Volume I, Treatise VIII, Chapter IV

That a Perfect Conforming Ourselves to God’s Will Is to Enjoy Beatitude Upon Earth

He who is arrived to that degree as to have an entire conformity to the divine will, taking all things as sent by the order of Providence, will have obtained the supreme felicity of the servants of God upon earth: since he will fully possess the profound peace and interior joy in which the real happiness of this life consists. ‘For the kingdom of God,” as the apostle says, “is not of either meat or drink: it is justice, it is peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” (Romans 14:17) Here we may see what is the kingdom of heaven on earth, and what that paradise of delights is, which we may purchase to ourselves on earth: and we may well call it a blessing, since thereby we resemble in some degree the blessed in heaven. For as there is no vicissitude or change in heaven, and the saints persist perpetually in the same state, by a constant fruition and enjoyment of God: even so, on earth, those who have attained a perfect conformity to the divine will, and who establish their own contentment in that of God, never suffer themselves to be disquieted or any ways discontented at the inconstancy of things, and the divers accidents of this life. Their will is so totally subjected to that of God, that the very assurance they have, that all things come as sent by him, and that his holy will is accomplished in whatever adversity happens to them, makes them, by preferring his will to their own, look upon all their tribulations and sufferings as so many joys; and all their griefs and sorrows as so much sweetness and consolation. Hence it is, that nothing can trouble them. For as trouble can come only from crosses, misfortunes, or affronts; and as these, through respect for the hand which sends them, are received by them as so many favours, it follows, that there is nothing which can change or diminish the peace and tranquillity of their soul. Behold here the source of that tranquillity and joy which always appeared in the countenance, in the discourse and comportment of the saints—of St. Anthony, of St. Dominick, St. Francis, and several other most eminent models of sanctity in past ages. The same is also said of our holy father St. Ignatius; and the same was frequent amongst the true servants of God. But perhaps these great saints were wholly exempt from the miseries of this life; perhaps they were not subject to corporal infirmities; and had no temptations to suffer, no conflict to undergo; and in fine, perhaps no painful accident ever befel them. It is certain they had their griefs and mortifications, and those greater than what we have to suffer. For afflictions, con-tempts, and sufferings are the portion and lot of saints; and those who are in most singular favour with God, and most beloved by him, are frequently the very persons he makes a trial of, by sending them crosses of this kind. How then is it possible they should constantly remain in the same state of mind, that they should always retain so great a tranquillity and peace, both interiorly and exteriorly, and have such an abundance of joy jn heart and countenance, as if each day of their life were a day of jubilee and exultation? It is because they had attained a perfect confurmity to the divine will: and because they placed their whole happiness in seeing it accomplished; and thus they met everywhere sources of content and satisfaction. ‘All things work together unto the good of those who love God.” (Romans 8:28) Let what will happen, the just shall not be annoyed.” (Proverbs 12:21) All their pains, temptations, mortifications, and every adversity, become matter of joy; because they are satisfied that these happen by the appointment of God, and proceed from his holy will, in which they have established their felicity; and possessing in this manner all the happiness which can be found here upon earth, they have a taste of that charm and sweetness of glory, wherewith they are to be satiated hereafter in heaven. St. Catherine of Siena speaks admirably well upon this point, in comparing the just to our Saviour Jesus Christ. For as Jesus Christ never lost the beatitude of his soul, amidst all the torments, sorrows, and anguishes he underwent; so the just, whatever afflictions, whatever adversities happen, never lost that beatitude, which consists in a conformity to the divine will. Because the accomplishment of that will in them is always a new subject of joy. This sort of perfection is so elevated and sublime, that the apostle, wishing it the Philippians, says: ‘‘ The peace of God, which infinitely surpasses all sense, preserve your hearts and your souls in Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 4:7) He says, this peace is infinitely above all sense, and surpasses all imagination. For, in reality, it is a gift so supernatural, that human understanding of itself is never able to comprehend how it is possible a heart can remain so unconcerned and quiet, amidst the storms and tempests of temptation and sufferings wherewith it is daily tossed and assaulted in this life. There seems to be some affinity between it and the miracle of the bush, that burned and was not consumed; and with that of the three children, who were not in the least hurt amidst the scorching flames of the Babylonian furnace, but sung forth praises incessantly to the Almighty. This was also what made Job cry out in speaking to God; “You torment me, O Lord! after a most wonderful manner.” (Job 10:16) As though he would thereby express on one hand the pains and afflictions he underwent; and on the other, the joy and satisfaction he received in suffering them; since it was the divine Providence that had so ordered it.

Cassian relates, that a holy man being once in Alexandria, was surrounded by a great number of infidels, who loaded him with affronts and injuries; who beat and pushed him, and committed on him many other contumelious outrages. The holy man remained, nevertheless, amongst them, like a lamb, suffering and not uttering the least word or complaint; and some of the multitude present, asking him in scorn, what miracles had Jesus Christ ever wrought? he answered, The miracles he has done, are, that whatever injuries you commit against me, and in what rude manner soever you treat me, I am not moved with the least anger against you, nor concerned at so hard usage. See here most admirable patience, see a perfection most excellent and sublime. The ancient authors have left us in writing, and St. Austin mentions it after them in several places of his works, that the. mountain Olympus, in Macedonia, is of so excessive height that it surpasses by much the first region of the air. Cloud, wind, or rain never touches its top; because these are formed only of thick and gross air, and the air of this place is exceedingly pure. Even the birds cannot mount here, by reason of its height; and in case they do, they cannot remain any time, no more than men and other animals, who cannot live there by reason the air is so subtile, that it cannot be breathed. This was experienced by some persons, who ascending every year to perform certain sacrifices, carried with them sponges full of water, that when they found the air too fine to be breathed, they might apply the sponges to their nose, and inhaling the air through them, by this means have it more condensed. They were accustomed also, before they descended, to write on the summit certain characters in the sand, which, at their arrival the year following, they found as entire and perfect as when they were first written; which could never have been, had there come the least blast of wind, or had the smallest drop of rain fallen upon them. See here the symbol or type of perfection to which those are arrived who have an entire conformity to the divine will. For as Olympus is elevated above the clouds, and its top enjoys a continual serenity; so these are elevated above the things of this world; and the birds of prey, that is to say, their irregular desires and passions, not being able to take wing so high, their peace and tranquillity of mind is never disturbed by any commotion or agitation of the world. St. Austin, writing on these words of our Saviour, in St. Matthew, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9), says, that the Saviour of the world called the peacemakers blessed and the children of God, because there is nothing found in them opposite to the divine will; and that, on the contrary, they conform themselves in all things as good children, who endeavour to render themselves like to their father, in all they are able—wha have no other will or desire, no other content and satisfaction, but in the content and satisfaction of their father. This is one of the most considerable points in a spiritual life; and he who has attained this conformity in all things to God’s will, so as to receive all things as coming from his holy hand, and to place all his joy and content in the performance of what is God’s pleasure, will find a paradise upon earth. ‘All things enjoy peace about him, and his habitation is on Mount Sion.” (Ps. Ixxv. 3.) He may justly, says St. Bernard, sing with all confidence that. canticle of the Wise Man: “I have sought my content and

repose in all things, and will abide in the inheritance of our Lord.” (Ecclesiasticus 24:11) For he will find in effect a true repose;

he will find “this joy entire and complete, which no one shall

ever be able to dispossess him of.” (John 16:24)

How happy should we be, could we gain so much upon ourselves, as to place all our joy and content in the accomplishing God’s will, and could we arrive so far, as in all things to have no other will but his. So that we may truly say to him: Grant, O Lord! that I may never will, or not will, but according to your pleasure. Grant that this may be my only desire and comfort. “For my only happiness consists in adhering so to God, as to build all my trust and’confidence upon him.” (Ps. Ixxii. 28.) Moreover, how happy should we be, if we were so united with God, that in all our actions, all our afflictions and sufferings, we have regard to nothing but the fulfilling his holy will _ inus? This made a certain devout person say, “That he who has only one thing in prospect, who refers all to one thing, and in this one thing contemplates all things, will always preserve his heart in a peaceful state, and will rest and repose in peace, in the bosom of God.” (Imit. Chr.)

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