8. Concerning Mysteries

Some may object, saying that at this rate one cannot have any of the mysteries revealed to him, but it is quite otherwise, for these are given as realities to the soul. Jesus Christ, to whom we surrender ourselves and whom we follow as the Way, whom we hear as the Truth, and who quickens us as the Life (John 14:6)—by impressing Himself on the soul, enables it to hear His several states. Now, bearing the states or conditions of Jesus Christ is far greater than merely considering or discovering them. The apostle Paul always bore in his body the conditions of Jesus Christ. He said, “I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus” (Galatians 6:17); but he does not say that he reasoned about them!

In this state of surrender Jesus Christ often gives us some insight into His mysteries in a very particular manner. Then it behooves us to receive them, and to suffer our minds to be applied to anything that pleases Him, accepting equally all the dispositions that He sees fit to place us in, not choosing any ourselves, but only this: to continue always with Him, to desire Him affectionately, and to empty ourselves of ourselves before Him, receiving with an evenness of mind all that He gives us, whether light or darkness, fruitfulness or barrenness, strength or weakness, sweetness or bitterness, temptation, distraction, pains, troubles, or perplexities. Nothing of all these should stop us.

There are some persons whom God appoints for the space of whole years to partake of some one or other of these mysteries. The simple sight or thought of such a mystery draws them inward. They ought therefore to be faithful to it. But when God removes it from them, then let them be willing to be deprived of it. There are others who are troubled because they cannot think of one single mystery; but their concern is groundless, seeing that affectionate attention to God includes every aspect of devotion; and whoever is united to God alone by abiding in Him (John 15:4) is indeed applied to all the mysteries in a most excellent manner. He who loves God loves everything that is His.