heart, enter into your secret chamber and shut out the tumults of the world.
In your chamber you will find what you will too often lose abroad.† Your chamber, if you continue therein, grows sweet; but if you keep it little, it begets weariness. If in the beginning of your religious life you are content to remain in it, and keep to it well, it will afterward be a dear friend and a very pleasant comfort. In silence and in stillness a devout soul profits and learns the hidden things of the Scriptures. There he finds rivers of tears, wherein he may every night† wash and cleanse himself, that he may be more familiar with his Creator, the farther off he lives from all worldly disquiet. Whoever withdraws himself from his acquaintances and friends, God will draw near to him with His holy angels.
Why are you desirous to see that which you may not have? “The world and its desires pass away”.† Our sensual desires draw us to rove abroad; but when the hour is past, what do you carry home but heaviness of conscience and distraction of heart? A merry going forth brings often a sad returning, and a merry evening makes a sad morning.† So all carnal joy enters gently, but in the end bites and stings to death.†
What can you see elsewhere, which you see not here?† Behold the
