Chapter XXIX
"How could all be well, for the great harm that is come by sin to the creature?"
BUT in this I stood seeing things general, troublously and mourning, saying thus to our Lord in my meaning, with great fear: Ah! good Lord,
how might all be well, for the great hurt that is come, by sin, to the creature? And here I desired, as far as I durst, to have some more open declaring wherewith I might be eased in this matter.
And to this our blessed Lord answered meekly and with lovely cheer, and shewed that Adam's sin was the most harm that ever was done, or ever shall be, to the world's end; and also He shewed that this sin is openly known in all Holy Church on earth. Furthermore He taught that I should behold the glorious Satisfaction : for this Amends-making is more pleasing to God and more worshipful, without comparison, than ever was the sin of Adam harmful. Then signifies our blessed Lord thus in this teaching, that we should take heed to this: For since I have made well the most harm, then it is my will that you know thereby that I shall make well all that is less.
CHAPTER XXX
"Two parts of Truth: the part that is open: our Saviour and our salvation; - and the part that is hid and shut up from us: all beside our salvation"
HE gave me understanding of two parts of truth. The one part is our Saviour and our salvation. This blessed part is open and clear and fair and light, and plenteous, - for all mankind that is of good will, and shall be, is comprehended in this part. Hereto are we bounden of God, and drawn and counselled and taught inwardly by the Holy Spirit and outwardly by Holy Church in the same grace. In this wills our Lord that we be occupied, joying in Him; for He enjoys in us. The more plenteously that we take of this, with reverence and meekness, the more thanks we earn of Him and the more speed to ourselves, thus - may we say - enjoying our part of our Lord. The other part is hid and shut up from us: that is to say, all that is beside our salvation. For it is our Lord's hidden counsel, and it belongs to the royal Lordship of God to have His hidden counsel in peace, and it belongs to His servant, for obedience and reverence, not to learn wholly His counsel. Our Lord has pity and compassion on us for that some creatures make themselves so busy in it; and I am sure if we knew how much we
should please Him and ease ourselves by leaving it, we would. The saints that be in Heaven, they will to know nothing but that which our Lord wills to shew them: and also their charity and their desire is ruled after the will of our Lord: and thus ought we to will, like to them. Then shall we nothing will nor desire but the will of our Lord, as they do: for we are all one in God's seeing.
And here was I learned that we shall trust and rejoice only in our Saviour, blessed Jesus, for all thing.