Chapter X, Part 2

Showeth forth the First Mode of true Contemplation.

NOW, therefore, hear and understand ;

To the good and inward man, who entereth within himself, free and empty of all earthly things, opening and uplifting his heart reverently towards the Eternal Goodness of God, there is thrown wide the Heaven which was shut, and from the Face of Divine Love there blazeth down a sudden Light, as it were a lightning-flash ; and in that Light there speaketh the Spirit of Our Lord, in this opened and loving heart, and saith : " I am thine, and thou art Mine : I dwell " in thee, and thou dwellest in Me."

In this meeting of the Light with the stirring of God21, is so great a joy and delight of the soul and body in his uplifted heart, that the man knoweth not what hath befallen him, nor how he may

8o THE BOOK OF endure it22. And this is called " The 11 Song of Joy23," which hath no words, and which no man knoweth, save him who hath conceived it in his heart.

And this it is which liveth in the loving heart that is opened to God, and closed to all created things.

And thence cometh " Joyfulness," and the same is a heartfelt love, and a burning flame of devotion, for ever reverently turned to God in thankfulness and praise.

And he who conceiveth this sweetness, who abideth therein, and yet seeketh therein his own delight, without thanking and praising God therefor, is utterly at fault.

This is the first and lowest mode, whereby God inwardly declareth Himself in the Contemplative Life ; and so I will show forth a homely parallel thereof for those who have not experienced it.

Take then a mirror, curved like a bowl, and, having laid therein some dry and inflammable matter, hold it up to the rays of the sun. Then will the dry matter be enkindled and burn by reason of the heat of the sun and the curving 24 of the mirror.

So, and in like manner, in thine inward man, if thou hast thine heart alive, and open, and reverently uplifted unto God, the Light of His Grace will shine therein, will purify thy conscience, and will burn up all thy faults in the Fire of His Love.

Lo, this is the lowest mode of the Contemplative Life, which is followed in purity of heart, and in tender love, with thankfulness and praise, with devotion and longing, in the Presence of the Holy Majesty of God.