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 in bitterness of heart. Woe, everlasting
woe to those who shall have to expect so great a calamity!
Lord, all this is a profound mystery to my heart,
and yet Thou sayest that Thou art so gracious and so good.
Eternal Wisdom.--I am the immutable good,
and subsist the same and am the same. But that I do not appear the same, arises
from the difference of those who view Me differently, according as they are
with or without sin. I am tender and loving in My nature, and yet a terrible
judge of evil deeds. I require from My friends childlike awe, and confiding
love, in order that awe may restrain them from sin, and love unite them to Me
in faith.