John Tauler · 90 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. · 77.

Secondly, man must have Buffering in the will, and what faileth him in works, he must fulfil in the will. This cometh to pass in this wise: when a man turneth into himself, and in the light of faith seeth the love of our Lord, which compelled Him to suffer such great martyrdom for him, then an answering love springeth up in man, who out of right love for our Lord would atone and make good all that which He hath suffered for his sake, and thus he falleth with the will on all the sufferings that might be inflicted upon him, and those he is willing again to suffer through and for Christ. Then his desire for suffering is greater than for all the things that are in time, and out of genuine answering love he throws off all that may bring him pleasure, comfort, and joy, and giveth himself a lack of all bodily delight and comfort, and of all creaturely joy, that he might repay Christ for a part of His sufferings. And this beginning of poverty is a sure way to a perfect life; and after a good beginning followeth easily a good middle course and a good end.