Chapter XXI. That the Soul ought to take up its rest in this Contemplation

But you must not think that this Paradise of internal Pleasure is a corporeal place. We go into this Garden not by our feet, but by our affections. Nor is here recommended to thee a plenty of earthly Trees, but a pleasant and lovely Plantation of Spiritual Vertues. 'Tis an enclosed Garden, where a sealed Fountain is derived into four Heads, and out of one only vein of Wisdom does a quadrupartite Vertue proceed. Fair white Lillies also flourish there, and when the Flowers appear, the Voice of the Turtle too is heard. There Spikenard sends forth a most fragrant odour, and other Spices too exhale their Perfumes. The Southern Air breaths gently there, but Northern Blasts are quite banished thence. In the middle stands the Tree of Life, that Apple-tree of the Canticles, better than all the Trees of the Woods, whose shadow refrigerates the Spouse, and whose Fruit is sweet unto her Palat. There the nitid luster of Continency, and the intuition of the plain sincere Truth irradiates the eyes of the heart; and the sweet Voice of the interior Comforter gives joy and gladness to the hearing. There by certain nostrils of hope is drawn in the most pleasant odour of the plentiful Field, which our Lord has blessed. There greedily are foretasted the incomparable delights of Charity, and the Briers and Thorns being cut up which formerly galled the mind, now superfused with the Unction of Mercy, it happily rests in a good Conscience. Which things in good sooth are not the rewards of Eternal Life, but the wages of this Temporal Warfare; nor do they belong to the Promises of the future Church, but of that which now is; for this is that hundred-fold which in this World is given to the Contemners of this World. Nor must thou hope that this is to be made commendable to thee by my speech, 'tis the Spirit alone which reveals it: in vain doest thou consult Books, seek rather Experience. 'Tis a Wisdom whose value man knows not, it is learnt in secret: nor is that delicious sweetness to be found in the Land of those that live deliciously: For it is the sweetness of our Lord; unless thou taste it, thou shalt never see it. Taste, says he, and see how that our Lord is sweet, Psal. 13. 'Tis an hidden Manna, 'tis a new Name, which no body knows but he that receives it. Not Learning, but the Unction teaches it; nor does Science, but Conscience comprehend it. 'Tis an holy thing, 'tis a Jewel; nor will he who began to do and to teach, do that himself which he forbids us to do. For he does not look upon them as dogs, or hogs, whom renouncing their former Wickednesses and Villanies, he comforts by his Apostle, saying; Ye were indeed these things, but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, 1 Cor. 6. ver. 11. only have a care that you do not return with the Dog to his vomit, nor with the Sow that was washed, to her wallowing in the mire.