John Tauler · 12 of 121

Secondly, of the work and knowledge of grace. · 66.

If those who lived in sin only knew in what good they are wanting, yea, even natural good, they would suffer the greatest pain to be inflicted on them before they would commit a mortal sin. For sin is so bad that it robbeth man of all good. They who live in riches and in sin fancy it is right well with them, but they know not what woe it is to them. The devil prompts to the sins, and especially those of unchastity; but when you are unchaste, he flieth and will not have seen it, through the thorough wickedness and soiling there is in it. For though he is the root of all wickedness, yet for its very uncleanness he hateth this sin naturally. Therefore it is a great gain to know the injury of sin. Now no one can properly know this injury, save those who have been in sins, and have left sins and have come to grace; for it would be a torment of hell for them to fall in sins again. For they have more delight and joy in one day than all sinners have ever gained. Their labour is pleasanter than the rest of a sinner, who can really have none; they labour always and rest never, and yet their labour is unfruitful. But good men rest alway; not that they sit idly, but their labour is rest. For “they have in all things rest,” as Solomon saith. But the sinner hath disquiet, unrest, in all things. Let him eat, or drink, or sleep, or wake, all is painful; let him do what he will, his heart will never be joyful. He showeth indeed a certain joy outwardly, so that people might fancy he were cheerful. But no joy is there; for the ground of joy, out of which joy springeth, is broken up, and he can have no joy. He indulges himself sometime, but that doeth also a dog.