Chapter 79: I was taught that I should see mine own sin, and not other men's sin except

"I was taught that I should see mine own sin, and not other men's sin except it may be for comfort and help of my fellow-Christians" (lxxvi.)

ALSO I had of this [Revelation] more understanding. In that He showed me that I should sin, I took it nakedly to mine own singular person, for I was none otherwise showed at that time. But by the high, gracious comfort of our Lord that followed after, I saw that His meaning was for the general Man: that is to say, All-Man; which is sinful and shall be unto the last day. Of which Man I am a member, as I hope, by the mercy of God. For the blessed comfort that I saw, it is large enough for us all. And here was I learned that I should see mine own sin, and not other men's sins but if it may be for comfort and help of mine even-Christians.

And also in this same Showing where I saw that I should sin, there was I learned to be in dread for unsureness of myself. For I wot not how I shall fall, nor I know not the measure nor the greatness of sin; for that would I have wist, with dread, and thereto I had none answer.

Also our courteous Lord in the same time He showed full surely and mightily the endlessness and the unchangeability of His love; and, afterward, that by His great goodness and His grace inwardly keeping, the love of Him and our soul shall never be disparted in two, without end .

And thus in this dread I have matter of meekness that saveth me from presumption, and in the blessed Showing of Love I have matter of true comfort and of joy that saveth me from despair. All this homely Showing of our courteous Lord, it is a lovely lesson and a sweet, gracious teaching of Himself in comforting of our soul. For He wills that we [should] know by the sweetness and homely loving of Him, that all that we see or feel, within or without, that is contrary to this is of the enemy and not of God. And thus--If we be stirred to be the more reckless of our living or of the keeping of our hearts because that we have knowing of this plenteous love, then need we greatly to beware. For this stirring, if it come, is untrue; and greatly we ought to hate it, for it all has no likeness of God's will. And when that we be fallen, by frailty or blindness, then our courteous Lord touches us and stirreth us and calls us; and then wills He that we see our wretchedness and meekly be aware of it. But He wills not that we abide thus, nor He wills not that we busy us greatly about our accusing, nor He wills not that we be wretched over our self; but He wills that we hastily turn ourselves unto Him. For He standeth all aloof and abides us sorrowfully and mournfully till when we come, and has haste to have us to Him. For we are His joy and His delight, and He is our salve and our life.

When I say He standeth all alone, I leave the speaking of the blessed Company of heaven, and speak of His office and His working here on earth,--upon the condition of the Showing.

See xxxvii., xl., xlviii., lxi., lxxxii.

"ben it aknowen." S. de Cressy, "be it a knowen."

MS. "wretchful of our selfe." S. de Cressy, "wretchful on our self."