Chap. IX Of the Want of All Comfort
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.
To him that shall overcome, saith our Lord, I will give to eat of the tree of life. Apoc. ii. [USCCB: Revelation ii. 7]
8. Now divine consolation is given that a man may be better able to support adversities.
And temptation follows, that he may not be proud of good.
The devil never sleeps, neither is the flesh yet dead: therefore thou must not cease to prepare thyself for battle, for on the right hand, and on the left, are enemies that never rest.