Sermons on the Song of Songs18 Sermon XVIII. Of the two operations of the Holy Spirit, of which the one is called effusion, and the other infusion
Sermon XVIII. Of the two operations of the Holy Spirit, of which the one is called effusion, and the other infusion
THY Name is as oil poured forth. What is it which the Holy Spirit reveals to us in this text, as assuredly brought to pass in us? It appears to me, in the first place, that it is the fact of His operation in us being twofold. There is one operation, by which He first establishes us inwardly in virtues, in order to our salvation; and then the other, by which He adorns us outwardly with His gifts, to our profit and to the good of others. The former grace we receive for ourselves; the latter for our neighbours. For example, faith, hope, and charity are given us for ourselves; for without these we cannot be saved. But words of knowledge or of wisdom, the gift of healing the sick, of prophecy, and similar powers, in which we may be wanting without any detriment to our own salvation, these assuredly are bestowed upon us only that they may be used for the benefit, bodily and spiritual, of our fellow-creatures. And these two operations of the Spirit, which we experience either in ourselves, or in others, have names corresponding to the effects they produce; let us name them, if you please, infusion and effusion. To which of these two, then, have the words, Thy Name is as oil poured forth, reference? Is it not to effusion? For if He had desired rather to refer to infusion, He would have said 'inpoured,' instead of 'poured forth., Besides, it is because of this fragrance poured forth upon her Bosom that the Bride says, Thy Name is as oil poured forth, ascribing that fragrance to the Name of her Spouse, as it were oil poured upon it. And whosoever feels himself endued with a gift of outward graces, which he is able in turn to pour forth upon others, is also enabled to say to the Lord: Thy Name is as oil poured forth.
2. But here we must take good heed of two dangers: that of giving to others what is meant for ourselves, and of keeping for ourselves what is given to us for others. You certainly are retaining for yourself that which belongs to your neighbour, if, for example, being not only full of virtues, but also outwardly adorned with the gifts of knowledge and of eloquence, fear perhaps, or sloth, or an ill-judged humility, restrains your good gift of speech, which might be of service to many people, in a useless, or, rather, blamable silence; and thus 1 In the edition of Horst, and in others, the following sentence is inserted here: * Besides, it is of the fragrance exhaled outwardly by the Bosom of the Bride, not of her inward virtues, that this is spoken. Thy Name is as oilpouredforth. Besides, it is because of this fragrance,' etc.; but most MSS., and also the first printed edition omit it. It is true that it is found in the St. Evroul Codex, but that omits the following sentence: ' Besides, it is because,' etc. And in fact one or the other is superfluous.
Google THE TWO OPERATIONS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT you are evil spoken of, because you withhold corn from the people (Prov. xi. 26). On the contrary, you dissipate and lose that which is your own if, before you have received a complete inpouring from God, and while you are, so to speak, but half filled, you hasten to pour yourself forth, and thus violate the law not to plough with the firstling of thy cow, or to shear the firstling of thy sheep (Deut. xv. 19). You defraud yourself both of life and of salvation when, without rightfulness of intention, but puffed up by a wind of vain glory, or infected by the poison of worldly cupidity, you thus impart yourself to another; indeed, what you thus communicate is but the mortal imposthume which is swelling within yourself.
3. If, then, you are wise, you will show yourself rather as a reservoir than as a canal. For a canal spreads abroad water as it receives it, but a reservoir waits until it is filled before overflowing, and thus communicates, without loss to itself, its superabundant water, knowing that there is blame to one who deteriorates that which he receives; and that you may not regard my counsel as to be despised, hear a wiser than 1: A fool uttereth all his mind, but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards (Prov. xxix. 11). But in the Church at the present day we have many canals, few reservoirs. Those by whom the dew of heaven distils upon us are of charity so great that they desire to pour it forth before they are themselves filled with it; they are more prepared to speak than to hear, are quick to teach that which they have not learned, and long to preside over others, while they do not as yet know how to govern themselves. For my part, I think there is no degree of piety more helpful to salvation than that of which the Wise Man speaks: Have pity on thy own soul, pleasing God, and contain thyself (Ecclus. xxx. 24, Vulg. and Douay). If I have but a little oil for my own anointing, why dost thou think that I ought to give it to thee and remain empty? That is for my own need; nor do I bring it forth publicly, except at the order of a Prophet. If any of those who have perhaps an opinion of me above anything which they behold in me, or who hear somewhat concerning me, shall press me too hard with their requests, they will be answered thus: Lest there be not enough for us and you, go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves (Luke xxv. 9). But charity, you reply, seeketh not her own (1 Cor. xiii. 5). And do you know for what reason she doth not? It is because she is in want of nothing. For who seeks that which he already possesses? Charity is never without those things which are hers; that is, those which are necessary for salvation; and these she not only possesses, but possesses them in abundance. In these she desires to abound for herself, that she may abound for all others also; she desires to have sufficient for herself, that she may be wanting in nothing for any others. In other words, she is imperfect if she is not full.
4. But you, my brother, whose own salvation is not yet sufficiently assured, who have as yet no charity, or a charity so light and weak, that it is like a reed, believing every spirit, and blown about with 5. But now listen while I state how great things are necessary for our own salvation, and what they are; how great and manifold is the infusion of grace, which we need, before we presume to give forth to others. I shall try to put them before you as briefly as I can. For the sun (hora) is mounting high in the heavens, and presses me to reach the end of my discourse. The Physician draws near to the wounded man; the Divine Spirit to our soul. For what soul is there which does not feel itself wounded by the sword of the devil, even after the wound of original sin was healed by the saving medicine of Baptism? When, then, the Spirit draws near to that soul which says, My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness (Ps. xxxviii. 5), what is it that it is needful He should first do? Before all things, the ulcerous tumour which may have grown in and over the wound, and hinders its cure, must be removed. The ulcer of inveterate evil custom must be cut away with the sharp blade of a sincere repentance. But this cannot be done without severe pain; let that, then, be alleviated with the healing ointment of devotion, which is, in fact, the comfort caused by the hope of forgiveness. Of that hope is born the mastery which is acquired over our passions, and the victory over sin. For we find the Psalmist giving thanks, and saying: Thou hast loosed my bonds, will offer to Thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving (Ps. cxvi. 16). Then are applied the remedy of penitence, the apparatus of fasts, of vigils, or prayers, and of other exercises of the repentant. Let him be nourished in labour with the food of good works, that he fail not That good works are nourishment to the soul, you may learn from these words of the Lord Himself: My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me (John iv. 34). Therefore let works of piety accompany the labours of penitence which strengthen the soul. Alms, says Tobit, shall be a great confidence before the Most High God (Tob. iv. 12, Vulg. and Douay). Now, food arouses thirst, and drink is needed. To the nourishment of good works let there be added, therefore, the draught of prayer, blending works well done in the stomach, as it were, of conscience, and rendering them acceptable to God. Prayer is as wine which maketh glad the heart of man; it is the wine of the Holy Spirit, a draught of which brings not only the gladness [of heaven], but entire forgetfulness of the pleasures of earth (carnalium voluptatum). It moistens the dry soil of the conscience, it brings about the perfect absorption of the food of good actions, and distributes them into all the members of the soul; strengthening faith, giving vigour to hope, rendering charity active and yet methodical, and shedding an admirable unction over the whole character.
6. When a sick man shall have partaken of food and of drink, what, then, remains for him to do but to repose, and in the quiet of contemplation to recover himself after the toils of busy life? When he is thus in a holy slumber, he beholds God in a vision; yet, as it were, in a glass and darkly, and not as yet face to face. Nevertheless, though it be true that he knows God rather by inference and 1 Malagma = an emollient poultice.
1. Oleum effusum nomen tuum. Quid certum demonstrat Spiritus sanctus nobis in nobis occasione hujus capituli? Profecto, quod interim occurrit, geminae cujusdam suae operationis experimentum; unius quidem, qua nos primo intus virtutibus solidat ad salutem; alterius vero, qua foris quoque muneribus ornat ad lucrum. Illas nobis, haec nostris accipimus. Verbi gratia, fides, spes, charitas nobis propter nos dantur; absque his quippe salvi esse non possumus. Porro scientiae seu sapientiae sermo, gratia curationis, prophetia, similiaque, quibus carere cum integritate etiam salutis propriae possumus, proximorum procul dubio in salutem expendenda donantur. Et has Spiritus sancti operationes, quas vel in nobis, vel in aliis experimur, ut ex re nomina accipiant, infusionem, si placet, atque effusionem nominemus. Cuinam ego harum convenit: Oleum effusum nomen tuum? Nonne effusioni? Nam de infusione infusum potius, quam effusum dixisset. Denique ob bonum odorem uberum extrinsecus perfusorum, ait sponsa: Oleum effusum nomen tuum; ascribens ipsum odorem nomini sponsi, tanquam oleo effuso super ubera. Et quicunque munere gratiae exterioris perfusum [ alias, perfundi] se sentit, quo et ipse aliis refundere possit, etiam huic dicere est: Oleum effusum nomen tuum.
2. Sed sane cavendum in his, aut dare quod nobis accepimus; aut quod erogandum accepimus, retinere. Rem profecto proximi retines tibi, si, verbi causa plenus virtutibus cum sis, forisque nihilominus donis scientiae et eloquentiae adornatus, metu forte aut segnitie, aut minus discreta humilitate, verbum bonum, quod posset prodesse multis, inutili, imo et damnabili ligas silentio; certe maledictus, quod frumenta abscondis in populis. Rursum quod tuum est spargis et perdis, si priusquam infundaris tu totus, semiplenus festines effundere, contra legem arans in primogenito bovis, et ovis primogenitum tondens. Nimirum vita atque salute, quam alteri das, te fraudas, dum sana vacuus intentione, gloriae inanis vento inflaris, aut terrenae cupiditatis veneno inficeris, et lethali apostemate turgens interis.
3. Quamobrem, si sapis, concham te exhibebis, et non canalem. Hic siquidem pene simul et recipit, et refundit; illa vero donec impleatur, exspectat; et sic quod superabundat, sine suo damno communicat, sciens maledictum qui partem suam facit deteriorem. Et ne meum consilium contemptibile ducas, audi sapientiorem me: Stultus, ait Salomon, profert totum spiritum suum simul, sapiens reservat in posterum. Verum canales hodie in Ecclesia multos habemus, conchas vero perpaucas. Tantae charitatis sunt per quos nobis fluenta coelestia manant, ut ante effundere quam infundi velint, loqui quam audire paratiores, et prompti docere quod non didicerunt, et aliis praeesse gestientes, qui seipsos regere nesciunt. Ego nullum ad salutem pietatis gradum illi gradui anteponendum existimo, quem Sapiens posuit, dicens: Miserere animae tuae placens Deo. Quod si non habeo nisi parumper olei quo ungar, putas, tibi debeo dare, et remanere inanis? Servo illud mihi, et omnino nisi ad prophetae jussionem non profero. Si institerint rogitantes aliqui ex his, qui forte existimant de me supra id quod vident in me, aut audiunt aliquid ex me, respondebitur eis: Ne forte non sufficiat nobis et vobis, ite potius ad vendentes, et emite vobis. Sed charitas, inquis, non quaerit quae sua sunt. Et tu scis quam ob rem? non quaerit quae sunt sua, profecto quia non desunt. Quisnam quaerat quod habet? Charitas quae sua sunt, id est propriae saluti necessaria, nunquam non habet; nec modo habet, sed etiam abundat. Vult abundare sibi, ut possit et omnibus; servat sibi quantum sufficiat, ut nulli deficiat. Alioquin si plena non est, perfecta non est.
4. Caeterum tu, frater, cui firma satis propria salus nondum est, cui charitas adhuc aut nulla est, aut adeo tenera atque arundinea, quatenus omni flatui cedat, omni credat spiritui, omni circumferatur vento doctrinae; imo cui charitas tanta est, ut ultra mandatum quidem diligas proximum tuum plus quam teipsum: et rursum tantilla, ut contra mandatum favore liquescat, pavore deficiat, perturbetur tristitia, avaritia contrahatur, protrahatur ambitione, suspicionibus inquietetur, conviciis exagitetur, curis evisceretur, honoribus tumeat, livore tabescat: tu, inquam, ita in propriis teipsum sentiens, quanam dementia, quaeso, aliena curare aut ambis, aut acquiescis? Sed enim audi quid consulat cauta vigilque charitas. Non quod aliis, inquit, sit remissio, vobis autem tribulatio, sed ex aequalitate. Noli nimium esse justus. Sufficit ut diligas proximum tuum tanquam teipsum; hoc quippe est ex aequalitate. Dicit David: Sicut adipe et pinguedine repleatur anima mea, et labiis exsultationis laudabit os meum: infundi nimirum prius volens et sic effundere; nec solum infundi prius, sed et impleri, quatenus de plenitudine eructaret, non oscitaret de inanitate. Caute quidem: ne quod aliis remissio, sibi tribulatio esset; et nihilominus caste, imitans illum, de cujus plenitudine omnes accepimus. Disce et tu nonnisi de pleno effundere, nec Deo largior esse velis. Concha imitetur fontem. Non manat ille in rivum, nec in lacum extenditur, donec suis satietur aquis. Non pudeat concham non esse suo fonte profusiorem. Denique ipse fons vitae plenus in seipso, et plenus seipso, nonne primum quidem ebulliens et saliens in proxima secreta coelorum, omnia implevit bonitate; et tunc demum impletis superioribus secretioribusque partibus erupit ad terras, ac de superfluo homines et jumenta salvavit, quemadmodum multiplicavit misericordiam suam? Prius interna replevit; et sic exundans in multis miserationibus suis visitavit terram, et inebriavit eam, multiplicavit locupletare eam. Ergo et tu fac similiter. Implere prius, et sic curato effundere. Benigna prudensque charitas affluere consuevit, non effluere. Fili mi, ne pereffluas, ait Salomon; et Apostolus: Propterea, inquit, debemus intendere his quae dicuntur; ne forte pereffluamus. Quid enim? tunc Paulo sanctior, sapientior Salomone? Alioquin nec mihi sedet ditari ex te exinanito. Si enim tu tibi nequam, cui bonus eris? De cumulo, si vales, adjuva me; sin autem, parcito tibi.
5. Sed jam audite, quae et quanta saluti propriae necessaria sint, quae et quanta infundi oporteat, priusquam effundere praesumamus, quae tamen impraesentiarum breviter colligere potero. Hora siquidem jam multum ascendit, et sermonis urget ad finem. Accedit medicus ad vulneratum, spiritus ad animam. Quam enim non reperiat gladio diaboli vulneratam, etiam post sanatum vulnus antiqui delicti medicamento baptismatis? Ergo ad illam animam quae dicit: Putruerunt et corruptae sunt cicatrices meae a facie insipientiae meae; cum accedit spiritus, quid primo opus est? Ut tumor vel nicus, quod forte supercrevit in vulnere, et potest impedire sanitatem, ante omnia amputetur. Abscindatur itaque ferro acutae compunctionis ulcus inveteratae consuetudinis. Sed est acerbus dolor; leniatur proinde unguento devotionis, quod non est aliud, nisi concepta de spe indulgentiae exsultatio, Hanc continendi parit facultas, et victoria de peccato. Jam gratias agit, et dicit: Dirupisti vincula mea, tibi sacrificabo hostiam laudis. Deinde apponitur medicamentum poenitentiae, malagma jejuniorum, vigiliarum, orationum, et si qua sunt alia poenitentium exercitia. In labore cibandus est cibo boni operis, ne deficiat. Quod opus sit cibus, inde doceris: Meus cibus est, inquit, ut faciam voluntatem Patris mei. Itaque comitentur poenitentiae labores pietatis opera quae confortent. Magnam, ait, fiduciam praestat apud Altissimum eleemosyna. Cibus sitim excitat; potandus est. Accedat cibo boni operis orationis potus, componens in stomacho conscientiae quod bene gestum est, et commendans Deo. Orando bibitur vinum laetificans cor hominis, vinum spiritus, quod inebriat, et carnalium voluptatum infundit oblivionem. Humectat interiora arentis conscientiae, escas bonorum actuum digerit, et deducit per quaedam animae membra, fidem roborans, spem confortans, vegetans ordinansque charitatem, et impinguans mores.
6. Sumpto cibo potuque, quid jam restat, nisi ut pauset aegrotus, et quieti contemplationis post sudores actionis incumbat? Dormiens in contemplatione Deum somniat; per speculum siquidem et in aenigmate, non autem facie ad faciem interim intuetur. Tamen sic non tam spectati, quam conjectati, idque raptim et quasi sub quodam coruscamine scintillulae transeuntis, tenuiter vix attacti inardescit amore, et ait: Anima mea desideravit te in nocte, sed et spiritus meus in praecordiis meis. Talis amor zelat; hic decet amicum sponsi, hoc necesse est ardeat fidelis servus et prudens, quem constituit Dominus super familiam suam. Hic replet, hic fervet, hic ebullit, hic jam securus effundit, exundans et erumpens, ac dicens: Quis infirmatur, et ego non infirmor? quis scandalizatur, et ego non uror? Praedicet, fructificet, innovet signa, et immutet mirabilia: non est quo se immisceat vanitas, ubi totum occupat charitas. Siquidem plenitudo legis et cordis est charitas, si tamen plena. Deus denique charitas est, et nihil est in rebus quod possit replere creaturam factam ad imaginem Dei, nisi charitas Deus, qui solus major est illa. Eam nondum adeptus periculosissime promovetur, quantislibet aliis videatur pollere virtutibus. Si habuerit omnem scientiam, si dederit omnem substantiam suam pauperibus, si tradiderit corpus suum ita ut ardeat; absque charitate vacuus est. En quanta prius infundenda sunt, ut effundere audeamus, de plenitudine, non de penuria largientes: primo quidem, compunctio; deinde, devotio; tertio, poenitentiae labor; quarto, pietatis opus; quinto, orationis studium; sexto, contemplationis otium; septimo, plenitudo dilectionis. Haec omnia operatur unus atque idem Spiritus secundum operationem, quae infusio appellatur; quatenus illa quae effusio dicta est, pure, et ob hoc tute jam administretur ad laudem et gloriam Domini nostri Jesu Christi, qui cum Patre et Spiritu sancto vivit et regnat Deus in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
1. Adhuc sponsa amatoria loquitur, adhuc pergit amplius prosequi laudes sponsi; et gratiam provocat, dum monstrat eam, quam jam acceperat, in se vacuam non fuisse. Audi etenim quid secuta adjungit: Propterea, inquit, adolescentulae dilexerunt te nimis. Quasi dicat: Non frustra nec inaniter nomen tuum exinanitum est, o sponse, atque effusum in ubera mea; propterea enim adolescentulae dilexerunt te nimis. Propter quid? Propter nomen effusum, et propter ubera ex eo perfusa. Inde quippe excitatae sunt in amorem sponsi, inde sumpserunt ut diligant. Sponsa infusum munus excipiente, illae mox sensere fragrantiam, quae longe a matre minime esse poterant; atque illa suavitate repletae dicunt: Charitas Dei diffusa est in cordibus nostris per Spiritum sanctum, qui datus est nobis Ergo ipsarum devotionem sponsa commendans: Hic, inquit, fructus, o sponse, effusi nominis tui, quod propterea adolescentulae dilexerunt te. Effusum siquidem sentiunt, quod integrum capere non valebant; propterea dilexerunt te. Effusio quippe nomen facit capabile, captus [ alias, captum] amabile, sed adolescentulis duntaxat. Qui capaciores sunt integro gaudent, effuso non indigent.
2. Angelica creatura irrepercussa mentis acie intuetur divinorum judiciorum abyssum multam, quorum summae aequitatis ineffabili delectatione beata, gloriatur insuper effectui ea mancipari per suum ministerium, ac palam fieri; et propterea diligit merito Dominum Christum. Nonne omnes, ait, administratorii spiritus sunt, missi in ministerium propter eos qui haereditatem capiunt salutis? Porro archangelos (ut eis aliquid differentius ab his, qui simpliciter angeli sunt, tribuamus) mirabiliter, credo delectat, quod ipsis quoque aeternae Sapientiae consiliis familiarius admittuntur, eademque per ipsos locis quaeque suis atque temporibus summo moderamine dispensantur. Et haec causa quod diligunt Dominum Christum et ipsi. Illae quoque beatitudines, quae virtutes ex eo forsitan appellatae sunt, quod virtutum ac prodigiorum occultas perpetuasque causas felici curiositate rimari ac mirari divinitus ordinatae, signa, quae et quando volunt, ex omnibus elementis terris potenter exhibeant: et ipsae ergo exinde non immerito inardescunt diligere Dominum virtutum, et Dei virtutem Christum. Plenum quippe est suavitatis et gratiae, incerta et occulta sapientiae in ipsa sapientia intueri: plenum nihilominus honoris et gloriae, causarum in Dei Verbo absconditarum mundo spectandas mirandasque in manu ipsorum dirigi efficientias.
3. Sed et illi spiritus, qui potestates nominantur, dum Crucifixi nostri divinam omnipotentiam ubique fortiter attingentem intueri ac magnificare delectantur, exturbare debellare et daemonum homiminumque contrarias potestates, pro his qui haereditatem capiunt salutis, accipiunt potestatem. Et hi nonne justissimam habent causam, ut diligant Dominum Jesum? Sunt et super istos principatus, qui ipsum altius speculantes, et liquido pervidentes universitatis esse principium, et primogenitum omnis creaturae, tanta proinde principatus dignitate donantur, ut ubique terrarum habeant potestatem, quasi de summo quodam rerum cardine, regna, et principatus, et quaslibet pro arbitrio mutare et ordinare dignitates; pro quorumque meritis facere primos novissimos, et novissimos primos; deponere potentes de sede, et exaltare humiles. Et haec istis quoque ratio diligendi. Sed diligunt et dominationes. Cur? nescio quid subtilius sublimiusque indagare de Christi interminabili atque irrefragabili dominatu, laudabili quadam praesumptione feruntur: quod scilicet ubique universitatis non solum potens, sed et praesens, supra infraque obsequi rectissimae voluntati suae cursus temporum, motus corporum, nutus mentium, ordine utique pulcherrimo cogat; idque cura tam vigili, ut ne puncto quidem aut iota, uni, ut dicitur, horum omnium debitum subtrahere famulatum ullatenus liceat; opera tamen tam facili, ut turbationem seu anxietatem ullam omnino gubernator non sentiat. Intuentes ergo Dominum sabaoth tanta cum tranquillitate omnia judicantem, intentissimae suavissimaeque contemplationis stupore nimio, sed sensato rapti in illud divinae claritatis tam ingens pelagus, recipiunt sese in secretiori quodam mirae tranquillitatis recessu, ubi tanta pace ac securitate fruuntur, ut quiescentibus ipsis, pro reverentia praerogativae, tanquam vere dominationibus ministrare et militare videatur caetera multitudo.
4. In thronis sedet Deus. Et puto quod his spiritibus supra omnes qui memorati sunt, et justior causa, et copiosior sit materia diligendi. Etenim si intres hominis regis cujuscunque palatium, nonne cum plenum sic sellis, scamnis, cathedrisque, regia sedes in eminenti posita cernitur? Et non est necesse quaerere ubi rex sedere solitus sit: nimirum mox occurrit manifesta sedes ejus, caeteris altior ornatiorque sedilibus. Sic quoque omni decoris ornatu cunctis aliis praeeminere spiritibus istos intellige, in quibus speciali quodam stupendae dignationis munere divina elegit residere majestas. Quod si sessio significat magisterium; puto illam, qui unus est nobis magister in coelo et in terra, Dei Sapientiam Christum, cum alias quidem ubique attingat propter munditiam suam, specialius tamen istos, atque principalius tanquam propriam sedem suam illustrare praesentia, et inde tanquam de solemni auditorio docere angelum, docere hominem scientiam. Inde angelis divinorum notitia judiciorum, inde consiliorum archangelis; ibi virtutes audiunt, quando, et ubi, et qualia proferant signa. Ibi denique universi, sive sint potestates, sive principatus, sive dominationes, discunt profecto quid ex officio debeant, quid pro dignitate praesumant, et, quod praecipue cautum est omnibus, accepta potestate ad propriam voluntatem seu gloriam non abuti.
5. Illa tamen coeli agmina, quae cherubin nuncupantur, si eis sui vocabuli servetur interpretatio, arbitror nihil habere quod ab ipsis, aut per ipsos accipiant: cum de ipso fonte ad plenum haurire liceat, ipso ea per se Domino Jesu dignanter introducente in omnem plenitudinem veritatis, thesauros sapientiae scientiaeque, qui in eo omnes absconditi sunt, largissime revelante. Sed nec ea quae appellata sunt seraphin, quippe quae ipsa charitas Deus in se adeo traxit et absorbuit, atque in eumdem rapuit sanctae affectionis ardorem, ut unus cum Deo esse spiritus videantur; instar profecto ignis, qui aerem, quem inflammat, dum suum ei totum calorem imprimit, induitque colorem, non ignitum, sed ignem fecisse cernitur. Amant itaque praecipue contemplari in Deo illi quidem spiritus scientiam cujus non est numerus; hi vero charitatem, quae nequaquam excidit. Unde et nomina ista sortiti sunt ex eo quique, in quo praeeminere videntur: nam cherubin quidem plenitudo scientiae; seraphin vero incendentia vel incensa dicuntur.
6. Diligitur ergo ab angelis Deus ob judiciorum suorum summam aequitatem; ab archangelis, ob consiliorum summam moderationem; porro a virtutibus, ob benignissimam exhibitionem miraculorum, per quae incredulos dignantissime trahit ad fidem; a potestatibus vero, ob illam justissimae potentiae vim, qua solet a piis malignantium propulsare et arcere crudelitatem; verum a principatibus, ob aeternam et originalem illam virtutem, qua dat esse et essendi principium omni creaturae superiori et inferiori, spirituali et corporali, attingens a fine usque ad finem fortiter; a dominationibus quoque, ob placidissimam voluntatem, qua licet ubique dominetur in fortitudine brachii sui, virtute tamen potentiori pro sua ingenita lenitate et imperturbabili tranquillitate disponit omnia suaviter. Diligitur et a thronis ob benevolentiam magistrae sapientiae sine invidia sese communicantis, et unctionem, quae gratis docet de omnibus. Caeterum a cherubin propterea diligitur, quia Deus scientiarum dominus est; et sciens quid cuique opus sit ad salutem, discrete provideque dona sua digne poscentibus, prout novit expedire, distribuit; a seraphin quoque, quia charitas est, et nihil odit eorum quae fecit, et vult omnes homines salvos fieri, et ad agnitionem veritatis venire.
7. Hi ergo omnes, prout capiunt, diligunt. Sed enim adolescentulae, quoniam minus sapiunt, minus et capiunt, nec omnino sufficiunt ad tam sublimia: parvulae quippe in Christo sunt, lacte et oleo nutriendae. Ergo ex uberibus sponsae opus sumere habent unde diligant. Habet oleum effusum sponsa, ad cujus illae excitantur odorem, gustare et sentire quam suavis est Dominus. Cumque amore flagrantes persenserit, convertens se ad sponsum: Oleum, ait, effusum nomen tuum, propterea adolescentulae dilexerunt te nimis? Quid est nimis? Valde, vehementer, ardenter. Vel certe magis ex obliquo vos, qui nuper venistis, tangit spiritualis sermo; vestram illam, quam et nos frequenter reprimere conati sumus, minus discretam vehementiam, imo intemperantiam prorsus nimium obstinatam redarguens. Non vultis esse communi contenti vita. Non sufficit vobis regulare jejunium, non solemnes vigiliae, non imposita disciplina, non mensura, quam vobis partimur in vestimentis et alimentis; privata praefertis communibus. Qui vestri curam semel nobis credidistis, quid rursum de vobis vos intromittitis? Nam illam, qua toties Deum, conscientiis vestris testibus, offendistis, propriam scilicet voluntatem vestram, ecce nunc iterum magistram habetis, non me. Illa vos naturae docet non parcere, rationi non acquiescere, non obtemperare seniorum consilio vel exemplo, non obedire nobis. An ignoratis quia melior est obedientia quam victimae? Non legistis in Regula vestra, quod quidquid sine voluntate vel consensu patris spiritualis fit, vanae gloriae deputabitur, non mercedi? Non legistis in Evangelio, quam formam obediendi puer Jesus pueris sanctis tradiderit? Nam, cum remansisset in Jerusalem, et dixisset in his quae Patris sui erant oportere se esse, non acquiescentibus parentibus ejus, sequi illos in Nazareth non despexit, Magister discipulos, Deus homines, Verbum et Sapientia fabrum et feminam. Quid? Etiam addit sacra historia: Et erat, inquit, subditus illis. Quousque vos sapientes estis in oculis vestris? Deus se mortalibus credit et subdit; et vos in viis vestris adhuc ambulatis? Bonum receperatis spiritum; sed non bene utimini eo. Vereor ne alium pro isto recipiatis, qui sub specie boni supplantet vos: et qui spiritu coepistis, carne consummemini. An nescitis quia angelus Satanae multoties transfigurat se in angelum lucis? Sapientia est Deus, et vult se amari non solum dulciter, sed et sapienter. Unde Apostolus: Rationabile, inquit, obsequium vestrum. Alioquin facillime zelo tuo spiritus illudet erroris, si scientiam negligas; nec habet callidus hostis machinamentum efficacius ad tollendam de corde dilectionem, quam si efficere possit, ut in ea incaute, et non cum ratione ambuletur. Quamobrem ego cogito modos quosdam tradere vobis, quos operae pretium est Deum diligentibus observare. Sed quia hic sermo finem desiderat, cras eos, si Deus vitam mihi et otium, quod nunc habemus ad disserendum, servaverit, explicare conabor. Tunc enim recreatis nocturna quiete sensibus, et, quod est praecipuum; oratione praemissa alacriores, ut justum est, ad sermonem de dilectione conveniemus, praestante Domino nostro Jesu Christo, cui honor et gloria in saecula saeculorum. Amen.