y son, when you perceive that the desire for eternal bliss is given to you from above, and long to escape from the prison of the body, that you may be able to contemplate My brightness, without shadow, open your heart wide, and receive this holy inspiration with your whole desire. Give great thanks to the heavenly Father who deals with you so favorably, visits you mercifully, stirs you up fervently, sustains you powerfully, lest through your own weight you sink down to earthly things. For you do not obtain this by your own thought or endeavor, but by the mere condescension of heavenly grace and divine favor; to the end that you may make further progress in all virtues, and in greater humility, and prepare yourself for future conflicts, and may earnestly strive to hold to Me with the whole affection of your heart, and to serve Me with fervent desire.
My son, often the fire burns, but the flame ascends not without some smoke. So likewise the desires of some men burn toward heavenly things, and yet they are not free from temptation of carnal affection. And therefore it is not altogether purely for the honor of God, that they make such earnest requests to him. Such also, too often, is your desire, which