Revelations of Divine Love by of Norwich Julian
CHAPTER IX
480 words | Chapter 16
"If I look singularly to myself, I am right nought"
Because of the Shewing I am not good but if I love God the better: and
in as much as ye love God the better, it is more to you than to me. I
say[1] not this to them that be wise, for they wot it well; but I say
it to you that be simple, for ease and comfort: for we are all one
in comfort. For truly it was not shewed me that God loved me better
than the least soul that is in grace; for I am certain that there be
many that never had Shewing nor sight but of the common teaching of
Holy Church, that love God better than I. For if I look singularly to
myself, I am right nought; but in [the] general [Body] I am, I hope, in
oneness of charity with all mine even-Christians.
For in this oneness standeth the life of all mankind that shall be
saved. For God is all that is good, as to my sight, and God hath made
all that is made, and God loveth all that He hath made: and he that
loveth generally all his even-Christians for God, he loveth all that
is. For in mankind that shall be saved is comprehended all: that is to
say, all that is made and the Maker of all. For in man is God, and God
is in all. And I hope by the grace of God he that beholdeth it thus
shall be truly taught and mightily comforted, if he needeth comfort.
I speak of them that shall be saved, for in this time God shewed me
none other. But in all things I believe as Holy Church believeth,
preacheth, and teacheth. For the Faith of Holy Church, the which I
had aforehand understood and, as I hope, by the grace of God earnestly
kept in use and custom, stood continually in my sight: [I] willing and
meaning never to receive anything that might be contrary thereunto. And
with this intent I beheld the Shewing with all my diligence: for in all
this blessed Shewing I beheld it as one in God's meaning.[2]
All this was shewed by three [ways]: that is to say, by bodily sight,
and by word formed in mine understanding, and by spiritual sight. But
the spiritual sight I cannot nor may not shew it as openly nor as fully
as I would. But I trust in our Lord God Almighty that He shall of His
goodness, and for your love, make you to take it more spiritually and
more sweetly than I can or may tell it.
[1] "sey" = _say_ or _tell_.
[2] _i.e._ The teaching of the Faith and the teaching of the special
Shewing were both from God and were seen to be at one.
_THE SECOND REVELATION_
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