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Show liliiMiow(JrDt ! 1 I. BOOK 3 CHAPTER XV. How ..we are to be despised, and what we are to say, when we desire anything. any-thing. My son, say this on every occasion: Lord, if it be pleasing to Thee, so let it be Lord, if it be to Thy honor, let this be done in Thy name. Lord, if Thou seest that this is expedient, ex-pedient, and approvest it as profitable for me, then grant that I may use it to Thy honor. But if Thou knowest that it will be hurtful to me, and not profitable for my soul, take away from me such a desire. For not every desire is from the Hob-Ghost, Hob-Ghost, though to man it seem right and good. It is difficult to judge truly whether it be a good or evil spirit that impel-leth. impel-leth. Thee to desire this or that, or whatever Thou art not moved to it by Thy spirit. - Many in the end have, been deceived, who at first seemed to be led by a good spirit. Whatsoever, therefore, occurreth to thy mind as worthy to be desired, it must be always with the fear of God and humility of heart that thou desire and ask for it. And above all thou oughtest, with self-resignation, to commit com-mit to Me, and to say: Lord, Thou knowest what is best, let this or that be done as Thou wilt. Give what Thou wilt, and as much as Thou wilt, and at what time Thou wilt. ' ' Do with me as Thou knowest, and as best pleaseth Thee,, and is most for Thy honor. Put me where Thou wilt, and do with me in all things according to Thy will. I am in Thy hands: turn me hither and thither as Thou choosest. So, I am Thy servant, ready "for all thing; for I do not desire to live for myself, but for Thee: oh, that I could do so in a worthy and perfect manner! .' . . CHAPTER XVI. That the true consolation is to be sought in God alone. Whatsoever I can desire or imagine for my comfort I look not for here, but hereafter. For if I alone should have all the comforts of this world, and might enjoy all its delights, certain it is j they could not last long, j Wherefore thou canst not, O ray soul, ! be fully comforted nor perfectly re-, re-, freshed, except in God, the comforter i of the poor and the receiver of the humble. , Wait for a little While, my soul, wait for the divine promise, and thou wilt have abundance of all good things in Heaven. If thou desirest too inordinately they present things, thou wilt lose those that are Heavenly and eternal. Use temporal things, but desire eternal. eter-nal. Thou canst not be satisfied with any temporal goods, becaust thou wast not created for their. enjoyment. Althought thou shouldst have all created cre-ated goods, thou couldst not be happy and blessed; but in God, who created all things, consists all thy beatitude and happiness. Not such as is seen or cried up by the foolish lovers of the world, but such as the good, faithful of Christ await, and of which -they that are spiritual and clean of heart, whose conversation is in Heaven, have sometimes a foretaste. All human comfort is vain and short. Blessed and true is that comfort which is derived inwardly from Truth. A devout man everywhere carrieth about with him Jesus his Consoler, and saith to Him. Be with me, O Lord, Jesus, in all places and at all times. Let this be my consolation, to be freely willing to forego all human comfort. com-fort. And if Thy comfort be withdrawn, let Thy will and just trial be to me as the greatest of comforts. For Thou wilt not always be angry, nor with' Thou threaten forever.' |