Be not puffed up, be not overjoyed, nor vainly presume: but rather be the more humble for this gift, and the more cautious and fearful in all thy actions: for this hour will pass away, and temptation will follow.
When comfort shall be taken away from thee, do not presently despair; but wait with humility and patience for the heavenly visit: for God is able to restore thee a greater consolation.
This is no new thing, nor strange to those who have experienced the ways of God: for in the great saints and ancient prophets there has often been this kind of variety.
5. Hence one said: at the time when grace was with him: I said in my abundance, I shall not be moved for ever. Psalms xxix.
But when grace was retired, he immediately tells us what he experienced in himself: Thou hast turned away thy face from me, and I became troubled.
Yet, in the mean time he despairs not, but more earnestly prays to our Lord, and says: To thee, O Lord, will I cry, and I will pray to my God.
Lastly, he receives the fruit of his prayer: and witnesses that he was heard, saying: The Lord hath heard me, and hath had mercy on me: The Lord is become my helper.
But in what manner? Thou hast turned, says he, my mourning into joy to me, and thou hast encompassed me with gladness.
If it has been thus with great saints, we that are weak and poor must not be discouraged, if we are sometimes in fervour, sometimes cold: because the Spirit comes and goes according to his own good pleasure.