FROM now forth beginneth a manner of homeliness for to grow between God and a
man's soul; and also on a manner a kindling of love, in so much that oft times
he feeleth him not only be visited of God and comforted in His coming, but oft
times also he feeleth him filled with an unspeakable joy. This homeliness and
this kindling of love first felt Leah, when, after that Levi was born, she
cried with a great voice and said: "Now shall my husband be coupled to me."[45] The true spouse of our soul is God, and then
are we truly coupled unto Him, when we draw near Him by hope and soothfast
love. And right as after hope cometh love, so after Levi was Judah born, the
fourth son of Leah. Leah in his birth cried and said:
[45] Gen. xxix. 34.
[46] Gen. xxix. 35 (Vulgate): Modo
confitebor Domino.
[47] Confitens.
[48] Learning.
[49] Ps. cvi. 1, cvii. 1 (cv., cvi.,
Vulgate).
[50] Pepwell reads: "the true goodness of God."
Lo, now
have we said of four sons of Leah. And after this she left bearing of children
till another time; and so man's soul weeneth that it sufficeth to it when it
feeleth that it loveth the true goods.[50] And
so it is enough to salvation, but not to perfection. For it falleth to a
perfect soul both to be inflamed with the fire of love in the affection, and
also to be illumined with the light of knowing in the reason.