John Tauler · 84 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. · 71.

It may be said: if, then, the suffering that is inflicted on us by others is better than that which we inflict on ourselves, it is also better that we should not seek any suffering, but allow it to be applied to us; and thus, therefore, the suffering of rich people is better, as they do not seek it, than that of poor people, who seek it? But I say thus: That suffering is the best which is endured in true love, and this is certainly greater love if you seek suffering from love, than if you fly from it out of fear. But rich folk flee from sufferings, whether caused by themselves or others. The rich man is much more loved than hated, therefore no one doeth injury to him, save he himself. But the man truly poor in spirit thrusteth himself into every suffering, he fleeth his sins, as such sufferings give no reward, and he seeketh that others should do him injury, as he hath reward from this. Your own proper suffering cometh from a man’s own sins, and he suffereth quite rightly who liveth in sins, as each sin begetteth a special spiritual suffering. But if rich folk suffer thus, they have yet no merit unless they avoid the sins; if, however, they live in sins, they must endure severe sufferings. A suffering of this kind is like unto that of hell, for the more you suffer the worse you become; this happeneth to sinners; the more they suffer through their sins, the more wicked they become, and they fall continually more into them in order to get free from suffering; the more they flee external suffering, the more are they punished internally. Even if they have no external punishment, they are yet tortured internally by their sins, and complain of their great sufferings. They think it ought to bring them merit, because people say that suffering is good; but it is more a beginning of hellish torments than a preparation for heaven; for as good men have a foretaste of everlasting joys, so have sinners a foretaste of everlasting torments, as everlasting joy is begotten in virtue, and everlasting torment in sins. Therefore that suffering alone bringeth merit which out of love is borne with patience and for the sake of the truth. Such sufferings are sought by good men, therefore their suffering is also well pleasing to God.