Chap. IV Of a Pure Mind and Simple Intention
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.