_ 83 _ He gave me so much and such continuous labour that I had no time, even if I wanted it, to spend in vanity, which requires idleness. When I had time for rest, I was not aware if I was sleeping on the floor or on a camp-bed, or in a proper bed, and until I became conscious, I was safe, unless it happened in dreams; the more so because I am so great a sinner, in what can I rejoice save in my own infirmities. What do I have that I did not take? Thanks be to God that I am what I am, so why should I glory as if I had not taken it? How much I wished for the great devotion of this College of Coimbra and of all Europe, I would have given work to all. What a difference there is between our desires and our deeds, as between actual and potential. Let us develop our powers so that we may know how far apart are east and west. 0 brethren of the Society of Jesus, how can temptation enter where Jesus is, who takes away and possesses all things, but how can temptation endure hearing this? It was a blessed hour when the Lord showed mercy to his servant, raising the poor from the dust and lifting up the beggar from the dunghill to set them among princes, who are all of you. For let us all say, what a blessed hour, not with a subdued voice, but like pipes: come and see what my spirit has done, I shall sing the mercies of the Lord forever from
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTg0NzAy