Chapter CLIV. Of his devotion to the Cross, and of a certain hidden mystery (sacramentum)

203. Finally, who might comprehend, who express how far he was from glorying save in the Cross of the Lord? To him alone was it given to know, to whom alone it was given to experience. Verily even though through some sense we should in ourselves perceive these things, words, defiled as they are by their use in the expression of the common things of every day, would be utterly wanting to declare such wonders. And perchance it was for the very reason that it could not have been unfolded in speech that that thing had to be laid open in his flesh. Let silence therefore speak where language fails, because even the thing signed cries out where the sign fails. Be this alone announced to human ears, that it is not yet wholly clear wherefore that mysterious thing appeared in the Saint; for, as revealed by him, it derives its reason and purpose from the future.¹ He shall prove true and trustworthy whose witnesses shall be Nature, the Law and Grace.