Let us return now to ourselves, let us examine our paths; and in order to accomplish this in truth, let us invoke the Spirit of truth, let us call to him from the deep into which he has led us, because he leads us on the way by which we discover ourselves, and without him we can do nothing. Nor should we be afraid that he will disdain to come down to us, for the contrary is true: he is displeased if we attempt even the least thing without him. For he is not one “who passes and does not return”, he leads us on from brightness to brightness because he is the Spirit of the Lord. Sometimes he fills us with rapture by the communication of his light; sometimes he adapts himself to our weakness and sends beams of light into the dark about us. But whether we are raised above ourselves or left with ourselves, let us stay always in the light, always walk as children of the light. And now that we have passed through the shadow-light of allegories, it is time to explore the great plains of moral truths. Our strength has been strengthened, let our lives reveal its influence; our intellects have been enlightened, let them prescribe the right behavior. For they have sound sense who do this, if they direct their actions and understanding toward the praise and glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed for ever.
Bernard of Clairvaux. On the Song of Songs 1, Sermon 17: On the Ways of the Holy Spirit and the Envy of the Devil, CF 4, p.132.
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