Extracts from the Dux Spiritualis by the Venerable Louis
de Ponte SJ
Chapter 1 – Section 4 – Of the activities and affections
of the Will
The understanding being now thoroughly aroused by the
consideration of these truths, we come to the 4th part of prayer
which is to raise thy will above all earthly considerations, and above thyself
to pure and fervent acts and affections towards heavenly things and to thy God
and thy saviour Jesus Christ, loving Him more than thyself and more than all
things created, determining with a firm and efficacious will to obey Him
fervently in all that He either commands or inspires.
These affections ought always to accompany meditation:
otherwise thou wilt gain little profit. For thy understanding only gains a
knowledge of the truth, the virtues must be exercised by the will:
the mind takes this heavenly food into the mouth,
the will tastes and assimilates it;
the understanding discovers hidden treasure,
the will embraces it and enjoys its riches.
Wisdom enters the mind but only the will can make us
holy, and it is the work of both together to establish us in sanctity.
Page 17 – Hence it sufficiently appears how greatly those
are deceived who pass the whole time of prayer in considerations, forgetting to
excite the affections of the will.
Page 18 – Prayer
Eternal God, I know and confess Thee to be mercy itself,
while I am nothing but misery. What more do I need to know, or why should I
reason further?
I come here into Thy Presence that Thou mayest take pity
on my wretchedness and fill me with Divine mercy.
If, by reason of my tepidity, this fire does not flame
out in thy mediation [cf. Psalm xxxviii, 4], let thy will, using its
liberty, move thy affections the best way that it can; for it often happens,
says the Wise man, that of one spark cometh a great fire [Ecclus. xi,
34], from one affection proceeds a great flame of love, which, flamed by the
wind of divine inspiration, sets the whole heart on fire.
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