28. Of What Kind He Should Be Who Wishes to Obtain the Gift of Counsel in an Excellent Degree, and of the Four Hindrances, and of the Same Number of Expulsive Forces

BUT in order that a man may be able to possess this divine gift of Counsel by the method which has been spoke of, it is necessary that he should have laid hold on the affective life, and should be sublimely lifted up and impressed and immersed into unity ; whereupon it is then divinely touched, and with boundless impatience of love is driven again without. But then the reason is enlightened and it attempts again to re-enter within, to discover what may be the nature of that contact. But this engenders that surging of love which is unable to comprehend, and is its'elf the bond and fetter of love. Moreover the enlightened reason determines to proceed downwards into the kingdom of the soul and to adorn all its powers with virtues in an excellent degree. Speed joins itself as its companion on the way, in order that it may be allowed the more quickly to arrive at sublime sensation or experience. But love and pity, since they are generous in outlay, desire to give satisfaction to all, and once more to flow back again to the heights. If anyone weigh these things well, he will find in them a certain similitude of the Most Holy Trinity. But there are four certain things which offer a hindrance, and provoke towards wandering hither and thither, and impede unity Not to perceive the divine touch — this causes a falling short of the sublime unity. For this cause the enlightened reason fails, which descended into the king dom of the soul, and adorned it with virtues in an excellent degree. Quickness too, is deficient, and therefore strenuousness and perseverance are lacking. Finally love and pity are infrequent and tepid, whereby it happens that liberality is rendered small. To one who looks at these things thoroughly, it is possible to perceive easily, both outwardly and inwardly, that men of this kind are unlike the Most Blessed Trinity. I can mention indeed four other things which deceive a man, and prevent him from becoming blessed. He who occupies himself inordinately with external business, but is truly thence displeased with himself ; for he loses hold of unity. It is agreed that he whose reason is blinded is dishonoured, for he lives in injustice. He has embraced sloth and idleness, activity and quickness having been cast off and lost ; nor does he glow with any desire ; he never gives any heed to love and pity, and therefore he is lacking in liberality and kindness.

These things having been observed, it is possible to infer from the matter itself and from his deeds, that such a one is far distant from salvation and happiness.