John Tauler · 37 of 121

Secondly, of the work and knowledge of grace. · 91.

Thus the angel persuadeth the soul to virtue, and determines her to fly from vice. His speech is also in images and forms, but his images are useful and good; they lead man along the path of truth, and without these images no one can practise genuine virtue. If a man needeth these images he should not avoid them, for if he were to reject them he would lack the order of virtuous exercises, and he could scarcely carry into effect a good work in proper order and with discretion. These images come from grace, and do not hinder a man from what is best but further him to it. Just as a man, who seeth clearly, leadeth a blind man, so that he fall not into a ditch, in like manner images lead man, so that he lapse in no sin; and he who hath most ideas or images in himself, can best keep himself in proper order, both outwardly and inwardly. Some avoid images but know not what they avoid, and God often imparteth to them the grace to deny them to themselves. But these that help a man to divine truth, we ought gladly to receive.