HERE BEGINNETH THE THIRTEENTH CHAPTER
What meekness is in itself, and when it is perfect and when it
is imperfect.
NOW let see first of the virtue of meekness; how that it is imperfect when it
is caused of any other thing mingled with God although He be the chief; and how
that it is perfect when it is caused of God by Himself. And first it is to wit,
what meekness is in itself, if this matter shall clearly be seen and conceived;
and thereafter may it more verily be conceived in truth of spirit what is the
cause thereof.
Meekness in itself is nought else, but a true
knowing and feeling of a man's self as he is. For surely whoso might verily see
and feel himself as he is, he should verily be meek. Two things
there be, the which be cause of this meekness; the which be these. One is the
filth, the wretchedness, and the frailty of man, into the which he is fallen by
sin; and the which always him behoveth to feel in some part the whiles he
liveth in this life, be he never so holy. Another is the over-abundant love and
the worthiness of God in Himself; in beholding of the which all nature quaketh,
all clerks be fools, and all saints and angels be blind. Insomuch, that were it
not that through the wisdom of His Godhead He measured their beholding after
their ableness in nature and in grace, I defail to say what should befall
them.
This second cause is perfect; for why, it shall
last without end. And the tother before is imperfect; for why, it shall not
only fail at the end of this life, but full oft it may befall that a soul in
this deadly body for abundance of grace in multiplying of his desire--as oft
and as long as God vouchsafeth for to work it--shall have suddenly
and perfectly lost and forgotten all witting and feeling of his being, not
looking after whether he have been holy or wretched. But whether this fall oft
or seldom to a soul that is thus disposed, I trow that it lasteth but a full
short while: and in this time it is perfectly meeked, for it knoweth and
feeleth no cause but the Chief. And ever when it knoweth and feeleth the tother
cause, communing therewith, although this be the chief: yet it is imperfect
meekness. Nevertheless yet it is good and notwithstanding must be had; and God
forbid that thou take it in any other manner than I say.