Christus loquens sponse dicit ei, quod ipsa est quasi fistula Spiritus sancti, per quam ipse dulcem facit sonum in mundo ad honorem suum et utilitatem gencium, propter quod ipse vult eam abextra deargentare bonis moribus et sapiencia, abintus vero deaurare vera humilitate et cordis mundicia.
The Flute of the Holy Spirit
Christ instructs the bride to be like a flute, adorned with outward wisdom and inward humility to serve as an instrument of his grace.
The Son says to the bride, "You must be like a flute, through which the Flute-player creates a sweet sound." But the owner of the flute silvers the outside so it appears more precious, while he gilds the inside with enduring gold. In the same way, you should be plated on the outside with good character and human wisdom, so that you may understand what you owe to God and to your neighbor, and what is truly beneficial for your soul and your body for the sake of eternal salvation. Inwardly, however, you must be gilded with humility, so that you seek to please no one but me, and don't fear to displease others for my sake.
Guarding the Instrument
The Lord explains the three protective measures—linen, a case, and a lock—necessary to keep the soul pure and guarded against spiritual theft.
Next, the flute player does three things for his flute. First, he wraps it in linen so it doesn't get stained. Second, he makes a case for it to keep it safe. Third, he puts a lock on the case so it isn't stolen by a thief. You must wrap yourself in such purity that you no longer want to be stained by any attachment or pleasure; instead, work diligently to remain alone, because bad company corrupts good character.1 The bolt, however, is the diligent guarding of your senses and your inner life, so that you stay alert in everything you do, lest you be deceived by the devil's cunning. The key, however, is the Holy Spirit, who will open your heart whenever it pleases me, for my honor and the benefit of others.
Read the original Latin
Filius loquitur ad sponsam: "Tu debes esse quasi fistula, per quam fistulator dulcem facit sonum. Qui autem possessor fistule est deargentat eam exterius, ut videatur preciosior, intus vero deaurat auro perseueranti.
Sic et tu deargentata debes esse bonis moribus et humana sapiencia, ut intelligas, quid debeas Deo quidue proximo tuo, quid vero expedit anime quidue corpori ad eternam salutem.
Intus autem debes esse deaurata per humilitatem, ut scilicet nulli placere appetas nisi michi nec displicere hominibus timeas propter me.
Deinde fistulator tria facit fistule sue. Primo inuoluit eam syndone, ne maculetur. Secundo facit ei coopertorium, in quo custodiatur. Tercio facit coopertorio seram, ne a fure auferatur.
Sic tu inuolui debes mundicia, ut nec affectu nec delectacione velis amplius inquinari, sed labora diligenter, ut possis esse sola, quia corrumpit bonos mores conuersacio malorum.
Sera vero est diligens custodia sensuum tuorum et interiorum omnium, ut in omnibus actibus tuis attendas, ne astucia Dyaboli decipiaris. Clauis vero est Spiritus sanctus, qui cor tuum aperiet, prout michi placuerit, ad honorem meum et hominum utilitatem."
Notes
- 1 ↩The phrase 'bad company corrupts good character' is a direct echo of 1 Corinthians 15:33.
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