John Tauler · 86 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. · 73.
Nevertheless our Lord saith, “My soul is sorrowful unto death.” How then can good people be always gladsome? There are two kinds of sorrow, first, a sorrow that ariseth from our sins; but Jesus and good souls have not this sorrow. The other sorrow is more one of compassion, and ariseth from the love of man; Jesus had this, and also all the pious. This sorrow can well subsist with divine joy, and he who loveth his neighbour most, and hath compassion with him, in him ariseth the greatest divine joy. Even though the good man must feel sufferings on account of its defects, this taketh place from divine love, and his suffering is not like that of the sinner, in whom the pangs of hell always are born, but his suffering cometh out of love, and begetteth divine joy. Whoso doth not rejoice in suffering giveth evidence that it is not fruit-bearing. St. Paul saith, “Rejoice in the Lord alway,” and in another place he saith again, “Be joyful.” “Rejoice in the Lord alway; “this meaneth that man should in everlasting joy in the Lord, but a joy issuing from a pure conscience. Whoso hath this joy, that is a sign that God dwelleth in his heart, who revealeth Himself in love and joy. Thus good souls cannot show much sadness, for God hath taken away from them all sadness, and hath taken the place of this in them; but where God is there is perpetual joy. “Be ye joyful,” that is, as often as a man meeteth a suffering, he should always have a peculiar joy. That is then a sign that God answereth him in all things, and always cometh to meet him with new gifts. Every suffering endured from love and with joy bringeth fresh gifts; and he who rejoiceth alway in suffering, proveth that God is always giving to him, and that no gift escapeth him. Fresh gifts bring fresh joys, and the joy is known by the gift; for no one rejoiceth if you take from him, but if you give to him. God giveth continually to good men, so they constantly also feel joy.
