Concerning the Three Principles of the Divine Essence

28. And though the devil (in thy sins) saith it cannot be now, thou art too great a sinner ; let not anything terrify thee, he is a liar, and maketh thy mind fearful ; he maketh as if he were not present, but he is present, and snarleth like a mad dog ; and thou mayest know for certain, that all doubting whatsoever, that cometh into thy mind, is nothing else but his suggestions [and objections].

29. For there are but two kingdoms that stir in thee ; the one is the kingdom of God, wherein Christ is, which desireth to have thee ; and the other is the kingdom of l hell, wherein the devil is, > Or of the which desireth also to have thee. Now there must wnuhofGod. be striving here in the poor soul, for it standeth in the midst. Christ offereth it the new garment, and the devil presenteth the garment of sin fulness

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to it. And when thou hast but the least thought or inclination towards God [and goodness], that thou wouldst fain enter into true repentance, then truly that thought is not from thy own self, but the love of God doth draw thee, and invite thee ; and the noble virgin of God calleth thee thereby, and thou shouldst only come and not neglect it. And so truly when (in such a way) thy great sins come before thee, and hold thee back (so that thy heart many times receiveth no comfort) this is the devil's staying of thee, who casteth into thy thoughts, that God will not hear thee, thou art yet in too great sins, he will let no comfort come into thy soul, he layeth the sinful kingdom of this 1 comfort. world over * it ; but be not discouraged, he is thy enemy. It is written, If your sins were as red as blood, if you turn, they shall be as wool, white as snow : Also, As true as I live, I have no pleasure in the death of a poor sinner, but that he turn and live.

30. Thou must continue steadfast in this resolute purpose ; and though thou gettest no virtue [or strength] into thy heart, and though the devil also should beat down thy tongue, that thou couldst not pray to God, yet then thou shouldst desire and sigh to him, and continually hold and go on in this thought and purpose, with the Canaanitish woman ; the more thou pressest forward, the weaker the devil is ; thou must take the suffering, death and satisfaction of Jesus Christ before thee, and must

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throw thy soul into his promise ; where he saith, My Father will give the Holy Ghost to them that ask him for -it. Also, Knock, and it shall be opened unto you; seek, and you shall find; ask, and you shall receive ; and the more earnestly thou pressest forth from the devil, and from thy sins, the more mightily doth the kingdom of God press into thee ; but have a care that thou dost not depart from this thy will, before thou hast received the jewel ; and though it hold off from morning till night, and still from day to day, [let not that discourage thee], if thy earnestness be great, then thy jewel will also be great which thou shalt receive * at thy overcoming. * Or in thy

31. For none knoweth what it is, but he that™ hath found it by experience. It is a most precious guest ; when it entereth into the soul, there is a very wonderful triumph there ; the bridegroom there embraceth his beloved bride, and the Hallelujah of paradise soundeth. 0 ! must not the earthly body needs tremble and shake at it ? and though it know not what it is, yet all its members do rejoice at it. 0 what beauteous knowledge doth the virgin of the divine wisdom bring with her ! She maketh learned indeed ; and though one were dumb, yet the soul would be crowned in God's works of wonder, and must speak of his wonders ; there is nothing in the soul but longing to do so; the devil must be gone, he is quite weary and faint.