第八章

談到天主透過理智的眼光與靈魂交流並就該主題提供建議的方式。這個願景真正產生的影響。要求對這些優惠保密。

1. 我們的主與靈魂同在。 2. 聖女小德蘭的經驗。 3. 因這異象而產生的信心和恩典。 4.其功效。 5.它產生謙卑。 6. 並為靈魂做好其他恩典的準備。 7. 聖徒臨在的意識。 8. 因該恩典而產生的義務。 9. 跡象顯示這個恩惠是真誠的。 10. 應諮詢告解神父。 11. 我們的主會啟發我們的顧問。 12. 關於此異象的警告。

1. 1. 姊妹們，為了更清楚地向你們證明我所說的都是正確的，並表明靈魂越進步，這位良善的耶穌與它的陪伴就越緊密，我最好告訴你們，當他如此選擇時，靈魂不能從他的面前退縮。陛下向我們傳達他自己的方式和方式清楚地表明了這一點，透過奇妙的幻影和異象表達了他的愛，如果他願意幫助我，我將向您描述這些，以便您在獲得這些恩惠時不會感到驚慌。即使我們自己不接受它們，我們也應該熱切地讚美祂與受造物的交流，看到祂的威嚴和力量是多麼的主權。

2. 2. 例如，一個人根本沒有期待這樣的恩惠，也從未想像過自己值得接受這種恩惠，但她意識到耶穌基督站在她身邊，儘管她既沒有用肉眼或靈魂的眼睛看到他。 ³⁴⁵這稱為智力異象；我不知道為什麼。我認識一個人，天主賜給了他這種恩典以及我稍後將要描述的其他恩典。起初，她感到很苦惱，因為她無法理解。她什麼也看不見，但她如此確信耶穌基督正在以某種方式顯現自己，以至於她無法懷疑這是某種異象，無論它是否來自天主。它的強大影響力是一個強有力的論據，證明它來自他；但她仍然感到震驚，因為她從未聽說過智力幻象，也不知道有這樣的事情。然而，她確信我們主的存在，³⁴⁶並且祂以我所描述的方式對她說話了幾次。在她得到這個恩惠之前，她曾聽過一些話，但不知道是誰說的。

3. 3. 她被這個幻象嚇到了，這個幻像不像想像中的那樣很快就消失，而是持續數天，有時甚至長達一年以上。她在極度焦慮的狀態下去找她的告解神父³⁴⁷，神父問她，如果她什麼也沒看到，她如何知道我們的主就在她附近，並要求她描述他的外表。她說她無法這樣做，也看不到他的臉，也無法說出比她已經做過的更多的事情，但她確信這是他對她說話的事實，這並不是她的想像的把戲。儘管人們不斷警告她不要相信這種幻象，但通常她發現不可能不相信它，尤其是當她聽到這句話時：「是我，別害怕」³⁴⁸

4. 4. 這番話的效果如此之大，以至於她暫時無法懷疑其真實性。看到這樣的恩惠極大地幫助她不斷地想起天主，並極其小心地不以任何方式得罪那位一直在她身邊、注視著她的天主，她感到受到了很大的鼓舞和高興，因為有這樣好的陪伴。每當她想在祈禱中向陛下說話時，甚至在其他時候，他似乎都離她很近，以至於他不可能聽不到她的聲音，儘管他不會在她希望的時候對她說話，但出乎意料的是，當有必要時，他就會對她說話。她意識到他就在她的右手邊，儘管不是我們所知道的普通人在我們旁邊的方式，而是以一種無法形容的更微妙的方式。然而，這種存在與我們可能被欺騙的其他人的普通存在一樣明顯和確定，甚至更加明顯和確定。但事實並非如此，因為它帶來了憂鬱所無法帶來的恩典和精神影響。魔鬼也無法讓靈魂充滿平安，不斷地渴望取悅天主，並徹底蔑視一切不能歸向天主的事物。隨著時間的推移，我的朋友意識到這不是惡人的作為，正如我們的主越來越清楚地向她展示的那樣。

5. 5. 然而，我知道她經常感到極大的驚慌，有時感到困惑，無法解釋自己得到瞭如此高的恩惠。她和我非常親密³⁴⁹，我知道她靈魂中發生的一切，因此我的敘述完全真實可靠。這種恩惠會帶來壓倒性的自卑感和謙卑感。情況恰恰相反，如果它來自撒旦的話。 ³⁵⁰ 這顯然是神聖的；任何人的努力都無法產生這樣的感覺，也沒有人能認為這樣的利益來自於她自己，但必須承認它是天主之手的一份禮物。

6. 6.雖然我相信前面的一些恩惠更為崇高，但這卻帶來了對神的特殊認識；對他最溫柔的愛源於不斷地與他為伴，而將自己的整個生命奉獻給他的願望比迄今為止所描述的任何事物都更加強烈。認識到神永遠且近在眼前，我們的良心就大大淨化了，因為雖然我們知道神看到我們所做的一切，但大自然卻讓我們變得粗心和忘記。這是不可能的，因為我們的主使靈魂意識到祂就在附近，從而準備好透過不斷地向它所看到或感覺到的主做出愛的行為來接受提到的其他恩典。總之，這恩典所帶來的好處，足以證明它是多麼的偉大、多麼的有價值。靈魂感謝我們的主將它賜給一個不值得的人，但祂拒絕用它來交換任何塵世的財富或快樂。

7. 7. 當我們的主選擇收回祂的臨在時，孤獨中的靈魂會盡一切努力吸引祂回來。但這收效甚微，因為這種恩典是按照祂的意願來的，而不是透過我們的努力而來的。有時我們可能會享受一些聖人的陪伴，³⁵¹這也為我們帶來了巨大的利益。你會問我，如果我們看不見一個人，我們怎麼知道那是基督，還是祂最榮耀的母親，還是一位聖人？這樣的人無法回答這個問題，也不知道她如何區分它們，但事實仍然是不容置疑的。當我們的主說話時，認出他似乎很容易，但令人驚訝的是，靈魂如何在沒有聽到他的一句話的情況下，認出哪位聖徒是天主派來作為它的同伴和幫助者的。

8. 8. 還有其他無法解釋的屬靈問題。我們無法領會它們，這應該告訴我們，我們的本性是多麼無能理解天主崇高的奧秘。那些受到這些恩惠的人應該驚嘆並讚美天主對他們的憐憫。由於這些特殊的恩典並不是賜給每個人的，所以任何接受這些恩典的人都應該高度重視它們，並努力更加熱心地侍奉天主，因為天主已經給了她如此特殊的幫助。因此，這樣的人並不因此而評價自己更高，而是認為她比世上任何人都更少侍奉天主；她覺得自己比其他人對天主負有更大的責任，所以她所犯的任何過錯都會刺痛她的心，在這種情況下確實應該如此。

9. 9. 當感受到所描述的效果時，你們任何一個被我們的主引導走這條路的人都可以肯定，她的情況既不是欺騙，也不是幻想。我相信魔鬼不可能產生持續這麼久的幻象，也不可能為靈魂帶來如此顯著的益處，也不可能帶來如此內心的平靜。這不是他的習慣，即使他願意，這樣一個邪惡的生物也不可能帶來這麼多的善事。靈魂很快就會被自尊心和自己比別人更好的想法所籠罩。心靈不斷地與天主同在³⁵²並將思想集中在天主身上，這會激怒惡魔，儘管他可能會嘗試一次這個實驗，但他不會經常重複它。天主太信實了，不允許他對一個唯一致力於取悅天主陛下並為天主的榮耀和榮耀獻出生命的人擁有如此大的權力；他很快就會揭穿惡魔的詭計。

10. 10. 我一如既往地主張，如果靈魂從這些神聖恩典中獲得了所描述的效果，儘管天主可能會收回這些特殊的恩惠，但陛下將使一切都對它有利；即使他允許魔鬼隨時欺騙它，邪靈也只會自食其果。因此，正如我告訴你們的那樣，女兒們，受這種引導的人不需要感到驚慌。恐懼是好的，我們應該謹慎，不要過於自信，因為如果這樣的恩惠讓你大意，那就證明它們不是來自天主，因為它們沒有留下我所描述的結果。最好先在懺悔的印記下，將你的情況告訴一位完全合格的神學家（因為這是我們必須獲得亮光的源泉）或某個高度靈性的人。如果你的告解神父不是很靈性，那麼最好是一位優秀的神學家；³⁵³最重要的是，一個將兩種品質結合在一起的人。 ³⁵⁴如果他認為這只是幻想，請不要感到不安；如果是的話，它既不會傷害你的靈魂，也不會給你的靈魂帶來多大的好處。向神聖陛下推薦自己並懇求他不要讓你被誤導。

11. 11. 如果他告訴你魔鬼在欺騙你，那就更糟了，儘管沒有一個有學問的人如果在你身上看到了所描述的效果，就不會這麼說。即使你的顧問這樣說，我知道在你身邊的同一位主也會安慰你，讓你放心，他會去找你的顧問，給他亮光，讓他把它傳授給你。 ³⁵⁵如果導演雖然熱衷於祈禱，卻沒有被神這樣引導，他會立即感到恐懼並譴責它。因此，我建議你選擇一位合格的神學家，如果可能的話，選擇一位屬靈的神學家。女修道院院長應該允許你這樣做，因為雖然她可能確信你不會受到妄想，因為你過著美好的生活，但為了你們的共同安全，她一定會允許你向某人諮詢。當你與這些人商量之後，要保持平靜；不要再為這件事煩惱，因為有時，當沒有理由害怕時，惡魔會產生如此無節制的顧慮，以至於這個人不能滿足於只就這個問題諮詢她的懺悔神父一次，特別是如果他缺乏經驗和膽怯，或者如果他要求她再次諮詢他的話。

12. 12. 因此，本應嚴格保密的事情變成了公開；³⁵⁶這樣的人受到迫害和折磨，並發現她認為是自己的秘密的東西已經成為公共財產。因此，她遭受了許多麻煩，在這種時候，這些麻煩甚至可能會轉移到鳳凰會身上。因此，我警告所有女修道院院長，在此類事情上需要非常謹慎；他們也不能因為得到這樣的恩惠就認為修女比其他修女更有德行。我們的主以祂知道最好的方式引導每個人。如果善用這種恩典，接受它的人會成為天主偉大的僕人，但有時我們的主會將它賜予最軟弱的靈魂；因此，它本身既不值得尊重，也不值得譴責。我們必須注重美德；最謙卑、最謙卑、最專一地事奉天主的人是最聖潔的。然而，在真正的法官根據每個人的功績獎勵每個人之前，我們永遠無法對這些事情感到非常確定。然後我們會驚訝地發現他的判斷與這個世界的判斷有多麼不同。願他永遠受讚美。阿門。

SPEAKS OF THE MANNER IN WHICH GOD COMMUNICATES WITH THE SOUL BY INTELLECTUAL VISION AND GIVES ADVICE UPON THE SUBJECT. OF THE EFFECTS PRODUCED BY THIS VISION WHEN GENUINE. SECRECY ABOUT THESE FAVOURS IS ENJOINED.

1. Our Lord’s presence accompanying the soul. 2. St. Teresa’s experience of this. 3. Confidence and graces resulting from this vision. 4. Its effects . 5. It Produces humility. 6. And prepares the soul for other graces. 7. Consciousness of the presence of the saints. 8. Obligations resulting from this grace. 9. Signs that this favour is genuine. 10. A confessor should be consulted. 11. Our Lord will enlighten our advisers. 12. Cautions about this vision.

1.

1. To prove to you more clearly, sisters, the truth of what I have been saying and to show that the more the soul advances, the closer does this good Jesus bear it company, it would be well for me to tell you how, when He so chooses, it cannot withdraw from His presence. This is clearly shown by the manners and ways in which His Majesty communicates Himself to us, manifesting His love by wonderful apparitions and visions which, if He is pleased to aid me, I will describe to you so that you may not be alarmed if any of these favours are granted you. We ought, even if we do not receive them ourselves, to praise Him fervently for thus communing with creatures, seeing how sovereign are His majesty and power.

2.

2. For example, a person who is in no way expecting such a favour nor has ever imagined herself worthy of receiving it, is conscious that Jesus Christ stands by her side although she sees Him neither with the eyes of the body nor of the soul.³⁴⁵ This is called an intellectual vision; I cannot tell why. I knew a person to whom God granted both this grace and others I shall describe later on. At first it distressed her, for she could not understand it; she could see nothing, yet so convinced did she feel that Jesus Christ was thus in some way manifesting Himself that she could not doubt that it was some kind of vision, whether it came from God or no. Its powerful effects were a strong argument that it was from Him; still she was alarmed, never having heard of an intellectual vision, nor was she aware that such a thing could be. She however felt certain of our Lord’s presence,³⁴⁶ and He spoke to her several times in the way that I described. Before she had received this favour, she had heard words spoken but had never known who uttered them.

3.

3. She was frightened by this vision which, unlike an imaginary one, does not pass away quickly but lasts for several days and even sometimes for more than a year. She went, in a state of great anxiety, to her confessor³⁴⁷ who asked her how, if she saw nothing, she knew that our Lord was near her, and bade her describe His appearance. She said that she was unable to do so, nor could she see His face nor tell more than she had already done, but that she was sure it was the fact that it was He Who spoke to her and it was no trick of her imagination. Although people constantly cautioned her against this vision, as a rule she found it impossible to disbelieve in it, especially when she heard the words: ‘It is I, be not afraid’³⁴⁸

4.

4. The effect of this speech was so powerful that for the time being she could not doubt its truth. She felt much encouraged and rejoiced at being in such good company, seeing that this favour greatly helped her to a constant recollection of God and an extreme care not to displease in any way Him Who seemed ever by her side, watching her. Whenever she desired to speak to His Majesty in prayer, or even at other times, He seemed so close that He could not fail to hear her though He did not speak to her whenever she wished, but unexpectedly, when necessity arose. She was conscious of His being at her right hand, although not in the way we know an ordinary person to be beside us but in a more subtle manner which cannot be described. Yet this presence is quite as evident and certain, and indeed far more so, than the ordinary presence of other people about which we may be deceived; not so in this, for it brings with it graces and spiritual effects which could not come from melancholia. Nor could the devil thus fill the soul with peace, with a constant desire to please God, and such utter contempt of all that does not lead to Him. As time went on, my friend recognized that this was no work of the evil one, as our Lord showed her more and more clearly.

5.

5. However, I know that she often felt great alarm and was at times overcome with confusion, being unable to account for so high a favour having been granted her. She and I were so very intimate³⁴⁹ that I knew all that passed in her soul, hence my account is thoroughly true and reliable. This favour brings with it an overwhelming sense of self-abasement and humility; the reverse would be the case, did it come from Satan.³⁵⁰ It is evidently divine; no human effort could produce such feelings nor could any one suppose that such profit came from herself, but must needs recognize it as a gift from the hand of God.

6.

6. Although I believe some of the former favours are more sublime, yet this brings with it a special knowledge of God; a most tender love for Him results from being constantly in His company, while the desires of devoting one’s whole being to His service are more fervent than any hitherto described. The conscience is greatly purified by the knowledge of His perpetual and near presence, for although we know that God sees all we do, yet nature inclines us to grow careless and forgetful of it. This is impossible here since our Lord makes the soul conscious that He is close at hand, thus preparing it to receive the other graces mentioned by constantly making acts of love to Him Whom it sees or feels at its side. In short, the benefits caused by this grace prove how great and how valuable it is. The soul thanks our Lord for bestowing it on one unworthy of it, but who would refuse to exchange it for any earthly riches or delight.

7.

7. When our Lord chooses to withdraw His presence, the soul in its loneliness makes every possible effort to induce Him to return. This avails but little, for this grace comes at His will and not by our endeavours. At times we may enjoy the company of some saint,³⁵¹ which also brings us great profit. You will ask me, if we see no one, how can we know whether it is Christ, or His most glorious Mother, or a saint? Such a person cannot answer this question or know how she distinguishes them, but the fact remains undoubted. It seems easy to recognize our Lord when He speaks, but it is surprising how the soul can, without hearing a word from him, recognize which saint has been sent by God to be its companion and helper.

8.

8. There are other spiritual matters which cannot be explained. Our inability to grasp them should teach us how incapable is our nature of understanding the sublime mysteries of God. Those on whom these favours are bestowed should marvel at and praise God’s mercy for them. As these particular graces are not granted to everybody, any one who receives them should esteem them highly and strive to serve God more zealously, since He has given her such special aid. Therefore such a person does not rate herself more highly on this account, but rather thinks she serves Him less than any one else in the world; feeling herself to be under greater obligations to Him than others, any fault she commits pierces her to the heart, as indeed it ought under the circumstances.

9.

9. When the effects described are felt, any of you whom our Lord leads by this way may be certain that it is neither deception nor fancy in her case. I believe it to be impossible for the devil to produce an illusion lasting so long, neither could he benefit the soul so remarkably nor cause such interior peace. It is not his custom, nor, if he would, could such an evil creature bring about so much good; the soul would soon be clouded by self-esteem and the idea that it was better than others. The mind’s continual keeping in the presence of God³⁵² and the concentration of its thoughts on Him would so enrage the fiend that, although he might try the experiment once, he would not often repeat it. God is too faithful to permit him so much power over one whose sole endeavour is to please His Majesty and to lay down her life for His honour and glory; He would soon unmask the demon’s artifices.

10.

10. I contend, as I always shall, that if the soul reaps the effects described from these divine graces, although God may withdraw these special favours, His Majesty will turn all things to its advantage; even should He permit the devil to deceive it at any time, the evil spirit will only reap his own confusion. Therefore, as I told you, daughters, none of you who are led by this way need feel alarm. Fear is good and we should be cautious and not overconfident, for if such favours made you careless, it would prove they were not from God as they did not leave the results I described. It would be well at first to tell your case, under the seal of confession, to a thoroughly qualified theologian (for that is the source whence we must obtain light) or to some highly spiritual person. If your confessor is not very spiritual, a good theologian would be preferable;³⁵³ best of all, one who unites both qualities.³⁵⁴ Do not be disturbed if he calls it mere fancy; if it is, it can neither harm nor benefit your soul much. Recommend yourself to the divine Majesty and beg Him not to allow you to be misled.

11.

11. It would be worse should he tell you the devil is deceiving you, although no learned man would say so if he sees in you the effects described. Even should your adviser say this, I know that the same Lord Who is beside you will comfort and reassure you and will go to your counsellor and give him light that he may impart it to you.³⁵⁵ If the director, though given to prayer, has not been led by God in this way, he will at once take fright and condemn it. Therefore I advise you to choose a qualified theologian and, if possible, one who is also spiritual. The Prioress ought to allow you this, for although she may feel sure that you are safe from delusion because you lead a good life, yet she is bound to permit you to consult some one for your mutual security. When you have conferred with these persons, be at peace; trouble yourself no more about the matter, for sometimes when there is no cause for fear, the demon gives rise to such immoderate scruples that the person cannot be satisfied with consulting her confessor only once on the subject, especially if he is inexperienced and timid or if he bids her consult him again.

12.

12. Thus that which should have been kept strictly private becomes public;³⁵⁶ such a person is persecuted and tormented and finds that what she believed to be her own secret has become public property. Hence she suffers many troubles which may even devolve upon the Order in such times as these. Consequently I warn all Prioresses that great caution is required in such matters; also they must not think a nun more virtuous than the rest because such favours are shown her. Our Lord guides every one, in the way He knows to be best. This grace, if made good use of, prepares one receiving it to become a great servant of God, but sometimes our Lord bestows it on the weakest souls; therefore in itself it is neither to be esteemed nor condemned. We must look to the virtues; she who is most mortified, humble and single-minded in serving God is the most holy. However, we can never feel very certain about such matters until the true Judge rewards each one according to his merits. Then we shall be surprised to find how very different is His judgment from that of this world. May He be for ever praised. Amen.