than thy self. It may be that at that time thou seekest more thy self and the love of thy self, than the true Love of God, Because Love consists in Works, and not in fair Discourses.
132. That a rational Creature may under∣stand the secret desire and intention of thy Heart, there is a necessity that thou shouldest express it to him in Words. But God who searches the Hearts, standeth not in need that thou shouldest make profession and assure him of it; nor does he rest satisfied, as the Evangelist says, with Love in Word nor in Tongue, but with that which is true and indeed. What a∣vails it to tell him with great zeal and fervour, that thou tenderly and perfectly lovest him a∣bove all things, if at one bitter word, or slight injury, thou doest not resign thy self, nor art mortified for the love of him? A manifest proof that thy love was a love in Tongue and not in Deed.
133. Strive to be resigned in all things with Silence, and in so doing, without saying that thou lovest him, thou wilt attain to the most perfect, quiet, effectual and true love. St. Peter most affectionately told the Lord, that for his sake he was ready, willingly to lay down his Life; but at the word of a young Damsel, he denied him, and there was an end of his Zeal. Mary Mag∣dalen, said not a word, and yet the Lord him∣self taken with her perfect Love, became her Panagyrist, saying that she had loved much. It is internally, then, that with dumb Silence, the most perfect Virtues of Faith, Hope, and Cha∣rity