| Yea, so far forth I saw, that our Lord joys of the tribulations of His servants, with ruth and compassion. On each person that He loves, to His bliss for to bring [them], He lays something that is no blame in His sight, whereby they are blamed and despised in this world, scorned, mocked, and outcasted. And this He does for to hinder the harm that they should take from the pomp and the vain-glory of this wretched life, and make their way ready to come to Heaven, and up-raise them in His bliss everlasting. For He says: I shall wholly break you of your vain affections and your vicious pride; and after that I shall together gather you, and make you mild and meek, clean and holy, by oneing to me. | |