Madame Guyon - A Short Method of Prayer

8/10/2019 Madame Guyon - A Short Method of Prayer

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Madame Guyon’s:

A Short & Very Easy

Method of Prayer

This English translation originally appeared in

"Spiritual Progress" or “Instructions in the Divine i!e o! the Soul

!rom the #rench o! #enelon and Madame Guyon$

Printed in %&'($ Edited )y *ames +, Metcal!,

Reference Note: The scripture re!erences sho-n as .Eccles/ re!er to the 0ld Testament 1oo2 o!

Ecclesiastes3 -hich appears a!ter the Prover)s$ the re!erences sho-n as .Eccles’us/3 re!er to the 1oo2 o!

Ecclesiasticus3 -hich in the Douay 4heims 5ersion3 appeared 6ust )e!ore Isaias,

A SHORT

AND

VERY

EASY

METHODOF

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BY MADAME GUYON(1!" # 1$1$%

<<<<<<<<<<<<

"Walk before me

and be thou perfect."

Gen, =vii,%,<<<<<<<<<<<<



The Author's Preface.

T9IS little treatise3 conceived in great simplicity3 -as not originally intended !or pu)lication, It -as

-ritten !or a !e- individuals3 -ho -ere desirous o! loving God -ith all their heart, Many3 ho-ever3 )ecause o! the pro!it they received in reading the manuscript3 -ished to o)tain copies3 and3 on this

account alone3 it -as committed to the press,It still remains in its original simplicity, It contains no censure on the various divine leadings o! others$ onthe contrary3 it en!orces the received teachings, The -hole is su)mitted to the 6udgment o! the learnedand e=perienced$ re>uesting them3 ho-ever3 not to stop at the sur!ace3 )ut to enter into the main design o!the author3 -hich is to induce the whole world to love God, and to serve Him with comfort and success, ina simple and easy manner3 adapted to those little ones -ho are un>uali!ied !or learned and deep

researches3 )ut -ho earnestly desire to be truly devoted to God.

7n unpre6udiced reader -ill !ind3 hidden under the most common e=pressions3 a secret unction3 -hich-ill e=cite him to see2 a!ter that happiness -hich all should -ish to en6oy,In asserting that per!ection is easily attained3 the -ord facility, is used$ )ecause God is3 indeed !ound -ith!acility3 when we seek Him within ourselves. 1ut some3 perhaps3 may urge that passage in St, *ohn "Ye

shall seek me, and shall not find me," .vii, (?/$ this apparent di!!iculty3 ho-ever3 is removed )y another passage3 -here 9e3 -ho cannot contradict himsel!3 has said to all3 "Seek and ye shall find," . Matt , vii, @/,It is true3 indeed3 that he -ho -ould see2 God3 and is yet un-illing to !orsa2e his sins3 shall not !ind him3 )ecause he see2s 9im -here 9e is not$ and3 there!ore3 it is added3 "Ye shall die in your sins." 1ut he3 -ho-ill ta2e some trou)le to see2 God in his o-n heart3 and sincerely !orsa2e his sin3 that he may dra- nearunto 9im3 shall in!alli)ly !ind 9im,7 li!e o! piety appears so !right!ul to many3 and prayer o! such di!!icult attainment3 that they are

discouraged !rom ta2ing a single step to-ards it, 1ut as the apprehended di!!iculty o! an underta2ingo!ten causes despair o! succeeding and reluctance in commencing3 so its desira)leness3 and the idea that itis easy to accomplish3 induce us to enter upon its pursuit -ith pleasure3 and to pursue it -ith vigor, Theadvantages and facility o! this -ay are there!ore set !orth in the !ollo-ing treatise,0 -ere -e once persuaded o! the goodness o! God to-ard his poor creatures3 and o! his desire tocommunicate 9imsel! to them3 -e should not create ideal monsters3 nor so easily despair o! o)taining that

good -hich 9e is so earnest to )esto-: "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us allhow shall He not, with him, also freely !ive us all thin!s" . #om, viii, (A/, It needs only a little courageand perseverance$ -e have enough o! )oth in our temporal concerns3 )ut none at all in the one thingneed!ul3 . $uke =, ?A/,I! any thin2 that God is not easily to )e !ound in this -ay3 let them not on my testimony alter their minds3 )ut let them try it3 and their o-n e=perience -ill convince them3 that the reality !ar e=ceeds all my

representations o! it,1eloved reader3 puruse this little tract -ith a sincere and candid spirit3 in lo-liness o! mind3 and not -ithan inclination to criticiBe3 and you -ill not !ail to reap pro!it !rom it, It -as -ritten -ith a desire that youmight wholly devote yourself to God receive it then -ith a li2e desire: !or it has no other design than toinvite the simple and the childCli2e to approach their !ather3 -ho delights in the hum)le con!idence o! hischildren3 and is greatly grieved at their distrust, +ith a sincere desire3 there!ore3 !or your salvation3 see2

nothing !rom the unpretending method here proposed3 )ut the love o! God3 and you shall assuredly o)tain

it,+ithout setting up our opinions a)ove those o! others3 -e mean only -ith sincerity to declare3 !rom ouro-n e=perience and the e=perience o! others3 the happy e!!ects produced )y thus simply !ollo-ing a!terthe ord,7s this treatise -as intended only to instruct in prayer3 nothing is said o! many things -hich -e esteem3

)ecause they do not immediately relate to our main su)6ect, It is3 ho-ever3 )eyond a dou)t3 that nothing-ill )e !ound herein to o!!end3 provided it )e read in the spirit -ith -hich it -as -ritten, 7nd it is stillmore certain3 that those -ho in right earnest ma2e trial o! the -ay3 -ill !ind -e have -ritten the truth,It is Thou alone3 0 holy *esus3 -ho lovest simplicity and innocence3 "and whose deli!ht is to dwell with

the children of men," . %rov, viii, (%/3 -ith those -ho are3 indeed3 -illing to )ecome "little children,"

. Matt , =viii, (/$ it is Thou alone3 -ho canst render this little -or2 o! any value3 )y imprinting it on the

heart3 and leading those -ho read it to see2 Thee -ithin themselves3 -here Thou reposest as in themanger3 -aiting to receive proo!s o! their love3 and to give them testimony o! thine, They lose these

advantages )y their o-n !ault, 1ut it )elongeth unto thee3 0 child 7lmighty uncreated ove silent andallCcontaining +ord to ma2e thysel! loved3 en6oyed and understood, Thou canst do it$ and I 2no- Thou



-ilt do it )y this little -or23 -hich )elongeth entirely to Thee3 proceedeth -holly !rom Thee3 and tendethonly to Thee



C H A P T E R I.

THE PRAYER OF THE HEART.

7 are capa)le o! prayer3 and it is a dread!ul mis!ortune that almost all the -orld have conceived the idea

that they are not called to prayer, +e are all called to prayer3 as -e are all called to salvation,P478E4 is nothing )ut the application of the heart to God, and the internal e=ercise o! love, St, Paul hasen6oined us to "pray without ceasin!" .& 'hess, v,%@/ and our ord )ids us -atch and pray3 . Mark =iii,((3(@/: all there!ore may3 and all ought to practise prayer, I grant that meditation is attaina)le )ut )y !e-3!or !e- are capa)le o! it$ and there!ore3 my )eloved )rethren -ho are athirst !or salvation3 meditative prayer is not the prayer -hich God re>uires o! you3 nor -hich -e -ould recommend,

A, et all pray: you should live )y prayer3 as you should live )y love, "( counsel you to buy of me !old

tried in the fire, that ye may be rich." . #ev, iii, %&,/ This is very easily o)tained3 much more easily thanyou can conceive,ome all ye that are athirst to the living -aters3 nor lose your precious moments in he-ing out cisternsthat -ill hold no -ater, .*ohn vii, (@$ *er, ii, %(,/ ome ye !amishing souls3 -ho !ind nought to satis!yyou$ come3 and ye shall )e !illed ome3 ye poor a!!licted ones3 )ending )eneath your load o!

-retchedness and pain3 and ye shall )e consoled ome3 ye sic23 to your physician3 and )e not !ear!ul o!approaching him )ecause ye are !illed -ith diseases$ sho- them3 and they shall )e healedhildren3 dra- near to your #ather3 and he -ill em)race you in the arms o! love ome ye poor3 stray3-andering sheep3 return to your Shepherd ome3 sinners3 to your Saviour ome ye dull3 ignorant3 andilliterate3 ye -ho thin2 yourselves the most incapa)le o! prayer ye are more peculiarly called and adaptedthereto, et all -ithout e=ception come3 !or *esus hrist hath called 7,

8et let not those come -ho are -ithout a heart$ they are e=cused$ !or there must )e a heart )e!ore therecan )e love, 1ut -ho is -ithout a heart 0 come3 then3 give this heart to God$ and here learn ho- toma2e the donation,(, 7ll -ho are desirous o! prayer3 may easily pray3 ena)led )y those ordinary graces and gi!ts o! the 9olySpirit -hich are common to all men,P478E4 is the 2ey to per!ection3 and the sovereign good$ it is the means o! delivering us !rom every vice3

and o)taining us every virtue$ !or the one great means o! )ecoming per!ect3 is to -al2 in the presence o!

God, 9e himsel! hath said3 "Walk before me, and be thou perfect." .Gen, =vii, %,/ It is )y prayer alonethat -e are )rought into his presence3 and maintained in it -ithout interruption,?, 8ou must3 then3 learn a species o! prayer -hich may )e e=ercised at all times$ -hich does not o)structout-ard employments$ -hich may )e e>ually practised )y princes3 2ings3 prelates3 priests andmagistrates3 soldiers and children3 tradesmen3 la)orers3 -omen3 and sic2 persons$ it is not the prayer o!

the head3 )ut 0# T9E 9E74T,It is not a prayer o! the understanding alone3 !or the mind o! man is so limited in its operations that it canhave )ut one o)6ect at a time$ )ut it is the P478E4 0# T9E 9E74T -hich is not interrupted )y the e=ercises o! reason, ;othing can interrupt this prayer )ut disordered a!!ections$ and -hen once -e have en6oyed God3and the s-eetness o! his love3 -e shall !ind it impossi)le to relish aught )ut himsel!,', ;othing is so easily o)tained as the possession and en6oyment o! God, 9e is more present to us than -e

are to ourselves, 9e is more desirous o! giving 9imsel! to us than -e are to possess 9im$ -e only need to2no- ho- to see2 9im3 and the -ay is easier and more natural to us than )reathing,

7h ye -ho thin2 yourselves so dull and !it !or nothing3 )y prayer you may live on God himsel! -ith lessdi!!iculty or interruption than you live on the vital air, +ill it not then )e highly sin!ul to neglect prayer1ut dou)tless you -ill not3 -hen you have learnt the method3 -hich is the easiest in the -orld,



C H A P T E R II.

THE FIRST DEGREE OF PRAYER: MEDITATION.

T9E4E are t-o -ays o! introducing a soul into prayer3 -hich should )e pursued !or some time$ the one is

meditation, the other is readin! accompanied by meditation.

Meditative readin! is the choosing some important practical or speculative truth3 al-ays pre!erring the practical3 and proceeding thus: -hatever truth you have chosen3 read only a small portion o! it3endeavoring to taste and digest it3 to e=tract the essence and su)stance o! it3 and proceed no !arther -hileany savor or relish remains in the passage: then ta2e up your )oo2 again3 and proceed as )e!ore3 seldomreading more than hal! a page at a time,

It is not the >uantity that is read3 )ut the manner o! reading3 that yields us pro!it, Those -ho read !ast3reap no more advantage3 than a )ee -ould )y only s2imming over the sur!ace o! the !lo-er3 instead o!-aiting to penetrate into it3 and e=tract its s-eets, Much reading is rather !or scholastic su)6ects3 thandivine truths$ to receive pro!it !rom spiritual )oo2s3 -e must read as I have descri)ed$ and I am certainthat i! that method -ere pursued3 -e should )ecome gradually ha)ituated to prayer )y our reading3 andmore !ully disposed !or its e=ercise,

A, Meditation3 -hich is the other method3 is to )e practised at an appropriated season3 and not in the timeo! reading, I )elieve that the )est manner o! meditating is as !ollo-s:+hen )y an act o! lively !aith3 you are placed in the presence o! God3 read some truth -herein there issu)stance$ pause gently thereon3 not to employ the reason3 )ut merely to !i= the mind$ o)serving that the principal e=ercise should ever )e the presence o! God3 and that the su)6ect3 there!ore3 should rather serveto stay the mind3 than e=ercise it in reasoning,

Then let a lively faith in God immediately present in our inmost souls, produce an eager sin2ing intoourselves3 restraining all our senses !rom -andering a)road: this serves to e=tricate us3 in the !irstinstance3 !rom numerous distractions3 to remove us !ar !rom e=ternal o)6ects3 and to )ring us nigh to God3-ho is only to )e !ound in our inmost centre3 -hich is the Holy of Holies -herein he d-ells, 9e has even promised to come and ma2e his a)ode -ith him that doeth his -ill, . )ohn =iv, A(,/ St, 7ugustine )lameshimsel! !or the time he had lost in not having sought God3 !rom the !irst3 in this manner o! prayer,

(, +hen -e are thus !ully entered into ourselves3 and -armly penetrated throughout -ith a lively sense o!

the Divine presence$ -hen the senses are all recollected3 and -ithdra-n !rom the circum!erence to thecentre3 and the soul is s-eetly and silently employed on the truths -e have read3 not in reasoning3 )ut in!eeding thereon3 and animating the -ill )y a!!ection3 rather than !atiguing the understanding )y study$-hen3 I say3 the a!!ections are in this state3 .-hich3 ho-ever di!!icult it may appear at !irst3 is3 as I shallherea!ter sho-3 easily attaina)le3/ -e must allo- them sweetly to repose, and3 as it -ere3 swallow -hat

they have tasted,#or as a person may en6oy the !lavor o! the !inest viands in mastication3 yet receive no nourishment !romthem3 i! he does not cease the action and s-allo- the !ood$ so -hen our a!!ections are en2indled3 i! -eendeavor to stir them up yet more3 -e e=tinguish the !lame3 and the soul is deprived o! its nourishment,+e should3 there!ore3 in a repose of love, !ull o! respect and con!idence3 s-allo- the )lessed !ood -ehave received, This method is highly necessary3 and -ill advance the soul more in a short time3 than any

other in years,?, 1ut as I have said that our direct and principal e=ercise should consist in the contemplation of the

*ivine presence, -e should )e e=ceedingly diligent in recallin! our dissipated senses, as the most easymethod o! overcoming distractions$ !or a direct contest only serves to irritate and augment them$ -hereas3 )y sin2ing -ithin3 under a vie- )y !aith3 o! a present God3 and simply recollecting ourselves3 -e -ageinsensi)ly a very success!ul3 though indirect -ar -ith them,

It is proper here to caution )eginners against -andering !rom truth to truth3 and !rom su)6ect to su)6ect$the right -ay to penetrate every divine truth3 to en6oy its !ull relish3 and to imprint it on the heart3 is tod-ell upon it -hilst its savor continues,Though recollection is difficult in the )eginning3 !rom the ha)it the soul has ac>uired o! )eing al-aysa)road3 yet3 -hen )y the violence it has done itsel!3 it )ecomes a little accustomed to it3 the process issoon rendered per!ectly easy$ and this partly !rom the !orce o! ha)it3 and partly )ecause God3 -hose one

-ill to-ards his creatures is to communicate himsel! to them3 imparts a)undant grace3 and ane=perimental en6oyment o! his presence3 -hich very much !acilitate it,



C H A P T E R III.

THE METHOD OF PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT READ.

T90SE -ho cannot read )oo2s3 are not3 on that account3 e=cluded !rom prayer, The great )oo2 -hichteaches all things3 and -hich is -ritten all over3 -ithin and -ithout3 is *esus hrist himsel!,The method they should practice is this: they should !irst learn this !undamental truth3 that "the kin!dom

of God is within them," . $uke =vii, A%3/ and that it must )e sought there only,It is as incum)ent on the clergy to instruct their parishioners in prayer3 as in their catechism, It is true theytell them the end o! their creation$ )ut they do not give them su!!icient instructions ho- they may attain it,

They should )e taught to )egin )y an act o! pro!ound adoration and annihilation )e!ore God3 and closingthe corporeal eyes3 endeavor to open those o! the soul$ they should then collect themselves in-ardly3 and )y a lively !aith in God3 as d-elling -ithin them3 pierce into the divine presence$ not su!!ering the sensesto -ander a)road3 )ut holding them as much as may )e in su)6ection,A, They should then repeat the ordFs prayer in their native tongue$ pondering a little upon the meaning o!the -ords3 and the in!inite -illingness o! that God -ho d-ells -ithin them to )ecome3 indeed3 "their

!ather," In this state let them pour out their -ants )e!ore him$ and -hen they have pronounced the -ord3"!ather3" remain a !e- moments in a reverential silence3 -aiting to have the -ill o! this their heavenly#ather made mani!est to them,7gain3 the hristian3 )eholding himsel! in the state o! a !ee)le child3 soiled and sorely )ruised )y repeated!alls3 destitute o! strength to stand3 or o! po-er to cleanse himsel!3 should lay his deplora)le situation opento his #atherFs vie- in hum)le con!usion$ occasionally intermingling a -ord or t-o o! love and grie!3 and

then again sin2ing into silence )e!ore 9im, Then3 continuing the ordFs prayer3 let him )eseech this ingo! Glory to reign in him3 a)andoning himsel! to God3 that 9e may do it3 and ac2no-ledging his right torule over him,I! they !eel an inclination to peace and silence3 let them not continue the -ords o! the prayer so long asthis sensation holds$ and -hen it su)sides3 let them go on -ith the second petition3 "thy will be done on

earth as it is in heaven+" upon -hich let these hum)le supplicants )eseech God to accomplish in them3

and )y them3 all his -ill3 and let them surrender their hearts and !reedom into his hands3 to )e disposed o!

as 9e pleases, +hen they !ind that the -ill should )e employed in loving3 they -ill desire to love3 and-ill implore 9im !or his 05E$ )ut all this -ill ta2e place s-eetly and peace!ully: and so o! the rest o! the prayer3 in -hich the clergy may instruct them,1ut they should not )urthen themselves -ith !re>uent repetitions o! set !orms3 or studied prayers$ !or theordFs prayer once repeated as I have 6ust descri)ed3 -ill produce a)undant !ruit,

(, 7t other times3 they may place themselves as sheep )e!ore their Shepherd3 loo2ing up to 9im !or theirtrue !ood: 0 divine Shepherd3 Thou !eedest thy !loc2 -ith Thysel!3 and art indeed their daily )read, Theymay also represent to him the necessities o! their !amilies: )ut let all )e done !rom this principal and onegreat vie- o! !aith3 that God is -ithin them,7ll our imaginations o! God amount to nothing$ a lively !aith in his presence is su!!icient, #or -e mustnot !orm any image o! the Deity3 though -e may o! *esus hrist3 )eholding him in his )irth3 or his

cruci!i=ion3 or in some other state or mystery3 provided the soul al-ays see2s 9im in its o-n centre,0n other occasions3 -e may loo2 to him as a physician3 and present !or his healing virtue all our

maladies$ )ut al-ays -ithout pertur)ation3 and -ith pauses !rom time to time3 that the silence3 )eingmingled -ith action3 may )e gradually e=tended3 and our o-n e=ertion lessened$ till at length3 )ycontinually yielding to GodFs operations3 9e gains the complete ascendancy3 as shall )e herea!tere=plained,

?, +hen the divine presence is granted us3 and -e gradually )egin to relish silence and repose3 this

eperimental en-oyment of the presence of God introduces the soul into the second degree o! prayer3-hich3 )y proceeding in the manner I have descri)ed3 is attaina)le as -ell )y the illiterate as )y thelearned$ some privileged souls3 indeed3 are !avored -ith it even !rom the )eginning,



C H A P T E R I.

THE PRAYER OF SIMP!ICITY.

S0ME call the second degree o! prayer ontemplation, 'he prayer of /aith and Stillness, and others call it'he prayer of Simplicity. I shall here use this latter appellation3 as )eing more 6ust than that o!contemplation3 -hich implies a more advanced state than that I am no- treating o!,+hen the soul has )een !or some time e=ercised in the -ay I have mentioned3 it gradually !inds that it isena)led to approach God -ith !acility$ that recollection is attended -ith much less di!!iculty3 and that prayer )ecomes easy3 s-eet3 and delight!ul: it recogniBes that this is the true -ay o! !inding God3 and !eels

that "his name is as ointment poured forth." .ant , i, (,/ The method must no- )e altered3 and that -hichI descri)e must )e pursued -ith courage and !idelity3 -ithout )eing distur)ed at the di!!iculties -e mayencounter in the -ay,A, #irst3 as soon as the soul )y !aith places itsel! in the presence o! God3 and )ecomes recollected )e!ore9im3 let it remain thus !or a little time in respect!ul silence,1ut i!3 at the )eginning3 in !orming the act o! !aith3 it !eels some little pleasing sense o! the Divine

presence3 let it remain there -ithout )eing trou)led !or a su)6ect3 and proceed no !arther3 )ut care!ullycherish this sensation -hile it continues, +hen it a)ates3 it may e=cite the -ill )y some tender a!!ection$and i!3 )y the !irst moving thereo!3 it !inds itsel! reinstated in s-eet peace3 let it there remain$ the !ire must )e gently !anned3 )ut as soon as it is 2indled3 -e must cease our e!!orts3 lest -e e=tinguish it )y ouractivity,(, I -ould -armly recommend to all3 never to !inish prayer -ithout remaining some little time a!ter-ard

in a respect!ul silence, It is also o! the greatest importance !or the soul to go to prayer -ith courage3 andto )ring -ith it such a pure and disinterested love3 as see2s nothing !rom God3 )ut to please 9im3 and todo his -ill$ !or a servant -ho only proportions his diligence to his hope o! re-ard3 is un-orthy o! anyrecompense, Go then to prayer3 not desiring to en6oy spiritual delights3 )ut to )e 6ust as it pleases God$this -ill preserve your spirit tran>uil in aridities as -ell as in consolation3 and prevent your )eingsurprised at the apparent repulses or a)sence o! God,



C H A P T E R .

ARIDITIES TO "E "ORNE IN !OE.

T90HG9 God has no other desire than to impart 9imsel! to the loving soul that see2s 9im3 yet 9e!re>uently conceals 9imsel! !rom it3 that it may )e roused !rom sloth3 and impelled to see2 9im -ith!idelity and love, 1ut -ith -hat a)undant goodness does 9e recompense the !aith!ulness o! his )eloved7nd ho- o!ten are these apparent -ithdra-ings o! 9imsel! succeeded )y the caresses o! love7t these seasons -e are apt to )elieve that it proves our !idelity3 and evinces a greater ardor o! a!!ection tosee2 9im )y an e=ertion o! our o-n strength and activity$ or that such a course -ill induce 9im the more

speedily to revisit us, ;o3 dear souls3 )elieve me3 this is not the )est -ay in this degree o! prayer$ -ith patient love3 -ith sel!Ca)asement and humiliation3 -ith the reiterated )reathings o! an ardent )ut peace!ula!!ection3 and -ith silence !ull o! veneration3 you must a-ait the return o! the 1eloved,A, Thus only can you demonstrate that it is 9IMSE# alone3 and his good pleasure3 that you see2$ and notthe sel!ish delights o! your o-n sensations in loving 9im, 9ence it is said . 0ccles1us, ii, A3(/: "2e not

impatient in the time of dryness and obscurity suffer the suspensions and delays of the consolations of

God cleave unto him, and wait upon him patiently, that thy life may increase and be renewed."

1e patient in prayer3 though during your -hole li!etime you should do nothing else than -ait the return o!the 1eloved in a spirit o! humiliation3 a)andonment3 contentment3 and resignation, Most e=cellent prayerand it may )e intermingled -ith the sighings o! plaintive love This conduct indeed is most pleasing tothe heart o! God3 and -ill3 a)ove all others3 compel his return,



C H A P T E R I.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SE!F#A"ANDONMENT.

9E4E -e must )egin to abandon and give up our -hole e=istence to God3 !rom the strong and positive

conviction3 that the occurrences o! every moment result !rom his immediate -ill and permission3 and are 6ust such as our state re>uires, This conviction -ill ma2e us content -ith everything$ and cause us toregard all that happens3 not !rom the side o! the creature3 )ut !rom that o! God,1ut3 dearly )eloved3 -hoever you are -ho sincerely -ish to give yourselves up to God3 I con6ure you3that a!ter having once made the donation3 you ta2e not yourselves )ac2 again$ remem)er3 a gi!t once presented3 is no longer at the disposal o! the giver,

A, 3bandonment is a matter o! the greatest importance in our progress$ it is the 2ey to the inner court$ sothat he -ho 2no-s truly ho- to a)andon himsel!3 -ill soon )ecome per!ect, +e must there!ore continuestead!ast and immova)le therein3 -ithout listening to the voice o! natural reason, Great !aith producesgreat a)andonment$ -e must con!ide in God3 "hopin! a!ainst hope." . #om, iv, %&,/(, 3bandonment is the casting o!! all sel!ish care3 that -e may )e altogether at the divine disposal, 7llhristians are e=horted to a)andonment$ !or it is said to all$ "'ake no thou!ht for the morrow for your

Heavenly /ather knoweth that ye have need of all these thin!s." . Matt , vi, (AC(?,/ "(n all thy ways

acknowled!e him, and he shall direct thy paths." . %rov, iii, ,/ "ommit thy works unto the $ord and thy

thou!hts shall be established." . %rov, =vi, (,/ "ommit thy way unto the $ord trust also in Him and He

will brin! it to pass." . %salm ===vii, ',/0ur a)andonment3 then3 should )e3 )oth in respect to e=ternal and internal things3 an a)solute giving up o! all our concerns into the hands o! God3 !orgetting ourselves and thin2ing only o! 9im$ )y -hich the heart

-ill remain al-ays disengaged3 !ree3 and at peace,?, It is practised )y continually losing our o-n -ill in the -ill o! God$ renouncing every privateinclination as soon as it arises3 ho-ever good it may appear3 that -e may stand in indi!!erence -ithrespect to ourselves3 and only -ill -hat God has -illed !rom all eternity$ resigning ourselves in all things3-hether !or soul or )ody3 !or time or eternity$ !orgetting the past3 leaving the !uture to Providence3 anddevoting the present to God$ satis!ied -ith the present moment3 -hich )rings -ith it GodFs eternal order in

re!erence to us3 and is as in!alli)le a declaration o! his -ill3 as it is inevita)le and common to all$

attri)uting nothing that )e!alls us to the creature3 )ut regarding all things in God3 and loo2ing upon all3e=cepting only our sins3 as in!alli)ly proceeding !rom 9im,Surrender yourselves then to )e led and disposed o! 6ust as God pleases3 -ith respect )oth to your out-ardand in-ard state,



C H A P T E R II.

S$FFERING # A SO$RCE OF CONSO!ATION.

1E patient under all the su!!erings God sends$ i! your love to 9im )e pure3 you -ill not see2 9im less onalvary3 than on Ta)or$ and surely3 9e should )e as much loved on that as on this3 since it -as on alvarythat he made the greatest display o! love,1e not li2e those -ho give themselves to 9im at one season3 only to -ithdra- !rom 9im at another, Theygive themselves only to )e caressed3 and -rest themselves )ac2 again3 -hen they are cruci!ied$ or at leastturn !or consolation to the creature,

A, ;o3 )eloved souls3 you -ill not !ind consolation in aught )ut in the love o! the cross3 and in totala)andonment$ -ho savoreth not the cross3 savoreth not the things that )e o! God, .See Matt , =vi, A(,/ Itis impossi)le to love God -ithout loving the cross$ and a heart that savors the cross3 !inds the )itterestthings to )e s-eet$ "'o the hun!ry soul every bitter thin! is sweet" . %rov, ==vii, @/ )ecause it !inds itsel!hungering !or God3 in proportion as it is hungering !or the cross, God gives us the cross3 and the crossgives us God,

+e may )e assured that there is an internal advancement3 -hen there is progress in the -ay o! the cross$a)andonment and the cross go hand in hand together,(, 7s soon as anything is presented in the !orm o! su!!ering3 and you !eel a repugnance3 resign yoursel!immediately to God -ith respect to it3 and give yoursel! up to 9im in sacri!ice: you -ill then !ind3 that-hen the cross arrives3 it -ill not )e so very )urthensome3 )ecause you have yoursel! desired it, This3ho-ever does not prevent you !rom !eeling its -eight3 as some have imagined$ !or -hen -e do not !eel

the cross3 -e do not su!!er, 7 sensi)ility to su!!ering is one o! the principal parts o! su!!ering itsel!, *esushrist himsel! chose to endure its utmost rigors, +e o!ten )ear the cross in -ea2ness3 at other times instrength$ all should )e ali2e to us in the -ill o! God,



C H A P T E R III.

ON MYSTERIES.

IT -ill )e o)6ected3 that3 )y this method3 -e shall have no mysteries imprinted on our minds$ )ut so !ar isthis !rom )eing the case3 that it is the peculiar means o! imparting them to the soul, *esus hrist3 to -hom-e are a)andoned3 and -hom -e !ollo- as the -ay3 -hom -e hear as the truth3 and -ho animates us asthe li!e . )ohn =iv, 3/ in imprinting himsel! on the soul3 impresses there the characters o! his di!!erentstates, To )ear all the states o! *esus hrist3 is a much greater thing3 than merely to meditate a)out them,St, Paul )ore in his )ody the states o! *esus hrist$ "( bear in my body," says he3 "the marks of the $ord

)esus" .Gal , vi, %@$/ )ut he does not say that he reasoned thereon,A, In this state o! a)andonment *esus hrist !re>uently communicates some peculiar vie-s3 or revelationso! his states: these -e should than2!ully accept3 and dispose ourselves !or -hat appears to )e his -ill$receiving e>ually -hatever !rame 9e may )esto-3 and having no other choice3 )ut that o! ardentlyreaching a!ter 9im3 o! d-elling ever -ith 9im3 and o! sin2ing into nothingness )e!ore 9im3 and acceptingindiscriminately all his gi!ts3 -hether dar2ness or illumination3 !ecundity or )arrenness3 -ea2ness or

strength3 s-eetness or )itterness3 temptations3 distractions3 pain3 -eariness3 or uncertainty$ and none o! allthese should3 !or one moment3 retard our course,(, God engages some3 !or -hole years3 in the contemplation and en6oyment o! a single mystery3 thesimple vie- or contemplation o! -hich recollects the soul$ let them )e !aith!ul to it$ )ut as soon as God is pleased to -ithdra- this vie- !rom the soul3 let it !reely yield to the deprivation, Some are very uneasy attheir ina)ility to meditate on certain mysteries$ )ut -ithout reason3 since an a!!ectionate attachment to

God includes in itsel! every species o! devotion3 and -hoever is calmly united to God alone3 is3 indeed3most e=cellently and e!!ectually applied to every divine mystery, +hoever loves God loves all thatappertains to him,



C H A P T E R I%.

ON IRT$E.

IT is thus that -e ac>uire virtue -ith !acility and certainty$ !or as God is the principle o! all virtue3 -einherit all in the possession o! 9imsel!$ and in proportion as -e approach to-ard his possession3 in li2e proportion do -e receive the most eminent virtues, #or all virtue is )ut as a mas23 an outside appearancemuta)le as our garments3 i! it )e not )esto-ed !rom -ithin$ then3 indeed3 it is genuine3 essential3 and permanent: "'he 4in!5s dau!hter is all !lorious within," says David, . %salm =lv, %(,/ These souls3 a)oveall others3 practice virtue in the most eminent degree3 though they advert not to any particular virtue,

God3 to -hom they are united3 leads them to the most e=tensive practice o! it$ 9e is e=ceedingly 6ealousover them3 and permits them not the least pleasure,A, +hat a hungering !or su!!erings have those souls3 -ho thus glo- -ith divine love 9o- -ould they precipitate themselves into e=cessive austerities3 -ere they permitted to pursue their o-n inclinationsThey thin2 o! nought save ho- they may please their 1eloved$ and they )egin to neglect and !orgetthemselves$ and as their love to God increases3 so do sel!Cdetestation and disregard o! the creature,

(, 0 -ere this simple method once ac>uired3 a -ay so suited to all3 to the dull and ignorant as -ell as tothe most learned3 ho- easily -ould the -hole church o! God )e re!ormed 05E only is re>uired: "$ove,"

says St, 7ugustine3 "and then do what you please." #or -hen -e truly love3 -e cannot have so much as a-ill to do anything that might o!!end the o)6ect o! our a!!ections,



C H A P T E R %.

MORTIFICATION M$ST "E INTERIOR.

I S78 !urther3 that3 in any other -ay3 it is ne=t to impossi)le to ac>uire a per!ect morti!ication o! the sensesand passions,The reason is o)vious: the soul gives vigor and energy to the senses3 and the senses raise and stimulate the passions$ a dead )ody has neither sensations nor passions3 )ecause its connection -ith the soul isdissolved, 7ll endeavors merely to recti!y the e=terior impel the soul yet !arther out-ard into that a)out-hich it is so -armly and Bealously engaged, Its po-ers are di!!used and scattered a)road$ !or3 its -hole

attention )eing immediately directed to austerities and other e=ternals3 it thus invigorates those verysenses it is aiming to su)due, #or the senses have no other spring -hence to derive their vigor than theapplication o! the soul to themselves3 the degree o! their li!e and activity )eing proportioned to the degreeo! attention -hich the soul )esto-s upon them, This li!e o! the senses stirs up and provo2es the passions3instead o! suppressing or su)duing them$ austerities may indeed en!ee)le the )ody3 )ut !or the reasons 6ustmentioned3 can never ta2e o!! the 2eenness o! the senses3 nor lessen their activity,

A, The only method o! e!!ecting this3 is in-ard recollection3 )y -hich the soul is turned -holly andaltogether in-ard3 to possess a present God, I! it direct all its vigor and energy -ithin3 this simple actseparates it !rom the senses3 and3 employing all its po-ers internally3 it renders them !aint$ and the nearerit dra-s to God3 the !arther is it separated !rom sel!, 9ence it is3 that those in -hom the attractions o!grace are very po-er!ul3 !ind the out-ard man altogether -ea2 and !ee)le3 and even lia)le to !aintings,(, I do not mean )y this3 to discourage morti!ication$ !or it should ever accompany prayer3 according to

the strength and state o! the person3 or as o)edience demands, 1ut I say3 that morti!ication should not )eour principal e=ercise$ nor should -e prescri)e to ourselves such and such austerities3 )ut simply!ollo-ing the internal attractions o! grace3 and )eing occupied -ith the divine presence3 -ithout thin2ing particularly on morti!ication3 God -ill ena)le us to per!orm every species o! it, 9e gives those -ho a)ide!aith!ul to their a)andonment to 9im3 no rela=ation until 9e has su)dued everything in them that remainsto )e morti!ied,

+e have only3 then3 to continue stead!ast in the utmost attention to God3 and all things -ill )e per!ectly

done, 7ll are not capa)le o! out-ard austerities3 )ut all are capa)le o! this, In the morti!ication o! the eyeand ear3 -hich continually supply the )usy imagination -ith ne- su)6ects3 there is little danger o! !allinginto e=cess$ )ut God -ill teach us this also3 and -e have only to !ollo- his Spirit,?, The soul has a dou)le advantage )y proceeding thus$ !or3 in -ithdra-ing !rom out-ard o)6ects3 itconstantly dra-s nearer to God$ and )esides the secret sustaining and preserving po-er and virtue -hich

it receives3 it is !arther removed !rom sin the nearer it comes to 9im$ so that its conversion )ecomes!irmly esta)lished as a matter o! ha)it,



C H A P T E R %I.

ON PERFECT CONERSION.

"'urn ye unto Him from whom the children of (srael have so deeply revolted." . (sa, ===i, ,/ onversion isnothing more than turning !rom the creature in order to return to God,It is not per!ect .ho-ever good and essential to salvation/ -hen it consists simply in turning !rom sin tograce, To )e complete3 it should ta2e place !rom -ithout in-ardly,+hen the soul is once turned to-ard God3 it !inds a -onder!ul !acility in continuing stead!ast inconversion$ and the longer it remains thus converted3 the nearer it approaches and the more !irmly it

adheres to God$ and the nearer it dra-s to 9im3 it is o! necessity the !arther removed !rom the creature3-hich is so contrary to 9im$ so that it is so e!!ectually esta)lished in conversion3 that the state )ecomesha)itual3 and as it -ere natural, ;o-3 -e must not suppose that this is e!!ected )y a violent e=ertion o! its o-n po-ers$ !or it is notcapa)le o!3 nor should it attempt any other coCoperation -ith divine grace3 than that o! endeavoring to-ithdra- itsel! !rom e=ternal o)6ects3 and to turn in-ards$ a!ter -hich it has nothing !arther to do3 than to

continue !irm in its adherence to God,A, G0D has an attractive virtue -hich dra-s the soul more and more po-er!ully to 9imsel!3 and inattracting3 9e puri!ies$ 6ust as it is -ith a gross vapor e=haled )y the sun3 -hich3 as it gradually ascends3 israri!ied and rendered pure$ the vapor3 indeed3 contri)utes to its ascent only )y its passivity$ )ut the soulcoCoperates !reely and voluntarily,This 2ind o! introversion is very easy and advances the soul naturally3 and -ithout e!!ort3 )ecause God is

our centre, The centre al-ays e=erts a very po-er!ul attractive virtue$ and the more spiritual and e=altedit is3 the more violent and irresisti)le are its attractions,(, 1ut )esides the attracting virtue o! the centre3 there is3 in every creature3 a stron! tendency to reunion -ith its centre3 -hich is vigorous and active in proportion to the spirituality and per!ection o! the su)6ect,7s soon as anything is turned to-ards its centre3 it is precipitated to-ards it -ith e=treme rapidity3 unlessit )e -ithheld )y some invinci)le o)stacle, 7 stone held in the hand is no sooner disengaged than )y its

o-n -eight it !alls to the earth as to its centre$ so also -ater and !ire3 -hen uno)structed3 !lo- incessantly

to-ards their centre, ;o-3 -hen the soul )y its e!!orts to recollect itsel!3 is )rought into the in!luence o!the central tendency3 it !alls gradually3 -ithout any other !orce than the -eight o! love3 into its propercentre$ and the more passive and tran>uil it remains3 and the !reer !rom sel!Cmotion3 the more rapidly itadvances3 )ecause the energy o! the central attractive virtue is uno)structed3 and has !ull li)erty !or action,?, 7ll our care should there!ore )e directed to-ards ac>uiring the greatest degree o! in-ard recollection$

nor should -e )e discouraged )y the di!!iculties -e encounter in this e=ercise3 -hich -ill soon )erecompensed on the part o! God3 )y such a)undant supplies o! grace3 as -ill render it per!ectly easy3 provided -e are !aith!ul in mee2ly withdrawin! our hearts !rom out-ard distractions and occupations3and returning to our centre3 -ith affections !ull o! tenderness and serenity, +hen at any time the passionsare tur)ulent3 a gentle retreat in-ards to a present God3 easily deadens them$ any other -ay o! opposingrather irritates than appeases them,



C H A P T E R %II.

PRAYER OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD.

T9E soul that is !aith!ul in the e=ercise o! love and adherence to God3 as a)ove descri)ed3 is astonished to!eel 9im gradually ta2ing possession o! its -hole )eing$ it no- en6oys a continual sense o! that presence-hich is )ecome as it -ere natural to it$ and this3 as -ell as prayer3 )ecomes a matter o! ha)it, It !eels anunusual serenity gradually di!!using itsel! over all its !aculties, Silence no- constitutes its -hole prayer$-hilst God communicates an in!used love3 -hich is the )eginning o! ine!!a)le )lessedness,0 that I -ere permitted to pursue this su)6ect3 and descri)e some degrees o! the endless progression o!

su)se>uent states 1ut I no- -rite only !or )eginners$ and shall there!ore proceed no !arther3 )ut -ait our ordFs time !or developing -hat may )e applica)le to every state,A, +e must3 ho-ever3 urge it as a matter o! the highest import3 to cease !rom sel!Caction and sel!Ce=ertion3that God himsel! may act alone: 9e says )y the mouth o! his prophet David3 "2e still and know that ( am

God." . %salm =lvi, %J,/ 1ut the creature is so in!atuated -ith love and attachment to its o-n -or2ing3that it does not )elieve that it -or2s at all unless it can !eel3 2no-3 and distinguish all its operations, It is

ignorant that its ina)ility minutely to o)serve the manner o! its motion3 is occasioned )y the s-i!tness o!its progress$ and that the operations o! God3 a)ounding more and more3 a)sor) those o! the creature$ 6ustas -e see that the stars shine )rightly )e!ore the sun rises3 )ut gradually vanish as his light advances3 and )ecome invisi)le3 not !rom -ant o! light in themselves3 )ut !rom the e=cess o! it in him,The case is similar here$ !or there is a strong and universal light -hich a)sor)s all the little distinct lightso! the soul$ they gro- !aint and disappear under its po-er!ul in!luence3 and sel!Cactivity is no- no longer

distinguisha)le,(, Those greatly err3 -ho accuse this prayer o! inactivity3 a charge that can only arise !rom ine=perience,0 i! they -ould )ut ma2e some e!!orts to-ards the attainment o! it3 they -ould soon )ecome !ull o! lightand 2no-ledge in relation to it,This appearance o! inaction is3 indeed3 not the conse>uence o! sterility3 )ut o! a)undance3 as -ill )eclearly perceived )y the e=perienced soul3 -ho -ill recogniBe that the silence is !ull and unctuous )y

reason o! plenty,

?, There are t-o 2inds o! people that 2eep silence$ the one )ecause they have nothing to say3 the other )ecause they have too much: the latter is the case in this state$ silence is occasioned )y e=cess and not )yde!ect,To )e dro-ned3 and to die o! thirst3 are deaths -idely di!!erent$ yet -ater may )e said to )e the cause o! )oth$ a)undance destroys in one case3 and -ant in the other, So here the !ullness o! grace stills the

activity o! sel!$ and there!ore it is o! the utmost importance to remain as silent as possi)le,The in!ant hanging at its motherFs )reast3 is a lively illustration o! our su)6ect$ it )egins to dra- the mil23 )y moving its little lips$ )ut -hen its nourishment !lo-s a)undantly3 it is content to s-allo- -ithoute!!ort$ )y any other course it -ould only hurt itsel!3 spill the mil23 and )e o)liged to >uit the )reast,+e must act in li2e manner in the )eginning o! prayer3 )y moving the lips o! the a!!ections$ )ut as soon asthe mil2 o! divine grace !lo-s !reely3 -e have nothing to do3 )ut3 in stillness3 s-eetly to im)i)e it3 and

-hen it ceases to !lo-3 again stir up the a!!ections as the in!ant moves its lips, +hoever acts other-ise3cannot ma2e the )est use o! this grace3 -hich is )esto-ed to allure the soul into the repose of ove3 and

not to !orce it into the multiplicity o! sel!,', 1ut -hat )ecomes o! the )a)e that thus gently and -ithout e=ertion3 drin2s in the mil2 +ho -ould )elieve that it could thus receive nourishment 8et the more peace!ully it !eeds3 the )etter it thrives,+hat3 I say3 )ecomes o! this in!ant It drops asleep on its motherFs )osom, So the soul that is tran>uil and

peace!ul in prayer3 sin2s !re>uently into a mystic slum)er3 -herein all its po-ers are at rest3 till it is-holly !itted !or that state3 o! -hich it en6oys these transient anticipations, 8ou see that in this process thesoul is led naturally3 -ithout trou)le3 e!!ort3 art or study,The interior is not a strong hold3 to )e ta2en )y storm and violence$ )ut a 2ingdom o! peace3 -hich is to )e gained only )y love, I! any -ill thus pursue the little path I have pointed out3 it -ill lead them toinfused prayer. God demands nothing e=traordinary nor too di!!icult$ on the contrary3 9e is greatly

pleased )y a simple and childCli2e conduct,, The most su)lime attainments in religion3 are those -hich are easiest reached$ the most necessaryordinances are the least di!!icult, It is thus also in natural things$ i! you -ould reach the sea3 em)ar2 on a

river3 and you -ill )e conveyed to it insensi)ly and -ithout e=ertion, +ould you go to God3 !ollo- thiss-eet and simple path3 and you -ill arrive at the desired o)6ect3 -ith an ease and e=pedition that -illamaBe you,



0 that you -ould )ut once ma2e the trial ho- soon -ould you !ind that all I have said is too little3 andthat your o-n e=perience -ill carry you in!initely )eyond it +hat is it you !ear +hy do you not

instantly cast yoursel! into the arms o! 05E3 -ho only e=tended them on the cross that 9e might em)raceyou +hat ris2 do you run in depending solely on God3 and a)andoning yoursel! -holly to 9im 7h he-ill not deceive you3 unless )y )esto-ing an a)undance )eyond your highest hopes$ )ut those -ho e=pectall !rom themselves3 may hear this re)u2e o! God )y his prophet Isaiah3 "Ye have wearied yourselves in

the multiplicity of your ways, and have not said, let us rest in peace." . (sa, lvii, %J3 5ulgate,/





C H A P T E R %I.

ON INTERIOR SI!ENCE.

"'he $ord is in his holy temple let all the earth keep silence before him." . Hab, ii, AJ,/ The reason -hyin-ard silence is so indispensa)le3 is3 )ecause the +ord is essential and eternal3 and necessarily re>uiresdispositions in the soul in some degree correspondent to 9is nature3 as a capacity !or the reception o!9imsel!, 9earing is a sense !ormed to receive sounds3 and is rather passive than active3 admitting3 )ut notcommunicating sensation$ and i! -e -ould hear3 -e must lend the ear !or that purpose, hrist3 the eternal+ord3 -ho must )e communicated to the soul to give it ne- li!e3 re>uires the most intense attention to his

voice3 -hen 9e -ould spea2 -ithin us,A, 9ence it is so !re>uently en6oined upon us in sacred -rit3 to listen and )e attentive to the voice o! God$I >uote a !e- o! the numerous e=hortations to this e!!ect: "Hearken unto me, my people, and !ive ear unto

me, 6 my nation+" . (sa, li, ?3/ and again "Hear me, all ye whom ( carry in my bosom, and bear within my

bowels7" . (sa, =lvi, (3/ and !urther )y the Psalmist3 "Hearken, 6 dau!hter+ and consider, and incline thine

ear for!et also thine own people, and thy father5s house so shall the kin! !reatly desire thy beauty." .Ps,

=lv, %J3%%,/+e must for!et ourselves, and all sel!Cinterest3 and listen and )e attentive to God $ these t-o simpleactions3 or rather passive dispositions3 produce the love o! that )eauty3 -hich 9e himsel! communicates,(, 0ut-ard silence is very re>uisite !or the cultivation and improvement o! in-ard$ and3 indeed3 it isimpossi)le -e should )ecome truly interior3 -ithout loving silence and retirement, God saith )y themouth o! his prophet3 "( will lead her into solitude, and there will ( speak to her heart . Hos, ii, %?3 5ulg,/$

and un>uestiona)ly the )eing internally engaged -ith God is -holly incompati)le -ith )eing e=ternally )usied a)out a thousand tri!les,+hen3 through -ea2ness3 -e )ecome as it -ere uncentered3 -e must immediately turn again in-ard$ andthis process -e must repeat as o!ten as our distractions recur, It is a small matter to )e devout andrecollected !or an hour or hal! hour3 i! the unction and spirit o! prayer do not continue -ith us during the-hole day,



C H A P T E R %.

GOD HIMSE!F E%AMINES $S.

SE#CEK7MI;7TI0; should al-ays precede con!ession3 )ut the manner o! it should )e con!orma)le to thestate o! the soul, The )usiness o! those that are advanced to the degree o! -hich -e no- treat3 is to laytheir -hole souls open )e!ore God3 -ho -ill not !ail to enlighten them3 and ena)le them to see the peculiar nature o! their !aults, This e=amination3 ho-ever3 should )e peace!ul and tran>uil$ and -e shoulddepend on God !or the discovery and 2no-ledge o! our sins3 rather than on the diligence o! our o-nscrutiny,

+hen -e e=amine -ith e!!ort3 -e are easily deceived3 and )etrayed )y sel!Clove into error: "We call the

evil !ood, and the !ood evil," . (sa, v, AJ/$ )ut -hen -e lie in !ull e=posure )e!ore the Sun o!4ighteousness3 his divine )eams render the smallest atoms visi)le, +e must3 then3 !orsa2e sel!3 anda)andon our souls to God3 as -ell in e=amination as con!ession,A, +hen souls have attained to this species o! prayer3 no !ault escapes the reprehension o! God$ no soonerare they committed than they are re)u2ed )y an in-ard )urning and tender con!usion, Such is the

scrutiny o! 9im -ho su!!ers no evil to )e concealed$ and the only -ay is to turn simply to God3 and )earthe pain and correction 9e in!licts,7s 9e )ecomes the incessant e=aminer o! the soul3 it can no- no longer e=amine itsel!$ and i! it )e!aith!ul in its a)andonment3 e=perience -ill prove that it is much more e!!ectually e=plored )y his divinelight3 than )y all its o-n care!ulness,(, Those -ho tread these paths should )e in!ormed o! a matter respecting their con!ession3 in -hich they

are apt to err, +hen they )egin to give an account o! their sins3 instead o! the regret and contrition theyhad )een accustomed to !eel3 they !ind that love and tran>uility s-eetly pervade and ta2e possession o!their souls: no- those -ho are not properly instructed are desirous o! resisting this sensation3 and !ormingan act o! contrition3 )ecause they have heard3 and -ith truth3 that this is re>uisite, 1ut they are not a-arethat they there)y lose the genuine contrition3 -hich is this infused love, and -hich in!initely surpasses anye!!ect produced )y sel!Ce=ertion3 comprehending the other acts in itsel! as in one principal act3 in much

higher per!ection than i! they -ere distinctly perceived,

et them not )e trou)led to do other-ise3 -hen God acts so e=cellently in and !or them, To hate sin inthis manner3 is to hate it as God does, The purest love is that -hich is o! his immediate operation in thesoul$ -hy should -e then )e so eager !or action et us remain in the state 9e assigns us3 agreea)ly tothe instructions o! the -ise man: "%ut your confidence in God remain in 8uiet where he hath placed

you." . 0ccles1us, =i, AA,/

?, The soul -ill also )e amaBed at !inding a di!!iculty in calling its !aults to remem)rance, This3 ho-ever3should cause no uneasiness3 !irst3 )ecause this !orget!ulness o! our !aults is some proo! o! our puri!ication!rom them3 and3 in this degree o! advancement3 it is )est to !orget -hatever concerns ourselves that -emay remem)er only God, Secondly3 )ecause3 -hen con!ession is our duty3 God -ill not !ail to ma2e2no-n to us our greatest !aults$ !or then 9e himsel! e=amines$ and the soul -ill !eel the end o!e=amination more per!ectly accomplished3 than it could possi)ly have )een )y all our o-n endeavors,

', These instructions3 ho-ever3 -ould )e altogether unsuita)le to the preceding degrees3 -hile the soulcontinues in its active state3 -herein it is right and necessary that it should in all things e=ert itsel!3 in

proportion to its advancement, 7s to those -ho have arrived at this more advanced state3 I e=hort them to!ollo- these instructions3 and not to vary their simple occupations even on approaching the communion$let them remain in silence3 and su!!er God to act !reely, 9e cannot )e )etter received than )y 9imsel!,



C H A P T E R %I.

ON READING AND OCA! PRAYERS.

T9E method o! reading in this state3 is to cease -hen you !eel yoursel! recollected3 and remain instillness3 reading )ut little3 and al-ays desisting -hen thus internally attracted, A, The soul that is called to a state o! in-ard silence3 should not encum)er itsel! -ith vocal prayers$-henever it ma2es use o! them3 and !inds a di!!iculty therein3 and an attraction to silence3 let it not useconstraint )y persevering3 )ut yield to the internal dra-ings3 unless the repeating such prayers )e a mattero! o)ligation, In any other case3 it is much )etter not to )e )urdened -ith and tied do-n to the repetition

o! set !orms3 )ut -holly given up to the leadings o! the 9oly Spirit$ and in this -ay every species o!devotion is !ul!illed in a most eminent degree,



C H A P T E R %II.

THE SPIRIT INDITES O$R PETITIONS.

T9E soul should not )e surprised at !eeling itsel! una)le to o!!er up to God such petitions as had !ormerly )een made -ith !acility$ !or no- the Spirit ma2eth intercession !or it according to the -ill o! God$ thatSpirit -hich helpeth our in!irmities$ "for we know not what we should pray for as we ou!ht but the Spirit

itself maketh intercession for us with !roanin!s which cannot be uttered." . #om, viii, A,/ +e mustsecond the designs o! God3 -hich tend to divest us o! all our o-n operations3 that his may )e su)stitutedin their place,

A, et this3 then3 )e done in you$ and su!!er not yoursel! to )e attached to anything3 ho-ever good it mayappear$ it is no longer such to you3 i! it in any measure turns you aside !rom -hat God desires o! you, #or the divine -ill is pre!era)le to every other good, Sha2e o!!3 then3 all sel!Cinterest3 and live )y !aith anda)andonment$ here it is that genuine faith )egins truly to operate,



C H A P T E R %III.

ON FA$!TS COMMITTED.

S90HD -e either -ander among e=ternals3 or commit a !ault3 -e must instantly turn in-ards$ !or havingdeparted there)y !rom God3 -e should as soon as possi)le turn to-ard 9im3 and su!!er the penalty -hich9e in!licts,It is o! great importance to guard against ve=ation on account o! our !aults$ it springs !rom a secret root o! pride3 and a love o! our o-n e=cellence$ -e are hurt at !eeling -hat -e are,A, I! -e )ecome discouraged3 -e are the more en!ee)led$ and !rom our re!lections on our imper!ections3 a

chagrin arises3 -hich is o!ten -orse than the imper!ections themselves,The truly hum)le soul is not surprised at its de!ects or !ailings$ and the more misera)le it )eholds itsel!3the more it a)andons itsel! to God3 and presses !or a more intimate alliance -ith 9im3 seeing the need ithas o! his aid, +e should the rather )e induced to act thus3 as God himsel! has said3 "( will instruct thee

and teach thee in the way which thou shalt !o ( will !uide thee with mine eye." . %salm ===ii, &,/

C H A P T E R %I%.

ON DISTRACTIONS AND TEMPTATIONS.

7 DI4ET struggle -ith distractions and temptations rather serves to augment them3 and -ithdra-s thesoul !rom that adherence to God3 -hich should ever )e its sole occupation, +e should simply turn a-ay!rom the evil3 and dra- yet nearer to God, 7 little child3 on perceiving a monster3 does not -ait to !ight

-ith it3 and -ill scarcely turn its eyes to-ard it3 )ut >uic2ly shrin2s into the )osom o! its mother3 inassurance o! its sa!ety, "God is in the midst of her," says the Psalmist3 "she shall not be moved God shall

help her, and that ri!ht early." . %salm =lvi, ',/A, I! -e do other-ise3 and in our -ea2ness attempt to attac2 our enemies3 -e shall !re>uently !indourselves -ounded3 i! not totally de!eated: )ut3 )y remaining in the simple presence o! God3 -e shall !indinstant supplies o! strength !or our support, This -as the resource o! David: "( have set," says he3 "the

$ord always before me because he is at my ri!ht hand, ( shall not be moved. 'herefore my heart is !lad,

and my !lory re-oiceth my flesh also shall rest in hope." . %salm =vi, &3L,/ 7nd it is said in E=odus3 "'he

$ord shall fi!ht for you, and ye shall hold your peace." . 0od , =iv, %?,/

C H A P T E R %%.

PRAYER DIINE!Y E%P!AINED.

10T9 devotion and sacri!ice are comprehended in prayer3 -hich3 according to St, *ohn is an incense3 thesmo2e -hereo! ascendeth unto God$ there!ore it is said in the 7pocalypse3 that "unto the an!el was !iven

much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints." . #ev, viii, (,/Prayer is the e!!usion o! the heart in the presence o! God: "( have poured out my soul before the $ord,"

said the mother o! Samuel, .& Sam, i, %',/ The prayer o! the -ise men at the !eet o! hrist in the sta)le o!1ethlehem3 -as signi!ied )y the incense they o!!ered,A, Prayer is a certain -armth o! love3 melting3 dissolving3 and su)limating the soul3 and causing it toascend unto God3 and3 as the soul is melted3 odors rise !rom it$ and these s-eet e=halations proceed !romthe consuming !ire o! love -ithin,This is illustrated in the anticles, .i, %A3/ -here the spouse says3 "While the kin! sitteth at his table, my

spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof." The ta)le is the centre o! the soul$ and -hen God is there3 and-e 2no- ho- to d-ell near3 and a)ide -ith 9im3 the sacred presence gradually dissolves the hardness o!the soul3 and3 as it melts3 !ragrance issues !orth$ hence it is3 that the 1eloved says o! his spouse3 in seeing



her soul melt -hen he spo2e3 "Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness, like pillars of smoke

perfumed with myrrh and frankincense" .ant , v, $ iii, ,/

(, Thus does the soul ascend to God3 )y giving up sel! to the destroying and annihilating po-er o! divinelove, This is a state o! sacri!ice essential to the hristian religion3 in -hich the soul su!!ers itsel! to )edestroyed and annihilated3 that it may pay homage to the sovereignty o! God$ as it is -ritten3 "'he power

of the $ord is !reat, and he is honored only by the humble." . 0ccles1us, iii, A%,/ 1y the destruction o! sel!3-e ac2no-ledge the supreme e=istence o! God, +e must cease to e=ist in sel!3 in order that the Spirit o!

the Eternal +ord may e=ist in us: it is )y the giving up o! our o-n li!e3 that -e give place to his coming$and in dying to ourselves3 9e himsel! lives in us,+e must surrender our -hole )eing to hrist *esus3 and cease to live any longer in ourselves3 that 9e may )ecome our li!e$ "that bein! dead, our life may be hid with hrist in God." .ol , iii, (,/ "%ass ye into me,"

sayeth God3 "all ye who earnestly seek after me." . 0ccles1us, ==iv, %,/ 1ut ho- is it -e pass into GodIn no -ay )ut )y leaving and !orsa2ing ourselves3 that -e may )e lost in 9im$ and this can )e e!!ectedonly )y annihilation3 -hich3 )eing the true prayer o! adoration3 renders unto God alone3 all "blessin!,

honor, !lory, and power, forever and ever." . #ev, v, %(,/?, This prayer o! truth$ it is "worshippin! God in spirit and in truth7" . )ohn iv, A(,/ "(n spirit," )ecause -eenter into the purity o! that Spirit -hich prayeth -ithin us3 and are dra-n !orth !rom our o-n carnal andhuman method$ "in truth," )ecause -e are there)y placed in the truth o! the all o! God3 and the nothing o!the creature,There are )ut these t-o truths3 the 7 and the ;0T9I;G$ everything else is !alsehood, +e can pay due

honor to the 7 o! God3 only in our o-n 7;;I9I7TI0;$ -hich is no sooner accomplished3 than 9e3 -honever su!!ers a void in nature3 instantly !ills us -ith 9imsel!,7h did -e )ut 2no- the virtues and the )lessings -hich the soul derives !rom this prayer3 -e should not )e -illing to do anything else$ It is the pearl of !reat price the hidden treasure, . Matt , =iii, ??3?'3/-hich3 -hoever !indeth3 selleth !reely all that he hath to purchase it$ It is the well of livin! water, which

sprin!eth up unto everlastin! life. It is the adoration o! God "in spirit and in truth7" . )ohn iv, %?CA(:/ and

It is the !ull per!ormance o! the purest evangelical precepts,', *esus hrist assures us3 that the "kin!dom of God is within us7" . $uke =vii, A%:/ and this is true in t-osenses: !irst3 -hen God )ecomes so !ully Master and ord in us3 that nothing resists his dominion3 thenour interior is his 2ingdom$ and again3 -hen -e possess God3 -ho is the Supreme Good3 -e possess his2ingdom also3 -herein there is !ulness o! 6oy3 and -here -e attain the end o! our creation, Thus it is said3"to serve God is to rei!n." The end o! our creation3 indeed3 is to en6oy God3 even in this li!e$ )ut3 alas

-ho thin2s o! it



C H A P T E R %%I.

THE SO$! ACTIE WHEN SE!F IS STI!!.

S0ME persons3 -hen they hear o! the prayer o! silence3 !alsely imagine that the soul remains stupid, dead,

and inactive )ut it un>uestiona)ly acts more no)ly and more e=tensively than it had ever done )e!ore$ !or God himsel! is its mover3 and it no- acts )y the agency o! his Spirit, St, Paul -ould have us led by the

Spirit of God. . #om, viii, %?,/It is not meant that -e should cease !rom action$ )ut that -e should act through the internal agency o! hisgrace, This is !inely represented )y the prophet EBe2ielFs vision o! the -heels3 -hich had a living Spirit$

and -hithersoever the Spirit -as to go3 they -ent$ they ascended and descended as they -ere moved$ !orthe Spirit o! li!e -as in them3 and they returned not -hen they -ent,. 09ek , i, %&CA%,/ Thus the soul should )e e>ually su)servient to the -ill o! that vivi!ying Spirit -hich is in it3 and scrupulously !aith!ul to !ollo-only as that moves, These motions never tend to return in re!lections on the creatures or sel!$ )ut go!or-ard in an incessant approach to-ard the end,A, This activity o! the soul is attended -ith the utmost tran>uility, +hen it acts o! itsel!3 the act is !orced

and constrained3 and3 there!ore3 it is more easily distinguished$ )ut -hen the action is under the in!luenceo! the Spirit o! grace3 it is so !ree3 so easy3 and so natural3 that it almost seems as i! -e did not act at all,"He brou!ht me forth also into a lar!e place He delivered me, because He deli!hted in me." . %s, =viii,%L,/+hen the soul is in its central tendency3 or in other -ords3 is returned through recollection into itsel!3!rom that moment3 the central attraction )ecomes a most potent activity3 in!initely surpassing in energy

every other species, ;othing3 indeed3 can e>ual the s-i!tness o! this tendency to the centre$ and thoughan activity3 yet it is so no)le3 so peace!ul3 so !ull o! tran>uility3 so natural3 and so spontaneous3 that itappears to the soul as i! it -ere none at all,+hen a -heel rolls slo-ly -e can easily perceive its parts$ )ut -hen its motion is rapid3 -e candistinguish nothing, So the soul -hich rests in God3 has an activity e=ceedingly no)le and elevated3 yetaltogether peace!ul$ and the more peace!ul it is3 the s-i!ter is its course$ )ecause it is given up to that

Spirit )y -hom it is moved and directed,

(, This attracting Spirit is no other than God himsel!3 -ho3 in dra-ing us3 causes us to run to 9im, 9o--ell did the spouse understand this3 -hen she said3 "*raw me, we will run after thee." .ant , i, ?,/ Dra-me unto Thee3 0 my divine centre3 )y the secret springs o! my e=istence3 and all my po-ers and sensesshall !ollo- Thee This simple attraction is )oth an ointment to heal and a per!ume to allure: we follow, saith she3 the fra!rance of thy perfumes and though so powerful an attraction3 it is !ollo-ed )y the soul

freely3 and -ithout constraint$ !or it is e>ually delight!ul as !orci)le$ and -hilst it attracts )y its po-er3 itcarries us a-ay )y its s-eetness, "*raw me," says the spouse3 "and we will run after thee." She spea2s o! and to hersel!: "draw me," )ehold the unity o! the centre -hich is dra-n "we will run," )ehold thecorrespondence and course o! all the senses and po-ers in !ollo-ing the attraction o! the centre?, Instead3 then3 o! encouraging sloth3 -e promote the highest activity3 )y inculcating a total dependence

on the Spirit of God, as our moving principle$ !or it is in Him, and by Him alone, that we live and move,

and have our bein!. . 3cts =vii, A&,/ This mee2 dependence on the Spirit o! God is indispensa)lynecessary3 and causes the soul shortly to attain the unity and simplicity in -hich it -as created,

+e must3 there!ore3 !orsa2e our multi!arious activity3 to enter into the simplicity and unity o! God3 in-hose image -e -ere originally !ormed, .Gen, i, A@,/ "'he Spirit is one and manifold, .Wisdom vii, AA3/and his unity does not preclude his multiplicity, +e enter into his unity -hen -e are united to his Spirit3and )y that means have one and the same spirit -ith 9im$ and -e are multiplied in respect to the out-ard

e=ecution o! his -ill3 -ithout any departure !rom our state o! union,In this -ay3 -hen -e are -holly moved )y the divine Spirit3 -hich is in!initely active3 our activity must3indeed3 )e more energetic than that -hich is merely our o-n, +e must yield ourselves to the guidance o!"wisdom, which is more movin! than any motion," .Wisdom vii, A?3/ and )y a)iding in dependence uponits action3 our activity -ill )e truly e!!icient,', "3ll thin!s were made by the Word, and without Him was not anythin! made, that was made." . )ohn i,

(,/ God originally !ormed us in his own ima!e and likeness 9e )reathed into us the Spirit o! his +ord3that breath of $ife .Gen, ii, @/ -hich 9e gave us at our creation3 in the participation -hereo! the image o!God consisted, ;o-3 this I#E is one3 simple3 pure3 intimate3 and al-ays !ruit!ul,

The devil having )ro2en and de!ormed the divine image in the soul )y sin3 the agency o! the same +ord-hose Spirit -as in)reathed at our creation3 is a)solutely necessary !or its renovation, It -as necessary



that it should )e 9e3 )ecause 9e is the e=press image o! his #ather$ and no image can )e repaired )y itso-n e!!orts3 )ut must remain passive !or that purpose under the hand o! the -or2man,

0ur activity should3 there!ore3 consist in placin! ourselves in a state o! suscepti)ility to divineimpressions3 and plia)ility to all the operations o! the Eternal +ord, +hilst a ta)let is unsteady3 the painter is una)le to produce a correct picture upon it3 and every movement o! self is productive o!erroneous lineaments$ it interrupts the -or2 and de!eats the design o! this adora)le Painter, +e must thenremain in peace3 and move only -hen 9e moves us, )esus hrist hath life in himself, . )ohn v, A3/ and 9e

must give li!e to every living thing,The spirit o! the hurch o! God is the spirit o! the divine movement, Is she idle3 )arren3 or un!ruit!ul ;o$she acts3 )ut her activity is in dependence upon the Spirit o! God3 -ho moves and governs her, *ust soshould it )e in her mem)ers$ that they may )e spiritual children o! the hurch3 they must )e moved )y theSpirit,, 7s all action is estima)le only in proportion to the grandeur and dignity o! the e!!icient principle3 thisaction is incontesta)ly more ;01E than any other, 7ctions produced )y a divine principle3 are divine )ut

creaturely actions3 ho-ever good they appear3 are only human, or at least virtuous3 even -henaccompanied )y grace,*esus hrist says that 9e has li!e in 9imsel!: all other )eings have only a )orro-ed li!e$ )ut the +ord hasli!e in 9imsel!$ and )eing communicative o! his nature3 9e desires to )esto- it upon man, +e shouldthere!ore ma2e room !or the in!lu= o! this li!e3 -hich can only )e done )y the e6ection and loss o! the7damical li!e3 and the suppression o! the activity o! sel!, This is agreea)le to the assertion o! St, Paul3 "(f

any man be in hrist, he is a new creature old thin!s are passed away behold, all thin!s are becomenew," .:or , v, %@$/ )ut this state can )e accomplished only )y dying to ourselves3 and to all our o-nactivity3 that the activity o! God may )e su)stituted in its place,Instead3 there!ore3 o! prohi)iting activity3 -e en6oin it$ )ut in a)solute dependence on the Spirit o! God3that his activity may ta2e the place o! our o-n, This can only )e e!!ected )y the consent o! the creature$and this concurrence can only )e yielded )y moderatin! our o-n action3 that the activity o! God may3

little )y little3 )e -holly su)stituted !or it,@, *esus hrist has e=empli!ied this in the Gospel, Martha did -hat -as right$ )ut )ecause she did it inher o-n spirit3 hrist re)u2ed her, The spirit o! man is restless and tur)ulent$ !or -hich reason he doeslittle3 though he seems to do a great deal, "Martha," says hrist3 "thou art careful and troubled about

many thin!s but one thin! is needful and Mary hath chosen that !ood part which shall not be taken

away from her." . $uke =, ?%3?A,/ 7nd -hat -as it Mary had chosen 4epose3 tran>uility3 and peace, She

had apparently ceased to act3 that the Spirit o! hrist might act in her$ she had ceased to live3 that hristmight )e her li!e,This sho-s ho- necessary it is to renounce ourselves3 and all our activity3 to !ollo- hrist$ !or -e cannot!ollo- 9im3 i! -e are not animated )y his Spirit, ;o- that his Spirit may gain admittance3 it is necessarythat our o-n should )e e=pelled: "He that is -oined unto the $ord," says St, Paul3 "is one spirit." .&or , vi,%@,/ 7nd David said it -as good !or him to dra- near unto the ord3 and to put his trust in him, . %salm

l==iii, A&,/ +hat is this dra-ing near It is the )eginning o! union,&, Divine union has its commencement3 its progress3 its achievement3 and its consummation, It is at !irstan inclination to-ards God, +hen the soul is introverted in the manner )e!ore descri)ed3 it gets -ithinthe in!luence o! the central attraction3 and ac>uires an eager desire a!ter union$ this is the )eginning, Itthen adheres to 9im -hen it has got nearer and nearer3 and !inally )ecomes one3 that is3 one spirit -ith9im$ and then it is that the spirit -hich had -andered !rom God3 returns again to its end,

L, Into this -ay3 then3 -hich is the divine motion3 and the spirit o! *esus hrist3 -e must necessarilyenter, St, Paul says3 "(f any man have not the spirit of hrist, he is none of his" . #om, viii, L/: there!ore3to )e hristFs3 -e must )e !illed -ith his Spirit3 and emptied o! our o-n, The 7postle3 in the same passage3 proves the necessity o! this divine in!luence, "3s many," says he3 "as are led by the Spirit of God,

they are the sons of God." . #om, viii, %?,/The spirit o! divine !iliation is3 then3 the spirit o! divine motion: he there!ore adds3 "Ye have not received

the spirit of bonda!e a!ain to fear but ye have received the spirit of adoption whereby ye cry 3bba,

/ather." This spirit is no other than the spirit o! hrist3 through -hich -e participate in his !iliation$ "'he

Spirit beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God."

+hen the soul yields itsel! to the in!luence o! this )lessed Spirit3 it perceives the testimony o! its divine!iliation$ and it !eels also3 -ith superadded 6oy3 that it has received, not the spirit of bonda!e, but of

liberty, even the liberty of the children of God it then !inds that it acts freely and sweetly3 though -ith

vigor and in!alli)ility,%J, The spirit o! divine action is so necessary in all things3 that St, Paul3 in the same passage3 !ounds thatnecessity on our ignorance -ith respect to -hat -e pray !or: "'he Spirit," says he3 "also helpeth our

infirmities7 for we know not what we should pray for as we ou!ht but the Spirit itself maketh intercession

for us, with !roanin!s which cannot be uttered." This is plain enough$ i! -e 2no- not -hat -e stand inneed o!3 nor ho- to pray as -e ought !or those things -hich are necessary3 and i! the Spirit -hich is in us3



and to -hich -e resign ourselves3 must as2 !or us3 should -e not permit 9im to give vent to hisunuttera)le groanings in our )ehal!

This Spirit is the Spirit o! the +ord3 -hich is al-ays heard3 as 9e says himsel!: "( knew that thou hearest

me always" . )ohn =i, ?A$/ and i! -e !reely admit this Spirit to pray and intercede !or us3 -e also shall )eal-ays heard, 7nd -hy et us learn !rom the same great 7postle3 that s2ill!ul Mystic3 and Master o! theinterior li!e3 -here he adds3 "He that searcheth the heart, knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit because

he maketh intercession for the saints, accordin! to the will of God" . #om, viii, A@/: that is to say3 the Spirit

demands only -hat is con!orma)le to the -ill o! God, The -ill o! God is that -e should )e saved3 andthat -e should )ecome per!ect: 9e3 there!ore3 intercedes !or all that is necessary !or our per!ection,%%, +hy3 then3 should -e )e )urthened -ith super!luous cares3 and weary ourselves in the multiplicity of

our ways, without ever sayin!, let us rest in peace. God himsel! invites us to cast all our care upon 9im$and 9e complains in Isaiah3 -ith ine!!a)le goodness3 that the soul had e=pended its po-ers and itstreasures on a thousand e=ternal o)6ects3 -hen there -as so little to do to attain all it need desire,"Wherefore," saith God3 "do you spend money for that which is not bread and your labor for that which

satisfieth not Hearken dili!ently unto me, and eat ye that which is !ood, and let your soul deli!ht itself

in fatness." . (sa, lv, A,/0h did -e )ut 2no- the )lessedness o! thus hear2ening to God3 and ho- greatly the soul is strengthened )y such a course "2e silent, 6 all flesh, before the $ord" . ;ech, ii, %(/$ all must cease as soon as 9eappears, 1ut to engage us still !arther to an a)andonment -ithout reservation3 God assures us3 )y thesame Prophet3 that -e need !ear nothing3 )ecause he ta2es a very special care o! us$ "an a woman for!et

her suckin! child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb Yea, she may for!et yetwill not ( for!et thee." . (sa, =li=, %',/ 0 -ords !ull o! consolation +ho a!ter that -ill !ear to a)andonhimsel! -holly to the guidance o! God



C H A P T E R %%II.

ON INWARD AND O$TWARD ACTS.

7TS are distinguished into e=ternal and internal, 0ternal acts are those -hich appear out-ardly3 and )ear relation to some sensi)le o)6ect3 and have no moral character3 e=cept such as they derive !rom the principle !rom -hich they proceed, I intend here to spea2 only o! internal acts3 those energies o! the soul3 )y -hich it turns internally towards some o)6ects3 and away from others,A, I! during my application to God3 I should !orm a -ill to change the nature o! my act3 I should there)y-ithdra- mysel! !rom God and turn to created o)6ects3 and that in a greater or less degree according to the

strength o! the act: and i!3 -hen I am turned to-ards the creature3 I -ould return to God3 I mustnecessarily !orm an act !or that purpose$ and the more per!ect this act is3 the more complete is theconversion,Till conversion is per!ected3 many reiterated acts are necessary$ !or it is -ith some progressive3 though-ith others it is instantaneous, My act3 ho-ever3 should consist in a continual turning to God3 an e=ertiono! every !aculty and po-er o! the soul purely !or 9im3 agreea)ly to the instructions o! the son o! Sirach:

"#e<unite all the motions of thy heart in the holiness of God" . 0ccles1us, ===, A?3/$ and to the e=ample o!David3 "( will keep my whole stren!th for thee," . %salm li=, L3 5ulg,/ -hich is done )y earnestly reCentering into ourselves$ as Isaiah saith3 "#eturn to your heart" . (sa. =lvi, &3 5ulg,/ #or -e have strayed!rom our heart )y sin3 and it is our heart only that God re>uires: "My son !ive me thine heart, and let thine

eye observe my ways." . %rov, ==iii, A,/ To give the heart to God3 is to have the -hole energy o! the soulever centering in 9im3 that -e may )e rendered con!orma)le to his -ill, +e must3 there!ore3 continue

invaria)ly turned to God3 !rom our !irst application to 9im,1ut the spirit )eing unsta)le3 and the soul accustomed to turn to e=ternal o)6ects3 it is easily distracted,This evil3 ho-ever3 -ill )e counteracted i!3 on perceiving the -andering3 -e3 )y a pure act o! return toGod3 instantly replace ourselves in 9im$ and this act su)sists as long as the conversion lasts3 )y the po-er!ul in!luence o! a simple and un!eigned return to God,(, 7s many reiterated acts !orm a ha)it3 the soul contracts the ha)it o! conversion$ and that act -hich -as

)e!ore interrupted and distinct )ecomes ha)itual,

The soul should not3 then3 )e perple=ed a)out !orming an act -hich already su)sists3 and -hich3 indeed3 itcannot attempt to !orm -ithout very great di!!iculty$ it even !inds that it is -ithdra-n !rom its properstate3 under pretence o! see2ing that -hich is in reality ac>uired3 seeing the ha)it is already !ormed3 and itis con!irmed in ha)itual conversion and ha)itual love, It is see2ing one act )y the help o! many3 instead o! continuing attached to God )y one simple act alone,

+e may remar23 that at times -e !orm -ith !acility many distinct yet simple acts$ -hich sho-s that -ehave -andered3 and that -e reCenter our heart a!ter having strayed !rom it$ yet -hen -e have reCentered3-e should remain there in peace, +e err3 there!ore3 in supposing that -e must not !orm acts$ we form

them continually7 )ut let them )e con!orma)le to the degree o! our spiritual advancement,?, The great di!!iculty -ith most spiritual people arises !rom their not clearly comprehending this matter, ;o-3 some acts are transient and distinct 3 others are continued 3 and again3 some are direct 3 and others

reflective, 7ll cannot !orm the !irst3 neither are all in a state suited to !orm the others, The !irst areadapted to those -ho have strayed3 and -ho re>uire a distinct e=ertion3 proportioned to the e=tent o! their

deviation$ i! the latter )e inconsidera)le3 an act o! the most simple 2ind is su!!icient,', 1y the continued act3 I mean that -here)y the soul is altogether turned to-ard God )y a direct act3al-ays su)sisting3 and -hich it does not rene- unless it has )een interrupted, The soul )eing thus turned3is in charity3 and a)ides therein$ "and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God." .&)ohn iv, %,/ The soul

then3 as it -ere3 e=ists and rests in this ha)itual act, It is3 ho-ever3 !ree !rom sloth$ !or there is still anuninterrupted act subsistin!, -hich is a sweet sinkin! into the *eity, -hose attraction )ecomes more andmore po-er!ul, #ollo-ing this potent attraction3 and d-elling in love and charity3 the soul sin2scontinually deeper into that ove3 maintaining an activity in!initely more po-er!ul3 vigorous3 ande!!ectual than that -hich served to accomplish its !irst return,, ;o- the soul that is thus profoundly and vi!orously active, )eing -holly given up to God3 does not

perceive this act3 )ecause it is direct and not re!lective, This is the reason -hy some3 not e=pressingthemselves properly3 say3 that they ma2e no acts$ )ut it is a mista2e3 !or they -ere never more truly orno)ly active$ they should say3 that they did not distin!uish their acts, and not that they did not act. I grant

that they do not act o! themselves$ )ut they are dra-n3 and they !ollo- the attraction, ove is the -eight-hich sin2s them, 7s one !alling into the sea3 -ould sin2 !rom one depth to another to all eternity3 i! the



sea -ere in!inite3 so they3 -ithout perceiving their descent3 drop -ith inconceiva)le s-i!tness into thelo-est deeps,

It is3 then3 improper to say that -e do not ma2e acts$ all !orm acts3 )ut the manner o! their !ormation is notali2e in all, The mista2e arises !rom this3 that all -ho 2no- they should act3 are desirous o! actingdistin!uishably and perceptibly )ut this cannot )e: sensi)le acts are !or )eginners$ there are others !orthose in a more advanced state, To stop in the !ormer3 -hich are -ea2 and o! little pro!it3 is to de)arourselves o! the latter$ as to attempt the latter -ithout having passed through the !ormer3 is a no less

considera)le error,@, "'o everythin! there is a season" . 0ccles, iii, %/: every state has its commencement3 its progress3 and itsconsummation3 and it is an unhappy error to stop in the )eginning, There is no art )ut -hat has its progress$ at !irst3 -e la)or -ith toil3 )ut at last -e reap the !ruit o! our industry,+hen the vessel is in port3 the mariners are o)liged to e=ert all their strength3 that they may clear herthence3 and put to sea$ )ut they su)se>uently turn her -ith !acility as they please, In li2e manner3 -hilethe soul remains in sin and the creature3 many endeavors are re>uisite to e!!ect its !reedom$ the ca)les

-hich hold it must )e loosed3 and then )y strong and vigorous e!!orts it gathers itsel! in-ard3 pushes o!!gradually !rom the old port o! Sel!3 and3 leaving that )ehind3 proceeds to the interior3 the haven so muchdesired,&, +hen the vessel is thus started3 as she advances on the sea3 she leaves the shore )ehind$ and the !arthershe departs !rom the land3 the less la)or is re>uisite in moving her !or-ard, 7t length she )egins to getgently under sail3 and no- proceeds so s-i!tly in her course3 that the oars3 -hich are )ecome useless3 are

laid aside, 9o- is the pilot no- employed he is content -ith spreading the sails and holding the rudder,'o spread the sails, is to lay ourselves )e!ore God in the prayer o! simple e=position3 to )e moved )y hisSpirit$ to hold the rudder, is to restrain our heart !rom -andering !rom the true course3 recalling it gently3and guiding it steadily )y the dictates o! the Spirit o! God3 -hich gradually gains possession o! the heart3 6ust as the )reeBe )y degrees !ills the sails and impels the vessel, +hile the -inds are !air3 the pilot andthe mariners rest !rom their la)ors, +hat progress do they not no- secure3 -ithout the least !atigue

They ma2e more -ay no- in one hour3 -hile they rest and leave the vessel to the -ind3 than they did in alength o! time )y all their !ormer e!!orts$ and even -ere they no- to attempt using the oars3 )esidesgreatly !atiguing themselves3 they -ould only retard the vessel )y their useless e=ertions,This is our proper course interiorly3 and a short time -ill advance us )y the divine impulsion !arther thanmany reiterated acts o! sel!Ce=ertion, +hoever -ill try this path3 -ill !ind it the easiest in the -orld,L, I! the -ind )e contrary and )lo- a storm3 -e must cast anchor in the sea3 to hold the vessel, This

anchor is simply trust in God and hope in his goodness3 -aiting patiently the calming o! the tempest andthe return o! a !avora)le gale$ thus did David: "( waited patiently for the $ord, and he inclined unto me,

and heard my cry." . %s, =l, %,/ +e must there!ore )e resigned to the Spirit o! God3 giving ourselves up-holly to his divine guidance,



C H A P T E R %%III.

AN E%HORTATION TO MINISTERS.

I# all -ho la)ored !or the conversion o! others sought to reach them 18 T9E 9E74T3 introducing themimmediately into prayer and the interior li!e3 num)erless and permanent conversions -ould ensue, 0n thecontrary3 !e- and transient !ruits must attend that la)or -hich is con!ined to out-ard matters3 such as )urdening the disciple -ith a thousand precepts !or e=ternal e=ercises3 instead o! leading the soul to hrist )y the occupation o! the heart in 9im,I! ministers -ere solicitous thus to instruct their parishioners3 shepherds3 -hile they -atched their !loc2s3

-ould have the spirit o! the primitive hristians3 and the hus)andman at the plough -ould maintain a )lessed intercourse -ith his God$ the manu!acturer3 -hile he e=hausted his out-ard man -ith la)or3-ould )e rene-ed -ith in-ard strength$ every species o! vice -ould shortly disappear3 and every parishioner -ould )ecome spiritually minded,A, 0 -hen once the 9E74T is gained3 ho- easily is all the rest corrected this is -hy God3 a)ove all things3re>uires the 9E74T, 1y this means alone3 -e may e=tirpate the dread!ul vices -hich so prevail among the

lo-er orders3 such as drun2enness3 )lasphemy3 le-dness3 enmity and the!t, *ESHS 94IST -ould reignevery-here in peace3 and the !ace o! the church -ould )e rene-ed throughout,The decay o! internal piety is un>uestiona)ly the source o! the various errors that have appeared in the-orld$ all -ould speedily )e overthro-n3 -ere in-ard devotion reCesta)lished, Errors ta2e possession o!no soul3 e=cept such as are de!icient in !aith and prayer$ and i!3 instead o! engaging our -andering )rethren in constant disputations3 -e -ould )ut teach them simply to believe3 and diligently to P4783 -e

should lead them s-eetly to God,0 ho- ine=pressi)ly great is the loss sustained )y man2ind !rom the neglect o! the interior li!e 7nd -hatan account -ill those have to render -ho are entrusted -ith the care o! souls3 and have not discovered andcommunicated to their !loc2 this hidden treasure(, Some e=cuse themselves )y saying3 that there is danger in this -ay3 or that simple persons areincapa)le o! comprehending the things o! the Spirit, 1ut the oracles o! truth a!!irm the contrary: "'he

$ord loveth those who walk simply." . %rov, =ii, AA3 5ulg,/ 1ut -hat danger can there )e in -al2ing in the

only true -ay3 -hich is *esus hrist3 giving ourselves up to 9im3 !i=ing our eye continually on 9im3 placing all our con!idence in his grace3 and tending -ith all the strength o! our soul to his purest love?, The simple ones3 so !ar !rom )eing incapable o! this per!ection3 are3 )y their docility3 innocence3 andhumility3 peculiarly >uali!ied !or its attainment$ and3 as they are not accustomed to reasoning3 they are lesstenacious o! their o-n opinions, Even !rom their -ant o! learning3 they su)mit more !reely to the

teachings o! the divine Spirit$ -hereas others3 -ho are cramped and )linded )y sel!Csu!!iciency3 o!!ermuch greater resistance to the operations o! grace,+e are told in Scripture that "unto the simple, God !iveth the understandin! of his law" . %salm c=i=, %(J3c=viii, %(J3 5ulg,/: and -e are also assured3 that God loves to communicate -ith them: "'he $ord careth

for the simple ( was reduced to etremity and He saved me." . %salm c=iv, 3 c=v, 3 5ulg,/ et spiritual!athers )e care!ul ho- they prevent their little ones !rom coming to hrist$ 9e himsel! said to his apostles3

"Suffer little children to come unto me, for of such is the kin!dom of heaven." . Matt , =i=, %?,/ It -as theendeavor o! the apostles to prevent children !rom going to our ord3 -hich occasioned this command,

', Man !re>uently applies a remedy to the out-ard )ody3 -hilst the disease lies at the heart, The cause o!our )eing so unsuccess!ul in re!orming man2ind3 especially those o! the lo-er classes3 is our )eginning-ith e=ternal matters$ all our la)ors in this !ield3 do )ut produce such !ruit as endures not$ )ut i! the key of

the interior )e !irst given3 the e=terior -ould )e naturally and easily re!ormed,

;o- this is very easy, To teach man to see2 God in his heart3 to thin2 o! 9im3 to return to 9im -heneverhe !inds he has -andered !rom 9im3 and to do and su!!er all things -ith a single eye to please 9im3 isleading the soul to the source o! all grace3 and causing it to !ind there everything necessary !orsancti!ication,, I there!ore )eseech you all3 0 ye that have the care o! souls3 to put them at once into this -ay3 -hich is*esus hrist$ nay3 it is 9e himsel! that con6ures you3 )y all the )lood he has shed !or those entrusted to

you, "Speak to the heart of )erusalem+" . (sa, =l, A3 5ulg,/ 0 ye dispensers o! his grace preachers o! his-ord ministers o! his sacraments esta)lish his 2ingdom and that it may indeed )e esta)lished3 ma2e9im 4HE4 05E4 T9E 9E74T #or as it is the heart alone that can oppose his sovereignty3 it is )y the

su)6ection o! the heart that his sovereignty is most highly honored: "Give !lory to the holiness of God,and he shall become your sanctification." . (sa, viii, %(3 5ulg,/ ompose catechisms e=pressly to teach



prayer3 not )y reasoning nor )y method3 !or the simple are incapa)le o! that$ )ut to teach the prayer o! theheart3 not o! the understanding$ the prayer o! GodFs Spirit3 not o! manFs invention,

@, 7las )y directing them to pray in elaborate forms3 and to )e curiously critical therein3 you create theirchie! o)stacles, The children have )een led astray !rom the )est o! !athers3 )y your endeavoring to teachthem too re!ined a language, Go3 then3 ye poor children3 to your heavenly #ather3 spea2 to him in yournatural language$ rude and )ar)arous as it may )e3 it is not so to 9im, 7 !ather is )etter pleased -ith anaddress -hich love and respect have made con!used3 )ecause he sees that it proceeds !rom the heart3 than

he is )y a dry and )arren harangue3 though never so ela)orate, The simple and undisguised emotions o!love are in!initely more e=pressive than all language3 and all reasoning,&, Men have desired to love 05E )y !ormal rules3 and have thus lost much o! that love, 0 ho-unnecessary is it to teach an art o! loving The language o! love is )ar)arous to him that does not love3 )ut per!ectly natural to him that does$ and there is no )etter -ay to learn ho- to love God3 than to lovehim, The most ignorant o!ten )ecome the most per!ect3 )ecause they proceed -ith more cordiality andsimplicity, The Spirit o! God needs none o! our arrangements$ -hen it pleases 9im3 9e turns shepherds

into Prophets3 and3 so !ar !rom e=cluding any !rom the temple o! prayer3 he thro-s -ide the gates that allmay enter$ -hile -isdom is directed to cry aloud in the high-ays3 "Whoso is simple let him turn in

hither" . %rov, i=, ?/$ and to the !ools she saith3 "ome eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which ( have

min!led." . %rov, i=, ',/ 7nd doth not *esus hrist himsel! than2 his #ather !or having "hid these thin!s

from the wise and prudent, and revealed them unto babes" . Matt , =i, A',/



C H A P T E R %%I.

ON THE PASSIE WAY TO DIINE $NION.

IT is impossi)le to attain Divine Hnion3 solely )y the -ay o! meditation3 or o! the a!!ections3 or )y anydevotion3 no matter ho- illuminated, There are many reasons !or this3 the chie! o! -hich are those -hich!ollo-,%, 7ccording to Scripture3 "no man shall see God and live." . 0od , ===iii, AJ,/ ;o- all the e=ercises o!discursive prayer3 and even o! active contemplation, regarded as an end3 and not as a mere preparative tothat -hich is passive3 are still living e=ercises3 )y -hich -e cannot see God$ that is to say3 )e united -ith

him, 7ll that is o! man and o! his doing3 )e it never so no)le3 never so e=alted3 must !irst )e destroyed,St, *ohn relates that there -as silence in heaven, . #ev, viii, %,/ ;o- heaven represents the ground andcentre o! the soul3 -herein all must )e hushed to silence -hen the ma6esty o! God appears, 7ll the e!!orts3nay3 the very e=istence3 o! sel!3 must )e destroyed$ )ecause nothing is opposite to God3 )ut sel!3 and all themalignity o! man is in sel!Cappropriation3 as the source o! its evil nature$ insomuch that the purity o! asoul increases in proportion as it loses this sel!Chood$ and that -hich -as a !ault -hile the soul lived in

sel!Cappropriation3 is no longer such3 a!ter it has ac>uired purity and innocence3 )y departing !rom thatsel!Chood3 -hich caused the dissimilitude )et-een it and God,A, To unite t-o things so opposite as the purity o! God and the impurity o! the creature3 the simplicity o!God and the multiplicity o! man3 much more is re>uisite than the e!!orts o! the creature, ;othing less thanan e!!icacious operation o! the 7lmighty can ever accomplish this$ !or t-o things must have some relationor similarity )e!ore they can )ecome one$ as the impurity o! dross cannot )e united -ith the purity o!

gold,(, +hat3 then3 does God do 9e sends his o-n +isdom )e!ore 9im3 as !ire shall )e sent upon the earth3to destroy )y its activity all that is impure$ and as nothing can resist the po-er o! that !ire3 )ut it consumeseverything3 so this +isdom destroys all the impurities o! the creature3 in order to dispose it !or divineunion,The impurity -hich is so !atal to union consists in Self<appropriation and 3ctivity.

Self<appropriation )ecause it is the source and !ountain o! all that de!ilement -hich can never )e allied to

essential purity$ as the rays o! the sun may shine3 indeed3 upon mire3 )ut can never )e united -ith it, 3ctivity !or God )eing in an in!inite stillness3 the soul3 in order to )e united to 9im3 must participate o!his stillness3 else the contrariety )et-een stillness and activity -ould prevent assimilation,There!ore3 the soul can never arrive at divine union )ut in the rest o! its -ill$ nor can it ever )ecome one-ith God3 )ut )y )eing reCesta)lished in central rest and in the purity o! its !irst creation,

?, God puri!ies the soul )y his +isdom3 as re!iners do metals in the !urnace, Gold cannot )e puri!ied )ut )y !ire3 -hich gradually consumes all that is earthy and !oreign3 and separates it !rom the metal, It is notsu!!icient to !it it !or use that the earthy part should )e changed into gold$ it must then )e melted anddissolved )y the !orce o! !ire3 to separate !rom the mass every drossy or alien particle$ and must )e againand again cast into the !urnace3 until it has lost every trace o! pollution3 and every possi)ility o! )eing!arther puri!ied,

The goldsmith cannot no- discover any adulterate mi=ture3 )ecause o! its per!ect purity and simplicity,The !ire no longer touches it$ and -ere it to remain an age in the !urnace3 its spotlessness -ould not )e

increased3 nor its su)stance diminished, It is then !it !or the most e=>uisite -or2manship3 and i!3therea!ter3 this gold seem o)scured or de!iled3 it is nothing more than an accidental impurity occasioned )y the contact o! some !oreign )ody3 and is only super!icial$ it is no hinderance to its employment3 and is-idely di!!erent !rom its !ormer de)asement3 -hich -as hidden in the ground o! its nature3 and3 as it -ere3

identi!ied -ith it, Those3 ho-ever3 -ho are uninstructed3 )eholding the pure gold sullied )y somee=ternal pollution3 -ould )e disposed to pre!er an impure and gross metal3 that appeared super!icially )right and polished,', #arther3 the pure and the impure gold are not mingled$ )e!ore they can )e united3 they must )e e>uallyre!ined$ the goldsmith cannot mi= dross and gold, +hat -ill he do3 then 9e -ill purge out the dross-ith !ire3 so that the in!erior may )ecome as pure as the other3 and then they may )e united, This is -hat

St, Paul means3 -hen he declares that "the fire shall try every man5s work of what sort it is" .&or , iii %(/$he adds3 "(f any man5s work be burnt, he shall suffer loss, but he himself shall be saved, yet so as by fire."

9e here intimates3 that there are -or2s so degraded )y impure mi=tures3 that though the mercy o! God

accepts them3 yet they must pass through the !ire3 to )e purged !rom sel!$ and it is in this sense that God issaid to e=amine and 6udge our righteousness3 )ecause that )y the deeds o! the la- there shall no !lesh )e 6usti!ied$ )ut )y the righteousness o! God3 -hich is )y !aith in *esus hrist, . #om, iii, AJ3 etc,/



, Thus -e may see that the divine 6ustice and -isdom3 li2e a pitiless and devouring !ire3 must destroy allthat is earthly3 sensual3 and carnal3 and all sel!Cactivity3 )e!ore the soul can )e united to its God, ;o-3 this

can never )e accomplished )y the industry o! the creature$ on the contrary3 he al-ays su)mits to it -ithreluctance$ )ecause3 as I have said3 he is so enamored o! sel!3 and so !ear!ul o! its destruction3 that did notGod act upon him po-er!ully and -ith authority3 he -ould never consent,@, It may3 perhaps3 )e o)6ected here3 that as God never ro)s man o! his !ree -ill3 he can al-ays resist thedivine operations$ and that I there!ore err in saying God acts absolutely, and without the consent of man.

et me3 ho-ever3 e=plain, 1y manFs giving a passive consent, God3 -ithout usurpation3 may assume !ull po-er and an entire guidance$ !or having3 in the )eginning o! his conversion3 made an unreservedsurrender o! himsel! to all that God -ills o! him or )y him3 he there)y gave an active consent to -hateverGod might a!ter-ards re>uire, 1ut -hen God )egins to )urn3 destroy3 and puri!y3 the soul does not perceive that these operations are intended !or its good3 )ut rather supposes the contrary$ and3 as the goldat !irst seems rather to )lac2en than )righten in the !ire3 so it conceives that its purity is lost$ insomuch3that i! an active and eplicit consent -ere then re>uired3 the soul could scarcely give it3 nay -ould o!ten

-ithhold it, 7ll it does is to remain !irm in its passive consent3 enduring as patiently as possi)le all thesedivine operations3 -hich it is neither a)le nor desirous to o)struct,&, In this manner3 there!ore3 the soul is puri!ied !rom all its sel!Coriginated3 distinct3 percepti)le3 andmultiplied operations3 -hich constitute a great dissimilitude )et-een it and God$ it is rendered )y degreesconform, and then uniform and the passive capacity o! the creature is elevated3 enno)led3 and enlarged3though in a secret and hidden manner3 hence called mystical$ )ut in all these operations the soul must

concur passively, It is true3 indeed3 that in the )eginning its activity is re>uisite$ !rom -hich3 ho-ever3 asthe divine operations )ecome stronger3 it must gradually cease$ yielding itsel! up to the impulses o! thedivine Spirit3 till it is -holly a)sor)ed in 9im, 1ut this is a process -hich lasts a long time,L, +e do not3 then3 say3 as some have supposed3 that there is no need o! activity$ since3 on the contrary3 itis the gate$ at -hich3 ho-ever3 we should not always tarry3 since -e ought to tend to-ards ultimate per!ection3 -hich is impractica)le e=cept the !irst helps are laid aside$ !or ho-ever necessary they may

have )een at the entrance o! the road3 they a!ter-ards )ecome greatly detrimental to those -ho adhere tothem o)stinately3 preventing them !rom ever attaining the end, This made St, Paul say3 "/or!ettin! those

thin!s which are behind, and reachin! forth to those which are before, ( press toward the mark, for the

pri9e of the hi!h callin! of God in hrist )esus." . %hil , iii, %(,/+ould you not say that he had lost his senses3 -ho3 having underta2en a 6ourney3 should !i= his a)ode atthe !irst inn3 )ecause he had )een told that many travellers had come that -ay3 that some had lodged there3

and that the masters o! the house d-elt there 7ll that -e -ish3 then3 is3 that souls -ould press toward

the end 3 ta2ing the shortest and easiest road3 and not stopping at the !irst stage, et them !ollo- thecounsel and e=ample o! St, Paul3 and su!!er themselves "to be led by the Spirit of God 3" . #om, viii, %?3/-hich -ill in!alli)ly conduct them to the end o! their creation3 the en6oyment o! God,%J, 1ut -hile -e con!ess that the en6oyment o! God is the end !or -hich alone -e -ere created3 and thatevery soul that does not attain divine union and the purity o! its creation in this li!e3 can only )e saved as

)y !ire3 ho- strange it is3 that -e should dread and avoid the process$ as i! that could )e the cause o! eviland imper!ection in the present li!e3 -hich is to produce the per!ection o! glory in the li!e to come,%%, ;one can )e ignorant that God is the Supreme Good$ that essential )lessedness consists in union -ith9im$ that the saints di!!er in glory3 according as the union is more or less per!ect$ and that the soul cannotattain this union )y the mere activity o! its o-n po-ers3 since God communicates 9imsel! to the soul3 in proportion as its passive capacity is great3 no)le and e=tensive, +e can only )e united to God in

simplicity and passivity3 and as this union is )eatitude itsel!3 the -ay that leads us in this passivity cannot )e evil3 )ut must )e the most !ree !rom danger3 and the )est,%A, This -ay is not dan!erous, +ould *esus hrist have made this the most per!ect and necessary o! all-ays3 had it )een so ;o all can travel it$ and as all are called to happiness3 all are li2e-ise called to theen6oyment o! God3 )oth in this li!e and the ne=t3 !or that alone is happiness, I say the en6oyment o! Godhimsel!3 and not o! his gi!ts$ these latter do not constitute essential )eatitude3 as they cannot !ully content

the soul$ it is so no)le and so great3 that the most e=alted gi!ts o! God cannot ma2e it happy3 unless theGiver also )esto-s 9imsel!, ;o- the -hole desire o! the Divine 1eing is to give 9imsel! to everycreature3 according to the capacity -ith -hich it is endo-ed$ and yet3 alas ho- reluctantly man su!!ershimsel! to )e dra-n to God ho- !ear!ul is he to prepare !or divine union%(, Some say3 that -e must not place ourselves in this state. I grant it$ )ut I say also3 that no creaturecould ever do it$ since it -ould not )e possi)le !or any3 )y all their o-n e!!orts3 to unite themselves to

God$ it is 9e alone must do it, It is altogether idle3 then3 to e=claim against those -ho are sel!Cunited3 assuch a thing cannot )e,They say again3 that some may fei!n to have attained this state. ;one can any more !eign this3 than the-retch -ho is on the point o! perishing -ith hunger can3 !or any length o! time at least3 !eign to )e !ulland satis!ied, Some -ish or -ord3 some sigh or sign3 -ill inevita)ly escape him3 and )etray that he is !ar!rom )eing satis!ied,



Since then none can attain this end )y their o-n la)or3 -e do not pretend to introduce any into it3 )ut only

to point out the way that leads to it7 )eseeching all not to become attached to the accommodations on the

road, eternal practices, which must all be left behind when the si!nal is !iven. The e=periencedinstructor 2no-s this3 points to the -ater o! li!e3 and lends his aid to o)tain it, +ould it not )e anun6usti!ia)le cruelty to sho- a spring to a thirsty man3 then )ind him so that he could not reach it3 andsu!!er him to die o! thirst%?, This is 6ust -hat is done every day, et us all agree in the +783 as -e all agree in the end3 -hich is

evident and incontroverti)le, The +78 has its )eginning3 progress3 and termination$ and the nearer -eapproach the consummation3 the !arther is the )eginning )ehind us$ it is only )y leaving the one3 that -ecan arrive at the other, 8ou cannot get !rom the entrance to a distant place3 -ithout passing over theintermediate space3 and3 i! the end )e good3 holy3 and necessary3 and the entrance also good3 -hy shouldthe necessary passage3 the direct road leading !rom the one to the other3 )e evil0 the )lindness o! the greater part o! man2ind3 -ho pride themselves on science and -isdom 9o- trueis it3 0 my God3 that thou hast hid these thin!s from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto

babes+

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Madame Guyon - A Short Method of Prayer