.nvs ,■ I % € % THE IMITATION OF TH E SACKED HEAKT OF JESUS. 3iit jFour BooJts. RE'V. Fr. ARNOLD, OF THE SOCIETY OF JESUS. STransIat^ti from tlje latin BY A FATHER OF THE SAME SOCIETY. ■dt BOSTOX COT.MG* UmAm CHJusTfiUl' HIU, JUAS^ LONDON: URNS, LAMBERT, & OATES, 17, 18 PORTMAN STREET, ‘ AND 63 PATERNOSTER ROW. Jx- ? A O ^ ♦ i •V LONDON : ' LEVEY AND CO., PKTNTEKS, bEEAT NEW STREET, , EKTTEK LANE. E C. ■ . \ CONTENTS, PAGE Prologue 1 Directory for the First Book ..... 5 THE FIRST BOOK. ADMONITIONS USEFUL FOR PURIFYING THE HEART. CHAPTER I. The Foundation 18 CHAPTER II. That no object in this world can set our heart truly at rest, or make it truly contented 22 I CHAPTER III. jThat in the Heart of Jesus our heart may find true rest i and unalloyed felicity 24 CHAPTER IV. That it is necessary for salvation to imitate the Heart of j Jesus 26 I CHAPTER V. That all our perfection consists in imitating the Heart of Jesus 28 CHAPTER VI. That whoever desires to imitate the Heart of Jesus, must purify his own heart . 31 IV CONTENTS. CHAPTER VII. That our heart must especially be clean from mortal sin, the greatest of evils CHAPTER VIIL That our heart must also be free from the least sin . CHAPTER IX. That the heart of the sinner can taste only the bitterness of misery CHAPTER X. That the Heart of Jesus invites all, even sinners CHAPTER XL Ho^vv the cleansing of the heart is to be undertaken CHAPTER XII. That the holy Sacrament of Penance is an easy and effec- tual means of cleansing oneself from sins and vices . CHAPTER XIII. That for the forgiveness of our sins we must firmly rely upon our Lord, after we have sincerely done what was morally in our power CHAPTER XIV. How we must guard against a relapse . . . . CHAPTER XV. How the roots of vices and defects are to be wholly plucked up CHAPTER XVI. That he who desires to follow the Heart of Jesus, must also withdraw his heart from the world CHAPTER XVII. How deceitful the world is CHAPTER XVIII. That to serve the world is . a cruel slavery PAGE 34 37 40 44 47 50 57 60 64 70 74 77 CONTENTS, V CHAPTER XIX. PAGE That the yoke of Jesus is truly sweet .... 79 CHAPTER XX. That, without keeping any thing for ourselves, we should give our whole heart to Jesus . . . - . . 82 CHAPTER XXL Of watching over our heart 86 CHAPTER XXII. Of the shortness of this life 89 CHAPTER XXIH. Of death 93 CHAPTER XXIV. Of judgment 97 CHAPTER XXV, ] Of hell 100 I CHAPTER XXVI, Of heaven 104 Directory for the Second Book 108 I THE SECOND BOOK. ADMONITIONS USEFUL FOR THE IMITATION OF THE MOST i SACRED HEART OF JESUS IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. CHAPTER I. iHow much we should esteem and cherish sanctifying grace 116 I CHAPTER H. Why the Son of God- wished to become Incarnate . 121 vi CONTENTS, ' CHAPTER III. That our heart, after the example of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus lucarnate, must be wholly devoted to God CHAPTER IV. That we must be taught by the Sacred Heart of Jesus, newly born, and be imbued with Its Spirit . CHAPTER V. That of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, whilst an Infant, we must learn humility CHAPTER VI. That the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, born in a stable, teaches us holy poverty CHAPTER Vn. That the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, dwelling in solitude among the Angels, teaches us holy chastity CHAPTER VHI. That from the manger the most Sacred Heart of Jesus teaches us holy obedience CHAPTER IX. That at the Circumcision the most Sacred Heart of Jesus teaches us mortification of heart .... CHAPTER X. That, after the example of the most Sacred Heart of J esus, adored by the Magi, we should overcome all human respect CHAPTER XI. That of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, presented in the Temple, we should learn to have in all things a right intention PAGE 125 129 132 140 145 150 156 162 166 CONTENTS. Vll CHAPTER XII. Of the freedom of heart which the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, in His flight into Egypt, teaches us . CHAPTER XHI. That the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, going up into the Temple, teaches us to pray CHAPTER XIV. Of the love of solitude, after the example of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus abiding at Nazareth CHAPTER XV. Of the divine presence, wherein we are taught to live by the example of Jesus baptised CHAPTER XVI. That the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, tempted in the desert, teaches us ever to preserve peace of heart CHAPTER XVII. That the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, entering upon His public life, teaches us zeal for souls .... CHAPTER XVIII. That the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, present at the mar- riage-feast in Cana, teaches us spiritual joyfulness CHAPTER XIX. That the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, conversing with men, teaches us to bear with the defects of our neighbour . CHAPTER XX. That the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, acting toward all with the greatest open-heartedness, teaches us to act with simplicity in regard to our neighbour PAGE 171 177 183 189 195 201 208 213 217 Vlll CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXI. PAGE That the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, showing to men the sweetness of humble charity, left us a model which we should follow 223 CHAPTER XXH. That the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, living in the world, teaches us so to dwell in the world that we be neither . of the world nor harmed by it 229 CHAPTER XXIH. That the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, requiring faith in His disciples, teaches us to live the life of faith . . 233 CHAPTER XXIV. That the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, promising salvation to them that persevere, and the means of salvation to them that pray with confidence, teaches us to lead the life of hope 239 CHAPTER XXY. That the Sacred Heart of Jesus, enjoining love on all, teaches us to lead a life of divine love .... 244 CHAPTER XXYI. That the most Sacred Heart of Jesus teaches us to exert ourselves to make progress in virtue . . . .251 Directo^iy for the Third Book 258 THE THIRD BOOK. ADMONITIONS USEFUL TO IMITATE THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS IN HIS LIFE OF SUFFERING. CHAPTER I. How greatly we should esteem holiness, and how much we should strive after it 267 CONTENTS. IX CHAPTER ir. That in this life no one can live without suffering . CHAPTER III. How the most Sacred Heart of Jesus felt disposed in re- gard to sufferings CHAPTER IV. What advantages there are in suffering well . CHAPTER V. . How, after the example of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, we must conform ourselves amidst afflictions to the divine will CHAPTER VI. That the most Sacred Heart of Jesus teaches us in afflic- tion to have recourse to prayer CHAPTER VII. How the most Sacred Heart of Jesus teaches us, amid tri- bulation, to use the aid of creatures .... CHAPTER VIII. How, after the example of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, we should suffer the opposition and persecution of men CHAPTER IX. How, after the example of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, we should bear to be forsaken by persons who are ser- viceable or needful to us CHAPTER X. How we may imitate the most Sacred Heart of Jesus made a prisoner CHAPTER XI. How, after the example of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, it behoves us to bear false accusations- PAGE 273 278 283 288 293 298 302 308 313 318 X CONTENTS. CHAPTER XII. That the most Sacred Heart of Jesus teaches us how we ought to bear personal insults CHAPTER XIII. How it behoves us to imitate the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, so far as to be willing to be considered as fools with Him and for His sake CHAPTER XIV. How, after the example of the most Sacred Heart of J esus, we should be willing to be placed below all CHAPTER XV. How, by voluntary mortifications, it behoves us to follow the most Sacred Heart of Jesus scourged . CHAPTER XVI. How, from the example of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, we should learn to endure bodily ailments and pains . CHAPTER XVII. How, after the example of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, we ought to accept death CHAPTER XVm. With what disposition of heart, after the example of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, we ought to feel affected toward the Cross CHAPTER XIX. That Jesus crucified, by praying for His executioners, manifests the infinite goodness of His Heart toward sinners ; and that, by grievous sin, these crucify Him PAGE 323 329 334 339 344 350 356 anew 361 CONTENTS. XI CHAPTER XX. That Jesus, by forgiving from His Heart the thief, and by promising paradise to him, teaches us how we should endure anxiety concerning our eternal salvation . CHAPTER XXI. How great a tenderness of Heart Jesus manifested toward us when He gave us His own Mother as our Mother . CHAPTER XXII. That Jesus, forsaken upon the cross, teaches us howto act when we are left exposed to temptations CHAPTER XXIII. That Jesus, in His abandonment, thirsting and not re- lieved, shows us how we should deport ourselves in spiritual desolation CHAPTER XXIV. That Jesus, accomplishing all upon the cross, teaches us to accomplish in like manner all things upon the cross CHAPTER XXV. That Jesus, commending His Spirit into the hands of His Father, teaches us how we must wholly give up our- selves to Him CHAPTER XXVI. The Heart of Jesus, after His Death opened for love of us, is the refuge and solace of all PAGB 366 371 377 386 393 397 400 XU CONTENTS. Directory for the Fourth Book THE FOURTH BOOK. admonitions helpful toward uniting oneself with HEART OF JESUS IN BLISS. CHAPTER I. The most Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist is an inven- tion of the love of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus CHAPTER II. Of the marvellous institution of the most Blessed Sacra- ment of the Eucharist CHAPTER III. With how lively a faith the Church has, always and every where, manifested her devotion to the most Blessed Sacrament . . ' CHAPTER IV. That the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, in the Sacrament of His love, is perfectly blissful CHAPTER V. The most Sacred Heart of Jesus is the Heart of His holy Church CHAPTER VI. The most Sacred Heart of Jesus unites the Church Mili- tant on earth with the Church Triumphant in heaven . CHAPTER VII. The most Sacred Heart of Jesus unites together the Church that sutlers in purgatory with the Militant and Triumphant Church PAGE 40.5 THE 413 418 423 430 435 441 445 CONTENTS. Xlll CHAPTER VIII. Of the ineffable occupations of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Sacrament, with respect to His Father . CHAPTER IX. The most Sacred Heart of Jesus, in the Blessed Sacrament, honours His Father infinitely CHAPTER X. The most Sacred Heart of Jesus, by Its self-offerings in the most Holy Sacrament, appeases the divine justice, and procures for us measureless graces .... CHAPTER XI. The most Sacred Heart of Jesus, in the Sacrament of His love, is our greatest consolation on earth . CHAPTER XH. The most Sacred Heart of Jesus, in Its Sacramental, as formerly in Its mortal life, whilst instructing men, does not cease to teach that He is meek and humble . CHAPTER XIII. The most Sacred Heart of Jesus willed that the most Holy Eucharist should be an enduring remembrance of His Passion, and an everlasting memorial of His love dis- played therein CHAPTER XIY. The most Sacred Heart of Jesus displays in this wonderful Sacrament the sum and substance of all divine mys- teries CHAPTER XV. The most Sacred Heart of Jesus, in the most Blessed Sa- crament of the Eucharist, leads us to the divine per- fections PAGE 449 453 458 463 469 473 478 486 XIV CONTENTS. CHAPTER XVr. How great a reverence, both outward and inward, the Heart of Jesus wills us to have for the most Blessed Sacrament CHAPTER XVII. That we should endeavour by every means to atone for the insults which are offered to the most Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Sacrament of His love .... CHAPTER XVIII. That we must prove ourselves before we approach the Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist .... CHAPTER XIX. How we ought to prepare ourselves for Holy Communion CHAPTER XX. What we must do after we have received the Blessed Sa- crament CHAPTER XXI. The most Sacred Heart of Jesus, in the bountiful Sacra- ment of the Eucharist, gives us a remedy, whereby we are freed from venial, and preserved from mortal sins CHAPTER XXII. By Holy Communion the most Sacred Heart of Jesus unites us with Himself, and makes us live through and for Him CHAPTER XXIII. The most Sacred Heart of Jesus, through Holy Communion, perfects His union with us, and transforms us into Him- self . ' PAGE 494 500 506 511 518 526 531 536 CONTENTS. XV CHAPTER XXIY. Through Holy Communion, the most Sacred Heart of Jesus bestows upon us the gift of perseverance CHAPTER XXY. Through Holy Communion, the most Sacred Heart of Jesus gives us a pledge of future glory ..... CHAPTER XXVI. Recapitulation : The most Sacred Heart of Jesus is our all PAQIC .540 545 550 Conclusion 557 PROLOGUE. 1. The most ancient special devotion of Christians is doubtless that of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Son of God. The holy Sacraments and the other objects of devotion did not yet exist, when the Blessed Virgin Mary found her delight in worshiping the most sweet Heart of her Jesus ; already did holy Joseph clasp that I Heart to his bosom ; even then were the Shepherds and the Magi, Simeon and Anna, the Apostles and the Disciples, attracted to It and by It : they longed to show to It the affection and love of their hearts. But after Jesus had called upon all men to learn “ that He is meek and humble of Heart after He had drawn from the treasury of His Heart that best of all gifts, the Sacra- ment of the most Blessed Eucharist ; lastly, after He had willed that, upon the cross. His Heart should be opened, and continue open, as a place of refuge for all, — then was devotion to His divine Heart wonderfully increased. The Apostles now spread it throughout the world as a special worship. Thenceforth, the Fathers of the Church themselves practised it most tenderly, and commended it most carefully to others; The Saints of every after age became devoted disciples of the Heart of Jesus. But when the fulness of time came at which He had decreed to pour forth all the riches of His Heart, then the goodness and kindness of the Saviour were made mani- fest, and He Himself revealed His wish that, thereafter, this devotion should be a most especial one ; since He B 2 PROLOGUE. declared and promised that He would lavish the abun- dance of His graces upon all who should consecrate themselves to the worship of His Heart. 2. The object of this worship is the Heart Itself of Jesus. And since in Jesus Christ there are two natures, the divine and the human, and only one person, the divine Person, — the Heart of Jesus Christ is the Heart of the divine Person, the Heart of the Word Incarnate. And because the divine Person is to be honoured with the highest worship, the worship to be paid to the sacred Heart of Jesus, which can neither be separated nor taken away from the divine Person, is likewise supreme. This is a Catholic truth, which has prevailed over all contrary errors. 3. The end of this devotion is threefold. The first, to make to Jesus a return for that boundless love, of which His Heart is the symbol, that made Him do so much and suffer so immeasurably for our sake, and induced Him to bestow upon us that sweetest and most precious of all gifts, the Sacrament of the Eucharist. The second, that, through the fervour of our piety, we may, as far as we can, make amends for all the insults which have been or are even now offered to His most sacred Heart, which He exhibits to us as the throne of His affections. The third, that, imitating what we wor- ship, we may be inspired with the same affections, the same sentiments, that animated His Heart during His life of toil and suffering, and still animate It in His blissful and Sacramental life. 4. Frbm its antiquity, object,' and manifold end, it is plain that this devotion is most excellent, most profit- able, most solid, and most consoling. But since to imi- tate what we worship is the abridgment of religion, and since the other ends are contained and reduced to prac- tice in a true imitation, therefore, in order to promote this imitation, and, as far as it is allowed, to direct the same, this little volume is offered. 5. This work, which contains a summary of Ascetic PROLOGUE. 3 Theology, and embraces the doctrine, as well as the practice, of the spiritual and interior life, will supply ample matter for daily meditation throughout the whole year. In this manner the reader will be enabled to repeat it every year, to examine it more closely, and to impress it more deeply on his mind and heart. He can, if he so pleases, commence from the beginning and con- tinue to the end of the work ; or he may, whilst going on from the beginning, occasionally break off this order, either when some necessity or advantage invites him to some portion specially adapted to his present feelings, or when, on the days on which he approaches holy Com- munion, his devotion suggests the last book as better suited to his actual circumstances. 6. For weighty reasons, things are not proposed here in general and in common, as is usually done in books for meditation, but every thing is laid down specially and in particular, both in regard to the evil to be avoided and the good to be practised. First, that the reader may not be left in uncertainty, or beating the air, aiming and grasping at whatever presents itself by the way, and yet gain or secure nothing. Secondly, that having assiduously before his eyes something determi- nate, he may direct his strength and efforts, as well in time of prayer and meditation as during self-examina- tion and the performance of good works, to this — that he subdue what is to be subdued, that he acquire what is to be acquired. Lastly, that by destroying separately those things which are the causes, or, as it were, the roots, of other evils, he may the more easily and the more efficaciously demolish the rest ; and that, by learn- ing and acquiring separately those capital virtues of which, in the lowliness and charity of His Heart, Jesus has given us the example, he may the more readily and the more certainly obtain all other virtues. 7. As regards the manner of writing, although it is most true that the testimony of Christ must not be announced in loftiness of speech or wisdom, since the 4 PROLOGUE. kingdom of God consists not in speech but in virtue, yet it seemed proper to attend carefully to two things : first, that the style should every where be suited to the subject ; secondly, that the diction should be sufficiently pure. 8. Finally, it must be observed, that the character of this little work is such as to require, not that it should be read in public to others, but that every one who desires to use it may read it privately to himself alone. For its form and reasoning demand that, in order to relish it, you should, in some manner, converse alone with Jesus, face to face, heart to heart. DIRECTORY FOR THE FIRST BOOK. 1. Whoever desires to gather for himself the whole fruit of this work, must rightly understand the aim of each book, properly apply the means proposed, and dili- gently strive to surmount the obstacles to the attainment of this aim. Wherefore, in regard to these things, we shall briefly and clearly lay down before every book that which may serve to direct you aright 2. The aim of the first book is to teach you how to free the heart, first, from the stains of sin ; afterwards, from the love of a corrupt world ; and lastly, from the inordinate affection for self. And this may be under- stood in three ways, and reached through as many de- grees. And, first, it is required that you free your soul from every mortal sin, and from the love of the world,, and every ill-regulated afiection for yourself, so far as actually to prefer God, your Creator and Saviour, before all things ; and, consequently, to be unwilling for any thing whatsoever to offend mortally the Divine Majesty. Secondly, that you cleanse your heart from every deliberate venial sin, and from the love of the world, and every ill- regulated afiection for self, so that not even to obtain all things created, nor even to preserve life itself, you would commit any deliberate venial sin. Thirdly, that you purify yourself from those im- perfections which a great fidelity to divine grace may enable you to avoid ; and that j6u so dispose yourself 6 DIRECTORY FOR THE FIRST BOOK. as to abhor the world, and to detest every inordinate affection for self. Whence it follows, that all — they that begin, they that are advanced, yea, the perfect themselves — may profitably make use of this book, and go over it again and again. For, Believe me,’^ says St. Bernard, “ things cut off sprout forth again ; what is driven off, returns ; what is put out, is again enkindled ; and what lies slumbering, is again awakened. It is therefore but little to have pruned once — the pruning-knife should be applied again — yea, if possible, always ; if you are in earnest, you will always find something which needs pruning.” Here it must carefully be observed, that a perfect cleansing of the heart is a matter of the utmost import- ance, whereon almost every thing in the spiritual life depends. The chief reason why there are so few who find the path of virtue easy and pleasant, so few who continue to advance readily and perseveringly, so few who attain to the divine union, — so few, in fine, who even in this life enjoy the good things which the Lord has here promised to the clean of heart, — is because so few do per- fectly cleanse their interior. Many there are who labour much and make little progress ; they are often obliged to begin anew ; they scarcely, or almost never, tasj^e the sweetness of virtue ; they carry the cross, but do not experience its unction. And although they may at last be saved, yet they deprive God oLa great glory, and themselves for all eternity of an immense bliss, which they could easily have merited had they cleansed them- selves perfectly. Wherefore there is hardly any thing which the devil strives more to hinder than a complete cleansing of the heart. He suffers us quietly enough to practise virtues, and even to apply ourselves to perfec- tion, provided we neglect purity of heart. For he knows that in this way we shall fall into delusions, and never acquire genuine and solid virtue, much less true perfec- tion. Now, this is tlie common illusion, against which DIRECTORY FOR THE FIRST BOOK. 7 souls that are not yet well purified should especially be on their guard ; they desire, namely, after a superficial cleansing of the heart, forthwith to deal on terms of in- timacy in the interior life with Jesus, to be entertained with Him amid the flowers of virtues, and to taste the most delicious fruits ; or, what is still more dangerous, neglecting perfect purity of heart, they aspire to the en- joyment of internal union with Jesus, so full of love and sweetness. There are other illusions to which souls that enter upon the spiritual life are exposed ; for example, they practise external mortification, even to excess ; they wish — with a mind in some manner interiorly stubborn, and through a certain violence — to be freed from some- thing that is irksome to them, or to acquire that for which they long ; they keep up fear, even to down- heartedness. But these things, although dangerous, are not so common nor so baneful as that whereby a person is induced to overlook interior purity. 3. To this, therefore, you must direct all your en- deavours. First, having well understood that you are called to bliss everlasting, learn, as perfectly as possible, all the malice and all the evil of sin, and feel, in some manner, in your soul all the deformity caused in you by sin ; secondly, acquire as perfect a knowledge as possible of the vanity and wickedness of the world, and comprehend most intimately the lamentable fate of those that suffer themselves, of their own accord, to be for ever utterly destroyed by the world ; thirdly, have a true knowledge of your own self — what you have made yourself through your offences, how miserable you are of yourself, and to what you tend of yourself. To attain to all this, it is not enough to read the book in a hasty manner ; but you should meditate with attention and diligence on what is said, and reduce it to practice. For in this work things are not so much un- folded as pointed out — first, in order that you may reflect thereon, and endeavour to develop and apply the same to yourself ; secondly, that you may stir up the affec- 8 DIRECTORY FOR THE FIRST BOOK. tions of your heart, and ask of the Lord whatever you may need, according to the state of your soul ; lastly, that you may secure an inward relish, and gather more abundant fruit. For by thus meditating, by pious de- sires, by earnest prayer, you shall understand the matter more clearly, and apply it with more profit ; and, in return, the Lord, according to the generosity of His Heart, will reward your endeavours, and bless them with His grace. All which is to be understood as re- ferring, not to the first book only, but to the others likewise. 4. There are two methods of using this first book, each of which is perfectly safe and easy, as is proved by the experience of very many, even uneducated, persons, who are wont to spend whole hours in meditation with- out weariness, and with much fruit. The first method is mainly suitable for beginners, who, not yet accustomed to mental prayer, cannot keep up a continuous reasoning. Nothing, however, hinders others from employing this same method, particularly when they do not feel themselves properly disposed to make deeper reflections. First, therefore, recite a preparatory prayer, which may always be the same, and as follows : “ Gather unto Thee, Lord Jesus, all my senses ; cleanse my heart from all evil and unbecoming thoughts ; enlighten my under- standing, inflame my heart, that during this prayer I may employ attentively and devoutly the senses of my body and the powers of my soul for Thy glory and my salvation, and that, through Thy most sacred Heart, I may deserve to be heard in the sight of Thy divine Majesty. Amen. Lord Jesus, in union with that divine intention of Thy Heart, whereby Thou didst pay to God the tribute of Thy praise, I offer to Thee this prayer.” After which, place yourself before the Lord in some ap- propriate mystery, or as dwelling in the holy tabernacle. Finally, beg fervently of Him the fruit of the prayer which you are about to make. These three things con- DIRECTORY FOR THE FIRST BOOK. 9 stitute the beginning or introduction of the meditation, in whichsoever manner it is made. Next, if you make use of the first method of prayer, first, read slowly and attentively one or more verses, according as you may find it necessary or useful : se- condly, consider how true that is which you have just now read ; how true all the Saints deemed it, as well as all they that were anxious to deliver their souls from everlasting perdition, and to save them for eternity ; how true you yourself will think it at the moment of death : thirdly, examine yourself, endeavouring to dis- cover what has hitherto been, in practice, your conduct concerning it; if good, — return thanks to the Lord, and ascribe to Him all the glory, and do not neglect to beg for grace to be enabled to persevere in well-doing, yea, to act even better and more perfectly ; if, on the con- trary, evil, — grieve, excite an act of contrition, ask par- don : fourthly, form a good resolution of correcting your- self, or making progress for the better ; select means adapted to this purpose, and ask for grace to execute your resolve. This being done, if the allotted time for meditation is not elapsed, pass over to other verses, fol- lowing the same order. But, if you make use of the second method of medita- tion, after the aforesaid introduction, 1, exercise your memory, either by reading or recalling to mind the matter of the meditation : 2, exercise the understanding, first, by reasoning on the subject of the meditation, pro- ceeding through causes and effects ; secondly, by in- vestigating what practical applications can be drawn therefrom ; thirdly, what reasons or incitements urge you to this ; fourthly, how you have acted till now ; fifthly, what is to be done for the future ; sixthly, what ob- stacles should be removed ; seventhly, what means must be chosen : 3, exercise the will, first, by stir- ring up pious and appropriate affections, and making internal acts; secondly, by forming good specific re- solutions adapted to the present state of your soul ; 10 DIRECTORY FOR THE FIRST BOOK. thirdly, by earnestly imploring grace for yourself and for Others. Lastly, 1, a colloquy is made with Jesus by an out- pouring of heart ; 2, the concluding prayer is recited after this manner : “ Lord Jesus Christ, who didst deign, by a new favour to Thy Church, to disclose the un- speakable riches of Thy Heart, grant, I beseech Thee, that I may be able to correspond to the love of this most sacred Heart, make atonement by worthy homage for the insults offered by thankless men to Thy most afflicted Heart, and be inspired in all things with the sentiments of the same Heart ; who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.” 3, finish by recom- mending yourself to the most Blessed Virgin Mary, to your Angel Guardian and your holy Patrons. These three things form the end or close of every kind of meditation. Since experience proves that the examples of the Saints exercise a wonderful and saving influence on the hearts of sinners as well as of the just, they are fre- quently brought forward. But, to meditate on these with more fruit, you should consider some particular Saint or Saints whom you choose for Patrons, or to whom you entertain a special devotion. For different persons are edified and moved by different examples : thus a religious is wont to know better, and to study more, the lives of the Saints of his Order : and they that live in the world, and strive to serve God, feel more devotion to those Saints whose example seems better adapted to themselves. When, therefore, the Saints are said to have done something after the example of the Heart of Jesus, or to have been distinguished in some speciality, you ought to select in your mind some particular Saint, and see what he did, and how he acted ; implore his in- tercession with God, and recommend yourself to him. And if no Saint occurs to you at the time, you can always recall the example of the most Blessed Virgin Mary, and beg her intercession and protection. DIRECTORY FOR THE FIRST BOOK. 11 5. Then, in order to guard against or overcome the obstacles which the enemy of your everlasting happiness throws in your way, and which are wont to relate to conscience, you should, first, rightly understand what is meant by conscience. Now, conscience is the dictate presented through reason, which inwardly warns or shows us, in particular cases, what is ta be done or omitted ; and this either under pain of sin, because it is a matter of precept, or on account of an increase of merit, or the greater good pleasure of God, because it is only a matter of counsel. It is called a dictate presented through reason, because it is a practical conclusion de- duced from principles known to reason, either by the light of nature or of grace or faith. For example : My conscience tells me that to-day (Sunday) I am obliged to hear Mass. This is deduced from these implied pre- misses : On Sundays there is an obligation of hearing Mass ; but to-day is a Sunday ; therefore, to-day there is an obligation of hearing Mass. But it must be re- marked, that an inference of this kind is secretly drawn and presented to man, even in spite of himself : as is made manifest in those who are unwilling to listen to the voice of conscience, lest they be deterred from things wherein they unlawfully indulge, or lest they be dis- turbed in them. For it is altogether against their will that they hear that conscience forbids something, and condemns them. Hence it appears that conscience, when really such, is independent of man, and superior to him. He that is too prone to timidity or scrupulousness, should here carefully observe and learn, that conscience is not an agitation of the nerves, nor a representation of the fancy, nor a vague fear, nor, finally, the possibility of a case. On the other hand, he that is too inclined to laxity or to rashness should observe, that a desire of the will, the propensity or aversion of nature, that some passion, or, lastly, some subtle artifice, is not conscience. But let them both remember, that conscience is the die- 12 DIRECTORY FOR THE FIRST BOOK. tate presented through reason, or the voice of the Spirit of God, who speaks to us inwardly by reason, as an in- terior organ, and makes known to us, in particular cases, His will that commands, or His good pleasure that counsels. There is a true or right conscience. A right con- science is that which shows things as they are in reality : as commanded or obliging, what is commanded ; as dangerous, what is dangerous; as counselled or better, what belongs to counsel or perfection. This conscience, if we follow it in such a manner that, from a holy fear of God, — whereby, like good children, we dread to olFend God, — we avoid sins which destroy His friendship or His paternal good-will towards us, is called a fair con- science. But if we are so faithful that, at its bidding, we guard against every voluntary defect, and are obe- dient to the same in all things, it is called a delicate con- science. Again, conscience may be false or erroneous. Such is that which shows things falsely or differently from .what they are in truth. This happens, for the most part, through the fault of man, who vitiates the instru- ment of which the Spirit of God makes use, so that it does not transmit the divine voice. Ignorance, the habit of sin, every inordinate passion, spoil it more or less ; or, to speak more plainly, ignorance, the habit of sin, every inordinate passion, have, each by itself, the effect of causing something false or trifling to be assumed as one of the principles from which a practical inference, or conscience, is deduced. Whence it happens, that such a conscience is the voice, not of the Spirit of God, but of another spirit, that uses passion, or any of those other causes, to speak to man’s interior. If conscience errs by our voluntary fault, it is styled vincibly erroneous, and makes us guilty of the errors. Now, it is vincibly erroneous through our voluntary fault, if, in the case of an act or the cause of an act, a knowledge or a doubt of an error occurs to the mind. DIRECTORY FOR THE FIRST BOOK. 13 and the obligation of avoiding the error is noticed, and when, over and above, ordinary diligence to know the truth is neglected. But if conscience errs without such a fault on our part, it is called invincibly erroneous, and does not make us guilty in the sight of God. To an erroneous conscience belong, likewise, both the scrupulous and lax conscience, which are the oppo- site extremes. A scrupulous conscience is that which believes it sees — and, even when corrected, persists in be- lieving that it sees — sin where there is no sin ; it errs for the most part because a soul gives in to her own imagi- nation, to the obstinacy of her own judgment, or some passion which fetters the heart : whence, being inwardly agitated and perplexed, she sees objects differently from what they really are, or confounds one thing with another, — precepts with counsels, things probable with possible, sin and its danger with the appearance or sem- blance of sin and danger. A lax conscience, on the other hand, is the conscience of a soul that persuades herself that she does not see — and, even when warned, continues to persuade herself that she does not see — sin, or the danger of sin, where it really exists. An individual falls into this error because he has a mind which labours under culpable ignorance, or a sin to which he is habitually addicted ; or because he indulges a passion by which he desires or abhors something inordinately. Whence it happens, that he who has such a conscience is blamable, because he can guard against errors by removing their cause ; which he ought certainly to do,, when he sufficiently perceives the obligation of removing the same. We should guard with the greatest care as well against a scrupulous as against a lax conscience : the one, as well as the other, hinders perfection, and renders it impossible ; and, what is more to be dreaded, both are apt to expose salvation itself to the danger of perdition. Therefore, let every one be careful to have a right conscience. 14 DIRECTORY FOR THE FIRST BOOK. Butj to commit a formal sin, or a sin by which God is offended and man becomes guilty, it is necessary, first, that the act, whether internal or external, by which sin is committed, either through commission or omission, be evil or unlawful, or is considered as evil or unlawful by conscience ; secondly, that his mind, when he does the act or puts the cause of the act, advert to the moral evil of the act, or see that the act is unlawful ; thirdly, that the will, whilst he possesses the internal liberty of choosing between consent and dissent, knowing that the act is evil or unlawful, freely consent thereto. For, if he does an internal or external act, the moral evil of which he does not notice, either when he does the act or puts the cause of the act, he indeed wills or can will the act, but not as morally evil, while he does not see that the same is unlawful. For nothing is willed that is not known. Wherefore, by willing or doing such an act, he commits only a material sin; which is nothing else than an error of a conscience invincibly erroneous, whereby God is not offended, and man not rendered guilty. To commit a mortal sin, it is required, as not only the theologians, but the Saints also teach, first, that the internal or external act be grievously evil, or deemed grievously evil by conscience ; secondly, that, when he does the act or puts the cause of the act, the mind do fully advert to the grievous evil of the act ; thirdly, that the will knowingly and freely give its consent. If one of these three things be wanting, the sin, which would otherwise be mortal, is venial. No one commits a formal sin in spite of his will; for man cannot sin formally, except by his own free will. He can, however, if he so wills, through an abuse of his free will, think evil, or that which is unlawful ; propose or imagine it to himself, give his consent thereto, and commit sin. Moreover, the devil can, with the divine permission, and really does, cause in him thoughts and imaginations^ evil ones too, that he DIRECTORY FOR THE FIRST BOOK. 15 may entice him to give the consent of the will ; but he can never force him to consent. Finally, God Himself, His good and blessed Spirits, are wont to suggest thoughts and to propose objects, but always to induce man to good ; they assist his will to do good, but they never force him. Whence it appears, that in man there is a triple kind of thoughts and emotions ; the first, springing from the free will of man himself ; the second, thrown in from without by the evil spirit ; the third, also suggested from without, but by the good Spirit. Now, then, “ By their reasonings we shall know them : and the suggestion itself will make known which spirit it is that speaks” (St. Bern.). The following rules, which the Saints lay down for the discernment of spirits, will help you to understand this matter : I. To them that easily sin mortally, the evil spirit is commonly wont to suggest or propose the seeming delights of the flesh, sensual pleasures ; that thereby he may hold them more securely in his service, and plunge them deeper into sins and vices. Towards such persons the good Spirit pursues the opposite course : he continually stings and disturbs their conscience, that he may render them conscious of the unhappy state of their soul, may deter them from sin, and convert them. II. By deceitful counsel and cunning, the evil spirit endeavours to lead man to an inordinate love and greedi- ness for riches, or the superfluity of possessions, that afterwards he may cause him to fall more easily into sin. But the good Spirit whispers, that the heart should be kept free from the inordinate love and eagerness for earthly possessions, lest it be entangled by them. The evil spirit allures, presses, persists, in order to induce man to aspire to vain honours. The good Spirit places before him, and teaches, generous humility, the true and safe glory of man. HI. To them that perceive the needfulness of their 16 DIRECTORY FOR THE FIRST BOOK. devoting themselves to their everlasting salvation, and who begin seriously to think of securing the same, the evil spirit is wont to suggest a certain shame, or human respect, that he may check these good beginnings. The good Spirit encourages and stimulates them, that, spurning all human considerations, they may bravely go forward. IV. To those who are sincerely careful to cleanse themselves from faults and vices, and who advance more and more in the desire of serving God, the evil spirit suggests molestations, scruples, sadness, false reasonings, and other annoyances of this kind, that thereby he may hinder their progress. The good Spirit, on the contrary, is wont to supply strength and courage to those that act rightly, or en- deavour to do well ; to enlighten their mind, to pour in consolation, to give peace and tranquillity, that they may ever the more readily and cheerfully, by means of good works, continue to make further progress. V. With all his might does the evil spirit strive that the soul, which he desires to deceive and to lead to ruin, keep secret his wily suggestions. He exerts himself as much as he is able, that his attempts be not made known to a spiritual director ; since he knows that, in this event, he fails in them. But the good Spirit loves light and order, because he acts openly, and his works are good. VI. The evil spirit is accustomed to conduct himself like ajcommander in war. For as such a one examines the arrangements and reconnoitres the strength of the citadel which he desires to take, and assails it on the weakest side, so the evil spirit explores our disposition and all our virtues, both theological and moral, and at whatever point he finds us weakest, there he is wont to attack and try to take us by storm. VII. The evil spirit, the tempter, is wont to lose altogether his courage and strength, whenever he sees his spiritual antagonist struggling with a bold front and DIRECTORY FOR THE FIRST BOOK. 17 unterrified heart against temptations ; but, on the con- trary, if he perceives that he trembles, and, as it were, loses courage, there is no wild beast on earth more fierce or headstrong against man than this same enemy, in order to accomplish the desire of his wicked and per- verse mind. St. Ignat., St. Thom., St. Teresa. c THE FIRST BOOK. ADMONITIONS USEFUL FOR PURIFYING THE HEART. CHAPTER I. The Foundation, 1. The voice of Jesus , — Learn of Me, because I am meek and humble of Heart ; and ye shall find rest for your souls. The voice of the Disciple .— are the words of Jesus Christ, whereby we are commanded to learn and imitate the virtues of His Heart, that we may be set free from all misery of soul, and be made truly happy. This is His doctrine, this is th " method of learning, this is the fruit, this is the end. The first inducement to learn is the excellence of the Master. What is there more excellent than the Son of God, who alone is our Master, appointed by His eternal Father, in whom also are all the treasures of the wisdom and knowledge of God ? His doctrine is the truth, surpassing all the arts and sciences of this world ; it smoothes the way, not to some perishable wealth, some passing pleasures, or a short- lived renown, — but to boundless riches, that cease not to last ; to uiiuttered delights, that are constant ; to honours supreme, that endure for ever. Whatever He taught us to do, he reduced to one PURIFICATION OF THE HEART. 19 CH. I.] lesson : Learn of Me, because I am meek and humble of Heart. This He adapted to, all men, this He gives to all, that all may learn the same, the little as well as the great ; knowing full well that in this precept, if rightly understood and kept, are contained all things necessary. His whole life was the application of this doctrine, which He began to practise before He taught it to others. 2. Let us learn this short lesson, and we shall be wise enough, and sufficiently instructed ; nor shall we have to look for any thing more. The method of learning consists in action, which is performed in two ways — by studying and by practising. But first, in order to understand what we strive to learn, and reduce to practice what we have understood, we must pray earnestly. Afterwards, we must diligently revolve in our mind the depth, the height, the breadth of the lesson ; keeping unceasingly before our eyes the divine likeness of our Master, and examining what we ought to amend, what to avoid, what to hold, and what to aspire to. Lastly, since it is not enough to know, but we must also practise the lesson, — as it wholly consists in action, and can only be perfectly learnt by acting, — we must, as soon as we begin to learn, also begin to practise, show- ing ourselves before God and men meek and humble of heart in thought, word, and deed. And while we make progress in understanding and practice, we should so labour that the spirit of the lesson unfold itself ever more perfectly in the plan of our life, in our inmost feelings, in our conversations, in our every action, yea, in the very modifications of the same. 3. If, after this manner, we learn what our Lord has given us to learn, we shall reap the fruit whereby our zeal and toil shall most certainly be rewarded, according to the promise of Him who cannot possibly deceive nor be deceived. Which is that promised fruit ? It is of all the most PURIFICATION 20 [book I. • desirable. Ye shall find rest, says He. And what is it to find rest? Nothing less than to find that on which we may re- pose, filled and satisfied — without any need to seek for aught more, and without fear of ever losing it against our will. Whoever shall have found this rest, will be truly calm and happy ; but he that finds it not, whatever else he may possess, shall ever be restless and unhappy, be- cause in his heart he is not satisfied, is obliged to seek for more, and is ever in • danger of losing, even against his will, what he has acquired. We are all so framed that, by nature, we are com- pelled to desire a blissful repose, neither have we it in our power not to desire the same. A great blessing it doubtless was that the Lord placed within us this awakening desire, this urging power ; for more firmly in action, more gently in manner, do we, by its means, pursue that which is to make us happy. And although, by the freedom of our will, we are enabled to seek rest in a variety of things, yet does this longing of ours, this power, importune and drive us onward, until we find the object for the seeking and attaining of which this faculty has been given to us. Christ the Lord, our God, who implanted this faculty in our souls, and who would not have given us this irre- sistible faculty without an object, nor have given it with- out the ability of attaining the same, shows us here where we should seek, and how we may find, the true object. Learn of Me, because I am meek and humble of Heart, and ye shall find rest. He makes no distinction, no exceptions ; we shall then find true rest, unalloyed happiness. For although our rest, our soul’s happiness, as long as we dwell here below, cannot be every way complete, yet it will be real — such as the Lord promises, and such CH. I.] OF THE HEART. 21 as has been experienced by numberless Saints, who were meek and humble disciples of the meek and humble Jesus. We shall truly enjoy that peace which no outward enemy can disturb ; we shall delight in that repose which no inward agitation can disquiet ; lastly, we shall possess that divine likeness and union wherein is con- tained supreme happiness, yea, every good here upon earth, and of which no one can deprive us against our will. 4. Whilst we gather this fruit, we shall, at the s-ame time, secure our end, the everlasting bliss of our souls. For He says. Ye shall find rest for your souls. If our souls are ours, they are not ours because we created them, since He Himself created us, and not we ourselves ; but they are ours, because He gave them to us. In giving them to us, He gave them for an end worthy of Himself, — that we — after He had done what He ought, which He always does, since He is infinitely perfect — might act jointly with Him, and thus gain for our souls a blissful and abiding tranquillity. This, then, is the end : everlasting beatitude of the soul, intimately connected with the glory of the Lord, who, in creating her, had this end in view. For if God is full of glory in all His works, how glorified must He be in so great a work as that of the salvation of souls exulting for ever in triumph, and praising Him without ceasing 1 To attain this end. He helps and strengthens us in a thousand ways and by countless means ; for this He goes before us, as a good father before his children, as a guide and companion, pointing out a safe and pleasant way, while at the same time He relieves and refreshes us. 5. This being so, let us joyously follow so great and so good a leader. What can be more honourable for us ? Is it not a great glory to follow the Lord ? is it not supreme honour to be the beloved disciples of His Heart ? 22 PURIFICATION [book I. What worldly honour can be imagined which does not become mere emptiness when compared with such a dignity ?_ Nor is there any thing more useful, since on it de- pends our soul’s rest, — our happiness both in time and in eternity. Now, this is a matter of such importance, that alone it deserves our attention ; because, without it, all other things are useless and delusive. Lastly, it is sweet and easy : for His commands are not heavy, since He enjoins such things as, with the means which He affords, we can not only perform, but from the fulfilment of which no enemy of our salvation, no obstacles, can hinder us. And if we learn of the very Heart of the Saviour, we draw from the sweetest fountain of love ; so that we either do not feel the labour, or, if we do, we so cherish it as to find it easy and delightful. O Jesus, meek and humble of Heart, receive me, I pray Thee, as Thy disciple, the disciple of Thy Heart, and grant me to learn diligently of Thee to be meek and lowly of heart, that thus I may find rest for my soul, to •Thy everlasting glory. CHAPTER 11. That no object in this world can set our heart truly at rest^ or make it truly contented, 1. The voice of Jesus. — My child, thou art created for happiness. This experience affirms, this reason proves, this faith teaches. Thou seekest incessantly for happiness, and thou dost well. But leave ofip seeking thy happiness in things created ; in them thou shalt not find it. No object of this world can satisfy the longings of thy heart jteven shouldst thou alone possess at once all things created, thy heart should still be empty and wretched. OF THE HEART. 23 CH. H.] Things of this earth awaken the thirst of the heart, they cannot allay it ; yea, the more thou dost possess, the more eagerly shalt thou thirst. How canst thou find in creatures that which exists not in them ? can any one give what- he does not possess ? 2. Shalt thou obtain what no mortal was ever able to obtain ? Behold, the wisest of men abounded in all good things, he was affluent with ever-fresh delights, he astonished nations with his boundless wealth, he had filled the uttermost lands with the renown of his glory. Yet, on account of the void of his heart, he is forced to exclaim : Vanity of vanities, and all is vanity ! Grant that thou possess whatever thy heart may long for in this world ; that thou be lord of the whole earth; that all men do thee honour, — try all things, and thou shalt find that thou hast as yet found nothing, except vanity and affliction of spirit. 3. Do not wonder at this. My child; thy heart is not made for this world. Therefore, whatever this world contains is unworthy of thy noble destiny and of thy heart’s affection. Thou art created for greater things, thou art born for things everlasting, thou art destined to things with- out limit. Do not, then, give thyself up to what is low and mean, since thou art made to rule for ever. What could it avail thee to gain the whole world, if thou shouldst lose thy soul ? Surely, thou wouldst be twice unhappy : here, on account of the wicked state of thy conscience, thou wouldst suffer a torturing agony ; hereafter, thou wouldst have to undergo misery ever- lasting. Blessed, therefore, is he who spurns whatever may mislead the heart ; who nobly casts aside every obstacle to true felicity ; who, mindful of his noble destiny, seeks happiness above all in his Creator. 4. The voice of the Disciple , — My God, my Saviour, Thou didst create me for happiness; hitherto I have PURIFICATION 24 [book I. not ceased to seek it ; still I have never yet tasted, nor have I ever yet found, happiness. My passions were ever and anon crying to me : Here it is, or there. In my madness, I believed them, and, blinded by my unruly desires, I ran hither and thither ; but instead of the sought - for bliss, I found wretchedness, and tasted its bitterness. Ah, wretched me ! created for happiness in Thee, my God ! I toiled in vain, whilst I sought it in creatures outside of Thee ; and, behold ! I strayed still further away from the bliss for which I was created, and I found wretchedness, for which I was not made, and perished therein. God, my Saviour ! open my eyes, that now I may distinctly see this great mistake of mine ; and grant that, freed from error, I may effectually seek in Thee that beatitude which I cannot find in creatures. \ CHAPTER III. That in the Heart of Jesus our heart may find true rest and unalloyed felicity. 1. The voice of Jesus. — My child, if thou desirest to attain true felicity, render thy whole heart similar and conformable to My Heart. In My Heart thou shalt find peace and tranquillity, which the world cannot give or take away. If once thou hadst entered perfectly into the interior of My Heart, thou wouldst thence behold all things earthly such as they are in themselves, not as they are esteemed by the foolish worshipers of the world. Then thou wouldst free thyself from the irksome and unnecessary care of creatures, and think nothing worthy of thyself, except what is truly good. 2. Now thy heart, subject to continual fluctuation, changes seven times a day ; so that at one time it is CH. III.] OF THE HEART. 25 glad, at another sad ; now calm, then troubled ; again inflamed with the love of creatures, and again wearied with the emptiness of them ; sometimes it glows with fervour, and next it falls into lukewarmness ; and thus, like the sea, it is ever changing. But if thy heart were united with Mine, a great and enduring calm would immediately ensue. For, safe in thy union with My Heart, as in a har- bour of protection, thou wouldst be enabled to remain ever the same and unshaken ; secure against change, whether the winds of adversity or of prosperity were blowing. If thou art sheltered in My Heart, no enemy shall hurt thee. The devil, indeed, runs about, seeking whom he may destroy ; and many does he drag into de- struction ; but thee he shall not approach, nor shall he disturb thy peace. 3. Oh ! if thou wouldst acknowledge the divine gift ! Oh ! if thou wert willing to know what good things lie hidden therein ! It doth truly contain all that is needed for thy felicity. Continual peace, undisturbed security, true joy of heart, is the portion of all those that love My Heart, and make their abode within the same. Of what avail are riches, honour, yea, the greatest delights, if the heart be not satisfied and at rest ? And what can the whole world give, except restlessness and sickness of heart ? Wretched, therefore, shalt thou be, whatever thou mayst possess, until thou shalt rest in Me, who alone can give thee all. 4. The voice of the Disciple . — Experience has taught me this, O Lord ; for in all things have I sought peace, and I have found nothing except trouble upon trouble. Thou didst assuredly will, for Thy own sake, as well as for ours, that our heart should find peace in Thee alone. For Thou, O Lord, didst make our heart for 26 .PURIFICATION [book I. Thyself ; and restless and unhappy must it be until it repose in Thee. O Heart of Jesus most sweet ! O Thou, the delight of the most Holy Trinity ! O Thou, the joy of the Angels and Saints ! O most blissful Paradise of souls ! what can I wish outside of Thee, since in Thee is all that I can and must desire ? In Thee, heaven has its beatitude ; in Thee, the earth its felicity : since, then. Thou art the bliss of all, why shouldst Thou not also be mine ? Yes, O sweetest Heart of my Jesus ! Thou art indeed my repose. Thou art my bliss for evermore ! CHAPTER IV. That it is necessary for salvation to imitate the Heart of Jesus. 1. The voice of Jesus. — My child, one thing above all others is necessary, to save thy soul. If this is lost, all is lost ; but if this is saved, all else is saved. Yet, thou shalt not attain thy eternal salvation, if thou do not imitate My Heart. For those whom God did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed Jo the image of His Son. What is this image of the Son of God, whereuhto all those that will be saved are to be conformed, if it be not My Heart ? It is not given to every one to imitate my outward actions ; nor does it depend on man to do the wonder- ful works which I have wrought. Besides, by reason of the diversity of men’s condi- tions in life, all cannot follow my exterior manner of living ; but the interior dispositions of My Heart can be imitated by all, the great and the small, the learned and the ignorant, in whatever condition they may live. If, then, thou desirest to be saved, be conformed to OF THE HEART. 27 CH. IV.] My Heart ; and do thou reproduce in thy heart what- ever sentiments animate Mine. 2. Though thou shouldst distribute thy possessions among the poor, though thou shouldst give up thy body to the greatest penances, though thou shouldst under- stand all mysteries, though thou shouldst work as- tonishing miracles, if thy heart be not after the likeness of Mine, thou art nothing, and all those things shall avail thee nothing for ever. By the likeness of thy heart to Mine art thou to be judged, and thence is thy eternal state to be determined. But, at the judgment, many will say: Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name ; have we not cast out devils? have we not wrought many wonders? And I will say to them : I know you not ; do ye see the wounds which ye have inflicted ; do ye recognise the Side which ye have pierced, and which, for your sake, remained open, yet ye would not enter into the same ? Whatever, therefore, thou mayst do, it avails thee nothing, unless thou do it according to My Heart. 3. Hot the outward appearance of piety, but a devoted heart, makes a man truly good and dear to Me. Thou wilt place thy salvation in security, in propor- tion as thou dost conform thy heart to My Heart. Do for thy salvation whatever thou art capable of doing ; no zeal can be too great when an eternity is at stake. When thou art about to die, thou shalt find that every thing is lost, whatsoever thou mayst have done, unless thou didst direct it to Me and to thy salvation. If, then, thy everlasting salvation is of the greatest importance, remember, as much as thy salvation is worth, so much is the imitation of My Heart to be prized. 4. The voice of the Disciple . — O eternal salvation of the soul ! important affair, thou alone art to me supremely necessary ! Why am I in this world, if not to save my soul? Why was I redeemed, why furnished with so many means, why loaded with divine favours, if it was 28 PURIFICATION [book I. not that I might with more ease and pleasure secure my soul’s salvation ? But alas ! I did not yet begin earnestly that for which I was placed in this world. Ransomed as I was, I sold myself again into a more disgraceful slavery, and perished by misusing the very means and blessings whereby I might so easily have secured my salvation and my happiness. 0 Lord my God! Thou couldst most justly have permitted that I should perish for ever, and suffer that never-ending destruction which my wickedness and the wasting of Thy gifts have merited for me. Yet, since the infinite goodness of Thy Heart did not allow this, — nay, more, since by a new and exceedingly great blessing thou hast induced me to value and love the salvation of my soul, — I will no longer be ungrateful, I will no longer expose my soul toi veriasting ruin. 1 resolve and promise to cooperate with Thy Heart’s most sweet designs of saving my soul, and rendering me for ever happy. CHAPTER V. That all our perfection consists in imitating the Heart of Jesus, 1. The voice of Jesus, — My child, all thy perfection consists in thy resemblance to My divine Heart. For My Heart, which is the Heart of the Word of God, is the standard of all virtues, is holiness itself. Whoever, therefore, imitates My Heart, imitates God, his Saviour, — perfection itself. Now, since My Heart is the model of sanctity and the source of every grace, thou shalt learn of My Heart what it behoves thee to do, that thou mayst render thyself holy; and thou shalt draw thence the necessary strength to effect this. If, then, thou wilt become perfect, imitate My Heart ; CH. V.] OF THE HEART. 29 the more conformed thou art to It, the more perfect shalt thou be. 2. My Heart is humble ; humility is the foundation of true sanctity. If thou do not learn humility of My Heart, thou shalt never possess this virtue ; nor shalt thou know aught of it except the name. And if thou buildest the structure of perfection upon aught else, it cannot be solid ; it shall be overthrown by the least breath of wind, and great shall be the fall thereof Moreover, My Heart is meek, full of charity ; now, charity is the perfection of holiness. But thy heart shall never be inflamed with charity, unless it be enkindled by that fire of love wherewith My own is burning. Woe to thee, if thou enkindlest thy heart with any strange fire ! thou wilt indeed burn, but for thy de- struction. 3. Thou shalt never acquire solid virtues, nor attain true sanctity, except by imitating My Heart. Whatever signs of virtue thou mayst display, — how devout soever thou mayst appear, — so long as thy heart does not imitate Mine, all thy piety shall be nothing more than a mask thrown over thy features. There is no hope of perfection, unless thou propose to thyself My Heart as a pattern of perfection. 4. So it has been from the beginning of the world ; for, in the old Law, it was foretold and known what My Heart would be : and no one was numbered with the elect, unless he had foreshadowed in his heart the qualities of My future Heart. And from the beginning of the Church to the present time. My Heart was ever the sanctification of the Apostles, the fortitude of Martyrs, the constancy of Confessors, the purity of Virgins, the perseverance of the Just, — in short, the perfection of all the Saints. Therefore, take courage, My child ; follow My Heart, 30 PURIFICATION [book I. whithersoever I may lead thee ; the more closely thou shalt follow the same, the nearer thou shalt come to complete perfection. On the imitation of My Heart depends the entire fulfilment of the Law — all sanctity. The constant endeavour of imitating My Heart is a sure sign of predestination. 5. The voice of the Disciple, — O sweet Jesus, fountain of life and grace ! arouse me, help me to understand and imitate Thy Heart, the standard of virtue, the pattern of sanctity. * Free my heart from every illusion, from every ob- stacle ; grant that with a guileless and pure heart I may seek Thee ; that I may make Thy interior thoughts, the feelings of Thy Heart, my own ; that I may make myself inwardly like to Thee. Alas ! O Lord, how unlike in heart am I to Thee ! How little have I hitherto laboured to portray the life of Thy Heart by my own ! Would that I had not struggled to estrange my heart and turn it away from Thine ! O blindness ! O mad- ness of my soul ! Have Thou pity on me. Lord Jesus ! have pity on me, according to the great mercy of Thy Heart. How many there are, who have not lived so long, nor had so many means, and yet have sanctified them- selves by becoming fervent disciples of Thy Heart ! And I have not yet begun to be holy j I am still a sinner ! It is time, 0 Lord, it is time to begin the work of my sanctification, which I have so long neglected. This arouses me, this spurs me on, that I can yet be made holy, that I can yet become the disciple of Thy Heart, that I can yet be marked with that most joyous, sign of predestination. , Cheer me up, O Jesus most kind ; give help, give courage : behold, now I begin. CH. VI.] OF THE HEART. 31 CHAPTEE VI. That whoever desires to Imitate the Heart of Jesus^ must purify his own heart. 1. The voice of Jesus. — My child, if thou wilt enter into the intimacy of My Heart, and taste the unutterable sweetness of its intercourse, cleanse thy heart from every evil. For I, thy Well-beloved, am pure and stainless ; I delight Myself among the lilies. How could there exist a union between My Heart and thine, unless thou hadst carefully purified it ? For who shall accuse My Heart of sin ? And how canst thou say, ‘‘ My heart is clean,” since thy heart itself is conscious of the contrary? Alas ! My child, what a heart is thine ! Born in sin, so long an abode of evil spirits, defiled and dis- figured by so many stains, strongly drawn to evil and sadly estranged from supernal good ; fostering so many ill-regulated affections, which are the fruitful sources of sin ; full of itself and of the world ; accustomed, for the most part, to have itself in all things for its ultimate object. 2. Wonderful indeed is it that thou darest invite Me to enter into such a heart, aind to reside amid such uncleanness. A wicked heart is to Me an object of abhorrence, but an unclean heart I loathe ; how, then, could it de- light Me to dwell therein ? I seek a pure heart ; and all My delight is to dwell therein, and to be there entertained among lilies, i Whoever, therefore, loves cleanness of heart, shall I enjoy My presence, and shall experience the tenderness and divine sweetness of My Heart. 3. Be not deceived. My child, in thinking that it is well with thee, provided thou dost outwardly deport 32 PURIFICATION [book I. thyself in a proper manner, since I look chiefly at the heart. And what will it avail thee to have been pleasing by thy outward conduct to all creatures, if by thy in- ward dispositions thou hast been displeasing to Me ? If thy heart is stainless, then shalt thou be wholly pure; since it is from the heart that proceed evil thoughts, uncleanness, fraud, blasphemy, and all manner of evil. Purify thy heart, therefore, and nothing shall hinder thee from being sweetly united to My Heart, and from tasting the fulness of its delights. But if only outwardly thou turn away from evil, if thou do not root out sin from thy heart, thou shalt never be free from vices ; they shall sprout forth with ten times greater vigour from within, than thou shalt be able to shun from without; and, whilst thou appearest to stand firm, thou shalt sink beneath the weight of in- ward evils. 4. Come, then, My child, prepare a clean dwelling- place for Me in thy heart ; and I, when I come, will be wholly thine, and thou shalt be wholly Mine ; and there shall exist a wonderful intimacy between us, and a union known only to those who have tried it by experience. Be of good courage, and begin forthwith this all- important work ; thou canst feel no true joy until thou finish it entirely. Fear of trouble hinders many from perfectly puri- fying their hearts. This is a device of the enemy ; the wily foe — know- ing that on a true and thorough cleansing of the heart depends not only thy salvation and perfection alone, but also that of others, and, above all. My glory — strives, by every means, to keep thee from this undertaking. Give no heed to the suggestions of the crafty schemer, who cares not whether it be by true or false means that he attains his object. Do thou pray, — ask for divine grace ; with this, set CH. VI.] OF THE HEART. 33 about thy work bravely : and thou shalt see that all difficulties vanish before thy greatness of spirit ; and, to thy astonishment, thou shalt find, that where thou didst look for the greatest hardships, there hast thou met the greatest consolations. 5. The voice of the Disciple , — I beg and beseech Thee, O Lord, create a clean heart in me, and renew a right spirit within me. My whole heart is defiled with uncleanness, and, from the heart, infection has spread over the powders oif my soul and over the senses of my body. Alas, O Lord ! what is there in me without blemish, or alto- gether pure ? Send forth, I beseech Thee, the light of Thy grace, and illumine my mind, that I may know and bewail all the evil I have done, and the good which I have neglected. Oh, how I regret, sweetest Jesus, that I have dis- honoured Thy dwelling-place in so unworthy a manner ! that I have displeased Thee ! that I have saddened Thy Heart ! I grieve, 0 my supreme Good ! I lament and abhor all my sins ; I avow my malice and my ungrate- fulness ; I implore the mercy of Thy Heart. Lord, if Thou wilt. Thou canst make me clean ; wash me from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin : yea, from hidden offences, and from those not my own, purify my heart. Come, Jesus, enter my heart, and make for Thyself a scourge with the cords of holy fear, of lively gratitude, and of pure love, and drive out all them that defile this Thy dwelling. Behold, henceforth I will give admittance to none of them ; Thy house shall be called a house of prayer ; in it I will worship Thee ; in it I will love Thee ; in it I will occupy myself with Thee alone. D 34 PURIFICATION [book I. CHAPTER. YU. That our heart must especially he clean from mortal sin, the greatest of evils. 1. The voice of Jesus. — Look thou, My child, lest in thy heart there be that sin which causeth the death of the soul. How canst thou love, or how darest thou receive as a guest into thy heart, thy deadly foe, who, when ad- mitted, will, without doubt, make thee the slave of hell, the most wretched of men ; yea, more base than the irrational beings themselves ? How many there are who exclaim, Alas ! what evils ravage the earth ! Yet sin is the only evil, and there is none other besides. Avoid sin ; and whatever may befall thee, it will turn to thy advantage. 2. It is marvellous that a being gifted with reason should, of its o^vn accord, commit sin, which, in its very nature, is so unbecoming and detestable, that even were there no heaven or hell, it ought to be shunned on account of its inherent foulness. If thou considerest the infinite majesty of Him that is offended, and the infinite meanness of the one offend- ing, thou wilt understand that sin is in some sort an infinite evil. Whoever sins mortally, assails God, and would do away with God Himself, if that were possible ; for it is not for want of will on the part of the sinner that the God of heaven and earth is not destroyed. 3. So great an evil is sin, that, in order to destroy this hell-born monster, and to satisfy the divine justice, I, the Son of the Most High, must needs come down from My throne of majesty, and, being made man, suffer during life a ceaseless martyrdom, and at last, writhing in agony, expire upon a cross. Alas ! wretched man, how canst thou love to do that OF THE HEART. 35 CH. VII.] which has cost Me so much ? or how canst thou be willing, for a moment’s pleasure, to renew all My toils, My sufferings, and My most bitter death ? . When thou sinnest mortally, thou makest thyself guilty of a far more grievous crime than the Jews, My torturers ; for these, had they known Me as the Lord of eternal glory, would never have put Me to death. But thou, thou knowest Me, — yea, knowest who and how good I am, — and knowest this by the experience of My favours. 4. Was it not by My charity alone that I not only created, redeemed, and preserved thee, but that I ever protected, nourished, and cherished thee more kindly than the most tender-hearted parent ? Whatever thou art, whatever thou hast, I have given thee, and, over and above all, I have given thee My own Self ; and is this the return which thou makest ? Behold, if thou throwest to an animal devoid of reason a morsel of the meanest food, it shows thee grate- fulness, as much as it is able. But I have bestowed upon thee boundless favours, and in return thou perse- cutest Me even unto the death ! Reflect, then, what shouldst thou think of thyself? 5. O child of My everlasting love! whom I have loved more than My life, sin thou no more. If thou lovest Me, yea, if thou lovest thyself, flee from sin. For whenever thou committest a mortal sin, thou diest in a supernatural manner; thou losest whatever merits thou didst possess, thou dost forfeit thy right to the heavenly inheritance, thou becomest a co-heir with the devils, thou givest the preference to misery over bliss, to hell over heaven, to Satan over Me. Meditate upon these things, My child, that thou may St learn fully, as far as the human mind can under- stand, how great an evil sin is, and that thou mayst shun that which alone can make thee wretched for ever- more. 6. The voice of the Disciple . — 0 my soul! behold 36 PURIFICATION [book I. sin ! Truly the greatest of evils, that places man below the brute, blocks up the gates of heaven, throws open the abyss of hell. 0 monster to be abhorred, a thousand times more frightful than the devil himself! 0 my God ! I blush to own it, and disown it I can- not, I have become the vilest slave of sin, and by the greatest madness, the greatest ingratitude, the greatest malice ; with it, and by it, I have again and again insulted Thy dread Majesty, before whom the awe-struck Angels tremble with reverence. 1 feel wholly confounded, because I have become viler than any irrational creature ; I have done iniquity which my reason disapproved, and I have misused all the powers of my soul, all the senses of my body. 7. O Lord my God ! Thou didst establish in me Thy sweet likeness, and I, after having defiled the same, have substituted in its stead the horrid image of Satan ; yea, in various ways, I have rendered myself even more horrible than the devil. He sinned through pride, when no punishment had yet been inflicted for sin : I sinned knowing, but dis- regarding, Thy vengeance ; he was placed in innocence but once : I was restored to it so many times. He rose up against Him who made : I against Him who also remade me. Most wretched sinner that I am ! for nothing, yea, for an object baser than nothing, I have voluntarily cast aside Thy friendship, the blissful peace of my, soul the right to eternal beatitude. I have delivered myself up as a hapless slave to the devil ; thus sharing from this time his unhappy condition, and ready to partake of his never-ending torments, unless, returning to my senses, I find mercy in Thy Heart. 8. I acknowledge. Lord Jesus, that I am unworthy to find that mercy which I have so often abused ; I am not worthy to serve Thee, since I have become the slave of the devil. If Thou wilt treat me as I deserve, hell must be my abode. OF THE HEART. 37 CH. VIII.] Yet, Jesus, my Saviour ! there is infinite mercy in Thy Heart ; my very sins show this, — for unless Thy mercy were infinite. Thou wouldst never have tolerated the infinite malice of my sins. O Jesus ! have pity on me, according to Thy great mercy. A suppliant, I implore forgiveness ; I hope that thou wilt pardon me, a wretched sinner. I am sincerely sorry for the sins I have committed, and I firmly resolve to serve Thee faithfully henceforth, and to love Thee fervently. CHAPTER VIII. TJiat our heart must also he free from the least sin. 1, The voice of Jesus * — My child, cleanse thy heart from every fault, and keep thyself carefully from the stain of even the least sin. There is nothing, there can be nothing, for the sake of which it is allowed to commit a sin, however light. Wherefore, although thou mightst thereby save the whole world from ruin, it would be unlawful to offend Me even in the least thing, since I am infinitely more excellent than the whole universe. Some guard themselves against grievous offences, but of light faults they render themselves guilty without scruple ; which is a clear sign that they are rather governed by self-love than by love for Me. Deluded souls ! they will learn, at their cost, how greatly they have deceived themselves. 2. Whoever overlooks little things, will gradually fail in great ones ; when he has accustomed himself to think every thing little, he will still fancy that all is well with him when, without much uneasiness of con- science, he commits great sins. In his folly, he finds it delightful to walk on the brink of the precipice ; yet it will come to pass, and PURIFICATION 38 [book I. that justly too, that, at the first slip of his foot, he is thrown headlong into the abyss. Beware, therefore, of venial trespasses, lest thou fall into mortal sins. As long as thou yieldest, even to the slightest fault, so long wilt thou expose thy salvation to danger. 3. Many seem heartily to abhor the renewal of My death by mortal sin ; and yet they cease not, by small offences, to load My Heart with bitterness, and afflict It with continued sorrows. Ah, My child, consider again and again, and care- fully attend to what thou art doing. For whilst thou art willing to inflict a small wound on My Heart, per- haps thou shalt mistake, as has happened to many, and thou shalt pierce My Heart with a mortal blow. O perverseness of the human heart ! Many dread more to give offence to the meanest of men than to Me, their God and Saviour. 4. So long as thou continuest to sin, even slightly, thou shalt be ill at ease, nor shalt thou taste true happi- ness. If thou hast thy perfection at heart, as it behoves, unless thou avoidest every voluntary sin, thou shalt labour in vain, whatever efforts thou mayst make. For venial sin lessens charity, brings on lukewarm- ness, vitiates acts of virtue, obstructs the sources of special grace, and finally, despoiling by degrees the soul of her possessions, leaves her empty. 5. And for what is it, in most cases, that man ex- poses himself to evils so numerous and so great ? is it not for self-interest, or for self-gratification? But consider how great a loss will ensue, and how severely thou shalt have to suffer in purgatory. There torments are undergone which far exceed all the pains of this world, and all the ills of life ; nor shalt thou go thence until thou hast paid the last farthing. How exceedingly shalt thou then deplore that thou didst commit even the smallest offence, on account of OF THE HEART. 39 CH. vm.] which thou perceivest, too late, alas ! that thou art not permitted to enter heaven, and most sorely tormented I Do not, My child, render useless My Heart’s desires and endeavours to make thee happy ; neither be thou so thoughtless as to choose to be unhappy, in spite of Me. 6. The voice of the Disciple, — Venial sin, O Lord, is then no small evil, since it offends Thy Divine Majesty, wounds Thy Heart, deprives the soul .of special graces and helps, hinders her progress, vitiates her good deeds, prepares the way for her destruction, exposes her to the danger of everlasting perdition, and excludes her from heaven. And evils so great I have deemed small ! Oh, what madness was mine ! And, what is worse, I have com- mitted them without number, without measure. My transgressions have exceeded all bounds. Where are the limits? Behold, as many powers of the soul and senses of the body as there are in me, so many kinds of sin ; as many gifts and favours, so many faults of misuse or ungratefulness ; as many species of employments, so many sorts of offences. Alas, among all my actions, even those of religion or of piety, which is the one wherein Thou findest not some shortcoming ? 0 my soul, we commit so many faults through want of attention, by surprise, and through frailty ; ought not these to suffice ? Should we add greater ones through carelessness, through the abuse of free-will, through malice ? Is this the return we make to the Lord, by whose goodness we live, to whose love we owe whatever we are and possess ? 7. O Lord God, my Saviour, that I have not perished beneath the weight and multitude of my offences, this I acknowledge is altogether due to the kindness of Thy Heart ; yea, to Thy Heart’s mercy it is owing, O Lord, that I have not been utterly destroyed. 1 have been lowered to the dust ; my strength has 40 PURIFICATION [book I. forsaken me ; darkness has overspread me ; my heart itself has grown faint within me. Lo ! ever deeper have I sunk ; and, through very weariness, I am now unable to extricate myself. Oh, how great is my misery ! Oh, who shall give water to my eyes and strength to’ my heart, that I may weep, and move Thee, 0 Lord, to set me free ! Have pity on me, good J esus ! and deliver me ; cleanse and renew me wholly. Inflame my heart with the love of Thy Heart ; with Its divine fire do Thou consume my ofiences ; nor keep them for the fire of purgatory. Here, I beseech Thee, here let me burn and be cleansed in the fire of Thy sweet love ; not there, in the fire of avenging flames. Behold, 0 most sweet Jesus, love for Thee will now make me do what fear has hitherto been unable to effect ; through love for Thee, I will shun every sin, even the slightest. CHAPTER IX. That the heart of the sinner can taste only the bitterness of misery, 1. The voice of Jesus, — Well- beloved, if thou hast come to this, that thy heart has nothing wherewith to reproach thee, rejoice, yea, rejoice, because peace, like a stream of bliss, is thine. A good heart makes the soul happy, gladdens heaven, terrifies hell. But a wicked heart fills the sinner with wretchedness, moves the Saints with pity, inspires the demons with fiendish joy and exultation. Picture to thyself all the possible calamities of this world ; thou shalt never be able to imagine misfortunes so great as those which the sinner bears in his heart. How hard, how abject, is the slavery of the sinner! with how many chains, and how tightly, lies he fettered OF THE HEART. 41 CH. IX.] beneath the yoke of the basest masters, Satan and his own tyrannical passions ! His understanding is bound with the chain of a dull ignorance, so that he may not see the truth ; his will is chained with the fetters of an accursed malice, that he may not love goodness. His senses are riveted with the fetters of concu- piscence, that he may not follow righteousness ; he is pressed down by the weight of the chains of his pas- sionate desires, that he may not gain the sweet freedom of grace. 2. Who is more foolish than the sinner, who is him- self the cause of his deepest degradation ? If on earth there be a foretaste of hell, it is surely in the heart of the wicked, who, inflamed with the fire of his passions, suffers all the tortures of an evil conscience. How can he ever truly rejoice who knows that, were the slender thread of life broken, he should be hurled into the depths of hell ? Yerily, I know not how he dares betake himself to his nightly rest, who knows not whether he shall not awake in eternity as a reprobate ! 3. The human heart necessarily strives after happi- ness ; but, blindly hurried away by a mind unbridled and unsubdued, the sinner seeks happiness there, where only greater misery can be found. Some seem to imagine that they may be able to satisfy their passions, by gratifying them completely ; and that, when they are sated, then at last peace will come. Alas, how great an error ! For who, in order to put out a conflagration, will cast fresh fuel on the fire? Would he not, by so doing, rather increase than extinguish it? Even so, if a man should sacrifice to his passions the salvation of his soul and the health of his body, unsated still, they would exclaim : Thine* we are — give us food. Oh, were the heart of the sinner exposed, what 42 PURIFICATION [book L wretchedness, what disgustful objects, might be descried therein ! Yet all things are open and visible to Me, who cannot err, and whom men cannot deceive. 4. A heart given to evil habits sometimes goes so far that it no longer fancies, loves, or relishes any thing, except what may gratify the passions ; and, although it knows that it is hurrying on to an abyss of misery, yet it heeds not, but, like a senseless beast, runs after its lusts, trampling under foot, not the good things of eternity alone, but also decency and honour and life itself. The sinner needs no enemy to hurt or torment him ; he himself is his own greatest enemy and most cruel torturer. Even from the things with which he seeks to delight and gratify himself, he is wont to receive manifold tor- tures. 5. How can he enjoy peace, who nourishes within himself the cause of his disturbance ? or how can he even once breathe freely, who is the slave of the devil ? How unhappy must he be, who allows Satan to seat himself on the throne of his heart, and to be lord and master therein ! Blessed is he that has never experienced the slavery of the devil ! that has never groaned beneath the weight of the shackles of sin ! My child, if thou hast never yet felt the wretched- ness of the state of sin, rejoice thou with thy whole heart, and never seek to know what it is to serve the devil. But if, unfortunately, thou art his subject, have pity on thy soul ; eagerly cast off his yoke, burst his chains, enjoy the freedom of the children of God. 6. The voice of the Disciple , — O Lord ! how great is the wretchedness of the state of sin ! How truly un- happy is the soul that languishes in this most pitiful state ! what peace, wha’t joy, can she possess, when she has Thee, the Almighty and All-knowing One, for an OF THE HEART. 43 CH. IX.] enemy ! when she knows herself banished from Thy Heart, her last place of refuge ! when she is conscious that at any moment she may be plunged into fire ever- lasting ! How truly unhappy, when she cannot look up to heaven, without seeing that she has lost all right to the same I when she cannot look around her, without being upbraided, and without being terrified at every acci- dent ! when she cannot even cast down her eyes, without being silently reminded that hell is her dwell- ing-place ! How truly unhappy, when she cannot turn to her own heart, without finding Satan therein ! without being tortured therein as in a hell tasted beforehand, where there is nothing joyous, nothing consoling ; but every where horror, and darkness, and dread, and torments ! O most wretched soul ! how changed from what thou wast, when, adorned with celestial grace, ennobled by divine adoption, thou wast so fair, so great, as to be an object of wonder to the Saints and Angels ! How disfigured by sin ! how abject! how base under every aspect 1 7. O Jesus! would that I were able, even at the price of my blood, to undo what has, unfortunately, been done ! would that I had never fallen into so great a wretchedness, but that I had rather lost my life instead of Thy grace ! Oh, blessed are they that have never lost their innocence ! that have never experienced the misery of the state of sin ! Eestore to me, I entreat Thee, my first garment ; give me back my innocence ; and, lo ! in the newness of life, I will so serve Thee as to preserve it stainless for Thee all my days, even to the end. 44 PURIFICATION [book I. CHAPTER X. That the Heart of Jesus invites all, even sinners, 1 . The voice of Jesus , — Come to Me, all ye that labour and are burdened, and I will refresh you. He that is just, let him come, that he may be made still more just ; he that is lukewarm, let him come, that he may become fervent ; he that is a sinner, let him come, that he may be cleansed and made holy. Alas for human frailty! Where is the man that has not sinned? For whosoever shall say that he has no sin, deceives himself, and the truth is not in him. 2. My child, if thou feelest thyself burdened with sins or troubled with defects, hasten to My Heart : here thou shalt be made free ; here thou shalt breathe again. Let not the greatness of thy sins hinder thee, nor the grandeur of My Majesty; I came not to call the just to repentance, but sinners. The greater the miseries to which thou art subject, the greater the pity I feel for thee ; and the more thou art ill, the greater need thou hast of a physician. I am not astonished at thy infirmities; for I know thy form and thy heart. That thou didst not fall into greater evils, thou owest chiefly to My grace. But at this I wonder, that, when I present Myself to heal thee, thou art unwilling to be healed ; or, if thou art willing, thou seemest to doubt My goodness. Ah 1 My child, do not offer this most bitter insult to My Heart. For My Heart loves to forgive, and does not grow weary with pardoning. Behold with what kindness I treat truly repentant sinners, so that I have even been called the Friend of Sinners. 3. Where is the heart that loves as My Heart? No man has a greater love, than that he lay down his life for his friends ; but I, the Son of God, have a greater one than this, for I laid down My life for My enemies. OF THE HEART. 45 CH. X.] Who ever loved Me first ? or who ever bestowed his affections upon Me, who did not first experience the effects of My love ? 4. Since many lose their innocence before they under- stand clearly what innocence is, or how great its price, it is a great glory of My Heart to triumph also over their hearts ; and of sinners, to make them Saints. Oh ! didst thou but know the charity of My Heart, thou mightst then be able to understand how dearly It loves faithful souls, and how sweetly It invites sin- ners. Who is suffering, and My Heart is not suffering with him ? who sins, and My Heart is not thereby affected ? who is ill, and My Heart does not afford a remedy? who is unhappy, and My Heart does not feel it ? who, in fine, is there in the world to whom My Heart does no good ? 5. I am a good Father, and My children, begotten on the cross, I embrace with the love of My Heart, which remains open for them, that at all times they may have a place of refuge — nor this a common one, but the very 'centre of My affections. Whilst they sleep. My Heart is awake to watch over them ; whilst they are watching, It is occupied with their preservation. So great is the love wherewith My Heart is inflamed for them, that I love and cherish each 'as if he were My only one. And if some one, misled by the enemy, wanders away. My Heart wails over him, as over the death of an only -born. I pursue him with My love, I invite, I press, I promise. But if he be unwilling to hearken to Me, I take patience, I stand at the door of his heart, and knock again and again. If, at last, he resolves to return to Me, I fly to meet him ; I press him to my bosom, whilst My Heart leaps for joy ; because I see the child whom I had bewailed as dead, alive and safely restored to Me. 46 PURIFICATION [book I. In My joy, I call together all heaven, that they may congratulate Me, and exult with Me. 6. If, therefore, thou desirest to delight My Heart, to gladden heaven, and to refresh thy soul, be converted to Me with thy whole heart. It matters not how much or how little thou mayst have sinned, come to My Heart, and thou shalt find a cure for all thy ills. Trust in Me, LIy child, and fear nothing ; I call thee, not to upbraid thee with thy faults, but that I may wash them away. Come, My child, come ; I await thee, with open arms and a burning Heart. 7. The voice of the Disciple, — Behold, most sweet Jesus, behold, I come, aroused and reassured by the exceeding goodness of Thy Heart. Coming, I beseech and exclaim : Kindly receive Thy prodigal child, returning from a far-off country, squalid with sin, filled with misery ! I am not worthy to be called Thy child, since I left Thee in a manner so unbecoming, dishonoured Thee so shamefully, and grieved Thee so much. I have sinned against heaven and before Thee ; guilty as I am, I dare not now throw myself into Thy arms ; behold, I prostrate myself in the dust before Thy feet, appealing to Thy paternal Heart, imploring pardon. Lo, Thou didst recall me when I fled away ; Thou didst seek me when I was lost ; Thou didst bear with me when I was abusing Thy goodness ; with wonderful mildness. Thou didst induce me to return; — when, at last, I come in this pitiful state, Thou dost not only receive me, but — oh, goodness ! — Thou dost even embrace me ! O Jesus ! Oh, never was there such a father ! Let all the Angels and Saints be glad, and rejoice with me ; let them praise and extol Thy mercy for ever ! Behold, now I am Thine for evermore ; ever faithful, I will love Thee, O Lord, and, through love for Thee, I will comply with all Thy wishes. CH. XI.] OF THE HEART. 47 CHAPTER XT. How the cleansing of the heart is to he undertaken. 1. The voice of the Disciple. — Numberless, O Lord, are the things which urge me on to free myself entirely from my sins. Heaven holds out promises, hell threatens, earth can at any moment hurl me into eternity. My heart also, full of Thy gifts, impelled by its own wretchedness as well, and drawn by the infinite good- ness of Thy Heart, never ceases to incite me. But how shall I perform so great an undertaking ? For, although I see that I ought to do it, yet I know not how to accomplish it. Do Thou, I beseech Thee, good Jesus, teach me]the manner of truly amending and reforming myself. All the glory thence arising shall belong to Thee, and to Thy most loving Heart. 2. The voice of Jesus. — My child, if thou wishest to cleanse thy heart, and to root out every thing vicious, begin the work with a great courage and a generous mind. Have the good and determined will of correcting thyself, and of never ceasing to strive after a complete cleansing ; at the same time, cherish a sincere desire of cooperating with the divine grace, and of following its guidance ; and thus thy endeavours shall at last be crowned with success. This is the first and chief means on thy part ; from it all the rest derives its strength and efficacy, and with- out it, however powerful it may be of itself, every thing else can hardly effect any good. This strong determination of ever striving, with God’s grace, to cleanse the heart and to preserve it unsullied, is the first hope of future purity of heart, the first sign of future perfection, the first token whereby future Saints are distinguished, yea, the first character- istic mark of the true disciples of My Heart. 48 PURIFICATION [book I. 3. Being made ready for the work by this disposi- tion of thy soul, take fire, and enkindle thy heart there- with, that thou mayst consume the sins and defects which exist therein. Understand, child, what I say. Thou hast to clear a garden, all bristling with noxious plants and weeds, and disfigured with filthy objects ; thou shalt succeed, however, if thou usest the proper means, if thou cuttest away all things hurtful, if thou tearest up and rootest out every thing useless ; but thou shalt not finish thy work, except after a long time, and with hard labour. But by applying the fire, without trouble, and in a short time, thou shalt see the whole garden cleaned. Nay, more ; by this burning, the garden itself shall become richer, and better suited to produce flowers and fruits. In like manner, child, thou wilt cleanse thy heart, which may be likened to this garden, much more readily and more easily by using the fire of divine love, than by any other means. Thereby, also, thou shalt find thy heart better adapted to produce the flowers of virtue and the fruits of sanctity. 4. Now, this fire thou mayst obtain from My Heart, if thou drawest near to It, through prayer ; if thou prayest, not with the lips alone, but also with thy mind and heart. For, if thou weighest properly in thy mind the suf- ferings of hell or of purgatory, which thou hast so often deserved ; if thou considerest attentively My divine favours bestowed upon thee, and all thy ungratefulness ; If thou dost meditate carefully on My infinite per- fections, so worthy of all love and honour, and on thy offences, so deserving of punishment ; If, moreover, thou viewest Me, exhausted with toils through love for thee, and suffering so many things for thy transgressions, hanging on the Cross, with Arms extended, and with My Bosom opened for thee ; CH. XI.] OF THE HEART. 49 If, in fine, thou enterest into My Heart Itself, and considerest to what degree that innocent Heart did suffer for thy sins, and how, for them, it was spent and con- sumed ; If, at the same time, through loving desires and fer- vent petitions, thou appliest, as it were, thy heart to Mine : Then, doubtless, in prayer shall blaze out that fire, that heat of divine love, of which I am speaking. 5, From this love do thou draw forth contrition ; that is, sorrow for sin committed, and a resolve of not sinning again in future. No one, My child, obtains the pardon of his sins unless he bewail them ; nor is any one healed of his vices unless he hate them. Wherefore, as much as thou art able, do thou detest and hate in thy heart thy sins and vices ; which thou canst not hate nor detest too much. The more thou shalt draw this sorrow from the divine love, the more perfect shall thy contrition be, even if thou do not actually feel the same. And the more sincerely thou shalt bewail and detest thy sins with an upright heart, the more certain shalt thou be of the pardon of thy offences, and the more secure against committing new ones. 6. Thou hast a sure mark of sorrow for the sins of the past, if thou abstainest from committing new ones. Therefore, have thou, and preserve always, a firm resolve of shunning whatever thou knowest to be dis- pleasing to Me, and of suffering all the evils of this life, rather than commit a voluntary sin. But take heed lest thou deceive thyself by imagin- ing that any kind of resolve will be sufficient. For a vague desire is not enough ; a resolution made through custom, or for form’s sake, is not enough ; neither does an ineffectual purpose sufilce, — when one appears to will and not to will, — when, as he fancies, he is willing to sin no more, and yet he is unwilling effectually to use the means necessary to avoid sin. E 50 PURIFICATION [book I, It is requisite, Mj child, that the resolution be really sincere, settled, and efficacious, that by it thou mayst be induced to employ the means which may hinder thee from again committing sin. Now, to keep this resolution ever alive within thee, renew it often, pray frequently, nourish thy devotion by spiritual exercises ; and thus obtain for thyself that special grace whereby thou mayst the more easily be- come constant and persevering. 7. The voice of the Disciple, — My heart, 0 Lord, is truly like an abandoned field, wherein many noxious weeds spring up, and many useful plants lie spoiled. It is a great work to clear the heart of all these, and of myself I can do nothing profitable. But do Thou help me, I beseech Thee, with Thy efficient and powerful grace, that I may be able to finish happily so great an undertaking. For I desire eagerly to complete, according to Thy direction, a work so necessary, so useful, so holy, and am resolved not to leave it off until I have finished it in reality. Do not suffer, O most kind Jesus, that I ever grow slothful or careless in so important an enterprise. For I confess that I am prone to grow weak in courage, and ; that I am wont, even after I have begun with zeal, by ; degrees to fall into lukewarmness. But do Thou arouse, encourage, and stir me up effectually, nor allow me to cease from my labour until ^ I bring the work to its wished-for completion. i CHAPTER XII. That the holy Sacrament of Penance is an easy and effec- tual means of cleansing oneself from sins and vices. 1. The voice of Jesus. — My child. My Heart — knowing \ that the frailty of mortals is of such a nature that, whilst 1 OF THE HEART. 51 CH. XII.] on earth, they cannot live without sin — ^lias devised a saving means, whereby, if it is rightly used, they may not only obtain the remission of their sins, but also re- ceive an increase of grace. God is faithful, and, according to His. Word, He for- gives their sins to those that confess them ; and He gives grace to those that pray for it, and seek to live better (1 John i. 9, and v. 14). What would become of most men, if there were no Confession ? How few would be saved ! And how many of those who now rejoice in heaven, or shall possess it hereafter, would be lost ! 2. Therefore have I given power to the Church, that whose sins she shall forgive, they be forgiven them; and i whose sins she shall retain, they be retained ( Matt, xviii. ; 1 John XX.). I ‘‘ If, then, either hatred, or infidelity, or any other sin, have secretly crept into the heart of any one, let him not be ashamed to confess the same to him that 1 presides, that, through the Word of God and through I wholesome advice, he may be healed by him” (St. 1 Clement of Eome, i. century). * “ But if thou wouldst withdraw thyself from Con- fession, meditate in thy heart on hell, which Confession will extinguish for thee. Therefore, knowing that against I hell, after that first safeguard of Baptism, there remains still this second help in Confession, why dost thou aban- don thy salvation ? Represent first to thyself the great- ness of the punishment, and thou wilt not hesitate to I take the remedy” (Tertullian, ii. <5ent.). j For there is a remission of sins, although a toilsome I one, through Penance, when the sinner moistens his couch with his tears, and when he is not ashamed to make known j his sins to the priest of God, and to seek a remedy” (Origen, i iii. cent.). “ This remedy of Confession is eagerly to be de- sired by all, since the soul is harassed by greater danger than the body ; and the healing for hidden diseases PURIFICATION 52 [book I. must be applied as soon as possible” (St. Lactantius, iv. cent.). “ Confess, then ; let all corrupted matter come out, and flow off in Confession ; what remains shall be easily healed. Dost thou fear to confess, when, by not con- fessing, thou canst not remain concealed? God, who knows all things, requires Confession, that He may free the humble ; for this He condemns him that does not confess, that He may punish the proud” (St. Augustine, V. cent.). “ But confess thou in such a manner, that thou do not again turn to thy sins ; for then is the Confession of sin profitable when the sinner who confesses does no more what he had wickedly done” (St. Fulgentius, vi. cent.). “ Man ought to abstain from sin when he has con- fessed j Confession goes before, remission follows” (St. Isidore, vii. cent.). For the Church, which is founded on Christ, has received from Him the power of freeing men from their sins” (Ven. Bede, viii. cent.). If sinners are unwilling to confess their sins, God Himself, who is now their witness, shall also be their avenger” (Haymo, ix. cent.). Sins should not be repeated publicly ; it is suffi- cient to make known to the priests alone, by a private confession, the faults of conscience” (Luitprand, x. cent). “ Therefore, reason moves and God impels the sinner to confess” (St. Peter Damian, xi. cent.). “ Confession is necessary to the sinner, and is no less proper for the just” (St. Bernard, xii. cent.). “ Confession should be made in a threefold manner : without palliating, without excusing, without delaying” (St. Bonaventure, xiii. cent.). ‘‘ Let the penitent, therefore, accuse himself before the priest with a lively feeling of sorrow, with a firm purpose of amendment, and let him perform the works which may be enjoined” (Thauler, xiv. cent.). CH. XIl] OF THE HEART. 53 Penance is a Sacrament, the matter of which con- sists in the acts of the penitent, which are divided into three parts. The first is contrition of heart ; the second is the oral Confession ; the third, satisfaction” (Council of Florence, xiv. cent.). Behold, child, how, from the beginning, the faithful of all times and of all parts of the world have regarded and esteemed this sweet and saving Sacrament. 3. What can be more advantageous than rightly to confess ? Through Confession, man is freed from faults, he returns into favour with Me, he receives peace of heart ; so that he who before felt himself tortured with anguish, now finds himself calm and happy. The Sacrament of Penance is the medicine of the soul, whereby vices are healed, temptations put to flight, the snares of the devil destroyed ; new grace is imparted, piety increased, virtue rendered more and more solid. Through Confession the soul regains her rights, which she had lost by committing sin, and recovers her beauty, which unrighteousness had disfigured. 4. But it sometimes happens that the sinner, when he approaches this Sacrament of divine mercy, impelled either by shame or fear, throws himself into the abyss of sacrilege ; so that now he is not simply a sinner, but becomes a frightful monster of sin. Art thou able, wretched man, to hide thyself from Me ? Art thou able to hinder Me from thrusting thee down into that lowest depth which thou thyself hast dug? Dost thou sacrilegiously conceal thy sins from a ,| Confessor who, by the strictest laws human and divine, I is bound to an everlasting and complete secrecy ? I will make them known before thy face, not to one man alone, not to one nation, but to heaven and earth, to all that shall ever have existed. Then, in the excess of thy confusion, thou wilt call upon the mountains that, covering thee, they may screen thee from shame ; yea, thou wilt wish to hide 54 PURIFICATION [book I. thyself in hell — but thou shalt not be able. Thou shalt stand and undergo publicly thy whole confusion and deserved ignominy. Foolish man ! thou wast not ashamed to sin to thy disgrace and perdition ; why dost thou blush to confess for thy salvation and glory ? But consider : why shouldst thou hesitate to unfold thy conscience before him who is appointed by Me, and holds My place in thy regard? When thou presentest thyself as a penitent before him, thou oughtest indeed to look upon the Confessor even as upon Myself ; for he verily represents Me, and possesses My power. Yet he also is a man, and has his own miseries ; and he, too, as well as thyself, is obliged to make con- fession ; which is all the harder for him, as, by reason of his elevated condition, he ought to be more perfect. Thus has it been ordained from heaven in a most wise and holy manner, that all — priests no less than laymen — who desire to be freed from grievous sin, should be obliged to confess ; and that it be especially proper that the priests, whose sacred employments demand a greater holiness, should cleanse themselves, by frequent Confession, even from slighter trespasses. Hence, laymen confess with greater freedom and confidence to the priests ; and priests learn by experience to feel compassion for their miseries, — to be weak with them that are weak, and to weep with them that weep. 5. But there are those that confess their sins candidly enough, and yet are not improved. And why ? Because they do not strive with a sincere heart to correct them- selves. Some approach the Sacrament of Penance from neces- sity ; others through human respect ; others, again, from a certain custom. Why wonder, then, if they that approach in this manner derive from it but little or no fruit ? Do, then, My child — having ever thy own salvation OF THE HEART. 55 I CH. XII.] and My good pleasure before tby eyes — make eacli Con- fession as if it were to be the last of thy life : thus wilt thou experience sweet and wonderful effects. 6. Yet, know thyself, My child, and learn that thou shalt often be tempted to do again those things over which thou hadst wept, and which thou hadst resolved to shun. Do not on that account lose courage, My child, nor be thou saddened overmuch. These will be the effects, not of malice, but of frailty; being involuntary, rather than deliberate, transgressions. Thence, learn thou the goodness of My Heart, ever ; ready to pardon thee; and, in like manner, the pitiful I condition of thy heart, which is ever inclined to evil, and I frequently betrays thee. I Beware, however, lest, on account of this thy great frailty, thou neglect Confession; the weaker thou feelest thyself, the more frequently have thou recourse to it. I 7 . Some hold Confession in dread, and do not approach it without trembling. Behold, the greatest sinners, as well as the greatest Saints, find consolation therein ; and art thou tormented with anxiety? There the dead return to life, and the living live more fully. Why, then, tremblest thou as if thou wert going to death, or to the rack ? Thou errest. My child, thou errest; this most whole- sole Sacrament was not instituted for torturing, but for solacing, the heart. 8. Cast aside, therefore, all uneasiness and anxiety; I am not a God of agitation, but of peace; I find My delight, not in the commotion, but in the good will, of the soul. Do what thou canst, and confess with as sincere a heart as thou art able to do ; after that, remain in peace, nor be thou disturbed by the suggestions of the enemy, or of thy own imagination. My Heart is the place of refuge for sinners. As 56 PURIFICATION [book I. often as any one flies hither with a contrite and humble heart, I will neither cast him off, nor will I despise him. Frequently resort, then, to that divine bath, wherein My Heart will wash thy soul with My Blood, and wash her yet more, until she be wholly pure and stainless.^ 9. The voice of the Disciple , — O most benign Jesus ! how wholesome, how consoling a device of Thy Heart is the Sacrament of Penance! How astonishing a con- descension, how wonderful a sweetness, that of the Blood of Thy Heart Thou makest a bath wherewith Thou mayst cleanse us from our sins 1 Had not Thy Heart found out this secret, so full of all consolation, who could have thought of it? And hadst Thou not made it known, what should have become of us ? what of me ? Thanks to Thee, most sweet Jesus 1 let the Angels and all the Blessed, let all peoples and tongues, return thanks to Thee, for that Thou didst institute this life- * This may be explained by a truly wonderful and consoling fact, related in the life of St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi. When, on a certain day, in the church of her convent, where Con- fessions were being heard, this holy virgin was pouring forth her heart before our Lord present in the tabernacle, and whilst she was rapt up by divine communications, she perceived that the spiritual world became, in some manner, unveiled before her ; for she saw the souls, such as they were, of each one of the penitents, whilst they were confessing. And, at the moment when the sacramental absolution was given, she beheld the divine Blood of Jesus mystically poured upon each of them, and washing them, so that they became exceedingly pure and fair. Now, if such be the effect of one Confession, what must be the effect of frequent Confession ? If the soul becomes so pure, so beautiful, when washed only once in the Blood of the Heart of Jesus, which is applied to us in the Sacrament of Penance, how pure, how beautiful, must she become, when she is thus cleansed frequently ! Brown and soiled linen is not only made clean by frequent washing, but is made as white as snow. Shall not, then, a soul often washed in the divine Blood of Jesus become at last perfectly pure and unutterably beautiful? This most pious thought should increase your love for the holy Sacrament of Penance ; and, whilst you receive it actually, it ought sweetly to occupy your mind, and greatly to console you. CH. XIII.] OF THE HEART. 57 giving, this sanctifying Sacrament, whereby the guilty dwellers of earth are saved, and heaven is filled with a multitude of Saints ! That, therefore, I may not misuse so great a blessing, and that I may gather from it every desirable fruit, behold, I will confess, not only frequently, but also care- fully; as if preparing myself for death, I will always, before making my confession, elicit from my heart an act of true sorrow and of firm resolve, peacefully, indeed, but with the greatest sincerity as well ; I will lay every fault before my Confessor with the same candour that I would use before Thee were I to behold Thee with my eyes ; at the earliest opportunity I will perform’ the penance enjoined ; lastly, I will strive to be grateful, and to live with a new fervour and a purer heart. 0 Jesus ! what consolation, what sweetness, is felt, when my soul, in this Sacrament of Thy mercy, is washed and cleansed by the most sacred and pure Blood of Thy Heart! Oh, do Thou wash me frequently, I beseech Thee, and I shall be made wholly clean ; wash me yet more, and I shall be made whiter than the snow I CHAPTER XHI. That for the forgiveness of our sins we must firmly rely upon our Lord, after we have sincerely done what was morally in our power, 1. The voice of Jesus. — ^As I live, I desire not the death of the sinner, but that he be converted and live. If the sinner do penance for all the sins which he has committed, and keep all My commands, living he shall live, and not die. The ungodliness of the ungodly shall not hurt him, in whatever day he shall turn away from his ungodliness ; the sins which he has sinned shall not be imputed to him. Why, then, art thou troubled, My child, or why 58 PURIFICATION [book I. fearest thou so immoderately ? Am I like a man, that I should lie or change ? Did I say it, and shall I not do it ? Did T promise, and shall I not make it good ? Did I swear, and shall I not keep my word ? Why dost thou doubt, O man of little faith ? Amen ! heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away. 2. Behold, God, My heavenly Father, who, for thy salvation, did not spare His only Son, but delivered Him up for thee no less than for the rest, — did He not give thee, together with Him, all other things — pardon, per- severance, paradise, every blessing ? Through Me, therefore, the only-begotten Son of God, thou art become rich in all things, so that thou canst be wanting in no grace. For where sin abounded, there grace did more abound. Go, then, with confidence to the throne of grace, that thou may St obtain those things that are needful to thee. 3. My child, I came down from heaven that I might snatch thee from the jaws of hell ; all the days of my life I was in suffering, that thou mightst be happy through all eternity ; I was willingly condemned to die, that thou mightst be free from everlasting death ; and all these things I did for thee when thou wast My enemy. What, then, will I not do, or what can I refuse, when thou lovest Me ? If thy sins affright thee, know. My child, that My infinite merits are infinitely more powerful to save thee, if thou art willing, than thy sins to destroy thee, if thou art uneasy. If, by reason of thy sins, thou standest in dread of My judgment, call to mind that I, thy Saviour, who even at the right hand of God My Father intercede for thee, shall be thy Judge. 4. Enlarge, therefore, thy heart in the Holy Spirit, whom thou didst receive in the Sacrament of divine mercy. That Spirit of love, that consuming fire, will OF THE HEART. 59 CH. XIII.J destroy the remnant of thy sins, and cast out all inordi- nate fear. Hadst thou been an exceedingly great sinner, like the thief crucified with Me ; hadst thou, like Paul, per- secuted Me ; hadst thou even denied Me, like Peter, — behold, if once thou confessest rightly, so as to receive the effect of the Sacrament, all thy sins are forgiven thee. 5. Why art thou sad. My child ? and why dost thou disquiet thyself? Thinkest thou that I am a hard Master, whom it is difficult to satisfy ? Thou art mistaken, child ; thou art greatly deceived. For, behold, am I not a Father, whose Heart is goodness itself? Dost thou not know this ? Hast thou not ex- perienced it ? Do not, then, dishonour Me, do not revile Me, by attributing to Me things which are so wrongful. 6. My child, thou hast not received the spirit of bondage again in fear ; but thou hast received the spirit of adoption of the sons of God, whereby thou mayst love and address me, Abba, Father ! Do not, then, fear, child ; do not, by w'orrying thy- self uselessly, lose the time which thou oughtest to spend happily in loving Me. For I do not require anguish, but love. Have confidence. My child, that thy sins have been forgiven thee. Strive now to love Me the more, the more I have forgiven thee. 7. The voice of the Disciple, — O Jesus ! O my love ! my life I how delightful to me, how sweet, are the words Thou utterest from Thy Heart ! O Lord my God ! Thou didst wash, not my feet, not my hands, not my head alone, but my soul, my whole self, and that with Thy own Blood ! Behold, Thou didst cast my sins into the depth of a sea, into the abyss of the mercy of Thy Heart, where they have disappeared from Thy sight. O Jesus ! how can I ever be unmindful of Thy mercies, whereby Thou hast thus restored me to life I 60 PURIFICATION [book I. I will sing Thy mercies, 0 Lord, for ever ; I will praise the goodness of Thy Heart for evermore. 8. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and let all that is within me bless His sacred Heart, Yea, bless the Lord, O my soul, and never forget all He hath done for thee. Who forgiveth all thy iniquities ; who healeth all thy diseases. He hath not dealt with us according to our sins, nor hath He rewarded us according to our iniquities : but He hath blotted them out, according to the multitude of the mercies of His Heart. As a father -hath pity on his children, so hath the Lord had pity on us ; because He is good, because His mercy endures for ever. 9. Love the Lord, O my soul, love Jesus, love Him much, because He has forgiven thee. Let them love less to whom He has forgiven less ; but do thou, by the greatness of thy love, strive to make a suitable return for the greatness of His bounty. Yea, 0 most sweet Jesus, I will love Thee with all my strength ; nor will I henceforward pass my time in vexing my heart, which is now Thy kingdom ; but I will employ it better, more usefully to me, more pleas- ingly to Thee ; Thy love shall ever be my occupation. In peace in the self-same will I take my rest and repose. CHAPTER XIV. Hovj we must guard against a relapse, I. The voice of Jesus . — My child, hast thou fallen into sin ? Do not again give thyself up to it ; but so guard against the future, as not to return to the past. When the devil has been expelled from a heart, he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and, returning, attempts to enter again. OF THE HEART. G1 CH. XIV.] If man does not resist, the enemies enter, and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. If, therefore, thou desire not to become the prey of hell, thou must, by all means, resist the temptations of the devil. Do not be afflicted nor sad, My child, because tliQu art assailed, against thy will, by various temptations; be rather rejoiced and consoled. For it is a sign that thou art in the state of grace, and that thou followest My standard. If thou didst adhere to the devil, he would surely not attack what is his own ; but because thou standest by Me, therefore does he tempt thee, and endeavour to draw thee over to his ranks. 2. My child, temptation is not prevarication ; yea, so long as it is displeasing to thee, it is meritorious of a divine reward. Therefore, however loathsome the things which the enemy may suggest, be not uneasy; however violently he may entice thee to evil, think not that thou art for- saken by Me. Never am I nearer to thee, or more ready to help thee, than when thou sufferest under these trials. When thou art tempted. My child, I stand by, look- ing on the struggle, and helping thee, that, being thus encouraged and aided, thou mayest not only withstand the foe, but gloriously triumph over him. Be, therefore, ready for the combat ; no one shall be crowned, unless he has struggled lawfully ; and he that shall overcome, shall receive the crown of life. 3. As thou dwellest among enemies to the right and to the left, and art exposed to their assaults from within and from without, thou oughtest to be so well armed at all times, that they can never find thee .defenceless. Have thy heart lifted up and united to Mine, with a determined and generous resolve to endure all things, yea, even to die in the struggle, rather than turn thy PURIFICATION 62 [book I. back upon Me. Otherwise thou shalt not be able fully to withstand the stubbornness of the contest. 4. In this warfare, two kinds of weapons are necessary to thee — the one, defensive ; the other, offen- sive. * Humility will furnish thee w’eapons to defend thy- self. By means of this virtue, place no reliance upon thyself ; put all thy trust in Me ; and, being convinced of thy own frailty, shun as much as thou art able all dangerous occasions. For it were an inexcusable and most shameful pre- sumption to seek them, or to go to meet them, especially if they are of the flesh. 5. If, nevertheless, the foe assails, call upon Me ; rely upon My help confidingly and lovingly. He that prays amid temptation, as he ought, cannot be overcome ; but he that neglects prayer is usually vanquished. Eesist generously from the very beginning of the temptation, and pray fervently in this or a similar manner : 0 Jesus ! hide me within Thy Heart, that I may not be separated from Thee. . . . O God, my God ! come to my assistance ! . . . Jesus and Mary ! help me 1 ... I will rather die, 0 Lord, than commit sin. If the enemy continue to tempt, faithfully withdraw thy mind from the object of the temptation ; and, having earnestly turned it to other things, either good or in- different, persevere in prayer ; persevere in resisting, not with anxiety or impatience, but calmly and steadily ; and the foe shall either flee away, or stand abashed. 6. Let it not be enough for thee to repulse Satan ; strive also to injure him. This thou canst do, if, by means of the weapons which divine love will furnish thee, thou turn the temptations of the enemy against himself. As often, therefore, as the devil tempts thee, so often OF THE HEART, 63 CH. XIV.] use temptation against his aim and object, that thou mayst unite thyself more closely with Me ; glorify Me by thy faithfulness, and acquire for thyself greater strength and merit. So it shall come to pass, that thy adversary, frightened by his defeat, either dares not return, or, if he dares, will secure for thee a more signal victory and a brighter crown. 7. But if ever thou be so unfortunate as to fall, arise without delay ; fight with more humility and courage ; and beware, above all, lest thou surrender and make thyself a slave to the foe. Many have been lost because, after having fought bravely, and when on the' point of gaining the victory, they allowed themselves to be cast down by the trouble- someness of the temptation, surrendered disgracefully, and perished miserably. Up, then, my child ; the struggle is short, but the prize everlasting. Be magnanimous ; courage is a great part of the victory. It prepares thee for grace ; it raises the heart, increases strength, moderates labour, frightens and weakens the enemy. For me, thy God and Saviour, for thy salvation, for an everlasting crown, for the very kingdom of heaven, fight thou bravely, and display a sight worthy of God, of the Angels, and of men. 8. The voice of the Disciple , — Thanks to Thee, most benign Jesus, who thus teachest my hands to fight and my fingers to war. j Behold, Thou also cheerest up my heart and givest me courage, so that I am ready to put forth my strength , and to act valiantly. But I know and confess, that of myself I am weak I and cowardly ; if I am left to myself alone, if I rely upon myself alone, what can be looked for, except that I shall shamefully fall away from Thee, and perish ignobly ? I Give me grace, I entreat Thee, that I may not pre- 64 PURIFICATION [book I. sume on myself ; that of my own accord I may not expose myself ; but that I may with prudence shun every occasion of falling, and by watchfulness escape all the snares of my foes. And at what time thou shalt see me attacked by the enemy or engaged with him, do Thou arise, I beseech Thee, and hasten to my assistance, because Thou, 0 Lord, art my strength. ' = Be Thou near me, I pray ; set me beside Thee j and whatever hand fights against me, with Thee I will con- quer, with Thee I will triumph. CHAPTEE XV. How the roots of vices and defects are to he wholly plucked up, 1. The voice of Jesus. — My child, to obtain perfect purity of heart, it is not enough to cherish a good will, to meditate and pray frequently, to confess often and de- voutly. These means are very efficient and necessary, and therefore never to be omitted nor neglected. But alone they do not suffice, since they are not wont to pluck up completely the roots of vices and de- fects. It is necessary, then, to use besides another means, whereby thou mayst, so to speak, exterminate the noxious roots, and tKus render thy heart perfectly clean. These sweet and wholesome effects are produced, in a marvellous manner, by self-examination — an exercise apparently trifling, indeed, and a small matter, but in itself very efficient, and more deeply penetrating than any two-edged instrument, reaching even to the dividing of the soul and the discerning of spirits, and searching into the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Nor does it serve merelv to root out evil habits and OF THE HEART. 65 CH. XV.] deff ^ts, but, what is more wonderful, to acquire solid virtues, and even to attain to perfection. 2. This self-examination is threefold. The first, which is used to collect oneself, consists in this — that when an opportunity offers, thou turn to thy heart, and inspect it for a short time, observing whence it is moved, with what things it busies itself ; what it has done, and in what manner ; what it should do in future, and how. ^ Opportunities of performing a very short self-ex- amination of this sort are wont to present themselves frequently. When, for example, thou beginnest any of the more important actions of the day ; or, again, when thou hast performed them. When something is presented to thy senses, or to thy mind, by which thou mayst be allured or tempted ; also when thou hast fallen into some defect. When thou meetest with any difficulty which may occaison trouble, or disturb thee ; lastly, as often as, during some length of time, thou hast not looked into thy heart. Now, this can easily be done at any time and in any place, even whilst others are present, and without attract- ing their attention. In the exercise itself there is no difficulty whatever. At first, indeed, some attention should be used, but no straining of the mind ; and in a short time thou shalt begin to acquire a holy and consoling habit, and gather from it the sweetest and most wholesome fruits. • 3. The second is a general examination, by which, twice, or at least once, every day, thou devotest a short time — some minutes — exclusively to asking of thyself I an account of thy way of living. Having briefly returned thanks to God, and begged jfor divine light, inspect and scrutinise how, since thou didst last examine thyself, thou hast deported thyself, I both outwardly and inwardly. Examine thy thoughts, words, and deeds ; see F PURIFICATION 6G [book I. Avherein tlioii hast sinned or failed ; then carefully mark each sin or defect, at least mentally. If thou hast already practically learnt something of the interior life, place thy heart near to Mine, compare and notice the difference between the thoughts, sensa- tions, and actions of both. After thou hast in this manner discovered thy faults and failings, then see and acknowledge thy unthankful- ness for My divine favours ; form an act of sorrow as perfect as possible, beg for grace to amend thyself, and to make better progress. 4. Lastly, the particular examination is that by means of which thou exertest thyself to root out sepa- rately only one vice or defect at a time. Most wonderful is the power, and incredible the efficacy, of this exercise. Would that thou didst under- stand it well. My child, and that thou didst perform it in a proper manner ! There is no habit so deep-rooted, no vice so great, which, by this means, cannot be overcome and subdued. For, with God’s grace, it can, in some manner, do all things. How many sinners have by its means been freed from vices which had grown on them like a second nature I How many souls has it enabled to cleanse themselves thoroughly! How many, has it helped to reach perfection ! Whatever defects, then, thou mayst have, be of good cheer, My child ; thou art sure of victory, sure of future freedom, if thou use this means diligently and perseveringly. Attack, first, that vice or defect which may be a stumbling-block, or a just cause of offence, to thy neigh- bour ; afterwards, the one which seems to be thy chief fault. When the leader is overthrown, the rest are easily overcome. 5. Now thy method of proceeding shall be this : In the morning, resolve firmly and considerately that, during the day, thou wilt shun what thou mayst have OF THE HEART. 67 CH. XV.] chosen to be avoided in' a particular manner ; at the same time, beg for grace that thou mayst be faithful to thy resolution. Then, twice or only once a day, according as thou makest the general self-examination, thou shalt also search thyself, and see how often since the last scrutiny thou hast failed in thy special resolve ; and mark the number of times. Afterwards, grieve not only for thy faults in general, but also for these defects in particular ; and resolve again to be specially on thy guard against them ; and for this end implore also special grace. Meanwhile, My child, it will help thee very much, if, when thou perceivest thyself growing in some way indifferent or careless, thou inflict upon thyself some small punishment ; and this as often as thou offendest against thy particular examination. 6. But that thou mayst use rightly and constantly these and other means, thou needest a guide to direct, to teach, to fashion thee, — to keep thee in, or stir thee up, and cheer thee on at all times. No one, when left to himself, can walk with safety in the path of the spiritual and interior life ; for often- times he will be exposed to the danger of going astray, of losing heart, of falling into the snares of the foe, nay, more, of perishing. Wert thou a Saint, or a chosen Apostle, thou yet wouldst need some guide. Was not Paul, although a vessel of election to carry My name among the nations, at My command instructed and directed by Ananias? Were not the Saints trained to holiness by others that led a holy life ? Pray, therefore. My child, that thou mayst be worthy to find a guide according to My Heart, either in thy Confessor, thy Superior, or some other person, who pos- sesses authority, skill, and experience in spiritual mat- ters, and a practical knowledge of the interior life. To such a one. My child, do thou occasionally make PURIFICATION G8 [book I. known thy heart ; at certain times give some account s of thyself, that thou mayst know whether thou advancest rightly — what thou must correct, and how it is to be done ; on what thou oughtest to insist, and in what manner it is to be accomplished. The subjects concerning which this interior manifes- tation^should be made are usually : the disclosing of the soul’s state or habitual feeling, whether it be peaceful or ] agitated ; what longings for a more perfect life thou feelest within thyself ; what obstacles embarrass thee ; to what practices of devotion and mortification thou art wont to apply thyself What method thou hast in prayer and meditation ; with what relish and fruit thou advancest by this method ; what spiritual books thou readest, and whether they agree with the present degree of thy interior life ; whether thou readest in a manner proper and profitable. In what manner thou approachest the Sacraments; Avith Avhat preparation ; with Avhat feelings of piety ; Avith Avhat thanksgiving ; Avith what results. Hoav thou makest thy self-examinations ; Avith what painstaking, and Avith what fruit. How thou performest the duties of thy state of life ; the obligations of thy office ; thy ordinary actions ; by what motive or principle, whether of nature or of grace ; Avith what object; Avhat end thou hast in view. In what manner thou deportest thyself towards others ; Avith what disposition of heart ; Avith what profit or loss to thyself and to them. With what fidelity thou obeyest God’s inspirations; how thou feelest disposed toAvards Me ; finally, in Avhat degree thou relishest the sentiments of My Heart. i Do thou, my child, modestly and religiously, Avith humble candour and docile charity, make knoAvn such and similar matters, sometimes one, then another, accord- £ ing as spiritual necessity or usefulness may require. All this, if thou perform it after this manner, thou shalt find easy, most useful, and full of consolation. CH. XV.] OF THE HEART. 69 Purity of heart being of the greatest importance, it is thought proper to bring together, in this place, the means to attain it, although they have been given separately. The first is a settled and constant determination of always trying to improve; the second, stated and repeated mental and vocal prayer ; the third, the pious and frequent use of the Sacraments ; the fourth, the faithful practice of the threefold self-examination, especially of the particular examination ; the fifth, the candid disclosing of our interior life; and, on the other hand, a holy guidance. Whoever makes a right use of these means will, doubt- less, attain to as great a purity of heart as the Lord is ordinarily wont to require. But if He requires some- thing extraordinary. He Himself will provide the means, for no one is able to make provision under such circum- stances. Yet, as things are wont to he preserved by the sam.e means that produced them, you shall preserve interior purity by the same means that have been pointed out to attain it. These, then, are, “ the five loaves of the show-bread which must be ever new and fresh before the Lord.” Wherefore, these means are always to be used with the same care. And lest you grow lukewarm by degrees, either through frailty or carelessness, examine yourself from time to time, and make known how you use them ; and, if you have in any wise fallen off, strive as quickly as possible to regain your former fervour. As long as you employ these means, even with ordinary diligence, you shall have within yourself the consoling sign that you are on the right road which leads to perfection. 7. The voice of the Disciple . — Lord Jesus, to execute all those things, greatly indeed do I need light from above wherewith to discover my defects, and divine assistance to remove them. For many of them lie hidden from human eyes; nor can I see them myself, neither can any one point them out to me, unless aided by a supernatural light. But if, with the brightness of this light. Thou 70 PURIFICATION [book I. delgnest to illumine my inmost soul, behold, all things therein, great and small, shall be unveiled. For, even as the sun shining into a chamber reveals the very atoms that fill its every space, so Thy grace shining on my heart shall bring to view numberless defects, the exist- ence of which I did nowise suspect. But what shall it avail me to know my defects, if I cannot uproot them? Thy help, therefore, is also necessary to me, who, without it, can effect nothing conducive to salvation. Lord Jesus, by Thy most sacred Heart, I beg and beseech Thee, grant me uninterruptedly the plentifulness of this twofold grace, that thereby I may be enlightened and assisted. Without this grace, no assiduity of mine, no care of a director, however much he may toil, whatever zeal he may exercise, can avail aught. Thou, therefore, O Jesus, the eternal Wisdom, the infinite Goodness, Thou art the supreme Director ; do Thou, I pray, guide me, through him whom Thou didst will to hold Thy place, and with whom I am willing to act in all things as with Thyself. CHAPTER XYI. That he who desires to follow the Heart of J esus^ must also withdraw his heart from the world, 1. The voice of Jesus. — Woe to the world. My child ; woe to the heart that clins^s to its allurements and its vanities 1 It is not enough to cast Satan out of thy heart ; thou must also expel the world. If thou inwardly cherish the world, whatever else thou mayst do wholly to amend thyself shall avail thee little. For the world will continue to infect thy heart, will OF THE HEART. 71 CH. XVI.] doubtless pervert, and finally betray thee into the power of the demon. 2. What is the world, except an inordinate or per- verse love of pleasure, riches, honours, whereby its votaries are themselves corrupted, and corrupt others ? If thou desirest to know what thou oughtest to think ■of the world, consider what I Myself have judged of it. Behold, I passed through it doing good to all; I loved the enemies that persecuted Me ; when fastened to the 'Cross, I prayed for those that crucified Me ; but for the world I prayed not. The Avorld is of the devil, is wholly placed in wicked- ness, and cannot possess My Spirit ; even as falsehood cannot be truth, as corruption cannot be purity. 3. The world is itself a proof, not only of the undeni- able existence, but even of the necessity, of a hell. What can there be in common between the world and My Heart, since the world, either openly or secretly, favours every vice ; whilst My Heart breathes nothing but what is holy? The world, in league with Satan its prince, seeks for souls, to destroy them for ever ; My Heart longs to save them all. Thou canst not, therefore, serve the world and Me ; for if thou art the friend of the world, thou becomest the enemy of My Heart. 4. If thou art a votary of the world, thou wilt perish with the world ; but if thou followest My Heart, thou wilt go into life everlasting. If thou drivest the world and the maxims of the world from thy heart, so as to offer it wholly to Me, the ■offering will be pleasing and honourable to Me, and full of glory and merit to thyself. The Angels and the Saints will applaud the deed, and the world itself shall be com- pelled to admire the lofty heroism of thy mind. Blessed is he. My child, who withdraws his affections from the things of the world, and consecrates them to Me alone ! 72 PUIUFICATION [book I. 5. What findest thou in the world, on account of Avhich thou wouldst love it ? Behold, all that is in the world is the desire of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life ; and the end of all these is death and hell. If, then, thou lovest the world, or the things which are of the world, thou takest into thy embrace everlasting perdition. What good has the world done to thee, that thou shouldst devote thy affections to it ? It has done, and never will do thee any thing but evil. How, then, canst thou give thy heart to it ? Trust not. My child, to the smiles and blandishments of the world; they show only a covert desire to deceive and destroy thee. But hearken to the invitings of My Heart, that longs to save thee from the everlasting misfortunes which the world is preparing for thee. 6. ’ If thou dost not forsake the world, the world will forsake thee, when thou art spent and worn out in its service ; yea, it will laugh and mock at thy destruction ; and when thou standest most in need of help, thou shalt be alone and powerless. Think frequently which of the two, when thou art about to go into eternity, thou wouldst rather wish to have followed, the world or Me. Do freely, therefore, and meritoriously now what, without merit, thou shalt be forced to do then. Apply thyself to draw thy heart from the love of earthly things, and, by a complete disengagement from it, to triumph over the world. Have confidence. My child ; I have overcome the world ; if thou art willing, thou also canst vanquish it. So soon as thou shalt have conquered, I will give thee a most delightful place in My Heart. 7. The voice of the Disciple. — O Lord, how foolishly have I acted ! liow wickedly have I lived ! A willing dupe, I have been misled by the false appearance of CII. XVI.] OF THE HEART. 73 pleasure, of ease, of honour ; I have forsaken Thee, to make myself a slave of the world. Thy enemy. I have left the fountain of every good, to go down to the pestilential pool of the world. There I made myself drunk with poisonous draughts ; I grew senseless ; and, in my madness, I cast aside every thing. 1 became forgetful of Thee, my God and my all ; I gave myself wholly to the world ; and in its service I abused Thy gifts, my external senses, and the inward powers of my soul. Alas ! I became exceedingly guilty ; my soul was filled with iniquity ; I drew myself nigh to hell. Thy wrath came upon me, and Thy terrors troubled me, so that night and day I was wretched. 8. Alas, good Jesus ! even after I had been seized Avith a great dread of Thy judgment and fear of hell, and had resolved to lead a good life, into Avhat fatal illusions did I fall ! how banefuliy did I go astray ! I divided my heart between Thee and the world ; I Avished, at one and the same time, to serve Thee and the Avorld. Oh, how great an insult did I offer to Thee, Avhen I placed Thee on an equality Avith the world ! I pleased neither the world nor Thee ; and, meanAvhile, I Avas most Avretched, because, not being satisfied Avith the Avorld nor with Thee, I found happiness in neither. But noAv that Thou hast opened my eyes, and moA'ed my heart, behold*, O Lord Jesus, I will serve Thee alone ; I give my whole heart to Thee for ever. Take out of my heart, I beseech Thee, all affection for the world j change for me all its apparent SAveets into real bitterness. So fill me Avith the delight of Thy love, that the i Avorld, with all its vanities, may become tasteless to me. 74 PUKIFICATION [book I. CHAPTEE XYII. How deceitful the world is. 1. The voice of Jesus. — Mj child, the whole world is made up of deceits ; and by its arts and wiles it allures to itself the unwary. It holds out to man pleasures and riches, and says, All these things will I give to thee, if thou serve me. But attend thou not to wdiat it promises, but to what it ‘gives. Through the deceitful hope of pleasant things, it brings its votaries under the cruel tyranny of the pas- sions, and thence leads them to the ceaseless tortures of the stings of conscience. Didst thou ever find a worldling, even the most for- tunate, whose heart was every way satisfied ? Neither shalt thou find such a one, even if thou searchest the whole earth. The world, indeed, promises good' things ; but, in reality, it bestows true evils only ; because what it gives, makes man wicked, and by no means hinders him from being truly unhappy. 2. The voice of the Disciple. — Yet, O Lord, worldlings frequently obtain possession of those things which they ■covet ; and therefore they care little for the spiritual distresses of the heart. The voice of Jesus. — Even so. My child ; grant that they abound in whatever things they may lust after in this world ; as they possess them with an inordinate affection, and misuse them, they enjoy them not, except for their present and future unhappiness. Besides, they appear, indeed, not to care for the in- terior tortures of the soul ; but, My child, if thou couldst look as I do into those hearts, thou shouldst see how many things they suffer within, which they endeavour to hide outwardly ; and thou wouldst conclude that the happiness of man consists not in having an abundance CPI. XVII.] OF THE HEART. 75 of the things of this world, but rather herein, that he keeps his heart free from every worldly object, and calmly and permanently satisfied in Me. Moreover, how long shall these things of worldlings last? Behold, yet a little while, and eternity shall summon them to appear. What then shall the plentiful- ness of delights and other things avail them? They shall leave the world, taking with them nothing except the load of their sins. Wouldst thou, then, be willing, for the misuse of the things of time, to lose the use of those of eternity ? or, for the false possessions of earth, to forfeit the true riches of heaven ? 3. My child, if thou cleavest to the world, thou ceasest, in fact, to be a Christian, and thou foregoest the possession of all the privileges which belong to that noble name. For, at thy new birth in the waters of Baptism, thou didst, by a solemn promise made before Heaven and earth, renounce the world and its wickedness ; nor would 1 1, without that promise, have adopted thee as My child, I If, after this, thou goest again over to the party of I the world, thou art not only faithless, but even worse I than the heathen, who made no such promise. For it is better not to promise, than not to make good what is I promised. ; 4. Ask the departed what they think of the world. iThe elect will answer, that their happiness began from • the time they learnt to despise the things of earth ; and the reprobate will reply, that they were deceived and I ruined by the world. I Thyself, My child, shalt one day think and experi- i ence, concerning the world, the one or the other of these j things. I Be timely wise. My child, lest hereafter thou feel jsorrow to no purpose ; follow the footprints of the Saints, I by withdrawing thy heart from the world, and keeping thy affections from its contagion. PURIFICATION i O [book I. 5. Use the things of this world as if thou didst not use them ; and whilst thou treadest the earth with thy foot, have thy heart in heaven. The more thou shalt withdraw thyself from crea- tures, the nearer shalt thou come to the Creator, and the more proper shalt thou be to receive divine gifts. If thy heart be wholly disengaged from the world, so far from being hurtful to thee, the world itself will be in many ways subservient to thy interests. Oh, how base the whole world would grow in thy sight, if thou didst duly consider what awaits thee in eternity ! 6. llie voice of the Disciple. — Truly, O Lord, the world is a deceiver. Such have I experienced it to be, to my own loss. When it offered me its own favours, madman that I was, I believed that thereby I should be happy. But, oh, how greatly was I deceived! how truly wretched was I, even when, giddy with worldly love, I fancied myself most happy ! The animal man within me made me imagine that I was happy whilst I was feeding on the husks which the world threw before me, and, in spite of myself, I groaned full often under the degradation of my slavery, under the burden of my heart’s misery.' I fully acknowledge now that I 'was myself the author of my own unhappiness, and that I can with justice blame no one but myself. Because I was unwilling to serve Thee with joy and gladness of heart amid the abundance of all things, I became a slave to Thy enemy and to mine, — served him in hunger and thirst, and every want, in so far even that I delighted to fill myself with the food of the vilest animals. 7. Would, O Lord, that I could blot out from the number of my years those during which, estranged from Thee, I served the world I What fruit do I now reap from them except bitter- OF THE HEART. 77 CH. XVIII.] ness, stings of conscience, anguish of heart, sins to be atoned for either in this life by sorrow, or to be be- Availed in vain in the next ? Be gracious to me, O my Saviour, and forgive me all my offences which I committed by following the world, and which I now detest from mj innermost heart. I ' Suffer no more, I entreat Thee, that my heart cling i again to aught, even the least object, of this wicked j world ; withdraw it wholly, with all its affections, from the false tinsel of earth, which contains naught but de- ceit, emptiness, and misery of heart. CHAPTER XVIII. : That to serve the loorld is a crud slavery. ii 1. The voice of Jesus . — My child, he that loves to I serve the world, knows not the world. The world is a true tyrant, and wretched slaves are they that serve it. How many things, what sacrifices, does it not exact i from its votaries, whom, for all their services, it repays with unceasing evils ! It demands that its slaves become the base tools of their passions ; that they sacrifice body and soul ; that I they damn themselves without complaint. I And when it has completed their destruction, it for- j sakes them as useless wretches, fit only for hell-fire. 2. Oh, at how great a cost do worldlings purchase their own ruin ! If they did for Me one-half of what they do for the world, how happy should they be, and what Saints ! How cruel is the world’s .slavery ! under it, how many interior sufferings must > be undergone ! what hardships endured ! And all this for the hope of ob- taining such things as, when once tasted, cause death, or such as will produce tortures, either at present by 78 PURIFICATION [book I. the irksome possession of them, or after a while by a bitter separation ! Truly, it is an iron yoke which presses on the neck of worldlings, the weight of which no one fully knows, unless he has tried it, or considers it as he stands on the threshold of eternity. 3. Whoever desires to be saved, must separate his heart from the world. There are those who, by their mode of life, though they have outwardly bidden farewell to the world, yet are inwardly captivated by the world, and so, in most things, govern themselves by worldly sentiments. There are others whom[their condition in life obliges to live exposed to the dangers of the world, who yet have so divested themselves of every affection for the world, that they never defile themselves with any thing that is worldly. It is, therefore, not the kind of life which he leads, nor the shape of the dress which he wears, that connects a man with the world, or estranges him from it ; but the affection of the heart, the disposition of the soul. Wherefore, he that is farthest separated in heart from the world, and most closely united to Me, he is dearest to My Heart, in whatever state of life he may live. Wherever, then. My divine will may have placed thee, there do thou serve Me in holiness ; since, in every state or condition of life that is good in itself, thou canst live for Me, and sanctify thyself : although it re- mains true, that a state of life separated from the world conduces most to secure salvation, and to reach perfec- tion. 4. How many followers of the world there are, who, convinced of the world’s wickedness, see the necessity of renouncing it by a change of life ; yet dare not do so, too fearful lest the world may rail at them ! Is this your fortitude, ye friends of the world? Great- souled, forsooth, ye are all, who, through fear of empty CH. XIX.] OF THE HEART. 79 - talk, dare not do what faith dictates, what reason ap- proves, what your greatest interest demands ! What are words, but sounds passing through the air and disappearing? Can they stir so much as a hair of the head ? 5. Shalt thou be so faint-hearted, My child, that, for I the sake of such words, thou wilt draw on thyself ruin I in time and in eternity ? Choose either to serve Me, to be blissful in My service, and to enjoy the enduring delights of heaven hereafter ; or to serve the world, to lead inwardly a wretched life, and at last to undergo torments never- ending. Behold ! life and death, good and evil, are placed be- fore thee ; whatever thou dost prefer shall be given thee. ' 6. The voice of the Disciple. — 0 kind Jesus ! how : could I falter in my choice? Wretched me ! how could ! I ever choose what was to render me so unhappy? I O infinite Goodness ! O my* God ! Thou hast freed I me from error, and hast taught me the truth. I Behold! now I am wholly Thine for ever, O Jesus, I my true beatitude 1 Away with thee, deceitful world, most wicked I seducer, enemy of God and of my salvation ; thou foe of I all that is good, thou defender of all that is evil ! O I thou, the most cruel of all tyrants ! I O world, thou minister of Satan ! too late have I I known thee ; too long have I loved thee. From this hour, farewell to thee, farewell for evermore ! CHAPTER XIX. That the yoke of Jesus is truly sweet. 1. The voice of Jesus. — Come, My child, take My yoke upon thee ; for My yoke is sweet, and My burden light. 80 rURlFlCATlON [book I. My service, child, is not that of a tyrant, nor of a harsh master ; but of a most loving Father, who is near His children who are submissive to Him, that He may help and entertain them. Love is the spirit of My service ; and love finds all things easy. My commands are not heavy ; and to those that love, they are exceedingly light and sweet. Try and taste. My child, how pleasant it is to serve Me ; how delightful to enjoy My sweetness ; how good to gain possession of the very fountain of all good things. 2. If thou seekest delights, thou shalt find the true ones in My service alone. All the pleasures of the world are either empty or pernicious. But ]\[y consolations surpass, beyond com- parison, all the delights of earth ; they ravish hearts by their purity, they satiate them by their truth. Yea, betimes they so overwhelm man, that they give him. a certain foretaste of those heavenly delights where- with the blessed in paradise are inebriated. 3. He that serves Me is not as the slave of the world, who toils to gather for himself treasures on earth, and in the end finds his hands empty. But he lays up for himself treasures in heaven, where neither the rust nor the moth can destroy, where thieves cannot dig them up nor carry away. All the wealth of earth, compared with the treasures of heaven, is only dust and nothingness. 4. If thou aimest to be honoured, behold, what greater honour can be desired than to be with Me, to be approved and distinguished by Me ? The glory of the world, wherewith one man deludes the other, is false and ■ shortlived ; but the glory of My service is true, and shall endure for ever. Greater is the least of My servants than the lord of a kingdom in the world. 5. Was there ever found a man who, at the hour of CH. XIX.] OF THE HEART. 81 death, repented that he had served Me ? Yet, at that last moment, how exceedingly do worldlings regret to have been in the service of the world ; or if they be- wail it not, how much more wretched are they ! True is the saying. My child, that he who serves Me faithfully during life possesses two heavens — the one in time, the other in eternity ; and that he who spends his life in the service of the wicked world endures two hells — one now, another hereafter. G. Courage, then, My child; bend thyself beneath the yoke which is borne by the Angels in heaven and the elect on earth, and beneath which they enjoy true bliss. Take it up joyously, and bear it cheerfully. Thou serves! the same Lord that is served by the Blessed in j heaven. Whilst thou imitates! them in their service, imitate them also in their cheerfulness. Let the slaves of sin and of the world be sad ; joy and exultation are the portion of My servants. Serve Me, then, but serve Me with gladness : let thy ! heart for joy cheer up thy countenance, and, by thy j holy gaiety, teach the world what blessedness there is in serving Me. I 7. The voice of the Biscijyle, — To serve Thee, 0 most benign Jesus, is truly sweet for me; what, then, must it I be for those that love Thee ! what for those that have centred their heart’s affection in Thee ! If I, who only begin to love, find so great a sweetness in Thee, in what sweetness do they delight who, fondly ; devoted to Thee with a generous heart, have long lived r * for Thee alone, are admitted into the innermost of ' I Thy Heart, and partake of all thy bliss most plenti- pt fully! r [ . O Jesus, unutterable sweetness I what is man, that I Thou exaltest him thus ? or the son of man, that Thou [ I settest Thy Heart upon him ? J 8. Behold ! to live for Thee, to comply with Thy [ j Will, is not to serve, but to reign. In Thy service no 82 - purification [book I. one is a servant, every one is a king, is a lord; for Thou art the King of kings and the Lord of lords. In Thy service no one is a menial, no one is miser- able ; each one is noble, each one is fortunate ; for Thou art the King of glory ; honours and riches abound in Thy house. In Thy service no one is wicked, and, therefore, no one is unhappy ; but all are good, all are happy ; for Thou art the King of virtues, the peace and joy of hearts. Blessed, therefore, are the undefiled, who walk in Thy law ! their blessedness is ever-during ; for Thy kingdom is the kingdom of all ages. O most sweet Jesus ! what is there for me outside of Thee? or what do I desire upon earth beside Thee? God of my heart, Thou art my life. Thou art my blessedness, Thou art my portion for ever ! CHAPTER XX. Tliat^ loitliout keeping any thing for ourselves, loe should give our whole hean't to Jesus. 1. The voice of Jesus. — My child, give Me thy heart. To release thy heart from sin and from the world is not enough ; thou must, moreover, disengage it from thyself. As the complete renouncing of sin renders the friend- ship of God steadfast, and as the putting away of the world and its vanities prepares the soul for the interior life, so the forsaking of oneself leads to union with Me. It is, therefore, necessary to give Me thy whole heart, without reserving aught for thyself, if thou desirest to enjoy that blessedness, than which there is none greater in this life, and by which alone thou canst be truly happy. 2. Thy heart, child, is Mine, For, when it had no being, I created it ; when it was lost, I sought and OF THE HEART. 83 CH. XX.] ransomed it ; when it lay an easy prey to the enemies that were about to carry it off, I protected and preserved it. Thus, by giving Me thy heart, thou dost only give Me what is Mine. But on how many accounts do I deserve its every affection ! What good dost thou possess in thy body or inthy soul, whether in the natural or the supernatural order, which thou didst not receive from My Heart ? How many years ago shouldst thou have been burning in hell, if I had either dealt with thee according to thy deserts, or had not preserved thee from sins which deserve hell and its just punishments ? But it was My love, child, that dealt with thee in so sweet and wonderful a manner : the love of My Heart, with which I loved thee from eternity, and with which, even till now, I have never ceased to favour thee. Thy whole life has been a succession of blessings on My part, uninterrupted and manifold; nor has there been any point of time which was not marked with some new favour. 3. And what, O child of My love, do I ask of thee in return for all these thousands of favours ? Surely, what- ever I might ask of thee, and whatever thou mightst be able to give, would be far below the greatness and the number of My gifts. Yet, one thing only I demand — thy whole heart; it is enough if thou give Me that. Thy heart excepted, I care nothing for whatever thou I mayst give ; because, beyond all else, I long for thy heart. 4. Upon whom canst thou bestow thy heart with more advantage ? Thou canst not live without loving and without giving the affections of thy heart to some object. Wouldst thou give thy heart to the demon, thy sworn and relentless enemy ? or to the world, the demon’s corrupt and corrupting ally ? Woe, My child, a thou- sand times woe, to thee, if thou givest it to either of these 1 Art thou desirous of reserving the affections of thy 84 rUKIFICATION [book I. heart for thyself ? But, My child, if thou lovest thyself only, thou shalt find a requital in thyself alone. Now, what is the reward of self-love ? Behold, self-love digs out a hell, and leads to the same. Give, then, thy heart to Me, My child ; I will fill it with peace and with gladness and with bliss. 5. Do not desire to reserve for thyself aught of thy affections ; for if thou do this, thou shalt neither be ad- mitted into the secrets of My Heart, nor shalt thou ever be able to taste the sweetness of My love ; nay, more, thou shalt not be able to keep thyself from the danger of being perverted. Yet it is not unusual for many, even those wdio wish to be considered good and pious, to keep, through self- love, under a specious pretext, an affection for some one or other created object. What is there more frequent ? what can be more dangerous ? what more baneful ? I wish to possess thy whole heart ; I am its Lord ; I, a jealous God, am its only end, its sole beatitude. 6. Love, then, my child : it is given thee to love; to love is necessary ; for this thy heart was made ; — but love thou what deserves to be loved — love Me; and, if thou cherish aught else besides, love it for love of Me alone. When beside Me thou wilt love nothing, except for love of Me ; when thou givest entrance into thy heart to nothing except to Me, or for love of Me, — then, at last, shalt thou possess a heart wholly pure. Wherefore, IMy child, give Me thy whole heart, as a burnt- offering, for an odour of sweetness ; nor do thou take it back, not even the least portion of the same ; for I hate robbery in a holocaust. Be fever mindful that, whether in prosperity or in adversity, there can be nowhere a better place for thy heart than with Me. 7. The voice of the Disciple, — It follows, then, 0 Lord, that I must also disengage my heart from all self- love, from inordinate affection towards myself ; so that OF THE HEART. 85 CH. XX.] I may wholly be filled with Thy love, and may live by Thy Spirit alone. Alas ! my God, here is the labour, here is the dif- ficulty ; there exist in my heart so many things ill- regulated, and these I have followed so long, that to live according to them has become to me, as it were, a second nature. Hitherto, the natural disposition of my heart, either I inclination or aversion, has been almost the sole rule of my life ; this I have followed, in my dealings with others, in the undertaking and the execution of my actions, yea, in the very performance of my practices of religion and piety. Hitherto, with grief I must own it, whatever pleased my natural inclination, I was wont to pursue ; whatever , displeased it, I abhorred. ! Hence I find my labours for the most part void. I see that well-nigh all my actions were those of self-love ; I and that they have given me in return the fruits only of i self-love. I And unless Thou, by the light of Thy grace, hadst I showed me these things, I might have continued with them, without ever suspecting them ; so much was I 1 blinded by self-love. I ^ But, since by Thy gracious kindness Thou hast laid 1 open before my eyes these baleful evils lurking in my I heart, grant me, I beseech Thee, a special help to re- move them altogether. I entreat Thee, O Lord, suffer nothing which is not I Thine in my heart ; if ever any thing foreign appear ! therein, oblige me forthwith to cast it out ; or do Thou, even against my will, pluck it thence. 86 PURIFICATION [book I. CHAPTEK XXL Of watching over our heart, 1. The voice of Jesus . — My cliild, with all watchful- ness keep thy heart safe for Me, for from it proceeds- either life or death. The greatest and most pleasing gift thou canst offer is to present thy whole heart irrevocably to Me ; and thou canst have no better or more wholesome employ- ment than to preserve thy heart faithfully for Me. In vain dost thou devote thy heart to Me, if thou do not guard it sedulously ; for the enemy, even without thy being fully aware of it, will corrupt it and tear it away. 2. A man loose in heart and given up to outward things may, indeed, on occasion of some swift-passing fervour, devote his feelings to Me ; but soon, when this warmth of devotion disappears, he will fall into a worse than his wonted low estate. A heart not watched over is rarely self-present, and more rarely still mindful of Me ; hence, in a short time it becomes unfeeling, and grows hardened against things spiritual. It lies open to every one like a public thoroughfare, through which thoughts, temptations, errors of every sort, may freely pass. All its enemies come and go through it, and, in various ways, disturb, defile, and corrupt it. A man given to outward things never seriously gives heed to this ; and, shrinking from the very thought of dwelling wfithin himself or of busying himself with what goes on in his heart, he endeavours to flee from himself, or to turn away his mind. ^ _ And thus the evil grows worse, and from day to day the condition of his heart becomes more dangerous. 3. If thou art unwilling to be the victim of miseries so great, remove their causes, and the effects will cease. CH. XXI.] OF THE HEART. 87 By calling to mind the divine presence, by frequent recourse to Me, check thou all levity ; and take heed lest thou be too indulgent to thy ever-changing nature, which always seeks to go abroad, which is prone to vanity, which seeks to show itself every where, which studies continually how it may gratify the senses. Shun things trifling and useless ; shut" out all outer things, with which it is not needful to busy thyself ; accustom thyself to dwell v/ithin thyself, and to live interiorly in such a manner as if thou wast alone with Me in the world. Study always and every where to possess thyself, and I to be self-collected. To this thou mayst attain by I grace, by effort, and by practice, so that it will become, as it were, natural to thee. And when thou hast acquired it, this self-presence of i the mind will bring its own reward. For it is a bound- ; less treasure to man. 4. The self-collected man keeps watch over all the avenues of the heart ; Me, his God and Saviour, he j entertains within himself ; with Me he deals generously, i with Me he converses familiarly. Every where self-possessed, he peacefully enjoys the ! Beloved of his soul, and is ever saved from wearisome- ; ness, and from numberless faults. Whilst inwardly recollected, he makes progress in ' virtue, and, in spite of every obstacle, he hastens on to i perfection. Wherefore, allow not thy spirit to grow dissipated, , My child ; neither on account of the appearance of ex- ternal objects, nor on account of the varied throng of circumstances, nor on account of the urgency of labour, nor on account of the comfortless inward state of thy soul. Observe carefully with what objects thy heart busies itself ; by what it is moved, towards what it tends. Turn thyself wholly to interior things ; and, intent on these, preserve inward peace, and rejoice in My i presence. 88 PURIFICATION [book I. 5. The voice of the Disciple . — Grant me, I beseech Thee, O Lord Jesus, an inward spirit, that I may keep my heart for Thee, and that I may watch over its em- ployments. For I find it ever busy ; but, by reason of my neglect- fulness, it heeds neither place, nor time, nor objects. Behold ! frequently have I surprised it in strange places, pouring out its feelings whether of love or of aversion, distracted with emotions, becoming stained by the objects which engaged it. Frequently have I found it to steal away and give itself up to dissipation at the hours, yea, at the very moments, which were specially consecrated to Thee, and when it ought to have been praying to Thee, praising Thee, loving Thee, enjoying Thee. How often have I seen it engaged with objects vain or even forbidden, when it should have occupied itself with things good or useful ! When unguarded, it forbiiwith slips away, it runs to and fro, it is carried towards different objects, according as it is swayed by different impulses of nature. It is never at rest ; when it escapes from one object, it is entangled in another. It is excited by curiosity, it is allured by cupidity, it is misled by vanity, it is defiled by pleasure, it is wasted by sadness, it is tortured by envy, it is disturbed by love and hatred, it is worried by its own misery, and by worrying itself it is broken down. Thus is my heart busied, thus is it defiled, when I watch not over it, or when I am careless about it. 6. O Lord! how great the need of being vigilant! how great the need of guarding my heart! It must not only be made to stay at home in recollection, but it must also be kept busy, yet only with Thee or for Thee. I must examine, then, by what it is impelled — whether by nature or by grace ; how it acts — whether according to Thy good pleasure, or according to its own OF THE HEART. 89 CII. XXII.] natural likings ; wliat it has ultimately in view — Thee or itself. And I must watch constantly, until my heart in some manner has grown accustomed sweetly and cour- ageously to follow, for love of Thee, the motion of grace. O Jesus ! of how great an importance is this work ! whatever efforts be needed to accomplish it, behold, I will not cease to pursue until 1 see it perfected. If I loved Thee, if I were all-captivated with Thy love, how easily and how speedily should this work be completed ! For if my heart were filled with love for Thee, it would, repose in Thee, it would not stray from Thee ; in Thee it would find its happiness ; all else it would of its own accord drive off or cast away. O sweetest Jesus 1 how wonderful is Thy love! Ee- plenish Thou my heart with Thy love and Thy grace, and my heart will gladly stand watch over itself, will zealously reserve itself for Thee. I CHAPTER XXII. , Of the shoi^tness of this life, 1. The voice of Jesus . — My child, in all thy works remember thy last end, and thou shalt never sin. Whilst thou hast time, do whatever thou canst for eternity, mindful that thy life is exceedingly short. Soon thou must return to the earth, out of which thou I wast taken ; for dust thou art, and into dust thou shalt return. What is the life of man upon earth ? A vapour, which appears for a little time, then vanishes away, and j leaves not even a vestige behind. Ever since thou wast born, thou hast not ceased to ! hasten on to death, neither is it in thy power to stay I thy steps. 2. Think over the time thou hast lived. Does it 90 PURIFICATION [book I. not appear like a dream ? Yet know, My child, that it shall seem still more so when death is near, which thou must meet full soon. For what is even the longest life? Behold! the number of man’s days are threescore and ten years, and if he be among the strong, fourscore years. But, compared with eternity, these years are accounted as a drop in the waters of the ocean. Nay, more, the time of this life, placed in comparison with the endless duration of the life hereafter, is only a point. Yet on this point is hung thy eternity, whether of bliss or of woe. Yea, hadst thou lived from the beginning of the world even to this hour, if thou wert now about to die, what should this life be worth to thee when thou art entering into eternity, in which there are neither days, nor years, nor ages, but which flows perpetually onward through an uninterrupted for ever? 3. Wherefore, My child, understand well the value of time. Time is the measure of life ; as much as thou squanderest of time, so much dost thou lose of thy life. Time exceeds in value all the treasures of this world. With all the riches of earth thou couldst not purchase a second of time ; but with time, everlasting treasures may be secured. Oh 1 could the dead return from eternity, thinkest thou that they would misspend even a moment ? — that they would not employ it, some to free themselves from punishments, others to increase their merits ? But, alas 1 though nothing is more precious than time, to many there is nothing more wearisome. There are those — not only among persons that follow the spirit of the world, but even among such as make a profession of piety — to whom time seems a burden. They complain of its dullness ; they love to waste it ; they rejoice when they have spent it uselessly, but without irksomeness. And thus they squander, in dishonouring Me and in OF THE HEART. 91 CH. XXII.] harming themselvesj that by means of which they were able and obliged to glorify Me, to help their neighbour, to gather treasures of merit for eternity. 4. Frequently call to mind, My child, for what pur- pose thou didst enter into this world. Evidently for none other, except to prepare thyself for eternity. For what else is the present life, if not a novitiate of eter- nity ? . . . Whilst this brief career continues, thou hast number- less duties to fulfil. For there are thy many faults to be atoned for ; thy soul to be saved and sanctified ; hell to be escaped; purgatory to be avoided; heaven to be- secured ; thou hast a neighbour whom thou must edify and help to life everlasting; lastly, thou hast to honour and glorify Me in a befitting manner, and with all thy powers. If thou do not this during life, after it time shall be no more ; and throughout eternity thou shalt bear the- consequences of thy heedlessness and neglect. Time is Mine, not thine ; I have lent it to thee, that thou mayst use it to perform those things which I ask and desire of thee. If thou squanderest it, thou shalt one day be held to a most strict account ; but if thou usest it well, thou canst merit, at every moment, a new degree of grace and of ever-enduring glory. 5. Hearken, My child; frequently imagine thyself at that point when time shall cease, and eternity begin ;. and weigh attentively what thoughts will then occupy thy mind, both concerning all the past and concerning the whole future. Behold, eternity is thy dwelling-place ; eternity is thy country ; eternity is thy lasting home. Thou art a traveller and a stranger upon earth ;. quickly thou passest over it, in search of thy kindred in eternity. Thither, all that have been, that are, and that shall be, must repair. There all, the great and the small, the rich and the poor, the well-formed and the PURIFICATION 92 [book I. misshapen, shall be without distinction, except such a one as arises from virtue. Yet a little time, My child, and thou also shalt be there. There shalt thou live ; yea, live an endless life. Behold, what a lofty thought, My child ! Time shall wing away its flight, ages shall succeed to ages, the world itself shall perish ; but thou shalt never cease to be ; thou shalt never cease to live. Oh, would. My child, that thou didst understand this rightly ! 6. If thou savest not thyself for eternity, who will save thee ? Most certainly, no one, not even I ; for al- though I created thee without thee, I will not save thee without thee. And if thou dost not now work out thy salvation and perfection, how wilt thou do it hereafter ? The future is a time which, perhaps, thou shalt not have, and which thou canst by no means promise to thy- self. But even wert thou to possess it, the matter would grow more difficult from day to day, and would induce thee to delay still further ; and thus thou shouldst stand at the gates of eternity, still unpre- pared. Believe every day to be the last, and live each day in such a manner that, when the Son of Man comes, far from fearing, thou mayst be able to rejoice at His com- ing. Blessed is he whom, when I come, I shall find thus employed. Yerily, I say, I will place him over all My possessions. 7. The voice of the Disciple , — O Lord, how short is life, and how many and what great things have to be done during it ! But, alas ! how have I spent hitherto the time of my life ! All these things of supreme importance, which Thou gavest me to do for eternity, I have^ overlooked, as if they were of little or no worth. O blindness ! O wickedness of mine ! Although CH. XXIII.] OF THE HEART. 93 these things deserve to be wept over with tears of blood, oh, would that they were my worst transgres- sions ! Woe is me ! I have employed a great part of the time of my life in tormenting and grieving Thy Heart, in committing and heaping up sins for myself. Much of it have I wasted in serving the world, in seeking after its empty possessions, in pursuing its fruit- less glory, deceitful pleasures, trifles of every kind. Much of it have I squandered in satisfying myself, in fostering self-love, in gratifying the inclinations of nature, yea, even in things which otherwise were good and pious, O my Saviour ! how wretchedly have I lived ! In- stead of virtues and merits, I have gathered wood and straw and stubble, to feed the fire, and burn myself in the life to come. Pardon, I entreat Thee, oh, pardon the evils I have done ; grant me grace to redeem lost time, to repair the past, and make it good, by fervently employing what still remains of my life in those things for the perform- ing of which it was given me. The source of my misfortunes was, that I did not love Thee, O Lord Jesus ; that I felt indifferent toward Thee ; that I was defiled with a corrupt and corrupting love for other objects. O my God, Thou who hast freeed me from so great a curse, I beseech Thee, enkindle my heart with that fire of love with which Thy Heart is burning ! This mo.st hallowed flame will utterly destroy my offences; this will arouse me faithfully to perform whatever is enjoined to secure a blissful eternity. CHAPTER XXHI. Of death, 1. The voice of Jesus , — My child, remember tlioii must die, because it is appointed for all men once to die. 94 PURIFICATION [book I. Do whatever thou wilt, thou canst by no possible ■effort escape the grasp of death. The Almighty Himself has fixed the bounds beyond which none can pass. When thou hast reached them, no matter what may be i:hy condition, thou shalt die the death. Whilst life endures, there is nothing more certain than death ; yet there is nothing more hidden in uncer- tainty than the time of death, and its attendant sur- roundings. Thou k no west not, indeed, when thou shalt die ; yet, hold this for certain, that thou shalt die when thou thinkest not. Whether thou shalt see the end of this year, or even of this day, of that thou art wholly ignorant. Many, counting on a long life, and regardless of making preparation for death, dream of much to be done in the future, when a sudden death puts an end to all their plans, and drags them away into eternity. Whether thou shalt die at home, or abroad; of sickness, or by violence ; whether strengthened with the Sacraments, or deprived of their soothing comforts, — all this lies hidden in the mysterious unknown. 2. However, My child, thou shalt die only once : if once thou diest well, thy everlasting bliss is secured ; if once thou diest ill, thy destruction is endless and irreparable. Oh, inconceivable stupidity of the heart of man ! Very many fear not to live in a state of damnation, and yet it is certain that they shall die unexpectedly. The unchangeable declaration remains firm: The Son of Man will come when He is not expected. For a reason worthy of God’s wisdom, the time of His coming remains hidden, that men may keep them- selves in the state of grace — ever ready. But, as many disregard this, it happens that not a few die without being prepared, and, in a twinkling, are buried in hell. Woe, therefore, to them whom death shall overtake OF THE HEART. 95 €H. XXIII.] in a bad state ! When they are dead, hope shall be no more ; because, from a death in time, they fall into the death of eternity, and from finite evils they pass over to those ■which are infinite. Most wretched is the death of sinners ; frightful is the death of the lukewarm ; but precious, and filled with consolation, is the death of them that have sanctified themselves. Blessed are they Avho end a saintly life with a holy death ! They reach the end of their labours, their afflictions, their trials, and of all dangers, and they enter into a bliss secure and complete. 3. How differently are different persons impressed at -the moment of death ! Some are terror-stricken at the thought of the past, of the present, and of the future; others are filled with comfort; these feel their hearts dilating ; those feel them compressed with anguish ; but all wish that they had lived piously. To be well prepared to die is the greatest consolation of him that sees the near approach of death. To how great a danger of dying unprepared is he exposed who thinks of making ready only when death is at the door ! then, either time is wanting, or the pangs of sickness hinder the use of the soul’s powers; or passions still have their wonted sway; or the habit of ne- glecting to correspond to grace still prevails ; and, mean- while, the devil’s assaults are greater than ever before. Look forward, then. My child, before the night over- take thee, wherein no one can securely work, but when every one begins to garner what he has sown. A good life is the best preparation for death. It is • generally true, that he who lives well, dies well. Daily, before retiring to thy nightly rest, put thy soul in order, as if, the same night, thou hadst to set out m. for eternity. 1 4. Death is a good counsellor, My child; wherefore, ■ before thou undertakest or leavest off any thing of im- ff portance, ask advice of death, that thou mayst know PURIFICATION 96 [book I. when it calls thee what thou wouldst like to have done, what thou wouldst regret to have left undone. By perfect purity of heart, thou canst make thy death most safe and consoling. Take no counsel of the flesh, when there is question of securing a happy death; but, even in spite of its murmurings, pursue what is good, that in the end thou mayst save both the body and the soul. After death, thy body shall become the food of worms, and whatever remains of it shall be the prey of corruption. Yet, thereafter, it shall arise again, whether thou art willing or not, to share the everlasting destiny of the soul. Let death be most familiar to thee, My child. If thou be faithful in asking its advice, and in following it, it will be thy solace in adversity; it will keep thee in due bounds in prosperity ; it will be useful to thee in all things ; it will not cease to do thee good ; and, in the end, it will free thee from this place of exile, and introduce thee into thy blissful country in heaven. 5. The voice of the Disciple , — Is it possible, O Lord, that any one will hold himself unprepared, when at any moment he may have to meet death ? My conscience bears me witness what I shalhwish for at the approach of death : then my sole desire shall be that I had led a life of holiness; that for Thee I had kept my heart undefiled ; that I had sanctified my soul. But, alas ! should death overtake me now, I should wish for all this in vain ; since, as yet, I possess no sign of holiness, but rather many marks of lukewarmness. O compassionate and merciful Lord ! bear with me a little while, that I may ’weep over my neglectfulness, and that I may do what I would desire to have performed when death comes. 6. O my soul, soon time shall be no more. Let others do as they list; let us, whilst yet there is time, devote ourselves to the work of our salvation. Each one is for himself. When death comes, no one ' CH. XXIV.] OF THE HEART. 97 j can take our place; nor can any one in our stead go into eternity. Whatever, therefore, others may say or do, let us place our everlasting destiny beyond all dan 2 :er. And what means, O Lord Jesus, can be better and safer than a true love for Thee, disengaged from every thing besides ; since this both cleanses us from our faults, and renders us holy ? If I love Thee truly, I will not fear death, nor aught of all that follows thereafter. Thy love will drive away fear; Thy love will enable me to approach Thee with confidence. Thou, then, 0 Jesus my love, be Thou henceforth my life’T If Thou art my life, to die shall be my gain. For love of Thee I will daily die to sin, to the world, to myself, that I may live for Thee ; I will become free from things created, and be made wholly pure, so that, j when death opens the door, I may appear before Thee j rejoicingly. 11 CHAP TER XXrV. Of judgment, jl 1. The voice of Jesus , — My child, so soon as thou ! hast gone into eternity, thou shalt find thyself before My 'j judgment-seat, to give an account of thy life, and to hear j the decision>of thy lot for ever. i I Myself, the Searcher and Knower of hearts, to ■ whom all power is given in heaven and on earth, I will I preside over this judgment. : All and every one, whether they be willing or not, !l must make their appearance before Me, the Judge of the ; living and the dead, to receive the final sentence ; nor is I it possible thereafter to appeal to another tribunal. I What is just I will judge; neither by gifts nor by II 98 PURIFICATION . [book I. promises will I be conciliated ; nor sliall the prayers of any one change My Heart ; neither will I be moved by repentance. That day shall be a day of justice, not of mercy. Then shall each one receive according to his works. 2. What shall thy feeling be then, My- child, when thou shalt stand alone before the Infinite Majesty, with nothing but thy works alone, whether they be good or evil ? Then will the devil arise in judgment against thee, and accuse thee, ready to drag thee into hell. Thy Guardian Angel will stand up against thee, to bear witness to the truth of what is brouojht a 2 :ainst thee. Nay, even thy own conscience will accuse thee, and overwhelm thee with alarm and dread and terror. Thus accused, with none to take thy defence, thou shalt wither away for fear ; nor shalt thou dare to open thy mouth. 3. For all things, whether they be known or un- known, are in My sight ; nor is there any 'thing hidden from My eyes. Yes, searching I will search the heart, from the first dawn of its reason even to the last breath of its life. From it will I draw forth every evil, be it public or private ; whether its own work, or that of another ; whether great or small ; whatever thou hast done by thought, and word, and deed, and omission. And not only of things evil, but also of those that are vain and idle and useless, will I exact an account. ‘ Nay, more, justice itself will I judge ; I will weigh in the scales of the sanctuary even thy good deeds, and see what was wanting in them, either in the motive, in the manner of doing, or in the end intended ; scruti- nising whether all was supernatural and perfect. Then, many things which, during life, appeared good, shall be found void and evil. Then, the showy semblances of the virtues of the 99 CH. XXI v;] : OF THE HEART. lukewarm shall be seen as they are, and shall be cast aside as dry stubbje, fit only to be burnt. And searching still further, I will seek out the fruit of all the favours which I bestowed, of all the graces, of all the means of salvation and perfection. Yea, I will summon time itself against thee, and I will thoroughly investigate in what manner thou didst use it. - ' , 4. What shalt thou do then, O sinner, when even the just shall hardly be secure ? Above thee thou shaft descry a heaven uncertain ; belo.w, the yawning abyss: at thy right, Angels as witnesses f at thy left, demons enraged : before thee, the supreme Wr biter of life and death. 5. Ah! My child,' now act with care, hh at thou mayst find safety "then. Tl!^ow it is easy, then it shall be impossible. ' - •- i,- Follow now.dhe Invitings of My mercy, that thou mayst not then feel the severity of My justice. Now withdraw thyself wholly from a depraved world, that then, with reprobate worldlings, thou mayst not be forced to hear, — Depart, ye accursed, into everlasting- fire ! - ” Now, untrammeffed by aught of earth, follow thou the Saints, that with them thou mayst be worthy then to hear, — Come, ye blessed of My Father, possess the king- dom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 6. The voice of the Disciple , — 0 Lord, how much better it is here to examine and judge myself strictly, that I may not be condemned before Thy judgment- seat ! How much better here to weigh well all my thoughts and words and deeds, that I may plainly see whether they are good, whether they are wholly^ according to Thy will, whether they shall be able to stand Thy search- ing, and deserve Thy approval 1 I At present there is still a remedy, — then, every effort ! shall prove unavailing ; now, mercy is still offered me. rUlilFlCATION 100 [book I. — then, justice will thunder forth : Give an account of every thing. Lord, O Lord, if Thou wilt mark iniquities, who shall endure it ? If Thou searchest also things in- diiferent, yea, even those that are good, who can stand before Thee ? O Jesus, although I am inwardly rejoiced that Thou, and none other, art to be my Judge, yet, when I reflect that I am obliged to give an account of matters so nu- merous and so dreadful, I tremble with fear. For on what can I rely, when even my good deeds must be mistrusted ? On what shall I ground my hope ? Behold, nothing do I find whereon to place a safe reli- ance, except on Thy Heart. In this, therefore, will I hope ; for, though it shall then be the Heart of my Judge, yet it will still remain the Heart of my Jesus, of one that loves them that love Him. O my Jesus, be mindful of Thy Word, in which Thou hast given me hope ; for Thou hast said : W'^ho loves Me, him also will I love. If I love Thee, and am loved by Thee, then will I surely not fear to come and appear before Thee. Lo, therefore, this I will do ; I will love Thee, most lovely and most loving Jesus ; I will love Thee with my whole heart, and love Thee all the days of my life. CHAPTER XXV. Of hell 1. The voice of Jesus . — My child, so long as men live, I do, in some manner, love them all : the good I cherish with a divine affection ; the wicked I tolerate, because I await their conversion ; and I go in search of those that are straying. My Heart, wherein I bear them all Avritten, defuses and uses a thousand ways and means to save all. OF THE HEART. 101 CH. XXV.] But if there are any who disappoint the hopes of My mercy — if they come to judgment laden with the guilt of grievous sin, confirmed in their obstinacy — I will blot them altogether out of My Heart, and, with the thunder- bolts of My justice, I will hurl them into the depths of hell. 2. There they are bereft of heaven and all its de- lights, and never shall they behold My countenance in the kingdom of My glory. • They endure an infinite punishment, because they have lost an infinite good. Plunged in a shoreless lake of fire, they burn and suffer for evermore, and the smoke of their tortures mounts up unendingly. All evils rush upon them. There every sense of the body, every power of the soul, shall have its own and proper punishment. In that whereby each has sinned shall he be s^^ecially tormented ; as much as he has delighted in evil, so much is he tortured with pain. There the unclean are for ever devoured with a burning heat, overwhelmed with intolerable stench, gnawed by never-dying worms. There the wickedly rich are oppressed by extreme want, and suffer a most frightful hunger and thirst ; nor shall they find relief for ever. There they that wrongly sought after honours are infinitely debased, and despised and trodden under foot by the very demons. There no interruption is felt in torments, not even for a moment ; but they continue, and shall continue, for ever and ever. There every one receives according to his deserts. 3. The place, the masters, the company, every thing, superadds to the punishments in an inconceivable manner. ' What can there.be more terrible than the dungeons of hell, where no ray of light, no order, but continued darkness and everlasting horror, dwell ? 102 PURIFICATION [book I. What more cruel than the demons, who exhaust their arts to invent new tortures, and their strength to inflict them ? What more gloomy than that wretched throng of sufferers, howling endlessly, hopelessly ? As many com- panions as there are suffering, so many new torments are experienced. 4. Behold ! so shall he be punished who is unwilling to serve Me, his God, his Creator, his Redeemer, his un- wearied Benefactor. As I live, every knee shall be bent to Me, and all nations shall serve Me. Whoever does not willingly serve My goodness in time, shall unwillingly serve My justice in eternity. Be not amazed. My child, at the punishment of the damned ; they themselves are not astounded, but confess that they receive things worthy of their deeds. ISTo one croes to the torments of hell asrainst his will ; all the reprobate rush thither of their own free choice, — therefore they complain of no one except themselves. They confess that I am infinitely bountiful, and acknowledge that they are exceedingly wicked. 5. The gate of hell is sin ; the paths that lead to the same, whatever allures man to sin. How many have perished by an unlawful desire for pleasure, by an inordinate love of riches, by a wicked pursuit of honours 1 Long thou for nothing. My child, Avhich may entangle thee in its toils, and afterwards hurl thee into the abyss. Nor is it less dangerous in all things to seek thyself. How many, alas, there are vAio seem to begin well, but who, because they do not abandon self, relapse at length, are thrust into deeper evils, and finally are miserably lost! To escape hell, therefore, it is not enough to have begun well, but it is necessary to have persevered in well-doing. Forsake sin and the world for ever, lest thou be in the end forsaken by Me ; forsake, moreover, thyself, lest by OF THE HEART. 103 CII. XXV.] tliy own weight thou be dragged down to the lowest depths. Do all, dearly beloved, endure all, that thou niayst avoid never-ending torments. All the labours and afflictions of this life are as naught when compared with the sufferings of hell. Here upon earth, in a short time, there shall be an end to labours and sorrows ; but there is no being re- deemed out of hell. The voice of the Disciple . — O Lord our God ! how awful is Thy justice in eternity ! Nevertheless, Thy judgments are just, yea, acknowledged just by the repro- bate themselves. But, although nothing terrifies me more than hell, yet I know of nothing better adapted to awaken in my heart a love for Thee. How, indeed, O Lord Jesus, can I think of the fire of hell without being inflamed with love for Thee ? What is there that manifests in a more sensible man- ner the bounty of Thy Heart towards me ? What is there that presses me more forcibly to love Thee in return ? Behold, if Thou shouldst free some reprobate soul from the torments of hell, and if to her thus restored to this life thou shouldst give most plentiful means whereby she might not only save herself in an easy manner, but also gain an everlasting throne of glory in heaven, — oh, how would that soul love Thee ! Would she think that she could ever be able to show Thee sufficient thankful- ness ? Could she ever think of hell without wholly melting with love for Thee ? Oh, how pure would she keep her heart for Thee ! how saint-like would she live for Thee ! Now, O Lord, I am indebted to Thee for much more than that soul would be. By preserving me from the pains of hell. Thou hast done far greater and better things for me. For is it not a greater and better blessing to b - . entirely kept from an evil, than to be released from : ' after having undergone its pangs ? 104 PURIFICATION [book I. Yet these things, so astonishing, so wonderful, so sweet. Thou hast done for me ; not once, not twice, not thrice, but as often as I have committed mortal sin. Had I committed no mortal sin, my obligation should still be greater, my debt of gratitude should be increased, as well as my reasons for loving Thee. For I should be infinitely more obliged to Thee. Had not the infinite goodness of Thy Heart preserved me by grace, how long ago might I have fallen into a sin deserving of hell! For there is no sin which one commits, which another may not also commit, unless Thou prevent him by a special grace. Whatever, then, I may have been, this, O most sweet Jesus, this I owe to Thee, first of all, that I am not now in hell, that I am still able to gain heaven. Thou hast freed me from destruction ; Thou hast freed me, accord- ing to the multitude and greatness of the goodness of Thy Heart, from the depth of hell, from the hands of them that lay in wait for my soul. Come ye, therefore, and I will tell you, all ye that fear the Lord, what great things He hath done for my soul. Should I, then, not love Thee, O Jesus, infinite Good- ness? should I not cherish Thee? Yea, I love Thee, I love Thee above all things ; and I will continue to love Thee thus as long as I have being, for ever and ever. Thou alone shalt possess all my afiections ; for Thee, O Jesus, will I live — for Thee alone, to whom I owe my all. CHAPTER XXVI. Of heaven, 1. The voice of Jesus , — My child, the eye has not seen, the ear has not heard, nor has the heart of man conceived, what things I have prepared for them that ove and serve Me faithfully to the end. G Who can portray, for those who have not experienced CU. XXVI.] OF THE HEART. 105 it, what heaven is, — that blissful abode, from which all ills are banished, in which there is an overflowing of all good things ? No labour shall be there, no sorrow, no temptation, no danger ; all these things have passed away with mortal lifej they have given place to perfect rest, to endless joy, to a peace that cannot be disturbed, to a security that none can take away. 2. There shall be neither cold nor heat, neither in- clemency nor change of seasons, neither unpleasant days nor gloomy nights. Those realms of bliss are illumined by My everlasting glory, softened by the divine serenity of My Countenance, enlivened by the infinite sweetness of My Heart ; so that every thing smiles in the purest light, in the newness of a heavenly spring, for ever- more. Blessed are they that dwell therein. They neither hunger nor thirst, nor are they subject to aught that is unpleasant, nor shall they be weakened in strength for ever. There they are replenished and inebriated from the torrent of the delights of God ; they flourish in perpe- tual youth, and, immortal, they shine brighter than the sun for all eternity. ' 3. My child, there thou shalt behold Me as I am, and gaze upon Me face to face, in the most entrancing splendours of My Majest}^ There, by the intuition of My infinite perfections, thou shalt be rapt with admiration, and overflow with bliss ; in the excess of thy joy thou shalt, of thy own accord, burst forth in boundless praises and exaltation of My most lovely attributes. Then, also, thou shalt understand the mysteries of faith and the secrets of nature. All the science of philosophers is but ignorance when compared with the knowledge possessed by the least of the elect. Then shalt thou view all the display of My ever- lOG PURIFICATION [book I. lasting kingdom, its unbounded treasures, its ever-en- during dignities. At the contemplation of a loveliness so varied and so great, thou shalt be inflamed with an ineffable love for Me. 4. Then, My child, then wilt thou love Me in a perfect manner, without any division of thy affections, without remissness, without end. Now thou art sometimes in trouble, because thou Icnowest not whether thou art worthy of love or of hatred ; then, to thy unutterable joy, thou shalt know with certainty that thou lovest Me, and wilt love Me for ever, and that, in return, thou art loved, and shalt be loved by Me throughout eternity. Then shalt thou repose on ISlj Heart with perfect security, and thou shalt taste how delightful it is to love Me, and to melt away in My love. Thou shalt be inebriated with an exceeding great sweetness, and rapt above thyself ; thou shalt swim in an ocean of love, with the Angels and the Saints, amid jubilant hymns of love for evermore. Thus shalt thou spend ages, and pass away eternity, ever wishing and ever longing to love, and at the same time ever sated and ever blissful with love. 5. Then at last, child, shalt thou possess Me and enjoy Me for ever, which is the completing of beatitude. Thou shalt be wholly Mine, and I will be wholly thine ; thou shalt enjoy Me in a manner ever new, ever most delightful. In Me thou shalt possess every good, a,nd have what- ever thou canst wish or desire. Let thy mind conceive, if possible, how beautiful, how wonderful, how delightful all things are there ; how rapturous to behold the glory and exquisite adorn- ment of the heavens, to be present among the choirs of the Angels, to exult unceasingly with the Saints, to con- template and love the most Blessed Virgin, the glorious Queen of the heavenly kingdom, and in return to attract her sweet looks and to enjoy her love. CII. XXVI.] OF THE HEART. 107 What happy dwellings, O My child ! what pleasant companionship, what delicious beatitude ! and all to endure for ever and ever ! Behold, My child, behold the exceeding great re- ward of those that serve Me with their whole heart. Can the world give such things ? or even promise them? Lift up thy eyes, thei*efore, and see what awaits thee, if thou art faithful to Me even to the end. Be of good cheer, my child ; and as much as thou art able, with the divine grace and thy own cooperation, cleanse thy heart, and preserve it pure. For nothing defiled, be it ever so little, shall enter into heaven. But the purer thou art here, the more glorious shalt thou be there, and the nearer to Me, and the dearer to My Heart. 6. The voice of the Disciple . — 0 Jesus ! how blessed are they that dwell in heaven with Thee ! 0 happy mortals they, who serve Thee wdth a clean heart I what ineffable beatitude shall they enjoy in eternity ! yea, who is more happy than they, even in time ? O bliss-creating service of Jesus, which gains such a reward ! thou renderest easy and pleasant all things that lead to so great a glory and blessedness. O most sweet Jesus, bid me do, bid me suffer, for Thy sake whatever Thou wilt ; willingly and gladly do I embrace every thing, that I may please Thee in time and possess Thee in eternity. By Thy most Sacred Heart do I entreat Thee, lead me safe through whatever way Thou mayst choose, into Thy kingdom ; that, with the Angels and Saints, I may behold Thee, love Thee, enjoy Thee for evermore. Amen. DIRECTOHY FOR THE SECOND BOOK. 1. The object of the second book is to teach us, | after we have become disengaged from our evil and in- | ordinate affections, how we should exert ourselves, that, by the practice of virtue, we may be enabled to make our election sure. In order to do this the more effica- ciously and the more sweetly, at the same time, we ! should place before our eyes Jesus, with the inward | dispositions of His Heart ; because, by following Him who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, we shall proceed with safety, certainty, and pleasure from virtue to virtue, ; and secure our salvation. The practice of the virtues, by which we may follow the Heart of Jesus, and express His intei'ior life in our- selves, can, in every state and condition of life, be per- formed in two ways. The first, by practising those i virtues which are of precept, and which the state and • condition of every one require ; the second, by exer- cising, according to the divine good pleasure, those virtues also which are of counsel, whereby our salvation is better secured, and the divine glory and our merits are the more increased. But since both these ways contain limitless degrees, whereby virtue is ever prac- tised with greater perfection, there is no one, how per- fect soever he may be, who cannot here occupy himself profitably, and gather more abundant fruit. As, however, Jesus willed that, in the imitation of His virtues, we should, above all, be humble and meek DIRECTORS FOR THE SECOND BOOK. 109 of heart, we must diligently attend and take care, both that whatever virtues we learn and imitate in Him, we place them upon true humility as their groundwork, and perfect them in a meek charity ; and again, that in the very manner of imitating His virtues, we be espe- cially meek and humble of heart. 2. Nowhere can we learn virtues more safely and more easily than in the Heart of Jesus. For, as that Heart is the pattern of true virtue, by merely looking upon It with attention, we shall see what virtue is, and what qualities it ought to possess ; neither shall we run the risk of erring in a matter which is to us of so much importance, both for time and eternity. Thence shall we learn, to our unspeakable consolation, that virtue is a right affection of the heart for an object which is, in some manner, good ; and- we shall perceive that this good object, which sometimes we call figuratively virtue, is not, in truth, virtue itself, but simply the object of virtue. Thence we shall likewise learn that virtue, in order to be such as it ought to be in every Christian, must not be natural, but supernatural ; and we shall clearly distinguish the difference between the two. The affections of the Heart of Jesus, which He reduced to acts, whether internal or external, did not spring from an impulse or motion of His human nature, but from a supernal or divine principle ; they were not performed according to the sentiments of His human nature, but according to the divine good pleasure ; they did not tend to some temporal delight of His human nature, but throughout to God, as to their last end. Whence, if, from the impulse or emotion of mere nature, we strive after what is good, — if we act simply according to the feelings of nature, whether of inclina- tion or aversion, — if we seek merely a natural end, — we have only natural virtue, whereby we shall acquire no Christian perfection in this life, no fruit of merit in eternity. But if of the Heart of Jesus we learn super- natural virtue and the practice of the same, replenished 110 DIRECTORY FOR THE SECOND BOOK. with graces and merits, we shall lead an interior life like to His own. What is the interior life, for which the life of the Heart of Jesus serves us as a model, except to begin all our voluntary acts, internal as well as external, by the grace of God or a supernatural principle, to perform them according to God’s will, to direct them to God and His interests as to our end, to occupy ourselves in our heart with God our Saviour, and to live for Him by love ? Now, all this he does who begins all his volun- tary acts by the divine good pleasure, who performs them according to the divine good pleasure, directs them to the divine good pleasure as his end, being most con- stantly occupied internally with the Lord through love. Behold the truly interior life, by which genuine and solid virtues are acquired, by which we may attain, safely and sweetly, to true sanctity and divine union. This life is fitted for every state and condition ; it is- adapted not only to ecclesiastics and religious, but equally to all laics and persons in the world. Did not the first Christians generally lead this life ? Does not the Gospel teach this life to all ? Whoever has a good will may lead this sanctifying life, practise supernatural virtue, and attain to perfec- tion. For the acquiring or not acquiring of virtue does not depend on temperament, on a mild or passionate character, as many seem to believe ; but it depends on the grace of God and the cooperation of man’s wdll. And since God gives grace, not in view of natural quali- ties, but first gratuitously, and afterwards also in con- sideration of supernatural merits and prayers ; and since the human will, whatever be the natural disposition of a man, is truly free to cooperate or not to cooperate with grace, — it is evident that virtue does not depend on temperament or natural disposition. Wherefore we ac- quire virtue the better and the more perfectly, not in proportion as our natural disposition is yielding, but in proportion as our cooperation is more efficacious ; we DIRECTORY FOR THE SECOND BOOK. Ill reach a more pure and more solid virtue, not by reason of the fewness of natural repugnances we feel, but by means of the more generous acts of the will, which we perform in spite of natural repugnances. This doctrine, so full of consolation, which the Saints unanimously teach, and which they learned of the very Heart of Jesus, deserves our whole attention. In the practice of virtue we must guard against de- lusions, among which this one is the chief and most common : that we are satisfied with producing the object of a virtue, whilst we do not practise the virtue itself * or that we believe that we practise a virtue when we bring forward the object of virtue through a natural inclination or intention ; or even that we think we can I acquire true and solid virtue without repeated and I generous acts, whereby the emotions of the passions and I the impulses of nature are overcome or denied. They that neglect to cleanse their heart perfectly are especially wont to fall into this dreadful delusion. Other delusions which may occasionally occur in the practice of virtue 1 arise nearly all from the preceding. Such are : on the one hand, to grow despondent in mind on account of the difficulties or oppositions of nature ; to look upon these as obstacles to virtue, not as means (such as they ■may be in reality, if they are used with a generous heart) to acquire true and solid virtue ; — on the other ihand, to deem the good qualities of nature, freedom from vices or temptations, a virtue, — or even, overlooking true and solid virtue, to aspire to divine union. Now, these |and other delusions you v/ill easily avoid if, like a true idisciple of the Heart of Jesus, you lead an interior life. ' o. When, therefore, you have come to that part of the spiritual life which the Heart of Jesus teaches in this book, you should direct your endeavours to this — to know and love Jesus as perfectly as you can, to learn and acquire ever better and better, in thinking, in speak- ing, in acting, the dispositions of His Heart. To attain 112 DIRECTORY FOR THE SECOND BOOK. to this, besides the two methods of meditating which are given before the first book, and which you may also employ here if you find them useful, what follows Avill enable you to understand more fully this matter. 4. The proper method of using the second book is twofold — the one of meditating, the other of contem- plating ; both agree entirely wdth what the Saints have taught us concerning mental prayer. If you meditate, let the memory represent to you some virtue of the Heart of Jesus, and let it retain the same after the meditation, so as to put it in practice. Let the understanding consider the qualities of the virtue proposed ; then let it compare your own heart with the Heart of Jesus in regard to the virtue con- sidered ; afterwards, let it recall your past life, — whether, and how far, you have practised this virtue : if well, re- turn thanks and give honour to God your Saviour ; but if the contrary, grieve and ask pardon ; lastly, let it look forward into the future, considering w^hen and how you can improve this virtue. Let the will embrace the same virtue, and excite in- ternal acts of the same — yea, conversing with Jesus Himself, let it utter the sentiments of the heart ; for vvhat it is sorry, what it proposes ; what it fears, what it hopes ; what it dislikes, what it loves ; nay, let it devoutly communicate its every desire ; and, finally, ask much. But if you contemplate, see in the mystery or in the particular subject which you propose to contemplate what are the sentiments of the Heart of Jesus, or of Jesus in His Heart, concerning all and each of the things that occur in the subject ; what He esteems, and how highly ; what He condemns, and how greatly ; what He shuns, and what He embraces. Then give heed in this matter to the words which issue from the Heart of Jesus, and what words are not even thought in His Heart, much less uttered. Lastly, observe in the same manner what kind of DIRECTOPwY FOR THE SECOND BOOK. 113 acts proceed from the Heart of Jesus, and with what virtues they are adorned. And throughout the whole contemplation, according to your devotion, or your wants, or the motions of grace, indulge and persist in acts — that is, pious affections and petitions. Learn in this manner, by contemplation, to feel and speak and act like Jesus Himself. The acts specially recommended in this part of the interior life, besides acts of the theological virtues, are frequent acts of that virtue to which you are applying yourself, of generous self-abnegation of your ill-ordered nature, of a noble love of Jesus. Repeat these con- stantly. But whether you meditate or whether you contem- plate, you ought so to consider the mysteries of the life of Jesus as if you were present at them, which is ex- pressly taught by St. Bonaventure : “ If you desire,” says he, “ to derive fruit from these things, you must, with all the affection of your mind, setting aside all other cares and anxieties, represent yourself as present at what is related to have been spoken or done -by the Lord Jesus Christ, in such a manner as if you heard them with your ears and saw them with your eyes.” ' 5. The Saints, who were skilled in the interior ways I of the spiritual life, teach us that the evil spirit is more I wont to tempt, under the appearance of good, those who, ; leading a life already exempt from sins, exercise them- j selves in acquiring virtues. Wherefore, to such persons i they recommend the following rules, to enable them to discern between the good and the evil spirit, and between the suggestions of either. i I. In those who are advancing from good to better, jthegood Spirit moves the soul peacefully, calmly, gently; i The evil spirit moves the soul roughly, confusedly, violently. But on those who proceed from bad to worse, the Isaid spirits act in a contrary manner. For the good 114 DIRECTORY FOR THE SECOND BOOK. Spirit stings them inwardly, disquiets and arouses them, that he may bring them to conversion. And the wicked spirit endeavours to make them quiet in sin, caresses and flatters them, that he may keep and push them onward in evil. II. It is peculiar to God, as Avell as to every good ^ Spirit, in His motions to give to them that act rightly or use sincere efforts, true joy and spiritual consolation, and to remove the sadness and trouble which the evil spirit causes. And it is the characteristic of the evil spirit to fight against such joy and consolation by adducing specious reasons, subtleties, and various fallacies. III. The evil spirit observes very much whether a soul possesses a delicate or a loose conscience. If it is a delicate one, he strives to render it still more delicate, even to scrupulousness and every extreme, so that he may the more easily trouble and overcome her : thus, f. if he sees that a soul commits no mortal sin, nor venial, If nor any voluntary defect, the evil spirit, as he cannot p make her fall into some sin, tries to cause her to judge t and think that a sin which is not sin. But if the soul is of lax conscience, the evil spirit X strives to make her still more lax and gross j so that if £ before she made no account of venial sins, he endeavours t ' to induce her now to make light of mortal sins ; and if t before she cared little for grievous sins, he uses his |. efforts to make her now care much less, or even nothing f , at all, for them. 1 ly. A soul that desires to make progress in the ^ spiritual life must alwa3’'s proceed in a manner contrary g to that by which the evil spirit proceeds. Wherefore, \ if he tries to make the soul more lax, she must take care to render herself more sensitive ; in like manner, | if he endeavours to make her so sensitive as to lead her •- to extremes or to scruples, she should manage to place ■ ' herself firmly in the golden mean, so that she may j render and keep herself altogether quiet. I DIRECTORY FOR THE SECOND BOOK. 115 y. It is the characteristic of the evil spirit, who transforms himself sometimes into an angel of light, to begin by thrusting in thoughts conformable to the pious soul, and to finish by suggesting his own wicked ones. VI. The soul should rightly attend to the course of the thoughts suggested ; for if the beginning, the middle, and the end are good, and tend to a good object, it is a sign that the thoughts suggested come from the good Spirit j but if in the succession of thoughts which the spirit suggests he ends with something bad, — or which turns away from a certain good, or even with a less good than that which the soul had before resolved to do ; or if he renders the soul restless, or disturbs her by taking away the tranquillity and peace which she enjoyed before, — it is an evident sign that those thoughts come from the evil spirit. VII. When the enemy has been discovered, and is known by the evil to which he leads, it is then useful that the soul consider the course of thoughts suggested to her under the appearance of good, and that she re- view from the beginning how the enemy tried to over- throw and take away by degrees her interior peace and tranquillity, until he brought in his own wicked inten- tion. Taught by this experience, the soul will for the future guard more easily against the deceits of the evil spirit. St. Ignat., St. Bernard, St. Gertrude. THE SECOND BOOK. ADMONITIONS USEFUL FOR THE IMITA- TION OF THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. ♦ CHAPTER L How much loe should esteem and cherish sanctifying grace. 1. The voice of Jesus . — My child, do not disregard grace, but carefully preserve that sacred deposit which has been intrusted to thee. For this is thy treasure, this thy glory, this thy happiness, this thy every good. This makes thee the image of God, and renders thee . like to Him. Know, then, thy dignity, O man, who by sancti- fying grace art raised even to the likeness of God, and becomest more exalted than the whole world, so that nothing of earth can be comjiared to thee. "What is the splendour of the stars, what the beauty of all creatures, when placed in comparison with the excellence of a soul adorned with divine grace, and thus assimilated to God Himself? Lift up thyself, therefore, and, mindful of thy excel- lence, do not defile or debase thyself. 2. God adopts thee, resplendent with this grace, not simply as His child, but as the child of His love and predilection. CH. I.] THE HEART OF JESUS IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 117 Thus, what I possess by nature, thou receivest by adoption ; so that thou art not only called, but art in very truth, a child of God. Understand, if thou art able, what it is to be a child of God, — what it is to be loved and cherished by such a Father. In the world, children esteem themselves happy, and glory in having parents who are wise, good, influential, or wealthy, great, illustrious. But what are the distinctions of all the parents of this earth, when compared with -the attributes of God ? With how much more reason, therefore, shouldst thou glory and rejoice in having for thy Father God Himself, the Lord of heaven and earth 1 Ponder, then, with a true judgment the excellence of this divine adoption. For when formerly thou wast a castaway, reduced to the lowest depth of degradation, thou becamest, by sanctifying grace, from bond, free ; from one disowned, the acknowledged child of God ; that, thus ennobled, thou mightst rejoice in the affluence of the good things of the Lord. Blessed is he who knoweth the price of sanctifying grace, whereby he Avas raised to be a child of God ; and who so esteems this the highest nobility, that on no ac- count he shows himself degenerate, but ever continues a child worthy of such a Father ! 3. If by grace thou art a child, by the same thou art also made an heir, — even the heir of God, and co- heir with Me. Wherefore, My child, the everlasting kingdom, which is Mine by right of nature, becomes thine in virtue of sanctifying grace. When thou lookest up to heaven, and vie west in spirit the glory, the beatitude, and all the good things of eternity, say to thyself : Behold my possessions, behold my inheritance, if 1 preserve the title of grace. My merits obtained that this grace should confei THE HEART OF JESUS 118 [book II.. upon thee a settled right to the possessions of heaven ; of which none, except thyself, can deprive thee. God^s promise remains firm ; He is faithful to His word ; but if thou losest sanctifying grace, thou throwest aside thy right, and becomes t disinherited. 4. Grace, My child, which constitutes thee an heir of the heavenly kingdom, makes thee also a companion of the Angels, a brother of the Saints. If thou art glad when thou enjoy est the intercourse of distinguished companions, mortal men though they be, and subject to change ; if thou art delighted at /having brothers according to the flesh, although their number divides and lessens thy earthly inheritance, — how great must be thy joy that, by grace, thou hast the blessed Angels for companions, the chosen Saints of God for brothers ; whose countless number neither divides nor lessens thy celestial inheritance, but, on the con- trary, increases and multiplies the same ! And what brothers,- too, My child ! how innumer- able, how illustrious, how mighty, how good ! They are thy elder brothers ; celebrated for their triumphs, crowned with the glory of beatitude ; se- cure of themselves, solicitous for thee ; they love thee in truth, encourage thee by their example, help thee by their prayers, and invite thee by their re- wards. Blissful grace, which maketh thee the brother of such heroes ! O My child, would that thou didst fully understand this ! 5. Moreover, an effect of sanctifying grace, thou mayst, even in this life, enjoy true happiness. This- grace is the foundation of interior peace ; without it, there is no real peace ; with it, an undisturbed calm pervades the soul. Who, that resists sanctifying grace, has ever enjoyed peace ? And what happiness can there exist where there is no peace ? If thou rejoicest in the peace of grace, thou mayst IN ms ACTIVE LIFE. 119 CH. I.] justly and safely be glad amid prosperity, and thou canst easily and usefully find solace in adversity. Preserve thyself in grace, and thou shalt always be enabled to possess peace and happiness. Witness all the Saints ; yea, also they who, when once converted, kept carefully within themselves the grace of God. When they had this, and compared their present feel- ings with those of their former life, taught by experi- ence, they could say to Me : Better is one day in Thy courts, O Lord, than thousands in the dwellings of sin- ners. 6. Nay, more. My child, if thou livest in sanctifying grace. My kingdom is within thee ; so that I repose and reign in thy heart as on My throne. Now, My kingdom consists in the tranquillity and i joy of the Holy Ghost, who is a Spirit of charity and sanctification. In this kingdom I hold sway, not as a Lord ruling ' My subjects, but as a Father training My children, 1 whom I design to reign with Me. 1 So long, therefore, as thou continuest under this rule of grace, 1 guide thee specially by My wisdom, I pro- tect thee by My power, I attend and encompass thee by i My love. i Neither hast thou aught to fear. My child, for this j kingdom so governed, so protected, so cherished ; unless, ; indeed, thyself becomest its betrayer. ! If thou art faithful, it shall, without doubt, stand firm, and endure for evermore ; nor can all its enemies 1 combined overthrow or even weaken the same. I How sweet, how consoling, is this thought, O My I child ! how well suited to make thee esteem sanctifying grace above every thing ! j 7. See now, My child, how many and what great possessions thou hast in this one good alone ! Does not this one good surpass in excellence all the I riches of this world ? I Pray, My child, that thou inayst ever understand THE HEART OF JESUS 120 [book II. better and more perfectly the value of grace, and prize it in reality as highly as thou shouldst do. If thou dost understand and appreciate it rightlj/, thou wilt deem it little, or certainly not too much, to sacrifice for its preservation, not only fortune, fame, and all that is dear and pleasing, but even health, and, if it were necessary, life itself. Did not My holy Martyrs, and all My sainted heroes, — among whom thou beholdest so many children and tender virgins, — prize it thus ? Did not thousands among them, when it was left to their choice, prefer to sacrifice amid torments all the blessings of life, every possession, however great, that was offered, yea, lile itself, rather than lose My grace ? Thou, therefore, the child of such heroes, use thy every effort, thy most constant watchfulness, thy great- est care, to preserve grace, the most precious of all gifts ; the more so, as the most powerful exertions of thy enemies are directed to despoil thee, and thus to accom- plish thy destruction. For the rest, dearly beloved, be thou strengthened in grace ; increase in the same ; and, by acts of true virtue, advance thou even unto perfection. Dost thou understand all these things. My child ? 8. The voice of the Disciple. — Yea, Lord. Would that I had understood all this before ! Would I not then, after I had lost Thy grace, have wept and moaned more dolefully than Esau when he had forfeited his birthright ? For greater beyond comparison w^as my loss, and sustained, too, for a far baser object. Oh ! had I understood all this, w^ould I, for any thing here below, have cast away so great a treasure ! Lord Jesus, would that I had never lost this great- est of all possessions ! One thing, ho'wever, brings me solace — it is not yet too late ; I may still enjoy the privi- leges of Thy grace, and thereby sanctify myself. Thanks to Thee, most sweet Jesus, for that Thou hast showed so great a mercy to me, so unworthy. The CH. ir.] IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 121 ineffable kindness of Thy Heart I will not forget for ever. O Jesus, hereafter grant me sooner to die than to lose Thy grace. By Thy most Sacred Heart, I beg and entreat Thee, hearken graciously to my petition. Let others seek after silver and gold, honour and dis- tinction, the joys of this world, and its consolations ; taught by Thee, O Lord, this alone do I desire above all else, — to preserve Thy grace, and to increase therein all the days of my life. CHAPTER 11. Why the Son of God wished to become Incarnate, 1. The voice of Jesus , — My child, God alone is good. He is the supreme Goodness, supreme Wisdom, supreme Power, supreme Perfection. What, then, can be better or more perfect than to follow and imitate God ? But, as God falls not under the senses, and men are inclined to sensible things, it was thought befitting that I, a divine Person, should become man, that thus I might unveil to them an external form to captivate their senses, and induce them in a more easy and pleasing manner to imitate God. Mankind at first aspired after lofty things : they desired and endeavoured to be assimilated to God, that, like gods, they might know good and evil, and they fell; they lost the good which they knew, and suffered the evil which they knew not. But I wished to present Myself before men in such a form that, without presumption, without danger, they might safely desire so to render themselves like unto God, as to practise what is good, and to avoid what is evil. 2. First of all, men were to be redeemed; and tvhen their debts had been cancelled, they were to be made free. Heavy were those debts which weighed upon them. 122 THE HEART OF JESUS [book lU So greatly had they offended the divine Majesty, that no mere creature, but God alone, having become man^ could fully satisfy the divine justice, and truly repair the honour of the divine Majesty. Miserable slaves of hell, they lay cast down and groaning, without having in themselves any means of bettering their condition. I pitied the wretched multi- tude, and came among them with My Heart overflowing with mercy to redeem them, and lead them to a sweet and holy freedom. 3. Heaven had been closed by sin, and among created beings, whether in heaven or upon earth, there was none able to open it again ; had not I come down and unlocked it, no mortal could ever have entered heaven. Before My coming, God was, indeed, known in Judea, where some few served Him worthily ; but only through the grace given to men in view of My future coming. Among the nations, how very small was the number of those who, cooperating with this grace, feared God, practised justice, and were pleasing to Him ! In hoAv great a darkness were the greater part of them heedlessly groping ! in how deep and how measure- less an abyss of wickedness were they buried ! Nay, more, even now, after the work of Eedemption has been fulfilled, what kind of life do many men lead, in spite of the countless means of salvation ? Through their own fault, ignorant or forgetful of Me, they roam in blindness, and wickedly rush to destruction. What, then, should have become of the human race, unless I, the Word, had been made flesh? None could have attained to God, to supernatural beatitude. But, by assuming flesh, I united in Myself the utmost degree of divine greatness to the utmost of human lowliness in such a manner, that whosoever was willing could through Me reach God and supernatural beati- tude. 4. I came to glorify God, My Bather; to make known to men His name and His love. IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 123 CH. II.] Of old the name of God was the holy and dread name of the Lord ; now, the name of God is the holy and sweet name of Father. The old law was a. law of fear ; the new is a law of love. God so loved men that he gave his only-begotten Son. And I, through love for My F ather and for men, was- incarnate by the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of love. The whole work of the Incarnation is, therefore, a work of love, but of a gratuitous love, of an infinite love. 5. I came from heaven, and I return to heaven, pointing out to all the way that leads thither, that where I am, they also may be who follow Me in this way. I am the Truth. I appeared shining in the darkness of the world, to enlighten every man that comes into this world, that every one might surely and safely guide his steps on the journey. I am the Life. For this I came into the world, that they who were dead might have life, and have it more abundantly, namely, the life of grace on their way, and the life of glory in their heavenly country. Yet, behold ! even after man was born again to the life of grace, freed from the slavery of death, and after he had been taught by Me the way to his true country, weak and unstrengthened as he was, he could not have been able to follow Me. Great were his infirmities, My child, great his faint- ness ; but greater was the all-powerful Physician, greater the divine remedy, which heals every infirmity, every faintness. This remedy is manifold grace, the price of My sufferings, the gift of My Heart, which induces every man to long for health, strengthens him when healed, and helps him to follow Me. When I came upon earth, I might have run My career more swiftly than a giant. But the multitude of those that were suffering so moved' My Heart, that, loitering in their midst, I seemed, in some manner, to 124 THE HEART OF JESUS [book II. grow weak with them; going before them, I have so smoothed the roughness of the way, so helped and cheered up every one, that, were they but willing, they could easily and joyously follow My footprints towards the kingdom of heaven. 6. See now. My child, how I have loved thee. These things I did for all in general, and for every one in particular as well; therefore, also for thee, as if thou wert alone in the world, wretched and forsaken ; and as if I had come down from heaven to seek thee, to redeem thee, to save thee alone. Wherefore, since I came down in this manner, that I might be thy guide to My everlasting kingdom, follow Me. In whatsoever condition, in whatsoever state, thou mayst be, under all circumstances, propose to thyself My life as the sure and safe way to heaven. Neither shouldst thou imagine that My outer life only is such, because My inner life is the principal. My interior is INIy Heart : therein is found all glory ; therein resides the principle of all virtues. My child, be not like the Jews, who gazed upon My outward appearance only, and considered not the feelings and dispositions of My Heart. Do, then, enter into the interior of My Heart ; care- fully examine the same, study It, be wholly busied therewith. 7. If thou feelest grateful towards Me, if thou lovest Me in return, thou wilt diligently search after whatever may be pleasing to My Heart, and thou wilt do it faith- fully. But thou must seek this in prayer, ask it by love, embrace it by love, perform it with love. My child, prayer is the key of heaven ; nay, more, prayer is the key of My Heart. With this key open thou and enjoy all the treasures of My Heart. 8. The voice of the Disciple , — Everlasting thanks to Thee, Lord God, Creator and Kedeemer of mankind, for Thy gratuitous and exceedingly great charity, whereby CH. III.] IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 125 Thou didst create us men in so wonderful a manner, and didst restore us still more wonderfully. O Christ Jesus, Thou who, unutterably existing from eternity as the Son of God, through an excess of Thy love for us, wast willing to become the Son of Man; who will not love Thee in return ? who will not cling insepar- ably to Thee ? who Avill not live solely for Thee, to whom he owes his all? 0 delightful consolation ! O wonderful sweetness ! to behold the Son of God, the Son of a Virgin ! 1 adore Thee, O Jesus, Son of the living God, Thee, made flesh of Mary ! I hope in Thee, O infinite Good- ness ! I love Thee with my whole heart, O most loving and most lovable Love! Thou art my Way; Thou art my Truth ; Thou art my Life. !i CHAPTER III. That our heart j after the example of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus Incarnate^ must he loholly devoted to God, 1. The voice of Jesus . — My child, the first act of My Heart after the Incarnation was an act of love, whereby I devoted Myself completely to My heavenly Father. There was in Me nothing which I did not consecrate with all My mind to My Father ; nor was there aught In the will of My Father which I did not embrace with My whole Heart. Even then did I practically say in my inmost Heart, Behold, My Father, I come as the victim of Thy will. ’[At the head of the Book of Life it is written of Me that I should do Thy will. Behold, L have willed it, and the law of Thy good pleasure is in the midst of My Heart. At the first moment of My life, My Father placed before Me all the toils and hardships, all the humiliations THE HEART OF JESUS 126 [book II. and sorrows, all I was to do and to suffer, even to the last breath of My life. With a willing and perfectly devoted Heart I re- j -ceived all and each of them, according to My Father’s j good pleasure. 1 And this inward disposition of My Heart I cherished every moment of My life ; by this was I ever pressed onward, so that I might always do whatever was pleas- j ing to My Father. ^ 2. Behold, My child, the model of a true devotion, ; that, taught by it at the very beginning of thy career I in the way of virtue, thou mayst in like manner devote | thyself with thy whole heart. i Nothing, perhaps, is of so much importance in the spiritual life as a true and entire devotion of heart. For ^ a heart that is not altogether devoted to Me proves that it lacks perfect purity. If thou dealest with Me in a sparing manner, I will also deal with thee sparingly ; but if thou art generous ; toward Me, I will in return be generous toward thee ; I will ever excel thee in generosity. If, ^vith a liberal heart, thou devote thyself and all ^ thou hast to Me, so as to embrace effectually My good j j pleasure in all things, I Myself will lead thee safely ; and happily through whatsoever may befall thee j I ? ' will even in some manner be obliged to save thee. | 3. This perfect self-devotedness has ever been the < beginning of holiness in all My elect. i j Those noble and generous souls deemed the greatest , | sacrifices of life as nothing, so that they consecrated and - wholly devoted to Me whatsoever they possessed, what- j soever they were. j Therefore, too, did I show to them such liberality 1 ; and bountifulness, that often, even during this mortal life, on account of the exceeding sweetness of consola- tion, they burst into tears, and, whilst on earth, enjoyed I a foretaste of that bliss wherewith they were hereafter j to be inebriated in heaven. ! IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 127 €H. III.] And now, very many of those that make profession of a great love are willing to be devoted, but only in things and under circumstances which are pleasing to them. These are assuredly rather devoted to themselves than to Me. Wherefore they continue to be slaves of self-love, and remain miserable and devoid of inward happiness, neither do they become disposed to the divine union. Thou, My child, if thou wilt be truly free and happy, withdraw thy heart from every object except Myself — give all thy affections to Me alone. If thou canst keep thy heart perfectly devoted to Me, thou shalt be able to continue calm and undisturbed under all circumstances. For every agitation of mind arises, not from passing events, but from a heart ill- inclined toward God’s good pleasure. And if thou desirest to attain to an intimate union with Me, thou must be free from all creatures, and wholly devoted to Me in all things. 4. My child, let not thy devotion be like that of many others, which is wholly exterior, satisfied with outward things alone, and therefore merely a semblance of devotion, not devotion itself. Let thy devotion be truly interior, which has its principle in a heart so disposed, that, with the divine grace, thou art ready to resign thyself unconditionally to all My wishes, and to sacrifice all thou hast to serve Me. Thy devotion, however, must pass over to outward things, since thou art a man, and not an angel. And as thou possessest a body and a soul, both My gifts, thou must with both honour Me and sanctify thyself. But let the things which are outwardly seen in thee overflow, as it were, from the abundance of the heart ; thus shall thy devotion be solid, and thou shall be a true follower of My Heart. 5. This devotion. My child, is the effect of super- natural grace, which, enlightening the intellect and 128 THE HEART OF JESUS [book II. moving the Avill, makes a person ready to comply Avillingly | with every thing that belongs to the service of God. i To this devotion thou shalt never attain by any natural means, because it is itself supernatural, and is practised by supernatural assistance. Unless, therefore, thou art aided by divine grace, ' thou shalt labour in vain, even shouldst thou declare | thyself devoted to Me, and appear so in thy own estima- • tion. Pray, then, that thou mayst receive plentiful grace, and obtain the spirit of devotion. Thou shalt obtain it, if thou prayest well. All things are promised to prayer. With the aid of grace, and the cooperation of thy own endeavours, true devotion — which to many, guided by self-love, is known by name only, or appears a burden — shall be easy and sweet to thee. Whether thou hast sensible consolations or not, thou ' ^vilt continue in peace and with fruit to transact thy 1 alFairs, to fulfil thy duties, and to be faithful to thy spiritual practices. Without anxiety and solicitude, thou wilt repose in the arms of My providence as an infant on the bosom of its mother, and thou shalt be calm and contented in the various ways through which I may lead thee to life ever- lasting. 6. The voice of the Disciple . — Lord Jesus, who for my salvation didst consume Thyself, and, as an evidence of Thy love, didst leave me Thy Heart delivered up for love of me, grant me, I beseech Thee, the grace of a per- fect devotion, that, every thing except Thyself being withdrawn from my heart through love of Thee, I may become wholly Thine. Relying upon the aid of Thy grace, which I humbly implore, I offer myself with all my heart to Thee, that I may be thoroughly devoted to Thee, to Thy service, and Thy interests. O sweetest J esus ! receive me, all I am, and all I possess, as given and consecrated to Thee ; grant me the IN ms ACTIVE LIFE. 129 CH. IV.] spirit of holy devotion, that it may fill my heart with its unction ; make piety delightful to me, foster my love for Thee, render prayer sweet to me, and dispose me to act aright. Thus quickened, I will continue ever joyous and con- stant in Thy service ; I will gently drav/ my neighbour to Thee, and gladden the Angels and Saints themselves ; yea, what is more excellent than all, I will rejoice Thy Heart, and fill It with delights. CHAPTER lY. That we must he taught hy the Sacred Heart of Jesus^ nevdy born, and he imbued with its Spirit, 1. The voice of the Disciple. — Come ye and see, all ye creatures ! wonder and be astonished. Behold ! God hath bowed the heavens and come down, and, lo, He dwells with us ! O Infant God ! O prodigy of love ! O delight of the Angels, who came from heaven to gaze upon Thee reclining in this manger 1 O Jesus, Son of God, born of a Virgin ! how lovely, how sweet to me art Thou, thus become an Infant ! Wonderful, indeed, in the majesty of Thy divinity ; more wonderful in the loveliness of Thy littleness. Supremely worthy of love in the boundlessness of Thy divine perfections ; ravishing all hearts by the excess of Thy childhood’s sweetness. Who, O infinite Goodness, can here be satiated with gazing upon Thee, with loving Thee, with inebriating himself with the delightfulness of Thy Heart’s love ! How sweet art Thou, O my Jesus ! how sweet art Thou, not to speak of what lies hidden within ! What must be Thy inner Spirit ? Assuredly most exquisite, and sweet above honey. 2. The voice of Jesus, — Yea, My child, it is the Spirit K THE HEART OF JESUS 130 [book II. of My Heart that produces, that vivifies these wonderful, these most delightful things. This Spirit of Mine that, by love, drew Me from the bosom of the Father into the bosom of the Virgin ; and that, with so much sweetness, brought Me, the Only-begotten of the Father, upon earth, — this Spirit ever pervades, directs, and leads My Heart, that whither- soever the impulse of the Spirit is, thither It may The fulness of this Spirit dwells in My Heart ; for whom God has sent, to Him He does not give the Spirit by measure. Upon My Heart that Spirit reposes, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and fortitude, the Spirit of knowledge and piety, the Spirit of the fear of God, the Spirit of grace and prayer, the Spirit of love. Such is the Spirit of My Heart ; a supernatural, divine Spirit, who is charity, a love embracing all virtues. This Spirit of My Heart is love breathing love ; gently and strongly leading. He directs to things perfect, moves to make sacrifices, allures to deeds heroic. 3. Blessed is he. My child, who possesses the divine Spirit of My Heart, and allows himself to be guided in all things by the same ! For they wdio are directed by the Spirit of God, the same are the sons of God. Not appearance, nor profession, but the Spirit, makes thee a true disciple of My Heart. What will all else avail thee, if thou dost not possess this Spirit ? He that has not My Spirit, is not of Mine. Without My Spirit, the things which I do shall have no meaning for thee ; thou wilt not rightly understand what I teach ; nor wilt thou find a hearty relish for what I enjoin. Thou canst know, understand, and enjoy the things which are Mine, only insomuch as thou shalt be possessed of my Spirit. If thou art endowed with My Spirit, My judgments €H. IV.] IN H'lS ACTIVE LIFE. 131 shall be thy judgments ; My sentiments, thy sentiments ; the life of My Heart, the life of thy heart. In this Spirit every true disciple of My Heart views all things ; by this alone he judges of all things, by this alone he acts and is impelled. Be, then, possessed of the Spirit of My Heart, and do whatsoever thou wilt, this Spirit will guide thee safely, and protect thee in all things. 4. This My Spirit has influenced all the Saints ; Its unction taught them. Its virtue strengthened them, Its holiness shaped them. See what It taught the Apostles and Martyrs, the Confessors and Virgins ; behold to what degree It strength- ened them ; see how It formed them, — so that, trampling upon the whole world and forsaking themselves, some went to the tortures of death as if they were hastening to a glorious triumph ; others endeavoured to equal the Angels themselves ; others, again, trod blamelessly the common walks of life ; but all followed Me with cheer- fulness, and kept themselves to the end in My company amid all the vicissitudes of earth. What is there which the Saints, incited by My Spirit, did not undertake? what did they not do that, whilst sanctifying themselves, they might ever love and glorify Me more and more, and, as far as they were able, bring all men to love and glorify Me ? These were perfect disciples of My Pleart ; filled with My holy Spirit, they drew thence all their thoughts, regulated all their words, directed all their works, and shaped their whole life. 5. My child, if thou desirest to learn this Spirit of My Heart, study My life, and meditate devotedly thereon ; enter into the interior of My Heart, and affectionately examine and weigh Its sentiments ; by Its fruits thou shalt know the same every where. Dost thou not find My Spirit working in all and in every mystery of My life ? What will it avail to know My Spirit, unless thou 132 THE HEART OF JESUS [book If. receivest of Its fulness? Pray, then, My child;; pray fervently that thou inayst be quickened by It, or obtain an increase of Its quickening. If thou prayest as it behoves thee, thou wilt doubt- less receive It, for I have promised to give My good Spirit to them that ask. The better and the more thou prayest, the more thou shalt receive of the same ; the more perfectly thou shalt know It; and the more easily thou shalt follow Its guidance. 6. The voice of the Disciple, — O Jesus ! of the ful- ness of whose Spirit Thy disciples so receive as to live thereby, send, I beseech Thee, the Spirit of Thy Heart into my heart, that It may quicken and guide me in all and through all. I do not beg, as Eliseus did of Elias, that a twofold Spirit may dwell in me, since my little heart cannot even contain one; but I entreat Thee, fill me entirely with Thy Spirit ; expel from me for ever the spirit of the world and the spirit of self. Grant that in Thy Spirit my heart may rightly relish that wherein Thy Heart delights, understand whatever it teaches, taste in a manner affective, as well as effec- tive, whatever it does. Grant me to live hereafter by Thy Spirit, not simply the life of nature, but of grace ; not simply a human life, but one in some manner divine — the life of Thy; Spirit. CHAPTER y. Thou born for us a Child, and given to us an Infant ! Art not Thou Wbo Art ? is not this Thy name for ever- more ? I That of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus ^ whilst an Infant^ we must learn humility, ^ 1. The voice of the Disciple. — How, O Jesus, art l|I CH. V.] IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 133 Who shall declare Thy generation ? Behold ! Thou art from eternity to eternity. Who shall speak Thy power, or make known Thy other perfections ? Through Thee*all things were made; by Thee all are ruled ; Thou fillest the heavens and the earth ; and, lo ! in what a state do I behold Thee here ! O prodigy ! O miracle ! Behold ! God, the infinite God, lies here an Infant in this cave ! He emptied Himself ; He has become a Child, an Exile, in the midst of humiliations unknown ; and He is contented ! How, O most sweet Jesus, — how, I beseech Thee, wast Thou born a Babe, and given us as a Child ? 2. The voice of Jesus. — My child, I came to save that which was lost. So great was the fall of the human race, that its restoration demanded such a hu- miliation of the Son of God. Man had sunk into the abyss of pride ; in lowliness I came down, and entered the abyss, to snatch him thence. Before I came into the world, pride had so far dark- ened and corrupted the minds of nations, that they not only did not acknowledge humility as a virtue, but, on the contrary, deemed it weakness of soul, and were shocked thereat. For when they knew God, whose light is placed as a seal upon the human heart, they glorified Him not as Gyd ; they became vain in their thoughts, and their foolish heart was darkened ; they grew corrupt and abominable in their desires. Thus, well-nigh all flesh had corrupted its way. What could be better and more effectual to free the world from so great and baneful an error than the example of a God, supremely wise and perfect, abasing Himself unto emptiness ; thus confounding all human pride, and refuting for ever its false reasonings and pretences ? 3. Pride, IVIy child, has ever been, and will continue 1 THE HEART OF JESUS 134 [book it. to 1)6, the source of all evils ; but humility is the prin- ciple of all good things. Truth begets humility, which is the virtue of vir- tues, and charity gives it life and form. First of all, then, thoroughly know thyself and God, that thou mayst attribute to God the things which are of God, and to thyself what is thy own. Take care, therefore. My child, to understand what thou art of thyself What art thou of thyself? — what except a mere nothing, out of which God created Thee? This nothingness is thy own, but the being which thou hast is of God. If thou thinkest that thou art something, whereas, of thyself, thou art nothing, thou deceivest, thou mis- leadest thyself. What dost thou possess of thyself, by nature or by grace ? In the order of nature, thou hast, indeed, the powers of the soul, the senses of the body, the gifts of the mind, the outward qualities of person. But whence did all these things, of what kind soever they be, come to thee ? Whose are they ? take away that which God made and gave to thee, and what remains except nothing- ness? This latter, again, is thy own; the former is of God. In giving thee these things, He gave them for an end, that thou mightst use them for His glory, and for thy salvation. If thou hast ever made use of all and every one of them for that end, thou hast done wh^t thou wast obliged to do. If at any time thou hast made an ill use of them, behold ! beside thy nothingness, thou must claim also as thy own ungratefulness, frowardness, and the misspending of God’s favours. Now, what art thou in the order of grace? My child, is not this a fathomless abyss ? It is certain that of thyself, without the help of grace, thou possesses! nothing which can promote thy salvation ; thou canst do nothing to save thyself. Whatsoever, therefore, thou hast of the supernatural order,: — whatever virtues, what- IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 135 CH. V.] ever merits, thou mayst possess, — all these are the effects of grace, without which they could not even have been begun, much less brought to perfection. If, then, God rewards these things in thee. He does but crown His own gifts. It is, indeed, true, My child, that to acquire these things thou didst cooperate with grace. But this very cooperation, if duly considered, what does it disclose? It is evident, by faith, that thou must one day give a strict account of every grace. For thou art obliged to cause each grace to produce its fruit by thy cooperation. Did not this consideration fill the very Saints witli the lowliest sentiments ? What thoughts, then, must it needs force upon thee, who often dost cooperate so ill with grace, nay, even dost slight it ? If thou art unable to count the shortcomings of thy cooperation with grace, ponder the number and magni- tude of the debts thou hast contracted, by the neglect or ill use of the gifts of God, in addition to thy own nothingness and powerlessness in the order of grace. My child, if thou rightly considerest the obligation of cooperating with God’s grace, and of making a proper use of His gifts, even of those in the natural order, thou wilt understand, as the Saints understood it, that the more and the greater the favours thou didst receive, the greater reason thou hast for deeply humbling thy- self. . 4. But there are things worse and more humiliating hidden from the sight. See and examine thy manifold miseries, offences, and sins ; and weigh well what thou hast justly deserved thereby. Hadst thou received wdiat is rightly due to thee, shouldst thou not long since have felt the contempt of all the inhabitants of heaven, of earth, and of hell, and suffered everlasting degradation ? And if, perhaps, thou hast done nothing • on account of which thou deservest to be cast away, thou hast no cause to be elated. For, that thou wast thus kept from 136 THE HEART OF JESUS [bOOK II. grievous faults is not ihj own, but chiefly the work of grace. Nay, more, by one venial transgression, committed against the infinite Majesty of God, thou didst deserve greater humiliations than the world can inflict upon thee. 5. What, then, my child, — what art thou ? What compared with all men ? Nothing more than a drop of water compared with all the oceans. And what are all men viewed in connection with all the myriads of Angels? Assuredly less than this earth is to the boundless hea- vens. And what are all the Angels in comparison with God Himself? Behold ! they are as if they were not ; because the difference is infinite. Now, compared with the infinite God, what art thou ? A puny being, dwelling in a little corner of this globe. What art thou, in truth. My child? or what dost thou possess, to make thee proud ? yea, what hast thou for which thou shouldst not humble thyself? I do not say these things to cause thee to blush, but to give thee warning, — thee, well-beloved child of My Heart, — lest, misled by pride, thou fall away and perish. 6. To God alone be honour and glory from every creature. He alone is truly and exceedingly worthy to receive* empire, and power, and benediction, and praise, and supreme Avorship for ever and ever. All the perfections seen in creatures, how excellent soever they may appear, are only darksome rays of God’s perfections, which are every way absolute and infinite. Even had God not so commanded, His boundless perfections should have been acknowdedged and honoured by every reason-gifted being. Nay, more, His own glory is so essentially to be re- ferred to God, that He Himself cannot be indifferent in its regard ; for He alone is worthy of Himself. 7. Precious, My child, is the knowledge of God and of thyself j for it reveals a great truth, most fit to CH. V.] IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 137 humble thee. Yet this knowledge itself is not humility, since virtue consists not in knowledge, but in affection. Neither does the virtue of humility consist in humi- liation, but rather in the love of humiliation. For there is no virtue, unless there be affection and motion of a good will. How many there are who humble themselves, or are humbled by others, and yet are not humble ! how many do outwardly give signs of humility, and yet keep pride within themselves ! In order that humility may be a virtue, such as that of My disciples ought to be, and that self-abasement may be an act of such a virtue, it must receive its life and form from charity or supernatural affection. The virtue of humility is that supernatural affection which inclines and moves thee always so to tend to thy proper place that thou givest to God the things which belong to God, — thanksgiving, honour, glory ; and ascrib- est to thyself whatsoever is thine, — nothingness and unworthiness of every kind. Now, which is thy own proper place ? O My child, how deep, how terrible is that place which thou hast deserved ! But see the love of My Heart ! To console thee, to exalt thee, I became man, humbled Myself in thy stead, and assigned thee a better and more honour- able place. Since that time, thy place is with Me. But where shalt thou be with Me ? where shalt thou find Me ? An Infant in the manger, exiled and unknown in Egypt, hidden at Nazareth, toiling and suffering in public, occupying the last place, and dying therein. 8. With Me, child, thou shalt be far from pride, which is hateful to God and men, begets every sin, cor- rupts every virtue, despoils of merits, heaps up punish- ments, despises the example of My Heart, follows the footsteps of the devil. Happy lowliness, blissful virtue, which makes thee find favour with God and men ! For, whilst God resists the proud, He gives His grace to the lowly ; and, whilst THE HEART OF JESUS 138 [book II.. the proud themselves look down upon the proud, they admire the humble. , Humility is the first of virtues ; no virtue is acquired ; without it. Humility produces all other virtues, nour- ' ishes them when produced, and preserves them safely. Humility is a noble virtue, which makes man truly generous and great-souled. By its means he overcomes r not only what is most arduous, but he even conquers himself. While the proud man, with his narrow heart, fettered by the dread of humiliation, which may perhaps befall ' him, struggles with himself, shrinking back at one time, hesitating at another, whether or not to assail the difil- culty placed before him, — the humble man, with a great and expanded heart, has already subdued himself, over- j come the difficulty, and marches onward rejoicingly. Humility is the virtue of the courageous, and it pre- pares the soul for the greatest deeds. For the humble man, overlooking himself, and relying upon God, ex- changes his own strength, and puts on the strength of God, upon whom he rests, and in whom he can do all things. He is an object of terror to the very demons. These enemies dread the humble ; no other do they fear so much. Lastly, humility is a solid virtue, because it so | strengthens man, that he is neither shaken by the sayings j or doings of others, nor cast down by his own faults or ■ miseries. It is not, therefore, the virtue of humility, but its counterfeit, which renders thee faint-hearted, timorous, or in any wise dejected. So noble a virtue does not produce such ignoble effects. 9. My child, although humility is so just, so useful, so necessary, so excellent, thou shouldst notwithstanding know, that it is not according to human feelings not to find one’s delight in some object, but in all things to refer absolutely the whole glory to God, — to attribute to one- IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 131 > CH. V.] self nothing except iinworthiness, to be contented with Me in the lowest place, to embrace heartily whatever My ^eart embraces. Certainly, if thou consul test nature, it will shrink back from such things, and seek to avoid them. Yet, if thou desirest to be a disciple of My Heart, thou must not follow nature, but grace ; and act, not according to the bent of thy natural feeling, but according to divine love, whereby thou mayst imitate My Heart, even in spite of nature. If thou dost this, it will be with thee as it was with the Saints, who tasted in humility a sweetness above nature, and found by experience that humiliations them- selves were full of delight. Secure for thyself, by prayer and meditation, the powerful help of grace, and, generously cooperating with the same, embrace humility with mind and heart ; exercise thyself in it, until thou art able readily to reduce it to practice in thought, word, and deed. My child, be ever mindful of My example, and forget not My words. Behold ! I, an Infant, give thee a new command, the command of My Heart : Learn of Me, that I am meek and humble of Heart. 10. The voice of the Disciple , — O most sweet Jesus I O Infant God ! who didst empty Thyself by humility I Lo 1 the stable wherein Thou dwellest, the darkness wherein thou art hidden, the very silence that surrounds Thee, all cry out how humble of Heart Thou art. O Thou Teacher of humility ! behold me prostrate at Thy feet, that of Thee I may learn that all-important virtue. Enlightened and enkindled by the flames of Thy Heart, may I ever know Thee, ever know myself ; that thus I may always and every where ascribe to Thee what is Thine, and to me what is mine ! Hitherto, I own it, I have never rightly understood the meaning of humility. Now I understand, now I see, that by the virtue of humility I am neither debased nor 140 THE HEART OF JESUS [book II. disgraced, but raised and ennobled; since by it I am elevated to the resemblance of Thyself, who alone art eminently noble. O most kind Jesus ! givest Thou me a place near Thee ? O Lord ! I am not worthy. And yet, how have I ever sought any other place, as if I could find a better place than with Thee? Forgive, O Lord, forgive my ungratefulness, my injustice, my madness. Henceforth, behold, I am for ever with Thee. Let them seek after higher places who are anxious to be above others ; for myself, as much as I am allowed, I will strive for the lowest, convinced that there I shall be with Thee. My only longing is to be with Thee ; with Thee I will be contented, wherever I may be. CHAPTEK VI. That the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, horn in a stable, teaches us holy poverty, 1. The voice of the Disciple. — For Thee, Lord Jesus, for Thee my heart longs ; Thee my soul seeks, whom she loves. ShoAV me, I entreat Thee, where Thou dwellest. The voice of Jesus. — Come, My child, and see. This shall be a sign to thee : thou shalt find Me poor, in a stable. Hearken thou, and give heed to what My Heart may speak to thee. The foxes have their holes, the birds of the air have their nests ; but the Son of Man has not where to lay His head. Yet, My child, the whole earth is Mine, and the ful- ness thereof. But, behold ! when I was the richest, I be- came the poorest of all. From the time I was born needy in the stable, until I breathed My last, destitute upon the cross, I lived ever IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 141 CH. VI.] in perfect poverty ; and as I ever loved it as a mother, so I ever honoured it as a Son. And for what reason, thinkest thou, with what design, does My Heart so lovingly embrace poverty? Un- doubtedly, My child, because My Heart, filled as It is with humility and charity, cherishes these virtues most tenderly, and desires most ardently, by their means, to draw the hearts of men from things earthly and perish- able, and raise them aloft to that which is heavenly and everlasting. 2. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven ; blessed, for that they are free from the greatest obstacles to everlasting salvation ; blessed, for that they possess a wholesome opportunity of prac- tising numberless virtues ; blessed, lastly, because in their heart they are conformed to Me. My child, to have nothing, nay, even to be in want, is not the virtue of poverty; but to keep the heart disen- gaged from the created things of the world, this consti- tutes the pure virtue of poverty. For love of Me, to bid farewell to all things of earth, to possess nothing as one's own, to cling with the heart to no created object, is the perfection of the virtue of poverty. To this latter all are not called ; but to the former all and every one must tend, insomuch that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for anv one without it to enter the kingdom of heaven. ^ .o For unless a man renounce, with the heart at least, all things, he cannot be My disciple. o. There is nothing more wicked than the love of money, for this love perverts the judgment and misleads the heart ; and, since all things obey money, he that loves it, blinded by its inordinate desire, sets his own soul for sale, so that he is ready to sell this immortal gift for a perishable object. The Saints used the things of earth with a heart free from them ; amid the greatest wealth, they were poor in spirit. 142 THE HEART OF JESUS [book II. Yet there are not a few Avho allow the enemy of man’s salvation to deceive them by the appearance of what is good or right. That crafty foe strives to per- suade men that riches, or the abundance of the good things of earth — since they are indifferent in themselves, and may be usefully spent — can be coveted and sought after without danger.- But whosoever suffers himself to be so deceived, soon discovers that he has become entangled in the snares of the devil’s artifices; that he is weighed down by troubles, darkness, perverse inclinations ; that, whatever his state of life, he is unable to attain to its perfection ; and that, finally, he imperils, in no small degree, his everlasting salvation. 4. My child, if thou hast riches, set not thy heart upon them ; for thou art a steward, rather than a master. With a heart disengaged from them, either renounce them altogether, if such be the divine will, or use them for My glory, and for the real benefit of thy soul. Thou must be so disposed that, if it be My will, thou should st renounce all things ; or, if I suffer thee to be deprived of them, thou do willingly submit thyself to Me. If thou art poor, rejoice, My child, and be exceed- ingly glad ; and lose not the fruit of so great a blessing, by suffering repiningly the effects of poverty. Be not ashamed of being in moderate or even desti- tute circumstances, for My sake, who was not ashamed of becoming destitute for thee ; but rather glory, for that thou possesses! what I purchased for Myself, by many and great humiliations. 5. Whether thou art needy or rich, cherish holy po- verty, and practise a virtue so dear to My Heart, and so advantageous to thj^self. There is indeed no condition of life in which this vir- tue may and should not be practised ; frequent opportu- nities daily present themselves every where. This great virtue may be exercised in regard to one’s IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 143 CH. VI.] dwelling-place, furniture, food, and drink ; in short, the whole manner of living. For, in all these things, either there is something which is not really necessary, or which may, without danger, be withdrawn from what is had only for nature’s convenience. If thou lovest holy poverty in thy heart, as is proper, thou shalt not want means and opportunities of practising the same. How many poor there are, who do not gather any merit from their poverty, but use it to make themselves more wretched, and to offend God ! Would that they were wise ! Then, instead of bitterness, they would taste sweetness, and sanctify themselves. 6. The name of the poor in spirit, who love and ])ractise poverty, whether it arises from necessity or free choice, is honourable before Me. With them I hold fellowship and intercourse ; their heart is like a fertile soil, which receives the seed of My words, and brings forth fruit a hundredfold. Who is happier than the possessor of holy poverty, who has whatever he desires in this world? Who is richer than he to whom belongs the kingdom of heaven? Do not, then, My child, neglect thy sanctification, for the sake of gathering treasures on earth ; use thy endea- vours principally to sanctify thyself, and thus to lay up treasures in heaven. Wheresoever the object of thy alfections may be, where thy treasure is, there also will be thy heart. 7. True it is, that for man, left to himself, it is very difinicult to despise in his heart riches, and to practise poverty in deed and in affection. Thou shouldst therefore pray fervently, that divine [grace may help thee to perform that which thy own strength does not enable thee to accomplish in a merito- rious manner. If thou perceivest within thyself feelings opposed to 'poverty, persevere in prayer, and beg the more fervently, 144 THE HEART OF JESUS [book II. even against thy inclinations, that grace may not spare those inordinate feelings, but root them out complete ’ until thy heart is altogether free, and looks solely to lae will and glory of God. • - ; My child, when the affections of thy heart are well ordered, thou wilt find, through divine grace, the virtue of poverty not only easy, but even full of sweetness. 8. The voice of the Disciple . — O sweet Jesus, Son of God ! Thou boldest and swayest the whole universe ; Thou didst adorn the heavens with glittering stars ; Thou didst embellish the earth with wonderful splendour ; and, behold! here Thou reclinest in a poor stable, a Babe hardly covered with tattered clothes. Oh, how marvellous, how salutary, are the dispdsings of Thy Heart 1 Who will not, after so great an example, which ravishes the very Angels, consider poverty lovely and desirable ! Good Jesus, Teacher of the truth, and model of holy poverty I enlighten my mind, that I may understand the price of this virtue ; and tear away my heart, even in spite of itself, from every inordinate affection for things created, lest, busied with various cares and desires, it become estranged from Thee. Grant, I beseech Thee, that I may look upon all the things of time as speedily vanishing, and upon myself as passing away with them to things everlasting ; allow me the use of the possessions of earth only insomuch as they are means to guide me to heavenly possessions. Every thing is Thine, O Lord ; if, then. Thou de- sirest me to live in opulence, as the steward of Thy pos- sessions, Thy will be done ; if Thou desirest me to be in poverty a perfect follower of Thy life, again Thy will be done. Yet, so far as it is left to me, and as it is pleasing to Thee, I choose rather to be poor with Thee, O Jesus, the Son of God, than to be rich with the world ; I prefer to possess the lasting blessings of poverty rather than undergo the ceaseless dangers of riches. IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 145 CH. vie] I offer myself, therefore, to Thee, most benigu Jesus, I ^v 0 . companion of Thy poverty ; I implore Thee as such receive me. If Avith Thee, I am contented ; if I possess Thee, I am rich enough. CHAPTER VII. That the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, dwelling in solitude among the Angels, teaches us holy chastity, 1. The voice of Jesus. — Come, my child, come to the solitude of the sacred cave ; here will I speak to thy heart ; here ivill I unveil for thee the secrets of My Heart. Here look around ; attend to Avhat thou perceivest ; see what surrounds Me ; observe the objects which keep Me company. The voice of the Disciple. — 0 Lord, I perceive Thy Virgin Mother, Thy Virgin Foster-father,' a multitude of Angels, rejoicing and singing, in Thy presence, hymns of jubilee. I see Thee, O Jesus, most beautiful, the Lamb of God, without blemish ! I behold before me innocence far removed from every object that flatters the senses, ravishing heaven and earth by its loveliness. The voice of Jesus. — Amid these. My child. My Heart rejoices, and finds Its delight, because It feeds on purity among the lilies. I am holiness itself. Born of a pure Virgin, nourished by a pure Virgin, I am the most tender lover of all purity, and shrink with all My Heart from every object which is hurtful or contrary to this virtue. 2. My Heart is the fountain of holy purity, Avhence all they draw who desire to be loved by Me. From this divine fountain all the disciples of My Heart drink in the love of chastity, each one according to his capacity ; and by this love, as by a certain mark, are they distinguished. L THE HEART OF JESUS i4a [book II. What is more excellent than chastity, whereby thou olferest to God the Father, who is a Spirit, a spiritual sacrifice most grateful to Him ; whereby, honouring thy body, thou honourest My own members ; whereby thou payest reverence to the Holy Ghost, whose temple thou art? This is the virtue which transforms men into Angels ; yea, raises them above the heavenly Spirits. My child, whosoever is chaste is an Angel ; nay, more, in merit he surpasses the Angel, since, in spite of nature, he becomes, through virtue, what the Angel is, without effort, by nature. This is the glory of the Church, the triumph of grace, the flower of life, the ornament of the body and soul, the fairest picture of heaven. 3. How beautiful is a chaste life ! Immortal is the remembrance thereof, because it is known to God, and grateful to men. A marvellous virtue it is, which imparts its freshness and beauty, not only to the soul, but even to the body. What the lily is among flowers, that purity is among virtues ; by its celestial brightness and elegance it de- lights and refreshes the very inhabitants of paradise. So much does its loveliness captivate all hearts, that even in the world there is none, unless he has altogether lost his reason, who does not admire its excellence. 4. Man, with a clean heart and chaste body, enters heaven, passes even into the sanctuary of the Divinity, and enjoys the familiar intercourse of God and His Angels. The carnal man, like a senseless animal wallowing in filth, understands not the things which are of the Spirit, but finds his delight among sensual objects, the fruits of which are alike destructive to soul and body. How wretched is he that is impure ! how debased in the sight of heaven and earth ! how like in his interior to the demon, who is called the unclean spirit ! The world, submerged by the Flood, bears witness IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 117 CH. VII.] how this loathsome vice is punished ; so does the land of Sodom, laid waste with fire and brimstone from above ; so does every unchaste man, delivered up to his repro- bate sense ; so, above all, does hell. Purity, on the other hand, saves from the tyranny of the passions, imparts a most delightful peace, fills the whole man with heavenly joys ; yea, adorns him with the seal of the elect. 5. Which, My child, are the chief delights of My Heart ? Are they not pure souls ? These are they that by the purity of their love fill My Heart with most plea- sure; these busy themselves more frequently about Me, solicitous to know how, above all others, they may ren- der themselves agreeable to Me ; these, being both in- wardly and outwardly more holy, long more fervently to live for Me. These are they that understand more easily the secrets of My Heart, enjoy with more relish the unction of My Spirit, are more glowing with piety, and are wont to be more generous and faithful. To these My Heart in return communicates Itself more abundantly ; upon them It pours the streams of more perfect love and consolation ; for them It reserves more special graces and favours. Them I admit into the innermost sanctuary of My Heart ; with them I treat in a more intimate manner ; them I keep nearer to Me upon earth, as well as in heaven. In whatever condition of life, therefore, thou mayst be, if thou wishest to be as dear as possible to My Heart, if thou desirest to experience the fulness of Its tenderness, if thou longest to taste in the most copious manner Its sweetness, be thou pure in body and soul. 6. My child, this treasure thou earnest in a frail vessel ; unless thou proceeclest cautiously, thou wilt easily lose the same. Take heed, however, lest thou advance too warily, for an excessive fear becomes a source of danger. 148 THE HEART OF JESUS [book II. Thou must, first of all, guard thy heart, watch over its inclinations, check its thoughts. For if thou alio west thy heart to wander about, it shall not long continue unstained. Be never altogether idle ; idleness is the dwelling- place of the unclean spirit. Desire not to be too familiar with any mortal, even were he a Saint and a worker of miracles. Fly dangerous occasions as thou wouldst a pestilence. Hoav many there are who, though elsewhere sufficiently secure, perish here miserably ! 7. Turn away thy eyes, lest they behold the seduc- tions of vanity ; be modest, for without modesty chastity cannot endure. Hedge in thy ears with care, lest through them the enemy find access to thy heart. For where there is no hedge, the possession shall be laid waste. Keep the tongue, not only from unclean words, but every kind of language of which the devil may take advantage to tempt thee or others. Eestrain the taste in such a manner, that thy tem- perance in food and drink hinder the flesh from rebel- ling, and endow and strengthen the spirit with vigour. Mortify the touch assiduously, not only in those things which, when unlawfully touched, may cause thee to die the death, but also in those which, savouring of sensuality, may, by the aid of Satan, arouse the passions. 8. Be persuaded, however, My child, that, after thou hast done all this, thou art not able to preserve this most precious, most beautiful, yea, most useful and necessary virtue, except with the help of divine grace. Wherefore thou shouldst frequently and earnestly ask for this heavenly gift, and beg for it by fervent prayer, through the intercession of My Virgin Mother, My Virginal Foster-father, thy guardian angel, and, finally, of all the inhabitants of heaven.' The enemy, knowing that through purity men be- IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 149 CH. VII.] come associated with the choirs of Angels, and merit among them that place which he, by his nncleanness, has forfeited, raves with envy, and leaves nothing un- done to despoil men of this virtue. But let not thy heart fear. My child, nor be dis- turbed ; My grace is sufficient for thee, provided, by neglecting the proper means, thou be not wanting to thyself. 9. Be exceedingly careful lest thou expose thyself rashly to dangers ; and after having overcome tempta- tions, do not ascribe the glory of the victory to thyself ; for since all this springs from pride, it will doubtless be punished with a disgraceful humiliation. Through grace thou shalt be the more chaste, the more humble thou art ; for it is humility which deserves that chastity be given. My child, be ever mindful of these words. If thou wilt be perfect in the virtue of chastity, be inflamed with a godlike love for Me ; for no one, unless he be perfect in the love of Jesus, can be perfect in chastity ; but whosoever loves Jesus perfectly, shall be perfectly chaste, perfectly pure. Keep this secret in thy memory, keep it in thy heart. 10. The voice of the Disciple . — 0 Jesus, Thou Virgin of virgins ! whose Mother is a Virgin, whose Foster- hither is a Virgin, whose inseparable companions are Angels, — whom, when I approach, I am clean ; wdiom, when I love, I am chaste, — endless thanks to Thee, for that Thou hast kept my heart free from the love of all carnal pleasure, and hast enkindled it with the love of holy purity. All they that love Thee, behold, are hastening after Thee, drawn by the odour of Thy most delightful in- nocence, and, as closely as they can, they are following Thee, the Lamb, whithersoever Thou goest. O Jesus, Thou lover of chaste souls, grant me, I implore Thee, for love of Thee, with all the disciples of Thy Heart, to value supremely, to love most tenderly, 150 THE HEART OF JESUS [bOOK II. this virtue of Angels, and shun with the greatest ab- horrence all that is contrary thereto. Sanctify my heart and body with Thy love, that I may serve Thee with a chaste body, and please Thee with a clean heart. O Jesus, my love and my God, who didst create me in Thy likeness, permit not that I ever sully or unhallow it by any defilement. Suffer not that for a short-lived pleasure, for which I must, either now or afterwards, endure shame and punishment, I lose that virtue which is my present and future glory and felicity. If ever, O most sweet Jesus, Thy love should find me insensible to the loveliness and the rewards of purity, I beseech Thee, let the dread of the everlasting flames of hell prevent the flame of vice. CHAPTER VIII. That from the manger the most Sacred Heart of Jesus teaches us holy obedience. 1. The voice of Jesus. — Be attentive. My child ; thou must hear some things which thou hast never learnt, never sufficiently understood. Learn once for all of My Heart, and remember what obedience is. Lo, from this moment, even to My latest sigh, obedience is My food, My life. Observe intently and devotedly My example, consider the dispositions of My Heart. Behold, if they put Me in a rough manger, I remain contented therein ; if they lift Me in their arms, I am content to be carried ; wheresoever they place Me, there I stay contented. Whatever be the wish of those whom My heavenly Father has given authority over Me, that do I wiU like- wise ; I have no other will than to will or not to will that which they will. CH. VIIL] IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 151 Neither does My Heart ask why they will Me here or there ; the judgment of the authority that wills is the judgment of Myself who obey. 2. Thus, My child, did I, the All-knowing and All- powerful Lord, subject Myself most humbly to creatures, that thou, weak in understanding and will, mayst learn to submit thyself to them that hold My place in thy regard. Be therefore obedient to them, with a humble heart, in all things wherein they have authority over thee, whether it be in temporal or in spiritual matters. For all power is from God. Wherefore, My child, when thou obeyest thy Superior, thou obeyest Me. For thou art obedient and submissive to the authority communicated to Him by Me. 3. If the Superior be devoid of virtue and good qualities, this is no reason why thou shouldst obey him the less. For he does not on that account the less possess My authority and hold My place. Whenever he enjoins things which are not evidently opposed to Me, heed thou, and perform whatsoever he may say ; but thou art not obliged to follow him in his doings. Be not concerned, My child, about the qualifications of the one that commands, but attend to that Which is commanded, and perform it faithfully, as if commanded by Myself. Let the Superior be whatever he may ; let him act I through this motive or that, — what matters it to thee ? I follow thou Me ; seek to imitate My Heart, My will, I and be not troubled or uneasy about the rest. 4. The simple performance of another’s will is not i the virtue of obedience. Do not irrational creatures do so ? nay, more, even machines made by the hand of man ? It is necessary, when thou dost the will of the Superior, to be willing to perform, with a submissive heart, that which he wishes thee to do ; that thus thou 152 THE HEART OF JESUS [bOOK H. mayst cheerfully carry out My will, made known through the Superior. For although it may happen that the Superior does command through ill-will or passion, it is yet My will that, when no evil is commanded, thou perform, with a good heart, what the Superior requires. For the rest, I will judge the motive of the Superior, who commands, and of the inferior, who obeys ; and will render to each one that which is just. My child, do not imitate them who, deceiving them- selves, endeavour, by direct or indirect means, to bring over the Superior to their own will. These, although in this manner they have the will and consent of the ^Superior, do not fulfil My will, but their own; nor do they practise the virtue of obedience, but they obey self- love; nor are they guided by Me, but by themselves. 5. In order that the virtue of obedience be perfect, it is necessary that — believing that whatever I require of thee through obedience is justly demanded — thou submit also thy understanding and judgment to My divine authority, represented in the person of the Superior. The less thou shaft see the reason of the things which . are demanded of thee, and the more inconsistent that which is enjoined shall appear to thy manner of judging, so much the nobler shall be thy obedience, and so much the more merit shalt thou have if thou submit thy un- derstanding, and fulfil with a good will w'hat is com- manded. Cast aside, therefore, without examination, whatsoever the pride of reason or the repugnance of sense may object, in the sincere belief that My divine will, made known to thee through the Superior, rests upon the best and most certain motives, although thou thyself dost not see them. It happens frequently that the inferior does not see, and that the Superior does not know, the true reasons for which, by the Superior’s command, I desire such or such other things to be done by the inferior. Both are CH. VIII.] IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 153 not rarely unconscious instruments in the fulfilment of My secret designs. If thou wert humble of heart, and burning with love for Me, it would not be hard or difiicult to abandon, for My sake, thy judgment and will; and it would be most consoling and sweet to have thy weak understanding guided by My infinite wisdom, and thy will, prone to evil, conformed to My divine will, the rule of all good. G. A great thing is obedience; a sublime virtue, whereby a person overcomes himself, and dedicates him- self so wholly to Me, that he retains for himself nothing of his own, but offers himself entirely to Me as a holocaust. Do I desire other sacrifices without this one ? Do I not rather require that I be obeyed ? Better is obedience than a victim. Who is stronger than the obedient man? The obedient man shall speak triumphantly ; yea, shall triumph under all circumstances. For he aims at nothing except the doing of the divine will, which he always finds. What is there, My child, which the obedient man dares not ? He dares every thing when commanded ; he j brings to a favourable issue many and great things : I whilst the disobedient loses courage and fails. ! 7. Nothing is safer or more secure than obedience. I The obedient man is never lost ; nor does he perish who submits his will and judgment to authority. But he that disobeys, he that follows his own judgment and will to the neglect of authority, he is generally lost, and I perishes. I ■ The obedient man, certain of the reward of his I actions, shall not even be held to an account; they that I are placed over him and direct him shall be obliged to give the account. 8. Lastly, My child, so necessary is obedience, that no works, howsoever good they be otherwise, if contrary thereto, can be pleasing to Me; nor can they acquire for thee any merits. There is no state, no condition, no person on earth, 154 THE HEART OF JESUS [book II. that is not bound to obey. Without obedience, the order Avhich God, who loves order necessarily, has established, ! could not be preserved. Wherever thou inayst be placed by obedience, be assured that thou couldst nowhere be better, and that ; thou canst do nothing more pleasing to Me and more j useful to thyself, than that which is enjoined by obedience, j Blessed are the obedient ! they hasten on toward : heaven, wdth true liberty, in great peace, in permanent security ; but the disobedient groan beneath the galling tyranny of their own will; they enjoy no rest of heart; i through a wearisome road they w^ander toward perdition. I 9. My child, whence is wont to arise the difficulty in , obeying? Is it not from this, that thou regardest the person of the Superior, his qualifications, his manner of acting, or his motives for commanding ? that thou con- ' siderest not in singleness of faith, as thou shouldst, the ; •divine authority and will alone ? Such an example, my child, I did not give. Such j was not the disposition of My Heart. Although I w^as wiser and better than all the mortals who exercised : authority over Me, yet I was heartily submissive to them, ,|j without considering the persons or their qualifications, i without judging the motives which made them act or command. Nay, more, I did willingly and faithfully obey, as if ' it w^ere the manifestation of My Father’s will, the com- j mand of Csesar Augustus, a pagan, who issued his decree | with an evil-minded will ; and, by complying with this ^ order, I did really do My Father’s will — that I should be born in the city of Bethlehem, as the prophets, ,1 inspired by the Holy Ghost, had foretold. i Observe my wliole life ; thou wilt find it frequently distinguished by similar deeds. j Look, then, my child, and act according to the •example wLich My Heart has given thee. If thou do | this, thou wilt find obedience easy, sweet, and full of consolation. IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 155 CH. VIII.] 10. The voice of the Disciple , — O Jesus ! how holy, how wonderful is Thy Heart 1 how great and profound the lessons It teaches ! how easy It makes every thing ! Happy he that understands this ! Yea, blessed he that, taught by the example of Thy Heart, fulfils the divine will with cheerfulness ! Behold, such a one is guided by infinite wisdom, helped by almighty power, protected by divine goodness. Who, save the obedient man, enjoys these favours ? Let them preside and command who have received the power; for me it is every way sweeter and better to be subject and obedient. 0 truly happy me, if I am truly obedient 1 for the Lord God rules me, and I shall want nothing ; set in a place of divine pasture, I wander secure therein ; there never-failing streams of living waters flow ; there manna is daily showered down from heaven ; there do I live for Thee, O Jesus ; there do I easily and surely merit heaven. By Thy most holy obedience, O Jesus, most meek and humble of Heart, grant me, I beseech Thee, Thy grace and Thy love, that I may be perfectly obedient, by renouncing my own will and judgment, and by follow- ing, in singleness of faith, Thy divine will and authority, manifested to me through lawful Superiors. Certainly, if I, blind-born as I am, follow self-love as a guide, what else awaits me, blind in my judgment and inclinations, except to fall into the pit and perish there ? / 1 tremble in every limb, 0 Lord, when I call to mind that many men distinguished for deep science and extraordinary human prudence, through want of obedi- ence, have strayed from the way of salvation and become reprobates. Behold, I devote and intrust myself altogether to Thy most wise, holy, and divine will. Give me, I entreat Thee, Thy singleness of understanding, Thy readiness of will ; grant me the lowliness and charity of Thy Heart, that I may be like Thee, as an infant that 15G THE HEART OF JESUS [book II. remains contented wheresoever it may be placed, whither- soever it may be carried — in short, in whatsoever manner it may be treated. CHAPTEE IX. That at the Circumcision the most Sacred Heart of Jesus teazhes us mortification of heart, | 1 . The voice of the Discijole. — Scarcely yet art Thou ! come among us, O Thou the delight of heaven, sweet ; Jesus, and, behold. Thou pourest out Thy blood ! Dis- ! close to me, I pray, what was the design of Thy Heart j therein ; show me, I entreat Thee, what were then the feelings of Thy Heart. For whatsoever Thy Heart feels, I also long to feel. The voice of Jesus, — My child, thou oughtest to be so disposed as not to stop at the things which thou per- ! ceivest by the senses, but so as to go forward even unto My very Heart. Attend, then, and consider how mortified is My | Heart. I kneAv well that I was not at all bound by the law of circumcision ; that, by complying therewith, I i should be reckoned among sinners, lowered before men ; ! that My Body should undergo sufferings, and My Soul debasement ; but My Heart, moved by the divine will, enkindled by love as with a living flame, overcame all this. Understand, My child, the inner sentiments of My Heart, and be mindful of putting on the same. All things were well-ordered in My Heart ; there is nothing inordinate in My whole Humanity. Yet I did never act from a mere inclination of My human nature. This I either overcame or passed by, and in all things, even those which were natural, I acted ever from ili a supernatural principle. j Whether the things to be done or undergone were pleasing or displeasing to the feelings of human nature, . CH. IX.] IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 157 this was never the cause or reason why I did either embrace or shun them. I was ever moved by the divine will to do and suffer with a willing heart all things that were according to the divine good pleasure. 2. Behold, My child, the example which thou must follow, if thou desirest to be a true disciple of My Heart. If thou lookest well into thy heart, thou shalt find it divided, as it were, into two parts, each of which is 1 anxious to sway it. One of these, a sensual propensity, is called the inferior; the other, a rational inclination, the superior part. The former is especially vitiated by original sin ; , the latter is still guided by a supernal ray. With the first, the spirit of evil is wont to harmonise ; the good Spirit, on the other hand, espouses the cause of ' the second. I The inferior part straggles to extend its sway over the whole heart, and maintain it by means of pride and self-love, and all the other vices that follow in their train. The superior part, through humility and charity, which preside over the whole host of virtues, seeks, as its right, to rule, to conquer, and subdue the contrary part. 3. These two parts. My child, are the two domestic I foes that hardly ever cease to war against each other, for their aims are opposite. They can be put down and subjugated, but never destroyed oi- exterminated. The superior part, through the divine favour, by the freedom of its will, possesses such strength, that not only the inferior part, but the whole world and all hell united, cannot force it to a surrender. I Therefore the inferior part, together with the evil I spirit, endeavours by every possible means to encompass, i to disturb, to deceive, to harass the same. It tries every artifice : at one time violence, at another caresses ; now perverseness, then uprightness ; sometimes it shows itself an enemy, at others a friend. 153 THE HEART OF JESUS [book II. Unless thou carefully attend, thou wilt hardly be able to distinguish between them. Yet it is necessary to know them distinctly. For on this discernment depends the right governing of the heart ; by it illusions are avoided, vain fears are made to disappear, inward peace is preserved and retained, even amid the greatest afflic- tions. The more one part is mortified and subdued, the more the other is made to live and triumph. 4. The first thing, therefore, to be put to death in thy heart, is that inferior part, the inordinate craving of nature, ^Uiich is also called selfishness, or the spirit of nature. Against this thou must never cease to fi^ht. If at any time this enemy, frightened by thy bravery, be put to flight, or forced to conceal himself until a more favourable opportunity presents itself, do thou diligently seek him out, and, when found, strike him down with fresh ardour. Thou wilt know him by this mark, that he ever aims immoderately at what is either too high or too low, being ever carried by an inordinate liking or dislike beyond the order which divine providence has established. Proud, and wandering beyond his sphere, and relying on his own powers, he would fain search and look into the unsearchable counsels of the Deity ; and, although he does not fully comprehend aught of what is beneath him, yet he would measure by his feeble powers the wisdom, power, and other perfections of God, which, in their very nature, are incomprehensible. He struggles against admitting what he does not see and does not love. He -is ashamed and unwilling to own that he has erred ; if it is proved, he grows stubborn. He seeks to be prominent, he shrinks from the thought of being surpassed or brought under in any thing. He takes for granted that he can do. every thing ; if he has brought something to a prosperous issue, he is wonderfully self-pleased, and boasts as if he had per- IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 15^ CII. IX.] formed a miracle ; if he has done any thing unsuccess- fully, he murmurs, excuses himself, or throws the blame upon others. He is not concerned about what he is in reality, but about what he may appear to be before others • he seeks to be esteemed, he is anxious that others should speak of him, he longs to possess the affection of men. He gains enough if he is praised ; if no one praise him, he himself makes up the deficiency. In himself, he either sees no faults, or he disguises them ; in his neighbour, he descries them every where. He is prone to despise others, to suspect many things, and to twist them into evil. Hence, too, he is ever inclined to what is low ; what pleases the flesh, what flatters the senses, what savours of the world, he loves, he relishes. He judges matters according to his own propensity, not according to the reality of the things themselves. As he has himself for an end, he seeks in every thing his own convenience or pleasure — he even endeavours betimes to adapt things divine to himself. For he under- takes occasionally to serve Me, whilst he desires to gratify himself. Wherefore he easily gives admittance to the angel of darkness, who, taking the shape of an angel of light, suggests to him many things apparently pious, beauti- fully thought, tenderly felt ; all which increases his^ jpride, and keeps up his self-love. I 5. My child, if this spirit of nature triumphs over the heart, it effects the ruin of the heart. It behoves thee, therefore, to mortify this part of the heart by resisting it, by going counter thereto, and by [unceasingly repressing the same, as long as it remains ivitiated or ill- ordered. Do not think this hard. My child ; it is incomparably more easy and pleasant to subdue the same, an(^ govern it when subdued, than to be ruled and tormented thereby. 6. But since natural reason cannot by itself attain IGO THE HEART OF JESUS [bOOK II. to a supernatural end, thou must likewise, by mor- tification, purify and elevate the superior part of the lieart. For if thou actest from natural reason alone, thou canst thence gather no merit for life everlasting ; nor wilt thou be called a disciple of My Heart. Thou must, then, mortify the whole heart, and sub- ject it to grace ; so that in all things it may obey the divine good pleasure. In thoughts, in words, in deeds, in sufferings, thou shouldst be moved by divine grace, guided by a super- natural reason, directed to Me as thy end. Nowhere suffer thyself to be hurried into any act by the mere motion or impulse of nature ; but follow grace, act according to My Spirit. Use the powers of nature, not as causes or principles, but as means or instruments for things supernatural. 7. This mortification of the heart — which is the rule of the interior life, and the spirit of the Saints — is that more useful and necessary mortification, whereby the roots of vices are plucked up, the dangers of tempta- tions avoided, the very causes of inward troubles re- moved. This holy mortification is to be practised, not with fretfulness, harshness, or anxiety, but with a tranquil and generous heart. Now, My child, in thy heart there are things so great and numerous to be mortified, and they lie so hidden from thee, that, unless enlightened by grace, thou couldst not so much as see them ; and when thou seest them, unless strengthened by grace, thou mightst be overpowered by the sight of them. Wherefore thou must have recourse to prayer with- out intermission, that thou mayst obtain light and strength from above. Then will I, knowing that as yet thou art unable to bear the knowledge of all the imperfections of thy heart, so gently order things, that thou mayst know and ! ! CH. IX.] IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 161 overcome them by degrees, since I will proportion the grace of strength to the grace of light. And thou, My child, must unremittingly be on thy guard, lest thou shut thy eyes to this light sent from above, or neglect to cooperate with this heaven-given strength. For this might be the beginning of thy down- fall. Be faithful ; allow thyself to be led by grace in all and to all ; and thou wilt experience such things as the Saints have experienced ; thou wilt infallibly enter into My Heart ; God shall be exalted, and thou shalt be sanctified, the more perfectly, the more closely thou shalt become assimilated to My Heart. 8. The voice of the Disciple . — 0 most kind and sweet Jesus ! how great is the goodness of Thy Heart ! Even to me unworthy Thou hast made known the way of the interior life, wherein all the Saints walk with Thee. Behold ! my heart is ready to follow Thee in this holy way ; guide me in truth, and teach me to do Thy good pleasure. Too long have I followed the motions of nature ; too j long have I acted by natural propensity or aversion ; I ! have led altogether too much of a natural life. I Grant me, I beseech Thee, Lord, to live henceforth by grace ; to follow Thy Spirit in whatever 1 may have 1 to do or suffer. Grant that my heart, created by Thee, ransomed by the price of the Blood of Thy Heart, endowed by Thee i at its every pulsation with new favours, may at last, I disengaged from creatures, soar to Thee, live for Thee ' alone, love Thee alone above all else. M 162 THE HEART OF JESUS [book II. CHAPTER X. I That^ after the example of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, adored by the Magi, we should overcome all human respect. 1. The voice of Jesus. — Behold, My child, the Magi come from the East ; they enter the cave, and find Me, an Infant, with Mary, My Virgin Mother. Observe then the dispositions of My Heart, and imitate them. Such as I was in the presence of My own, such I was before strangers ; the same before the lowly shepherds as before the illustrious Magi. I was not ashamed of the lowliness of My birth nor the ob- scurity of My condition. In these things. My Heart does not regard the judg- ments of men ; but, setting aside human respect, it pursues solely the things that please My Father. 2. Happy he who imitates this fortitude of My Heart ; who, with his heart undaunted, overcomes hu- man respect ! For, as My heavenly Father confessed Me because I confessed Him, so, whosoever shall confess Me before i men, him also will I confess before My Father. ' But woe to him that shall be ashamed before men of Me, of My teaching, of My example ! of him will I also i be ashamed before My Father, the Angels, and men | themselves, when I shall come in majesty to judge. 3. What fearest thou, O man? Does not reason itself tell thee that honour is due to virtue, dishonour to j vice? Why dost thou dread to practise virtue, as if thou thoughtest it a disgrace ? | Behold ! beside God, none witness thy actions, ex- cept Angels and men. Now, pray, then, which of these shouldst thou mind ? ' The good Angels — if thou boldly avowest thyself ' My servant — will joyfully extol thy greatness of soul, and pray for the continuance of thy fortitude. And IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 163 CH. X.] men, as well the Saints in heaven as the wise and good upon earth, feeling similarly disposed in thy regard, will I act in like manner. Yea, the reprobate angels, and foolish and wicked men, will admire thee, at least inwardly, in spite of I themselves, although outwardly they speak against I thee, to hide their own faint-heartedness and cowardice. Oughtest thou to heed the false judgments and idle talk of these ? Wouldst thou be reckoned among these, and become a partaker of their lot ? Were all men to talk about thee, wouldst thou be different from what thou art? Thou art just what thou I art before Me, My child ; nor can the tongues of all , creatures make thee greater or smaller. 4. Who is he that can be pleasing to all ? None ; I neither could I Myself obtain this. Do not, then, at- j tempt what is impossible. Strive to please Me, as much as thou art able ; and in this holy endeavour, care not for what the world may think concerning thee. If thou art still guided by a regard for men, it is plain that thou hast not yet learnt humility and charity of My Heart. Whosoever is humble of heart, and impelled by divine love, desires not to please men ; nor fears he to displease them, when he cannot otherwise satisfy Me. ' Neither stands he in dread of the judgments and ' scoffs of the world, but he keeps his countenance, and goes his way ; and, if My honour requires it, he utters his opinion with a holy freedom. He does nothing that he may be seen ; he omits nothing through fear of being seen ; he cares not whether I he be praised or blamed by a foolish world, whether j he be esteemed much or little. The world is to him as if it were not ; Me alone he I has in view, since he knows that to Me every thing is i due ; to Me he loves to refer all, by whom alone he can and will be approved and rewarded as he deserves. 164 THE HEART OF JESUS [book II. But it is no wonder, that whosoever gratifies pride and self-love becomes the slave of human respect. For surely none is more a slave than he that is swayed by human respect, since he has as many masters as he sees men. Meanwhile, such a one will do nothing worthy of Me, worthy of his own perfection. 5. My child, wheresoever thou mayst be, whether living in the world or secluded from the world, beware of human respect. This vice is met every where, not only among people of the world, but even among reli- gious ; from the world it enters into the sanctuary, and there it stands an abomination in the Holy of Holies. Many, deceiving themselves, under the semblance of charity or prudence, yield to human respect ; and were they to look properly into themselves, they would discover that it is not the virtue of charity or prudence, but the veil of pride and self-love. The voice of the Disciple. — Yet, Lord, is it proper' always and every where publicly to proclaim virtue, and to profess it openly ? If so, I pray thee, how is this to be done ? if not, what rule should be followed ? The voice of Jesus. — Sometimes, My child, it is not expedient rashly to expose piety ; but never and no- where is it allowed to betray piety. In the practice of virtue, it is a sure and safe rule to consider, not one’s own, but the divine honour ; not to neglect the open profession of virtue simply to avoid thy ov/n confusion, but to omit its open profession when My honour or glory might suiFer in consequence. 6. In general. My child, in whatever place thou mayst be, if, inasmuch as this rule allows, thou beginnest openly to practise virtue, it will not only give Me great honour, but also prove very advantageous to thyself. For thus the good and the wicked, as well as the fervent and the lukewarm, shall know thee ; the former will seek thy company, and sustain thee ; the latter will let thee alone, and not ensnare thee. !. it .V* " , i it ■1 CH. X.] IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 165 If any there be who do find fault with thy conscien- tiously free and noble-souled deportment, be not there- fore troubled or cast down ; but call to mind, that if, to the injury of thy conscience, thou art still willing to please men, thou art not the servant of God, nor a dis- ciple of My Heart. Besides, what would it avail to be blamed by none, and to be pleasing to all ? Couldst thou in the end be defended by mortal man, when I will be thy Judge ? or couldst thou be saved, whilst I condemn thee ? What will be the feelings after death, before Me their Judge, of those cowardly souls that, through human respect, placed during life the opinions of a foolish world before My judgments, and betrayed My cause ? Alas ! how many reprobates has human respect made, whose lot, had they spurned it, should now be among the Saints ! 7. Believe Me, My child, it is every way better to regard My judgments rather than those of men ; if thou art pleasing to Me, that is enough for thee ; to please men alone is simple vanity, mere mockery. ; Courage, then. My child ; look down upon the false sayings of men, words that fly through the air, and only reach those who grasp them for themselves. If thou dost once fully learn to raise thyself above human respect, thou wilt hardly again be troubled by , it ; thou wilt but pity the madness of the world, and the foolish cowardice of men, who suffer themselves in so slavish a manner to be dragged to destruction. And when thou hast come to this, that thou art no longer moved by human respect, thou wiit be freed from i one of the greatest hindrances to thy salvation and per- fection, and thou shalt then be able to advance surely in the path of virtue. 8. The voice of the Disciple. — How true, how holy i a doctrine Thou teachest, good Master, sweet Jesus! I Help me, I entreat Thee, to reduce it to practice. T am justly ashamed, Lord,, of my past cowardice 166 THE HEART OF JESUS [book II. and faint-heartedness. Often did I blush or fear to do what my heart approved as good and worthy of honour ; on the other hand, I blushed not to give way to human respect, which my heart acknowledged to be evil and unbecoming. From a base fear of men’s opinions, I have fre- quently betrayed Thy interests and Thy honour, and thus rendered myself deserving of great shame and punishment. Have mercy on me, O my God, and forgive my offences, whereby, through human respect, I have turned away from Thy will, and chosen rather, in spite of my conscience, to follow the opinion of the world. But now, mercifully recalled and taught by Thee, behold, I am resolved to follow Thee, the sole guide to eternal blessedness. Let worldlings continue to call good evil, and evil good ; let them still estimate honour by the changeable, and worthless opinion of deluded men ; let them still feed on vanity ; from Thee I know, and hold with cer- tainty, that to cleave to Thee is unchangeably good ; that to follow Thee is truly honourable ; that to enjoy Thee, most sweet Jesus, the fountain of life and of all good things, doth really constitute bliss. CHAPTER XI. That of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, presented in the Temple, we should learn to have in all things a right intention, 1. The voice of Jesus, — My child, when the days were accomplished that they should present Me to the Lord, I offered Myself and all I had to My heavenly Father, with a pure desire of pleasing Him. Although at My Incarnation I had for ever con- secrated Myself and My whole life to My Father, yet I CH. XI.] IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 167" never omitted to dedicate to Him every particular action of My life, and keep in view His good pleasure. But, since a good intention is a matter of such im- portance in the interior life that no one can be a true disciple of My Heart without it, My Heart did not cease to teach this, and to inculcate it by example. Look at My life from its beginning unto the end; did My Heart any where please itself? did it seek the glory of the world ? In all My life can be found no act arising from the mere impulse of human nature, none from mere custom, none from mere necessity ; none, finally, whether great or small, which did not spring from the motive of ful- filling the divine will, of pleasing the divine Majesty. 2. How happy he that hath put on this sentiment of My Heart ! he is ever true to himself, ever dear to Me, his Saviour-God. What is that which is acceptable to Me ? The inward affection, rather than the outward act ; the intention of the heart, rather than the actual work. My grace moves the will to do whatsoever things are by Me directly or indirectly commanded or desired. These I wish to be so done, that they may be super- naturally good and meritorious ; wherefore, to do them, I give an actual grace, without which they could not be supernaturally good and meritorious. If, then, thou art induced to act by My will or good pleasure, know that thou art moved by grace — a supernatural principle. But the end or intention of thy will forms the cha- racter of the act. Such as is thv intention, such will be the act that follows. If thou hast a right intention, thou wilt, before and above all, intend and seek My good pleasure, — Me, thy end and supreme good. It sometimes happens that the primary intention of our action is right, but that a wrong secondary intention creeps in. When this occurs, the goodness of the action indeed is not wholly destroyed, but is lessened in part ; 168 THE HEART OF JESUS [bOOK II. and the actor becomes guilty of so much as there has been of ill-regulated or evil will in the vitiated in- tention. Behold, My child, I am Alpha and Omega — the Beginning and the End ; therefore all things must be derived from Me, be referred to Me. If, then, thou wouldst be blamed when thou dost not refer them to Me, how much more if thou turnest them aside to thyself, or to My enemy the world ? 3. A precious thing, a wonderful virtue. My child, is a right intention, whereby actions, although natural and indifferent in themselves, when done by means of grace, become supernatural and meritorious : a marvel- lous secret, whereby lead and brass and other metals are changed into pure gold. Beware, however, lest thou fall into that quite com- mon delusion which makes men fancy that, by substi- tuting a good intention, they can render meritorious a work or action undertaken, not by grace or by My will, but from the sole motive of nature, aversion, or inclina- tion, or from self-will alone. Follow thou with a right aim every thing begun according to My good pleasure. Of what avail is a work, how great or praiseworthy soever it may outwardly appear, to him that does it without a right intention ? On the other hand, that which is done with a pure intention, how little and lowly soever it may seem, be- comes excellent and profitable. 4. Would that men knew and practised this art of acting rightly 1 how easily could they merit a glorious crown in heaven ! There are those who work much and gain little ; who busy themselves about every thing ; who attempt many and various things, but, in the end, find them- selves with almost empty hands, because, like irrational creatures, they act without an end, or pursue an end ill- ordered and unworthy. CH. XI.] IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 169 How many there are who exchange the fruit of their labours for an empty breath of praise or admiration, wherewith they ever long to feed their weary and hun- gry heart ! Behold, how many there are who make so much of the smoke of vain-glory, that they buy it at a price by which they might purchase for themselves the kingdom of endless glory ! Is there not an endless number of such madmen ? Take heed, My child, lest thou be reckoned among them. There are others who appear to be doing little, and yet attain a high degree of sanctity ; these are they who think that he does enough who does the will of God. 5. My child, when thou devotes t thyself to Me in exercises of piety, thou must place even above these practices themselves tlie intention of doing My good pleasure. Thus, whether thou feelest consolation or desolation, thou shalt remain calm, gather certain fruit, and honour Me. If thou art engaged in works of duty or charity to- ward thy neighbour, let Me be the end of those works ; for thus it will happen that thou shalt never fail of thy reward, and that thou shalt lose nothing of thy peace, ' whether thy neighbour be benefited or not. If thou hast in view no other object except My sole good pleasure, thou shalt be contented and happy in every event ; because thou knowest that I do not de- mand and will not crown any thing but a good and I efficacious will ; and that success depends upon Me, j who order all things according to infinite wisdom. By means of a pure intention thou art enabled to ; remain undisturbed and tranquil amid hardships, dis- tresses, yea, amid temptations themselves ; for purity of intention raises thee up to Me, and above sensible things. Finally, My child, whether thou art in action or at rest, whether thou labourest or divertest thyself, whether I thou art watching or sleeping, whether thou eatest or I drinkest, — whatever, in short, thou doest, — do all things 170 THE HEART OF JESUS [book II. V| for My good pleasure, in order to be acceptable to Me; and, behold, a great and ever-increasing amount of merits will accrue to thee. 6. In the morning thou must daily make a general intention, whereby every thing to be done or suffered during that day is directed to this final end, that, for love of Me, thou mayst accomplish My will, and thus please Me. This good, this holy intention will give life and strength to all things that follow. It is also of the greatest importance to renew, during the day, thy good intention before every action ; nay, more, when it can be done conveniently, to renew the same during the action. But to do all things with a right end, it will be of very great help to foresee occasions of meriting, dan- gers of losing, virtues to be practised, snares of pride and self-love to be avoided. One and the same action may be directed to several and different proximate ends, which, directly or indi- rectly, tend to the salvation of thy own soul, or of thy neighbour, or to My honour. Whence thou mayst ac- quire a great treasure of merits, of which they who act with no aim of this kind are deprived. Moreover, every action may be made up of several virtues ; as thou practisest as many virtues as thou in- tendest, and as to every act of virtue corresponds a new degree of present grace and future glory, it is easy to see how important a matter is this holy intention. But, My child, thou must take care that these things be not done with anxiety, with injury to inward freedom, or with the loss of peace ; for, so far from being useful, they would, on the contrary, be hurtful. Kemember, lastly, that, inspired by the spirit of the same intention that animated Me, thou oughtest to unite all thy actions and sufferings with Mine, if, as a disciple of My Heart, thou art desirous of acting in a manner worthy of so high a vocation. 7. My child, vain self-love is so subtle, that it can I IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 171 CH. XII.] easily assume any shape, and thrust itself into all things. Whence it will happen, that, unless thou be cautious, thou mayst be animated and led by that spirit of self, rather than by My Spirit. Nor does human light or prudence suffice to distinguish this, since neither can, of itself, discern things supernatural ; but a light from above and the divine assistance are needed. Wherefore, thou must pray without ceasing that thou mayst be enlightened from heaven ; and beg fer- vently that thou mayst be helped by grace, whereby thou art enabled to tend, rightly and singly, above all things to Me. 8. The voice of the Disciple. — I pray and beseech Thee, Lord Jesus, Author of all good, give Thou light to my mind, love to my heart, strength to my whole being, that I may ever rightly accomplish what is pleas- ing to Thee. Grant me true earnestness and a holy intention, that in all things I may do Thy good pleasure, without turn- ing to the right or to the left. Suffer not that henceforth I be so foolish as to lose the merit of my actions, for the sake of grasping an airy phantom ; nor so undutiful as to snatch away the glory which belongs to Thee. Pour into my heart, I implore Thee, the purity of Thy Heart, that I may, above all else, direct my thoughts to Thee, find Thee, and repose in Thee, my God, my beginning and my end, the centre and rest of my soul. CHAPTER XII. Of the freedom of heart which the most Sacred Heart of J esus^ in His flight into Egypt, teaches us. 1. The voice of Jesus. — Behold, My child. King Herod sought Me, a Child, that he might put Me to 172 THE HEART OF JESUS [bOOK II. death. But Joseph, warned by an Angel, took Me and My Mother by night, and retired into Egypt, The unseasonable hour of the night, My tender age, the condition of My parents, the abandoning of My native land, the dwelling in a foreign country, the tarry- ing among infidels, whose manners were olFensive to Me, the poverty and obscureness of My life, drudgery and hardship, — every thing, in fine, — was suited to render the heart cheerless. Yet, amid all this. My Heart remained so free, that neither time, nor place, nor men, nor any created objects whatsoever, could render It captive. 2. My child, strive by every means in thy power to imitate this holy freedom of My Heart. My Heart, elevated above the reach of all else, was restrained by the good pleasure of My Father alone. So also should thy heart, raised above all created objects, be held by the divine will alone. The greatest freedom to which the heart of man can aspire is this — to be dependent upon no one except its God. This is that true, that perfect liberty, whereby man is nobly exalted, and elevated above his very superiors, through whom, as the organs of God, he is pleased to have My will made known. Whosoever possesses this freedom, is raised above every created power, above all the whims and fickleness of men, above all the casual events of times, places, and circumstances; insomuch that, unless he betray himself, he can be enslaved by no created object. But none can gain this privilege, unless he wholly devote to Me his heart, disengaged from every creature. For so long as thou inordinately desirest or fearest aught, so long will thy heart be fettered and embar- rassed. Thy heart will be a slave, so long as it follows its natural inclination in either direction, or seeks in any thing, even in what is good, itself as its end. CH. XII ] IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 173 There are those who, released from sin and the world, endeavour to be also released from themselves, that they may freely live for Me ; who yet sigh in My service, as under a heavy yoke ; because they suffer themselves to be ensnared by a delusion, whereby they fancy Me a troublesome ruler, or a harsh master, ever bent on discovering something to punish. These, assuredly, do Me great injustice, deter their neighbours from My service, and render themselves wretched to no purpose. 3. Am I not a Father ? Where is there a father’s heart like Mine ? Who, then, is so much a father as I am ? A Father infinitely wise, who know every thing, — what is useful, what is hurtful to My children ; infinitely powerful, against whose will no enemies, whether visible or invisible, can do the least harm to Mv children ; in- finitely good, who love My children with a Heart burn- ing with a divine love, and long to turn all things, evil as well as good, to their advantage. Wherefore, show in My service that thou art the worthy son of such a Father ; and do not, by an un- worthy fault, conduct thyself as the servant of an over- bearing master. Do but keep the good will of shunning whatsoever thou knowest is displeasing,' and of doing whatsoever thou understandest is agreeable to Me ; and then expand thy heart, — not, indeed, to the false freedom, the hard yoke of the children of the world, but to the true freedom, the sweet privilege of the children of My Heart. 4. This do I love, that My children enjoy a holy freedom ; and I consider Myself greatly honoured thereby. Use, therefore, a becoming diligence to please Me, and be not anxious to know whether in reality thou art pleasing to Me j but, setting aside all subtlety of the understanding and all uneasiness of the will, throw thy- self with confidence on My Heart. It cannot be other- 174 THE HEART OF JESUS [book II. wise than that, so far from being offended, I shall rather be delighted with this freedom of heart, inspired by a pure and generous love. Under My guidance, under My protection, under My divine care, be thou free from all inordinateness ; neither do thou excessively fear hell, the world, nor thyself. For although, of thyself, thou art able to do nothing, thou canst do much in Me, in whom thou believest, in whom thou hopest, whom thou lovest. If at any time thou fallest into faults, do not conduct thyself like a menial servant, who, full of alarm, stands in dread of stripes, and is desirous either of running away or of hiding himself ; but act like a child that loves his father, and forthwith endeavours to make up for his guilt, — who runs to his father with so much the more freedom, the greater the goodness which he knows him to possess. As often, therefore, as thou fallest, do thou return to Me in a childlike manner, ask forgiveness, and renew thy resolve of being faithful ; nor suffer thou the peace of thy heart to be disturbed, or thy freedom lessened. 5. Neither should the means of perfection fetter thy heart ; for even these, if they took away the holy free- dom of thy heart, would be obstacles rather than means. Wherefore, so soon as I make known to thee My will, thou must freely overlook every thing else, and be solely dependent on My bidding. Take heed, however. My child, lest, under pretence of a holy freedom, thou indulge the fickleness of the heart, — as they do who allow themselves to be guided by feeling, not by principle. To them, that which a little before was pleasing now becomes irksome ; in the glow of fervour, they as- sume spiritual practices, and soon afterwards leave them off again, or perform them with distaste ; they live now in one way, and in a short time, wearied therewith, they try another; sometimes they mortify themselves severely. IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 175 CH. XII.] as if they were wholly spiritual ; at other times they so flatter nature as to appear really sensual. This, surely, is not to be a child of freedom, but the sport of fickleness, the slave of feeling. 6. My child, be thou more steadfast in regard to thy freedom. If thou art busied with any employments, do not give thyself up to them, — merely lend thyself to them, — lest, instead of thyself being their master, they perchance rule thee. As often as thou feelest thyself impelled by nature either to undertake or to perform something, do thou forthwith check thy ardour ; otherwise thou shalt soon perceive that thy heart is being fettered, and that the matter itself is less rightly done. Let no place on earth hold thy heart bound to itself ; keep it free every where, knowing that I, thy God, am found in all places ; that My children are every where cherished by My Spirit ; finally, that where My Spirit is, there is true freedom. Wherever, therefore, thou mayst be, be master of thyself ; in all things whatsoever, whether internal or external, whether spiritual or temporal, whether lofty or lowly, keep thy heart free, united above every thing with the divine will. 7. My child, thou shouldst so cherish and guard the freedom of thy heart, that no one, — neither thy inferior, nor an equal, nor even thy superior, — can take it away. Wherefore thou oughtest to judge of nothing, nor strive after it, according to the semblance of things, the opinion of men, or thy own feeling. In all things let the standard of thy judgment be the truth. This thou wilt find, by examining how My Heart has judged them ; and let My will be the rule of thy desiring. This truth will free thee, and thou shalt be free indeed ; this divine will shall guide thee, and keep thee free. The more glorious this holy freedom of heart is to Me, and the more useful it is to thyself and to thy neigh- I THE HEART OF JESUS 176 [book ir. hour, with the more care is it to be fostered, the more resolutely is it to be defended against thy foes. Beside the devil and the world, nature will also fre- quently rise up against it. Pride, with many reasonings, and self-love, in various ways, will fasten upon it, to cause it to yield on some point or other. But thou wilt frustrate and overcome the assaults and stratagems of thy enemies, if thou goest boldly counter to what these foes suggest, and if thou simply followest My will. Whosoever wills every thing according to My divine good pleasure, whosoever lives by this, and seeks his happiness therein, enjoys a true and holy freedom, which I desire every disciple of My Heart to possess, and which neither hell, nor the world, nor any creature can take away. 8. The voice of the Disciple . — Holy freedom ! how sweet a name ! but sweeter far its possession ; most sweet its fruit. Would, O good Jesus, that I might enjoy it ! But, alas ! wretched me ! of how many things am I still the slave ! blushing with shame, I confess to Thee, O Lord, that my heart is too often' captivated and held by various things, yea, the most trifling, or even ima- ginary. Give me, I entreat thee, — give me light to know and strength to burst asunder all my chains, that at last I may be free in truth and holiness. Mercifully grant, most benign Jesus, that, to pre- serve holy freedom of heart, I may stand with a heart firm and undaunted amid all the temptations of hell ; that I be unconquered and unshaken by the good and evil things, the sayings and doings, of the world ; that, rising above all which is of self, I may repose and per- severe in Thy most holy, most delightful good pleasure. CH. XIII.] IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 177 CHAPTER XIII. That the most Sacred Heart of Jesus ^ going up into the Temple, teaches us to pray. 1. The voice of Jesus. — Attend, My child, and see how solicitous My Heart was that, in piblic as well as ' in private. It might teach, by example, the way of sal- vation and perfection. From My Childhood I was wont, not only frequently to pray alone, but also to go up to Jerusalem, and to pray publicly in the Temple. My child, what was My whole life, if not a prayer, from which My Heart never ceased, with which It was always and every where occupied ? Where did Mary, My Mother, and Joseph find Me when I was lost, but in the Temple, the house of prayer ? Where did My disciples and friends find Me, but re- turning from prayer, with My Heart still praying? Where did' My enemies find Me, but praying in the solitude of Gethsemane ? Examine carefully every day of My life. Behold, the very dawn found Me at prayer, and sanctifying already the labours of the day. When the toils of day were over, lo ! when all nature was at rest, the darkness, of the night beheld Me praying and pouring forth My Heart before My Father, with the Angels alone as My witnesses. But even amidst the very labours of the day, how often did I withdraw a little from the multitude! how often, whilst in the midst of the multitude, and during My labours, did I raise My Heart to My Father ! 2. My child, strive thou with special care and dili- gence to acquire this spirit of prayer, this holy habit of praying. All the Saints and followers of the Saints, all the disciples of My Heart, learned this holy and sanctifying use of prayer. They prayed at stated times, not merely 178 THE HEART OF JESUS [book II. with their lips, but also with their mind and heart. Again, wherever they were, under every circumstance of fortune, they had inwardly recourse to Me by prayer; making known to My Heart their joy and gratefulness amid prosperity, imploring My help and comfort in ad- versity, asking counsel in their doubts. So shouldst thou also do. My child, if thou wouldst aspire to holiness ; yea, if thou art desirous of securing thy salvation. 8. Meditate devoutly every day ; but beware lest thy meditation prove a musing rather than a prayer, a pious study rather than a divine intercourse. Let the mind reason and reflect as much as is neces- sary ; but let the heart elicit acts, — sometimes of faith, hope, charity ; sometimes of sorrow, humility, self- denial ; again, of fortitude, of good and firm resolve ; again, of thanksgiving, of joy and exultation of heart with the Angels and Saints ; now of resignation, of con- formity to the divine will, of pure love, of rest in God’s good pleasure, or of any other virtue ; then let it fer- vently petition much for itself, and also for others, — for the Church and her ministers, for the perfection of the Saints dwelling on earth, for the perseverance of the just, for the conversion of all sinners, heretics, and infidels. In proportion as thou advancest in the interior life, and attainest to a more perfect degree in the same, thou shouldst diminish thy reasonings, and give freer scope to the afiections, so that thou mayst treat with Me in thy •heart, by means of acts and petitions, and, at last, by the pure enjoyment of divine union. Meditate and pray in this manner. My child, and remember that, whether thou prayest orally or mentally, the heart must be the first thing, in order that every prayer and supplication may be performed in an attentive and devout manner. Although thou mayst not be able to pray so well as^ thou desirest, do not think little of prayer, or neglect it. IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE, 179 CH. XIII.] Verily, I Myself do neither deem it of little importance, nor do I overlook the same. Do with a good will whatever thou art able ; by so doing, be convinced that thou prayest well and meri- toriously, and that thou wilt make progress in virtue as well as in prayer. 4. Let it not be sufficient for thee to pray at certain times ; for it behoves thee to pray always, and not to grow faint. Behold My sweet command, according to which thou canst approach Me at all times, and as a son converse with Me. Every where there are obstacles within and without, temptations from every side, both open and secret — always dangers lest the crown promised to perseverance be lost. Exceedingly necessary, therefore, is grace, which, however, is not wont to be given in a special manner except to those who pray. Almost every thing, then, depends on prayer. With- out prayer, evil things find no remedy — good things become dangerous ; but to him who prays, both good and evil will prove advantageous. Nowhere, My child, except in prayer, wilt thou ac- quire a true knowledge of Me and of thyself ; therefore, without prayer, thou wilt never attain to true humility and charity. Without prayer, thou wilt never fully understand My Heart, nor possess Its Spirit. Without prayer, thou wilt in many things be unable to apprehend the senti- ments of My Heart, and, what is more dangerous, thou wilt measure My Heart by thy own. If in thy concerns thou hast recourse to prayer, it will not rarely happen that thou judgest differently of them from what thou didst before ; because the light of divine grace, which is wont to be poured into the soul during prayer, is infinitely purer than the light of human reason. What thou didst think to have sprung from grace, thou shalt often find to be the offspring of nature ; what 180 THE HEART OF JESUS [book it. thou didst fancy a virtue, thou shalt sometimes perceive to be self-love; what thou didst judge to be for My greater glory, thou shalt often understand to be the effect of thy hidden pride. 5. The interior man, amid his troubles, has first recourse to Me, and begs for help ; therefore he is re- lieved, and obtains frequently extraordinary favours ; whereas, he that has recourse to human means, so far from being disburdened, increases his difficulties, until, entering into himself, he comes to Me, without whose aid human endeavours are of no avail to the suffering heart. My child, if thou comest to My Heart whenever thou art in affliction, there will be no need to look for human consolations ; thou shalt find one drop of My consolation sweeter and more effectual than a whole ocean of man’s words. If sometimes, for My honour and for thy advantage, I give thee no sensible consolation to taste, thou shalt still ever find true comfort in My Heart, both by resign- ing thyself to My good pleasure, and by receiving My assistance. This holy resignation, although, on the one hand, it is contrary to nature, and therefore bitter, yet, on the other, by means of grace, it becomes so sweet, in spite of the feelings, that no one, unless he has experienced it, can fully understand the same. 6. When the man of prayer is tempted, he becomes more united with Me ; he is not cast down, but raised ; he is not saddened, but cheered up ; he is not shaken, but rendered more firm. If at any time thou art overtaken by the storm, or even wrapt up in its thick darkness, turn thyself to Me, who am ever present, and with thy heart cling to Me confidingly ; thou shalt be secure amid the very rage and gloom of the tempest, and sometimes thou shalt be illumined with a ray of softest light from above, that thereby thou mayst see that what thou thoughtest cer- IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 181 CH. xm.] tain destruction was either a mere nothing, or even an advantage. When thou art desirous of saying or doing some- thing, and a doubt or perplexity presents itself whether or not it be lawful, entering into thyself, hearken to My Spirit ; and if, by having frequently recourse to Me, thou hast learnt to distinguish My whisperings, thou wilt perceive a clear response, which thou mayst follow with safety. A soul accustomed to have recourse to Me has every where with her a protector, a counsellor, and comforter, whom — not only when she is alone, but also whilst deal- ing with her neighbour — she knows and loves to call upon in her heart, to consult and to entertain. 7. After this do thou strive. My child, for this do thou leave nothing undone, that thou mayst acquire this pious habit of having recourse to My Heart, of tending towards Me as thy centre, of busying thyself inwardly with Me, of dealing with Me by prayer. This is that spirit of prayer which, if thou secure it for thyself, will lovingly entertain thee in solitude, will guard thee in public, will solace thee in adversity, will check thee in prosperity, will protect thee in dangers, and, every where at thy service, will guide thee to holiness. The voice of the Disciple. — This, O Lord, this is a great good, exceedingly to be desired ; yea, it seems that this alone is one of the main secrets of the interior life. But by what means, I pray, shall I acquire this pious habit ? The voice of Jesus . — First of all. My child, thou oughtest frequently to beg for the gift of prayer, of all gifts the best, which embraces every other gift. By prayer, as other things, so especially is the gift of prayer obtained. Next, it is a good counsel, and well suited to acquire the habit of prayer, to arrange thy occupations as much as possible, so that no long interval ever intervene during which thou dost not for some time, at least THE HEART OF JESUS 182 [book ii. for a few moments, confer with Me by means of some spiritual practice. Then thou must make use of both inward and out- ward temptations and troubles as so many warnings to turn thyself to Me, for the sake of evincing thy love, imploring grace, and renewing thy resolve of being faithful. Lastly, thou shouldst persist in thy repeated efforts, until thou art accustomed to make use of prayer, until thou hast recourse to Me under every circumstance, like a child to its parent — not by the power of reason and reflection, but by a spontaneous instinct. 8. Courage, My child ! spare neither care nor dili- gence to acquire this science of the elect, this object of the longing of all the disciples of My Heart, It is worth all that and more. In prayer thou hast a support in thy wants, amends for thy shortcomings, means for progress, a safe hope of perseverance, whatsoever it is profitable to possess. Prayer is the refreshment of them that hunger and thirst after justice ; prayer is the delight of pure souls ; prayer, to sum up all, is the employment of the Saints, and their repose as well. Whilst thou prayest, thou honourest and glorifiest Me, thou performest that upon earth which the angels and Saints are doing in heaven, and which must be thy blissful occupation throughout a joyous eternity. 9. The voice of the Disciple, — Delightful, indeed, O Lord Jesus, are the things which Thou teachest me ; they affect the heart by their unction, and fill it with love for prayer. Behold, Lord, as much as I am able will I pray : I will pray with my mind, I will pray with my heart, I will pray with my lips. Help me with Thy grace. By Thy most Sacred Heart, I beseech Thee, grant me the spirit of prayer, in order that prayer, which is manifold, may also be my life. I ask not for extraordinary gifts, not the gift of IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 183 CH. XIV.] prophecy, not the gift of miracles ; grant these to them whom, in Thy loving-kindness, Thou choosest : never will I envy them. But this I beg humbly, this I entreat Thee : grant Thou me the gift of prayer, — the gift which is above everj^ gift to me. Through it comes every good, through it I have access to the fountain of all good, through it I find entrance into Thy very Heart. CHAPTER XIY. Of the love of solitude^ after the example of the most Sacred . Heart of Jesus abiding at Nazareth, 1. The voice of Jesus, — My child, after I had been at Jerusalem engaged in the things which are My Father’s, so long as My Father Himself willed it, I went down to Nazareth, and there unknown I advanced in grace with God and with men. Understand this My hidden life ; study the senti- ments of My Heart, and strive to imitate them sedulously. Thou mightst have seen Me, with a serene counte- nance and a joyous Heart, — now at home, intent on My various duties and occupations ; now abroad, applying Myself to divers labours ; always ready for every thing, every where obedient, — at all times and in every place a spectacle full of grace to God My Father, to My Vir- gin Mother, to Joseph, and to the wondering Angels. Behold how the Son of God was employed for so long a time ! behold how He grew up, like the lily of the valleys, hidden, indeed, from the world, but visible and pleasing in the sight of heaven. 2. Wonder not. My child, that I passed so many years in retirement, that I did not show Myself to the world except after a long time. This example of Mine, this interior love of solitude, was exceedingly necessary to men. 184 THE HEART OF JESUS [book II. Without this love of solitude, men, influenced by corrupt nature, pour themselves out, as it were, into external things ; most of them follow self-love by imagi- nary and unusual ways and means of salvation and per- fection, whereby they are deceived and led astray from the spirit of their state and vocation ; others obey a secret pride, undertake affairs and fill employments without due preparation, without regularity, — seeking not the things which are Mine, but those which are their own. Whence it happens that they wander from the right path. And as, on account of the ceaseless bustle, and their applications to external things, they heed not the divine inspirations, they fall from one error into another, they become more and more wrapt up in their delusions, until, at last, they render fruitless to themselves every means of salvation and perfection. 3. The object of the example of My hidden and inward life is twofold : to teach men to guard against such evils, that they may keep the safe road of salvation ; and to show them wherein true perfection consists. Whatever glitters or resounds, whatever awakens in some manner the attention or admiration of men, upon this most men are wont to look as something more per- fect, and better adapted to glorify God and to shine before their neighbour. But how great an error ! how great a delusion ! For it all arises from secret pride, and ends in self-love. In truth, perfection, as is evident by the example of My Heart, consists in doing the divine good pleasure with humility and charity. Without a regard for solitude, man is not wont to understand at all times the divine will, to guard humility, or to preserve true — not fictitious — charity. Pray, therefore. My child, that thou mayst be worthy to acquire and cherish a love for solitude. It is so great a good, that there exists hardly any thing so useful, both to act with a right spirit, and to pray with the same spirit. CH. XIV.] IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 185 Examine the lives of the Saints, and thou shalt not find one among them who did not love sacred solitude. 4. The solitude which the faithful must cherish is relative to their state and condition of life. Whence it may happen that what is praised in one ought to be blamed in another. Now this is a safe rule, a true method for every faithful soul, of all states or conditions : to love solitude in such a manner that, after having duly performed whatsoever thy duties or employments demand, thou retire with Me from the crowd and recollect thyself in Me, until the divine will calls thee away. If thou withdraw thyself from unnecessary company, useless conversation, the idle rumours of the world, in short, from all matters which do not concern thee, thou shalt have sufficient time to be with Me in solitude. But when, from the intercourse of men, thou retirest into solitude, do not simply leave men and yet carry thy cares with thee. For there are those who are no less distracted and dissipated in solitude than they were in the company of men and amid their occupations ; because they give free scope to the wanderings of the imagination, to the in- quisitiveness of the understanding, and the idleness of the will. It is necessary, first of all, to arrange thy free time in an orderly manner, so that to a settled time be assigned a fixed employment, lest, overcome by disgust, thou wander about or waste time in discussing how thou shouldst spend it. Order in all things is of the greatest advantage ; it drives away idleness and dulness of spirit ; it prevents many temptations and difficulties ; it affords an oppor- tunity of doing well and with ease many things ; lastly, it makes thee live for Me. 5. He that is alone with Me in the sight of Angels, either makes amends for the past, or strengthens himself in what is good ; and while he reflects on himself and 186 THE HEART OF JESUS [book II. his actions, he is taught many things. For it is not so much length of time or multiplicity of matters, as the purity of prayer and meditation, which renders a man truly experienced. He that is recollected, away from the turmoil of the world, recovers his peace if lost, or strengthens it when preserved ; he rejoices in the communication of graces of divers kinds ; he rightly arranges beforehand that which he may afterwards be able to perform with fruit and merit. Whence, My child, does it come, except from union with Me, that interior men, even under the most trying circumstances, continue so self-possessed that they are an object of admiration to the multitude ; and are so perse- vering, that they execute with the greatest fearlessness whatsoever they have once resolved ? How many defects shalt thou avoid, how many virtues shalt thou practise, if thou do but cherish solitude ! All the disciples of My Heart have ever held as certain that they were so much the nearer to My Heart, the farther they were with their heart removed from creatures. 6. My child, if thou art truly humble, thou wilt seek after solitude ; for humility loves as much as possible to be concealed, and dreads to be noticed. If thou art enkindled with a true and divine love, thou wilt seek after solitude ; for the flame of love, exposed to every breath of the world, is easily extinguished, unless it be frequently fed in solitude ; or, what is worse, it becomes by degrees a disguised sensuality. Solitude, when adapted to each one’s circumstances, and properly kept, becomes sweeter little by little, and secures numberless advantages. For it is the safeguard of innocence, the dwelling of peace, the abode of the interior life, the school of holiness, the place of heavenly secrets, the chosen means of divine communication. If thou art desirous of enjoying these things, love CH. XIV.] IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 187 sacred solitude ; frequently will I invite thee, frequently will I lead thee into the same, that there I may speak to thy heart. 7. Be not deterred from cherishing sacred solitude, even should men occasionally censure thee on account of thy love of retirement. Let talkers have their say ; for thyself, attend thou to what is good. If thou desirest to suit thy life to the opinions of others, thou wilt have to assume as many different shapes as thou meetest men ; for there are as many opinions as there are minds. When the divine will does not make known to thee that thou shouldst be with men, stay thou alone with Me. Thus the Saints, unless called forth by the divine will, would have continued in solitude, even to their dying hour, unknown to men. Nevertheless, My child, as often as by My will — in whatsoever manner it be made known — thou art sent forth by Me, thou shouldst leave thy solitude with the same readiness and freedom of mind as thou didst enter it. At My bidding leave thou as speedily as possible, or rather exchange for the better, whatever useful occupa- tion detains thee, gladly accommodating thyself, without any sign of displeasure, to circumstances which present themselves. Do not bind thyself to any preconceived method rather than to My divine will ; do not, through a false exactness and an ill-regulated strictness, render piety hateful or unlovely. If thou hast learnt of My Heart a truly interior spirit, thou wilt safely follow a middle course, avoiding both extremes. Therefore, imitate not those dissipated persons who — thinking that the time spent in solitude is lost, or per- ceiving that things interior are distasteful to them — do ever seek pretences of pouring themselves out upon out- ward objects, entangle themselves with what does not THE HEART OF JESUS 188 [book II. concern them, frequently neglect what they ought to perform, and do what they should omit. Neither follow thou the footsteps of those who, under cover of piety, neglect all things external, and, with all access shut off, so hide themselves in solitude, that neither the inviting of My Spirit, nor charity, nor obedi- ence, is able to draw them thence; and who, if at any time necessity drives them out or disturbs them, are indignant, sullen, and fretful. For thyself, my child, follow the divine will, love to be with Me in solitude according to My good pleasure ; and, whenever it is My will that thou shouldst be with creatures, love to be with them for love of Me. 8. The voice of the Disciple . — O sacred solitude ! how great and how numberless the blessings wherewith thou overflowest ! Didst thou understand all these things, my soul? Frequently, then, hasten away into solitude ; thither go thou as much as thou canst ; thither do thou often resort, away from all turmoil, were it only for a little while, — but more with the heart than with the body. There do thou breathe' freely ; there refresh thyself ; there advance in grace ; there, among the Angels, enter- tain thyself with thy Beloved. O beloved of my heart, most sweet Jesus ! give me, I beseech Thee, and nourish in me, the love of sacred solitude, wherein I may find Thee, wherein I may enjoy Thee, wherein I may be happy with Thee. Thy conversation, unlike that of men, has no bitter- ness; neither has Thy intercourse any irksomeness; it is all spiritual joy, pure delight, divine sweetness. r CH. XV.] IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 189 CHAPTER XV. Of the ditine presence^ wherein we are taught to live hy the example of Jesus baptised, 1. The voice of Jesus. — My child, beginning to be about the age of thirty years, sent by the will of My Father, I left Nazareth, and came to the Jordan to be baptised. And when I was baptised, coming forthwith out of the water, I betook Myself to prayer. But, lo, whilst I prayed, and the crowd of men were thronging around Me, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit, under the form of a dove, came upon Me, and the voice of My Father was heard, saying: This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. What solemnity. My child ! how glorious ! but not displayed for Me. This voice came not for Me, but for men, that they might acknowledge Me as their Saviour, and, believing in Me, hoping in Me, loving Me, they might have life everlasting. I needed not this outward display for Myself ; since what was done visibly at My Baptism, I enjoyed unseen at all times. Every where, and always, the Father and the Holy Spirit were with Me. My Heart possessed always every sufficiency in things internal: in these It rejoiced fully; in these It found supreme delight. My Heart, united to the Godhead by act and affection, ever present to the same, lived as if ever absorbed therein. 2. My child, as much as thou canst, imitate this example of My Heart ; concerning which I have to tell thee many things — but agreeable, and full of consolation. Exert thyself, My child, that thou mayst ever enjoy the divine presence, that thou mayst every where live before Me, thy Saviour- God. If thou lovest Me, thou wilt find thy delight in walk- ing before Me, in enjoying My presence. Was it ever heard, or has it ever happened, that any THE HEART OF JESUS 190 [book II. one did not find his delight in the presence of him whom he loves ? Behold, I am always and every where with thee, inasmuch as I am a divine Person ; nowhere do I lose sight of thee. Nay, more, in My sight no creature is unseen. In every place My eyes behold both the good and the wicked, and look into the very heart of each of them. Who can hide himself from My sight ? Whether he conceal himself in darkness, whether he hide in the loneliness of the wilderness, whether he bury himself in the depths of the earth or the sea, whether he go down even to hell, every where My eyes are upon him. In such a manner, My child, am I present to all and each one, that with My all-powerful hand I can reach every one, both to restrain or punish, to help or reward him. 3. I am also with thee, not only with all the sweetness of My divinity, but also with that of my humanity, in the sacred tabernacle. Whithersoever, therefore, thou goest, whether to the right or to the left; wheresoever thou maystbe, whether in thy own country, or in the land of the stranger ; in every place where the most Holy Sacrament reposes, — thou hast Me present, not only with My divinity, but also My Soul and Body. There thou findest Me present with the same coun- tenance, the same lips, the same ears, the same affections of the Heart, that once were the delight of My disciples, as they are even now that of the Angels and Saints in heaven. Understand, my child, the whole mystery of love. Behold, from out the sacred tabernacle I am with thee in some manner — wherever upon earth thou mayst be — by the love of My Heart. In My Heart I busy My- self about thee; with my love I follow thee every where. 4. How, then, canst thou be forgetful of Me? how CH. XV.] IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 191 not be taken up with love for Me ? how with mind and heart stray away from Me ? Then, My child, dost thou truly walk before Me when thy mind thinks actually or virtually on Me; when, in like manner, thy heart is occupied with love of Me as present. Now, with regard to this divine presence, there are certain steps which interior souls prepare in their heart, and by which they come ever more closely to Me. The first is, when man, by virtue of actual intention, or, at least, of a virtual intention, lives so self-collected that he does every thing in a manner worthy of My sight, and, by repeated acts, turns himself to Me. In the next place, when — with a heart cleansed from every ill-regulated affection, and dedicated to Me as a special sanctuary — man attends faithfully, listening to what I speak within, and is ever ready to answer to My whisperings. Lastly, when the interior soul, in some manner ab- sorbed in Me, so lives for Me that she is wont not to be mindful of herself, except in Me; not to love herself, except in Me, — ever reposing in Me with a certain sweet and divine union, and enjoying My presence more per- fectly than the bird enjoys the air wherein he flies, or a healthy^ man the health that gives him vigour. This is the completing of divine union, which surpasses all understanding, to which pure souls, that by generous sacrifices, whether external or internal, have disposed themselves, with a perfect heart leaving all creatures, and even themselves, with the aid of grace are wont to attain. 5. My child, the remembrance of My presence is the most efficacious means of avoiding sins. For who, if he calls to mind that he stands in the sight of God, could dare to offend Him who, at the same instant, can hurl both body and soul into hell ? If, with thy own eyes, thou wert to behold Me pre- sent to thee in a sensible form, wouldst thou be willing. 192 THE HEART OF JESUS [book II. ]\Iy child, wonldst thou dare, to commit sin in My very sight? Wouldst thou not deport thyself in a respectful manner? But, with the eyes of faith, thou seest Me more clearly and more certainly present than if thou sawest Me with the eyes of the body. Remember and love Me who am present to thee, and thou shalt not sin for ever. What is it that renders sinless the inhabitants of heaven ? Is it not the Vision and the love of the Godhead, and that which arises thence ? When, by faith, thy mind beholds thy God, when thy heart loves Him, thou wilt not offend so great a Majesty. Although by nature thou art weak and liable to fall, yet this divine Vision will not allow thee to be deceived, nor will this love suffer thee to fall. For who- ever abides therein, sins not. Wherefore, my child, so long as by faith and love thou walkest before Me, thou shalt be sinless ; not, indeed, by thy nature, but by My presence. Whenever thou didst sin, surely, whilst resolving to sin, thou sawest Me not by faith, neither knewest thou Me by love. For whosoever sins, neither sees nor knows his God. 6. What is there more delightful than My presence ? what more pleasant? what more profitable for every thing? Is it not an enduring paradise? whom the Angels and Saints gaze upon face to face, whom they truly possess in heaven, the same thou beholdest upon earth by faith, the same thou enjoyest by love, whilst thou growest all the while in merits. Without the practice of the divine presence, solitude is wont to be dangerous, the intercourse of men hurtful ; but, by the use of it, both are helped and made holy. Thou shalt scarcely find any one practice of piety which contains such a number, such a variety, and such a frequency of acts of virtue, as this holy exercise of the divine presence. Be of good cheer, then. My child ; endeavour piously CII. XV.] IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE, 193 and diligently to acquire the habit of living in 'My pre- sence. When once ‘acquired, it will serve thee as a protection amid dangers, as a light in darkness, as a comfort in solitude, as a safeguard in the world, every where as a constant practice of virtues, every where as a divine fellowship. 7. The voice of the Disciple, — But, good Master, most sweet Jesus, in what manner shall I acquire this sacred habit ? The voice of Jesus , — Before every thing else. My child, thou must often pray, earnestly beg for grace ; whereby thou mayst be excited to call to mind, with a lively faith and a confiding love, the divine presence. The senses, also, are to be kept under strict disci- pbne ; and the inordinate desire of seeing external things is to be mortified. Then the internal faculties are to be guarded ; not only wicked, but also useless thoughts are to be kept from the mind, vain and idle occupations from the heart. Afterwards, thou shouldst endeavour to turn thyself frequently to Me, by short and fervent aspirations ; which will be all the more profitable to thee in propor- tion as they are more adapted to the state and circum- stances of thy soul. Finally, My child, in all things seen, thou oughtest to seek Me, the Unseen, the Beloved of thy heart. Do not the very creatures which surround thee on every side Avarn thee of My presence? Lift up thy eyes, and behold how all things, each after its own manner, proclaim that I am present. Do not the serenity of the sky and the very storm proclaim it ? do not the fruits • and flowers ? do not con- solations and aflflictions ? do not virtues, and the foun- tains of grace ? My child, if thou art an interior disciple of My Heart, all things that present themselves before thee Avill help thee to be mindful of Me, and to love Me as present every Avhere. o 194 THE HEART OF JESUS [book it. Every where thou shalt find Me ; and thou shalt pass over all even unto Me, in whom alone thou shalt find joy and repose. 8. The voice of the Disciple . — O Lord God, invisible, beholding all things, incomprehensible, and present every where, whither shall I flee from Thy face ? Behold, if I go up into heaven, Thou art there ; if I go down into hell, thou art present ; if I take wings at the dawn, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, there also Thy hands will guide and hold me. Darkness has no gloom before Thee ; night is ta Thee as the day. Every where am I in Thy sight j within and without am I unveiled before Thy eyes. 9. Lo, then, Thou art ever present to me. How sweet a thought ! how great a consolation ! what reasons for confidence ! how great an incitement to love ! But yet, whithersoever I turn. Thy creatures awaken my faith, warn Me of Thy presence, of Thy power, of Thy love, of Thy loveliness. If the shadow of the ob- ject is so pleasant, so fair, so good, what must be the object itself? Behold, this creature is pleasing, that other strong ; this one is fair, that one good ; but incomparably more pleasing, and, at the same time, stronger, fairer, sweeter, and every Avay better, art thou, O Beloved, whom my soul loveth ! O Jesus, my Saviour- God, delightful paradise of my heart ! grant, I beseech Thee, that always and every where I be mindful of Thee, that I love Thee always and every where present. Make my heart a pure and holy dwelling, wherein I may find Thee, possess Thee, enjoy Thee for the sanc- tification of my soul, and the ever - enduring glory of Thy Heart. CH. XVI.] IN nis ACTIVE LIFE, 195 CHAPTEE XVI. That the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, tempted in the desert, teaches us ever to preserve peace of heart 1. The voice of Jesus. — My child, when I went away from the Jordan, I was led by the Spirit into the desert. Behold a sight which filled the Angels themselves with admiration ! For, banished from human society, dwelling among the wild beasts of the wilderness, I passed My days and nights in fasting and austerity, exposed to all the changes of the weather. My Heart persevered in divine communings with My heavenly Father, in sublime contemplation, in ceaseless prayer. Meanwhile, forgotten or even insulted by the world, I was assailed by Satan in wonderful ways ; yea, I was even seized by him, carried away, and variously and exceedingly tempted. What impelled Me to undergo these things, if not the love of My Heart, that I might console thee. My child, and teach thee by My example ? Taught and encouraged by this, thou needst not wonder if, in thy condition of life, thou art tempted by the devil, or annoyed by the world ; neither shouldst thou, on account of human events, or the devil’s assaults, lose thy peace of heart. Nothing of all this world could disturb or disquiet My Heart ; but, ever tranquil and at rest, with a firm will turning Itself away from the objects cast before It, It went on in peace. 2. My child, do thou with all diligence aspire to this holy peace, and follow it up with all care. Blessed is the holy soul that keeps herself in true peace ! In such a one I abide as in My own kingdom ; in her heart I find My delight as on a throne. My Heart loves to communicate Itself to a tranquil THE HEART OF JESUS 196 [book II. heart; because there Its inspirations are heard, are fos- tered, and bring forth fruit. If thou desirest to commit the fewest faults possible, if thou desirest to derive profit from thy very faults, if thou desirest to practise virtues in a proper manner, keep thy peace of heart. If thou wishest effectually to resist the temptations of the devil, and to bring to naught the wicked attempts of hell, be in peace, and continue therein. 3. The enemy, knowing that he can do little against a soul so long as she keeps herself in this holy peace, strives in every way to trouble her. For this purpose, he sets sometimes every power in motion, and stirs it up ; he excites the imagination, he calls out the passions, he suggests many things contrary, now to this virtue, then to that ; at one time he assails by flattery, at another by fright ; and sometimes he persists with a peculiar obstinacy. If things of this kind befall thee, My child, be not uneasy, do not lose thy peace. So long as thou con- tinuest in a holy peace, all is safe ; but if thou beginnest to be troubled, thou beginnest also to be in danger ; and although, by divine grace, thou withholdest thyself from a wilful consent, yet the enemy has gained enough to be satisfied for the present. He does not think that he can overthrow thee in the first assault, but that, by degrees, if he be. able to dis- turb thy heart, he may worry thee, weaken thee, and so at last destroy thee. Beware, therefore, that thou be not disturbed by whatsoever temptation, or for how long soever a time, thou mayst be assailed. 4. My child, let not thy heart be troubled, whatever may happen. The peace of the heart is not to be lost for any thing of this world. Although thou mayst have rendered thyself guilty of some defect or sin, even then be thou not disturbed in heart. For, if thou troublest thyself after committing CH. XVI.] IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 197 a fault, dost thou thereby afford any remedy to the evil ? On the contrary, thou committest a fault more dangerous than the first. Wherefore, after an offence has been unhappily com - mitted, be not annoyed by troubles, nor lose thou courage ; but, by an act of humble love, throw thyself with a contrite heart upon My Heart, that thy fault may be con- sumed by this divine fire, and thy heart be made clean. Above all, My child, a firm and unruffled peace of heart is necessary when, for the greater glory of My Heart and thy own greater good, thou art suffered to be oppressed by inward desolateness, whereby the under- standing is wrapped in darkness, and the will feels itself pushed on to evil, so that, sometimes, thou seemest abandoned to thyself alone and to a stubborn enemy. If in that state thou givest thyself up to mental perturbation, thou wilt render vain the intention of My Heart, and run great risk, not only of depriving thyself of the proffered treasure of merits, and a sublime degree of holiness, but also of going astray and of falling. But if, with a quiet and undaunted heart, thou goest obediently onward whithersoever My Spirit may lead thee, and instead, and in despite of thy own feeling, thou followest His guidance, thou shalt pass through the ordeal unhurt, and come out of it more perfect. 5. In exterior things, also, much will occur to move and trouble thy heart, unless it be well established in peace. It will happen that thou findest men unfaithful, nay, more, at times opposed to thee, — even those that are bound to thee by the obligation of gratitude, friendship, station, or office. If thy peace rests upon the dispositions or doings of mortals, or depends thereon, it will be exposed to sad vicissitudes. Many judge according as their heart is affected ; therefore, it is to be expected that they will not rarely think ill of thee, will find fault with thy doings, will THE HEART OF JESUS 198 [book ir. condemn thy eager pursuit of an interior life; in short, will try thy virtue in various ways. When these things happen, my child, suffer not thy heart to be troubled; but remain in peace, and allow every thing to pass, precisely as thou allowest the clouds TO pass over thy head. And truly, of what avail would it be to thee to be troubled by these matters? Shouldst thou not add to thy self a burden, and reap bitterness as the fruit of thy toil? Accustom thyself to bear patiently things adverse; to hear in silence what is unpleasant; to be quiet among the boisterous; to remain tranquil whilst the world is blustering. 6. The voice of the Disciple. — But, 0 Lord Jesus, how hard it seems in practice — when temptations annoy me inwardly, whilst long to serve Thee faithfully ; or when the torments of adverse circumstances and men assail me, whilst I mean well — not to feel them, not to be troubled by them ! Verily, O Lord, this seems impossible to me. The voice of Jesus . — My child, it is no evil to feel things which are burdensome, or capable of disturbing the heart ; thou must needs feel them to be able to resist them. It is certainly impossible not to feel them, how pious soever thou mayst be. For piety does neither destroy nor blunt the powers of the soul ; but, on the contrary, it renders them more pure and perfect. Neither is it possible that the inferior part of the heart be not sometimes affected thereby. But these emotions, unless they be consented to by the superior part, can by no means harm thee ; nay, more, they may be useful to establish thy peace the more solidly; since, the more victories thou gainest over the inferior part, the more subject and tranquil thou wilt keep it, and the greater safety thou wilt enjoy. But yet it is ever in thy power to preserve thyself in peace. For — since thou possessest free will, and €H. XVl] IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 1^9 receivest ever a sufficient grace — neither the malice of heil, nor the wickedness of men, nor any adversity, can disturb thy heart, unless itself be willing. It depends, therefore, on thyself alone, My child, ever to possess this good, which is so great that, next to the state of grace, it is the greatest good of this life. 7. The voice of the Disciple, — Yea, Lord Jesus, so it is assuredly. Teach me, then, I beseech Thee, the way* of holy peace, which Thou didst show me to be so useful and necessary for all things. The voice of Jesus , — My child, many there are who say much about the means of obtaining and preserving peace ; but I say. Learn ye of Me, because I am meek and humble of Heart, and ye shall find rest, the perfec- tion of peace. First, then, a virtuous heart alone, which, living in grace, strives to imitate the virtues of My Heart, can possess true peace ; because there is’ no peace for the wicked. Again, a humble heart, which is satisfied with hold- ing an inferior place among men, and which, distrustful of self, has in every difficulty recourse to Me, can alone preserve an undisturbed peace. Finally, a heart quickened by charity, which is united, or at least resigned, to the divine will, can alone enjoy without interruption the sweetness of holy peace, and persevere securely therein. If thou art perfectly imbued with the sentiments of My Heart, so that, for love of a more complete resem- blance to Me, and a proof of a more disinterested love, thou choosest, according to the divine good pleasure, to suffer with Me in this world, — then, My child, wilt thou overflow with the plenty of a most delightful peace, enjoy a continued tranquillity in spite of all the changes of sensible things ; thou wilt be ever jubilant with a cheerful heart, because the very source whence the heart is wont to be troubled shall strengthen it in thee. Behold, My child, the way to true peace, which 200 THE HEART OF JESUS [book ir. leads up by degrees even to perfection. Blessed are they that Avalk therein. Outside of it can be found no real, no solid, no lasting peace. If thou possessest not a virtuous heart, resigned to the divine will by humility and love, do whatsoever thou wilt, go whithersoever thou choosest, nowhere shalt thou find the happiness of peace. When the heart is not w’-ell disposed Avithin, neither the shunning of occasions, nor the change of places, nor the loneliness of living, nor spiritual books, nor, in fine, the counsel of men, can give true peace. 8. Kemember, My child, that the causes of inward trouble do not lie in objects outside of thee, but within thee, in the ill-ordered dispositions of the heart. When- ever thou dost no longer allow these causes to exist Avithin thyself, outward objects will cease to be an occa- sion of trouble. Noav, there are as many causes that can make thee lose thy peace as there are ill-regulated affections of the heart. And not only do the affections for evil or vain things belong to this class, but also those for good and holy objects, if indulged in contrary to the divine good pleasure. Wherefore, so soon as thou detectest any thing in- ordinate within thyself, thou shouldst persist in the use of prayer, special self-examination, and other fit reme- dies, that thou mayst quietly and effectually cast it out of thy heart. How many even Aurtuous souls there are that anx- iously seek after peace, using for this purpose various means, and these no bad ones, and yet find only greater uneasiness, because they do not proceed in an orderly manner, long too much or too eagerly for the end of the trouble Avhich they feel, or for the obtaining of rest after Avhich they sigh ; or because they annoy themselves in the use of the means, or desire to experience a sensible peace ! Seek thou pei ce in a peaceful manner ; and as it is IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 201 CH. XVII.] to be found in the superior part of the heart, Avhere the rational will presides under faith and grace, possess and preserve it there. Thus, My child, thou shalt be able to enjoy con- stantly a holy peace. My peace, which is the privilege of every true disciple of My Heart, the seasoning of prosperity, the soother of adversity, the chief of all l)lessings, — in short, the sweet and necessary means of perfection and holiness. 9. The voice of the Disci 2 ^le, — 0 Jesus, God of peace, and Father of all consolation, oh, how I desire, how I long for peace, Thy peace, so sweet and holy ! Let others, who wish for them, possess the other good things of life ; to me, I beseech Thee, give Thou peace, — for me the greatest good of this life, embracing all I desire. Grant me in Thy goodness to make a proper use of the means appointed, that thus I may become a true disciple of Thy Heart, ever peaceful in meekness and humbleness of heart. O Prince of Peace, most sweet Jesus ! whose delight it is to reign in a pure and quiet heart, so establish Thy kingdom in my heart, that it be never disturbed, but constantly strengthened more and more, until Thou ad- mittest me to rule with Thee in heavenly bliss, 'where, with the Angels and Saints, Thou reignest in peace everlasting. O CHAPTER XVH. That the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, entering upon His public life, teaches us zeal for souls, 1. The voice of Jesus. — My child, God sent His Son into the world that the wwld might be saved by Him. Do not, then, wonder if zeal for souls was ever press- ing and incessantly urging on My Heart, that It might spread the kingdom of divine love over the hearts of 202 THE HEART OF JESUS [bOOK II. i men, by every means whicli My heavenly Father had placed at Its disposal. Hitherto I had remained hidden in solitude, as it were to prepare Myself for the work, and to teach all i the disciples of My Heart that they must first have an ardent zeal for themselves before they can profitably exhibit zeal for their neighbour. i Behold, whilst I was sanctifying Myself for the sal- vation of souls, how often, and with how great fervour of Heart, was I wont to pray for them, that they might live for the Lord their God, do no evil, and make pro- gress in virtue ! I also associated with Me disciples and Apostles, whom I filled with the Spirit of My zeal — to whom I communicated My intentions — upon whom I looked, rejoiced in Heart, because they applied themselves stre- nuously to the salvation of souls. I went around, teaching and speaking of the king- dom of God j seizing every opportunity, in private and i in public, to induce men to do better. The example of My life shone forth like a light !| that had risen for a people seated in darkness. For I , i went about doing good to all, and manifesting to every one the humility and charity of My Heart. How greatly they were edified and moved when they beheld Me toiling all day for their advantage and salvation, and, in the mean time, frequently withdrawing from the multitude, that, for a little while, I might pray alone ! when they learned that, after the labours and journeys of the day, whilst My wearied Apostles re- freshed themselves by nightly slumbers, I Myself was wont to spend the night in prayer ! Finally, since all power in heaven and on earth had been given to Me, I employed the same for the exercise of the zeal of My Heart, for the divine glory, for the gaining of souls ; and I wrought as many miracles as were necessary and proper for the salvation of all. Behold, My child, the means which the zeal of My i IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 203 CH. XVII.] Heart employed to win souls. Are not the same means at thy disposal, in whatever state of life thou mayst be ? Use them, therefore, earnestly for My glory and the salvation of souls. 2. Do thou frequently pray, and, in the spirit of prayer, offer some mortifications, little and light though they be, some works of piety and mercy, thy spiritual exercises, and even thy ordinary occupations, for this, that My straying children, who are miserably pining away in the far-off country either of infidelity, heresy, or sin, making at last a better use of their freedom, may rejoice My Heart by their happy return ; moreover, that the good may advance in virtue, may strive after better gifts, and continue to aspire to perfection. Oh, if thou didst know how powerful prayer is for the salvation of souls ! How many interior persons there are, and they, too, secluded from intercourse with the world, who individually, by prayer alone, have snatched thousands of souls from infidelity, heresy, or sin, and raised them to bliss everlasting ! Under- stand, then. My child, what thou mayst effect by prayer. Try to inspire some persons with zeal ; they thus become thy disciples and apostles, whom thou sendest in quest of souls. Thus thou wilt perform many things, not by thyself alone, but also through others, who, in turn, will animate and send others ; and, in this manner, transmit them from generation to generation. Be eager to speak frequently on subjects that breathe piety, which promote edification, and render virtue at- tractive. How many are there now in heaven who owe the occasion of their everlasting felicity to some pious conversation ! It is indeed true. My child, that thou shouldst not be importunate, so as to deter thy neighbour from virtue rather than draw him to it ; but a genuine and fer- vent zeal knows how to employ a holy dexterity, to pro- THE HEART OF JESUS 204 [book II. duce and employ fit opportunities of conversing on sub- jects of piety. Wonderfully effective is good example. It gives life and power to all other outward means. By the example of thy life, therefore, do thou show forth the incomparable delights of My love ; prove to thy neighbour that he who lovingly serves Me is, even in this world, most happy. Thus thou shalt, in some manner,' force thy neighbour to taste and experience how pleasant is the service of My Heart, the service of My love. If thou canst not work miracles, so as to suspend the laws of the universe, thou canst, by cooperating with divine grace, perform wonders. Why ? Is it not won- derful, nay, prodigious, that, for pure love of Me, thou overlookest thy own interest, that thou mayst have a care of that of others ? that thou returnest good for evil ? that thou esteemest thyself blissful with Me, in the midst of humiliations ? These and the like prodigies of grace. My child, have sometimes moved hearts that had resisted all other means, and induced them to pursue a better course. 3. In every place, and at all times. My child, be thou full of zeal for souls ; so that whosoever approaches thee may feel an incentive to virtue or perfection. Do not believe that thou art a true disciple of My Heart if thou hast no zeal, no efficacious will for the sal- vation and perfection of souls. But if thou art desirous of proving in deed that thou really lovest and followest My Heart, foster an ardent zeal. What canst thou do more pleasing to My Heart than to labour for the salvation and perfection of souls, created to love and glorify Me for evermore ? If thou sendest only one soul to heaven, thou givest Me more glory than all men together on earth have ever given Me, or can ever procure for Me. For, whatever glory mortals on earth give Me, is limited by the number of acts which are at last finished ; but the glory which a blessed soul in heaven gives Me — since it is ever-en- IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 205 CH. XVII.] li during — is equivalent to a number of acts to which there shall be no end for ever. Consider, My child, how greatly I valued the salva- tion of souls, since for this object I came down from hea- ven ; sought it through incessant and arduous labours and hardships ; and, lastly, sacrificed My very life for the same. Oh, if thou didst know the worth of a soul, with how great a zeal for her salvation wouldst thou be inflamed ! Learn what she is worth by the price at which I ran- somed her. Save a soul ; and, behold, thou shalt have performed a deed incomparably more precious than if thou hadst gained this whole world, with all its possessions. My child, if thou savest the soul of thy neighbour, thou freest thy own ; for he that shall cause a sinner to turn from the error of his way, shall save his own soul from death, and cover a multitude of sins. How great a joy shall it be to thee. My child, after this life, to behold in heaven the elect, who, after grace, owe to thee, some their heavenly bliss, others the height of their sanctity, and a corresponding everlasting glory; and who will repay thee with a thousand thanksgivings for ever ! Yerily, to help in the salvation and perfection of souls is not only the most excellent of all things human, but even the most godlike of all things divine. 4. Pray frequently, that thy heart may be endowed with a true zeal ; one which humility supports, charity stimulates, knowledge shapes, discretion guides, and per- severance strengthens. Take heed lest thou suffer thyself to be animated with a zeal which springs, not from grace in a meek and humble heart, but from nature, under the influence of some passion. He that is led by this zeal, whilst he en- deavours to root out sins, multiplies them ; and whilst he burns to make others better in deed, renders them worse in heart. 206 THE HEART OF JESUS [book II. , Strive, as mucli as thou morally canst, every where to correct what is evil, and to promote what is good, i But, whilst thou art doing what is in thy power, endure patiently whatsoever thou art unable to correct or im- prove, — intrusting all things to My divine providence, and praying that all may at last serve for My greater glory. My child, if the work of thy zeal do not succeed at , the first attempt, try again and again. It happens, that men, — listening secretly to the evil spirit, or lulled to sleep by lukewarmness, — at first scarcely hearken to what is better ; but that afterwards, — when the good Spirit, by means of interior remorse, repeats what they have heard, and exhorts them from within, — the zeal of the zealous labourer urging them on, and grace moving | them, they turn and surrender. . j So long as I await, so long as I endure, a mortal, thou shouldst by no means despair of him. If he is an un- believer now, how knowest thou whether he will not i soon be a believer? If he is a heretic at present, I whence knowest thou that he will not soon follow Catholic truth ? If a schismatic to-day, he may be united ! tb the Church to-morrow, Paul was in the morning a persecutor of the Church in the evening he was a vessel of election. Magdalen was a sinner in the city on one day ; on the following she was a model of every virtue, a seraph-like lover of My Heart. How many there are, who, seemingly lost beyond all hope in their errors or sins, were yet converted, and found the happy life of grace in this world and the blissful life of glory in the next ! Has, then, the power of grace grown less ? has man’s free-will become extinct ? 5. If, in spite of thy endeavours, men be unwilling to be converted, do not lose thy peace of heart. i Imitate the holy Guardian Angels, who, after having done whatever they should and could have done, if the men committed to their charge do not repent nor improve,, remain equally peaceful, equally blissful. IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 207 CH. XVII.] If there be any who do not avail themselves of the efforts of thy zeal for the good of their souls, these endeavours shall not be less rewarded, since with Me an efficacious will is reputed equal to success. It is thy duty to water the plants of grace, not to give them increase. Water them, therefore, and labour cheer- fully, and whether or not thou seest an increase, thou shalt never toil without profit to thyself and honour to Me. 6. Meanwhile, My child, thou must take heed lest, ■whilst thou art labouring to save others, or to make them perfect, thou suffer thyself to become a castaway, or careless of thy own perfection. In thy heart believe that they to whose spiritual good thou appliest thyself are already better than thyself, or that they shall be so some day : and how much good soever thou effectest in souls, deem thyself no more than a cymbal, which, without another’s aid, cannot give forth a sound. The more disinterestedly thou shalt have Me for thy aim, and the more humbly thou shalt think concerning thyself, the more fit shalt thou be to promote the salva- tion and perfection of souls. For I select weak instruments of this kind — weak in their own eyes — to perform ]\Iy own great works, that no one may glory in his strength, but that to Me may be given all the honour and glory. 7. The voice of the Discq^le . — It is not, then, enough. Lord Jesus, that I alone love Thee; it is necessary that others also love Thee, that all serve Thee. For Thou art supremely. Thou art for every reason, worthy of the love of all hearts. i O Jesus ! if men knew Thee, would they ever of- ' fend Thee ? would they not love Thee with their whole I heart ? How sweet a labour, to win hearts to Thee ! how angelic an employment ! how godlike a work ! Mho will grant me to travel over the whole earth. 208 THE HEART OF JESUS [bOOK II. to captivate all hearts, to enkindle them with love for Thee! Oh, would, most sweet Jesus, that I held possession of all hearts, that I might devote them all to Thee, con- secrate them to Thy love 1 Eeceive, I beseech Thee, the desire of my heart, whereby I long to be able to secure for Thee, upon earth, as great a love from all men as Thy Angels and Saints show Thee in heaven. Let me become, I entreat Thee, the apostle of Thy Heart, that I may spread Thy love every where ; that, with a ready and generous heart, I may spend my labour, my pains, my every means, and, over and above, spend myself, for souls that may love and glorify Thee through all eternity. CHAPTER XVIII. That the inost Sacred Heart of Jesus, present at the marriage-feast in Cana, teaches ns spiritual joy-' fulness, . 1. The voice of Jesus, — My child, as I came for the salvation of all, I became all to all, that I might gain all. Light is pleasing to all, a source of gladness, diffusing life and heat. Such was I, the Light of the world : such was My life, which manifested the joy, the love, the cheerfulness of My Heart. Search carefully, My child ; nowhere shalt thou find i Me surly, nowhere shunning or driving away the people through moroseness ; but every where cheerful, gladsomely dealing with men according to the divine j good pleasure ; inspiring and sanctifying all things with 1 My Spirit. Nay, behold 1 when invited, I refused not to be present at the marriage-feast, together with My ]\Iother and My disciples, and there to rejoice in a holy CH. XVIII.] IN ms ACTIVE LIFE. 209 manner, availing Myself of every opportunity to gain souls, and to teach virtue and true gladness of heart. By this example of My Heart, the Saints were taught to entertain a spiritual joyfulness ; and thereby to edify their neighbour, and to serve Me with a cheerful heart. They knew that I am a kind Father, that I love that My children live with their heart expanded, content and happy in the partaking of IMy blessings. Ponder these things, My child ; imitate them, that My joy may be within thee. 2. Behold what this spiritual joyfulness does and accomplishes ! What is there that gives Me here greater honour, than to serve Me with a cheerful heart ; to prove, in this manner, to the whole world that My service is full of sweetness and felicity ? Moreover, the gladness of My Heart adorns virtue, smoothes difficulties, softens hardships, brightens the understanding, enlivens the will; in short, makes the whole man well-disposed to every thing. Without joyfulness of heart, all external good things contribute little to happiness ; the powers of the soul are inactive, the body itself languishes, man is wretched, even in the midst of prosperity. By the practice of spiritual joyfulness, thou wilt render thyself dear to Me, who love him that gives cheerfully ; useful to thy neighbour, who will be pleasantly stimulated to that which is good ; lastly, beneficial to thy own self, who, by this practice alone, wilt perform several acts of virtue. What more ? Behold ! who is the man that desires life, who loves to see good days ? Cheerfulness of heart, this is the life of man ; and good days, the best of days, which are passed in God’s grace, which is like a para- dise amid blessings. Now, spiritual joyfulness is a most certain mark of the state of grace. The joyfulness of the just, therefore, is present felicity, and a presage of everlasting bliss. p 210 THE HEART OF JESUS [book II. 3. What is spiritual joyfulness, except the good dis- position of the soul, — showing that for My sake she is truly satisfied ? It is not, therefore, founded on nature, but on grace ; it does not depend on the peculiarity of one’s character, but on the disposition of the heart ; it has for its object not sensual, but spiritual things. Worldly joyfulness is hurtful ; it leads to grief and bitter gnawings of the mind ; natural joyfulness is incon- stant, subject to frequent sadness ; but spiritual joyful- ness is stable and salutary. A heart of good will, together with grace, produces this holy joyfulness : present piety gives it expansion ; victory over one’s natural inclinations makes it solid. 4. The devil — who loves depression of spirits, knowing how powerfully spiritual cheerfulness acts against him — seeks to assail it by every means, to destroy it by false reasonings, or to diminish it by vain subtleties. Be on thy guard, My child, lest thou be caught by him. If thou yieldest to this promoter of sadness, he will not be satisfied with depriving thee of the blessings of holy joyfulness, but, seeing thee disposed according to his wishes, he will attack and tempt thee in the most dangerous manner. Whatsoever may be suggested, whatsoever may befall thee, give no admittance to gloominess, which depresses the heart. This direful evil dries up the very bones, stupefies reason itself. Wherever if reigns, un- derstanding disappears ; yea, wherever sadness of heart prevails, every misfortune is found. It may come to pass occasionally. My child, that, without knowing from what cause it proceeds, thou feelest thyself inclined to a certain irksome sadness. When this happens, do thou pray again and again, stir up thy fervour, and employ other suitable means, that thou mayst preserve thy gladness of heart. 5. Often, also, contrary or adverse circumstances will •CH. XVIII.] ■IN Ills ACTIVE LIFE. 211 present tliemselves, wliicli will naturally produce this effect upon thee. These, by allowing thyself to be grieved in heart, thou wilt render more burdensome. On the other hand, by preserving a joyful heart, thou wilt make them light. Turn these things, therefore, in the best way thou canst, to the everlasting good of thy soul ; and, with thy mind withdrawn from what is un- pleasant, rejoice supernaturally over the greatness of thy gain. But the things which are especially wont to hinder spiritual joyfulness in a virtuous soul are the defects which she commits, and without which she knows full well that she cannot live. Behold here a delusion, behold the deceit of the enemy, whereby he is accus- tomed to do infinite harm to the inexperienced. It depends on thee alone. My child, to make these defects, when they have been committed, subservient to tliy profit, and consequently to the joyfulness of thy heart. For it is a source of great advantage, nay, of great merit, on the one hand, forthwith to repent, through love for Me, of the faults committed ; and, on the other, to rejoice in the humiliations which follow these faults, because My honour is thereby repaired. Finally, My child, whatever obstacles thou mayst find in thy way, leave nothing that is right untried to guard against this baneful gloominess. Beware, however, lest, whilst shunning sadness, thou run into it by the other extreme. Wherefore, to avoid it, do not give thy- self up to dissipation, to the neglect of thy spiritual exercises, to the pursuit of sensual delights ; for to such a joy mourning succeeds. G. My child, after the possession of the state of grace, the chief means to enjoy spiritual gladness, and to pre- serve the same, is to be meek and humble of heart, for love of Me. Be humble, and thou shalt never be cast down ; love fervently, and thou shalt ever possess a joyful heart. If thou followest the propensity or the aversion of 212 THE HEART OF JESUS [book II, nature, if thou art lukewarm or careless in the things which concern Mj service, even shouldst thou have all the delights of earth, thou canst never taste nor possess true joyfulness of heart. There are also outward things which contribute to the joy of the heart ; holy endeavours to cultivate spiritual gladness, pious jubilations by hymns and can- ticles, intercourse with those who are spiritually joyous, cheerfulness in action, resignation in suifering, a holy freedom in all our ways. Pray, My child, and strive to make a right use of these means, and thus shalt thou enjoy true gladness, compared to which all other delight is mere grief, all other gaiety sadness, all other sweetness bitterness. This is My joy, wherein rejoice thou always : again I say, rejoice. 7. The voice of the Disdjole . — 0 Jesus ! whose Heart is the never-failing fountain of exquisite gladness, whence heaven draws as well as earth, where save in Thee shall I find true joyfulness of heart ? O most sweet Jesus, have pity on me. Thy unworthy child ; fill my heart with holy gladness. Without Thee, my soul is like a field without water, dry and wretched ; Thou alone art true and efficacious refreshment. When Thy refreshing Spirit is not within me, dis- tasteful is all that creatures can offer ; but when Thou cheerest the heart, my soul leaps for joy, 'and, in her gladness, bears all things with ease, finds all savoury, tastes sweetness even in what is bitter. Thus do thou ever, I entreat Thee, gladden my soul. Grant me a humility so solid that I may never be dejected ; so great a love for Thee, so great a fervour, that ever joyous I may live for Thee. O Jesus, beloved of my soul, my whole and sole delight 1 let me so serve Thee with a cheerful heart, that I may honour Thy service, edify my neighbour, sanctify myself to the everlasting joy of Thy heart. €H. XIX.] IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 213 CHAPTER XIX. That the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, conversing with men, teaches us to hear with the defects of our neighbour, 1. The voice of Jesus. — My child, so long as I was seen upon earth and conversed with men, I was in the midst of a wicked generation. How much pride and infidelity, how much unclean-^ ness and iniquity, thinkest thou did I behold, — I, the Searcher of hearts, — in the hearts of men to whom nothing save the world, nothing except self-interest, was pleasing ! How was My Heart moved at the sight of men's sin- ful ignorance, unbridled licentiousness, forgetfulness of the things of heaven, anxiety for those of earth, neglect of virtue, — in short, the triumph of vice 1 Compare Me, My child, with such men : My humility with their conceitedness and vanity ; My zeal with their indifference and obstinacy ; My beneficence with their^ insensibility and ungratefulness j My charity with their listlessness and disregard ; in short, all My virtues with their defects and vices ! Understand, also, what disposition of Heart I dis- played before them. Behold, whatsoever they were, I continued to live with them, to converse with them, to stay among them, without complaint or indignation of Heart, yea, to show Myself content. If thou meditates t rightly upon this pattern of life, thou wilt learn to manifest similar sentiments of heart to thy neighbour. 2. Thou, My child, and all thy neighbours, ye are conjointly children of the same heavenly Father ; ye were conjointly ransomed at the same price of My life ; ye are all to be united for ever in fellowship by the same bond of the love of the Holy Spirit. Ye are all called to the same kingdom of heaven ; 214 THE HEART OF JESUS.. [book 1 1. that there ye may be made blissful in perfect peace, in the joy of an everlasting union. See, therefore, that thou agree with them on the way, lest thou be hereafter excluded from the heavenly abode of the blessed, and delivered up to exterior tor- turers. This is My example ; nay, more, this is My com- mand, that, carrying each other’s burdens, ye love one another, as I love yon, with a supernatural, universal, efficacious love. If ye love Me, keep My command. If ye keep the same, ye will remain in My love. He that hates his brother is a murderer ; he kills the very soul, and that his own. Whosoever is angry with his brother, shall be answ^erable before' the judg- ment. He that forgives not, shall not be forgiven. He that forbears not, shall not be forborne. For with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. ' o. Eemember, My child, that thou art living, not among Angels, but among men, who cannot be here below without failings. Do not, then, wonder if frail mortals err or fall ; but wonder at this, that, whilst thyself thou hast many fail- ings with which others must bear, thou darest sometimes' feel indignant at those of others. If thou bearest not with another’s defect, dost thou not by the very fact commit a fault, and show it too ? Know that I sometimes suffer well-meaning and virtuous men to be opposed to each other, that, without sin, there may be an opportunity of bearing with one- another’s defects, of practising solid virtues, and of ac- quiring merits. Judge the things of thy neighbour by thy own. As thou desirest to be dealt with, so deal thou with others; and do not to others what thou wouldst not have- done to thyself. Hast thou not many things. My child, from which, thou wouldst gladly free thyself, and from which thou. CH. XIX.] IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 215 knowest by thy own experience that thou art unable to free thyself? What thou sulFerest, therefore, in thyself, even against thy will, that do thou likewise tolerate in others ; whom, if thou hast any humility and charity, thou wilt suppose to endure their own defects in spite of themselves. 4. There are they who willingly enough bear with tlu; defects of friends, and of those whom they find agreeing with themselves in taste and manners, but who take easily offence at the failings of all beside. Now, what virtue is there in this? Do not the heathen do the same ? Nay, more, are not the very animals, devoid of reason, accustomed to act in the same manner ? How canst thou be My disciple, if thou hast the feelings of a pagan, or if thou followest simply an animal instinct ? Be thou animated. My child, with the supernatural charity of My Heart ; whereby I endured and loved all, enemies as well as friends, even unto death. Passing, therefore, over every merely natural con- sideration, endure thou all, love all — make of no one an exception. Pray for them that persecute and calumniate thee ; bless them that revile thee ; do good to them that hate thee ; overcome evil by good. Hate the evil vrhich is done ; but beware lest thou hate the man who commits the same. How much soever thou mayst detest the sin of a man, thou art bound to love the man himself. 5. The Saints, who followed not nature, but grace, did so far clothe themselves with the sentiments of Aly Heart, that they endured and loved, not only all in general, but specially those that were opposed to them. Yet, My child, they too v/ere men, and, like thyself, had the feelings of nature ; but they overcame nature ; and, in spite of feeling, they, in their greatness of soul, emulated My example. Come, My child, be courageous, and, as is becoming 216 THE HEART OF JESUS [bOOK II. in a disciple of My Heart, imitate those noble and generous souls. When thou feelest indignant at the faults of thy neighbour, keep silence ; neither suffer thou any thing ill-ordered to escape thy lips, whereby thou mayst harm thyself as well as thy neighbour. Pray for him in thy heart, and steadily keep thy mind from reflecting on his faults. Never grow weary of pardoning thy neighbour, of bearing with his faults, of loving him with a supernatural affection, if with thy heart thou desirest to follow My Heart. If thou hast many and great things to endure in others, remember, child, that I have undergone more and greater things for thy sake j nay, that I have borne with more and greater things in thee. Behold 1 I mercifully forgave thee a debt of ten thousand ; shouldst thou not, then, have pity on thy fellow-servant, as I also had mercy on thee ? Call to mind, My child, how long, and with how great a goodness of heart, I have endured thee, and how 1 do even now endure thee ; and learn thence how and how far thou oughtest to bear with thy neighbour. G. The voice of the Disciple . — 0 Jesus ! how kind and forbearing hast Thou been towards me, yea, art even now 1 How can 1 recall this without tears of affection and gratitude ? How wretched soever I may be, I find Thy Heart always open to me ; and yet I own it to my confusion, I do sometimes close mine against my neighbour. O Jesus, meek and humble of Heart ! who knowest that I am less ready to bear with the defects of my neighbour because I love and esteem myself too much, infuse into my heart, I beseech thee, the humility and charity of Thy Heart ; that, for love of Thee, I may love every neighbour as myself. Grant me grace, that, as often as I behold the fail- ings of others, I may raise myself above nature ; and IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 217 CH. XX.] that, by a supernatural principle, I may be moved to compassion, not to indignation ; to well-wishing, not to aversion. Bestow upon us, most loving Jesus, Thy Spirit, the Spirit of charity ; that we may love one another, and live united by a holy peace, until we enter the realms of Thy everlasting love. CHAPTER XX. That the iiiost Sacred Heart of Jesus, acting toward all until the greatest o]?en-heartedrtess, teaches us to act with sini'plicity in regard to our neighbour. 1. The voice of Jesus. — My child, when I dwelt among men, they wondered and were astonished that with each and all of them I dealt with so great a sim- plicity. But it was a mystery of My Heart. For My Heart is simple, loves God, and, by the same love, all besides ; holding one in all, and all in one. This simplicity of Heart which I showed to men is the image of my Spirit, — charity undivided in itself, busied with many things, itself ever one : Loving God and men in the same Spirit ; con- templating human misery and prosperity ; averting evil and promoting good ; supporting the different charac- ters and dispositions of persons ; passing in one and the same manner through varied and manifold circum- stances ; and all this in the same Spirit. By this most pleasing virtue men were wonderfully moved. For never had they beheld, nor even conceived in their mind, so great a simplicity united with so great a dignity j so uniform a kindness allied to so wonder- working a power. In Me there was no duplicity, nothing feigned, no affected loftiness of speech, no artful manner of acting. The ingenuous frankness of My Soul was apparent 218 THE HEAKT OF JESUS [bOOK II. to all ; My actions reflected, as it were, like a mirror, the sincerity of My Heart. Hence, My child, men came to Me of their own accord, and poured out their hearts before Me. Even little children ran to meet Me ; and I suffered them to come to Me, so that men wondered ; I spoke to them with kindness, I blessed them ; I filled them, all joyous as they were, with the love of virtue. 2. By My example, learn to make use of a holy simplicity in regard to thy neighbour, which consists in drawing thy thoughts, words, and deeds from one divine charity, and in referring to the same the thoughts, words, and deeds of others. In My Heart, the centre of charity, is every neigh- bour to be viewed and loved. Whoever views his neighbour without My Heart, easily divides his heart among various merely natural affections, or nerves it by means of motives or intentions partly human. But he that views and loves men in the charity of My Heart, he with a single eye sees one in all ; he with a pure affection loves one in all ; he has his heart neither compounded nor divided. 3. Thus, then, be thou simple in viewing or think- ing that which is thy neighbour’s ; and do not divide thy heart by rashly judging. Who has established thee a judge of thy neighbour? Whence is thy right to condemn him ? — how darest thou to cast off by thy judgment one whom I shield with My Heart, whom thou art bound to love as a brother, who in My sight may be, now or hereafter, better than thyself? If thou judgest rashly, My child, thou art inexcus- able. For if thou so condemnest another, dost thou not condemn thyself? By rashly judging him guilty of a fault, thou renderest thyself guilty of a fault. Do not, however, confound a suggestion with a sus- picion, nor a suspicion with a judgment. A suggestion CH. XX.] IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 219 is an evil instigation which does not depend on man’s will, and therefore, unless wilfully indulged in, is blame- less. And what is suspicion except, from some doubt- ful signs, to think and hold something as probable or truth-like ? But judging is, from a sufficient reason, to decide and believe something as certain. Wherefore, when there is a sufficient reason for suspecting or judging, the suspicion and the judgment are assuredly neither rash nor culpable. And if a sufficient reason to suspect or judge be wanting, without its being remarked, the error is- in- vincible and guiltless. If, however, the care of others be committed to thy charge, it is not only lawful, but also necessary, whenever probable signs of evil are given, that thou have suspi- cion concerning those who are subject to thee ; that thus thou mayst prudently remove the evil, if any be found to exist. For the rest. My child, whatsoever sign, word, or deed thou dost observe in thy neighbour, take it ever in good part ; if by any means it can be excused in thy mind, do so ; but if thou seest that it can in no manner be excused, correct him by a word of charity, or by a sign of disapproval, if prudence allow it, and certain fruit is expected. O My child ! the holy simplicity of charity thinks no evil ; neither is it grieved because it errs, when inno- cently it judges well even of what is evil. 4. Be thou also simple in speech, My child. Da not divide thy heart by means of the tongue, as does the world, which, satisfied with outward appearances, boasts foolishly of the art of feigning and dissembling. Do thou, from the treasury of a virtuous heart, with simplicity present good things to thy neighbour. Far removed, therefore, from thy conversation be all artfulness, all duplicity, all craftiness ; whereby thy neighbour may be misled with fallacies, or rendered distrustful through fear of some concealed untruth, or 220 THE HEART OF JESUS [book II. scandalised by the evidence of implied wrongfulness, or, lastly, be made to suffer harm on account of his credulity. My child, whatsoever thy lips utter, let it also be the sentiment of thy heart. Does it, then, behove thee to express the inordinate emotions of the passions, if thou feelest these within thyself? Beware lest thou draw such an inference ; be far from such a belief ; these emotions are not only to .be suppressed by the lips, but also by the heart. Be the same to all ; true and holy simplicity is courteous to all, ever agreeable, every where uniform. Whatever be the reasons in thy favour, do not wound the union of charity for the sake of matters which are indifferent, or do not concern thee. Kemember that one act of charity surpasses infiniteljr the multitude of all reasonings. If it happen that, by a word, thou give offence to thy neighbour, humble thyself in artless simplicity, and endeavour, as soon as possible, to give him satis- faction, or an excuse. For humility alone is a repara- tion of wounded charity. 5. Finally, be also simple in acting. . Let there appear in thee no affectation nor carelessness ; be thy whole exterior such that it may show the candour of thy interior. Let all things that regard thy neighbour be done in charity, which, although it is one and single, yet pos- sesses many and various acts. One and undivided as it is, it knows hoAV to unite many and divided objects, to tolerate equally things unequal, and to preserve and advance those which are united. My child, if thou hast truly learnt the simplicity of My Heart, thou Avilt, Avith ease and sincerity, shoAV a yielding charity to all, a becoming honour to every one ; being so disposed as inAA^ardly to give the preference to others, and Avilling, with one and the same divine love, joyfully to render service to each one, according to his position. CII. XX.] IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 221 Proceed with simplicity, My child ; go on straight forward, not running to the right nor to the left in order to speculate about things possible, or to investigate what others may think of thee. In all things seek Me alone, whom thou shalt un- doubtedly find in all, and in whom alone thou shalt possess all. 6. Woe to the double-hearted, who has one thing in his heart, another on his lips ; who keeps sweetness on his lips, and bitterness in his heart ; who outwardly professes sincerity, and inwardly hides deceit. The heart that enters the path of deceit shall find no happy issue ; it shall find neither the path to My Heart, nor the road to the heart of its neighbour ; it shall stray to its own confusion. Duplicity shall one day be unveiled, and the hope of the hypocrite shall perish. But blessed are the simple ; for theirs is secure peace I I say it again : Blessed, because My conversa- tion and familiar intercourse is with the simple. - He that walks in simplicity, walks confidingly, and shall be safe. 7. Beware, My child, lest, by following simplicity, thou dash thyself against imprudence. Holy simpli- city is artless indeed, because it is holy; but, because it is holy, it is also prudent. Be, therefore, simple as the dove, but also prudent as the serpent. Do not lay open thy heart to every one. Do not unveil thy own affairs to thy neighbour, except inso- much as well-ordered charity demands. Whatsoever serves not for common edification, or is not of an ordinary kind, suffer thou to be known to none except Myself, and to those that hold My place in thy regard. Let not thy heart be like a broken vessel, which cannot hold what is poured into it. If thou canst not keep a secret, thou art not only 222 THE HEART OF JESUS [book IL unworthy of the name of a disciple of My Heart, but even of the confidence of thy neighbour ; very un- worthy of the secrets of friends, most unworthy of My own. Hast thou heard any thing whispered against thy neighbour ? Let it die within thee ; it shall not cause thee to burst, My child, neither shall it hurt thee in any way. A tale-bearer shall defile his own soul, and be hateful to others ; for he is a doubly envenomed tool of evil. To say the truth is not always lawful, but to tell a falsehood is never allowed. Prudence, therefore, is ne- cessary, lest, by uttering what is true or by saying what is false, thou sin against charity and other virtues. Under such circumstances. My child, have thou re- course to My Heart ; the unction of Its charity will teach thee in what manner thou oughtest to proceed. Lastly, pray that thou mayst obtain the spirit of holy simplicity, and cultivate a virtue whereby thou wilt render intercourse with thy neighbour grateful and profitable to thyself as well as to him, and pleasing and honourable to Me. 8. The voice of the Disciple. — Thou, Lord, art the model, the pattern of perfect simplicity. Would that I might become like to Thee ! O Jesus, Thou pure love ! make Thou my heart single, that I may come as near to Thy simplicity as it can be granted to a creature, by loving one in all and ull in one. Eender Thou my mind single by freeing it from the false principles of the world and of self-love, and by preserving it from every evil suspicion and rash judg- ment, that it may be guided by Thee alone, where things are certain, in truth, and where they are doubtful, in charity. Make me wholly single, inwardly and outwardly, that, having become perfectly one, I may always and every where act in a uniform manner, deriving all things from €H. XXI.] IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 228 Thee alone, and referring all to Thee alone, who art the beginning and end of all. ( CHAPTER XXT. That the most Sacred Heart of Jesus ^ showing to men the sweetness of humble charity^ left us a model lohich ive should follovj, 1. The voice of Jesus, — Hearken, My child, and re- ceive My words. When of old, by the Prophet, God I spoke of His Son who was to come into the world, He said : Behold My Servant, My Beloved, in whom My soul is well pleased. I will put My Spirit upon Him. He shall not contend, nor cry out. The bruised reed . I He shall not break, and the smoking flax He shall not extinguish. In His name shall the nations hope. I As such I came. My child ; as such I was in this I world. I treated men with so great a humility, so great - a charity, that I was called the Lamb of God, and known by that name. ' See how I lived among men, how I behaved toAvard . them. Although I was their Lord, I Avas in their midst as one ministering. From all parts they came hastening to Me Avith , Avhat ailment soever they might be afflicted, knowing that to Me humility was habitual, mildness natural, that goodness was the very essence of My Heart. And, indeed, the first or the last sigh of any one Avho was miserable moved My Heart, and aAvakened all Its tenderness. Did I ever cast off any one? did I ever slight the poorest, or the least of all ? did I ever show a sign of dislike to any one ? On the contrary, I embraced and , cherished all Avith the greatest marks of kindness. Consider, My child, and reflect Avith how great a I tender-heartedness I treated little children ; Avith Avhat 224 THE HEART OF JESUS [book IL I endearing and even-minded humility I taught the ig~ I norant ; with how steadfast and generous a courage I dealt with the troublesome ; with how glowing a zeal i with worldlings ; with how feeling a composure with ' the afflicted ; with how great an affability with sinners ; ’ with how holy a love with the good ; with how humble . a charity with all. This humble charity, the characteristic virtue of My Heart, ravished the hearts of all to such a degree, that, as the envious murmuringly complained, the whole ■ world went after Me. Verily, My child, this humble charity of My Heart overcame the whole world. For whence, thinkest thou, arose so wonderful, so sudden a conversion of the world, , if not from the secret unction which moved, and the well-known goodness of My Heart which attracted, all ? Behold, as the goodness of My Heart became known, men hastened to Me from every place, out of every state of life, under every disposition of body and soul ; and , even now they continue to do so, because they hear that the poor are not spurned by Me ; that the afflicted are not forsaken ; that sinners are not abhorred ; that the weeping Magdalen, the suppliant woman of Canaan, the praying publican, the apostate disciple returning, the penitent thief, even My very torturers, when they smote their breasts, were not cut off. 2. My child, strive thou with all diligence to follow this pattern of life, this method of dealing with men, and to realise the same in thy behaviour as a true dis- ciple of My Fleart. Some Saints, perfectly imbued with the sentiments of My Heart, so behaved, that men could not deal with them without being led by their very appearance, as by an exact likeness, to an affectionate remembrance of Me. Thou canst not deal with thy neighbour in an indii- ferent manner ; thou wilt produce in him either good or evil. No one can treat with men without loss, either to him- IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 225 CH. XXI.] i self or to another, except he who is willing, with a sincere heart, to humble himself before men. It is frequently necessary humbly to give up thy opinion, if thou desirest to deal with others without dis- : agreement ; nay, more, often thou must kindly embrace . things unpleasant to nature, if thou wishest to live with p them without bitterness. ; ' Whence do dissensions arise among mortals ? Is it not from pride, whereby one refuses to yield to another ? Whence bitter feelings? Is it not from an inordinate self-love, which corrupts the very heart ? Drive away pride from among men, and, behold, with it all human troubles will disappear. Next, expel \ self-love; and thou shalt see the delights of heaven j reigning on earth. ' If thou art truly humble, thou shalt captivate thy : neighbour; and if thou burnest with a pure charity, thou shalt carry him along to make him use his efforts ' to run in the odour of virtues, which breathe forth so sweet a fragrance. 3. Humble charity is mightier than all severity. The latter, whilst outwardly it may hinder evil, inwardly estranges from good; on the other hand, the former corrects evil and causes good to be loved. Nothing is more easy in directing than severity or laxity. But what is there more dangerous for men than the former ? or what more injurious to Me than the latter ? They that lead not an interior life, and therefore suffer themselves to be guided by nature rather than by My Spirit, are wont to fall into the one or the other excess. My child, if thou art charged with the care of others, thou shouldst be, before all else, an interior person. Whoever is not such, how is he to be pitied when placed over others ! For he shall, doubtless, ill per- form many things, and do harm to My interests intrusted to him; and of all this he shall give a reckoning. Woe to the religious Community whose Superior is I not an interior person 1 For, behold, it shall languish I Q 226 THE HEART OF JESUS [book II. in spirit, and fall away by degrees ; since every Com- munity suffers most dangerously in its head, and hence the individuals composing the same suffer fatally in the heart by an ill-ordered affection for creatures — the most dangerous disease of individuals. If thou boldest My place in regard to others, thou must guide and govern them by My Spirit, that thou mayst, in them and through them, advance My interests. If thou actest differently, thou mayst, perhaps, promote thy own interests, not Mine; give satisfaction to thy own nature and to that of others, but not to My Heart. If thou art an interior person, animated with My Spirit, thy ways of acting will be strong in deed, but full of sweetness in manner. Thou wilt constantly pursue the objects aimed at until thou attainest to them ; but with that sweetness of charity which, whilst it stimulates, never wounds ; which, when it urges onward, does not embitter; which employs a thousand painstakings to win ; which finally overcomes, but so overcomes that the conquered one surrenders by a voluntary act, and meri- toriously. Thou wilt so make use of My secret of governing as not to require the same of all ; but, by the same spirit, to gain of each that which, regard being had to talents, strength, and other circumstances, could reasonably be obtained. Thou wilt know how to take advantage of the character of thy subjects, and to employ the same for its proper effect, and relatively to the greatest usefulness. Thou wilt take heed lest, under any pretence, thou estrange subjects, or render them dispirited. And thou wilt strive to treat subjects as I treated My Apostles ; so that, full of confidence, they have recourse to thee in every difficulty, and find thee ever animated by My Spirit, and devoted to them ; that thus they may live ever cheerful, and serve Me with a willing mind and a large heart. Eemember, My child, that there is nothing more difficult than to punish beneficially. Wherefore, if at IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 227 CH. XXI.] any time it be necessary to punish, see thou do not make the evil worse; take care lest outwardly thou incrust and whiten the individual as if he were a sepulchre, and enclose and keep rottenness within. Never, by word or deed, rebuke another, if either thyself or he be excited with anger. It will be sufficient to restrain, for the present, him that actually commits a formal sin ; delay the punishment until thou canst prepare and administer it without passion, and he, being now pacified, may accept and undergo the same with profit. 4. Never needlessly sadden any one; if at any time thou art obliged to say or do things unpleasant to others, soften them, for charity’s sake, with good reasons, and season them with such a sweetness of manner that what- ever is bitter may be felt as little as possible. If thou art asked any thing which thou canst not grant, show to him that asks how much thou desirest that thou wert able, and how it grieves thee that thou art unable, to comply therewith, and so he will go away satisfied, and more edified than if he had obtained his request. Do not, under cover of charity, entertain men with empty flatteries, or deceive them by a certain politic astuteness. This manner of acting is hateful to heaven I and earth ; for, unless it is grounded on truth, it is not I charity, but deceit. I 5. On the contrary. My child, do thou so manifest in thyself the character of the humble charity of My Heart, as to be in every place the good odour of My example. So let thy light shine before men, that they may see I thy good deeds, and glorify thy Father, who is in heaven. ; The voice of the Disciple. — Yet, Lord, didst Thou not recommend to Thy disciples, that they should shut the door, and keep their own affairs secret ? The voice of Jesus . — Dost thou not understand these 1 things. My child ? Know, then, and give heed. Things I which are not required, nor serve for common edification, i| should be done in private ; since they might become a 228 THE HEART OF JESUS [book II. stumbling-block to thy neighbour, and dangerous to thy- self : but those which are common or necessary are to be so performed in public that the intention remains concealed, that thus by thy 'works thou mayst give good example to thy neighbour, and for thy intention, whereby thou seekest to please Me alone, thou ever desirest secrecy. 6. If, through divine love, thou exercisest humility and charity toward all, whosoever they may be, thou wilt assuredly be the good odour of My Heart for all who shall see thy example. And, although others should not profit by thy example, thou shalt be no less dear to My Heart. Blessed is He, My child, who, by the example of a humble charity, shall so shine before men as to show that the goodness of My Heart is to .be loved and imitated ! They that so exhibit Me in their lives shall have life everlasting. 7. The voice of the Disciple . — O Lord, meek and lowly Jesus ! to perform the things which Thou teachest as drawn from Thy Heart, so full of sweetness, I need a powerful grace. I beseech Thee, help me with Thy most efficacious aid. I ought, and I desire, to possess a greater humility, and a greater charity as well. For, oftentimes, I own it to my shame, through lack of humility and charity, I offend my neighbour and displease Thee. Most humble and sweet Jesus, O Thou Magnet of hearts, who by the divine goodness of Thy Heart drawest all men, and entertainest them with the inexhaustible sweetness of Thy humble charity, grant that I may follow Thee, grant me to be a perfect disciple of Thy Heart. Free me from the harshness and bitterness of pride and self-love ; render my heart, like Thine, uniformly kind, and ever replenished with humble charity toward all, without limitation of persons. CH. XXII.] IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 229 CHAPTER XXII. That the most Sacred Heart of J esus^ living in the v)orld^ teaches us so to dwell in the world that we he neither of the world nor harmed by it. 1. The voice of Jesus. — My child, so long as I was in the world, I was not of the world ; I abode among the good and the wicked, neither had the prince of the world nor his spirit any thing in Me. Although I was incapable of sin, yet I made use of such things as might teach My disciples how they should keep themselves from the defilements of the world. Inwardly My Heart was so estranged from the world, that It was affected by nothing which is of this world ; It so burned with divine love, that, like a flame. It ever rose above all things created. It was inwardly self-collected, whilst It w^as busied outwardly ; within It remained united to God, whilst without It was occupied with men. But outwardly every thing was in Me well-ordered ; the senses were passionless. My behaviour full of dis- cernment. So prudent and holy was My conversation, that My very enemies went away saying, Never has man spoken like this one. Nothing was ever imprudently uttered, nothing was unguarded, there was no dangerous familiarity, no levity, but a certain placid seriousness, tempered with a won- derful sweetness, distinguished My outward carriage. In Me every thing was full of dignity, which inspired both respect and love, checked all forwardness, inculcated reserve, recommended virtue. Withdrawing frequently from men, I betook Myself to prayer, although inwardly I never ceased to pray. 2. My child, would that thou didst understand these things ! Would that thou didst imitate them, that thou mightst abide without sin or harm in this wicked world I 230 THE HEART OF JESUS [book II. To encourage thyself, look at the example of the Saints, who, pressing My footsteps, lived indeed with their body in the world, but with their heart uplifted far above the world. The world harmed them not, because they loved nothing of the world ; on the contrary, it w'as useful to them ; because the more they perceived the banefulness of the world, the more highly they valued the divine friendship, and the more they cherished the same. Whatever they beheld in the world, they despised and rejected as offscourings, that they might enjoy the blessings of My grace and love. 3. My child, if thou wilt dwell in the world without hurt, first of all let thy heart be well-regulated within. Let it be convinced of the utter vanity of^the world, and abhor it ; let it be conscious of the inestimable price of My friendship, and adhere thereto. Accustom thyself forthwith to turn inwardly with thy heart to Me so often as any thing is offered to thee by the world, and to utter these or similar aspirations : Besides Thee, what do I desire upon earth, O God of my heart, and my portion for ever ! If thy heart be rightly regulated in this manner, thou shalt be little moved by whatever thou mayst see in the world. Nay, more, the world, even in spite of itself, will work with thee unto good; because it will often drive thee to Me, the centre of thy felicity, and will ‘make thee understand more and more fully the unutterable wretchedness of the world, and the blessedness of My service. Keep thy heart so disposed, that it be neither troubled at the greatness of the crimes of others, nor scandalised by the perverseness of the wicked ; nor let it hesitate to continue with Me, in spite of any attempts of hell or of the world. Know thou. My child, that the wicked among whom thou mayst live can in no way harm thee, if thy heart efiectually dissent from them. It is not in the power of IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 231 CH. XXII.] the perverse to injure thee, provided thou art unwilling. For no one is harmed except by himself. 4. Notwithstanding, since the flesh is weak and the heart prone to evil, it may happen that the senses, unless carefully guarded, do, to thy great peril, bring the foe even to thy very heart. It is, therefore, necessary in thy intercourse with the world to guard all the avenues of the senses, if thou do not wish to be exposed to the danger of discovering that by degrees thou becomest attached to it, and thereby defiled and greatly injured. The things of the world which fall under the senses, thou oughtest to see as if thou didst not see them ; to hear as if thou didst not hear them; in short, to per- ceive them by means of the senses as if thou didst not perceive them. But thy chief watchfulness ought ever to be exerted over thy heart. For, even should the enemy secretly penetrate within the gates, if thyself thou dost not open thy heart, he shall be unable to enter or to destroy thee. Wherefore, preserve with the greatest care the un- shaken resolve of cleaving to Me with thy whole heart; of wisely protecting all the approaches to thy heart. After this, attend with confidence to thy affairs, pre- pared with a resolute mind in every danger to have recourse to Me, and to act with fidelity. 5. My child, thou wilt avoid many dangers, if at all times thou showest a certain dignity, — not, indeed, an artificial one, but one that springs from virtue, such as is befitting in every disciple of My Heart. Wherever, therefore, thou mayst be, so deport thy- self, that there appear in thee nothing mean, nothing light, nothing either forced or feigned ; on the contrary, let there shine forth in thee an easy, sweet decorum, which is well suited to restrain others, and to fill them with respect. Do not, in act nor in affection, enslave thyself to 232 THE HEART OF JESUS [bOOK II. any creature; always and every where keep thyself* free. Neither do thou intrust thyself, and what belongs to thee, to all and every one; but try the spirit, and mis- trust the same unless proved. Eemember, that many have been deceived by appearances, and ruined by an imprudent familiarity. 6. It will prove very useful, My child, to foresee the things thou hast to transact with the world ; to consider carefully what is to be done, and in what manner; with what persons thou hast to deal, and under what circum- stances ; in short, what means are to be taken to succeed in the business you have in hand, as well as to avoid sin. Thou shouldst, however, rely more upon divine grace than upon thy own industry ; thou must, therefore, frequently turn thyself to Me, ask My counsel, and en- treat Me. Yea, My child, in whatsoever matters thou mayst be engaged, among what men soever thou mayst be, thou oughtest so to behave, so to hold thy heart free from creatures, that thou mayst be able, at the very appear- ance of sin, with a loving and easy movement to fly to Me, and hide thyself far away from every danger in My Heart. 7. The voice of the Disciple, — 0 most sweet and amiable Jesus ! Thou knowest that T am in the world only because thou didst will that I should be in the world. I do humbly beseech Thee, preserve me, ex- posed as I am to the filthy world, that I be not sunk in its mire, nor soiled by its uncleanness. O my God ! the more attentively I look at the world, the viler it grows to me; on the other hand, the more eagerly I meditate upon Thee, the more exceed- ingly sweet Thou becomest to me ; the more good things I find in Thee; the more and the greater appear those that I see remain to be found. O Jesus, my supreme Good ! keep me near Thyself, 1 CH. XXIII.] IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 233 I and grant that neither the devil nor his allurements may carry me off ; that the world or its deceitful vanity may not beguile me ; that corrupt nature may not overcome me ; that my unguarded senses may not betray me. Strengthen me with Thy efficacious grace, that I may , lead a blameless life in this world, until Thou takest me ^ from the dangers of the world into the secure abode of t heaven. ; CHAPTER XXITI. : That the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, requiring faith in j His disciples, teaches us to live the life of faith, 1. The voice of Jesus, — When the Son of man comes, thinkest thou that He shall find faith, not of any kind, but a faith lively, active, fervent ? And yet, such a faith I ever required, and do require, of My disciples; because I am ever the same God, ever equally deserving that they live for Me by faith. The voice of the Disciple, — Yea, Lord, Thou art God ever the same, ever supremely worthy that for Thee all things live, that to Thee all be perfectly submissive, wholly devoted. The voice of Jesus, — Rightly dost thou believe this. My child, because the universe bears witness that I am !_v God. From the beginning, the Patriarchs and Prophets foretold Me such ; as such was I pointed out beforehand ‘t by nature, and by the Law, the end whereof I am. , As such did all the elements acknowledge Me : the heavens confessed Me, since, at My birth, they displayed - the star ; the sea declared Me, since it suffered itself to be trodden by My feet ; the earth proclaimed Me, I since, at My passion, it quaked ; the sun recognised Me, L - since he hid the rays of his light, and grieved for the expiring Author of his being. 234 THE HEART OF JESUS [book II. The very spirits of hell acknowledged Me as such, since they showed that, without My consent, they could assail not even the vilest animals, and since they gave up the dead whom they were detaining. The Angels gave testimony of Me, since, at My In- carnation, they announced Me the Son of God ; since, at My Nativity, they proclaimed Me to the world as the Saviour ; since they ministered to Me during My life ; since they showed themselves as witnesses at My Eesur- rection. There is another who gave testimony of Me, My Father Himself, since He declared Me repeatedly His own beloved Son. Moreover, the Holy Spirit also gave testimony of Me ; neither does He cease so to do, since, by the en- lightening and motion of grace, and the outpouring of His gifts, He draws to Me the hearts of men. Nay, more, My own works also, which I did, give testimony of Me. For, behold, it was by My power that the blind were made to see, the lame to walk, the deaf to hear, that the lepers were cleansed, the sick healed, the dead restored to life. 2. Now all these things. My child, — and whatsoever else is to be believed to obtain salvation, — by whom are they infallibly, without danger of error, made known to thee, if not by the Church ; by whose mouth I speak more clearly now than I did of old by the mouth of the holy Prophets. Yea, truly, this is My mouth which, when I open, I teach the multitudes ; this is the instrument by which I speak exteriorly to men ; this is the last rule of the things to be believed, unerring and unalterable ; this, finally, is the only Church wherein is found the faith by which the just live. Without faith it is impossible to please Me. Whence it is clear, that every just man who is Mine lives by the faith which works through charity. 3. My child, the life of faith possesses, as it were. CH. XXIII.] IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 236 certain degrees ; the first of which is when man, — aided by grace from above, — by reason of the divine authority, believes Me as I speak through the Church, and lives in the state of grace. My child, a miracle is God’s testimony ; a miracle is an evident utterance of God, and the infallible seal of divine truth. Now, the Church herself is a miracle, an evident miracle, whether thou considerest her origin and propa- gation, since, — established by miracles, without human aid, in spite of hell, in spite of all the powers of the world, in spite of every kind of wickedness of men con- spiring by every possible means, — she went forth like lightning from the East, and appeared even in the West: or whether thou considerest her preservation and unin- terrupted growth since, — while so many of her degene- rate children in every age attacked her anon by fraud, violence, rage ; and so many fierce persecutors at all times never grew weary with attacking her in open and secret ways, — she herself, amid the ruins of centuries, whilst all the kingdoms of the earth crumbled into dust, stood always more firm, more magnificent, more glorious, crowned with victory as often as she was assailed. Wherefore I — God speaking by miracles — speak through this same Church, an ever-enduring miracle. Blessed he that hears this Church, One, Holy, Ca- tholic, Apostolic ; he that hears her, hears Me, certain that he is in the way of saving truth ; he that will not hear her, is like the heathen and publican ; neither does he hear Me, nor can he be otherwise than on the road of death-bringing error. My child, if thou wilt be safe and secure, cling thou, with heart and mind, to the Church, which I built upon the immovable rock ; which I cemented with My Blood ; wherein I dwell : which I govern by My Spirit, quicken with My Heart. Hold thy mind so prepared that, to whatsoever she may teach or command, thou submit thyself humbly 236 THE HEART OF JESUS [book II. and cheerfully ; and keep thy heart so disposed, that thou love her affectionately as thy best Mother, the kind parent of them that are to be saved. However, faith, to be a saving one, must be en- livened by sanctifying grace. For, without this grace, it neither unites thee to Me, nor does it make thee a living member of the Church, My mystical Body. Wherefore, it has been most truly said, that faith with- out works is dead. Nevertheless, when grace is lost by a sin not against faith, faith is not lost at the same time ; and the faith which remains is a true faith, even if it be not a living one. My child, keep thou with every care this gift of Thy God, divine faith ; and make known the life of this faith by works done in the state of grace. 4. There is a second degree of the life of faith, when all voluntary acts, interior as well as exterior, are ani- mated by the principles of a living faith. He that has a lively faith guides himself by the everlasting principles of faith ; whereby he understands that he is created for a supernatural end — unending beatitude with Me ; that all the inferior creatures on earth are intended to help man in the attainment of this end. But in many persons faith languishes because they neglect to meditate on the truths of faith, being too busily engaged with the things that are of the world and the flesh. For if these everlasting truths were well considered and received into the heart, doubtless the things of God and of salvation would be loved ; faith would be vigor- ous, and bring forth flowers and the richest fruits. My child, every disciple of My Heart possesses and cherishes this lively faith ; by it he lives, cheered on by hope, and glowing with charity ; and he goes on and ascends from virtue to virtue. 5. Many of them whom I call to an uncommon holiness, I am wont to prepare gradually for a pure faith. CH. XXIII.] IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 237 This pure faith is the third degree of the life of faith. In this degree man leads by means of perfect faith a life altogether supernatural; and even in the midst of darkness and temptations, — following under obedience, blindly as it were, the torch of faith, — he serves Me faithfully, although he may not see or know whether or not he is serving Me. My child, if by My Spirit thou art led to this life, enter upon it with great courage, and follow with a fearless heart, under obedience, the divine guidance. And when thou art now walking in these interior ways, where thou shalt see nothing, but where thou shalt perceive on all sides enemies, by whom thou shalt sometimes think thyself already ensnared; where thou shalt descry underneath thyself the yawning abyss into which thou supposest thyself ready to fall at every step; where, lastly, thou shalt deem that heaven above is incensed against thee, and that thou feelest thou art going ever onward, without knowing by what way or whither, but supposing that thou art ever coming nearer to thy destruction, — then. My child, enliven thy faith, and follow with a pure faith, even blindly, the guidance of them that hold My place in thy regard. Let not thy heart be troubled. My child ; but cheer up thy courage, and call to mind that thou art walking in the way wherein the greatest Saints have walked before thee, who, had they not passed through the same, had never sanctified themselves. When, finally, all secret pride and self-love have been sufficiently rooted out, — when the intended puri- fying shall have been completed, according to My de- signs, — then the eyes of thy soul shall be opened; and, filled with astonishment, thou shalt find thyself in a new way, which will be like a pledge of life everlasting. After this, my child, thou shalt live, as it were, in an uninterrupted serenity; thou shalt behold things not seen before; thou shalt rejoice as thou didst never rejoice before ; thou shalt understand and taste the secrets of My THE HEART OF JESUS 238 [book II, Heart with a new relish ; and thou shalt rather flj than walk to perfection. 6. The voice of the Disciple . — Being of beings, O God, who canst not deceive nor be deceived ! I believe whatsoever Thou proposest to be believed through Thy Holy Catholic Churchy whom thou didst appoint the guardian, witness, and interpreter of Thy saving doctrine; whom Thou didst establish the unshaken groundwork of the truth; whom Thou dost so shelter beneath Thy pro- tection, that the gates of hell can never prevail against her. O Church, One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic ! Virgin Spouse of Jesus, the Son of God, who abides with Thee all days, even to the consummation of time; thou that bearest His name upon thy brow, and His divine seal upon thy arms ; thou evident and unending miracle ! whosoever does not acknowledge thee is devoid of reason ; whoso does not love thee is truly without affection; whoso does not hear thee deserves to be considered a heathen. O Church, One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic ! Mother most loving. Mother most lovely, whosoever has not thee for Mother, has not God for Father ! Dear, indeed, is my native land; dear my family; dear my life; but incomparably dearer art thou, my Mother; thou Church divine ! O dearest Mother, let my right hand be for- gotten, if ever I forget thee ! let my heart faint away, if I do not love thee, if I make thee not the beginning of my joy and glory ! O thou Church, One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic; saving queen of the world, whose everlasting sway is spread over the earth ; whose subjects — the rich and the poor, the European and the American, the Asiatic and the African — are all children of one Mother, brethren of one family, princes all — all destined to reign for evermore; O thou, upon whom shine the Apostles, glittering luminaries of the world, whose triumphs thousands of Martyrs proclaim, whose wonderful works the armies of Confessors display, whose beauty, ever new, CH. XXIV.] IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 239 the Angelic multitudes of Yirgins manifest, whose name and splendour all the heroes of virtue adorn, behold, I, together with the thousands of thy children from the four quarters of the globe, of all tribes and peoples and tongues, arise and bless thee, uttering with one heart and one voice : Set out with thy comeliness, proceed thou prosperously, and reign ! Let thy blissful reign be spread even to the boundaries of the earth, that under it we mortals, each and all, may with joyous hearts together serve God our Saviour, until we draw near to the heavenly city, and the multitude of the many thousands of Angels — the Church of the first-born — that are in heaven I CHAPTER XXIV. That the most Sacred Heart of Jesus ^ promising salvation to them that persevere^ and the means of salvation to them that pray with conhdence^ teaches us to lead the life of hope. 1. The voice of Jesus. — Come ye all to Me j have confidence: for him that comes to Me I will not cast out. Hope, therefore, in Me, My child, and do not fear; because I, thy Creator, have redeemed thee and called thee ; thou art Mine ; and I am God, thy Saviour. My child, hope is the anchor of life : as the anchor secures the ship at sea, so hope makes the soul fast in Me. All things present are done in the hope of things to come. The hearts of mortals, were hope taken away, ' would rest inactive; they would suffer all things to languish, all things to perish. Hope is the stimulant of men : it arouses their hearts, j and urges them on to generous efforts. Worldly hope, wavering and worthless, deceives and passes away; divine hope, on the contrary, fixed and immovable, resting upon My infallible word, sustains him that hopes, and rewards him that perseveres. 240 THE HEART OF JESUS [bOOK II. The former is wont to beget rashness or dejection ; the latter, a humble and steady greatness of soul. This holy hope thou needest, my child, to strive courageously for the crown, and to bear it off, in spite of opposing difficulties. Live by hope; cherish reliance on Me with all thy heart. For in Me is all hope of life, virtue, holiness. 2. The first degree of the life of hope is when man, with a sure reliance, awaits everlasting beatitude, and the means to attain to the same through the divine assistance. My child, since My mercy is infinite, no one in this life should despair. A horrible sin is despair: a crime exceedingly insulting to My Heart ; besides, what can be more hurtful to man himself? Despair causes him that stands to fall, — does not suffer him that is fallen to rise. Nor, on the other hand, is it lawful to indulge in presumption. Far, therefore, be it from any one to rely upon himself, and not upon Me, who humble them that presume upon themselves, and protect them that rely upon Me. Take courage, My child, act manfully; do not lose confidence, which has a great reward. For to them that hope in Me, and labour valiantly unto the end, life ever- lasting is mercifully promised by Me, as to My children ; and it will be faithfully given to them, according to My promise, as a reward for their own good works and merits. 3. The second degree of the life of hope is when, amid casual events and things adverse, a person so trusts in My most wise and loving Providence, that, after having done with a good and upright will whatsoever he was able, he confides himself altogether to Me. My child, when matters do not proceed according to thy wishes, do not meanly give way to despondency, but cheer up thy spirits, and have recourse to My Heart. This thou shalt ever find the Heart of the best of Fathers; in It thou shalt ever meet with sympathy, help, and inexhaustible goodness. CH. XXIV.] IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 241 Neither allow thy miseries to lessen thy confidence in Me. The more miserable thou shalt feel, the greater reason thou oughtest to have of mistrusting thyself and of trusting in Me. For distrust in thyself, in order to be good, should beget a firm trust in Me. Wherefore, all distrust which produces depression of spirits or faint-heartedness should be cast off as a dangerous temptation. Throw thyself into the bosom of My providence as a child into the bosom of its parent. He shall not perish who is in the arms of such a Father as I am. It should certainly be a miracle, such a one as never yet has been wrought nor shall ever be seen, if My Heart were wanting to them that rely upon Its aid, or if It did not hasten to their assistance. 4. Lastly, the third degree of hope is when the soul, even amidst great obstacles and arduous difliculties of every kind, trusts in Me with a perfect hope, although she does not perceive, except upon principles of faith, any means of extricating herself. If thou seest not how thou mayst escape from the troubles that rush upon thee, raise thyself, My child, above all things human, and, with a pure hope, intrust thyself wholly to Me; rely altogether upon Me, with whom rests both the power to help thee, if I so wish, and the will, if it is for thy good. The more desperate matters appear, the more firmly thou oughtest to hope in Me. For it is a characteristic of My Heart to grant more plentiful divine aid to them that are most forsaken, and have recourse to Me with confidence. Eemember, My child, that I am wont to defend more stoutly those things which are more violently assailed by the demon, and to strengthen most powerfully that which the foe tries most to tear down. Courage, then. My child; what fearest thou? Thou hast God with thee. Be valiant, act with confidence, advance boldly. R 242 THE HEART OF JESUS [book II. If, whithersoever thou turnest thyself, thou thinkest ever to perceive a lower deep, keep thyself within ]\ly arras ; repose upon My Heart, resigned to every thing. Then only, when thou shalt be sufficiently free from all self-reliance and expectation — when, in a human sense, thou shalt deem thyself lost — thou shalt find, in a marvellous manner, both thyself and Me: thyself saved, and Myself present in person. Thenceforth, My child, behold, new things arise up before thee ; thy hope will be heroic, and at the same time delightful ; thy confidence in Me full of consolation, with an ever-during peace. 5. My child, I know what is advantageous to thee : I can do what thou canst not ; suffer Me to act, and, praying and hoping, do thou cooperate with Me. Many there are who, if they obtain not forthwith whatsoever they hope or ask for, are cast down and become faint-hearted. My child, whosoever asks with confidence that which is not contrary to his salvation or to My honour, always receives. For either he receives what he asks for, or in its stead that which I know to be better for him ; and so he receives whenever it is good to receive. Some- times the objects asked are not refused, but they are delayed, that they may be given at the suitable time. And because thou thinkest ofttimes in a human manner, imagining that things would be good for thee which, however, if thou hadst them would not be good ; and since thou knowest not in particular what, or how, things are better for thee ; therefore thou shouldst com- mit thyself to Me, and persevere quietly in asking and hoping. There are they who at first surrender themselves wholly to Me, and afterward, in certain difficulties, desire to provide for themselves. These, with My permission, are wont to become more entangled in those difficulties, that they may learn in all things to mistrust themselves and to rely upon Me. CH. XXIV.] IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 243 6. Who has ever trusted in Me in vain? Who was ever disappointed in the hope which he placed in My Heart ? Behold, by hope My Mother obtained My first public miracle, whereby I changed water into wine. For, although she saw there was scarcely room for expecting the wished-for favour, yet, knowing My Heart, she had confidence, and obtained what she desired. By hope was the woman who was troubled with an issue of blood freed from her long ailment. For she approached Me with so great a confidence that she said : ‘‘ If I shall touch only His garment, I shall be healed.” And so she was made whole. By hope did the woman of Canaan obtain consolation and relief in her affliction. Although her confidence and faith were tried, she, increasing in faith, trusted and prayed the more earnestly that, pitying, I might help her. She trusted not in vain, she prayed not in vain. For she obtained what she asked. By hope did Bartimeus the blind man receive his sight. For he prayed with confidence, crying out to Me as I was passing by — and when rebuked by many that he should hold his peace, he cried out the more — “ Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me !” Wherefore, pitying him, I opened his eyes that he might see. By hope was the leper cleansed. “ Lord,” said he, full of faith, ‘‘ if Thou wilt. Thou canst make me clean.” My Heart, thus appealed to, was moved with compassion, and I will,” said I ; ‘‘be thou made clean.” And forth- with he was cleansed. By hope did Lazarus — poor and destitute, full of ulcers, cast off by the rich man — persevere with holiness in suffering. For he looked up to his reward, — nor in vain. When he died, he was borne by Angels into the bosom of Abraham. What more? None ever hoped in Me, and was dis- appointed. Wherefore, My child, lay aside all fear, lay aside distrust ; in life and death give thyself up to My Heart. 244 THE HEART OF JESUS [book n. 7. The voice of the Disciple. — 0 Jesus! how good Thou art I how sweet 1 Yea, O Jesus, Thou art goodness itself. Thou art very sweetness. O Jesus, my Saviour ! I will deal confidently and not fear, being mindful' of Thy Heart ; because It is infinitely good. Its mercy endures for ever. Eemember, 0 Jesus, meek and humble of Heart, that, in what need soever, no one who had recourse to Thy most loving Heart was ever rejected or sent away empty. Animated with such a confidence, O Jesus, I come to Thee ; burdened with miseries, I fly to Thee, and with my miseries I throw myself on Thy Heart. Do not, O my God, my Father, cast off me, Thy all-unworthy child ; but give me admittance, I beseech Thee, into Thy Heart, nor suffer me ever to be separated therefrom. Aid me, I entreat Thee, in all my wants, now and for ever, but above all at the hour of my death, O most benign, O most compassionate, O most sweet Jesus ! CHAPTER XXV. That the Sacred Heart of Jesus, enjoining love on all, teaches us to lead a life of divine love, 1. The voice of Jesus. — My child, thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart and with thy whole strength. This is the greatest commandment. I am thy God and thy Lord. By Me thou wast created, by Me redeemed. This, then, is My command, that thou love Me. Is it not an easy command ? is it not sweet ? is it not bene- ficial ? is it not replenished with every good ? What is more easy than to love ? Love is the life of the heart ; without love the heart cannot live. Thus was thy heart constituted from the beginning ; I Myself so created, so formed it. For I made thy heart that it may love ; but love thou Me. Thou knowest. My child, who I am, and what man- IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 245 CH. XXV.] ner of Heart is Mine. Canst thou find on earth, or even in heaven, a sweeter object of love than My Heart? Is not My Heart very sweetness ? Ask of them that have experienced it ; ask the Saints, who, inebriated with the sweetness of My love, forgot all worldly things, yea, found that which was naturally bitter, sweet and full of consolation. Ask the Angels who possess My love, and rejoice and exult therein for ever. Canst thou find in any other object so much blissful- ness for time and for eternity ? What true good is there which thou canst not have in My Heart? Enlarge thv heart as ’much as thou mayst wish; behold, all thy desires shall be filled. If peace is desired, if consolation, if virtue, if per- fection, if security in life and in death, if any other good, it is found in My Heart, it is obtained by loving Me. Arouse thy Heart, My child, love with thy whole heart, cherish with thy whole strength ; but love, but cherish Me, thy every good. Let fear, which contains pain, disappear ; let faint- heartedness, which fetters the heart, vanish away ; love thou, My child, and be free, — love thou, and be happy. Live henceforth the life of love, as it behoves a dis- ciple of My Heart. 2. The first degree of the life of divine love is so to love Me, with a love of preference, that thou keepest all My commands, which oblige under grievous sin, and that thou wouldst for nothing on earth deliberately transgress any one of them. He that does not so love Me, remains in death. Life and death, divine love and mortal sin, do not dwell together in the same heart. Deeds are the proof of love. Therefore, whosoever keepeth My commands, the same loveth Me in truth. By this, then, thou shalt know whether thou lovest Me, — if thou keepest My commands. Now, this degree of love is necessary to all for sal- 246 THE HEART OF JESUS [book n. vation ; insomuch that, should any one know all mysteries, and every science, should he distribute all his possessions to feed the poor, should he give up his body to be burned, should he speak with the tongues of Angels, or should he possess any other powers whatsoever, and yet have not this degree of divine love, it avails him nothing for life everlasting. Here eternal salvation is at stake. He that loves father or mother, wife or children, brothers or sisters, possessions, or life itself, more than Me, is not worthy of Me, nor fit for the kingdom of heaven. If thou wilt enter into life everlasting, keep the com- mandments ; avoid mortal sin, whatsoever efforts, what- soever sacrifices, it may cost thee. 3. The second degree of the life of divine love is, so to love Me with a love full of affection and generosity, that thou ever seekest effectually to please Me, and wouldst not for any consideration whatsoever offend Me, even by a venial sin. Assuredly, My child, if thou possessest a heart worthy of My disciple, thou wilt ever devote to Me thy affections ; thou wilt endeavour, before all others, to please Me ; and thou wilt carefully avoid whatever thou knowest to be displeasing to Me. Tell Me what sort of a love that is which, for an empty glory, for a sensual delight, or for any other gratification of corrupt nature, does not hesitate — not, indeed, to nail Me again to the cross — but to mock Me, to wound Me, and to fill Me with bitterness. If I did not love thee better, if I were not more con- cerned about thee, what. My child, should become of thee ? If, because such and such other things do not utterly destroy thee, I did overlook them, I did not heed them, what ^houldst thou have to undergo ? And thou longest for peace ? and for My intimate friendship V and for My consolations ? and freedom from danger? Behold, even by venial sin thou obstructest the source of all these blessings. CH. XXV.] IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 247 Whence arise thy troubles, annoyances, anxieties, dangers, if not from this, that thou art not willing to sacrifice with a generous heart those things which the divine love demands of thee ? Thou callest Me thy God ; thou speakest to Me as thy Father ; nay, more, thou stylest Me thy Beloved : but if I am thy God, where is My honour ? if I am thy Father, where is thy love for Me ? if I am thy Beloved, where is thy affection, where thy tenderness V If formerly thou didst so offend — if formerly thou wast all along without affection for Me — now, at least, be thou zealous for the better gifts, and 1 will show thee a still more excellent degree. 4. This is the third degree of the life of love, of pure love, whereby thou lovest Me so perfectly, that thou dost will and not will the same with Me, and art thus in all things conformed to the divine will. This, My child, is the perfection of love ; this is the true union of hearts ; this is the life of the Saints. This pure love will make thee abhor the same things that I abhor ; it will make thee delight in the same things wherein I delight. For pure love, true union, consists in an efficacious agreement of hearts. Whatever be thy own sentiments, if thou dost not will and dislike the same with Me ; if thou dost not think the same with Me ; if, as far as the divine will requires, thou dost not embrace the same with Me, — thy love is not pure, thy union is not true. Be not troubled, however, My child, if thou findest it sometimes so hard to conform to the divine will, that thou appearest to do it, as it were, against thy own will. By freely conforming thyself, although with diffi- culty, thou wiliest effectually that which 1 will ; since, unless thou didst so will, thou wouldst not conform thyself, inasmuch as no one can will against his will. Whence thou perceivest that the repugnance which thou feelest resides in the inferior part of the heart. 5. My child, pure love directs all things to unity ; THE HEART OF JESUS 248 [book h. just as fire changes every thing thrown upon it into tself. The divine will is the beginning and the manner and the end of all things which it does or suffers. It transforms, in some way, all virtues into itself, and ennobles them by its own excellence. Whosoever loves purely, for him every virtue is love, and love is every virtue. My child, if thou hast not actually reached this one- ness of love, use thy endeavours ; accustom thyself to live by love, to act by love, to suffer by love ; thou shaft attain to it in due time. 6. My child, love thou this holy love, which alone does all with infinite sweetness, and works wonders. For it bedews what is parched, it heals what is wounded, it bends what is stiff, it warms what is cold, it guides what is gone astray. It is the light of hearts, the best of consolers, a de- lightful guest of the soul, a sweet refreshment ; it is rest in toil, it is a tempering in heat, it is a comfort in tears. It sanctifies and elevates innocent souls in a wonder- ful manner. Remember John, the beloved disciple, who at the Supper reclined upon My breast ; how, en- tranced with love, he winged his flight as the eagle. Remember Martha, who ministered to Me ; how, inspired with love like the heliotrope, she was ever turned toward Me, exhaling the fragrance of every virtue. Remember the holy Virgins consecrated to Me ; how, raised by love above all things of the world, they became a spectacle wherewith God was delighted, at which the Angels rejoiced, whereby the hearts of mor- tals were moved toward Me. Nay, more, this same love covers a multitude of sins, destroys them, and of very sinners makes Saints. Wit- ness the Magdalen, who, by purity of love, was changed into a new creature, loving with seraphic ardour. CH. XXV.] IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 249 Witness Peter, who, making amends by love for his denial, became the Prince of the chosen Apostles, the Shepherd of My sheep and lambs, the guide of holiness. Witness Paul, who, transformed by love, glowing with love, ran through the world like a fire among the dry stubble, and spread the flames of love among all nations. 7. My child, love is learnt by loving ; if thou de- sirest to make great progress in the art of divine love, love much*. Do not rest satisfied with a dry love, which possesses no unction ; cherish a love full of affection. It does not, indeed, depend upon thee to feel a sensible love ; but if thou dost cherish it, thou canst always possess an affec- tionate love. Thou wilt cherish it by praying devoutly, by asking frequently for the gift, or the increase of the gift, of ^love ; by conversing with Me, more by affection than by reflection ; by pouring out the heart, rather than by busying the mind, before Me. Thou wilt cherish it, by possessing a feeling of grati- tude for all the favours thou hast received from Me : life, preservation, all the gifts of nature ; redemption, vocation, grace, all the means of salvation ; in short, all supernatural favours. Thou wilt cherish it, by having ever present before -thy mind how greatly I have loved thee, how much I have done for thee, how much I have suffered for thee ; what I have given for thee, what I have prepared for thee in time and in eternity ; how mercifully, how kindly, how gently, I have so often specially dealt with thee. Thou wilt cherish it, by remembering who and what I am ; in whom the Angels and Saints in heaven, and the elect on earth, ever find their blessedness ; who — as heaven and earth, and all things therein contained, cry out with one consent — deserve to be loved with thy whole heart, with all thy strength. 8. The voice of the Disciple . — O Jesus ! O love 1 250 THE HEART OF JESUS [bOOK II. what marvellous, what divine, what delightful things dost Thou disclose out of Thy Heart ! O my Saviour-God ! who am I, and who art Thou ? Would it not be much, yea, even too much, shouldst Thou merely suffer Thyself to be loved by me ? And — lest, perhaps, I might doubt whether it be allowed to me, a wretched creature, to aspire to a place in Thy divine Heart — Thou hast commanded me to love Thee. O love ! O prodigy of love ! O delight ! O most sweet Jesus ! And shall I not love thee ? shall I not hold Thee supremely dear ? Yea, O Jesus, with all my heart will I love Thee ; with all my strength will I cherish Thee. All that I am ; all I possess ; all Thy gifts and blessings ; heaven and earth, — all things incite me to love Thee, but nothing so much as Thou Thyself, — who art the cause and the end, the object and the reward, of love. O Lord Jesus ! I have no other ambition than to excel in love for Thee, than to rival the Angels them- selves in their love for Thee. Let others surpass me in all other things ; I will bear it easily, I will suffer it willingly ; but how shall I endure this one thing, to be below others in love for Thee ? how shall 1 bear it ? Oh, then, Jesus, beloved of my heart ! may I become alike to Thee, — all love, alone with Thee by love. O my Jesus ! who shall grant me that I may en- kindle the whole world with Thy love ! that I may draw the hearts of all to Thee, — inflame them with love for Thee ! Grant, I beseech Thee, that we all may live by love for Thee, and, in Thy love, may spend with Thee a blissful eternity. CH. XXVT.] IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 251 CHAPTER XXVI. That the most Sacred Heart of Jesus teaches us to exert ourselves to make progress in virtue. 1. The voice of Jesus, — Behold, My child, I have done all things well. The things which were pleasing to My Father, I did always. Did I ever stand still in those things, so long as I lived? Now, then, whosoever desires to remain with Me, must also walk as I did walk. For if he stands still whilst I am walking, how can he remain with Me? My child, true virtue never stands still in this life ; for if it neglects to make further progress, it is either a failing or lukewarmness. Let him who is just be justified still ; and let him who is holy be still sanctified. How much soever, therefore, any one may have ad- vanced in virtue, he must and can advance still further. For either something better can be done by a person, or the end of his actions can become purer through love, the object of which is infinite ; or the different circum- stances of the actions may be performed in a manner more excellent. Hence, My child, if thou examinest thyself with an upright heart, thou shalt find sufficient matter to humble thyself, when thou findest that thou hast often been deficient in some part ; and thou shalt have, at the same time, a powerful incentive to make progress for love of Me, who lovingly approve, and reward in a liberal manner, whatever is good in thy works ; who endure, or even pardon, when asked in a contrite manner, that which is defective. 2. Do not measure thy progress by natural facility or sensible devotion, or any other natural disposition whatsoever ; all these things are unreliable and de- ceitful. But do thou measure, safely and confidently, thy 252 THE HEART OF JESUS [book II. progress in virtue by the efforts which thou makest generously to overcome or deny thyself for love of Me. Beware, My child, lest thou be satisfied with virtues merely natural. For these, since they spring from na- ture, can neither bear everlasting fruits, nor produce flowers of heaven ; and if they put forth any buds, or bear any thing, it is only for time, which soon vanishes away. Every planting which God has not set out, every plant which does not spring from divine grace, shall be rooted up. Advance thou toward things more perfect, by means of solid and supernatural virtues, which, sprung from the principle of grace, become strong and perfect by generous and repeated acts, blossom, and bear fruit ex- ceedingly, for life everlasting. That which is more perfect in itself, is not always better for thee ; but that is evermore useful to thee which proceeds from the divine will, and, by means, of true virtues, helps thee to reach thy end. Some there are who place progress in multiplying their practices of piety ; others make it consist in per- forming different things. And all these, so far from making any progress, are not rarely wont to go back- ward ; both because perfection does not consist in these things, — as they are simply means^of perfection, — and because, being hindered by the multiplicity and un- suitableness of the means, they are unable to reach the goal. 3. Assuredly, My child, more perfect in My sight is the simple servant-maid — who, through love for Me, does that which, according to her state and employment, the divine will requires — than the religious person, who, neglectful of the duties of her calling and office, passes days and nights in prayer, or in shedding tears, through feelings of devotion. If thou desirest to perform thy employment properly, first of all, esteem and love it, — not because it suits thy IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 253 CH. XXVI.] inclination, but because it is the divine will, which renders even the least things both excellent and pre- cious. For, unless thou esteemest the same, thou wilt not long love it; if thou dost not love it, thou wilt not long discharge it properly; because — when the under- standing and will do not help, but rather oppose thee — thou canst not long act and suffer in a befitting manner. Again, do not have for object — nor seek in it or by it — thyself, or the gratifications of nature; but Me, and the fulfilment of My will. Moreover, perform all the duties of thy employment firmly indeed in the action — being intent on obtaining the end according to the divine good pleasure — but gently in the manner, remaining ever tranquil in the use of the means. Lastly, accustom thyself to do all things belonging to it for love of Me ; who am present, and ready to direct and help thee in particular circumstances. Thus thou wilt perform all more easily and securely, and persevere in so doing. But whether thou fulfillest the obligations of thy state, or appliest thyself to spiritual exercises, let thy chief care be to do all this well. Here lies the fruitful field of genuine virtues ; here is the plentiful harvest of true merits. If thou neglectest this, remember, that all other extraordinary things are deceitful. Neither miracles, nor prophecies, nor ecstasies, nor other gifts of what kind soever — shouldst thou possess these — are able to sanctify thee. || 4. My child, if thou art really solicitous about thy 11 progress, thou must will it efficaciously. For perfection, tl and progress therein, after grace, cannot come, except from a heart that wills it. If thy. heart do not will efficiently, no means shall ever be able to make thee perfect ; thou canst not come i to Me by compulsion, but only by affection. Call to mind, how many Saints, amidst the greatest 2M THE HEART OF JESUS [book n. obstacles, with few outward means, have reached the very height of virtue, because their heart thirsted un- ceasingly for perfection. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice, for they shall be filled ! If any one thirsts after this, let him come to My Ileart, and drink of the fountain of living waters, springing up into life everlasting. Come, My child, and taste at this fountain how pleasant it is to serve Me by love ; and as, after tasting honey, all other nourishment seems lacking in sweetness, so, :when thou hast once tasted the sweetness of My divine love, all the food of corrupt nature will become bitter to thee. Pray, My child, pray fervently, that thou mayst be enlightened from above to understand the exceeding value of perfection, and that thou mayst be enkindled with a ceaseless longing of attaining thereto. Frequently, also, call to mind, how many and what powerful incentives urge thee on to greater perfection. 5. The voice of the Disciple, — Which are those. Lord ? The voice of Jesus. — Consider, My child, who He is whom thou servest; how lovely, by reason of His infinite perfections, which ravish the very hearts of the inhabit- ants of heaven; and thou shalt be aroused to My service, so full of love and sweetness. Eemember the favours of every kind which I heaped upon thee through pure charity ; and, if thy heart has not lost all sense of feeling, thou wilt love Me, in return, with singular gratefulness. Weigh the enormity and multitude of thy sins, which 1 pardoned thee, with a Heart so paternal ; and wilt thou think, after this, that thou canst ever do enough for Me ? Think on the manifold and continued unhappiness of them that are lying in sin and lukewarmness ; and, again, on the unuttered felicity of them that serve Me with fervent love. CH. XXVI.] IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE. 255 Look upon the marvellous beauty of virtue, and the unspeakable ugliness of vice; how the former unites men with Angels, and the latter makes them alike to demons. Meditate on the shortness of this life, and the eternity of the life to come; the certainty of death, and the un- certainty of its hour. Ponder, with mind and heart, what it is to be in hell without end; what it means to be in heaven throughout all eternity; and remember that the one or the other awaits thee. My child, if thou dost frequently and attentively consider these things, so as to keep them ever fresh before thee, thou wilt hasten on to further progress. 6. But in many ways is a person turned away from progress. For the most part, however, he begins to go astray, either because he suffers the love of Me to grow lukewarm in his heart, by neglecting the fervent prac- tices of an inward life ; or because, for the sake of indulg- ing nature, he refuses to overcome or deny himself in something. There are some who do not, indeed, forsake the road of progress, but who, in various ways, retard their suc- cessful career. In this manner do they stand still, who, whilst they should be hastening onward, squander their time in looking, with self-delight, over the distance which they have already passed. My child, forget the things which are behind, being certain to whom thou hast intrusted them; and pass over the remainder of thy journey with unwearied steps. They, also, are hindered from advancing, who pro- ceed so cautiously that they appear desirous of examin- ing, at every step, where to set their foot. But, My child, trust thou rather in Me than in thyself; and, using a reasonable diligence, with a courageous effort of divine love, fly thou forward through every obstacle to- ward thy end. 256 THE HEART OF JESUS [bOOK II. They, too, are kept back who frighten the imagina- tion and fetter the heart by future difficulties, which, perhaps, will never occur; so that, through fear and faint-heartedness, they hardly dare or can move. My child, sufficient for the day is the evil thereof; to-day, therefore, advance thou cheerfully; leave the future to- morrow to Me ; I will provide. 7. Remember, My child, that by the weight of na- ture thou art ever prone to a certain inactivity, or indolent repose. Often, therefore, thou must stir up the will by the fervour of the spirit, and take fresh courage. If thou yieldest to this natural indolence, if thou givest up the efficacious will of perfection, thou wilt no longer perform any thing worthy of a disciple of My Heart; thou shalt begin to grow sluggish, to fall away, to be filled with miseries, and to experience unhappi- ness. A soul possessed of a resolute will, fervent and cheerful, acquires in a few months that degree of virtue to which a slothful soul, ever in distress and groaning, cannot attain in many years. My child, if thou possessest a determined will of always advancing, thou hast reason to rejoice exceed- ingly. For a good will of this sort is a manifest proof of the divine friendship. And this is the sweetest, and at the same time the most solid, of all consola- tions. 8. The voice of the Disciple. — O good Master, most ' sweet Jesus, model of every virtue ! I feel wholly con- founded, for that I have not yet taken pains to conform myself perfectly to Thee, although I have long made profession of being Thy disciple. Have pity on me. Lord; suffer not, I beseech Thee, that I succumb to lukewarmness, yield to natural indo- lence, or be impeded by any other hindrance ; but arouse me, impel me by Thy grace. Give me the fervour of Thy Heart ; kindle in my heart the fire which Thou earnest to cast on earth ; that CH. XXVI.] IN HIS ACTIVE LIFE, 257 I may love Thee more ardently, that I may be more perfectly conformed to Thee, that I may follow Thee more closely. Eenew me wholly, I entreat Thee; take away my slothful and wretched spirit, and enliven me with Thy Spirit, — the Spirit of an ever-glowing love, ever cheerful, — that never suffers me to grow sluggish, but urges me on strongly and gently to *a more perfect imitation of Thyself, who alone art the way and the end of everlast- ing bliss. S DIREGTORY FOR THE THIRD BOOK. 1. The aim of the third book is, to teach us how to tend to that holiness which is called perfection. This holiness is acquired by virtues which are, in some man- ner, heroic; such as are usually practised by them that bear their sufferings with the proper disposition of heart. Certain it is, as is proved by the example of all the Saints, that no one ever attained to true sanctity, if he did not practise solid, and in some manner heroic, virtues in suffering. And this is not to be understood of those Saints only whom the Church has canonised, but of all those as well who, although not canonised, strove to acquire that sanctity which Christ our Lord taught to all by His word and example; and which each one’s mode of life may enable him to reach. Of all these noble virtues whereby sanctity is acquired, Jesus, in His suffering life, furnishes us the most beautiful living examples, full of encouragement and consolation. In His active life, the virtues of His Heart do, indeed, shine forth clearly and constantly, and gently and powerfully at the same time persuade and allure him who meditates thereon to a proper imitation of them ; but, in His suffering life, they glitter with all their per- fection and splendour, and do not merely attract the person who meditates, but also forcibly stimulate and urge him onward. Therefore, it is useful that we should first have meditated on His active life, and be- come initiated in the virtues of His Heart, when acting ; DIRECTORY FOR THE THIRD BOOK. 259 and that we should even have made some progress therein, lest the grandeur and sublimity of the virtues of His suffering Heart might frighten or discourage us. Now, this sanctity has two degeees ; and each degree contains three methods. In the first degree, all those things which cannot be avoided are religiously endured. According to the first method, they are endured with patience; according to the second, with agreement of our will with that of God j according to the third, with a certain supernatural joy. In the second degree, all those things are endured which may, in some manner, be avoided; but which, j when offered, are accepted with a free will, or are volun- tarily sought after and assumed. And, by conformity of our will to the divine will, all these things are borne: first, through Jove of Jesus, for some supernatural end — for example, to make amends for the insults offered to Him, for the conversion of sinners, for the perseverance of the just, for the obtaining of this or that good; secondly, through a desire of conformity with Jesus, and of the fruits to be gathered from this conformity so holy and so full of love ; thirdly, through the purest love, so that laying aside, as far as we may, every private con- sideration, we become one with Jesus, and thus well- pleasing to Him. 2. Be persuaded that, in whatsoever state or condi- tion of life you may be, you will really become a Saint, if you suffer rightly those things which the Lord will j give you to suffer. For, if you merit and make progress by every single act of a common or ordinary virtue, how ' much more will you gain and advance by acts of heroic virtue, such as are frequently wont to be performed in times of misfortune 1 Remember what it is you merit by every act of an ordinary virtue, when rightly performed in a state of grace; first, a new degree, or increase of sanctifying grace, which you receive immediately, and whereby you 260 DIRECTORY FOR THE THIRD BOOK. become more perfect in yourself, and dearer to the Lord ; again, at the same time, a new and corresponding degree of glory or everlasting bliss, which you shall receive in heaven, where it is treasured up and awaiting you. And these two you gain condigrdy, that is, according to merit ; so that they are justly due to you, according to that promise by which God has, freely indeed, but truly, obliged Himself. This kind of merit, which is strictly called merit, is personal, and not communicated with others. Moreover, you can merit a certain degree or special help of actual, even efficacious grace, whereby the under- standing is enlightened and directed, and the will en- couraged and strengthened to avoid evil, and to do good; and over and above, as it were, a part of the great gift of final perseverance. But these two you can only merit congruously, or according to propriety; so that they are never due to you by justice, but simply by a suitableness or becomingness, and by the divine liberality. For to these God has not bound Himself by any promise. As, however, he is supremely liberal, it is befitting in Him, that even so He reward our super- natural acts ; neither has He given us any reason for fearing that we shall be disappointed. In this wise you cannot only merit these two for yourself, but also for others. Now, these degrees, which you merit through virtue, may be greater or smaller, — according as the meritorious acts are more or less perfect. For it may happen, that one heroic act, whereby, with a noble and generous heart, you sacrifice or endure something perfectly, merits more for you than a hundred, a thousand, or even more, ordinary acts. And, indeed, St. Chrysostom asserts, that holy Job, by the one act whereby, amid his misfor- tunes, he conformed himself to the will of God, merited more than by all the acts which he performed through- out the whole of his previous life, in the days of his prosperity. DIRECTORY FOR THE THIRD BOOK. 261 We should be mindful of these things during our short-lived existence, which has been granted us that we may gather merits for all eternity. For they will help us to avoid those delusions which are peculiar to this part of the interior life, — of which this one is wont to be the more common; to hearken too much to the feelings or repugnances of nature, thus fixing our atten- tion on the secondary causes of our afflictions, and to decline, under some pretext or other, the sufferings presented to us by our Lord, or at least bear them with an ill-disposed heart ; or even to seek another way than the one through which Jesus Himself walked, — which He smoothed for us, by which He calls us, that with all His Saints we may follow Him with the same disposition of heart with which He has gone before us. 3. Wherefore, when you are occupied with the things treated in this book, you should assiduously look and aim at this, that you understand, as perfectly as you can, not only the unspeakable afflictions and sorrows • of the Son of God, but, especially, the affections and dispositions of His Heart. For here a measureless trea- sure lies concealed, which a diligent and fervent searcher alone can find and explore. The more attentively and devotedly you shall meditate on the Heart of your suf- fering Lord, the more perfect things you shall find, and the more possessions you shall acquire. 4. The method of using this book, — besides the two given before the first book, and which may also be employed here, — is of two kinds: both of which are placed before the second book, and which are here adapted to the meditation or contemplation of the Pas- sion of Jesus Christ. In meditating, therefore, let the memory propose some virtue, according to the particular period of the Passion of our Lord; and let it remember the same after the meditation, so that you may be able suitably to practise it. Let the understanding meditate on the virtue, — 262 DIRECTORY FOR THE THIRD BOOK. examining its causes and ends, its modes and its circum- stances; considering with what dispositions of Heart Jesus practised that virtue; then compare the state of your heart in its regard ; afterwards, look back and examine your past life concerning the same; return thanks, and ask for perseverance, if hitherto you have duly practised it ; if the contrary, make an act of con- trition, and, through the suffering Heart of Jesus, ask for pardon ; finally, look to the future, and see when and how you may practise this same virtue. Let the will embrace the virtue, perform interior acts of it, and resolve to practise it, both inwardly and outwardly, at the proper time; frequently insisting, meanwhile, on pious affections and petitions. But in contemplating, see what Jesus suffers, and under what circumstances, in this mystery, or particular subject; who He is that thus suffers, from whom, and for whom. Afterwards, give ear to the words which Jesus there utters; or observe how He is silent, and inte- riorly pours forth the prayers of His Heart to God the Father. Lastly, look devoutly and attentively into the Heart of Jesus; see how that Heart is disposed, from which things so heroic proceed. And throughout the contem- plation, as much as you can, give yourself up to pious effusions of heart, both by acts and petitions. The acts in which you employ yourself, during meditation or contemplation, may be various or different ; according as you feel affected, or according as you may need, or even according as you may be moved interiorly by the Spirit of God. You may usefully exercise your faith, and frequently excite lively acts of it, by acknowledging in every mystery Jesus as God, and by adoring Him in His humiliations and sufferings, by which the Divinity, in some manner, hides itself for love of us. It will also help you often and sweetly to indulge in DIRECTORY FOR THE THIRD BOOK. 263 hope, being persuaded that if, by a gratuitous love, the Lord did and endured so much in order to save you when every way undeserving j now, that you are will- ing to cooperate, He will not refuse you what is beyond comparison less, namely, the means of salvation and perfection. Your heart will, in some manner, spontaneously be enkindled with love for Jesus, your God and Saviour, when you see how He suffers for love of you. For, since He siiflPered and died for all and every one, each one can and must truly say: “ Jesus loved me, and delivered Himself up for me’^ (Gal. ii. 20). Frequently occupy your heart with abhorrence and detestation of sin ; seeing what torments the Son of God endured for it in His most sacred Humanity. Hatred for the wicked world will spring up in your heart, if you attend to what, and how immensely, Jesus suffered from the same world. Compassion for Jesus suffering will take wholly pos- session of you, if you look at Him with a devoted and sympathising heart. You will feel a fervent zeal to compensate for the affronts so unworthily offered to Him; for which end you will frequently offer up your own pious desires, good works, and sufferings. You should, above all, study attentively in each mystery the dispositions and sentiments of the Heart of Jesus suffering, and make the same your own. For, unless you do this, you may indeed meditate on the Passion of Jesus, but you cannot imitate His Heart ; you may indeed suffer, but you cannot suffer profitably; you may be burdened with the cross, but you cannot follow Jesus. The petitions which it is proper to make may be various, as well as different. Yea, the objects of the petitions have so wide a scope, that it is not easy to find a limit for them. For you may ask for the gift, or for an increase, of faith, hope, charity; of horror of sin and 264 DIRECTORY FOR THE THIRD BOOK. detestation of the world; of compassion for Jesus and zeal for His honour ; lastly, of all virtues and graces ; i and this not for yourself alone, but also for every one of j your neighbours, as was said before the second book, | and is here repeated, in order to impress deeply on the mind that which cannot be too much inculcated, that the affections or acts of virtues and petitions are of the utmost importance ; since from them, after grace, the unc- tion of prayer and its chief fruit are wont to be derived. 5. As regards the discernment of spirits, the follow- ing rules, which are here peculiarly appropriate, are given by the Saints. The first. That is properly called spiritual consola- tion, when interiorly there is excited some emotion whereby the soul is enkindled with divine love ; whether directly, — as when she is inflamed with the love of God on account of the divine goodness ; or whether indirectly, as w^hen she is moved to the divine love by considering the Passion of Jesus Christ, or by sorrow for sins com- mitted against the Lord, or by any other cause whatso- ever, — rightly ordered to the service of God. Again, every increase of faith, of hope, of charity, is also a spiritual consolation. Lastly, every inward joy, which stirs up the soul to supernal things, to salvation and perfection, and renders her tranquil in the Lord, is like- wise a spiritual consolation. The second » Whatever is contrary to the things pointed out in the preceding rule, is called spiritual desolateness, — as a darkening of the soul, disturbance, or a certain sluggishness; an agitation which moves her to diffidence, which opposes hope or charity ; finally, any instigation to the low things of nature, interior sadness, — which makes the mind dejected or restless. The third. To God alone it belongs to give consola- tion to the soul, without any preceding cause ; since it is peculiar to the Creator to enter His creature, to draw, to turn, to change it wholly to the love of Himself. And then we say, that no cause precedes, when the DIRECTORY FOR THE THIRD BOOK. 265 consolation is imparted without any previous feeling or thought of any object, whence such a consolation might come to the soul by the acts of her own understanding or will. The fourth. When a cause of consolation did precede, then the evil as well as the good Spirit can, in some manner, give consolation to the soul, but for contrary ends : the good, for the advancement of the soul, that she may act rightly, and ascend from good to better ; but the evil spirit, for the opposite, that she may be perverted and ruined. The fifth. In time of desolateness, no change should ever be made ; we must stand firmly and manfully in the intentions and resolves in which we were during the time that preceded this kind of desolateness. Be- cause, as, during spiritual consolation, the good Spirit is more wont to move us, and we also use more readily our natural powers, so, in time of desolateness, the evil spirit does rather stir us up, at whose instigation — whilst our faculties are more or less impeded — we can hardly take safe counsels to act rightly. The sixth. Although, in time of desolateness, we ought not to change our former resolutions, yet it is very useful to change our manner of acting, so that we may fight against the desolateness itself: first, by giving ourselves more to prayer ; secondly, by examining our- selves the more, in order to humble and throw ourselves into the divine mercy of the Heart of Jesus; thirdly, by exercising ourselves more in performing works of pen- ance or charity in a prudent manner. The seventh. He who suffers from desolateness should remember that he is being tried by our Lord, left to his own natural powers with an ordinary grace, and also a special one, although not sensible ; that thus, by resisting the various instigations of the enemy, he may display the fidelity of his love. For he is able to resist with the divine grace, which remains with him, although he does not sensibly experience the same. 266 DIRECTORY FOR THE THIRD BOOK. And let him who enjoys consolation consider how he will conduct himself in the desolateness which is about to come upon him ; let him gather new strength to bear up against future desolateness ; let him strive to humble himself at the thought of how little he is able to do, when not specially and sensibly assisted ‘by our Lord. Finally, let him who is in desolateness, as well as he who is in consolation, take care to apply himself to acquire or to strengthen solid virtues, and thus to sanctify himself. St. Ignat., St. Bona venture, St. Mary Magd. de Pazzi. THE THIRD BOOK. ADMONITIONS USEFUL TO IMITATE THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS IN HIS LIFE OF SUFFERING. CHAPTER I. How greatly we should esteem holiness^ and how much vje should strive after it. 1. The voice of Jesus. — Be thou holy, My child, because I am holy. Whosoever longs to be a perfect disciple of My Heart, strives to become holy, as I also am holy, by an interior, true, and solid holiness. Holiness is a great good ; it contains all blessings desirable upon earth, and begets everlasting bliss in heaven. Holiness is the completion of virtue, the guardian of sanctifying grace, the preserver of inward peace, the nurse of the heart’s joy, and of ever-enduring happi- ness. Holiness is true wisdom, real glory, inexhaustible wealth. To be the least of the Saints is something incom- parably greater than to be the greatest of the whole world. What is there in this world that can justly be compared with holiness ? not science, not dignity, not renown, not the possession of all riches. For all these things are only of earth, and last but for a moment ; like 268 THE HEART OF JESUS [book III. vapours in the air, they glisten and soon disappear. But holiness is heaven-born and permanent, it glitters before the inhabitants of heaven like the sun ; yea, when the sun fades away, it shall continue to shine for ever- more. Let not, then, the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the strong man glory in his strength, let not the rich man glory in his wealth ; but he that glories, let him glory in this, that he knows and loves Me; that, through love, he follows Me, and thus sanctifies him- self. My child, if thou understandest not these things at present, thou shalt understand them later, even in spite of thyself, when, at the near approach of death, thou shalt entertain more correct sentiments. Tell Me, if this day thou hadst to die, which wouldst thou rather desire, to be a saint, or to have been a king or a pope? Would to God,^ — exclaimed, when dying, one who had been a ruler, and had some experience in the matter, — would to God that I had never been a ruler, but, in its stead, the least of God^s holy servants ! Would, sighed another, that I had not worn the tiara, but had passed my life in the kitchen of some house consecrated to God ! Thou canst not value holiness too highly, since I Myself have held it in such esteem that, to make it possible and easy, I poured out the treasures of My Heart, multiplied the means at My greatest costs, and ordered all things for the sanctification of the elect. Do thou, therefore, aspire to so great a good. My child ; and strive magnanimously to become a Saint. 2. The voice of the Disciple . — I become a saint. Lord ! Ah, me, Lord Jesus ! for that, I have sinned too much during my life. And would it not be pride to feel such a presumption ? and, moreover, I am so weak, that I am unable to perform any thing worthy of sanctity. The voice of Jesus . — Dost thou say these things of IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 269 CH. I.] thyself, My child, or have others suggested it to thee ? If of thyself, thou art mistaken ; if at the suggestion of others, thou hast been deceived. And first, if thou hast sinned during thy life, behold, this is a new reason why thou shouldst sanctify thyself, that thus, by the future, thou mayst make amends for the past. But, My child, there is no question of what thou hast been, but of what thou oughtest to be hereafter. How many souls there are that, after having com- mitted sins, have reached, in a shorter time, a higher degree of perfection than others that have ever remained innocent ! and this, because they used the remembrance of the sins which they had unfortunately committed, and which had been most mercifully forgiven by Me, as a spur to urge themselves on to sanctity. The sins that have been committed are, therefore, not only no hindrances, but, if thou art willing, may be instruments of holiness. Besides, My child, to strive after the perfection of virtue, to aspire to sanctity, is not pride nor pre- sumption, but greatness, nobleness of soul ; without which no one is worthy to be a disciple of My Heart. These things I say ; and take heed which of the two thou wilt believe, — Me, or the spirit thy enemy, who sug- gests the contrary. Beware, My child, lest, after being deluded, thou become faint-hearted, and, consequently, incapable of aspiring to those things which alone are most deserving of the aspirations of every noble heart. Baise thy courage, cast aside all littleness of heart, and cherish sentiments worthy of a disciple of My Heart. Lastly, if thou art weak, am not I strong ? if thou canst not undergo austerities, art thou unable to love ? if thou canst not act, art thou unable to suffer ? Now, it is most of all by loving and by suffering that holiness is acquired. 270 THE HEART OF JESUS [book III. It is not by extraordinary works, not by miracles, but by love, a patient love, that the sanctification of the soul is chiefly promoted. Endeavour, for love of Me, to suffer patiently what- soever I Myself may choose, and give thee to endure ; and, behold, thou shalt become a Saint. If the things which the world calls great could be acquired with as much facility, what worldling would not secure their possession ? 3. A constant desire of making progress, a continual striving after holiness, is rightly thought to constitute man’s sanctity dn this life. None is perfect in holiness, who does not exert him- self to become more perfect; and the more one aims at greater perfection, the more holy does he prove himself to be. Wherefore, My child, the perfection of holiness is not the work of a day or a week. Do not, then, imagine that thou shalt be perfect in so short a time. For, by expecting this, and finding thyself afterward disappointed, thou mightest lose heart, or even be dangerously tempted to desist from further attempts. Perfection is the joint work of divine grace and man’s cooperation. Now, the goodness of My Heart, which wills that thou shouldst be a Saint, is much more inclined bounti- fully to bestow grace upon thee, than thou art to ask for the same; nay, even of its own accord it pours grace upon thee. The more faithfully, therefore, thou codperatest with grace, the shorter the time in which thou shalt gain pos- session of sanctity. 4. If thou hast a constant and effectual will of sancti- fying thyself, naught can hinder thee from becoming a saint. Whatever may be thy natural inclination, thou wilt acquire holiness, not by the disposition of thy character, but by the cooperation with grace through thy free will. CH. I.] IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 271 Neither thy character, nor thy state of life, nor thy employment, will hinder thee, if, with a generous fidelity of heart, thou cooperatest with divine grace. Behold, great multitudes which no one can count have, by this fidelity, sanctified themselves in the religious state; and millions have become saints, even in the midst of the world. By this fidelity a Henry became a saint in the camp ; a Casimir, at the court ; an Elzear, amid inter- course with the world ; an Isadore, in the fields ; an Agnes, in the city ; a Mary, in the country ; a Catharine, in her father’s house ; a Christiana, in bondage. Neither does holiness depend on being inscribed in the catalogue of the Blessed or Saints ; because this does not make the Saint, but simply declares to men that he was such. If thou art a Saint in heaven, being perfectly conformed to the divine good pleasure, thou wilt, of thyself, care little whether or not thy name is found on earth registered in the canon. Neither, in fine, can temptations and difficulties present an obstacle. For, whatsoever hell can contrive, whatsoever the world may attempt against thee, all this, if thou art willing, shall be made to contribute to thy sanctification. 5. It is indeed true, that he who desires to acquire holiness should avoid all, even the slightest, sins ; but involuntary faults, which arise from human frailty, are no hindrances to perfection. Even the greatest Saints were not altogether free from such miseries ; and, so long as they lived upon earth, they experienced the frailty of their human na- ture. Be not, then, troubled and uneasy about these things, wherein the will does not consciously take any part ; a person may be very perfect, although he frequently offends involuntarily. According to the example of the Saints, lessen in- voluntary defects as much as thou canst, and, with quiet love, humble thyself before Me for these faults ; in THE HEART OF JESUS 272 [book hi. this manner thou wilt derive profit from them for thy progress. 6. This being so, My child, hearken thou to none who, under some pretence or other, may turn thee from the pursuit of holiness, — neither to thyself, nor to any mortal, nor any spirit whatsoever. But with a generous mind, that knows not despondency, continue to strive after interior sanctity. This sanctity is so important a matter, so full of honour, and so grateful to Me, that sometimes one soul, thus sanctifying herself interiorly, glorifies Me more, is more pleasing to Me, and possesses more influence over My fleart, than a thousand others that, although good, rest satisfied with an ordinary virtue. Know thou. My child, that holiness, to a certain degree, is really necessary, to be admitted into the pre- sence of the divine Majesty ; because without holiness none shall see God. If thou dost not attain to this necessary holiness in the present life, thou must be purified with fire unto holiness in the life to come, before thou enterest heaven, into which nothing except what is holy can gain ad- mittance. Yet, for thy consolation remember, My child, that, if thou keepest a good and efficacious will of really sanc- tifying thyself, thou shalt not taste death until thou hast acquired sanctity. Meanwhile, never think that thou hast already attained to holiness, or that thou art perfect ; but do thou ever advance and pursue the destined prize of thy supernal vocation. Be of good courage. My child ; dare thou things worthy of a disciple of My Heart ; vie in zeal with the Saints, thy noble brothers and sisters. What thou art, they have been ; what they are, thou canst be. 7. The voice of the Disciple , — I then, O Lord Jesus, even I, the least of men, must and can become a Saint. Yea, I must ; because Thou so commandest me ; CE be fa r 1 n I I 1 IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE, 273 CH. II.] because I am obliged to correspond to so many singular favours and graces wliich Thou hast bestowed upon me ; because I am bound to satisfy, as much as I am able, the unutterable obligations which I owe to Thee for the mercy shown to me after my many sins ; because I must have a care of my salvation, and prepare myself for heaven ; but, more than all, because Thou art su- premely worthy of all love and honour. And I can ; because Thou givest me abundant and efficacious means ; because Thou, ready to supply all the rest, demandest nothing, except that I make the attempt with a sincere will ; because nothing can hinder me, unless I myself so will it ; because all things whatsoever, if I will, can help me and cause me to advance ; because, finally, the whole work of my sanctification is simply a labour of love, of love for Thee, of a love which renders all things possible, easy, delightful. Therefore I long to be a Saint, not that, on earth, I may be numbered among the Saints, but that, in heaven, I may glorify Thee among the elect ; not so much through fear of pain or hope of reward, as through love for Thee, most kind and sweet Jesus, — that I may the more love Thee, the more honour Thee, now and for evermore. Behold, O Lord Jesus, I have the will to become a Saint ; so long as I draw breath, I shall not cease to will it ; I beg and entreat Thee, by Thy most Sacred Heart, help my good will. CHAPTER II. That in this life no one can live without suffering, 1. The voice of Jesus , — My child, so long as thou livest upon earth, thou canst not be free from troubles. What is this whole mortal life, except affliction-; 274 THE HEART OF JESUS {^BOOK III. which man enters weeping, through which he passes amid sufferings, from which he departs groaning ? Since man is born subject to death, it is not possible that he should pass his life without pain j because the source of suffering lies within himself. The very condition of being subject to death, natur- ally begets many and various miseries, diseases, and suf- ferings ; which cannot cease to exist so long as that fruitful and effective cause remains. All these things, however, manifold and irksome though they be, are of less importance. For, from the very bottom of corrupt nature, worse things spring up, — inordinate and perverse desires, which force man to feel, in spite of himself, that which he would fain not feel. These are the passions, the sources of so many suf- ferings, which, inherent in the very heart, disturb the peace of many ; which excite wars, horrid wars ; which, by conflicting emotions, expose the soul to uncounted dangers and sorrows. 2. And how numerous are the torments which be- fall man from without, and which none can wholly escape ! Cold and heat, the difference of temperature, the thousand inconveniences .arising from creatures, and many other effects of physical causes, which, although they contribute to the general well-being, yet — through man’s fault in the state of fallen nature, and in the pre- sent order of things — cannot be brought about without some trouble to individuals. And, amid all this, what mortal is not ofttimes burdened by labour, without which none can dwell here below, unless he be willing to be burdened still more ? Add and count up, if thou canst, the sorrows and calamities of every kind which arise from the passions of others ; and thou shalt behold on all sides troubles which, unless thou overcome them, will overwhelm ,thee. IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 275 CH. II.] 3. Indeed, My child, since this mortal life is replete with hardships so numerous and so great, to not a few it would appear almost unbearable, if the spirit of reli- gion did not suggest reasons for patience, and My Heart did not render it smooth by the unction of grace. Neither has all the wisdom of this world — although it has uttered many beautiful sayings concerning endur- ance and suffering — ever been able to invent and afford a remedy for them. How many there have been who, whilst endea- vouring to teach others by discoursing eloquently on the endurance of afflictions, were themselves undone by afflictions ! Hence, what wonder that those who are devoid of the spirit of religion, and strangers to My Heart, whether through unbelief or corruption, should at last despair amid their troubles, and, their reason being blinded, should wickedly terminate their miseries by the greatest of all, — the greatest, because it is eternal. But religion renders all troubles both bearable and profitable ; since it teaches that, through the consoling effect of the wisdom and goodness of My Heart, that which was a just punishment of sin, and a just cause of grief to man, becomes a wholesome remedy against sin, and a plentiful harvest of merits. The furnace tests metals. Fire hardens clay, but softens wax. The storm throws down the plant, but renders the tree that is well-rooted more firm. So also. My child, does tribulation try men. Afflic- tion hardens the one, it softens the other. Opposition casts down some, it makes others more solid. Affliction would lead to bliss, if all were to receive it properly. If, on its account, any one hastens on to destruction, it is his own fault, since, rightly borne, it would prove a sure road to sanctity, and consequently to true happiness. 4. But, behold. My child, every affliction has be- come much lighter and more consoling since, by My 276 THE HEART OF JESUS [bOOK III. own afflictions, I sanctified affliction, and walk before those who suffer affliction, as well by the example of My life as by the promise of reward, and the aid and conso- lation of grace. By My example the Saints learnt the secret of suffering rightly, and the art of converting evil into good. They learnt by experience that afflictions were even sweet to them, and derived such a longing to suffer for love of Me, that they were unwilling to live without suffering, and overflowed with joy in their every tribulation. Canst not thou also aspire to the like, My child? Is this not My interest as well as thy own? What fearest thou? Behold, no afflictions can reach thy heart if they have not first passed through Mine ; and, by so doing, they lose all their power of hunting, and become imbued with the divine virtue of consolation. 5 . Take heed. My child, lest by the sourness of thy heart thou embitter afflictions, when they come from My Heart imbued with sweetness. Suffering is necessary ; there is no choice ; but whe- ther to suffer well or ill, whether after the manner of the elect or after that of the reprobate, whether for thy sanctification or for thy condemnation, this is optional with thee ; this. My child, depends upon thy choice. Prepare thyself; be ready for annoyances, which cease not to occur, and shall never cease. Do not believe that thou shalt ever have a day without some trouble; since there can .never be a day without its supply of evil. Neither do thou imagine, whatever efforts thou mayest make, that thou shalt be able to escape. Even if thou withdraw into the wilderness alone, or cross the sea, or hide thyself in the uttermost boundaries of the earth, misery shall be thy companion every where, and shall ever follow thee as its cause or occasion, even as a shadow pursues the body. IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 277 CH. II.] Wherefore, Mj child, if thou art wise, endeavour to make that profitable which thou canst not avoid, by- bearing the cross of thy affliction with an even and well- disposed mind, as did the Saints, and by cheerfully fol- lowing My footsteps. 6. If thou wilt undergo tribulation with ease and profit, do it for love of Me ; this love will take away the heaviness and bitterness of thy cross, and, by its virtue, v/ill sanctify thy cross, and thyself through its means. Whoso does not suffer his afflictions for love of Me, will not long carry his cross with alacrity ; but he will soon begin either to drag it along, toiling and groaning, or, overburdened by it, he will sink down in his wretchedness. If thou findest any difficulty in so suffering. My Child, come thou to My Heart, and pray. Here thou shalt obtain relief, love, the unction of grace. My child, hitherto I have never ceased telling thee, nor will I cease to repeat it, — pray, do not cease to pray. For, behold, in prayer is every thing ; by prayer thou art freed from evils ; by prayer thou obtainest all good things ; in prayer thou hast a remedy for misfor- tune ; by prayer sorrow is soothed ; in prayer thou securest consolation and perseverance. 7. The voice of the Discijole , — There is, then, no escape, Lord Jesus ; it is necessary to suffer either willingly or reluctantly. If I suffer willingly, I shall feel it less ; if I suffer with reluctance, I a'dd a greater burden. Wherefore, I must hold my heart ready to suffer, unless I desire to render myself wretched to no purpose. Although the necessity of suffering appears some- times hard, yet its advantage, which will.-sanctify me in life, and render me blissful during all eternity, is abundantly sufficient to arouse and stimulate my hearty But if I love Thee, O mbst sweet Jesus, the ‘sole . thought of Thee will induce me to follow Thee with joy 278 THE HEART OF JESUS [book III. and alacrity, that I may be with Thee, that I may be assimilated to Thee, that I may give a proof of my love, that I may enjoy Thy love. O Jesus, infinite sweetness ! near Thee even bitter- ness becomes sweet; for, behold, by Thy own suffering. Thou didst take away and reserve for Thyself whatever is bitterest in aflictions ; and whatsoever of relish or sweetness there is in them Thou didst leave to us. O Jesus most compassionate ! who didst love me so much, I entreat Thee, give me the sentiments of Thy Heart, that I may sanctify all my sufferings, and pro- mote, by their means, Thy honour and my own per- fection. CHAPTER HI. How the most Sacred Heart of J tsus felt disposed in regard to sufferings. 1. The voice of Jesus. — Consider, My child, what were the sentiments of My Heart in suffering, and strive to imitate them. Behold ! during My mortal life, My Heart was ever suffering and rejoicing at the same time. Understand what I say. My child. I speak not of My divine will, since it was exempt from suffering, and incapable of it; but of My human will. For by this I practised virtues ; by this I acquired merits ; by this I wrought the Redemption of men. From the first existence of My Humanity, My Heart possessed the fulness of joy, by reason of the Vision of the Divinity hypostatically united to It, which It ever enjoyed, and whereby I was supremely blissful ; and, at the same time, by a special dispensation. My Heart was suffering, in view of the cruelty and bitterness of the Passion which It was to undergo. Moreover, at the same time, but under a different IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 279 CH. III.] aspect, My Heart was grieved and rejoiced at Its sorrow- ful and bitter Passion. It was grieved, inasmuch as the sufferings were painful and disagreeable to My Humanity; It was rejoiced, inasmuch as God had willed and ordained them for the salvation of men. For My Heart was endowed with a human will, which, although one in itself, was, as it were, twofold in its operation, — the one inferior, which of itself shrunk and fled from things distressful to the human nature ; the other superior, which, for loftier motives, deliberately loved and embraced those same painful things. Both parts — the inferior as well as the superior—- were ever upright, never ill-ordered, nor weakened by any defect whatsoever.. The inferior, which regarded and desired the good and advantage of its own nature, and dreaded and shunned the sufferings of nature and death, at the same time allowed itself to be guided by the superior. The superior rendered the inferior, as well as itself, submissive, and conformed to the divine will. Hence the supernatural acts of virtues performed; hence merits; hence the plentifulness of the treasures of grace accumu- lated for men. Bemember, My child, that thou possessest a similar will ; not, indeed, equally perfect and unimpaired, yet truly free; and that in the same thou also flndest an in- ferior and a superior part. 2. My child, thou dost not always, nor at the same time, know what things thou hast to suffer. It happens, through a special kindness and mercy, that, for the most part, thou dost not see them, except when they come upon thee, that thus thou mayst bear them the more easily one by one. But My suffering was ever in My sight. Wherever I was, all My future torments were constantly before My eyes. For at no time was hidden from Me all that the Prophets had foretold I was to suffer, all that the ancient 280 THE HEART OF JESUS [book III. types and figures had foreshowed, all that the wicked- ness of the world and of hell was to attempt, all the horrid tortures for which the sins of men were crying out, all that the insulted glory of My heavenly Father required, all that thy own wants. My child, demanded. All and each of these things were before My eyes, and pressed unceasingly upon My heart. But the love of My Heart brought it to pass, that I willingly endured and bore all. Love rendered every thing savoury to Me ; labours and watchings, insults and mockeries, scourgings and thorns, the cross, and whatsoever things were prepared by the divine will for the salvation of men. Lo, My child, the chief disposition of My Heart, — love for God and for men. From this source flowed all Its other dispositions. o. Hence arose that inexhaustible patience of My Heart, whereby I endured, without bitter feeling or complaint, so many things, so cruel and undeserved. For love is patient; charity endures all things. Hence, amid all ,My sorrows and afilictions, the resignation of Heart to the divine good pleasure. For, with My will conformed by love to the divine will, I was ready willingly to undergo every thing. Hence My joy amid suflering. For he that loves, and understands the goodness of the object beloved, is glad when he possesses the same. But My Heart under- stood perfectly the excellence of the divine will; there- fore, too. It dehghted to fulfil it, even amid many and various sufferings. Hence the supernatural longing of My Heart for suffering. ' For true love desires to testify effectually its sincerity, tenderness, and fidelity; therefore My Heart was for ever impelled by love, — always desiring to con- summate that Passion which was for God, and should remain for man, a manifest and ever-enduring proof of the sincerity, the tenderness, the fidelity, yea, of the excess of My love. IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 281 CH. III.] 4. But, My child, the love of My Heart went even beyond this. For to ravish the hearts of men by its excess, and to inflame them with its own fire, this is what It willed, this is what I coveted. I had come to cast a fire upon the earth, and what did I will, except that it should be kindled? For this I had the baptism of My Blood, wherewith I was to be baptised. My Passion, I mean, into which I was to be immersed, and plunged completely. And how was I straitened until it were accomplished! how was My Heart burning to open that heated bath, which by its wonderful power should cleanse, warm, stimulate, and enkindle the hearts of men I This bath cleansed and inflamed the Apostles and Martyrs, the holy Confessors and Virgins, who were ready, with a pure heart, to suffer 'all things, to follow Me through afilictions, mortifications, a thousand tor- ments, a thousand deaths. And cannot also thy heart be enkindled. My child ? For this did I, all along, love thee so much, that I might inflame thee to love Me in return, that I might gain for Myself thy love. 5. My child, if thou wouldst more frequently and more attentively consider to what a degree I have loved thee, and how many more reasons thou hast to love Me than I have to love thee, thou wouldst, doubtless, be excited to requite My love with thine. And if love once take possession of thy heart, it wiU produce therein sentiments with respect to sufferings akin to the sentiments of My Heart. The more thou lovest Me, the better wilt thou feel disposed towards sufferings; and with how much the more willing a heart thou sufferest, the more perfectly wilt thou love Me. If it happen that thou relishest not the sentiments of My Heart with respect to afflictions, it is a sign that thy heart is not healthful, nay, that it is ill-afiected ; and, upon examination, thou shalt find that the cause thereof 282 THE HEART OF JESUS [book hi. is, that thy heart, devoid of divine warmth, is benumbed by the coldness of a certain indifference, or heated with the vitiated fire of self-love. ' However, from the very fact that thou art still so ill- ^ disposed that thou art unable to taste and relish those ,, things which are so worthy of great souls, take thou j occasion to bestir and stimulate thyself courageously. j And desire and covet at least that thy heart may | become animated with the same sentiihents that pervade I Mine. 6. Pray frequently and fervently, even though nature | struggle against it, that thou mayst be enabled to under- j stand the worth of these sentiments, and love the price- | less advantage of them. If, in thus praying, thou art sincere, the eyes of thy | mind shall be opened, so as to see clearly that the wis- dom of the world, which abhors the love of wholesome | humiliations and mortifications, is true folly ; but that : the salutary love, which 1 Myself, coming down from . heaven, taught by word and example, is purest wisdom. And if thou perseverest in prayer, plentiful grace shall be bestowed upon thee religiously to embrace tri- bulations, and to endure them in a holy manner. Be not, however, satisfied with prayer alone ; but endeavour also, according to the amount of grace and of thy strength, to deny thyself, to endure afflictions, and to carry the cross with Me. Blessed is he who relishes sufferings which may sanctify him ! he certainly is taught rather by divine unction than by human skill ; he is animated rather by grace than by nature. There is nothing. My child, whereby the true disciples ‘ of My Heart are better distinguished, than by esteem and love of sufferings for My sake. 7. The voice of the Disciple , — O good Jesus ! how great was the charity of Thy Heart for me ! ho\x unsel- fish Thy love ! how great Thy thirst for my felicity ! What things Thou didst suffer, and with how pure IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 283 CH. IV.] a love ! and all for me, — to redeem me, to teach me, to console me, to unite me with Thee by love ! And can I ever forget Thee ? Can I ever love Thee enough ? It is little, I own, but meet and just, that I love Thee with my whole heart, that by love I follow Thee even amidst adversity, even unto death. But, behold, my Saviour-God, I feel that I need great grace to be able to love sulferings, and to follow the sentiments of Thy Heart amid sufferings. Unless I be helped from above, I cannot with merit deny myself, — neither in great things nor in small, — em- brace the cross with joy, overcome the feelings of nature, and accompany Thee throughout, even unto death. •But since Thou invitest, nay, even callest me to this, give me abundant grace, I beseech Thee, that thereby I may be enabled to effect what I cannot do of myself. Widen, therefore, my heart, and implant bountifully and deeply therein the sentiments of Thy suffering Heart, that I too, with a meek and humble heart, may love to suffer for love of Thee whatsoever Thou mayst give me to endure. CHAPTER IV. What advantages there are in suffering well. 1. The voice of Jesus . — My child, to thee it is given to understand the secrets of My Heart, to enter devoutly into them, to direct them fully to thy progress. Hear, then, the secrets which are hidden from the world ; learn thou the good things which worldlings understand not. • Behold, walking in the way of the cross, I the Creator have gone before My creatures j I the Redeemer before those whom I had set free ; I a Father before My chil- dren ; and to all men have I made it known, that whoso- ever is willing to be a partaker of the unutterable bliss which awaits Me at the end of the journey, should with ' THE HEART OF JESUS 284 [book III. the proper interior disposition of heart deny himself and follow Me. But many, hearing this, have said at all times : This is a hard saying, and who can hear it ? And thenceforth many withdrew, and walked with Me no more. The Saints, however, and all they that were really willing to sanctify themselves, received My invitation with a thankful heart, and judged that their happiness, even upon earth, consisted in being with Me, in suffering with Me, and in persevering with Me through every trial unto the end. 2. And, indeed. My child, what good is there on earth which may not be found in suffering with Me ? Here is true glory ; a glory which is worthy of the divine approval ; a glory which does not pass away with this world ; a glory which shall endure and be exalted for evermore. This is the hidden treasure, wherewith is bought the kingdom of heaven, with its entire, unending blessed- ness. This is the pure delight, exceeding all the feelings. For if thou arrivest at this, that thou rejoicest in suffer- ing with Me, thou obtainest possession of a spiritual paradise of delights upon earth. 3. Whilst every thing flows on according to nature’s inclinations, and whilst no trouble oppresses the heart, a person is wont to cling to creatures, to turn rarely to- ward Me, and to feel it irksome to busy himself with the things of eternity. But when he labours under adversity, and is pressed by afflictions, he turns again to his heart; he perceives how vain, how perishable are all the things of this world; he flies for aid to Me, whom he finds, by experi- ence, most of all needed by himself. Therefore, My child, the kind providence of My Heart is wont so to act, that they who are affluent with the possessions of this world, do not enjoy them without inconvenience, in order that thus they may be excited IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 285 CH. IV.] the more easily and effectively to seek the treasures of the life to come. For if they possessed a quiet and undisturbed felicity amid worldly riches, they would, perhaps, not even think of laying up heavenly treasures. It is, then, a merciful dispensation that evils abound in the world, lest the world should be loved, and its votaries perish. 4. As fire consumes rust, and purifies gold, so suf- ferings exhaust and deaden the passions, and render virtues more pure and precious. By tribulation properly endured. My child, thou redeemest thy sins, and thou satisfiest the divine justice for punishments still due ; so that, in this manner, thou canst have Here a slight and consoling purgatory, from which, through the gates of death, thou mayst deserve to wing thy flight to joys everlasting. What is there that can make thee merit more, than sufferings endured with a proper disposition of heart ? For, behold, light and momentary tribulations work out for thee an ever-enduring weight of glory. Every affliction will add a new jewel to thy heavenly crown, which shall glitter with as many rays as thou hast performed acts of virtue. In adversity, man is freed from many false notions and errors, and instructed in many ways. Happy he that, in the school of affliction, is taught to be wise in all things ! What does he know who has never experienced adversity, has never endured aught, either inwardly or outwardly ? And wherein can he be useful in counsel or guidance either to himself or to others ? 5. Wherefore, child, do not lose courage, when thou art tried or reproved by Me. For whomsoever I love, him do I lovingly reprove, in order to train him ; and in him, as a father in his son, am I well-pleased. Thou shouldst, therefore, justly be glad amid suffer- ings, since therein thou mayst have an indication of My THE HEART OF JESUS 286 [book III. esteem for thee, and a token of the fatherly love of My Heart. There is scarcely any thing else to be found which produces a greater confidence in My Heart or a freer access to It, than to suffer willingly for My sake. When thou art about to die, My child, thou wilt rejoice over no circumstance of thy life so securely, nor find so safe a consolation in any thing else, as in the most agreeable remembrance of having suffered much with Me. 6. Yery many study to shun the way of humiliation and affliction ; pleading, as an excuse, that they can both better glorify God, and help their neighbour in a more agreeable way. What a delusion ! They do not seek God nor their neighbour, but themselves. For the glory of God and the salvation of the neighbour are not to be pro- moted according to man’s, but according to God’s, good pleasure. Now, God indicated to His Son the manner of glorifying on earth His Majesty,, and of saving the lost world. And this manner the Son followed by suffering, and by suffering He made it known to man. My child, do thou follow this path which I Myself have trodden and showed to thee. And that thou mayst be able to keep it, pray thou frequently and fer- vently. But whilst praying, ponder thou devoutly all My sorrows of every kind, and the supernatural dispositions of My 'Heart all the while. Do not consult merely natural inclinations or purely human feelings; but, by means of supernatural prin- ciples, elevate thyself above sensible things, and view tribulations as sent by the divine will, and, inasmuch as thou art able, embrace them affectionately. Courage, then. My child ; cheer on thy heart. •Behold Me, and aU the Saints with Me, cheerfully treading the path of sufferings. Be thou bold to foUow. IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 287 P,CH. IV.] With Me nothing is to be feared; the company is select, the way safe, the goal certain, the reward ever- lasting. ^ 7. The voice of the Disciple. — O Lord Jesus ! who will not be roused up to follow Thee ? Who does not feel his heart burning within him, whilst Thou utterest these things about the way ? But it is one thing to be enkindled by Thee, and another to follow Thee ; it is one thing to meditate, and quite a different one to act : yea, it is one thing to know virtue, and another to practise the same. I acknowledge that the love of sufferings is a most excellent virtue; I admire it in my mind, I do even love it in my heart; but, when an occasion of actually prac- tising it presents itself, behold, self-love begins forth- with to torment me, secret pride darkens my under- standing, and forces upon me a thousand excuses, a thousand specious pretences. Whilst thus I am miserably struggling with myself, the chance of suffering something for Thy sake flies away, and — I must confess it to my shame — I frequently wish myself joy, if I escape unharmed from the I struggle. I O most kind Jesus ! look Thou graciously, I beseech Thee, upon this my misery ; and grant me in Thy mercy to be able, by Thy grace, to do that which, by my frailty, I caniiot effect. Great is my weakness, great the power of my refrac- tory nature, which shrinks from the very thought of pain or humiliation. But the reason why I am so weak and sluggish, so i that I dare not go contrary to nature, is, that I do not love Thee sufficiently. O most sweet Jesus ! were I to love Thee like Thy I Saints, how easy, how pleasant even, would it be to tri- ' umph over the repugnance of nature ! Grant me, therefore, I pray Thee, this singular I grace, that I may love Thee with a more perfect love, — 288 THE HEART OF JESUS [book III. with a love courageous and generous ; that it may strongly attract me, despite the opposition of nature, through all hardships, to Thee, O Jesus, my life, my de- j light, my beatitude. | CHAPTEE V. 1 ; How^ after the example of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus ^ j g( we must conform ourselves amidst afflictions to the it divine will, is 1. The voice of Jesus. — My child, I had now en- ^ lightened the world by My doctrine, enkindled it with j ^ My love, and rendered it blissful to a certain extent by the perpetual gift of My whole Self ; nothing re- I mained, except to complete all by undergoing the i utmost sufferings through an excess of that same love. | Having, therefore, left the Supper-room, I went whither the will of My Father called Me, whither also the desire of My Heart directed Me, to the mountain of the Olives. Ponder well, My child, what were the sentiments of I My Heart, whilst I proceeded in the silence of the night, and beheld distinctly rushing upon Me all and each one of the torments of My Passion. Sorrowful journey ! journey filled with unutterable I distress and anguish of Heart ! Yet I went on courageously, because I was following the divine good pleasure. As throughout My life, so now, whilst sorrows were falling upon Me from every side, My Heart united with the divine will, generously and lovingly embraced ad- versity, as the gilt of My Fathers will. 2. Thus also thou, My child, when thou art suffering, do not regard the afflictions in themselves ; but lift up thy eyes, and consider the divine will, that sends them ’ to thee for thy good, although thyself dost not see that f they are for thy advantage. ? IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 289 I* T CH. V.] ^ Indeed, child, except sin, nothing takes place with- ’ out the divine will. But whatsoever happens, sin excepted, is good, not evil, since it proceeds from a will essentially just, and is a divinely appointed means of sanctifying man. For the divine will, which is guided by infinite wisdom, sustained b}'' infinite power, moved by infinite goodness, is indeed able to effect whatsoever it wills, but it can will nothing absolutely for mortals, except what is good for them. And since creatures, whatever they may wickedly I attempt, cannot impede the divine will concerning thee, so often as any thing, which is not sinful in any man- I ner, befalls thee, it is manifest that it happens by the ‘ divine will, and is for thy good. Sin, however, as He is infinitely good, God cannot will; but, in His infinite providence. He may and does permit it, — both that He may not take away man’s free-will, and that, by a way which will be understood and admired in the other world, He may extol His own perfections. Infinitely perfect as He is. He knows how to draw good out of evil ; and He judged it better to draw good out of evil, than not to permit that evil should be pos- i sible. ' 3. My child, some things happen which a person cannot avoid, and must endure, whether he likes it or not. Happy he that, in these occurrences, resigns himself I to the divine will, and strives to conform himself thereto ; so that, uniting his own with the divine will, he suffers no longer through necessity, but of his own accord ! ; By this voluntary resignation, tribulations become not [ only meritorious, but also lighter. Would that thou didst well understand this. My child, so that, when afflictions of this kind present them- selves, thou do not, through a blameworthy opposition, lose all merit, and add misery to misery ! For what u 290 . THE HEART OF JESUS [book hi. can be more miserable in this life, than never to will what shall always be, and ever not to will what shall ever be ? Other things happen, which one cannot escape with- out sin ; so that he must either endure them, or incur guilt. Oh, how unwisely, how unbecomingly, do they act, who, to be free from troubles, do not hesitate to have recourse to unlawful means ! Is it proper so to use the portion of My chalice, which is truly a divine gift, and which is never sent before it has been tasted and sea- soned by My Heart ? Lastly, other things again occur, which man may turn aside without guilt. Yet, when no virtue forbids, it is according to the divine good pleasure to embrace the same cordially.' My child, if thou art a true disciple of My Heart, thou wilt allow no occasion of this kind to pass by ; but, holding thy heart ever in readiness, when an oppor- tunity presents itself of humbling and mortifying thyself without danger, thou wilt accept it as a gift from Me, and embrace it with the greater affection ; because, as nature has no share therein, and thy heart is moved solely by My good pleasure, thou art able to display a pure love for Me. Fervent disciples of My Heart, not satisfied with things which present themselves, often of their own accord seek for opportunities of suffering something for Me, and of conforming themselves to Me ; for they know that I delight especially in this likeness to Me, as in a perfect evidence of their love. 4. There are they who, with their mind and heart, ever live in the past or in the future ; who are wholly taken up with thinking over the causes or circumstances of wrongs which formerly have been done to them, or hail afar off future adversity, whilst they studiously avoid the present. How greatly are those persons to be pitied ! for CH. V.] IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 291 they are tormented by the past, and deluded by the future. In imagination they endure much, attempt much ; but, in reality, they are wonderful self-tormentors and vain dreamers. How many of them resolve to endure one day hard things, and meanwhile do not even bear what is easy ! Beware, child, of an imaginary perfection, which covers self-love, and is altogether an illusion. Take advantage of the present, seize every opportu- nity, how little soever, of practising virtue ; great occa- sions rarely, ordinary ones frequently, occur ; and a small matter, rightly endured, is a preparation for what is great. 5. My child, if in every occurrence thou beh oldest My divine will, thou wilt heed little through whom it is that things adverse come upon thee, — whether through a superior, an equal, or an inferior ; whether through one who is good, or one who is wicked, — but thou wilt receive them without distinction, regarding the divine will alone, which makes use of various instruments for its own most holy ends. To help thy weakness : First, in suffering adversity, resign thyself, even unto patience ; and, although thou neither lovest sufferings nor art pleased with them, en- dure what is to be borne without bitterness of heart, without uttering complaints. Employ all the means in thy power, and persevere therein, until thou hast become accustomed to be patient, and to be resigned to the divine will, amidst troubles of ordinary occurrence. Having attained to the first degree, conform thyself to My will in every affliction ; willing the same because I will it ; unwilling to be freed therefrom so long as I do not will that thou shouldst be free. To arrive at this, thou oughtest to pray much that thy intellect may be enlightened from above, and that, by the aid of grace, thy will, by supernatural motives, 292 THE HEART OF JESUS [book III. may be solidly conformed to Mine, so that thou feelest persuaded, both by faith and love, that there is nothing better than the divine will. After reaching tlie second degree, aim thou at the highest. Strive with all thy strength so to unite thy- self with the divine will, as not only to be conformed thereto in suffering adversity, but to be actually one with it. Then, My child, shall this union of wills exist be- tween us, when thy heart, animated with the same sentiments toward the cross that possess Mine, re- joices like Mine, in uniformity with the divine good pleasure. This union of wills is an important matter, is true perfection, solid sanctity. Pure love alone begets this holy union, which cannot exist without elevating and ennobling m.an, and making him truly blessed. 6. My child, if thou lovest Me, thou wilt also love My will. It is enough for him that loves, to know the desire of the one beloved, in order to execute it with a yfii heart. Come, then, dearly beloved, embrace with thy heart’s whole affection the divine good pleasure ; and prove, in this manner, that thou art a true disciple of My Heart, — a lover, not of thyself, but of Me. So act, so live, that I may find in thee one according to My Heart, — one who accomplishes all my wishes as well in prosperity as in adversity. 7. The voice of the Disciple . — Most bountiful and sweet Jesus, whose only rule of life was the divine will, behold, by Thy grace, I resolve to strive ever to follow this most safe and most just rule. How much soever nature may resist, I am willing to suffer every thing Thou mayst permit to befall me, through the means of any creatures whatsoever, whether seen or unseen. Nothing, except what is good, can proceed from a Heart infinitely bountiful, which loves me more and better than I either do or can love myself. IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 293 CH. VI.] And I know, O Lord, that I shall have to undergo nothing which has not first passed through Thy Heart, and has thus become sweet. If my vicious inclination rebel, and attempt to draw Thy will toward itself, display, I beseech Thee, Thy j)ower ; subdue the insolent foe, that he may not rise up again. O most loving Jesus ! O Thou fire that consumest what is defective, and injurest not what is good I O Thou j flame gently burning, and happily destroying ! — destroy I within me every evil and inordinate will ; enkindle and nourish in me a good and well-ordered will, that may deem itself happy when in all things, even though they be adverse, it follows Thy divine good pleasure. CHAPTER VI. That the most Sacred Heart of Jesus teaches us in afflic- tion to have recourse to player, 1. The voice of Jesus, — My child, when I had now entered the garden of the Olives, whilst the earth was silent all around, behold, there rushed and pressed upon Me, on the one hand, all the sins of the world ; on the other, the frightful tortures of My Passion ; and with such violence did they crowd upon My Heart that, al- though It IS the strength of them that are weak. It began to fear, to grow weary, sad, disconsolate. But when I beheld distinctly that, by the great suf- ferings taken upon Me with so much love, and offered up with so great a mercy for the salvation of all men, not a few would refuse to be saved, and would, by a wilful hard-heartedness, misuse them for their deeper destruction, and return Me at last nothing except the blackest ingratitude, — then. My child, My Heart, grow- ing faint with anguish, forced Me to exclaim : My soul is sorrowful even unto death ! 294 THE HEART OF JESUS [bOOK HI. However, having withdrawn from My disciples and advanced a little, kneeling down, I prayed. Meanwhile, by the struggle between the superior and inferior part of My Heart, My sorrows increasing to such a degree that My sweat became as drops of blood trickling down upon the ground, I fell upon My face, and being in an agony, I prayed the longer. And as My agony, on account of that inward strug- gle, continued, I persevered in prayer : Father, if Thou wilt, remove this chalice from Me ; yet, not My will, but Thine be done. Yea, My Father, Thy will be done ! Then, sent from heaven, an angel appeared, — not to take away the chalice of My Passion, which My Father willed Me wholly to drain, but to strengthen Me ; that when joy was set before Me without My Passion, de- spising the shame, I might voluntarily endure the cross. Keflect, My child, how painful a struggle My Heart underwent that night : a struggle the like whereof is not found ; a struggle on the result of which hung the salvation of the world. My Heart fought, labouring, wrestling, resisting even unto blood, and overcame ; but It conquered in prayer. 2. Behold, My child, behold a source of varied con- solation for thee : My Heart struggling with death, and praying ; fighting by love, triumphing by love. For, lo I to what extent I felt the hardship of My sufferings, to what an extent I tasted their bitterness ! And all this, My child, to teach, to relieve, to encourage thee. Be not, then, cast down, nor wonder when thou feelest a repugnance to suffering. For if My Heart, al- though holy and perfect, felt Its pains to such a degree, what wonder if thy heart feels them likewise ? But never shalt thou experience, never shalt thou feel, so much as My Heart felt. Wert thou to endure at once in thy heart whatever thou shalt have to suffer during thy whole life, it would be no more than a little CH. VI.] IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 295 drop of the chalice which My Heart drained in the garden. Whatever may be the reluctance which thou ex- periencest in thyself, follow My example ; yield not to nature opposing, but go counter thereto. To this end, in every difficulty, in every anguish, hasten thou without delay to prayer. 3. If, when thou art troubled, thou hast recourse to prayer, distress will ever prove gainful to thee. By prayer, thou shalt either be delivered from it with merit, or thou shalt be helped to endure it for thy good. Come, then, My child, and with knees bent, or with thy heart at least humbly prostrate, pray thou like My- self ; pray that, if it be the divine will, the cup of thy affliction may pass away ; yet not so that thine, but the divine will be done. Pray, if this chalice may not pass away, that thou obtain grace to be resigned, to submit thyself to drink it. Be of good cheer. My child ; under no circumstances shalt t^iou ever have afflictions which will require thee to struggle as much, in order to be resigned, as I had. Thou shalt never have a contest which will cause thee a bloody sweat. Whatsoever difficulty thou mayst have, exert thy- self, wrestle, fight with thyself, to overcome thy feeling. Struggling again and again, pray, and pray the longer, until thou hast rendered thy heart conformed to the divine will, and prepared it, in spite of nature, to follow Me through every hardship which may be sent it from above. 4. It is a great misfortune for thee, child, that thou art wont to have recourse to prayer rather slowly, and first to try human skill ; that thou sufFerest the un- wearied enemy of thy salvation, and the ill-regulated propensity of nature, to obtain too great a sway over thy heart. Hearken not to the suggestions of the devil, or of any passion whatsoever. For, by false reasonings, they 296 THE HEART OF JESUS [book III. seek to deceive, to injure thee. Forbidding thyself all reasoning, all intercourse with them, come thou forth- with to My Heart ; here is thy counsel, here thy help, here thy comfort. Even had an Angel visibly to be sent down from heaven, thou shouldst not be left without consoling aid, if thou prayest, as it behoves thee. And if, despite thy pious efforts, thou continuest to feel an opposition within thyself, be not on that ac- count dejected. Provided thy will be resigned to the divine will, this repugnance felt, indeed, but not willed, so far from doing thee harm, shall, on the contrary, if thou struggles t against it, be of the greatest advantage to thee. It is the characteristic of an heroic disciple of My Heart, to pray and endeavour with all his strength to overcome himself completely, as well in those things from which nature shrinks, as in those to which it is prone. 5. When thou prayest in affliction, child^ thou oughtest so to pray, that thou art willing to be resigned, — whether thou obtainest relief, or, in its stead, receivest something else, which is better for thee, because more conforiuable to the divine will; or whether thou tastest sweetness, or experiencest bitterness. For that prayer is not the best, in which the greatest consolations are felt; since what is sweet is not always useful, nor is that which is bitter always hurtful. Nay, more, in man’s present state, sweetness is wont to do harm, bitterness to be advantageous. That is the best prayer, from which thou goest with greater humility and greater charity, and feelest so dis- posed, that, in order to do the good pleasure of God, thou art willing to go against whatever is pleasing to nature, and to embrace whatever is displeasing thereto. How pitiful a sight before God and Angels and men, to see persons, who daily pray long and much, go thence, and carry nothing away with them but faults of IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 297 CH. VI.] negligence and abuse of grace, or a more delicate pride and self-love ; having in nowise become better inclined toward their duties, not abler to bear the defects of their neighbour, nor to curb their own inclina- tions. . Thou, My son, do thou pray better, as taught by My example. Pray, and overcome nature ; pray, and resign and conform thyself to the divine good pleasure. These arduous efforts shall not long be needed. Yet a little while, and thou shalt no longer prepare thyself for tribulations, nor encourage thyself in them; but thou shalt sing glad and glorious triumphs with the Saints, who all have come out of great tribulation, and who now, in their reward, are enraptured by the unbroken excess of rejoicings, and exult for evermore. 6. The vohe of the Disciple . — Thanks to Thee, most compassionate Jesus, true comforter of all that are in trouble; thanks to Thee, for that Thou consolest me so disinterestedly and so gently, amid all the repugnance I am wont to feel in regard to sufferings; and for that, at so great a cost to Thyself, Thou didst open for me a source of remedies in every affliction. By what Thou didst so mercifully deign to undergo, I see, with the greatest consolation, that natural reluct- ance cannot do any injury to a good will, which alone Thou regardest, and to which alone Thou grantest peace upon earth. O Lord, O Thou the consolation of men, and the joy of Angels ! who, when afflicted, didst betake Thyself to prayer; grant, I beseech Thee, that, after Thy example, in every tribulation, I may forthwith have recourse to the remedy of prayer; thus to sacrifice the opposition of nature, and to cause myself to be resigned and conformed to the divine Avill. Thy Heart, most benign Jesus, is the open and safe refuge of all them that are miserable; behold, I entreat Thee, my weakness; arouse me, impel me, that in every difficulty, under every circumstance, I may flee to the THE HEART OF JESUS 298 [book III. same, may there find bliss, and derive thence strength and courage. O sweet Jesus, my love and my every good ! I beg and implore Thee, bestow upon me the grace always and every where to repose with Thee in the divine will, and to continue thus with Thee for ever. , CHAPTER VIL How the most Sacred Heart of Jesus teaches us, amid tribulation, to use the aid of creatures, 1. The voice of Jesus. — My child, when I rose from, prayer, following the good pleasure of My heavenly Father, I came to My disciples, to teach thee by My example, as well as to obtain through them some com- fort in My extreme affliction. But, alas! I found them heavy with sadness, and buried in sleep, so that, when awakened, far from offering Me any relief, they knew not what to say; and instead of giving Me comfort, they themselves needed solace. It was the bitterest bitterness to My Heart, child, to see those very ones, whom I had trained with more than a father’s care, whom I had cherished with so great a love, whom I ^had solaced so often, — now, during My Passion, so indifferent, so heedless, that they could not even for one hour watch with Me. Where are now those promises, lately made, that they would be faithful to Me, even unto death ? where is now their pledged word? where that constancy so solemnly avowed? All this has vanished; but it passed through My Heart ; and, oh 1 how deep a wound did it inflict ! However, since, whilst I was suffering, I did not go to My disciples, except by the will of My Father; ac- cording to the same good pleasure of My Father, I IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE, 299 CH. VII.] embraced, with My Heart resigned, the pains which followed My recourse to them. 2. It is not then forbidden, My child, amid distresses, to resort for comfort to creatures, provided it be done in a befitting manner. Now, thou wilt do it in this manner, if thou appliest to creatures solely as a means of conforming and uniting thyself more easily and more perfectly to the divine will. It is peculiar to the more perfect disciples of My Heart, to suffer, and to conceal, so far as is allowed, their suffering from man ; and to lay open and communicate to Me alone the afflictions of their hearts. But thou, child, if thou art not yet able to reach so great a height of perfection, go thou — after having first prayed — go thou to some pious and interior person, not merely to receive sensible comfort from him, but to be relieved and assisted, so as the better to come to My Heart, the fountain of true consolation, and to cling to Me rather than to any other solace whatever. Indeed, if thou art truly wise, to cleave to Me ought ever to be thy greatest comfort. For, united to Me, even shouldst thou be deprived of all other solace, thou shalt calmly repose upon My Heart. And what can there be more sweet ? what more secure ? 3. So often as in thy troubles thou needest counsel or guidance, or art exposed to the danger of delusion, do not trust in thyself alone, lest thou err in thy own judg- ment, and be deceived by the appearance of good. For it is chiefly in these matters that I am wont to lead man by man, — both that the order of My divine providence may shine forth the more clearly, and that men may love each other the more dearly, when they find, by experience, that they are not sufflcient for them- selves, but that each needs the assistance of the other. And they who, under such circumstances, deem them- selves too wise to need the direction of others, are wont to have an end full of dangers. Sometimes, also, to have recourse to created means THE HEART OF JESUS 300 [book hi. is not only a counsel of security, but a precept of obliga- tion. It has been most wisely and properly established and ordained, that man should be helped by the other crea- tures, which were made for his real good : that at one time, by abstaining from them, he may practise virtue ; at another, that he may be exercised by them for his salvation and perfection ; and, again, that he may use them as means. Marvellous is My providence in all My works. All things serve Me ; if thou lovest Me, child, they shall also serve thee. 4. Now, when it behoves thee to use creatures as a means, this use should be carefully attended to ; and the result should so be looked for, that in whatsoever way the matter may turn out, thou art resigned to the divine will. For, after having employed a sufficient diligence, the result, whatever it be, will be to thee a sign of the divine good pleasure. Sometimes I inspire designs, to the execution of which I will that men should apply themselves with courage and perseverance, although I do not will their success. In which event they obtain a twofold advan- tage : on the one hand, the merit of the labour for a suc- cessful execution ; on the other, the merit of resignation at the unfavourable result. If any of thy affairs have an unhappy end through thy fault, grieve thou for the fault, but accept with pa- tience the pain of the misfortune, and bear it willingly. For the fault is indeed contrary to My will, but the pain consequent on the fault is according to My will ; there- fore the fault must be grieved for and detested, but the pain should be embraced and lovingly undergone. • And, if any misfortune happen through another’s fault, resign thyself even in such an event ; neither do thou lose thy patience nor peace of heart. For, if I permit the successful issue of any thing to CH. VII.] IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 801 be hindered by the fault of others, this is itself a sign that I do not will thou shouldst be successful. And as, whilst permitting the fault, I hate it, and will, at the same time, the unfavourable issue of thy undertaking, so do thou, with a similar disposition of heart, abhor that fault, and embrace the unpropitious result. 5. My child, were thy heart rightly disposed, thou wouldst be resigned under all circumstances, that thus thou mightst gather from each of them a new pearl to adorn thy heavenly crown. Assuredly a great and supernatural discernment is required for the right use of creatures ; for even if one begins with a good intention to employ them, he may easily become entangled and go wrong. Thou shouldst pray, therefore, and implore the light and assistance of grace, that thou mayst remain free ; and neither fail by the neglect of created means, nor exceed in the use of them. 6. The voice of the Disciple , — 0 Jesus, Thou the first and last reliige of the afflicted heart ! what consolation can all creatures together afford, if the unction of Thy Heart’s sweetness is wanting? So often as, in my afflictions, through an ill- ordered inclination, or some reason contrary to Thy will, I have had recourse to creatures, and sought consolation in them, so often did I return from them more deeply af- flicted and rendered desolate. But this happened through the goodness of Thy Heart, that I might be happily pressed, and compelled in some manner to return to Thee, 0 infinite Sweetness, and pour out my sorrow-stricken heart before Thee, who art ever near to them that are troubled in heart, and who alone art mighty to give true consolation. Thanks to 'fhee, most benign Jesus, for the great kindness of Thy Heart, whereby Thou didst deal so mer- cifully and so savingly with me. O Lord, my light and my salvation ! illumine my understanding, that in presence of creatures I may look 302 THE HEART OF JESUS [book III. I upon Thee alone ; purify my affections, that in the use of them I may ever love Thee; and grant that, disengaged ' from all, I may repose in Thee alone. Guide me by Thy Spirit, Lord Jesus, and make me so use creatures, that I be pleasing to Thee, and so pass through the evils of time, that I may obtain the good things of eternity. CHAPTER VIIL jS’ow, after the example of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, we should suffer the opposition and persecution of men, 1. The voice of Jesus. — Dearly beloved, the hour had now come when the Son of Man would be delivered into the hands of sinners. Behold J udas Iscariot, one of the twelve Apostles, and with him a great multitude with lanterns and tools, with clubs and swords. And he went before them, as the leader of My perse- cutors, and, accosting Me with a false heart : Hail, Rabbi ! said he ; and forthwith he kissed Me, and so betrayed Me to them. But I, knowing all that was to come, was more in- tensely grieved in My innermost Heart at the wretched fate of My unhappy disciple and of the crowd, than at My own suffering. Wherefore, I began to try My utmost, and leave nothing undone to soften and win their hearts. Disregarding altogether the insult offered, with a friendly countenance and a more loving Heart, I kindly addressed that Apostle : Friend, whereto art thou come ? His heart remaining insensible to so great a goodness, to make him enter into himself, I urged him gently and powerfully at the same time, to cause him to under- stand that I knew his crime, and to induce him to reflect on the enormity thereof : Judas, I said, Judas, betrayest thou the Son\of Man with a kiss ? CH. VIII.] IN HIS SUFFERINa LIFE. 303 When he heeded not My saving voice, but, on the contrary, hardened his heart, then, at last, I had recourse to My omnipotence, yet so as not to interfere with his free-will. Behold now, by a miracle, at the mere sound of My voice, as if struck by lightning, I laid prostrate the trea- cherous disciple and his whole crowd, and sent, at the same time, a powerful grace to his heart. That unfeeling heart was moved ; but he was unwilling to hearken to its emotion; he felt the grace, but he would not yield to it. 2. My child, if by meditation thou wert able to some extent to understand with how great a love My Heart had at all times pursued them from whom I received such things in return, and how It had ever heaped new favours upon them, thou shouldst comprehend how unutterable were the sorrows which, like torrents, rushed upon and overflowed My Heart. When thou hast any thing similar to suffer, child, do not lose courage; but let the example, which I gave thee for thy instruction and comfort, animate and console thee. Verily I say to thee, child, thou shalt suffer distress in the world ; but have confidence and fear not, because I am with thee. Remember My saying : The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted Me, what wonder if they also persecute thee ? If the world hate thee, call to mind how it hated Me first. 3. Know this, My child, — so long as thou art the disciple of My Heart, and abhor the world and its senti- ments, that wicked enemy will oppose thee. Thy manner of acting it will call hypocrisy, singu- larity, or some other fault. At one time it will pretend that it pities thee ; at another, it will make a mockery of thee. When thou withdrawest into solitude, it will accuse thee of melancholy or sourness of temper ; if thou ap- pearest in public, it will endeavour to blacken thy virtues ; THE HEART OF JESUS 304 [book III. and thy fauUs it will either exaggerate beyond measure, or flatter thee for them unto thy destruction. If, according to the zeal of thy charity, thoulabourest for the salvation of the world, thou shalt, for the most part, find an unfeeling indiflerence, or receive in return bitter ingratitude. These things and the like will the votaries of the world do to thee, not the open ones alone, but also they that are secretly such ; not only they that publicly per- secute virtue, but also they that apparently seem to rever- ence piety, but, in reality, think hardly otherwise than the very worldlings. Behold, child, these things I have foretold thee, that when they come to pass thou mayst remember My word; and, cheered on by My example, remain firm in thy re- solve, and be enabled to feel compassion for them that afflict thee, to pray for them, and even to be zealous for their salvation. Assuredly, such wretched men are deserving of all * pity ; they injure themselves rather than thee. 4. My child, thou must expect this during thy life- time,. that thou shalt often experience that men will oppose thee, and that they who once were for thee, being now unaccountably changed, will be against thee. . Beware, then, of men ; do not rely upon them whilst they favour thee, nor be thou troubled when they go against thee. If thou deportest thyself so toward others as to keep thy heart pure and free, thou wilt resign thyself to Me with more ease and profit when they trouble thee ; and thou shalt preserve thy peace and gain merit. Go, child, dwell among men wheresoever thou wilt ; thou shalt find every where those that will try thy patience. Shouldst thou deal wnth the devout only, shouldst thou live among persons secluded from the world, and with body and soul consecrated to Me, even there thou shalt not be secure against opponents. IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 305 CH. VIII.] If among My twelve Apostles there was one who persecuted Me, wonder not that among them that profess a life of piety, yea, even the religious state, there be found some who oppose thee. 5. Yea, child, all they that desire to lead an interior life shall suffer persecution. For to an interior and devoted disciple of My Heart, persecution is never wanting. And, indeed, persecution is manifold; just as martyr- dom is manifold. For there is persecution from enemies, and from friends ; there is persecution from visible foes, and from the invisible as well ; there is persecution from the wicked , and also from the good. So there is a martyrdom of faith, there is also one of charity ; there is a martyrdom of the body, there is also one of the soul ; lastly, there is a great martyrdom of the heart. My child, if thou desirest to become a perfect dis- ciple of my Heart, thou must, in some manner or other, be a martyr. For, as such a disciple, thou art a companion of the Saints. Gaze, therefore, upon that mighty host which no one can count, standing before the throne of the divine Majesty with palms in their hands, the symbol of martyrdom. Although the Saints did not all shed their blood, all did yet undergo sufferings, that they might obtain the palm of some martyrdom. 6. But observe, my child, that no one, who is truly a martyr, chooses for himself, by his own will, his own martyrdom ; but that he suffers that one which has been appointed him from above. Believe thou, therefore, that to be thy martyrdom, whatsoever has been presented to thee by divine Provi- dence in thy state, employment, or other circumstances, wherein thou art placed. To obtain an opportunity of suffering martyrdom, i X I 306 THE HEART OF JESUS [book hi. it is not necessary to betake thyself to infidel and bar- barous nations, or to look for an avowed persecutor of the Church. The world persecutes thee ; man troubles thee ; one betrays thee; another mocks and derides thee; this one humbles thee; that one opposes thee; corrupt nature, or an ill-regulated propensity, resists thee: something else is a source of grief to thee; lo. My child, here is thy persecutor. If, despite the contradiction of men and their oppo- sition, despite their sayings and annoyances, thou keep- est bravely and generously the precepts of religion and thy rules, practising virtue, and employing thyself in piety ; — behold thy martyrdom of 'faith. ^ Thou prayest for thy persecutors ; thou lovest and helpest, in spite of natural repugnance, thy neighbours who are ill-affected toward thee; thou art zealous for their salvation, and offerest up for them thy prayers, , labours, and sufferings ; — behold thy martyrdom of I charity. - Sickness torments thee ; thy head, thy breast, thy I limbs are aching ; hard work is killing thee ; — behold the martyrdom of the body. Thou sufierest interior anguish ; thou feelest racking temptations ; or such things as divine love employs to purify altogether, and to perfect thy soul; — behold the : martyrdom of the soul and of the heart. But remember. My child, that for those who have attained to the use of reason, an unwilling martyrdom, r or one which they endure for some cause or reason, whatsoever it may be, is of no avail ; for it must be under- gone willingly, with resignation, or, at least, with patience, for the love of God. It is not enough, then, to suffer, but thou must suffer voluntarily for My love. A mar- tyrdom, not quickened by divine love, is dead and worthless. Behold, child, a manifold crown is offered to thee, — one which thousands of mortals of every state and con- CH. VIII.] IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE, ‘ 307 dition of life have eagerly sought for, one which so many youths and maidens have exultingly borne off ; and art not thou also able and willing to pursue and obtain the same? Look up to heaven ; contemplate the glory of the Saints, and their blessedness; remember that they are thy brothers and sisters ; raise thy courage, secure for thyself a crown and palm, that thou mayst be received among them. 7. The voice of the Disciple . — O most sweet Jesus, Thou who art the Chief and Crown of Martyrs, the Comforter of mortals ! I frequently experience that men are opposed to me, and I feel it deeply. If, however, I be sincere, I am forced to confess, that I have no cause of complaint; for I, the meanest and most ungrateful of men, have followed Judas and his throng against Thee, my Lord and God. Hence, I own it, I truly deserve to be abhorred by I every creature. Hence I am every way unworthy to be loved by Thee, or to be admitted among the sainted disciples of Thy Heart. Yet, since Thou hast a Heart so kind, that Thou didst desire to admit even Judas, and didst use every endeavour to gain him, how can I distrust or fear ? On the contrary, how great a hope and confidence should I not have, that, how wretched soever I may be, Thou wilt not cast me off, when I come to Thee, but wilt mercifully receive and help me ! Kelying, therefore, upon the goodness and grace of Thy Heart, I resolve to make atonement for my past infidelity by my persevering love ; to undergo for love of Thee the martyrdom graciously offered to me ; and thus, finally, to sanctify myself to the everlasting joy and glory of Thy Heart. 308 THE HEART OF JESUS [book III. . CHAPTER IX. How^ after the example of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, we should hear to he forsaken hy persons who are ser- viceable or needful to us, 1. The voice of Jesus. — When the crowds had drawn ij near, and laid hands on Me, behold. My disciples all fled, and left Me alone in the midst of My enemies ! Such are they. My child, whom I had chosen ; whom I had trained with all the care, solicitude, and love of My Pleart ; to whom I had made known all things what- soever I had heard of My Father. These are the very same that, a little before, had all protested that, even if it were necessary to die with Me, they would not deny Me. But now, when it was the power of darkness and the time of trial, forgetful of Me, their Saviour and Father, they all fled. Reflect, child, how grievously this total dereliction on the part of My disciples wounded My Heart. Give heed also, and ponder, with what sentiments of f! Heart I bore this affliction. 2. If thou dost truly enter into these sentiments of My Heart, thou shalt be able to endure calmly and meritoriously for My sake to be forsaken by all men, ^ whoever they may be. It happens not rarely, that man is suffered to be abandoned, even in his distress, by persons very useful 1 or necessary to him, that thus he may be assimilated I more perfectly to Me, and be raised higher in sanctity. ^ This shows forth more gloriously the power of My love, which so strengthens weak man, that, though alone, he stands ever firm, even whilst the raging winds and storms of adversity are rushing upon him. This, too, is oftentimes useful, that man may wholly free himself from creatures, and renounce himself completely. For when, on the one hand, he sees himself forsaken li by men, he easily withdraws his heart from them to give ^ IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 309 I CH. IX.] it to Me, who abandon no one ; and when, on the other hand, he perceives that he is unequal to the troubles which assail him, he comes, as it were of his own accord, to Me, and throws himself, and all he has, into My pa- ternal bosom. It is, indeed, heroic, and worthy of the divine ap- proval, that a person abandoned by all, be equally satisfied with this dereliction, love the more purely those who forsake him, endure willingly, for My love, the loss of ' men’s affections, and repose, amidst all accidents, in Me alone. This, surely, is the mark of a humble heart, ' which gives itself wholly to My love. 3. When one possesses the affections of another, although he may have a good enough object in view, he frequently allows much to creep in which is ill-regulated, or at least merely human. But I — who am a zealous lover of the heart, who do not wish that man’s heart should be busied except with Me or for Me — am wont so to arrange matters, that he is sometimes forsaken or discarded by mortals, even by those who it seems ought to have shared with him his weal or woe till death. I A person must contend much and long with himself, that he may order perfectly the desire of being loved by others. I The voice of the Disciple. — But, O Lord, is it evil, without a bad intention, to desire, or even seek, to be loved by others ? The voice of Jesus . — My child, it is one thing to wish or seek this for thyself, and another to desire or to seek it for My sake. If thou seekest another’s affections in order to delight j or repose thyself therein ; if thou desirest them on account of personal comeliness, to indulge thy own inclination ; finally, if, in any manner, thou so wishes! for them as, either directly or indirectly, to finish with self — some I gratification of nature; — thou wouldst then fain be loved I for thy own sake. i 310 THE HEART OF JESUS [book III. If, on the contrary, thou desirest or strivest to gain the love of others in order to devote thyself to My in- terests, to secure their everlasting salvation, or to pro- mote the perfection of souls — to extend the kingdom of My love, to win hearts for Me — behold, thou seekest to be loved for My sake ! Now, My child, if, in a direct or indirect manner, thou aspirest to be loved for thyself, this — although it be done with no evil intention — is inordinate ; since not thou, but I Myself, am thy end; therefore, it is imper- fect; and, what is more to be dreaded, it is wont not only to lead to sin, but also to entangle men therein. But if thou desirest to be loved for My sake, thy love is well ordered ; it is pure, it is love for Me ; it is a love with which the Saints have loved, and sought to be loved; by means of which they have accomplished much good, and which thou, My child, shouldst employ in like manner. 4. There is hardly any thing in the world to which the human heart cleaves more feelingly than to friend- ship, which, full of change as it is, is wont to be either very advantageous or very prejudicial. A precious possession, hard to find, more difficult to keep, is genuine, pure friendship, whereby one loves another sincerely for love of Me; whereby one seeks the true good of another as his own; whereby, without flattery, without human respect, one takes care to cor- rect the faults of the other, to cheer him on and assist him to acquire virtue and sanctity; whereby one is faithful to the other in adversity and prosperity, in death — ^yea, after death — as well as during life. My child, if thou lovest any one, and so lovest him that thou growest uneasy in consequence ; that thou art moved rather frequently to occupy thy mind or heart with him, at proper and improper times; that thou de- sirest to hold long or frequent conversations with him; that thou givest heed to his outward accomplishments, and entertainest or directest thy affections by them ; that CH. IX.] IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 311 thou makest bold to express thy admiration for him, or to flatter him in his presence ; that thou callest his defects by an honourable name, or excusest them ; that thou takest ill that others be loved by him; that thou seemest in some sort inconsolable, or too unhappy, when thou must altogether part with him; — then thy love, thy friendship, is not genuine nor pure, even if thou do not observe it, even if thou do not suspect it. But if, on the contrary, thou experiencest none of these things, thou hast a good sign in favour of thy love and friend- ship. « My child, if thou hast a true and sincere friend — a rare treasure — deport thyself in a becoming manner in his regard, and so deal with him, that whether he remain faithful or prove faithless, thou never regret to have so acted. But, although friendship, founded upon love for Me, is of itself good, thou shouldst, however, keep thy heart so free, that if I so dispose things, thou art willing to possess Me alone, instead of all others, as the friend who suflBces for thee. Thy heart shall never be altogether quiet, nor pre- pared fcr an intimate union with Me — whatsoever else thou mayst do — unless, soaring beyond every natural affection, it love with My love alone, and repose in the sole love of Me. Wherefore, my child, centre thy affections on Me; bind thy heart to Mine, that it may neither fall nor shake, if men withdraw themselves. 5. What are men except pliant and frail reeds, whereon thou canst not lean securely, if thou wouldst avoid the risk of tumbling or falling ? Even should mortals not depart from thee, thou thy- self must in a short time depart from them, since death separates each and all. When thou art forsaken by men, thou shalt nowhere find a surer or greater solace than near Me, who was, for love of thee, treated in like manner. 312 THE HEART OF JESUS [book hi. Be not exasperated, My child, nor do thou complain, as if thou didst not deserve to be so dealt with, at least by this or by that one. Ah, My child ! if thou art not willing to suffer, except from some one who pleases thee, what principle of virtue dost thou possess ? And if thou art willing to suffer only what thou hast deserved, what is there great in that? or what therein is worthy of a disciple of My Heart? 6. If any do, in some manner or other, fall away from thee, show to them by thy friendly disposition, thy mildness, and thy honourable treatment of them, what pure charity is able to do, which, overlooking all repug- nances of natural feeling, devotes itself rather to their good than to thy own inclination, even after they have rendered themselves unworthy. True, My child, it is difficult so to go against nature; but a humble disciple of My Heart, one who is ani- mated by love for Me, does not regard the opposition of nature, but the object of his love; and whilst an- other, in his coldness and lukewarmness, remains hesi- tating, he, in his fervour, has already surmounted the difficulty. Inflame thy heart with the fire of love, wherewith My Heart is burning ; glow thou with that fire ; love thou with that love; if thou do this, behold, all difficulties will flee before thee and disappear. 7. The voice of the Disciple , — Blessed is he who, en- kindled and enraptured with love for Thee, follows Thee, 0 Jesus, love of love, divine charm of the heart ! He runs cheerfully through every hardship ; and soon, rising above every thing of man and self, with heart dilated^ on the expanded wings of divine love, is borne aloft with Thee, — securely united to Thee. O most sweet and bountiful J esus ! grant me, I beg and entreat Thee; this love so fervent, so efficacious, whereby I may love Thee for Thyself, and naught beside, save for Thyself ; whereby I may endure it IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 318 CH. X.] with ease, if Thou sufFerest me to be forsaken by men. Be Thou only for ever with mfe; Thou alone wilt be enough. Should all, abandoning me, betake themselves to flight, my heart shall not be troubled, if Thou art with me. This alone do I crave, and will not cease to ask, that they who shun and forsake me may not shun nor aban- don Thee ; but, on the contrary, may cling to Thee more closely, may love Thee more perfectly. CHAPTER X. How we may imitate the most Sacred Heart of Jesus made I a prisoner, ^ 1. The voice of Jesus, — My child, the soldiers and the attendants of the Jews, rising from the ground, rushed upon Me, and, having seized Me, they bound Me. Behold the Lamb of God in the hands of the execu- tioners, bound for the sacrifice ; bound, because He willed it ;■ and He willed it because He loved. For the chains of love pressed My Heart more tightly than the fetters of My enemies bound My hands. And unless My Heart, led captive by love, had i‘ hindered it. My almighty hands could have destroyed My enemies, and broken their chains. But love endures all things ; no humiliation does it |! think too great, no suffering does it consider excessive ; whatsoever it wills, it seizes and holds, and remains itself ever free. Oh, if thou knewest. My child, how great a blessed- ness it is to be the captive of divine love, assuredly thou wouldst not, wert thou able, even for a moment desire to be thy own master ; but thou wouldst willingly de- liver up body and soul, thyself, and all thoii hast, that by it thou mightst be bound and held ! 314 THE HEART OF JESUS [book hi. 2. He that lives under divine love, thinks neither persecutions, nor chains, nor imprisonment, nor death itself, suffered for My sake, any thing doleful or unfortu- nate ; but he rather deems it a great gain, an object worthy of a holy ambition, to suffer all this for love of Me. Why, thinkest thou, does it happen that some, when, to keep the faith, they must suffer chains or in- conveniences, do not remain in the truth, but go after the inventions of men, and fall into the judgment of condemnation ? Is it not because they are not im- pelled by pure love for Me, so as to be willing to lose their life in this world that they may save it in the next ? Hence, as they are unwilling to be My fellow- captives, they become the prisoners of the devil ; and as they desire to save their life in time, they lose it in eternity. My child, if ever it be thy lot to undergo chains or imprisonment for virtue, do not fear them that may kill the body, but can do naught beyond ; but rather fear Him who can destroy body and soul for ever. 3. It is a grace, a happiness, to undergo afflictions for My sake, if thou sufferest them unmeritedly. Whilst partaking of My sufferings, it behoves thee to rejoice as exulting in the revelation of My glory. Let none suffer as a wrong-doer, a scoffer, or a cri- minal ; but if as My disciple, let him not be ashamed; let him glorify Me in that name by enduring courage- ously and perseveringly, piously and humbly manifest- ing his joy, for that he is reckoned among them who were deemed worthy to suffer for My sake, and thus to become Saints. Some of whom were racked ; some underwent mock- eries and strifes, beside chains and prisons ; others were stoned ; others were tortured and cut asunder ; others, again, perished by the sword ; others, finally, wandered about in sheep-skins and disguised in other garments, in CH. X.] IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 315 want, distressed, afflicted ; wandering over mountains, in dens, and in caves of the earth. But to them, of whom the world was not worthy, because they persevered and overcame with Me by suf- fering, 1 gave to sit with Me on a throne; as also I, by suffering, persevered and overcame, and am seated on a throne with My Father. How blessed art thou. My child, if for My sake thou becomest a partner in affliction with these ! because what- ever there is of everlasting glory and honour, whatever there is of true virtue and holiness, — whatever, finally, there is of the Spirit of My Heart, — rests upon thee. 4. But not to every one is given an opportunity of suffering chains and tortures for virtue. All they, how- ever, who strive after a perfect imitation of My Heart, can and must, in some sort, become captives for the sake of virtue. For who is there that cannot bring the senses of his body into captivity, not merely that they may do no evil nor yield to vanity, but that they may be held within restraint, and exercised in the practice of virtue ? Few, however, preserve their senses within the limits of reason ; and fewer still mortify them according to the principles of faith. My child, how art thou wont to deal with the senses of thy body ? Dost thou not suffer them to be too free ? Consider what, in regard to them, is desired for perfec- tion. 5. As to the powers of the soul, canst thou not also in some manner bring them into captivity ? Thy roam- ing imagination, so tenacious of the past, and so inquisi- tive as to the future, thou wilt force by degrees to be sufficiently subject to thee, if thou recallest her forth- with when she makes her escape ; if at home thou entertainest her constantly with things useful ; if thou repressest assiduously her sudden impulses and triflings until she be accustomed to remain quiet. Keep thy mind wholly subject, as is proper, in obe- 316 THE HEART OF JESUS [book hi. dience to faith ; lest, perchance, becoming a searcher of Majesty, thou be overwhelmed by glory, or, a fugitive from truth, thou become a slave of error. Nay, more, subdue thy opinions, and, unless some other virtue forbid it, subject the same for charity’s sake to the judgment of others. By so doing thou shalt gain the more, the more truth-like thy own opinion appears, and the more difficult it is, consequently, to subdue the same. To be inwardly and outwardly unguarded and dis- sipated proceeds from the defect of a heart which is a slave either to its enemies, to its passions, or even to itself. Thy chief care, therefore, should be to keep thy heart free from the servitude of all things inferior. For only then wilt thou be able to devote it in its vigour, with all its affections, to pure, supernal charity, and to become My fellow-captive in the chains of divine love. 6. Marvellous is charity in its workings. If thou servest charity, behold, all things shall be turned for thee into blessings. Love Me, child, thy God and Saviour ; by loving thou wilt learn to love Me more perfectly ; love is better learnt and perfected by loving than by speculating. If thy heart is wholly submissive to My love, thou wilt easily and carefully guard against that false freedom of thinking, of speaking, of acting according as thou feelest inclined. This mad license, not true freedom, what else is it except a cloak of the passions, the bane of virtue, the reign of vice, the misfortune of families, the ruin of cloisters, the plague of society ? And the more widely this evil daily spreads among worldlings, the more plausibly it creeps in among the godly, the more cunningly it enters even among religious, with the more care oughtst thou to put thyself on thy guard, lest it also infect thy heart ; and lest, under the appearance of good, it draw the same away from the ser- CH. X.] IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 317 vitude of humble love to the freedom of the flesh, which leads to the slavery of hell. Thou canst not be thy own master, how much so- ever thou mayst desire and strive to be so. Thou art bound to love, and, therefore, to devote thyself to some object, even in spite of thyself But thou canst not give thyself up to any thing created without the most grievous injustice and the basest ingratitude to Me, and without manifold evil to thyself Wherefore, child, be willingly Mine ; give thyself up to My love ; since, in order that thou mightst be Mine, I was willing to be a captive for thee. How happy shalt thou be when bound, inwardly and outwardly, by the same chains of love that unite with Me the Angels and Saints in heaven ! 7. The voice of the Disciple . — O most loving Jesus, to what extent didst Thou love me, who didst conde- scend to become a captive for me ; a captive of sorrows in the hands of Thy enemies, that Thou mightst allure and make me a captive of Thy love ! O Lord my Saviour, when I call to mind Thy chains, I utterly despise in my heart all worldly freedom, desirous of being Thy fellow-captive in chains. If the fetters of enemies are wanting to me, behold, I give myself up to the chains of love, that, all the senses of my body and the powers of my soul being seized and made subject, I may be so bound to Thee as never to be separated from Thee. Grant, I beseech Thee, Lord Jesus, that these may be no empty wishes, but efficacious resolves, which, with Thy grace, I may fulfil for the consolation of Thy Heart and the sanctification of my soul, for which Thou hast so much suffered. 318 THE HEART OF JESUS [book nil CHAPTER. XI. How, after tlw example of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus It behoves us to bear false accusations ^ ' hada'simbled" and“lhaS agait" witness But the liigh-priest, rising up, said to me • An swerest Thou nothing to the thi^s which these men bring against Thee ? wiese men wL”"4S:fe& n..n®:hi"h tim v sd?to HP d f ^ f'ather, conforming Myl them perfectly, I willed that My Heart shonlrl l * highest degrel assaulted and olerXelmed witS'nn'^^: cakmnies, that when thou thyself art falsely accuS thou mayst find some solace in My Heart, Ihich was IN HIS SUFFEPwING LIFE. 319 CH. XI.] similarly afflicted, and from Its example receive a secure guidance. And truly, there is hardly any thing more painful to the human heart than to be defamed with false accu- sations. Hence, some persons are thereby so much disturbed in their reason, that, overcome by feeling, if they could lawfully choose, they would prefer to die rather than to live so dishonoured. My child, take heed lest thou suffer thyself to be troubled or beclouded in mind ; but, with a calm heart, examine the matter better; act as a worthy disciple of My Heart. Eemernber, that neither the malice of those that de- fame thee ,by false reports, nor the error of those that believe falsehood, can make thee different from what thou art, nor take away the virtue of thy greatness of soul, which lifts itself above falsehood uttered and be- lieved. But, if thou viewest the matter in the light offfaith, thou shalt see that its sublime excellence, heavenly honour, everlasting reward, correspond to the greatness of thy humiliation. And, although thou mayst be innocent of the faults objected to thee, yet, as thou hast in many things of- fended the divine Majesty, thou shouldst willingly embrace the opportunity of satisfying for those things in time which otherwise may remain to be atoned for in eternity. Moreover, even shouldst thou prefer to cleanse thy- self of thy offences, and to enter heaven by other means, yet do thou rather receive these things offered thee by divine Providence, as both more certain and more secure. How painful soever these things may be to the feel- ings of nature, suffer them. My child ; undergo them for love of Me ; bear them with Me. And if thy heart almost fail thee for grief, come thou to My Heart, which suffered more painful things for thy 320 THE HEART OF JESUS [book III. sake; here strengthen thy heart, protesting that, in spite of nature, thou art willing, for love of Me, to be resigned. 3. I am absolutely unwilling, My child, that thou shouldst hate thy neighbour, how much soever he ma}^ wrong thee. But, although I gave a command of loving even enemies, yet I insisted on no precept of being silent or of omitting to justify thyself against false accusa- tions ; a counsel, however, I give, unless silence be sin- ful. He, therefore, who, when falsely accused, speaks with a sincere heart, and in a proper manner, in his own defence, sins not; but he that speaks not, does better. It is certainly a very great perfection, to endure in silence false accusations; to suffer that men believe about thee whatsoever they may please; to intrust thy- self wholly to Me alone, and resignedly to remain with Me. Behold, herein does grace triumph; this fills the Angels with admiration; this unites thee in fellowship with the saints; this gives glory to God in the highest; this proves thee truly a humble lover of Me, and a genuine disciple of My Heart. This is the great secret of the interior life, drawn out of My Heart, which many hear, and many even admire ; but which few relish, and fewer follow. 4. The Saints, however, appreciated this fully, and found it quite to their taste; burning with love for Me, and animated with a desire of following Me, they suf- fered, with a joyful heart, false testimonies of every kind. And when with one word they might have justified themselves and regained their good name, intrusting the care of their defence to Me, they preferred to be silent with Me, and to be considered the outcast and offscour- ing of this world, lest they might be found unlikQ to Me, and display a doubtful love. I IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 321 CH. XI.] It is most true, My child, that this is not easy, according to human feelings, — nor does reason alone furnish a sufficient incitement thereto; but feeling and reason, when elevated by faith and love, present abundant and most powerful motives and incentives. Know, child, if thou art not willing to act, except from feeling or natural reason, thou shalt not only never be perfect, but not even saved. Live by faith ; act out of love for Me. And if nature resists, because it dreads mortification or humiliation, let this itself be a new recommendation for thee to be silent, that thou mayst overcome ill-ordered nature. 5. Doubtless, the enemy of thy salvation and per- fection, who is ever roaming about seeking whom to in- snare, will draw near to thee, and suggest numerous troublesome and plausible things; but do not so much as hearken to his suggestions ; yea, turn away thy mind from him, or say to him with scorn : Begone, Satan ; for it is better to follow the divine Saviour, who goes before and shows a safe and secure way, than to leave the company of Jesus, to search out another uncertain and dangerous road. Perhaps, also, some one will ask thee : Answerest thou nothing to the things that are objected to thee by these persons? Neither do thou. My child, make any reply to this question, but imitate Me, and be in like manner silent. If they insist : Seest thou not that thy despised name, the edification of thy scandalised neighbour, the honour of insulted virtue, God’s glory itself, demand of thee that thou do justify thyself? — believe them not, child ; it is not so. If at any time circumstances appeared to require that I should speak in My own justification, it was doubtless then, when I remained silent; they did not, however, require it; for had they so required, I would have spoken. 6. Let the matter rest, therefore, My child, and in- Y 322 THE HEART OF JESUS [book Jll.l trust it wholly to Me, that, in the wisdom and goodness of My Heart, I may do that which is best for Me and for thee. Do thou, meanwhile, suffer with Me in silence and patience. I know the accuser and the accused, the I judge and him that is judged; him that humbles and him | that is humbled. I Myself will repay, at the proper time, and give to each according to his works. i That thou mayst the better persevere, frequently call ] to mind with what feeling of pain I Myself endured greater humiliations ; with how courageous a mind and j how generous a Heart I bore them for love of thee ; and ; thou wilt surely not refuse to love Me in return, who loved thee so much ; nor to undergo humiliations for the | sake of My love. i Do not fear confusion; embrace it with a noble heart; it will not lower thee, it will not harm thee; on the contrary, it will elevate thee, make thee alike to Me ; it will adorn thee with merit and sanctity; it will, replenish thee with the sweetest unction of consolation. 7. The voice of the Disciple. — O most sweet and j loving Jesus ! have pity on me and help me. For, behold, because I am still lukewarm in Thy love, and imperfect in humility, I find my heart ever ready to < grow indignant, and my mouth prepared to justify myself, whenever any thing displeasing is laid to my charge. And, what is worse, — nor can I confess it without shame, — often do I find myself inclined to seek excuses i for real faults; and, how just soever the imputations may be, I am ever moved to defend, or at least to extenuate, > the defects attributed to me. Hence it appears, O Lord my God, how great a sway ( the world still exercises over me, since I am more : anxious to be approved by men than to be assimilated to Thee; yea, and how great a perverseness is still lurk- ing within me, since I am desirous of being considered innocent, while I know myself to be guilty. IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 323 CH. XII.] Woe is me ! when at last shall I be humble? When shall I begin to love with a generous heart ? I beg and beseech Thee, Lord, spare not my pride, however hidden it be; incite me by a fervent love, that, cooperating with Thee, I may root out that curse. O Jesus, so bountiful to me ! I indeed am willing to follow Thee, and to bear with Thee, in silence and resig- nation, false judgments and insults; but for this, weak as I am, I need a powerful grace. Strengthen me, therefore, with Thy most potent grace ; that, for Thy love, I may remain with Thee, silent and patient, unto that end which Thou mayst be willing to appoint. CHAPTER XIL That the most Sacred Heart of Jesus teaches us how we ought to hear 'personal insults. 1. The voice of Jesus. — My child, when the testimony of them that accused Me did not agree, the high-priest, that he might find a plea for condemning Me, addressed Me again, saying: Art Thou the Christ, the Son of the blessed God? I adjure Thee by the living God, that Thou tell us if Thou art the Christ, the Son of God. Since all things in heaven, in earth, and under the earth, had borne evident and superabundant witness to My divinity, there was no need of answering the high- priest, who, was tempting Me; however, to manifest the reverence due to the living and blessed God, My Father ; to give testimony to the truth, even at the risk of My life; to move the hearts of these wretches, if, perhaps, they might be willing to hearken to grace, — I replied: I am. Nevertheless, I say to you: Hereafter ye shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of the Power of God, and coming in the clouds of heaven. My child, had they heeded these clear and sacredly terrific words, would they not have suddenly changed 324 THE HEART OF JESUS [bOOK III. I from judges into suppliants, and have cast themselves at My feet, imploring pardon and mercy ? ! But the unhappy high-priest, with his council, spurned both the proffered grace and the salutary warnings. For the wicked man, when he is come into \ the depth of sins, contemneth. ■ 2. Then the chief of the priests rent his garments, ' ! exclaiming: He has blasphemed. Behold, now ye have i heard the blasphemy. What think ye ? But they all cried out together, that I was guilty of death. After this iniquitous and cruel insult, at which all ^ heaven was horrified, behold, more atrocious and pain- : ful things awaited Me. For, as it was now late, the | high-priest and his associates retired to rest, and left Me | in the hands of the rabble, to be tortured during the remainder of the night. Whatsoever thou mayst do. My child, how intently ' soever thou mayst meditate, thou canst not fully under- I stand the sufferings of My Heart during that saddest of 5 nights. ^ Then they spit in My face: that face whereon the * angels long to gaze. And they that held Me vied withi each other to mock and insult Me. And, that they might act with more freedom, they .j covered My face; and, casting aside all restraint, some^ buffeted Me, others struck My face with the palms of their hands, insolently saying: Prophesy to us, O Christ, , who is he that struck Thee? Others, in fine, uttered^l many other blasphemous things, and heaped many in- dignities upon Me. Behold, then, behold the Son of God, as it were a worm and no man; the reproach of men, and the out- cast of the people! 3. Meanwhile, My child, I was like a lamb before its shearer, neither opening My mouth, nor showing any sign of revenge, of anger, or impatience. But, drowning in My Heart the intense sorrow, I dis- played, in look and gesture, an invincible meekness, in IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 325 CH. XII.] order that Mj enemies themselyes, struck with so great an example of forbearance, might be converted ; and that thou, child, being thus encouraged, mightst not refuse to imitate Me through love. For if I, the Son of the living and blessed God, en- dured, for love of Thee, such cruel and incomprehensible tortures, is it too much that, for love of Me, thou shouldst bear some insulting word, some ignominious appellation, or some reproachful action? If thou art unwilling, for My sake, to undergo similar things — little, indeed, in comparison of what I suffered for thee — canst thou believe that thou hast a true love for Me, a love worthy either of Myself or of a disciple of My Heart? Ask the Saints. Even the least among them will answer thee by deeds glorious both to themselves and to Me. Assuredly those generous hearts would have been ashamed, and would have deemed their love either of no account or false, and thought themselves undeserv- ing of the special affection of My Heart, had they not lovingly undergone the humiliations piesented to them by Me. Do not say, that thou art unable to endure such hu- miliations, because thou art not a Saint. For thou art able, if thou wilt, with the aid of My grace, which shall not be wanting. If, then, thou dost not undergo them, thou provest by the fact, not, indeed, that thou art un- able, but that thou art not really willing. If thou art not a Saint, act in concert with grace, and willingly suffer humiliations, and, behold, thou wilt become a Saint ! 4. My child, whether thou art willing or not, so long as thou livest among mortals, thou canst not be safe from every kind of humiliations ; therefore, thou shouldst have thy heart ever in readiness, that, whensoever any do come upon thee, thou mayst forthwith have recourse to Me and implore My help. Yea, it will happen, and even for thy good. My child, that men do not only oppose or overlook thee, but 326 THE HEART OF JESUS [book III. I even that,'' before thy face, they provoke or insult thee. | Then, if thou do not come speedily to Me by means of \ prayer, thou shalt find thyself exposed to great trouble J and danger. / They that are still beginners in the interior life, and ! little advanced in mortification of heart, are disturbed j j by violent affronts; because unsubdued nature, when ' an opportunity presents itself, rebels, and excites a great \ | dread of humiliation, and a lively feeling of worldly ] honour. i Yet all worldly honour is mere emptiness ; for it rests j not upon truth, but depends on the voluble tongues of men, who flatter or speak evil at pleasure. But to endure, by virtue, the humiliation of an affront, is true glory ; because it renders man similar to Me, and deserves an imperishable diadem. 5. The best defence of honour is an heroic generosity | of heart. And, with men, is not meekness or clemency of more avail to protect or regain a good reputation than anger or revenge? The latter betrays a little mind, and openly displays a heart enslaved to the passions ; the former proves a great soul, a noble heart, and claims perforce the silent admiration of enemies in spite of themselves. Hence, even a pagan said: ‘‘ To conquer one’s soul, not only to raise an opponent, but even to load | him with favours, . . . whoso does this, him I do not compare to the greatest men, but I judge him most like to God.” Upon these things, however, My child, I will that thou shouldst look as secondary only, and that thou shouldst ascend higher — to supernatural motives — lest thou reap no fruit for eternity from thy arduous efforts and painful sufferings. There are many persons to wjiom worldly vanity is more palatable than My example ; and who prefer to be slaves of their passions, rather than to be assimilated to Me. CH. xn.] IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 327 Yea, to such a degree do some allow themselves to be carried away by their passions, that, when calumni- ated, they rather inflict death on their own soul, and expose themselves to the torments of hell, than let the offender go unpunished, or generously to pardon the injury of a moment. Woe to men, endowed with divine faith, who live worse than the heathen, guided by reason alone ! Unhappy men ! They shall see at last how foolishly, how wickedly, they are acting, who, when an opportunity is given them of appeasing God, of expiating their sins, of gaining merits, instead of so doing, provoke God to wrath, heap up sins, and aggravate the torments they shall have to undergo. 6. The more courageous any one is to conquer him- self, and the more numerous and difficult the victories he gains, the stronger shall he become against himself, and the more easy and fruitful shall he render future victories. Wherefore, My child, cheer up thy courage; over- come thyself, that thou mayst ascend to Me, that thou may St follow Me. By this do thou judge thy virtue, the sincerity of thy love for Me ; by this do thou distinguish whether thou art a true disciple of My Heart. Mark this well: if, in order to follow the divine will, thou dost not go counter to the repugnance of nature — even shouldst thou work miracles, shouldst thou daily soar off into ecstasy — know that all thy piety is nothing more than simple delusion. Be generous and follow Me, thy Leader and Pro- tector and Comforter ; care not for what men may do to thee, or what may be the feeling of rebellious nature. If thy conscience reproach thee not, when with a meek and lowly heart thou endurest wrongs done to thee, have thou confidence. My child, for thou hast a sign of My grace present and abiding in thee. For a representa- 328 THE HEART OF JESUS C [book III. I tion of fire burns not, neither does a mere simulation of { love thus suffer. I 7. The voice of tlie Disciple, — O Jesus, God of supreme Majesty! truly incomprehensible is the excess of Thy humiliations ; incomprehensible the excess of Thy love. Every knee bends before Thee in heaven, in earth, and in hell ; and, behold, Thou art overwhelmed by ‘ the insults of fiend-like men ; thou art loaded with re- ! vilings ! \ 0 Jesus, truly meek and humble of Heart ! for, like j a lamb in the midst of wolves, cruelly torn to pieces, Thou desirest, by a miracle of meekness, to move, con- ■ vert, save even them 1 — woe is my heart, if, after such .i things, it refuses to humble itself, or desires to avenge , any wrong whatsoever. For if it is unwilling to yield to so great an example, and to so great a love of its God — so humbled for its sake — what can it expect, if not the rigour of justice ? 1 entreat Thee, Lord God, righteous Judge and Retri- , butor, enter Thou not into judgment with me, but com- passionately forgive me whatsoever I have done wrong through anger or revenge. Behold, now, in Thy presence, most sweet Jesus, I lay aside and offer up for ever, in spite of the feelings of i nature, every desire of wrathful retribution, of vengeance, - i of every thing contrary to charity. By whatsoever is dear to Thee, I beg of Thee, O ‘ Lord, favourably accept this sacrifice, which I unite with the sufferings of Thy Heart, and thus ofifer to Thee ; I implore Thee, do Thou unite and bind to- gether for ever, by the one bond of Thy divine love, all those that injure me. CH. XIII.] IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 329 CHAPTER XIIL How it behoves us to imitate the most Sacred Heart of Jesus y so far as to he willing to he considered as fools with Him and for His sake, 1. The voice of Jesus, — When it Avas morning, My child, behold, all the chiefs of the priests and the an- cients of the people returned to the council; and soon the whole multitude, dragging Me in chcxins through the streets, led Me to Pilate, a heathen, the governor of Judea. They standing outside, with loud cries called out the governor, and began to accuse Me falsely of many and various crimes. But Pilate, hearing that I Avas of the jurisdiction of Herod, King of Galilee, sent Me to him. Herod, another heathen, was rejoiced at the sight of Me ; for he had heard much concerning Me, and hoped to see some miracle performed to gratify his curiosity. But to this carnal man, who understood not the things of God — although he himself put many questions, and the Jews were accusing Me unceasingly — I answered nothing; yet, in My silence, I displayed so eloquent a modesty and holiness, that he might receive a silent and befitting admonition, and that My example might move him to conversion. But this earthly-minded person, abusing all these graces, and not understanding why I did not defend Myself, why I did not seek to gain his favour, attributed My conduct to stupidity and foolishness. Wherefore, Herod with his army despised Me, and put on Me a Avhite garment, as if I were a madman; thus he mocked and insulted Me. Then, sending Me back, in the same garment, to Pilate, he exposed Me as a fool to the city and the world. 330 THE HEART OF JESUS [book III. 2. The voice of the Disciple . — O Lord God, that Thou shouldst be looked upon as a fool ! Spare, 0 Lord, spare the dignity of Thy divine Person. Why dost Thou not j hurl down Thy thunderbolts upon the sacrilegious j wretches, that the vileness of men may not thus profane ' the divine Majesty? ^ The voice of Jesus . — O My child ! thou knowest nei- ther My Heart nor thy own. The pride of thy own heart demanded so great a remedy. For, if thou darest to be proud after thou hast .seen the Son of God treated, for thy sake, as a madman and a fool, what wouldst thou not do without so great an " example of Mine? Would not self-love, by its subtlety, set aside every precept, and aim at the very summit of pride? Wherefore, from the greatness of the remedy, learn the grievousness of the disease ; and hence measure thou, on the one side, the abyss of thy heart’s misery, and, on the other, the depth of My Heart’s love. Deep was calling on deep ; the love of My Heart heard and willed that I should be humbled to the deep, that I might snatch thee from the abyss. Though I felt an unutterable pang in My human nature, yet, for thy sake, I underwent, with a willing mind, this depth of humiliation, in the hope of gaining at last, by so great a demonstration of love, thy whole heart, of inflaming it with the same love, and of animating it with the same sentiments. 3. An unfathomable mystery it was. My child, that God Himself should appear among men as foolish ! a i mystery which love alone did work by its excess, and I for which love alone is able to account. For My Heart, made a captive by love, was hurried onward by love, through humiliations, through igno- miny, through reproach, through the appearance of madness itself; feeling most bitterly all the while the painfulness of shame, and yet willingly embracing its s disgrace. IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 331 |oH. XIII.] If any one loves Me, he will keep My word; the disciple is not above his Master; but every one shall be perfect, if he is as his Master. Thou, therefore, My child, if thou truly lovest Me, wilt not refuse to bear with Me the name of one unsound or foolish in mind, whensoever I suifer thee to be dis- tinguished by such an appellation. It is not, indeed, lawful that, of thyself, thou shouldst give cause for any thing of the kind; but to suffer that others take occasion so to do, or to desire that, without offending God, an occasion may be given to be accounted silly or foolish, for My sake, is truly an heroic virtue and a very great perfection. 4. Be ready. My child, to appear in some manner foolish to men; for, in whatever condition thou mayst live, thou shalt be sometimes considered such, if thou art willing to be a perfect disciple of My Heart. A life interior and devout, not merely in name, but also in fact, cannot be accounted otherwise than as a kind of folly by the votaries of the world’s opinion. For how, otherwise than foolish, must it appear to them, to despise the present advantages of the world, in the hope of future blessings ; to love poverty, and keep the affections disengaged from the things of earth; to submit the will and judgment to others, even when inferior to thee in virtue and science ; to mortify un- ceasingly the senses of the body; without necessity, to seek no reparation for injury; to love enemies in sin- cerity of heart ; to love humiliations, and esteem them advantages? Come, then, My child, be comforted, and with a generous heart and willing mind endure all things with Me. For, behold, by the disposition of My providence, what thou undertakest will, sometimes, have no suc- cess, and this will be attributed to thy unfitness ; others, however, will meet with success in the same un- 332 THE HEART OF JESUS [book III. dertaking; and the greater it be, the more unfit thou j shaft appear. When accused, reprimanded, or ridiculed, thou wilt i be silent; and thou wilt be looked upon as stupid by f them that know not the hidden wisdom of My Heart. J When thou disregardest opportunities of seeking thy , own advantage, in order to promote my interests, thou ^ shalt appear to many as devoid of common sense. j If intent on dying to thyself in order to live for Me ^ alone, thou shalt be censured by some as being feeble- minded through indiscretion, yea, also, through false piety. These and similar things shall befall thee, child, not ■ only from them that show themselves votaries of the world, but, sometimes, from those that make profession of a virtuous life, or even of the religious state ; and who, as they possess not My interior Spirit, love, indeed, the virtues whereby they may please themselves and others, but relish not My afflictions, my ignominy, my humilia- tions. I By them, to whom the excess of My humiliations is a stumbling-block in practice, thou shalt ofttimes be treated most harshly, and shalt be made to feel it most 5. Do not lose courage, nor be thou dejected in heart. My child, whosoever be the persons by whom thou art dealt with in this manner; on the contrary, take courage and rejoice; bear it at least Avith patience, if thou canst not yet do so with gladness. Is it not better to be considered foolish with Me, i than to be deemed wise by men alone? Verily, verily, whosoever is willing, for My sake, to be looked upon as foolish in this world, shall receive in return a hundredfold blessings in this life, and an un- fading glory in the life everlasting. These results did the Saints experience, and they found more and better things than they had under- stood or had dared to expect. Do thou, also. My child. CH. XIII.] IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. ‘ 333 make the experiment, and thou shalt meet the same reward. 6. This is the highest wisdom, which the world and its votaries neither do nor can know; but which the meek and humble disciples of My Heart understand and relish. If thou lovest this teaching of My Heart, if thou actest by its Spirit, well done, My child, well done ; be glad and rejoice, because thou art become most like to Me. The task is certainly a difficult one, but do thou lighten it by love; and to cheer thee on, call to mind the speedy end thereof, and the everlasting reward in heaven ; where, after a short time, thou shalt be with Me, and where thou shalt shine with so much the greater honour before the Angels and Saints, the heavier the weight of humiliations by which thou hast been pressed down before men. These things have I spoken, child of My Heart, that, when they shall come to pass, thou mayst have recourse to Me ; that, in Me, thou mayst possess peace and consolation ; that, with Me, thou mayst per- severe. 7. The voice of the Disciple , — I confess to Thee, O Jesus, most kind Father, who hast hidden these things from the wise and prudent of this world, and hast revealed them to the little and lowly disciples of Thy Heart! Yea, Father, for so has it seemed good in Thy sight. As much as I can, I embrace them with my heart, desirous, above all things, to know and love Thee, most sweet Jesus, — Thee treated, for love of me, as a madman. Too late, alas! — too late have I known this sublime mystery ; too late have I embraced this supernal wisdom, which taught and formed the Saints. Grant me grace, O most compassionate Jesus, that, as I desire, forgetful of me and mindful of Thee, I may 334 • THE HEART C.F JESUS’ [book III. be carried forward after Thee by love, that I may follow Thee by love, even so as to appear with Thee, if it please Thee so to allow, unfit, stupid, foolish. O J esus, infinite sweetness ! with Thee all becomes sweet ! to be like Thee is supreme felicity upon earth, and the most certain pledge of heaven. CHAPTER XIV. How^ after the examjple of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, we should he willing to he placed helow all. 1. The voice of Jesus. — Being led back to the resi- dence of the governor, I stood before him who knew that, through envy, I had been delivered up by the priests and Pharisees. As Pilate had no doubt of My innocence, he was de- sirous of freeing Me, if he could effect this without dis- pleasing the Jews. Wherefore, he bethought himself of an expedient, which showed the base weakness of his soul, and covered Me with the utmost disgrace. On the festive day the governor was accustomed to release to the people one of the prisoners, whomsoever they chose. At that time he had a notorious prisoner, who was called Barabbas. Now, Barabbas was a robber, who, for a sedition raised in the city, and for a murder, had been cast into prison. Pilate then — thinking that I, the benefactor of all, a lover of peace, the restorer of life, should be preferred to this man — said to the assembled chiefs of the priests, to the magistrates and the people : It is a custom that, at the Passover, I release one to you; which of the two, therefore, will ye that I release to you, Barabbas or Jesus? IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 335 CH. XIV.] But, at tlie instigation of the chief priests, the whole multitude exclaimed, Not this man^ but Barabbas. Consider, child, how this struck My Heart, how deeply it affected the same, how it tore It asunder. Contemplate Me standing behind Barabbas, in the sight of all ; and see how I am treated by the highest and the lowest, as the least of men. This disgraceful rejection, although it overwhelmed My Heart with a- feeling of pain, I suffered willingly ; both that I might save from the everlasting rejection of the reprobate, as far as in Me lay, the wretched Barabbas, thyself. My child, and the whole world ; and that I might leave thee an example full of con- solation. 2. Do not, then, take it amiss, but endure it patiently and resignedly with Me, if thou art placed beneath others. What wonder if thou, who art dust and nothing of thyself, sufferest thyself to be placed, for My sake, below others, when I, the Lord and God of all, allowed Myself, for thee, to be cast beneath the meanest of mortals? Since the time thou didst sin, even venially, against the divine Majesty, thou didst truly deserve to be placed, not only below men, but even below irrational beings, which have not injured or offended the divine Majesty. Wherefore, My child, when I permit Thee to be put beneath others, be satisfied there, as in a place fit for thee. And if thou deemest thyself to be placed lower than is just, do not, pray, examine too minutely the merits of others nor thy own ; but consider My example, and de- scend thou in thy heart still lower ; knowing that the nearer thou comest to Me by humiliations, the nearer also thou shalt be to Me in glory. How, indeed, couldst thou be a true disciple of My Heart, if thou desirest to be the first, where I Myself 336 THE HEART OF JESUS [book hi. was the last? Should the disciple go before the I Master? Is it not befitting in a disciple to follow his | Master? * Wherefore, follow thou Me, and be willingly the las^ with Me. Behold, how many there are in the world wh. are forced to occupy the last place ; and because they do \ it against their will, therefore they do it without comfort, without merit 1 Thou, My child, stay cheerfully with Me, and thou shalt have no cause for regret. 3. Happy thou, if, for love of Me, thou art willing, of thy own accord, to be placed behind all. For, if thou sufferest after this manner, thou wilt sanctify thyself by those things which shall doubtless befall thee. Others shall be sometimes exalted, and placed like lights upon the candlestick : thou shalt be overlooked, and put under the bushel. What others ask, they shall readily obtain, and they shall be thought to deserve it ; what thou askest shall appear unreasonable, or thou shalt be deemed undeserv- ing of the object. What others say shall be looked upon as well-suited, or even as decisive ; what thou sayest shall seem unsuit- able or absurd. Others shall complain at pleasure, and many will vmpathise with them ; thou, when suffering under ^ ains or hardships, — if, forced by necessity, thou darest to speak, — shalt be thought disturbed in thy imagina-r tion. The defects of others shall be dignified with an honourable name ; thy virtues shall be esteemed as the effects of a weak mind. Others they shall humour, but thee they shall put down ; and plead as an excuse, that thou dost not only deserve this, but that thou standest in need of it. Not a few such things. My child, whereby thou mayst be placed below others, shalt befall thee ; and, when they occur, nature will be grievously afflicted. IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 337 CH. XIV.] But strengthen thj courage, and, in spite of nature, con- tinue with Me, preferring to be the last with Me rather than the first without Me. Do not only gladly suffer that thou be placed behind 'others, but wherever thou art, and canst do so lawfully, take the lowest place for thyself ; there, My child, there thou shaft find Me, there thou shalt have Me with thee. If thou do this. He that raises the lowly will one day say to thee : Friend, go up higher. And then thou shalt have glory before the Angels and Saints. 4. If the dignity of thy state or office elevate thee above the rest, let the humility of thy heart, in a be- coming manner, place thee, for Jove of Me, below the same. Thus thou wilt be enabled to imitate Me to whom all power is given, merit much for thyself, and be more useful to others. Neither do thou imagine that this kind of conduct is in any wise hurtful to thy authority. For, although it is proper and necessary that a Superior do uphold his authority, he cannot better do this than by that humbk charity which does not merely hold the outward man in submission, but which also captivates the heart itself, keeps and fills it with love, confidence, and every good disposition. Do not reserve for thyself the greater and more showy performances, and leave to thy subjects what \ of less importance and more humble ; on the contrary, as much as possible, reserve the latter for thyself, and assign the former to thy inferiors. Thus thou wilt follow My example, gain the good will of subjects, and stimulate their courage. By so doing, thou shalt perform more and better things by means of thy subjects than thou canst do by thyself; and whilst thou art placed over others, thou shalt as their companion, yea, as their minister, be seen with Me. 5. As much as it is left to thee, choose rather to be subject than to have command ; nay, more, wheresoever z 338 THE HEART OF JESUS [book III. tliou mayst be placed, shun every word and sign which may display thy worth, talents, or other gifts and ac- complishments, none of which things should be made subjects of vanity. Do not meddle in the affairs of others, as if thou wouldst better or control them ; neither do thou show thyself ready, unless virtue demand it, to give advice as if thou wert skilful. Suffer willinyy that others excel thee in knowledge and other matters, even in outward virtues ; do thou carefully what thou canst, and for the rest rely upon the divine good pleasure, and glory with Me in thy humilia- tions. Know thou that only then thou hast attained to true holiness, when, for love of Me, thou rejoicest that in fact, or by efficacious affection, thou art with Me in the lowest place. But if as yet thou art unable to attain to this so perfectly, pray, child, and use thy endeavours ; and thou shalt come to it afterward. 6. The voice of the Disciple . — O Lord God, my Saviour, how divine is thy life ! how sublime the doc- trine of Thy Heart’s example ! Mho can understand it fully, except whomso Thou teachest inwardly by the unction of Thy Spirit ? Alas, Lord Jesus I hitherto I have been without un- derstanding j until now I have aspired to the highest place, although I beheld Thee in the lowest. Wretched me, how greatly have I erred ! I left Thee alone in Thy humiliations, and, blind and alone, I withdrew far from Thee ; 1 estranged myself far from Thy Heart. Vain and wayward, I strove to excel among men, and to make for myself some name, whilst my conscience bore witness, that on account of my sins, whereby I placed Thee, O Jesus, not only behind Barabbas, but, by an excess of malice and ungratefulness, behind the very demon, I deserved to be cast beneath the feet of I :i 1 CH. XV.] IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 339 all, and to be filled with confusion before heaven and earth. I am unworthy, Lord Jesus, to be with Thee, even in the last place. But since, in the infinite goodness of Thy Heart, Thou hast so mercifully reclaimed me, I trust Thou wilt kindly give me a place near Thee. Thou hast opened my eyes to see my error ; Thou hast moved my heart to make me love Thy company, even amidst humiliations. Grant, I beseech Thee, grant me grace, give me courage, that, for love of Thee, I may willingly persevere therein with Thee. CHAPTER XV. How^ hy voluntary mortifications, it behoves us to follow the most Sacred Heart of Jesus scourged. 1. The voice of Jesus. — Behold, my child, Pilate seeing that, contrary to what he expected, Barabbas was preferred to Me by the Jews, stood amazed ; but, be- lieving Me nevertheless innocent, he was still anxious to release Me, and at the same time to gratify the people. Seeking to serve two masters, — on the one hand to please men, on the other to satisfy his conscience, — he tried another means, full of injustice and cruelty, in order to rescue Me. For he resolved to place Me in such a condition, that men, if they still possessed human feelings, should not be able to look upon Me without being moved to commiseration. I find no cause, said he, in this Man ; I will, there- fore, chastise and release Him. And immediately he ordered Me to be seized and cruelly scourged. And, behold, forthwith the soldiers tied Me to a pillar ; and now they lacerate My Flesh with continuous stripes and countless wounds; they vie successively THE HEART OF JESUS 340 [book III. with each other to multiply the blows and increase My torments. • Lo ! blood streams on every side ; it crimsons every thing ; it besprinkles the very scourgers. These, mad with rage, exert themselves more fiercely, tear oiF the flesh with their lashes, and scatter it around ! Let us cut Him off, they shout. — let us cut Him off from the land of the living, and let His name be re- i membered no more ! At this heart-rending sight, the heavens were moved ; the Angels themselves stood astounded at the excessive love of My Heart for men. 2. Thou, My child, ponder thou attentively and compassionately these torments of Mine ; and learn how i grievous, how horrifying, are the sins of the flesh, which required such an atonement. Do not these wounds i cry aloud upon all, that, at least through pity, they should cease to gratify the desires of the flesh, and not continue to heap up new sorrows ? Learn, also, how great is the love of My Heart, ^ whereby I, the innocent, of My own accord, underwent the punishments of the guilty. Yea, child, love, the ar- dent desire of saving all, brought it about that with all [ My Heart I gave My immaculate Body to the strikers, | and willingly bore the appalling tortures of the scourging, i Learn, too, how thou oughtest to treat that body of | thine, which, conceived in sin, grown up amidst its j passions, is ever prone to evil. i See what the Saints did learn ; observe in what i manner they mortified their members, how they afflicted j their senses. ; How many among them, who never lost their first innocence, yet never ceased to wage a fierce war against ' their flesh, subdued their frail body, and, by every kind of mortification, brought it under perfect subjection ! Their hearts were like to. My Heart, and, therefore, they produced similar fruits in their body. Neither would they at all have thought themselves happy, un- IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 341 CH. XV.] less herein also they had in some way conformed them- selves to Me. 3. Wherefore, child, even if thou art just, mortify thy flesh, both that it may not rise up and destroy thee ; and, especially, that thou mayst assimilate thyself to Me, and thus sanctify thyself. Many there are, lovers of self, sensual men, altliough unwilling to be considered such, who do not relish the mortifying of the flesh, and who are ever ready with some pretence to exempt themselves from mortifica- tion. Foolish and deluded ■ souls ! Yerily, verily, unless ye do penance, ye shall all likewise perish. If any one, though he seem a Saint or an Angel, say the contrary, let him be anathema. Remember what the Spirit says : “ They that are Christ’s, have crucified their flesh, with its vices and concupiscences.” The prudence of the flesh is death ; the prudence of the spirit, life and peace and joy. Wherefore, if ye live according to the flesh, ye shall die ; but if by the spirit ye mortify the deeds of the flesh, ye shall live, and enjoy peace and joy of heart. 4. My child, rouse thyself by the spirit of love, whereby My Heart submitted to the cruel scourging, and thou shalt find mortification easy, and experience its sweet and saving effects. There is no time when, nor place where, thou canst not occasionally practise the mortification of some one of the senses. Besides, wheresoever thou art, shouldst thou not be more eager to mortify thy body for the sake of following Me and gaining heaven, than sinners are so to gratify their flesh as to renew My flagellation, and to deserve for themselves the pains of hell ? Come, then, My child, have no fear. Voluntary mortification is the way of life, of freedom, of tranquillity, of virtue, of sanctity. 342 THE HEART OF JESUS [book III. Blessed are they that walk in this way ! their happi- ness is known only to them that have tried the same. ! 5. He that does not mortify himself in things in- 1 different and lawful, will hardly mortify himself in those that are necessary and unlawful. If thou wilt learn to mortify thyself in what is great, constantly mortify thyself in what is small. Now, the curiosity of the eyes ; now, the eagerness of s hearing things new ; again, the desire of uttering what i is useless ; again, the wish of smelling what is pleasant ; then, the inclination to experience that which flatters the touch ; again, the greediness to eat or drink without a sufficient reason ; and again, the intention of doing that i whereby others may be incommoded ; — these, and simi- lar things, may be a matter of frequent, nay, in some \ manner, of continual mortification. These, My child, will be for thee faithful guardians * of innocence ; these will be aliments of divine love ; these will preserve fervour in thy heart ; these will be unceasing sacrifices offered upon the altar of the inner sanctuary, which, united to the sacrifices of My Heart, shall for ever mount up before the throne of the Most High as an odour of sweetness. These things, little, but frequently occurring every day, are useful and proper for all, — for the young and the old ; for the weak and the strong ; for those begin- ning, for those advancing, for those perfect ; nor can any one exempt himself from them without the dis- graceful mark of lukewarmness. j In these there is no risk of health for any one ; for ] these there is no need of special permission ; these are safe and wholesome for all. 6. But all cannot equally undertake great mortifica- I tions; for all have not the same need, nor the same ! bodily strength, nor, in fine, the same vocation. Wherefore, it is advisable for each one to lay open his circumstances to a spiritual director, to decide with him the measure of mortifications, not to undertake any CH. XV.] IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 343 thing extraordinary without consulting him, lest for the appearance of a good he lose a real good, or lest he ren- der himself unfit for what is better. Among mortifications, those are to be preferred which, by their nature, are thought better suited to subject the senses to the spirit and to grace, and which dispose thee better courageously to endure hardships after My example. But, before all others, those should be embraced whicli are prescribed by Me, by the Church, by Superiors. These are practised with more holiness and security than those which are undertaken by free choice; these produce more plentiful and more precious fruits, since to mortification the virtue and merit of obedience are added. My child, if thou gratefully rememberest how I was wounded for thee, how I was bruised for thy iniquities, thou wilt apply thyself, with the Apostle, to bear My marks in thy body, and so to live that My life be made manifest in thine. 7. The voice of the Disciple . — O my Jesus and my God ! Thou art truly a Man of sorrows; for, behold, I gaze upon Thee scourged, and I see that Thou hast nei- ther beauty nor comeliness, as a leper and one stricken, so that there is no sightliness in Thee ! Whence, alas ! whence art Thou reduced to this ex- tremity ? I, a vile wretch, have cruelly sinned, for which Thou, God Supreme, atonest by stripes so great and countless, by wounds so many and so cruel. Oh, what a Heart is Thine, Lord Jesus ! how great the excess of Thy love, that Thou didst endure such things for me! O most loving, O most sweet Jesus! how powerful a reason for trusting in Thee, however wretched I may be ! how strong an incitement to love Thee in return with my whole heart 1 But how monstrous, how horrible were my conduct, if, whilst I am bound to requite Thee with a grateful love for evermore, I should renew Thy torments by my sins ! 844 THE HEART OF JESUS [book III. It were better a thousand times here to die before Thee, than to become guilty of so unutterable a crime. Yea, Lord, for love of Thee, I choose rather here to expire than to sin against Thee. That I may efficaciously avoid this, grant me the grace constantly to keep my body in subjection, and on all occasions to mortify my senses. Give me, I beseech Thee, a fervent love for Thee ; and, behold, mortification will be to me the life* whereby T live for Thee, follow Thee, unceasingly worship Thee, daily offer to Thee, now a sacrifice of praise or thankful- ness, then a victim of some feeling or inclination, again a burnt-offering of my whole heart ! CHAPTEE XYI. How, from the example of the most Soared Heart of Jesus, we should learn to endure bodily ailments and pains. 1. The voice of Jesus. — My child, after the scourg- ing, whilst My whole body was dripping with blood, behold, the soldiers led Me into the forecourt of the governor’s residence, and there gathered together the whole band. And plaiting a crown of thorns, they placed the same cruelly upon My head, and a reed in My right hand. And they came one by one, and bending the knee before Me, they mocked Me; and rising, they took the reed and struck My head with the same, so that the points of the thorns, driven in ever deeper, pierced My head on every side. Now, My child. My suffering had come to an unutter- able excess ; and even to My latest sigh, as long as the crown remained, were they to go on with ever-increasing violence. Behold, I dragged Myself, My limbs broken, My IN HIS SUFFEHING LIFE. 345 CH. XVI.] joints bruised, all My senses sickly, weary, and, through the excess of pain, hardly under My control. From the sole of the foot, even to the top of My head, there was in Me no soundness, neither within nor without. 2. My child, thou wilt never more perfectly under- / stand these torments of My Passion than w^hen thou shalt suffer similar ones ; when thou feelest thy body writhing with pain, and thy soul undone by afflictions. When man is despoiled of fortune, reputation, or other external possessions, it is hard, indeed, and dis- tressing to nature ; but it is much harder and much more distressful to be tortured by the pains of bodily ailments. For in these outward things, by greatness of soul, with the aid of grace, a person can raise himself so far as either to forget or not to heed the cause and effect of his troubles j but in bodily ailments, he cannot avoid feeling that which he feels, and, whatsoever he may do, always and every where he has his aching self with him. However, if sickness is the greater pain, it procures also greater advantages for him that suffers rightly. Wherefore, child, let it be thy chief care to endure the same with a heart well-disposed, and to follow therein, as much as thou canst, the dispositions of My Heart. 3. And, first, when thou feelest any indisposition, accept it as a dispensation of the love of My Heart, and say, at least interiorly. Blessed be the Lord, because He has visited His servant ! And although thou feelest that thou dost so only with difficulty, do not neglect it; for thou wilt thereby more easily overcome reluctant nature, and gain the more merit. Next, resign thyself to the divine will in the best manner thou art able, and renew this holy resignation as frequently as possible, being assured that thou shalt de- rive thence the greatest strength and comfort. 346 THE HEART OF JESUS [book hi. Afterward, unite Thy sufferings with Mine, and this } by repeated acts, for various ends, which thy need, ad- vantage, or even thy piety may suggest. By this divine union, which overflows with the unc- tion *of grace, thy afflictions will be soothed, and will ; become for thee lighter and sweeter. Lastly, to help thee to persevere and to possess thy soul in peace, constantly withdraw, as far as possible, thy attention and even thy thoughts from the causes of thy sufferings and from the sufferings themselves ; direct thy mind to ]\Iy example and the unconquerable patience of the Saints ; and think how boundless, how sweet a reward thou shaft obtain in heaven, unless thou lose it by volun- tary impatience. 4. Meanwhile, My child, since thou needest much grace, and canst of thyself do nothing profitable, accord- ing to thy strength persist in prayer, especially in short and fervent aspirations, addressing Me in these or similar terms: Behold, Lord, he whom Thou didst love even to the death is sick. . . . Lord, grant me patience. . . . Give me resignation. . . . Grant me to be united with Thee unto the end. And if thy infirmity increases, thou wilt exhibit a conduct most worthy of a disciple of My Heart if thou dost actually offer to Me thy body, as a living victim, and accept death at the time and in the manner which may be most pleasing to Me. Know, My child, that whatsoever thou mayst do to j the contrary, thou shalt occasionally be inclined to de- jection of spirits. Eemember that this is the effect of sickly and languishing nature, whereby thou shouldst not at all be made uneasy. Only take care thou do not yield to it, or indulge it of thy own accord. For by giv- ing scope and indulgence to the same thou wouldst both increase thy sufferings and render thy heart itself ill- disposed. If at any time thy suffering and anguish should bring thee so far as to be hardly able to use the powers of thy j \ \ CH. XVI.] IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 847 soul with consciousness, remain thou quietly in My arms ; neither do thou endeavour, with violence or anxiety, to excite within thee any acts or affections, but be satisfied with remaining calmly resigned to Me. Blessed is he that in sickness adheres perseveringly to the saving will of My Father! For so long as he is united to the divine good pleasure, he reposes upon My Heart, and all is safe. My child, do not be despondent in mind, nor feel distressed on account of the greatness or the length of thy sufferings ; remember that several of the Saints dragged out a long life amidst the pains of sickness, and thereby sanctified themselves because they were resigned ; and reflect that, however great and lasting thy pain may be, it is as nothing compared to the unmeasured and ever-enduring joy whereby thy patience shall be rewarded in heaven. Call to mind that My torments and My martyrdom lasted as long as My life; and remember that I endured all this willingly for love of thee. By these things thou shalt be much assisted to bear with constancy thy afflic- tions for love of Me. 5. Show not thyself voluntarily peevish or impatient toward them that take care of thee. Thy illness will often make them appear to thee careless or neglectful. So often as it is needful or useful, thou mayst freely make known with humility and charity whatsoever thou thinkest is necessary or advantageous for thee. But, meanwhile, thou shouldst feel so disposed that, whether thy desire be granted or refused, thou do continue calm and resigned. Do thou patiently bear, as not the least portion of thy illness, whatsoever thou mayst have to endure from them that have care of thee. For under the disagreeable circumstances wherein thou art placed this may have great merit. 6. Beware, My child, lest, under pretence of infir- mity, thou indulge the flesh. Herein do many err, who 348 THE HEART OF JESUS [book III. by sickness are not only not made better, but rather worse, becoming lovers of the body and slaves of their passions. Give to the body what is due to the body ; but neither in good nor in ill health, neither in life nor in death, do thou minister food to the inordinate propensities of the flesh; which, as in health so also in sickness, are dan- gerous, and, therefore, to be mortified. Do thou, in a spirit of mortification, submit to what- ever unpleasant remedies may be prescribed. This mortification is the more precious, and a proof of purer love for Me, as it is more irksome and further removed from natural inclination. 7. Whilst thou art sick, child, do not trouble thyself with desires of attending to thy office or employment, of labouring for thyself or others, of performing works of piety ; or, in fine, of doing other good things which are incompatible with thy infirmity. Such things serve for nothing but to cause thee use- less afiSiction, to disquiet thee to no good purpose, and to displease Me. Those things I do not now require of thee. My child ; what I ask for the present is, that thou suffer with a good heart and be resigned to the divine will. Do now what I desire of thee, and leave all the rest to My providence, that knows how to order every thing rightly without thee. 8. Look to it, My child, that when sick thou be not anxious to follow thy own guidance. For it is especially at this time that, being blinded, thou wouldst blindly lead thyself into some precipice. Hearken religiously to thy superiors, and suffer thy- self to be directed by Me through them. Honour the physician for the need thou hast of him, and obey him in simplicity of heart. Do not harm thyself, through negligence or care- lessness, whilst thou art sick; but use remedies in a reasonable manner, praying God, from whom is all heal- CH. XVI.] IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 349 • ing, that, if it be for thy good, He may deign to heal thee. Having done so, how serious soever the disease may be, believe that it is something advantageous for thee, since it is the divine will. i Come, My child, be willingly a martyr to suffering ^ for My love, who, through every excess of pains, became the chief of all martyrs. Have patience, O child of My Heart; have patience ! behold, still a little while, and thy grief shall be turned into joy; and I Myself — who for love of thee was crowned with thorns — I will crown thee with honour and glory. 9. The voic'e of the Disciple , — Blessed art Thou, O Lord, who didst visit Thy servant, that in time Thou might mercifully prepare me for eternity ! 0 my God, heavenly Healer of men, behold, to Thy keeping I intrust my body and soul ! Thou knowest what is best for me ; do with me whatsoever Thou wilt, according to the goodness of Thy Heart. 1 suffer much, Lord Jesus; Thou knowest it. Assist me with Thy grace ; strengthen me with Thy love. If Thou wilt that my pain be lasting, increase Thy grace, increase my patience. Whatsoever I endure, I unite with Thy sufferings, so much more painful than mine ; and I implore Thee, that Thou direct all to Thy honour and my salvation. Grant me this great favour, which I humbly beg of Thee through Thy most benign Heart, that Thou keep me inseparably united with Thee, and thus lead me to the end of my miseries, to bliss everlasting. 350 THE HEART OF JESUS [book III. CHAPTER XVir. How^ after the example of the most Sacred Heart of • Jesus ^ we ought to accept death. 1. The voice of Jesus. — My child, Pilate led Me forth, wearing a crown of thorns and a purple garment, and, showing Me to all the people, he said, “ Behold the ' Man 1” The Jews, seeing Me, were not only not softened, but, on the contrary, thirsted more eagerly for the remainder of My Blood; and all shouted with one accord. Crucify, crucify Him! Pilate being again disappointed, and fearing even more than before, said, “ I find no cause in Him.” But they insisted the more, and threatened him. If thou ■ releasest this One,” they cried, “ thou art not a friend of > Caesar.” Seeing that he could not give freedom to Me without ^ losing the favour of the people, and probably that of Caesar, Pilate formed to himself a false conscience, and thus fell into a fatal delusion. For, washing his hands before the people, he said, I am innocent of the blood of this Just One ; look ye to it.” But they shouted, “ His blood be upon us and upon our children !” Then Pilate decided that their request should be j granted; and Me, whom he had again and again found and declared innocent, he delivered up to their will, that I might be crucified. 2. O My child, who shall tell what My Heart then felt? Behold, I had come down from heaven to console and save the world; I had struggled in heat and cold, I had endured hunger and thirst, I had spent My life by ceaseless labour and endless suffering, I had finally sacrificed every thing to make all men happy, and must I at last receive from them, as a requital, death ? — ^yea, the death of the cross ! How great a sorrow rushed upon My Heart at so . CH. XVII.] IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 351 black an ungratefulness, so horrid an iniquity of men ! How great a grief at the obdurateness of the hearts of those who, spurning felicity, devoted themselves of their own accord to destruction! How great a torment at the affliction of My most compassionate Mother and beloved disciples, from whom I saw Myself torn away, not only cruelly, but also disgracefully I Nevertheless, I embraced the sentence of death with My Heart resigned, because I regarded not the unheard- of wickedness of those that condemned Me, but considered the good pleasure of My heavenly Father. For My Father, in His infinite wisdom, wished to draw the greatest good — the redemption of the world — from the greatest crime, which men were committing by an abuse of their free will. Therefore, in spite of the feelings of My suffering j human nature, I submitted with a certain supernatural I joy to a death whereby the world was to be saved, heaven opened, the divine Majesty appeased and hon- oured, My Heart Itself loved in return, and exalted for endless eternity. Study these dispositions of My Heart, child; put on these sentiments; and, as much as thou art able, accept with the same afiections the death which thou must undergo. 3. My Heart — knowing that men naturally shrink from death, and dread it as the most terrific of all things on earth, on account of the past, the present, and the future — did not suffer them to be without an example, j whereby they might rightly be instructed and sweetly comforted. Be not, then, troubled or astonished. My child, if thou feelest a vehement horror and repugnance of nature when death is approaching, either actually or prospectively. In this there is no harm ; it is wholly natural; which, if thou wilt, may prove advantageous to thee. Only do not yield to the feelings of nature, lest, per- 352 THE HEART OF JESUS [book III. chance, they render thee ill-disposed, or hinder thee from being resigned to the divine will, to whicji all things natural and created must be submissive. Patiently endure every natural repugnance, and use ! the same as an occasion to practise great virtues and to ; gather many merits. . 4. My child, suffer ^ not thy imagination to stray, neither follow thou natural reason in order to in- ; vestigate the dispensations of divine Providence ; nor A do thou give in to thy own will, how good or holy soever it may appear, lest thou fall into a dangerous delusion. But, thy imagination being restrained, subject both . thy reason and thy will to Me; thus thou wilt merit I not a little, and, at the same time, remain tranquil and secure. If thou feelest pain or uneasiness, by reason of the objects or persons that death obliges thee to leave behind, let not thy heart be disturbed. For this anxiety could not be of any avail to them, neither to thyself, but it ! might, on the contrary, be very hurtful. When thou hast done for them what thou art obliged or able to do, intrust them all to Me, who know thy cir- cumstances, and who, according to the love of My Heart, will have a much better care of thine than thou art able to bestow. Be mindful of My example, child ; reflect how I aban- doned them that were dear to Me, and committed them to the divine good pleasure. With this do thou occupy thyself, with this be thou comforted. 5. Do not sadden thyself. My child, because thou thinkest thyself about to depart this life. For wdiat is life upon earth except a continued annoyance? What is it to abide in this world, except to remain in exile? What, in fine, is it to dwell among men, except to sojourn away from Me and My Angels? If thou lookest rightly at the matter when I call thee, better is death for thee than a life of bitterness. For IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 853 CH. XVII.] death is the end of the ills of this world, and departure thence to Me the beginning of blessings which know neither change nor termination. The voice of the Disciple. — But, O Lord Jesus, if I knew that after death I should be among the Saints with Thee, I would assuredly not be grieved, but I would rejoice indeed; yet at this I tremble, by this I am tortured, that I know not what is to be, whether I may be judged worthy of love or of hatred ; whether, consequently, a happy or an unhappy eternity awaits me. The voice of Jesus . — Why fearest thou, or why art thou in vain filled with anxiety. My child? Know thou, that a person who is sincerely willing to be saved, and to cooperate for this purpose with grace — from how wicked soever a way of life he may turn him- self — shall not be cast off by Me, who desire that all be saved. Hold this for certain, that for him who does what he is able to do, I will supply the rest. Do then peacefully what thou canst, and throw thyself upon My Heart ; here. My child, — here thou shalt never perish. Be, therefore, tranquil, and, as far as thou art able, prepare thyself for thy passage from time into eternity. 6. And first, offer thyself to Me with a submissive heart, and pray that I may accept thy death in union with Mine, as a sacrifice to atone for all thy offences, to satisfy for all thy debts, to render due worship to the divine Majesty, and to testify thy love for Me. Then, with all thy heart, forgive wholly every one of thy enemies, all thy neighbours, who have injured or offended thee in any matter whatsoever. Next, with all diligence receive the holy Sacraments, with which the Church, in her motherly solicitude, is careful to strengthen thee, that in the last struggle thou may St be enabled to obtain victory, and enter heaven in triumph. Finally, resign thyself altogether into My hands ; A A 354 THE HEART OF JESUS [book III. desirous of dying, not when or in what manner thou mayst wish, but when and in what manner I may prefer. Thou knowest neither the time nor the circumstances which are the best for thee, but I know them, and under these, if thou dost not voluntarily put a hindrance thereto, I will call thee to Me. Wherefore, resign thyself entirely to Me, by an absolute surrender of thyself into My hands, and be per- suaded that thou canst do nothing better than conform thyself wholly to the divine good pleasure, and sacrifice thyself as a holocaust of the same. If thou dost this, thou wilt be saved. 7. How happy he. My child, who thus prepares himself for death, and keeps himself in readiness ! For ‘him doubtless death is safe and blissful ; for him death brings no evil, but, on the contrary, a great and mani- fold good. For, behold, thy Father who is in heaven ; thy Mother, the Queen of Heaven ; thy companions, the holy Angels ; thy brethren, all the elect ; thy true and permanent country ; thy glory and blessedness, — all these are in the other life, and, except in the other life, thou canst not enjoy them fully. Now, My child, death is the only gate through which thou art able to pass from this life into the next. Is it not, then, a happy hour when I Myself will open for thee the door to such possessions ? Meanwhile, until the time comes when I will open for thee, act, suffer generously, endure perseveringly ; I am with thee in thy toil and, tribulation ; and unless, by a voluntary act, thou set Me aside, I will continue with thee until I introduce thee into My kingdom, into the fellowship of the Saints and Angels. 8. Tlie voice of the Disciple , — O most sweet Jesus ! how great a consolation dost Thou pour into my soul from Thy affectionate Heart ! If the unction of Thy secret communion is so delightful, what will be the very possession of Thyself in the kingdom of Thy glory ! CH. XVII.] IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 355 Yea, Lord, introduce me into Thy kingdom ; for I long to be released and to be with Thee. Draw my soul from her prison, that, from the dun- geon of this miserable life, I may pass to the freedom of the heavenly country, — from all these misfortunes to bliss never-ending. O Jesus, my God and my Father, whose child I am, lingering here in the land of the stranger, if, as I hope from Thy Heart so infinitely good, I am to enjoy Thee for evermore, why is not the little remainder of my life absorbed in eternity ? Why am I not even now with Thee, to love Thee perfectly, to sing Thy mercies for ever, to praise, to extol without end, without measure, the kindness, the love of thy heart. So long as I stay here, I am in danger of losing Thee and myself alike ; so long as I carry about this mortal body, I can neither avoid all defects nor love Thee so much as I desire. O Lord Jesus, when I consider these things, for Thy sake, my soul is weary of life. However, not as I will, but as Thou wilt ; Thy will be done as it is in heaven, so also upon earth. For love of Thee, I choose rather to incur that danger, to undergo those bitter things, ac- cording to Thy will, than by my own will to escape from them. Only do Thou remain with me, and keep me re- signed to Thee, united with Thee, during the rest of this life, unto life everlasting. O thou present life ! O all ye things visible! what are ye, when beheld from the threshold of eternity ? seen thence, ye appear what ye are, glittering and empty vapours. O eternity 1 object unutterable 1 great thoughts do I form concerning thee ; but greater in thee ; things in- finite are in thee, which eye has not beheld, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived. O everlasting abode of all that have received the life of reason ! soon I shall be in thee ; soon I shall be- 356 THE HEART OF JESUS [book III. hold thy wonders ; at any moment, when comes the Bridegroom, whom my soul loves, it may be opened to me • so soon as it is opened, behold, leaning upon the Heart of my beloved, I enter together with Him. Yea, Lord Jesus, my love for evermore ! CHAPTER XVHI. With what disposition of hearty after the example of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus ^ we ought ^ to fed affected toward the Gross. 1. The voice of Jesus. — My child, when the sentence of death had been pronounced against Me, every thing was prepared with the utmost despatch for its execution. Behold, the cross stood already waiting for Me. Bound, therefore, all covered with blood, torn with stripes and wounds, I was led to the cross. When I be- held it. My Heart, inflamed, sighed out : Hail, oh, hail, dear cross, always loved, unceasingly desired, at last prepared for Me ! O sacred cross ! through thee I will conquer, through thee I will triumph, through thee I will reign. Then, embracing the cross and pressing it fondly to My Heart, I bedewed it with My tears and My Blood ; next I placed it upon My shoulders in the sight of the world, before the gaze of heaven. Surrounded by the thousands of Jews and Gentiles, in the holy city, in the full light of midday, clad in My own garment, I marched onward carrying My own cross. Behold, My child, I go to raise the cross upon the mountain, the standard of My kingdom, against the prince of the world ; and to paint upon My standard, ‘with My own Blood, the indelible watchword of My own, ‘‘ The love of Jesus sacrificing Himself for the love CH. XVIII.] IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 357 of man,” in opposition to the watchword of worldlings, Love of the pleasures, riches, honours of the world.” By this My watchword, by this sign, thou wilt con- quer, My child ; but the enemies, erring in their watch- word and sign, shall fall. 2. Beneath the banner of the cross, men will flock together from every nation and people and tribe of the earth ; and they will be united among themselves with Me. Under this banner. My disciples will know Me as their Leader, and, animated with love for Me, they will follow Me cheerfully. Under this banner, all they who are Mine will fight, will triumph over hell, the world, themselves, and bear off the kingdom of heaven itself. Come ye, then, come ye all, and what ye shall see Me do, do ye also ; let each one take up his cross and follow Me, his eyes ever fixed upon Me, marching onward with a great courage and dilated heart, nowhere turning, neither to the right nor to the left. All ye that shall have accompanied Me shall be partakers of an assured victory, of an everlasting reward ; but the more closely any one shall have followed Me, and with the greater courage of love he shall have behaved, the more close shall he be to Me in glory, the greater shall he be in My everlasting kingdom. Let none forget the watchword ; let none desert the banner ; but let each one be prepared to conquer or to die for the watchword beneath that banner, altogether assured that if so disposed, whether he live or die, he shall be My companion, and therefore the partaker of My most certain victory. 3. I, My child, never abandoned the cross ; I clung to the cross, I persevered on the cross, I expired on the cross, conquering and triumphing. Happy the soul that, animated with My sentiments, lovingly embraces the cross, and keeps to it faithfully [ Her does the cross keep near Me ; it does not cast down, THE HEART OF JESUS 358 [book hi. but it raises up ; it does not incumber, but it leads easily to the height of sanctity, to the final triumph. Wherefore, child, thou shouldst remain with Me under the cross, live under the cross, die under the cross, if thou wilt be made like to Me, and one day triumph with Me. Listen to none, neither to flesh, nor blood, nor spirit, that advises thee to forsake the cross. Where, my child, — where canst thou be better than under the cross ? The cross is the guide to the everlast- ing kingdom ; the cross is the wisdom of the Apostles, the trophy of the Martyrs, the glory of the Confessors, the security of the Virgins, the sanctification of old age, the preservation of youth, the condemnation of worldlings, the mirror of religious, — in fine, the refuge and comfort of all the afflicted. If thou flees t from the cross, whither wilt thou go ? Behold, thou shalt fall into the camp of the enemies, where thou shalt have, not one cross, but where manifold torments will meet thee from every side, will rush upon thee, will destroy thee. There My banner — which breathes the love of My Heart, and inspires coura'ge and generosity — will not ani- * mate or console thee ; but the fetters of tyrants, under a showy name, will drag thee through thorny paths, — not to happiness, but to misfortune ; not to joys, but to pains j not to glory, but to ignominy. Here, under the cross. My child, thou art with Me, thou hast Me to lead, to guard, to crown thee ; here thou art in the midst of all the good, the brave, the generous ; here thou art in communion with the elect and the Saints who have preceded thee, and who whilst living fought, and when dying triumphed, under the cross : here, in fine, thou formest one fellowship, one army, with the Angels themselves, who, thronging to thy side, protect thee, fight along with thee, strive to extend the same kingdom. Foolishly, therefore, and fatally wouldst thou act, shouldst thou think of forsaking the cross, or imagine CH. xvm.] IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 359 that it can any where be better for thee than beneath the cross. 4. However, since the prince of the wicked world and his emissaries are thy enemies, do not wonder if they allure thee frequently by imaginary advantages, and endeavour, by showy reasons, to induce thee to desert the cross, and to pass over to them. My child, do not even cast a glance at their false advantages, nor hearken thou to their wily subtleties ; but lift thy heart and eyes to Me, who carry My banner before thee, and protest that it is thy determined will to follow Me to every fortune, even to death itself. Hence it will come to pass that the assaults and Aviles of thy foes will awaken in thy heart a greater abhor- rence of them, and a more firm adherence to Me. 5. But it is not enough for thee. My child, not to flee from the cross ; thou must embrace, thou must carry the cross. Give heed to this, mark this carefully ; do not all the faults which thou committest arise from this — that thou refusest or hesitatest to embrace and carry the cross which is offered to thee ? When thou woundest charity, what else is the true cause thereof, except that thou declinest to undergo the present cross — some humiliation, the sacrifice of thy own opinion or natural inclination ? Why dost thou offend against holy poverty ? is it not because thou takest not the cross to thyself ; because thou art unwilling to subject thyself to the trouble of asking leave, or to expose thyself to a refusal ? Why dost thou trespass against modesty ? is it not because thou neglectest mortification ; because thou dost not embrace this cross ? Why failest thou in obedience ? is it not because thou lovest not the cross; because thou dost not make the entire sacrifice of thy will and judgment? Yea, My child, against what virtue soever thou sin- nest or offendest, if thou lookest well into it, thou wilt find . THE HEART OF JESUS 360 [book m. this to be tlie cause, — that thou dost not take upon thee nor embrace the cross with a willing heart. Nevertheless, a cross of this kind is small and light ; if thou dost n’ot receive lovingly such a one, how wilt thou take up one which is greater and heavier ? Look, My child, lest, falling into delusion, thou be- come worse ; like those who fancy for themselves some great cross, and resolve to carry it at some future time, and, meanwhile, studiously shun every present cross, although less burdensome ; and, when placed between the cross and guilt, are wont to embrace the latter rather than the former. 6. What fearest thou ? why dreadest thou the cross ? Cheer up, My child ; receive the cross : it will receive thee, and reward thee in a wonderful and manifold way ; for, behold, it will preserve thee from uneasiness, from trouble of conscience, from anguish of heart, by which others, who prefer guilt to the cross, are wont to be tormented ; it will guard for thee peace, it will adorn thee with virtues, — in fine, it will console thee by its unction. Courage, then. My child; even if thou experiencest difficulty, do not flag in spirit. Behold, I, the guiltless Son of God, carry before thee, for love of thee, the heaviest cross ; do not disdain, for love of Me, to carry the cross after Me. Love, which rendered My bitter cross sweet for Me, will also render thine sweet. Pray frequently, that thou mayst deserve to love the cross, together with sanctifying grace, above all the good things of this life ; the cross, — a folly indeed to them that perish, but divine wisdom to them that are saved ; a torment to the enemies, but a consoling pledge of ever- lasting bliss to the disciples of My Heart. Well, then. My child, come and follow Me ; thither leads the way which I will show thee ; if thou abidest with Me, I will appoint unto thee, as My Father has also appointed unto Me, a kingdom. 7. The voice of the Disciple, — As the Lord liveth, as the Lord My King liveth, in whatsoever place Thou IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 361 CH. XIX.] majst be, O Lord, whether in death or in life, there will Thj servant be. Gazing upon Thy standard, and encouraged by its motto, I will follow Thee, my Leader, through all ; if any hardship present itself, mindful of Thy watchword, I will repeat : For the love of Jesus, who has sacrificed Himself for love of me, I will overcome this difficulty : despite the feelings of nature, I will remain under His banner. If armies in camp should stand together against me, my heart shall not fear; if a battle should rise against me, in Thee will I hope. Come, ye companions; behold, Jesus will be King over us ; He will march out before us. He will fight our battles. Let us go out, bearing His reproach ; let us hasten to the contest placed before us, looking on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith ; who, having joy set before Him, endured the cross. ’ I Let us go and die with Him ; if we die together with Him, with Him we shall also live ; if we endure with Him, with Him we shall also reign. CHAPTER XIX. That Jesus crucified, hy 'praying for His executioners, manifests the infinite goodness of His Heart toward sinners; and that, hy grievous sin, these crucify Him anew, 1. The voice of Jesus. — My child, behold, at last we have come to Golgotha, to Mount Calvary. They lay down the cross forthwith, they push forward and hurry on every thing. And when they were now ready, raising a shout, they cruelly fastened Me to the cross, driving in the nails with violent and repeated strokes, which the valley below THE HEART OF JESUS 362 [book hi. reechoed to the skj, each one of which pierced the Heart of My Mother, there present. Thus, child, did they pierce My hands and My feet ; they counted all My bones, which, by the stretching of My body, could be seen distinctly. Then couldst thou behold the cross ruthlessly raised, and Myself hanging between heaven and earth ; whilst the Blood flowed from every wound, washing the earth, and crying to heaven for the salvation of man. And, to increase My torments, they raised on the gallows two thieves, one at My right and one at My left, so that I Avas hanging between them. But, behold, so soon as I was elevated on the cross, darkness overspread the whole earth. The sun and the moon together in mourning hid their light, and wrapped the world in doleful grief. The people stood looking on. They that passed by, shaking their heads, blasphemed Me. But they that stood around mocked Me ; in like manner also the chiefs of the priests, with the Scribes and elders, insulted Me by derisive gestures. The soldiers, too, jeered at Me, and, adding insults, they offered Me vinegar. All, in fine, sated Me with reproaches. And, amidst all this, what was I doing, child ? what My Heart ? Father, I exclaimed, unfolding My Heart, — Father, forgive them ; they know not what they do ; they know not how enormous is the crime which they are com- mitting. 2. The Angels wept at this spectacle ; all nature recoiled with horror, amazed at so great a Avickedness of men, awe-struck at the marvellous goodness of My Heart. Thou alone, wicked sinner, remainest unmoved whilst the universe trembles ; thou, whilst heaA^en and earth are terror-stricken, renewest the tortures of My Passion. Behold, by sinning again, thou givest a new cause for My death ; thou perpetratest afresh that for which I was nailed to the cross, that for which I died. Nay, more, since, by My grace, and by thy own CH. XIX.] IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 363 experience, thou knowest Me better, and art bound to requite Me with greater gratitude and a more tender love, if thou dost again deliver Me up by sin, thou hast a greater sin than they that crucified Me ; thou super- add est to the painfulness of My wounds ; thou piercest My Heart, not when It is dead, but whilst It is living ; by thy cruelty, as far as in thee lies, thou slay est Me, the Author of life, the Judge of thy everlasting destiny. 3. O most wretched of men ! does naught of all this move thy heart? More wicked than Judas the betrayer, thou sayest to thy vile passions : What will ye give to me, and I will deliver Him to you ? And, placed between the passions which allure thee, and Myself who forbid thee, thou exclaimest: Not this One, but Barabbas ! And when thy conscience cries out against thee. What, then, shall I do with Jesus ? thou shoutest, by thy actions. Let Him be crucified ! let Him be crucified ! And — oh, fearful crime ! — wishing to gratify thy desires, with Pilate thou givest Me up to be scoffed at, to be scourged, to be crucified ! Is this, O man, — is this the return thou makest to Me, who created thee, who redeemed thee, who preserved thee ? Have all My favours, so great and so numerous, come to this, that for all these things thou makest again a mockery of Me, and nailest Me to the cross? 4. Oh, if thou didst realise how frightful an evil thou art committing when thou sinnest in this manner, how couldst thou venture to do it ? how canst thou have the hardihood ? Dost thou desire to know how great an evil grievous sin is ? Consider how, in order to atone for it, I, the only Son of God, did give, — not the world, not heaven, not mankind, not the Angels, — but My own Self, the Lord of heaven and earth, of men and Angels, so as to pour out My Blood, and lay down My very life, amid tor- ments surpassing all understanding. Dost thou wish to know it still more clearly ? Reflect, 364 THE HEART OF JESUS [book III. with a living faith, how sin renders all the torments of My Passion useless, and renews the same, in a most cruel manner, for thy greater condemnation. Assuredly, the malice of sin is nowhere seen more evidently than in My Passion ; neither could the enormity of sin have ever been known so clearly, if I had not died for it upon the cross. Weep, then, sinner, — weep for thyself, and over thy future lot ; for if in the green wood, if in Me, the sins of others do produce such an effect, — what will thy own sins, so great and so numerous, do in the dry wood, in thee ? If the Angels, when they yielded to pride, were not spared, but were dealt with according to justice, how much greater punishments, thinkest thou, does that man deserve who tramples upon the Son of God, even after He has crucified Him? Be not deceived, be not over-confident, because thou art not punished on the spot ; for now I endure : in time I give way to mercy, because for the exercise of justice I have an eternity. If thou so wilt, thou canst fill up the measure of the sins which are tolerated in thee. I will not take away thy free will. I desire from men no service extorted by necessity. Behold, from the treasury of My Heart I have poured out upon thee abundant grace; if thou wilt cooperate efficaciously, I will give thee an incomparable reward ; if, on the contrary, thou wilt not, look thou to it ; thou shalt bear the consequences. But lo I I am still thy Saviour, still thy Father, ready to receive thee in My arms ; but afterwards thou shalt find Me a just Judge and Ketributor. Have pity on thy soul, while it is yet time ; and do not render thyself for ever unhappy, by misusing that Passion whereby thou canst secure for thyself ever- lasting bliss. 5. Come, oh, come to the cross ; here the kindness of thy Saviour is made manifest; here the greatness of My IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 365 CH. XIX.] fatherly alFection shines forth ; here My Wounds do not only move to sorrow and penitence, but, likewise, offer both pardon and grace ; here the voice of My Blood, with a loud cry, makes intercession for thee ; here, finally. My Heart burns with desire for thy eternal salvation. Contemplate, gaze upon Me, the Son of God, nailed to the cross, and dying for sin ; and thou wilt detest the same with thy whole heart, and turn thee again to serve Me with fervour ; even as the crowd of those that were present on Calvary, and beheld this spectacle, returned striking their breasts. If thou art tempted to sin again, fly to the cross ; and, looking upon Me hanging thereon, say to thyself: Behold, the Son of God dies upon a cross to save me ; shall I crucify Him anew, in order to damn myself? Should I do this, can there be in hell punishments enough to punish, according to its deserts, so great an iniquity? In every contest with the devil, thou canst contend with him in no more advantageous place than beneath the cross ; for here was he despoiled of his sway and strength : here thou shalt easily triumph over him. 6. And thou. My child, didst thou understand what I say ? Didst thou fully comprehend what horrible things the sinner does against Me, when he sins grievously? Canst thou behold unmoved all this ? art thou not willing to use thy every effort to hinder such things ? See how important a matter it is to prevent sin, since, by so doing, thou hinderest Me from being again over- whelmed with reproaches, from being again torn to pieces by scourges, from being again crucified, at least in desire, by the sinner. Wherefore, should st thou prevent only one sin, thou wouldst do something greater and better than if thou shouldst preserve thy country from destruction. Canst thou love Me, and not care to turn away so great an evil from me ? If love do not inflame thee, let com- passion at least move thee to take care that 1 be not again subjected to insults so great and manifold. 366 THE HEART OF JESUS [book III. Thou makest profession of being a disciple of My Heart ; of thee, therefore, I ask, of thee I desire with My innermost Heart, that, by thyself and by others, whom- soever thou canst induce thereto, thou strive, as much as thou canst, always and every where to^prevent sin, and to make amends to Me by the fidelity of thy love for the cruel ungratefulness of sinners. 7. The voice of the Disciple, — But I also. Lord Jesus, am a sinful person. I am not worthy, I confess it to Thee, to be called a disciple of Thy Heart. For I have heaped countless insults upon Thee ; I, too, have sated Thy Heart with the most bitter sorrows ; yea, did I not — oh, be merciful to me a sinner ! — did I not oftentimes crucify Thee ? Eternal thanks to Thee for that infinite goodness of Thy Heart, whereby Thou hast borne with me so patiently, and hast converted me so mercifully. O most benign and sweet Jesus 1 I humbly implore Thee, grant me grace to make amends for the great wrongs I have done Thee, and to love Thee, during the remainder of my life, with the more fervour and tender- ness, the kinder and sweeter Thou hast been to me. CHAPTER XX. That Jesus, hy forgiving from His Heart the thief and hy promising paradise to him, teaches us how we should endure anxiety concerning our eternal salvation. 1. The voice of Jesus. — Behold, My child, while all nature, wrapped in darkness, was mourning for Me, one of the thieves hanging near Me began to blaspheme Me ; but the other, struck with a saving fear, rebuked him : And dost thou not fear God, said he, seeing that thou art under the same condemnation ? and we, indeed, justly ; for we receive the reward due to our deeds ; but He has done no evil. IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 367 CH. XX.] Moved by the example of My divine patience, heroic charity, whereby I had prayed for My very torturers, the unconquerable meekness of My Heart, My perfect resignation amidst the torments of My Passion, and assisted by a supernal light and grace, he conceived and ex- pressed his faith and hope in Me, as well as his love for Me. Penitent in heart, he turned himself with affection to Me, and exclaimed : Lord, remember me when Thou shalt come into Thy kingdom. Seeing that he cooperated with grace, which out- wardly worked upon him by means of the spectacle presented to his view, and inwardly flowed upon him from My Heart, I hastened to console him, as he was well- nigh overwhelmed by the weight of his past offences, and full of anxiety about the future salvation of his soul. Forthwith, of a robber, I made him a Saint; of an avowed evil-doer, a disciple of My Heart, a companion and partaker of My kingdom. Such is the goodness of My Heart. Verily, I said to him, — verily, this day thou shalt be with Me in paradise. He believed ; and continuing to weep for his errors, and to love My goodness, he con- tinued calmly upon his cross, awaiting the blissful hope and union with Me in My kingdom. Lo, My child, how thou shouldst deport thyself amid the troublesome anxieties concerning thy salvation which torment thee sometimes. 2. The voice of the Disciple , — Do not take it amiss, I beseech Thee, O Lord, if I speak. Behold, Thou didst not say to Me, Thou shalt be with Me in paradise. Wert Thou to tell me this, I would of a certainty believe it ; neither would I be any longer uneasy about my everlasting salvation. But now, I do not know what may befall me in the end, and . for this is my heart tor- mented. The voice of Jesus , — Were I to say the same, My child, thou couldst not understand it, except insomuch as 368 THE HEART OF JESUS [book m. it is compatible with thy free will ; for I am ever the same ; I made man in the beginning, and left him in the hand of his own counsel ; I gave him My commands, and said to him. If thou wilt keep My commands, they will keep thee. But thy freedom remaining the while, and being rightly used, I say also to thee. Thou shalt be with Me in paradise. For I will that thou and all others be saved. It is true that some vessels are made unto honour, { id others unto dishonour ; but it is the wickedness of man, not the providence of God, that makes the vessels unto dishonour. For if any one, being a vessel unto lishonour, correct himself, he shall be a vessel sanctified . into honour. 8. The voice of the Disciple. — Salvation, then, O ^ Lord, depends on man’s free will. The voice of Jesus. — Thou mistakest. My child ; for man, in order to work out his salvation, yea, even to begin to do so, needs grace from above, without which he can neither secure the same, nor even attempt it. But I give freely this preventing and assisting grace to all men ; by the use of which each one can save himself, and by neglect of which he loses himself. Therefore man’s salvation comes from Me first ; afterward, it depends on his own free cooperation ; but his perdition arises in the first place from himself, in the ext from the neglect of grace. The voice of the Disciple. — Yet, O Lord, it is this ossibility of abusing my free will, and the dread that ; some time or other I will abuse it, which especially disquiets my heart. - The voice of Jesus. — But, My child, herein lies the virtue, the glory of man, that he has the power to transgress, and yet does not transgress ; to do evil, and does not do it. This is upon earth a service worthy of Me, honourable to Me, — most noble and meritorious for thee. Yea, thy very anxiety lest thou mayst at some IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 369 CH. XX.] f-rture time abuse thy free will, provided it be kept within proper bounds, will procure thee many ad- V intages. For nothing is better adapted to keep thee in hu- mility, without which all other virtues are nigh to a fall and to destruction, than to know — yea, in some manner to feel — that, even if by holiness thou art raised to the third heaven, thou mayst still become a reprobate. Thence arises also a more anxious love for Mt^ whereby thou exertest thyself to avoid more carefully all dangers, and to cling more firmly to Me. Thou wilt also learn to withdraw thyself more per- fectly from the things of this life, when thou knowest that no complete security can be found therein. Lastly, thou wilt sigh more fervently for that im- mort^ life, where thou shalt be safe and secure, not only from danger, but from the fear of danger. 4. It is profitable. My child, to be solicitous, above every thing else, concerning thy everlasting salvation, but thou shouldst be on thy guard lest thou fall into faint-heartedness. There are those who, seeing that it is possible for them to be lost, and trembling with fear lest they may lose in the future the merits which they have acquired by much labour, and fall into an eternity of woe, become so downhearted that they have neither strength nor courage to serve Me with cheerfulness, but they drag on a life unworthy alike of Me and of themselves. Whence it happens, that of a possibility they make a reality by turning a possible into a real danger . Be thou wiser, My child ; beware lest thou convert that which is for thy good into thy downfall, lest by too great a fear of ruin thou expose thyself to ruin. . Keep faithfully thy good will of doing what morally thou art able ; and patiently endure every anxiety, if thou dost experience any that is troublesome, as a precious and wholesome share which thou hast inwardly in My sorrows. 370 THE HEART OF JESUS [book III. In suffering an affliction of this sort, endeavour on the one hand never to yield to it, but to remain re- signed to the divine will ; and, on the other, be care- ful not to leave off any thing of thy usual works or practices which are conducive to thy salvation and per- fection. 5. Whatever inward sufferings thou mayst feel, be not disturbed thereby, but be fully persuaded that to ‘0, person of good will, who does what he can, troubles cannot arise except from the enemy of salvation ; who, unable to lead such a one into sin or destruction, en- deavours to lead him by annoyances, anxieties, specious subtleties, under pretence of greater security, to that whereto he cannot bring him by temptation. Guard diligently against these snares, My child; nor suffer thyself, by any reasoning whatsoever, to be pushed out of the centre of thy peace. So apply thyself to work out thy salvation, as if its success depended on thy labours ; and so have recourse to Me by prayer, as if I alone could make thee, not only succeed, but also make thee perform the works them- selves ; and, lastly, so do thou confide in Me as to believe that I will hear thy prayer, and crown thy labours with a happy result. 6. But, behold. My child, every man is here dis- quieted in vain ; for I desire that none should perish. Now, what is it that can cause the perdition of a person j except sin ? Keep thyself, therefore, free from sin, and thou shalt not perish for ever. Why, then, art thou tormented by anxiety about thy , predestination ? Behold, if thou wilt be predestined, ! shun evil and do good perseveringly, and it shall be so with thee. Blessed is he who, setting aside all vain reasonings, by deeds, not by speculations, strives to make his elec- tion sure ! 7. The voice of the Disciple , — O most sweet and< loving Jesus ! Thou art truly the God of consolation.. IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 371 CH. XXI.] Thanks to Thee for this great blessing, whereby Thou raisest up and refreshest my downcast heart. Behold, Thou art hanging on the cross overwhelmed by sorrows, and Thou forgettest Thyself in order to be mindful of men ; Thou securest my salvation, not only by suffering, but also by consoling. Why, then, should I not calmly intrust to Thee my everlasting destiny ? By Thy grace, which I will never cease to implore, I will do all that I can ; all other solicitude I throw upon Thy most tender Heart, which did not suffer even the thief to perish in vdeath. Eemember me. Lord, in Thy kingdom ; be mindful of me in my banishment ; be especially mindful of me whensoever Thou seest me in danger of losing my soul ; remember me in life and in death, that hereafter I may be with thee in paradise. CHAPTER XXI. How great a tenderness of Heart Jesus manifested toward us when He gave us His own Mother as our Mother, 1. The voice of Jesus, — Behold, My child, there stood beneath the cross the Virgin Mary, My Mother, whom neither affliction of heart, nor the insults of the crowd, nor the cruelty of the torturers, nor the danger of death, could part from Me. For she was prepared in her heart either to die in My presence, or to be present while I was dying. There also stood the disciple who, by the innocence of his life, was most endeared to Me, and who, at the last Supper, reposing upon My Breast, inebriated himself with the love of My Heart. When I saw My Virgin Mother and the virgin dis- ciple, whom My Heart loved, looking upon My Mother, I said, Woman, behold thy son. Then to the disciple, 372 THE HEART OF JESUS [book IH. as to one representing all mankind, Behold thy Mother. And from that hour the disciple took her as a mother. 2. Behold, then, My child, when men were inces- santly heaping new and more cruel torments upon Me, when the malice of the human heart most overflowed, then, more than ever, overflowed the love of My Heart. When about to expire and to go away into My king- dom, I did not wish to leave My disciples orphans, but, in My love, I resolved to give them a mother, the best of all mothers, My own Mother herself. Nay, more, on account of the eminent dignity of My Mother, and My perfect love for her, it was becoming that I should manifest every solicitude and every care for her, that I should provide for her the honour and love which were and are her due. For this it was befitting that, always and every where, I and she being known together, should also be loved together. And, indeed, even from the beginning of the world, when God promised Me as a Saviour to man groaning beneath the tyranny of the infernal serpent. He promised also My Mother. This divine promise, so full of all consolation, was spread abroad among the whole posterity of the first man, and ever continued to be cherished with a religious reverence. For, although it was obscured among the nations, it was preserved always unchanged among the people of God ; and from time to time it was renewed through the Prophets, and unfolded the more clearly, the more nearly the fulness of time was at hand when God would send His own Son to be born of the Virgin Mary. Wherefore, My child, those whom from eternity, in the counsels of His mercy, God had joined together, whom He had promised together, them also were men expecting, for them together they were longing. For as IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 373 CH. XXI.] often as they did exclaim witli a sigh to My Father in heaven, Distil dew, ye heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down the just ! so often they sighed for My future Mother, Let the earth be opened, and bud forth the Saviour! 3. When at length I came into the world as the Saviour, behold, I was seen with My Virgin Mother 1 From the time I possessed a created Heart, this Heart was inseparably united to the Heart of My Mother. I ever honoured and loved the Virgin in a manner worthy of her, — as My Mother ; and she in return hon- oured and loved Me not only as her Son, but also wor- shiped and cherished Me as her God. There is no created being upon earth, nor in heaven, that has honoured and loved Me, that has worshiped and cherished Me, as much as My Virgin Mother. She by herself, she alone, by her worship and love, has in- comparably surpassed and excelled all the Saints and Angels together. Nor is there any where a heart which is so much united, so acceptable to My Heart, as is the heart of My Virgin Mother. And should not I honour, should not I love, such a Mother? and should not I wish to see her honoured and loved always and every where? Is it thus My Heart is known ? 4. Verily, verily, I say, wheresoever the Gospel shall be preached in the whole world it will be said, that My Mother has done these things for Me, and that I have been subject to her. Nay, even to the end of time, wheresoever I shall be worshiped and loved as a Saviour, there also shall Mary be honoured and loved as a Mother. Moreover, in whatsoever place My religion shall exist, it will ennoble the mind of man and elevate the condition of woman. For whence, thinkest thou, has there arisen in the mind of every one of the faithful so great an esteem for 374 THE HEART OF JESUS [book HL innocence, and so humane a feeling for woman, except from My most pure and august Virgin Mother ? Uncivilised barbarism made woman a slave of misery ; civilised infidelity made her an idol of the pas- I sions; error in religion, an instrument of deceit; the ^ true religion alone made her truly free and truly estimable, preserves her free and worthy of honour, by • ever proposing to her as a model the Virgin Mother of I God. I 5. Behold, then. My child, behold thy Mother, who adopted thee beneath the cross whilst she was suffering with Me. This thy Mother thou shalt honour all the days of thy life, remembering what, together with Me, j she suffered for thee. Acknowledge the greatness of the gift which, when : dying. My Heart bequeathed to thee by giving thee such = a Mother. What is there better that It could have given to thee? Behold, in all the world there is nothing dearer to My Heart, nothing sweeter for thee, than this best of mothers ! For her maternal heart overflows with an extraordi- nary compassion, love, and solicitude ; nor can she for- get to cherish the children whom, amidst such sorrows, she received from Me when I was expiring. Her Heart, modelled after Mine, is opened to all under the sweetest of appellations, — the Heart of a Mo- ther ; so that all they that have recourse to it are easily admitted, kindly received, and introduced by her to My Heart. Through the Virgin Mary I came to men, through her also must men come to Me. Whatsoever graces, therefore, thou desirest to obtain from Me, intrust it to Mary ; that My Mother and thy Mother may appeal to My Heart in thy favour, and prove that she is a Mother. She will certainly be heard for the veneration due to her ; for it is not becoming that I turn away My face from My Mother, or refuse her any thing. A CH. XXI.] IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 375 Mother’s rights, which she possessed and exercised upon earth, she has not lost in heaven, where she reigns with Me, the Queen of Angels and of all the Saints. If any one come to Me through My Virgin Mother, he shall not be cast off, but he shall be admitted even into My Heart, and he shall learn by experience how great is the height and the depth and the breadth of the power which My Mother possesses over My Heart. 6. As I by nature have God as My Father and Mary as My Mother, so also. My child, if, by adoption, thou desirest to have God as thy Father, thou must have Mary as thy Mother. And if thou art desirous to find Mary thy Mother, show thyself a son ; do not sadden her Heart by grieving My Heart through sin ; for accursed is he that angers his mother. But a twofold curse, a twofold woe, to them that venture to destroy or to diminish the honour and love due to My Mother 1 for as the praises, so are also the sneers; aimed at My Mother, flung back at Me, her Son. Therefore, also, shall her enemies be infamous; yea, whosoever shall sin against her shall hurt his own soul. But they that make her known, by duly honouring and loving her, shall have life everlasting. Do not think that Mary is merely equal to the Saints and Angels, or even that she is the first among them, for she forms an order above all the rest of creatures ; so that, far surpassing all the Saints and the heavenly Spirits, she beholds none above her except Myself, with the Father and the Holy Ghost. Therefore, she must be honoured with a special wor- ship and an affection all her own. Love and honour her, child, as much as thou art able ; thou canst not offend by excess, so long as thou dost not honour and love her as a Divinity. Above all, learn of Mary to follow My Heart per- 376 THE HEART OF JESUS [book III. fectly; for she kept all My words and all My examples, meditating on them in her heart; and thus she attained to the teaching of My Heart, whose life and virtues and sentiments she showed forth and expressed to perfection in herself. 7. Blessed shalt thou be. My child, if thou, dost so venerate My Virgin Mother. Through her thou shalt find the way to holiness — to the interior life — easy and pleasant : through her thou shalt obtain mercy and grace and comfort, and every thing else that is necessary or useful to thee ; through her, finally, thou shalt be and continue with Me. To her, therefore, do thou have recourse under all circumstances, at all times. What canst thou fear ? thou art a son, she is a Mother. Why shouldst thou hesitate ? Behold, no one goes to her in vain ; all receive, through her, — the world salvation, the captive redemption, the sinner hope, the just glory, the Angels joy- 8. The voice of the Disciple . — O Jesus, my Saviour- God ! Thou givest me Thy own Mother as a Mother ! Who has ever heard any thing like this ? Thou alone, 0 Lord, couldst draw such a gift from the treasury of Thy Heart and bestow the same upon us sinners ! Thanks to Thee, most loving Jesus ! eternal thanks to Thee for so great a gift, so kindly bestowed upon me most unworthy. Behold, Thy Mother is My Mother ! Bear with Me, most sweet Jesus, if I repeat. Behold, Thy Mother is my Mother ! This is, indeed, a shout of joy in the heart, this is honey in the mouth, this is sweetest melody in the ear. O blessed me, who am made the son of the Queen of heaven and earth, of the Mother of my God, my Saviour, my Judge!' Through such a Mother, O my Jesus, I will fly to Thee 1 through her motherly love I will draw nigh to Thy Heart ! through her Immaculate Heart I will CH. XXII ] IN ms SUFFERING LIFE. 377 enter into Thy Heart, even unto an intimate union with Thee! And when I shall have to go to judgment, behold, O sweetest of all consolations I I shall have an advocate with the Judge, the Mother of the Judge and mine, a Mother that makes intercession with her Son for a son, a Mother to whom the Judge has given all power over His Heart. Thee, therefore, so great a Mother, O sweet Virgin Mary I I will endeavour and rejoice to honour ever more and more; I will find it my delight, by every means, to extend thy worship so long as life endures. So long as this heart of mine shall be capable of loving, it will love thee, O Mother of Jesus and my Mother 1 yea, it will burn to influence all hearts with the same fire of love, that we may all begin upon earth to love thee, for the sake of Jesus, and Jesus for His own dear sake; that thus we may deserve to be made blissful in heaven, and continue to love and to cherish throughout joyous and endless ages. CHAPTEE XXII. That Jesus, forsaken upon the cross, teaches us how to act when we are left exposed to temptations, 1. The voice of Jesus, — My child, when on the cross I bore the iniquities of men, for whom I had given Myself, through love, as a hostage and security. My Eather so loved men that He delivered Me up for them. Wherefore, the devil — who, after the temptation in the desert left Me for a time, having returned during My Passion — now assailed Me more violently, and pressed Me more obstinately. Besides his own malice, he made use of the wicked- ness of men, whom he stirred up both to afflict Me with THE HEART OF JESUS 378 [book III. every torture and a most disgraceful death, and to per- petrate before Me the most horrid crimes. The demon with his associates was exulting, as if enjoying a triumph; and, pressing forward his most wicked assaults, he cried, God has forsaken Him, pursue and take Him ! And I, without any sensible comfort whatsoever, crushed, for the sake of men, in My weakness, was aban- doned to enemies, who were outwardly raging against My Body, and inwardly tearing My Heart. In My loneliness, in the midst of torments so fright- ful, behold, to the Father, whom I loved infinitely, and by whom I was infinitely loved, I raise My eyes filled with tears, and well-nigh extinct, as well as My Heart, now reduced to its utmost agony; I exclaimed. My God, My God! why hast Thou forsaken Me? Lo, here, My child, the utterance of the unfathom- able affliction of My Heart, sunk into an abyss of sorrows, and overwhelmed, as it were, by a deluge of woes. 2. However, I resigned Myself lovingly to the good pleasure of My heavenly Father, and I offered Myself wholly as a sacrifice to Him, who was to console Me at last according to the greatness of My sorrows. But, since suffering is the measure of love, I endured and made known this excess of the most painful anguish, that men might thence learn to how great an extent I have loved them. And, as I remembered others, so was I especially mindful of thee. My child ; yea, for thee did I encounter, with My Heart submissive and contented, the rage of My enemies and that deep-felt dereliction. For I knew that, according to My divine providence, thou couldst not be exempt from the assaults of the demon; neither was I ignorant of the greatness of the affliction which thou shouldst have to undergo in this severe struggle with a most wicked foe ; and, therefore, I placed before thee My example, that thence thou mightst •derive abundant instruction and comfort. I IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 379 CH. XXII.] I know thy frequent and deep groanings, My child, when thou findest thyself in the midst of relentless foes, whilst thou desirest to live for Me in perfect peace, free from every hindrance. But consider that I, the only-begotten Son of God, the Saint of Saints, was, by a spontaneous love, exposed to the rage of My enemies, and there left forsaken, and thou wilt not wonder nor take it hard if thou, in many ways a sinful person, art suffered — even after thou hast been for a long time in My service — to be exposed for thy own advantage to the assaults of the tempter, and to be deprived during them of sensible consola- tion. For in this is the divine kindness toward thee made apparent, that it neither takes away the war, without which the enemy is not overcome and peace secured, nor removes the occasion of the contest, without which there is no triumph and no crown obtained. It is an effect of the sincere love of My Heart if It leaves to thee wherewithal thou mayst become conscious of thy own frailty when exposed, that thus thou mayst be kept in humility, and, impelled by necessity, mayst continually tend and draw near to Me. How many there are who, through temptations, per- severed and were saved, and who, had they been without these trials — growing by degrees lukewarm and proud — would in the end have become reprobates ! Dost thou know even one, among all those that have sanctified themselves, who was free from temptations ? Have not the greatest Saints been wont to feel the greatest temptations ? This is the way whereby a more than ordinary purity of heart is obtained, whereby more perfect virtue is ac- quired, whereby the soul is better prepared for the divine union. 3. Many err in this, that they think temptation a sin. What can there be more dangerous than this error? Hence arise an erroneous conscience, anxiety, faint- 380 THE HEART OF JESUS [bOOK III. heartedness, sloth, lack of strength and courage to resist generously and to triumph. Believe Me, child, even should a temptation of any kind last a whole lifetime, it could not make thee guilty of any sin, if only it be displeasing to thee. Cast aside, therefore, so baneful an error; throw off, in like manner, an over-great dread of being tempted. This dread, born of error, fostered by self-love, becomes an occasion of being the more tempted and the more dangerously too, since thou art tempted, not so much by a divine permission, as through thy own fault. This is one of men’s misfortunes, that they ever tend to one or another extreme. For some run great risk, because they fear temptations too much; others, because they do not sufficiently guard against them. Thou, My child, follow thou the middle course, if thou wilt be safe. 4. The voice of the Disciple. — Yet, Lord, should not sins be supremely feared and shunned? Why should I not, then, extremely fear and shun the dangers and oc- casions of sin ? The voice of Jesus. — Certainly, My child, sins should be extremely feared and shunned. But guard against deception, distinguish correctly. Temptation is one thing, sin is quite another ; the danger of temptation is one thing, the danger of sin another; finally, the occa- sion, on the part of the devil tempting to sin, is one thing, the occasion, on the part of man placing himself proxi- mately near to sin, is altogether different. Now, the occasion on the part of man, as it is a proximate danger of sin, and, consequently, a sin, thou should carefully shun ; the occasion on the part of the devil, as it is simply a danger of temptation, and, there- fore, not sinful, thou art not obliged to avoid. Do not think it strange if the devil tempts thee, since his sole occupation is to roam about and to tempt. In his insolence he attacks all, uses different ways to tempt ; when driven ofr, he is not ashamed to return ; IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 381 CH. XXII.] when defeated, he does not leave olF to come again to the assault. Wherefore, if thou art tempted, do not suffer thyself to be troubled. It is the malice of the devil, not thine own wickedness. - Thou wouldst act foolishly and to no purpose, shouldst thou lose thy peace of heart on account of temptations. For by so doing thou wouldst place thy peace in the power of the demon, who, doubtless, would never allow thee to enjoy the same. My child, I know thy weakness, I know the malice of the devil, but I know also the power of My grace ; I know what of thyself thou art able to effect against the demon, and what thou canst do by grace. And I — to whom the devil is so much subject that against My will he cannot attack even the vilest animals — I, whom thy salvation has cost so much, will not allow that thou be tempted beyond what thou art able to endure, but I will, on the contrary, prepare, together with the temptation, a favourable issue. 5. The voice of the Disciple , — Thanks to Thee, good Master, sweet Jesus, for that Thou hast thus showed me how I should act in regard to temptations before they come or rush upon me ; teach me also, I beseech Thee, how I should deport myself when they are now at hand and assail me. The voice of Jesus. — Observe, child, that the devil may assault thee, or approach thy heart, in three ways: by the way of the outward senses ; by the inward way of the understanding; lastly, by a sort of middle way, that of the imagination. By whichsoever of these ways thou mayst be tempted, so soon as thou perceivest the temptation, take heed that thou be not agitated or troubled ; but by directing thy attention to Me, who am present, strive to possess thy mind in peace. If the temptation comes through the senses, suffer them not to be exposed without sufficient reason in the 382 THE HEART OF JESUS [book III. direction of the dangerous object; but quietly, and withal manfully, turn them away, so that, if possible, thou do no longer perceive the evil which is presented. If it assails thee through the understanding, do not act so as to deal any wise, even mentally, with the foe; but how specious soever his reasonings, how much so- ever his suggestions may appear as evident truths, so soon as thou seest them to be contrary to some virtue, submit thyself to Me without any reasoning, and, behold, thou shalt be victorious. If the temptation is pressed upon thee through the imagination, by means of objects formerly perceived by the senses, or even now put before thee by the devil, take diligent care that thou allow not the imagination to stand still, as if looking at the objects imagined ; but do thou forthwith, and effectually, turn away the imagina- tion, and represent to it objects known by faith — such as death or judgment, hell or purgatory, heaven, or, still more, the Son of God hanging on the cross, and looking at thee, and offering to thee His Heart as a place of refuge. But mark this well, My child, that in every tempta- tion whatsoever, it is enough simply to turn thy mind away from the temptation to some other object. For this is to resist it, even in a positive manner. These things having been guarded against, endeavour as much as thou art able, for thy greater progress, in every temptation to unite thyself gently and firmly with Me by acts of love, be they ever so short. I particularly recommend. My child, while thou art wont to live* in the state of grace, that in temptation thou make use of acts which are not directly opposed to the evil suggested, but which unite thee by love with Me. For thus thou wilt better preserve peace of heart, frus- trate more securely the wicked design of the devil, render virtue more solid, and unite thyself more strongly and more perfectly with Me. However, thou must always rely more upon divine IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE, 883 CH. XXII.] grace than upon thy own strength. Wherefore, thou shouldst pray frequently, in time of peace as well as of war, that, whilst thou art contending, grace may support thee, encourage thee, give thee victory. If, in this manner, thou yieldest the glory of the victory to Me, who am the first conqueror, and who will not give My glory to another, then will I protect thee with My shield, and fight for thee, like a strong and in- vincible warrior ; a thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand before thee ; nor shall any foe prevail against thee. 6. The voice of the Disciple. — O most loving Jesus! how sweet, how pleasing the things which out of Thy Heart Thou pourest down upon me ! Let heaven and earth, and all things therein, with me return Thee a thousand thanks! However, I beseech Thee, teach me still one thing, and it is enough. Behold, it happens that when I come out of the struggle, I am tormented by a great fear that my soul has, perhaps, fallen a prey to the enemy. O Lord 1 who hast the words of everlasting life, speak to me the word, whereby my soul may be com- forted. This will be a new favour of Thy Heart, which will in return bind me to Thee by a new and sweet debt of gratitude and love. The voice of Jesus. — ^Behold, My child, if the tempta- tion, while it was upon thee, displeased thee, thou hast a sure sign that thou didst not consent thereto. But in this also thou must distinguish the inferior part of thy heart from the superior, to which it belongs to sin or not to sin. The inferior part does not always agree with the superior, but frequently, in spite of the superior, it takes, in some manner, pleasure in the temptation; yet it does so much, that it causes the superior, although not will- ing, to feel some pleasure. But feeling does not hurt, where there is no consent. If thou doubtest whether thou didst merely feel the temptation, or whether thou didst also give consent 384 THE HEART OF JESUS [book m. thereto, observe the difference between feeling and con- senting. Thou may St indeed feel the temptation, although thou dost not love it, with thy free will adverting to its being wrong ; but thou canst not consent to the tempta- tion, unless, perceiving that it is a sin or evil, thou love it by thy free will. • But when thou also doubtest whether or not thou didst love the temptation in this manner, follow the rule of the Saints: A person of a delicate or fair conscience may hold as morally certain that he did not consent, so long as he is not sure that he did consent. Assuredly, My child, whosoever is wont to cling to Me, and with a sincere heart dreads to be separated from Me, if at any time he is tempted to sin, then, in order knowingly and willingly to consent thereto, he must do great violence to himself, both to resist the saving sting •of conscience — which he is in the habit of heeding and following — as well as to turn the will from an object constantly loved to an object constantly held in abhor- rence: all which, surely, no one can do, without clearly distinguishing its malice and without embracing it, if he do so at all, with his knowledge and will. On the contrary, he that is accustomed to sin through an evil or loose conscience, when, after having been tempted, he doubts whether he gave consent thereto, ought to presume that he did consent. For since, on principle or by custom, he has contracted a habit of sin, when he is tempted to evil, in order to be able to resist, he must likewise offer great violence to himself, not only to obey actually the warning voice of his conscience, -which, in a matter of this kind, he was not wont to heed, but also, with a strong will, to repel the tempta- tion. Now, all this he cannot do without manifestly perceiving his own pious efforts and his unusual victory. 7. Hence thou seest, My child, how happy they are who serve Me faithfully, since, in temptations, with which man’s life is replete, they may so agreeably con- sole themselves; whereas, they that are negligent, for CH. XXII.]' IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 385 their shame and correction, are tormented by inward pains and anxieties. And this is only one of the thousand blessings which I heap upon the disciples of My Heart. Eejoice, then, My child, rejoice in so great a good; and use and enjoy it for the glory of My Heart, and the sanctification of thy soul. This, however, thou must guard against after tempt- ation, that thou be not desirous of so examining into the matter as to expose thyself to danger, by reviewing in thy mind the temptation or its several circum- stances. As much as circumstances permit, calmly humble thyself, and beg pardon if, perchance, thou hast in any wise rendered thyself guilty of some pride, some inordi- nate fear, some diffidence, some curiosity, some careless- ness. After this, with a renewed love for Me, proceed boldly and cheerfully. 8. Lastly, remember. My child, that the way of temptations is open to many errors, insomuch that by himself no one can safely pass through it. Wherefore, whosoever thou art, religious or secular, learned or un- learned, thou needest an experienced guide; and, so long as thou dost obediently follow him, I will not permit that obedience lead thee to destruction. I Myself will have a care of thee. Come, then, child, cheer up thy courage; be stout- hearted. Let the winds blow; let the storms rage; how canst thou be fearful ? behold, I am with thee. These things have I spoken to thee, My child, that, in the midst of temptations, thou mayst find relief and comfort; but not that thou mayst have no temptations, nor feel their irksomeness. Endure them in the right spirit; and, in their own time, they will produce mani- fold fruit. Do not grow faint in courage, but be resigned to the divine will. Up, then; persevere manfully, knowing that he is blessed that endureth temptation; because, THE HEART OF JESUS 386 [book III. when he hath been proved, he shall receive the crown of life. 9. The voice of the Disciple. — Oh, how good art Thou, my Jesus ! how good art Thou ! Behold, O Thou delight of the Saints and Angels, Thou art forsaken upon the cross, and deprived of every consolation; yet, mean- while, Thou dost not abandon me, nor suffer me, every way unworthy as I am, to be without solace; for, with a marvellous sweetness, Thyself relievest and rejoicest me. Willingly do I intrust myself to Thy care; wholly do I resign myself to Thy will: do Thou carry out the designs of Thy Heart in my regard ; cleanse and sanctify me in a way and manner pleasing to Thee. Only keep ^ me from every sin. In every temptation, in every danger, assist me effi- caciously; protect me, help me; so keep me united with Thee, that I may never be separated from Thee. CHAPTER XXHI. That Jesus., in His abandonment, thirsting and not relieved, shows us how we should deport ourselves in spiritual d.esolation, 1. The voice of Jesus, — O all ye that pass by the i way, attend and see if there be any sorrow like My sorrow 1 Lo ! all My persecutors troubled Me,< taken in the midst of straits; and there was none to comfort Me among all them that were dear to Me. Behold, My child, My head pierced with thorns, My face covered with blood and tears, all My limbs torn, My whole Body lacerated, from the sole of My feet to the crown of My head all one wound; My Heart weighed down with unutterable sorrows, undone by the hard- CH. XXIII.] IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 887 heartedness of men, forsaken by My beloved and most loving Father Himself. Amidst all these sufferings, I was racked by a new torture, a most violent thirst, so that I was forced to ex- claim : I thirst I This thirst was manifold, My child; a burning thirst, even unto death, of refreshing Myself, every way exhausted as I was ; a more burning thirst for the salva- tion, the love, and everlasting gratitude of men ; lastly, a most ardent thirst for the fulfilment of the good plea- sure of My heavenly Father. But My enemies hearing it, so far from affording Me relief, on the contrary, in My thirst gave Me vinegar to drink. For the restoration of the divine glory, and for the salvation of men. My Father willed that I should die in the deepest afiiiction, without any relief. My passion ever increased; but apace grew the love of My Heart, whereby, uniting Myself to the divine good pleasure, I said in My Heart: Yea, Father, since thus it is pleasing unto Thee. And thus I wholly resigned Myself to continue, and at last to expire, in the uttermost ‘desolateness. Meditate on these things. My child ; do thou also remember them when thou art thyself experiencing spiritual desolation. 2. So long as exercises of piety are inwardly relished and please the spiritual taste, it is both easy and pleasant to be engaged therein ; but it is hard and disagreeable to perform them faithfully and exactly when they pro- duce only wearisomeness and disgust. But because, during that inward consolation, the human heart is wont to take delight in a sensible sweet- ness, and does not purely love Me for Myself, frequently, when he is now able to bear it, I deprive a person of all sensible relish. This is a secret invention of My Heart, that the soul may learn, even in spite of herself, to seek and THE HEART OF JESUS 388 [book III. to love, above all tbings sensible, not My consolations, but Myself. If thou remainest faithful in spiritual desolation, thou provest evidently that thou servest Me by pure love, not in consideration of thy present advantages. Thou shouldst, therefore, not be uneasy amid deso- lation, My child, but shouldst exert thyself to act gener- ously and to endure manfully. 3 . Continue steadfastly in thy undertaking ; and in order to overcome weariness or disgust, which comes upon thee in spiritual desolation, pray more than usual ; carefully examine thy actions, both interior and ex- terior ; watch more attentively over thy heart ; lastly, mortify thyself in small things more frequently and more perfectly. By this constant and solid fervour thou wilt effica- ciously resist languor. Meanwhile, resign thyself ever more and more, and look upon it as thy greatest con- solation to embrace submissively and lovingly the divine will. I do not always desire to console thee in a sensible manner, — even when thou hast done whatsoever thou wast able in order to obtain the same, — lest it prove hurtful to thee, or lest thou ascribe to thyself what belongs to Me. But this I do desire, that thou keep thyself in all humilitv, and love Me in the most disinterested manner. Therefore I suffer thee to feel that it is not in thy power to acquire or to retain consolation, but that it is My gift. Acknowledge, then, that thou art altogether unable to procure true consolation, yea, that thou art unworthy of receiving even the least 5 and own that it is the highest favour, far surpassing every sensible consolation, when thou art reckoned by Me among My children, and cherished by the love of My Heart. 4. The voice of the Disciple, — Yea, Lord God, it is a very great grace, an incomparable favour, to be Thy CH. XXIII.] IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 389 child, to be dear to Thj Heart ; but my desolateness does not only cause me wearisomeness, sometimes it even does not allow me to perceive that favour. So long as I possess the moral conviction, that by sanctifying grace I am a child dear to Thy Heart, to lack all consolation, both human and divine, although it is hard and irksome to nature, appears bearable j neither does it take away the peace of the heart. But, Lord Jesus, sometimes desolation takes hold of me, and affects all the powers of my soul to such a degree that it appears to me that I am separated from Thee, and that I cannot persuade myself that I still possess a place in Thy Heart. O my Saviour, who knowest all things, and needest not that any one tell Thee, Thou knowest the greatness of my sufferings, more painful than death itself. Every other affliction I deem a consolation in comparison of this desolateness, upon which I dare not look, and yet from which I cannot turn away my eyes. O Jesus ! by the excess of Thy own desolateness upon the cross, I entreat and imploi’e Thee, do not refuse to relieve, or at least to instruct me. I confess that I do not deserve either of these favours, and that Thy example ought to be enough for me ; yet, unless Thou Thyself appliest it to me, I am such a wretch, that seeing I do not perceive, and hearing I do not understand. 5. The voice of Jesus , — My child, it is one thing to do good, and another to know that thou art doing good. The former makes up the merit; the latter begets enjoyment. Again, child, it is one thing to live in My grace, and another to be aware that thou art living in My grace. The one constitutes thy true felicity ; the other adds nothing to thy real felicity, though it gives a sensible delight. Now, of this agreeable and delightful knowledge, in which there is no merit, I do sometimes affectionately deprive a soul, that she may be manfully trained to sanctity, and may be made perfect in love for Me. This 390 THE HEART OF JESUS [book III. is the highest and purest : to struggle for love by means of love, whilst thou feelest not the love through which and for which thou art contending. Be not anxious, therefore, My child, to persuade thyself that thou livest in My grace. For thou wouldst labour in vain to obtain for thyself that which, for the present, I do not wish thee to have. I seek and love thy true good rather than thy sensible delight ; and this privation I know to be truly useful to thee, in order that, when thou findest in sensible things no support whereon either to stand or to lean, thou may St repose, outside of what is sensible, in Me alone, the unchangeable Good. Wherefore, child, as much as thou canst, turn thyself to Me, away from the troubles which thou feelest ; throw thyself on My Heart, reaffirming ever the same, that for love of Me thou art willing to do in all things the good pleasure of My Heart. After this perform tranquilly whatsoever thou hast to do, and omit none of thy accustomed good works on account of spiritual desolation. So long as the desolation besets thee, do not occupy thyself under any pretence whatsoever with troublesome reflections about the same ; remain tranquil, pray, ever resign, ever give thyself up to Me. Lastly, remember that, in this desolation, thou must lean not upon any creature outside of thyself, nor even upon thyself, but upon Me alone. Therefore, the more thou art able to leave thyself, to turn thyself away from thyself, to cling to My Heart, yea, to lose and forget thyself therein, the better it will be for thee. 6. The voice of the Disciple . — Blessing and praise and glory be to Thy Heart, 0 Lord, because Its good- ness hath moved Thee to teach me the way of life in the midst of the shadow of death. Yet, although I am so unworthy that I do not even deserve to prostrate myself in the dust before Thy feet, suffer me, I beseech Thee, to make known to Thee a CH. XXIII.] IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 891 still greater desolation, an unutterable torture, whereby the sorrows of hell appear sometimes to come upon me. For at times I seem in some wonderful manner to feel persuaded, not merely that I am deprived of Thy grace, but even that I have been cast away by Thee, and, therefore, that hell is my home, which I try in vain to escape. I should not dare to make known to Thee, Lord God, this great wretchedness of mine, did not my extreme misery compel me to lay open before Thee the abyss, the depth whereof I know not. 7. The voice of Jesus . — This is enough. My child; it shows sufficiently what thou dost experience. Attend to this above all other things, beware of this beyond every thing else, that thou be not discomposed how great soever may be thy desolateness. Behold, what thou sufferest the Saints themselves have suffered, who, having become most perfectly assimilated to Me, have in this manner altogether died to themselves, and, as new creatures, have lived solely for Me. Believe and hope and love purely. My child ; lo ! now is the time to practise pure virtues, to elicit heroic acts. Be not downhearted ; that which seems death is a hidden life ; that which now appears destruction will, in the end, be found to be a renewal. But, from what thou sufferest, learn thou, child, how great is the kindness of My Heart, whereby I preserve thee from experiencing in reality everlasting reproba- tion, since thou feelest that the mere thought of it exceeds all the sufferings of life. Hence, also, infer how justly thou art bound to love Me in return without measure, since by Me thou hast been preserved from an immeasurable misfortune. 8. Now, observe,' My child, that it is the devil who, by his suggestions, causes thee to doubt about My truth, when 1 assert that I will the salvation of all men ; that it is he who sets thee on to distrust My mercy, in which they that hope shall not be put to confusion, from which 392 THE HEART OF JESUS [book III. they that ask receive ; that it is the devil who stirs thee up not to think kindly of Me, whilst yet, with an infinite love, I ordain all things for thy everlasting happiness. It is from the devil that come all things which of themselves are evil ; never from Me, who do not try any one in this manner. Whatsoever the devil may put into thy thoughts, leave it to him, neither do thou dispute nor deal with him in any wise. Be simply, and continue quietly, resigned to the divine will ; and even if, on account of the greatness of thy spiritual desolation, thou appearest not wholly con- formed to the divine good pleasure, do not trouble thy- self, nor make thyself uneasy ; but throw thyself without anxiety on My Heart, and repeat, God, my Saviour, Thy will be done in my regard in time and in eternity ! It is impossible. My child, that he who thus intrusts himself to the divine will should perish. Sooner shall heaven and earth pass away, than that he be lost who gives himself up without reserve to the divine good pleasure. For the rest, be of good cheer, child of My Heart, generously endure this martyrdom, with which the disciples most dear to My Heart are honoured, and which secures an unfading palm and an everlasting crown. 9. The voice of the Disciple . — O Jesus, 0 Thou my last refuge ! what shall I say to all this ? Behold, com- forted and disconsolate at the same time, I cannot give utterance to what I feel ; but Thou seest into my heart. By Thy own supreme desolateness. Lord Jesus, save Thou my soul, for which Thou hast endured torments so numerous and so excessive. As much as I am able, I intrust myself wholly to Thee ; I surrender myself altogether to the care of Thy Heart ; Thy will be done in my regard, in time and in eternity. CH. XXIV.] IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 393 CHAPTER XXIV. That Jesus, accomplishing all upon the cross, teaches us to accomplish in like manner all things upon the cross, 1. The voice of Jesus, — Behold, My child, at last the work completed which My Father gave Me to do. Having come down from the highest heaven to run My way, lo, I have finished My career. I now finish a life made up of labours and sorrows and ceaseless sacrifices ; the pains of all these are now brought to a close, but the merits and fruits of them endure for ever. The irreparable ruin of Satan’s kingdom is con- summated, and he himself, the prince of this world, is despoiled of his dominions and cast out. My kingdom — which I have acquired by My own Blood, to which I have given success by the very love of My Heart, which I have strengthened by every means unto a lasting stability and security, so that thereof there shall be no end — stands firm. Whatsoever existed from the beginning as types of Me, whatsoever has been written concerning Me, now sees its end j behold, now is the time that transgression may be finished, that sin may receive an end, that iniquity may be abolished, and everlasting justice may be brought in. Nothing remains undone, nothing remains to be suffered : all is consummated. Now, I will die with My Heart satisfied. Here pause. My child, and see where I have con- summated all, things. Behold, I remain upon the cross. Consider, and act according to the model that was showed to thee on the mountain. 2. If now thou hast learnt the sentiments of My Heart, and hast put on the same, thou wilt not desire to live, thou wilt not desire to die, except fastened to the cross. 394 THE HEART OF JESUS [book III. For no otlier road than the one whereon I have journeyed is given under heaven to men to become Saints, and to be saved. Oh, if thou knewest what good things for the present and the future life thou mightst procure for thyself by lovingly continuing on the cross, assuredly, like Myself, thou shouldst not be willing of thyself to come down therefrom. It is much safer, it is much better in every respect, to persevere on the cross for love of Me, than of thy own accord to free thyself from the cross. My child, if thou didst know the value and the re- ward of tribulations, thou wouldst deem this life too short for suffering, but eternity long enough to enjoy the recompense. 8. If thou desirest to persevere with ease in afflic- tions, do not reflect upon the years, the months, nor even the weeks during which they may last ; but think of the present day as if it were to be the last, and as if thou shouldst have nothing more to suffer and to merit thereafter. Blessed they that, amid their tribulations, are more anxious to render themselves alike to Me than to free themselves therefrom ! These are they that, by the purest love, perfect themselves in union with Me. Look at the example of the Saints, who, despising every thing that was merely self, sought Me with such purity, were inflamed with such ardour to conform themselves to Me, that they longed, some either to suffer or to die, others not to die, but to suffer. Nor were they satisfied to suffer those things only which divine Providence meted out to them ; but, moved by My Spirit, they assumed voluntary mortifi- | cations and labours, and in their fervour they were ever urged onward to perfect themselves in Me by love. 4. Examine and try all things. My child, and thou wilt at last be obliged to come back to this truth, that the spiritual, the interior life is reduced to this — that CH. XXIV.] IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 895 thou do constantly sacrifice the inclination and aversion of nature for love of Me, in order to live by My Spirit. And this thou must do so long as life endures. For so long as thou livest, thou art man, and therefore prone and liable to evil ; nor canst thou, otherwise than by striving and using thy endeavours, shun what is evil and imperfect, and do what is good and perfect. Thus generously to go counter to nature, and to follow grace for love of Me — this is the spirit of the Saints. 5. If thou art wise. My child, thou wilt desire no other reward in this life for the things which thou sufFerest than a greater love for Me, and more abundant grace to suffer for My sake. Thy afilictions shall never equal Mine ; I, however, persevered in them until I consummated My life, that thou mightst learn to continue in thine, so long as it is the will of the divine good pleasure. Be ashamed. My child, for that thou art sometimes so foolish as even to think of forsaking Me upon the cross. I If thou lovest Me for My own sake, thou wilt under i no circumstance depart from Me. But if thou lovest Me for thyself, no wonder that, while trouble besets thee, thou darest to wish for what is to thee more agree- able. i A hireling cares not so much for his master as for his own self ; and he finds no difficulty in leaving a master whom he must serve with hard labour, and without an immediate advantage. Yet thou didst not receive the slavish spirit of a hireling, but a nobler spirit, the spirit of a child, that where I am thou also mayst be. Take heed lest thou grow degenerate in spirit ; persevere with Me, determined rather to die at thy post than to abandon the same. 6. What shall it avail thee to have suffered much for My sake, unless thou perfect it by perseverance ? 396 THE HEART OF JESUS [book hi. If hitherto thou hast followed Me amid tribulations, rejoice thou, My child, yet at the same time remember that not he that begins, but he that perseveres, will be saved. A reward is indeed promised, to them that be- gin, but it is given to them that persevere. To stimulate thee to perseverance, frequently place before thy eyes that everlasting reward which awaits thee among the Saints, and which far exceeds all present tribulation. Pray much, my child, that thou mayst not be dis- heartened, nor lose the crown prepared for thee. So long as thou prayest well, thou wilt continue well. Finally, child, be ever mindful of My example and of My presence ; daily renew thy resolve, and strengthen thy heart, to abide with Me. Thus thou shalt pass through each successive day, and come, at last, to a final and blissful consummation. 7. The voice of the Disciple . — O most sweet Jesus ! by the merits of Thy Passion, by the merits of all the Saints that clung so faithfully to Thee, grant me to persevere with Thee unto the end. I am, indeed, desirous and anxious to remain with Thee on the cross, and to consummate all with Thee thereon ; but I know and feel that my powers are in- sufficient for this. Strengthen and inspire me, therefore, I beseech Thee, with that grace which the Saints have found fully sufficient to accomplish it ; that I may perfect myself upon the cross, as a holocaust to Thee for an odour of sweetness, and for the everlasting salvation of my soul. CH. XXV.] IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 397 CHAPTEK XXY. That Jesus ^ commending His Spirit into the hands of His Father^ teaches us how we must wholly give up our- selves to Him. 1. The voice of Jesus. — My children, yet a little while am I with you, until, all things being now con- summated, the love itself of My Heart be consum- mated. Behold, My child, nothing now is left to Me except My Spirit ; for, not only affectively, but also effectively, My Heart has sacrificed all the rest as a holocaust. Although My Soul was ever in the hands of My Father, and voluntarily consecrated to Him from the beginning, — now, however, in order to complete the excess of My love, I sacrifice, I lay down the same. Ho one takes It away from Me, but I of Myself lay It down. In this consummation of the excess of Its love, My Heart, before It expires, utters Its last words for thee. And that thou mayst understand of how great an importance they are, I did not now sigh, but I cried out with a loud voice : Father, into Thy hands I commend My Spirit ! This is the uttermost excess of humility and love, beyond which it is not possible to go in this life j and in this same I die. In the supreme extremity of every kind of sorrows, behold, I throw Myself, entirely and completely, into the hands of My Father. How, I do not say to My Father, ‘‘ Hot Mine, but Thy will be done.” For My will is no longer Mine, but that of My Father, into whose hands I have de- livered the same. 2. My child, receive thou with a special affection these last words of thy Saviour, dying for love of thee ; treasure them up in thy heart, and piously meditate thereon. 398 THE HEART OF JESUS [book III. For they contain the abridgment and completion of all the things whichsoever I have hitherto taught thee concerning the interior life, concerning virtue and holiness. In them lie hidden the secrets of My Heart most precious and most useful to thee. Search thou into them, child, — use them ; but, above all, study diligently to reduce them to practice. Wherefore, as I commended My Spirit into the hands of My Father, so do thou intrust thy spirit into My hands. If thou do this, thou wilt cease altogether to live by thy spirit, and wilt begin so to live by My Spirit, that thy heart, thy mind, thy all, will breathe naught save My Spirit. Then thy will, now no longer thine, but delivered up to the divine will, shall be, in some manner, one with Mine. 3. Behold, My child, the highest degree of sanctity in a life made perfect by virtues, when the soul, with a holy indifference toward every thing, wills of her own accord nothing further, but suffers Me to will, to dispose, and to do in her regard, and concerning all besides, as is pleasing to Me ; whilst she herself consents to My every will and ordinance, being always and every where conformed and united to Me. Blessed the soul that reaches this degree ! in Me she finds repose amidst and above all things : above every feeling, above every virtue, above all salvation, above every good. In such a soul I so set in order the purity of charity, I so ravish her with the love of My Heart, that, far above all things visible and invisible, she is wholly Mine, and I hers. When thou wilt have in this manner delivered thy- self entirely and completely to My divine good pleasure, then shalt thou, in the most perfect manner, be free from all vain fear and inordinate sadness, from every IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 399 CH. XXV.] merely natural wish and desire, finally, from every superfluous care and uneasiness. Then, as it were, forgetful of thyself and of what may happen in the future, thou wilt look upon this as thy joy, to cause Me joy by doing My good pleasure. Provided My Heart be satisfied, thine will also be con- tented, regardless whether this be pleasing or displeasing to nature. 4. All the Saints have excelled in this greatest of virtues ; and so highly did they esteem the divine good pleasure, and to such a degree did they cherish the same, that, in some manner forgetting themselves, they preferred it above all things. Imitate the Saints, My child, if thou wilt be a Saint, or desirest to reign with the Saints. This life of the divine good pleasure is an image of the life in heaven. For the inhabitants of heaven being perfectly satisfied each one with his own beatitude, are, by the same divine good pleasure, all rendered blissful. Take away this conformity to the divine will, and, behold, the interior life becomes a delusion ; neither does there exist any longer a road to sanctity. 5. When thou dost will and not will the same with Me in all things, in great as well as in small, in things spiritual as well as in things temporal, in adversity no less than in prosperity, — finally, in life as well as in death, — then be glad and rejoice. My child, for thou art become a disciple according to My own Heart. Thou wilt now not only offer, not merely resign thyself, and all that is thine, to Me, that I may use the same ; but of thy own accord thou wilt allow, thou wilt desire that I dispose, according to My good pleasure, of thyself and of thine, of all thou art and of all thou possessest. Deliver, therefore. My child, and leave to Me, thyself and whatsoever is thine ; and continue faithfully, even unto death, in this surrendering, in this abandoning of thyself to the will and good pleasure of My Heart. 400 THE HEART OF JESUS BOOK III. Be persuaded that, if thou hast thus died with Me, j thou shalt also live with Me, and reign among the Saints ’ in the life never-ending. 6. The voice of the Disciple. — 0 the sublimity of the j sanctity of Thy Heart, Lord Jesus ! However, since i Thou invitest me so urgently and callest me so gently , thereto, I must courageously strive, and generously | make bold to attain thereto. Wherefore, relying upon the power of Thy grace, | and animated by Thy example, behold, I intrust my ! spirit to Thy hands ; to Thee I consign my spirit, that I may live by Thy Spirit alone ; to Thee I give up | my will, that I may move, act, suffer, die by Thy will | alone. LOj I am wholly Thine ; take me, then, and dispose of me always and every where according to the good pleasure of Thy Heart. May I at last, by a perfect likeness to Thee, and a perfect union with Thee, become a perfect disciple of Thy Heart ! 1 f ( ( CHAPTER XXYI. The Heart of Jesus ^ after His Death opened for love of us, is the refuge and solace of all. I 1. The voice of the Disciple. — See Jesus dying upon the cross ! O spectacle ! O God, behold Thy Son ! j O Mary, behold thy Jesus! 0 Angels, look on and | weep ! O saddest sight, such as never was before, never shall be again I Lo, as the Creator expires, all creation is moved, all mourns. The heavens are moved, hide their light for grief, and wrap the world in darkness. The earth wails and trembles even unto her founda- tions, and shakes and tears asunder the rocks and stones. Religion weeps, and, as if for a sign of grief, rends CH. XXVI.] IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 401 her garment, when the veil of the temple is rent in two from the top even to the bottom. Death itself is moved, and, as if sorrowing for its deed, suffers the dead to arise. Behold, the tombs are opened, and many bodies come forth. ^ All nature in a pang, the whole universe laments for Jesus dying upon the cross between heaven and earth. O spectacle ! Jesus, the Son of God, died in torments for love of us ! O everlasting memorial of the love of the Heart of Jesus I 2. But, behold, one of the soldiers, with a spear, opened His Side, and immediately there issued forth Blood and water. New miracle of love ! manifold mystery ! The Heart of Jesus is opened that thence may be formed His only one. His perfect one, His Virgin Spouse, the Holy Church. Blood and water issue forth; Blood that redeems. Water that cleanses souls. The Water flows, that by the laver of Baptism men may be born again into the Chujph ; the Blood flows, that by the fruit of His He^t, the most Holy Sacrament, they may be perfected in the Church. Jesus willed that His Heart should be opened, to show us that, even after the end of His life. He does by no means cease to cherish us ; and to convince us that, even after His death. His Heart is burning with love for us. Finally, He wdlled that It should be opened, that we might possess in His Heart a permanent place of refuge, solace, every thing necessary and useful. He willed that His Heart should not merely be wounded, but that It should be opened and continue open, that there might ever be access, that the door might ever remain unclosed, through which he that enters in shall be saved, and shall go in and go out, and find the pastures of life everlasting. 3. Behold, then, through the opening of the Side, D D 402 THE HEART OF JESUS [book III. the innermost of His Heart is seen ; that great mystery of love is revealed, the designs of the mercy of our God are unclosed, whereby He visited us, He the Orient from on high. Jesus willed to retain for ever the visible wound of His Heart, whence the invisible wound of His love is made to appear, that It may be not only the place of refuge for mortals, but likewise the paradise of the blessed. Hence it is, that, from this fountain of the Saviour, men upon earth draw with joy the living waters of all gifts and graces ; and the Angels and Saints in heaven obtain with exultation ever-flowing streams of admira- tion, and praise, and thanksgiving, and never-ending love. 4. O my soul ! lift up thy eyes to Jesus ; see thy own Beloved ; view that Heart wounded by love, opened by love. Behold, the opened Breast displays the affections of His Heart ; the wound proves to what an extent that Heart cherishes thee. The whole appearance shows that Jesus, thy Beloved above all, is truly meek and humble of Heart. The Heart of thy Jesus, behold, is open ; It is opened that thou mayst draw near and enter therein ; that to Him thou mayst give and deliver up thy heart. 5. Behold the unfathomable abyss of goodness ; who shall measure the same ? who shall comprehend its depth and breadth ? Neither man nor Angel shall ever comprehend its bounds. Who among the unfortunate can dread to approach the Heart of Him, who died for love of the wretched ; yea, who even keeps His Heart open, that to all may be given a free entrance ! Gaze upon the Heart of Jesus, who died for thee ; and His evident love, stronger than death, more vigorous than life, all sweetness, will expel fear, will remove distrust, will cast aside faint-heartedness, will arouse faith, CH. XXVI.] IN HIS SUFFERING LIFE. 403 will strengthen hope, will enkindle love, — and thou wilt go to immerse thyself into this ocean of goodness. If ever thou becomest forgetful of the love of Jesus, or doubtest His affection, turn thyself to Him and hearken ; His wounded Heart will cry out how He loves, how much He cherishes j and will cry out again that thou shouldst love in return, that thou shouldst requite His affection. If thou art straitened, if thou art troubled, hasten, run to this fountain of every grace, to this gushing spring of all consolation. If thy unfaithfulness frighten thee, let thy confidence and courage be cheered on by the tokens of benignity of the Heart of Jesus, His head bowed down, His arms outstretched, His breast glowing with love for thee. In every peril, in every difficulty, throw thyself con- fidingly upon the Heart of Jesus ; cast thy anxieties upon Him, because He has a care of thee. And if thou hast done any good action, if thou hast gained any merit, hide it safely in the Heart of Jesus, that this Sacred Heart may sanctify the same by Its virtue, may keep it from the thief, vain-glory, and from the moth, self-love ; and may guard it for the day of final retribution. 6. O most precious, O most sweet wound of the Heart of my Jesus, deserving of love above all decora- tions of honour I O thou our resort before every other place ! if out of thee I take but one draught of love, I soon forget all my miseries ; I feel a disgust for things worldly and earthly, and I relish things spiritual and heavenly. Nothing except Jesus, and Him wounded by love, do I care to know and love. ' O most sweet Jesus, draw me to Thee ; draw me through the wound of Thy breast to Thy divine Heart, that now I may no longer live in myself, but may have life in Thee, may live in Thy Heart, the blissful abode of all the Saints. Grant, I beseech Thee, oh, grant that my heart. 404 THE HEART OF JESUS. [book III. wholly united with Thee, and possessing in all things one and the same sentiment with Thee, may be for ever closed to Thy enemies, dead to myself and the world, ever open to Thee, breathing Thee alone, above all things loving Thee. O Jesus, Beloved of my soul ! for ever preserve me in Thy Heart, which is sweeter than every sweetness, and wherein I find all I can desire for true beatitude. DIRECTORY FOR THE FOURTH BOOK. 1. The purpose of the Fourth Book is to teach the soul how to unite herself with God her Saviour. This is effected by divine love. Now this whole book treats of the divine love, its causes, its effects, its manner of being. These things, if looked into at their very source, if considered in the very Heart of Jesus, — loving, that we may return His love ; burning, that we may melt j uniting Himself with us, that we may unite our- selves with Him, — must needs ravish our hearts, melt us wholly, so as to become, in some manner, one with Him. 2. This life of divine union, which is the most per- fect and the most blissful portion of the interior life, is not to be so understood as if the souls that live this life ought no longer to perform any exercise pertaining to the purificative or the illuminative life. The practices of these three sorts of lives are never, on this earth, altogether separated. So long as you live, to whatsoever degree of the divine union you may have attained, you shall always have something to do in order to cleanse the heart more perfectly, or to preserve it pure ; you shall always have to practise virtue, either by doing or by suffering. But this life is to be so understood, that the soul, when duly cleansed, and sufficiently adorned with genuine and solid virtues, acquired by generous acts of self-abnegation, lives in intimacy with Jesus her God, and enjoys a certain holy, mutual, and unspeakable 406 DIRECTORY FOR THE FOURTH BOOK. familiarity with Him, relishes what He relishes, wills what He wills, dislikes what He dislikes, occupies herself, meanwhile, for the most part, with those exercises, those acts, by which this union is fostered and consolidated ; although sometimes, through love rather than any other motive, she performs such things as belong to the purify- ing of the interior, or the practising of virtues. In like manner, souls that labour for the most part to purify themselves interiorly, or apply themselves for the most part to acquire solidly true virtues, are said to lead the life of purification or of illumination, according as they occupy themselves commonly with the one or the other, even if they perform at the same time many practices which properly belong to other parts of the interior life. And these things are to be carefully attended to, lest a person here fall into a delusion particularly full of danger. Wherefore, unless he is willing to be deceived and to imperil himself, let no mortal ever think that he has not to labour any further ; that he has no longer any thing to accomplish ; above all, let no one ever believe that he has no longer any thing to fear — that he may freely expose himself to danger, under this or the like pretence, that he is not moved by any created object, or that he seeks or wills nothing except God. By such a delusion they themselves, who were dis- tinguished by the name of sanctity and the glory of martyrdom, and glittered like stars in the firmament, have shamefully fallen into the abyss. From this same source of presumption other delusions flow ; such as, to neglect one’s duties, or other signs of God’s will, for the sake of quietly reposing amid the delights of divine favour, to seek rather the gifts of the Lord than the Lord Himself, to desire things which are extraordinary. 3. When, therefore, you are in this part, you ought to direct every thing to this, that you do ever more and more love Jesus, your God and Saviour, and that you do, by the purest love, unite yourself intimately with DIRECTORY FOR THE FOURTH BOOK. 407 Him. Now this love is obtained by considering His countless favours, the ineffable workings of the love of His Heart, His stupendous and most delightful promises ; lastly, all the good things which He prepares for you in time and in eternity, by contemplating His most lovely and infinite perfections, on account of which alone He is most worthy of all possible love ; finally, by prayer, by visits in person or in spirit to the most Blessed Sacra- ment, by dealing devotedly and fervently with Him in Holy Communion. 4. The method of using this book may be one of the four laid down before the first and second books. Of these, each one may here follow that method which he believes more useful for himself, according to the state of his soul; and which he will so apply to the matter here proposed, as to secure the object of this book. However, it should be carefully noticed, as in others, so especially in this part of the interior life, that it is by no means proper so to adhere to a settled manner or method that you do not suffer yourself to be guided by heavenly grace, or by the Spirit of God, who is accus- tomed frequently — particularly with regard to souls that, purified and illumined, take pains to unite themselves wholly with God — to pass by every mode or method, to leave off almost all processes of reasoning, to enrapture the heart, to raise it up into His admirable light, and to affect it in an unutterable manner. The affections to which it is here proper to give yourself up, and the acts which you ought to excite, are chiefly these : Of gratitude, or of thanksgiving for the gifts and graces granted to yourself and to others ; yea, also for the glory, the beatitude, and the perfection of the Lord our God, as the Church teaches us by her example, when she says : We thank Thee for Thy own great glory. Of joy ; on account of His mercy, His liberality, His love towards yourself, and all other creatures ; on ac- 408 DIRECTOR r FOR THE FOURTH BOOK. count of His perfections in themselves ; on account of His honour and blissfulness and joy. Of confidence in the goodness of His Heart, in His care, in His providence. Of admiration^ on account of the magnitude and the multitude of the blessings bestowed upon yourself and others, the works of divine love, His infinite perfections. Of praise, so as to extol His marvellous works, now alone by yourself, now in union with the Church ; again, by inviting all creatures, and again by associating your- self with the Saints and Angels in heaven. Of zeal for His honour and glory, and for the salva- tion and perfection of souls for His sake. Of humility^ so as to remember and acknowledge that you are worthless, but that God is generous, since He pours out for you the treasures of His Heart. Of filial love, whereby you are filled with a holy dread of offending the Lord ; whereby you lovingly grieve for the offences by which His Heart has been saddened by yourself and others. Of pure love^ whereby you give, surrender, and sacri- fice yourself and all you possess to Him ; whereby you conform yourself in all things to His will and good plea- sure ; whereby, finally, you live completely united with Him. But these and other acts, as elsewhere, so especially are they here to be made in such a manner, that, so long as you can usefully occupy yourself with one, you do by no means pass over to another, but continue to entertain yourself sweetly and devoutly with the same, until either the time of prayer is past, or the spirit of grace leads you to others ; but if, whilst you endeavour affectionately and quietly to adhere to one act or affec- tion, you find that you can no longer apply yourself to it, pass over to some other, suggested either by the wants of your soul, your own devotion, or the spirit of grace. Lastly, suffer yourself freely to be led by the Spirit DIRECTORY FOR THE FOURTH BOOK. 409 of the Lord to whatever is good, whether to meditation or to contemplation ; to deal with Him by means of the affections, or to repose in His presence, to hold converse with Him, or to hearken to Him ; to ask or to give. Neither use any efforts to remain actually conscious of your occupations in prayer. 5. The rules which properly belong here, for the discernment of spirits, inasmuch as they are of a very nice and delicate kind, must be well learnt and under- stood, so that they may be applied with profit. The Saints teach us the following : The first There is a twofold divine union, with a consummation of the same ; the first is called active, the second, passive union. The active union consists in the perfect uniformity of our will with the divine will. This is the whole per- fection of divine love. Through this union, the senti- ments of the Heart of Jesus are our sentiments, the Spirit of Jesus is our spirit, the life of Jesus our life. Hence, sweetly united with Jesus, we enjoy Him con- stantly, and we are made truly blissful. The passive union, on the other hand, consists in this, that by the abundance of light and love poured in, the faculties are suspended ; so that the memory does not remember, the intellect does not think, the will does not love, except the Lord God ; the whole soul being so absorbed by the divine object, that she does not perceive this state of suspension. This union, replenished with marvellous and most delightful gifts, is generally each time of short duration, nor is it wont to last an hour. Hence, during the intervals, the soul should be occupied and content with the active union. Every one may attain to the active union by faith- fulness to the grace which is given him ; but no human industry, the divine goodness alone, can raise the soul to the passive union. The consummation of the divine union consists in this, that the soul, united with the Lord, is in some 410 DIRECTORY FOR THE FOURTH BOOK. manner so transformed into the divine object of her love, that, the faculties being neither suspended nor impeded, she herself habitually, placidly, and sweetly enjoys our Lord ; being wholly, in a wonderful and delightful manner, absorbed, as it were, in Him, and, nevertheless, exceedingly disposed both to action and to contempla- tion. The second. It is a safer way to long and seek after the active union, rather than the passive, or the things which are sometimes vouchsafed in the passive, such as visions, revelations, and similar communications. It may happen that souls that live in the active union, have much more merit than those to whom the passive union is granted ; because they do and endure greater and more generous things for the Lord, and they are satisfied, according to the divine good pleasure, to be deprived of those consolations — given to others, but not to themselves, in the present life — which they will re- ceive when more sweetly and more abundantly bestowed in the life to come. The third. Let the soul, in order to move and incite herself to do and bear great and noble things for the Lord, acknowledge and confess that she has received, and does receive, many and great things from the Lord ; not that she may deem herself better than others, but that she may serve Him with more generosity and per- fection. Wherefore, let her reject, as coming not from the good, but from the evil spirit, every thought, every emotion, which, under any pretence whatsoever, leads her to complaints about her misery, to dejection of heart, or pusillanimousness. The fourth. Whatsoever outpourings of the divine goodness the soul may receive, howsoever intimately she may be united with God, how much soever she may even be made perfect in the Supreme Good, she ought ever to remember that she is not impeccable, but that she may still perish, unless she be faithful to the Lord. And, therefore, the more and the greater favours she DIRECTORY FOR THE FOURTH BOOK. 411 receives, the more humble it behoves her to be, and the more purely should she love God. Hence, if she be moved to rely upon the long duration of her virtuous life, or the firmness of her good resolves, or the solidity of her virtue, in exposing herself to dangers, let her know that she is moved by the evil, not the good spirit. The fifth. Matters which lead or call you away from the Catholic faith should be carefully rejected as the effects of the evil spirit. Those, on the contrary, which are consistent with the Catholic faith, and serve to unite the soul with her Lord and God, may be received with humble thankfulness as fruits of the good Spirit ; and they may even be asked, humbly and resignedly, with the intention that the soul may increase in the love of God, and become more perfectly united with Him. The sixth. When it is known that by means of any communications received, the soul becomes more and more dead to herself, is animated with desire of greater perfection, and advances in the love of God, it is a sign that they come from the good Spirit. But when it is per- ceived that, in consequence of these communications, the soul becomes inclined to gratify corrupt nature, or loses the hunger and thirst after greater perfection, or that, with a sort of stubbornness, she would defend or hold the communications as divine, although the director of her conscience does not believe so, or is in doubt about it, it is to be suspected that they come from the evil spirit. The seventh. The soul should not desire visions or revelations, nor place her perfection and sanctity in having them. Let her remember that, through them, several have been deceived, and have fallen into the greatest danger. If she experiences a longing after them, let her rather believe that it has been suggested or excited by the evil spirit, and let her check and expel the same. The eighth. The more eagerly extraordinary things 412 DIRECTORY FOR THE FOURTH BOOK. of this kind are coveted, the greater danger they pre- sent that the soul may be deluded and led away from the true path of sanctity which Jesus, the meek and humble of Heart, has indicated, and which the Saints follow. St, Ignat., St. Alphonsus, Blessed Margaret Mary. THE FOURTH BOOK. ADMONITIONS HELPFUL TOWARD UNITING ONESELF WITH THE HEART OF JESUS IN BLISS. ♦ CHAPTER 1. The most Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist is an inven- tion of the love of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus. 1. The voice of Jesus. — I was dead, My child, and, behold, I live for evermore. I had come forth from the Father, and had come into the world ; at last I was about to leave the world, to return to the Father. I However, the love of My Heart did not allow nor suffer that I should leave them orphans whom I cherished more than My own life. The love of My Father called and invited Me, that, coming, I might be glorified with Him, with the glory which I had with Him before the world was created. The love of men also invited and urged Me on, that, staying among them, 1 might comfort them amidst all the troubles of life. And, behold, My Heart invented a means of satisfy- j ing both My love for My Father and My love for men. ■ A mystery, My child, that going up into heaven I may be seated at the right of the Father, and yet abide [ with you even to the consummation of the world. A mystery which, unless I Myself had drawn it 414 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. forth from My Heart, no mortal could ever have imagined ; a mystery which transcends all created nature ; a mystery, in fine, which exceeds all finite power. There is need, therefore, of stupendous miracles to be wrought by divine omnipotence alone. But love triumphs; love, which in My divine Heart found the design, there also found the power of executing the same. All things are possible, all things are easy, if I will them in My Heart, whose will is power and execution. 2. As men were not able to bear the sight of My glorified Majesty, and the world could not subsist in the effulgence of such a brightness, regard was to be had to their weakness, lest, alarmed at the splendour of My greatness, they might be kept away. Wherefore, I must needs conceal My dazzling glory, and display nothing that might fill them with dread. Moreover, My child, since thou hast here no perma- nent city, but lookest for one to come, it is expedient for thee that I abide with thee under another form, lest, forgetting that thou art a pilgrim on earth, thou be willing to make here thy abode, and cling to the things of the present ; and that, mindful of thy place of exile, thou mayst aspire to thy country, where thou shalt be able, with face unveiled, to gaze upon My glory. Lastly, since this life is short, and after it there shall be no longer any time to gain merit, it is good and most useful that I hide My countenance, that thus thou mayst have a greater opportunity of reducing to practice faith, as well as all other virtues. 3. If, for so many reasons, it is advantageous that I dwell henceforth in another form among men upon earth, from among all possible forms that one should be chosen which is best suited to My Heart, and most profitable to men. Now, My child, since I came down to men that they might have spiritual life, and since I stay in their midst that they may have it more abundantly j and as the spiritual life bears in every way a resemblance to the OF JESUS IN BLISS. 415 CH. I.] material life, which is sustained and strengthened by natural food, — they need a supernatural food, whereby the life of the spirit may be preserved, may grow in solidity, and flourish ever more and more. It is better, therefore, that I remain under the ap- pearance of food, since I am not only the Bread of life, but Life itself. For how much more abundantly will the faithful soul have life, if she be nourished with life itself? Besides, My child. My Heart is love ; but love is the gift of oneself, and does not rest until it has given and united itself to the object beloved. Now, as in the life of nature nothing is more inti- mately united than food and the one that takes it, so also in the spiritual life, by the gift of My love, the greatest and most intimate union occurs between the soul and Myself. This is that divine and beatific union whereby I can render every soul blissful — the work of a boundless love. Finally, I am pleased to stay among men under the , form of a banquet, which is a token of the greatest friend- ' ship, in order that, even upon earth, the faithful may , rejoice in My supernal fellowship, which the blessed in heaven enjoy, and that they may recall with delight that never-ending bliss, wherein I give unto you a [ kingdom, that you may eat and drink at My table, and ! where, girding Myself and going about, I will minister to you. This will be the union everlasting and thrillingly blissful, the Passover of never-ending joy, the wine of eternal love, which I will drink with you ever new in the kingdom of My Father. 4. In order that men might gradually be prepared for mysteries so great, I willed that, in many ways, all I this should be foreshadowed in the old Law. I A figure thereof was the fruit of the tree of life planted in paradise, by the fruit of which men, in a state of innocence, were to be nourished and to bloom with 416 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. life, that they might preserve themselves from death, and thus secure immortality. A figure thereof was the bread and wine offered by Melchisedech, the priest and king; priest of the Most High, king of Salem, king of peace. A figure thereof was the Paschal Lamb, the Lamb without blemish, which was both offered and eaten; which was to be consumed neither raw nor cooked, but prepared with fire: and they that ate the same were to have their loins girded, shoes on their feet, staves in their hands, as if in readiness to go on a journey. A figure thereof was the manna in the desert, which fell every day from heaven, possessed the pleasantness of every kind of savour, was called the bread of Angels, of which neither he that gathered more than the usual measure had more, nor he that collected less than another possessed less. A figure thereof was the Ark of the Covenant, wherein the Majesty of God was honoured between the Cherubim ; and whence He was Avont, day and night, to impart to His people propitiation, aid, and comfort. Lastly, a figure thereof was the bread baked under the ashes, Avhereby the prophet Avas freed from his faintness and depression of spirit; and, endowed Avith new vigour, walked, on the strength of that food, even to the mountain of God. 5. It Avas not unknown to Me, My child, how much this institution would cost Me; how great and hoAV many a sacrifice this My Sacramental life Avould re- quire. I know to what humiliations I subject Myself, to how many insults I expose Myself. But all these My Heart deems less than the love whereby It is borne to- wards My Father and towards men. My love is overcome by no obstacles; it triumphs over all. Nay, more, these very difficulties themselves it looks upon and displays as so many proofs of its greatness and generosity. OF JESUS IN BLISS. 417 CH. I.] Behold, then, eminently the great Sacrament of affectionateness, which, conceived by My love before all ages, was realised by My supreme power in time, appeared wonderful to the Angels, was preached to the nations ; which has consoled the world, and which by its sweetness has inebriated the hearts of mortals. 6. The voice of the Disciiole* — Oh, the height of the wisdom and love of Thy Heart, Jesus, Son of the living God! How marvellous, how stupendous are Its wmks! How lovely, O Lord, how sweet 1 Behold how Thou didst love us, most loving Jesus! Thou didst annihilate Thyself for love of us, taking upon Thee the form of food, becoming like unto nourish- ment, and being found under the appearance of bread, but the Bread of life everlasting ! Oh, what power of love did enkindle Thy Heart when, about to pass from this world to the Father, Thou didst institute this most wonderful, this most delightful means of abiding with us, and of abiding in such a manner ! O prodigy of love 1 O divine institution I wherein Thou Thyself, 0 most benign Jesus, art at once the ; banquet and the guest, the offering and the offerer, the joy of Angels and of men! ' 7. Thanks to Thee, Lord Jesus, eternal thanks to ■ Thee, for the unutterable goodness of Thy Heart, whereby thou didst bestow upon us this incomparable blessing. Would that I were able to return Thee suitable thanks for so great a gift! Come, ye Angels and Saints of God ; come ye, all peoples and tribes ; give ye thanks with me to the Lord; let us praise and exceedingly magnify Him, for this the love of His Heart.* Let us sing a new canticle to the Lord; for that, abiding with us after a new manner. He pours forth upon us from His Heart blessings ever new. i Let us joyfully sing to God our Saviour; let us fall down before Him, let us weep for joy and gratitude in His presence. £ E 418 , UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. , 8. O Jesus, infinite love! who through love didst come into this world, and remainest here through love, — nay, more, through love art become wholly mine, — to Thee, in return, I give and deliver my heart, all my af- fections, my whole self; grant, I beseech Thee, that, by love, I may be Thine for evermore, that whatsoever I am and possess may be at the disposal of Thy love and glory. Take away from me all obstacles to Thy love; extinguish in me every ill-ordered affection, that naught may affect, naught may move me, except what concerns Thyself, or Thy interests. Thou, O delight of my heart, Thou, O bliss of my soul ! do Thou live and reign in me ; be Thou henceforth the first and last object of my thoughts and affections ; let me be ever occupied with Thee or for Thee, who art all to me. CHAPTER II. Of the marvellous institution of the most Blessed Sacra- ment of the Eucharist, 1. The voice of Jesus. — I am the living Bread, that came down from heaven. He that comes to Me shall not hunger, for the Bread which I shall give him is My Flesh for the life of the world. When I had said these things. My child, the Jews disputed among themselves, saying: How can this man give us His Flesh to eat ? And, in reply to them, I declared positively : Verily, verily, I say to you, unless ye eat the Flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His Blood, ye shall not have life in you. For My Flesh is meat indeed, and My Blood is drink indeed. 2. Before the festival day of the Passover, knowing that My hour had come that I should pass out of this OF JESUS IN BLISS. 419 . CH. n.] world to the Father, having loved My own who were in the world, I loved them unto the end. It being now evening, I sat down to the Last Supper, and the twelve disciples with Me ; to them, as they were seated around, I said, With desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you. And whilst they were, at Supper, I took bread, and blessed, and broke, and gave it to My Disciples, saying. Take ye, and eat ; this is My Body. And taking the chalice, I gave thanks, and gave to them, saying. Drink ye all of this ; this is My Blood. Do this for a commemoration of Me. 8. The voice of the Disciple. — These, then, are Thy words. Lord God, truth eternal, whereby Thou didst solemnly promise beforehand that Thou wouldst give Thyself to us as the Bread of Life ; these are the deeds, whereby Thou didst afterwards truly fulfil what Thou hadst promised. Thy Church, taught by these words and deeds, even before they had been recorded, enjoyed this, Thy divine gift ; and was doing this, as Thou hadst enjoined, for a commemoration of Thee. By these words. Thou didst overthrow and thwart the foreseen difficulties of infidels, and the objections of heretics, and the temptations of the devil. For, by them, Thou taughtest that whatsoever Thou, the infallible Truth, utterest must be believed, even if we do not understand how these things can be. And through the holy Church, Thy true Spouse, we know the things Thou didst utter ; but in what manner the mysteries which Thou didst proclaim by vrords are inwardly constituted, or realised, that we do not compre- hend, since our limited reason cannot reach those things which transcend all the bounds of reason. If we do not understand the things which are below ourselves, how shall we understand those which are above us ? That a seed sown in the ground, after it has decayed, 420 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. grows up into a new stalk and produces much fruit, we believe, because we perceive it outwardly ; but how these things happen intrinsically, although they belong to the natural order, we are unable to penetrate. Should he not deservedly be regarded as unsound in mind, who whilst, by means of the senses, he perceives that there are mysteries of nature, would not be willing to admit them because he does not comprehend how they can exist ? Now, even by means of the senses, we perceive that there are mysteries of religion revealed by Thee ; because faith comes by hearing ; and, moreover, by reason itself we see that those mysteries are true ; since it is evident to reason that it is impossible that Thou, the essential Truth, shouldst utter what is false. The submission, therefore, of all them that faithfully believe in Thee is reasonable. But they that refuse to believe Thee, thinking themselves wise, have become fools and altogether unreasonable. And it proceeds from a secret pride, instigated by the cunning of the devil, that they are unwilling to subject to Thee, its Author, the noblest gift, their reason ; and to honour Thee by the submission of the same. But all they that at any time have been humble children of the Church, how greatly soever they were distinguished for their genius, have brought their intel- lect under subjection to obey Thee by faith. By this Thou showest that Thou art the Lord of all, good towards all, no respecter of persons ; and that from all, from the learned as well as from, the unlearned. Thou desirest the obedience of a subdued intellect and a - submissive will. 4. Lord God, my Creator and Eedeemer, I prostrate myself before Thee, and submit my reason wholly to Thee ; yes, my whole intellect and will, my body, and all my senses, in obedience to faith, for Thy glory. But it is also my glory and advantage that I may OF JESUS IN BLISS. 421 CH. II.] return to Thee, their beginning and end, all the gifts of soul and body which I have received from Thee ; and that, by means of whatsoever I have received in the order of nature, I may freely cooperate with Thy grace for the supernatural order, and, consequently, for my own everlasting honour, my never-ending bliss. Eeason and faith are both thy gifts, Lord ; the former a natural, the latter a supernatural gift ; both ever assist each other, are never contrary; both are given for truth, each one in its own order. If I believe because my natural reason moves me thereto, my faith is a natural one, and is neither super- natural nor saving. If I believe because a supernatural motive impels me, my faith is supernatural and saving. Blessed are they who have not seen and have be- lieved. And, certainly, how can the senses perceive what does not fall under the senses ? or how can reason comprehend what does not lie within the grasp of reason ? or how can the cold utterance of man explain that which the exceeding love of Thy Heart has effected ? 5. In the spirit, therefore, of Thy Church I do firmly believe that Thou, O Lord Jesus Christ, true God and man, art truly and substantially contained in the most Blessed Sacrament under the appearance of things visible, bread and wine. I do firmly believe that Thou art wholly and entirely present under each outward appearance, and under every part of each element, if they be separated. I do firmly believe that Thou, there present in Thy glorified state, art the same whom, at Thy entrance into the world, the Angels adored, whom Mary and Joseph, the Shepherds and the Magi, worshiped under the form of a Child ; who, meek and humble of Heart, didst go about doing good; who, having died for us, didst rise again ; who, having gone up into heaven, art seated in glory at the right of God the Father. I do not, as the Jews, ask for signs, nor search into the manner ; I do not desire, like the unbelievers, to 422 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. understand reasons intrinsically concealed ; I do not require, like heretics, that my individual judgment be gratified ; for me the testimony of Thy infallible Spouse, the holy Church, which is the ground of the truth, is suflicient. I reject whatsoever is opposed to her doctrine ; this is my security, my faith. 6. O Lord God of infinite Majesty, Thou the Saint of the Saints, who art so marvellously and so lovingly hidden in this mystery, Thee I adore. Thee I worship devotedly. Humbly prostrate, with body and soul in Thy presence, I profess before heaven and earth that Thou art my God and my Saviour ; to Thee do I pay the supreme worship due to Thy Majesty. I offer to Thee also the adorations, honours, and homage which the Angels and the Saints and thy whole Church pay to Thee. Oh, that all men would acknowledge Thee, would adore Thee, would show Thee homage and reverence ! But, since so many fail in their duty, I, O Lord, uniting myself with Thy Saints and Angels, and all faithful souls, do adore and venerate Thee in their stead ; and I desire in this manner to make amends for the negligence of all unfaithlul souls. 7. O Jesus ! whatsoever I may be able to do for Thee is as nothing in comparison to what I owe to Thee. In this most delightful Sacrament, by the pure love of Thy Heart, Thou hast given me whatever Thou pos- sessest. Thy Body and Soul, Thy Humanity and Divinity, with all their treasures. I owe, therefore, to Thee as much as Thou art worth. Thou who art infinite. I give to Thee in return my body and soul, whatso- ever I have, whatsoever 1 am ; but, behold, after I have given all this, my debt remains infinite. It is good for me. Lord Jesus, that I am thus indebted to Thee, that I may be moved and impelled to love without bounds the infinite goodness of Thy Heart. OF JESUS IN BLISS. 423 CH. III.] I Mindful of Thy pure and boundless love, O Jesus, I love Thee in return with my whole heart, and I long to be able to satisfy Thee by an unlimited love. 8. Help me, O most loving Jesus, that I may love Thee with that affection, that tenderness, that reverence which love alone can inspire. Grant that henceforth I may live by pure love for Thee, who by infinite love livest for me in the most holy tabernacle. By Thy most Sacred Heart, thus made a captive, thus detained by love, I beg and implore Thee, so bind my heart to Thine, that it may be a captive of Thy love, and be never dissevered nor separated therefrom. CHAPTER HI. With how lively a faith the Church has, always and every where, manifested her devotion to the most Blessed Sacrament. 1. The voice of Jesus. — My child, the Church exults at this most excellent favour of My Heart, and venerates this supreme miracle of My love with every demonstra- tion of devotedness. Enraptured at the excess of the goodness of My Heart, she melts with love Ibr Me, she rejoices securely in the possession of My most delightful presence, and continues to rejoice, whilst generations pass by, whilst the face of the earth is changed and ages speed away. Behold, in every age of the past, from the east and the west, from the north and the south, the chil- dren of the Church have arisen, and have called their Mother blessed, on account of so great a love of My Heart, which abides with her all days, even to the con- summation of the world. In this presence, uninterrupted and full of mutual love, 1 celebrate the great Supper, the divine festival of 424 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. My spiritual nuptials, with My immaculate Spouse the holy Church. To these the faithful are invited and called, be they poor, and weak, and blind, and lame, that the house may be filled with guests, and that their joy may be ' full. 2. The voice of the Disciple . — Hear ye this, 0 mor- tals, and come ye clothed with the nuptial garment. Here taste ye, and see how sweet is the Lord. To this sacred banquet, at which the Angels minis- ter, all the truly faithful do always and every where come adorned with this festive garment, that, being pleasing to the Lord, they may, whilst they are nourished and refreshed, rejoice with Him. But they that are without this garment, being defiled, do rightly “ abstain,’^ because they deservedly fear lest I they eat and drink j udgment to themselves,” or because i they do not confess that the Eucharist is the Flesh of our Saviour Jesus Christ, which suffered for our sins, and which the Father raised to life” (1 Cor. xi. j St. Ignat. Mart., cent. i.). But we “ have been taught that the Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, who became incarnate” (St. Justin, Mart., cent. ii.). How great a gift is, therefore, bestowed, not only upon our soul, “ but also upon our body, which is nourished with the Flesh and Blood of the Lord” (St. Iren., cent. ii.). Hence, how great a reverence is required 1 ‘‘Ye know, ye who are accustomed to assist at the divine mysteries, how, when ye receive the Body of the Lord, ye watch with all care and reverence, that nothing, be it ever so little, fall down, that nothing of the conse- crated gift slip off ; for ye believe yourselves guilty, if through carelessness any thing do fall. So great is the precaution ye use, and deservedly so” (Origen, cent. iii.). No sooner had the Church emerged from the perse- cution of three hundred years, than, rejoicing and crowned OF JESUS IN BLISS. 425 CH. III.] with laurels, she in her first general Council, with her sons assembled from every part of the world, regulated the manner in which the divine Sacrament should be dispensed throughout the world, in order that so sacred a mystery might every where be handled with holy awe. She does not bring forward new things, but, faithful guardian of her deposit, she recalls and inculcates the ancient practices. “ Neither the rule,” says this watch- ful Mother, “ nor custom has handed it down, that they who have not the power of offering the Sacrifice should present the Body of Christ to them that offer the same. Let them receive according to their rank the Holy Communion from the Bishop or the priest, after the clergy” (1st Nic. Counc., cent iv.). Behold the most Holy Communion ! behold the Sacra- ment of the Lord ! “ For under the appearance of bread He gives us His Body, and under the appearance of wine He gives us His Blood, that, when you have received the same, you taste the Body and Blood of Christ, having become partakers of His Body and Blood ; for thus we become Ghristiferi — that is, bearing Christ in our bodies ; thus, according to the blessed Peter, we are made partakers of the divine nature” (St. Cyril of Jerus., cent. iv.). Bread, indeed, it is — before the sacramental words ; but when the Consecration has been pronounced thereon, of bread it becomes the Body of Christ. By which words, then, and by whose language, is the Consecration made ? By the words of Christ the Lord. Therefore, the Word of Christ effects this Sacrament. Which Word of Christ? The one whereby all things were made. The Lord commanded, and the heavens were made ; the Lord commanded, and the earth was made ; the Lord commanded, and every creature was produced. See, then, how effective is the word of Christ. If, then, there is so great a power in the word of the Lord Jesus, that things which were not began to exist, how much the more effective is it to change into another that 426 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. which did already exist ? He spoke, and it was done” (St. Ambros., cent. iv.). O Sacrament of godliness ! O sign of unity ! O bond of charity ! He that desires to live has where he may live, whereby he may live. Let him become incorporate, that he may receive life. Let him not be a decayed member which deserves to be cut off ; let him not be a misshapen one, of which he is ashamed. Let him be fair, fit, sound ; let him cleave to the body ; let him live of God for God” (St. August., cent. v.). ‘‘ As many of us, therefore, as become partakers of this Body, let us refiect that we taste Him who is seated above, who is adored by the Angels. That which the Angels dare not freely gaze upon by reason of the daz- zling splendour — by that we are here nourished, to that we are united, with that we became one body. In order, therefore, that we may not only become this by charity, let us also in very deed be blended with that Body ; for this is effected by the food which He has granted to us. Let us, then, go away from that table like lions breath- ing fire, having become an object of dread to the devil” (St. Chrysost., cent. v.). How goodly is that Bread which nourishes the Angels by its outward appearance, that they may be sated therewith in the land of bliss, and us by faith, that we may not faint on the way ! That man might eat the Bread of Angels, the Creator of Angels became man, nourishing both, and remaining whole and entire” (St. Fulgent., cent. vi.). 4. “ They, however, that live wickedly and do not cease to communicate, thinking that by such a Commu- nion they are cleansed, let them learn that they make no progress toward a cleansing, but toward condemna- tion. For the Body of Christ is the food of Saints” (St. Isid. of Seville, cent. vii.). Prepare ye, therefore, your heart. “For the Eucharist is a Communion whereby we have fellowship with Christ, and receive His Humanity and Divinity, OF JESUS IN BLISS. 427 CH. in.] and unite ourselves between us” (St. John Damasc., cent. viii.). Let them hear, then, who wish to weaken this word of the Body, as if it were not the true Flesh of Christ which is now celebrated in the Sacrament by the Church, nor His real Blood. They seem desirous to approve or invent something new, as if it were merely a certain virtue of Christ’s Flesh or Blood, so that the Lord is made to speak falsely, when Truth itself says. This is My Body. He did not then say, when He broke and gave the bread, This is, or in this mystery is, a certain virtue or figure of My Body ; but He said plainly, This is My Body ; and therefore it is what He said, not that which any one may imagine. No one has as yet openly gainsaid that which the whole world believes and confesses” (St. Paschas., Ab., cent. ix.). 5. ‘Mn churches the Eucharist is always accessible ; . which custom the ancient churches have preserved” (Luitprand., cent. x.). Wherefore Christ cannot be accused of forgetful- ness — Christ does not enjoin things contrary to His commands. He is the Bread that came down from hea- ven, which is daily brought to the table of the Church as a heavenly food, which is broken for the forgiveness of sins, which feeds and nourishes unto life everlasting them that eat the same” (St. Peter Damian., cent. xi.). “Neither need we pretend that to this our age is denied either that apparition which was vouchsafed to the Fathers of the ancient Covenant, or that presence of His Body which was exhibited to the Apostles ; since, to them that consider faithfully, neither the one nor the other can be wanting. Surely it cannot in the least be doubted, that in the Sacrament we have even now present with us the true substance of His Flesh. We have revelations, but in spirit and in power, so that it is proved that nothing is wanting in any kind of grace” (St. Bern., cent. xii.). 6. “ The delightfulness of this Sacrament none can 428 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. adequately express, whereby spiritual sweetness is tasted in its very source, and the remembrance of that most excellent charity which He manifested in His Passion is recalled to mind. Wherefore, that the immensity of this love might be the more intimately imprinted in the hearts of the faithful, at the Last Supper, when, after He had celebrated the Passover with His disciples, He was about to pass from this world to the Father, He instituted this Sacrament as an everlasting memorial of His Passion, the fulfilment of the ancient figures, the greatest of the miracles wrought by Him, and the ex- ceeding comfort of those that were saddened by His absence” (St. Thom. Aq., cent. xiii.). ‘‘A spiritual and interior person finds in the par- taking of the Body of Christ Jesus twelve excellent fruits : Fortitude to forsake easily things earthly and perishable ; progress in the things relating to salvation ; elevation of the soul above whatever is outside of God ; strength to practise good ; enlightenment of the under- standing more perfectly to know God, and all things which are seen in the mirror of eternity ; fervour of love for God ; fulfilment of those things which beget happiness ; a treasure of wealth ; a constant cheerful- ness of spirit ; a certain secure firmness ; perfect peace ; union of the soul with God” (Thauler, cent. xiv.). ‘‘ O precious, magnificent, saving banquet, replete with every delight ! By this sins are cleansed away, virtues increased, the mind is enriched with the abun- dance of all graces” (St. Antonin., cent. xv.). 7. Wherefore, delivering her doctrine concerning this august and divine Sacrament, — which the Catholic Church, instructed by Jesus Christ our Lord Himself, and by His Apostles, and taught by the Holy Spirit, who always inspires her with every truth, has ever retained and will preserve to the end of the world, — she teaches and openly and plainly professes that, in the bountiful Sacrament of the Eucharist, after the consecra- tion of the bread and wine, our Lord Jesus Christ, true OF JESUS IN BLISS. 429 CH. III.] God and Man, is truly, really, and substantially con- tained under the appearance of those visible elements. She warns, exhorts, prays, and entreats, through the tender mercy of our God, that all and each one of those that bear the name of Christian do meet and agree in this sign of unity, this bond of charity, this symbol of concord, — mindful of so great a Majesty, and so eminent a love of Jesus Christ our Lord, who, as the price of our salvation, laid down His beloved life, and gave us His Flesh to eat, — that they do believe and revere these sacred mysteries of His Body and Blood, with constancy and firmness of faith, with devotedness and piety and worship of spirit, so that they may be enabled frequently to receive this supersubstantial Bread, and that this may truly be to them everlasting life and health of the soul. That, being invigorated by the strength thereof, they may be enabled, from the journey of this weary pilgrim- age, to come to the heavenly country, there to eat unveiled the same Bread of Angels that now they eat hidden beneath the sacramental veils. (Council of Trent, Sess. 13, cent, xvi.) 8. O Lord God! how did the faithful, through all ages, burn to honour Thee in this Sacrament of Thy love ! with what piety did they strive here to exhibit for Thee the utmost reverence 1 How did they exert themselves to show due gratefulness to thy Heart, and to compensate by love for the love of Thy Heart ! And therefore, too, should we be blamed, — we the heirs of the faith once delivered to the Saints, we the children of the Saints, — were we to grow lukewarm in this devotion of devotions, in this chief point of our religion ; whilst so long a succession of ages calls forth our lively faith, when so great a multitude of the faith- ful of all times and places throughout the world stimu- late us by their example j and since so great a goodness of Thy Heart excites our hearts. Enliven our faith, most loving Jesus, and, when 430 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [BOOK IV. enlivened, increase it unceasingly. Strengthen our hope and confidence. Enkindle and inflame our love. Grant, O Lord, that we may ever be enabled to worship in the spirit of faith, to venerate devotedly this most sacred and most sweet Mystery, and to partake worthily thereof. CHAPTER IV. That the most Scuired Heart of Jesus ^ in the Sacrament of His love^ is perfectly blissful. 1. The voice of Jesus. — That for which My Heart longed, that which It sought through every excess of love, this It now enjoys contented in the Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist. Behold, now, not only the justice of My heavenly Father, but also the love of My Heart, is satisfied. Herein My Heart rejoices and exults, that nothing is now wanting to Its wished-for bliss. Rejoice with Me, My child ; because here is the joy, the delight, the blessedness of My Heart. Here is the new heaven, wrought and adorned by skill divine, that here My Heart ever may be well-pleased and blissful. But behold. My child, My Heart does not here enjoy those things wherein the world by its vain struggles seeks for happiness. It possesses not the dis- play of earthly wealth, nor the pleasures of the senses, nor those objects which flatter the passions. All these I willingly do without ; nay, frequently I am wont even to be surrounded with _what the world shuns and abhors. Yet My Heart is completely contented and blissful. 2. Why should not My Heart be happy here, since in this paradise of supernatural delights It overflows with a torrent of divine joys and supreme sweetness? I am perfectly happy in Heart by possessing those OF JESUS IN BLISS. 431 CH. IV.] things which, as the Son, I have by inheritance from the Father, and which, as the Saviour of the world, I have acquired at the price of My life. But thou, My child, wherein dost thou seek thy felicity ? is it also in the divine union, in supernal com- muning, in the sweet consolation of the divine good pleasure ? Dost thou not sometimes lose the joy or even the peace of thy heart, because thou hast not that which gratifies nature ? Art thou also, according to the divine will, gladly deprived thereof? Look thou attentively, child, and be persuaded that thy heart, like Mine, cannot be made happy by the love and enjoyment of things sensible, of objects created, but of those which are supernatural and divine. 3. Here, moreover, is My Heart blissful, by reason of the happiness which the faithful draw from this foun- tain of blessings, whereof they partake with Me. As a good father experiences happiness when he finds himself among his beloved children, so do I in the midst of My people. Here the faithful, as children most dear to My Heart, are trained and formed by Me ; they banquet, they entertain themselves with Me ; they drink in the generosity and fortitude of My Heart ; they are incited to emulate My virtues ; yea, they learn to glorify and delight in the same things with Me. For this is My Heart glad indeed, as It deems Itself happy whensoever It has made others happy. Rejoice with Me, My child, seeing that thy happi- ness is not only an object of care, but also of joy to My Heart. 4. Oh, if thou knewest how great a bliss My Heart does, over and above, enjoy here, on account of the ten- derness, the devotedness, of the love of so many souls, that, in every state and condition of life, are wholly consecrated to Me, and live with every affection of their heart for Me alone ! 432 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. Here, My child, are pure souls enraptured with or rZ^uly delights, w^herewith the Angels themselves are A’^ted. o t^re are generous souls, who, although weak by nature, from great and noble designs for Me, and by affection and deed, make compensation for the sacrifices of My love, and consecrate themselves wholly to My interests. And should not I be delighted with a love so great, so tender, so chaste ? Should I not pour fort’' whole Heart upon them ? shall I suffer Myself outdone in tenderness and generosity of love ? My delight is to be with the children of men height of My delight, to enjoy the love of pure souls, in return, to make them taste the sweets of My love. ; 5. Here, therefore, is My Heart, in various ways, t and perfectly replenished with bliss ; yet, if there be any who are ungrateful or degenerate, and who are insensible to My love, or act unjustly towards My Heart, they only can make themselves wretched, but cannot render Me unhappy. For since I am risen to a life of glory, I die no more ; neither am I affected by sorrow. My joy. My beatitude, is perfect and complete ; none shall take it away from My Heart, none shall lessen the same. As My Heart is personally united to the Divinity, It is blissful with the beatitude of the very Divinity. And therefore, in order that My Heart may be per- fectly blissful, It needs no external means ; for, whether these be present or absent. It will ever be most blessed. No less blissful in the hut with the dying poor than in the palace of the nobleman or king ; as blissful in the tabernacle of the altar as upon the throne in heaven. For the reason of My beatitude is within ; whence it is ever the very same in every place, at all times, imder all circumstances. This is the inner recess where I have placed My abode, where I dwell in light inaccessible, where I enjoy a full and unchangeable beatitude. OF JESUS IN BLISS. 433 CH. IV.] 6. The Angels that throng around Me are with wonder, and prostrate they worship, and exi^^B exclaim : Let us be glad, and give glory God I W And much more are they rejoiced at My bliss thar at their own ; for, rapt in Me, and forgetful of them- selves in their exceeding love for Me, they exult with Me amid joys unutterable. ^ '' like manner do many faithful souls — although n the body they experience the miseries of this WL life — rejoice exceedingly, because I am what I .and they derive the highest happiness from this, thav they know that I am supremely blessed. And thou also. My child, if thou lovest Me truly, wilt surely rejoice for that I am blissful not only in the enjoyment of the highest glory at the right of God the Father, but also in this Sacrament of the love of My Heart. 7. The voice of the Disciple . — Thou art my witness, most sweet Jesus, and knowest that, through love for Thee, I rejoice at Thy perfect beatitude in the most delightful Sacrament of Thy Heart. Yea, Lord, my heart and my whole soul rejoice in Thee, because Thy Heart is blessed, and is confirmed in blissfulness for ever and ever. Oh, how truly must the highest joy overwhelm me, bedause. Thy Passion being now over. Thy glory and bliss are full, and placed beyond every change ! It is true that, since I still have to endure the hard- ships of my banishment, the time has not yet come, to rejoice at my own glory and bliss everlasting ; but, meanwhile, it is enough for me that Thou, my God, my Saviour and Father, rejoicest to the utmost fulness, in glory and beatitude supreme. This is for me a reason to rejoice, and to rejoice with my whole heart, even while I abide and weep in my captivity, and call to mind my everlasting inherit- ance in heaven, which, as God, Thou hast prepared for.. 434 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. which, when lost, as Saviour, Thou hast repurchased |e; which, as Father, Thou bequeathest to me. gi d because it is meet and just that I do love Thee moMihan myself, and whatsoever is my own, so in like manner it is right and wholesome that 1 do rejoice more at Thy beatitude than at my own happiness, either present or future. And in reality. Lord Jesus, I do rejoice more in- tensely on account of Thy glory and blessedness than on account of any honour or exaltation of my own, on account of any joy or consolation whatever. But I also rejoice, with all my heart, at the very joy wherewith Thy Heart is replenished by the happiness, the devotedness, the love of so many souls throughout the earth consecrated to Thee. 8. Grant, O most kind Jesus, that I too may be of the number of those who in return love Thee, who lovest them so much, with so great a purity and gene- i rosity. j 1 ask not for the singular and marvellous favours i granted to them so frequently and so abundantly ; Thee, O my Jesus, Thyself do I ask, as a reward of my labours and sorrows, if I have endured any for Thy sake, and as my sole happiness in all things. Not the riches or the pleasures of this world, not the things which flatter nature, not even merely sensible consolations, can render me happy. My bliss is, O most sweet Jesus, to repose on Thy Heart, to enjoy Thee. Hard, indeed, is all rest which does not recline on Thy Heart ; vain are all things which are not referred to Thee; meaningless whatsoever is not in harmony with the sentiments of Thy Heart ; tasteless whatsoever i is not seasoned with the unction of Thy love. Grant me only that, by divine union, I may possess Thee, love Thee as purely, as generously as I am able, and I willingly abandon all the rest to others ; by this gift alone I shall be most blissful with Thee. ' CH. V.] OF JESUS IN BLISS. 435 CHAPTER V. The most Sacred Heart of Jesus is the Heart of His holy Church, 1. The voice of Jesus. — My Heart, my child, which lives in the Sacrament, is the heart of My Church, which is My mystical Body. This, My Body, is a living one, endowed with a soul. That' soul is the principle of the supernatural life which the Body lives. This principle of life proceeds from My divine Heart ; for out of My Heart the Church was made; which is evidently to be understood, not of the members, not of the Body, but of the soul. There are many members, indeed, but one Body, which, by the divine principle, My Heart animates and fosters, that My life may be made manifest in the Body. The Church, therefore, consisting of a Body, which is its human element, and a soul, which is the divine element, subsists as a moral individuality in the oneness of person, and in the participation of the human and divine nature. As the vine by its influence communicates the life- giving sap to the branches when properly disposed, so do I to the properly disposed members of the Church communicate the divine principle of Life. And as the vine and the branches are one, so am I and the Church, in a manner, one. Truly, then, am I and the Church intimately united, not only by a moral, but also by a substantial union; not by a sensible, but a spiritual union ; not by an hypostatic, but nevertheless by a personal union, in this sense, that I am so united to the Church, that she constitutes with Me one moral personality, receiving from Me her principal part, her soul, the divine prin- ciple of supernatural Life, and having at the same time members, each of them personalities, in another respect, 436 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. which subsist by and for themselves, truly distinct and human personalities. 2. Thus united to Me, thus animated by a divine principle, the Church lives, in some manner, a divine Life, a supernatural Life, a Life of merits worthy of everlasting beatitude. Nay, more, it is from the same source that man is enabled to begin to be a member of the Church, when in baptism he is regenerated by the water and the Spirit of My Heart, as the Scripture says: We were all bap- tised into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether bondmen or free. For this did the water flow from My opened Side, the symbol of baptism, which is the laver of regenera- tion. By the same principle, likewise, are the members of the Church intimately united. The faithful are indeed gently and happily bound together among themselves by many links; but in the Sacrament of the love of My Heart they become, as it were, incorporated with Me and endowed with My Spirit, and thus they become incomparably more closely, more sweetly, and more perfectly united together. And this is the mystery of love whereof the Apostle speaks, when he says : Although many, we are one body, who partake of one Bread: one body and one spirit. What wonder, then, if the faithful should possess but one heart. My Heart, of whose fulness all receive the Spirit of Life ? For as in the natural body the blood, with its life- giving power, starts from the heart and diffuses itself through all, even the most remote and the least, parts which present no obstruction, so the principle of the supernatural Life proceeds from My Heart, and is im- parted to all and every one of the members of My mystical Body that present no obstacle. 3. By this divine power not only does the Church OF JESUS IN BLISS. 437 CH. V.] live, but, at the same time that her members are in- timately united, she is nourished by this, endowed with vigour, and preserved in the perpetual bloom of youth. Yea, if any member is weak, or even, by the abuse of his free will, has hindered or cast aside My life-giving influence and communication, so as to become super- naturally dead, so long as he cleaves to the Body of the Church, he can recover life itself and supernatural health from My Heart, if by the Sacrament of Penance he cleanses himself in the bath of the life-restoring and purifying Blood of My Heart, and thus removes the obstacle or hindrance. But the living members of the Church, as they are animated by My Spirit, as they are constantly nourished by the influence of My Heart, as, lastly, they abide in Me and I in them, bring forth much fruit, true and permanent fruit, fruit of life everlasting. All false religions — as they neither do nor can re- ceive Life from My divine Heart, since they are alto- gether cut off from My mystical Body — are soulless beings, destitute of the principle of the supernatural Life ; and therefore they cannot bear genuine and saving fruit. For as the branch of the vine cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abide in the vine, so neither can men unless they abide in Me. Do not, then, wonder if, like branches lopped ofi*, they wither, decay, and finally perish altogether. 4. If these things, whereby the Church thus lives, flourishes, and brings forth fruit, are marvellous and sweet, still more wonderful and sweeter far are those other favours which I impart to her, and whereby she has a resemblance to Myself. For whatsoever I have by nature, the Church, ac- cording to her capacity, has of Me by grace. And since I, who am the Holy One, animate the Church with the divine principle of Life, and have her so united to Me, that we are, as it were, one, she is necessarily holy, not only outwardly by her origin, by 438 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. her end, and the means she employs to attain to eternal bliss, but also inwardly, by her very soul, wherein, properly speaking, holiness resides. By the perpetual union and influence of My Heart I perfect her in holiness, that I may exhibit her as a Church, glorious, without blemish or wrinkle, or aught of the kind. I cannot err; therefore neither can the Church. Should she err, I Myself should err ; but I am the infallible Truth, whence also she herself is infallible. The words which the Father gave Me, I gave to her; and I unfolded their meaning, that, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, she might understand and keep them. The Church, which is My Body, dies not, because I die no more ; but so she remains until I come, in glory, at the end of the world. I, Jesus, am the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever ; therefore, My Heart, which vivifies and pre- serves the Church, nurses and fills her with vigour, sanctifies her by Its holiness, and consolidates her by Its truth, endows her also with Its own perpetual Life^ and imparts to her a bright immortality. 5. Learn hence, My child, how worthy of thy venera- tion, how worthy of thy love, is the Church, who is so intimately united to Me, and represents My ovm Self so completely, that she may justly say : He that sees me, sees also Christ. Be glad, child, rejoice with all thy heart, because thou art a member of this My mystical Body, than which there is nothing seen on earth more beauteous, more noble, more marvellous. If thou lovest Me, love also My Church, for which I gave Myself up ; than which, of all the things that are made in heaven and in earth, there is nothing dearer to My Heart. Above all, in the most holy Sacrament of My love thou wilt be more closely united in Me to the Church, and there wilt thou better learn of My Heart her spirit. OF JESUS IN BLISS. 439 CH. V.] Whosoever wishes to know the spirit of the Church, must learn the Spirit of My Heart ; because the spirit of both is one and the same. The Church must be considered in the same spirit wherewith she is animated ; and her manner of acting must be viewed, not in a worldly sense, but in that spiritual sense by which she is moved when acting. Oh, if all knew the sentiments of the Church, — which far surpass the sentiments of the best of mothers, since hers are the very sentiments of My Heart, — how fondly would they love the Church ! how completely would they approve her works ! Do thou pray, My child, that all may know and love the Church, that they may be worthy members of this Body, animated with the spirit of life, — members by whom I may be honoured and glorified. Do thou pray, much and frequently, that all may be invigorated with the sentiments of My Heart, and in- crease throughout therein, until they all meet into a perfect body, and be joined in fellowship with the Angels and Saints, who, in heaven, are confirmed in union with My Heart. 6. Meanwhile, My child, have a special care that thou abide in Me, not by faith, hope, and charity alone, but also by means of the Sacrament, by a perfect union. This is the one, the necessary thing for thee, that thou be united with Me. From this union arise for thee life, and vigour, and perfection, and holiness. The more closely thou art united with Me, and the better disposed thou keepest thyself, the more copious streams of graces and supernal blessings thou wilt draw upon thyself from My Heart, at all times, but chiefly in Holy Communion. Hence thou wilt bear much fruit of holiness, whereby thou wilt show forth the divine power of My Heart, and promote Its true glory. 7. The voice of the Disciple . — O Lord our God ! how wonderful, how lovely is Thy Heart ! Who should not 440 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [eOOK IV. be astonished at the depth of the mysteries of Its power ? who should not be moved by the boundless tokens of Its love ? The taking upon Thyself of our nature was indeed a great and marvellous work of Thy love ; but, oh, how much greater, how much more marvellous, was the giving of Thyself in the Sacrament ! In the Incarnation Thou didst assume our human- ity ; but in the Communion Thou bountifully givest us Thy own Divinity, and grantest us Thy own humanity. By assuming our nature. Thou didst come down to us, and live a mortal life ; but, by communicating Thy- self to us in the Sacrament, Thou raisest us up to Thyself, and impartest to us a divine life. When Thou becamest man. Thou didst redeem and gather us together ; by becoming the Food of our life. Thou unitest us to Thyself, that we may be perfected in Thee and through Thee. O, Lord ! how prodigious, how delightful is the love of Thy Heart for us, for whom Thou workest such mighty things ! Would that all might know and love these wonders, so stupendous, so deserving of love ! Would that I pos- sessed the hearts of all, that I might consecrate them to Thy love ! 8. O Jesus, the life and delight of my soul ! how unutterable is the love wherewith Thou didst love me 1 For how great a condescension of Thy love was it, that by nature Thou didst create me in Thy image I But how incomparably greater was that love, whereby, through grace. Thou didst raise me to Thy likeness ! What shall I say, what shall I think of that whereby Thou didst elevate me to an intimate union with Thy- self ? Who am I, and who art Thou, that Thou dealest in this manner with me ? O love incomprehensible ! O most sweet Jesus, lovely , above all things lovely ! How shall I not die, if I love Thee not? How shall I live, if I live not for Thee ? OF JESUS IN BLISS. 441 CH. VI.] O Lord, the principle, the support, the end of my life ! grant, I beseech Thee, — grant that I may live united with Thee, that I may live through Thee, that I may live for Thee, to the glory and joy of Thy Heart, whereby Thou effectest such marvellous, such delightful things. CHAPTEE VI. The most sacred Heart of Jesus unites the Church Militant on earth with the Church Triumphant in heaven, 1. The voice of Jesus, — My child, I am established Head over the whole Church, the glorious part whereof triumphs with M#in heaven. This part, this Church Triumphant, to which the rest will one day exultingly ascend, is the society of all the Angels and Saints, illustrious for victories, crowned with laurels everlasting, wholly and immutably devoted to My glory and love, by far the most pleasing and most dear to My Heart. What wonder, then, if My Heart was carried away with this glorious portion into the land of the living, into the kingdom of ever-during bliss ? But, behold, at the same time, by a prodigy of love. It was retained in the Sacrament with the Church Militant. In this manner, therefore. It is present with both, and, joining both by Itself and in Itself, It makes the two one. 2. Both have in Me the same Victim. The Tri- umphant Church, indeed, has the Lamb standing as if slain, a victim which is not now immolated, but, being immolated formerly, is adored ; and the Church Militant possesses the same Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world, a continued Sacrifice, which is offered in every place — a clean Oblation. Both, likewise, use the same table ; the one in hea- ven is filled without mystery with the bread of Angels, 442 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. for which, as they eat thereof, they are ever longing, and wherewith they are, at the same time, ever satiated; the other, on earth, enjoys the same food, under the veil of mystery, in a manner adapted to her present con- dition. Lastly, both are refreshed at the same fountain ; for i the one that reigns above is inebriated with perpetual ' delights from the torrent of divine pleasure, springing j up from My Heart into everlasting life ; the other, that 1 struggles here below, draws with gladness from the same gushing spring the waters of grace, of consolation, and of blessedness. 3. Making, in this manner, both parts one. My Heart brings it to pass, in the sacred tabernacle, that there exists between them a continued and never-ceasing communication and fellowship. ^ For, wherever I am in the most Holy Sacrament, the Angels are continually descending from heaven to minister to Me, to adore, to love, to praise Me. And, astonished at the love that forces Me, so mar- vellously and so gently, to abide with men, they, as in heaven before the throne of My glory, so upon earth before the Sacrament of My love, with unceasing voice cry out : Holy, holy, holy. Lord . God Omnipotent ! all the earth is full of Thy glorj^” An^ when they depart, behold, they mount up into heaven, having golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of the Saints, of the faithful, worshiping Me in spirit, with truth and holiness ; these they offer up before the throne of the divine Majesty, and expose the wants of their companions who are combating upon earth. At the intercession of the Angels and Saints, and at My Heart’s own desire, mercy and grace descend, to console and refresh mortals, and fill them with gladness from above. And thus. My child, whilst the inhabitants of heaven fully enjoy everlasting bliss, the faithful here are un- OF JESUS IN BLISS. 443 CH. VI.] ceasingly being prepared by the most Holy Sacrament for the same blessedness ; and they that are prepared, are constantly entering the heavenly tabernacles. 4. Therefore, in My Heart is the Church, the one in heaven as well as the one upon earth, united. Itself is the principle by which the whole becomes one, and the parts have a mutual and continual intercourse. For it pleased Me to join together therein all things, whether in heaven or on earth ; so that all, being rooted and strengthened in the same, may abound through My Heart. It was necessary that this should be done. My child ; for, unless I had liberally bestowed the grace of My Heart, that men fortified, yea, elevated thereby, might attain to the heavenly fellowship, they could never, by the powers of their^own nature, have reached that super- natural beatitude. In this manner, then, didst thou draw nigh to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to the fellowship of many thousands of Angels, and to the Church of the first-born, who are written in the heavens. 5. Admire thou, my child, these sublime dispensa- tions ; revere these mysteries of love ; take advantage, for the advancement^of thy soul, of so great a goodness of My Heart, which grants thee, although a weak mor- tal, to hold intimate communion with the Saints and Angels, and from the same treasure with them to draw forth blissfulness. See how the Church Militant, enraptured with this love of My Heart, vies, by her praises and manifestations of gratefulness, to emulate the Church Triumphant. For, as the Church in heaven has no rest, but with- out end praises Me, for ever glorifies Me, so the Church on earth ceases not to honour, to celebrate Me. Let not thy sentiments. My child, be different, from the sentiments of the Church thy Mother ; but have thou the same sentiments that she entertains. When thou appearest before My beloved tabernacle, 444 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. expand thy heart, give thyself up to devotion, give glory to the Lord thy God. Unite thyself with the Church Militant ; join thy- self also to the Church Triumphant; thus, associated with the faithful, and with the spirits above, praise thy Saviour-God with the joyful exultation of mouth and heart. Fall prostrate with veneration ; adore, entreat, enjoy My presence. 6. The voice of the Disciple . — O most loving Jesus ! how admirable is the love of Thy Heart, whereby, to cheer and console me on earth, Thou didst cause me, in some manner, to enjoy here below the bliss and com- panionship of heaven 1 Thus, O Love incomprehensible ! thus Thou didst soothe, in a wonderful way, the bitteiness of my banish- ment ; yea, didst change it into heavenly sweetness. And should I not love Thee after this ? should I not praise Thee ? should not Thy love be ever in my heart, Thy praise upon my lips ? Yea, I will love, I will praise Thee, O Lord; I will love and praise Thee as much as I can, and I wish that I were able as much as I ought. I invite heaven and earth to jgin me in loving and praising Thee. Enravished with love for Thee, let the Angels and Saints, all the just and the faithful, praise Thee in the most sweet Sacrament ! Let the Triumphant, together with the Militant Church, cause heaven and earth to resound with hymns of love and praise ! Nay, let all things created, visible and invisible, animate and inanimate, that do Thy bidding, not cease day nor night to praise and glorify Thee, because Thou art worthy of every praise, of every glory, world without end. • 7. O Thou most delightful of friends, Jesus, the bliss of all the Angels and Saints 1 Where on earth shall I seek for happiness, if I do not seek for it here ? OF JESUS IN BLISS. 445 CH. VII.] Here I become the companion of the Saints, here I dwell in the midst of Angels, here I find the very de- lights of heaven. O ineffable goodness ! 0 infinite sweetness ! Thou who drawest to Thyself from above the heavenly Spirits, draw me also unto Thee ; that here I may rest, here, amid the Angels, gaze upon Thee, adore Thee, praise Thee, supplicate Thee. Whenever I am elsewhere detained, oh, do Thou draw hither my heart and mind ; that, in spirit at least, I may be here with Thee ; that, by frequent thought and affection, I may converse with Thee, may be occupied with Thee. What can I desire better or sweeter in this world than here to enjoy Thee? Here is the new earthly paradise, where I'^long and resolve to live until I am transported hence into Thy heavenly kingdom, and tri- umph for ever with the Angels and Saints. CHAPTER VII. The most Sacred Heart of Jesus unites together the Church thojt sufers in purgatory with the Militant and Triumphant Church. 1. The voice of Jesus. — My child, none shall enter the kingdom of heaven, the Church Triumphant, unless he is wholly stainless. For nothing defiled shall enter therein. Whosoever leaves this world defiled with sin which may be forgiven in the world to come, shall be saved, yet so as by fire. In this fire. My child, is the Suffering Church, a multitude of souls that formerly, beneath My standard, fought for My sake against the flesh, the world, and the devil, but in the battle were, in one way or another, 446 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. j wanting in tlieir duty, and, during life, did not repair their shortcomings. ' They suffer. My child, and the more vehemently, j since, as they now understand things more fully, they f also long the more ardently to be with Me in the tri- | umph of the heavenly kingdom. Eelying on this certain hope of bliss, they experi- ence on this very account more violent sufferings; for hope delayed afflicts the soul. And, although the soul is glad to be there cleansed, and would not go thence uncleansed, she, however, finds ; no rest, but, impelled by an excessive longing, she cries out : When shall I come, oh, when shall I come and appear before the face of my God ! 2. These souls I cherish. My child, because in life they loved Me, and did not unto the end leave My standard. Their names are written in the Book of Life, and their rewards are safely laid up in My Heart. Meanwhile, the grace of My Heart informs them, the virtue of My Heart relieves them, the boundless love of My Heart comforts them. Thus, through My Heart, is the Church Suffering vivified, as well as the Church Militant and the Tri- umphant ; and in My Heart these three are one. Animated by the supernatural life of My Heart, the one that is glorified in heaven, the one that is being cleansed in purgatory, the one that combats upon earth, all concur in one and the same end, which is lasting triumph for the unending glory of the divine Majesty. 3. And, since all receive life out of My Heart, and return the fruit of this life to My Heart, all good things become common among them in My Heart ; the charity whereof, penetrating into heaven, the earth, and purga- tory, distributes them to all the members, to the advan- tage of each and all. But as the souls in purgatory can no longer gain any merit for themselves, and cannot be assisted by OF JESUS IN BLISS. 447 CH. VII.] men, except through their suffrages, My Heart drew out of Its love a means to help them in the most bounti- ful manner. For It willed that the Eucharistic Sacrifice should be applicable to them ; in view whereof, the divine Majesty either sets them free, or, certainly, shortens or lessens their sufferings. It is, then, owing to My Heart, that those souls are in this manner relieved and purified by the virtue of My Blood, which is applied to them through the holy Sacrifice. Thus, My child, purgatory is emptied, heaven filled ; and to those sojourning on earth the sweetest conso- lation is given, in regard to them that have departed this life. 4. Behold, therefore, how beautiful is the whole Church, all the parts whereof are perpetually communi- cating with each other in My Heart. The Militant part, adorned with the victories already obtained, and marching onward in pursuit of new ones, rejoices with those that rejoice in the Triumphant, and weeps with them that weep in the Suffering Church. Love, compassion, joy, prayers are ever passing to and fro through every part. Eejoice, My child, that thou art not of the number of those that have no hope beyond the tomb, but of those whom, united as they are in My Heart, neither the distance of places, nor the empire of death, can separate. 5. Take to thyself the Spirit of My Heart; as often as thou art present at the most holy Sacrifice, humbly remember the faithful departed ; for, while the sacred and adorable Victim lies before thee, it is especially a wholesome thought, a most religious practice, to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins. In the same spirit also, if thou gainest any indul- gence which may be beneficial to them, apply the same for their relief and consolation. 448 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV , And when thou art united to Me in Holy Commu- nion, then, above all, do thou commend to My Heart those whom thou didst hold dear in this world, as well as the rest, for whom it is proper that thou shouldst pray. Call to mind, child, with how great a feeling of gratefulness and love these souls will endeavour to repay thee, whom by thy prayers and suffrages thou didst in- troduce into heavenly bliss. This devotion, this charity toward the souls suffering in purgatory, is a peculiar characteristic of the disciples of My Heart; who, after Its example, transcend the bounds of this world, and whomsoever they find capable of being helped, they comfort by their charity. 6. The voice of the Disciple . — O most sweet Jesus ! what a Heart is Thine ! how admirable ! how boun- tiful ! For behold, in Thy Heart I find even those whom I had lost out of this life ; and I am once more united with them whom in this life I cherished. Here I hold with them an intercourse full of sweet- ness ; here I can solace both them and myself. Making use, with thankfulness, of this most consoling means, through Thy very Heart, I present to Thee, for the relief of the souls of the faithful departed, the fruit of every holy Sacrifice of the Mass, wheresoever offered. And, in union therewith, I offer up whatsoever good works, through Thy holy grace, I do possess, that Thou mayst deign to wash away all the defilements of those souls, and thus make them worthy of the fellowship of the Church Triumphant. I also offer to Thee my prayers and supplications, especially for my departed parents, brothers, sisters, friends ; for all, in fine, who have done good to me, whether in things temporal or spiritual. Those souls also do I specially commend of whose sufferings I may in any manner have been the cause. But particularly do I pray for those departed who, OF JESUS IN BLISS. 449 CH. VIII.] in the present life, have been devoted disciples of Thj most Sacred Heart. Finally, I humbly entreat Thee for them all ; that, released from sufferings, they may enter into everlast- ing joys, and there be mindful of me. 7. O Jesus, Thou who consolest all Thine, and re- newest all things ! when I am here with Thee before Thy sacred tabernacle, the world of sense seems to vanish away ; for here the spiritual world is thrown open to me ; and, oh, how vast, how marvellous ! with what mighty and countless wonders does it appear filled ! Here I hold communion with the Church Tri- umphant in heaven, and with the Church that is purified in purgatory ; here I converse, in freedom and holiness, with the Angels and all the inhabitants of heaven ; here I deal with my kindred and friends who dwell in the invisible world. And to whom am I indebted for all this, if not to Thy Heart ? Here, therefore, — here is the place of my choice, the place of peace and repose, the place of joy and consolation. Oh, how good it is for me to be here, most bountiful Jesus, source of every good I Let others go whither they prefer ; let them be entertained by the objects wherein they delight ; I, so often as Thy will may grant it to me, — I will constantly repair hither ; here will I entertain myself with Thy own ; here will I treat with Thee, heart to Heart, in the plenitude of thy sweetness. CHAPTER VIII. Of the inejfahle occupations of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Sacrament with respect to His Father. 1. The voice of the Disciple. — If the works of Thy Sacred Heart, Lord Jesus, in regard to every portion of Thy Church, are so wonderful, so sublime, of what G G 450 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. kind, I pray, are Its occupations with respect to Thy Father, by whom Thou art loved infinitely, and whom Thou also lovest infinitely ? These, indeed, are mysteries so great, that were any one, in order to unfold them, to speak the language of men and Angels, he should still be as a child that knows not how to speak. Yea, Lord, these are secrets which it is not given to man to utter. Do thou Thyself, therefore, reveal them to us, so much as Thou knowest them to be useful for Thy glory and our good ; that we may be enabled to worship and love Thee worthily in Thy most Holy Sacrament. 2. TliQ voice of Jesus , — Listen reverently. My child, attend religiously ; and I will unfold to thee the divine secrets. Here, in My innermost retreat, in the light un- created, I contemplate, with Heart enraptured, the divine Essence, and am infinitely delighted in Its perfections. Hence, My Heart is inundated with unutterable joys ; and It is now the more abundantly and the more delightfully overflowed with these, the more It was, during its mortal life, filled with bitterness. Amid these splendours, amid these divine ecstasies, the Father is in Me, and I in the Father ; and, without the sound of words, the Father speaks to Me, and I to Him. Here the Father communicates to Me the eternal counsels of His Wisdom, the decrees of his supreme Omnipotence, the most lovely good pleasure of His Goodness. These My Heart embraces in return, and finds Its pleasure therein. 3. For My Heart loves the Father supremely ; and with such a love for Him does it burn, that It never grows cool, nor loses any thing of Its ardour. Behold, My child, a love with which no other heart can love the Father, since every other heart is only CH. VIII.] OF JESUS IN BLISS. 451 referred and united to Him as the heart of a son, not by nature, as is My Heart, but solely by adoption. In this, then, My Heart is filone and unrivalled. Therefore, also, the Father is ^ above the love 3 of My Heart, a only-begotten of all the Saints and An^ because it is the love Son. 4. As I ar things which I use them al Whatsoevt I create, prese. Father and But as the S Myself before th / Father, and as all xie, I enjoy them all, j jr does, these I also do ; .lie same things with the 1 , I in some manner annihilate .lice of the Father, and pour forth before Him perpetual adorations. Here I worship His divine wisdom, ^^’oc power, and other perfections, in such a manner neither the Cherubim, nor Seraphim, nor any oth created beings, can so glorify the same, 5. But whilst, in this mystical and sublime solitude of the divine Sacrament, I am thus alone treating with the Father in the Holy Spirit, My Heart is not unfaith- ful, so as to forget the work of Its predilection among the children of men. For them My Heart does unceasingly offer to the Father Its manifold and stupendous sacrifices. If any there are infirm, or drooping in spirit, or dead, here It prays for them with unspeakable groanings. And It pours Itself out with all Its affections before the Father, that he who is just may be justified still, and he that is holy may be still sanctified. Nor do I cease with My Heart to offer prayers and supplications for all, whom I am not ashamed to call brethren before the Father ; saying, that all may be one, as Thou, Father, in Me, and I in Thee, so they also may be one in Us. I in them and Thou in Me, that they may be made 452 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. perfect in one, that sent Me, and ' Me. I pra;^ world, bu Sanctify t Fa the Thou has see My q:1g 6. Beho* the Father w. uninterruptedly ~ ’ 3U friv , may know that Thou hast Thou also hast loved *hem out of the . ' n from evil. ^Iso whom they may gard to ' i . ' Heart ^■y ce, to n ^ ■ hy heart h, thy Ml » s a constant ament, contemp*, Saviour, present to w , nee, with deep reverence and pious affection, Q all those things wherewith My Heart is here est in leart. id with A of her . the most of faith thy » do thou frequently resort. My child ; here pour out thy heart ; here do thou love ; here delight in My Heart. 7. The voice of the Disciple. — Oh, how marvellous, oh, how divine Thy occupations, my Jesus, in the sacred tabernacle ! These, Lord, these, if they are pondered, if they are understood, teach that which neither books can show nor talents make known. O divine solitude of Jesus in the Sacrament ! here is the fountain of heavenly secrets — this is the school of contemplation, where souls are taught to rise above things sensible, to go to the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost ; to gaze upon the wonderful works of God ; to pray with mind and heart ; to speculate on things mystical and divine. OF JESUS IN BLISS. 453 CH. IX.] The eye has not seen, the ear has not heard, no sense has perceived — by faith alone it is descried, by pure love it is tasted — how great a felicity, how great a sweetness, how great an abundance of all good things lies here concealed. ' ‘ Here, Lord Jesus, is Thyself, Thou puttesf Thyself occup* Thou sanctifie Here is t wherein pure s Here, most here, I implciie behold the light v with Thee, to c wherein, at rest /rest ; wherein Thou herein, holy Thyself, • the Angels surround “ ake their abode, here will I ever seek Thee ; me deserve in Thy light to . 1 Thou dwellest ; to be occupied delighted with the wonders whicli Thou workest witli the Father and the Holy Ghost ; to be absorbed’ by the flood of divine fire which bursts forth from Thy Heart, — in fine, to be transformed in Thee by love. Bring me, I beseech Thee, into the very secrets of Thy Heart, and keep me with Thee in this divine re- pose, where all merely human emotion ceases, where every thing that moves springs from the Godhead and tends to the Godhead. If I have found favour in Thy eyes, O Lord, give me admittance, I entreat Thee ; unite me with Thee by the indissoluble bond of love ; fill all my faculties within and without, that I may live of Thee and for Thee. CHAPTER IX. The most Sacred Heart of Jesus, in the Blessed Sacra-- ment, honours His Father infinitely, 1. The voice of Jesus, — Now, dearly beloved, is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him. How much, thinkest thou, is the Father glorified, 454 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. how much is He honoured by the Son, who, for the honour and glory of the Father, is not now seen on '^nt ? 'vorship, praise, and cred mystery ex- ss humiliations earth, but hidden in The Father homage ; and tl hibit the same to which I here i So much the . the Father exalted, the more 's Himself, that He may hono Measure, if the lility into which I here descem e Father. Into a deep abyss I c . . »y My In- carnation ; into a deepei > My life- time ; into the very deepes. .elf by My death. But here I have sunk beu^ t:. tnose depths; here I exceed all those excesses, and continue to do the same. Endeavour as much as thou canst, strive as much as thou wilt — thou mayst wonder, thou mayst be as- tonished ; but never shalt thou be able to grasp or understand either the depth or the breadth of the abyss into which My Heart here lowers Itself The very Angels are amazed when, struck with awe, they gaze upon Me, whom they acknowledge and wor- ship as their Lord, humbling Myself more deeply than they themselves could possibly do. Powerfully, indeed, are they thereby enkindled and stimulated to glorify the divine Majesty, whose infinite grandeur they cannot comprehend, but whom they thus more clearly perceive, by My example, as worthy of infinite honour. 2. If the state itself. My child, wherein I have here placed Myself, honours the divine Majesty so exceed- ingly, how much glory do all the things which I perform for Him in this condition give to Him 1 Judge not by the outward appearance ; things divine are not to be estimated in a human sense. OF JESUS IN BLISS. 455 CH. IX.] All My acts in this Sacrament, since they are the acts of a Person of infinite dignity, unseen though they be, and displaying no splendour to strike the senses of men, are of infinite value. Wherefore, My child, the least motion of My Heart for the glory of My Father glorifies Him incomparably more than all things whatsoever done by mere creatures. Call to mind the great exploits, the illustrious ac- tions, and immortal deeds which men have achieved for the world, and wherebv they have spread their renown over the earth,--J^|^ld all these, compared with a single act of My He^|||^Iaat are they, except smoke compared to a biazing Nay, more ; add together the virtues, the sufferings, the heroic actions, whereby all the Saints, from Abel even to -the last of the just, have rendered themselves truly distinguished ; these also. My child, though pleas- ing and honourable to God, are infinitely below one single sacrifice, whereby My Heart here honours God. What more? Great, indeed, and glorious are the praises and thanksgivings which the spirits above, the inhabitants of heaven, offer to the divine Majesty ; yet greater, and more glorious beyond comparison, are those which My Heart by one single immolation of Itself upon the altar presents to Him. 3. Kightly, therefore, does the holy Church rejoice,' for that she has for her Bridegroom the Son of God, who honours for her the divine Majesty as much as He deserves to be honoured, and gives Him thanks such as are due to Him. This she daily acknowledges with grateful feeling when, through Me, she draws nigh to the Father, and says to Him : Through Him, and with Him, and in Him is to Thee, God, Almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, all honour and glory. Instructed by this divine institution and united to Me, she dares, without fear of refusal, pray to the Father, and thank Him, through Me, Christ the Lord. 456 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. And, since she knows that only through Me her acts are supernaturally acceptable to God, whatsoever she does, whatsoever she offers, she performs it all in union with Me, for the praise and glory of the divine Majesty | as well as for her own advantage unto life everlasting. | 4. Blessed those souls. My child, that, moved by the spirit of their holy Mother the Church, with her unite themselves to My Heart in the Sacrament, and thus i strive to pay to' God the honour and thanksgiving which they owe to Him, but which of themselves they are unable to render. Eemember, My child, how mucl^B||||^west to My * heavenly Father, who so cherished that, in so marvellous and sweet a manner. He gave thee His only- begotten Son, who so loves thee that He imparts to thee | in so great an abundance the gifts of the Spirit the Comforter sent in My name. How sweet a debt is gratefulness, if thou hast a noble ; heart ! And what can be so sweet, if thou hast the heart of a son, as to display a grateful mind toward the best of fathers ? And, if thou desirest to be thankful to God, like a son to his father, honour Him, for He says : If I am a Father, Avhere is My honour ? 5. The voice of the Disciple . — 0 eternal Father, from whom, as from their highest source, I have received all things, nay, what infinitely surpasses all. Thy only Son Himself, with all His merits and ineffable favours, the Holy Spirit likewise, and His graces and multiform gifts, what return shall I make to Thee for blessings so great, so | numerous ? | If there must be a certain proportion between gifts and the thankfulness for them, behold, I am every way powerless to repay the gratitude I ow^e to Thee, since there is no comparison between Thy infinite gifts and my imperfect gratefulness. When, besides, I consider that all the divine per- fections are infinite, and that these infinite perfections. OF JESUS IN BLISS. 457 CH. IX.] even if Thou hadst never bestowed any favour upon me, are for their own sake to be worshiped in a limitless manner, I am overwhelmed by the weight of my debt, to which I acknowledge I am of myself for ever unequal. But, behold, Jesus, Thy only and most beloved Son, who for Thy love and mine abides with me upon earth, makes good what I owe to Thee, but am unable to repa}^ Through Him, therefore, who knows all Thy blessings bestowed upon me, and fully comprehends Thy perfec- tions, I do here, in union with the love of His Heart, avow the obedience of my dependence, and render to Thee a worship ever most acceptable in Him, in whom Thou art alw%o^ well pleased. 6. With all My Heart do I rejoice, for that Thou art infinitely perfect as well as liberal to me ; and that in the Heart of Jesus, Thy well-beloved Son, I possess wherewith I am able to return Thee due honour and gratitude. Wherefore, I offer to Thee all the virtues of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thy Son, and all the acts which He ceases not to perform, for the honour of Thy Majesty and the salvation of the whole world, in the most blessed Sacrament of His love. Whatsoever I am able to do is as nothing in com- parison of what I owe to Thee ; and this is itself a part of Thy praise, that what Thou deservest is above every power of mine. But' look upon the face of Jesus, Thy Son, who is the image of Thy goodness and of Thy every perfection ; and, for Thy glory, do Thou receive all the fulness of the holiness of His Heart. Deign, I beseech Thee, Holy Father, to accept the merits, satisfactions, and praises of Thy only-begotten Son as an atonement for all the insults with which I myself and others have at times dishonoured Thee. For wdiich insults I would gladly, were I able, make amends with my blood and with every other sacrifice ; but, since whatsoever I may do is of itself by no means 458 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. sufficient for this, I unite it all with the infinite merits of the Heart of Jesus, Thy Son, and thus present it to Thee. 7. Through the same Heart of Thy beloved Son, through which I pay Thee a tribute of honour, and. render Thee thanks for all the blessings bestowed upon me, I humbly implore new graces for Thy glory. Above all, grant me, I entreat Thee, a great, a generous, a tender love for Thy Son, the Beloved of my soul, the most sweet Jesus, who stays here so lovingly with me. Grant that, animated with the sentiments of His Heart, and united thereto, I may live b}^/.xim, through whom alone I am able to come to Thee. Give me for this, I beseech Thee, the fulness of the Holy Spirit, who ever animated and guided the Heart of Jesus. Let that divine Spirit replenish my whole heart, inflame it with love for Jesus, and stimulate it ever with hunger and thirst for His most delicious Sacrament. CHAPTER X. The most Sacred Heart of Jesus, by its self offerings in the most Holy Sacrament, appeases the divine justice, and procures for us measureless graces, 1. The voice of Jesus, — My child, thus says the Lord : In every place there is sacrificed and offered to My Name a clean oblation ; for great is My Name among the nations. This, My child, is that Victim of salvation which, once offered on the holy mountain for the redemption of all, is offered daily throughout the world to apply My merits to each one in particular unto the forgiveness of sins which are daily committed. For, knowing that the nature of them that were to OF JESUS IN BLISS. 459 CH. X.] believe in Me would be such that they should all offend in many things, moved by the love of My Heart, I instituted a Sacrifice, not only of supreme worship and thanksgiving, but also of atonement and impetration, by the offering of which God, being appeased, whilst grant- ing the grace and gift of repentance, would also pardon crimes and offences, and liberally bestow His fa- vours. The same Sacrifice that I formerly offered upon the cross I now offer upon the altar ; not, indeed, in a bloody manner, as then, but with the same love of Heart. As often, therefore, as this ever-enduring Sacrifice is offered, as often as the remembrance of this Victim is celebrated, the work of man’s redemption is renewed. Upon this oblation the Almighty Father ever deigns to look with a propitious and favourable eye, and He holds the same more acceptable than the holy sacrifice, the spotless offering, which the high-priest Melchisedech presented to Him. Whence also the Church, full of confidence, prays to God the Father, that hereby the faithful may be freed from all evils, past, present, and future, and that, assisted by the help of the divine mercy, they may be free from sin, and secure from all disturbance. For what can the eternal Father refuse when He beholds Me, His only Son, through zeal for His honour and love for men, immolated upon the altar, and lying there the Victim of His glory, while My Heart and My very Blood cry out and intercede for My brethren ? 2. Most assuredly this oblation, so preeminently pure, presented by the ministry of priests through Myself, with the infinite affection of My Heart, to the heavenly Father, is ever pleasing to Him, is ever regarded for its dignity. Thus, indeed, many others are made priests because death suffered them not to remain, and because this Victim is offered in every place ; but I, since I endure for ever, possess an everlasting priesthood. Whence 460 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. also I can save for ever those that, through Me, draw nigh to God. The earth, therefore, is, as it were, uninterruptedly crimsoned by the offering of this most sacred Victim ; and its fragrance, blending with the virtues and merits of My Heart, is unceasingly ascending to the Father for an odour of sweetness. If the many sins of men do much offend the divine Majesty and provoke His justice, this holy sacrifice does incomparably more to honour and appease the same, since His only-begotten Son pleases Him infinitely more than all sinners displease Him. What land on earth is not, in some manner, dyed with the Blood of My Heart, or what spot is excluded from Its prayers and protection? What region, then, in this world can God smite, without striking a place defended by the Heart of His Son ? Behold ! sinners have sinned, and they were not, according to their deserts, cast into the pool of fire ever- lasting ; yea, they are even suffered to live, not indeed that they may continue to sin, but that they may save themselves. For I place Myself between God My Father and the sinners ; for them I offer Myself, and make intercession ; Look, Thou holy and righteous Father, behold My hands and My side ; see how much they have cost Thy Son ! by the love wherewith Thou lovest Me, spare. Father, spare Thy people. 3. My child, ought not the sinner to yield to so great a goodness, whereby I keep hell shut, lest he be swal- lowed up therein ; whereby I restrain the devils, lest they carry him off ; whereby I stay the arm of the Almighty, lest the bolts of divine justice destroy him? Thou wouldst indeed wonder, didst thou see all the secret means which My Heart here employs to save souls ; which, unless I turned away the divine wrath from them, should soon be deservedly devoured. OF JESUS IN BLISS. 461 CH. X.] If now, as of old, sudden and immutable punishment is not inflicted upon the wicked, they should remember that it is owing to the Sacrifice of My Heart, whereby the whole world is preserved. See, then, how My Heart loves and is every where mindful of men, even of the most wretched ; every where promotes the salvation of souls. 4. With what sentiments, then, is it befitting that thou shouldst approach this mystery, whence thou mayst obtain remedies so great; whence thou mayst secure graces and favours of every kind, seeing that it is of infinite value ! But although this Sacrifice is of infinite value, the fruit thereof is, however, applied to man in a limited manner, according to the degree of the faith and devoted- ness, the disposition of the soul, of him that assists ^ thereat, or for whom it is offered up ; as the Church, taught by the Holy Spirit, insinuates when, during the Sacri- fice, she prays God to remember His servants and all the bystanders, whose faith is acknowledged, and whose devotedness is known to Him. ' Wherefore, My child, do thou celebrate or hear Mass with a lively faith, a true devotion, a holy disposi- tion ; that thou mayst deserve to obtain the greatest fruit of the Sacrifice, and secure all the graces for which thou prayest. For the divine clemency grants, without doubt, to them that are rightly disposed, whatsoever favours they ask during the Mass ; nay, frequently bestows liberally blessings for which they did not petition. Eemember this, child, that piously to hear Mass is a most wholesome means to keep thyself from dangers, to preserve thyself from an unforeseen death, and to follow the path of righteousness. If thou wilt lay up merits, so often as it is permitted, be thou present at the Sacrifice of the Mass ; for, by the devout hearing of one Mass, thou meritest far more than if, through devotion, thou didst macerate thyself 462 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. for a long time by fasts and austerities, or didst under- take a distant pilgrimage. Lastly, if thou desirest to make thyself agreeable to My Heart, assist at Mass as frequently and as devoutly I as possible ; ^ for this Sacrifice glorifies the most Holy ‘ Trinity, rejoices the Angels and Saints, enriches the just with grace, helps sinners 'for their conversion, relieves the souls detained in purgatory, — in fine, cheers and comforts the whole Church on earth. 5. The voice of the Disciple . — O most sweet Jesus ! how great the mercy, how disinterested the love, how resistless the kindness, how astounding the goodness of Thy Heart I Even for them who, as much as in them lies, sadden Thy Heart, Thou ceasest not to immolate Thyself, that Thou mayst stay the weight of the divine anger, whilst they betake themselves in safety beneath the protection of Thy Heart. And I, for I will confess it, although so plentifully blessed with the gifts of Thy Heart, 1, most ungrateful of men, have grieved Thy Heart. To the great mercy, to the infinite goodness of Thy Heart it is owing that I am not destroyed, that I still remain unharmed. 6. O Heart of Jesus 1 Heart full of sweetness and delight ! most loving Heart, every way poured out through an excess of love 1 how can I possess a heart worthy of the name of a human heart, if I do not love Thee in return ? Who, O Lord, who can resist Thy love, when he considers how, in the most Holy Eucharist, Thou shelterest us in thy Heart, and offerest Thyself to Thy Father for us ! O my Jesus ! what would happen, shouldst Thou cast away the sinner from the protection of Thy Heart ! how dreadfully would the thunderbolts of divine justice hurl him into the lowest depths of hell ! Far, O Lord, far be it from me, that, by provoking OF JESUS IN BLISS. 468 CH, XI.] Thy Heart through ingratitude, through sin, I should expose myself to so great a danger I 7. Grant, 0 my Saviour, that I may be more eager to please Thee, who art so solicitous for me; that I may love Thee more fervently ; that, through gratitude and love, I may visit Thee more frequently, and assist oftener or more devoutly at Thy holy Sacrifice. Oh, how little do I love Thee if I do not daily come hither to be present at Mass ; here to meditate, to con- verse with Thee, to beg much of Thee ! How considerable a time of the day do I give to worldly occupations ! how much to rest and to recreate myself! and cannot I spend here with Thee half an hour for the affair of my everlasting salvation, and for the divine glory ; the more as I should take hence Thy grace and blessing, whereby my affairs themselves, and all the rest, would be made holy and prosperous ? Yea, O Lord, daily will I be here with Thee. And if I am necessarily hindered from being bodily present, even then I will be here in spirit with Thee. CHAPTER XL The most Sacred Heart of Jesus, in the Sacrament of His love, is our greatest consolation on earth, 1. The voice of Jesus, — My child, behold My tabernacle with men ! behold, here I dwell with them. Here I Myself console them that come, and I wipe away every tear from their eyes. And as 'there is no place on earth where affliction does not sometimes shed tears. My Heart multiplies Its miracles, that It may every where multiply consolations. Hence thou mayst learn, My child, that the mercy of My Heart is greater than man’s misery can be. If any remedy, if any comfort, is required in misfor- 464 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. ^ tune, here it is found in My Heart; here it is drawn i lit with gladness from the same. |lo Behold ! here I make all things new ; things heavy 51 I change into light, things tasteless I make to be savoury ; j(R bitterness I turn into sweetness, mourning into joy of' a heart. ti Nay, more, this vale of tears I transform into a K paradise, earth into heaven before its time. For here is the plentifulness of all the good things of heaven, t here is the fountain of peace and gladness ; here are the s Angels, here am I Myself, here is bliss ever-enduring. ^ ] 2. These are the wonders of love, child, which My 5 Heart works for thee, that thou mayst not be cast down • amid the tribulations of life ; but that, attracted by the ! goodness of My Heart, thou mayst come to this over- i flowing fountain of all consolation. If thou hast once duly tasted Its sweetness, thou i wilt soon forget every affliction of the past, or wilt ^ven deem it all joy. |* When, here before the tabernacle, thou pourest forth thy heart ; above all when, after Holy Communion, thou speakest to Me heart to Heart, and resign est thy- self wholly to Me, — then wilt thou perceive that affliction yields to consolation, fear to confidence, lukewarmness to fervour of heart. If, overlooking Me, thou runnest elsewhere to find some one to relieve and help thee in thy dejection, thou shalt often be able to say : I sought some one to comfort me, but I found none. But hither thou shalt never come in vain ; hence thou shalt never depart without relief. Hither, then, do thou ever fly, that thou mayst re- ' ceive a remedy for thy troubles, and turn thy sufferings i into consoling merits. 3. If misfortune, if loss of possessions, or even if ; want, fill thy heart with groanings and thy eyes with „ tears, so as to render thy soul weary of life, here. My ; child, thou shalt find what no mortal can give thee ; OF JESUS IN BLISS. 465 CH. XI.] here thou shalt obtain a soothing of thy grief. If thou lookest upon My example, thy heart shall be comforted ; My promise of permanent possessions, which thou shalt receive by sharing My inheritance, after having passed a few days here below, will cheer up thy spirit ; lastly, the secret grace of My Heart will not rarely turn the tears of grief into tears of consolation. If the world hates thee, if men slight, oppose, or oppress thee, here, O My child, here in this mystery of love, thou shalt be abundantly comforted ; when thou possessest Me, yea, when thou pressest Me to thy heart, — Me, thy Saviour, thy faithful Friend, thy best and dearest Father, — thou wilt be contented enough to be hidden, to be humbled with Me, that thou mayst be the more alike and pleasing to My Heart, in order to be for ever exalted by Me among My elect. • And if thou art afflicted or tormented with pains of the body and anguish of soul, behold, child, behold, here is thy solace, which alone can reach the innermost re- cesses of the ailing heart, and which none can hinder, except thyself, — by hearkening rather to thy own thoughts than to My whisperings. Thou shalt also experience that which has been felt by thousands of faithful souls, that came hither in sor- row, and with an aching heart ; but soon, refreshed by the sweetness of the love of My Heart, went away, their hearts dilated with bliss. If annoyed by temptations, if worn down by deso- lateness, hasten hither, My child. Behold ! My Heart invites and awaits thee thus tempted and rendered de- solate. It will receive thee with gladness ; It will strengthen thee by Its own fortitude ; It will fill thee with the sweetness of Its unction. Shouldst thou even commit .a fault, arise quickly, and run thou hither. Here thou shalt easily repair all ; here thou shalt recover peace and joy of heart. Oh, if thou knewest. My child, with how great a longing to console every one My Heart watches here at H H 466 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. all times, consoling Itself whenever It comforts some one in his affliction, — thou wouldst then understand whence it is that none, in what trouble soever he may find him- self, can come hither, well-disposed to My Heart, without receiving consolation. 4. For, in the sacred tabernacle, thou now pos- sessest Me, the same Saviour that once, when I lived a mortal life, comforted all ; the very same Heart that, whilst placed in the manger, gave peace to the Shep- herds, and filled the Magi with heavenly delight ; that, in childhood, rejoiced them that came to Me ; that, throughout life, was the refuge and solace of all. Thou knowest. My child, how all the sick and the weak, the blind and the lame, the deaf and the dumb, the wretched and the disconsolate, were wont to appeal •to My Heart, and implore Its compassion and help. Was ever one of these disappointed in his hope, by whatever suffering he was bowed down, at whatever time of the day or of the night he came to me ? Did not every one, in whatsoever hour he had re- course to the goodness of My Heart, go away more consoled than he had dared to hope ? And, My child, all these wonders, all these consola- tions, My Heart does here ceaselessly renew ; but in a manner all the more perfect and useful, the more spirit- ual it is, and the better adapted to everlasting life. There, indeed, It healed the diseases of the body ; here It cures the ailments, the infirmities, and miseries of the soul. There It freed them that were possessed by the devil, or tormented by him ; here It does more, since It guards the faithful against the demon. There It cleansed those afflicted with leprosy ; here It purifies souls, and makes them clean and whiter than ' snow. There, by a miracle. It satisfied thousands of men with a natural food ; here It nourishes all the faithful with the Bread of Angels. OF JESUS IN BLISS. 467 CH. XI.] There It restored the dead to life ; here, what is "better beyond comparison, It preserves souls from death. And as then My Heart, full of compassion, mercy, goodness, was accessible to all, so now It is open to every one, even to the most wretched and afflicted. Believe not, My child, even should a spirit suggest the thought, that My Heart now possesses a different feeling, either in respect to God, or with regard to men. . Take heed lest thou deem My Heart, that abides here to comfort thee, different from My Heart, that ere- while, in Its mortal life, so marvellously, so sweetly relieved men, and filled them with every consolation. For every spirit that thus severs and divides My Heart is not of God. 5. Expand thy heart. My child, and understand, as much as thou art able, what comfort here, as from a perennial fountain, flows down upon thee from My Heart. § Behold all the consolations, admirable and delight- ful, which, during Its mortal life. It imparted to many and various persons. It bestows in Its sacramental life upon thee alone. How much happier, then, art thou, than they that were living at the time of My mortal life ! Neither did these, like thyself, uninterruptedly enjoy My presence ; neither were they, in the same manner as thou, possessed of Me ; nor, lastly, did they receive or enjoy Me, as thyself, 0 son of My Heart. Lo, then, to what a degree My Heart favours Thee. In every necessity, therefore, in every difficulty, whether interior or exterior, do thou fly hither. Here, if thou art guilty, thou shalt obtain pardon ; if sick, healing ; if down-hearted, courage and fortitude ; if afflicted, relief and help ; if in danger, protection and safety ; a remedy for all miseries ; always a true and sanctifying conso- lation. 6. The voice of the Disciple , — 0 Jesus, my love! 468 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV* how delightful are the designs of Thy Heart, whereby, to soothe the bitterness of this life, Thou journey est, in some manner, with me in my banishment, nay, changest my very exile into a paradise ! Shall I speak, O Lord, or be silent about what I conceive of the exceeding love of Thy Heart for us men? Yet, for the glory of Thy Heart, I will not be silent. Thus, O Jesus ! thus Thou didst nowhere deal with the Angels themselves ; thus Thou never gavest Thyself to them to enjoy ! O my Jesus, infinite Sweetness ! how immensely hast Thou loved me ! how givest Thou Thyself to me ! how dost Thou wholly become my consolation 1 Whence, O most loving God, so great a goodness to- ward an ungrateful child, not worthy of the name of child ? Thus, 0 ineffable love. Thou displayest the greatness of Thy goodness, since Thou regardest not Thy Majesty and my abjectness, but kindly folio west the goodness of Thy Heart, moved by my indigence and Thy charity. 7. 0 Lord Jesus, Father of mercies, and God of all consolation ! with how great a gladness do I come to Thee, full of courage and confidence in Thy pure goodness. Many, indeed, and great are my miseries ; yet con- fidingly and cheerfully do I draw nigh, attracted by the sweetness of Thy love. For now I know that, although Thou art incapable of pain, Thou art not without feeling ; that, although my sorrows do not cause Thee any suffering. Thou art not indifferent to them. Now I understand that Thou art able and willing to feel compassion for my infirmities ; and that my great and numerous miseries are the objects of Thy infinite mercy. If, hitherto, I languished miserable and disconsolate, I myself w^as in fault ; because I neglected to come to the ever-open source of mercy and comfort. But henceforth, whenever I shall be afflicted, I will arise and ^o to this fountain of all blessings, where I OF JESUS IN BLISS. 469 CH. XII.] shall find more remedies than I need — where I shall have greater consolations than I can contain in my heart. CHAPTER XII. The most Sacred Heart of Jesus, in Its Sacramental^ as formerly in Its mortal life, whilst instructing men, does not cease to teach that He is meek and humble. 1. The voice of Jesus. — Come, ye sons of men, and give ear. Behold how I am here with you always, here at all times ; here learn ye of Me, how meek and humble of Heart I am. Marvellous, indeed, did the humility of My Heart and Its charity appear during Its mortal life ; yet here, in My Sacramental life, far more admirable is the abyss of Its humility, the excess of Its charity. This whole mystery is humility, all charity. Here not only is My divinity, but even My humanity, hidden from the sight of mortals. Here is charity, not unto death only, not unto the end of the world, but unto every excess of love. What eye has seen, what ear has heard, what heart has conceived, to how great a degree the humility of My Heart does here descend, to what extent love is exceed- ing ? 2. If thou art astonished. My child, if thou art en- raptured at the excess of love, whereby, whilom, during My mortal life, I showed Myself meek and humble of Heart, what must be thy sentiments when thou con- siderest attentively how meek and humble of Heart I am now in My Sacramental life ! So long as I was seen on earth and dwelt with men, at no time, in no place, did I cease to exhibit to all and every one the true and efficacious humility and meekness of My Heart. 470 UiaON WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. Recall to mind, My child, with how great a humility and charity of Heart I was wont to treat My disciples, the ignorant and unmannerly people, the unhappy and the distressed, the wretched sinners, finally, My enemies themselves. What was ever able to obstruct or check the foun- tain of this humble and exhaustless charity? Neither the faults, nor the ignorance, nor the importunateness, nor the obstinacy, nor the abjectness, nor the perverse- ness itself of men. Nothing of all this could ever make Me show Myself, even toward one mortal, otherwise than meek and humble of Heart. ' Witness all the people so hard to please ; witness the heathen, who, attracted by the sweetness of My Heart, came running toward Me, saying, “We wish to see Jesus witness the woman of Canaan, and all the disconsolate ; witness the Magdalen, and every sin- laden soul that had recourse to Me ; witness the Pharisees, men that persecuted Me unto death. All these bear witness to the deeds of My meek and humble Heart during My mortal life. 3. But, behold, child, in My Sacramental life I con- tinue such deeds ; yea, amid these I show Myself meek and humble of Heart in a more sweet and marvellous manner. For consider how men here deport themselves to- ward Me, not only with rudeness and irreverence, but even with contempt ; and see how I endure this be- haviour. Consider how many souls, cherished by Me in a special manner, when presented with a small share of My Cross — a most precious pledge of My love — bring and return to Me here, instead of praise and love, com- plaints and repinings-; and observe with how great a goodness of Heart I do not only endure them, but en- courage and stimulate them to better sentiments. Consider how many ungrateful souls, laden with My favours, depart hence, and, whilst they enjoy My bene- OF JESUS IN BLISS. 471 CH. XII.] factions, forget and slight Me, their Benefactor ; how many others, who, after having abused the graces I have already so often bestowed upon them, present them- selves without shame before Me, and clamour for new favours ; and see with how great a meekness I bear with them, with what generosity I suffer them, with how gentle, and at the same time how firm, a charity, I excite and help them to faithfulness and fervour. Consider how the wicked make use of My very gifts and favours to oppose, to offend Me, to wound My very Heart ; and watch with what disposition of Heart I do not return them evil for evil, but overcome evil with good. Consider, in fine, how often the enemies, the perse- cutors, of My Heart come hither to insult Me ; and with how divine a charity of My humble Heart I receive even them into My presence, and offer them mercy and pardon and peace. Thus, My child, at every hour, at every moment of the day and of the night, in season and out of season, the good and the wicked, the grateful and the thankless, friends and enemies, all come and go, and each one be- haves toward Me according to his disposition ; but see, by the light of faith, how I deal with all and every one — with how lowly, unwearied, exhaustless a benignity and sweetness of charity 1 4. These wonders of the love of My Heart thou canst not understand. My child, unless thou lookest at them with a lively faith, and meditatest thereon with a devoted heart. For the depth of the humility which My Heart doth here practise must be gazed upon with the light from above, must be entered into by pious meditation, must be learnt in silence by prayer. And the sweetness of the charity which My Heart here displays must be sought in like manner, must be relished by making use thereof, must be tasted by ex- perience. Look, My child, and see in what manner thou hast 472 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. hitherto done all this — how thou hast until now profited i bj this continued example of My Heart. Cheer up, and renew thy courage ; learn by deed * and in truth what I cease not to teach here, that I am j meek and humble of Heart. 'j 5. The voice of the Disciple. — How good, O Jesus, . how good Thou art, who, to teach all generations the more gently and the more efficaciously Thy Spirit, ^ abidest so humble, so meek, in this most sweet mystery ! 1 Here truly and supremely humble and meek of Heart, Thou alone art the teacher of humility and ^ charity, doing and teaching from generation to generation. || Yea, all things that surround Thee cease not to pro- j claim that Thou art meek and humble of Heart. I The deep and tranquil solitude wherein Thou art hidden proclaims it ; the solemn silence in which the ' prostrate and enraptured Angels adore Thee proclaims it ; the tender devotedness of the pious faithful proclaims how meek and humble of Heart Thou art, O Lord. 0 Jesus, who can still be proud? who can still be hard-hearted? Can there be any one that does not rejoice to humble himself? Can there be any one that does not burn with love ? Alas, O Lord, what faith, what hope, what love have | they that do not yield to Thee here ? O souls full of 1 pride and bitterness ! in the midst of you there stands I one whom ye know not, whom ye heed not. ! 6. Attend thou, my soul, and learn who thy Beloved is, how sweet, how wholly desirable, how wholly worthy of love. Enter into the place of the marvellous tabernacle, even into the abode of thy divine Saviour, and contem- plate the God of majesty, the Maker of heaven and earth, the Joy of the Saints and Angels, thus humbled for love of thee, thus made a captive by love for thee. Here learn to humble thyself through love ; here learn to cherish in purity thy Bridegroom, who loves with so wonderful a purity. OF JESUS IN BLISS. 473 CH. XIIL] Hearken thou to what so great and so admirable an example of His speaks within thee to thy heart ; be thou attentive to Him who teaches thee so gently by His own example, and confirms so powerfully His teach- ing by unceasing miracles. 7. O prodigy of humility, Jesus, Son of the living God ! 0 miracle of love ! I love Thee, I cherish Thee with my whole heart, 0 Thou my meek and humble Beloved, most sweet and most pure Bridegroom of my soul I Thee alone I desire to love, to cherish; farewell to all beside ; Thy love alone I desire ; for the sole love of Thee I long to live and die amidst sacrifices, the prac- tices and proofs of love. For the example of Thy Heart has taught me these things ; the unction of Thy love has rendered them plea- sant to me. 0 Jesus, of all the most bountiful ! preserve Thou this disposition of my heart; and kindly grant that, by approaching Thee here frequently, I may ever learn better to love Thee purely, and, for love of Thee, to show myself toward all meek and humble of heart. CHAPTER XIIL The most Sacred Heart of Jesus willed that the most Holy Eucharist should he an enduring remembrance of His Passion^ and an everlasting memorial of His love displayed therein. 1. The voice of Jesus. — As often as ye shall eat this Bread, and drink the Chalice, ye shall proclaim the death of the Lord until He come. This I enjoin. My child, to remind all men of that excess of the love of My Heart, whereby I loved them, in some manner, more than Myself; since I suffered death in order that they might have life. 474 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. I glory in that death, whereby, whilst the love of My Heart triumphed, the Eternal Father was appeased and exceedingly honoured ; whereby men were set free and saved ; whence arose for Me the glory of the Eesur- rection and Ascension, and of My everlasting reign over all things And, therefore, I willed that there should be, always and every where, a remembrance of My Passion ; and that they who reaped the fruits thereof, whether in heaven or on earth, should ever thankfully remember so great a condescension. 2. And, assuredly, in their heavenly bliss, the elect are ever mindful of My Passion, knowing that to the same they owe their salvation and glor}^ ; and they wor- ship for ever the Lamb of God as it were slain, having five wounds, more splendid and dazzling than the sun. On earth, the Church, — acknowledging that she was brought forth by My Heart when It expired upon the holy mountain, and that, from that same fountain, all good things flow down upon* her, — does not cease to commemorate with every feeling of gratitude My death, all days, until I come to take her up with Me into glory. For the sacrifice which she offers daily, has Me present as the Victim, and, by the separate Con- secration of the Body and Blood, exhibits Me as it were dead. Besides, in every soul that partakes of the most Blessed Sacrament, there is made some representation and commemoration of My death. For, as upon the bed of the Cross, through the Passion, I lost My mortal life, so, through Communion, I lose My Sacramental life in the heart of the faithful. Nay, more. My child, the state itself wherein I here continue is a certain image of My Passion. For, in My Passion, the splendour of My divinity and the very beauty of My humanity was in some manner veiled; and are not the lowly and gentle species of the Sacra- ment an evident representation of this veiling ? OF JESUS IN BLISS. 475 CH. XIII.] 3. The Sacrifice of the life of My Heart, My death, is the centre of time. Whatever had gone before, sacri- fices, ceremonies, and every thing else belonging to religion, had reference to it; thence they derived all their power and efficaciousness. In like manner, whatever follows it. Oblation, Sacra- ments, and the rest, all have relations to the same, and possess thence their virtue and efficacy. Behold, then, the Sacrifice offered up from the begin- ning of the world in types, upon the cross in truth, con- tinued, substantially, in the Church even to the end of ages. Such, My child,* is the unfathomableness of the designs of My Heart; such is the extent of My love. For My whole career on this earth, from the begin- ning even to the end of the world, whether through My promised presence. My mortal life, or My Sacramental abiding, and whatsoever I effect by these means, is one whole, one perfect work of infinite goodness, to be com- pleted only then, when, at the end of time, with the Church, I shall mount on^ high to enjoy an everlasting triumph. 4. What wonder, then. My child, if the mystery appears to thee ever new, ever equally worthy of venera- tion, when thou receivest the Holy Communion, when thou hearest or celebratest the Holy Mass ? For, when thou receivest the Holy Eucharist, thou shouldst ever be present with the same disposition of heart, with the same affection, as if thou wert at the Last Supper, and didst sit down to the same to receive from Myself the Bread of Life. It is in reality the same Supper, and the same death, that I foreshowed in the Supper-room, thou showest in the Sacrament. By the action itself, child, when thou celebratest Mass, or takest the Holy Communion, thou proclaimest My death; since the manner of either, as well of the offering of the Sacrifice as the consuming of the Sacra- ment, proclaims the same death. 476 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [book IV. 5. But when thou art engaged in mysteries so great, which My Heart by Its death merited for thee, thou must also, on thy part, do that whereby thou mayst ! be enabled to commemorate it in an appropriate manner. . As, therefore, in My Passion, I offered Myself to God a the Father for a perfect holocaust, so thou also shouldst offer thyself to Me in Holy Communion as a clean and entire victim. Yea, even whilst visiting Me, it is proper that, with great feeling of piety, thou do commemorate the sacri- ? fices of My once suffering life; which thou wilt do if j thou meditatest with devotedness, if thou resignest thy- self to Me in every affliction, if thou gives t thyself . wholly to Me in the presence of the sacred tabernacle, where all thou perceivest around thee serves to put thee in mind of those sacrificings of My Heart. Thus, My child, thou wilt better feel the greatness of that charity whereby, from a life of labour and sor- row, I proceeded through many and great sacrifices to | that last and supreme Sacrifice, even to death, and to ' this captivity of love, wherein I continue an abiding Victim of love. By affectionately calling this to mind, wilt thou not be excited to gratefulness, to a requital of love, to imita- tion; so as to show forth in thyself the effect of My example, not only in thy heart, but also in thy works ? Thus, whilst in a practical manner thou commemo- ratest My Passion more profitably to thyself, thou wilt learn not to be cast down or troubled by humiliations ; but rather, in a supernatural manner, to glory and rejoice therein. This active remembrance of My death will be per- fect, My child, if, as often as thou approachest the sacred mysteries, thou dost ever more and more die to thyself and to creatures, in order that thou mayst live for Me, as I, after having died for thee, here live for thee. 6. But, alas, although there are many who wish to CH. XIIl] OF JESUS IN BLISS. 477 be refreshed by this heavenly food, and to be thence replenished with the delights of the Angels, how few there are willing actively to recall My Passion, to imi- tate it in practice ! Therefore, also, My child, many are and continue ever the same, ever imperfect, although they do not unfre- quently approach the sacred Table. For, since they do not correspond to the end of its divine institution and to grace granted therein, they remain deprived of much fruit. Would that this were understood by those souls that are more anxious about the number of their Commu- nions, whereby they may show or feel devotion, than about the fruit of them, whereby they may be sanctified and raised to greater perfection. Thou, My child, be thou wiser and more faithful. So recall My Passion, so express My death, in thy conduct, that, whenever thou receivest the Holy Commu- nion, thou mayst always obtain its fruits of sanctification. 7. The voice of the Disciple , — O most bountiful, most sweet J esus ! Thou didst die for love of me, and here livest for me by love ; and, oh, how dost Thou here live for me I Truly, Lord, — truly he deserves death who refuses to die that he may live for Thee. If Thou, Lord God, thus sacrificest Thyself for love of me, how is it any thing great, how is it wonderful, if 1, wretched creature, sacrifice myself for love of Thee ! And yet, I blush to say it, sometimes I hesitate to sacrifice, not myself, but a trifle, — some pride, some aversion, or inclination of corrupt nature. Woe is me! whilst in words I make profession of loving and following Thee, I show in my deeds how little I cherish Thee, how far I am from a practical remem- brance of Thy Passion, from a true imitation of Thy Heart. And can I complain or wonder that my Communions produce so little fruit for me ? 478 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. One Communion can make a person that is well- disposed, and cooperates with Thy grace, a Saint. And, after so many Communions, alas ! who and what am I ? I myself, O Lord, — I myself, I own it, am in fault ; for in so many Communions I have received grace enough to sanctify a thousand souls ; but I have ne- glected to cooperate therewith. For I acted as if grace alone, without my cooperation, ought to sanctify me ; and, meanwhile, I have continued to live for nature, not for grace ; for myself, not for Thee. I acknowledge that in Thy sight I have become un- worthy of life, since, abusing Thy infinite love, I have neglected to live for Thee. But spare, Lord Jesus, — spare, I beseech Thee, my past negligence, of which, for Thy love, I repent ex- ceedingly. Henceforth, I will be more faithful ; cooperating with the grace of the Sacrament, I will die to the things of this world, to the ill-ordered inclinations of nature, that I may live for Thee. Assist me, most kind Jesus, that I may thus prove my love for Thee indeed, and may ever derive from Holy Communion abundant fruit of sanctification. CHAPTER XIV. The most Sacred Heart of Jesus displays in this won- derful Sacrament the sum and substance of all divine mysteries, 1. The voice of Jesus, — Being merciful and gracious, the love of My Heart has made a remembrance of its wonderful works. This it has chiefly done in the Sacrament, where it has gathered together its astounding prodigies, where it encloses even the profound mysteries of God. OF JESUS IN BLISS. 479 CH. XIV.] And because these things were done, not for the Angels, but for men, it was proper that it should be under visible symbols, that, by the sight of things seen, they might be put in mind of the unseen, and that their heart might be worked upon by sensible proofs of the divine love. Such things, therefore, did the love of My Heart do ; and It saw that all It had done was exceedingly good, and It was delighted with Its works. All Its works are perfect and full of sweetness, whereby It has poured out, as it were, the riches of Its goodness toward men in this mystery, wherein the plenitude of the Divinity corporally dwells. 2. Hence, My child, this divine Sacrament possesses, by concomitance, and ever recalls to the minds of the faithful, the sublimest of mysteries, that of the Trinity. For I and the Father are one ; and he that sees Me, sees also the Father ; but where the Father and the Son are acknowledged, the love of the two, which is the Holy Ghost, is certainly not unknown. But to know this mystery the better, to love it the more, to adore it the more worthily, grace is here given to the faithful, that, aided and enlightened thereby, they may believe it more firmly, love it with purer affection, and venerate it with a more perfect worship. Guided by this light from above, and strengthened by this assistance, they proceed from one mystery to another. 3. For, behold, the most sweet mystery of the Incar- nation is also contained in the Holy Eucharist, and extended in a marvellous manner. Indeed, what is the mystery of the Incarnation ? The Word and a Soul and the Body come together in one Person ; and these three are one Jesus, the God-man. Now, in the most Blessed Sacrament, the Word, that is Eternal and God ; the Soul, which was created when it was infused ; the Body, which by the divine operation was taken without blemish of the Immaculate Virgin, — 480 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. these three abide ; but they abide in the unity of Person. Moreover, here there is an extension of this mystery, marvellous and overflowing with every delight For I, the same who, by the Incarnation, dwelt in the bosom of the Virgin, dwell by the Communion in the heart of each one of the faithful communicants. Astounding, indeed, and awe-inspiring is the depth and breadth of this mystery ; but it is still the more worthy of love, — it should be relished with the more delight, devotion, and tenderness. 4. Besides, all the mysteries, so full of consolation, of My whole life are also contained in this divine Sacrament, For although the time when these began and took place has passed away, yet, by reason of My personal presence, these continue in their effects and are pre- sent. Therefore, also, the Church ever views and celebrates them as present ; and in meditating on them and com- memorating them, she is ever animated with her first senti- ments, ever burns with her first fervour. Look, on the other hand, at those who deny My perpetual presence in the Eucharist; how in them all things spiritual languish ; how dead their ways as well as themselves, when they attempt to recall My actions by means of festivals ! It is not so with My beloved. My holy Church. When the time returns, she hastens to the Cave of My Nativity ; there prostrate, she gazes upon Me, lying in the manger ; she adores, rejoices, sheds tears, through tenderness of devotion. 5. Here is the Bethlehem where faithful souls find Me more sweetly and more easily than they whom Heaven called formerly to the Stable ; v’here they enkindle their fervour, nourish their piety, sanctify themselves ; where they pour out their hearts, and consecrate them to Me ; where, in return, they are inebriated and rendered blissful with the sweetness of My love; where the Angels do not CH. XIV.] OF JESUS IN BLISS. 481 promise peace to men of good will, but where I Myself bestow it upon them with a lavish Heart. Here is the Sanctuary, wherein I am presented to God the Father, and devoted to the salvation of men; wherein I so give Myself to the faithful, that they may not only take Me into their arms like Simeon, and caress Me as did Anna, but receive Me into their very hearts, and enjoy Me intimately, by a favour granted neither to Simeon nor to the blessed Anna. Here is the exile of Egypt ; a banishment not, as for- merly, of seven years, but of all ages ; a banishment among men likewise given to idolatry, who worship pleasures, riches, honours as their deities ; a banishment wherein I am unknown except to a few, and looked upon and slighted by many as a stranger. Here is the Temple, wherein I continue to be occupied in what concerns My Father; where, in the midst of the listening doctors, I utter My Spirit, instruct souls, com- municate the hidden things of the spiritual life ; where they that love Me, seek Me, and like Mary and Joseph, rejoicing, find Me. Here is Nazareth, where I lead a life hidden in God ; where, being made subject, I am occupied in ceaseless actions, which do not indeed strike the senses of men, but excite the admiration of Angels ; where, a pattern of the interior life, I live with interior souls in a manner known to them alone. 6. Nay, more. My child, in this Sacrament are seen the mysteries of My evangelical life. Behold here truly the field of My labours, the place of the well-doings of My Heart. For here I am the Saviour, who seek that which was lost; who, amid My labours, seat Myself near the Well; where I give, from the fountain of My Heart, to every Samaritan, every soul that thirsts, the living water, which quenches the thirst for earthly things, and springs up into life everlasting ; who, when the labours of the day are over, pass the night in the prayer of God. 482 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV., Here I am the Good Shepherd; I go in search of the lost sheep, and, when found, I carry it and warm it in My bosom ; I love My flock, and feed the same with My own substance; I guard all, watching over them with My Heart, by day and by night. Here I am the kind Father^ who with gladness embrace My prodigal son, when he returns ; who, having clothed him with his first garment, restore and entertain him with a heavenly banquet ; and who, according to their capacity, share all things with My faithful children. Here I am the divine Physician, since I soothe and alleviate, with the unction of My Heart, the sorrows of the suffering ; since I cure the souls that are ill, healing every ailment and infirmity ; since I also take away the deformity caused by the sickness of sin, and restore former beauty. Here I am a Teacher, For I teach by the whisperings of My Heart, as well as by My example : Blessed are the poor in spirit ; blessed the meek ; blessed they that mourn for sin; blessed they that hunger and thirst after justice ; blessed the merciful ; blessed the clean of heart ; blessed the peacemakers ; blessed they that suffer persecution for justice’ sake ; blessed, in fine, they that do the divine will; because they are My brethren and sisters, and coheirs of the kingdom of heaven. Here I am a Friend, who style the faithful, that by grace lead a supernatural life, no more My servants, but My friends ; a Friend such as there is none other, more sincere, more sweet, more faithful than all, in prosperity and in adversity, in life and in death ; a Friend that under no circumstances is wanting, — yea, accompanying and consoling even in eternity. Here I am the Bridegroom ; yea. My child, the divine Bridegroom of virginal and chaste souls, whom I have chosen and espoused to Myself, that always and every where they may follow Me as My companions; them I here honour and enrich and render blissful, in a manner which fills the very Angels with wonder, and yet is merely OF JESUS IN BLISS. 483 CH. XIV.] a prelude to that which I reserve for them in the kingdom of My glory. 7. Here, lastly, are also the mysteries of the rest of My life. For is not here the Supper-room, where I eat the Passover with My disciples, where I pour out My Heart to them, where I leave them My peace ? Is not here Gethsemane, Jerusalem, the theatre of My sorrows? Eemember, child, the Holy Week, how the faithful come hither as to the spectacle of My Suffer- ings ; how they weep, as if before their eyes they beheld Me in suffering. Is not here, too, the mystery of the Eesurrection ? See how the Church, when celebrating this solemnity of solemnities, returns, as it were, with Me to life, and how, like Marys, at the first dawn, pious souls hasten to My glorious sepulchre, and behold Me, by faith, in My glory, embrace Me by hope, enjoy Me by love. And is this not lawfully so ? is it not rightly ? is it not sacredly ? For here I am truly present with the same qualities with which I rose again ; with a heavenly beauty, with a glorious brightness, with an incomprehensible subtility, with a perfect impassibility, adorned and blissful with immortality. Thus, My child, the Church accompanies Me through every mystery, puts on in each of them the feelings of My Heart, and celebrates each with similar affec- tions. 8. From the mysteries here celebrated before Me, the Church, mindful that I am reigning in the glory of heaven, gazes forward into eternity ; she contemplates with rapture, she anticipates in affection, those most joyous mysteries of the life in heaven, those ever- enduring festivals prepared for her, promised to her. O Jesus, she exclaims in her ardour, may that soon be for which I long so exceedingly, that, beholding Thee with face unveiled, I may be blessed with the sight of Thy glory I Thus, child, glows the Church, enkindled with the 484 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [book IV. fire of My Heart here present ; thus has she- all things present to herself, thus is she filled with every consola- tion. Take the sun away out of this 'world ; what will this earth be, except a dark, cold, and dreary place ? In like manner, if My living and life-giving Heart, if My Sacramental presence, were taken away from the Church, all the mysteries of religion, now so full of splendour, so soul-stirring, so consoling, — how difierent would they then appear ! 9. Taught by the example of thy holy Mother, apply thyself. My child, to celebrate the festivals of religion with the same feelings ; to recall to mind the mysteries which I display here in the Sacrament ; in fine, to draw for thyself, from all these sources, the plenitude of all graces. For this end do thou animate the fervour of thy heart ; a fervour, I say, not necessarily sensible, but strong in the liveliness of faith, the confidence of hope, the generosity of love. If thou art destitute of this fervour, thou wilt do every thing without affection, without relish, without much fruit; that which enraptures fervent souls, stirs up the Angels themselves, will not affect, will not move thee. But this fervour thou wilt awaken and foster in thy- self, by prayer, by devout meditation, by pious reading, by mortifying and denying thyself in some things ; and especially by frequently visiting this divine Sacrament, and by religiously partaking thereof ; since here there is fire enough to inflame the whole world. 10. The voice of the Disciple , — O Lord Jesus, how boundless are the excesses of the love of Thy Heart ! how many wonders dost Thou here present to me ! how many good things ! how sweet ! how desirable ! What wonder if I am allured, if I am gently and powerfully drawn hither ; what wonder if here is the place of my heart’s delights ! OF JESUS IN BLISS. 485 CH. XIV.] Here, amidst the Angels, I can find Thee in every mystery ; I can behold Thee in every condition of Thy life, as my necessities, my profit, or my comfort may require. Yea, here I can now be with Thee, and enjoy Thy favours ; here again, if I lift myself up, I may contem- plate Thee in Thy glory, view the wonders of Thy king- dom, and rejoice beforehand in what Thou hast there prepared for me. How easy, 0 Beloved of my soul, how easy and sweet it is to meditate here, to occupy the mind and the heart with Thee here, to enjoy thee here ! for this I need no skill, no book, no labour. . Here, present before Thee, I need only gaze upon Thee by faith in every mystery, hearken to Thee, watch Thy actions, implore Thee, love Thee. Oh, how delightful is this place ! how lovely the company, how sweet the employment, how holy the intercourse ! Who does not wish to be here with Thee for ever ? Here certainly I will be present at Thy feet, among the heavenly spirits, as often as I can. Oh, that I could spend here all my time ! But thy will, which is my sole comfort, requires that I be often absent in person, that I comply with the obligations of my state, that I fulfil the duties of my office, that I pro- vide for the needs of nature, that I even use an innocent relaxation. Yet, amidst all these, I will frequently turn in affec- tion to Thee, I will occupy my heart with Thee; for, wherever is the object of my love, thither also tends my heart; wheresoever my treasure is, there also shall my heart be. 486 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. CHAPTER XY. The most Sacred Heart of Jesus, in the most Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist, leads us to the divine per- , fections. 1. The voice of Jesus, — Attend, My child, and here, in the Sacrament, I will show thee a still higher way, , whereby thou mayst ascend in contemplation even to the very perfections of the Deity. Be thou prepared, that thou mayst enter into the I divine secrets, and that, with all the Saints, thou mayst contemplate the height and breadth and depth of those oceans, whence in heaven the Angels and blessed, and on earth pure and interior souls, draw and are inebriated. Behold, what My Heart makes known to thee here in this most sacred mystery; and, following the divine Spirit, from what is here made known, go thou forward into the plenitude of things. But do all this in such a manner, My child, that thou becomest more and more established in humility, that thou ever glowest with a purer love, so that, being introduced by My sacred Humanity, by My Heart Itself, thou mayst cling, as forming but one and the same Spirit, to the Deity as perfectly as thou art able. 2. Look into and ponder the divine wisdom, which My Heart displays in this adorable Sacrament. Here It shows forth those marvellous inventions, whereby It reconciled those things which appeared con- trary; so that, at one and the same time, I should reign amidst glorious triumphs in heaven, and abide upon earth the everlasting Comforter of men; whereby I might be enabled to give Myself, not only to the human race, but to every individual as well; whereby, in fine, through the most simple means, such as those of the Sacramental species, I might obtain the most sublime ends. Hence do thou mount higher, and contemplate this OF JESUS IN BLISS. 487 CH. XV.] infinite Wisdom^ which reaches all things from eternity to eternity; which beholds all present^ the past and the future, things existing and things possible. This, by its eternal counsels, ordained, in a manner so marvellous, all the stupendous works of the creation and restoration, of nature and grace, of sanctification and glory. This divine perfection is like an infinite light, which penetrates all; which completely surveys thee and thy whole interior; from which thou canst not recede, which thou art unable to grasp. In this light do thou rejoice, My child; herein live thou cheerfully for thy God. 3. Observe the divine Goodness^ which is made mani- fest in this most sweet Sacrament, and is resplendent with such flames of love. Nowhere on earth does the divine goodness shine forth with so wonderful a profusion, with so great a sweetness ; for here it does, as it were, pour out and exhaust itself ; here it gives all things, and itself over and above. Elsewhere are the rays of divine love, here is its focus. Elsewhere there are some good things, here is the fountain of them all. From this, proceed thou to the contemplation of this abyss of goodness. Look into its depth, survey eternity itself ; thou shalt find no bounds. From this infinite goodness every thing that is good, whether in heaven or on earth, derives its goodness ; every thing that lives, its life ; every thing that moves, its vigour ; every thing that understands, its intelligence ; every thing that is happy, its bliss. This divine attribute is, as it were, a boundless ocean, whence arises, as a cloud, the plenitude of all things good ; into which, while the blessed and elect are im- mersed, they rejoice in supreme delight. My child, plunge thyself also into the same ; taste how sweet is the goodness of thy God ; therein do thou -rejoice, love, praise. 488 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. 4. Behold the Almighty Power ^ which is revealed in the venerable mystery of the Eucharist ; in which alone it works more and greater wonders than in all the world beside ; in which it ceases not to renew these astonishing prodigies. After having reverently viewed these things, lift thyself up to a general contemplation of this stupendous omnipotence ; which, without labour, at its mere plea- sure, made all things that have existence ; which pro- duces countless and unutterable objects of every kind, — ! all things, in short, if it only wills ; which, again, by its simple nod, is able to destroy the whole world, and bring all things to naught. Contemplate the efficacy of this infinite power ; which can overthrow all the attempts of its opponents, and bring it to pass that all things warring against it — not only those which are indifferent, but even such as are evil — do unconsciously, and even in spite of them- selves, concur to its own holy ends. By this omnipotence, not only are creatures pre- served in being, but they ‘receive besides power to effect whatsoever they do : men receive the divine concurrence to use the faculties of body and soul, animals their powers, the stars their force of rolling and glittering in space, the earth its vigour to produce fruits, the winds and storms their might and impetuosity ; in fine, all things their excellence. This divine perfection, in its manifestation, is like the atmosphere, which, when it is gently stirred, re- freshes and invigorates the life of creatures : when it moves with violence, lays prostrate and scatters what- ever opposes ; but to whatever yields, gives a new im- pulse, and helps it onward. Eejoice, My child, at so great a power of thy God ; place thy trust therein, and, by prayer, have frequently recourse to the same. 5. Consider the divine Justice^ of which My Heart reminds thee in this most Blessed Sacrament. OF JESUS IN BLISS. 489 CH. XV.] Behold My sacred humanity, which is here present for thee, is the sign of the divine justice for I assumed it to make satisfaction to the same. And does not the Sacrifice which My Heart here offers daily, through the ministry of the priests, put thee in mind of the divine justice ? Nay, more, do I not display an adorable jus- tice in the Communion, when I give there to every one according to his works, according to his disposition ? Contemplate thence the perfection of this divine justice, — whether in heaven, whence it hurled, like light- ning, the wickedly rebellious spirits, and wherein it recompenses for ever, with a condign reward, all, even the least, good deeds of the Angels and Saints ; or whether on earth, where, through My Heart, it is allied to the divine mercy, and reaches those only who are un- willing to embrace mercy, — where, also, when it is justly incensed, it is mindful of mercy ; or whether in hell, where, for My sake, it punishes below the full desert of the reprobate, and so adapts punishment to the number and grievousness of sins, that it forces the condemned themselves to confess that the divine justice is good. Consider the consolation of this divine attribute, which will one day justify, in the presence of all those that are now oppressed by unmerited detraction, by re- proaches, or by calumnies ; and which will not only restore reputation and honour and glory, and whatso- ever else has been taken away, but will exalt all things the more, the lower they have been depressed ; which will make good, by an ever- enduring reward, all deeds of virtue, even those which men slighted ; which, in fine, estimates and repays the merit of works, not according to their outward success, as does the world, but accord- ing to the inward disposition of him that performs them. This divine perfection is like fire, which, according as objects are disposed, by the same action consumes these, -cheers those; hardens some, softens others. Admire this attribute of the Deity, My child ; exalt it with a holy fear ; but cherish it still more. 490 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. 6. Direct thy mind to the divine Mercy^ which My Heart displays in the most Holy Sacrament, in ways as sweet as they are wonderful. Is not this whole mystery a marvel of infinite mercy? Who is there alive that does not endure misery? but what unfortunate one has come hither with proper dis- positions, and has not found mercy ? Boundless is here the kindness of My Heart, and there is no end to Its compassion. When thou hast devoutly meditated hereon, proceed to the consideration of the infinite mercy visible every where : in heaven, which the divine mercy fills with Saints, whom formerly it freed from sin and now crowns with bliss ; on earth, where it hovers over all the works of God, and refreshes them by remedy and assistance and consolation ; finally, in hell itself, where, on account of the merits of My Heart, it punishes less than what is due, and is acknowledged by the reprobate themselves. Contemplate the va-fetness of this divine mercy to- ward men, which embraces all, excludes none, casts off none ; which waits for the very sinners so long as they live, and offers them grace sufficient for their conversion and pardon ; which, in fine, extends itself to all miseries of whatsoever kind, and finds nothing in this world, how wretched soever it may be, which it is not willing to relieve, and, in a direct or indirect manner, to turn into a means of salvation. Behold a divine perfection, like an infinite abyss, which no magnitude of miseries cast into it can fill up ; which no multiplicity of necessities which draw there- from can exhaust. Use thou, My child, but do not abuse, so sweet an attribute of thy God ; widen thy heart ; be thankful ; fly to this abyss of mercy with faith, with hope, with love. 7. Observe the Sanctity which shines forth in this Holy of Holies ; which by its splendour throws the Angels themselves into an ecstasy. OF JESUS IN BLISS. 491 CH. XV.] With deep piety look thou into this Sacrament, the mirror of the divine sanctity. Here, every thing is per- fect purity ; here, My Body is itself as a spirit ; here, all breathes holiness. Hence, thou mayst contemplate infinite sanctity, which, absolutely perfect in itself, is the cause, the standard, the end of all created holiness, of all purity, of all beauty ; which is such that nothing can be added thereto, nothing be taken therefrom. Gaze upon this divine perfection, captivated by the purest beauty of which the inhabitants of heaven are overspread with a beatific joy ; by the similitude of which, when the souls of mortals are adorned, they be- come supremely ennobled ; on account of the majesty of which, the demons tremble even in the lowest hell. From the brightness of this perfection, whatsoever is beautiful, whatsoever is lovely, whatsoever is excellent, borrows its every beauty, its every loveliness, its every excellence. This divine attribute is like the sun in the firma- ment ; which imparts to objects the brightness of colour, elegance, cheerfulness ; which, shining upon things clean and unclean, is ever equally pure, ever equally beautiful. Rejoice thou. My child, at so great a beauty and loveliness, so great and varied an excellence of the sanctity of thy God ; afiectionately revere the same ; imitate it according to thy ability. 8. Behold the divine Immensity, which this Sacra- ment of My Heart represents. For here I am wholly in the whole consecrated Host, and wholly in every particle of the Host when divided. And by the multiplication or replication of My presence in all the Hosts all over the earth, do I not display a certain representation of immensity ? Finally, in every place Vhere I abide Sacramentally, do I not so deal with each one as if I there abode for him alone ? 492 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. Bj conceiving these things with a lively faith, thou wilt assuredly be led to the contemplation of the divine immensity, which contains all things, whether existing or whether merely possible, and is contained by none ; whereby the Deity is wholly in the whole universe, and wholly in every part of the universe. Contemplate this universal presence of the Divinity, together with His infinite wisdom, and goodness, and power, and justice, and mercy, and sanctity, and infinite perfection of every kind, and remember that in Him thou art, thou livest, thou movest. Whithersoever thou mayst turn thyself, thou per- ceivest the Deity present in every object, and so caring for the same as if He were there for it alone. Behold the birds of the air : they neither sow nor reap, and yet He that is present every where feeds them. Consider the lilies of the field : they labour not, neither do they spin ; and yet, not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed as one of these. To this divine Providence, therefore, do thou intrust thyself ; rest thou in the same, as in the bosom of a Father supremely perfect ; abandon thyself wholly to Him, for He has a care of thee. Behold, the very hairs of thy head are all numbered, neither does one fall without His will. Fear not, then, neither be thou troubled nor uneasy ; but live resigned to Him and blissful in Him. 9. The voice of the Disciple , — Truly full of consola- tion is all this, O Lord God, but how sublime ! Of my own accord I neither dare nor can essay things so ex- alted. If, however. Thy divine Spirit guide me, reverently indeed, and conscious of my own weakness, I will follow Thee with joy and security; and having entered, through Thy most sacred humanity, into the wonderful works of the Divinity, I will contemplate the things which surpass all understanding. Send, therefore, I beseech Thee, Thy Holy Spirit, OF JESUS IN BLISS. 493 CH. XV.] to lead me so far into this contemplation as Thou mayst deem it conducive to my sanctification and Thy glory. Grant me, I humbly implore Thee, this divine Spirit, with His sevenfold gifts, that He may guide me both in contemplation and in action. The Spirit of wisdom, who may so dispose me wholly, that I shall find all things of earth distasteful, and those of God full of delight: that I rightly judge and feel con- cerning all; that I seek with aflfection after whatsoever serves for my sanctification. The Spirit of understanding, to remove and disperse all darkness of mind and illusions of heart, that, with a calm mind and clean heart, I may view all that infinite Goodness has made — things seen and unseen ; and that I may ever understand what the divine will, infinitely good, requires of me. The Spirit of counsel, to remind me ever of my own weakness, whereby I am unable to do any thing for my salvation, and to induce me efiScaciously to have recourse to the help of divine Omnipotence, by whose aid I can do all things. The Spirit of fortitude, that He may move me to exert all my strength to cooperate faithfully with the help of divine grace, that thus I may by generous efforts aspire after perfect justice, without caring for the judg- ments of men, regarding Thee alone, the just Judge. The Spirit of knowledge, that He may teach me discernment, whereby I may practically distinguish be- tween things natural and supernatural, so that my every prayer and action may always begin from Thee and be perfected through Thee ; and whereby I may so devote myself to praying and acting, that, for the sweetness of contemplation I do neither neglect the works of corporal and spiritual mercy toward my neighbour, nor, for the sake of works of mercy toward others, overlook mercy toward my own soul. The Spirit of piety, who, by fostering in me a tender devotion, may stimulate me gently and strongly to 494 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV, holiness, and may cause me to conduct myself as a com- passionate parent toward inferiors, as an affectionate brother toward equals, as a dutiful son toward superiors. The Spirit of a loving fear, of a filial, pure love, whereby I may every where supremely revere Thee, my God, and joyfully fulfil with a holy affection Thy every will. CHAPTER XVI. Row great a reverence^ both outwa/rd and inward, the Heart of Jesus wills us to have for the most Blessed Sacrament 1. The voice of Jesus, — My child, if the heavens were thrown open before thee, and if thy eyes beheld there My glory, how thou wouldst be affected by this sight ! how thou wouldst tremble with holy awe ! with what reverence thou wouldst fall prostrate ! For before My throne, sending forth the splendours of glory like blazing flames and lightnings, thou shouldst behold thousands of thousands of Angels praising Me with all veneration, and standing around the throne ten thousand times a hundred thousand ministering to Me. Thou shouldst also behold the mighty throng of Saints, whom thou couldst not count, falling upon their faces in sight of the throne, adoring, and melting with love. Thou shouldst behold how every thing shineth in My presence : at one time thou shouldst perceive how, by reason of the greatness of the all-pervading reverence, there reigns a deep silence throughout heaven ; at an- other, how the whole place resounds with the voice of its inhabitants, bursting forth and singing in unison, Amen, blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanks- CH. XVI.] OF JESUS IN BLISS. 495‘ giving, and honour, and power, and strength, to our God for ever and ever ! Now, My child, I, the same who in heaven am worshiped with such a manifestation of honour and praise, am here present in the most Blessed Sacrament, surrounded by a multitude of heavenly Spirits. See, therefore, and consider how mortals ought to conduct themselves toward Me. If the very pillars of heaven tremble with awe, what should the dust of the earth do ? 2. Here I desire reverence, here I claim honour, here I exact due worship. By the free choice of My Heart I was born in a stable, and I so passed My mortal life, that I had not where to recline My head ; but when I was about to institute this most Holy Sacrament, I ordered to be prepared a large Supper-room furnished, to show how much I wished to be respected and honoured and wor- shiped in My Sacramental life. Taught by this, the Church has ever loved the beauty of My house, and erected to the best of her power magnificent temples ; she has called to her aid nature, that, by richness and art and genius, they might adorn My chosen dwelling-places ; ever full of solici- tude, she has taken care that, according to the desire of My Heart, she may honour Me every way in this most august mystery, and thus testify her own love for Me. If thou lovest Me, My child, yea, if thou hast faith, and by its supernal light vie west My Majesty here veiled, and all that visibly and invisibly surrounds Me, thou wilt surely ever exhibit here supreme reverence. Thou wilt not here appear before Me among the Angels, except inwardly and outwardly full of recollection and veneration ; thou wilt show interiorly and exteriorly nothing save piety and devotedness, reverential awe and love. 3. The voice of the Disciple, — Truly, O Lord Jesus, 496 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. Thou, the love and beatitude of all the Angels and Saints, truly Thou art here to be worshiped with every regard, with every sanctity of love. Holiness becomes Thy very tabernacle. Thy very house. For Thou art the Holy of Holies, and dwellest in holiness, where the Angelic Spirits themselves appear trembling with awe, and admire the unapproachable splendours of sanctity. How, then, shall a mortal man, if he considers Thy infinite Majesty and his own utter unworthiness, dare to present himself before Thee ? Assuredly, didst Thou Thyself not invite me to draw near, and did not the well-known goodness of Thy Heart calm the vehemence of my dread, frightened, I would depart from Thee, because I am a sinful person ; neither should I dare to come to Thee, lest, perhaps, I might be guilty of Thy offended Majesty. But, behold, that very kindness of Thy Heart which calls on me so mercifully, and breathes confidence into me with so fatherly an affection, is a new cause for reverence. For if, through want of reverence, I misuse this grace, I become the more guilty, since I am bad because Thou art good. 4. 0 Christ Jesus, My God, all-knowing and all- powerful I how awe-inspiring is this place wherein Thou art truly present I How shall I demean myself in a manner worthy of Thy presence in this most Holy Sacrament, where all that I behold around me warns me that the highest re- spect must be shown ? This ever-burning light tells me that, through a lively faith, I should be mindful where and in whose presence I am. The secluded sanctuary warns me that the place of Thy abode is holy with no ordinary sanctity. The lofty tabernacle reminds me how lowly and full of reverential feeling I ought to appear in Thy sight. OF JESUS IN BLISS. 497 CH. XVI.] The brightness of the sacred vessels teaches me how great an inward and outward purity is required. Every soul here rapt in thought, busied with Thy love, admonishes me with how great a devotion, with how tender an affection, it behoves me to deal with Thee. 5. O Jesus, God of all sanctity ! Thou teachest me how perfect a reverence must here be shown to Thee ; since Thou art not willing that any one should be near to Thee here, or dwell beneath the same roof with Thee, except heavenly Spirits, and those angels of earth, religious persons and Thy priests ; who are to be so clean of heart that they may deserve to see God, so chaste in body that they may embrace purity itself. With what dispositions of body and soul ought I, therefore, to come hither, since I am associated with so pure, so holy a company ! If Daniel, if Tobias, if John the beloved Disciple, if other Saints, in the presence of one Angel, were so struck with his aspect, and seized with so great a rever- ence, that they fell prostrate upon the ground, with what sentiments should 1 be animated here, where I am in the presence of so many Angels, yea, even before Thyself, the Lord of all the Angels ! Surely, no unbefitting thought, no inferior affection, ^jught to occupy me here. Nay, more, as often *as I repair hither, I must not only keep myself free from every evil, but also honour Thee by holy acts of virtue. 6. Of how great a wrath of Thy indignation, of how great a punishment of Thy justice, should I be deserving if, in Thy presence, I should busy my heart with un- lawful thoughts or evil affections ; if thus I dared here to appear unholy among angelic Spirits, and insult Thee to Thy face with so great a disrespect, so offensive to Thy Heart ! Oh, did I but follow faith, I should doubtless neither suffer my thoughts to stray, nor my affections to be poured out elsewhere, nor myself to be turned in any wise away from Thee, as if Thou, O supreme bliss of K K 498 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. all, wert not sufficient for me, and worthy of my attention ! O Lord God, I tremble when I think on the great- ness of the irreverence whereof I render myself guilty when I appear to honour Thee with my lips, whilst my ^ heart is far away from Thee, engaged with things which it either inordinately loves or fears, or with objects of dissipation which it cares not to remove. Alas ! my very exterior proves by how great a dis- a traction my heart is dissipated, in how great a desolate- ness it languishes, even when here before Thee I partake of a heavenly fellowship. 7. And yet my outward deference ought not to be | less than the inward ; since Thou requirest equally the " homage of the body and of the soul in this most august Sacrament, where Thou, my God, art Thyself present with Body and Soul. It is befitting, therefore, that the greatest modesty do here appear and be made known to all men, because i Thou, O Lord, art so near. Here no idle word should find a place ; no inquisi- tive, no wandering look ; no position, no motion of the body in the least disrespectful. O Jesus, life and sweetness of my soul, although there is nothing on earth which delights me more than the most Holy Sacrament of the love of Thy Heart, there is, at the same time, nothing that fills me more with dread. For, if I use it rightly and reverently, I find in it all things desirable. If, on the contrary, I use it wrong- fully and irreverently, what dreadful evils do I draw upon myself ! 8. But, oh, if I loved Thee sufficiently, if my heart were inflamed with that divine fire with which Thy Heart is here burning, there would be no need of such an amount of reasons to induce me ‘to exhibit to Thee a due regard. For then I would not only most studiously avoid OF JESUS IN BLISS. 499 CH. XVI.] every irreverence, but I would demean myself before Thee in that manner which love alone understands ; with that delicate attentiveness which the purity of love alone can teach. Then, how sweet would it be for me to spend in Thy presence a happy and joyous time, rapt in love of Thee, forgetful of all beside ! Then, how eagerly would I desire to visit Thee in Thy most lovely tabernacle, and prove to Thee my love ! Then, with how holy and delicious a hunger and thirst would I be urged forward to resort frequently to the heavenly banquet which Thou hast here prepared with so great a sweetness I 9. Grant me, therefore, most loving and amiable Jesus, — grant me love for Thee ; a love which may soften and expand my hard heart, and fill it with the unction of piety. Inflame me wholly with that love wherewith the Angelic Spirits and so many pure souls are here burning in Thy presence, and whereby they honour Thee so perfectly. O Lord, have pity on me, and forgive me every negligence in Thy regard, every distraction of mind, every dissipation of heart, — whatsoever, in fine, I have done contrary to that reverence which is due to Thee. And kindly grant, that as Thy favours to me are ever increasing and being heaped up, so also my love for Thee may be augmented and redoubled. 500 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. CHAPTER XVII. That we should endeavour by every means to atone for the insults which are offered to the most Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Sacrament of His love, 1. The voice of Jesus. — My child, they repaid Me evil for good, and returned Me hatred for My love. Whatever is best and most precious in heaven, whatever on earth is most useful and wholesome to men, whatever is most sacred and consoling in religion, I placed, by the disinterested generosity of My Heart, by the most pure love, in this Sacrament. Are not these things so great, My child, that if the hearts of all should be consumed with love ; if the tongues of all mortals should together be employed to return just thanks ; if the whole world should sacrifice itself as a victim of praise, — all this should be still so far from what is deserved as things divine surpass those which are human, as the finite is below the infinite ? Heaven itself stands astounded at the boundless grandeur of this gift ; and the Angelic Spirits exclaim in admiration. Behold our God ! behold the marvels He has wrought upon earth ! Thinkest thou, then, that, on earth, there can be found a person who is insensible or indifierent to this gift of gifts ? And yet. My child, there are souls without feeling, without affection, thankless creatures, that, so far from loving Me, the generous donor of a treasure of such blessings, on the contrary, do use these very blessings to load My Heart with bitter insults. 2. Behold, very many run whithersoever their interest or passion impels them ; but, in order to visit Me, they are unwilling to leave their house or to turn ever so little aside from their way. So little do they esteem My gifts, so cold-hearted do they feel toward Me, that they are unwilling to undergo CH. XVII.] OF JESUS IN BLISS. 501 the least inconvenience of nature to come hither, to ask for the good things I have prepared, or to testify their love for Me, who, for love of them, came down from heaven through every inconvenience, and abide here for their sake. To how many can I truly say : So long a tinie have I been with you, and ye have not known Me ! To them I am as a stranger ; and, as an alien, I am neglected by them. So little do they think of Me ; so little do they care for Me. 3. And even among them that frequently resort to My tabernacle, how many there are who do indeed come, but place an abomination in the holy place ! For how many present themselves before My eyes, in My sacred temple, as idols, to lead men astray from devotional love for Me, and to turn away their mind and attention toward themselves ! Not a few resolve in their mind things execrable, cherish in their heart things detestable ; and, by their will, commit sins in My very sight, — thus shamefully insulting Me. How many, also, who by look or gesture, or by their very dress, sadden the Angels and offend Me ! How many there are who would rightly blush to demean themselves toward a mortal with so much inso- lence, so much irreverence, as they here exhibit toward Me! 4. Nowhere, My child, are more cruel affronts heaped upon Me than in this divine mystery. Where abounds the goodness of My Heart, there also abounds the wickedness of men. For how many heretics do impiously deny me ; how many unbelievers do horribly blaspheme Me whom they know not I But, My child, although these things are most grievous, they are less painful to My Heart than the horrifying profanations of those that receive Me sacri- legiously through Communion. 502 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOKJV. Oh, how great an insult, how abominable an attempt, when men, even the dispensers of My mysteries, ap- proach Me whilst they possess the devil within them- selves ; and, after sacrilegiously receiving Me, cast Me, their God, at the feet of Satan, who sits enthroned in their heart ! 5. The voice of the Disciple,— lo^^g? O Lord God, — how long shall sinners do such things with im- punity V Arise, O Thou All-powerful One ; scatter those monsters ; place the sacrilegious wretches like stubble before the face of the raging fire : for this have they deserved. The voice of Jesus — Not so. My child, — not so as yet ; although they deserve, even at present, the ex- treme of punishment. I wfish to show that the love of My Heart is greater than the malice of the heart of men. My mind, therefore, is disposed to give them still grace, that they may yet be able to save themselves. For if, cooperating with the same, they reform, it will be the triumph, the joy, the exultation of My Heart at the salvation of these souls, for which I did not hesitate to lay down My life. And if they are unwilling to be converted, and to love Me in return, I have time sufficient to satisfy My justice, since everlasting ages are Mine. Meanwhile, child, lo, I will continue to bear those insults for love of thee, for the love of the elect ; whom I love more than I am offended by sinners, and for whom I gladly continue to reside here. 6. Thou, My child, wilt not be insensible, I trust, to this singular excess of love by which My Heart, during so many ages, endures such indignities from the wicked, in order that It may bestow upon thee all the good things which it has stored up in this Sacrament. If thou lovest Me, thou wilt cheerfully do whatsoever thou canst to make amends for sacrifices so numerous and so great, which My Heart here makes, and to re- OF JESUS IN BLISS. 503 CH. XVII.] pair My honour, which is here injured in so many unworthy ways. Indeed, it is one of the chief ends of the devotion to My Heart to atone, so far as possible, for the insults which My Heart receives from every side in this most holy Sacrament. Do not believe thyself a true disciple of My Heart, if Thou dost not burn with zeal for Its honour. 7. Here, then, before My tabernacle, do thou fre- quently pour forth the ardent affections of thy heart, — affections of thankfulness, of generosity, of self-offering, of manifold love, — whereby My Heart may be comforted. Let thy devotion be fervent when here thou prayest or worshipest or busiest thyself in any manner ; so that, as much as thou canst, thou mayst make up for the in- difference of the lukewarm, and awake in them the desire to shake off their sluggishness. Exhibit every where a sincere, not a fictitious venera- tion for the most Blessed Sacrament, that thou mayst in some sort make amends to My honour ; and, whilst edifying others, induce them to reverence Me, and thus lighten the burden laid upon My Heart. Frequently offer up thy good works, thy sufferings, and all the meritorious deeds which are performed in the Church throughout the world, to honour Me in the Holy Eucharist. For the same end offer up the virtues and merits of all the Angels and Saints, all the praise and honour, and whatsoever else is done in heaven. As often as thou hearest or celebratest Mass, or receivest Holy Communion, have this intention, among others, — to atone by this holy action for the insults which at any time have been offered by thyself or by others to My Heart. Nay, more, My child, imitating My Heart, pray for those who behave so unworthily towards Me, that the patience of My Heart in waiting for them, and Its readi- ness in pardoning them when returning, may triumph 504 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. to Its own great joy and to their everlasting happi- ness. Lastly, whether interiorly or exteriorly, endeavour to do every thing thou art able, that all may show Me honour and love in this holy Sacrament. 8. The voice of the Disciple . — O most sweet Jesus, how greatly didst Thou honour us ! how much didst Thou love us ! Lo, for love of us Thou earnest down from heaven upon earth ; and to lead us from earth to heaven. Thou didst not cease to labour and suffer. Thou didst sacrifice all Thy interests, and shed even Thy blood to redeem us when dead ; Thou didst suffer death to give us life ; Thou wast willing that Thy Heart, wounded by love, should remain open that Thou mightst thence bestow upon us all blessings ; Thou didst conde- scend to be wholly ours, always and every where. In Thy mortal life, Thou gavest Thyself to us as the price of salvation, the fountain of life, the pattern of perfection, the way and guide to heaven. In Thy Sacramental life, Thou givest Thyself over and above to us as the food of life, the sanctification of soul and body, the solace of our pilgrimage, the abund- ance of all things good. In Thy glorious life itself. Thou givest Thyself to us as the Advocate with the Father, as the giver of the Spirit the Comforter, as an everlasting reward. What more, O most loving Jesus ! what more could Thy Heart invent, what more could It do, which It did not invent and accomplish for us ? How great a thankfulness, then, how great a love, how great a fidelity, hadst Thou a right to expect 1 But, alas ! Lord, alas 1 instead of gratitude, of love, of fidelity, behold affronts, profanations, sacrileges, and every most cruel misdeed ! Was it this, O good Jesus ! was it this, which moved the Angels themselves to shed tears, — was it this Thou hadst to expect from us for all Thou didst do, and en- dure, and bestow, and prepare for us ? CH. XVII.] OF JESUS IN BLISS. 505 9. Would, O Lord, that with my blood I could wash away things so horrible ! Would that I were able, at the cost of my own honour and life, to atone for indigni- ties so great, insults so cruel ! But since I can only desire these things, I offer to Thee, as a compensation for all the injuries ever done to Thy Heart, as an atonement for Thy honour, — in what- soever manner it may have been wounded by myself and others, — all my thoughts, words, actions, all that I may do or suffer. For the same end, I offer to Thee my whole self, to undergo all the humiliations, to suffer all the insults, to endure whatsoever Thy divine good pleasure may will. I offer to Thee also all the pious affections, the holy desires, the meritorious works of all the faithful who are pleasing to Thee throughout the world ; all the Sacrifices of the Mass, the Holy Communions, — in short, whatsoever is done for Thee in the whole Church. I likewise offer to Thee the praises, and thanks- givings, and blessings, and all the testimonials of love of all the heavenly Spirits, and of the Saints who reign in heaven. Accept, I beseech Thee, O most kind Jesus, these offerings in union with the merits of Thy most Sacred Heart ; receive them through the Immaculate Heart of Thy Virgin Mother, through which I dare to present all this to Thee. Through that innocent Heart, guilty as I am, I yet do confidingly draw near to Thy Heart ; and implore mercy and grace for myself and for all other miserable sinners. Spare, O Lord, — spare us sinners ; forgive the evils we have done ; forget the insults we have offered to Thy Heart. Grant that, by purity of life, we may repair the past ; that, by the fervour of our affections, we may return Thy love ; and that, by a persevering fidelity, we may delight Thy Heart. 506 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV; CHAPTER XVIII. That we must 'prove ourselves before we approach the Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist, 1. The voice of Jesus. — My child, let a man prove j himself, and so let him eat of that Bread and drink of that Cup. For he that eats and drinks unworthily, ’ eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Body of his Lord. No small punishment threatens him that receives j the Lord his God unworthily. Behold, My Blood shall ; be upon him, and shall cause a curse to fall upon his ’ body and soul. Consider, My child, how indignant thou art at the conduct of Judas, the betrayer. But he surpasses in j audaciousness, ingratitude, and wickedness this faithless disciple who, not restrained by the most lamentable fate of Judas, and abusing My forewarnings as well as My fa- vours, whilst at this most sacred banquet he reclines upon My very Heart, betrays Me by a sacrilegious Communion. How dreadful, then, how terrible the expectation of judgment ! how fearful a punishment awaits him who betrays, who persecutes Me by so cruel a baseness I If they, who misused the ancient types of this divine Sacrament, were punished so severely: if the sons of Heli, because they had behaved in an unbecoming manner in the Sanctuary of old; if Oza, because he had irreverently touched the Ark of the Covenant; if Bal- thassar, because he had used the sacred vessels for an unholy purpose; — if all these, in punishment of their crimes, were overtaken by death, what does that sacri- legious wretch deserve who, so far as in him lies, tramples under foot and spurns God Himself, his Creator * and Saviour ? Would not the earth open and swallow him alive, did not My Heart prevent it, in order that It may still | offer him a chance of salvation ? i CH. XVIII.] OF JESUS IN BLISS. 507 O crime ! O enormity ! how horrible it is for one guilty of so great an impiety to fall into the hands of an Almighty God ! 2. The voice of the Disciple , — Lord ! Lord ! I shud- der with horror when I reflect on the heinousness of such an abominable crime ! Prostrate in the dust before Thee, I beg and beseech Thee, preserve me from an unworthy Communion of Thy Body and Blood. By Thy Heart Itself, I implore Thee, Lord God, make me understand what it is to eat this Bread and drink this Cup unworthily, that knowing it I may sedu- lously be on my guard, lest I draw upon myself a most frightful condemnation. The voice of Jesus . — It is, My child, to receive the Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist, whilst the conscious- ness of a grievous sin burdens him that receives. Lest, therefore, he take so great a mystery un- worthily, and consequently death and condemnation, let a person prove his conscience. And this proving is necessary, so that no one con- ! scious of a mortal sin, how contrite soever he may ' appear to himself, should approach the Holy Eucharist without previous sacramental confession. 3. The voice of the Disciple . — Forgive me, I beseech ; Thee, 0 Lord, if I appear not to understand fully what I is said, for I am dull of comprehension. Pardon me, also, if I ask things which seem less appropriate, for I am uneasy in heart. Not that I am not willing to make a greater prepa- ration for so great a Sacrament than that which is required not to receive unworthily, but because the enemy of my salvation sometimes suggests that, even after I have done what I could, I should be guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord were I to approach Holy I Communion. 5 ’ Thus, when darkness covers me, and the enemy rages in the darkness, so that I cannot clearly discern 508 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. objects, nor distinctly bear Thy voice within me, I either approach with reluctance and with danger, or, deceived by the wiles of the devil, I abstain from the best remedy for all my miseries. Show me, therefore, I entreat Thee, what signifies to be conscious of mortal sin. For, this being well under- stood, I shall more easily avoid the snares of the devil, and guard more effectually against an unworthy Com- munion. 4. The voice of Jesus . — My child, he is conscious of mortal sin, who knows in his heart that he is in a state of mortal sin. Knowledge, however, is not to be sought in the same way in all things, but in every matter ac- cording to its own manner; absolute in matters absolute, physical in things physical, moral in what belongs to morality. Wherefore, child, they that are wont to sin volun- tarily, if they doubt whether, when solicited to a sin, they did commit that sin, are morally certain, from what commonly happens to them, that they are guilty of that sin. On the contrary, when thou strivest sincerely to cling to Me, or so long as thou art habitually in dread of being deprived of divine grace, if thou knowest not, if thou hast no certain knowledge, that, in grievous mat- ters, thou didst voluntarily consent to the temptations of the enemy, or didst, in any way, lose the state of grace, if thou receivest the Sacrament, thou dost not receive it unworthily. 5. Let these truths. My child, ever console thee, let them encourage, let them guide thee; especially when serenity does not reign within, when the noise of the foe fills thy heart. Thou wilt, however, do rightly, if thou ever makest as perfect an act of contrition as thou art able for all, even thy hidden transgressions, such as they are in the sight of God; that, being thus better disposed, thou may St, amid the Angels, approach the divine mystery. Cfl. XVIII.] OF JESUS IN BLISS, 509 It will, likewise, prove useful, if, when thou art about to approach the sacred Table, thou provest thyself even in slighter sins ; and, by an ardent love, purifiest thyself from them and all inordinate affections ; so that, entering with a stainless wedding-garment, thou mayst sit down with Me to the heavenly banquet. If then. My child, thou dost not consent to mortal sins, although thou feelest thyself tempted thereto; if thou dost not voluntarily commit venial ones; if thou strugglest to go against nature, when it opposes itself to the divine good pleasure, — behold, with the permission of the director of thy conscience, it is lawful for thee to approach Holy Communion whensoever thou art will- ing- And, although this purity is infinitely below that divine purity which is received in the most Blessed Sacrament, yet it suffices for man, in order to frequent with humble confidence and affection this sacred and sanctifying mystery, and to be thereby more perfectly purified. For this divine Sacrament is not instituted for crea- tures that are by nature Angels, who cannot sin, but for men, who are Angels by desire, and are not willing to sin ; so that by it they may attain to the perfection of purity and sanctity, which is rather the fruit of Com- munion than a preparation for it. 6. It belongs peculiarly to the tempter to turn away from frequent Communion souls that are sufficiently well disposed; and every one among men who does so, whether directly or indirectly, imitates the devil, and does his work. Undoubtedly I require reverence, but I desire love more; and thou wilt show the one and the other better by frequent than by infrequent Communion. I, indeed, do not desire. My child, that thou shouldst often approach Holy Communion, and at the same time continue to sin, although only venially, or follow the ill- ordered likings or dislikings of nature ; but this I will, 510 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV: J that with a fixed will thou be determined to abstain f both from committing even the least sin, and from fol- lowing the inordinate inclinations of nature, and that j thou frequently approach thus the Holy Sacrament, in j spite of what they may think who, in this matter, defend' i the part of the evil spirit. If, in consequence of this determination, thou art , wont to lead a pure life, then, child, even if through . frailty thou fall occasionally into some defect, do not on ! that account omit thy usual Communion ; but, after hav- ing made the requisite proving, come to it with a more intense preparation. Consider, child, and remember how greatly My Heart is honoured and delighted by a pious and holy Communion, with how great a joy heaven is filled, with how much comfort the faithful departed are helped, with how many gifts and graces a well-disposed soul is replenished,' to secure her salvation the better, and to attain to sanctity. Are all these results not such that they do not only counterbalance, but infinitely outweigh, the labour or effort required for the proving and cleansing of thyself ? 7. There is no one who cannot in this manner prove himself, cleanse himself, in fine, dispose himself; since to all grace is given for this purpose. Nor can any one attribute the lack of disposition to nature, or to his condition in life, since neither nature nor condition in life, but an ill-regulated will, or careless- ness, renders the soul indisposed. Excite thy fervour. My child, stir up thy heart for a matter of such importance, that, in this life, there can be nothing greater or more useful for thee. Here every one receives the reward of the labour which he has employed in preparation; and, in propor- tion as he draws nigh purified and disposed, he departs laden with graces and favours. 8. The voice of the Disciple . — Thanks to Thee, most kind Jesus, for that, in so weighty a matter. Thou in- OF JESUS IN BLISS. 511 CH. XIX.] structestme so clearly, so distinctly; and, with so great a benignity of Heart, invitest and pressest me, although so poor and wretched, to a frequent participation of the divine banquet. Henceforth, I will come with more security and cheerfulness to this sacred Table; since I know how I must prove and dispose myself, as well to be ac- ceptable to Thee, as to partake with fruit of this heavenly food. I ardently desire, as Thou knowest, O Lord, and I most firmly resolve, to live free from every voluntary sin whatsoever, and from every inordinate affection; that, without hindrance, I may as frequently as possible receive Thee in Holy Communion. Whatsoever may be wanting to me, poor and desti- tute as I am, do Thou, I beseech Thee, good and merci- ful Jesus, supply from the treasury of Thy Heart; clothe me with the white robe of innocence; adorn me with the beauty of faith, hope, charity, and of all virtues ; that I may deserve to appear among the holy Angels, and ban- quet with Thee, unto Thy joy and honour, and my con- solation and sanctification. CHAPTER XIX. How we ought to 'prepare ourselves for Holy Communion, 1. The voice of Jesus . — My child. My time is near at hand; do thou await Me; behold, I will come, and will enter with thee, and I will make My abode with thee. And when I come, I shall not be alone, but many Angels with Me; nor shall I come with empty hands, but bring with me riches, and honours, and happiness, that I may enrich and ennoble thee; that I may make thee contented and blissful. 512 . UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. Prepare, therefore, a place for Me, in which there is not only no stain, but wherein also every thing is becom- ingly adorned. If thou considerest well whom thou art about to re- ceive, thou wilt indeed acknowledge that, even if thou didst possess the innocence of Angels, thou oughtest still to prepare thyself with the utmost care. For with how great a purity, how great a holiness, should his body and soul be adorned, who does not merely approach and embrace purity itself, sanctity itself, but receives the same, is incorporated with the same ! Do, then, whatsoever thou canst, to prepare thyself in body and soul for this great work. 2. Great indeed is this work ; for thou preparest a dwelling-place, not for a superior or a prince, but for thy Saviour-God ; neither dost thou labour for perish- able things, but for everlasting possessions. Wherefore, some time before the day previous to My coming, begin to dispose and prepare thyself re- motely, according to thy condition, by some acts of self- denial and other virtues. Direct thy good works, yea, even those which are indifferent, thy words and thoughts also, to this object ; and offer them all, that they may be as so many orna- ments, pleasing in My sight, of the place which thou art exerting thyself to prepare for Me. 3. Excite and cherish an ardent desire of the happi- ness which thou art about to enjoy in the Holy Commu- nion. And why shouldst thou not be animated by this desire, if thou considerest in how manifold ways thou standest in need of Me ? Why shouldst thou not expe- rience an ardent longing, if thou givest heed to the great blessings which thou art about to receive? Why, in fine, shouldst thou not be wholly inflamed, if thou medi- tatest how eagerly My Heart desires to bestow Itself upon thee ? In correspondence with this desire of My Heart, let OF JESUS IN BLISS. 513 CH. XIX.] thy heart, in return, long for Me ; and let it, from time to time, renew and inflame its eagerness to be dissolved by love, and be with Me. Now address the Angels : Have ye seen whom my soul loves? I adjure you that ye tell Him that I lan- guish with love. Then call upon the Saints : I entreat you, brethren, by our Lord and by His Heart, assist me with your prayers. Again, express to Me thy longing desire : O my Beloved ! my chosen one among all others ! show me where Thou feedest among the lilies. Who will grant me that I may find Thee, that I may embrace Thee, that I may lead Thee into the dwelling of my heart? Bid, oh, bid me experience how good Thou art to them that seek Thee, how sweet to them that find, how ineffa- ble to them that possess Thee I Come, Lord, and do not delay. With these, and other affections suited to the state of thy soul, entertain thy fervour; excite a spiritual hunger after the most wholesome Sacrament of the Eucharist, which requires a hungry soul, and fills and satiates that soul with good things. 4. Make, besides, a pure and holy intention, and cause the same to bear on the various ends, particular as well as general, which thou hast proposed to thyself. Beware, My child, lest thou approach the Holy Communion for form’s sake, or through custom, as it were without any purpose ; nor be thou less on thy guard, lest thou go to it in order that thou mayst appear devout, or, on the contrary, that thou mayst avoid re- proach ; or, lastly, that thou mayst experience sensible consolation. Proceed with straightforwardness, follow after things pure and holy, according to the divine good pleasure, from which thou oughtest for no consideration whatsoever to turn aside. For whatsoever is' foreign thereto is of no value, how good soever it may appear. 514 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. C Thus it will happen, that when about to approach’ the Holy Sacrament, after a careful preparation, if thou < dost not feel, according to thy desire, the fervour and relish of devotion, thou wilt bear it in peace and with profit, resigned to My divine will, which thou wilt deem the greatest of all consolations. And if thou dost experience the ardour or sweetness of devotion, thou wilt receive it with a humble andi grateful mind, and relish it in thy innermost heart ; knowing that it is not an effect of thy own seeking, but a gift of the goodness of My Heart. 5. When the time is now near at hand that I am about to come, think that thou hearest thy guardian; Angel, who says to thee : Behold, the Bridegroom comes ; go thou forth to meet Him. i Arise thou quickly ; and having with thee thy lamp lighted with sanctifying grace, hasten to My holy taber- nacle, watch there, and make the immediate preparation i for My coming. Let thy heart be dilated, let all the powers of thy soul exult, let thy present felicity fill thee wholly. Imagine that now thou art no longer on earth, but ' amidst the Angels, who invisibly surround thee. I 6. And whilst I tarry in the tabernacle, adore Me ! with a lively faith, cherish a great hope, renew thy love for thy neighbour. Apply thyself diligently to this, insist on this with much affection. Then occupy thyself with acts of those virtues which \ are peculiarly pleasing to My Heart, and which I My- , self practised in a marvellous manner in the Supper- j room, before I instituted this Sacrament ; thus giving j thee an example, that as I did in My Heart, so thou j shouldst also do before Holy Communion. For how deeply did I there humble Myself, when I cast j Myself at My disciples’ feet, and washed and wiped them ! ^ Taught by such an example, humble thyself, as much as thou art able', with thy whole heart, with thy ; whole mind, with all thy strength. OF JESUS IN BLISS. 515 >H. XIX.] I And when thou hast done all thou oughtest and canst, acknowledge that thou art unworthy to receive iMe, to enter into divine companionship with Me. I What more do I ask, than a soul truly humble, in iwhich My Soul finds its delight, upon which My Heart may pour out the abundance of Its graces, and which i My pure love may pervade, transport, transform ? By love. My child, by love was this most delightful |: Sacrament instituted ; by love it must be received. As the love of My Heart in this mystery is exceed- ! ing, and pours itself out without measure, without re- striction, so, child, when thou* becomest a partaker of I the same, give thyself wholly up, without limit, without conditions, to divine love. This living love, this pure affection, this entire sur- rendering of thyself, is the highest preparation for Holy Communion ; because it is the nearest disposition to the divine union. Here, therefore, do thou linger ; here act with thy whole heart ; ask, give, according as the Spirit of grace shall teach or direct thee. 7. If thou lovest Me purely, Iviy child, thou wilt perceive that it is not in thy power to love Me suffi- ciently ; and thou wilt feel that whatsoever thou dost, or art able to do, is as nothing compared to what is befitting for receiving Me into thy heart. Wherefore, be not satisfied with those adornings of virtue which thou thyself makest ready or possessest ; but borrow from the Angels, the Saints, and all the good, whatsoever ornaments they have, for the solemn occasion when thou art going to receive Me. And this thou canst do. My child, if, with a sincere and fervent heart, thou desirest, and offerest to Me for thyself, all and each one of the merits and virtues of the Angels and Saints ; that by these thou mayst be pleasing to Me, and receive Me in a more worthy and perfect manner. If, for the same end, thou wishest efficaciously to receive Me with that purity, faith, hope, charity; with 516 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV < that humility, love, and holiness, wdth which all the just and virtuous, yea, My Immaculate Virgin-Mother herself, have ever received Me in the Sacrament. Holy affections of this kind, child, if they flow from a pure love for Me, are so pleasing to Me, that I am not less delighted with these pure and burning desires, than if thou didst thyself possess the things desired. But, My child, seek thou after still better things ; perfect the adornment of thy heart with the very virtues of My Heart. Finally, when I come out of the tabernacle, when thou hearest the words,* Behold the Lamb of God ! in- wardly and outwardly collected, and full of reliance upon the goodness of My Pleart, come thou amidst the Angels, come forth to meet Me. At this supreme moment, forget in some manner thyself ; and, intent on Me alone, receive Me with all thy affections, and enter with Me into thy heart. 8. Behold here the manner. My child, in which it behoves thee to prepare thyself for Holy Communion. If, as is befitting in a disciple of My Heart, thou drawest these preparatory acts out of thy own heart, instead of reading them out of a book, thou shalt find this method, as it were, ever new. For thou wilt elicit these acts, now in one way, then in another, according as thy wants, or thy devotion, or the inward unction of the spirit, shall move thee. But if thou canst not yet act of thyself in this man- ner, make use of a book ; but use it so as to learn by degrees to converse with Me in thy heart, and to be able, at last, to make thy immediate preparation without a book. Eetain, therefore, the method, but vary the manner of following it ; shorten one act, lengthen another, ac- cording to the present state of thy soul. Attend not to the form of the acts, but to the sin- cerity of the affections ; bring forward, in a simple and affectionate manner, the sentiments of thy heart ; but, above all, follow the spirit. OF JESUS IN BLISS. 517 I I CH. XIX.] Thus it will come to pass, My child, that thou wilt : prepare thyself every time in some new way, adapted to I thy present circumstances ; and also with new fervour. For this it will help thee much to dispose thyself, and to approach Holy Communion in such a manner as if it were to be the last of thy life. And, in truth, child, thou knowest not whether thy next Communion shall not be the last ; but this thou knowest, that some one unknown to thee shall be the last. It is, therefore, a prudent and pious counsel to go to every Communion with such a disposition and such an intention, that, if it be the last, it may be thy viaticum unto life everlasting. - 9. The voice of the Disciple . — How great and won- derful is the goodness of Thy Heart, Lord Jesus, that Thou dost so instruct me, and teach me a method so holy and so sweet, to prepare myself for Holy Commu- nion ! » With thankfulness do I embrace, O Lord, and faith- fully will I follow, the method Thou givest me ; which I own, as it is so simple and varied, will be easy, and ever new. But, behold, when I shall have performed whatso- ever I can to prepare myself for Thy reception within my heart, what is it all compared with Thy dignity? or what is it in comparison with the bliss which I am to enjoy ? In that most delightful hour, when Thou wilt enter into my innermost heart, what shall be wanting to my felicity? Shall I not find in Thee whatsoever 1 can desire ? For Thou, O unfailing fountain of all good. Thou $,rt my life and joy. Thou art my virtue and sanctifica- tion, Thou my wealth and honour. Thou my rest and sweetness and every bliss. O Jesus, the most beloved of all the beloved, how I long for Thee ! how I stand in need of Thee ! Oh, 518 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. | ^ when wilt Thou come? when wilt Thou admit me, ^ miserable, lonely, weak, ignorant, and hungry ? ' For Thou, O my Jesus, Thou art my Saviour, my Physician, my Leader ; Thou art my Shepherd, my Friend, the Beloved of my soul. O Lamb of God, Thou who takest away the sins of the world, I am not worthy that thou should st enter beneath my roof; but have pity on me according to the goodness of Thy Heart — come. O my Beloved, O Thou the Bridegroom of my soul, sweeter than honey and the honeycomb, fair with the beauty of innocence, blushing with the purity of love, draw me to Thee, make me like to Thee ! Assist me to prepare myself in holiness for Thy coming, grant that I may keep my lamp trimmed and lighted, that I may neither sleep nor be sluggish ; but that I may so watch for Thee in prayer, that I may so glow with piety, that, when Thou comest out, I may go forth to meet Thee with my soul prepared, and be found worthy to enter with Thee. • CHAPTER XX. What we must do after we have received the Blessed Sacrament, 1. The voice of Jesus. — My child, so soon as, through Holy Communion, thou hast received Me, setting aside all other care, be thou wholly Mine, as I am thine. Behold, when surrounding and prostrate Angels adore, worship with reverential awe, marvel in astonish- ment, burn with love, canst thou, in the midst of all this, remain indifferent ? Every thing within and without is holiness and de- votedness, peace and joy, and pouring out of favours and gifts, sweetness and felicity. Partake thou of the CH. XX.] OF JESUS IN BLISS. 519 same, My child ; enjoy all these blessings in Me, whom thou possessest. For, lo, in thy innermost heart I Myself am present, thy God, thy all. Stay with Me, My child, nor leave Me alone by wandering away with thy mind, thy heart, or thy senses. Having closed the doors of every avenue, spend with Me that time, than which none can be better, more pleasant, more precious for thee. Blessed art thou if thou knowest how to employ this time, on which the principal fruit of Communion, the chief progress of thy soul, depends ! How many things thou hast to do in this most joyous hour ! how much to pray and to ask for ! how many wants to make known to Me ! how much, also, hast thou to hear from Me ! how many sacrifices to make ! how much, in fine, to receive for thyself and for others ! Wherefore, do not neglect the time of my visitation ; but have a care that not the least part of so good a gift overpass thee. 2. First, then, in sincerity of heart return the greatest thanks to Me, thy Saviour-God, for that I have deigned so mercifully and so lovingly to visit thee. And since thou art unable to return worthy thanks for an infinite favour, call upon the Angels, who are attending unseen ; invite all the heavenly Spirits and the Saints ; nay, more, invite every thing that breathes, every created being, great and small, that, with thee and for thee, they may praise together and extol exceedingly the Beloved of thy soul, so loving and so lovely. But because all these are below the greatness of the occasion, offer up all the thanksgivings, the praises, the acts of love, which the Angels and the Saints and all the just have ever offered and will offer for ever. Offer all this, united with the merits ' of My Heart, which, since they are infinite, are equal to the infinite gift. 3. Then make acts of the most profound adoration, 520 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [eOOK IV. freely submitting for a holocaust all the powers of thy soul and the senses of thy body as a homage of faith due to Me. This holocaust, containing as it does the greatest humility, and as it immolates thee wholly to Me, pleases and honours Me supremely. After this, what is there for which thou mayst not hope from My Heart, so lavish of Its gifts ? Hope boldly, My child ; form great and strong acts of firm hope. Cherish now an assured hope that what- soever thou mayst ask will be given thee. Again, cast thyself upon My Heart, as a child upon the bosom of its parent, trusting that here thou shalt find what thou desirest, that here thou shalt be safe. And will not, meanwhile, thy heart burn within thee when so great a kindness is shown thee, so un- deserved a condescension, so disinterested a love ? Here be persevering. My child ; give thyself alto- gether to the divine love ; cease not to make acts of love, until thou hast satisfied thy devotion, or the Spirit of grace directs thee to other matters. For while the divine love is working in thy heart and exercises its power, then is the acceptable time — if, through human frailty, or in any other manner, thou hast done things which may be displeasing to My Heart — both to grieve, out of pure love of God, for having com- mitted them, and to resolve to commit them now no more. The living heat of divine love, if thou cooperatest with it, pursues sin like dry stubble, burns and con- sumes it. • 4. Then, that thou mayst not fall again, pray earn- estly to be cured of thy evil passions, to be freed from inordinate affections, either in loving or shunning created objects ; to be delivered from miseries to which thou art subject ; lastly, to be preserved from sins and de- fects, especially from those to which experience teaches thee that thou art more inclined. Nay, more ; in order that thou mayst become more OF JESUS IN BLISS. 521 tR. XX.] $olid and perfect, as well as more alike and dear to My Heart, do thou beg earnestly for virtues, or an increase of them. Ask for a more lively faith, a more firm hope, a more fervent love, a greater affection for holy poverty, a more angelic purity, a more perfect obedience, a more eminent humility and meekness, conformity to My di- vine will, an intimate and abiding union with Me, — other virtues, in fine, which thy state requires, and which are befitting in a disciple of My Heart. Proceed still further, and implore a special help, whereby, for love of Me, thou mayst perform cheerfully and meritoriously those sacrifices in particular which grace asks and desires of thee. Devote thyself wholly, with all thou art and hast, as a living victim to My honour and to My love. 5. Lastly, My child, exercise the zeal of love ; pray much and fervently for others, to the greater glory and joy of My Heart. Through the merits of the Saints and Angels, through the Heart of My Immaculate Virgin Mother, through My Heart Itself, pray humbly for the universal Church, that she may enjoy peace, increase in holiness, and be spread throughout the world. For the Supreme Pontiff, My Vicegerent, and for all My ministers, that they may be good labourers in My vineyard, may possess rightness of intention, purity of life, the pursuit of perfection, the fervour of zeal. For religious, that they may preserve their first spirit, make constant progress in virtue, edify the world, console the Church. For all the faithful people, that every one, in the vocation to which he has been chosen, serving Me in a worthy and laudable manner, may strive to make his calling sure. Pour forth, likewise, thy prayers and supplications for the conversion of infidels, of heretics, of all sinners, that, freed from the errors of the mind and the vices of 522 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. the heart, they may direct their steps into the way of salvation and peace. For thy kindred, benefactors, friends, and expressly for thy enemies, that they may be assisted with help from above, be sanctified, and that they may obtain all things necessary and useful to them. For all the just, the afliicted, those in danger, those who are in their death-struggle, that they may obtain perseverance, comfort, protection, and a happy end. Finally, for the faithful departed, for those especially for whom thou mayst in any manner be obliged to pray, that they may deserve to enter heaven, and be able to intercede for thee before the throne of the divine mercy. 6. Do all these things faithfully, My child, and endeavour to perform them in a gentle and eflficacious manner, according to My spirit. However, if I whisper or communicate any thing to thee, or occupy thee in any wise, or deal with thee, leave off all beside, and hearken to Me with docility and reverence. If I chide thee for any thing, receive My rebuke with a submissive heart ; if I exhort, if I press aught upon thee, resolve, decide ; if I grant or promise any thing, be liberal in return ; if I bestow any comfort, receive it humbly, allow thyself to be replenished with the sweetness of consolation, remembering that I am good, that My mercy endures for ever. And if it happen that the love bursting forth from My Heart suddenly takes possession of thee, fills thee with rapture, yield thou. My child, and suffer thyself to be carried whithersoever it wills. Conceal thou outwardly, as much as thou canst, that which grace does inwardly, lest some may attribute to thee what is exclusively due to Me ; and suffer love to be excessive, and to carry thee through all its trans- ports ; permit thyself to be enkindled with the divine fire, to be melted, to be dissolved. Such things, through Its exceeding love, does My OF JESUS IN BLISS. 523 CH. XX.] Heart sometimes effect in regard to My true disciples, in order to reward them for their toils and troubles, lovingly endured for My sake, or for sacrifices which they have generously made for Me ; or to make them taste with a full heart how delightful It is in the Sacra- ment, and how great a sweetness It reserves for them in heaven ; or, again, that, when disposed, It may, by a wonderful power of love, transform them into Me. But, child, if, after piously and devoutly receiving Communion, thou dost not experience the sensible effects of grace, the motions of divine love, be not uneasy, be not troubled. The fruit may not be less, without the feeling of these gifts. And even if, by straining thyself, thou do excite this feeling, thou shalt derive no profit from this emotion of nature ; but, on the contrary, thou wilt foster self-love, nourish vanity, and expose thyself to delusions. But continue thou humbly and quietly in My pre- sence, exercising ordinary acts of virtues ; and thus en- deavour to carry with thee a greater humility, a more perfect conformity to the divine good pleasure, if thou do not feel the ardour and sweetness of love. This, My child, is the common way of the Saints, who rested contented wheresoever they were placed ; if not at My side with Thomas, nor on My breast with John, they remained with Mary at My feet, continuing faithful to the present grace, and thankful therefor ; and, whether prostrate at My knees, or admitted to My em- brace, under either circumstance, they profited according to the measure of grace granted to them. 7. In this manner, therefore, wilt thou act. My child, after thou hast received the most blessed Sacra- ment. And this method, although ever the same, will ever appear new ; for thou wilt each time use it differ- ently and variedly, according to the state of thy soul and the motion of the spirit. For I wish that, after Communion, thou sufferest thy 524 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. heart to pour itself out before Me, to speak and deal with Me, according as it is affected or able. If thou readest certain forms of prayers, even the most pious, thou dost not so much give utterance to what is thy own, as rehearse what belongs to another j thou dost not communicate to Me thy heart ; but, with or without feeling, thou recitest in My presence what another heart has said. Shall I praise thee ? Herein I do not praise. Thinkest thou that in this manner thou canst be- come a truly interior person? that thou canst discern the secrets which I am wont inwardly to suggest to the soul ? or enjoy My intimate communications ? Wherefore, child, accustom thyself to converse with Me, heart to Heart, to unfold to Me thy sentiments, to receive Mine for thyself, to give what thou hast, and take, in return, what I liberally bestow. If, however, by reason of thy want of skill, or some desolateness which presses upon thee, thou canst do nothing unless thou readest some forms of prayer, read, but read little, and slowly and attentively, and, pausing now and then, endeavour to draw something from thy heart, and communicate it to Me. Thus thou wilt make progress ; thus thou wilt acquire, by degrees, the science of the Saints, the art of inwardly conversing and dealing with Me. 8. When it is now time to return to thy own, forget not the remote thanksgiving. Entreat the holy Angels to continue, in thy stead, their praises before Me ; and, together with their praises, offer to Me whatsoever thou art about to do or suffer. Then, go whithersoever the divine will calls thee ; but outwardly and inwardly give heed to thyself, shun unnecessary occasions of distraction and dissipation, take care lest thou pour forth thy heart in things worldly or useless. Make for Me in thy innermost heart a sanctuary, where thou mayst keep Me ever present ; pray to Me CH. XX.] OF JESUS IN BLISS. 525 frequently, consult Me, and communicate to Me all thy concerns. According to thy ability, prove by deed that thou art mindful of the divine favour thou hast received ; exercise some virtue in a more perfect manner, show a greater charity to them that are ill-affected toward thee ; or, on the other hand, to those against whom thou feelest some bitterness ; exhibit a deeper humility, a gentler meekness, and other virtues, whereby thou dost manifest to Me thy gratefulness and love ; and, at the same time, edify thy neighbour to be zealous for better things, and delight My Heart. 9. The voice of the Disciple . — O most kind, O most sweet Jesus ! from my heart of hearts do I return thanks to Thee, for that Thou didst condescend to instruct me so perfectly, so lovingly, so gently. If, henceforth, after Holy Communion, I do not spend my time well, if I. do not act rightly, I confess myself inexcusable. Hadst Thou not spoken to me, hadst Thou not thus taught me, my imperfect manner of acting, the little fruit derived from my Communions, might perhaps, to a certain extent, have found an excuse before Thee ; but now I have no excuse. O Jesus, infinite goodness I excite me to fervour; assist me with Thy grace, that I may reduce to practice the sweet and holy things which Thou hast drawn out of Thy Heart and delivered to me, and which I desire with all my affections. For what is there sweeter in life? what is there happier in this world ? what is there better or holier ? O my love ! Jesus, divine Bridegroom of my soul ! thou ever-enduring delight of the Angels and Saints ! when I enjoy Thee, what can I desire beyond ? Grant, I beseech Thee, that then I may be wholly Thine, and Thou wholly mine ; that I may deal with Thee according to the good pleasure of Thy Heart ; that I be and remain wholly resigned and united to Thee. 526 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [BOOK IV. CHAPTER XXI. The most Sacred Heart of Jesus, in the bountiful Sacra- ment of the Eucharist, gives us a remedy, whereby we are freed from venial, and 'preserved from mortal sins. 1. The voice of Jesus. — My child, this is the Bread which cometh down from heaven, so that if any one eat of it, he may not die. The first substantial and enduring fruit that the soul gathers from My Heart in Holy Communion is, that she is freed from defects, is strengthened in good, and pre- served from spiritual death. That this, so consoling an effect of Communion, might be made known, this life-giving Sacrament was instituted under the appearance of food. For nourish- ment keeps the body from weakness, increases its strength, continues its life. What natural food does in the body, that, but in a much more perfect and marvellous manner, this superna- tural nourishment, this Bread of Angels, effects in the soul. If the fruit of the tree of life, placed in paradise, could save the human body from death, and preserve it in an everlasting youthfulness, how much more will this food, which comes down from heaven, be able to guard the soul against death, and keep her in permanent vigour ! Yea, My child, the fruit of the Sacrament, this hea- venly nourishment, does sometimes for the soul what neither the fruit of the tree of life, nor any terrestrial food, can effect for the body. For, should it happen that some one, after a sincere proving of himself, after a sin- cere examination of his conscience, should invincibly, and, therefore, inculpably, be ignorant of a mortal sin, and so in good faith eat of this living Bread, he would obtain, at the same time, the life of sanctifying grace and the remission of his hidden sin. OF JESUS IN BLISS. 527 CH. XXl] 2. This divine Sacrament supplies not only great strength to turn away from evil, but even hinders or lessens the very causes of evil. Does not water extinguish fire? But the divine Eucharist extinguishes, much more effectually, the heat of the passions. For it contains every virtue, and, there- fore, it checks every passion. What wonder. My child, if this heavenly mystery renders all vices and unlawful pleasures unpleasant and distasteful, since it gives to men to drink the wine of which virgins are the fruit, and offers to them the delights of Angels ? Am not I the Bread of the life of bliss, the Fountain of everlasting sweetness ? He that cometh to Me shall no longer hunger or thirst after the forbidden and dan- gerous aliments of the world ; for him I satiate with the good things of God, which, by their deliciousness, have the power of causing all that is prohibited, all that is of earth, to appear bitter and distasteful. 3 When I am Sacramentally present, the enemies of salvation flee far away from the soul, 'which, through Holy Communion, has become terrible to them. If, at any time, they venture to assail her, they ap- proach her full of dread, and make their attacks from afar. And these assaults themselves, since the passions of the soul have become more subdued and tranquillised, affect her less, and expose her less to danger. For, when she perceives herself tempted to sin, if she thinks that she has received God in her heart, or that she is about to receive God therein, will not this mere thought suffice to repel the temptation ? will it not be an inducement to exert her strength, that she may preserve her heart unsullied, and that she may remain faithful ? How many souls have there been in this world, that, although at first they were the slaves of baneful passions, yet, by the pious and frequent use of this saving Sacra- ment, were not only in a short time happily delivered 528 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV< from them, but overcame with ease the attacks of demons, and continued ever faithful ! And, indeed, if during My mortal life, when I dwelt with men, a virtue went forth from Me, and healed all infirmities, how much more now, in My Sacramental life, does the virtue issuing from My Heart heal and strengthen the souls united to Me by Communion ? 4. Moreover, My child, when I come to the soul through the Holy Sacrarnent, I bring with Me all the sentiments of My Heart ; and, according to the disposi- tion of her heart, I share these with her : the love of humility, the love of charity, the love of holy poverty, the love of purity, the love of obedience, — in fine, of all virtues which remove the sources of vice, that they themselves may occupy their place. This love, which is the soul of all virtues, and which My Heart communicates through the Sacrament, is strong as death. This, unless thou hinder it, will render thee invincible. Call to mind the primitive Church, how great a for- titude of love My Heart was wont to impart through Holy Communion, so that the faithful, even they that were weakest by nature, — children and tender maidens, — were victorious over all the enemies of salvation, and stronger than death itself. Whatever allurement the pride of life possessed, whatever the lust of the eyes could effect, whatever effort the concupiscence of the flesh could make, was not able, in the least, to captivate hearts that, fortified with this food of the strong, and replenished with the sweet- ness of My love, longed for nothing save to persevere in love for Me, and feared nothing except to be deprived of My love. What could separate these from My love ? not tribu- lation, not distress, not persecution, not death itself. 5. That which this Sacrament of the love of My Heart did formerly work so visibly, the same it does even now. OF JESUS IN BLISS. 529 CH. XXI.] For whence, except from My Heart in this divine mystery, does there exist among so many of the faithful so great an abhorrence of whatsoever the world and self-love pursue ? Whence among so many youths and maidens so great a love of innocence, that they spurn and trample under foot all things contrary thereto, how charming soever they may appear to nature ; that they seek and embrace with joy every safeguard of their beloved virtue, although disagreeable to nature? Whence in many that generousness of heart, even to loving the cross for My sake, even to making sacrifices with gladness for love of Me ? Whence, in fine, in very many, of every condition in life, so great a fortitude, that, although they own themselves weak, they with- stand unconquered every opposition of the world, all the assaults of hell, yea, overcome them triumphantly ? Behold here marvellous things, My child ; behold how this divine Bread, which the love of My Heart bestows, gives life and preserves it from death and even from decay. 6. The voice of the Disciple , — 0 living and life- giving Sacrament 1 whence I have the Bread of life, whereby I may live and be strong in spirit. I beseech Thee, 0 Lord, give me always this Bread ; but so that 1 may not grow sick nor die. For how many examples have we heard, and how many have our fathers related to us, of them that have eaten this Bread of life and died ! Nay, we have seen and known and trembled with fear, that even of those that frequently or even daily banqueted with Thee, and ought therefore to have lived like Angels, some have shamefully gone away, and filled themselves with the husks of swine, and wallowed in the mire, despising grace, despising heaven, despising the dread of hell itself ! The voice of Jesus. — Behold, My child, men who when they were in honour did not understand, but have become like to senseless beasts ! M M 530 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [book IV4 But judge thou rightly; if thou perceivest that even they who here banqueted in purple have sought their delight in filthiness, ascribe it solely to their senseless, evil will. For this saving Sacrament, although of itself it pre- serves from death, does not, however, deprive man, if he be unwilling to live, of the power of causing death to himself. By weakening the passions and the foe, it strengthens and assists, in a wonderful manner, the freedom of the will, but it places no necessity upon the same. Wherefore, a person often and duly strengthened by this divine nourishment will live and not die ; although he may do so if he misuses, for the purpose of causing death, what is given for the purpose of life. When, therefore, thou hearest the examples of them that have fallen, reflect on thyself, and say : He that i stands, let him take heed lest he fall. [ And be thou so much the more on thy guard, lest, ! by voluntary defects and lukewarmness, thou hinder Holy j Communion from producing its saving and divine effects. 7. The voice of the Disciple . — 0 Jesus ! O life ! through j which I live, without which I die ; bid me ever live by ; this life, bid me ever enjoy strength of spirit. I O my beatitude ! O Lord, whom I possess through 1 Holy Communion! I ask no sensible consolations, but that love by which I may be so strong that I never ; fall into weakness ; by which I may be so replenished that whatsoever the world offers me may cause me dis- | gust, never any relish. j Grant Me, I beseech Thee, to watch more cautiously | over all the senses of my body, to guard more attentively every faculty of my soul, so that no fault do hinder the fruit of Communion. Drive and keep far from me all occasions of sin ; protect me powerfully, and preserve me .unharmed j amidst the dangers to which, for the sake of Thy ser- vice, I must be exposed. CH. XXII.] OF JESUS IN BLISS. 531 But, more than all, keep me from all sin, and grant that I may never be separated from Thee, who art my only true and blissful life. 8. How good it is to be with Thee, O Jesus, sweet- ness of my heart, sole felicity of my soul ! Oh, do not suffer me to depart from Thee, nor do Thou Thyself, I implore Thee, withdraw from me. Stay with me, I entreat Thee, lest darkness seize me, lest dangers encompass me, lest, destitute of courage and strength, I perish ; for Thou art my true light. Thou my place of refuge. Thou my strength and salvation. By the love of Thy heart, I beg and implore Thee, abide with me, O most kind and sweet Jesus ; without Thee, nothing is good, nothing is pleasing. Without Thee, oh, how miserable am I ! but, oh, how blissful with Thee ! Stay, therefore, with me, and rather deprive me of the possession of all else, of the love of all creatures, than permit that I should be deprived of the possession and the love of Thee. CHAPTER XXII. ^ 1 / Holy Communion the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus unites us with Himsdf and makes us lire through and for Him. 1. The voice of Jesus. — My child, he that eateth Me, the same shall live by Me. Why should he not also live for Me, since he is so united with Me, that he is incorporated with Me, and animated by Me ? For, behold, if ever, it is assuredly in Communion thou art become a member of My Body, of My Flesh, of My Blood. Wilt thou, then, taking a member of Christ the Lord thy God, make it a member of the world or of iniquity ? God forbid. But, rendered living and holy by My very Body 532 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. and Blood, thou wilt show Thyself living by Me, holy, pleasing to Me in all things. As the body does, in some manner, put on the qualities of the food wherewith it is wont to be nourished ; so that he who, being properly disposed, nourishes him- self with strong and solid aliments, becomes himself strong and robust, — thus. My child, thou shalt find by experience, if thou feedest often and properly on Me, the principle of all purity and sanctity, that thou also shalt become pure and holy. Thy soul, cleaving to Me, will now no longer crawl with her mind among earthly and perishable things, will no longer with her heart find delight among the low and vain pleasures of the world, but will seek the things which are above and enduring ; she will relish that which is supernal and good. Principles foreign to My Spirit shall animate thee no more ; merely natural sentiments shall no longer exercise an influence over thy life ; but because I live, thou also shalt live. This true, supernatural, holy life, which thou wilt live by Me, which thou wilt live hidden in Me, thou wilt also live for Me. 2. If in this thy life thou dost any good works, if thou practisest any virtues, if thou performest any exer- cises of piety, all these will be for Me. If any one ask thee why thou thinkest, why thou speak est, why thou actest, why thou sufierest in this manner, thou wilt be able to answer : It is al^ for the sake of Him who loved me, and gave Himself to me. Marvellous intercourse of My Heart, secret and divine communing with a pure and faithful heart, in this Sacrament of love ! The world understands not these things. And who can comprehend it, save the innocent in body and the pure of heart ? The same shall know, he shall experience ; he, in fine, being admitted to higher OF JESUS IN BLISS. 533 CH. XXII.] and more interior things, shall live for Me in a still more marvellous manner. 3. For, being continually nourished of Me, and com-^ pletely united with Me, he will at last not live save of Me, he will not breathe save by My breath, he will not love except by My love. ^ Yea, as the living Father has sent Me, and I live through the Father, so he that eats My flesh, the same shall in like manner live through Me. Attend, My child, and understand* all the sublimity of this. As I receive of the Father, and unceasingly have in the Father, divine being, life, and perfection, so he that is rightly disposed receives of Me through Holy Communion, and possesses uninterruptedly in Me, a holy being, a holy life, a holy perfection. I am holy because My Father is holy ; and he that is here incorporated with Me, partakes of My sanctity. 4. My child, does not fire communicate its heat and * colour to the iron or wood which is put into it ? But in the Sacrament there is a far more wonderful and more perfect communication between Me and the soul which is rightly prepared. She communicates herself wholly to Me, and, if dis- posed, she receives in return the communication, not only of My Humanity, but also of My Divinity ; which, when My Humanity ceases to exist and act in her, con- tinues to operate in her like a supersubstantial food, which not merely preserves, but even increases and per- fects her spiritual, her holy life. Yea, it causes My Spirit to flow perpetually into that blissful soul, and the love of My Heart to urge her on gently and strongly, incited by which she allows her- self to be guided by My Spirit ; nay, more, whitherso- ever she is guided by My Spirit, she cheerfully concurs with the same, living always and every where in Me. In this wise, therefore, does a well-disposed soul, through Holy Communion, live through Me and for Me. Being often refreshed sacramentally, she becomes at 534 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. last SO assimilated to Me, that she manifests My life in herself. Take courage, child ; be zealous for these things ; and strive diligently to attain to what is so consoling, so advantageous, and so glorious to Me and to thee for ever. 5. The voice of the Disciple , — O Lord Jesus ! Thou knowest how I long, how I yearn for these things. By Thy most Sacred Heart, I entreat Thee, O Thou the beginning and end of my life, do Thou frequently in this Sacrament nourish with Thyself me, whom by Thy grace Thou hast begotten, that I may live for Thee. Behold, O Lord, it is by Thy gift that I live ; but for what do I live, if I live not for thee ? O Jesus, fountain of life, never-failing bliss ! free me from every inordinate disposition, that I may be wholly filled with Thee, that I may wholly live for Thee. So often as, through Holy Communion, Thou comest to me, if Thou findest in me any thing worldly, any thing foreign to Thy Spirit, or opposed to the good pleasure of Thy Heart, do Thou root it out, I beseech Thee, that it may yield its place to Thee, to the Spirit and love of Thy Heart. Free me altogether from every obstacle; with the divine fire of Thy Heart, do Thou consume whatsoever hinders me from being sacredly and perfectly united with Thee, so that, being no longer mine but Thine, I may altogether live for Thee. 6. Eenew, sanctify my body and soul, that, being consecrated to Thee, and animated by Thee, they may be solely occupied with Thee and for Thee. Grant, I entreat Thee, that I may undertake and perform every employment for thee; and that, during . the same, so far as is allowed, I may often entertain myself with Thee.. Grant that, when I am free from my occupations, I may forthwith, with mind and heart, turn myself to Thee, as the weight, when the obstacle is removed, hastens to its centre. OF JESUS IN BLISS. 535 CH. XXII.] Be Thou alone, henceforth, the beginning and the end of all I do or suffer, whether inwardly or out- wardly. Ah, Lord Jesus ! although nourished by Thee and for Thee, how long, how often have I laboured and endured not for Thee, but for the enemies of Thy honour and glory, for self-love, for a vain pride ! Forgive me, I implore Thee, this perverseness, this injustice, this great ingratitude. Give me efficacious grace, that, as is most just and worthy, living of Thee, I may likewise live for Thee. 7. O Jesus, most loving and most amiable Bride- groom of my soul ! enlighten me, enkindle me, that I may more perfectly know, more fervently love Thee, my only blissful life. I acknowledge and confess, O Lord, that I am not worthy that Thou shouldst raise me to the sublimity of Thy life, which thou art wont to communicate, in the Sacrament, to Thy Saints; but Thou, Lord, art most worthy to be served, for the glory and joy of Thy Heart, in a holy manner, even by me. This grace, therefore, do Thou grant to me, that, through a frequent and devout Communion, I may attain, to this, that I may live as Thou also livest. Yea, live Thou, O Jesus, infinite sweetness, my ever- lasting happiness ! live Thou, reign Thou, triumph Thou in me, unto Thy honour, unto every thing that can be pleasing to Thy Heart. May every thing I possess, may all I am, be im- molated, be sacrificed to Thee by purest love! Thou alone, most sweet Jesus, art my life; Thou alone art every thing to me. 536 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOQK IV. CHAPTER XXIII. The most Sacred Heart of Jesus, through Holy Com- munion, perfects His union with us, and transforms us into Himself. 1. The voice of Jesus. — My child, he that eats My Flesh and drinks My Blood, abides in Me, and I in him. Behold here a perfect union, whereby I, a divine Person, am found with Body and Soul in thee; and thou, a human person, art found with body and soul in Me. This union is, therefore, true and substantial; for no one is in Me, unless I be in him. If some one pours melted wax into other melted wax, the one must necessarily commingle with the other; in like manner, when thou receivest My Body and Blood, thou art so united with Me that thou art in Me, and I am truly and intimately in thee. Is not this, My child, a mystery of love ? Verily, it is even an excess of love; for the force and power of love over My Heart are such, that thereby it is given to man, not only to be completely made one with My Body, but also with My Soul and My very Divinity, and that he sweetly enjoy the same. How the Angels wonder at this ! how they stand astonished ! how blissful they pronounce thee ! 2. In this holy intercourse My Heart pours forth that delicious and precious grace, whereby this consum- mate union becomes enduring, so that I abide in thee and thou in Me. For, even after the Sacramental species are consumed, I, as God, abide personally in Thee, not only as living in a living temple, adorned with habitual grace, but also as the perpetual principle of supernatural sanctity, ele- vating thy life by the continual influence of sanctifying grace, and by the frequent infusion of actual grace ! and OF JESUS IN BUSS. 537 CH. XXIII.] thus thou, in return, abides t, in a peculiar manner, in Me. Hence it is, My child, that thou art enabled to live a life truly holy, a life, in some manner, divine ; since thou possessest ever, both in thy body and soul, My Divinity,* whence thou mayst draw life. And this abiding union between Me and thee will be perfect, whensoever there shall exist between Me and thee a true similarity, a true uniformity ; for things dis- similar and different are difficultly and imperfectly united with each other. Blessed perfection of abiding union ! Blessed thou, My child, if, through frequent and devout Communion; if, through manifold grace thence received ; if, through a generous fidelity; if, through constant fervour of love, — thou disposest thyself to this perfect union ! 3. For what springs from a perfect union, if not one- » ness ? Therefore, we shall now be no longer two, but, in some manner, one. This marvellous, delightful, beatific oneness is above all distinguished — and excels all others, which are blended together from created objects — by this, that it arises not from the combining or putting together of us both, but from the transformation of the one into the other. Thou wilt not, however, change Me into thee, like natural food, but thou shalt be changed into Me. Then, My child, the affections of thy heart shall no longer be thine, thy desires shall be thine no more, thy joy thine no more. And, whatever natural inclinations thou shalt pos- sess, and whatever other affections according to man, these, for this transformed life, shall be as if they were not, since thou shalt not live by them. But, in this new life, thou shalt live My life; the affections and inclinations of My Heart shall now be thy affections and inclinations; the love, the desires, the joy of My Heart, shall now be thy love, thy desires, thy joy- 538 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. The aversion of My Heart to evil, to the world, to every thing vain, will pervade and replenish thy heart. The boundless zeal wherewith My Heart is burning for the honour and glory of God, for the salvation and perfection of souls, will inflame thy heart. Whatsoever is bitter, thou shalt find sweet; what is distasteful, thou shalt deem delicious; what is difl&cult, thou shalt account easy, in Him in whom thou lives t and art able to do all things. Thou shalt think of every thing as I think; thou shalt will as I will; thou shalt live as I live; yea, thou shalt live thyself no more, but I in thee. 4. Behold, My child, the height to which the faith- ful soul is raised through Holy Communion ! Who, except one that has experienced it, can understand all the holy, all the delightful, all the marvellous things of a soul thus transformed into Me ? Many are called to this supernatural transformation, but few are chosen; not that I am unwilling to choose them that are called, but because they do not dispose themselves by means of the grace imparted to them. For how many there are who, even though they fre- quent the Holy Sacrament, do yet continue, in almost every thing, to follow nature ! How many, also, there are who strive indeed to keep themselves in a state of grace, but who, satisfied with this, so serve nature that they perform their actions from natural aversion or inclination ! How many, in fine, who, although they make pro- fession of a pious or even a religious life, and have spent several years therein, have not yet learnt to pass beyond nature ! What wonder, then, if these remain always imperfect, always miserable, ever unprepared for that divine and perfect union ! 5. But they who, being rightly disposed, have reached this state of transformation, how great a happi- OF JESUS IN BLISS. 539 CH. xxni.] ness do they possess! how holy a liberty do they enjoy! with what purity do they taste My sweetness ! Hence, they despise all things that perish, they for- get themselves ; made perfect and blissful, they abide in Me. The greatest bliss, My child, the greatest height, the greatest perfection, to which a person can be raised in this mortal life, is this, that he abide transformed and consummated in Me. Marvellous, yea, unspeakable state, wherein Mine are and remain thine, and thine Mine, and wherein one- ness and fellowship between Me and thee are perpetually strengthened ! Come, then, My child, do not lose the hope of so • great a perfection, but, after having heard the blissfulness of such a state, be more courageous, more generous, more faithful; thus, at the proper time, I will lift thee up unto Myself. 6. The voice of the Disciple . — O Jesus, my love, most pure Bridegroom, most holy God ! with how great a sweetness dost Thou deal with me, who comest so often and so kindly to me in this most delicious Sacrament, in order to unite me, miserable creature, with Thyself, with Thy most sacred Humanity, with Thy adorable Divinity ! By the love of Thy Heart, whereby Thou deemest me worthy of such a favour, I beg and beseech Thee, consume Thou whatsoever there is in me contrary to the perfection of this union ; enkindle within me a great fer- vour, that, generous and faithful to every motion of grace, I may transcend all merely natural things, and practise pure virtues. Thou knowest, O Lord, how great a desire, through Thy goodness, possesses me of disposing myself ever more and more to this perfect and permanent union with Thee. Behold, I offer, I deliver up to Thee, whatsoever I am ; I give Thee my heart, that it may be united with 540 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. Thine ; I give Thee my spirit, that it may be absorbed by Thine; I give Thee my whole self, that, by the effi- cacious grace of Thy Sacrament, I may be made of one likeness with Thee. Eeceive me, O Jesus; accept me; unite me wholly with Thee; absorb me altogether; transform me into Thyself. 7. Oh, how great and wonderful is the power of Thy love, whereby Thou changest the soul into Thyself! how great the condescension of Thy goodness 1 how great, likewise, the dignity and excellence of the soul trans- formed into Thee 1 ' O Lord my God I lo, shall it ever be given me thus to enjoy Thee? Oh, let it be so, I beseech Thee ! all the honour and glory of so blissful, of so disinterested a favour, shall belong to Thy Heart, the fountain of all blessings. Let me cease to be what I am, that I may begin to be what Thou art. Lord Jesus ; live thou alone in me with Thy love, with Thy Spirit, with all Thy Heart’s inclinations and dispositions, with Thy good pleasure for time and for eternity. CHAPTER XXIY. Through Holy Communion the most Sacred Heart of Jesus bestows upon us the gift of perseverance. 1. The voice of Jesus. — My child, he that eats this Bread shall live for ever. And why should he not lead an immortal life ? for he has within him an enduring, an ever-living principle, whereby he may continue upon earth the life of grace until he arrive at the life of glory in heaven. Thou wilt understand the price of this saving fruit of Holy Communion, and burn with love for the same, if thou attendest to the magnitude of the gift, whereby perseverance in the life of grace is secured. OF JESUS IN BLISS. 541 CH. XXIV.] Perseverance, My child, is the consummation of virtue, the guardian of merit, the last and permanent triumph, the secure reward of labours and sufferings, the crown of everlasting glory. Without perseverance, all other things, whatsoever they be, are devoid of their everlasting fruit and reward ; perseverance alone crowns all. And, therefore, were all the Saints so particularly anxious about this great gift, that, since they could not condignly merit the same, they might at least put no hindrance to it, and might, through the means given, carefully prepare themselves for it. Do thou, in like manner, diligently dispose thyself. My child, by the removal of every obstacle ; and, as they did, so wilt thou also, through Holy Communion, obtain this most excellent gift of perseverance. 2. This have I determined in My Heart, that the greatest Sacrament, the Holy Eucharist, should impart the greatest grace — perseverance. And, indeed, since in the Sacrament I give Myself to thee, whereby the Majesty of the Divinity may seem to be debased, why should I not give perseverance, whereby the glory of the Divinity is exalted ? Wherefore, although of thyself thou art weak and hast many miseries, here thou wilt receive for thyself such strength from My Heart, that thou wilt be enabled to reach the goal in safety. For if the Prophet, in the strength of the food, which was only a figure of the Sacrament, reached the moun- tain of God, how much more shalt thou be enabled, by the strength of the truly life-giving, of the truly divine food, to reach the heights of the everlasting hills ? Lift up thy eyes, and see how many, of themselves not less weak, not less feeble than thyself, have safely reached there even now. Take courage, and proceed thou cheerfully. 3. My child, yield to no immoderate fear; united 542 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV; with Me, thou canst efficaciously and easily guard against falling. Whence arises the beginning of ruin, if not from lukewarmness ? For when the soul languishes with lukewarmness, things spiritual must needs become un- savoury and unpleasant, and nature desire and seek its own. Then man, by the propensity of his nature, begins to neglect watchfulness over the powers of his soul and the senses of his body ; yea, in order to entertain his failing heart, he gives a freer scope to them, and occasionally exposes them to the allurements of sin ; at first not without some dread, but by degrees in a bolder manner. And hence, by three steps, he falls into destruction* At the first, he acts carelessly until he finds himself in the proximate danger of sin ; at the second, he does not strive to pray earnestly, and implore the divine grace that he may escape the danger, that he may not be over- come by sin ; at the third, alone and defenceless, in the midst of enemies from within and from without con- spiring against him, he plays and he amuses himself, as it were, with the fascinating monster, — when, behold, he is overpowered, and rolls headlong into the abyss. 4. By what other means. My child, canst thou more securely and more easily avert such evils, than by the saving Sacrament which unites thee with Me, binds thee with the chain of love, and makes thee a partaker of My own strength ? What is there so well suited to drive lukewarmness away from thy soul as frequent and devout Communion ; through which the fervour of divine love enters, and takes wholly possession of thee ? Yea, if, during the time intervening between Commu- nion, any beginning of lukewarmness make its appear- ance, a new and devout receiving of the Sacrament removes it, and restores the first fervour. For heat and cold, fervour and tepidity, cannot dwell together in the heart. CH. XXIV.] OF JESUS IN BLISS. 543 Nay, more, My child, a Holy Communion recalls the whole man to interior things, and brings together all the I powers of his soul and the senses of his body to I celebrate with Me, in peace and gladness, the sacred banquet. But the propensity of corrupt nature does not lead to this j for it is itself also curbed in the divine mystery which soothes the passions of the soul, and tranquillises the ill- regulated motions of the body. Here, heavenly delights, whilst they satiate, awaken a longing for them ; and worldly pleasures, if any were tasted before, produce such a loathing, that the desire of them appears base and unworthy. Wherefore, being frequently renewed in spirit through Communion, and self-collected in Me, taught by the ex- perience of thy own heart, thou wilt understand how much thou art obliged, and of how great an importance it is to thee, to be faithful. I On this account, during the intervals of thy Commu- f nions, thou wilt endeavour to be on thy guard, and not expose thyself,^ of thy own accord, to danger. And if at any time thou findest thyself in a necessary or unfore- seen danger, by reason of thy wonted intimacy with Me, which thou hast learnt in Communion and cherished all along, thou wilt forthwith have recourse to Me, and strive by prayer and supplication, by distrust in thyself and reliance upon Me, to flee as soon as possible from ,the danger, and to unite thyself more closely with Me. By so doing. My child, thou shalt walk upon the asp and the basilisk ; thou shalt trample under foot the lion and the dragon, and avoid every^ monster of sin ; and at last reach thy end safe and unharmed. 5. Wherefore, unless thou art often nourished with My Body and Blood in the Sacrament, and. unless thou dost sufficiently cooperate with the grace of the Sacrament, thou shalt not persevere in the supernatural life. This cooperation is, however, made sweet and easy 544 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. through Communion, by reason of the peculiar grace given for this end in the Sacrament, and on account of the special love infused from My Heart, whereby every thing is alleviated and sweetened. Behold, then, how thou mayst secure for thyself, through a frequent, devout, and holy Communion, the gift of gifts — final perseverance. Come, then. My child ; it is a matter of supreme importance to thee; be brave and magnanimous, as is befitting a disciple of My Heart. Faithfully employ the means ; keep thyself constantly united with Me ; thus thou shalt attain to those boundless and precious bless- ings which now accompany holy perseverance, and will follow it throughout eternity. 6. The voice of the Disciple, — How limitless, how precious. Lord Jesus, are those blessings ! They are so great, that, for them. Thy Saints gave up willingly every thing, and that, when tasting them, they frequently shed tears in the excess of their blissfulness. '' A How, then, could I be willing to exchange things so J full of bliss for the miseries of sin ? how could I abandon ^ charity, love of Thee, for the love of the enemy of my * happiness ? For I shall not lose those things which are the efiect and fruit of charity, unless I first abandon, unless I first expel, charity itself from my heart. For, of itself, charity never falls away. Thou didst love me first, O most kind Jesus ! Thou earnest first ; but, behold. Thou wilt not be the first to withdraw ; Thou wilt not forsake me first, unless I 'myself first forsake Thee. So kind is the goodness of Thy Heart ! O Jesus ! suffer me not .to leave Thee ! Without Thee, what is there for me but darkness, and grief, and anguish,' and bitterness, and misery, and never-ending death ? Oh ! allow not evils so great to befall me. Grant, O Lord, — grant, I beseech Thee, that, united with Thee, OF JESUS IN BLISS . 545 i CH. XXV.l ! I may rather die any death of the body whatsoever than j lose Thee, the life of my soul, the fountain of all blessings. By Thy Heart, by the Heart of Thy Virgin Mother, by whatever is pleasing to Thee in heaven and on earth, I beg and entreat Thee, grant me perseverance ; bestow grace, add courage, that I may efficaciously employ the means Thou hast given. 7. I am, indeed, weak and infirm, O Lord; but Thou art all-powerful and good. Assist me, therefore, and strengthen me. Be Thou unto me a Saviour-God, and Thy Heart a house of refuge to save me. O Jesus, good Shepherd ! for Thy name’s sake, do I Thou lead me and nourish me with Thyself, do Thou refresh me with the living waters gushing out of Thy Heart, that I may cheerfully continue to follow Thee. I O Jesus, heavenly Physician ! have pity on me, heal L my frequent infirmities, repair my shortcomings, restore I my vigour, that I may not grow faint on the way. f. O Jesus, my Teacher, teach me to do Thy will; ? * guide my way even unto the end. J O Jesus, my Beloved ! entertain Thou me, comfort me in my afflictions, help me in my difficulties, incite I' me, urge me on to proceed and to persevere. I O Jesus, divine Bridegroom of my soul ! hold me ^ close to Thee; draw me after Thee; behold, being willingly drawn, I will run by Thy strength ; I will run unwearied to the secure and everlasting possession of Thee. CHAPTER XXY. Through Holy Communion^ the most Sacred Heart of Jesus gives us a pledge of future gloi'y, 1. The voice of Jesus. — He that eats My Flesh, and drinks My Blood, hath everlasting life ; and I will raise him up on the last day. 546 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. | Behold, My child, a great mystery, but a great mystery of love, a great mystery of consolation. For here, in the most Holy Sacrament, thou re- ceivest both the medicine of immortality and the symbol of resurrection. Hence, not only the soul, vivified and sanctified through Me, attains to the life for ever blissful, but even the body, corruptible and obscure, united and incorpo- ' rated with My life-giving and glorious Body, obtains never-ending, glory and immortality. Wherefore, not merely on account of sanctifying grace, but also for a new reason, for the sake of the Holy Communion, will I make thy soul for ever joyous and blissful, reform thy body, render it like unto My Body, and adorn it, in a peculiar manner, with glorious properties. Lo, My child, the most delightful and most marvel- lous fruit of Communion, which completes and crowns j all the others. 2. My child, when the goodness of My Heart wishes ! to display all Its magnificence, behold, all Its other*" j qualities and virtues are at hand, and concur and vie to ennoble and perfect the object. Now, in the Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist the love of My Heart has decreed so to manifest the grandeur ' j of Its munificence, that Its most glorious fruits should ^ endure for all eternity. Do not, then, marvel if this mystery overfiows with prodigies so great and numberless; if it possesses so rich an abundance of blessings ; if the whole is sublime, holy, delightful, replenished with consolation. A very great miracle, indeed, is here promised to thee, — that thou shalt live, not merely in soul, but also in body, through all eternity; but this is less than that which has already been done for thee. For it is, assuredly, less that a person should live in eternity than that God should die in time ; it is less that man should be raised up unto a glorious life in heaven than that God | OF JESUS IN BLISS, 547 CH. XXV.] should be lowered unto a bidden life in the Sacra- ment. And why should not the member rise again, when the Head is risen ? And why should not he live for ever, who possesses in himself everlasting life ? Wherefore, when I, thy Life, shall appear, then thou also shalt appear with Me in glory. 3. Behold, My child, in the Sacrament thou hast the pledge of this ever-enduring glory, a pledge not of an ordinary kind, but one which is equivalent to the promise. See, therefore, how great an assurance of thy future blissfulness My heavenly Father, on His part, has given to thee, when He gave, in so wonderful a manner. His only-begotten Son as a hostage 1 And what must wholly complete thy joy and conso- lation is, that in this pledge itself thou hast where- with, on thy part, thou mayst render certain that most delightful assurance. What, then, remains, My child, except to be thank- ful and faithful, to rejoice in the goodness of My Heart, to delight in the blessings poured out upon thee, and, as often as thou receivest Me, to call to mind with gladness that everlasting beatitude of which thou possessest the pledge, and which thou enjoyest by anticipation ? When that which is promised shall come, the use of the Sacrament shall cease; and thou shalt no longer have an anticipated partaking of bliss, but thou shalt possess the plenitude itself of bliss; thou shalt enter into it, and be penetrated by the same. Then faith shall yield to sight, hope to complete fruition, and abiding charity shall burst forth into never-ending joys. In that beatitude of thine, thou shalt breathe naught save love, thou shalt speak naught save love, thou shalt do naught but love: for thou shalt be in the pure realm of love. 4. The Sacrament of love leads to the realm of love : the more love has been nourished here, and the more 548 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. perfectly it has been kindled in thy heart in time, the more will it there enrapture thee, and the more gloriously will it shine in thee during all eternity. Wherefore, My child, live thou resigned by love, until the shadows of mortality decline and the day of immortality dawn; advance thou peacefully by pure love. Whatsoever thou beholdest around thee, whether things prosperous or adverse, view them with the same eye of pure love; being, amidst them all, solely intent upon Me, in whom thou possessest life and resurrection and beatitude. If thou feelesk this mortal life heavy with miseries, know that thou wilt all the more relish thy future bliss, the more thou hast experienced the miseries of the pre- sent life; and that thou wilt repose the more sweetly upon My Breast in heaven, the more hardships thou hast endured, for love of Me, upon earth. Meanwhile, child, be cheerful and valiant ; repair thy strength and courage by the life-giving Sacrament ; for love of Me, remain conformed tO| My good pleasure in life and in death. 5. The voice of the Disciple . — O excess of goodness, 0 Jesus ! who can comprehend, in this life, what a Heart Thou hast ! Behold, Thou givest Thyself to me in the Sacrament, to procure for me in abundance all things desirable in time; and, together with this. Thou givest Thyself to me as the pledge of the everlasting bliss which, by a gratui- tous liberality. Thou hast promised to me. Thanks to Thee, most kind Jesus ; endless thanks to Thee for so great a charity of Thy Heart. With all my heart do I rejoice at so great, so pre- cious a gift, so gently and so lovingly bestowed, whereby Thou givest me the sweetest confidence of my everlasting salvation. I beg, 0 Lord my God, — I humbly beg of Thee, that Thou wouldst grant me efficacious grace, that my OF JESUS IN BLISS. 549 CH. XXV.] election to the glory of heaven, so certainly and so divinely pledged on Thy part, may not be made void ; but that, on my part, through my faithfulness, good works, and true merits, it may in like manner become certain. 6. O most sweet Jesus ! with how much fervour and cheerfulness ought I to serve Thee ; with how great a courage to walk the roughest roads ; with how great a love to cling to Thee; that I may reach those unspeak- able joys, whereof I have here a foretaste, and possess so sweet a pledge ! Ah, Jesus, my Beloved, purest Bridegroom of my soul ! if it is so delightful to enjoy Thee in my exile, what shall it be in my own true country ? if Thy con- solations are so sweet in Thy Sacrament, what shall they be in Thy kingdom ? if, whilst Thou art here veiled. Thy embraces so enrapture the heart, what shall they do when I behold Thee face to face, when I recline upon Thy Heart, when I am satiated and inebriated from the torrent of Thy delights ? O my God ! when I think on this, whatsoever I find upon earth becomes burdensome and wearisome to me. Life itself loses all pleasure, since naught therein can wholly satisfy me. Nay, even Thy consolations themselves and Thy very sweetness afflict me with a marvellous and un- utterable pain ; because they cause me to know Thee more distinctly, and to thirst with more eagerness after Thee, the fountain of all consolations, and of every delight. After Thee, O my Jesus ! — after Thee do I thirst ; Thee do I wish to behold unveiled ; upon Thee in Thy glory I desire to gaze ; Thee, with all the ardour of my • soul, do I long to enjoy by everlasting love. Come, then, O my love, come Thou ; burn me, wholly consume me, dissolve me, that I may be with Thee, O Thou my sole desire, my only good ! 550 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. CHAPTER XXYI. RECAPITULATION. The most Sacred Heart of Jesus is our all. 1. The voice of Jesus . — My child, My Heart, which thou possessest in the most Blessed Sacrament as the pledge of future glory, and which in heaven will tie thy beatitude, is meanwhile, so long as thou sojournest on earth, all things to thee. For It is wholly, with all it possesses, delivered up to thee for thy use and enjoyment. But this Heart, as it consists of a human nature, is indeed human, and can, therefore, feel for thee in a human manner ; but, as It is hypostatically united with the divine nature, it is at the same time divine, — is the Heart of a divine Person, and, consequently, possesses that which is divine and infinite. Behold, then, the fountain of aU blessings, always accessible, always gushing, whence thou canst ever draw, but which thou canst never exhaust. Here, My child, — here shalt thou find whatsoever is necessary, whatsoever is useful to thee. If at any time thou growest cool in spirit, here thou shalt? be kindled again, here thou shalt be renewed in- teriorly, here thou shalt recover inward strength. If thou hast offended, here thou shalt find mercy, here thou shalt obtain forgiveness, here thou shalt regain peace. If thou art languishing through weakness, here thou shalt be restored, here thou shalt be strengthened, here thou shalt be invigorated with a divine power. If thou needest counsel, or courage, or assistance, here thou shalt obtain it in abundance. If thou desirest some divine grace, some profitable aid, some true comfort, here thou shalt find the same. Whatsoever, finally, is conducive to thy real happiness, OF JESUS IN BLISS. 551 CH. XXVI.] thou shalt here secure, at any time and in any place, in health and in sickness, in life and in death. 2. Moreover, My child, in the Sacrament My Heart is likewise a pattern of every virtue and of all sanctity. Contemplate with the eyes of faith, love and imitate, the virtues of My Heart, all reduced to unity, and yet remaining separate. One and the same love combines, ennobles, and displays them all. See here the gentleness of the love of My Heart, Its humble charity. Behold here truly the Heart of a hidden God, who emptied Himself; but to what an extent did He empty Himself! the more deeply thou shalt meditate hereon, the deeper thou shalt find the abyss of that humility, and the better thou shalt perceive the magnitude of that kindness whereby My Heart, ever gentle, ever meek toward all, undergoes and endures so much for love of thee. Look at Its piety. Consider how It devotes Itself to the service of God Its Father ; how It consecrates Itself to His interests ; how It is ever busy with the things that belong to His good pleasure. Look at Its poverty. Look into the innermost of this Heart — what are its sentiments in regard to the possessions of this world. See how It uses them. Behold here the model of holy poverty. See Its purity. Yea, My child, behold and observe how It possesses a Body, made in some manner spiritual, like the ray of the sun, pure always and every where ; behold and observe in what manner it employs its senses, behold and observe how holy are all Its afiections. Lo, the mirror of purity ! See Its obedience. Behold and be astonished. My child. Lo ! at the voice of a simple creature, at the word of the priest, I am ready; and even if the priest speak for the sake of sordid gain, yea, even if he be wicked, as soon as he has uttered the words of holy Consecration, I am present, with My Heart disposed to all things. In what place soever I may be put, there I rest, with My 552 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. Heart resigned. In what manner soever I am treated, although I am not insensible, I yet am and remain full of bliss. This, My child, is the pattern of perfect obedience. See Its prudence. Examine devoutly how great a prudence It teaches thee, in the sacred tabernacle, by Its example, in devoting and applying the means to the end ; how great a prudence in the choice of companions, since It dwells ever among Angels ; how great a prudence in manifesting alFections, whether of liking or dislike. See Its justice. Contemplate how It refers Its Sacra- mental life and Its every occupation to God, to whom all is due. Examine and observe with how great a fidelity It directs all things, great and small, to the divine glory. See Its fortitude. Mark Its virtue, in enduring, with an even and unconquered mind, every hardship, as well from the faithful, from sinners, from the lukewarm, and from all the ungrateful, as from the places wherein It is left, or neglected, -or even treated with indignity ; in persevering in the undertakings of divine love, in spite of every opposition and contrariety ; in making use of things adverse themselves to manifest a purer love lor God and for man. See Its moderation and discretion. It distinguishes between the person who sins and the sin of the person. Knowing that man is the work of God, but sin the work of man. It desires and seeks, with unwearied patience, to destroy the sin and to save the man. It distinguishes between nature and grace, between the appearance of things and the reality ; it distinguishes between good and good, and approves of that as better which the divine will actually requires or prefers. See Its zeal. It burns here with the desire of saving souls, seizes every opportunity, and labours in a mar- vellous manner. For this object It pours forth prayers night and day ; for this. It shows an example of forbear- ance, of mercy, of every virtue; for this It speaks to souls in many and various ways ; for this, at one time It inspires and moves, at another It presses and urges. CH. XXVI.] OF JESUS IN BLISS. ' 553 Thus It teaches a zeal possible for all, easy for them that love. See Its generosity. Behold what It gives, and with how great a cheerfulness ; lo I It gives not only gladly what It has, but even what It is ; not only Its graces, but also Its merits ; and, more than all. Its very Self. See what It sacrifices, and with what nobleness of love. See what consolation It feels, when, for the divine glory. It comforts the heart of man. See Its perseverance. Here, in holiness, It spends year after year, nay, age after age. Compare with this the time of thy perseverance, during the short space of a lifetime. It perseveres, not like thyself, — now growing lukewarm, then again fervent, — but ever with the same fervour. It perseveres with gladness, because It perse- veres from love. Behold, My child, the crown of sanctity, the crown of the twelve constellations, which embrace all the stars of virtue, wherewith My Heart is adorned, and in each of which love is twinkling and glittering. For it is the love of My Heart that is humble, that is meek, that is pious, that is poor, that is pure, that is obedient, that is prudent, that is just, that is long-suffer- ing, that is discreet, that by its zeal promotes faith, hope, charity ; that is generous, and ennobles all things ; that is ever persevering. 3. Lastly, My child. My Heart is the Way, the Guide, and the Gate of heaven. The most safe Way, by following which thou'canst not err; the shortest Way, because the straightest ; the most pleasant and most easy Way, because the Way of love; the Way, in fine, wherein all My saints have walked, and in which whosoever walks will become a Saint. The Guide, who will protect thee on every occasion, and ward off all danger from thee; who will assist thee with manifold grace, and reinvigorate thee with the very Bread of Angels ; who will entertain and sanctify thee with the display of mysteries, through which He will lead 554 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. thee, and by which He will keep thy mind and heart occupied in a pleasant and holy manner, — advancing from mystery to mystery, from virtue to virtue, from one degree of holiness to another, — until thou reachest the kingdom of heaven. The Gate beside which there is none other through which thou canst be admitted into heaven; the Gate through which alone entrance is given ; the Gate through which, if any one do enter, he shall be saved and be blessed for ever. Beware, therefore. My child, lest thou hearken to them that say, that there is a higher and better road for more perfect souls ; a way, not of My Heart, but of the mere Godhead; a way which — setting aside and passing beyond My Humanity — can lead thee in a sublime manner to thy end, through the Divinity alone. Whosoever says this to thee, be he a man or an Angel, believe him not, trust him not. For through My Humanity I came to men, and through this same Humanity must men come to Me. Whosoever tries another road, will go astray ; he shall wander about amid dryness of mind and dryness of heart; frequently, destitute of inward occupation, he shall become weary and exhausted; yea, he shall be in danger, at last, of falling away altogether. But thou. My child, be thou mindful of My Heart, wherein thou shalt find all things. Here do thou fre- quently resort to Me ; here be often in My presence ; here pray, give thanks, praise, hearken to My words, meditate on My Heart ; gaze upon Me abiding with thee, offering thee all things. Come, then. My child ; yet a little while, and thou shalt repose secure upon My Heart for ever. Mean- while, occupy thyself with Me, and I will occupy Myself with thee. Hold thyself in readiness; for coming I will come, and take thee up with Me into My everlasting kingdom. 4. The voice of the Disciple. — Yea, most loving and CH. XXVI.] OF JESUS IN BLISS. 555 most lovely Jesus, until Thou comest, I will ever be mindful of Thy Heart ; in It will I live, in It will I busy myself with Thee, in It will I hold myself in readiness. How could I ever forget that Heart, to which I owe every thing, and in which I find all things ? Behold, O infinite sweetness! henceforth. Thy Heart shall be my rest, my true bliss. Here will I repose the more safely and securely and pleasantly, O Lord my God, the wiser, the more powerful, the more delightful Thou art. If the world lays snares, if the devil tempts, my heart shall not be troubled; for its abode is in peace, since it dwells in the aid of the Most High, in Thy very Heart Itself. O my soul ! how intimately shalt thou be united with thy God in the Heart of Jesus I how perfectly present to Him 1 There shalt thou be ever with Him ; thou shalt live blissful in Him ; gazing upon Him, not in figure, but infused into thee ; loving Him, not as appearing to thee, but working in thee ; possessing Him, not as holding Him, but as possessed by Him. In this paradise of most pure delights thou shalt overflow with uninterrupted bliss, ceaselessly enjoying the good things of the Heart of Jesus, the Lord thy God. O Heart of my Jesus 1 Heart of my God I true heaven ! everlasting repose of all the elect ! be it but granted to me that I may always dwell in Thee, enjoy Thee — nothing on earth shall be wanting to my bliss. For Thou art the safeguard and security of them that dwell in Thee ; Thou art the reward and glory of them that persevere in Thee ; Thou art the joy and delight of them that enjoy Thee. In Thee is the light of the mind, the fortitude of the heart, the salvation of the soul, the perfection of sanctity, the completion of beatitude. O Heart of my Beloved ! in which there are infinitely more and better things than the mind can understand or the heart can grasp, why should I seek for aught that is 556 UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART [bOOK IV. good outside of Thee? Behold, in Thee are all bless- ings. 5. Wherefore, most kind Jesus, in Thy Heart is for me the life of bliss ; and, oh, may death not find me except in Thy Heart ! Oh, that there I may, at last, give up my soul ! Yea, may Thy love grant that henceforth I may live in Thy Heart a life as it were dead, such as Thou livest in the Sacrament ! What death can be more blissful than this ? what rest is there comparable to this ? Behold, this is my repose in that death, whereby I desire to be disengaged from every thing, and, by pure love, to live in Thee and for Thee alone. O Jesus, my life and my every good! being thus perfectly dead, may I live for Thee so purely, that, when the end of mortal life arrives, nothing remains for me except calmly to breathe my last upon Thy Heart 1 Let my last sigh be the sigh of Thy own expiring Heart, the sigh of pure resigned love; let me die by love, as also Thou didst die 1 let me die a holocaust of pure love, consumed in Thy Heart 1 Will not this death, O Lord my God, be a blissful repose, a sweet slumber, whereby I fall asleep upon Thy Heart in the land of my banishment, to awake upon Thy Heart in the kingdom of glory, to rest secure and rejoice for evermore? Thus, oh, thus, my Jesus and my God 1 thus I wish; thus let it be, I implore Thee, O Thou my sole desire, my good supreme. 6. O Heart of Jesus 1 Thou canst not be named with- out enkindling, nor thought of without consoling, nor seen represented without cheering; what, then, shall it be to gaze upon Thee unveiled, to embrace Thee in truth, to be satiated with Thy everlasting joys ? O beatitude incomprehensible 1 most blissful life, life without end, without change ! life free from all dis- comfort, replenished with all blessings 1 how I delight OF JESUS IN BLISS. 557 CH. XXVI.] in the thought of thee ! how I burn with longing for thee I Appear thou, 0 Jesus, — appear, consummate blissful- ness ! bid me enter into Thy joys, O Lord! let me join in fellowship with the choirs of all the Angels and Saints, and begin with them the ever-enduring canticle of the love of Thy Heart I O beatitude above every beatitude ! for ever and evermore may I gaze upon Thee, may I love Thee, may I enjoy Thee, for the honour and joy of Thy Heart, O Jesus, O my God and my All I CONCLUSION. 1. Behold, O Lord Jesus, by a new favour of Thine, which Thou hast added to numberless others, I have accomplished what, at death’s door, I had vowed to Thy Heart ; but Thou knowest how imperfectly I have per- formed it, Thou who art a perfect judge of Thy gifts, and a perfect witness of my ungratefulness. O Jesus, meek and humble of Heart! by that very goodness of Thy Heart whereby Thou hast bestowed upon me unworthy such blessings, I beg and implore Thee, do Thou vouchsafe to forgive all my shortcomings and my ingratitude. 2. Relying upon the known kindness of Thy Heart, I offer to Thee, O most benign Jesus, this debt of mine, this little work, every way so imperfect ; and I earnestly entreat Thee to accept and bless the same, and to pour into it the holy unction of Thy Heart ; that thus it may become an efficacious means of attracting hearts to Thee, of purifying them, of adorning them with Thy virtues, and of perfecting them by Thy sanctity, of uniting them with Thee, of consummating them in Thee, for Thy ever- lasting glory. 3. Prostrate before Thee, O Lord my God, I earnestly pray for all those that shall use this little work. I ask 558 CONCLUSION, special and abundant graces for them, that they may be truly disciples and apostles of Thy Heart, meek and humble of heart, and that before Thee they may remember me, — who am not worthy to be called a disciple, much less an apostle, of Thy Heart, — that they may pray for me, so that I may save and sanctify my poor soul, through the imitation of Thy most Sacred Heart. 4. This grace, O Lord Jesus, I myself do urgently request. For of what avail is it to know that Thou art meek and humble of Heart, if I myself am not meek and humble of heart ? Of what use is it to point out .o others the easy and certain path of salvation and holi- ness, if I myself become a castaway ? 5. Wlierefore, most loving and most lovely Jesus! I pray and beseech Thee, by Thy own Heart, and by the Heart of thy Immaculate Mother, crown Thou Thy gifts, so gratuitously, so sweetly bestowed upon me. Grant me this choice gift, that, united with Thee by the bond of love, I may never be separated from Thee ; give me this per- fect gift, that I may love Thee perseveringly, — love Thee with that purity with which the holy Virgins love Thee; with that fidelity with which the holy Confessors love Thee; with that fervour with which the Martyrs love Thee ; with that zeal with which the Apostles love Thee ; finally, with that love with which the Angels love Thee ; — that I may repay its every love to the love of Thy Heart; that in every way I may atone for the insults ever offered to Thy Heart; that, having perfectly put on the sentiments of thy Heart, I may live out of sole love for Thee, until I be admitted into the endless king- dom of Thy love. Amen. THE END. UfiVEY AND CO , PKINTEKS, GKEAT NEW STREET, EETTER LANE, E.C. 'a • 1 > i' * tr ■ ' V * BOSTON COLLEGE LIBRARY UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS CHESTNUT HILL, MASS. Books may be kept for two weeks and may be renewed for the same period, unless reserved. Two cents a day is charged for each book kept overtime. If you cannot find what you want, ask the Librarian who will be glad to help you. The borrower is responsible for books drawn bn his card and for all fines accruing on the same.