HERE BEGINNETH THE SEVENTEENTH CHAPTER
That a Very contemplative list not meddle him with active
life, nor of anything that is done or spoken about him, nor yet to answer to
his blamers in excusing of
himself.
IN the gospel of Saint Luke it is written, that when our Lord was in the house
of Martha her sister, all the time that Martha made her busy about the dighting
of His meat, Mary her sister sat at His feet. And in hearing of His word she
beheld not to the business of her sister, although her business was full good
and full holy, for truly it is the first part of active life; nor yet to the
preciousness of His blessed body, nor to the sweet voice and the words of His
manhood, although it is better and holier, for it is the second part
of active life and the first of contemplative life.
But to the sovereignest wisdom of His Godhead
lapped in the dark words of His manhood, thither beheld she with all the love
of her heart. For from thence she would not remove, for nothing that she saw
nor heard spoken nor done about her; but sat full still in her body, with many
a sweet privy and a listy love pressed upon that high cloud of unknowing
betwixt her and her God. For one thing I tell thee, that there was never yet
pure creature in this life, nor never yet shall be, so high ravished in
contemplation and love of the Godhead, that there is not evermore a high and a
wonderful cloud of unknowing betwixt him and his God. In this cloud it was that
Mary was occupied with many a privy love pressed. And why? Because it was the
best and the holiest part of contemplation that may be in this life, and from
this part her list not remove for nothing. Insomuch, that when her
sister Martha complained to our Lord of her, and bade Him bid her sister rise
and help her and let her not so work and travail by herself, she sat full still
and answered not with one word, nor shewed not as much as a grumbling gesture
against her sister for any plaint that she could make. And no wonder: for why,
she had another work to do that Martha wist not of. And therefore she had no
leisure to listen to her, nor to answer her at her plaint.
Lo! friend, all these works, these words, and
these gestures, that were shewed betwixt our Lord and these two sisters, be set
in ensample of all actives and all contemplatives that have been since in Holy
Church, and shall be to the day of doom. For by Mary is understood all
contemplatives; for they should conform their living after hers. And by Martha,
actives on the same manner; and for the same reason in likeness.