Prologus

Prologus

I was truly amazed at how the fire had burst forth in my soul, and I felt an unusual comfort from this abundance, often sensing my heart beating as if it were on fire from some external cause. I was indeed astonished at how the fervor had burst forth in my soul, and from an unusual comfort due to the inexperience of this abundance: often my heart would palpitate, as if there were a heat from some external cause. Once I realized that this fire of love had arisen solely from within and was not kindled by anything external, I understood that it was a gift from the Creator. Overjoyed, I was melted into a deeper affection, especially because of the influence of the sweetest delight and the inner sweetness that, with its spiritual warmth, thoroughly soaked my mind. Before that comforting warmth was poured into me and sweetened every act of devotion, I never thought such a fire could arise in this exile; for it inflames my soul as if elemental fire were burning there. Not at all, as some say, do those who are on fire with love for Christ see others devoted to divine service with diligence and contempt for the world; rather, it’s like a finger placed in fire that feels the heat. In the same way, the soul, once ignited as I have described, senses a true ardor, sometimes less intense, sometimes more, depending on the frailty of the flesh. Who, after all, could bear to endure that existence in a mortal body at its highest state, as this life allows, for a long time? Ultimately, one would need to give up the sweetness and greatness of an overwhelming affection and an inestimable ardor, and indeed, this would be eagerly embraced and passionately desired, so that in the very gifts of the mind, sweetened by this fire, the soul, uplifted, would die while departing from the world, and immediately caught up in the company of those singing praises to the Creator. But certain things oppose love, because the filth of the flesh creeps in and tempts the peaceful. The necessity of the body and the affections impressed upon us by our humanity stir up the ardor of our exile, and the flame that I have called fire under the metaphor, because it burns and shines, both mitigates and troubles us. They certainly don't take away what cannot be taken away, because the heart is entirely wrapped up in it; and for such reasons, that most blessed fervor, which is absent for a time, becomes apparent, and I, remaining cold as if, until it returns to me, feel desolate, while I lack that sense of the internal fire, which all of body and spirit applaud, and in which they know themselves secure, as I used to. Moreover, sleep stands in my way like an enemy, for I lament that I lose no time except that which I am forced to indulge in sleep. Awake, I try to warm my soul, which is frozen in darkness, knowing that it has grown cold in devotion and is set on fire by an immense desire to rise above earthly things. For the abundance of eternal love does not come to me in idleness, nor when I have been too physically exhausted from my journey can I feel that spiritual fervor, or even when I am excessively caught up in worldly comforts, or indeed when I am overly devoted to debates; rather, I find myself growing cold in such matters until I can again, having set aside everything that might hold me back externally, strive only to be present to the Savior's gaze and dwell in the ardor of my inner being. Therefore, I offer this book for contemplation, not for philosophers, nor for the wise of this world, nor for those entangled in great and infinite theological questions, but for the simple and unlearned, who strive to love God more than to know many things. For it's not through arguing but through acting that one will know, and by loving. I believe that what is contained here cannot be understood by those who are caught up in worldly questions and the highest knowledge, but only by those who are humble in the love of Christ. Therefore, I decided not to write to them, unless they first set aside and forget everything that pertains to the world, so that they might be devoted solely to the desires of the Creator. First, they should flee from all earthly dignity, hate all ostentation of knowledge and vain glory, and then, conforming themselves to the highest poverty, they should assist continually in prayer and meditation with divine love. Indeed, a certain inner spark of uncreated love will appear in them, igniting their hearts to embrace warmth, with which all darkness will be consumed; it will lift them into a most lovely and delightful fervor, so that they may transcend the temporal and hold fast to the throne of tranquility. The more knowledgeable someone is, the more they should be inclined to love, provided they truly reject worldly things and take joy in being rejected by others. Therefore, since I aim to inspire everyone here toward love, I will try to show both the fervent and supernatural nature of love, as the title of this book suggests, 'The Fire of Love.'