HERE BEGINNETH THE FIVE AND TWENTIETH CHAPTER
That in the time of this work a perfect soul hath no special
beholding to any one man in this
life.
I SAY not that in this work he shall have a special beholding to any man in
this life, whether that he be friend or foe, kin or stranger; for that may not
be if this work shall perfectly be done, as it is when all things under God be
fully forgotten, as falleth for this work. But I say that he shall be made so
virtuous and so charitable by the virtue of this work, that his will shall be
afterwards, when he condescendeth to commune or to pray for his
even-christian--not from all this work, for that may not be without great sin,
but from the height of this work, the which is speedful and needful
to do some time as charity asketh--as specially then directed to his foe as to
his friend, his stranger as his kin. Yea, and some time more to his foe than to
his friend.
Nevertheless, in this work he hath no leisure
to look after who is his friend or his foe, his kin or his stranger. I say not
but he shall feel some time--yea, full oft--his affection more homely to one,
two, or three, than to all these other: for that is lawful to be, for many
causes as charity asketh. For such an homely affection felt Christ to John and
unto Mary, and unto Peter before many others. But I say, that in the time of
this work shall all be equally homely unto him; for he shall feel then no
cause, but only God. So that all shall be loved plainly and nakedly for God,
and as well as himself.
For as all men were lost in Adam and all men that
with work will witness their will of salvation are saved or shall be
by virtue of the Passion of only Christ: not in the same manner, but as it were
in the same manner, a soul that is perfectly disposed to this work, and oned
thus to God in spirit as the proof of this work witnesseth, doth that in it is
to make all men as perfect in this work as itself is. For right as if a limb of
our body feeleth sore, all the tother limbs be pained and diseased therefore,
or if a limb fare well, all the remnant be gladded therewith--right so is it
ghostly of all the limbs of Holy Church. For Christ is our head, and we be the
limbs if we be in charity: and whoso will be a perfect disciple of our Lord's,
him behoveth strain up his spirit in this work ghostly, for the salvation of
all his brethren and sisters in nature, as our Lord did His body on the Cross.
And how? Not only for His friends and His kin and His homely lovers, but
generally for all mankind, without any special beholding more to one than to
another. For all that will leave sin and ask mercy shall be saved
through the virtue of His Passion. And as it is said of meekness and charity,
so it is to be understood of all other virtues. For all they be truly
comprehended in this little pressing of love, touched before.