John Tauler · 75 of 121

The third way of a poor, perfect life, when you contemplate God internally, is, that a man do not fly from what may kill him in spiritual things. · 62.

When a man hath still an eye to other people, and to what pleaseth them, his eye is not clear, therefore his work is not pure: for the creature blindeth, and God maketh seeing. He, therefore, who wisheth to see perfectly must turn his eye away from all creatures, and alone to God. After this all his works are pure virtue, and whatever falleth then upon him is for his best. No one should be guilty of this, that he goeth out of his best and followeth the best of other men; and this is because, when a man followeth his best in the most perfect manner, he doeth what is best for all in the most perfect manner. As Christ saith, “When am raised up, behold I draw all things after me.” Now, therefore, whoso is raised with Christ above all earthly things, draweth all things with him aloft, where is Christ, and that is the very best for all men. And who doth not take his best therein, this is his fault, as he is not worthy of Him; but no one must omit virtue for any unworthy object, and if he were to omit a virtue, he would fall into this same unworthiness. And God’s honour doth not lie in this that I am sparing with virtue on account of my fellowman, but that I fulfil all virtue, and I ought to endure whatever judgment may fall upon me, and that is the honour of God. For these same judgments make me a powerful judge at the last day, over all those who judge me here. Of this Christ spake: “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” Now, whoso judgeth another here in good works, gives him power to judge himself. Of this Paul spake: “Whoso judgeth his brother, heapeth judgment on himself.” Therefore let no man be frightened because he is judged; for all his detects are thereby taken away from him, which only leave him henceforth the feeling of repentance.