Chap. XXXI Of Disregarding All Things Created, That So We May Find the Creator
1. Lord, I stand much in need of a grace yet greater, if I must arrive so far, that it may not be in the power of any man, nor any thing created, to hinder me;
For as long as any thing holds me, I cannot freely fly to thee.
He was desirous to fly freely to thee, who said, Who will give me wings like a dove, and I will fly and be at rest. Psalms liv.
[USCCB: Psalms lv. 7.]
What can be more at rest than a simple eye [that aims at nothing but God]?
And what can be more free, than he that desires nothing upon earth?
A man ought therefore to pass and ascend above every thing created, and perfectly to forsake himself, and in ecstasy of mind to stand and see that thou, the Maker of all things, hast no similitude with thy creatures.
And unless a man be at liberty from all things created, he cannot attend to things divine.
And this is the reason why there are found so few contemplative persons, because there are few that wholly sequester themselves from transitory and created things.
2. For this a great grace is required, which may elevate the soul, and carry her up above herself.
And unless a man be elevated in spirit, and set at liberty from all creatures, and wholly united to God; whatever he knows, and whatever he has, is of no great weight.
Long shall he be little, and lie grovelling beneath, who esteems any thing great but only the one, immense, eternal Good.
And whatsoever is not God is nothing, and ought to be accounted as nothing.
There is a great difference between the wisdom of an illuminated devout man, and the knowledge of a learned studious scholar.
Far more noble is that learning which flows from above, from the divine influence, than that which with labour is acquired by the wit of man.
3. Many are found to desire contemplation; but care not to practise those things which are required thereunto.
It is a great impediment that we stand in signs and sensible things, and have but little of perfect mortification.
I know not what it is, by what spirit we are led, or what we pretend to, who seem to be called spiritual persons; that we take so much pains, and have a greater solicitude for transitory and mean things; and scarce ever have our senses fully recollected to think of our own interior.
4. Alas! after a slight recollection, we presently get out of ourselves again; neither do we weigh well our works by a strict examination.
We take no notice where our affections lie; nor do we lament the great want of purity in all we do.
For all flesh had corrupted its way, and therefore the great flood ensued. Genesis vi. and vii.
As therefore our interior affection is much corrupted, it must needs be that the action which follows should be corrupted also; a testimony of the want of inward vigour.
From a pure heart proceeds the fruit of a good life.
5. We are apt to enquire how much a man has done; but with how much virtue he has done it, is not so diligently considered.
We ask whether he be strong, rich, beautiful, ingenious, a good writer, a good singer, or a good workman; but how poor he is in spirit, how patient and meek, how devout and internal, is what few speak of.
Nature looks upon the outward thing of a man, but grace turns herself to the interior.
Nature is often deceived, but grace hath her trust in God, that she may not be deceived.