Of the inconstancy of our heart, and of directing our final intention to God
The Following of Christ, in Four Books, 1819, no. XXXIIISource and notes
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Chap. XXXIII.—Of the inconstancy of our heart, and of directing our final intention to God
Source
| Printed in | The Following of Christ, in Four Books |
|---|---|
| Imprint | London, Keating, Brown and Co., 1819 |
| Number | XXXIII |
| Pages | pp. 226–228 |
| Scan | leaf 236, leaf 237, leaf 238 of the Internet Archive copy |
| Rights | Public domain in the United States. |
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SON, trust not to thy present affection, it will quickly be changed into another.
As long as thou livest thou art subject to change, even against thy will; so as to be sometimes joyful, other times sad; now easy, anon troubled; at one time devout, at another dry; sometimes fervent, other times sluggish; one day heavy, another lighter.
But he that is wise and well instructed in spirit stands above all these changes; not minding what he feels in himself, nor on what side the wind of mutability blows; but that the whole bent of his soul may advance towards its due and wished-for end;
For so he may continue one and the self-same without being shaken, by directing without ceasing, through all this variety of events, the single eye of his intention towards me.
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And by how much the purer the eye of the intention is, by so much the more constantly may one pass these diverse storms.
But in many the eye of pure intention is dark, for we quickly look towards something delightful which comes in our way;
And it is rare to find one wholly free from all blemish of self-seeking.
So the Jews heretofore came into Bethania to Martha and Mary, not for Jesus only, but that they might see Lazarus also. John xi.
The eye of the intention therefore must be purified, that it may be single and right; and must be directed unto me, beyond all the various objects that interpose themselves.