|
BUT how and in what way those very convictions are produced from the
inmost recesses of the soul it is no less difficult to trace out. For often
through some inexpressible delight and keenness of spirit the fruit of a
most salutary conviction arises so that it actually breaks forth into
shouts owing to the greatness of its incontrollable joy; and the delight of
the heart and greatness of exultation makes itself heard even in the cell
of a neighbour. But sometimes the mind hides itself in complete silence
within the secrets of a profound quiet, so that the amazement of a sudden
illumination chokes all sounds of words and the overawed spirit either
keeps all its feelings to itself or loses them and pours forth its
desires to God with groanings that cannot be uttered. But sometimes it is
filled with such overwhelming conviction and grief that it cannot express
it except by floods of tears.
|
|