For spiritual consolations exceed all the delight of the world, and pleasures of the flesh.
For all worldly delights are either vain or filthy: but spiritual delights alone are pleasant and honest, springing from virtue, and infused by God into pure minds.
But these divine consolations no man can always enjoy when he will: because the time of temptation is not long away.
2. But what very much opposes these heavenly visits, is a false liberty of mind, and a great confidence in one's self.
God does well in giving the grace of consolation: but man does ill in not returning it all to God with thanksgiving.
And this is the reason why the gifts of grace cannot flow in us: because we are ungrateful to the Giver: nor do we return all to the fountain's head.
For grace is ever due to him that duly returns thanks: and what is wont to be given to the humble, will be taken away from the proud.
3. I would not have any such consolation as should rob me of compunction: nor do I wish to have such contemplation as leads to pride.
For all that is high, is not holy; nor all that is pleasant, good: nor every desire, pure; nor is every thing that is dear to us, pleasing to God.