Chapter II — Of certain spiritual imperfections which beginners have with
respect to the habit of pride
CHAPTER III.—Of some imperfections which some of these souls are apt to have,
with respect to the second capital sin, which is avarice, in the spiritual sense
CHAPTER IV.—Of other imperfections which these beginners are apt to have with
respect to the third sin, which is luxury
CHAPTER V.—Of the imperfections into which beginners fall with respect to the
sin of wrath
CHAPTER VI.—Of imperfections with respect to spiritual gluttony
CHAPTER VII.—Of imperfections with respect to spiritual envy and sloth
CHAPTER VIII.—Wherein is expounded the first line of the first stanza, and a
beginning is made of the explanation of this dark night
CHAPTER IX.—Of the signs by which it will be known that the spiritual person is
walking along the way of this night and purgation of sense
CHAPTER X.—Of the way in which these souls are to conduct themselves in this
dark night
CHAPTER XI.—Wherein are expounded the three lines of the stanza
CHAPTER XII.—Of the benefits which this night causes in the soul
CHAPTER XIII.—Of other benefits which this night of sense causes in the soul
CHAPTER XIV.—Expounds this last verse of the first stanza
BOOK II
CHAPTER I.—Which begins to treat of the dark night of the spirit and says at what
time it begins
CHAPTER II.—Describes other imperfections which belong to these proficients
CHAPTER III.—Annotation for that which follows
CHAPTER IV.—Sets down the first stanza and the exposition thereof
CHAPTER V.—Sets down the first line and begins to explain how this dark
contemplation is not only night for the soul but is also grief and purgation
CHAPTER VI.—Of other kinds of pain that the soul suffers in this night
CHAPTER VII.—Continues the same matter and considers other afflictions and
constraints of the will
CHAPTER VIII.—Of other pains which afflict the soul in this state
CHAPTER IX.—How, although this night brings darkness to the spirit, it does so in
order to illumine it and give it light
CHAPTER X.—Explains this purgation fully by a comparison
CHAPTER XI.—Begins to explain the second line of the first stanza. Describes how,
as the fruit of these rigorous constraints, the soul finds itself with the vehement passion of Divine love
CHAPTER XII.—Shows how this horrible night is purgatory, and how in it the
Divine wisdom illumines men on earth with the same illumination that purges and illumines the angels in Heaven