Letter 77. To a lady
MAdam, In this so great haste which our life is making to leave us, it is but reason that we make election of that, which may be best for our address in the service of Christ our lord; and to put it in practice, with diligence, lest otherwise, we may have cause to repent ourselves, for not having been faithful servants to that lord, who hath been so faithful to us, and at whose hands we expect that he will be so still.
There are many things in this life, whereupon we may cast our eyes; since God hath given us liberty: that so we may lay hold either upon this, or that▪ But amongst so many, what shall we choose? Shall it peradventure be pleasures, which pass away like smoke, and which leaves ten times as much affliction behind them as they brought delight? Or shall it perhaps be the dung of riches, which is wont to blind the eyes of the owners, and which makes the entrance into heaven's gate, so hard? Madam, there is no looking towards any thing of this life with hope that it will make one happy. For though a man possessed them all, they would serve him but for an affliction of spirit, and for an impediment to his proceeding;12
and in fine, it is vanity of vanities: and all vanity.3
Happy therefore is he, who removes his eyes, from that which makes such haste to pass away and who places them upon that, which never ends, and where delight is pure, and true, because it is taken in truth itself, which is God. And where the treasures are certain, since they all consist in enjoying him, who alone, suffices to enrich his possessors with inestimable beatitude.
But now to the service, of this God, there are many several ways and some carry an affection to one, and some to another, every one according to his inclination. Some like the active life, and others the contemplative. Some excel in abstinence, others set up their rest upon Chastity. And so we see, that diverse Saints have flourished, with several virtues, and gifts of God. But Madam, amongst all the things of this world, wherein our lord may be pleased by us, let us make choice of suffering for his love: for this is both most high, and most safe. And this did the Master of truth, who is Christ our lord, teach us, when coming into the world, he principally exercised himself in this, and to this, he hath invited us. This is a point of security, and not a thing made of dust, or straw. For it is not of conformity with our sensuality, but of contrariety thereunto. And only the love of Jesus, is able to make affliction savour well in our mouths; and he alone is sufficient to make us encounter, and embrace that, which of itself is unpleasant, and drives men from it.
What did it signify that Moses seeing a serpent before him, grew into fear and began to fly: but that men, who considering what they suffer actually, or else foreseeing what they are to suffer, are frighted, and would not only suffer it but not so much as see it. But God commanded, that he should return to that, from which he had fled, and not only return, towards it, but to take it up into his hand. And he, obeying the voice of God, found in those hands, no more now a serpent, to bite him, but a staff to support him. Thus doth it daily happen to men, who in their afflictions obeying the will of our lord who sends them, and taking them into their hands, that is to say, taking hold of the occasions which are offered, and accepting them with obedience, that they find no such discomfort, or disquiet, as is wont to weary the soul with complaining, butt comfort, and support, and strength: Confiding, that since God sends them tribulations, he will place himself near about them, according to his promise: and that he lodges his love in them, since he treats them like his beloved children, and as he hath treated as many friends as ever he hath had, in this world.4
Thus doth tribulation breed patience and patience, is the proof of that love, and faith, which we have in Christ our lord, And this patience works hope, because God hath promised to make them participate of his glory, who are participant of his Cross. And thus doth tribulation turn into a stay, and staff to our weakness, because it makes us confide in our lord more and more; and it takes from us that kind of unquietness and complaining; which, affliction, was formerly wont to give us, like a kind of servant. Be you therefore well advised, by making choice, of that which is pleasing to God, and be not one of them; whom the Apostle S. Paul reprehends saying.5
It was reason that you should have grown great spiritual Masters, after so long a time, wherein you had served God; and yet you still continue but very babes, who have need of new instruction, in the principles of those things which concern God, and you are rather fit to suck milk, then to eat the bread with the crust, which is the food of such as are grown strong.6
Madam, you must consider, that that scholar doth not please his Master, who having been taught a thing at many several times, is still as gross, and rude, as at the first. And that physician grows weary, who finds that he gives no help, through the patient's fault, by some receipt of physic, which he hath ministered often. And so our lord is not pleased, that we should still continue in taking the milk of comforts, and delights; but that we should run nimbly towards him, although it could not be done, without passing the pikes: and that the fire of our love must consume whatsoever shall stand before us: since there is nothing which it imports us so much to have, as love; And this love cannot receive so good a proof, as by tribulation and pain.
Now whosoever love's Christ our lord, should not desire to be without some trial, or proof, whether indeed he love him, yea, or no. And though that proof may pain one much, yet it gives him comfort, to perceive, That God hath examined him with fire, and that he hath not found wickedness in him;
and that it made him not turn back, from the enterprise which he had in hand. A great honour it is to stand constant, in that which much troubles us; and we cannot yield a service to God which pleases him better, then when with a very willing hart, we be afflicted for his sake: and when we drink that chalice in his company, who drunk so deeply of it, for us. Upon this you must place your eyes, since God is pleased to choose this means, whereby to bring you up towards him. Do not turn coward, in fight the battles of the generous love of the celestial king; nor hold you any time to be well employed, but that, wherein you suffer something, for your beloved, which alone, aught to give you comfort, and ground, to think that you love our lord. For, as for other things, though you should be taken up to the third heaven, you know not, whether you love yourself therein, or him. For perhaps it is but the delight, in having that fulfilled which you desire: and not purely, because that is done, which is pleasing to God.7
And since you are already dedicated to the love of God, and are redeemed by him, see that you still be doing your duty exactly well, that so like a good huswife, you may appear at the day of judgement all rich with love; and even cut in pieces in this war, after the imitation of Christ our lord, who died in this battle by the hands of love. Inviting as many as love him, to suffer of that which he suffered, and to answer with love to his love; and being ready to give himself, as an eternal reward, to them who pass through these amorous aflictions for his sake: and your ladyship shall be one of them, by the great mercy of him, who hath made election of you, for this purpose.
Footnotes
Chapter 28 of 57