John Tauler · 28 of 121

Secondly, of the work and knowledge of grace. · 82.

The other spirit that speaketh in man is natural, and its speech is in images and forms, and thereby he seeketh the distinction of created things. And if man’s spirit understands all created things, and he is empty of all accidental faults, he is in the highest nobility of mere nature. But if he keeps to himself, and considereth his nobility with satisfaction in himself, he cannot remain in the highest nobility of his nature, and falls into an ignoble state, and clothes himself with mortality and with manifold defects, for no nature can subsist long without accidents, whether these be from sin or grace. But if it come to pass that when the natural spirit hath attained the highest summit of its nature, it should then turn of itself to God, and contemplate the nobleness of God, then the natural nobility of this man is clothed upon with the divine nobility, and his nature is united to the divine nature, his nature becometh immortal and light and life and truth flow into him, and these God begetteth in him alway.