SR
Chapter 40LiVM.6.40

XLV. Quod daemones non decipiunt, nisi per falsam ostensionem

XLV. Quod daemones non decipiunt, nisi per falsam ostensionem

These things are true, and for this simple man, they are presented clearly in the twists of words, because I, who came forth from the heavenly Father and received flesh from the Virgin Mother of purity, have written this man for this purpose: to reveal these truths without polished words and without human teaching, and to present them openly without the shadows of words, so that he might note the simplicity of the ignorant and recognize their author, the unquenchable light burning in the inextinguishable flame, and so that both the small and the great might faithfully correct themselves in these prayers. Blessed is the man who is stirred by the miracles of God in heaven. And I heard a voice from heaven saying: "The man who has seen these things, and has written them down, has seen and not seen, feels the dust and does not feel it, and the miracles of God are not manifested by themselves, but through those things that are touched, just as a string produces sound through the harpist's touch, not by itself, but through that touch." And these things are true, and the one who is true wanted them to be revealed in this way. Therefore, if someone adds anything contrary to the supreme understanding of the Scriptures and their own property, they deserve to be subjected to the penalties described here; or if someone removes anything from them in contradiction, they deserve to be erased from the joys presented here. And I heard a voice from the multitude in the higher secrets responding: Let it be, Amen, and so be it. And again I heard a voice from heaven saying to me: These things have been spoken and declared by the living voice of the ever-present light, and they are faithful; let the faithful pay attention to them, and let them be composed in the memory of good knowledge. Through a simple person, the living light of revelation shines. They begin the explanations of certain Gospels.

Read the original Latin

Haec autem vera sunt, et homini huic quae simplex est, in diverticulis verborum veraciter ostensa sunt, quia ego qui de superno Patre exivi, et de matre Virgine viriditatis carnem accepi, ^ eamdem hominem ad hoc excribravi, ut absque expolitis verbis et sine humano magisterio prolatis haec denudaret, et ea absque umbraculis verborum aperte proferret, qualenus scienlia scientium •) nescientis simplicitatem notaret, et auctorem illorum, indelicientem lucem inextinguibili flamma flammantem inteliigeret, et ut pusillus et magnus in oranibus his se fideliter castigaret.

Beatus igitur homo ille est, qui in coelestibus per miracula Dei excitatur.

Et audivi vocem de coelo dicentem: Homo quae haec vidit, et scribendo protulit, vidit et non vidit, cinerosa sentit et non sentit, ac miracula Dei non per se, sed per illa tacta profert, quemadmodum chorda per citharoedam tacta, sonum non per se, sed per tactum illius reddit.

Et haec vera sunt, et qui verus est, ea sic manifestari veraciter voluit.

Quapropter si quis per supereminentem mentem scripturarum et proprietatis suae, aliquid eis in contrarietate addiderit, poenis hic descriptis subjacere dignus est; aut si quis aliquid ab eis per contrarietatem abstulerit, dignus est ut a gaudiis hic ostensis deleatur.

Et audivi vocem multitudinis in superioribus secretis respondentem: Fiat, Amen, et sic flat.

Et iterum audivi vocem de coelo mihi dicentem: Haec de viva voce viventis et indeficientis lucis prolata et dicta sunt, et fidelia sunt, et fidelis his attendat, et ea in memoriam bonae scientiae componat.

PER SIMPLICEM HOMINEM A VIVENTE LUCE REVELATORUM. 245 INCIPIUNT EXPOSITIONES QUORUMDAM EVANGELIORUM

Liber Vitae Meritorum (Book of the Rewards of Life) companion

Examination is a habit, not an event

The free Chosen Portion app pairs daily readings from Hildegard with a fixed prayer rhythm

Hildegard's rhythm of naming a vice and answering it with virtue continues as short daily examen-style devotionals in the Chosen Portion app

  • A weekly examen you can complete in 15 minutes using Hildegard's 35 pairs
  • Daily readings from the full Book of the Rewards of Life, free in the app
  • All six parts, translated into modern English, at no cost
Chosen Portion — Daily Prayer (free iOS app)