Chapter LXXIX
"I was taught that I should see my own sin, and not other men's sin except it may be for comfort and help of my fellow-Christians"
ALSO I had of this Revelation more understanding. In that He shewed me that I should sin, I took it nakedly to my own singular person, for I was none otherwise shewed at that time. But by the high, gracious comfort of our Lord that followed after, I saw that His meaning was for the general Man: that is to say, All-Man; which is sinful and shall be to the last day. Of which Man I am a member, as I hope, by the mercy of God. For the blessed comfort that I saw, it is large enough for us all. And here was I learned that I should see my own sin, and not other men's sins but if it may be for comfort and help of my fellowChristians.
And also in this same Shewing where I saw that I should sin, there was I learned to be in fear for unsureness of myself. For I know not how I shall fall, nor I know not the measure nor the greatness of sin; for that would I have known, with fear, and thereto I had none answer.
Also our courteous Lord in the same time He shewed surely and mightily the endlessness and the unchangeability of His love; and, afterward, that by His great goodness and His grace inwardly keeping, the love of Him and our soul shall never be parted in two, without end .
And thus in this fear I have the substance of meekness that saves me from presumption, and in the blessed Shewing of Love I have the substance of true comfort and of joy that saves me from despair. All this homely Shewing of our courteous Lord, it is a lovely lesson and a sweet, gracious teaching of Himself in comforting of our soul. For He wills that we should know by the sweetness and homely loving of Him, that all that we see or feel, within or without, that is contrary to this is of the enemy and not of God. And thus - If we be stirred to be the more reckless of our living or of the keeping of our hearts because that we have knowing of this plenteous love, then need we greatly to beware. For this stirring, if it come, is untrue; and greatly we ought to hate it, for it all has no likeness of God's will. And when that we be fallen, by frailty or blindness, then our courteous Lord toucheth us and stirs us and calls us; and then wills He that we see our wretchedness and meekly be aware of it. But He wills not that we abide thus, nor He wills not that we busy us greatly about our accusing, nor He wills not that we be wretched over our self; but He wills that we hastily turn ourselves to Him. For He stands all aloof and abides us sorrowfully and mournfully till when we come, and has haste to have us to Him. For we are His joy and His delight, and He is our salve and our life. When I say He stands all alone, I leave the speaking of the blessed Company of heaven, and speak of His office and His working here on earth, - on the condition of the Shewing.