Chap. III That the Words of God Are to Be Heard With Humility, and That Many Weigh Them Not
1. My Son, hear my words, words most sweet, exceeding all the learning of philosophers, and of the wise men of this world.
My words are spirit and life, and not to be estimated by the sense of man.
They are not to be drawn to a vain complacence, but are to be heard in silence, and to be received with all humility and great affection.
2. And I said, Blessed is the man, whom thou, O Lord, shalt instruct, and shalt teach him thy law; that thou mayest give him ease from the evil days, (Psalms xciii.); and that he may not be desolate upon earth.
[USCCB: Psalms xciv. 12-13.]
I (saith the Lord) have taught the prophets from the beginning, and even till now I cease not to speak to all; but many are deaf to my voice, and hard.
The greater number listen more willingly to the world, than to God; and follow sooner the desires of the flesh, than the good-will of God.
The world promises things temporal and of small value, and is served with great eagerness: I promise things most excellent and everlasting, and men’s hearts are not moved!
Who is there that serves and obeys me in all things, with that great care, with which the world and its lords are served? Be ashamed, O Sidon, saith the sea.
And if thou ask why? hear the reason.
For a small living, men run a great way; for eternal life many will scarce once move a foot from the ground.
An inconsiderable gain is sought after; for one penny sometimes men shamefully quarrel; they are not afraid to toil day and night for a trifle, or some slight promise.
4. But, alas! for an unchangeable good, for an inestimable reward, for the highest honour and never-ending glory, they are unwilling to take the least pains.
Be ashamed then, thou slothful servant, that art so apt to complain, seeing that they are more ready to labour for death than thou for life.
They rejoice more in running after vanity, than thou in the pursuit of truth.
And indeed they are sometimes frustrated of their hopes; but my promise deceives no man, nor sends away empty him that trusts in me.
What I have promised, I will give; what I have said, I will make good; provided a man continue to the end faithful in my love.
I am the rewarder of all the good, and the strong trier of all the devout.
5. Write my words in thy heart, and think diligently on them; for they will be very necessary in the time of temptation.
What thou understandest not when thou readest, thou shalt know in the day of visitation.
I am accustomed to visit my elect [in] two manner of ways, viz. by trial and by comfort.
And I read them daily two lessons; one to rebuke their vices, the other to exhort them to the increase of virtues.
He that has my words, and slights them, has that which shall condemn him at the last day.
A Prayer,
To implore the Grace of Devotion.
6. O Lord my God, thou art all my good; and who am I that I should dare to speak to thee.
I am thy most poor servant, and a wretched little worm, much more poor and contemptible than I conceive or dare express.
Yet remember, O Lord, that I am nothing, I have nothing and can do nothing:
Thou alone art good, just and holy; thou canst do all things; thou givest all things; thou fillest all things, leaving only the sinner empty.
Remember thy tender mercies, and fill my heart with thy grace, thou who wilt not have thy works to be empty.
How can I support myself in this wretched life, unless thy mercy and grace strengthen me?
Turn not away thy face from me; delay not thy visitation; withdraw not thy comfort; lest my soul become as earth without water to thee.
O Lord, teach me to do thy will, teach we to converse worthily and humbly in thy sight; for thou art my wisdom, who knowest me in truth, and didst know me before the world was made, and before I was born in the world.