Chapter III

This chapter continues the subject spoken of in the first chapter. The writer exhorts the sisters constantly to beg God to protect those who labour for the Church, and concludes with an ardent appeal to God.

1. Evils of the times. 2. Difficulties of religious and ecclesiastics who live in the world. 3. The two chief objects for prayer. 4. An appeal to God the Father on behalf of His Son. 5. Subjects for intercession with God.

1. Let us now return to the reason why our Lord has assembled us in this house, in which I am most anxious that we should please His Majesty. Seeing how great are the disasters of these times¹ (although some persons have imagined that force of arms could stop this great evil), and that no human power can quench the devouring flames of heresy which spread most rapidly, I think we should act as people do when, in time of war, the enemy has overrun the country and the king finds himself hard pressed. He retires into a strongly fortified town from whence he sometimes makes a sortie. The small company with him in the citadel, being picked men, are better than a large army of cowardly soldiers; thus they often come off victors, or at least, if not victors, they are not vanquished for there is no traitor in their ranks and famine alone can conquer them. No famine can force us to surrender — it may kill us — it cannot vanquish us! But why have I told you this? To teach you, my sisters, that we must ask God to grant that, of all the good Christians in this fort, none may desert to the enemy, that no traitor may be found here, and that the captains of this castle, or city — that is, the preachers and theologians — may be proficient in the way of our Lord. Since most of these are religious, you must pray that they may advance in perfection and may follow their vocation more perfectly. This is very necessary, for, as I said, it is the arm of the Church and not of the State which must defend us now. We, being women, can fight for our King in neither way: let us, then, strive so to live that our prayers may avail to help these servants of God who have laboured hard to arm themselves with learning and virtue with which to help their Sovereign. You may ask why I insist so much on this, and why I say we must help those who are better than ourselves. I will explain this, as I do not think you realize how much you owe to God for withdrawing you so entirely from all earthly cares, from occasions of sin, and from the society of the world.² This is a very special favour and one not shared in by the men of whom I have been speaking. Indeed, it would be less fitting for them now than ever, for they have to strengthen the weak and to encourage the timid. What a state soldiers would get into without their captain! These defenders of the Church must live amongst men and associate with them, they must frequent the Court, and even at times conform outwardly to its customs.

2. Do you think, my daughters, that it is easy to keep friends with the world, to live in it, to transact worldly business, and, as I said, to conform to its usages, and yet, in one's heart, to remain a stranger and enemy of this same world, like an exile? In short, not to be men but to be angels? Unless they are all this they do not deserve the name of captains, and may our Lord prevent their ever leaving their cells, for they will do more harm than good. This is no time for defects to appear in the teachers, who, unless they be forearmed by knowing the need of spurning all things earthly beneath their feet, detached from all things transitory, and wholly devoted to what is eternal, are bound to manifest their imperfections, strive as they may to hide them. For are they not dealing with the world? Do not imagine that it will pardon or fail to observe their shortcomings. Much that is good may pass unnoticed — or even perhaps be considered evil, but no fault or imperfection will ever escape criticism.³

3. I wonder who taught them all about perfection — not for their own practice, for they think it will suffice to content God if they keep the commandments fairly well, but that they may censure others, while sometimes they take virtue for self-indulgence? You see that, far from requiring but little help from God during the great struggle in which they are engaged, our defenders need it urgently. I wish you to lead such lives as to merit to obtain these two favours from God. Firstly, that among very learned theologians and religious there may be many with the qualifications I describe, and that our Lord may perfect those who are less fitted, for one who is perfect can do more than many who are imperfect. The other favour is that, when they are engaged in this war (which, as I said, is a fierce one), our Lord may uphold them with His hand and protect them from the many dangers of the world and may stop their ears, in these perilous seas, to the song of the Sirens. If we can prevail with God to grant any of these things, though we are enclosed in this house, we are fighting for Him,⁴ and I shall think all my pains have been well spent in building this little nook where I also intended that the rule of our Lady and Empress should be kept with all the perfection of its commencement.⁵ Do not suppose it is useless to continue these petitions: some people consider it a hardship not to pray more for their own souls, yet what better prayer could there be? Perhaps you are troubled at thinking that it will not free you from the pains of Purgatory; but this prayer will cancel some of your debt, and if more is owing, never mind that. What does it matter if I stay in Purgatory until the Day of Judgment if my prayers save a single soul? — how much more if they save many and give glory to God? Care nothing for any earthly pain when there is a question of rendering some greater service to Him Who suffered so much for us. Constantly try to learn what is most perfect; I beg you always to consult those who are learned, and I will tell you why. I entreat you, for the love of God, to beseech His Majesty to hear us in this. Miserable wretch as I am, I beg Him to grant it, for it is for His glory and the good of His Church, which is my only care.⁶

4. It seems presumption in me to imagine that I have any power to obtain this — I place all my confidence, O my God! in these servants of Thine, who are with me and who, I know, neither desire nor seek to do aught but please Thee. They have left the little they possessed, only wishing they owned more to offer Thee. Thou art not ungrateful, O Thou my Creator, that I need fear Thou wilt refuse them what they ask, nor, O Lord of my soul, didst Thou repulse women whilst Thou wert in the world, but didst ever favour them and show them tender love and pitiful compassion!⁷ Thou didst put greater trust in them than in men, for amongst them was Thy most holy Mother whose merits we share, and whose habit we wear, unworthy as we are by reason of our sins. We can do nothing for Thee in public, nor do we dare to tell the truths over which we weep in secret lest Thou shouldst not hear our most just petition. Just and good as Thou art, O Lord! I will not believe that Thou wilt reject us. Thou art a just Judge, not like earthly judges who, being sons of Adam and stern men, have no faith in women's virtue. The day will come, my King, when all will be known. I speak not for myself, for all men know of my wickedness and I rejoice that it is made public, but, seeing in what manner of times we are living, it is not right to repulse the good and valiant though they are but women. When we beg of Thee honours, income, riches, any worldly things, do not listen to us, but how shouldst Thou not hear us when we ask for what concerns the honour of Thy Son? Why, O Eternal Father! shouldst Thou refuse those who would forfeit a thousand honours and a thousand lives for Thee? Not for our sakes, O God! for we deserve it not, but for the sake of Thy Son and of His merits. O Eternal Father! should such stripes and insults and such bitter torments be forgotten? How can a heart so loving as Thine, my Creator, endure that what was instituted with such ardent love by Thy Son for the sake of pleasing Thee (for Thou didst bid Him love us) should be held of so little value as is the Blessed Sacrament in these days by heretics? For they drive It from Its dwelling-place when they destroy the churches. It is not as if He had left undone aught that could please Thee. No, He consummated everything! Was it not enough, O Eternal Father! for Him to have had no place in which to lay His head while He lived amidst incessant toils, that now they must deprive Him of the place to which He invites His friends, seeing that they are fainting and knowing that those who labour need to be supported by this meat? Has He not paid in overwhelming excess for the sin of Adam? Must this most meek and loving Lamb atone anew for every fresh sin we commit? Do not suffer it, my Sovereign King; let Thy Majesty be appeased; look not on our faults but on Thy most holy Son Who has redeemed us; reflect on His merits, on those of His glorious Mother and on those of the many Saints and Martyrs who have died for Thee! But alas, O my God! who am I who have dared to offer Thee this petition in the name of all? My daughters, what a wretched advocate you have to gain a hearing and to present your petition for you! What if my presumption should anger this supreme Judge, as would be only right and just? But remember, O my Sovereign and my Lord! that Thou art the God of mercy; do Thou prove it to this poor sinner and worm who is thus bold with Thee. Look, O God! upon my desires and on the tears with which I beg this of Thee, and, forgetting my evil actions for Thine own sake, take pity on the many perishing souls and have mercy on Thy Church. Do not permit these evils to increase in Christendom, O Lord! but illuminate its darkness!

5. For the love of our Lord, I beg of you, my sisters, to intercede for this poor, presumptuous creature, and fulfil your duty by asking Him to give her humility. I do not charge you particularly to pray for kings and prelates of the Church, especially for our own Bishop,⁸ as I see that you do so diligently, therefore I need not speak of it. But let who will come after me, be sure that if the Superior is holy the community will be the same, therefore ever crave this most important favour from God. If your prayers and desires, your disciplines and fasts are not performed for these intentions, know that you are not doing the work nor carrying out the design for which God placed you here, and I beg His Majesty, for the sake of His Godhead, never to let you forget this.