Jean-Baptiste Berthier

“ He who directs another during a retreat, must so dispose him as to make him as ready to follow the counsels as the commandments. Indeed, then, we should have, as far as depends on us, greater readiness for the counsels, where the observance of them will contribute more to the glory of God. For, more evident tokens are required to decide that God wishes a soul to remain in the state of the commandments alone, than to believe that soul called to follow the path of the counsels ; for our Lord has very clearly exhorted men to embrace the counsels. ”

“ Many go wrong, says our illustrious guide, and take as a divine call what is only a badly made choice. A divine call is always pure, clear, and free from carnal affection and perverse desire. [3] Therefore, he who is about to choose must have reached, by meditation on the example of our Lord and of his saints, such a state of indifference, as to be equally disposed to practise both counsels and commandments, or the commandments only, if such be the divine will. ”

“ This gives the soul great confidence that God will not allow her to be deceived. For, since she seeks him sincerely and with all her heart, he will never turn away from her, because his goodness is too great, and his love for his creatures is so boundless, that he often goes to meet those who flee from his face. ”

“ And truly, even though one were not to choose the state of perfection, because, perhaps, he is not called to it, this perfect disposition not only can do no harm, but must prove even very beneficial to the soul. Hence, during the spiritual exercises, the most perfect way is set before men as one that should be desired and asked of God. ”

“ What we have received is not to be buried in the earth : now, St. Gregory tells us that we bury our talents when we devote them solely to earthly objects : Talentum abscondere est acceptum ingenium terrenis actibus implicare. ”

“ This means, first, that the soul should not allow itself to be distracted ; that it should bury itself only with its election, attend to it alone, and put aside every other interest. Secondly, it means that, during this deliberation, the soul should consider only heavenly motives ”