I. Now we will consider what is the detachment

which we are bound to feel : if this be perfect, it will
include everything else. I say “ it will include every-
thing else ” because, if we cling to our Creator alone
and care nothing for created things. His Majesty will
infuse the virtues into us, so that, doing by degrees
all that is in our power, we shall have little left with
which to struggle, for our Lord will defend us against
the devils and the whole world as well. Do you think
that it is a small gain to give ourselves entirely to Him,
keeping nothing for ourselves, since in His goodness all
is contained, as I told you ? Be very grateful to Him,
sisters, for bringing us here together, where this is all
that we care about.® I cannot tell why I am speaking
about it to you, all of whom are capable of teaching me
on the subject, for I own that, in this respect, I am not
as perfect as I wish, and as I know that I ought to be ;

^ Valladolid edition, ch. ix. ; Escorial, ch. xiii.

2 Castle, M. vi. ch. vi. 14. Way of Perf. ch. ii. 8.

CHAP. VIII.]

DETACHMENT.

57

indeed, I am the most imperfect of you all.* I have to
say the same with regard to all the virtues and other
matters which I treat of here, for it is easier to write of
them than to practise them. However, I may often
fail even to write well of them, for sometimes one can
only speak correctly of such things by experience, so
that if I do succeed it must be by describing them as
the opposite of my own qualities. However, at your
request, I will mention some matters which occur to
me. It is clear that, here, our lives are cut off from
all outward things : our Lord seems to wish to deprive
us of all that would hold us captive to this world, so
that He may, without impediment, draw us to Himself.
O my Creator and my Sovereign ! how have I deserved
this great honour ? Thou seemest to have sought for
means whereby Thou mightest come nearer to us. By
Thy mercy, permit us not to lose Thee. O my sisters !
for the love of God, consider what a signal grace our
Lord has shown to those whom He has brought here.
Let each of you realise it for herself, since of the twelve
nuns. His Majesty has chosen her for one. And how
many, what a multitude, better than myself do I know
of, who would joyfully accept my place ! Yet our
Lord has bestowed this favour on me, who so ill deserve
it. Blessed be Thou, O my God, and may the angels
and all creatures praise Thee, for I have as little merited
® Life, ch. xviii. 6. Found, ch. i. 4. ^ Const. 16.

58 THE WAY OF PERFECTION. [CHAP. VIII.

this favour as I have the many others which Thou hast
shown me. The vocation of a nun was an immense
grace, yet I have been so wicked that Thou couldst
not trust me, Lord. Among a number of people, my
guilt would not have been so noticeable during my
life-time, and I should have hidden it, as I did for so
many years ; but Thou, O Lord, hast brought me to where
there are so few others that it seems impossible for
my sins to remain unnoticed. That I might lead a
better life. Thou hast removed me from all chance of
evil. Therefore I confess, O Lord, that there is no
excuse for my delinquencies, and I have but greater
need of Thy mercy to pardon me.

2. Remember, sisters, we are far more to blame than
others are if we are not so good, therefore I earnestly
beg her who feels beforehand that she has not fortitude
of soul to observe what is practised here, to say so before
her profession. There are other convents where, perhaps,
our Lord may be served as well. Let her not disturb
the small community which His Majesty has brought
together here. There are many houses in which a nun
is allowed to enjoy the society of her kindred : here, if
relations are admitted, it is on’y for their own sake,®
The sister who wishes, for her personal pleasure, to see
her relatives, and who does not weary of their society
on their second visit, unless they are spiritual persons
® Const. 14, 15.

CHAP. IX.] AFFECTION FOR RELATIVES.

59

who help her soul, must recognise that she is imperfect,
and not detached — she is not well, and will not obtain
liberty of spirit nor perfect peace — she needs a physician.
I affirm that unless she changes and is cured, she is
unfit for this house. As far as I know, the best remedy
is that she should have no interviews with her relations
until she feels emancipated from this bond, having
obtained this grace from God by many prayers. When
receiving her kindred has become a cross to a nun,® by
all means let her see them sometimes for their own good,
as she will certainly profit them and do herself no harm ;
but if she is very fond of them, if their troubles affect
her deeply, and if she is delighted at their success in
the world, let her be sure that she will injure herself
and do them no good.