Chap. XLIX.
Of the desire of eternal life: and how great things are promised to them that fight.
1. Son, when thou perceivest a longing after eternal bliss to be infused into thee from above, and that thou desirest to go out of the dwelling of this body, that thou mayest contemplate my brightness, without any shadow of change; dilate thy heart, and with all thy affection embrace this holy inspiration.
Return very great thanks to the divine bounty, which deals so favourably with thee, which mercifully delivers thee, ardently excites thee, and powerfully raises thee up, lest by thy own weight thou fall down to the things of the earth.
For it is not by thy own thought or endeavours that thou attainest to this; but only by the favour of heavenly grace and the divine visit: that so thou mayest advance in virtues, and greater humility, and prepare thyself for future conflicts, and labour with the whole affection of thy heart to stick close to me, and serve me with a fervent will.
2. Son, the fire often burns, but the flame ascends not without smoke:
So also some people's desires are on fire after heavenly things, and yet they are not free from temptation of fleshly affection:
And therefore it is not altogether purely for God's honour that they do what they so earnestly request of him.
Such also is oftentimes thy desire, which thou hast signified to be so strong.