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is no small thing； the losing or gaining the Kingdom of God。 Lift up
therefore thy face to heaven。 Behold； I and all My Saints with Me； who
in this world had a hard conflict； now rejoice； are now comforted； are now
secure； are now at peace； and shall remain with Me evermore； in the
Kingdom of My Father。〃
（1） Zechariah xiv。 7。 （2） Romans vii。 24。 （3） Psalm cxx。
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CHAPTER 83
Of the day of eternity and of the straitness of this life
Oh most blessed mansion of the City which is above！ Oh most clear
day of eternity which the night obscureth not； but the Supreme Truth ever
enlighteneth！ Day always joyful； always secure and never changing its
state into those which are contrary。 Oh would that this day might shine
forth； and that all these temporal things would come to an end。 It shineth
indeed upon the Saints； glowing with unending brightness； but only from
afar and through a glass； upon those who are pilgrims on the earth。
2。 The citizens of heaven know how glorious that day is； the exiled
sons of Eve groan； because this is bitter and wearisome。 The days of this
life are few and evil； full of sorrows and straits； where man is defiled with
many sins； ensnared with many passions； bound fast with many fears；
wearied with many cares； distracted with many questionings； entangled
with many vanities； compassed about with many errors； worn away with
many labours； weighed down with temptations； enervated by pleasures；
tormented by poverty。
3。 Oh when shall there be an end of these evils？ When shall I be
delivered from the wretched slavery of my sins？ When shall I be
mindful； O Lord； of Thee alone？ When shall I rejoice in Thee to the full？
When shall I be in true liberty without any impediment； without any
burden on mind or body？ When shall there be solid peace； peace
immovable and secure； peace within and without； peace firm on every side？
Blessed Jesus； when shall I stand to behold Thee？ When shall I gaze
upon the glory of Thy kingdom？ When shalt Thou be to me all in all？
Oh when shall I be with Thee in Thy Kingdom which Thou hast prepared
from the foundation of the world for them that love Thee？ I am left
destitute； an exile in a hostile land； where are daily wars and grievous
misfortunes。
4。 Console my exile； mitigate my sorrow； for towards Thee all my
desire longeth。 For all is to me a burden； whatsoever this world offereth
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for consolation。 I yearn to enjoy Thee intimately； but I cannot attain unto
it。 I long to cleave to heavenly things； but temporal things and
unmortified passions press me down。 In my mind I would be above all
things； but in my flesh I am unwillingly compelled to be beneath them。
So； wretched man that I am； I fight with myself； and am made grievous
even unto myself； while the spirit seeketh to be above and the flesh to be
beneath。
5。 Oh how I suffer inwardly； while with the mind I discourse on
heavenly things； and presently a crowd of carnal things rusheth upon me
whilst I pray。 My God； be not Thou far from me； nor depart in wrath
from Thy servant。 Cast forth Thy lightning and scatter them； send out
Thine arrows；（1） and let all delusions of my enemy be confounded。
Recall my senses unto Thyself； cause me to forget all worldly things； grant
me quickly to cast away and despise the imaginations of sin。 Succour me；
O Eternal Truth； that no vanity man move me。 Come unto me； O
Heavenly Sweetness； and let all impurity flee from before Thy face。
Pardon me also； and of Thy mercy deal gently with me； whensoever in
prayer I think on anything besides Thee； for truly I confess that I am wont
to be continually distracted。 For often and often； where in the body I
stand or sit； there I myself am not； but rather am I there； whither I am
borne by my thoughts。 Where my thought is； there am I； and there
commonly is my thought where that which I love is。 That readily
occurreth to me； which naturally delighteth； or pleaseth through custom。
6。 Wherefore Thou； who art the Truth； hast plainly said； Where your
treasure is； there will your heart be also。（2） If I love heaven； I gladly
meditate on heavenly things。 If I love the world； I rejoice in the delights
of the world； and am made sorry by its adversities。 If I love the flesh； I
am continually imagining the things which belong to the flesh； if I love the
spirit； I am delighted by meditating on spiritual things。 For whatsoever
things I love； on these I readily converse and listen； and carry home with
me the images of them。 But blessed is that man who for Thy sake； O
Lord； is willing to part from all creatures； who doth violence to his fleshly
nature and crucifieth the lusts of the flesh by the fervour of his spirit； so
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that with serene conscience he may offer unto Thee a pure prayer； and be
made worthy to enter into the angelic choirs； having shut out from himself；
both outwardly and inwardly； all worldly things。
（1） Psalm lxxi。 12。 （2） Matthew vi。 21。
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CHAPTER 84
Of the desire after eternal life； and how great blessings are
promised to those who strive
〃My Son； when thou feelest the desire of eternal happiness to be
poured into thee from above； and longest to depart from the tabernacle of