Chapter VI. How by removing the first Passion, which is Love of the Creature and of Self, and by giving it to God, all the rest will be well Regulated and Ordered

THAT you may free your will in a speedy and orderly manner from inordinate passions, you must set yourself wholly to subdue and regulate the first passion, which is love; for when this is brought into order, all the rest will follow it by degrees, since they spring out of it, and in it have their root and life.

You will clearly see this, as we proceed; for according to a man's love for anything so is his desire for it, and his delight in it; and according to his love he either hates, or shuns, or is grieved by that which hinders or offends the thing loved. Neither does he hope for anything, except for that which he loves; and of the same does he despair, when the difficulty of obtaining it seems invincible and insurmountable. Neither is he fearful, bold, or enraged, except concerning something which hinders or offends the object of his love.

The way to conquer and regulate this first passion is, to consider the objects of its love and attachment, their qualities, and what end it has in view in this attachment and love. And, finding in it qualities of beauty and of goodness, and claims of delight and usefulness, you may say again and again to yourself: "Can anything exceed the Beauty and Goodness of God, Who is the Sole Source of all goodness and perfection?"

"And what claim to usefulness and delight can be imagined greater than that which is to be found in the love of God, since that love transforms a man into Him, and makes him rejoice and delight in Him Alone?"

Moreover, the heart of man belongs to God, because God first made, and then redeemed it, and day by day, by new benefits, lays claim to it, saying: "My son, give Me thy heart."

Thus, the heart of man belonging wholly to God, for many reasons which shall be given hereafter, and being all too little to discharge its obligations to Him, every one should be most jealous over it, that it love God Alone, and the things which are pleasing to God, and in the degree and manner which are most pleasing to Him.

We must exercise the same jealousy in watching over the passion of hatred (for on the two passions, hatred and love, rests the whole fabric of perfection), so as to hate nothing but sin, and whatever leads to sin.