Giovanni Della Croce Dark_nigh

8/13/2019 Giovanni Della Croce Dark_nigh

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DARK NIGHT

OF THE SOUL

by

Saint John of the Cross

DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH

THIRD REVISED EDITION

Transate! an! e!ite!" #ith an Intro!$%tion"

by E& ALLISON 'EERSfro( the %riti%a e!ition of'& SILVERIO DE SANTA TERESA" C&D&

I)AGE *OOKS

A Di+ision of Do$be!ay , Co(-any" In%&Gar!en City" Ne# .or/

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I)AGE *OOKS EDITION 1505by s-e%ia arran6e(ent #ith The Ne#(an 'ress

I(a6e *oo/s e!ition -$bishe! Febr$ary 15051st -rintin6 Jan$ary 1505

NIHIL O*STAT7 GEORGIVS S)ITH" S&T&D" 'H&D&CENSOR DE'VTATVS

I)'RI)ATVR7 E& )ORROGH *ERNARDVICARIVS GENERALIS

8EST)ONASTERII7 DIE 99IV SE'TE)*RIS )C)LII

'rinte! in the Unite! States of A(eri%a

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TO THE

DISCALCED CAR)ELITES OF CASTILE"8ITH A*IDING )E)ORIES OF THEIR HOS'ITALIT. AND

KINDNESSIN )ADRID" :VILA AND *URGOS"

*UT A*OVE ALL OF THEIR DEVOTION TO

SAINT JOHN OF THE CROSS"I DEDICATE THIS TRANSLATION

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CONTENTS

'REFACE TO THE ELECTRONIC EDITION

TRANSLATOR;S 'REFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION

TRANSLATOR;S 'REFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION

'RINCI'AL A**REVIATIONS

INTRODUCTION

DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL

'ROLOGUE

*OOK I

CHA'TER I&


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CHA'TER I&


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CHA'TER 99V&a


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'REFACE TO THE ELECTRONIC EDITION

This ee%troni% e!ition @+ 2&5 has been s%anne! fro( an $n%o-yri6hte! 1505I(a6e *oo/s thir! e!ition of theDark Nightan! is therefore in the -$bi% !o(ain& Theentire te=t e=%e-t for the transator;s -refa%e an! so(e of the footnotes ha+e beenre-ro!$%e!& Neary B22 footnotes @an! -arts of footnotes !es%ribin6 +ariations a(on6(an$s%ri-ts ha+e been o(itte!& 'a6e n$(ber referen%es in the footnotes ha+e been%han6e! to %ha-ter an! se%tion #here -ossibe& This e!ition has been -roofrea! on%e"

b$t a!!itiona errors (ay re(ain& The transator;s -refa%e to the first an! se%on!e!itions (ay be fo$n! #ith the ee%troni% e!ition ofAscent of Mount Carmel.

Harry 'antin6aUni+ersity of 'ittsb$r6h

-antin6%s&-itt&e!$J$y 15" 155B&

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'RINCI'AL A**REVIATIONS

A&V&e! Version of the *ibe @111&

D&V&


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DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL

INTRODUCTIONSO)E8HAT re$%tanty" o$t of res-e%t for a +enerabe tra!ition" #e -$bish the

Dark Nightas a se-arate treatise" tho$6h in reaity it is a %ontin$ation of the Ascent ofMount Carmelan! f$fis the $n!erta/in6s 6i+en in it7

The first ni6ht or -$r6ation is of the sens$a -art of the so$" #hi%h istreate! in the -resent stan>a" an! #i be treate! in the first -art of this boo/& An!the se%on! is of the s-irit$a -art of this s-ea/s the se%on! stan>a" #hi%hfoo#s an! of this #e sha treat i/e#ise" in the se%on! an! the thir! -art" #ithres-e%t to the a%ti+ity of the so$ an! in the fo$rth -art" #ith res-e%t to its

-assi+ity&1

This ;fo$rth -art; is theDark Night& Of it the Saint #rites in a -assa6e #hi%hfoo#s that $st $ote!7

An! the se%on! ni6ht" or -$rifi%ation" -ertains to those #ho are area!y-rofi%ient" o%%$rrin6 at the ti(e #hen Go! !esires to brin6 the( to the state of$nion #ith Go!& An! this atter ni6ht is a (ore obs%$re an! !ar/ an! terribe

-$r6ation" as #e sha say after#ar!s&3

In his three earier boo/s he has #ritten of the A%ti+e Ni6ht" of Sense an! ofS-irit he no# -ro-oses to !ea #ith the 'assi+e Ni6ht" in the sa(e or!er& He hasarea!y ta$6ht $s ho# #e are to !eny an! -$rify o$rse+es #ith the or!inary he- of6ra%e" in or!er to -re-are o$r senses an! fa%$ties for $nion #ith Go! thro$6h o+e& Heno# -ro%ee!s to e=-ain" #ith an arrestin6 freshness" ho# these sa(e senses an!fa%$ties are -$r6e! an! -$rifie! by Go! #ith a +ie# to the sa(e en!as #hi%h he is 6ossin6 is a ($%h #i!er one" %o(-risin6 the #hoeof the (ysti%a ife an! en!in6 ony #ith the Di+ine e(bra%es of the so$ transfor(e! inGo! thro$6h o+e&

The stan>as e=-o$n!e! by the Saint are ta/en fro( the sa(e -oe( in the t#otreatises& The %o((entary $-on the se%on!" ho#e+er" is +ery !ifferent fro( that $-onthe first" for it ass$(es a ($%h (ore a!+an%e! state of !e+eo-(ent& The A%ti+e Ni6hthas eft the senses an! fa%$ties #e -re-are!" tho$6h not %o(-etey -re-are!" for there%e-tion of Di+ine inf$en%es an! i$(inations in 6reater ab$n!an%e than before& TheSaint here -ost$ates a -rin%i-e of !o6(ati% theoo6y


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east !e6ree -re-are! for the Di+ine $nion of -erfe%tion of o+e" if Go! ta/es not itshan! an! -$r6es it not in that !ar/ fire&;4

The 'assi+e Ni6hts" in #hi%h it is Go! 8ho a%%o(-ishes the -$r6ation" arebase! $-on this in%a-a%ity& So$s ;be6in to enter; this !ar/ ni6ht

#hen Go! !ra#s the( forth fro( the state of be6innerse! #hether any 6i+en ari!ity is ares$t of this Ni6ht or #hether it %o(es fro( sins or i(-erfe%tions" or fro( fraity or$/e#ar(ness of s-irit" or e+en fro( in!is-osition or ;h$(o$rs; of the bo!y& The Saint is

-arti%$ary effe%ti+e here" an! #e (ay on%e (ore %o(-are this %ha-ter #ith a si(iarone in theAscent@II" =iii


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an6$a6e aone" one (i6ht s$--ose at ti(es that he is s-ea/in6 of (athe(ati%a" ratherthan of s-irit$a o-erations&

In Cha-ter =" the Saint !es%ribes the !is%i-ine #hi%h the so$ in this Dar/ Ni6ht($st i(-ose $-on itsef this" as (i6ht be o6i%ay !e!$%e! fro( the Ascent" %onsists in

;ao#in6 the so$ to re(ain in -ea%e an! $ietness"; %ontent ;#ith a -ea%ef$ an! o+in6attenti+eness to#ar! Go!&;*efore on6 it #i e=-erien%e en/in!in6s of o+e @Cha-ter=i" #hi%h #i ser+e to -$rify its sins an! i(-erfe%tions an! !ra# it 6ra!$ay nearer toGo! #e ha+e here" as it #ere" so (any sta6es of the as%ent of the )o$nt on #hoses$((it the so$ attains to transfor(in6 $nion& Cha-ters =ii an! =iii !etai #ith 6reate=a%tness the benefits that the so$ re%ei+es fro( this ari!ity" #hie Cha-ter =i+ briefye=-o$n!s the ast ine of the first stan>a an! brin6s to an en! #hat the Saint !esires tosay #ith res-e%t to the first 'assi+e Ni6ht&

At ony si6hty 6reater en6th St& John of the Cross !es%ribes the 'assi+e Ni6htof the S-irit" #hi%h is at on%e (ore affi%ti+e an! (ore -ainf$ than those #hi%h ha+e

-re%e!e! it& This" ne+ertheess" is the Dar/ Ni6ht par e(cellence" of #hi%h the Saint

s-ea/s in these #or!s7 ;The ni6ht #hi%h #e ha+e %ae! that of sense (ay an! sho$! be%ae! a /in! of %orre%tion an! restraint of the !esire rather than -$r6ation& The reason isthat a the i(-erfe%tions an! !isor!ers of the sens$a -art ha+e their stren6th an! root inthe s-irit" #here a habits" both 6oo! an! ba!" are bro$6ht into s$be%tion" an! th$s"$nti these are -$r6e!" the rebeions an! !e-ra+ities of sense %annot be -$r6e!thoro$6hy&;5

S-irit$a -ersons" #e are to!" !o not enter the se%on! ni6ht i((e!iatey afterea+in6 the first on the %ontrary" they 6eneray -ass a on6 ti(e" e+en years" before!oin6 so"12for they sti ha+e (any i(-erfe%tions" both habit$a an! a%t$a @Cha-ter ii&After a brief intro!$%tion @Cha-ter iii" the Saint !es%ribes #ith so(e f$ness the nat$reof this s-irit$a -$r6ation or !ar/ %onte(-ation referre! to in the first stan>a of his

-oe( an! the +arieties of -ain an! affi%tion %a$se! by it" #hether in the so$ or in itsfa%$ties @Cha-ters i+?+iii& These %ha-ters are briiant beyon! a !es%ri-tion in the(#e see( to rea%h the %$(inatin6 -oint of their a$thor;s (ysti%a e=-erien%e anye=%er-t fro( the( #o$! !o the( an in$sti%e& It ($st s$ffi%e to say that St& John of theCross se!o( a6ain to$%hes those sa(e hei6hts of s$bi(ity&

Cha-ter i= !es%ribes ho#" atho$6h these -$r6ations see( to bin! the s-irit"they !o so ony to eni6hten it a6ain #ith a bri6hter an! intenser i6ht" #hi%h it is

-re-arin6 itsef to re%ei+e #ith 6reater ab$n!an%e& The foo#in6 %ha-ter (a/es the%o(-arison bet#een s-irit$a -$r6ation an! the o6 of #oo! #hi%h 6ra!$ay be%o(estransfor(e! thro$6h bein6 i((erse! in fire an! at ast ta/es on the fire;s o#n

-ro-erties& The for%e #ith #hi%h the fa(iiar si(iit$!e is !ri+en ho(e i(-ressesin!eiby $-on the (in! the f$n!a(enta %on%e-t of this (ost s$bi(e of a -$r6ations&)ar+eo$s" in!ee!" are its effe%ts" fro( the first en/in!in6s an! b$rnin6s of Di+ineo+e" #hi%h are 6reater beyon! %o(-arison than those -ro!$%e! by the Ni6ht of Sense"the one bein6 as !ifferent fro( the other as is the bo!y fro( the so$& ;For this @atter isan en/in!in6 of s-irit$a o+e in the so$" #hi%h" in the (i!st of these !ar/ %onfines"fees itsef to be /eeny an! shar-y #o$n!e! in stron6 Di+ine o+e" an! to ha+e a%ertain reai>ation an! foretaste of Go!&;11No ess #on!erf$ are the effe%ts of the

Dark Night" */& I" %ha-& =" B&5"p. cit&" */& II" %ha-& iii" 1&

12"p. cit&" */& II" %ha-& i" 1&11Dark Night" */& II" %ha-& =i" 1&

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-o#erf$ Di+ine i$(ination #hi%h fro( ti(e to ti(e enfo!s the so$ in the s-en!o$rsof 6ory& 8hen the effe%ts of the i6ht that #o$n!s an! yet i$(ines are %o(bine! #iththose of the en/in!e(ent that (ets the so$ #ith its heat" the !ei6hts e=-erien%e! areso 6reat as to be ineffabe&

The se%on! ine of the first stan>a of the -oe( is e=-o$n!e! in three a!(irabe%ha-ters @=i?=iii" #hie one short %ha-ter @=i+ s$ffi%es for the three ines re(ainin6&8e then e(bar/ $-on the se%on! stan>a" #hi%h !es%ribes the so$;s se%$rity in the Dark

Night

This %onte(-ation is not ony !ar/" b$t aso se%ret @Cha-ter =+ii" an! inCha-ter =+iii is %o(-are! to the ;stair%ase; of the -oe(& This %o(-arison s$66ests to theSaint an e=-osition @Cha-ters =+iii" =i= of the ten ste-s or !e6rees of o+e #hi%h%o(-rise St& *ernar!;s (ysti%a a!!er& Cha-ter ==i !es%ribes the so$;s ;!is6$ise"; fro(#hi%h the boo/ -asses on @Cha-ters ==ii" ==iii to e=to the ;ha--y %han%e; #hi%h e! itto o$rney ;in !ar/ness an! %on%ea(ent; fro( its ene(ies" both #itho$t an! #ithin&

Cha-ter ==i+ 6osses the ast ine of the se%on! stan>ae! an!

-re-are! for the !esire! $nion #ith the S-o$se" a $nion #hi%h is the s$be%t that theSaint -ro-ose! to treat in his %o((entary on the fi+e re(ainin6 stan>as& As far as #e/no#" this %o((entary #as ne+er #ritten& 8e ha+e ony the briefest o$tine of #hat#as to ha+e been %o+ere! in the thir!" in #hi%h" foo#in6 the sa(e effe%ti+e (eta-horof ni6ht" the Saint !es%ribes the e=%eent -ro-erties of the s-irit$a ni6ht of inf$se!%onte(-ation" thro$6h #hi%h the so$ o$rneys #ith no other 6$i!e or s$--ort" eithero$t#ar! or in#ar!" than the Di+ine o+e ;#hi%h b$rne! in (y heart&;

It is !iffi%$t to e=-ress a!e$atey the sense of oss that one fees at the-re(at$re tr$n%ation of this eo$ent treatise&148e ha+e area!y 6i+en o$r o-inion1B$-on the %o((entaries tho$6ht to ha+e been #ritten on the fina stan>as of the ;Dar/

Ni6ht&; Di! #e -ossess the(" they #o$! e=-ain the birth of the i6ht


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that 6ra%e" far fro( !estroyin6 nat$re" ennobes an! !i6nifies it" an! of the a6ree(enta#ays fo$n! bet#een the nat$ra an! the s$-ernat$ra


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Car(eite n$ns of *ae>a& This %on+ent #as fo$n!e! in 105" t#o years before theSaint;s !eath" an! the %o-y (ay #e !ate fro( abo$t this -erio!& On the se%on! foio%o(es the -oe( ;I entere! in


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se+enteenth %ent$ry& The %o-y of the Dark Night is (ost $nsatisfa%tory there areo(issions an! abbre+iations e+ery#here&

M.S. of the Carmelite Nuns of #amplona& This )S& aso o(its an! abbre+iates%ontin$ay" es-e%iay in the %ha-ters on the 'assi+e Ni6ht of Sense" #hi%h are re!$%e!

to a (ere s/eeton&

'ditio princeps& This is ($%h (ore faithf$ to its ori6ina in the Dark Nightthanin theAscent& *oth the -assa6es s$--resse!1an! the inter-oations1are reati+ey fe#an! $ni(-ortant& )o!ifi%ations of -hraseoo6y are (ore fre$ent an! aterations areaso (a!e #ith the ai( of %orre%tin6 hy-erbaton& In the first boo/ abo$t thirty ines ares$--resse! in the se%on!" abo$t ninety& A %han6es #hi%h are of any i(-ortan%e ha+e

been sho#n in the notes&

The present edition& 8e ha+e 6i+en -referen%e" as a 6enera r$e" to )S& 4"BB"s$be%tin6 it" ho#e+er" to a ri6oro$s %o(-arison #ith the other %o-ies& )ention has

area!y been (a!e in the intro!$%tion to theAscent@I(a6e *oo/s e!ition" --& =iii?=+iof %ertain a--arent ano(aies an! a %ertain a%/ of $nifor(ity in the Saint;s (etho! of!i+i!in6 his %o((entaries& This is no#here (ore noti%eabe than in the Dark Night&Instea! of !i+i!in6 his treatise into boo/s" ea%h #ith its -ro-er tite" the Saint aban!onsthis (etho! an! $ses tites ony o%%asionay& As this (a/es %o(-rehension of hisar6$(ent the (ore !iffi%$t" #e ha+e a!o-te! the !i+isions #hi%h #ere intro!$%e! by '&Saaban%a an! ha+e been %o-ie! by s$%%essi+e e!itors&

)& *ar$>i @1ulletin Hispani/ue" 1533" Vo& ==i+" --& 1?B2 %o(-ains that this!i+ision #ei6hs !o#n the s-irit$a rhyth( of the treatise an! interr$-ts its (o+e(ent&8e !o not a6ree& In any %ase" #e 6reaty -refer the 6ain of %arity" e+en if the rhyth(o%%asionay hats" to the other aternati+e& )S& "50 @N&L&)&&C )S& 14"B5 @N&L&)&&G )S& 1"12 @N&L&)&&

H )S& 4"BB @N&L&)&&) )S& of the Dis%a%e! Car(eite N$ns of Toe!o&)tr& )S& 13"0&' )S& of the Dis%a%e! Car(eite Friars of Toe!o&V )S& of the Dis%a%e! Car(eite N$ns of Vaa!oi!&E&-& E!itio -rin%e-s @11&

1The on6est of these are one of ten ines in */& I" %ha-& i+" in the ori6ina an! those of */& II" %ha-s&+ii" +iii" =ii" =iii" #hi%h +ary fro( ee+en to t#enty?three ines& */& II" %ha-& ==iii" has aso %onsi!erabe

(o!ifi%ations&1The %hief inter-oation is in */& I" %ha-& =&

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)S& 13"B11 an! the )S& of the Dis%a%e! Car(eite n$ns of 'a(-ona are %ite!#itho$t abbre+iations&


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. /pon "y flowery breast, Kept wholly for hi"self alone,

'here he stayed sleeping, and I caressed hi", *nd the fanning of the

cedars "ade a bree0e.

. 'he bree0e blew fro" the turret *s I parted his locks2

%ith his gentle hand he wounded "y neck *nd caused all "y senses to

be suspended.

3. I re"ained, lost in oblivion2 My face I reclined on the eloved.

*ll ceased and I abandoned "yself, -eaving "y cares forgotten a"ong

the lilies.

*e6ins the e=-osition of the stan>as #hi%h treat of the #ay an! (anner #hi%hthe so$ foo#s $-on the roa! of the $nion of o+e #ith Go!&

*efore #e enter $-on the e=-osition of these stan>as" it is #e to $n!erstan!here that the so$ that $tters the( is no# in the state of -erfe%tion" #hi%h is the $nion ofo+e #ith Go!" ha+in6 area!y -asse! thro$6h se+ere trias an! straits" by (eans ofs-irit$a e=er%ise in the narro# #ay of eterna ife #hereof O$r Sa+io$r s-ea/s in theGos-e" aon6 #hi%h #ay the so$ or!inariy -asses in or!er to rea%h this hi6h an!ha--y $nion #ith Go!& Sin%e this roa! @as the Lor! Hi(sef says i/e#ise is so strait"an! sin%e there are so fe# that enter by it"15the so$ %onsi!ers it a 6reat ha--iness an!

6oo! %han%e to ha+e -asse! aon6 it to the sai! -erfe%tion of o+e" as it sin6s in this firststan>a" %ain6 this strait roa! #ith f$ -ro-riety ;!ar/ ni6ht"; as #i be e=-aine!hereafter in the ines of the sai! stan>a& The so$" then" reoi%in6 at ha+in6 -asse! aon6this narro# roa! #hen%e so (any bessin6s ha+e %o(e to it" s-ea/s after this (anner&

*OOK THE FIRST

Which treats of the Night of Sense.

STANA THE FIRST

On a dark night, Kindled in love with yearningsoh, happy chance!

I went forth without being observed, My house being now at rest.

E9'OSITION

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IN this first stan>a the so$ reates the #ay an! (anner #hi%h it foo#e! in6oin6 forth" as to its affe%tion" fro( itsef an! fro( a thin6s" an! in !yin6 to the( aan! to itsef" by (eans of tr$e (ortifi%ation" in or!er to attain to i+in6 the s#eet an!!ee%tabe ife of o+e #ith Go! an! it says that this 6oin6 forth fro( itsef an! fro( a

thin6s #as a ;!ar/ ni6ht"; by #hi%h" as #i be e=-aine! hereafter" is here $n!erstoo!-$r6ati+e %onte(-ation" #hi%h %a$ses -assi+ey in the so$ the ne6ation of itsef an! ofa thin6s referre! to abo+e&

3& An! this 6oin6 forth it says here that it #as abe to a%%o(-ish in the stren6than! ar!o$r #hi%h o+e for its S-o$se 6a+e to it for that -$r-ose in the !ar/%onte(-ation afore(entione!& Herein it e=tos the 6reat ha--iness #hi%h it fo$n! in

o$rneyin6 to Go! thro$6h this ni6ht #ith s$%h si6na s$%%ess that none of the threeene(ies" #hi%h are #or!" !e+i an! fesh @#ho are they that e+er i(-e!e this roa!"%o$! hin!er it inas($%h as the afore(entione! ni6ht of -$r6ati+e32 %onte(-ation$e! to see- an! (ortifie!" in the ho$se of its sens$aity" a the -assions an! !esires#ith res-e%t to their (is%hie+o$s !esires an! (otions& The ine" then" says7

On a dark night

CHA'TER I

Sets do0n the first line and egins to treat of the imperfections of eginners.

INTO this !ar/ ni6ht so$s be6in to enter #hen Go! !ra#s the( forth fro( thestate of be6inners


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ser+i%e of Go!" He treats it in the sa(e #ay He (a/es it to fin! s-irit$a (i/" s#eetan! !ee%tabe" in a the thin6s of Go!" #itho$t any abo$r of its o#n" an! aso 6reat

-eas$re in s-irit$a e=er%ises" for here Go! is 6i+in6 to it the breast of His ten!er o+e"e+en as to a ten!er %hi!&

4& Therefore" s$%h a so$ fin!s its !ei6ht in s-en!in6 on6 -erio!s


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o--ort$nity o%%$rs" they %on!e(n the( an! san!er the(" beho!in6 the (ote in theirbrother;s eye an! not %onsi!erin6 the bea( #hi%h is in their o#n33 they strain atanother;s 6nat an! the(se+es s#ao# a %a(e&34

4& So(eti(es" too" #hen their s-irit$a (asters" s$%h as %onfessors an!

s$-eriors" !o not a--ro+e of their s-irit an! beha+ior @for they are an=io$s that a they!o sha be estee(e! an! -raise!" they %onsi!er that they !o not $n!erstan! the(" orthat" be%a$se they !o not a--ro+e of this an! %o(-y #ith that" their %onfessors arethe(se+es not s-irit$a& An! so they i((e!iatey !esire an! %ontri+e to fin! so(e oneese #ho #i fit in #ith their tastes for as a r$e they !esire to s-ea/ of s-irit$a (atters#ith those #ho they thin/ #i -raise an! estee( #hat they !o" an! they fee" as they#o$! fro( !eath" fro( those #ho !isab$se the( in or!er to ea! the( into a safe roa!


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the first (otions thereof or itte beyon! these an! there are har!y any s$%h be6inners#ho" at the ti(e of these si6ns of fer+o$r"35fa not into so(e of these errors&42*$t those#ho at this ti(e are 6oin6 on to -erfe%tion -ro%ee! +ery !ifferenty an! #ith $iteanother te(-er of s-irit for they -ro6ress by (eans of h$(iity an! are 6reaty e!ifie!"

not ony thin/in6 na$6ht of their o#n affairs" b$t ha+in6 +ery itte satisfa%tion #iththe(se+es they %onsi!er a others as far better" an! $s$ay ha+e a hoy en+y of the("an! an ea6erness to ser+e Go! as they !o& For the 6reater is their fer+o$r" an! the (oren$(ero$s are the #or/s that they -erfor(" an! the 6reater is the -eas$re that they ta/ein the(" as they -ro6ress in h$(iity" the (ore !o they reai>e ho# ($%h Go! !eser+esof the(" an! ho# itte is a that they !o for His sa/e an! th$s" the (ore they !o" theess are they satisfie!& So ($%h #o$! they 6a!y !o fro( %harity an! o+e for Hi("that a they !o see(s to the( na$6ht an! so 6reaty are they i(-ort$ne!" o%%$-ie! an!absorbe! by this o+in6 an=iety that they ne+er noti%e #hat others !o or !o not or ifthey !o noti%e it" they a#ays beie+e" as I say" that a others are far better than theythe(se+es& 8herefore" ho!in6 the(se+es as of itte #orth" they are an=io$s that

others too sho$! th$s ho! the(" an! sho$! !es-ise an! !e-re%iate that #hi%h they !o&An! f$rther" if (en sho$! -raise an! estee( the(" they %an in no #ise beie+e #hatthey say it see(s to the( stran6e that anyone sho$! say these 6oo! thin6s of the(&

& To6ether #ith 6reat tran$iity an! h$(beness" these so$s ha+e a !ee-!esire to be ta$6ht by anyone #ho %an brin6 the( -rofit they are the %o(-ete o--ositeof those of #ho( #e ha+e s-o/en abo+e" #ho #o$! fain be a#ays tea%hin6" an! #ho"#hen others see( to be tea%hin6 the(" ta/e the #or!s fro( their (o$ths as if they /ne#the( area!y& These so$s" on the other han!" bein6 far fro( !esirin6 to be the (astersof any" are +ery rea!y to tra+e an! set o$t on another roa! than that #hi%h they area%t$ay foo#in6" if they be so %o((an!e!" be%a$se they ne+er thin/ that they areri6ht in anythin6 #hatsoe+er& They reoi%e #hen others are -raise! they 6rie+e ony

be%a$se they ser+e not Go! i/e the(& They ha+e no !esire to s-ea/ of the thin6s thatthey !o" be%a$se they thin/ so itte of the( that they are asha(e! to s-ea/ of the( e+ento their s-irit$a (asters" sin%e they see( to the( to be thin6s that (erit not bein6s-o/en of& They are (ore an=io$s to s-ea/ of their fa$ts an! sins" or that these sho$!

be re%o6ni>e! rather than their +irt$es an! th$s they in%ine to ta/ of their so$s #iththose #ho a%%o$nt their a%tions an! their s-irit$aity of itte +a$e& This is a%hara%teristi% of the s-irit #hi%h is si(-e" -$re" 6en$ine an! +ery -easin6 to Go!& Foras the #ise S-irit of Go! !#es in these h$(be so$s" He (o+es the( an! in%inesthe( to /ee- His treas$res se%rety #ithin an! i/e#ise to %ast o$t fro( the(se+es ae+i& Go! 6i+es this 6ra%e to the h$(be" to6ether #ith the other +irt$es" e+en as He

!enies it to the -ro$!&& These so$s #i 6i+e their heart;s boo! to anyone that ser+es Go!" an! #ihe- others to ser+e Hi( as ($%h as in the( ies& The i(-erfe%tions into #hi%h they seethe(se+es fa they bear #ith h$(iity" (ee/ness of s-irit an! a o+in6 fear of Go!"ho-in6 in Hi(& *$t so$s #ho in the be6innin6 o$rney #ith this /in! of -erfe%tion are"as I $n!erstan!" an! as has been sai!" a (inority" an! +ery fe# are those #ho #e %an be6a! !o not fa into the o--osite errors& For this reason" as #e sha after#ar!s say" Go!ea!s into the !ar/ ni6ht those #ho( He !esires to -$rify fro( a these i(-erfe%tionsso that He (ay brin6 the( farther on#ar!&

35!it." ;these fer+o$rs&;42!it." ;into so(ethin6 of this&;

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CHA'TER III

"f some imperfections 0hich some of these souls are apt to ha$e) 0ith respect to

the second capital sin) 0hich is a$arice) in the spiritual sense.

)AN. of these be6inners ha+e aso at ti(es 6reat s-irit$a a+ari%e& They #i befo$n! to be !is%ontente! #ith the s-irit$aity #hi%h Go! 6i+es the( an! they are +ery!is%onsoate an! $er$o$s be%a$se they fin! not in s-irit$a thin6s the %onsoation thatthey #o$! !esire& )any %an ne+er ha+e eno$6h of istenin6 to %o$nses an! earnin6s-irit$a -re%e-ts" an! of -ossessin6 an! rea!in6 (any boo/s #hi%h treat of this (atter"an! they s-en! their ti(e on a these thin6s rather than on #or/s of (ortifi%ation an!the -erfe%tin6 of the in#ar! -o+erty of s-irit #hi%h sho$! be theirs& F$rther(ore" they

b$r!en the(se+es #ith i(a6es an! rosaries #hi%h are +ery %$rio$s no# they -$t !o#none" no# ta/e $- another no# they %han6e abo$t" no# %han6e ba%/ a6ain no# they#ant this /in! of thin6" no# that" -referrin6 one /in! of %ross to another" be%a$se it is(ore %$rio$s& An! others yo$ #i see a!orne! #ith a6n$s!eis41an! rei%s an! to/ens"43i/e %hi!ren #ith trin/ets& Here I %on!e(n the atta%h(ent of the heart" an! the affe%tion#hi%h they ha+e for the nat$re" ($tit$!e an! %$riosity of these thin6s" inas($%h as it is$ite %ontrary to -o+erty of s-irit #hi%h %onsi!ers ony the s$bstan%e of !e+otion"(a/es $se ony of #hat s$ffi%es for that en! an! 6ro#s #eary of this other /in! of($ti-i%ity an! %$riosity& For tr$e !e+otion ($st iss$e fro( the heart" an! %onsist in thetr$th an! s$bstan%es aone of #hat is re-resente! by s-irit$a thin6s a the rest isaffe%tion an! atta%h(ent -ro%ee!in6 fro( i(-erfe%tion an! in or!er that one (ay -assto any /in! of -erfe%tion it is ne%essary for s$%h !esires to be /ie!&

3& I /ne# a -erson #ho for (ore than ten years (a!e $se of a %ross ro$6hyfor(e! fro( a bran%h44that ha! been besse!" fastene! #ith a -in t#iste! ro$n! it heha! ne+er %ease! $sin6 it" an! he a#ays %arrie! it abo$t #ith hi( $nti I too/ it fro(hi( an! this #as a -erson of no s(a sense an! $n!erstan!in6& An! I sa# another #hosai! his -rayers $sin6 bea!s that #ere (a!e of bones fro( the s-ine of a fish his!e+otion #as %ertainy no ess -re%io$s on that a%%o$nt in the si6ht of Go!" for it is %earthat these thin6s %arrie! no !e+otion in their #or/(anshi- or +a$e& Those" then" #hostart fro( these be6innin6s an! (a/e 6oo! -ro6ress atta%h the(se+es to no +isibeinstr$(ents" nor !o they b$r!en the(se+es #ith s$%h" nor !esire to /no# (ore than isne%essary in or!er that they (ay a%t #e for they set their eyes ony on bein6 ri6ht #ithGo! an! on -easin6 Hi(" an! therein %onsists their %o+eto$sness& An! th$s #ith 6reat

6enerosity they 6i+e a#ay a that they ha+e" an! !ei6ht to /no# that they ha+e it not"for Go!;s sa/e an! for %harity to their nei6hbo$r" no (atter #hether these be s-irit$athin6s or te(-ora& For" as I say" they set their eyes ony $-on the reaity of interior

-erfe%tion" #hi%h is to 6i+e -eas$re to Go! an! in na$6ht to 6i+e -eas$re tothe(se+es&

41The agnusdei#as a #a= (e!a #ith a re-resentation of the a(b sta(-e! $-on it" often besse! by the'o-e at the ti(e of the Saint s$%h (e!as #ere 6reaty so$6ht after" as #e /no# fro( +ario$s referen%esin St& Teresa;s etters&43The #or! n3mina" transate! ;to/en"; an! nor(ay (eanin6 ist" or ;ro"; refers to a rei% on #hi%h#ere #ritten the na(es of saints& In (o!ern S-anish it %an !enote a (e!a or a($et $se! s$-erstitio$sy&

44No !o$bt a bran%h of -a(" oi+e or rose(ary" besse! in %h$r%h on 'a( S$n!ay" i/e the En6ish-a( %rosses of to?!ay& ;'a( S$n!ay; is in S-anishDomingo de ramos4;*ran%h S$n!ay&;

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4& *$t neither fro( these i(-erfe%tions nor fro( those others %an the so$ be-erfe%ty -$rifie! $nti Go! brin6s it into the -assi+e -$r6ation of that !ar/ ni6ht#hereof #e sha s-ea/ -resenty& It befits the so$" ho#e+er" to %ontri+e to abo$r" in sofar as it %an" on its o#n a%%o$nt" to the en! that it (ay -$r6e an! -erfe%t itsef" an! th$s

(ay (erit bein6 ta/en by Go! into that Di+ine %are #herein it be%o(es heae! of athin6s that it #as $nabe of itsef to %$re& *e%a$se" ho#e+er 6reaty the so$ itsefabo$rs" it %annot a%ti+ey -$rify itsef so as to be in the east !e6ree -re-are! for theDi+ine $nion of -erfe%tion of o+e" if Go! ta/es not its han! an! -$r6es it not in that!ar/ fire" in the #ay an! (anner that #e ha+e to !es%ribe&

CHA'TER IV

"f other imperfections 0hich these eginners are apt to ha$e 0ith respect to the

third sin) 0hich is lu(ur&.

)AN. of these be6inners ha+e (any other i(-erfe%tions than those #hi%h I a(!es%ribin6 #ith res-e%t to ea%h of the !ea!y sins" b$t these I set asi!e" in or!er to a+oi!

-roi=ity" to$%hin6 $-on a fe# of the (ost i(-ortant" #hi%h are" as it #ere" the ori6inan! %a$se of the rest& An! th$s" #ith res-e%t to this sin of $=$ry @ea+in6 a-art thefain6 of s-irit$a -ersons into this sin" sin%e (y intent is to treat of the i(-erfe%tions#hi%h ha+e to be -$r6e! by the !ar/ ni6ht" they ha+e (any i(-erfe%tions #hi%h (i6ht

be !es%ribe! as s-irit$a $=$ry" not be%a$se they are so" b$t be%a$se the i(-erfe%tions-ro%ee! fro( s-irit$a thin6s& For it often %o(es to -ass that" in their +ery s-irit$ae=er%ises" #hen they are -o#eress to -re+ent it" there arise an! assert the(se+es in the

sens$a -art of the so$ i(-$re a%ts an! (otions" an! so(eti(es this ha--ens e+en#hen the s-irit is !ee- in -rayer" or en6a6e! in the Sa%ra(ent of 'enan%e or in theE$%harist& These thin6s are not" as I say" in their -o#er they -ro%ee! fro( one of three%a$ses&

3& The first %a$se fro( #hi%h they often -ro%ee! is the -eas$re #hi%h h$(annat$re ta/es in s-irit$a thin6s& For #hen the s-irit an! the sense are -ease!" e+ery -artof a (an is (o+e! by that -eas$re4Bto !ei6ht a%%or!in6 to its -ro-ortion an! nat$re&For then the s-irit" #hi%h is the hi6her -art" is (o+e! to -eas$re40an! !ei6ht in Go!an! the sens$a nat$re" #hi%h is the o#er -art" is (o+e! to -eas$re an! !ei6ht of thesenses" be%a$se it %annot -ossess an! ay ho! $-on a$6ht ese" an! it therefore ays ho!$-on that #hi%h %o(es nearest to itsef" #hi%h is the i(-$re an! sens$a& Th$s it %o(es

to -ass that the so$ is in !ee- -rayer #ith Go! a%%or!in6 to the s-irit" an!" on the otherhan!" a%%or!in6 to sense it is -assi+ey %ons%io$s" not #itho$t 6reat !is-eas$re" ofrebeions an! (otions an! a%ts of the senses" #hi%h often ha--ens in Co(($nion" for#hen the so$ re%ei+es oy an! %o(fort in this a%t of o+e" be%a$se this Lor! besto#s it@sin%e it is to that en! that He 6i+es Hi(sef" the sens$a nat$re ta/es that #hi%h is itso#n i/e#ise" as #e ha+e sai!" after its (anner& No# as" after a" these t#o -arts are%o(bine! in one in!i+i!$a" they or!inariy both -arti%i-ate in that #hi%h one of the(re%ei+es" ea%h after its (anner for" as the -hioso-her says" e+erythin6 that is re%ei+e!is in the re%i-ient after the (anner of the sa(e re%i-ient& An! th$s" in these be6innin6s"an! e+en #hen the so$ has (a!e so(e -ro6ress" its sens$a -art" bein6 i(-erfe%t"

4B!it." ;re%reation&;40!it." ;re%reation&;

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oftenti(es re%ei+es the S-irit of Go! #ith the sa(e i(-erfe%tion& No# #hen thissens$a -art is rene#e! by the -$r6ation of the !ar/ ni6ht #hi%h #e sha !es%ribe" it noon6er has these #ea/nesses for it is no on6er this -art that re%ei+es a$6ht" b$t rather itis itsef re%ei+e! into the S-irit& An! th$s it then has e+erythin6 after the (anner of the

S-irit& 4& The se%on! %a$se #hen%e these rebeions so(eti(es -ro%ee! is the !e+i"#ho" in or!er to !is$iet an! !ist$rb the so$" at ti(es #hen it is at -rayer or is stri+in6to -ray" %ontri+es to stir $- these (otions of i(-$rity in its nat$re an! if the so$ 6i+eshee! to any of these" they %a$se it 6reat har(& For thro$6h fear of these not ony !o

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& So(eti(es" a6ain" there arises #ithin these s-irit$a -ersons" #hether they bes-ea/in6 or -erfor(in6 s-irit$a a%tions" a %ertain +i6o$r an! bra+a!o" thro$6h theirha+in6 re6ar! to -ersons #ho are -resent" an! before these -ersons they !is-ay a%ertain /in! of +ain 6ratifi%ation& This aso arises fro( $=$ry of s-irit" after the (anner

#herein #e here $n!erstan! it" #hi%h is a%%o(-anie! as a r$e by %o(-a%en%y in the#i&& So(e of these -ersons (a/e frien!shi-s of a s-irit$a /in! #ith others" #hi%h

oftenti(es arise fro( $=$ry an! not fro( s-irit$aity this (ay be /no#n to be the %ase#hen the re(e(bran%e of that frien!shi- %a$ses not the re(e(bran%e an! o+e of Go!to 6ro#" b$t o%%asions re(orse of %ons%ien%e& For" #hen the frien!shi- is -$reys-irit$a" the o+e of Go! 6ro#s #ith it an! the (ore the so$ re(e(bers it" the (ore itre(e(bers the o+e of Go!" an! the 6reater the !esire it has for Go! so that" as the one6ro#s" the other 6ro#s aso& For the s-irit of Go! has this -ro-erty" that it in%reases6oo! by a!!in6 to it (ore 6oo!" inas($%h as there is i/eness an! %onfor(ity bet#eenthe(& *$t" #hen this o+e arises fro( the +i%e of sens$aity afore(entione!" it -ro!$%es

the %ontrary effe%ts for the (ore the one 6ro#s" the (ore the other !e%reases" an! there(e(bran%e of it i/e#ise& If that sens$a o+e 6ro#s" it #i at on%e be obser+e! thatthe so$;s o+e of Go! is be%o(in6 %o!er" an! that it is for6ettin6 Hi( as it re(e(bersthat o+e there %o(es to it" too" a %ertain re(orse of %ons%ien%e& An!" on the other han!"if the o+e of Go! 6ro#s in the so$" that other o+e be%o(es %o! an! is for6otten for"as the t#o are %ontrary to one another" not ony !oes the one not ai! the other" b$t theone #hi%h -re!o(inates $en%hes an! %onfo$n!s the other" an! be%o(es stren6thene!in itsef" as the -hioso-hers say& 8herefore O$r Sa+io$r sai! in the Gos-e7 ;That #hi%his born of the fesh is fesh" an! that #hi%h is born of the S-irit is s-irit&; 4That is to say"the o+e #hi%h is born of sens$aity en!s in sens$aity" an! that #hi%h is of the s-iriten!s in the s-irit of Go! an! %a$ses it to 6ro#& This is the !ifferen%e that e=ists bet#eenthese t#o /in!s of o+e" #hereby #e (ay /no# the(&

& 8hen the so$ enters the !ar/ ni6ht" it brin6s these /in!s of o+e $n!er%ontro& It stren6thens an! -$rifies the one" na(ey that #hi%h is a%%or!in6 to Go! an!the other it re(o+es an! brin6s to an en! an! in the be6innin6 it %a$ses both to be ostsi6ht of" as #e sha say hereafter&

CHA'TER V

"f the imperfections into 0hich eginners fall 0ith respect to the sin of 0rath.

*. reason of the %on%$-is%en%e #hi%h (any be6inners ha+e for s-irit$a%onsoations" their e=-erien%e of these %onsoations is +ery %o((ony a%%o(-anie! by(any i(-erfe%tions -ro%ee!in6 fro( the sin of #rath for" #hen their !ei6ht an!

-eas$re in s-irit$a thin6s %o(e to an en!" they nat$ray be%o(e e(bittere!" an! bearthat a%/ of s#eetness #hi%h they ha+e to s$ffer #ith a ba! 6ra%e" #hi%h affe%ts a thatthey !o an! they +ery easiy be%o(e irritate! o+er the s(aest (atter


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no sin in this nat$ra +e=ation" #hen it is not -er(itte! to in!$6e itsef" b$t onyi(-erfe%tion" #hi%h ($st be -$r6e! by the ari!ity an! se+erity of the !ar/ ni6ht&

3& There are other of these s-irit$a -ersons" a6ain" #ho fa into another /in! ofs-irit$a #rath7 this ha--ens #hen they be%o(e irritate! at the sins of others" an! /ee-

#at%h on those others #ith a sort of $neasy >ea& At ti(es the i(-$se %o(es to the( tore-ro+e the( an6riy" an! o%%asionay they 6o so far as to in!$6e it 45 an! setthe(se+es $- as (asters of +irt$e& A this is %ontrary to s-irit$a (ee/ness&

4& There are others #ho are +e=e! #ith the(se+es #hen they obser+e their o#ni(-erfe%tness" an! !is-ay an i(-atien%e that is not h$(iity so i(-atient are theyabo$t this that they #o$! fain be saints in a !ay& )any of these -ersons -$r-ose toa%%o(-ish a 6reat !ea an! (a/e 6ran! reso$tions yet" as they are not h$(be an!ha+e no (is6i+in6s abo$t the(se+es" the (ore reso$tions they (a/e" the 6reater istheir fa an! the 6reater their annoyan%e" sin%e they ha+e not the -atien%e to #ait forthat #hi%h Go! #i 6i+e the( #hen it -eases Hi( this i/e#ise is %ontrary to thes-irit$a (ee/ness afore(entione!" #hi%h %annot be #hoy re(e!ie! sa+e by the

-$r6ation of the !ar/ ni6ht& So(e so$s" on the other han!" are so -atient as re6ar!s the-ro6ress #hi%h they !esire that Go! #o$! 6a!y see the( ess so&

CHA'TER VI

"f imperfections 0ith respect to spiritual glutton&.

8ITH res-e%t to the fo$rth sin" #hi%h is s-irit$a 6$ttony" there is ($%h to besai!" for there is s%ar%e one of these be6inners #ho" ho#e+er satisfa%tory his -ro6ress"

fas not into so(e of the (any i(-erfe%tions #hi%h %o(e to these be6inners #ithres-e%t to this sin" on a%%o$nt of the s#eetness #hi%h they fin! at first in s-irit$ae=er%ises& For (any of these" $re! by the s#eetness an! -eas$re #hi%h they fin! ins$%h e=er%ises" stri+e (ore after s-irit$a s#eetness than after s-irit$a -$rity an!!is%retion" #hi%h is that #hi%h Go! re6ar!s an! a%%e-ts thro$6ho$t the s-irit$a

o$rney&B2Therefore" besi!es the i(-erfe%tions into #hi%h the see/in6 for s#eetness ofthis /in! (a/es the( fa" the 6$ttony #hi%h they no# ha+e (a/es the( %ontin$ay 6oto e=tre(es" so that they -ass beyon! the i(its of (o!eration #ithin #hi%h the +irt$esare a%$ire! an! #herein they ha+e their bein6& For so(e of these -ersons" attra%te! bythe -eas$re #hi%h they fin! therein" /i the(se+es #ith -enan%es" an! others #ea/enthe(se+es #ith fasts" by -erfor(in6 (ore than their fraity %an bear" #itho$t the or!er

or a!+i%e of any" b$t rather en!ea+o$rin6 to a+oi! those #ho( they sho$! obey inthese (atters so(e" in!ee!" !are to !o these thin6s e+en tho$6h the %ontrary has been%o((an!e! the(&

3& These -ersons are (ost i(-erfe%t an! $nreasonabe for they set bo!iy-enan%e before s$be%tion an! obe!ien%e" #hi%h is -enan%e a%%or!in6 to reason an!!is%retion" an! therefore a sa%rifi%e (ore a%%e-tabe an! -easin6 to Go! than any other&*$t s$%h one?si!e! -enan%e is no (ore than the -enan%e of beasts" to #hi%h they areattra%te!" e=a%ty i/e beasts" by the !esire an! -eas$re #hi%h they fin! therein&Inas($%h as a e=tre(es are +i%io$s" an! as in beha+in6 th$s s$%h -ersonsB1 are

45!it.;they e+en !o it&;

B2!it." ;s-irit$a roa!&;B1!it." ;these -ersons&;

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#or/in6 their o#n #i" they 6ro# in +i%e rather than in +irt$e for" to say the east" theyare a%$irin6 s-irit$a 6$ttony an! -ri!e in this #ay" thro$6h not #a/in6 in obe!ien%e&An! (any of these the !e+i assais" stirrin6 $- this 6$ttony in the( thro$6h the

-eas$res an! !esires #hi%h he in%reases #ithin the(" to s$%h an e=tent that" sin%e they

%an no on6er he- the(se+es" they either %han6e or +ary or a!! to that #hi%h is%o((an!e! the(" as any obe!ien%e in this res-e%t is so bitter to the(& To s$%h an e+i-ass ha+e so(e -ersons %o(e that" si(-y be%a$se it is thro$6h obe!ien%e that theyen6a6e in these e=er%ises" they ose the !esire an! !e+otion to -erfor( the(" their ony!esire an! -eas$re bein6 to !o #hat they the(se+es are in%ine! to !o" so that it #o$!

-robaby be (ore -rofitabe for the( not to en6a6e in these e=er%ises at a&4& .o$ #i fin! that (any of these -ersons are +ery insistent #ith their s-irit$a

(asters to be 6rante! that #hi%h they !esire" e=tra%tin6 it fro( the( a(ost by for%e ifthey be ref$se! it they be%o(e as -ee+ish as %hi!ren an! 6o abo$t in 6reat !is-eas$re"thin/in6 that they are not ser+in6 Go! #hen they are not ao#e! to !o that #hi%h they#o$!& For they 6o abo$t %in6in6 to their o#n #i an! -eas$re" #hi%h they treat as

tho$6h it %a(e fro( Go!B3an! i((e!iatey their !ire%torsB4ta/e it fro( the(" an! tryto s$be%t the( to the #i of Go!" they be%o(e -ee+ish" 6ro# faint?hearte! an! faa#ay& These -ersons thin/ that their o#n satisfa%tion an! -eas$re are the satisfa%tionan! ser+i%e of Go!&

B& There are others" a6ain" #ho" be%a$se of this 6$ttony" /no# so itte of theiro#n $n#orthiness an! (isery an! ha+e thr$st so far fro( the( the o+in6 fear an!re+eren%e #hi%h they o#e to the 6reatness of Go!" that they hesitate not to insist%ontin$ay that their %onfessors sha ao# the( to %o(($ni%ate often& An!" #hat is#orse" they fre$enty !are to %o(($ni%ate #itho$t the ea+e an! %onsent BB of the(inister an! ste#ar! of Christ" (erey a%tin6 on their o#n o-inion" an! %ontri+in6 to%on%ea the tr$th fro( hi(& An! for this reason" be%a$se they !esire to %o(($ni%ate%ontin$ay" they (a/e their %onfessions %areessy"B0bein6 (ore ea6er to eat than to eat%eany an! -erfe%ty" atho$6h it #o$! be heathier an! hoier for the( ha! they the%ontrary in%ination an! be66e! their %onfessors not to %o((an! the( to a--roa%h theatar so fre$enty7 bet#een these t#o e=tre(es" ho#e+er" the better #ay is that ofh$(be resi6nation& *$t the bo!ness referre! to isBa thin6 that !oes 6reat har(" an!(en (ay fear to be -$nishe! for s$%h te(erity&

0& These -ersons" in %o(($ni%atin6" stri+e #ith e+ery ner+e to obtain so(e /in!of sensibe s#eetness an! -eas$re" instea! of h$(by !oin6 re+eren%e an! 6i+in6 -raise#ithin the(se+es to Go!& An! in s$%h #ise !o they !e+ote the(se+es to this that"#hen they ha+e re%ei+e! no -eas$re or s#eetness in the senses" they thin/ that they

ha+e a%%o(-ishe! nothin6 at a& This is to $!6e Go! +ery $n#orthiy they ha+e notreai>e! that the east of the benefits #hi%h %o(e fro( this )ost Hoy Sa%ra(ent is that#hi%h %on%erns the senses an! that the in+isibe -art of the 6ra%e that it besto#s is($%h 6reater for" in or!er that they (ay oo/ at it #ith the eyes of faith" Go! oftenti(es#ithho!s fro( the( these other %onsoations an! s#eetnesses of sense& An! th$s they!esire to fee an! taste Go! as tho$6h He #ere %o(-rehensibe by the( an! a%%essibeto the(" not ony in this" b$t i/e#ise in other s-irit$a -ra%ti%es& A this is +ery 6reati(-erfe%tion an! %o(-etey o--ose! to the nat$re of Go!" sin%e it is I(-$rity in faith&

B3!it." ;an! treat this as their Go!&;B4The S-anish is i(-ersona7 ;i((e!iatey this is ta/en fro( the("; et%&BB!it." ;an! o-inion&;

B0!it." ;anyho#&;BLit" ;the other bo!nesses are&;

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& These -ersons ha+e the sa(e !efe%t as re6ar!s the -ra%ti%e of -rayer" for theythin/ that a the b$siness of -rayer %onsists in e=-erien%in6 sensibe -eas$re an!!e+otion an! they stri+e to obtain this by 6reat effort"B#earyin6 an! fati6$in6 theirfa%$ties an! their hea!s an! #hen they ha+e not fo$n! this -eas$re they be%o(e

6reaty !is%o$ra6e!" thin/in6 that they ha+e a%%o(-ishe! nothin6& Thro$6h theseefforts they ose tr$e !e+otion an! s-irit$aity" #hi%h %onsist in -erse+eran%e" to6ether#ith -atien%e an! h$(iity an! (istr$st of the(se+es" that they (ay -ease Go! aone&For this reason" #hen they ha+e on%e faie! to fin! -eas$re in this or so(e othere=er%ise" they ha+e 6reat !isin%ination an! re-$6nan%e to ret$rn to it" an! at ti(es theyaban!on it& They are" in fa%t" as #e ha+e sai!" i/e %hi!ren" #ho are not inf$en%e! byreason" an! #ho a%t" not fro( rationa (oti+es" b$t fro( in%ination& B S$%h -ersonse=-en! a their effort in see/in6 s-irit$a -eas$re an! %onsoation they ne+er tiretherefore" of rea!in6 boo/s an! they be6in" no# one (e!itation" no# another" in their

-$rs$it of this -eas$re #hi%h they !esire to e=-erien%e in the thin6s of Go!& *$t Go!"+ery $sty" #isey an! o+in6y" !enies it to the(" for other#ise this s-irit$a 6$ttony

an! inor!inate a--etite #o$! bree! in n$(erabe e+is& It is" therefore" +ery fittin6 thatthey sho$! enter into the !ar/ ni6ht" #hereof #e sha s-ea/"B5that they (ay be -$r6e!fro( this %hi!ishness&

& These -ersons #ho are th$s in%ine! to s$%h -eas$res ha+e another +ery 6reati(-erfe%tion" #hi%h is that they are +ery #ea/ an! re(iss in o$rneyin6 $-on the har! 02roa! of the Cross for the so$ that is 6i+en to s#eetness nat$ray has its fa%e set a6ainsta sef?!enia" #hi%h is !e+oi! of s#eetness&01

& These -ersons ha+e (any other i(-erfe%tions #hi%h arise hen%e" of #hi%h inti(e the Lor! heas the( by (eans of te(-tations" ari!ities an! other trias" a of #hi%hare -art of the !ar/ ni6ht& A these I #i not treat f$rther here" est I be%o(e tooen6thy I #i ony say that s-irit$a te(-eran%e an! sobriety ea! to another an! a +ery!ifferent te(-er" #hi%h is that of (ortifi%ation" fear an! s$b(ission in a thin6s& It th$s

be%o(es %ear that the -erfe%tion an! #orth of thin6s %onsist not in the ($tit$!e an!the -easantness of one;s a%tions" b$t in bein6 abe to !eny onesef in the( this s$%h

-ersons ($st en!ea+o$r to %o(-ass" in so far as they (ay" $nti Go! is -ease! to -$rifythe( in!ee!" by brin6in6 the(03into the !ar/ ni6ht" to arri+e at #hi%h I a( hastenin6 on#ith (y a%%o$nt of these i(-erfe%tions&

CHA'TER VII

"f imperfections 0ith respect to spiritual en$& and sloth.

8ITH res-e%t i/e#ise to the other t#o +i%es" #hi%h are s-irit$a en+y an! soth"these be6inners fai not to ha+e (any i(-erfe%tions& For" #ith res-e%t to en+y" (any ofthe( are #ont to e=-erien%e (o+e(ents of !is-eas$re at the s-irit$a 6oo! of others"#hi%h %a$se the( a %ertain sensibe 6rief at bein6 o$tstri--e! $-on this roa!" so that

B!it." ;they stri+e to obtain this" as they say" by the stren6th of their ar(s&; The -hrase is" of %o$rse"$n!erstoo! in the S-anish to be (eta-hori%a" as the #or!s ;as they say; %eary in!i%ate&B!it." ;#ho are not inf$en%e!" neither a%t by reason" b$t fro( -eas$re&;B5!it." ;#hi%h #e sha 6i+e&;025spero4harsh" ro$6h" r$66e!&

01!it." ;a6ainst a the s#eetessness of sef?!enia&;03!it." ;%a$sin6 the( to enter&;

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they #o$! -refer not to hear others -raise! for they be%o(e !is-ease! at others;+irt$es an! so(eti(es they %annot refrain fro( %ontra!i%tin6 #hat is sai! in -raise ofthe(" !e-re%iatin6 it as far as they %an an! their annoyan%e thereat 6ro#s04be%a$se thesa(e is not sai! of the(" for they #o$! fain be -referre! in e+erythin6& A this is %ean

%ontrary to %harity" #hi%h" as Saint 'a$ says" reoi%es in 6oo!ness&0B

An!" if %harity hasany en+y" it is a hoy en+y" %o(-risin6 6rief at not ha+in6 the +irt$es of others" yet asooy be%a$se others ha+e the(" an! !ei6ht #hen others o$tstri- $s in the ser+i%e of Go!"#herein #e o$rse+es are so re(iss&

3& 8ith res-e%t aso to s-irit$a soth" be6inners are a-t to be ir/e! by the thin6sthat are (ost s-irit$a" fro( #hi%h they fee be%a$se these thin6s are in%o(-atibe #ithsensibe -eas$re& For" as they are so ($%h a%%$sto(e! to s#eetness in s-irit$a thin6s"they are #earie! by thin6s in #hi%h they fin! no s#eetness& If on%e they faie! to fin! in

-rayer the satisfa%tion #hi%h their taste re$ire! @an! after a it is #e that Go! sho$!ta/e it fro( the( to -ro+e the(" they #o$! -refer not to ret$rn to it7 so(eti(es theyea+e it at other ti(es they %ontin$e it $n#iin6y& An! th$s be%a$se of this soth they

aban!on the #ay of -erfe%tion @#hi%h is the #ay of the ne6ation of their #i an!-eas$re for Go!;s sa/e for the -eas$re an! s#eetness of their o#n #i" #hi%h theyai( at satisfyin6 in this #ay rather than the #i of Go!&

4& An! (any of these #o$! ha+e Go! #i that #hi%h they the(se+es #i" an!are fretf$ at ha+in6 to #i that #hi%h He #is" an! fin! it re-$6nant to a%%o((o!atetheir #i to that of Go!& Hen%e it ha--ens to the( that oftenti(es they thin/ that that#herein they fin! not their o#n #i an! -eas$re is not the #i of Go! an! that" on theother han!" #hen they the(se+es fin! satisfa%tion" Go! is satisfie!& Th$s they (eas$reGo! by the(se+es an! not the(se+es by Go!" a%tin6 $ite %ontrariy to that #hi%h HeHi(sef ta$6ht in the Gos-e" sayin67 That he #ho sho$! ose his #i for His sa/e" thesa(e sho$! 6ain it an! he #ho sho$! !esire to 6ain it" the sa(e sho$! ose it&00

B& These -ersons i/e#ise fin! it ir/so(e #hen they are %o((an!e! to !o that#herein they ta/e no -eas$re& *e%a$se they ai( at s-irit$a s#eetness an! %onsoation"they are too #ea/ to ha+e the fortit$!e an! bear the trias of -erfe%tion&0They rese(bethose #ho are softy n$rt$re! an! #ho r$n fretf$y a#ay fro( e+erythin6 that is har!"an! ta/e offense at the Cross" #herein %onsist the !ei6hts of the s-irit& The (ores-irit$a a thin6 is" the (ore ir/so(e they fin! it" for" as they see/ to 6o abo$t s-irit$a(atters #ith %o(-ete free!o( an! a%%or!in6 to the in%ination of their #i" it %a$sesthe( 6reat sorro# an! re-$6nan%e to enter $-on the narro# #ay" #hi%h" says Christ" isthe #ay of ife&0

0& Let it s$ffi%e here to ha+e !es%ribe! these i(-erfe%tions" a(on6 the (any to

be fo$n! in the i+es of those that are in this first state of be6inners" so that it (ay beseen ho# 6reaty they nee! Go! to set the( in the state of -rofi%ients& This He !oes bybrin6in6 the( into the !ar/ ni6ht #hereof #e no# s-ea/ #herein He #eans the( fro(the breasts of these s#eetnesses an! -eas$res" 6i+es the( -$re ari!ities an! in#ar!!ar/ness" ta/es fro( the( a these irree+an%es an! -$eriities" an! by +ery !ifferent(eans %a$ses the( to #in the +irt$es& For" ho#e+er assi!$o$sy the be6inner -ra%tisesthe (ortifi%ation in hi(sef of a these a%tions an! -assions of his" he %an ne+er

04!it." ;an!" as they say" their eye @el o2o 6ro#s;


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are no# abe to s$ffer a i6ht b$r!en an! a itte ari!ity #itho$t t$rnin6 ba%/ to a ti(e 3#hi%h they fo$n! (ore -easant& 8hen they are 6oin6 abo$t these s-irit$a e=er%ises#ith the 6reatest !ei6ht an! -eas$re" an! #hen they beie+e that the s$n of Di+inefa+o$r is shinin6 (ost bri6hty $-on the(" Go! t$rns a this i6ht of theirs into

!ar/ness" an! sh$ts a6ainst the( the !oor an! the so$r%e of the s#eet s-irit$a #ater#hi%h they #ere tastin6 in Go! #hensoe+er an! for as on6 as they !esire!& @For" asthey #ere #ea/ an! ten!er" there #as no !oor %ose! to the(" as Saint John says in theA-o%ay-se" iii" & An! th$s He ea+es the( so %o(-etey in the !ar/ that they /no#not #hither to 6o #ith their sensibe i(a6ination an! (e!itation for they %annota!+an%e a ste- in (e!itation" as they #ere #ont to !o afore ti(e" their in#ar! senses

bein6 s$b(er6e! in this ni6ht" an! eft #ith s$%h !ryness that not ony !o theye=-erien%e no -eas$re an! %onsoation in the s-irit$a thin6s an! 6oo! e=er%ises#herein they #ere #ont to fin! their !ei6hts an! -eas$res" b$t instea!" on the %ontrary"they fin! insi-i!ity an! bitterness in the sai! thin6s& For" as I ha+e sai!" Go! no# seesthat they ha+e 6ro#n a itte" an! are be%o(in6 stron6 eno$6h to ay asi!e their

s#a!!in6 %othes an! be ta/en fro( the 6ente breast so He sets the( !o#n fro( Hisar(s an! tea%hes the( to #a/ on their o#n feet #hi%h they fee to be +ery stran6e" fore+erythin6 see(s to be 6oin6 #ron6 #ith the(&

B& To re%oe%te! -ersons this %o((ony ha--ens sooner after their be6innin6sthan to others" inas($%h as they are freer fro( o%%asions of ba%/si!in6" an! their!esires t$rn (ore $i%/y fro( the thin6s of the #or!" #hi%h is ne%essary if they are to

be6in to enter this besse! ni6ht of sense& Or!inariy no 6reat ti(e -asses after theirbe6innin6s before they be6in to enter this ni6ht of sense an! the 6reat (aority of the(!o in fa%t enter it" for they #i 6eneray be seen to fa into these ari!ities&

0& 8ith re6ar! to this #ay of -$r6ation of the senses" sin%e it is so %o((on" #e(i6ht here a!!$%e a 6reat n$(ber of $otations fro( Di+ine S%ri-t$re" #here (any

-assa6es reatin6 to it are %ontin$ay fo$n!" -arti%$ary in the 'sa(s an! the 'ro-hets&Ho#e+er" I !o not #ish to s-en! ti(e $-on these" for he #ho /no#s not ho# to oo/ forthe( there #i fin! the %o((on e=-erien%e of this -$r6ation to be s$ffi%ient&

CHA'TER I9

"f the signs & 0hich it 0ill e kno0n that the spiritual person is 0alking along

the 0a& of this night and purgation of sense.

*UT sin%e these ari!ities (i6ht fre$enty -ro%ee!" not fro( the ni6ht an!-$r6ation of the sens$a !esires afore(entione!" b$t fro( sins an! i(-erfe%tions" orfro( #ea/ness an! $/e#ar(ness" or fro( so(e ba! h$(o$r or in!is-osition of the

bo!y" I sha here set !o#n %ertain si6ns by #hi%h it (ay be /no#n if s$%h ari!ity-ro%ee!s fro( the afore(entione! -$r6ation" or if it arises fro( any of theafore(entione! sins& For the (a/in6 of this !istin%tion I fin! that there are three

-rin%i-a si6ns&3& The first is #hether" #hen a so$ fin!s no -eas$re or %onsoation in the thin6s

of Go!" it aso fais to fin! it in any thin6 %reate! for" as Go! sets the so$ in this !ar/ni6ht to the en! that He (ay $en%h an! -$r6e its sens$a !esire" He ao#s it not tofin! attra%tion or s#eetness in anythin6 #hatsoe+er& In s$%h a %ase it (ay be %onsi!ere!

3!it." ;to the better ti(e&;

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+ery -robabe4that this ari!ity an! insi-i!ity -ro%ee! not fro( re%enty %o((itte! sinsor i(-erfe%tions& For" if this #ere so" the so$ #o$! fee in its nat$re so(e in%inationor !esire to taste other thin6s than those of Go! sin%e" #hene+er the !esire is ao#e!in!$6en%e in any i(-erfe%tion" it i((e!iatey fees in%ine! thereto" #hether itte or

($%h" in -ro-ortion to the -eas$re an! the o+e that it has -$t into it& Sin%e" ho#e+er"this a%/ of enoy(ent in thin6s abo+e or beo# (i6ht -ro%ee! fro( so(e in!is-ositionor (ean%hoy h$(o$r" #hi%h oftenti(es (a/es it i(-ossibe for the so$ to ta/e

-eas$re in anythin6" it be%o(es ne%essary to a--y the se%on! si6n an! %on!ition&4& The se%on! si6n #hereby a (an (ay beie+e hi(sef to be e=-erien%in6 the

sai! -$r6ation is that the (e(ory is or!inariy %entre! $-on Go!" #ith -ainf$ %are an!soi%it$!e" thin/in6 that it is not ser+in6 Go!" b$t is ba%/si!in6" be%a$se it fin!s itsef#itho$t s#eetness in the thin6s of Go!& An! in s$%h a %ase it is e+i!ent that this a%/ ofs#eetness an! this ari!ity %o(e not fro( #ea/ness an! $/e#ar(ness for it is thenat$re of $/e#ar(ness not to %are 6reaty or to ha+e any in#ar! soi%it$!e for thethin6s of Go!& There is th$s a 6reat !ifferen%e bet#een ari!ity an! $/e#ar(ness" for

$/e#ar(ness %onsists in 6reat #ea/ness an! re(issness in the #i an! in the s-irit"#itho$t soi%it$!e as to ser+in6 Go! #hereas -$r6ati+e ari!ity is or!inariya%%o(-anie! by soi%it$!e" #ith %are an! 6rief as I say" be%a$se the so$ is not ser+in6Go!& An!" atho$6h this (ay so(eti(es be in%rease! by (ean%hoy or so(e otherh$(o$r @as it fre$enty is" it fais not for that reason to -ro!$%e a -$r6ati+e effe%t$-on the !esire" sin%e the !esire is !e-ri+e! of a -eas$re an! has its %are %entre! $-onGo! aone& For" #hen (ere h$(o$r is the %a$se" it s-en!s itsef in !is-eas$re an! r$inof the -hysi%a nat$re" an! there are none of those !esires to sense Go! #hi%h beon6 to

-$r6ati+e ari!ity& 8hen the %a$se is ari!ity" it is tr$e that the sens$a -art of the so$ hasfaen o#" an! is #ea/ an! feebe in its a%tions" by reason of the itte -eas$re #hi%h itfin!s in the( b$t the s-irit" on the other han!" is rea!y an! stron6&

B& For the %a$se of this ari!ity is that Go! transfers to the s-irit the 6oo! thin6san! the stren6th of the senses" #hi%h" sin%e the so$;s nat$ra stren6th an! senses arein%a-abe of $sin6 the(" re(ain barren" !ry an! e(-ty& For the sens$a -art of a (anhas no %a-a%ity for that #hi%h is -$re s-irit" an! th$s" #hen it is the s-irit that re%ei+esthe -eas$re" the fesh is eft #itho$t sa+o$r an! is too #ea/ to -erfor( any a%tion& *$tthe s-irit" #hi%h a the ti(e is bein6 fe!" 6oes for#ar! in stren6th" an! #ith (oreaertness an! soi%it$!e than before" in its an=iety not to fai Go! an! if it is noti((e!iatey %ons%io$s of s-irit$a s#eetness an! !ei6ht" b$t ony of ari!ity an! a%/ ofs#eetness" the reason for this is the stran6eness of the e=%han6e for its -aate has beena%%$sto(e! to those other sens$a -eas$res $-on #hi%h its eyes are sti fi=e!" an!"

sin%e the s-irit$a -aate is not (a!e rea!y or -$r6e! for s$%h s$bte -eas$re" $nti itfin!s itsef be%o(in6 -re-are! for it by (eans of this ari! an! !ar/ ni6ht" it %annote=-erien%e s-irit$a -eas$re an! 6oo!" b$t ony ari!ity an! a%/ of s#eetness" sin%e it(isses the -eas$re #hi%h aforeti(e it enoye! so rea!iy&

0& These so$s #ho( Go! is be6innin6 to ea! thro$6h these soitary -a%es ofthe #i!erness are i/e to the %hi!ren of Israe" to #ho( in the #i!erness Go! be6an to6i+e foo! fro( Hea+en" %ontainin6 #ithin itsef a s#eetness" an!" as is there sai!" itt$rne! to the sa+o$r #hi%h ea%h one of the( !esire!& *$t #itha the %hi!ren of Israefet the a%/ of the -eas$res an! !ei6hts of the fesh an! the onions #hi%h they ha!eaten aforeti(e in E6y-t" the (ore so be%a$se their -aate #as a%%$sto(e! to these an!too/ !ei6ht in the(" rather than in the !ei%ate s#eetness of the an6ei% (anna an!

4!it." ;An! in this it is /no#n +ery -robaby&;

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they #e-t an! si6he! for the fesh-ots e+en in the (i!st of the foo! of Hea+en& BTos$%h !e-ths !oes the +ieness of o$r !esires !es%en! that it (a/es $s to on6 for o$r o#n#ret%he! foo!0an! to be na$seate! by the in!es%ribabebessin6s of Hea+en&

& *$t" as I say" #hen these ari!ities -ro%ee! fro( the #ay of the -$r6ation of

sens$a !esire" atho$6h at first the s-irit fees no s#eetness" for the reasons that #eha+e $st 6i+en" it fees that it is !eri+in6 stren6th an! ener6y to a%t fro( the s$bstan%e#hi%h this in#ar! foo! 6i+es it" the #hi%h foo! is the be6innin6 of a %onte(-ation thatis !ar/ an! ari! to the senses #hi%h %onte(-ation is se%ret an! hi!!en fro( the +ery

-erson that e=-erien%es it an! or!inariy" to6ether #ith the ari!ity an! e(-tiness #hi%hit %a$ses in the senses" it 6i+es the so$ an in%ination an! !esire to be aone an! in$ietness" #itho$t bein6 abe to thin/ of any -arti%$ar thin6 or ha+in6 the !esire to !oso& If those so$s to #ho( this %o(es to -ass /ne# ho# to be $iet at this ti(e" an!tro$be! not abo$t -erfor(in6 any /in! of a%tion" #hether in#ar! or o$t#ar!" neitherha! any an=iety abo$t !oin6 anythin6" then they #o$! !ei%atey e=-erien%e thisin#ar! refresh(ent in that ease an! free!o( fro( %are& So !ei%ate is this refresh(ent

that or!inariy" if a (an ha+e !esire or %are to e=-erien%e it" he e=-erien%es it not for" asI say" it !oes its #or/ #hen the so$ is (ost at ease an! freest fro( %are it is i/e the air#hi%h" if one #o$! %ose one;s han! $-on it" es%a-es&

& In this sense #e (ay $n!erstan! that #hi%h the S-o$se sai! to the *ri!e in theSon6s" na(ey7 ;8ith!ra# thine eyes fro( (e" for they (a/e (e to soar aoft&;For ins$%h a #ay !oes Go! brin6 the so$ into this state" an! by so !ifferent a -ath !oes Heea! it that" if it !esires to #or/ #ith its fa%$ties" it hin!ers the #or/ #hi%h Go! is!oin6 in it rather than ai!s it #hereas aforeti(e it #as $ite the %ontrary& The reason isthat" in this state of %onte(-ation" #hi%h the so$ enters #hen it forsa/es (e!itation forthe state of the -rofi%ient" it is Go! 8ho is no# #or/in6 in the so$ He bin!s itsinterior fa%$ties" an! ao#s it not to %in6 to the $n!erstan!in6" nor to ha+e !ei6ht inthe #i" nor to reason #ith the (e(ory& For anythin6 that the so$ %an !o of its o#na%%or! at this ti(e ser+es ony" as #e ha+e sai!" to hin!er in#ar! -ea%e an! the #or/#hi%h Go! is a%%o(-ishin6 in the s-irit by (eans of that ari!ity of sense& An! this

-ea%e" bein6 s-irit$a an! !ei%ate" -erfor(s a #or/ #hi%h is $iet an! !ei%ate" soitary"-ro!$%ti+e of -ea%e an! satisfa%tionan! far re(o+e! fro( a those earier -eas$res"#hi%h #ere +ery -a-abe an! sens$a& This is the -ea%e #hi%h" says Da+i!" Go! s-ea/sin the so$ to the en! that He (ay (a/e it s-irit$a&5An! this ea!s $s to the thir! -oint&

& The thir! si6n #hereby this -$r6ation of sense (ay be re%o6ni>e! is that theso$ %an no on6er (e!itate or refe%t in the i(a6inati+e s-here of sense as it #as #ont"ho#e+er ($%h it (ay of itsef en!ea+o$r to !o so& For Go! no# be6ins to %o(($ni%ate

Hi(sef to it" no on6er thro$6h sense" as He !i! aforeti(e" by (eans of refe%tions#hi%h oine! an! s$n!ere! its /no#e!6e" b$t by -$re s-irit" into #hi%h %onse%$ti+erefe%tions enter not b$t He %o(($ni%ates Hi(sef to it by an a%t of si(-e%onte(-ation" to #hi%h neither the e=terior nor the interior senses of the o#er -art ofthe so$ %an attain& Fro( this ti(e for#ar!" therefore" i(a6ination an! fan%y %an fin! nos$--ort in any (e!itation" an! %an 6ain no footho! by (eans thereof&

BN$(bers =i" 0?&0!it." ;(a/es $s to !esire o$r (iseries&;!it." ;in%o(($ni%abe&;Canti%es +i" B A&V&" +i" 0&

!it." ;satisfa%tory an! -a%ifi%&;5'sa( ===i+" 5 A&V&" ===+" &

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5& 8ith re6ar! to this thir! si6n" it is to be $n!erstoo! that this e(barrass(entan! !issatisfa%tion of the fa%$ties -ro%ee! not fro( in!is-osition" for" #hen this is the%ase" an! the in!is-osition" #hi%h ne+er asts for on6"2%o(es to an en!" the so$ isabe on%e a6ain" by ta/in6 so(e tro$be abo$t the (atter" to !o #hat it !i! before" an!

the fa%$ties fin! their #onte! s$--ort& *$t in the -$r6ation of the !esire this is not so7#hen on%e the so$ be6ins to enter therein" its inabiity to refe%t #ith the fa%$ties6ro#s e+er 6reater& For" atho$6h it is tr$e that at first" an! #ith so(e -ersons" the

-ro%ess is not as %ontin$o$s as this" so that o%%asionay they fai to aban!on their-eas$res an! refe%tions of sense @for -er%han%e by reason of their #ea/ness it #as notfittin6 to #ean the( fro( these i((e!iatey" yet this inabiity 6ro#s #ithin the( (orean! (ore an! brin6s the #or/in6s of sense to an en!" if in!ee! they are to (a/e

-ro6ress" for those #ho #a/ not in the #ay of %onte(-ation a%t +ery !ifferenty& Forthis ni6ht of ari!ities is not $s$ay %ontin$o$s in their senses& At ti(es they ha+e theseari!ities at others they ha+e the( not& At ti(es they %annot (e!itate at others they %an&For Go! sets the( in this ni6ht ony to -ro+e the( an! to h$(be the(" an! to refor(

their !esires" so that they 6o not n$rt$rin6 in the(se+es a sinf$ 6$ttony in s-irit$athin6s& He sets the( not there in or!er to ea! the( in the #ay of the s-irit" #hi%h is this%onte(-ation for not a those #ho #a/ of set -$r-ose in the #ay of the s-irit are

bro$6ht by Go! to %onte(-ation" nor e+en the haf of the(


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to re?enter it" or to one #ho is h$ntin6 an! ets his -rey 6o in or!er to h$nt it on%e (ore&This is $seess here" for the so$ #i 6ain nothin6 f$rther by %on!$%tin6 itsef in this#ay" as has been sai!&

3& These so$s t$rn ba%/ at s$%h a ti(e if there is none #ho $n!erstan!s the(

they aban!on the roa! or ose %o$ra6e or" at the east" they are hin!ere! fro( 6oin6farther by the 6reat tro$be #hi%h they ta/e in a!+an%in6 aon6 the roa! of (e!itationan! reasonin6& Th$s they fati6$e an! o+er#or/ their nat$re" i(a6inin6 that they arefaiin6 thro$6h ne6i6en%e or sin& *$t this tro$be that they are ta/in6 is $ite $seess"for Go! is no# ea!in6 the( by another roa!" #hi%h is that of %onte(-ation" an! is+ery !ifferent fro( the first for the one is of (e!itation an! reasonin6" an! the other

beon6s neither to i(a6ination nor yet to reasonin6&4& It is #e for those #ho fin! the(se+es in this %on!ition to ta/e %o(fort" to

-erse+ere in -atien%e an! to be in no #ise affi%te!& Let the( tr$st in Go!" 8hoaban!ons not those that see/ Hi( #ith a si(-e an! ri6ht heart" an! #i not fai to 6i+ethe( #hat is nee!f$ for the roa!" $nti He brin6 the( into the %ear an! -$re i6ht of

o+e& This ast He #i 6i+e the( by (eans of that other !ar/ ni6ht" that of the s-irit" ifthey (erit His brin6in6 the( thereto&

B& The #ay in #hi%h they are to %on!$%t the(se+es in this ni6ht of sense is to!e+ote the(se+es not at a to reasonin6 an! (e!itation" sin%e this is not the ti(e for it"

b$t to ao# the so$ to re(ain in -ea%e an! $ietness" atho$6h it (ay see( %ear tothe( that they are !oin6 nothin6 an! are #astin6 their ti(e" an! atho$6h it (ay a--earto the( that it is be%a$se of their #ea/ness that they ha+e no !esire in that state to thin/of anythin6& The tr$th is that they #i be !oin6 $ite s$ffi%ient if they ha+e -atien%e an!

-erse+ere in -rayer #itho$t (a/in6 any effort&48hat they ($st !o is (erey to ea+ethe so$ free an! !isen%$(bere! an! at rest fro( a /no#e!6e an! tho$6ht" tro$bin6not the(se+es" in that state" abo$t #hat they sha thin/ or (e!itate $-on" b$t%ontentin6 the(se+es #ith (erey a -ea%ef$ an! o+in6 attenti+eness to#ar! Go!" an!in bein6 #itho$t an=iety" #itho$t the abiity an! #itho$t !esire! to ha+e e=-erien%e ofHi( or to -er%ei+e Hi(& For a these yearnin6s !is$iet an! !istra%t the so$ fro( the

-ea%ef$ $iet an! s#eet ease of %onte(-ation #hi%h is here 6rante! to it&0& An! atho$6h f$rther s%r$-es (ay %o(e to the(


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not hin!erin6 the o-eration of inf$se! %onte(-ation that Go! is besto#in6 $-on it" it%an re%ei+e this #ith (ore -ea%ef$ ab$n!an%e" an! %a$se its s-irit to be en/in!e! an!to b$rn #ith the o+e #hi%h this !ar/ an! se%ret %onte(-ation brin6s #ith it an! setsfir(y in the so$& For %onte(-ation is na$6ht ese than a se%ret" -ea%ef$ an! o+in6

inf$sion fro( Go!" #hi%h" if it be -er(itte!" en/in!es the so$ #ith the s-irit of o+e"a%%or!in6 as the so$ !e%ares in the ne=t ines" na(ey7

Kindled in love with yearnings.

CHA'TER 9I

Wherein are e(pounded the three lines of the stan%a.

THIS en/in!in6 of o+e is not as a r$e fet at the first" be%a$se it has not be6$nto ta/e ho! $-on the so$" by reason of the i(-$rity of h$(an nat$re" or be%a$se theso$ has not $n!erstoo! its o#n state" as #e ha+e sai!" an! has therefore 6i+en it no

-ea%ef$ abi!in6?-a%e #ithin itsef& .et so(eti(es" ne+ertheess" there soon be6ins to(a/e itsef fet a %ertain yearnin6 to#ar! Go! an! the (ore this in%reases" the (ore isthe so$ affe%tione! an! en/in!e! in o+e to#ar! Go!" #itho$t /no#in6 or$n!erstan!in6 ho# an! #hen%e this o+e an! affe%tion %o(e to it" b$t fro( ti(e to ti(eseein6 this fa(e an! this en/in!in6 6ro# so 6reaty #ithin it that it !esires Go! #ithyearnin6 of o+e e+en as Da+i!" #hen he #as in this !ar/ ni6ht" sai! of hi(sef in these#or!s"0 na(ey7 ;*e%a$se (y heart #as en/in!e! @that is to say" in o+e of%onte(-ation" (y reins aso #ere %han6e!;7 that is" (y !esires for sens$a affe%tions

#ere %han6e!" na(ey fro( the #ay of sense to the #ay of the s-irit" #hi%h is theari!ity an! %essation fro( a these thin6s #hereof #e are s-ea/in6& An! I" he says" #as!isso+e! in nothin6 an! annihiate!" an! I /ne# not for" as #e ha+e sai!" #itho$t/no#in6 the #ay #hereby it 6oes" the so$ fin!s itsef annihiate! #ith res-e%t to athin6s abo+e an! beo# #hi%h #ere a%%$sto(e! to -ease it an! it fin!s itsefena(o$re!" #itho$t /no#in6 ho#& An! be%a$se at ti(es the en/in!in6 of o+e in thes-irit 6ro#s 6reater" the yearnin6s for Go! be%o(e so 6reat in the so$ that the +ery

bones see( to be !rie! $- by this thirst" an! the nat$ra -o#ers to be fa!in6 a#ay" an!their #ar(th an! stren6th to be -erishin6 thro$6h the intensityof the thirst of o+e" forthe so$ fees that this thirst of o+e is a i+in6 thirst& This thirst Da+i! ha! an! fet"#hen he sai!7 ;)y so$ thirste! for the i+in6 Go!&;8hi%h is as ($%h as to say7 Ai+in6 thirst #as that of (y so$& Of this thirst" sin%e it is i+in6" #e (ay say that it /is&*$t it is to be note! that the +ehe(en%e of this thirst is not %ontin$o$s" b$t o%%asionaatho$6h as a r$e the so$ is a%%$sto(e! to fee it to a %ertain !e6ree&

3& *$t it ($st be note! that" as I be6an to say $st no#" this o+e is not as a r$efet at first" b$t ony the !ryness an! e(-tiness are fet #hereof #e are s-ea/in6& Thenin -a%e of this o+e #hi%h after#ar!s be%o(es 6ra!$ay en/in!e!" #hat the so$e=-erien%es in the (i!st of these ari!ities an! e(-tinesses of the fa%$ties is an habit$a%are an! soi%it$!e #ith res-e%t to Go!" to6ether #ith 6rief an! fear that it is not ser+in6

0'sa( ==ii" 31 A&V&" ==iii" 31?3&

!it." ;i+in6ness;7 %f& the $otation beo#&'sa( =i" 4 A&V&" =ii" 3&

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Hi(& *$t it is a sa%rifi%e #hi%h is not a itte -easin6 to Go! that the so$ sho$! 6oabo$t affi%te! an! soi%ito$s for His o+e& This soi%it$!e an! %are ea!s the so$ intothat se%ret %onte(-ation" $nti" the senses @that is" the sens$a -art ha+in6 in %o$rse ofti(e been in so(e !e6ree -$r6e! of the nat$ra affe%tions an! -o#ers by (eans of the

ari!ities #hi%h it %a$ses #ithin the(" this Di+ine o+e be6ins to be en/in!e! in thes-irit& )ean#hie" ho#e+er" i/e one #ho has be6$n a %$re" the so$ /no#s onys$fferin6 in this !ar/ an! ari! -$r6ation of the !esire by this (eans it be%o(es heae!of (any i(-erfe%tions" an! e=er%ises itsef in (any +irt$es in or!er to (a/e itsef (eetfor the sai! o+e" as #e sha no# say #ith res-e%t to the ine foo#in67

Oh, happy chance!

4& 8hen Go! ea!s the so$ into this ni6ht of sense in or!er to -$r6e the sense ofits o#er -art an! to s$b!$e it" $nite it an! brin6 it into %onfor(ity #ith the s-irit" bysettin6 it in !ar/ness an! %a$sin6 it to %ease fro( (e!itation @as He after#ar!s !oes inor!er to -$rify the s-irit to $nite it #ith Go!" as #e sha after#ar!s say" He brin6s itinto the ni6ht of the s-irit" an! @atho$6h it a--ears not so to it the so$ 6ains so (any

benefits that it ho!s it to be a ha--y %han%e to ha+e es%a-e! fro( the bon!s an!restri%tions of the senses of or its o#er sef" by (eans of this ni6ht aforesai! an! $ttersthe -resent ine" na(ey7 Oh" ha--y %han%e 8ith res-e%t to this" it beho+es $s here tonote the benefits #hi%h the so$ fin!s in this ni6ht" an! be%a$se of #hi%h it %onsi!ers ita ha--y %han%e to ha+e -asse! thro$6h it a of #hi%h benefits the so$ in%$!es in thene=t ine" na(ey7

I went forth without being observed.

B& This 6oin6 forth is $n!erstoo! of the s$be%tion to its sens$a -art #hi%h theso$ s$ffere! #hen it so$6ht Go! thro$6h o-erations so #ea/" so i(ite! an! so!efe%ti+e as are those of this o#er -art for at e+ery ste- it st$(be! into n$(ero$si(-erfe%tions an! i6noran%es" as #e ha+e note! abo+e in #ritin6 of the se+en %a-itasins& Fro( a these it is free! #hen this ni6ht $en%hes #ithin it a -eas$res" #hetherfro( abo+e or fro( beo#" an! (a/es a (e!itation !ar/ness to it" an! 6rants it otherinn$(erabe bessin6s in the a%$ire(ent of the +irt$es" as #e sha no# sho#& For it#i be a (atter of 6reat -eas$re an! 6reat %onsoation" to one that o$rneys on thisroa!" to see ho# that #hi%h see(s to the so$ so se+ere an! a!+erse" an! so %ontrary tos-irit$a -eas$re" #or/s in it so (any bessin6s& These" as #e say" are 6aine! #hen the

so$ 6oes forth" as re6ar!s its affe%tion an! o-eration" by (eans of this ni6ht" fro( a%reate! thin6s" an! #hen it o$rneys to eterna thin6s" #hi%h is 6reat ha--iness an! 6oo!fort$ne7first" be%a$se of the 6reat bessin6 #hi%h is in the $en%hin6 of the !esire an!affe%tion #ith res-e%t to a thin6s se%on!y" be%a$se they are +ery fe# that en!$re an!

-erse+ere in enterin6 by this strait 6ate an! by the narro# #ay #hi%h ea!s to ife" assays O$r Sa+io$r&5The strait 6ate is this ni6ht of sense" an! the so$ !eta%hes itseffro( sense an! stri-s itsef thereof that it (ay enter by this 6ate" an! estabishes itsef infaith" #hi%h is a stran6er to a sense" so that after#ar!s it (ay o$rney by the narro##ay" #hi%h is the other ni6ht


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Go!& *y this roa!" sin%e it is so narro#" !ar/ an! terribe @tho$6h there is no %o(-arisonbet#een this ni6ht of sense an! that other" in its !ar/ness an! trias" as #e sha sayater" they are far fe#er that o$rney" b$t its benefits are far 6reater #itho$t %o(-arisonthan those of this -resent ni6ht& Of these benefits #e sha no# be6in to say so(ethin6"

#ith s$%h bre+ity as is -ossibe" in or!er that #e (ay -ass to the other ni6ht&

CHA'TER 9II

"f the enefits 0hich this night causes in the soul.

THIS ni6ht an! -$r6ation of the !esire" a ha--y one for the so$" #or/s in it so(any bessin6s an! benefits @atho$6h to the so$" as #e ha+e sai!" it rather see(s that

bessin6s are bein6 ta/en a#ay fro( it that" e+en as Abraha( (a!e a 6reat feast #henhe #eane! his son Isaa%"2 e+en so is there oy in Hea+en be%a$se Go! is no# ta/in6this so$ fro( its s#a!!in6 %othes" settin6 it !o#n fro( His ar(s" (a/in6 it to #a/$-on its feet" an! i/e#ise ta/in6 fro( it the (i/ of the breast an! the soft an! s#eetfoo! -ro-er to %hi!ren" an! (a/in6 it to eat brea! #ith %r$st" an! to be6in to enoy thefoo! of rob$st -ersons& This foo!" in these ari!ities an! this !ar/ness of sense" is no#6i+en to the s-irit" #hi%h is !ry an! e(-tie! of a the s#eetness of sense& An! this foo!is the inf$se! %onte(-ation #hereof #e ha+e s-o/en&

3& This is the first an! -rin%i-a benefit %a$se! by this ari! an! !ar/ ni6ht of%onte(-ation7 the /no#e!6e of onesef an! of one;s (isery& For" besi!es the fa%t thata the fa+o$rs #hi%h Go! 6rants to the so$ are habit$ay 6rante! to the( en#ra--e! inthis /no#e!6e" these ari!ities an! this e(-tiness of the fa%$ties" %o(-are! #ith the

ab$n!an%e #hi%h the so$ e=-erien%e! aforeti(e an! the !iffi%$ty #hi%h it fin!s in6oo! #or/s" (a/e it re%o6ni>e its o#n o#iness an! (isery" #hi%h in the ti(e of its-ros-erity it #as $nabe to see& Of this there is a 6oo! i$stration in the *oo/ ofE=o!$s" #here Go!" #ishin6 to h$(be the %hi!ren of Israe an! !esirin6 that theysho$! /no# the(se+es" %o((an!e! the( to ta/e a#ay an! stri- off the festa6ar(ents an! a!orn(ents #here#ith they #ere a%%$sto(e! to a!orn the(se+es in the8i!erness" sayin67 ;No# fro( hen%eforth stri- yo$rse+es of festa orna(ents an! -$ton e+ery!ay #or/in6 !ress" that ye (ay /no# #hat treat(ent ye !eser+e&; 1This is astho$6h He ha! sai!7 Inas($%h as the attire that ye #ear" bein6 -ro-er to festi+a an!reoi%in6" %a$ses yo$ to fee ess h$(be %on%ernin6 yo$rse+es than ye sho$!" -$t offfro( yo$ this attire" in or!er that hen%eforth" seein6 yo$rse+es %othe! #ith +ieness" ye

(ay /no# that ye (erit no (ore" an! (ay /no# #ho ye are& 8herefore the so$ /no#sthe tr$th that it /ne# not at first" %on%ernin6 its o#n (isery for" at the ti(e #hen it #as%a! as for a festi+a an! fo$n! in Go! ($%h -eas$re" %onsoation an! s$--ort" it #asso(e#hat (ore satisfie! an! %ontente!" sin%e it tho$6ht itsef to so(e e=tent to beser+in6 Go!& It is tr$e that s$%h so$s (ay not ha+e this i!ea e=-i%ity in their (in!s

b$t so(e s$66estion of it at east is i(-ante! in the( by the satisfa%tion #hi%h theyfin! in their -easant e=-erien%es& *$t" no# that the so$ has -$t on its other an!#or/in6 attire


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an! e=-erien%in6 no satisfa%tion in itsef for it sees that it !oes nothin6 of itsef neither%an !o anythin6& An! the s(aness of this sef?satisfa%tion" to6ether #ith the so$;saffi%tion at not ser+in6 Go!" is %onsi!ere! an! estee(e! by Go! as 6reater than a the%onsoations #hi%h the so$ for(ery e=-erien%e! an! the #or/s #hi%h it #ro$6ht"

ho#e+er 6reat they #ere" inas($%h as they #ere the o%%asion of (any i(-erfe%tionsan! i6noran%es& An! fro( this attire of ari!ity -ro%ee!" as fro( their fo$nt an! so$r%e ofsef?/no#e!6e" not ony the thin6s #hi%h #e ha+e !es%ribe! area!y" b$t aso the

benefits #hi%h #e sha no# !es%ribe an! (any (ore #hi%h #i ha+e to be o(itte!&4& In the first -a%e" the so$ earns to %o(($ne #ith Go! #ith (ore res-e%t an!

(ore %o$rtesy" s$%h as a so$ ($st e+er obser+e in %on+erse #ith the )ost Hi6h& Theseit /ne# not in its -ros-ero$s ti(es of %o(fort an! %onsoation" for that %o(fortin6fa+o$r #hi%h it e=-erien%e! (a!e its %ra+in6 for Go! so(e#hat bo!er than #as fittin6"an! !is%o$rteo$s an! i?%onsi!ere!& E+en so !i! it ha--en to )oses" #hen he -er%ei+e!that Go! #as s-ea/in6 to hi( bin!e! by that -eas$re an! !esire" #itho$t f$rther%onsi!eration" he #o$! ha+e (a!e bo! to 6o to Hi( if Go! ha! not %o((an!e! hi(

to stay an! -$t off his shoes& *y this in%i!ent #e are sho#n the res-e%t an! !is%retion in!eta%h(ent of !esire #here#ith a (an is to %o(($ne #ith Go!& 8hen )oses ha!obeye! in this (atter" he be%a(e so !is%reet an! so attenti+e that the S%ri-t$re says thatnot ony !i! he not (a/e bo! to !ra# near to Go!" b$t that he !are! not e+en oo/ atHi(& For" ha+in6 ta/en off the shoes of his !esires an! -eas$res" he be%a(e +ery%ons%io$s of his #ret%he!ness in the si6ht of Go!" as befitte! one abo$t to hear the #or!of Go!& E+en so i/e#ise the -re-aration #hi%h Go! 6rante! to Job in or!er that he(i6ht s-ea/ #ith Hi( %onsiste! not in those !ei6hts an! 6ories #hi%h Job hi(sefre-orts that he #as #ont to ha+e in his Go!" b$t in ea+in6 hi( na/e! $-on a !$n6?hi"3aban!one! an! e+en -erse%$te! by his frien!s" fie! #ith an6$ish an! bitterness"an! the earth %o+ere! #ith #or(s& An! then the )ost Hi6h Go!" He that ifts $- the

-oor (an fro( the !$n6hi" #as -ease! to %o(e !o#n an! s-ea/ #ith hi( there fa%eto fa%e" re+eain6 to hi( the !e-ths an! hei6hts4of His #is!o(" in a #ay that He ha!ne+er !one in the ti(e of his -ros-erity&

B& An! here #e ($st note another e=%eent benefit #hi%h there is in this ni6htan! ari!ity of the !esire of sense" sin%e #e ha+e ha! o%%asion to s-ea/ of it& It is that" inthis !ar/ ni6ht of the !esire @to the en! that the #or!s of the 'ro-het (ay be f$fie!"na(ey7 ;Thy i6ht sha shine in the !ar/ness;B" Go! #i eni6hten the so$" 6i+in6 it/no#e!6e" not ony of its o#iness an! #ret%he!ness" as #e ha+e sai!" b$t i/e#ise ofthe 6reatness an! e=%een%e of Go!& For" as #e as $en%hin6 the !esires an! -eas$resan! atta%h(ents of sense" He %eanses an! frees the $n!erstan!in6 that it (ay

$n!erstan! the tr$th for -eas$re of sense an! !esire" e+en tho$6h it be for s-irit$athin6s" !ar/ens an! obstr$%ts the s-irit" an! f$rther(ore that straitness an! ari!ity ofsense eni6htens an! $i%/ens the $n!erstan!in6" as says Isaias&0Ve=ation (a/es $s to$n!erstan! ho# the so$ that is e(-ty an! !isen%$(bere!" as is ne%essary for HisDi+ine inf$en%e" is instr$%te! s$-ernat$ray by Go! in His Di+ine #is!o(" thro$6hthis !ar/ an! ari! ni6ht of %onte(-ation"as #e ha+e sai! an! this instr$%tion Go!6a+e not in those first s#eetnesses an! oys&

3Job ii" ?&4!it." ;the !ee- hei6hts&;BIsaias +iii" 12&0Isaias ==+iii" 15& The a$thor o(its the a%t$a te=t&

To transate this -assa6e at a" #e ($st rea! the Dios c3moof '& Si+erio @-& B24" 1& 32" #hi%h is asofo$n! in '& Gerar!o an! ese#here" as c3mo Dios&

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0& This is +ery #e e=-aine! by the sa(e -ro-het Isaias" #here he says7 ;8ho(sha Go! tea%h His /no#e!6e" an! #ho( sha He (a/e to $n!erstan! the hearin6;To those" He says" that are #eane! fro( the (i/ an! !ra#n a#ay fro( the breasts& Here it is sho#n that the first (i/ of s-irit$a s#eetness is no -re-aration for this

Di+ine inf$en%e" neither is there -re-aration in atta%h(ent to the breast of !ee%tabe(e!itations" beon6in6 to the fa%$ties of sense" #hi%h 6a+e the so$ -eas$re s$%h-re-aration %onsists rather in the a%/ of the one an! #ith!ra#a fro( the other&Inas($%h as" in or!er to isten to Go!" the so$ nee!s to stan! $-ri6ht an! to be!eta%he!" #ith re6ar! to affe%tion an! sense" e+en as the 'ro-het says %on%ernin6hi(sef" in these #or!s7 I #i stan! $-on (y #at%h @this is that !eta%h(ent of !esirean! I #i (a/e fir( (y ste- @that is" I #i not (e!itate #ith sense" in or!er to%onte(-ate @that is" in or!er to $n!erstan! that #hi%h (ay %o(e to (e fro( Go!& So#e ha+e no# arri+e! at this" that fro( this ari! ni6ht there first of a %o(es sef?/no#e!6e" #hen%e" as fro( a fo$n!ation" rises this other /no#e!6e of Go!& For #hi%h%a$se Saint A$6$stine sai! to Go!7 ;Let (e /no# (ysef" Lor!" an! I sha /no#

Thee&;5For" as the -hioso-hers say" one e=tre(e %an be #e /no#n by another&& An! in or!er to -ro+e (ore %o(-etey ho# effi%a%io$s is this ni6ht of sense"

#ith its ari!ity an! its !esoation" in brin6in6 the so$ that i6ht #hi%h" as #e say" itre%ei+es there fro( Go!" #e sha $ote that -assa6e of Da+i!" #herein he %eary!es%ribes the 6reat -o#er #hi%h is in this ni6ht for brin6in6 the so$ this ofty/no#e!6e of Go!& He says" then" th$s7 ;In the !esert an!" #ateress" !ry an! -athess" Ia--eare! before Thee" that I (i6ht see Thy +irt$e an! Thy 6ory&;52 It is a #on!ro$sthin6 that Da+i! sho$! say here that the (eans an! the -re-aration for his /no#e!6eof the 6ory of Go! #ere not the s-irit$a !ei6hts an! the (any -eas$res #hi%h he ha!e=-erien%e!" b$t the ari!ities an! !eta%h(ents of his sens$a nat$re" #hi%h is here to be$n!erstoo! by the !ry an! !esert an!& No ess #on!ro$s is it that he sho$! !es%ribe asthe roa! to his -er%e-tion an! +ision of the +irt$e of Go!" not the Di+ine (e!itationsan! %on%e-tions of #hi%h he ha! often (a!e $se" b$t his bein6 $nabe to for( any%on%e-tion of Go! or to #a/ by (e!itation -ro!$%e! by i(a6inary %onsi!eration"#hi%h is here to be $n!erstoo! by the -athess an!& So that the (eans to a /no#e!6eof Go! an! of onesef is this !ar/ ni6ht #ith its ari!ities an! +oi!s" atho$6h it ea!s notto a /no#e!6e of Hi( of the sa(e -enit$!e an! ab$n!an%e that %o(es fro( the otherni6ht of the s-irit" sin%e this is ony" as it #ere" the be6innin6 of that other&

& Li/e#ise" fro( the ari!ities an! +oi!s of this ni6ht of the !esire" the so$!ra#s s-irit$a h$(iity" #hi%h is the %ontrary +irt$e to the first %a-ita sin" #hi%h" as #esai!" is s-irit$a -ri!e& Thro$6h this h$(iity" #hi%h is a%$ire! by the sai! /no#e!6e

of sef" the so$ is -$r6e! fro( a those i(-erfe%tions #hereinto it fe #ith res-e%t tothat sin of -ri!e" in the ti(e of its -ros-erity& For it sees itsef so !ry an! (iserabe thatthe i!ea ne+er e+en o%%$rs to it that it is (a/in6 better -ro6ress than others" oro$tstri--in6 the(" as it beie+e! itsef to be !oin6 before& On the %ontrary" it re%o6ni>esthat others are (a/in6 better -ro6ress than itsef&

& An! hen%e arises the o+e of its nei6hbo$rs" for it estee(s the(" an! $!6esthe( not as it #as #ont to !o aforeti(e" #hen it sa# that itsef ha! 6reat fer+o$r an!others not so& It is a#are ony of its o#n #ret%he!ness" #hi%h it /ee-s before its eyes to

Isaias ==+iii" 5&Haba%$% ii" 1&

5St& A$6$stine7 Solilo/.)Ca-& ii&52'sa( =ii" 4 A&V&" =iii" 1?3&

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s$%h an e=tent that it ne+er for6ets it" nor ta/es o%%asion to set its eyes on anyone ese&This #as !es%ribe! #on!erf$y by Da+i!" #hen he #as in this ni6ht" in these #or!s7 ;I#as !$(b an! #as h$(be! an! /e-t sien%e fro( 6oo! thin6s an! (y sorro# #asrene#e!&;51This he says be%a$se it see(e! to hi( that the 6oo! that #as in his so$ ha!

so %o(-etey !e-arte! that not ony !i! he neither s-ea/ nor fin! any an6$a6e%on%ernin6 it" b$t #ith res-e%t to the 6oo! of others he #as i/e#ise !$(b be%a$se ofhis 6rief at the /no#e!6e of his (isery&

5& In this %on!ition" a6ain" so$s be%o(e s$b(issi+e an! obe!ient $-on thes-irit$a roa!" for" #hen they see their o#n (isery" not ony !o they hear #hat is ta$6htthe(" b$t they e+en !esire that anyone soe+er (ay set the( on the #ay an! te the(#hat they o$6ht to !o& The affe%ti+e -res$(-tion #hi%h they so(eti(es ha! in their

-ros-erity is ta/en fro( the( an! finay" there are s#e-t a#ay fro( the( on this roa!a the other i(-erfe%tions #hi%h #e note! abo+e #ith res-e%t to this first sin" #hi%h iss-irit$a -ri!e&

CHA'TER 9III

"f other enefits 0hich this night of sense causes in the soul.

8ITH res-e%t to the so$;s i(-erfe%tions of s-irit$a a+ari%e" be%a$se of #hi%h it%o+ete! this an! that s-irit$a thin6 an! fo$n! no satisfa%tion in this an! that e=er%ise byreason of its %o+eto$sness for the !esire an! -eas$re #hi%h it fo$n! therein" this ari!an! !ar/ ni6ht has no# 6reaty refor(e! it& For" as it fin!s not the -eas$re an!s#eetness #hi%h it #as #ont to fin!" b$t rather fin!s affi%tion an! a%/ of s#eetness" it

has s$%h (o!erate re%o$rse to the( that it (i6ht -ossiby no# ose" thro$6h !efe%ti+e$se" #hat aforeti(e it ost thro$6h e=%ess atho$6h as a r$e Go! 6i+es to those #ho(He ea!s into this ni6ht h$(iity an! rea!iness" abeit #ith a%/ of s#eetness" so that#hat is %o((an!e! the( they (ay !o for Go!;s sa/e aone an! th$s they no on6ersee/ -rofit in (any thin6s be%a$se they fin! no -eas$re in the(&

3& 8ith res-e%t to s-irit$a $=$ry" it is i/e#ise %eary seen that" thro$6h thisari!ity an! a%/ of sensibe s#eetness #hi%h the so$ fin!s in s-irit$a thin6s" it is free!fro( those i(-$rities #hi%h #e there note! for #e sai! that" as a r$e" they -ro%ee!e!fro( the -eas$re #hi%h o+erfo#e! fro( s-irit into sense&

4& *$t #ith re6ar! to the i(-erfe%tions fro( #hi%h the so$ frees itsef in this!ar/ ni6ht #ith res-e%t to the fo$rth sin" #hi%h is s-irit$a 6$ttony" they (ay be fo$n!

abo+e" tho$6h they ha+e not a been !es%ribe! there" be%a$se they are inn$(erabe an!th$s I #i not !etai the( here" for I #o$! fain (a/e an en! of this ni6ht in or!er to-ass to the ne=t" %on%ernin6 #hi%h #e sha ha+e to -rono$n%e 6ra+e #or!s an!instr$%tions& Let it s$ffi%e for the $n!erstan!in6 of the inn$(erabe benefits #hi%h" o+eran! abo+e those (entione!" the so$ 6ains in this ni6ht #ith res-e%t to this sin ofs-irit$a 6$ttony" to say that it frees itsef fro( a those i(-erfe%tions #hi%h ha+e there

been !es%ribe!" an! fro( (any other an! 6reater e+is" an! +ie abo(inations #hi%h arenot #ritten abo+e" into #hi%h fe (any of #ho( #e ha+e ha! e=-erien%e" be%a$se theyha! not refor(e! their !esire as %on%ernin6 this inor!inate o+e of s-irit$a s#eetness&For in this ari! an! !ar/ ni6ht #herein He sets the so$" Go! has restraine! its%on%$-is%en%e an! %$rbe! its !esire so that the so$ %annot fee! $-on any -eas$re or

51'sa( ===+iii" 4 A&V&" ===i=" 3&

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s#eetness of sense" #hether fro( abo+e or fro( beo# an! this He %ontin$es to !oafter s$%h (anner that the so$ is s$be%te!" refor(e! an! re-resse! #ith res-e%t to%on%$-is%en%e an! !esire& It oses the stren6th of its -assions an! %on%$-is%en%e an! it

be%o(es sterie" be%a$se it no on6er %ons$ts its i/in6s& J$st as" #hen none is

a%%$sto(e! to ta/e (i/ fro( the breast" the %o$rses of the (i/ are !rie! $-" so the!esires of the so$ are !rie! $-& An! besi!es these thin6s there foo# a!(irabe benefitsfro( this s-irit$a sobriety" for" #hen !esire an! %on%$-is%en%e are $en%he!" the so$i+es in s-irit$a tran$iity an! -ea%e for" #here !esire an! %on%$-is%en%e rei6n not"there is no !ist$rban%e" b$t -ea%e an! %onsoation of Go!&

B& Fro( this there arises another an! a se%on! benefit" #hi%h is that the so$habit$ay has re(e(bran%e of Go!" #ith fear an! !rea! of ba%/si!in6 $-on thes-irit$a roa!" as has been sai!&

Giovanni Della Croce Dark_nigh

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