Chap. XXIII Of Four Things Which Bring Much Peace
1. Son, I will teach thee now the way of peace and true liberty.
2. Do, Lord; I beseech thee, as thou sayest, for I shall be very glad to hear it.
3. Endeavour, my Son, rather to do the will of another, than thy own.
Ever choose rather to have less, than more.
Always seek the lowest place, and to be inferior to every one.
Always wish and pray that the will of God may be entirely fulfilled in thee.
Behold, such a man as this enters upon the coast of peace and rest.
4. Lord, this thy short speech contains much perfection.
It is short in words, but full in sense, and plentiful in its fruit;
For if it could be faithfully observed by me, I should not be so easily troubled.
For as often as I find myself disquieted and disturbed, I am sensible it is because I have strayed from this doctrine.
But thou, O Lord, who canst do all things, and always lovest the progress of the soul, increase in me thy grace, that I may accomplish this thy word, and perfect my salvation.
A Prayer
Against evil thoughts.
5. O Lord, my God, depart not far from me: O my God, have regard to help me, for divers evil thoughts have risen up against me, and great fears afflicting my soul.
How shall I pass without hurt? How shall I break through them?
6. I (saith he) will go before thee, end will humble the great ones of the earth. Isaiah xxv.
I will open the gates of the prison, and reveal to thee the hidden secrets.
7. Do, Lord, as thou sayest, and let all these wicked thoughts flee from before thy face.
This is my hope and my only comfort, to fly to thee in all tribulations, to confide in thee, to call on thee from my heart, and patiently to look for thy consolation.
Prayer
For the enlightening the Mind.
8. Enlighten me, O good Jesus, with the brightness of the internal light; and cast out all darkness from the dwelling of my heart.
Restrain my many wandering thoughts, and suppress the temptations that violently assault me.
Fight strongly for me, and overcome those wicked beasts, I mean, these alluring concupiscences; that peace may be made in thy power, and the abundance of thy praise may resound in thy holy court, which is a clean conscience.
Command the winds and storms: say to the sea be thou still, and to the north wind, blow thou not; and a great calm shall ensue.
9. Send forth thy light and thy truth, that they may shine upon the earth; for I am an earth that is empty and void, till thou enlightenest me. Genesis i.
Pour forth thy grace from above; water my heart with the dew of heaven; send down the waters of devotion, to wash the face of the earth, to bring forth good and perfect fruit.
Lift up my mind, oppressed with the load of sins, and raise my whole desire towards heavenly things; that having tasted the sweetness of the happiness above, I may have no pleasure in thinking of the things of the earth.
10. Draw me away, and deliver me from all unstable comfort of creatures, for no created thing can fully quiet and satisfy my desire.
Join me to thyself with an inseparable bond of love; for thou alone canst satisfy the lover; and without thee all other things are frivolous.