A Little Book of Eternal Wisdom [56]
one thing I should also like to
know respecting Thy praise is this: How all that is naturally good in me may
be referred to Thy everlasting praise?
Eternal Wisdom.--Inasmuch as nobody in this temporal state can be sure,
from actual knowledge, of the true difference between nature and grace, so
when anything gracious, joyous, or agreeable, arises in thy mind, whether it
be from nature of from grace, enter quickly and speedily into thy interior,
and make an oblation of it to God, so that it may be consumed in My praise,
because I am the Lord of nature and grace, and in this way will nature now
to thee become supernatural.
The Servant.--Lord, but how then shall I turn even the imaginations of
evil spirits to Thy eternal praise?
Eternal Wisdom.--To the suggestions or inspirations of an evil spirit
speak thou as follows: Lord, as often as this wicked spirit or any other
sends me against my will such disagreeable thoughts, let me of my own
premeditated will send Thee the most fervent praise in his stead, even the
very praise which the same evil spirit ought to have given Thee throughout
all eternity had he remained loyal, so that in his reprobate state I may
represent his place in praising Thee; and as often as he inspires me with
such odious thoughts, let my good praise ascend to Thee.
The Servant.--O Lord, now do I indeed see that to good men all things
may be turned into good, when even the very worst things of the evil spirit
can in such a way be made good things. But now tell me one thing more. Ah,
Thou gracious Lord, how am i to turn all that I hear, all that I see, to Thy
praise and glory?
Eternal Wisdom.--As often as thou seest a great number of people, as
often as thou beholdest an exceeding fair multitude, say from the very
bottom of thy heart: Lord, as often and as beautifully must the thousand
times a thousand angelic spirits who stand before Thee salute Thee lovingly
this day in my name, and the ten thousand times a thousand spirits who serve
Thee praise Thee today for me, and they must desire for me all the holy
desires of the saints, and that the ravishing beauty of all creatures may do
Thee honour today for me.
The Servant.--O my sweet Lord, how hast Thou not refreshed and
increased my zeal in Thy praise! But truly, Lord, this temporal praise has
stirred up my heart and alas! set my soul a longing for the praise which is
everlasting and eternal. When, my own elected Wisdom, when will the bright
day arise, when will the glad hour arrive of a perfectly prepared death and
departure from this scene of wretchedness to my Beloved! Ah me, I begin so
to languish, so ardently to long after my heart's only love! When, O when
shall I ever possess it? How lingering is the time, how late it will be
before I behold face to face the delight of my soul's eyes, before I enjoy
Thee according to my heart's desire! O misery of banishment, what a misery
thou art to him who considers himself banished in very truth! Behold, Lord,
there is hardly any one on earth but has some friend to visit, some place on
which to rest his foot a little while. Alas, my only one, Thou whom my soul
alone seeks and desires, Thou knowest that I have no other refuge, than in
Thee alone! Lord, whatever I hear and see, if I find Thee not, is a torment
to me; the society of all mankind without Thee is bitterness to me. Lord,
what should rejoice me, what detain me here?
Eternal Wisdom.--Here on earth shouldst thou often wander in the
delightful orchard of My blooming praise. In this transient life there is no
truer prelude to the celestial habitations than is to be found among those
who praise God in the joy of a serene heart. There is nothing that cheers a
man's mind so much, and lightens his sufferings; that drives away evil
spirits, and makes sadness disappear, as joyous praising of God. God is near
those who praise Him; the angels are familiar with them: they are profitable
to themselves; it betters their neighbour and gladdens the soul; all the
heavenly host is honoured
know respecting Thy praise is this: How all that is naturally good in me may
be referred to Thy everlasting praise?
Eternal Wisdom.--Inasmuch as nobody in this temporal state can be sure,
from actual knowledge, of the true difference between nature and grace, so
when anything gracious, joyous, or agreeable, arises in thy mind, whether it
be from nature of from grace, enter quickly and speedily into thy interior,
and make an oblation of it to God, so that it may be consumed in My praise,
because I am the Lord of nature and grace, and in this way will nature now
to thee become supernatural.
The Servant.--Lord, but how then shall I turn even the imaginations of
evil spirits to Thy eternal praise?
Eternal Wisdom.--To the suggestions or inspirations of an evil spirit
speak thou as follows: Lord, as often as this wicked spirit or any other
sends me against my will such disagreeable thoughts, let me of my own
premeditated will send Thee the most fervent praise in his stead, even the
very praise which the same evil spirit ought to have given Thee throughout
all eternity had he remained loyal, so that in his reprobate state I may
represent his place in praising Thee; and as often as he inspires me with
such odious thoughts, let my good praise ascend to Thee.
The Servant.--O Lord, now do I indeed see that to good men all things
may be turned into good, when even the very worst things of the evil spirit
can in such a way be made good things. But now tell me one thing more. Ah,
Thou gracious Lord, how am i to turn all that I hear, all that I see, to Thy
praise and glory?
Eternal Wisdom.--As often as thou seest a great number of people, as
often as thou beholdest an exceeding fair multitude, say from the very
bottom of thy heart: Lord, as often and as beautifully must the thousand
times a thousand angelic spirits who stand before Thee salute Thee lovingly
this day in my name, and the ten thousand times a thousand spirits who serve
Thee praise Thee today for me, and they must desire for me all the holy
desires of the saints, and that the ravishing beauty of all creatures may do
Thee honour today for me.
The Servant.--O my sweet Lord, how hast Thou not refreshed and
increased my zeal in Thy praise! But truly, Lord, this temporal praise has
stirred up my heart and alas! set my soul a longing for the praise which is
everlasting and eternal. When, my own elected Wisdom, when will the bright
day arise, when will the glad hour arrive of a perfectly prepared death and
departure from this scene of wretchedness to my Beloved! Ah me, I begin so
to languish, so ardently to long after my heart's only love! When, O when
shall I ever possess it? How lingering is the time, how late it will be
before I behold face to face the delight of my soul's eyes, before I enjoy
Thee according to my heart's desire! O misery of banishment, what a misery
thou art to him who considers himself banished in very truth! Behold, Lord,
there is hardly any one on earth but has some friend to visit, some place on
which to rest his foot a little while. Alas, my only one, Thou whom my soul
alone seeks and desires, Thou knowest that I have no other refuge, than in
Thee alone! Lord, whatever I hear and see, if I find Thee not, is a torment
to me; the society of all mankind without Thee is bitterness to me. Lord,
what should rejoice me, what detain me here?
Eternal Wisdom.--Here on earth shouldst thou often wander in the
delightful orchard of My blooming praise. In this transient life there is no
truer prelude to the celestial habitations than is to be found among those
who praise God in the joy of a serene heart. There is nothing that cheers a
man's mind so much, and lightens his sufferings; that drives away evil
spirits, and makes sadness disappear, as joyous praising of God. God is near
those who praise Him; the angels are familiar with them: they are profitable
to themselves; it betters their neighbour and gladdens the soul; all the
heavenly host is honoured