Letter XIII: To the Same Person: In what Respect the Soul cannot Sin

SIR,
Think not that I imagine that Souls that are in Union with God, are of themselves impeccable; They can Sin as they are in their Bodies; but accidentally they cannot Sin, during this Union; because they do not live then to themselves, but God who cannot Sin liveth in them; who transforms them into himself in such manner, as they are no more any Force or Powers of their own, no more than a drop of Wine would have, that were thrown into the Sea, which presently loses its force and substance; It loses the loses the Being of the Wine, becoming Water by the great Ocean that surrounds it and changes it unto its own substance: thus the Soul being swallowed up in God cannot Sin, nor have the least vain complacency, unless it would withdraw from this Union to be left unto it itself; which would be as great a wonder, as if this drop of Wine should preserve its own substance in the midst of such a multitude of Waters. Yet I do not deny that (o) the Just Man falleth seven times a day, but not into Sin, either Mortal or Venial, for else he would cease to be Just by falling into Sin; but those falls are from a greater fervour to a lesser; or from the view of God; but he cannot continue in it; no sooner does he turn his Eye unto God than the Soul is rejoyn'd unto him by Love; and the delaying this Union, would seem a Hell unto it.

This is the happy state of Union with God, which is the only fate Azylum that's free from Sin, whither I invite you to steer your course: For it you take a particular Vertue, such as Humilty, for example, for a Foundation, it is indeed a sure way, but there be in it so many windings as one will readily lose himself in it; considering you advance in Years, and that it may be fear'd you shall not have time enough to correct all your defects and acquire all the Vertues, take this short way of the Love of God. It is a fire that consumes all insensibly; all your Vices will burn in it, and from the Ashes therefore shall every Vertue be easily formed. Love is the only Good. Love, love, and all shall be consumed by this depth of Love; wherein I wish you to be, and remain

Sir,

Brussels April 30, 1664 Your most humble Servant, Anthoinette Bourignon From: The Light in the Darkness by Antionette Bourignon, 1703.

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