Chapter 9

Because of the Shewing I am not good but if I love God the better: and in as much as ye love God the better, it is more to you than to me. I say¹ not this to them that be wise, for they wot it well; but I say it to you that be simple, for ease and comfort: for we are all one in comfort. For truly it was not shewed me that God loved me better than the least soul that is in grace; for I am certain that there be many that never had Shewing nor sight but of the common teaching of Holy Church, that love God better than I. For if I look singularly to myself, I am right nought; but in [the] general [Body] I am, I hope, in oneness of charity with all mine even-Christians.

The Showing makes me no better unless I love God more because of it. And the more you love God, the more it benefits you rather than me. I say¹ this not to those who are wise, for they know it well. I say it to you who are simple, to give you ease and comfort. For we all share in the same comfort. Truly, I was not shown that God loved me more than the least soul in grace. I am certain that many people love God more than I do. They have never had a Showing or vision, but only the ordinary teaching of Holy Church. For if I consider myself alone, I am truly nothing. But in the whole Body, I hope I am united in love with all my fellow Christians.

For in this oneness standeth the life of all mankind that shall be saved. For God is all that is good, as to my sight, and God hath made all that is made, and God loveth all that He hath made: and he that loveth generally all his even-Christians for God, he loveth all that is. For in mankind that shall be saved is comprehended all: that is to say, all that is made and the Maker of all. For in man is God, and God is in all. And I hope by the grace of God he that beholdeth it thus shall be truly taught and mightily comforted, if he needeth comfort.

For the life of all people who will be saved rests in this oneness. For, as I see it, God is all that is good. God has made all that is made, and God loves all that he has made. Whoever loves all their fellow Christians for God’s sake loves all that exists. For all is included in the people who will be saved: all that is made and the Maker of all. For God is in humanity, and God is in all. And I hope, by God’s grace, that anyone who sees this will be truly taught. If they need comfort, they will also be greatly comforted.

I speak of them that shall be saved, for in this time God shewed me none other. But in all things I believe as Holy Church believeth, preacheth, and teacheth. For the Faith of Holy Church, the which I had aforehand understood and, as I hope, by the grace of God earnestly kept in use and custom, stood continually in my sight: [I] willing and meaning never to receive anything that might be contrary thereunto. And with this intent I beheld the Shewing with all my diligence: for in all this blessed Shewing I beheld it as one in God's meaning.²

I speak of those who will be saved, for at this time God showed me no others. But in all things I believe as Holy Church believes, preaches, and teaches. The faith of Holy Church was always before me. I had understood it beforehand and, as I hope, had earnestly practiced it by the grace of God. I never intended or wished to accept anything contrary to that faith. With this intent, I examined the Showing with all my care. For throughout this blessed Showing, I saw it as one in God's meaning.²

All this was shewed by three [ways]: that is to say, by bodily sight, and by word formed in mine understanding, and by spiritual sight. But the spiritual sight I cannot nor may not shew it as openly nor as fully as I would. But I trust in our Lord God Almighty that He shall of His goodness, and for your love, make you to take it more spiritually and more sweetly than I can or may tell it.

All this was shown to me in three ways: through bodily sight, through words formed in my understanding, and through spiritual sight. But I cannot fully or clearly convey the spiritual sight as I would wish. Still, I trust in our Lord God Almighty. In his goodness and for love of you, he will help you receive it more spiritually and more sweetly than I can tell it.