Tractatus Alter, Pars Prior, Cap. 9. De utilitate et gratia sanctarum lacrimarttm.

Tractatus Alter, Pars Prior, Cap. 9. De utilitate et gratia sanctarum lacrimarttm.

Holy and devout tears restrain the impulse of the flesh, extinguish the anger of disputes, wash away the faults of gluttony, lift up the pride of the eyes, avoid vain talk, seek silence, and obtain the fruit of prayer. They drive away the harmful idleness of the soul, kill falsehood, and mockery and laughter. They think of the hour of death, the terror of judgment, and the pain of hell. They lessen purgatory, increase the merit of life, break the devil's trap, conquer the noise of the world, and lead the weeping to the kingdom of heaven. Evil deeds are erased, and good things that were lost are restored. They teach us to avoid dangers, to stay in our cell, to read in the book, to write well, and to pray often. They preserve compunction in grace and bring joy to devotion for eternal glory. O, who will grant me the grace to feel these tears more deeply, to guard them more carefully, and to seek again what I have lost through repentance, finding it more quickly through my search? Whoever wants to have and keep this gift must carefully examine their own faults and sincerely thank God for the good things they have, and humbly pour themselves out in prayer. This is laborious and painful, but it is also very fruitful for those who do it, and in the end, it brings joy to those who die. Blessed are those who now often grieve, for they will be comforted with the angels in the future.