Part V, Chapter X

First Consideration: Of the Excellence of Our Souls

Consider the worth and excellence of your immortal soul, which is endued with an understanding capable of knowing, not only this visible world, but also that there are angels, an eternity, a heaven, and a most high sovereign, and ineffable God, and which, moreover, knows the means of living well in this visible world, that she may one day be associated with the angels of heaven, and enjoy God for all eternity.

Consider, also, that your soul has a will capable of loving God, and cannot hate him in himself. Take a view of your heart, and behold how generous it is; and that, as bees can never stay upon any corrupt thing, but only stop among the flowers, so no creature can ever satisfy your heart, for it can never rest but in God alone. Recall to your remembrance the dearest and strongest affections that have hitherto engaged your heart, and judge in truth, whether, in the midst of them, it was not full of anxious inquietudes, tormenting thoughts, and restless cares.

Our heart, alas! runs eagerly in pursuit of creatures, thinking that they will satisfy its desires; but as soon as it has overtaken them it finds its satisfaction still afar off (God being unwilling that our heart should find any resting-place, like the dove which went out of Noah’s ark), that it may return to himself, from whom it proceeded. Ah! what natural beauty is there in our heart! Why, then, do we detain it against its will in the service of creatures?

Since, then, O soul! thou art capable of knowing and loving God, why wilt thou amuse thyself about anything less than God? Since thou mayest advance thy claim to eternity, why shouldst thou amuse thyself about transitory moments? It was one of the most sorrowful reflections of the prodigal son that he might have been faring deliciously at his father’s table whilst he was feeding amongst the filthy swine. Since, O my soul! thou art capable of God, woe be to thee if thou content thyself with anything less than God.

Elevate your soul cheerfully with this consideration: remind her that she is immortal, and worthy of eternity; animate her with courage on this subject.

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