Page:Complete ascetical works of St Alphonsus v6.djvu/338

336 "Because," said she, "the Lord takes as much delight in our desires, as if they were put into execution." In another place she says: "Almighty God does not confer extraordinary favors, except where his love has been earnestly sought after." Again, in another passage, she remarks: "God does not fail to repay every good desire even in this life, for he is the friend of generous souls, provided only they do not trust in themselves." This saint herself was endowed with just such a spirit of generosity; so that she once even said to our Lord, that were she to behold others in paradise enjoying him more than herself, she should not care; but were she to behold any one loving him more than she should love him, this she declared she knew not how she could endure.

We must, therefore, have a great courage: The Lord is good to the soul that seeketh him. God is surpassingly good and liberal towards a soul that heartily seeks him. Neither can past sins prove a hindrance to our becoming saints, if we only have the sincere desire to become so. St. Teresa remarks: "The devil strives to make us think it pride to entertain lofty desires, and to wish to imitate the saints; but it is of great service to encourage ourselves with the desire of great things, because, although the soul has not all at once the necessary strength, yet she nevertheless makes a bold fight, and rapidly advances."

The Apostle writes: To them that love God, all things work together unto good. And the gloss or ancient commentary adds "even sins;" even past sins can contrib-