| 45. "All things that belong to Heaven are comprehended in these two judgments" | ||||
GOD deems us [looking] upon our Nature-Substance, which is ever kept one in Him, whole and safe without end: and this doom is [because] of His rightfulness [in the which it is made and kept]. And man judges [looking] upon our changeable Sense-soul, which seems now one [thing], now other, according as it takes of the [higher or lower] parts, and [is that which] shows outward. And this wisdom [of man's judgment] is mingled [because of the diverse things it beholds]. For sometimes it is good and easy, and sometimes it is hard and grievous. And in as much as it is good and easy it belongs to the rightfulness; and in as much as it is hard and grievous [by reason of the sin beheld, which shows in our Sense-soul,] our good Lord Jesus reforms it by [the working in our Sense-soul of] mercy and grace through the virtue of His blessed Passion, and so brings it to the rightfulness. | ||||
And though these two [judgments] be thus accorded and united, yet both shall be known in Heaven without end. The first doom, which is of God's rightfulness, is [because] of His high endless life [in our Substance]; and this is that fair sweet doom that was shown in all the fair Revelation, in which I saw Him assign to us no manner of blame. But though this was sweet and delectable, yet in the beholding only of this, I could not be fully eased: and that was because of the doom of Holy Church, which I had before understood and which was continually in my sight. And therefore by this doom I thought I understood that sinners are worthy sometime of blame and wrath; but these two could I not see in God; and therefore my desire was more than I can or may tell. For the higher doom was shown by God Himself in that same time, and therefore me behoved needs to take it; and the lower doom was learned me before in Holy Church, and therefore I might in no way leave the lower doom. Then was this my desire: that I might see in God in what manner that which the doom of Holy Church teaches is true in His sight, and how it belongs to me truly to know it; whereby the two dooms might both be saved, so as it were worshipful to God and right way to me. | ||||
And to all this I had none other answer but a marvellous example of a lord and of a servant, as I shall tell after: and that full mistily showed. And yet I stand desiring, and will to my end, that I might by grace know these two dooms as it belongs to me. For all heavenly, and all earthly things that belong to Heaven, are comprehended in these two dooms. And the more understanding, by the gracious leading of the Holy Ghost, that we have of these two dooms, the more we shall see and know our failings. And ever the more that we see them, the more, of nature, by grace, we shall long to be fulfilled of endless joy and bliss. For we are made thereto, and our Nature-Substance is now blissful in God, and has been since it was made, and shall be without end. | ||||