§ 2. The Danger of false union.

There are some, who foolishly imagine perfection to consist in this, that they being quiet and free, can dismiss images from their intellect, and with mere idle sensuality can retire into themselves; neglecting meanwhile the love of God, and all pious works and exercises. They indeed are miserable slaves of the devil, following after false quiet, while they from impure motives seek themselves, and delight in themselves rather than in God. But legitimate cultivators of contemplation and supernatural quiet, so seek after a denuded mind, and holy inactivity, that yet they do not abandon good works and exercises. For they give themselves to virtue according to their strength, and praise God, and reflect upon the Passion of our Lord, and give thanks, and pray frequently, if they have time, and cleave to God by sincere charity; they also regard and seek the honour of God rather than their own pleasure. God works in them His most noble work; for they, being filled with divine love, present themselves before Him in the nudity and simplicity of interior silence, forming in their minds no thought and no consideration. In this manner being by the grace of God freed from all images, they are rapt and fly up to the rays of the divine darkness, and are without medium united to God. Most pious men, although they do not attain to this height 189in the time of this exile, yet feel in themselves a certain simplicity of thought, when, excluding tumult from their minds, they dwell in silence, humbly, calmly, and lovingly upon the joyful presence of God, giving little or no attention to anything else.

Furthermore, as it would be absurd if one to whom a King had assigned the office of standing at his table and waiting upon him, were impudently to sit down unbidden to the banquet of the King, so he would he equally blameworthy who should wish to give himself up to the quiet of contemplation when he is evidently not called to it by God. Do thou therefore more and more desire and strive to please God, and nevertheless be always content with that grace which God deigns to bestow upon thee. If He should will to work in thee something singular, impede Him not; but dutifully follow His will, keeping thyself ever in holy humility and self-abasement.