Chapter II
Shows the manner of the True Lovers of God.
LO, this is the estate of holy Beguines, Who follow eagerly the path of virtue: So was it in the days of old; So is it still to-day. But alas, that the glory is departed therefrom Through unbelief and folly !
If you would live in utter faithfulness, Then must your heart cleave fast to God In love, and in all truth, And with unfeigned simplicity.
Live gently and humbly in the midst of those Who are hasty, and lightly moved to wrath; Who are full of railings and bitterness, high-minded, Easily offended, slow to pardon, an evil generation. Self-willed are they, impatient and obstinate, Wrathful, envious, pitiless, Evildoers, cruel and unbridled.
This is not the way of the Beguines; And these wicked men live not therein, Nor even in the outward seeming of it. Yet shall you suffer and endure them; And God shall send His blessing on your life.
Would you learn who are the good men? Watch them then in their outward lives, and in their Life Within. All holiness comes from God To those who live after His Commandments: And they, who in their hearts despise the world, Shall mount the steps of Heaven, And shall be filled with the Grace of God, Inasmuch as they follow His Counsels. They, who have emptied themselves of the things of earth, Shall be fulfilled with Love, Which is as a great Weight in the scales, Outweighing all earthly ties, Prevailing over flesh and blood, And speeding us towards every virtue.
They, who follow the way of Love, Are the richest of all men living; They are bold and frank and brave; They have neither toil nor any care, For the Holy Spirit bears all their burdens.
They seek no outward seeming; They desire nothing that men value; They affect no extravagance of behaviour. They wish to be like other good people, Obeying the ordinances of Holy Church In virtuous and godly living. Deeply they reverence all Her Sacraments, For Thence come the Grace and Mercy of God, to dwell for ever with them.