The spiritual guide which disintangles the soul, and brings it by the inward way, to the getting of perfect contemplation, and the rich treasure of internal peace. / Written by Dr. Michael de Molinos, priest : with a short treatise concerning daily communion, by the same author. Translated from the Italian copy, printed at Venice, 1685.

CHAP. IV. A Sequel of the same.

19. LET all thy desires be conform to the Will of that God, who can bring streams of Water out of the dry Rock, who is much displeased with those Souls, which in help∣ing others before the time, defraud themselves, suffering themselves to be transported by indis∣creet zeal, and vain complacency.

20. As it was with the Servant of Elisha, * 1.1 who being sent by the Pro∣phet, that with his Staff he might raise a dead Child; because of the complacency he had, it had not the effect, and he was reproved by Eli∣sha. In like manner the Sacrifice of Cain was rejected, being the first that was offered to God in the World, through the vain-glory he had of being the first, and more than his own Father Adam, in offering Sacrifice to God.

21. In like manner the Disciples of our Lord Christ, were infected with that evil, feeling a vain joy, when they cast out Devils, and there∣fore were sharply reproved by their hea∣venly Master. Before Paul preached to the Gentiles the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven, being already a chosen Vessel, a Citizen of Hea∣ven, and chosen of God for that Ministery, it

was necessary to try and humble him, shutting him up in a close Prison; and would'st thou be∣come a Preacher, without passing through the tryal of Men and Devils? And could'st thou thrust thy self into so great a Ministery, and produce Fruit, without passing through the fie∣ry tryal of temptation, tribulation, and passive purgation?

22. It concerns thee more to be quiet and resigned in a holy ease, than to do many and great things, by thy own judgment and opinion, think not that the heroick Actions which great Saints have done, and do, in the Church, are Works of their own Industry; for all things as well spiritual as temporal, to the making of the leas•• Leaf are by Divine Providence Decreed from all Eternity. He that does the Will of God, does all things; this thy Soul ought to en∣deavour, resting in a perfect Resignation, to what∣ever the Lord is pleased to dispose of thee; ac∣knowledge thy self unworthy of so high a Mini∣stery, as the guiding of Souls to Heaven, and then thou'lt put no obstacle to the rest, internal peace, and heavenly flight of thy Soul.

Notes

• * 1.1

  2 Kings, c. 4.