igh, to be for
evermore united with God!" But this grace is not always equal; and
this light is sometimes stronger, and this ardor is sometimes more
vehement, sometimes more gentle; sometimes the soul seems to herself
to behold a cross shining with a dazzling brightness, wherewith her
interior man is penetrated. Sometimes in a rapture she seems clothed
with glory, in some measure as Christ appeared in his
transfiguration. At other times, overwhelmed with a divine light,
and drowned in the ocean of divine sweetness, she scarce remains
herself, and becomes a stranger, and, as it were, foolish to this
world, through the excess of heavenly sweetness, and relish of
divine mysteries. A perfect state of contemplation is granted to no
one in this life; yet when we go to pray, after making the sign of
the cross, often grace so overwhelms the heart, and the whole man,
filling every power with perfect tranquillity, that the soul,
through excess of overflowing joy, becomes like a little child,
which knows no evil, condemns no man, but loves all the world. At
other times she seems as a child of God, to confide in him as in her
father, to penetrate the heavenly mansions which are opened to her,
and to discover mysteries which no man can express. (Hom. 8.) These
interior delights can only be purchased by many trials; for a soul
must be dead to the world, and burn with a vehement love of God
alone, so that no creature can separate her from him, and she
dedicate herself and all her actions to him, without reserve. (Hom.
9.) For this, a most profound humility, cheerfulness, and courage
are necessary; sloth, tepidity, and sadness being incompatible with
spiritual progress. (Hom. 10.) The Holy Ghost is a violent fire in
our breasts, which makes us always active, and spurs us on
continually to aspire more and more vehemently towards God. (Hom.
11.) The mark of a true Christian is, that he studies to conceal
from the eyes of men all the good he receives from God. Those who
taste how sweet God is, and know no satiety in his love, in
proportion as they advance in contemplation, the more perfectly they
see their own wants and nothingness: and always cry out, "I am most
unworthy that this sun sheds its beams upon me." (Hom. 15.) In the
following homilies, the author delivers many excellent maxims on
humil