For our merit and our progress consist, not in many pleasures and consolations, but rather in bearing great sorrows and tribulations. 15. Had there indeed been anything better for man's salvation than to suffer, anything more useful, Christ would have shown it by precept and example; for both the disciples who followed Him, and all those who desire to follow Him, He clearly exhorts to bear the cross, saying: "If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me."1 Therefore let this be the final conclusion for all who have read and examined the matter: "That we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”3 S. Luke ix. 23. "Therefore all things being read over and over and put in practice, let this be the end of our speech: by many afflictions we must enter into the Kingdom of Heaven." Rogers' trans., 1596. 3 Acts xiv. 22. 991 WILL hear what God the Lord will speak.' Blessed is the soul that heareth the Lord speaking within, and receiveth the words of consolation from His mouth. Blessed are the ears that feel the breath of the divine whisper, heeding not the whispers of this world. Truly blessed are the ears which listen to the inner voice of truth, and not to any voice which soundeth without.2 Blessed are the eyes, which, closed to external objects, are intent upon those within. Blessed are those who penetrate spiritual things, and strive by daily exercises to prepare 1 Ps. lxxxv. 8. "I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for He will speak unto His people, and to His saints." 2 S. Matth. xiii. 16. But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear." I themselves more and more for comprehending the secrets of heaven. Blessed are those who love to devote themselves to God, keeping themselves free from every secular hinderance. Think of these things, O my soul, and shut the gates of thy senses, that thou mayest be able to hear what the Lord thy God may speak to thee. 2. Thy Beloved saith: “I am thy salvation, thy peace, and thy life.1 Keep thyself near Me, and thou shalt find peace. Dismiss all transitory things, seek those that are eternal. What are all temporal things but seductions? “And what would all creatures profit thee if thou wert deserted by thy Creator? Having deserted all therefore, give thyself, peaceful and faithful, to thy Creator, that thou mayest be able to obtain true blessedness." CHAPTER II. THAT TRUTH SPEAKS IN OUR SOULS WITHOUT THE PEAK, Lord; for Thy servant heareth.” “I "Incline my heart to the words of Thy mouth, that Thine eloquence may flow as the dew." 1 S. John xiv. 6. "I am the way, and the truth, and the life." Ephes. ii. 14. 21 Sam. iii. 9; Ps. cxix. 125; 1 Kings iii. 9. 3 Ps. lxxviii. 1. "Incline your ears to the words of my mouth." Ps. cxix. 135; Deut. xxxii. 2. |