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18 INTRODUCTION
me and promised me peace and interior quiet before I
should die; informing me at the same time, that the
dragon is so furious against me, because he suspects
there is little time left him for persecution.
17. In order to set about writing this third part the
Lord on a certain day, with singular condescension and
complacency, spoke to me as follows : "My
dearest
Spouse, I wish to alleviate thy pains and moderate thy
afflictions ; quiet thyself, my dove, and rest securely in the
sweetness of my love and of my powerful and kingly
word; for I assure thee upon this word, that it is I,
who speak to thee and who have selected thy paths ac
cording to my pleasure. It is I, that lead thee along
these ways; it is I, the same One, that is at the right
hand of the eternal Father and present in the sacra
ment of the holy Eucharist in the species of bread. I
give thee this assurance, in order that thou quiet and
convince thyself. For I do not wish thee, my dearest,
and I de
to be my slave, but my daughter and spouse,
sire thee to enjoy my gifts and delights. Enough of
fears and of bitterness hast thou suffered let ; peace and
tranquillity enter into thy afflicted heart." Such favors
and assurances of the Lord, often repeated, one would
think, should not be humiliating, but should afford only
the greatest joy; but they are of such a kind, that they
abase the heart to the lowest dust and fill me with solici
tude and anxiety. Those that think different, have
little experience and are only slightly capable of the
secret operations of the Most High. It is certain, that
I have been instructed in many new things interiorly
and was much alleviated in the troubles and temptations
caused by these disorderly fears. But the Lord is so
wise and powerful, that on the one hand He assures,
and on the other He stirs up the soul, injecting new fear
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