way the delight—whether it spring from nature or from the devil—will be changed into an effect of grace to you.
Dryness may likewise proceed from these three causes.
From the devil, to make the mind lukewarm, and to cause it to turn from spiritual exertion to the occupations and delights of the world.
From ourselves, through our faults, earthly attachments, and neglects.
From grace, either to give us warning, that we should be more diligent to forsake every attachment and employment which is not of God, and does not terminate in Him; or, to make us learn by experience, that all our good things come from Him; or, that we may for the future more highly esteem His gifts, and be more humble and cautious in preserving them; or, that we may unite ourselves more closely to His Divine Majesty with entire self-renunciation even as to spiritual delights, that our affections may not be so attached to them as to divide the heart which the Lord would have wholly for Himself; or else, because He is pleased to see us put forth all our strength in battle, and use His grace.
If you then should feel dry, enter into yourself, that you may discover from what fault of your own you have been deprived of sensible
