A Little Book of Eternal Wisdom [19]
is
everything that appears lovely in this world and gives itself out to be
something, as soon as one really begins to know it. Lord, wherever I might
cast my eyes I always found something to disgust me; for, if it was a fair
image, it was void of grace; if it was fair and lovely, it had not the true
way; or if it had indeed this, still, I always found something either
inwardly or outwardly, to which the entire inclination of my heart was
secretly opposed. But Thou art beauty with infinite affability, Thou art
grace in shape and form, the word with the way, nobility with virtue, riches
with power, interior freedom and exterior brightness, and one thing Thou art
which I have never found in time, namely, a power and faculty of perfectly
satiating every wish and every ardent desire of a truly loving heart. The
more one knows Thee, the more one loves Thee; the more acquainted one is
with Thee, the more friendly one finds Thee. Ah me! what an unfathomable,
entirely pure, good Thou art! See how deceived all those hearts are that fix
their affections on anything else! Ah! ye false lovers, flee far from me,
never come near me more. I have chosen for my heart that one only love in
which my heart, my soul, my desire, and all my powers can alone be satiated
with a love that never dissolves away. Oh Lord, could I but trace Thee on my
heart! could I but melt Thee with characters of gold into the innermost core
of my heart and soul, so that Thou mightest never be eradicated out of me!
Oh, misery and desolation! that ever I should have troubled my heart with
such things! What have I gained with all my lovers, but time lost, forfeited
words, an empty hand, few good works, and a conscience burdened with
infirmity? Slay me, rather, in Thy love, O Lord, for from Thy feet I will
never more be separated.
Eternal Wisdom.--I go forth to meet those who seek Me, and I receive
with affectionate joy such as desire My love. All that thou canst ever
experience of My sweet love in time, is but as a little drop to the ocean of
My love in eternity.
CHAPTER VIII. An Explanation of Three Things Which Most of All Might Be
Likely To Be Repugnant To A Loving Heart In God. One Is, How He Can Appear
So Wrathful And Yet Be So Gracious
The Servant.--Three things there are at which I marvel very much; one
is, that Thou shouldst be beyond all measure so amiable Thyself, and yet so
severe a judge of evil deeds. Lord, when I reflect on Thy severe justice, my
heart with passionate voice exclaims: "Woe to all who persist in sin!" for
did they but know the strict account of every single sin, which Thou wilt
infallibly require, even from Thy very dearest friends, they would sooner
pluck out their teeth and hair than ever provoke Thy anger! Woe is me! How
very terrible is Thy angry countenance, how very intolerable Thy ungentle
averted looks! So full of fire are Thy threatening words that they cut
through heart and soul. Shield me, O Lord, from Thy wrathful countenance,
and extend not Thy vengeance against me to the next world. Lo! when I only
doubt, lest, because of my guilty deeds Thou mayest have turned Thy face
angrily away from me, it is a thing so insupportable, that nothing in all
this world is so bitter to me. Oh, my Lord and Father, how could my heart
endure Thy angry countenance for ever! When I but seriously reflect on Thy
countenance inflamed with anger, my soul is so horrified, all my strength is
so shaken, that I can liken it to nothing else than to the heavens beginning
to darken and grow black, to fire raging in the clouds, and to a mighty
thunder rending them, so that the earth trembles, and fiery bolts dart down
upon men. Lord, let no one confide in Thy silence, for verily Thy silence
will soon be turned to dreadful thunder. Lord, the angry countenance of Thy
Fatherly anger to that man who is fearful of provoking and losing Thee, is a
hell above all hells. I will say nothing of that furious countenance of
Thine which the wicked at the last day will have to behold
everything that appears lovely in this world and gives itself out to be
something, as soon as one really begins to know it. Lord, wherever I might
cast my eyes I always found something to disgust me; for, if it was a fair
image, it was void of grace; if it was fair and lovely, it had not the true
way; or if it had indeed this, still, I always found something either
inwardly or outwardly, to which the entire inclination of my heart was
secretly opposed. But Thou art beauty with infinite affability, Thou art
grace in shape and form, the word with the way, nobility with virtue, riches
with power, interior freedom and exterior brightness, and one thing Thou art
which I have never found in time, namely, a power and faculty of perfectly
satiating every wish and every ardent desire of a truly loving heart. The
more one knows Thee, the more one loves Thee; the more acquainted one is
with Thee, the more friendly one finds Thee. Ah me! what an unfathomable,
entirely pure, good Thou art! See how deceived all those hearts are that fix
their affections on anything else! Ah! ye false lovers, flee far from me,
never come near me more. I have chosen for my heart that one only love in
which my heart, my soul, my desire, and all my powers can alone be satiated
with a love that never dissolves away. Oh Lord, could I but trace Thee on my
heart! could I but melt Thee with characters of gold into the innermost core
of my heart and soul, so that Thou mightest never be eradicated out of me!
Oh, misery and desolation! that ever I should have troubled my heart with
such things! What have I gained with all my lovers, but time lost, forfeited
words, an empty hand, few good works, and a conscience burdened with
infirmity? Slay me, rather, in Thy love, O Lord, for from Thy feet I will
never more be separated.
Eternal Wisdom.--I go forth to meet those who seek Me, and I receive
with affectionate joy such as desire My love. All that thou canst ever
experience of My sweet love in time, is but as a little drop to the ocean of
My love in eternity.
CHAPTER VIII. An Explanation of Three Things Which Most of All Might Be
Likely To Be Repugnant To A Loving Heart In God. One Is, How He Can Appear
So Wrathful And Yet Be So Gracious
The Servant.--Three things there are at which I marvel very much; one
is, that Thou shouldst be beyond all measure so amiable Thyself, and yet so
severe a judge of evil deeds. Lord, when I reflect on Thy severe justice, my
heart with passionate voice exclaims: "Woe to all who persist in sin!" for
did they but know the strict account of every single sin, which Thou wilt
infallibly require, even from Thy very dearest friends, they would sooner
pluck out their teeth and hair than ever provoke Thy anger! Woe is me! How
very terrible is Thy angry countenance, how very intolerable Thy ungentle
averted looks! So full of fire are Thy threatening words that they cut
through heart and soul. Shield me, O Lord, from Thy wrathful countenance,
and extend not Thy vengeance against me to the next world. Lo! when I only
doubt, lest, because of my guilty deeds Thou mayest have turned Thy face
angrily away from me, it is a thing so insupportable, that nothing in all
this world is so bitter to me. Oh, my Lord and Father, how could my heart
endure Thy angry countenance for ever! When I but seriously reflect on Thy
countenance inflamed with anger, my soul is so horrified, all my strength is
so shaken, that I can liken it to nothing else than to the heavens beginning
to darken and grow black, to fire raging in the clouds, and to a mighty
thunder rending them, so that the earth trembles, and fiery bolts dart down
upon men. Lord, let no one confide in Thy silence, for verily Thy silence
will soon be turned to dreadful thunder. Lord, the angry countenance of Thy
Fatherly anger to that man who is fearful of provoking and losing Thee, is a
hell above all hells. I will say nothing of that furious countenance of
Thine which the wicked at the last day will have to behold