CHAPTER II
THAT NO MAN MAY SUDDENLY COME TO HIGH DEVOTION, NOR BE
WET WITH THE SWEETNESS OF
CONTEMPLATION
Truly it is shown to lovers that, in the
first years of their turning, no man may attain to high devotion, nor be fully
moistened with sweetness of contemplation. Scarcely truly and seldom, and as it
were in the twinkling of an eye, are they granted to feel somewhat of heavenly
things; and profiting little by little at the last they are made strong in
spirit. Then afterward they have received sadness of manners, and so far as
this present changeableness suffers, have attained to stability of mind; for
with great travails is some perfection gotten, that they may feel some joy in
godly love.
Nevertheless it is not seen that all, though they
be great in virtue, anon feel verily the actual warmth of uncreate or unwrought
charity, nor melting in the unmeasured flame of love, may sing within
themselves the song of God's praise. This mystery from many truly is hidden,
and to a most special few it is shown; for the higher this degree is, the fewer
finders has it in this world.
No marvel that we seldom find any saint, nor one
so perfect in this life and rapt with so high love, that in contemplation he
might be lift up to sweetness of melody; that is to say, that he might receive
into himself the heavenly sound shed into him, and as it were with melody he
should yield it again in praise to God, making many notes in ghostly praising;
and that he might feel in himself the heat of God's love. And nevertheless it
is marvellous that any contemplative man should be trowed otherwise; for the
psalmist, transformed into the person of contemplative man, says: `Transibo
in domum Dei in voce exultationis et confessionis,' that is to say: "I
shall go into God's house in the voice of gladness and shrift; which praise is
the sound of him that feasts, that is to say, of him that is glad with heavenly
sweetness.
The perfect, forsooth, that are taken up into
this surpassing plenty of endless friendship, and imbued with sweetness that
shall not waste, live anew in the clear chalice of full sweet charity; and in
the holy counsel of mirth they draw into their souls happy heat, by the which
greatly gladdened, they have greater comfort of ghostly lectuary than may be
trowed. This refreshment is the height of endless heritage in them who truly
love, and to whom, in this exile forsooth, diseases happen and in the meanwhile
it shall not appear unprofitable to them that they be punished for some years,
the which shall be lift up to sit, without parting, in heavenly seats. Of all
flesh also are they chosen to be most dear in the sight of our Maker, and to be
clearly crowned. As the seraphim in high heaven truly are they burnt, who sit
in solitude of body, yet their minds walk among the angels to Christ their
Beloved, whom they have desired: the which also most sweetly have sung this
prayer of endless love, in Jesu joying.
O honey sweet heat, than all delight sweeter,
than all riches more delectable.
O my God! O my Love! into me glide; with Thy
charity thirled; with Thy beauty wounded:
Slide down and comfort me, heavy; give medicine
to me, wretched; show Thyself to Thy lover.
Behold in Thee is all my desire, and all my heart
seeks.
After Thee my heart desires; after Thee my flesh
thirsts.
And Thou openest not to me but turnest Thy Face.
Thou sparrest Thy door, and hidest Thyself; and
at the pains of the innocent Thou laughest.
In the meantime nevertheless Thou ravishest Thy
lovers from all earthly things; above all desire of worldly things Thou takest
them, and makest them takers of Thy love and full great workers in loving.
Wherefore in ghostly song, of burning up bursting, to Thee they offer praises,
and with sweetness they feel the dart of love.
Hail therefore O lovely Everlasting Love, that
raisest us from these low things and presentest us with so frequent ravishings
to the sight of God's Majesty. Come into me, my Beloved! All that I had I gave
for Thee, and that I should have, for Thee I have forsaken, that Thou in my
soul mightest have a mansion for to comfort it. Never forsake Thou him that
Thou feelest so sweetly glow with desire for Thee; so that with most burning
desire I desire, to be ever within Thy halsing.[26] So grant me grace to love Thee, and in Thee to rest, that
in Thy kingdom I may be worthy for to see Thee withouten end.
[26] embrace