stir up thyself, admonish thyself; and whatever becometh of others, neglect not thyself.
The greater violence thou offerest to thyself, the greater progress thou wilt make. Amen.
End Of Book I.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
If thou reject exterior comfort, thou wilt be able to contemplate heavenly things, and frequently to feel excessive joy interiorly.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.