Chap. VI Of the Proof of a True Lover
1. My son, thou art not as yet a valiant and prudent lover.
Why, O Lord?
Because thou fallest off from what thou hast begun upon meeting a little adversity, and too greedily seekest after consolation.
A valiant lover stands his ground in temptations, and gives no credit to the crafty persuasions of the enemy.
As he is pleased with me in prosperity, so I displease him not when I send adversity.
2. A prudent lover considers not so much the gift of the lover, as the love of the giver.
He looks more at the good-will than the value, and sets his Beloved above all his gifts.
A generous lover rests not in the gift, but in me above every gift.
All is not lost, if sometimes thou hast not that feeling [of devotion] towards me or my saints, which thou wouldst have.
That good and delightful affection, which thou sometimes perceivest, is the effect of present grace, and a certain foretaste of thy heavenly country.
But thou must not rely too much upon it, because it goes and comes.
But to fight against the evil motions of the mind which arise, and to despise the suggestions of the devil, is a sign of virtue and of great merit.
3. Let not therefore strange fancies trouble thee of what subject soever they be that are suggested to thee.
Keep thy resolution firm, and thy intentions upright towards God.
Neither is it an illusion, that sometimes thou art rapt into an extasy, and presently returnest to the accustomed fooleries of thy heart.
For these thou rather sufferest against thy will, than procurest: and as long as thou art displeased with them, and resistest them, it is merit and not loss.
4. Know, that the old enemy strives by all means to hinder thy desire after good, and to divert thee from every devout exercise; namely, from the veneration of the saints, from the pious meditation of my passion: from the profitable remembrance of thy sins, from keeping a guard upon thy own heart, and from a firm purpose of advancing in virtue.
He suggests to thee many evil thoughts, that he may tire thee out, and fright thee; that he may withdraw thee from prayer, and the reading of devout books.
He is displeased with humble confession: and, if he could, he would cause thee to let communion alone.
Give no credit to him, value him not, although he often lay his deceitful snares in thy way.
Charge him with it, when he suggests wicked and unclean things: and say to him:
Be gone, unclean spirit; be ashamed miserable wretch; thou art very filthy indeed to suggest such things as these to me.
Depart from me, thou most wicked impostor; thou shalt have no share in me; but my Jesus will be with me as a valiant warrior, and thou shalt stand confounded.
I had rather die, and undergo any torment whatsoever, than consent to thee.
Be silent, I will hear no more of thee, although thou often strive to be troublesome to me.
The Lord is my light, and my salvation: whom shall I fear?
If whole armies should stand together against me, my heart shall not fear. The Lord is my helper, and my Redeemer. Psalms cvi.
5. Fight like a good soldier; and if sometimes thou fall through frailty, rise up again with greater strength than before, confiding in my more abundant grace. But take great care thou yield not to any vain complacence and pride.
Through this many are led into error, and sometimes fall into almost incurable blindness.
Let this fall of the proud, who foolishly presume of themselves, serve thee for a warning, and keep thee always humble.