John Tauler · 97 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. · 84.

This peace had also the pagans; they put away all earthly things that they might enjoy bodily peace; therefore also the spirit was of joy, although not its true joy. But this natural joy should be avoided, and it should alone be sought in God; those who stand by this joy are more like unto the Gentiles than like Christ. It is possible, and also often happeneth, that a man putteth away all to have peace of spirit without obstacles, and therefore it is rather difficult to separate these natural pagan men from the Christian and divine; both of them avoid all earthly things, both have a similar life; they love poverty and venerate the Creator; both of them attempt externally to imitate the picture of our Lord; but inwardly they are unlike. Objects and forms are the aims of the natural men, they find their happiness in them; but the divine seek their happiness in the humanity and godliness of Christ, they come out from Him and they return to Him. But let no man attempt to find the difference between these two men, unless he hath divine light in his nature and is directed in spirit, lest he should attach sins to holy people. The best side should be looked on in all intentions, and no one should be pronounced wicked of whom the rottenness cannot here be known.